The moment the words "County Magistrate Gong" came out, Zhu Shun's expression changed. He gave a cold snort. "Fine. You have one hour."
With that, he turned to the constables behind him. "Li Liang, you stay. In one hour, either bring him back or bring word."
Li Liang cupped his fists. "Yes."
Zhu Shun swept his sleeve and left, leaving only Li Liang and two yamen runners standing guard outside.
Steward Liu said quietly, "Elder Wu, all we can do now is leave it to Deng Qing's luck."
Elder Wu grunted. His palms had grown damp.
Inside the stone door, Deng Qing had already shut out every distraction. Intent on controlling the furnace fire and refining the medicinal toxins, he had forgotten the time.
An hour later, someone knocked on the stone door. Steward Liu's voice came through. "Deng Qing, time's up. Come out."
Deng Qing emerged, his expression unchanged, though weariness showed between his brows.
Elder Wu let out a long breath. "He passed the test. Steward Liu, we got lucky."
Steward Liu chuckled with delight.
Not far away, Li Liang saw what had happened and cupped his fists toward Deng Qing. Deng Qing returned the gesture. Li Liang nodded, then led his men away.
Li Liang marveled inwardly. Deng Qing really knew how to worm his way in. How long had it been? Already, he was on close terms with the Tianshun Apothecary.
I can't keep putting on airs, either. I really should find time to swallow my pride and pay him a visit.
After Li Liang left, Steward Liu worried that Deng Qing was not in the best condition. "Refining the precious medicine is a serious matter. Rest for two days first, Deng Qing, and then we'll begin."
Deng Qing could not have asked for more. As long as they feed me.
For the next two days, Deng Qing stayed at the apothecary. To help him recover, Steward Liu provided five meals a day, with an endless supply of meat.
On the third day, Elder Wu returned with news from Celebration Hall. Many disciples had been sent up onto the city walls to keep watch, but no major battle had broken out yet.
Deng Qing chatted with Elder Wu for a while before Steward Liu came to tell him that the refining was about to begin.
Deng Qing changed into old clothes and followed Steward Liu down to the Underground Refining Chamber.
It was the same furnace room as last time.
This time, though, medicine crates lined the corridor outside.
Several elderly apothecary workers stood guard there, some checking the medicine ledger, others inspecting the ingredients. None looked at ease.
At the door, Elder Wu gave Deng Qing a few more quiet instructions. Deng Qing nodded. "I'll remember."
Then he pushed open the door and entered the furnace room. The stone door closed behind him once more.
The room was as sweltering as ever. The huge black furnace stood in the center, its heavy belly like an iron beast crouched in the dark.
Deng Qing checked the water and dry rations, then went to the furnace. Crouching, he opened the firewood hatch, lit the fire, and fed it wood.
Before long, a clatter came from the iron pipe in the wall.
A moment later, ingredients began feeding through the pipe into the furnace. A muffled thud came from its belly, followed by a wisp of medicinal smoke.
One breath of it sent a stab of heat through Deng Qing's chest and abdomen, as if a hot needle had pierced him. He immediately sat cross-legged beside the furnace and set the Violet Palace Method in motion with a thought.
Once the main furnace was lit, there was no rest. Besides circulating the Violet Palace Method, he had to control the fire with precision.
He endured until nightfall, when the heat in the furnace room had become frighteningly intense.
Sweat covered Deng Qing's head, and his old clothes were soaked through.
Suddenly, the fire inside the furnace flared bright.
The next instant, crimson medicinal smoke burst back out through its seams.
Deng Qing's chest jolted, and a bloody sweetness rose in his throat.
Chaos broke out beyond the stone door. Someone shouted, "The fire's too high!"
Steward Liu's voice changed with alarm. "How did the fire get too high? Check the medicine feed!"
Footsteps scrambled through the corridor.
Then Elder Wu's voice rang out. "Bank the fire. Steady your breathing."
Deng Qing forced down the bloody sweetness in his throat. He bent over the firewood hatch, pulled the fresh logs halfway out, and began drawing down the fire.
