Chapter 83: Mastery of the Pile Technique, Visitors from the County Arrive

In one afternoon, he had gained fifty points of reading experience.

At this rate, he estimated that in just half a month, his cultivation in reading would ascend to a new level once more.

Stepping out of Jingning Academy, Chen Yushu glanced at his attribute panel.

Reading: Enlightened Mind (52/800)

A sense of satisfaction welled up within him.

Of course, he knew the reason for such rapid progress was chiefly the exceptional quality of the books within the academy’s library. Though not every volume was a crystallization of profound wisdom, each harbored grand ideas and truths. Many of the essays were deeply meaningful; even with his swift mind, he often had to ponder several times before grasping and understanding them.

In fact, as he recalled and contemplated certain passages, he found he could still benefit from them, occasionally gaining a little more reading experience.

“This time, even aside from the experience gained, the knowledge and insight I’ve accumulated is already considerable.”

Content, Chen Yushu followed the academy’s path and soon arrived in the backyard of his own home.

From the rear, he couldn’t help but glance at the neighboring house at the far edge. It was evident that their yard harbored very few weeds; whatever sprouted withered early, leaving a patch of yellow. By contrast, his own yard was lush with plants, some even growing as tall as half a man.

Just then, he heard a creak, and saw a figure emerging from that neighbor’s yard.

It was him!

Startled, Chen Yushu was about to unlock his back gate and slip inside, but the other man had already cast his gaze upon him. Though the man’s expression remained unchanged, Chen Yushu felt his heart tighten ever so slightly.

“You must be the new neighbor everyone’s been talking about? I heard you’ve just started working at the Liu family’s pharmacy?”

To his surprise, the man greeted him first.

“Yes… yes, that’s right…” Chen Yushu replied, nodding quickly.

He took the opportunity to size the man up. The neighbor was rather tall, in his forties or fifties, his face bearded yet tidy—one could tell that in his youth he had been quite dashing, and even now his appearance was remarkably good.

It was hard to believe this was a corpse keeper, someone who dealt with the undead year after year.

“I’m Zhao Yufeng, a man of the wandering trade. Injuries are inevitable in my line of work. If I need any decoctions or remedies, I’ll have to trouble you for your help,” the man said with a smile.

“Of course, of course,” Chen Yushu nodded repeatedly.

After that, they exchanged no further words. Zhao Yufeng returned indoors, as if he’d stepped out solely to greet him.

Chen Yushu muttered to himself and returned to his own room.

He saw Xiao Yin still quietly nestled in the shadowy corner. When she noticed him, she hopped out cheerfully. Chen Yushu breathed a sigh of relief, entered the spirit world, and asked, “Did anyone come by today?”

“Yes,” Xiao Yin replied.

Startled, he listened as she continued, “Didn’t you just come by?”

“Besides me?” he pressed patiently.

“No one else,” she answered, sucking her finger and shaking her head. Then, gazing at him, she said, “I’m hungry.”

“I’ll burn incense for you!” Chen Yushu nodded, lighting two sticks in haste.

Then he hurried to the kitchen to start the fire and prepare dinner.

He’d been busy all day and was feeling quite hungry himself.

…

Over the next two days, Chen Yushu’s routine grew regular.

He practiced martial arts on the pharmacy’s second floor in the mornings, occasionally receiving guidance from his master. In the afternoons, he read in the Wenchang Pavilion at the academy. Evenings were devoted to drawing talismans and cultivating the White Tiger Visualization Method.

Naturally, he also spent time practicing the Subduing Yin Technique and Qi Observation.

Life was full and orderly.

Dawn.

Chen Yushu rose early to practice the Medicine King Standing Posture.

After a bowl of Vitality Soup and a bowl of Nourishing Essence Soup, he felt a surge within.

Medicine King Standing Posture +7

Suddenly, he felt his body tremble, and a flood of insights and experiences regarding the posture filled his mind. In that brief instant, it was as if he had practiced the set hundreds or even thousands of times.

Medicine King Standing Posture: Mastery (1/800)

“It’s mastered!”

Catching sight of this on his attribute panel, a trace of delight surfaced on his face.

He had long anticipated this breakthrough.

Now, he began to sense the changes mastery brought.

Indeed, at the moment of breakthrough, he felt his body grow immensely stronger—a strength that far surpassed before.

His body was robust, his power greater.

