Eternal Life Begins with Learning

"Shopkeeper, the tea is ready..."

As Chu Mu flipped through a book, a young man in a short shirt walked into the room carrying a teapot.

"Just put it there."

Chu Mu glanced up and pointed to the table beside him. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "A new batch of medicinal herbs will arrive today. You and Chang San go take inventory."

"Yes, Shopkeeper. Don’t you worry."

The young man immediately assured him.

Chu Mu gave a slight nod, saying no more. His attention had clearly returned to his book.

The Hundred Herbs Hall had three apprentices. Strictly speaking, they weren’t really apprentices. It was just that rascal Xu Yuan who felt there were too many chores and was too cheap to hire proper help. So he pulled a fast one, recruiting three people under the guise of taking on apprentices.

In this era, for a trade—especially one as respected as the Medical Skill—plenty of people would fight tooth and nail for a position, even if it meant paying for the privilege, let alone working without a Monthly Stipend.

And that was exactly what happened. The notice was posted, and by that afternoon, a whole crowd of people had shown up to apply.

As for why these three were ultimately chosen, Chu Mu hadn’t paid any attention. When it came to the miscellaneous tasks of the Medicine Hall, he had always been a hands-off manager.

Having a few apprentices helped share the burden of chores, allowing him to better focus on his own affairs.

’As for whether he’d pass on any of his skills, that would depend on the apprentices’ own fortunes.’

He wasn’t a stingy person, but he wouldn’t be generous for no reason either.

Chu Mu poured himself a cup of hot tea, took a sip, and turned the page of his book, feeling quite content.

"Brother Mu, Brother Mu!"

Before he could finish his tea, an urgent voice called out from outside. Faintly, he could also hear someone in the front hall shouting for a... doctor.

Chu Mu set down his teacup, placed a bookmark in his book, and stood up. Without waiting for Xu Yuan to say more, he headed toward the front hall.

"Brother Mu, a woman came in. She said someone in her family is seriously injured and needs a house call."

"A house call?"

Chu Mu stopped in his tracks, suddenly hesitant.

’A house call meant the patient’s condition must be severe.’

’Treating such a case, and in someone else’s home at that... it could easily lead to a world of trouble.’

The Hundred Herbs Hall was running smoothly, and his Cultivation was approaching Perfection. Worldly wealth no longer held much appeal for him.

Right now, all he wanted was to live peacefully. He didn’t want to get involved in any trouble.

’As for things like a doctor’s compassionate heart...’

’...he didn’t really have one.’

"Turn her away. Just say the doctor isn’t in and tell her to go to another pharmacy."

Chu Mu turned around decisively, without a shred of hesitation.

"Alright, I’ll go right now."

Xu Yuan agreed and left. Chu Mu returned to his room and went back to drinking his tea and reading his book.

The commotion in the front hall didn’t die down. In fact, it grew louder. After a while, perhaps due to Xu Yuan’s firm stance, the noise finally faded away.

Soon after, Xu Yuan came into the backyard, cursing and grumbling. Chu Mu could hear his complaints from a long way off.

"Brother Mu, you have no idea! That woman looked all prim and proper, but when I told her the doctor wasn’t in, she actually tried to force her way in, acting like a total shrew!"

"There are plenty of pharmacies in Jingmen County. Why cause a scene here? Is she picking on us because we’re not from around here?"

Chu Mu shook his head with a small smile but didn’t reply. ’He ran a pharmacy yet refused to help someone in urgent need. He knew he was in the wrong.’

He quickly changed the subject. "By the way, how has your Qi and Blood Cultivation been lately?"

"It’s going great! Ever since I started using the Dragon and Snake Soup, my progress has been flying."

"I tested it earlier. A knife can barely even break my skin now..."

When the topic shifted to Qi and Blood Cultivation, Xu Yuan visibly perked up, speaking with great excitement.

In the Qi and Blood Cultivation stage, with the Support of the same medicinal formula, Xu Yuan’s Cultivation progress was clearly not slow.

Chu Mu estimated that, according to the values on the Light Curtain Panel, Xu Yuan’s current Body Refining Technique progress should be around six hundred.

