Yam Herb Shop

Liu Xiaolou had several ribs shattered by Lu Chen's punch and lay on the ground, howling without end.

The Mighty Far Hall disciples who had been shouting and cursing so arrogantly moments ago now all looked pale, as though they had been slapped across the face in public.

They had come to challenge the martial hall and establish their prestige.

Yet Liu Xiaolou, a martial artist who had broken through more than half a year ago, had actually lost to Lu Chen, a newcomer.

With that, they had lost every scrap of face they had.

Seeing that things had gone badly, several Mighty Far Hall disciples immediately slunk away. The two remaining disciples who were fairly close to Liu Xiaolou forced themselves to step forward and helped him up from the ground.

"Senior Brother Liu, let's go. We'll head back and treat your injuries first."

"Don't touch me! It hurts... it hurts like hell!"

Liu Xiaolou's face was deathly pale, his forehead drenched in cold sweat, and he kept sucking in sharp breaths. Yet he no longer dared to spare Lu Chen another glance. He could only let his two junior brothers support him as he fled Hidden Dragon Martial Hall in embarrassment.

Lu Chen watched their retreating backs without paying them much mind.

He focused his attention on the transparent light screen before him.

[Iron Thread Grappling Hand: Not Initiated]

[Progress: 0/100]

Lu Chen's gaze shifted slightly.

"This sparring match wasn't entirely without gains. I got a martial art for free; I can study it when I have time."

When he had exchanged blows with Liu Xiaolou earlier, he had already felt how troublesome this Iron Thread Grappling Hand was.

If he encountered an expert truly proficient in Iron Thread Grappling Hand, Lu Chen might not come away unscathed.

But Liu Xiaolou had only just entered the door and was still no match for Lu Chen.

"Lu Chen."

Chen Chong walked over, his gaze first sweeping over Lu Chen's wrist and shoulder. "You weren't hurt, were you?"

Lu Chen withdrew his thoughts and shook his head. "No."

Only then did Chen Chong completely relax. He smiled at once. "Kid, you really brought honor to our martial hall this time."

"But in the future, avoid sparring with others whenever you can."

"No one can remain undefeated forever, and one defeat may ruin your entire future!"

Lu Chen nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I'll be careful."

Chen Chong glanced at the sky. "All right, don't delay any longer. You're still supposed to start at the Yam Herb Shop today. Shopkeeper Wang is probably already waiting."

Only then did Lu Chen remember the important matter at hand.

He returned to his room, picked up a simple bundle, and changed into a cleaner set of training clothes.

When he left the martial hall, Chen Chong saw him to the entrance.

Standing at the gate, Chen Chong patted him on the shoulder. "Once you get to the Yam Herb Shop, speak less and observe more."

Lu Chen said, "I understand."

Chen Chong added, "A post is a post, but you can't let your martial cultivation fall behind. Don't be careless with your daily stance training and boxing practice. If Wang Firm runs into trouble, you can also come find me at the martial hall."

Warmth rose in Lu Chen's heart. He cupped his fists solemnly. "Thank you, Senior Brother Chen, for all your care."

"I'll be going."

Chen Chong nodded. "Go on."

Wang's Ginseng Shop was located in the market district on the west side of the city. Its storefront was not the grandest, but its grounds ran quite deep. The front hall faced the street and sold medicine, while the rear courtyard contained residences and storerooms.

The moment Lu Chen reached the entrance, he smelled a rich fragrance of medicinal herbs.

Two shop assistants were unloading goods by the door. When they saw Lu Chen, they immediately stopped what they were doing.

One young assistant's eyes lit up as he said quietly, "Is that Martial Artist Lu?"

The other hurriedly said, "Quick, notify the shopkeeper!"

Before long, Wang Shouyi strode out from the inner hall to greet him.

Today, he wore a dark teal long robe. His face still carried a trace of fatigue, but the moment he saw Lu Chen, his eyes immediately brightened.

"Brother Lu Chen has arrived!"

Wang Shouyi stepped forward and personally cupped his fists. His attitude was far warmer than it had been three days ago.

Lu Chen returned the gesture. "Shopkeeper Wang."

Wang Shouyi looked him over from head to toe, then suddenly grinned from ear to ear. "Good! Excellent! This old man truly did not misjudge you!"

Lu Chen was slightly taken aback. "Why do you say that, Shopkeeper Wang?"

Wang Shouyi's eyes were filled with delight. "This old man has already heard about the sparring match at Hidden Dragon Martial Hall."

Lu Chen's heart stirred.

The Yam Herb Shop's sources were even more well-informed than he had imagined.

What had happened only moments ago had already reached Wang Shouyi's ears.

