Accumulating Energy

Since Master Zhang adjusted his work position, Yang Heng noticed that he had been receiving preferential treatment without any obvious reason, and the way others looked at him was vastly different from before.

At lunch, the food in his bowl was noticeably more plentiful than usual, with faint traces of minced meat scattered here and there.

When it was his turn to get served, the cook's hand no longer trembled; instead, he beamed with a full-faced smile, as if serving Yang Heng was an honor.

All these gestures left Yang Heng deeply puzzled.

Even if Master Zhang valued him, this reaction seemed excessive—far too eager.

After thinking it over for a while, he still couldn't make sense of it, so he stopped dwelling and focused on eating.

After downing three large bowls of rice, he felt full for the first time. Resting his hand on his round belly, he quietly observed the changes in the Marrow Cleansing Pearl.

With a brief focus, he saw that the white threads on the pearl's surface had increased significantly compared to yesterday, now close to twenty strands.

At the same time, a message suddenly appeared in his mind: Marrow Cleansing Pearl (0.1%).

A day had passed, and the pearl had accumulated 0.1% of its energy.

If Yang Heng didn't supplement his meals, relying solely on the pharmacy's daily food, it would take ten days to gather just 1% of the energy.

In a month, he could only accumulate 3%.

To fully charge the Marrow Cleansing Pearl would take nearly three years.

Three years—he couldn't wait that long!

In this world fraught with danger, if he didn't gain the means to protect himself as soon as possible, should disaster strike one day, he could only wait helplessly for death.

Power!

At this moment, Yang Heng desperately wished to grow strong quickly.

And the only path before him was the Marrow Cleansing Pearl.

Even its residual energy had already boosted his eyesight, reaction speed, and strength to the point where he could easily thrash the sturdy Li Kui.

If he underwent a full energy baptism, how powerful would he become? It was unimaginable.

By then, even if he couldn't match a martial artist, he would undoubtedly be a top-tier existence among ordinary people.

In the territory of Qingyang Town, that would be more than enough to protect himself.

Marrow Cleansing Pearl, I'm counting on you.

Yang Heng silently said in his heart.

In the afternoon, Yang Heng stepped out of the pharmacy's main door, a paper-wrapped bundle of medicinal herbs in his right hand, and melted into the bustling crowd, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Hundred Herbs Pharmacy was located in the center of Qingyang Town, the most prosperous area in the entire town. Anyone who could open a shop here was either a local power player or a formidable outsider backed by a martial artist.

Otherwise, there was no way to set up shop in this prime, priceless location.

Hundred Herbs Pharmacy had taken root here and monopolized the town's medicinal herb trade for two reasons: first, its deep background—this was merely a branch, with the main store in the nearest city, Qinghe City; second, it had a martial artist guarding it, which gave it a formidable reputation in Qingyang Town, keeping ordinary people from daring to provoke it.

Outside the pharmacy lay the main road of Qingyang Town, paved neatly with bluestone. The road was wide enough for four or five horse-drawn carriages to pass side by side.

Shops lined both sides—weapon forges, restaurants, inns, brothels, treasure houses, and more.

The pedestrians coming and going here were mostly finely dressed, with ruddy complexions. There were handsome young men with jade pendants at their waists, young ladies from wealthy families in elegant long dresses followed by maidservants, and wandering martial artists carrying Blades. Some walked alone, others in groups, their laughter and chatter painting a peaceful scene, showing no trace of a chaotic world.

But when Yang Heng left the center of Qingyang Town, the sight before him left him in disbelief.

The ground was cracked like a spiderweb, splitting in all directions. Piles of feces lined the roadsides, flies buzzing back and forth with a droning hum, the stench so foul it made one want to vomit just by smelling it.

The roads were muddy and hard to walk on. The passersby were gaunt and sallow, moving like walking corpses. If not for their eyes still shifting, one might mistake them for zombies on the move.

There were no fancy shops here, only a few scattered stalls selling steamed buns or hot tofu, but few buyers. Business was dismal, nothing like the crowded food stalls on the main street.

Both were within Qingyang Town's boundaries, yet the contrast was this stark—one side a paradise, the other a hell. Yang Heng couldn't comprehend it.

If he hadn't joined the pharmacy, he would probably be one of these people now.

Though the pharmacy work was grueling and he often endured scoldings and beatings, at least he didn't have to worry about food or clothing. He got a set of clothes each spring and winter. Compared to these starving refugees, it was like heaven and earth.

And now, with his changed status, his life would only get better from here.

Thinking this, his previously heavy mood lightened considerably.

He hadn't come to this world to be a savior. He just wanted to live his own life well, free from oppression and humiliation, with a place to stand.

If he had the ability, he might follow his heart and occasionally help the suffering common folk, but for now, he could only watch.

Pulling himself together, Yang Heng quickly passed through this area and headed toward his destination.

After about an hour, he arrived at a village five li outside Qingyang Town. Walking up to the landlord's gate, he called for the steward, handed over the medicine, and took the receipt the steward gave him, which was issued by the pharmacy. After confirming it was correct, he turned and headed toward the homes of other customers who had ordered herbs.

Unfortunately, he didn't receive any tips this time.

From what he'd heard from other apprentice delivery boys at the pharmacy, hardly anyone had gotten tips in the past few months.

After a busy round, he returned to the pharmacy as dusk was falling. He handed over six receipts at the counter, and the duty master nodded in confirmation—today's work was done.

Compared to earlier, when he had to clean the latrines in the morning and haul herbs during the day, this was indeed much easier, and the physical exertion was far less.

His stomach still showed no signs of hunger, whereas at this time of day it would normally be growling loudly.

After dinner, watching the Marrow Cleansing Pearl slowly accumulate energy, a trace of satisfaction flickered through Yang Heng's mind.

After washing up, Yang Heng went to a secluded spot, took out the dried pork strips he'd bought on the way back, and began to devour them with gusto.

In lean years, food was expensive—a pound of dried pork strips cost a hundred coppers. Yang Heng had bought one pound, planning to test the effects first.

One pork strip after another slid down Yang Heng's throat, and with the help of the Marrow Cleansing Pearl, they were quickly digested completely.

Sure enough, the higher the nutritional value of the food, the faster and more efficiently the Marrow Cleansing Pearl stored energy.

Through his spiritual perception, Yang Heng saw misty vapors floating around the Marrow Cleansing Pearl, with white threads continuously emerging from within, merging in pairs to form a foggy scene.

After a while, the strange phenomenon vanished.

When he noticed the message transmitted to his mind, Yang Heng was overjoyed.

0.5%!

In just that brief moment, the Marrow Cleansing Pearl had stored 0.5% of its energy, now at 0.6%.

The energy contributed by one pound of pork strips equaled the total from five days of eating at the pharmacy.

Before Yang Heng could continue celebrating, he suddenly felt a wave of heat all over his body, as if insects were crawling under his skin, an unbearable mix of pain and itch. His fingers involuntarily scratched at himself.

With a light scratch, a layer of dead skin peeled off under his nails.

Witnessing this, Yang Heng vaguely understood what was happening.