Funiu Mountain was named for its resemblance to a cow lying down. It was the richest mountain range near Qingyuan County, teeming with precious herbs, but countless dangers also lurked within.
Along the mountain's edge, generations of accumulation had formed patches of fertile black humus soil, ideal for growing medicinal herbs. The Yi River also wound nearby, providing an abundant water source.
Li Family controlled nearly half of the humus soil, growing all kinds of medicinal herbs and even precious herbs. This was one of the main sources of its wealth.
Under the guidance of a steward from Li Family's Internal Affairs, Chen Yuan arrived at the largest and most fertile herb field under Li Family's control.
Of course, he wasn't qualified to guard this herb field. It was personally guarded by a Li Family expert whose strength was on par with Fan Dajiang's.
As one of the Four Great Families, Li Family had not only a group of powerful attendants, but also family disciples whose strength was nothing to scoff at. They were responsible for the family's various core businesses.
The man in charge of the herb field was named Li Song. He looked considerably younger than Fan Dajiang and likely still had room to improve.
"Steward, this is Chen Yuan, newly assigned to guard the herb field. He's at the minor-completion stage of Skin Refining..." The steward from Internal Affairs introduced Chen Yuan in a few words.
Chen Yuan cupped his hands. "I'm Chen Yuan. Greetings, Steward Li."
Li Song didn't even raise his brows. "You're Chen Yuan, right? Come with me."
And so Chen Yuan was handed over to Li Song. He followed behind him toward his assigned post.
They weaved through the woods for nearly fifteen minutes before finally reaching his post. It seemed Li Family's herb fields were scattered about according to the lay of the land. No wonder they needed so many people.
At a glance, the herb field covered about an acre. Iron railings enclosed it on all sides, enough to keep ordinary wild beasts out.
Several people were already busy in the field. After all, medicinal herbs couldn't simply be planted and left to grow on their own; they needed farmers to tend and care for them.
In addition, someone was practicing martial arts in the clearing outside the herb garden, his fists and feet cutting through the air with a fierce whoosh.
The moment he caught sight of Li Song from the corner of his eye, he stopped and hurried over, bowing respectfully. "Your subordinate Liu Hong greets Steward Li."
At the same time, he sized up Chen Yuan.
Li Song nodded faintly and asked, "How has the herb garden been lately? Any attacks from Strange Beasts?"
Whole swaths of medicinal herbs held a fatal attraction for Strange Beasts. Before herb gardens belonging to other families were attacked, the main concern was wild beasts and Strange Beasts, with the latter posing the greater threat.
Liu Hong shook his head. "The herb garden's been growing well lately. No Strange Beasts, just a few wild beasts, and we drove them off."
Li Song gave a quiet "Mm," asked no more, and turned to Chen Yuan.
"From now on, you'll be stationed here. The shifts rotate among three groups, and you and Liu Hong will take the middle shift, from the hour of Shen to the hour of Hai, three in the afternoon to eleven at night. Your only task is to keep the herb garden safe.
"Someone will inspect the herb garden at the end of each month. If negligence results in excessive losses, the amount will be deducted from your monthly pay. Liu Hong will tell you about the fixed loss allowance and the other details."
Chen Yuan nodded. "Understood."
"Mm. Follow Liu Hong around and familiarize yourself with the duties. Be here on time tomorrow at the hour of Shen." Li Song gave few further instructions and left.
Chen Yuan turned to Liu Hong and cupped his hands slightly. "Brother Liu, I hope you'll look after me from now on."
It seemed Liu Hong would be his partner from now on. Hopefully, he'd be easy to get along with.
Liu Hong smiled. "You're too polite, Brother Chen. We should help each other. Come, I'll show you around the herb garden."
Chen Yuan nodded and followed Liu Hong into the herb garden.
Besides the two of them guarding the place, four herb farmers were responsible for tending the garden.
The main crops here were the various medicinal herbs used to refine Blood Qi Pills. There were seven kinds in all.
