Chapter 98: The Key
After Zhou Qiuyu and the others left, Hua Changxi quickly took down the wooden token.
This time, the wooden token had changed slightly, and the sword pattern on it became even clearer.
Lighting the pill fire caused the sword pattern to appear; lecturing in the Qihuang Hall deepened the sword pattern.
Hua Changxi then looked at the four additional patterns on the stone wall. The images were very straightforward, clearly depicting the four diagnostic procedures: observation, listening, questioning, and palpation.
“It seems the Qihuang Hall is truly a place for lecturing.”
Hua Changxi looked at the sword pattern on the wooden token: “But what is this sword pattern for?”
Although she was still confused about the wooden token’s purpose, knowing that the Qihuang Hall was a place for lecturing and spreading the Dao had at least pointed her in a direction for further exploration.
Number Nine Hall was for explaining the ‘four diagnostic methods’; what about the other halls?
Hua Changxi quickly exited the courtyard. As she passed the stone pillars at the courtyard gate, she saw a silver white sword pattern emerge beneath the character ‘Jiu’.
“This is…”
Looking at the sword pattern on the stone pillar, Hua Changxi’s eyes widened. She was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
She had unlocked the function of Number Nine Qihuang Hall, so was this sword pattern a mark?
Since a mark had been made, did that mean Number Nine Hall was her lecture hall?
Thinking this, Hua Changxi looked at the neighboring Qihuang Hall with intense fervor.
The Medical Affairs Department held many secrets. Although she was still confused and didn’t understand many things, it didn’t matter; she could claim territory first.
She couldn’t get involved with the Ninth Street Apothecary Shop, but she could claim the nine Qihuang Halls in the Labor Department first.
Hua Changxi walked somewhat eagerly to Number Eight Qihuang Hall. As she passed the stone pillar, she found that the wooden token did not flash.
“What’s wrong now?”
Previously, when she entered and exited Number Eight Qihuang Hall, the wooden token had clearly flickered.
Hua Changxi then quickly went to Number Seven Qihuang Hall, but the wooden token still did not flash.
“The sword pattern was marked on Number Nine Hall, so the wooden token is useless for other halls?”
If that was the case, then Hua Changxi understood the purpose of the wooden token.
It was the key to entering and exiting the Qihuang Halls!
Hua Changxi thought of the row of wooden tokens hanging on the wall of the Old Plaza Courtyard, and an impulse to possess all of them surged within her.
The moment this thought arose, in the Dantian Qi Sea, unnoticed by Hua Changxi, the Black Flame beneath the Inner Core suddenly grew larger.
Hua Changxi was unaware of the Black Flame growing larger. At this moment, she only felt one thing: the desire to possess all the wooden tokens was growing stronger.
Hua Changxi had always followed her heart when acting. Since the impulse in her heart was so strong, she decided to act on it.
Thus, Hua Changxi truly went to the Old Plaza Courtyard.
When Hua Changxi arrived at the plaza, the sky had already begun to darken. Seeing the open courtyard gate of the old courtyard, she still stepped inside.
Gu Xing heard the movement and opened his eyes. Seeing it was Hua Changxi, he was somewhat surprised.
Seeing him look over, Hua Changxi quickly smiled and greeted him: “Old man, have you eaten dinner?”
Gu Xing was stunned. To prevent his body from deteriorating further, he had not eaten normal food for a long time, only consuming Bigu Pills. Being asked such a question so suddenly, he was a little unaccustomed and chuckled: “Yes, I have. And you?”
Hua Changxi glanced at the empty courtyard, not seeing any cooking utensils: “I have too.” As she spoke, she walked to the stone table in the courtyard, waved her hand, and a pile of Spiritual Fruits appeared on the stone table.
“These fruits tasted quite good to me, so I specifically brought them for you to try.”
Gu Xing looked at the Spiritual Fruits on the stone table, his eyes flickering.
