On the open square in the back hall of the Thousand Medicinal House, Xiao Yixian was directing the apprentices who had stayed behind to bring some medicinal herbs out to dry in the sun.
This winter they had seen the sun almost every day, but the duration of daylight was truly not long, so they had to make full use of the limited sunshine hours.
“Brother Qingshan!”
Suddenly, the white-robed figure trembled.
Excitedly, she stepped forward quickly and crashed into an embrace like a young swallow returning to its forest.
“Xian’er!”
Yan Qingshan held Xiao Yixian tightly.
The young girl’s first reaction upon seeing him made him feel her deep affection.
While he was overjoyed, he also felt a faint sense of guilt.
His feelings for Xiao Yixian had not been pure from the start.
He knew she possessed the Woeful Poison Body, and he had utilized her innocence to launch an emotional offensive, step by step tying this young girl’s heart to him.
Yan Qingshan knew that once the Woeful Poison Body was activated and she began to cultivate by consuming poison, her level would rise extremely fast.
Before the poison body fully erupted, the owner’s strength would at the very least reach the Dou Zong level.
In the original story, even without Xiao Yan’s appearance, it wouldn’t have been too difficult for Xiao Yixian to reach the Dou Zun level.
However, a person like that would likely fail to suppress the poison body’s eruption early on, eventually being killed by others or heading toward self-destruction.
He chose to pursue Xiao Yixian with certain motives in mind as well.
If his plans failed and he couldn’t rise smoothly, then she would at least be a fallback for him.
Once Xiao Yixian grew into the “Heavenly Poison Woman,” her Dou Zong strength would make her one of the most top-tier powerhouses in the Black Corner Region and the surrounding empires.
Obtaining a Di Class Wood-attribute Qi Method or resources to become a Dou Wang or Dou Huang was indeed difficult for Yan Qingshan, but for a Dou Zong, it was not a hard task.
Yan Qingshan’s thoughts were essentially exploitative, and his nature was certainly somewhat base.
He didn’t make excuses for himself, which was why he felt guilty toward Xiao Yixian.
Of course, at this stage, he had no intention of actively activating the Woeful Poison Body.
In fact, he didn’t want the innocent girl in his arms to become the feared Sky Poison Lady in this lifetime.
“Xian’er has grown taller again!”
Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yixian walked hand in hand in the backyard of the Thousand Medicinal House.
Yan Qingshan, who was taller, gestured a measurement and stroked the girl’s hair, immediately drawing a huff of protest.
A girl of twelve or thirteen is at the age where growth is most noticeable.
In half a year, Xiao Yixian had changed significantly; her figure had begun to show curves, and her height was almost approaching that of the fifteen-year-old Yan Qingshan.
“Brother Qingshan is so annoying.
You’re not much taller than me, yet you still act like an adult.”
Xiao Yixian pouted and acted spoiled toward Yan Qingshan, yet she didn’t dodge his head-pat.
That charming look of her squinting her eyes as if enjoying it while pretending to protest was incredibly adorable.
“Qingshan is back!
Xiao Yixian is here too!”
Just as Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yixian turned a corner hand in hand, a voice suddenly came from ahead.
Xiao Yixian’s nose wrinkled, and she silently took a half-step back to hide behind Yan Qingshan.
Yan Qingshan also inconspicuously moved forward to block the man’s somewhat excessive gaze.
“Manager!”
Yan Qingshan gave a cursory bow and spoke loudly, finally making the man shift his gaze back.
Manager Yao of the Thousand Medicinal House could be considered Xiao Yixian’s adoptive father and Yan Qingshan’s benefactor.
This man wasn’t a good person, but he wasn’t an irredeemable villain either.
He had adopted many homeless orphans like Xiao Yixian and had also extended a helping hand when Yan Qingshan was at his most difficult time.
However, this man was also greedy by nature and never gave up an opportunity to extract value.
Of course, that wasn’t how the debt was calculated.
If it hadn’t been for Manager Yao back then, homeless girls like Xiao Yixian might have died before they could even grow up.
Even if they had managed to survive, it would have been nearly impossible for them to have their current lives.
Thus, Manager Yao’s kindness toward them was still quite heavy.
Manager Yao was not only greedy for money but also lecherous.
Not only did he frequently visit pleasure houses, but even toward the orphans he adopted…
even a girl like Xiao Yixian, who was not yet thirteen, was extremely wary of this “creepy father.”
After Manager Yao retracted his gaze, he began to scold Yan Qingshan.
“Cough…
Qingshan! This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
I haven’t treated you poorly.
Every time you asked for leave before, I tried my best to accommodate you.
But what happened this time?
You were out for nearly a month before returning.”
Manager Yao’s questioning had a bit of a warning tone.
Yan Qingshan had performed exceptionally well these past few months.
Not only had his medical skills improved rapidly—only lacking some experience compared to a formal physician—but he had also taken the initiative to oversee the herb-collecting team.
He had opened up two new safe harvesting areas, and each harvest was significant, making him a veritable “money tree.”
This time Yan Qingshan had disappeared for nearly a month.
Because of the letter, Manager Yao hadn’t cared at first, but these past few days he had actually started to panic.
He hadn’t shaken this “money tree” enough yet!
How could it just disappear?
Originally, he had planned to keep this young man stable for a few more years before letting him graduate!
“Manager, I was delayed on the road this time.
However, I brought back some things and was hoping you could take a look!”
“This is…
Blood-Clotting Grass, Yellow Root Flower, Blood-Bone Vine…
You actually grew them successfully.”
