Wolf Head Mu Li

In the spacious square behind Myriad Medicine Hall, Xiao Yi Xian directed the apprentices who had stayed behind to lay some medicinal herbs out in the sun. This winter had been sunny almost every day, but the daylight hours were truly not long, so they had to make full use of the limited sunshine.

"Brother Qingshan!"

Suddenly, the delicate figure in white trembled. She rushed forward excitedly and, like a swallow returning to its nest, threw herself into an embrace.

"Xian'er!!!"

Yan Qingshan held Xiao Yi Xian tightly. Her first reaction upon seeing him let him feel the beauty's affection, and while he was delighted, he also felt a faint sense of guilt.

His feelings for Xiao Yi Xian had never been pure from the start. He knew she possessed the Poisonous Body of Misfortune, and he had taken advantage of her innocence to launch his pursuit, step by step binding the heart of this young girl to himself.

Yan Qingshan knew that once the Poisonous Body of Misfortune was awakened and she began cultivating through consuming poison, her strength would rise extremely quickly. Before the poison body fully erupted, its bearer would possess at least the strength of a Dou Zong.

In the original story, even without Xiao Yan's appearance, it would not have been difficult for Xiao Yi Xian to become a Dou Zun. But in that case, she would likely have been unable to suppress the poison body's eruption early on, ultimately either being killed by someone or heading toward self-destruction.

His choice to pursue Xiao Yi Xian also carried certain intentions. If his plans truly failed and he could not rise smoothly, then at the very least, Xiao Yi Xian would remain as a way out for him.

Once Xiao Yi Xian grew into the Heavenly Poison Girl, her strength as a Dou Zong would make her one of the foremost experts in the Black Corner Region and even the neighboring empires. A Wood Attribute cultivation method of the Earth rank, resources capable of making someone a Dou Wang or even a Dou Emperor—these would indeed be difficult for Yan Qingshan to obtain, but they would not be hard for a Dou Zong.

At its core, Yan Qingshan's thinking involved using her. It was naturally somewhat despicable, and he did not make excuses for himself. Thus, he felt guilty toward Xiao Yi Xian.

Of course, at this stage, he had no intention of actively awakening the Poisonous Body of Misfortune. He did not even want the innocent girl in his arms to become the Heavenly Poison Girl whom everyone feared in this lifetime.

"Xian'er has grown taller again!"

Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yi Xian walked hand in hand through the rear courtyard of Myriad Medicine Hall. Taller than her, Yan Qingshan gestured with his hand and stroked the girl's hair, immediately drawing another burst of protest.

Girls of twelve or thirteen were at the age when their growth was most noticeable. In half a year, Xiao Yi Xian had almost completely changed. Her figure had begun to take shape, with clear curves, and she was nearly as tall as fifteen-year-old Yan Qingshan.

"Brother Qingshan, you're so annoying. You're not even that much taller than me, yet you're pretending to be an adult."

Xiao Yi Xian pouted and acted coquettishly toward Yan Qingshan, yet she did not avoid his hand on her head. Her charmingly naive look, eyes narrowed as if she were enjoying it yet also protesting, was truly adorable.

"Qingshan is back! Xiao Yi Xian is here too!"

Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yi Xian had just rounded the corner hand in hand when a voice suddenly came from ahead. Xiao Yi Xian wrinkled her delicate nose and quietly took half a step back, hiding behind Yan Qingshan. Yan Qingshan also stepped forward without leaving a trace, blocking this man's somewhat excessive gaze.

"Boss!"

Yan Qingshan gave a perfunctory bow and called out loudly, finally making the man turn his eyes away.

Boss Yao of Myriad Medicine Hall could be considered Xiao Yi Xian's adoptive father and Yan Qingshan's benefactor. He was not a good man, but neither was he an utterly wicked villain.

He had taken in many homeless orphans like Xiao Yi Xian, and he had also offered Yan Qingshan a helping hand when he was at his most difficult. But he was also greedy by nature and never passed up an opportunity to squeeze out value.

Of course, that was not how the accounts should be settled. If not for Boss Yao back then, homeless orphan girls like Xiao Yi Xian might have died before they even grew up. Even if they had struggled to survive, they would basically have had no chance at the life they had now. So Boss Yao's kindness toward them was still considerable.

Boss Yao was not only greedy for money but also lecherous. He frequently visited places of pleasure, and even toward the orphan girls he had taken in... even a girl like Xiao Yi Xian, not yet thirteen, was extremely wary of this perverted foster father.

After withdrawing his gaze, Boss Yao began to lecture Yan Qingshan. "Ahem... Qingshan! I've treated you well. Every time you asked for leave before, I tried my best to accommodate you, but what happened this time? You went out and only came back after nearly a month..."

Boss Yao questioned him for a while, clearly intending to keep him in check. Yan Qingshan had performed exceptionally well these past months. Not only had his medical skills improved rapidly, leaving him only a little experience short of a full physician, but he had also voluntarily overseen the herb-gathering teams and opened up two new safe herb-gathering locations. Their harvests had been substantial every time, and he had practically become a "money tree."

This time, Yan Qingshan had vanished for nearly a month. Boss Yao had not cared at first because of the letters, but over the past few days, he had truly begun to panic.

He had not even shaken this "money tree" enough yet! How could it simply be gone? He had originally planned to keep this young man around for several more years before allowing him to graduate!

"Boss, I was delayed on the road this time. However, I brought back some things and would like you to take a look at them."

"What are these... Blood Coagulation Grass, Yellow Root Flower, Blood Bone Vine... You actually got them to grow..."

Boss Yao looked at the contents of the six large jars Yan Qingshan had taken out, and his entire body trembled. Even his voice shook.

