Chapter 50: Medicine Town, Wazi Village, Mute Girl

Chapter 50: Medicine Town, Wazi Village, Mute Girl

Sighing, Su Chen muttered, "Still no Red Bloodgrass!"

After scouring every apothecary in the city, he reluctantly accepted the reality.

Due to the rebellion at Huangshi Citadel, Red Bloodgrass had vanished from the market entirely, and even other herbal ingredients had become scarce and overpriced.

On his way home, Su Chen passed through the marketplace and noticed a corpse hanging in the center. It was Chu Ming.

The body had clearly been there for days, desiccated into a mummified horror, emitting a foul stench. The crowd barely spared it a glance, merely covering their noses and grimacing as they hurried past.

Su Chen paid little attention to the corpse itself, focusing instead on the notice nailed beside it. The message was brief and to the point: an announcement of Chu Ming's treason and a proclamation of the city authorities' triumph.

Though his name wasn't mentioned, Su Chen sensed the veiled implications.

"I wonder how the Pure Land Sect will react to seeing Chu Ming's body. With their resources, they’ve probably already traced this back to 'Yang Guo.'"

Though confident he hadn’t been exposed, Su Chen knew certainty was an illusion. If his identity ever surfaced, the Pure Land Sect’s retaliation would be merciless.

"I’ll need to be extra cautious using this alias. For now, Yang Guo should lay low. This trip to Medicine Town will be the perfect opportunity."

After lingering briefly, he turned and left.

Deciding not to delay, Su Chen departed the next morning. Medicine Town lay about a hundred li from White Stone City, nestled near the Baili Range. Though remote, its proximity to the mountains made it a bustling hub for cheap herbs, attracting traders from across the region. Over time, it had grown from a struggling village into a thriving supply center, revitalizing the surrounding settlements.

Arriving at dusk, Su Chen checked into an inn. After a hearty meal, he skimmed through a medical tome before exhaustion carried him to sleep.

The next morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced his room as street vendors’ cries filled the air. Medicine Town’s morning bustle was lively—merchants and customers already thronged the streets.

After freshening up, Su Chen ate a light breakfast and stepped outside. He didn’t head straight to the address the apothecary clerk had given him—Wazi Village, seven li north of Medicine Town. First, he wanted to search the town for Red Bloodgrass. If he failed, he’d visit the contact later.

Medicine Town lived up to its reputation. Herbal shops lined the streets, outnumbering those in White Stone City. But within an hour, Su Chen’s hope turned to frustration. Every shop offered the same answer: "None available."

Finally, he bribed a clerk for the truth. To his surprise, the Medicine Gang had seized all local Red Bloodgrass, banning its sale. In White Stone City, the gang seemed minor, but here, they were untouchable tyrants—no one, not even city officials, dared challenge them.

Resigned, Su Chen abandoned his search. He considered approaching the farmers directly, but realized the gang’s grip extended even to them.

"These factions are the greatest obstacle to my strength. If I can’t find it elsewhere, I’ll have no choice but to confront the Medicine Gang."

He resolved to visit Wazi Village the next day.

That afternoon, he explored the farmers’ market—a vibrant trading hub. For an hour, he asked vendors, only to be met with immediate refusals. Worse, he noticed onlookers eavesdropping, their reactions suspiciously synchronized.

By evening, he gave up. Even lingering near the market after dark yielded no secret offers.

The next morning, Su Chen left for Wazi Village.

Nestled among three mountains, Wazi thrived as a supplier of herbs. Compared to Medicine Town’s market, its stalls were modest. A line of farmers formed, baskets and sacks in hand, waiting to sell to well-dressed men—Medicine Gang enforcers collecting herbs.

Su Chen’s gaze swept past them, landing on a girl at the queue’s end. Among adults, she stood out: a frail teenager, pale and malnourished, clad in patched rags.

As he stepped forward, he abruptly halted.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end