Chapter 13: Trouble at Miaoshou Garden!

"The medicinal supplies have arrived. The trade routes have finally reopened. I heard the prefect mobilized the imperial garrison and crushed the bandits blocking the roads with force."

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"That's right. Bandits don't stand a chance against an army's might. Still, we should remain cautious. I’ve heard that some martial experts, among them, managed to escape. They've scattered into nearby cities and apparently keep committing crimes from time to time."

"Damn bandits... They never let people live in peace..."

Within Miaoshou Garden, apprentices and apothecaries spoke heatedly, their voices filled with resentment. The blockade had cut off medicinal supplies from reaching Nanyang City, directly affecting Miaoshou Garden's business. Fortunately, with the trade routes restored, supplies had arrived, and business could finally return to normal.

Bandits...

Lu Changsheng had heard about the matter as well. The imperial army had indeed scattered the bandits' main force, but some of the stronger martial experts had managed to slip away. They had spread across various prefectures and counties, causing trouble as they pleased. The local constables were helpless against them. After all, these were skilled martial experts, nearly impossible to capture. They struck quickly and vanished just as fast, leaving no trail for pursuit.

As a result, safety in Nanyang City had declined sharply. Several wealthy households had already fallen victim to brazen robberies. Miaoshou Garden’s guard unit was forced to patrol more frequently, tightening their watch. Fortunately, nothing had happened to them so far.

"Lu Changsheng, give me a hand here," Liu Yang called out. "This basket’s too heavy..."

"Coming."

Lu Changsheng saw Liu Yang staggering beneath the weight of a large basket of medicinal supplies. He had clearly underestimated its heft; he trembled all over under the strain, as though he might collapse at any moment.

Lu Changsheng promptly rushed over, grabbed hold of the basket, and instantly relieved the burden from Liu Yang’s shoulder.

"Here, let’s carry it down together," Liu Yang suggested.

"No need for that." Lu Changsheng simply gripped the basket with both hands and lifted it with ease.

A look of surprise crossed Liu Yang's face. The basket weighed at least six or seven hundred jin[1]; he himself had nearly been bent double beneath its weight moments ago, yet Lu Changsheng lifted it effortlessly, his expression unchanged and his breathing steady, as if it was nothing at all. And it was clear he could handle even more.

"Lu Changsheng, have you already activated the Great River Blood Fortification Art?" Liu Yang asked, seeming to realize something.

"Yes. I've reached the level of Active."

That was all Lu Changsheng told him. In fact, his Great River Blood Fortification Art was not just at the level of Active; it had long since reached Perfection.

Liu Yang was also an apothecary's apprentice, having joined two or three years earlier than Lu Changsheng. His talent in martial arts was poor, and he had long since abandoned that path.

He knew that Lu Changsheng had persisted in his martial training, but had never thought much of it. After all, what apprentice hadn't tried to persevere before? In the end, they all gave up. Without the aid of medicinal meals and any real martial talent, it was nearly impossible to achieve anything through martial practice.

Yet now, it was clear that Lu Changsheng had already activated the Great River Blood Fortification Art, and his blood qi had even grown stronger. That was the only explanation for his incredible strength.

"I must say, I'm jealous. Not many apothecaries, let alone apprentices, manage to activate the Great River Blood Fortification Art," Liu Yang remarked.

Lu Changsheng merely smiled, saying nothing in response. Martial training had countless benefits; just strengthening the body alone was invaluable.

Nevertheless, Liu Yang swallowed his envy and decided not to press the matter any further.

Even if Lu Changsheng had activated the Great River Blood Fortification Art, he could not join the guard unit. For them, as apothecary apprentices, the most important goal was still to become apothecaries.

Although Nanyang City was far from peaceful, Miaoshou Garden remained safe. Day after day, Lu Changsheng studied, identified medicinal herbs, and practiced martial arts with utmost diligence. The progress he made in just two months was nothing short of remarkable.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 198 (The Bearing of an Average Man)

[Skills]

Deathflash: Advanced Mastery

Iron Sand Palm: Advanced Mastery

Sixfold Heaven Blood Strengthening Art: Fourth Layer

Lu Changsheng’s Perception had already risen to 198, just two points short of 200—nearly double that of an ordinary person. He was eager to see whether reaching 200 would unlock a new evaluation and whether his Perception would step into an entirely new level.