Yan Qingshan nodded. "This time, while I was out, I came across a strange marsh where a White Orchid was growing. After I picked the White Orchid, I discovered that the soil in that area carried a medicinal fragrance.

"I suspected it was rare Medicinal Soil, so I found someone to load it up and brought it back by horse cart. I planted some herbs in it along the way, and they actually all survived..."

"This is treasure, a treasure..."

Boss Yao's expression immediately became excited. Medicinal Soil was exceedingly rare. At least for people at the bottom of the continent like them, it was something only major figures could generally obtain, used specifically to establish medicinal fields.

Although there was not much Medicinal Soil in these six jars, it was enough to establish a small medicinal field. And with a medicinal field to grow herbs, Myriad Medicine Hall would have an endless source of wealth!

"Boss, with Xiao Yi Xian's and my abilities, we should be qualified to become physicians by now, right?"

Yan Qingshan walked to Boss Yao's side and lowered his voice. "Although this Medicinal Soil is precious, it is too heavy, and I can't take it away easily. I might as well trade it for some good things..."

"Qingshan, I knew long ago that you were no ordinary fellow. With your and Xiao Yi Xian's skill, you are certainly qualified to become physicians. Tomorrow, I'll gather everyone and make the announcement..."

Boss Yao's expression changed quickly after hearing Yan Qingshan's words. He put an arm around Yan Qingshan's shoulders and exchanged pleasantries with him, patting his shoulder with an expression that said he thought highly of him.

Boss Yao's slight displeasure with Yan Qingshan instantly vanished with the appearance of this Medicinal Soil. He was that kind of merchant—profit came first. Since Yan Qingshan had given him benefits, he was naturally willing to return the favor.

Boss Yao was satisfied, and Yan Qingshan was happy as well. This Medicinal Soil was actually the dirt from the Flowerbed in Treasure Cliff Cave.

He knew Boss Yao had always wanted to acquire a medicinal field. Bringing back some Medicinal Soil was just enough to settle the debt between them and save him from endless trouble in the future.

When all was said and done, Boss Yao had still shown him kindness. Yan Qingshan was not the kind of person who repaid a drop of kindness with a gushing spring, but neither was he someone who repaid kindness with enmity. If circumstances allowed, he was willing to repay a favor. Wouldn't it be nice for him and Boss Yao to part on good terms and leave everyone happy?

Just as Yan Qingshan was dealing with Boss Yao while speaking privately with Xiao Yi Xian, a commotion suddenly arose outside. An old servant hurried to Boss Yao's side and whispered a few words. Boss Yao's expression immediately darkened.

"Come with me!"

Boss Yao spoke to the guards beside him. The sturdy guards, each with no weak aura, moved at once upon hearing his words. They knew their boss had need of them.

"Let's go take a look too!"

Yan Qingshan was somewhat curious. He took Xiao Yi Xian's soft little hand, and the two went over together.

In the outer hall of Myriad Medicine Hall, within the square where the notices had been posted, arguments rang out without end. Numerous mercenaries shoved one another, and the scene was nearly out of control.

"Mang Ba, I know you're someone notable among the mercenaries, but this matter was personally decided by our leader. The slots this time are all reserved by us, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Myriad Medicine Hall hasn't said anything, so why are you making such a fuss!"

Facing Mang Ba and the mercenaries who had worked with Myriad Medicine Hall for many years stood a group of strong mercenaries with fine, uniform equipment, shouting loudly. Their leader was a young man in his early twenties.

Yan Qingshan followed Xiao Yi Xian into the crowd. When the girl saw that young man, a trace of displeasure flashed through her eyes. She said softly, "Brother Qingshan, that person is Mu Li, the Young Leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. I heard he broke through to Dou Zhe two months ago."

"Xian'er, you dislike him?"

Yan Qingshan noticed the displeasure in Xiao Yi Xian's gaze as she looked at Mu Li. He bent down and whispered into her ear, deliberately breathing warm air against it. Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed red as she shot him an annoyed look.

Xiao Yi Xian wrinkled her delicate nose and said, "Last month, I saw him bullying someone on the street. He's a very hateful person."

"Is that so? Mu Li... I remember him."

Yan Qingshan's gaze shifted slightly. This was the third character from the original story he had encountered, apart from Xiao Yi Xian and Boss Yao. He was a minor boss from the early stages, though he had not lasted long before dying. Still, that overbearing personality certainly fit the usual traits of a villain.

Mu Li pushed through the noisy crowd and entered the center. He swept his gaze around before loudly announcing, "I'm sure everyone knows what the Wolf Head Mercenary Group is capable of. For Myriad Medicine Hall's first herb-gathering expedition after the new year, safety will be handled by Wolf Head. I believe no one doubts our strength, right?"

The thirty or so mercenaries from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group simultaneously lined up in formation, erupting with a powerful presence. The other mercenaries instinctively backed away one after another, allowing the Wolf Head Mercenary Group to make quite a display.

Boss Yao showed little joy upon seeing this. The old servant beside him quickly stepped forward and said politely, "Myriad Medicine Hall trusts the strength of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Since Young Leader Mu Li is willing to take the remaining slots, Myriad Medicine Hall naturally welcomes it."

"Who said... the Wolf Head Mercenary Group only wanted to take those few remaining slots?"

A strange smile suddenly appeared on Mu Li's face. He turned, drawing his long blade with a flourish. "What I mean is, the escort mission for Myriad Medicine Hall's herb-gathering team this time will be entirely handled by the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

"Of course, we will not be sending only this few people. This time, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group will dispatch a hundred elite members. I don't think anyone will have any objections, right?"