Chapter 43: Returning to Ancestry
Hua Changxi had quite a few pills in her hand. Selling them to an apothecary shop would not only lead to a lower price but also potentially attract unwanted attention. Since she didn’t know any intermediaries, she hesitated before deciding to seek out Pharmacist Xu.
Pharmacist Xu also ran an apothecary shop. In fact, most pharmacists and physicians in the Medical Affairs Department operated their own shops outside of their official duties.
Normally, these pharmacists and physicians worked at the Medical Affairs Department, and their apothecary shops were either managed by family members or by shop assistants.
The common folk valued their reputation and medical skills, so they would patronize their shops to buy medicine and seek treatment. These apothecary shops had better business than ordinary ones.
When Hua Changxi arrived at Xu’s Apothecary Shop, she found that Pharmacist Xu was not there, only a shop assistant was minding the store.
“Brother Wu Shuang, Happy New Year. Is Uncle Xu here?”
When Pharmacist Xu was not on duty, he would usually see patients at his apothecary shop. Hua Changxi was a bit surprised not to see him there.
Shop assistant Wu Shuang smiled, “Happy New Year, Jiu Niang. The master is in the backyard.” He then lowered his voice, “A Ling is sick, and the master is taking care of her.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi quickly asked, “Is A Ling very ill?”
Xu Ling was Pharmacist Xu’s daughter. Her mother had passed away not long after giving birth to Xu Ling. For years, father and daughter had relied on each other, and Hua Changxi knew how much Pharmacist Xu cherished his daughter.
Wu Shuang scratched his head, “I don’t know if it’s serious. A Ling has no other problems, just excessive sleepiness.”
Hua Changxi: “What do you mean by excessive sleepiness?”
Wu Shuang knew that Pharmacist Xu treated Hua Changxi like a junior family member, so he didn’t hide anything. “At first, A Ling just woke up late in the morning. Then she started sleeping until the afternoon to wake up. But now, A Ling only wakes up for a short while at night; she sleeps the rest of the time.”
Hua Changxi frowned as she listened, “How long has this been going on?”
Wu Shuang thought for a moment, “It started in October last year. After it began snowing in the Capital City, A Ling became increasingly sleepy.”
“Brother Wu Shuang, I’ll go to the backyard to see A Ling.”
Hua Changxi had visited Xu’s Apothecary Shop before and didn’t need to announce herself to go to the backyard. Wu Shuang didn’t stop her.
“Uncle Xu.”
Hua Changxi entered the backyard and, not seeing Pharmacist Xu in the main hall, walked directly towards the east wing room, where Xu Ling lived.
Pharmacist Xu’s east wing room had a layout of one central room and two side rooms. The middle was the living room, and the ends were the study room and bedroom.
The door to the wing room was open. Hua Changxi called out to Pharmacist Xu as she walked into the living room.
Pharmacist Xu, who was sitting by Xu Ling’s bed, was clearly startled by the sound. Then, under Hua Changxi’s astonished gaze, Pharmacist Xu quickly rushed out of the bedroom, pushed Hua Changxi out of the living room, and quickly closed the wing room door.
Hua Changxi stared at Pharmacist Xu in bewilderment, very confused by his actions.
Pharmacist Xu’s actions were instinctive. Facing Hua Changxi’s confused gaze, he knew he had overreacted but didn’t know how to explain.
After her surprise, Hua Changxi tentatively asked, “Uncle Xu, what exactly is wrong with A Ling?”
Pharmacist Xu’s reaction suggested only one possibility: he was afraid someone would see Xu Ling.
Seeing that Pharmacist Xu remained silent, Hua Changxi added, “Uncle Xu, two heads are better than one. Even if I can’t help much, if you tell me about A Ling’s condition, perhaps I can offer some diagnostic ideas?”
Pharmacist Xu looked at Hua Changxi. Jiu Niang had interacted with him a lot over the years, and A Ling was also familiar with Jiu Niang.
Pharmacist Xu trusted Hua Changxi’s character. After hesitating, he turned and opened the wing room door. “Come in with me to see A Ling.”
Hua Changxi followed Pharmacist Xu into Xu Ling’s bedroom.
Xu Ling was sleeping peacefully, her face serene. However, her cheeks were covered in silver-white patterns that glowed faintly.
Hua Changxi’s pupils contracted. She quickly walked to the bedside and examined the patterns on Xu Ling’s face. “These patterns look a bit like snake scales. What do you think, Uncle Xu?”
Pharmacist Xu was surprised to see her leaning so close and analyzing so intently. “Aren’t you afraid?”
Hua Changxi blinked. She realized she wasn’t particularly afraid; in fact, she felt a hint of excitement.
