At Last, a Pharmacist

Questions on difficult and complicated illnesses tested one's overall abilities. One had to not only identify the cause, but also resolve it afterward. This was very simple for veteran physicians, but rather difficult for Pharmacist Assistants.

Even after reading the entire Medicine Scripture, one could still make a wrong diagnosis, because every case had to be analyzed according to its specific circumstances.

However, this was not much of a challenge for Yang Chan. After his Pharmacist proficiency had risen to the second rank, the memories added to his mind included methods for treating all kinds of difficult and complicated illnesses. Though they could not cover every possible condition, there were solutions for ordinary complex ailments. Even where no cure existed, he could still ease the symptoms.

It depended on how difficult the assessing Pharmacists' questions were. If the question was difficult, an answer that could alleviate the condition would suffice. If it was easy, then the illness had to be completely cured.

The assessing Pharmacists had their own set of standards.

"A middle-aged man suffers from hysteria. He often feels dizzy, alternates between chills and fever, and frequently retches dryly. How would you handle this?"

A Junior Pharmacist spoke up. This was a mixed and complicated illness, but it was not particularly complex.

"If the patient came in person, I would first use the methods of observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and pulse-taking to confirm his pulse condition. Then I would observe whether his complexion was yellow, whether his tongue was pale and dark, and whether its coating was dry. If so, he could take Mume Pills, and all his problems could be resolved within half a month."

"Mume Pills can be made with Dried Ginger, Angelica Sinensis, Processed Aconite, Sichuan Pepper, Cinnamon Twig, Ginseng, Phellodendron Bark, Smoked Plum, Asarum, and Coptis Chinensis."

As Yang Chan spoke, he began preparing the medicines.

"Even if the symptoms differ, Mume Pills can still provide relief. If the patient is a child..."

Yang Chan thoroughly analyzed every possible situation, explaining everything in great detail.

"That concludes this disciple's analysis."

When Yang Chan finished speaking, packets of medicine for every situation had already been laid out. He placed them on the table for the Pharmacists to inspect.

Each packet differed. Medicine packets prepared for different ages and different symptoms naturally varied as well.

After the Pharmacists finished their inspection, another Junior Pharmacist spoke.

"Then I will ask about the precautions when decocting medicinal ingredients. Foundation Strengthening and Qi Nourishing Porridge is something every Junior Pharmacist must master. When decocting half a jin of medicinal ingredients, how many bowls of water are needed?"

The question sounded simple, merely asking about common knowledge, but it was actually a trap.

When decocting Foundation Strengthening and Qi Nourishing Porridge, one generally used two jin of medicinal ingredients, ten jin of rice, and two buckets of water.

Yet the question had deliberately failed to mention the rice. That was the first trap. The second was that the decoction ratio was not fixed.

It was like cooking two bowls of rice, which required two and a half bowls of water. But cooking half a bowl of rice required nearly a full bowl of water. There was significant loss in between, so the ratio was not fixed.

Therefore, the proportions for decocting half a jin of medicinal ingredients could not simply be calculated from the usual ratio. Only someone who had actually prepared it would understand this more clearly.

Fortunately, Yang Chan had personally prepared it before. The memories in his mind also contained this ratio, so he naturally understood the proportions.

"For half a jin of medicinal ingredients, it is best to add three jin of rice so that the medicinal effect will be at its strongest. Add roughly seventy percent of a bucket of water as well. The decoction time should not exceed half an hour, and the heat should not be too high. Medium heat is best. After it is successfully prepared, the medicinal effect is best if consumed within two hours."

Yang Chan's answer was exceptionally detailed, and he added further explanations. By the time he reached the finer points, he had even answered the questions this Pharmacist had intended to ask afterward.

After hearing him, the Pharmacist nodded and switched to another person for questioning.

The questions in the Pharmacist assessment were extremely varied, for they tested one's overall abilities. Pharmacists possessed many skills, and being lacking in even one area was a major problem.

Yang Chan answered without haste or agitation. Before every answer, he considered it carefully, while the Pharmacists nodded from time to time.

The entire assessment lasted two hours before it finally ended.

During the process, Yang Chan was also tested on heat control, combinations of uncommon medicinal ingredients, and other matters. Some questions were even rather rare.

It seemed as though they were deliberately making things difficult for him, but they were actually testing Yang Chan's mastery. Some questions even exceeded the knowledge expected of a Junior Pharmacist.

"Yang Chan, you are very impressive. After discussion among the few of us, we have reached our conclusion. Congratulations on becoming Qingyuan Sect's newest Junior Pharmacist."

After Lei Jingshan and the others had discussed it, they announced the final result.

Yang Chan's performance had exceeded his expectations. In order to make things difficult, he had deliberately asked questions beyond the capabilities of a Junior Pharmacist, yet Yang Chan had answered them all. This made Lei Jingshan regard him even more highly.

He felt that, based on the abilities Yang Chan had displayed, becoming a Junior Pharmacist was more than easy for him. Given Yang Chan's current age, he might become an Intermediate Alchemist within a few years, and even becoming a Senior Alchemist was entirely possible.

Within Qingyuan Sect, there were only two Senior Alchemists, both of them very old. No one knew how much longer they could hold on. These two Pharmacists were also the reason Qingyuan Sect could continuously cultivate Internal Refinement Grandmasters.

After martial cultivation reached the peak of External Refinement, one needed the aid of special secret medicines to break through into Internal Refinement and begin the Internal Refinement of Five Viscera. Only Senior Alchemists could prepare such secret medicines.

Yang Chan was so young. In his eyes, Yang Chan possessed considerable potential and still had a chance of becoming a Senior Alchemist.

"Thank you, Pharmacist Lei. Thank you, Pharmacist Song. Thank you, Pharmacist Li. Thank you, Pharmacist Dai."

Yang Chan clasped his fists toward the Pharmacists in thanks. This was the way of human relations, as well as a gesture of goodwill.

Compared to arrogant people, others preferred dealing with those who were humble.

"This is because your own abilities are outstanding. There was nothing wrong with any of your answers."

"We are currently in Taiyu City, so we cannot assign you a dedicated Pharmacist Assistant. Once we return to Qingyuan Sect, go to the Hall of Medicine Assessment Office and inform them. They will arrange an assessment for Pharmacist Assistants, and you may select any who pass to become your Pharmacist Assistant."

"Of course, you may also choose one yourself. But for now, no separate arrangements will be made. When you return later, tell Pharmacist Xu, and he will arrange your duties."

"You have followed the Pharmacists these past few days, so you already know what needs to be done each day. There will basically be no changes."

Lei Jingshan continued, giving detailed reminders. Clearly, he had a favorable impression of Yang Chan and was willing to say a few more words.

"This is your Alchemist Token. I will send the assessment results back to Qingyuan Sect. Once you return to the sect, you can collect the rewards for becoming a Pharmacist. They can also help you raise your cultivation to the External Refinement realm as soon as possible, and let you learn what an Intermediate Alchemist must master."

Lei Jingshan took out an Alchemist Token and continued speaking.

"Thank you for your help, Pharmacist Lei."

Yang Chan accepted the Alchemist Token and thanked him once more.