Chapter 98: Great Accomplishment in the Path of Medicine

Chapter 98: The Perfection of the Medical Way

There was something she could not figure out, Xiao Wan’er.

Or perhaps she had figured it out, but could not put it into practice.

The pharmacy’s business was poor, not due to Chen Yi’s fault.

Even if Wang Ji were still there, or if another capable proprietor had taken over, the outcome would have been the same.

Chen Yi understood this fully.

Long before he chose to “rest,” he had already realized that, purely in terms of healing the sick, Lingran Xuan far surpassed the Xiao family’s pharmacy in capability.

Beyond the renowned physicians stationed there, they were supported by the long-standing pharmaceutical formulas of Jingzhou’s pharmacy.

Plus, their medicinal herbs were comparatively affordable, making it impossible for any pharmacy to rival Lingran Xuan.

As for the Xiao family’s pharmacy—

At least without mobilizing the Xiao family’s connections, the government offices, or the Qingdun Army, their business prospects would inevitably suffer.

To break this deadlock, the only way was to have a more renowned physician take charge, or possess more effective formulas and medical techniques.

Clearly, the half-hearted Xiao family lacked such conditions.

Thinking this, Chen Yi glanced at the system.

[Opportunity: 223]

“Two hundred, can elevate both to the pinnacle of the medical path…”

He had originally intended to wait until he acquired a suitable method for cultivating spiritual energy before using the opportunity to enhance his martial path.

Now, seeing the situation, if the Xiao family’s pharmacy matter was not resolved quickly, chaos might follow suit…

After a moment of contemplation,

Chen Yi elevated his medical path to the realm of great completion.

Instantly, his mind was flooded with the intricate and complex mysteries of the medical arts.

“Hiss.”

Even without delving into its depths, the medical mysteries at the great completion level still surpassed the martial path’s knowledge by several folds.

Not only did the herbs include grasses and trees, but also serpents, insects, beasts, and other medicinal properties.

Moreover, the medical techniques and theories involved were exceedingly intricate.

If the four diagnostics and eight principles at the novice level—meridian theory, differentiation of symptoms, and herb compatibility—were still within human understanding,

then at the great completion level, the medical path had transcended the mundane, capable of harmonizing the body’s yin and yang, discerning the five operations and six qi within, and diagnosing illnesses merely by observing the body’s aura and complexion.

As for acupuncture techniques, there was the method of inserting needles in the subcutaneous layers at precise intervals, tailored to the time of day for treating patients.

Other arts, such as reshaping meridians and scraping bones, were beyond mere description.

Chen Yi absorbed all this through osmosis, finally exhaling a long breath, and instructed Xiao Die to fetch some edible provisions.

Xiao Die nodded, quickly departing from the Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi leaned back in the pavilion, gazing at the rippling pool water, restoring his exhausted spirit.

At that moment, Xiao Huoge cast aside his fishing rod and approached, “Brother, has something happened at the mansion?”

Though young, he had overheard many rumors lately and noticed many officials and servants hurrying about with troubled expressions.

Plus, his conversation with Xiao Wan’er and Shen Huatang had made him vaguely aware of something.

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head: “What kind of trouble?”

“Compared to Grandfather’s battle with the barbarian tribe, this is just a minor obstacle to overcome.”

Xiao Huoge hummed, “What if we can’t overcome it?”

“Yesterday, I heard Xiao Wannü say the eldest sister had sold all her jewelry, claiming it was to distribute the monthly allowance to the mansion.”

Chen Yi glanced at him, covered his head with his hand, and scolded: “You’re still a child, don’t meddle in adult matters.”

Xiao Huoge struggled to move his head away, “I’m not a child anymore.”

“I said you are, and you are.”

“I’m not—”

Until Xiao Die returned with two pastries, they continued arguing over the matter.

After listening carefully, Xiao Die set down the pastries, restrained a smile, and chided: “My lord, you’re just like young Xiao.”