From the day she could cultivate, she knew this was a fantastical world. She had always felt that the fantastical aspects were distant from ordinary people and required her to explore diligently.
She never expected to encounter something so extraordinary and bizarre so soon, and within her social circle.
She was excited, excited to finally touch the fantastical side of this world.
Of course, she couldn’t voice such thoughts to outsiders. So, Hua Changxi looked at Pharmacist Xu seriously. “Uncle Xu, the person lying here is A Ling. What is there to be afraid of?”
Finally, someone to discuss his daughter’s problem with, Pharmacist Xu couldn’t help but say, “You don’t know, two days ago, when I saw snake scales appear on A Ling’s face, I was scared to death.”
Hua Changxi comforted him, “Uncle Xu, don’t be afraid. Even if A Ling turns into a snake, she’s still your daughter, isn’t she?”
Pharmacist Xu: “…” He was not comforted.
Hua Changxi took Xu Ling’s hand and began to feel her pulse. She was truly curious about Xu Ling’s condition.
How could snake scale patterns appear on a person’s face?
『Diagnostic Technique（ Beginner）: Diagnosis 1/10』
Hua Changxi let out a “huh,” and new data appeared.
Seeing this, Pharmacist Xu quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Have you found any problems? I examined A Ling’s body before, and I didn’t find anything wrong.”
Hua Changxi quickly shook her head. The moment the data appeared, a warm current surged into her eyes. After a warm sensation, she found that her eyes could now see things in much finer detail.
For instance, she could now see that the glow of the snake scales on Xu Ling’s face fluctuated with her breathing.
Hua Changxi got up and carefully examined Xu Ling’s body again, discovering that her hands and feet also had snake scale patterns, and the glow on the patterns also changed with her breathing.
Looking at this scene, Hua Changxi inexplicably thought of the diagram of a bird’s breathing and exhalation that appeared in her mind when she was cultivating.
During her cultivation, she could clearly sense that every pore on her body was performing breathing and exhalation in sync with her own breath.
How similar it was to Xu Ling’s current situation!
Hua Changxi suddenly felt a sense of dread. She had always cultivated alone and had never seen herself while cultivating. Could she also be growing bird feathers on her body while cultivating, just like Xu Ling?
No, no, no!
Hua Changxi immediately denied it. She cultivated in the dormitory of the Labor Department. If there were any problems, her roommates would have made a fuss long ago.
Therefore, her situation and Xu Ling’s were different.
Hua Changxi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Xu Ling with confusion.
Was Xu Ling cultivating?
Thinking that her ability to cultivate was all thanks to a Demonic Daoist, Hua Changxi quickly asked Pharmacist Xu, “Uncle Xu, before A Ling became so sleepy, did she go out, or did she come into contact with anyone special?”
Pharmacist Xu shook his head. “A Ling usually stays in the apothecary shop. The people she interacts with are either patients or those picking up medicine. Where would she meet anyone special?”
Hua Changxi couldn’t figure it out. She hadn’t gone out and hadn’t met anyone special, so how could such a bizarre thing happen to Xu Ling? It couldn’t be that she triggered it herself, could it?
Hmm?
Triggered herself?
Hua Changxi looked at the snake scales on Xu Ling’s face, and a flash of inspiration struck her. She recalled a type of Spiritual Plant called Ancestral Return Fruit recorded in the 《Compendium of Materia Medica Notes》.
Ancestral Return.
For some reason, Hua Changxi thought of the well-known story and looked at Pharmacist Xu curiously. “Uncle Xu, wasn’t A Ling’s mother surnamed Bai?”
Pharmacist Xu didn’t understand why Hua Changxi suddenly brought up his deceased wife, but he still replied, “A Ling’s mother was surnamed Zhou. However, my Xu family did have an ancestor surnamed Bai in the past.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi immediately clapped her hands, excited. “Uncle Xu, have you heard the story of the Legend of the White Snake?”
The Legend of the White Snake, of course, Pharmacist Xu had heard of it. He asked, confused, “Yes, why?”
Hua Changxi was a little excited. “Uncle Xu, the person Bai Niangzi repaid for her kindness was surnamed Xu, your Xu.”
Pharmacist Xu’s face darkened. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Hua Changxi’s eyes sparkled. “Uncle Xu, A Ling is so sleepy. Don’t you think she looks like a snake hibernating?”
Pharmacist Xu’s face turned completely dark. “Hua Jiu Niang, if you keep spouting nonsense, do you believe I’ll kick you out?”
Seeing that Pharmacist Xu was angry, Hua Changxi had to suppress her excitement. “I’m just offering you some ideas, Uncle Xu. Think about it, aren’t my ideas quite reasonable?”