In addition, in the most fertile part of the herb garden grew a precious herb called Stone Scale Flower. When added to medicine, it could temper the skin and membranes.
Its effects were similar to those of a precious fish called Horned Carp, which had a horn growing from its head.
This was undoubtedly the most valuable part of the herb garden.
Liu Hong smiled and said,
"Brother Chen, guarding a herb garden is a cushy job. It's quite leisurely, and you get a monthly benefit, too.
"Take our Herb Field No. 6, for example. Each month, we get a Skin Strengthening Pill made with Stone Scale Flower. You've only just reached minor completion in Skin Refining, yet you've already been sent here. You must have a patron looking out for you, right?"
Chen Yuan smiled, knowing Liu Hong was fishing for information about him. He didn't hide the truth. "Luckily, Consultant Fan took a liking to me and gave me this opportunity."
Liu Hong understood. He shifted the topic and spoke slowly.
"Brother Chen, what do you think about the fixed loss allowance each month?"
Chen Yuan's heart tightened slightly, but he kept his expression calm. "I'll naturally do my utmost to carry out my duties and minimize losses to the herb garden."
He understood what Liu Hong was implying. Liu Hong was testing whether he had any thoughts about the fixed loss allowance.
After all, if they stayed under the allowance by the end of the month, they could fiddle the books a little and pocket the difference.
But Chen Yuan still didn't know what Liu Hong had in mind, so he didn't dare say too much.
Liu Hong's expression hardly changed. He gave a faint smile. "You're an honest man, Brother Chen. That's good."
The duties of guarding the herb garden were simple. After learning about the place, Chen Yuan left.
At the garden entrance, Liu Hong watched Chen Yuan's retreating figure, deep in thought.
Until he'd figured out where Chen Yuan drew the line, it would be unwise to act rashly. Hopefully, Chen Yuan would know how to play along.
Back at Huo Academy, Chen Yuan spread his legs and began practicing his stance. His qi and blood soon began circulating, tempering his skin and membranes under his deliberate control.
After several rounds, he was drenched in sweat. He leaned against the wall and began gulping down Body Strengthening Soup.
Now that he was better off, even drinking water felt beneath him. He'd replaced it all with Body Strengthening Soup and was determined to build up his qi and blood.
These past few days, Chen Yuan had seen Sun Chengjie and Xue Anping practicing diligently in the courtyard.
The four-month deadline was drawing near, and they were both holding on to a fierce determination.
Before long, Sun Chengjie also reached his limit. Panting, he walked toward Chen Yuan.
But unlike his usual easy familiarity, he looked troubled this time, hesitating to speak.
Seeing this, Chen Yuan smiled. "Brother Sun, whatever it is, just say it."
He could already guess, more or less.
With the final deadline approaching, what else could it be?
Sun Chengjie took a deep breath and bowed.
"Brother Chen, to be honest, I'd like to borrow three qian of silver to buy a Blood-Qi Pill, so I can make one last preparation before attempting the breakthrough. If I fail, even if I go home and farm, I'll pay you back."
Sure enough, even a penny could leave a hero helpless.
Chen Yuan nodded. "Brother Sun, I can lend you the three qian of silver. I hope your breakthrough goes smoothly. If things don't go as planned, there's no need to rush to pay me back. Do it when you have money to spare."
He could afford three qian of silver and was willing to lend it to a friend he'd known for several months.
But he couldn't lend any more. It wasn't that he didn't want to; he was afraid that if Sun Chengjie failed to break through, the debt would only burden him further.
His money hadn't fallen from the sky, either.
Sun Chengjie let out a breath of relief and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Brother Chen."
With the Blood Qi Pill, he finally felt a little more confident. He was also deeply grateful to Chen Yuan for coming to his aid in his hour of need.
As they were talking, Xue Anping came walking over too. He wore the same troubled expression Sun Chengjie had just had.
Chen Yuan's mouth twitched. Don't tell me this guy's here to borrow money too?
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