Candle Sounds, Axe Shadows; the County Magistrate Hosts a Banquet! In a Shabby Alley's Dark Room, the Heaven-Piercing Jade Talisman Was to Be Given to Ji Xiu!?

A day later, Medicine Hall.

Zhang Qing slowly woke and shifted slightly on the bed, feeling nothing but aching sinews and bones. He bared his teeth, rubbed his head, and sat up.

Then he heard a stream of chatter:

"Kid, you're awake?"

"Tsk, tsk. You really are lucky, having found yourself such a good big brother. This injury of yours was no small matter—you hurt your sinews and bones. This old man used quite a few herbs to nourish your tendons and temper your bones before this body of yours improved at all."

"That alone cost at least half a year of your wages."

"But Ji said this debt counts as a work injury. It'll be covered by the Medicine Hall's accounts, not your own money."

"You were unconscious for a day and a night. Now that you've absorbed the medicine's effects, your blood has nourished your tendons and laid a foundation. You can begin driving your strength and honing your qi and blood."

Huang Xuan stood nearby, pinching a plump Tiger Leopard Pill between his fingers. Grinning, he pried open Zhang Qing's mouth.

"You've run yourself ragged for the Medicine Hall, and this old man has seen it all. Zheng Jun refined too many of these Tiger Leopard Pills, so I'm giving one to you on the cheap."

The string of gestures left Zhang Qing dazed, yet deeply moved.

As the pill slid down his throat, a fiery sensation rose within him. But he had no mind to spare for that and hurriedly asked:

"Thank you, Apothecary. Then... where's Master Ji?"

At the mention of Ji Xiu,

Huang Xuan's hand paused, his expression turning strange.

"Uh..."

"Him..."

Seeing Huang Xuan's odd look, Zhang Qing grew anxious.

"He killed the Tiger Leopard Hall leader's legitimate son. He hasn't... gotten into