“Reasonable my foot!”
Pharmacist Xu was so angry he swore. “So, you’re saying that my Xu family’s ancestor was a snake, and we are all descendants of snakes.”
Hua Changxi: “Don’t be angry. I have a basis for saying this.”
Pharmacist Xu’s chest heaved with anger. This Hua Jiu Niang had completely disowned their entire family, and she still told him not to be angry. It was infuriating.
“Hua Jiu Niang, explain yourself clearly. If you can’t, I’ll cut ties with you.”
Hua Changxi: “Uncle Xu, have you heard of a fruit called Ancestral Return Fruit?”
Pharmacist Xu snorted coldly. “This pharmacist has never heard of it.”
Hua Changxi’s expression was serious. “But I have heard of it. It is said that eating the Ancestral Return Fruit can cause bloodline ancestral return. It is a Spiritual Fruit that the Demon Race most desires.”
Pharmacist Xu laughed in exasperation. “The Demon Race is involved now? Hua Jiu Niang, have you read too many storybooks and damaged your brain?”
Hua Changxi was not affected by Pharmacist Xu’s emotions and continued, “Humans can also achieve ancestral return. It is said that in ancient times, humans were protected by deities. During that period, people had divine power within them. After ancestral return, humans can regain divine power.”
Pharmacist Xu was tired of listening and directly pushed Hua Changxi out of the wing room. “Go back where you came from. You are not welcome here. Go tell your stories elsewhere.”
Hua Changxi didn’t expect Pharmacist Xu to believe her. She looked at him seriously. “Uncle Xu, A Ling should be fine. Don’t let anyone else know about her condition. Demonic Monks and Demonic Daoists are most interested in people like A Ling.”
Pharmacist Xu was extremely impatient. “Hurry up and leave!”
Hua Changxi didn’t say any more. After giving Pharmacist Xu a few more instructions, she left.
As soon as she left, Pharmacist Xu stood in the courtyard in silence for a while. Then he returned to the wing room, gazed at his daughter for a long time, and finally entered the room where the Xu family ancestors were enshrined.
Looking at the tablet of Madam Bai at the very top of the altar, Pharmacist Xu’s expression was extremely complex.
The story of the Legend of the White Snake was widely circulated in the Great Jin Dynasty. To avoid being ridiculed, Pharmacist Xu had never voluntarily told anyone that his family truly had an ancestor surnamed Bai.
Hua Changxi’s words had indeed stirred waves in Pharmacist Xu’s heart.
He was affected not only by the story of the Legend of the White Snake but also by some events that had occurred in the Medical Affairs Department in the past two years.
Ordinary people only knew that the Medical Affairs Department was a government office, but not many knew that it was under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Department.
The Heavenly Department, with its authority equal to the Six Ministries, was directly led by the Emperor.
The Heavenly Department had three major departments. The Medical Affairs Department was one of them, another was the Martial Arts Academy, and the third department was rarely known: the mysterious Demon Suppressing Division.
Demon Suppressing.
What demons?
Of course, it was demons!
In the past two years, the workload of the Medical Affairs Department had become increasingly heavy. The pharmacists and physicians on Ninth Street were required to submit more and more Pills. Where did all these submitted Pills go?
A small portion was distributed to the Martial Arts Academy, but the majority was sent to the Demon Suppressing Division.
Judging by the quantity of Pills consumed, the casualty rate in the Demon Suppressing Division had clearly increased significantly in the past two years.
Although he had never seen a demon with his own eyes, he could sense that the opponents of the Demon Suppressing Division were extremely formidable, otherwise, such a large amount of medicine wouldn’t be needed.
“If there really are demons in this world…”
Pharmacist Xu thought of Xu Ling’s condition. At this moment, he was also uncertain if he was truly human. Could it be that their Xu family descendants were indeed descendants of snakes?
After leaving Xu’s Apothecary Shop, Hua Changxi’s mood was far from calm. She felt the excitement of a new world opening up to her, as well as the solemnity of sensing an approaching crisis.
Someone like Xu Ling had appeared in her social circle. What about others?
If people like Xu Ling continued to increase, could the world remain peaceful in the long run?
A sense of crisis welled up in Hua Changxi’s heart. She needed to speed up her cultivation realm advancement.
Since she had obtained the opportunity to cultivate, she didn’t want to be a mere ripple passively swept along by the surging tide of the times.
Since she couldn’t sell the pills she had to Pharmacist Xu, Hua Changxi thought of Yu Hui. Yu Hui wouldn’t be able to use all the pills he had received. The rest would definitely be sold.
With Eunuch Yu backing him, he should have channels for selling pills.
