Chapter 204: Shifting the Burden
Looking at the Supreme-grade Pill before him, Prince Shou maintained a calm demeanor, but his speed in collecting the pill was quite rapid.
Supreme-grade Pills, even for the Royal Family who expended vast Resources to cultivate Alchemists, few could refine them. Even if they could, they wouldn’t be able to produce so many at once, not even First Rank Elixirs.
As Prince Shou collected the pills, the Incense of Pills in the Assembly Hall slowly dissipated. The crowd, smelling the residual scent, looked at Hua Changxi with increased solemnity.
Before this, many present had felt somewhat dismissive of those who had obtained Wooden Tokens, believing they had only gotten them by chance, with luck playing a significant part.
Prince Shou, who had taken over the Medical Affairs Department, felt this even more strongly, not truly taking the nine individuals who received Wooden Tokens seriously.
If not for the repeated insistence of the Elders in the Royal Family who studied divination and deduction, stating that those favored by the Wooden Tokens could more easily unravel the secrets of Qihuang Hall, he would have even wanted to seize the Wooden Tokens from Hua Changxi and Shen Qianfan, as they had no backing and could be disregarded without consequence.
But now, Hua Changxi had presented hundreds of First Rank Supreme-grade Pills in one go, fully demonstrating that she indeed possessed extraordinary and solid skills in Alchemy, directly shattering the arrogant judgments of Prince Shou and others.
If Hua Changxi was like this, what about the others? Did they also possess unknown abilities?
The Hall Masters of Qihuang Hall, at this moment, also withdrew their previous casual, scrutinizing gazes when looking at Hua Changxi.
Their taking over Qihuang Hall was not only due to the expectations of their respective Guardian Families but also their own passion and pursuit of Medical Skills and Pill Arts. They held genuine respect for those truly capable.
Mu Qingying and Department Head Gu exchanged glances; the master and apprentice seemed to regret something.
In the Assembly Hall, everyone had different expressions and remained silent until Chu Junhao, who had been publicly rejected by Hua Changxi, broke the quiet.
“Imperial Uncle, your nephew told you long ago that Hall Master Hua is a talented Alchemist. Do you believe it now?”
Although Prince Shou said nothing, his expression had lost its earlier anger.
“Hall Master Hua’s Medical Skills and Pill Arts are far superior to mine; I don’t need my help at all. I was presumptuous just now.” Chu Junhao smiled at Hua Changxi, though his smile was somewhat unnatural, and everyone could see his awkwardness.
Hua Changxi, of course, saw this. Regardless of Chu Junhao’s motives, his words and actions were meant to help her. She could only stand up and reply, “Seventh Prince, your status is noble, and I am unworthy. I appreciate your kindness.”
Hearing this reply, Chu Junhao smiled and returned to his seat.
He was very confused by Hua Changxi’s actions. Hua Changxi clearly did not want to hand over the Supreme-grade Pills. Since she could borrow Elixirs from Mu Qingying and others, why did she refuse his help?
Weren’t they both incurring a debt of gratitude?
Not only Chu Junhao but most people present did not understand. Some even felt that Hua Changxi’s public rejection of a Prince was unwise.
Tang Yufeng looked at Hua Changxi, who had returned to her seat, and whispered softly, “This person is truly arrogant!” Wishing only to form equal friendships, absolutely unwilling to be in any position of inferiority.
Chu Junhao’s public assistance was intended to make Hua Changxi incur a debt of gratitude publicly. Those who owed a debt of gratitude lost the confidence to stand tall.
The matter of owing favors, if it can be avoided, it is best not to incur it. Especially for favors that are actively imposed upon you, it is best to stay as far away as possible.
Hua Changxi’s decisive rejection of the Seventh Prince showed she was a smart person.
Gu Jin Fan heard Tang Yufeng’s whisper but felt worried. According to her secret investigations, Hua Changxi did indeed possess some luck, but being too rigid could lead to breaking. She acted too recklessly.
Publicly rejecting a Prince showed a complete lack of social graces.
Amidst everyone’s varied thoughts, Prince Shou spoke, “I truly did not expect Hall Master Hua’s Alchemy Technique to be so superb. The other Hall Masters should learn from her and serve the Medical Affairs Department more diligently. Only by collaborating can we make the Medical Affairs Department better and better.”
The Hall Masters of Qihuang Hall nodded in agreement.
After Department Head Gu spoke with Prince Shou for a while about his vision for the Medical Affairs Department, he began to preside over the meeting, “The reason for gathering everyone here today is to discuss the lectures at Qihuang Hall after the New Year.”
“After the Spiritual Energy Revival, there are more and more Cultivators, and the demand for Pills is increasing, yet Alchemists are extremely scarce.”
“The Medical Affairs Department, as the gathering place for Great Jin’s top Physicians and Pharmacists, leads the development of Medical Skills and has always undertaken the responsibility of cultivating outstanding medical talents.”
“Currently, with the scarcity of Alchemists, the Medical Affairs Department has an undeniable responsibility. After the New Year, all Hall Masters must impart Alchemy Techniques to the personnel within the Medical Affairs Department in their respective Qihuang Halls.”
