The counter at Xu's Pharmacy was stocked mostly with ordinary medicines like Qingling Powder, wound medicine, Concentration Incense, Cold-Relief Decoction, and Bone-Forging Paste.
They catered to common needs like treating bruises and sprains, colds, fevers, calming the mind, and relieving pain.
As for the "hard currency" martial artists needed for cultivation—the kind that directly boosted their blood and qi—
the "Qi and Blood Powder" used in the Mortal Martial Realm and the "Qi and Blood Pills" used in the Clear Force Realm were firmly controlled by Jiren Hall and Xuanhu Hall, two major medicine halls with deeper roots and wider connections.
With the three taels of silver he had just earned from selling herbs tucked in his arms, Cui Hao walked into Xuanhu Hall around noon, as familiar with the place as ever.
The hall was thick with the scent of medicine, and attendants bustled back and forth. It was much livelier than Xu's Pharmacy.
At the familiar counter, Cui Hao gently set the three taels of silver on the gleaming surface and said evenly, "Manager Qi, two packets of Qi and Blood Powder."
Behind the counter, the manager, Qi Turui, was a middle-aged man with a well-fed face and a grave look in his eyes.
Qi Turui looked up at Cui Hao, then at the three taels of silver. A troubled look crossed his face. "Brother Cui, I'm terribly sorry... I just got word that the price of Qi and Blood Powder went up starting at noon today."
Cui Hao furrowed his brow. "The price went up?"
"Yes, the news came suddenly," Qi Turui sighed. "Two packets now cost four taels of silver. It's the same at Jiren Hall."
Cui Hao fell silent. The city guard had only just been killed, and already the prices had changed. How were they supposed to get by from now on?
Seeing Cui Hao lost in thought, Qi Turui steeled himself, gritted his teeth, glanced around, then lowered his voice.
"How about this... Brother Cui, I still have a few packets on my counter that I bought before the price went up. I'll just... pretend I haven't heard about the increase yet and sell you two packets at the old price: three taels of silver. But you have to keep it secret for me. Don't let it get around."
As he spoke, Qi Turui turned and took two neatly wrapped packets of Qi and Blood Powder from a locked drawer behind him. Each was wrapped in oil paper and stamped with Xuanhu Hall's hidden mark. He quickly slid them over to Cui Hao.
Cui Hao didn't refuse. He took them, tucked the packets close inside his robe, thanked him, and left.
Back at the martial arts school, Cui Hao heard complaints as soon as he entered the storeroom.
Two disciples who had just finished training their strength were resting and wiping away sweat, leaning against a corner and speaking in low, indignant voices.
"The price of Qi and Blood Powder went up! How are poor disciples like us supposed to survive? It was hard enough to save money as it was..."
"Ugh, however hard life gets, we still have to carry on. Just put up with it. It's all because the city guard got killed."
"What does that have to do with poor martial artists like us? This is a disaster that came out of nowhere!"
"It's always been this way. What's there to complain about? Those big shots move their lips, and we have to tighten our belts. Just accept it."
Their indignation faded into numbness, until all that remained was a long sigh.
Cui Hao changed into his coarse-cloth training clothes without a word, tightened his belt, and went to his familiar corner. He picked up the heavy stone staff and slowly swung it, loosening his muscles and bones.
After practicing the Broken Fist three times at the wooden post until he was drenched in sweat, Cui Hao went to find his fourth senior brother.
"Senior Brother Sun." Cui Hao cupped his fist in greeting.
Sun Cheng turned around and wiped the sweat from his forehead. When he saw Cui Hao, a warm smile appeared on his face. "Junior Brother Cui, what is it?"
"Senior Brother," Cui Hao said earnestly, "with the preliminary exam coming up, what are my chances of placing with my current strength?"
"Junior Brother Cui, for you, this preliminary exam is mainly a chance to see how things are done, feel the pressure of facing disciples from other martial arts schools, and gain experience. It'll prepare you for the next preliminary exam, and for the martial arts exam further down the road."
Cui Hao pressed him. "Where do I fall short?"
"Time and experience," Sun Cheng said bluntly. "The ones you'll be competing against include not only those at the peak of the Mortal Martial Realm, but also those who've reached its pinnacle."
"They've been training longer, have stronger blood and qi, use their strength more skillfully, and may have more experience in actual combat."
Cui Hao nodded silently. Sun Cheng was telling the truth, but with resources getting more expensive, he wanted to push himself and give it his all.
He didn't expect to take first place or even second.
He'd be satisfied just to place, earn some silver, and get a share of the resources.
Since his opponents might have reached the pinnacle of the Mortal Martial Realm, Cui Hao decided to push himself harder by increasing his training time and rationing his Qi and Blood Powder to one packet every two days.
"What about Xiao Li?" Cui Hao asked one more thing. "Can he place?"
"He probably can..." Sun Cheng considered. "He entered the peak of the Mortal Martial Realm earlier than you, and he saw blood during the campaign to wipe out the gangs..."
While Cui Hao was talking with Sun Cheng, Xu Dian sat alone in the study in the inner courtyard.
The teacup in front of him had long since gone cold, but he seemed not to notice. He simply stared out at the desolate courtyard, lost in thought.
Xu Liqing walked in quietly, carrying freshly brewed hot tea. "Father, your tea's gone cold. Let me get you a fresh cup."
Xu Dian came back to himself and took the teacup. After a long pause, he said, "Starting tomorrow, provide every disciple with one meal at noon. Plain food will do, but make sure they get enough."
Xu Liqing nodded gently. She understood that with resources getting more expensive and the disciples under greater pressure, this was the little her father could do to compensate them and persuade them to stay.
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