The past two months had brought not only a rapid increase in Perception but also tremendous progress in his martial techniques. Deathflash was already very close to Perfection. Lu Changsheng was certain that within a few days, he would break through. Being a high-tier technique, Deathflash would exhibit extraordinary power once perfected.

Then there was the Sixfold Heaven Blood Strengthening Art. Lu Changsheng had already cultivated it to the Fourth Layer. This top-grade martial art advanced step by step, each layer corresponding to a fold of heaven, and with every advance came a transformation as profound as heaven and earth.

Now, the vigor of Lu Changsheng's blood qi was simply inconceivable. Even at the Fourth Layer, he possessed boundless strength that allowed him to split stone with ease. It was worth recalling that back at the Crane Martial Arts Centre, Master Meng, a Bone Tempering martial artist, had only just managed to reach the level of splitting stone. As for Lu Changsheng, he was still only at the Blood Strengthening Stage and already possessed strength on par with Master Meng's. How terrifying would his strength become when he finally cultivated the Sixth Layer?

Clang, clang, clang.

"Hurry, all apprentices! Come out and help!" Steward Zhang's urgent shout suddenly rang through Miaoshou Garden, carrying a sharp edge of panic.

"What's happening?" someone asked.

Lu Changsheng immediately set down his work and hurried toward the plaza, where he found Steward Zhang waiting, his face ashen and grim.

Steward Zhang explained, "Just an hour ago, a group of bandits raided one of Miaoshou Garden's apothecaries. Many physicians, apprentices, apothecaries, and even members of the guard unit were killed or gravely injured. Now, all apprentices are to report to the front hall and follow the physicians' instructions to tend to the wounded."

Hearing that, the apprentices were shaken to the core. An herbal medicine shop of Miaoshou Garden had been plundered? And with such heavy casualties?

Lu Changsheng immediately thought of the bandits who had been scattered by the imperial army. Only those remnants, hardened martial experts among the bandits, would dare attempt something so brazen as raiding Miaoshou Garden's herbal medicine shop in broad daylight.

There was no time for them to speculate; Steward Zhang was already leading them swiftly toward the front hall. Once they arrived, they were met with a harrowing sight. Stretchers were scattered over the floor, some covered with white cloth. At a glance, it became clear that more than a dozen had already perished. Dozens more were grievously wounded, some missing limbs, others white as a sheet, clinging desperately to life.

The scene struck the apprentices like a thunderbolt. Many turned deathly pale, having never before witnessed such carnage.

Lu Changsheng's expression remained steady, but his heart grew heavy. Miaoshou Garden was one of the greatest powers in all of Nanyang City. Every herbal medicine shop had guards, yet the losses here were devastating.

There was only one explanation: the enemy was far too strong!

The apprentices, following the physicians' directions, hurried about tending to the wounded. The hall was filled with groans and the thuds of hurried footsteps. Before long, a group of people wearing fine robes entered the front hall.

Someone recognized the man at the front. He was Zheng Renxin, the current head of Miaoshou Garden. Founded by the Zheng family’s ancestors, Miaoshou Garden had endured for over a century. Though Zheng Renxin was not particularly renowned for his medical skills, he was said to possess great martial talent, and he was an exceptionally powerful martial artist.

Following behind him were Miaoshou Garden's senior figures. As they took in the grim scene, their faces twisted with fury, jaws clenched tight.

"Patriarch[2], these bandits are far too brazen, daring to strike at Miaoshou Garden. Give me a squad of guards, and I'll personally lead them to capture the culprits," one elder demanded.

"In all these years, Miaoshou Garden has never suffered something so outrageous. We must punish them severely!" another declared.

"Patriarch, with just your command, the guard unit will scour the entire city if they must until every last bandit is dragged out," said a third, his voice trembling with anger.

The elders and senior members were seething with righteous indignation. Those bandits had inflicted devastating damage on Miaoshou Garden. In silver alone, over three thousand taels had been lost, and not to mention the rare medicinal herbs, which had been completely plundered. Then there were the casualties. With so many dead and wounded, the expenditure for compensation and treatment would be massive.

1. 斤 (jīn) is a traditional Chinese unit of weight, historically equivalent to 16 taels (两, liǎng). In modern Mainland China, one jīn is standardized to 500 grams (0.5 kg), whereas in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, it is often defined as approximately 604–605 grams. The term remains in everyday use for measuring food, herbs, and goods, especially in markets. ☜

2. A patriarch or matriarch in Chinese historical context is a leader of a major clan, aristocratic house, or noble family. This person commands respect and directs the family's actions and members. ☜