Stroking his short beard, Wang Shouyi smiled. "Liu Xiaolou of Mighty Far Hall has tempered himself at the initial Blood Moving realm for more than half a year, and he had even entered the door of Iron Thread Grappling Hand. Yet who would have thought that he would be defeated on the spot by a newcomer like Brother Lu, with several ribs broken to boot?"

As he spoke, his voice carried undisguised satisfaction.

"Good. Very good!"

In the past, Mighty Far Hall had often looked down on their Yam Herb Shop. Wang Firm also had to rely on martial artists holding posts at that martial hall, and they had suffered no small amount of indignity because of it. This time, Lu Chen had defeated Liu Xiaolou as a newcomer, blunting Mighty Far Hall's sharp edge and letting Wang Shouyi breathe out a great mouthful of the foul air he had been holding in.

When the nearby assistants looked at Lu Chen again, there was clearly a great deal more awe in their eyes.

Wang Shouyi, meanwhile, grew more satisfied with Lu Chen the more he looked at him.

Three days ago, when he had gritted his teeth and offered such a high price, there had been an element of gambling in it.

Now, it seemed that Lu Chen might indeed be worth the price.

"Hidden Dragon Martial Hall is about to rise. We should work with them more in the future."

Wang Shouyi considered this in secret, then said to Lu Chen, "Lu Chen, please come inside. This old man has prepared the contract, medicinal pill, and residence for you."

Lu Chen followed Wang Shouyi into the Yam Herb Shop.

In the front hall, several medicine cabinets nearly filled an entire wall, their drawers labeled with densely packed names of herbs. Behind the counter, a white-haired accountant was working an abacus. Hearing their footsteps, he also looked up at Lu Chen.

Wang Shouyi introduced him. "This is our Wang Firm's senior accountant, Mister Meng. Your monthly salary and herb discounts will all be recorded by him from now on. If you need anything, you may also speak directly to Old Meng. So long as our Yam Herb Shop can do it, we will certainly do our utmost to satisfy you."

Mister Meng adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Martial Artist Lu."

Lu Chen cupped his fists. "Mister Meng."

Wang Shouyi then pointed out the assistants one by one and introduced them to Lu Chen, so they could become familiar with each other.

Afterward, Wang Shouyi led Lu Chen through the front hall and into the rear courtyard.

The rear courtyard was far larger than Lu Chen had imagined, with several rows of buildings.

There was a pill room, storerooms, residences, a kitchen hall...

As they walked, Wang Shouyi explained, "Our Yam Herb Shop deals in mountain goods and medicinal herbs. A considerable quantity of herbs passes in and out every day."

"For martial artists, cultivation is three parts training and seven parts nourishment. The further one progresses, the more inseparable one becomes from herbs and medicinal pills."

"And we have everything a martial artist needs for training, from medicinal baths that cleanse and temper the body to Blood-Qi Powder that strengthens and nourishes one's blood and qi."

At last, Wang Shouyi led him to a row of small connected houses. In front of them stood wooden training dummies for practicing punches.

"This is the residence arranged for you."

Lu Chen went inside and looked around.

Though the room was simple, it was far more spacious and tidy than his lodging at the martial hall.

The bedding was new, and the table and chairs had been wiped clean. A wooden chest sat against the wall, containing two neatly folded sets of blue fitted outfits.

Wang Shouyi said, "These are clothes Wang Firm prepares for martial artists holding posts. Whether you wear them or not is up to you."

Lu Chen reached out and touched the fabric. It was much better than the martial hall training clothes he was wearing.

At that moment, Wang Shouyi took a contract from his sleeve, along with a small porcelain box.

"This is the contract. A monthly salary of six taels, one Blood-Qi Powder, and a thirty-percent discount on medicinal herbs are all written inside."

As he spoke, he opened the porcelain box.

Inside lay a dark red pill, its medicinal fragrance rich and potent. It was precisely Blood-Qi Powder.

"This is your Blood-Qi Powder for this month."

Lu Chen accepted the porcelain box and contract, then examined them carefully.

Black ink on white paper, the terms were clear.

Without hesitation, Lu Chen pressed down his thumbprint.

The contract was made in duplicate. Wang Shouyi put away one copy and handed the other to Lu Chen.

"From today onward, Lu Chen, you are a martial artist holding a post at my Wang's Ginseng Shop."

He cupped his fists solemnly. "In the future, Wang Firm will have to rely on you for much care and support."

Lu Chen returned the gesture. "Since I have accepted Wang Firm's salary, Lu Chen will naturally do his utmost."

Wang Shouyi smiled. "Good."

"You've only just arrived today, so there's no need to rush into work. First, familiarize yourself with the Yam Herb Shop."