Unfortunately, she didn’t know where Yu Hui lived, so she could only look for him when she returned to the Labor Department.
Hua Changxi didn’t linger on the street and returned directly to the Hua Family. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw many gifts displayed.
“Jiu Niang is back. Come over and see if there’s anything you like?”
Hua Da Lang saw Hua Changxi and quickly waved her over with a smile.
Old Madam Hua, who had been happily looking through the gifts Hua Da Lang brought back from outside, had her smile falter when she saw him beckoning Hua Changxi over. However, she ultimately didn’t voice any objection.
Hua Changxi walked over and asked, “Eldest Brother, who are these from?”
Old Madam Hua immediately boasted, “The Earl’s Mansion and the Great Clan Elder value your Eldest Brother as a Sixth Rank Martial Artist, so they specially bestowed so many things upon your Eldest Brother.”
“Hmph, you, a biological sister, are not as generous as these outsiders.”
Hua Changxi ignored Old Madam Hua and glanced at the bolts of cloth and jewelry in the courtyard, showing no interest. “I’m going back to my room to rest.”
“What kind of attitude is that!”
Old Madam Hua was furious. The Earl’s Mansion appreciated Da Lang, and everyone in the family was happy for Da Lang. Only this Jiu Niang offered no congratulations.
Hua Da Lang thought Hua Changxi was still angry about what happened on Lunar New Year’s Eve. He casually picked out a few bolts of cloth and pieces of jewelry that young women liked and went to find Hua Changxi.
After returning to her room, Hua Changxi had just put away the pills she hadn’t sold when Hua Da Lang entered. She immediately said displeasedly, “Eldest Brother, in the future, when you enter my room, remember to knock.”
Hua Da Lang smiled dismissively. “What, are you really going to be distant with your Eldest Brother?”
Hua Changxi: “It’s not about being distant, but about us having boundaries. I’m a grown woman, and I have my privacy. If you enter my room, you must ask my permission beforehand.”
Hua Da Lang: “Alright, alright, I’ll knock next time. Okay?” He then put down the bolts of cloth and jewelry. “These are all chosen by Eldest Brother for you. See if you like them?”
Seeing that Hua Da Lang intended to mend their relationship, Hua Changxi didn’t refuse him. She looked through the cloth and jewelry and said reluctantly, “They’re alright.”
Hua Da Lang chuckled. “After going to the Medical Affairs Department, your taste has indeed improved. We couldn’t afford such fine materials for jewelry in our family before.”
Hua Changxi looked at him. “Eldest Brother, it’s not that my taste has improved after entering the Medical Affairs Department. It’s that I feel I deserve better.”
Hua Da Lang knew that his sister had always said some strange things since she was young. He didn’t want to argue with her and asked with a smile, “Jiu Niang, are you working very hard in the Labor Department?”
Hua Changxi looked at Hua Da Lang, who was suddenly showing concern, with suspicion. “It’s alright, I can handle it.”
Hua Da Lang, however, looked displeased. “Jiu Niang, come home. It won’t be long before Eldest Brother can take up an official post. I can’t bear to see my sister working as a laborer.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi stopped caring whether Hua Da Lang meant well or not and directly said, “Eldest Brother, I will not come home.”
In the Medical Affairs Department, although she was just a laborer, she was participating in social production and entering the social sphere.
What was the point of going home? To return and be an appendage to the family?
Hua Da Lang frowned and patiently said, “Eldest Brother knows. You don’t want to stay at home all day. I’ve already spoken with Grandmother. After you leave the Medical Affairs Department, you can manage the Alchemy for our family’s apothecary shop.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi completely understood Hua Da Lang’s intentions and sneered, “Eldest Brother, you don’t need to say more. No matter how hard or tiring the Labor Department is, I am willing to endure it. I will not come back to work for the family.”
In the Labor Department, everything she gained belonged to her personally.
Working at the Hua Family Apothecary Shop, everything she did belonged to the Hua Family. She produced value but had to wait for the Hua Family to allocate it. Why would she be so foolish as to return?
Hua Da Lang became somewhat angry. “Jiu Niang, your temperament is truly troublesome.”
Hua Changxi sneered. “Yes, I’m not like Fifth Sister. Young women like Fifth Sister are what you like, and because of your liking, she became someone’s concubine.”
Seeing Hua Da Lang glare at her, Hua Changxi met his gaze directly. “Eldest Brother, since I have already left home, there is no reason to return.”
Hua Da Lang stood up abruptly and said coldly, “Grandmother was right. You are indeed rebellious by nature and unteachable.”
Hua Changxi shrugged and spread her hands. “This is just how I am.”
