Madam Jin Zhou Qingyu

Chief Constable Shi was in a good mood when he saw Chu Qing's report.

"A gang of hooligans, and their leader could actually think things through so thoroughly."

"Not bad!"

He had Constable Li safeguard the forged evidence Chu Qing had prepared, then said:

"Tonight, the He Family and dozens of other fortress clans and nobles have invited me to a banquet. Bring the evidence then and tell them the murderer has fled."

Constable Li nodded.

In truth, after they had failed to capture the murderer within three days several days ago, this outcome had already been set in stone.

Unfortunately, Hall Master Liu had a poor head on his shoulders and did not know to give Chief Constable Shi a way down.

The other nobles and fortress clans had also wanted to use this chance to squeeze him and batter down the Chief Constable's prestige.

Now, though, things were fine.

Chu Qing had built them a staircase. If they did not step down now, when would they?

Chief Constable Shi smiled. "That... Chu Qing has rendered great merit."

"Arrange a time. This Chief Constable wants to reward him."

Constable Li smiled. "Chu Qing knows how to conduct himself."

"By the way, what should we do with Hall Master Liu's thousand taels of silver?"

Chief Constable Shi said in surprise:

"The brothers have spent many days catching the murderer for him and have grown thin with hunger. Have him send another five hundred taels to reward the brothers."

"Understood!"

The matter of capturing the murderer had come to a temporary close.

Chu Qing was delighted.

That night, he spent the entire night studying the Toad Secret Medicine.

This secret medicine had a formula containing more than three hundred ingredients.

Most were ordinary, but a small number were precious.

"Fortunately, I have the silver Liu Jun offered up. It should be enough to buy the medicinal ingredients."

"It's just... my Profession Slot did not actually form an alchemy skill."

"What a pity!"

Chu Qing guessed:

His Profession Slot could only unlock one profession—martial artist.

The profession of brewing secret medicines was likely something like a pharmacist or pill master.

Therefore:

The Profession Slot was powerless.

"It does not matter if I cannot make medicine. Brewing medicine wastes time anyway."

"With that time, I might as well learn to read and write and temper my sinews and bones."

The ingredients for secret medicine were precious. Chu Qing did not have much silver left, so he did not dare waste any and decided to find someone to help him prepare it.

That morning, he walked through the streets and alleys, inspecting dozens of pharmacies large and small throughout Stone Rock County. Three of them satisfied him.

But he did not know which one to choose.

"Forget it. I'll gather all the ingredients first."

He went to different pharmacies to buy the ingredients for the secret medicine.

By the end, he was only missing one medicinal ingredient: a Nirvana Qi Flower.

Many pharmacies said they did not have it and had never even heard of it.

Chu Qing was unwilling to accept that. He had gathered several hundred medicinal ingredients and even had century-old ginseng worth over a thousand taels.

Now, he was only missing one Nirvana Qi Grass?

Was the formula wrong? Or had the medicinal herb changed its name?

He continued searching. At the last pharmacy, the owner was a white-bearded old man in his sixties. His pharmacy had been passed down through a single lineage in Stone Rock County for several hundred years, and its business was quite prosperous.

"Nirvana Qi Grass?"

Pharmacist Li frowned. "We do not have that herb in Stone Rock County. Only the prefectural city has it."

Chu Qing said happily, "That's wonderful."

"Which pharmacy in the prefectural city has it? I'll go buy it."

Pharmacist Li shook his head. "Nirvana Qi Grass is a prohibited medicine."

"Though the prefectural city has it... if you want to buy it, you need approval from both the government office and the Armored Soldier Sect."

Chu Qing was speechless.

Such a tiny medicinal herb was prohibited medicine?

"Is this stuff addictive?"

Pharmacist Li shook his head. "It isn't addictive. I heard it is a necessary ingredient for brewing certain special secret medicines."

"So..."

Chu Qing suddenly understood.

To put it plainly, Nirvana Qi Grass was an especially important strategic resource!

So important that most pharmacists did not even know about it.

Fortunately, this Pharmacist Li knew.

Chu Qing cupped his fist in salute. "Pharmacist, aside from the prefectural city, can it be obtained elsewhere?"

Pharmacist Li fell silent.

With a clatter.

Chu Qing pushed ten taels of silver toward the pharmacist.

Pharmacist Li pushed it back.

Rip!

Chu Qing increased the silver to fifty taels.

