Storming the Valley

Let's go back a few breaths.

Hua Qiang led Luo Feixuan and her maid Xiao Qing to the entrance of Medicine King Valley.

"You bastard!"

Luo Feixuan began to explain, "The rules of Medicine King Valley are that no matter who you are, no matter how rich or powerful you are, if you come here to ask for medicine, you must follow their rules."

Starting from this intersection, one must ascend the steps one by one, kneeling and kowtowing every 100 meters to show sincerity.

Holy crap!

Hua Qiang couldn't help but swear. Was he being treated like a savior?

Do all the people of Medicine King Valley live in their own little world?

After glancing at the steps inside the valley, Hua Qiang stepped onto them, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it was unclear.

He stomped a little too hard, and the first step was crushed by his foot.

Ring ring ring ring!

The piercing alarm sounded along the mountain path, quickly alerting everyone in Medicine King Valley.

The elder in charge of the sect's security immediately activated the Valley Protection Array. When that array became the barrier in front of Fatty Fei Wuji, the fat man became an innocent victim.

Luo Feixuan and her servant were startled. Why would there be a warning sound in this valley?

However, because of Hua Qiang, the two of them quickly calmed down, and their previous worries disappeared.

With people this strong, what's there to be afraid of?

Within Medicine King Valley, clouds and mist rise and fall, glazed tiles and evergreen pines and cypresses complement each other, hundreds of palace-style buildings are built along the mountainside, and the fragrance of herbs permeates the flying eaves and brackets.

On the winding bluestone path, disciples dressed in moon-white short jackets hurried by carrying medicine baskets, the medicine bells at their waists jingling; elders in red robes walked with their hands behind their backs, the hem of their robes brushing against the thousand-foot-long Ganoderma lucidum drying under the eaves, startling wisps of pale golden medicinal powder.

Inside the "Suspended Pot Pavilion" of the palace, wisps of sandalwood incense rise from behind a white jade screen, and the sunlight filters through the twenty-four carved window lattices into fine golden threads.

Yao Lengchan sat upright on the jade throne, her white veil fluttering in the wind, revealing only a pair of clear, cold eyes like an icy pool.

She held half a piece of the fairy herb, which glowed with a faint blue light, between her fingers as she discussed today's "Hundred Herbs Trial" with the twelve elders below.

"The opening of this Secret Realm requires close attention..."

Before Yao Lengchan could finish speaking, the entire valley suddenly trembled violently, and the alarm bells of the Valley Protection Array made of copper bells rang out, the sound waves causing the Medicine Cauldron hanging on the beam to hum.

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically, and even the petals of several spiritual herbs cultivated in jade bottles were shaken off.

"What happened?"

Yao Lengchan and Huo Xing stood up, their wide sleeves sweeping the bamboo slips off the table.

Her voice, though veiled, remained clear and cold, yet carried a chilling undertone, like an ice blade being drawn from its sheath.

The Twelve Elders simultaneously pressed down on the jade pendants at their waists, guarding against a potential crisis that could erupt at any moment.

The people below looked at each other, all with blank expressions.

Elder Xuan, who was in charge of the formation, broke the silence first. "Since the Chief Clerk set up the Valley Protection Array, it has never been triggered without reason, unless..."

Before he could finish speaking, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Report—!" A gray-clad servant stumbled in, his hair disheveled and grass clippings stuck to his forehead.

"There are people outside the mountain gate... Someone is deliberately damaging the stone steps leading to the Medicine King Valley to the ground!"

The servant reported breathlessly, the jade slip in his hand still burning hot.

"Absurd!"

An elderly man with white hair slammed his hand on the table, causing the bronze mortar on the table to jump three inches.

"Since the founding of Medicine King Valley, no one has ever dared to openly Trample the rules of this valley!"

The other elders also rose to their feet, their robes emanating medicinal energy that condensed into a vortex within the hall.

Yao Lengchan's veil fluttered even without wind as she gazed at the trembling jade throne armrest, her fingertips gleaming with a faint medicinal light.

"Summon the Hundred Herbs Guards to strictly guard the four gates and activate the Nine Revolutions Returning Spring Array."

She paused, her voice beneath the veil as cold as a poisoned silver needle.

"I'd like to see who this person is, daring to run wild in Medicine King Valley."

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of Bronze Bell rang out from outside the hall, and the entire valley instantly went into a state of preparation for battle.

Hua Qiang, leading Luo Feixuan and Xiao Qing, arrived at the Valley Protection Array. They saw a disheveled fat man whose beautiful robes were stained with blood, a hunched-over steward, and several strong guards.

Those boxes were smashed on the ground, filled with gold, silver and jewels, as well as precious Medicinal Herbs.

The fat man also saw it, and a hint of doubt flashed in the eyes of Hua Qiang and the other two.

These three people looked far too relaxed, and they were spotless, with not a speck of dust on their clothes or skirts.

Looking at himself in such a disheveled state, he wondered if he had wandered into the wrong theater.

I climbed this mountain with tremendous effort, and I even lost ninety percent of my life, barely clinging to life. How can they look so relaxed?

Could it be that they're here for a spring outing?

"Brother, are you also here in Medicine King Valley seeking Pills?" the fat man asked uncertainly.

Hua Qiang shook his head, but then nodded.

The fat man was a little confused. What did this mean?

He's shaking his head and nodding his head repeatedly. Could he have Parkinson's disease?

"Brother, Medicine King Valley has closed its gates; we can't get in!"

Hua Qiang smiled to himself: Just because you can't get in doesn't mean I can't!

However, not wanting to discourage this devout seeker of medicine, he spoke sincerely, "How will you know if you don't try?"

After saying that, he raised his hand and pressed down on the gray protective array in front of him.

Puff--

It sounded like a gas being released from a body. The barrier that hit him, causing a bump to form on his head, shattered instantly and turned into countless dust particles that dissipated in front of him.

The fat man's eyes widened in disbelief. What was going on?

He had tested the hardness of this protective array before, but it was like a piece of tofu in this guy's hand, crumbling at the slightest touch.

"Hehe, Fatty, now we can go in, right?"

"Okay, I'll take you inside!"

The fat guy had a curse in his heart, but he didn't know whether he should say it or not. There were no obstacles in front of him, why did he need you to lead him? He had his own legs, he knew what he was doing!

But he didn't say it, because he knew he had met a master, and perhaps by following him, he could pick up some bargains.

They hurriedly followed, even begging for food.

"Brother, what is your surname?"

My surname is Fei, Fei Wuji, and I am from Paulownia City.

My father is bedridden and on the verge of death, urgently needing the Pills from Medicine King Valley to save his life.

Brother, I came from afar, only to be blocked outside the mountain-protecting formation. Thank goodness, the heavens have taken pity on me and sent down your god-like brother to relieve my predicament!

"Hey bro, how about I treat the guys to a meal later?"

Hua Qiang felt that the fat man was a chatterbox, but he also had a very approachable quality about him.

I remembered his previous physique, and his brother Fatty Wang. I wonder how he is now?

"Hey, let's have a couple of drinks later!"