Chapter 37: Long River Gang, Unnamed Medicine Formula

Chapter 37: Long River Gang, Unnamed Medicine Formula

After leaving, Su Chen visited the Martial Arts Institute but didn’t get to see Hong Ming, who had been called away on business and wouldn’t return for some time.

When Li Mo heard about the Fang Clan Caravan incident, he scrutinized Su Chen thoroughly upon their meeting, only relaxing after confirming he was unharmed.

Then he insisted on sparring with Su Chen, only to end up thoroughly outmatched.

To his surprise, Su Chen—who rarely cultivated at the Martial Arts Institute—was just as proficient in Iron Thread Fist as he was. Li Mo couldn’t help but exclaim that Su Chen’s talent was extraordinary.

Su Chen merely gave a bitter smile and didn’t explain further.

Li Mo didn’t yet know that Su Chen had already broken through in cultivation. If he had, he wouldn’t have just exclaimed once—he’d have done it twice.

After parting ways with Li Mo, Su Chen stopped by a tavern for a meal before heading home.

As he approached his residence, he saw his landlord pasting something on the door. Before he could examine it closely, the landlord noticed him.

“Su Chen, perfect timing. I need to tell you something—relocate tomorrow. Here’s your notice.”

The landlord looked at him as he spoke, and Su Chen realized the notice was about relocation.

“Old Xu, if I’m not mistaken, I’ve only been renting this place for less than two months. I paid six months’ rent upfront,” Su Chen said calmly.

Old Xu hesitated. “About the rent… I’m afraid I can’t refund it.”

“Oh? But the contract clearly states this. Are you trying to renege on the deal?” Su Chen’s brow furrowed slightly.

Old Xu sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to refund you—it’s been sold to the Long River Gang, and they didn’t pay me much. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t afford it.”

“This is your problem. According to our agreement, breaking the contract early means paying triple the remaining rent,” Su Chen replied.

“I… I can’t pay that!” Old Xu’s face darkened as he shook his head.

“Then I’ll stay,” Su Chen said bluntly.

Old Xu’s expression turned stormy. He glared at Su Chen. “Suit yourself. The Long River Gang will come tomorrow to take possession. Don’t blame me if you offend them.”

Ignoring Old Xu’s threat, Su Chen walked inside and shut the door.

Old Xu lingered at the threshold, his face twisting with frustration before he snorted and stormed off.

The next afternoon, two members of the Long River Gang arrived—men Su Chen had briefly met before. They brought Old Xu with them, who looked worse for wear, bruised and swollen as if he’d been beaten.

“Master Su, this old fool lied and refused to refund your rent, so we punished him on your behalf. Here’s your refund plus the triple rent penalty—twenty taels total. Consider the extra a token of respect. Please accept it, and let us know when you’re ready to relocate.”

To Su Chen’s surprise, they weren’t here to cause trouble but to apologize, bringing Old Xu along to beg forgiveness.

“Fine. I’ll relocate in two days,” Su Chen said, taking the money before closing the door.

After they left, Su Chen went to a housing agency to find a new place.

He quickly noticed that rents in comparable areas had dropped, and vacancies had increased.

By late afternoon, he found a decent courtyard house and paid five taels of silver for six months’ rent.

After signing the lease, he returned in the evening with his belongings.

The new location was convenient, near bustling vendor districts, though farther from the Martial Arts Institute.

Yet Su Chen felt no joy—only exhaustion.

He didn’t settle in until late at night, finally washing up and collapsing into bed.

The next day, he returned the old key to Old Xu and visited the Martial Arts Institute again, but Hong Ming still hadn’t returned.

After informing Li Mo of his move, Su Chen slipped back home to resume studying the Medical Secret Manual.

Three days passed this way.

The manual’s complexity exceeded his expectations—merely reading it would take months.

Flipping through the ancient compendium’s notes, he spotted five or six distinct handwriting styles, indicating it had been passed down through at least that many generations in the Zhu Clan. The accumulated knowledge was vast and intricate.

Fully mastering it would likely take decades.

Su Chen knew better than to think he could rival generations of expertise in a short time.

So he focused his study—beyond basics—on poison formulas and vital energy techniques.

Thankfully, his prior studies had given him a foothold, letting him grasp the fundamentals.

Still, creating poisons proved too difficult.

Over three days, he failed repeatedly—even simple sedatives eluded him, despite having references.

But today, he set the compendium aside for an unexpected task.

While studying last night, he’d discovered a hidden layer in the ancient text.

Inside was a formula. By cross-referencing herbal ingredients’ properties, he identified it as a vital energy enhancement recipe.

This discovery thrilled him.

Lately, he’d prioritized vital energy research over poisons, hoping the compendium might reveal energy-boosting herbs.

This unnamed formula was a godsend.

He planned to buy the ingredients and test its effects.

At dawn, he set out, memorizing the formula beforehand.

To avoid suspicion, he visited multiple apothecaries, checking quality as he went.

Some tried to pass off inferior goods, angering him enough to abandon purchases and seek better shops.

By midday, he’d scoured the city but still missed one key herb.

“Just need Red Bloodgrass. There’s one last shop ahead, though it’s out of the way. Hope they have it.”

Red Bloodgrass was notoriously scarce—most shops either lacked it or had sold out.

At the final apothecary, he asked bluntly, “Do you have Red Bloodgrass?”

The apprentice replied, “One stalk left.”

“Fine. Give it to me.”

No one contested his purchase.

After paying, he finally completed his collection.

Back home, he carefully mixed the formula, tension tightening his chest.

“Let’s hope this works on the first try.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end