Chapter 34: A complete Alchemy Inheritance
Hua Changxi still had to wash medicinal herbs. After ‘discussing’ with Eunuch Yu, she returned to the Sixth Bureau.
As soon as she left, Eunuch Yu glared at Yu Hui, his eyes filled with anger: “That girl is a martial artist, why didn’t you tell us beforehand?”
Yu Hui was stunned: “Sister Changxi is a martial artist? Godfather, I didn’t know. I only knew she had a bit more strength. How could she possibly be a martial artist?”
Seeing that Yu Hui’s expression didn’t seem fake, Eunuch Yu also believed he wouldn’t dare to deceive him. After Yu Hui told him about the alchemy, he had already asked Xiao Xizi to investigate Hua Changxi’s situation thoroughly.
Given Hua Changxi’s family background, it was indeed unlikely for her to be trained as a martial artist. The most crucial point was her young age.
He had cultivated for decades and was only a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist. That girl was only thirteen years old, yet her martial arts cultivation was even higher than his.
This was too unbelievable!
Even the martial arts geniuses at the Capital Martial Academy were not this monstrous.
Eunuch Yu’s eyes flickered. That girl must have a secret!
However, Eunuch Yu was not in a hurry about this. As long as Hua Changxi remained in the Labor Department, he would have a day to figure it out.
Eunuch Yu looked at Yu Hui, whose legs were still trembling, and softened his tone: “That Hua Changxi, you should interact with her well. If you can find out how she became a martial artist, I will give you a generous reward.”
Yu Hui quickly agreed: “Don’t worry, Godfather, I will definitely find out about this.”
Eunuch Yu ‘hmm’ed and turned his gaze to the thirty-five pills on the stove.
Hua Changxi had refined twenty pills of each type. That girl had already left, but she came back specifically to take eight pills of each type, claiming it was her share.
Thinking of the girl’s matter-of-fact demeanor when taking the pills, Eunuch Yu’s mouth twitched. He knew he had met his match this time.
In this world, some people valued face above all else, while others valued money above all else. That girl, like him, valued both face and money.
Eunuch Yu did not want to be led around by a young woman. He looked at the young eunuch who had just guided Hua Changxi: “Xiao Xizi, go to Sixth Street and find Pharmacist Zhou for me.”
Xiao Xizi nodded in agreement and left quickly.
Eunuch Yu then instructed Yu Hui: “You still remember the medicinal herbs Hua Changxi picked out just now, right?”
Yu Hui nodded: “I remember.”
Having guarded the storeroom for many years, even if he didn’t know the medicinal properties of the herbs, he had long since memorized them.
Eunuch Yu took the token from his waist: “Go to Storeroom Number Nine and get a portion of the medicinal herbs Hua Changxi used.”
As the chief steward of the storeroom, he could requisition not only discarded medicinal herbs but also good ones.
First, he was asked to invite Pharmacist Zhou, and then to retrieve medicinal herbs. Yu Hui immediately understood what Eunuch Yu was planning to do.
They had watched the entire process of Sister Changxi’s alchemy.
Yu Hui knew that he owed his position in the storeroom to Eunuch Yu. Although he felt a bit sorry for Hua Changxi in his heart, he ultimately said nothing and went to retrieve the medicinal herbs as ordered.
Half an hour later, the medicinal herbs were retrieved, and Pharmacist Zhou had also arrived.
After examining the pills Hua Changxi had refined, Pharmacist Zhou was greatly shocked: “Were all these pills refined using only a few medicinal herbs?”
Eunuch Yu: “Would I lie to you about something like this? I’ve already told you the refining process. Try it quickly. If you can refine them too, we’ll be rich.”
Pharmacist Zhou was also very tempted. He wasn’t just interested in making money; he valued the medicinal efficacy of the formula even more.
In recent years, new medicinal herbs had been discovered all over the place, and various medical halls on Ninth Street were researching new medicines, but the results were not satisfactory. Most were still in the exploratory stage.
Pharmacist Zhou knew all the medicinal herbs in the formula Eunuch Yu had told him, but he didn’t understand their combined medicinal efficacy as thoroughly.
Without Eunuch Yu needing to urge him, Pharmacist Zhou diligently began alchemy.
The initial steps of washing and soaking went without error, but problems arose during the third step, grinding.
Pharmacist Zhou’s ground medicinal herbs were not fine enough and were uneven, unlike Hua Changxi, who had ground them into a paste.
With this step not done well, when it came to mixing and medicating, Pharmacist Zhou was like a pastry chef kneading dough – either too much water or too little. Despite great effort, he couldn’t knead a usable dough.
“This shouldn’t be!”
Pharmacist Zhou was confused. He had been refining medicine for many years and had never encountered such a situation.
Eunuch Yu was also puzzled. He had known Pharmacist Zhou for decades and was well aware of his alchemy skills. Merely mixing the ingredients shouldn’t be difficult for Pharmacist Zhou.
Yu Hui seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Seeing this, Eunuch Yu said impatiently: “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Yu Hui: “Godfather, I was injured by a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist before, and Sister Changxi treated me. The prescription she gave me for decoction can be reused, but I can’t get the poultice for my wound to have the same effect as hers, no matter how I try.”
