Top-Class Insight: Start with Basic Fist Techniques - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: The Disappearance of the Apothecary

Translator: Daoist6fubtiW

A man in a red robe emerged slowly from behind Lu Changsheng.

The man also had his face covered, making it impossible to see his appearance.

However, Lu Changsheng could still sense vaguely the turbulent and surging energy and blood within the man. It was evident that he was not an ordinary martial artist.

“Do you want these Blood-Strengthening Pills?” Lu Changsheng asked.

“Yes, there are approximately three thousand of these Blood-Strengthening Pills. I’m offering one thousand two hundred silver taels for all of them. What do you think?” The man in the red robe said calmly.

“Deal,” Lu Changsheng didn’t hesitate at all.

Selling so many Blood-Strengthening Pills would be challenging unless he set up a stall in the black market. However, it would take a long time to sell them all there. Getting one thousand two hundred silver taels all at once was the better choice.

After receiving the silver notes, Lu Changsheng was about to turn and leave when the man in the red robe suddenly spoke, “Are you interested in Blood-Strengthening Pills?”

“Hmm?” Lu Changsheng didn’t respond with words but continued to fix his gaze on the man in the red robe.

The man in the red robe continued, “About a month ago, a large quantity of Blood-Strengthening Pills suddenly appeared in the black market of Nanyang Prefecture.”

“Due to their low price and excellent effects, many martial artists in the Blood-Strengthening Realm have been flocking to buy them.”

“However, when I took some Blood-Strengthening Pills to an apothecary for examination, I discovered that they contained many expensive medicinal ingredients. Selling Blood-Strengthening Pills at their current price is an outright loss.”

“There must be a grand conspiracy behind the Blood-Strengthening Pills! I’ve already investigated some information. Are you interested in investigating this matter together with me?”

Lu Changsheng stared intently at the man in the red robe.

It appeared that others weren’t ignorant either and had sensed that something was amiss with the Blood-Strengthening Pills. Some had already begun their investigations.

However, Lu Changsheng had a vague feeling that there was more to this than met the eye, and he was hesitant to get involved.

“Sorry, I’m not interested,” he said and, regardless of what the man in the red robe thought, he turned and left.

Back at Miaoshou Garden, Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell on the matter of the Blood-Strengthening Pills. He didn’t want to invite any trouble at the moment. He just wanted to quietly refine his internal organs.

As for the lack of martial techniques and the inability to increase his comprehension quickly, Lu Changsheng wasn’t in a hurry. With his current level of comprehension, achieving the Divine Power Realm was entirely possible. The matter of martial techniques could be temporarily set aside.

He only wanted to focus on refining his internal organs, making them exceptionally resilient, and then breaking through the life-and-death barrier to ascend to the Divine Power Realm.

The Divine Power Realm was the most crucial goal for Lu Changsheng. Other matters could be temporarily set aside.

Time flew by, and another month passed.

Lu Changsheng had been “seeing patients” for a month now.

Many patients had become familiar with Lu Changsheng. They knew that the renowned physician Wu Jing had trained a highly skilled disciple.

Wu Jing had become very confident in Lu Changsheng. Even some slightly more challenging patients were now referred to him.

Gradually, Lu Changsheng was able to handle cases on his own.

“Changsheng, your medical skills have now reached the point where you can graduate. I don’t have much left to teach you. I have a medical book that contains my decades of experience and knowledge, as well as insights into complex and rare diseases. You should read it.”

“In a few days, 1 will inform Miaoshou Garden about your progress, and you will be promoted to the rank of ‘Langzhong’ (assistant physician). You can start your own practice!”

Wu Jing said with a smile.

He was highly satisfied and proud of Lu Changsheng. He had trained many disciples in the past, but none of them had met his expectations like Lu Changsheng had. With time, Lu Changsheng could even elevate his medical skills to new heights.

“Thank you, Master!”

Lu Changsheng respectfully bowed.

Although he had been seeing patients for a month, his official title was still “apothecary,” not “Langzhong.” Only after Miaoshou Garden confirmed his status and allowed him to practice on his own would he officially become a Langzhong.

However, that day wasn’t far off.

Recalling that he had once been a beggar, it had taken less than two years for him to become a Langzhong. Furthermore, his true identity was that of a formidable organ-refining martial artist.

“Hmm?”

“Why hasn’t Apothecary Cheng come today?”

“Yeah, Apothecary Cheng was always punctual and never late.”

Lu Changsheng spent the morning at the apothecary and noticed that everyone was discussing Apothecary Cheng.

Apothecary Cheng and Wu Jing were a seasoned duo. One prepared medicinal ingredients, and the other treated patients, and their partnership was highly effective.

Miaoshou Garden had once considered replacing Apothecary Cheng, but Wu Jing had objected, and Cheng had remained to work with him.

“Apothecary Cheng is always punctual.”

“Zhang Huan, go to Apothecary Cheng’s house and find out what’s going on,” Wu Jing said with a furrowed brow.

He had worked with Apothecary Cheng for over a decade, and Cheng had almost never been late, which was indeed unusual.

“Alright, Master Wu.”

Zhang Huan was quick-witted and immediately left the apothecary to go to Apothecary Cheng’s house.

After about half an hour, Zhang Huan returned.

However, his expression was quite solemn. He glanced at Lu Changsheng and Wu Jing and spoke in a low voice, “Master Wu, Dr. Lu, Apothecary Cheng is missing! According to Apothecary Cheng’s family, he left home early this morning to go to the apothecary but hasn’t returned since. However, we haven’t seen him at the apothecary either.”

Furthermore, I’ve heard some additional information. This morning, many apothecaries and assistant physicians have gone missing, even at the headquarters of Miaoshou Garden. So far, there’s been no trace of them.”

Lu Changsheng’s expression turned grave.

The disappearance of apothecaries and assistant physicians was clearly abnormal.

“What about Miaoshou Garden? Have they dispatched people to investigate?” Wu Jing inquired.

“Miaoshou Garden has already sent a security team, and even some highly skilled organ-refining experts have been leading the investigation, but it will take time.”

Zhang Huan’s words made Lu Changsheng vigilant.

In the following days…

Not only Miaoshou Garden, but also other apothecaries had experienced the mysterious disappearance of apothecaries and assistant physicians.

Since Miaoshou Garden had a large number of apothecaries and assistant physicians, the number of missing individuals there was the highest. It accounted for nearly one-fifth of all apothecaries and assistant physicians within Miaoshou Garden.

This was no longer a small number.

However, Miaoshou Garden’s investigation had yielded no results.

“Changsheng, you need to be careful when you return home these days,” Wu Jing warned Lu Changsheng.

“Master, I will be cautious,” Lu Changsheng nodded.

In the evening, the apothecary closed, and Lu Changsheng left the premises, preparing to return to his courtyard.

His courtyard was within Miaoshou Garden, quite far from the apothecary.

During this twilight hour, the streets were lively. It seemed like there was a festival going on, as many places were adorned with lanterns.

Lu Changsheng wandered through the streets for a while and then slowly made his way back to Miaoshou Garden.

However, when he turned a corner into a dark alley, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he came to a stop.

Behind him, three shadowy figures had appeared at some point.

“This young assistant physician is the pride of Wu Jing. Be careful not to harm him.”

“Yes.”

Two of the figures swiftly approached Lu Changsheng and reached out to grab him..