"You should try the new Dragon and Snake Soup."

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Mu instructed, "If any problems come up, tell me immediately."

"Got it."

Xu Yuan agreed. He had come over cursing and grumbling, but now he left with a wide grin.

Chu Mu paid him no more mind, his attention returning once again to his book.

It was strange. In the past, he could concentrate easily, but lately, as his Qi and Blood Cultivation advanced, he felt his thoughts tending to scatter.

In other words, his mind would wander, and it was difficult to focus.

This phenomenon became more pronounced the deeper he went into his Qi and Blood Cultivation.

Clearly, this had to be connected to the unseen God.

According to Chu Mu’s speculation, it was highly likely similar to how the leap in physical quality from Qi and Blood Cultivation made it feel like he was losing some control over his body’s Power.

’A leap in spiritual growth might also cause such a phenomenon.’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

This phenomenon seemed to correspond exactly with his current tendency to let his mind wander.

Chu Mu didn’t know if his guess was correct, nor did he have a solution. All he could do was consciously focus his mind again and again, trying to return to his previous state of concentration.

Time trickled by as he continued to read.

At noon, Chu Mu habitually picked up his teacup. Just as he was about to take a sip, a sudden commotion from the front hall caught his attention.

Putting down his teacup and medical book, Chu Mu stood and walked into the Medicine Hall. He had expected to see a patient seeking treatment, but instead, he saw several armored Inspectors.

"These fugitives are hiding in the city. One of them, a man, is seriously injured and will definitely seek out a doctor. Memorize their faces. If you see anyone suspicious, report it immediately..."

"Oh, and these fugitives are skilled in disguise. If anyone with injuries like knife wounds comes to your pharmacy for treatment, you must also report it immediately. Anyone who dares to conceal them will be treated as an accomplice!"

An Inspector slammed several portraits onto the counter, speaking fiercely.

Xu Yuan was clearly adept at handling such situations. After a brief exchange, the Inspectors left, sabers in hand.

"So there are fugitives. No wonder I heard the city was sealed off when I went out earlier..."

Xu Yuan muttered. He picked up a portrait to look, and his previously casual expression froze instantly.

Then, Xu Yuan’s words came out haltingly, "Bro... Brother Mu, quick, look!"

"What is it?"

Puzzled, Chu Mu stepped forward and took the portraits. As one image entered his view, his pupils constricted. He flipped through the other portraits, remaining silent for a long time.

"Bro... Brother Mu?"

Xu Yuan asked tentatively.

Chu Mu continued to stare at the portraits. As a former Inspector, he was no stranger to the format of a wanted poster.

Not long ago, when he left Qinghe County, wanted posters for those few people from Qili Village were plastered all over its streets and alleys.

He had been away from Qinghe County for over half a year. He thought that all the people and events there would be worlds apart from him, with no further connection.

But now, these wanted posters... they were practically identical.

One was of a young man with a ferocious expression, looking like a psychopath.

One was of a woman, demure and graceful, but with a cold look about her.

And another was of a middle-aged man with a square face and a full beard. He looked fierce, yet also somewhat simple and honest.

He had to admit, the artist’s skill was truly superb. With just a few strokes, they had vividly captured the subjects’ features.

But... of the two men and one woman on the posters, aside from the woman, the youth and the middle-aged man were clearly the remnants of Qili Village who had stirred up trouble back in Nanshan Town!

He had even fought this youth several times. One of the two Jade Scrolls he now considered his future was the very one he had taken from that young man.

But after that whole "corpse-snatching" incident, the youth had vanished without a trace.

Yet today, here in Jingmen County, a place thousands of miles from Nanshan Town, he was once again seeing a wanted poster for that same youth...

Judging by the mobilization of the Jingmen Patrol Officers, this was clearly not just a secular matter.

After all, with that youth’s power, secular rules weren’t enough to restrain him...

’In other words, this young man from Qili Village has been targeted by Cultivators again?’

Chu Mu’s expression was a little strange. ’That kid... he causes trouble wherever he goes, and yet he always manages to escape, even when hunted relentlessly...’

’This kind of treatment... it feels a little familiar...’