Yam Herb Shop

Lu Chen's punch had broken several of Liu Xiaolou's ribs, leaving him sprawled on the ground, wailing without end.

The Mighty Far Hall disciples who had been shouting so arrogantly moments before were now pale, as though someone had slapped them across the face in public.

They had originally come to challenge the hall and establish their might.

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

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

Several Mighty Far Hall disciples saw things turning sour and slunk away on the spot. Only two who were fairly close to Liu Xiaolou steeled themselves and went forward to help him off the ground.

"Senior Brother Liu, come on. Let's go back and get your injuries treated."

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

Liu Xiaolou's face was deathly pale, his forehead covered in cold sweat as he kept sucking in sharp breaths. But he no longer dared so much as glance at Lu Chen. Supported between his two junior brothers, he could only flee Hidden Dragon Martial Hall in disgrace.

Lu Chen watched their retreating backs without giving them much thought.

He focused on the transparent screen before him.

[Iron Thread Grappling Hand: not yet initiated]

[Progress: 0/100]

A flicker stirred in Lu Chen's eyes.

This bout wasn't without its rewards. I picked up a martial art for free. I can study it a little when I have time.

During his exchange with Liu Xiaolou, he had already felt how troublesome this Iron Thread Grappling Hand could be.

Against a true expert proficient in the art, Lu Chen might not have come out ahead.

But Liu Xiaolou had only barely grasped the basics and was still no match for him.

"Lu Chen."

Chen Chong walked over, his gaze first sweeping across Lu Chen's wrist and shoulder. "You're not hurt, are you?"

Lu Chen drew his attention back and shook his head. "No."

Only then did Chen Chong fully relax. He smiled. "You really brought honor to our martial hall this time, kid."

"But from now on, avoid fighting others whenever you can."

"No one can win forever. A single defeat could destroy 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 starting work at the Yam Herb Shop today. Shopkeeper Wang is probably waiting already."

Only then did Lu Chen remember his main business.

He returned to his room for his small bundle of belongings 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 doorway, Chen Chong patted his shoulder. "Once you're at the Yam Herb Shop, speak less and observe more."

"I understand," Lu Chen said.

Chen Chong added, "Taking an affiliated post is one thing, but you mustn't neglect your martial cultivation. Don't slack off on your daily stance training and fist practice. If you run into trouble at the Wang Firm, you can come find me at the hall."

Warmth filled Lu Chen's heart. He solemnly cupped his fist. "Thank you for looking after me all this time, Senior Brother Chen."

"I'll be off, then."

Chen Chong nodded. "Go on."

Wang's Ginseng Shop stood in the market district on the western side of the city. Its storefront was not the grandest, but the property extended a considerable distance back. The front hall faced the street and sold medicinal herbs, while the rear courtyard held living quarters and storerooms.

As soon as Lu Chen reached the entrance, a rich medicinal fragrance greeted him.

Two assistants were unloading goods at the door. At the sight of Lu Chen, they immediately stopped.

One young assistant's eyes lit up. "Martial Artist Lu?" he asked quietly.

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

Before long, Wang Shouyi came hurrying out from the inner hall to welcome him.

He wore a dark teal robe that day, and his face still carried traces of fatigue. But the moment he saw Lu Chen, his eyes brightened.

"You're here, Brother Lu Chen!"

Wang Shouyi stepped forward and personally cupped his hands in greeting, his manner even warmer than it had been three days earlier.

Lu Chen returned the greeting. "Shopkeeper Wang."

Wang Shouyi looked him up and down, then suddenly broke into a grin he could not contain. "Good! Wonderful! These old eyes didn't misjudge you after all!"

Lu Chen paused in surprise. "What makes you say that, Shopkeeper Wang?"

Wang Shouyi's eyes were full of delight. "I've already heard about the bout at Hidden Dragon Martial Hall."

Something stirred in Lu Chen's mind.

The Yam Herb Shop was even better informed than he had imagined.

The incident had barely happened, and Wang Shouyi already knew about it.