Time seemed to stretch. At last, the glaring red light in the furnace's belly slowly dimmed.
Only then did Deng Qing let out a slow breath.
Outside the stone door, many others breathed long sighs of relief.
The refining continued into the second day and gradually neared completion. The medicinal toxins grew stronger.
Crimson medicinal smoke hung in the furnace room, unable to disperse, like a layer of heated fog.
Bitterness filled Deng Qing's throat, his eyes stung, and deep in his lungs it felt as though a wad of red-hot cotton had been stuffed inside.
He stopped thinking about what was happening outside and stopped counting the hours. His eyes held only the color of the flames; his ears, only the crackle of burning wood.
After an unknown length of time, the invisible millstone between his chest and abdomen suddenly sank. At a thought, Clear Radiance appeared.
[Violet Palace Method: 35% (Minor Mastery)]
Delight stirred in Deng Qing's heart. Breaking down the medicinal toxins to save himself had instead driven the Violet Palace Method forward by leaps and bounds.
Just then, Steward Liu's delighted cry came from beyond the stone door. "It's done!"
Cheers erupted outside. Only then did Deng Qing slowly breathe out.
A little while later, the stone door opened, and a thick cloud of medicinal smoke billowed from the furnace room. Deng Qing stepped out, bracing himself on the doorframe. His face was ashen, and his clothes reeked of medicine.
Steward Liu hurriedly instructed an attendant, "Quick, help Deng Qing to the Quiet Chamber."
The attendant supported Deng Qing as he walked, with Elder Wu following behind. Once they reached the Quiet Chamber, Elder Wu immediately checked Deng Qing's pulse.
After a moment, he released his wrist. "His foundation is unharmed. The medicinal toxins just haven't cleared. A few days' rest will do."
Before long, Steward Liu came in with silver notes. Perhaps knowing that Elder Wu would receive a share, he had brought notes in a mix of denominations.
Steward Liu handed them over. "Deng Qing, we owe you this time. I won't belabor it. I hope we'll work together often in the future."
Deng Qing cupped his fists in thanks and promptly put the silver notes away.
Then Steward Liu had someone bring in a sealed medicine jar. "These are the dregs left from refining this batch of Ginseng Pills.
"They still have medicinal potency, but it's mixed, and the fire toxins haven't been fully purged. Ordinary martial artists can't use them.
"Since you endured the medicinal toxins, Deng Qing, I expect you can withstand these. If you don't mind, take them home and use them."
Elder Wu nodded to Deng Qing, who cupped his fists in thanks again.
Steward Liu waved a hand. "It's only right."
An idea struck Deng Qing. He cupped his fists. "To be honest, Steward Liu, I'm terribly weak right now. If I go outside, the yamen may try to seize me again.
"Could you help me find a quiet place to recover for ten days? And sorry for the trouble, but please tell anyone who asks that I'm still helping the apothecary refine medicine."
Steward Liu nodded. "That's easy enough. Stay here and rest as long as you need, Deng Qing."
He summoned someone to lead Deng Qing to the western courtyard and a small house beside the lake.
The house was simply furnished but had everything necessary. After tidying up a little, Deng Qing could settle in.
He took out the stack of silver notes, separated out twenty-four taels' worth, and handed them to Elder Wu.
Elder Wu accepted the notes, smiling so broadly that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunched together. "I've come out well ahead this time."
Deng Qing said, "Without you there to oversee things, Elder Wu, I might not have earned this money."
Elder Wu waved a hand. "No need for that between the two of us."
He gave the jar of medicine dregs a shake. "Don't underestimate these. There's still plenty of potency in them, though they're mixed with some fire toxins.
"Those who can afford Ginseng Pills turn their noses up at the dregs. Those who can't afford them usually don't have an Internal Cultivation Method, so the dregs are useless to them.
"Steward Liu knew what he was doing when he gave them to you.
"Rest here and recover. Once I've prepared the dregs, I'll have someone bring you a dose of medicinal broth each day."
"Thank you, Elder Wu."