Chapter Four: The Charlatan Sells Medicine (Part Two)

Sitting cross-legged on the hard wooden bed, Chen Mu adjusted his state, ready to swallow the Meridian-Opening Pill and begin unlocking his meridians.

As soon as he ingested the pill, a turbid stream of energy began circulating inside him, then surged directly toward the unopened seventh meridian. A sensation like tearing ripped through him, causing Chen Mu’s face to twitch in pain, his teeth bared in agony.

He had already taken one Meridian-Opening Pill this month; this was his second. As expected, the meridian developed fine cracks, and the pain was excruciating, piercing straight to the bone.

A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out—clearly, the damage to the meridian was more than he could bear.

Immediately, the vital energy from the black bead flowed forth, spreading through his body as he circulated his cultivation technique, rapidly healing the cracked meridian.

In the cycle of washing, breaking, and healing, Chen Mu’s seventh meridian was gradually being forced open. Just as he was about to push further, the medicinal effect wore off.

Though the process was agonizing, his entire body was filled with strength. The Meridian-Opening Pill was indeed effective. While ordinary people could not take more than one, with the black bead in his possession, he had no need to fear any aftereffects.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he swallowed the second Meridian-Opening Pill in his hand. The energy rampaged through him once more, a stabbing pain tearing at his meridian.

Flush after flush, rip after rip, and then the vital energy circulated to heal the wounds. His clenched fists were so tight that his fingernails dug into his palms, drawing blood.

This pain was unlike the fever-chill syndrome he had suffered before. That condition had left him weak and helpless, but now, he was brimming with power and nowhere to vent it.

With the aid of a third Meridian-Opening Pill, Chen Mu finally broke through his seventh meridian, but the effort exacted a heavy toll on his mental and physical strength. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the bed and drifted into a deep sleep.

At dawn, Chen Mu enjoyed a rare, restful sleep—the ordeal of opening his meridians the previous night had utterly drained him.

Today, there was an extra person in the medicinal fields. Steward Liu had been standing there for quite some time, clearly waiting for Chen Mu.

Upon seeing him arrive, Steward Liu smiled kindly and beckoned him over. “Come here, Chen. Follow me to the Pill Hall; I have something to discuss with you.”

Chen Mu was taken aback, but quickly nodded and followed him to the Pill Hall.

Inside a secret chamber of the Pill Hall, Steward Liu said, “Ah, someone has already reported to me about you selling the Regenerative Pills at the town market yesterday.”

At the mention of this, Chen Mu’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could respond, Steward Liu continued, “I don't care how you managed to turn Fasting Pills into so-called Regenerative Pills, but do you realize the consequences of selling pills under the title of alchemist? If the sect finds out, you’ll be expelled without mercy.”

Chen Mu was silent for a long time before finally replying, “I know I was wrong.”

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

“I shouldn’t have sold the pills.”

“No, your mistake was not being cautious enough. Buying such a large quantity of Fasting Pills in the valley is easy to trace, and your Regenerative Pills are identical in effect. If it had been anyone else, you’d have been expelled already. Fortunately for you, it was me who found out. I’ll say it was I who asked you to sell a new pill at the market, as a trial for its effects.”

“Thank you, Elder Liu.”

“From now on, you can sell pills under my name. But I warn you—don’t make trouble for me, or not even the Valley Master can save you.”

“Thank you, Elder Liu!” The first time, Chen Mu’s thanks carried a trace of anxiety, but the second time, it was heartfelt.

After Chen Mu left, Liu Quan muttered to himself, “If it weren’t for your father’s sake, the Valley Master wouldn’t have asked me to look after you so often. Don’t let down the Valley Master and your father.”

These days, Chen Mu worked in the mornings and opened his meridians in the afternoons, increasing from three to five Meridian-Opening Pills a day. It was pain mingled with joy—the searing agony was the price of his cultivation’s rapid ascent.

He managed to unlock one meridian nearly every day. Now, as the weekend arrived, Chen Mu had already opened five Heavenly Gang meridians. Adding the seven he had previously unlocked, he now had twelve in total. In other words, with one more breakthrough, he would reach the mid-stage of the Meridian Realm.