“Godfather, I think Sister Changxi must have a special technique for processing medicinal herbs. It might look simple to us, but there’s a lot of skill involved.”
Eunuch Yu didn’t understand these things either and looked at Pharmacist Zhou.
Pharmacist Zhou was also unsure of the problem at the moment, so he said, “Old Yu, give me some time to research this.”
Eunuch Yu nodded. Seeing that the retrieved medicinal herbs were wasted, he said, “Do you want me to get you some medicinal herbs?”
Pharmacist Zhou smiled: “I don’t lack medicinal herbs.”
As a pharmacist, even if the research for a new medicine failed and some medicinal herbs were wasted, as long as the reason was explained, he would not be held accountable.
In a way, he could requisition more medicinal herbs than Eunuch Yu, and he could requisition them directly from the medicine storeroom. The medicinal herbs in the medicine storeroom were all processed, while Old Yu’s storeroom contained fresh ones.
Pharmacist Zhou took three pills each of the Qi and Blood Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Foundation Solidifying Pills that Hua Changxi had refined. As he was about to leave, he curiously looked at the pile of discarded medicinal herbs in the courtyard.
“Old Yu, why are you piling up trash in the courtyard?”
Upon hearing this, Yu Hui and Xiao Xizi lowered their heads. Eunuch Yu’s expression also became somewhat unnatural. If his old friend knew that Hua Changxi had refined pills using this “trash,” his pride might be hurt.
“The subordinates made a mistake and haven’t had time to clean it up yet.”
Pharmacist Zhou clearly wasn’t very concerned about this. He said ‘oh’ and left.
Eunuch Yu watched Pharmacist Zhou leave. When he returned to the courtyard, he saw Yu Hui following him, hesitating to speak: “How many times have I told you, don’t be so petty all the time? If you have something to say, say it!”
Yu Hui stopped dilly-dallying and asked, “Godfather, Sister Changxi washes medicinal herbs very quickly. She usually finishes her daily tasks in the morning. If Godfather allows, we can start alchemy tomorrow.”
Eunuch Yu glanced at Yu Hui: “There’s no rush for this. Let’s wait for Pharmacist Zhou’s reply.”
Hearing this, Yu Hui responded with a disappointed ‘oh.’
Seeing him like this, Eunuch Yu snorted. After thinking for a moment, he still gave Yu Hui four pills each of the three types of pills Hua Changxi had refined: “This is your twenty percent.”
Yu Hui was extremely surprised that Eunuch Yu hadn’t withheld his share: “Thank you, Godfather, thank you, Godfather. Godfather, when I’ve finished practicing my martial arts, I will repay you handsomely.”
Yu Hui was only a First-Rank Martial Artist, whom Eunuch Yu didn’t take seriously at all. However, he was quite pleased with Yu Hui’s filial piety: “Since you’ve recognized me as your father, how could I mistreat you, my son? Do your job well, and you won’t be shortchanged.”
Yu Hui nodded repeatedly: “Yes, son will definitely do a good job for Godfather.”
The collaboration in alchemy had gotten off to a good start. Although the profit share was one percent less than he had expected, he was still content.
He was just a facilitator. Godfather provided the medicinal herbs and the courtyard, Sister Changxi provided the alchemy techniques. He, who provided nothing, could get twenty percent of the profit, which was enough.
While Yu Hui was excited and happy, Hua Changxi on the other side was also full of joy.
As she was refining the Qi and Blood Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Foundation Solidifying Pills, new spells appeared on her data panel.
『Fusion Technique（Minor Accomplishment）: Modulating and Fusing Medicinal Herbs 16/100』
When the number of modulated and fused medicinal herbs reached ten, Hua Changxi’s mind was filled with various methods for processing mortal plants and mortal beasts.
『Pill Condensation Technique（Minor Accomplishment）: Condensing Pills 60/100』
When the number of pills she rolled reached ten, Hua Changxi’s mind was filled with various techniques for condensing medicinal ingredients into pills.
『Pill Sealing Technique（Minor Accomplishment）: Sealing Pills 60/100』
When the number of pills Hua Changxi sealed with wax shells reached ten, her mind gained various methods for sealing the medicinal properties and spiritual energy of mortal plants.
The appearance of new spells made Hua Changxi happier than reaching an agreement with Eunuch Yu. She knew that according to the previous spell patterns, as long as she refined over a hundred pills, she would be able to use the Fusion Technique, Pill Condensation Technique, and Pill Sealing Technique with spiritual energy.
After a burst of excitement, Hua Changxi slowly calmed down and began to recall the medical knowledge she had learned.
《Hundred Herbs Annotation》, which discusses the medicinal properties of mortal plants, spiritual plants, divine plants, and xx;
Pure Body Technique, which explains how to use water and wind power to clean medicinal herbs;
《Compendium of Processing》, which explains how to process medicinal herbs;
《Meridian Chart Compendium》, which explains how to dissect and grind medicinal herbs;
Fusion Technique, which explains how to modulate and fuse medicinal herbs;
Pill Condensation Technique, which explains how to form medicinal paste into pills.
Pill Sealing Technique, which explains how to seal the medicinal properties and spiritual energy of pills.
These seven types of medical knowledge, when summarized, formed a complete alchemy process.
Therefore, she had obtained a systematic alchemy inheritance.