Manager Yao looked at the contents of the six large jars Yan Qingshan brought out, his whole body trembling, even his voice wavering.
Yan Qingshan nodded.
“On my trip this time, I encountered a strange marshland and actually found a White Orchid Flower.
After I picked it, I noticed the soil in that area carried a medicinal fragrance.”
“I suspected it was rare medicinal soil, so I hired someone to load it onto a carriage and brought it back.
Along the way, I picked some herbs and planted them, and they actually survived.”
“This is a treasure, a treasure.”
Manager Yao’s expression immediately became excited.
Medicinal soil was extremely rare.
At least for people at the bottom of the continent like them, such things were generally only obtainable by big figures, used specifically for opening medicinal fields.
Although there wasn’t much medicinal soil in these six jars, it was enough to open a small medicinal field.
Having a field to grow herbs meant a continuous stream of wealth for the Thousand Medicinal House!
“Manager, I think with my and Xiao Yixian’s level, we should be qualified enough to become formal physicians, right?”
Yan Qingshan walked to Manager Yao’s side and spoke in a low voice.
“Although this medicinal soil is precious, it’s too cumbersome for me to take away.
I’d rather exchange it for some good things.”
“Qingshan!
I saw long ago that you were no ordinary lad.
Given your and Xiao Yixian’s level, becoming physicians is more than enough.
Tomorrow I’ll gather everyone and announce it.”
Manager Yao changed his face very quickly after hearing Yan Qingshan’s words, putting his arm around his shoulder and making small talk.
He patted his shoulder with a look that said, ‘I think highly of you.’
Manager Yao’s slight unpleasantness toward Yan Qingshan vanished instantly with the appearance of this medicinal soil.
He was a merchant with such a temperament—profit came first.
Since Yan Qingshan had given him a benefit, he was naturally willing to grant him a favor in return.
Manager Yao was satisfied, and Yan Qingshan was also happy.
This medicinal soil was actually the dirt from the flowerbed in that treasure grotto.
He knew Manager Yao had always wanted a medicinal field.
By bringing back this soil, he had settled his karma with Manager Yao, saving himself from constant trouble in the future.
After all, Manager Yao had been kind to him.
He wasn’t the type to repay a drop of kindness with a surging fountain, but he wasn’t one to bite the hand that fed him either.
If conditions allowed, he was willing to repay the favor.
…
Just as Yan Qingshan was dealing with Manager Yao while speaking sweet words to Xiao Yixian, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door.
An old servant hurried to Manager Yao’s side and whispered a few words.
Manager Yao’s face darkened instantly.
“Follow me!”
Manager Yao spoke to the guards beside him.
The lean, fierce guards, each with a significant aura, moved immediately, knowing it was time for their employer to use them.
“Let’s go take a look too!”
Yan Qingshan felt a bit curious and led Xiao Yixian by her soft, tender hand.
The two of them went together.
In the outer hall of the Thousand Medicinal House, at the square where notices were posted, the sound of arguing was constant.
Many mercenaries were jostling each other, and the scene was almost out of control.
“Mang Ba, I know you’re considered someone among the mercenaries, but this matter was personally decided by our leader.
This time, our Wolf Head group is taking all the spots.
The Thousand Medicinal House hasn’t said anything, so why are you guys making such a fuss!”
Opposite Mang Ba and the other mercenaries who had worked with the Thousand Medicinal House for years was a group of well-equipped, formidable mercenaries shouting loudly.
The leader of this group was a young man in his early twenties.
Yan Qingshan followed Xiao Yixian into the square.
When the young girl saw that young man, a flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes.
She spoke in a low voice, “Brother Qingshan, that person is the young leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Mu Li.
I heard he just broke through to Dou Zhe two months ago.”
“Xian’er, you really hate him!”
Yan Qingshan noticed the displeasure in Xiao Yixian’s gaze as she looked at Mu Li.
He leaned down and spoke softly into her ear, even maliciously breathing some warm air, teasing her until she gave him a glare with blushing cheeks.
Xiao Yixian wrinkled her nose and said, “Last month, I saw him bullying others on the street.
He’s a very annoying person.”
“Is that so?
Mu Li…
I have some impression of him!”
Yan Qingshan’s gaze shifted slightly.
This was the third original character he had encountered besides Xiao Yixian and Manager Yao.
He was considered a small boss in the early stages, though he wouldn’t last long before dying.
Still, this arrogant personality was consistent with the typical traits of a villain.
Mu Li pushed through the noisy crowd and came to the center.
He looked around and announced loudly, “I’m sure everyone knows how my Wolf Head Mercenary Group is.
For the Thousand Medicinal House’s first herb-collecting trip after the New Year, the safety will be handled by my Wolf Head.
I don’t think anyone would doubt our group’s strength!”
The thirty or so mercenaries who had come with Mu Li stood in a line simultaneously, erupting with a powerful aura.
Seeing this, the other mercenaries instinctively retreated, allowing the Wolf Head Mercenary Group to show off greatly.
Manager Yao didn’t show much joy when he saw this.
The old servant beside him quickly went up and said politely, “Our Thousand Medicinal House trusts the strength of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
If Young Leader Mu Li is willing to take the remaining spots, we naturally welcome it.”
“Who said…
our Wolf Head Mercenary Group was only taking the remaining spots?”
A strange smile suddenly appeared on Mu Li’s face.
He turned and drew his long blade with a flourish.
“What I mean is, for this herb-collecting mission, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group is taking over everything.”
“Of course, we won’t just have these few people coming.
This time, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group will deploy a hundred elites.
I don’t think anyone will have an objection!”
(End of Chapter)