Chapter Seventy: The Proper Method for Cultivating the Pillar of the Medicine King

Inside the pharmacy, there was a dedicated dining hall. The quality of the meals there was relative; shopkeepers and stewards were provided for separately, and Master Qian, as the head of the assistants, held a status equal to that of the stewards and therefore received better food. As for the apprentices, their meals were quite ordinary.

Although Chen Yushu was under Master Qian’s care, he could only enjoy the latter’s share and have a hearty meal when Master Qian was absent. Now that Master Qian was recuperating and needed nourishment while living in the pharmacy, Chen had no choice but to accept his own apprentice’s portion with due humility.

A large flatbread, a bowl of porridge, a small dish of pickles, and a bowl of clear soup.

Just as he was about to eat, Chen suddenly sensed someone watching him. Since his spiritual awareness had grown sharper, he had become extremely sensitive to such gazes. He looked up at once.

The other party seemed timid and quickly looked away, but Chen had already identified the source—it was Xu Hao, who had once shared the same large dormitory with him.

He sensed no hostility in Xu Hao’s gaze and so paid it no mind.

After the meal, Chen found a corner and began to practice the King of Medicine Standing Technique. Like him, many others practiced their skills in the afternoon. Due to the unique competitive system within the pharmacy, most people were diligent, seizing every opportunity to train in martial arts, lest they be expelled.

Chen positioned himself, synchronized his breathing with the technique, and executed the first stance of the King of Medicine Standing Technique. While practicing, he mentally recalled what he had just read in the medical texts, aligning this with the meridians and acupoints, making subtle adjustments.

These adjustments were based on his own understanding of the positions of the relevant meridians and acupoints—a personal exploration and experiment in refining the technique. It was a fusion of theory and practice.

After completing a set, Chen immediately felt a surge of intense, fiery energy coursing through him, spreading throughout his body and leaving him so comfortable that he almost groaned aloud.

King of Medicine Standing Technique +5.

In that instant, he sensed a difference. Checking his attribute panel, he saw that his cultivation experience had increased much more than before—one session was now equal to five.

“As I suspected, the King of Medicine Standing Technique is deeply connected to medical principles. The more proficient one is in medicine, the faster the progress in this technique. That’s why a single session has increased my cultivation experience fivefold—my understanding of the technique has grown significantly.”

Chen Yushu was overjoyed, feeling that he might truly have discovered a shortcut to mastering the technique. Perhaps this was the correct way to cultivate the King of Medicine Standing Technique.

“Excellent!”

“Brother Chen, your practice is truly impressive. Judging by your progress, you must be close to mastering the King of Medicine Standing Technique, aren’t you?”

At that moment, a voice full of admiration interrupted him. Chen Yushu turned his head; it was Xu Hao, who had been observing him earlier. Chen replied, “Compared to you, Brother Xu, I am still somewhat lacking.”

“You’re being modest, Brother Chen. Your proficiency in the King of Medicine Standing Technique far surpasses mine. You’re even more talented than Xu Lihai—they say few apprentices who have trained for a year or two could match you. Soon, I’ll have to call you Physician Apprentice, won’t I?”

Xu Hao quickly refuted him, his enthusiasm almost excessive.

“Is there something you need, Brother Xu?” Chen Yushu frowned slightly. Upon reflection, he realized he’d had little interaction with Xu Hao, especially since moving out of the dormitory. At best, he had shown some concern when Xu Hao was hounded by Li Pei, and later, when Zhao Lei came to collect debts.

While Chen was turning these thoughts over, Xu Hao’s face showed a trace of embarrassment, but he quickly spoke: “It’s true, I do have a favor to ask. You probably know I owe Zhao Lei some silver. He’s pressing me hard, so I had no choice but to come to you.

“But don’t worry, everyone knows I, Xu Hao, am trustworthy. Once I have enough money, I’ll pay you back. We work in the same pharmacy, and your status is higher than mine—surely you’re not afraid I won’t repay you?”

As he spoke, he tried to reassure Chen with promises.

The words sounded familiar to Chen; only a few days ago, he’d used them himself when borrowing from Liu Qiao’er. But Chen had no intention of defaulting—after all, he wanted to learn new ‘arts’ from her. Xu Hao, however, was not to be trusted.

So Chen said nothing, simply turned, and walked away.

“Wait, Brother Chen! Don’t be hasty—how about I give you something as collateral? If I can’t pay you back, it’s yours.”

Xu Hao quickly grabbed his sleeve.

“Collateral? If it was truly valuable, wouldn’t you have taken it to the pawnshop already?” Chen shook his head, uninterested.

“You’ve seen what’s been happening lately with the hauntings, haven’t you?”

“I have two books here, specifically for dealing with such things,” Xu Hao said urgently.

Chen Yushu paused in his tracks.

He knew well that Xu Hao had obtained two books from Li Pei: one was the second volume of the Morning Sun Talisman Art, the other detailed the making of ritual incense. Chen had considered trying to acquire them, but the right opportunity never came. Now, Xu Hao had come to him of his own accord, offering to pawn them for a loan—a pleasant surprise.

He couldn’t help but wonder if the “fortune” borrowed with the luck charm was now working in his favor.

“Twenty silver for both books. Lend me twenty taels, Brother Chen, and the books are yours,” Xu Hao said, seeing Chen’s hesitation. His tone was persuasive, “Especially one of them—it’s a manual for drawing talismans. You saw what that young apprentice did yesterday: one spirit talisman sold for eight taels of silver! If you follow the manual, you’ll be able to draw them too.”

“If it were that easy, would you be pawning them to me?” Chen Yushu scoffed, then said calmly, “Still, yesterday’s haunting did leave me uneasy. I’ll give you ten taels for the two books. When you have the money, come and reclaim them.”

Xu Hao hesitated, but seeing Chen Yushu’s growing impatience, he quickly agreed, relieved to have secured the loan at last.

He had been desperate; had he not found the money, he feared Zhao Lei would tear him to pieces. As for pawning the books elsewhere? He had tried—no one had offered a decent price, only a dead pledge for a single tael, which he’d refused. As for using the books himself, the symbols made him dizzy; he could recognize the characters, but not when they were combined into talismans.

Coming from the same village as Li Pei, Xu Hao knew the value of the books but had no way to use them or sell them. That’s why he decided to pawn them. He had chosen Chen Yushu not only because he’d recently sold a valuable fish and had money, but also because he genuinely intended to reclaim the books once his circumstances improved.