On his day off, Chen Mu once again donned his comical disguise: a white robe, a fake mustache, a large bamboo hat atop his head, and a big banner slung over his shoulder.

“Heal your wounds! Heal your sickness! Guaranteed cure for all injuries—restore you to full health!”

His cries rang out, and those nearby chuckled. Who was this child playing at being some charlatan?

That was only the reaction of newcomers. The old folks who had already witnessed the Regenerative Pill’s effects perked up as soon as they saw Chen Mu and hurried over to greet him enthusiastically.

“Young man, what took you so long? We’ve all been waiting anxiously. Your medicine really works! Still a hundred gold coins each?”

“You’re back, brother! Come, after you finish your business, let me treat you to a good meal...”

“Out of the way, you can’t just bribe him like that! Young man, how about I show you around Spring Pavilion instead?”

“You shameless lot, he’s still just a child—he can’t go to a place like Spring Pavilion! Young man, could you sell a few more pills? I’ll pay double the price...”

Those who hadn’t met Chen Mu before were intrigued. Was this child really a charlatan? Or perhaps a gifted healer?

“Thank you all for your support. As always, one pill per person, one hundred gold coins each. But there’s one more rule: the seriously injured will have priority. Any objections?”

“None at all! Young man, you’re truly kind-hearted to put patients first.”

“Very well—the Regenerative Pills are now officially on sale.”

Most buyers were gravely injured or ill—few would spend a hundred gold coins on minor scrapes.

As the pills were being sold one by one, a carriage rolled up and two men, evidently guards, began clearing the crowd.

“Move aside! Make way!”

“Don’t you value your lives, blocking the lord’s path?”

The commotion drew the attention of many, and the surrounding crowd glared angrily. But when they caught sight of the insignia on the carriage, everyone fell silent. Clearly, this was the work of a powerful clan.

Those lining up in front of Chen Mu hurriedly parted, leaving a path straight to the carriage door.

A maid stepped down from the carriage and strode over to Chen Mu, her nose in the air. “So you’re the so-called miracle doctor who sold Regenerative Pills a week ago? You look more like a little charlatan to me. My young master is interested in your pills—name your price, we’ll take them all.”

Chen Mu frowned. Although he did need money, the maid’s arrogance was off-putting. He replied simply, “Not for sale.”

The maid stared at him in disbelief, then flew into a rage. “You little brat, how dare you! Do you know what you’re saying? My master wants your pills and you refuse?”

“Oh? Are you looking to cause trouble here? This is Starwatch Valley’s territory. If you dare make a scene, no matter what power you represent, you’ll regret it.” Chen Mu’s tone was indifferent.

“You! Don’t you want to make money? My young master can pay five times, even ten times the price. Surely you won’t turn your back on gold?”

“Is your young master sick?”

“You little wretch! What did you say? Be careful or I’ll cut out your tongue!” The maid screeched.

“I only sell my medicine to the sick. If your master isn’t ill, why does he want it?” Chen Mu shook his head.

Just as the maid was about to retort, a gentle and refined voice sounded from inside the carriage. “Xiaocui, mind your manners!”

At the sound, the maid named Xiaocui hurried to help her young master disembark.

A young man in a blue robe emerged from the carriage, supported by his maid. Though his clothing was plain, the quality of the fabric was exquisite, and his every gesture exuded the grace of someone from a noble house.

After signaling for the maid to step aside, the young man approached Chen Mu, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, “Young friend, my maid was out of line just now. I am Meng Rushan, of the Meng family of Hongcheng, now an inner disciple of the Azurefall Dao Sect.”

Though he admitted his side was at fault, the young lord could not resist flaunting his distinguished background.

“A senior of my family was injured and nothing has worked to heal him. I have sought out many famed doctors and alchemists, all to no avail. A few days ago, however, I heard from my servants about your Regenerative Pills—how not only did they heal external wounds, but even old ailments disappeared. Young friend, if you sell all your pills to my family, I promise you a lifetime of wealth and honor beyond measure...”

“I’m sorry, young lord, but perhaps you don’t understand—I’m only a sales assistant. The pills are crafted by an alchemist of Starwatch Valley; I am merely his apprentice and have no authority to make decisions. Your request to buy them all goes against my master’s rules. So I cannot sell them to you.”