Although they were all just first-tier Spiritual Fruits, the variety was quite rich, something that could not be collected in a small area. It seemed this girl had likely already occupied some territory.
Smelling the fragrant Spiritual Fruits, Gu Xing actually felt a bit of a craving. He stood up, leaning on his walking stick, and walked to the stone table. He picked one up and began to eat: “They are very delicious. Thank you for thinking of this old man.”
Hua Changxi smiled and waved her hand: “You’re welcome. If you like them, I’ll bring you more in the future.”
Gu Xing noticed Hua Changxi’s gaze constantly drifting towards the wooden tokens. Although he was somewhat puzzled, he didn’t ask and sat at the stone table eating the fruit.
Seeing him eating happily, Hua Changxi smiled and probed: “Senior, what exactly is the use of the wooden tokens?”
Gu Xing smiled at her and shook his head: “I am just a gatekeeper.”
Seeing that he wouldn’t reveal anything, Hua Changxi continued to press: “You’ve lived for so long, you must know much more than I do. Please tell me.”
Gu Xing looked at her: “Girl, opportunities must be found by oneself. Don’t think about taking shortcuts. If I really knew anything, would it be your turn to ask?”
Hua Changxi still didn’t quite believe he knew nothing: “You’ve been guarding this courtyard all this time, how could you possibly know nothing?”
Gu Xing said again: “I am just a gatekeeper, only responsible for guarding the gate.”
Seeing his reaction, Hua Changxi knew she wouldn’t get any information: “Old man, I quite like those wooden tokens hanging on the wall. I’ll take a few more.”
Without waiting for Gu Xing’s reply, Hua Changxi walked towards the wall.
Seeing this, Gu Xing was about to say that each person could only have one wooden token. Before the words left his mouth, he saw Hua Changxi take down another wooden token and was immediately so shocked that his mouth fell open.
Seeing Hua Changxi still trying to take more wooden tokens, he urgently shouted: “Girl, don’t be greedy.”
This time, Hua Changxi did not take the wooden token down.
When taking the first two wooden tokens, Hua Changxi did so effortlessly. But when it came to the third one, the wooden token felt as heavy as a mountain.
“Why can’t I take it down?”
Gu Xing walked up to her, leaning on his walking stick. He looked at the wooden token she had just taken down in her hand, was silent for a moment, and then looked at Hua Changxi: “Where is the wooden token you took yesterday? Let me see it.”
The wooden token obtained yesterday already had a sword pattern. Hua Changxi didn’t want to take it out: “I’m not wearing it.”
Gu Xing looked at her: “…Greed for too long will choke you.”
Hua Changxi looked at him disapprovingly: “Aren’t the wooden tokens hanging here for people to take? I took the wooden token with my own ability, so how is that greedy?”
This statement actually made Gu Xing pause. After a moment of silence, he said: “What you say has some logic to it, but girl…”
Gu Xing pointed at the wooden token in Hua Changxi’s hand: “Although the wooden token is light, it still has weight.”
Seeing that he was speaking in riddles, Hua Changxi said directly: “Old man, my brain is slow. Can you speak more clearly? If I take this wooden token, will I have to pay a price?”
Gu Xing: “I have never owned a wooden token, so I know neither its benefits nor its drawbacks.”
Hua Changxi looked at him: “Do you think I believe you?”
Gu Xing was surprised by Hua Changxi’s direct and unreserved reaction, then he smiled broadly: “Girl, between people, there should be more trust.”
Hua Changxi gave a ‘hehe’ laugh: “Old man, it’s getting late. You should rest early. I’ll be going back.”
Watching Hua Changxi’s receding figure, Gu Xing looked at the remaining eight wooden tokens on the wall with a puzzled expression: “Isn’t it one per person? How could that girl take two?”
Gu Xing sighed. With the change of dynasties, many things of the Gu family were lost. The preserved ancient texts were incomplete, and what was left in his hands was even less.
His understanding of the Dan Sheng Hall was truly not much more than anyone else’s.
