Bone-Nurturing Pill (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Junior Brother Chen, there is no need to belittle yourself. With over half a year left until the Martial Examination, if you can grasp Dark Force during this time, you will still have a fighting chance," Fang Minghai said with a smile.

Chen Yuan merely smiled.

No one could say for sure what would happen in half a year.

Soon, it was his turn to congratulate Xu Heng. He stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Congratulations, Senior Brother Xu, on breaking through the Bone Realm and reaching a new level."

Chen Yuan remembered clearly that this was his third time offering congratulations, and it likely wouldn't be the last.

Xu Heng nodded indifferently:

"Chen Yuan, though your talent is average, your perseverance is acceptable. Even though you have found a position at the Li Family, do not let comfort lead to slackness in your cultivation.

I suggest you make chasing my shadow your lifelong goal; if you can keep up, you will have nothing to worry about in this life."

After two months of deep cultivation, the surprise Chen Yuan had caused him that day had long since vanished, and his vision was no longer confined to Huo Academy.

Chen Yuan acknowledged this with a nod and turned to leave.

A bit arrogant, but he certainly had the capital to be.

The road ahead was long and obstructed; he still needed to cultivate diligently.

When news spread that Xu Heng had broken through the Bone Realm in four months, it caused quite a stir in the local martial arts circle.

In the upcoming Martial Examination, Xu Heng would undoubtedly be a formidable rival for all contestants.

If he could not be recruited, then he could only be destroyed...

However, the Song Family behind Song Qiao stepped in, sending high-ranking members to negotiate with Xu Heng to discuss deeper levels of funding and cooperation.

In this way, at least on the surface, Xu Heng was safe.

Those families in the Inner City also abandoned any thoughts of proposing a marriage alliance.

With Xu Heng linked to the Song Family, apart from the other three major families, who else dared to intervene?

Chen Yuan turned a deaf ear to the world outside, calming his heart to settle down and focus entirely on martial arts.

He became increasingly proficient in handling the affairs of the Herb Garden, inevitably discovering that this fellow Zhang Hong was not entirely honest.

He frequently stole herbs in broad daylight, and the herb farmers seemed accustomed to it, not daring to say a word.

During this time, Zhang Hong also tried to persuade him earnestly on several occasions:

"Brother Chen, why be so upright? There is a quota for loss anyway; the portion above the baseline is our benefit.

The Li Family won't reward us for having less loss, at most a verbal commendation; if the loss is high, as long as it doesn't exceed the quota, they won't punish us either. What we get is real silver—why not take it?"

Chen Yuan knew he was trying to drag him into the mud. He kept his hands clean and politely declined each time:

"Brother Zhang, you take it for now. When I am short on money, I will thicken my skin and take some."

He knew well that once he stepped into the water, it would be hard to get back on land. He must not lose long-term interests for the sake of petty gains.

As long as Zhang Hong did not exceed the quota and cause his own wages to be docked, he intended to turn a blind eye.

Although this would affect his performance, it was an unavoidable issue between partners. He couldn't demand that Zhang Hong give up this benefit for no reason, as that would undoubtedly provoke him.

As for reporting Zhang Hong for lining his own pockets, that was something only a hot-headed fool would do, and it would immediately make an enemy of him.

Chen Yuan did not want to provoke a martial artist who had mastered Skin Refining; he had to implement the philosophy of the Dao of Survival.

Zhang Hong was worried that Chen Yuan, this fool, would report him, which was why he wanted to drag him into the water and tie him to his ship.

Unfortunately, Chen Yuan remained unmoved.

However, he managed to ascertain through indirect questioning that as long as he didn't exceed the quota, Chen Yuan wouldn't report him, and he couldn't be bothered to care about the matter.

Zhang Hong was not surprised; he had already probed Chen Yuan's bottom line.

Huo Academy background, D-Grade Bone Structure, just reached the minor success of Skin Refining, and had some connection to Fan Dajiang, but not much.

Anyone with a brain wouldn't dare offend a veteran like him who had mastered Skin Refining.