Stroking his short beard, Wang Shouyi smiled. "Liu Xiaolou of Mighty Far Hall has spent over half a year honing himself in the early blood-moving realm, and he has grasped the basics of the Iron Thread Grappling Hand. To think a newcomer like you would defeat him on the spot, Brother Lu, and even break several of his ribs."

By this point, undisguised satisfaction colored his voice.

"Good. Very good!"

Mighty Far Hall had often looked down on their Yam Herb Shop. Yet the Wang Firm depended on martial artists from that hall to fill its affiliated posts, so they had swallowed no small amount of mistreatment. This time, Lu Chen had defeated Liu Xiaolou as a newcomer, blunting Mighty Far Hall's edge and letting Wang Shouyi vent a great lungful of his pent-up resentment.

When the nearby assistants looked at Lu Chen again, their eyes held noticeably more awe.

The more Wang Shouyi looked at Lu Chen, the more pleased he became.

Three days earlier, when he had gritted his teeth and offered such generous pay, it had partly been a gamble.

Now, it seemed this Lu Chen might well be worth the price.

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

Having silently weighed that thought, Wang Shouyi said to Lu Chen, "Come inside, Lu Chen. I've prepared your contract, medicine, and lodgings."

Lu Chen followed Wang Shouyi into the Yam Herb Shop.

In the front hall, several medicine cabinets covered almost an entire wall, their drawers densely labeled with herb names. Behind the counter, a white-haired bookkeeper was working an abacus. Hearing the footsteps, he too raised his head to look at Lu Chen.

Wang Shouyi introduced him. "This is Master Meng, the Wang Firm's longtime bookkeeper. From now on, he'll keep the accounts for your monthly pay and medicinal herb discounts. If you need anything, you can also speak directly to Old Meng. As long as it's within our shop's means, we'll do our best to provide it."

Master Meng adjusted his spectacles and nodded. "Martial Artist Lu."

Lu Chen cupped his fist. "Master Meng."

Wang Shouyi then pointed out the assistants and introduced them one by one so Lu Chen could become familiar with their faces.

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

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

There were pill-making rooms, storerooms, living quarters, kitchens...

As they walked, Wang Shouyi explained, "Our Yam Herb Shop trades in mountain produce and medicinal herbs. A substantial quantity of herbs passes through here every day."

"A martial artist's cultivation is three parts training and seven parts nourishment. The further you advance, the more you depend on herbs and pills."

"And our shop stocks every kind of medicinal herb used in martial training, from medicinal baths that cleanse and temper the body to Blood-Qi Powder that nourishes and strengthens blood and qi."

Finally, Wang Shouyi brought him to a row of small rooms. Wooden training dummies stood outside them for fist practice.

"These are the lodgings we've arranged for you."

Lu Chen went inside and looked around.

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

The bedding was new, and the table and chairs had been wiped clean. A wooden chest stood against the wall, holding two neatly folded sets of teal martial attire.

Wang Shouyi said, "These are clothes the Wang Firm provides for its affiliated martial artists. Whether you wear them is entirely up to you."

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

Wang Shouyi then drew a contract from his sleeve and took out a small porcelain box.

"Here's the contract. Six taels a month, one Blood-Qi Powder pill, and thirty percent off medicinal herbs. It's all written here."

As he spoke, he opened the porcelain box.

Inside lay a dark red pill with a rich medicinal fragrance. It was indeed Blood-Qi Powder.

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

Lu Chen accepted the porcelain box and the contract, then read the latter carefully.

Black ink on white paper, with every term clearly stated.

Without hesitation, Lu Chen pressed his handprint onto it.

There were two copies of the contract. Wang Shouyi put one away and handed the other to Lu Chen.

"From today onward, Lu Chen, you are an affiliated martial artist of Wang's Ginseng Shop."

He solemnly cupped his hands. "The Wang Firm will be relying on your protection from now on."

Lu Chen returned the salute. "Since I'm accepting the Wang Firm's pay, I'll naturally do my utmost."

Wang Shouyi smiled. "Good."

"You've only just arrived today, so there's no rush to start working. Familiarize yourself with the Yam Herb Shop first."