Most notably, the energy within him was more forceful and turbulent. Even without conscious direction, a warmth flowed ceaselessly through him.

He knew this was the result of energy accumulating to a certain threshold.

“Moreover, the posture itself has also been optimized.”

Combining his experiences after the breakthrough, Chen Yushu adjusted his movements and breathing rhythm, refining them until he completed another cycle.

Medicine King Standing Posture +3

“The experience gained is much less than before, but the effect is at least twice as strong. With each round, energy courses through me like a rushing stream…”

Comparing before and after, Chen Yushu was thrilled.

No wonder Master Qian Qian had said that standing postures were the foundation of all martial arts—for only the energy cultivated through them is purest.

At the minor achievement stage, energy emerged in drops. At mastery, it gushed like a spring—utterly incomparable.

“With this, I can finally begin the external strengthening method—the Medicine King’s Power-Locking Technique.”

He had long looked forward to this. After a failed attempt before, he had not wished to experience the powerless emptiness of depleted energy again, so he had waited until now.

Now, with his energy surging, it was the perfect time to begin.

Without hesitation, he started cultivating.

“First temper the skin, then the flesh, then the veins and bones, and finally drive the energy into the marrow for comprehensive refinement…”

As these steps flashed through his mind, Chen Yushu willed his energy along his vessels, adjusting his breath accordingly.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he completed one cycle.

Immediately, he felt his skin and muscles grow taut, as if washed anew—a pleasant sensation.

Looking at his arms, he saw them beaded with sweat, impurities expelled with it.

Medicine King’s Power-Locking Technique +1

“I’ve entered the beginner level! But that’s expected. I fully understood the method long ago—it was only a lack of energy that held me back. Now, with energy abundant, one session was enough to break through.”

He was not surprised.

Sensing ample energy remaining, he began a second cycle.

Then a third, a fourth…

Until his energy was depleted.

He quickly fetched a bucket of water to wash himself thoroughly.

Glancing at the sky, he did not stop, but headed into the backyard for his daily throwing practice.

He had already raised his throwing technique to mastery, and a breakthrough to the next level was within reach.

Now, he intended to seize the momentum and ascend in one go.

He began to practice.

Pebbles shot out like lightning, striking distant targets—sometimes flies, sometimes beetles. Every moving target within his sight became the landing point for a stone.

After half an hour,

Throwing Technique +1

Suddenly, a realization struck him.

Countless insights and experiences about throwing flooded his mind, which he absorbed and made his own.

“My throwing technique has advanced. The next realm is Perfection?!”

He checked his attribute panel.

Throwing Technique (Perfection)

No further experience was required.

“So, it’s maxed out?” he marveled, and began to carefully sense what had changed.

“First, my eyesight is keener than ever. Night is as clear as day, and I can perceive the tiniest details over thirty thousand meters. My touch is so precise that as long as I have something in hand and enough strength, I can hit any target at will—never missing. I can even curve stones to strike targets hidden behind obstacles, without losing force…”

Night as day, seeing the minute as grand, sight to thirty thousand meters, splitting a willow at a hundred paces, curving stones to strike…

Chen Yushu tried each skill, his face growing ever more excited.

Each ability was immensely useful—not only in combat, but also should he ever face malevolent spirits or demons. His talisman-throwing techniques would certainly reach new heights.

…

Upon entering the pharmacy, Chen Yushu immediately noticed the presence of several new people.

They were not patients.

Two of them were seated in the main hall, diagnosing and treating, while Physician Liu and Physician Jiao stood respectfully at the side, awaiting instruction.

Chen Yushu was astonished. Spotting Steward Zhou nearby, he hurried over and asked, “Uncle Zhou, who are they?”

“People from headquarters,” Steward Zhou replied. “They arrived yesterday afternoon, just after you left. The one in the hall is Master Liu Hexuan, usually based in the county and Liu Physician’s uncle, as well as Jiao Physician’s mentor. The other is Liu Yong, an expert in acupuncture and moxibustion, famed for reviving a dying man with just three needles.”

Steward Zhou’s words brimmed with admiration.

Chen Yushu nodded, observing that the two men were not only skilled in medicine, but also possessed formidable martial strength. Old Master Liu Hexuan, despite his age, had vitality comparable to Master Su Ming. Even Liu Yong, robust and energetic, surpassed Zhou himself—if Steward Zhou was at the late stage of internal cultivation, Liu Yong was at its peak, not far from breaking through to the next realm.