Tiger Bone Pill

Several more days passed, and Chen Chong's Alchemy had reached the proficient level.

On the panel, a line of text hung quietly: [Alchemy (Proficient 847/1000)].

These past days, he had nearly extinguished the oil lamp a thousand times and worn out three fire strikers. Later on, he had not even needed one; with nothing but the friction of his fingers, he could ignite the wick. The flame bent to his will—small as a bean, fierce as a palm.

Chen Chong sat in his room, staring at the panel in thought.

Alchemy could not be practiced for nothing. This skill had to be turned into money.

But how? Take private jobs outside? He was a young man with neither name nor reputation—who would trust him? Set up a stall to sell medicine? Dingshan County's pill trade had long been carved up clean by several old-established shops. Outsiders could not squeeze in.

After turning it over and over in his mind, Jichuntang Hall was still the safest choice.

In Dingshan County, Jichuntang Hall was considered an old establishment. It had been open here since the generation of Chen Chong's former self's grandfather, and it had operated steadily for so many years; there had to be a reason for that. Accumulating silver here was currently the best option.

But how could he enter the pharmacy's alchemy system?

Chen Chong considered it carefully. At present, only Chen Huaixu in the pharmacy could fire up a furnace and refine pills.

But Chen Huaixu was gradually growing old, and he was not a martial artist. He was merely an ordinary alchemist, with limited energy and stamina. He could not endure long hours of alchemy, so he could only refine valuable pills and follow the route of quality over quantity.

What the pharmacy truly lacked was a young man capable of mass-refining basic pills.

And young alchemists would not come to a little pharmacy like this to work themselves to the bone. Anyone with a bit of skill ran to great cities and major sects. Who would stay in Dingshan County?

Therefore, the odds of volunteering himself were high.

The moment Chen Huaixu stepped out of the courtyard gate, Chen Chong hurried forward and bowed. "Elder Chen, this junior seems to have gained some insight into Alchemy and wishes to ask for your guidance."

Chen Huaixu was taken aback.

It was not as if no one had ever wanted to learn alchemy from him. There had been some among the servants and some among the guards.

But those people either came bearing gifts or beat around the bush, asking others to plead on their behalf. Someone like Chen Chong, bluntly blocking his way and claiming to have "gained some insight," was truly unheard of.

Gained insight into Alchemy? A guard? Chen Huaixu's expression did not change as he said calmly, "Oh? Then I must see what accomplishments you have achieved in the art of alchemy."

There was a hint of lukewarm mockery in those words. Chen Chong paid it no mind, acting as though he had not understood the hidden barb. "Thank you for offering me some guidance, Elder Chen."

Chen Huaixu looked him over twice and said no more. "Follow me."

After leaving the pharmacy, they passed through streets and alleys, turning several times before arriving at a courtyard.

The walls were not high, and the whitewash had peeled away, but the scenery inside was rather pleasant.

An old pomegranate tree leaned diagonally against a corner wall. Beneath it sat a stone table and several stone stools. There were three rooms in the main house and one side room, with a string of dried herbs hanging beneath the eaves.

Inside the side room stood a bronze pill furnace in the center. It was smaller than the one in the pharmacy courtyard, with three legs and two handles. Its body was covered in marks from smoke and flame, clearly having been used for many years.

On the table beside the furnace lay a medicine pestle, mortar, copper spoon, porcelain bottles, and every other necessary item.

Chen Huaixu said, "What pill do you intend to refine, to prove your ability in alchemy?"

Chen Chong replied, "I have only recently begun learning alchemy and am not familiar with pill formulas. Could Elder Chen find a simple formula for me to refine according to?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Huaixu's already scant interest immediately plunged to rock bottom. So he was someone who wanted to look at pill formulas.

He had lived for most of his life and had seen plenty of such people. They spoke prettily enough, but in truth, they had come to fish for formulas.

He said nothing more. Casually pulling out a sheet of paper from his sleeve, he tossed it over.

Chen Chong caught it and looked—Tiger Bone Pill.

This was a pill that truly benefited martial artists. Its main ingredient was tiger bone, supplemented by angelica, Sichuan lovage, teasel root, and drynaria. Once refined, it could strengthen sinews and bones, invigorate the blood, and regenerate flesh.

Though basic and widely circulated, that was precisely proof that its effects were obvious and stable.

This pill formula was not worth much. It could be called one of the mandatory pills every beginner alchemist had to refine.

Inside the pill room, Chen Chong took out each of the necessary ingredients. Labels were affixed to the medicine cabinet: tiger bone powder, angelica powder, Sichuan lovage powder, teasel root powder, drynaria powder, and a bottle of refined honey.

Following the formula, he measured and added them one by one, then lit the fire.

Chen Huaixu stood to the side, watching Chen Chong imitate the cat to draw the tiger, and could not help laughing inwardly. He truly was growing muddleheaded in his old age, to have actually held expectations for such a young man.

The flames licked at the bottom of the furnace. Chen Chong's expression gradually became focused.

The various herbs slowly refined within the furnace, their powders melting into liquid and churning at the bottom.

The most crucial moment of pill formation had arrived.

This process was the most important and required Fire Control. Too great a fire would scorch the medicine; too weak a fire would scatter it. Every change in the flame's intensity had to be continuously adjusted according to the conditions inside the furnace.

Chen Chong pressed his hand against the furnace wall, feeling its temperature. Flames danced between his fingers, swelling and shrinking.

Chen Huaixu had originally been reclining sideways on a low couch by the wall, his eyes half-closed as sleepiness overtook him. Yet at some unknown point, he had straightened up and sat properly, his gaze fixed tightly on Chen Chong's hand.

Every adjustment was exactly right. Each change in the flame perfectly echoed the state of the medicinal liquid inside the furnace. This was not imitating the cat to draw the tiger. This was—Fire Control.

Chen Huaixu had watched pill furnaces for decades. He would not mistake it.

When a wisp of medicinal fragrance drifted from the beast-mouth on the furnace lid, Chen Huaixu could not help opening the furnace ahead of time. He took out a porcelain plate and poured out the pills within.

Three pills. Round and full, deep brown in color, with a faint sheen flowing across their surfaces. One was slightly flawed, its edge not quite smooth, as though the fire had been withdrawn half a beat too late.

But that did not change the fact that it was a standard Tiger Bone Pill—the kind that could be sold directly.

Chen Huaixu looked at the pills before him, then stared intently at Chen Chong. The fondness in his eyes was practically overflowing, like an old craftsman seeing a fine piece of raw material yet to be carved.

Seeing Chen Huaixu's gaze, Chen Chong felt a chill run down his back.

"From now on, you will enter the alchemy room." Chen Huaixu spoke in a tone that brooked no doubt. "I will explain it to Manager Yuan."

Joy appeared on Chen Chong's face, and he gave Chen Huaixu a deeply respectful bow.

"Thank you, Elder Chen."

Chen Huaixu waved a hand, his gaze still resting on those Tiger Bone Pills as he muttered, "First time firing a furnace... and his Fire Control is already at this level... Good. Good."

Outside the window, the branches of the old pomegranate tree swayed gently in the wind. The sun was just right, bathing the courtyard in warm light.