It was a good thing Chen Yuan didn't dare to interfere; he didn't want to give up the profits anyway, especially since herbs were selling much better at the Black Market lately, and the margins were considerable.

At the end of the month, the Herb Garden steward came to evaluate their work. The experienced Zhang Hong left some leeway, did not exceed the loss quota, and passed the evaluation smoothly.

The two received their monthly wages and a Bone-Strengthening Pill each.

After the steward left, Zhang Hong said with a smile:

"How about it, Brother Chen? I wasn't lying, was I? As long as we don't exceed the loss quota, the stewards won't make things difficult. If you've thought it through and want to get involved, it's not too late."

To him, dragging Chen Yuan into the water was the safest option.

Chen Yuan shook his head with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhang, but my mind is dull, and I cannot do such things. If I were to slip up, I fear I would only implicate you in vain."

He would never get involved.

Even if he wanted to profit from it, he wouldn't consider cooperating with Zhang Hong; that would be equivalent to handing over his own leverage.

He figured Zhang Hong wouldn't want to cooperate with him either, but there was no other way—the fact that they were partners couldn't be hidden.

Zhang Hong glanced at Chen Yuan and said nothing more.

He began to pick herbs openly; it was a new month, and the loss quota had been refreshed.

Taking advantage of the Black Market's high demand for medicinal herbs, he sold off seven or eight tenths of his stock as early as the start of the month.

Chen Yuan acted as if he hadn't seen a thing, continuing to practice his Six Harmonies Mind Boxing.

Now that his comprehension was no longer low, he could appropriately increase the time spent practicing his boxing.

The bright moon shone through the pines, and the clear spring flowed over the stones.

Amidst the steady progress of his Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, the hour of the Rat arrived.

After handing over his shift to the guard coming to relieve him, Chen Yuan picked up his lantern and headed toward Hundred Herb Lane.

Zhang Hong was well-acquainted with the guard taking over the shift and struck up a conversation: "That kid is stubborn as a mule; he won't work with me."

The guard laughed: "Isn't that a good thing? One more person means a smaller share of the benefits for us."

Zhang Hong shook his head: "I just have a feeling that kid isn't simple."

The guard looked completely indifferent: "What are you afraid of? Does he dare to report us? If you're really worried, just find a way to squeeze him out."

He glanced at the bulging cloth bag on Zhang Hong's shoulder and added: "Picking this much already? You'd better be careful."

Zhang Hong nodded: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Prices are high these few days, so I can earn a bit more."

The guard also laughed, then suddenly said with a meaningful tone: "Then it's fine. Even if it really exceeds the quota, can't we just push the blame onto that newcomer?"

Zhang Hong was stunned, then frowned tightly:

"That won't do. If he gets angry and decides to drag us down with him, it'll be trouble. Once this matter is exposed, we'll all be in deep."

The guard waved his hand dismissively: "I don't believe he has the guts, but being cautious is fine too."

After a few words of small talk, Zhang Hong left and headed straight for a nearby Black Market location.

The Black Market only opened on designated days and times, and its location changed frequently to evade government investigation.

However, because Zhang Hong frequently trafficked in medicinal herbs, he had his own long-term contacts.

At a wooden door, he knocked according to a secret signal, and before long, a masked person opened the door.

"The price for the herbs hasn't changed, right? Help me see how much these are worth." Zhang Hong placed the cloth bag on the table and got straight to the point.

The masked person took inventory and said:

"The price is the same. I can give you five taels of silver. There is still demand for herbs on that side; if you can get another batch, you can still sell them through me."

Zhang Hong nodded: "Just sell these for five taels for now. I can't get any more herbs in the short term."

He wasn't the type to lose his head over profit; he knew when to quit while he was ahead, otherwise, he would have run into trouble long ago.

The masked person handed over a money pouch and added:

"Regarding the Bone-Nurturing Pill you asked me to look into, there is news. However, in terms of value, it is somewhat expensive, though it doesn't rule out the possibility of someone buying it at a high price."

Zhang Hong's body stiffened instantly, his pupils contracted, and his face, hidden in the darkness, grew increasingly somber.

Only his eyes burned with intense desire.