Chapter 38: The Assessment (Tuesday, please support with a read-along!)
"Chen Ye Ye, you're saying I don't need to study the Hundred Herbs Scripture anymore?" Lu Qing said, surprised.
"Indeed. Your learning speed exceeds even my expectations. You've already mastered the Hundred Herbs Scripture thoroughly. From now on, just review it occasionally—no need to study it formally anymore."
Chen Laodaifu stroked his beard, his expression one of deep satisfaction. Over the past few weeks, Lu Qing’s performance had far surpassed his hopes. In less than half a month, the boy had completely learned a book that Chen Laodaifu had originally believed would take at least a month to master.
"Of course, it's thanks to your excellent teaching, Chen Ye Ye," Lu Qing said, his heart finally relaxing.
At last—he wouldn’t have to study the Hundred Herbs Scripture anymore!
He had practically memorized it by heart. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he could recite it backward with ease. But he couldn’t just blurt out that he’d already committed it to memory. Even if he wanted to show off his intelligence, he had to do it gradually—otherwise, revealing his brilliance too soon might backfire.
Now, at last, the moment had come.
"Lu Qing, though your intelligence has surpassed my expectations, the assessment we agreed upon still stands."
"Yes, Grandpa Chen. I understand. Please proceed with the assessment," Lu Qing said respectfully.
"The Hundred Herbs Scripture is now second nature to you. But memorizing medicinal texts isn’t enough. True understanding comes from applying knowledge in practice."
"My test is simple: You have one hour to find ten herbs listed in the Hundred Herbs Scripture within the surrounding area of the village, then bring them back to me."
"Important rules: You cannot carry the book with you. You must not pick the wrong herbs. And during the entire process, you must not damage the plants."
Lu Qing silently committed the elder’s instructions to memory. Once Chen Laodaifu finished speaking, he asked, "That’s all, Chen Ye Ye?"
"Correct. If you fulfill these conditions, I will officially accept you as my disciple—my sole apprentice."
"Rest assured, I won’t disappoint you!" Lu Qing said, confidence glowing in his voice.
Here, Chen Laodaifu handed him two tools: a bamboo basket and a sharp medicinal hoe.
"Take these. Remember, you have only one hour. If you exceed the time limit—even if you’ve gathered all ten herbs—you won’t pass."
"Then I’m off!" Lu Qing grabbed the basket and hoe, immediately heading down the mountain.
As soon as he reached the base, he spotted a plant.
[Thunder Root Grass: High-grade quality, medicinal use.]
[Clears heat, detoxifies; highly effective for treating internal heat and cough.]
The Thunder Root Grass was listed in the Hundred Herbs Scripture. Seeing its high quality, Lu Qing immediately knelt down and began digging carefully.
The medicinal hoe Chen Laodaifu gave him was sharp, so Lu Qing took extra care—any careless movement could ruin the plant. After all, one of the rules was clear: Do not damage the herbs.
Gently lifting the root, he placed it into the basket. Glancing at the time, his heart tightened.
It had already taken him nearly a quarter of an hour to dig up just one herb.
If he continued at this pace, ten herbs would take ten quarters—over two and a half hours.
But Chen Laodaifu had given him only one hour.
"Can't afford to be this slow. Need to speed up."
At first, Lu Qing had thought his Abilities would make finding ten herbs a breeze. But now he realized—carelessness could still cost him the assessment.
He pushed aside his relaxed mindset and began moving faster, scanning the terrain with sharp eyes. Every time he spotted a plant resembling one in the Hundred Herbs Scripture, he instantly used his Abilities to verify its identity.
Once confirmed, he dug it up without delay.
Dandelion, Xiang'erzi, Plantain Grass…
One by one, the herbs from the Scripture were collected and placed into the basket.
Sweat poured down his forehead, and he wiped it with his sleeve—leaving muddy streaks across his face.
A passing villager chuckled. "Ah Qing, what are you doing? You look like a mud monkey!"
"Wang Bo, I’m gathering herbs—Chen Ye Ye’s task. Can’t afford to be careless," Lu Qing replied.
"Chen Laodaifu’s task? Then you’d better take it seriously. Need help?"
Wang Bo’s tone instantly turned serious. The villagers’ respect for the elder was genuine. Hearing it was his command, any amusement vanished.
"No need, no need. This is my personal assessment—Chen Ye Ye’s way of testing my progress."
Lu Qing waved him off.
"Alright then, you’d better hurry. Don’t let the elder down."
With that, Wang Bo’s expression grew even more solemn. After all, Lu Qing’s success wasn’t just about him—it affected the village’s future access to medicine.
"Got it. I’ll do my best!" Lu Qing nodded, waving. "Wang Bo, I’ve got to go—Chen Ye Ye only gave me one hour."
Watching Lu Qing disappear into the distance, Wang Bo immediately ran back toward the village.
Soon, nearly everyone in the village knew: Lu Qing was undergoing Chen Laodaifu’s assessment.
From that moment on, no one dared approach him. Even children were told to stay away—no one wanted to risk distracting him and causing him to fail.
The entire atmosphere was silent. Lu Qing, focused entirely on his task, didn’t notice the change.
He only wondered why the village felt so unusually quiet today.
Usually, by now, the children would be running wild, shrieking and chasing each other through the alleys—no peace to be found.
But the thought vanished in an instant, drowned out by his growing urgency.
He’d already collected eight herbs. Two left. But time was slipping away.
If he didn’t act fast, this assessment might truly be lost.
A flicker of regret passed through him. He should’ve paid more attention to the herbs around the village earlier. Now, he was racing against the clock.
Sometimes, relying too much on Abilities wasn’t a strength—it was a trap.
He’d assumed he could always use his Abilities to locate herbs easily—so he’d neglected to learn the land himself.
But luck was on his side. Moments later, he spotted another herb listed in the Scripture.
"Just one more," he muttered, pulling it up carefully and letting out a breath.
Yet he knew—time was running out.
"Where can I find the last one?"
He paused, thinking hard—then suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Of course! How could I forget? The most familiar thing is often the one we overlook—the lamp under the light!"
Without another thought, he turned and sprinted toward his home.
A villager saw him running and gasped. "Ah Qing, what’s wrong? Did something go wrong with the examination?"
"Nothing’s wrong!" Lu Qing called back, too focused to explain why they knew about his task.
He reached his house in seconds, then smiled at the small patch of healthy plants growing in the corner of the yard.
"There you are, Ox Bone Grass."
(End of Chapter)
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