Chen Yi paused, took the pastries, and began eating while speaking: “Your words are ambiguous, you’d better be careful.”

Xiao Die apologized with a smile, then went to comfort Xiao Huoge, whispering something in a low voice.

For a martial path cultivator at this level, it was not a difficult task, though Chen Yi had not given it much thought.

Just as he had said earlier, compared to the political machinations between the court and the Hidden Guard, Lingran Xuan’s situation was merely a minor obstacle.

Even if this obstacle involved some people and matters, it was still just an obstacle.

Chen Yi gazed at the shimmering pool surface, quietly thinking: “In the end, it will all be resolved.”

…

The next morning, after completing his cultivation, Chen Yi instructed Xiao Die to escort Xiao Huoge to Qaping Yard, then departed alone.

Upon reaching the courtyard, he saw several soldiers, only Geolu Three was familiar, so he ordered him to prepare the horse carriage.

“My lord, today you’re going to visit Jishi Pharmacy? It’s been a while since you last went to the East Market.”

Chen Yi merely nodded, his eyes catching sight of the elderly, stooped noble uncle, and he smiled and greeted him.

The noble uncle, as usual, ignored him, coughed a few times, and walked out of the reclining room.

During their brief exchange, he only said, “I’m going to purchase some items.”

After Chen Yi watched him walk away, he raised an eyebrow, thinking this “Hidden Guard” noble uncle was stranger than Liu Si and Xiao Dongchen.

However, today he had matters to attend to, so he lazily disregarded these “court eagles and dogs.”

Once Geolu Three led the horse carriage, he climbed in.

Just as they passed the magistrate’s office, Chen Yi spoke up: “Turn right toward the West Market.”

Though puzzled, Geolu Three followed his instruction.

The carriage rumbled away for a long time, and the noble uncle finally turned left into Wudong Street, slowly winding through the mountains.

About ten minutes later,

The carriage stopped at the edge of the West Market. Chen Yi dismounted, looked around, and instructed Geolu Three to wait there.

Geolu Three didn’t understand, but didn’t ask further.

The West Market in Shuzhou was more bustling than the East Market, selling mostly gold, silver, jewelry, cosmetics, and paints.

Those who entered and left the West Market were either rich or noble, with substantial resources.

Thus, Geolu Three assumed Chen Yi must be buying some items.

Yet he was unaware that Chen Yi, after entering the West Market, wandered through several shops, then departed toward a finely decorated wooden building in the distance.

On the signboard outside the shop, three gilded characters were written: "Bai Caotang."

At this moment, just past the cockcrow, there weren’t many people inside Bai Caotang, but there were several times more than Ji Shi Pharmacy.

The interior didn’t have the usual consultation rooms for doctors like a regular pharmacy, but was entirely an open counter.

Behind the long counter, all kinds of medicinal herbs were arranged, each in a translucent jade bottle, looking quite bright.

On the counter, there were three piles of small porcelain bottles, about the size of a palm, each with a paper label on the bottle saying "Old White Gold Tea," "Wang Ji Tea," and the like.

Chen Yi swept his eyes around and found the previous herb vendor, Yan Hai, busy at the counter.

"My lady, please gather it up, don’t spill the medicine."

"Also, I’m sending you a bottle of 'Old White Gold Tea,' not particularly valuable, but suitable for you, and after drinking it, it can help relax your body."

While Chen Yi was looking at this, a voice came from the side: "Your Worship…"

Before Wang Ji could finish, Chen Yi raised his hand, signaling someone inside to speak, but on his mouth said: "Wang the Shopkeeper, be at ease, your affair can wait a while."

Wang Ji nodded and led him into the inner room, then went up the stairs to the second floor.

"Your Worship, you need only send word for us to pay respects; the servant also wishes to go and see."

Chen Yi sat down, waved his hand, "Let’s not dawdle, I came today to ask you to do something."

"Your command…"

(End of chapter.)