Chapter Seven: This Is as Far as I Can Help You

The presence of ancestral spirits was akin to having an extra layer of protection. With it, the chances of success in any endeavor were significantly higher. At the very least, some adverse factors could be eliminated. But if the spirits in the ancestral hall—the very ancestors themselves—were gone, it would spell grave danger for everyone in the village. That intangible shelter would vanish. After that, the likelihood of drowning in the river would soar, a fall from a tree would almost certainly end in serious injury if not death, and nothing would proceed as smoothly as one might hope. Even situations that should have been harmless could turn disastrous.

Chen Yushu, well-versed in the memories of his predecessor and familiar with the circumstances of this world, quickly understood, but still pressed on, “How did it happen?”

“In fact, the Liu family was not originally from our Northern Jiao Village. Thirty years ago, the elders permitted their family to settle here. However, the Liu family made significant contributions to the village—indeed, to the entire Northern Jiao Village. The main reason was that the Liu family had a ‘spirit medium’—a woman with powers greater than Elder Zhong, a true adept who had mastered the arts of the spirit world. Because of her, our village was spared many disasters and even escaped a calamity that could have wiped out the entire Northern Jiao Village. The whole village was deeply grateful to her family.”

He paused, then continued, “But ten years ago, the spirit medium met with an accident and died away from home. As a result, the wards she had sealed erupted, annihilating all the spirits in the ancestral hall. It was only thanks to Liu Yong—Liu Qiao’er’s father—that peace was eventually restored. But he himself perished during that turmoil. So, although the disaster was caused by the Liu family, it was also their intervention that quelled it. In the end, with only a widow and orphan left, the villagers, being people of principle, did not drive them out. Still, their attitude towards the mother and daughter was far from kind.”

At these words, Chen Yushu finally understood. The spirits in the ancestral hall were, in effect, the ancestors of every family in the village. With their own ancestors destroyed, even the Liu family’s past kindness could not win forgiveness from the villagers.

Yet, precisely because of this, Chen Yushu realized that Liu Qiao’er was anything but ordinary. When the ‘ghost’ appeared earlier, she had surely seen it too. In fact, when the ghost was about to attack him, it was very likely her, or her mother, who intervened.

According to his father, their family once produced a true spirit medium, someone with genuine abilities. Did that mean their family might still possess the corresponding secret arts? And perhaps their heritage was even more profound than Elder Zhong’s?

Chen Yushu’s mind began to stir with excitement. He was deeply curious about, even yearning for, that path. Especially since, for reasons unknown, he found himself able to see ghosts in broad daylight. He did not know if his own spiritual strength was already sufficient, but this daily exposure to spirits, yet being powerless to act, left him both helpless and frustrated. If this continued, he feared he might lose his mind even if the ghosts didn’t kill him first.

“I must master these arts as soon as possible,” Chen Yushu sighed inwardly, his gaze growing resolute.

While speaking, the two arrived at the entrance of a pharmacy—their destination, the Liu Family Apothecary.

Peering inside, the shop was spacious, rows of medicine cabinets lined up neatly. Four or five young apprentices bustled about, fetching and brewing herbs. The scent of medicines permeated the air even from a distance. Physicians, the shopkeeper, patients, coughs, and conversations all blended into a cacophony.

Chen Baihe led Chen Yushu inside, quickly scanning the shop before approaching a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. Bowing slightly, he spoke politely, “Manager Zhou, are you busy?”

“Ah, it’s young Chen. Here to deliver herbs, I suppose? As usual, just leave them in the back yard—someone will check and record them,” the manager replied.

The Liu Family Apothecary was the largest in Jianghuan Town. Though they had their own medicinal fields, their demand for wild mountain herbs remained high. Furthermore, the mountains yielded many rare treasures—spiritual herbs, precious medicines—that simply could not be cultivated in fields. Thus, those who supplied wild herbs were always treated with courtesy.

“Manager Zhou, may I have a word in private?” Chen Baihe asked cautiously. At the manager’s nod, they stepped into a corner, where he carefully produced a wooden box from his jacket—something he had protected the entire way, frequently checking to ensure it was still there, only relaxing once he was safely inside the pharmacy.

“Oh?” Manager Zhou opened the box, and his eyes lit up. “A hundred-year-old wild ginseng—an authentic treasure! Young Chen, you’re in luck. This ginseng is in perfect condition, worth at least thirty taels of silver. Of course, I’ll have to ask the shopkeeper to confirm the exact value.”

“Manager Zhou, it’s like this,” Chen Baihe began, finally breathing easy, “I’ve heard your pharmacy has a rule: if someone brings in a true treasure, they can exchange it for an apprenticeship here…”

“That is indeed our policy,” Manager Zhou nodded, glancing at Chen Yushu, who stood beside Chen Baihe. “However, if you choose this, you forfeit your ginseng; we won’t pay you any silver for it.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine,” Chen Baihe nodded eagerly, having clearly anticipated this. “This is my son, Chen Yushu. I’d like to use this ginseng to secure him a place as an apprentice in your pharmacy.”

“Greetings, Manager Zhou,” Chen Yushu said politely.

“Bright boy. How old are you? Can you read and write?” Manager Zhou asked.

“Twelve years old. He’s attended private lessons for two years and is literate,” Chen Baihe added helpfully.

“That’s good, then we won’t have to start from scratch. All right, I’ll make arrangements. Discuss it among yourselves while I inform the shopkeeper,” Manager Zhou said after a brief pause, then walked further into the pharmacy.

“Yushu, your father has limited abilities and can only help you this far. The Liu Family Apothecary is famous throughout the town. You must work hard and learn well. If you excel, you could become a physician—and even study martial arts,” Chen Baihe advised.

“Don’t worry, I will,” Chen Yushu replied, feeling both anticipation and a touch of excitement in his heart.