Having said this, Department Head Gu paused and looked at the Hall Masters, “Now, if anyone has any opinions, you may voice them.”
The matter of Qihuang Hall lectures had been circulating for a long time. The well-informed Hall Masters, whether they should know or not, were already aware. Even if some disagreed, they wouldn’t seek trouble in the Assembly Hall, so no one intended to speak.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Hua Changxi, who had originally wanted to gather more information from them, could only ask herself, “Department Head, how many days a month will classes be held? What if I go out for Experience or enter seclusion and don’t have time for classes?”
Hearing her question, everyone realized how out of touch Hua Changxi was with the news.
Department Head Gu: “Public lectures, one day per month for each hall, sorted by their hall number. Hall Master Hua, you manage Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall, so the thirteenth of each month is your hall’s lecture day.”
“Attendance at public lectures is mandatory, as it represents the image of your respective Qihuang Hall. If the Hall Master is occupied, they may arrange for a subordinate to substitute.”
Hua Changxi quickly asked, “What if I have no subordinates to use?”
Department Head Gu looked at her, “If you have no subordinates to use, Hall Master Hua, you should consider if it’s your own problem.” He paused and kindly advised, “You are a Hall Master now; you must solve problems yourself instead of asking others.”
Hua Changxi let out a scoff, “The eight Medicine Children in Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall were all arranged by you. Now you say it’s my problem?”
Department Head Gu: “Regarding the Medicine Children, it was because you didn’t make any requests that the Medical Affairs Department arranged them on its own.”
Hua Changxi was speechless. Just as she was about to retort, Department Head Gu spoke first, “The eight Medicine Children in your hall all have excellent potential. As long as you teach them patiently, they will surely become your capable assistants in the future.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi was so amused she laughed, “Department Head, do you think I’m an idiot?” Passing on skills to informants.
“Pfft~”
Someone couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
Everyone turned to look at the person who had laughed.
The person who laughed was Huo Yunxiao, the Hall Master of Number Three Qihuang Hall. Seeing everyone looking at him, he suppressed his laughter and looked at Hua Changxi, “Hall Master Hua, you are very upright and forthright. I’ve never met anyone as straightforward as you. You truly don’t hold back any secrets. I’m very happy to meet you. I tend to laugh when I’m happy, so please don’t mind.”
Hearing this reply, many rolled their eyes. If not for their consideration of the Heavenly Department behind him, they would have wanted to mock him.
Department Head Gu, who was being glared at by Hua Changxi, coughed uncomfortably and continued, “In addition to public lectures, each hall must also accept ten Alchemy Apprentices. At the end of each year, the Medical Affairs Department will conduct an assessment, and each hall must teach at least five Alchemists within a year.”
“This is a strict regulation of the Medical Affairs Department, and each hall must comply.”
He then looked at Hua Changxi, “Hall Master Hua, do you have any more questions?”
Hua Changxi did not object to teaching and was even willing to teach, but the regulations of the Medical Affairs Department restricted her at every turn. “Department Head, my problems are significant. I took over Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall, and not only did I gain no benefits, but I also had to invest time and energy. I really want to ask you, what is the purpose of me being the Hall Master of Qihuang Hall?”
Department Head Gu: “.”
The other Hall Masters, preoccupied with the secrets of Dan Sheng Hall: “.”
Hua Changxi stood up, “You all play amongst yourselves.” With that, she prepared to leave.
Seeing this, Department Head Gu was somewhat dumbfounded, and the others were also stunned.
“Wait.”
Seeing that Hua Changxi was truly about to quit, Department Head Gu quickly called out to her, “Hall Master Hua, you are too impatient. We are still discussing this. If you have an opinion, state it, and we can discuss it further.”
Hua Changxi stopped, “I am not satisfied with any of your arrangements. I can teach, but I will set the time myself; I can also teach Alchemy Apprentices, but I will choose the people myself.”
Hearing this, Prince Shou was displeased, “You get to decide everything. Perhaps you should be the head of the Medical Affairs Department?”
Hua Changxi was already unhappy about handing over the Supreme-grade Pills, so she directly said, “Then I won’t do it.”
Prince Shou had never encountered someone who disregarded him so much and immediately his face darkened, “If you want to leave, you can, but leave the Wooden Token behind.”
Hua Changxi was so angry she laughed, “That won’t do. I obtained the Wooden Token through my own strength; no one can take it away, not just the Wooden Token, but Qihuang Hall as well.”
With these words, everyone once again witnessed Hua Changxi’s arrogant and unyielding nature.
She had just publicly rejected the Seventh Prince, and now she was defying Prince Shou. Did she still want to work in the Medical Affairs Department?
Prince Shou could no longer suppress his anger. Hua Changxi’s temper had been a bit much before, but he had endured it for the sake of Qihuang Hall’s secrets. Now, Hua Changxi was publicly challenging his authority. He could tolerate it no longer, but just as Prince Shou was about to say something, a paper crane suddenly flew in and landed in his hand.
“People from the Guardian Family will arrive at the Medical Affairs Department soon.”
Upon opening the paper crane, Prince Shou saw these words, his expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up with a ‘whoosh’.