After hesitating again and again, Pharmacist Li accepted the silver and said:

"Outside Clear Water County, there is a Black Market."

"All kinds of prohibited medicines and illegal goods can be found there."

Chu Qing smiled.

He had a lead on the secret medicine.

More than ten minutes later, he learned information about the Black Market from Pharmacist Li and also asked him to draw a picture of Nirvana Qi Grass.

Having accepted fifty taels of silver, Pharmacist Li knew that the man before him was determined to obtain Nirvana Qi Grass.

He might even ask him to brew secret medicine or something of the sort.

Therefore, he drew it in great detail and wrote down many methods of identification, afraid that Chu Qing would buy fake medicine.

After repeatedly thanking Pharmacist Li, Chu Qing headed straight for Madam Jin's home.

Over the past few days, he had been busy catching himself and had not seen Madam Jin for several days. He wanted to nurture their relationship.

Jin Family Manor:

When Madam Jin saw Chu Qing, she happily complained, "Qing'er has not come by for so long."

At the side, Xiao Taohong rolled her eyes. It had only been two or three days.

Chu Qing presented rouge and cosmetics, then gave her the ancient books he had looted from the ruined temple in the haunted house.

Madam Jin's eyes instantly curved into crescents from her smile.

"Qing'er is so thoughtful."

Madam Jin abandoned the rouge and cosmetics and carefully flipped through the ancient books.

When she discovered that many of them were absent from her study, and that she had never even read some of them before—

The lady became even more overjoyed.

"Qing'er, these books are worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"You really are giving them to me?"

Chu Qing smiled. "Outsiders do not understand these ancient books. Only you do."

"Besides, you are my only family. All good things should be given to you."

Madam Jin was moved, and her eyes reddened.

"Qing'er is so good."

"Come, help me organize the ancient books."

"Alright!"

In the quiet study, the two busied themselves. Madam Jin taught him hand in hand how to handle ancient books and prevent insect damage.

Their fingers brushed, their temples and ears rubbed together.

Xiao Taohong, watching from the side, was frightened out of her wits.

She quietly stood at the doorway, sometimes looking toward the main gate and sometimes toward the study.

"Madam... you must mind your status!"

More than two hours later, the ancient books had been organized.

Madam Jin washed up, then lay lazily in a rocking chair, stretching out her long legs straight. "Qing'er, massage my shoulders."

"Alright!"

His large hands pressed her aching muscles, and Madam Jin felt so comfortable that she did not want to move.

Five minutes...

Chu Qing thought Madam Jin had fallen asleep.

Yet the lady suddenly said, "Qing'er, I heard from Madam Shi that this year's Martial Academy assessment has changed."

Chu Qing's heart stirred. "What change?"

Madam Jin shook her head. When her cheek touched the man's large hand, she did not mind it and simply said lazily, "I do not know the specifics, but Madam Shi said that ordinary people who want to enter the Martial Academy must sign a Servant Contract."

"Otherwise, it will be as difficult as ascending to Heaven."

Chu Qing fell silent.

Madam Jin forcefully raised her head. Her slender neck was like a white swan's, and she looked at him with complicated eyes. "I begged Madam Shi for a spot."

"Tomorrow, come with me to see Madam Shi."

"She likes opera. When the time comes..."

Chu Qing placed a finger over her lips and said softly:

"I want to try on my own."

Madam Jin's heart raced. Her lips felt scorching hot, her head buzzed, and she did not hear what Chu Qing had said at all.

Only after a long while did she regain her senses.

By then, Chu Qing was gone.

Madam Jin said in confusion, "Xiao Taohong... what did Qing'er say when he left?"

Xiao Taohong secretly sighed. "Madam, he wants to try on his own."

"No. Tell him later that he is to accompany me to see Madam Shi tomorrow."

"Yes!"

"Also, go to the clothing shop and arrange a time. Tomorrow, I'll take Qing'er to change into a set of Brocade Clothes."

"Yes!"

Xiao Taohong went out to chase after Chu Qing.

Madam Jin hesitated for a moment, then picked up her brush and wrote a letter:

To Father, with utmost respect:

Your daughter is well... blah blah blah...

Recently, I have taken in an adopted son. He is quite intelligent, loves literature and martial arts, but was born into poverty... I hope Father will grant him seven or eight Martial Arts Manuals.

Your daughter—Zhou Qingyu, respectfully.