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Chapter 68: Dominant Bone-Strengthening Pill, Breakthrough Imminent
Lu Qing and Chen Laodaifu stood at the entrance of the Half Mountain Small Courtyard, watching the Wei family’s retreating figures fade into the distance.
After a moment, Lu Qing said, “Master, that Wei Family Grand Manager truly is remarkable.”
He genuinely admired the man. When he’d first met the Wei family’s young master at the Big Market, Lu Qing had assumed the Wei family would be arrogant and domineering—such a temperament in an heir made sense. But this Grand Manager had completely changed his impression.
No wonder Ma Gu had said the Wei family’s influence stretched across provinces, all the way to the imperial capital. The way this man conducted himself was proof enough of their power. And then there was the family head himself—someone capable of commanding such loyalty. Perhaps this was what a true aristocratic clan looked like.
With such a figure at the helm, it was no surprise the Wei family’s rise had been so swift.
“Anyone who holds the position of Grand Manager in a family like the Wei’s certainly isn’t an ordinary man,” Old Doctor murmured, a hint of awe in his voice. Even after a lifetime of experience, he had rarely encountered someone like the Wei Family Grand Manager—so calm, so composed, yet capable of drawing people in with such effortless sincerity, even when they knew he was trying to win their favor.
“Master,” Lu Qing asked, turning back toward the courtyard, “what should we do with all this gold and silver?”
The Wei family had promised ten thousand taels of silver and a thousand taels of gold—but not all of it was in coin. Alongside a massive chest of silver ingots and a smaller box of gold bars, the rest had been converted into silver and gold notes, packed neatly into another small box.
Even so, just the sight of the two chests brimming with precious metal was enough to dazzle the eyes.
Only Chen Laodaifu and Lu Qing, both exceptional in their own right, could remain so composed. An ordinary person would have rushed in, greedy and desperate.
“Let’s move them inside for now,” Chen Laodaifu said, unsure how to handle such wealth. Together, they carried the chests into the house and placed them in a corner of the storage room.
Lu Qing glanced at the two boxes, hidden beneath a pile of scattered tools and old fabric. Who would ever suspect such a fortune was hidden here?
He left the room, closing the door behind him.
“A Qing,” Old Doctor said, his voice suddenly serious. “There’s something I need to tell you about the Bone-Strengthening Pill in your possession.”
Lu Qing immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
“That Pill is highly sought after by all Jin Gu Jing warriors,” Old Doctor continued. “It can break through the limits of the Jin Gu Jing cultivation, expanding one’s foundation and bone marrow potential.”
“But its power is extremely fierce. Even a standard Jin Gu Jing warrior may not be able to withstand its effects.”
“So even when you eventually reach the Jin Gu Jing realm, do not rush to consume or refine it. Wait until you’ve achieved Jin Gu Jing proficiency—only then should you attempt it.”
“Otherwise, consuming it too early… if your body cannot endure the potency, you could die instantly. Your marrow and blood would be burned away from within.”
Lu Qing’s expression turned grave. “Yes, Master. I understand. I will remember this.”
After giving his warning, Old Doctor waved his hand. “Since you’ve learned this, you may go. You’ve been worn thin these past days dealing with the Wei Xiao Gongzi’s affairs. Rest now. For the next few days, no need to come here to help.”
“Ah?” Lu Qing blinked in surprise—then, noticing the small box in his master’s hand, he realized.
Ah. The Master has just acquired a treasure scroll. He wants to retreat into solitude to study it.
He didn’t point it out. Instead, he bowed deeply. “Yes, Master.”
In truth, Lu Qing was relieved. He’d been meaning to take time for himself, to focus entirely on his cultivation.
Lately, he’d been refining one Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pill each day, and his vital energy was surging rapidly. For the past two days, he’d sensed the faint, unmistakable stirrings of a breakthrough—just beyond reach.
Holding the gift meant for himself and Xiao Yan, Lu Qing began his descent down the mountain.
Back home, he found Xiao Yan and Xiao Li playing together in the yard.
Ever since Xiao Li had come to live with them, the two girls had become inseparable. Xiao Yan rarely left the house now, eager to play with her new companion. Even her time with the other village children had dwindled.
Lu Qing had actually preferred it this way. He didn’t want Xiao Yan wandering around the Half Mountain Courtyard, risking exposure—especially not in front of the Wei family’s Grand Manager. He was too cautious about Xiao Li’s existence.
So for days, he’d left Xiao Yan at home, trusting Xiao Li to keep her safe.
After all, Xiao Li was no ordinary child. She was a Crimson Light Spirit Beast. As long as she wasn’t confronted by a Nei Fu Jing-level master, no ordinary warrior could harm her.
“Brother! You’re back!” Xiao Yan, mid-game with Xiao Li, looked up and called out with a bright smile.
Xiao Li waved a tiny paw in greeting.
“Yeah, I’m back,” Lu Qing replied, placing the gifts in his room before stepping out.
He paused at the table, eyeing the makeshift chessboard.
“Who won more today?”
The board had been carved from a scrap of wood, and the pieces—simple short sticks and small pebbles—were from a box of odds and ends. The game itself was one Lu Qing had taught them: the ancient game of Five-in-a-Row, known in his former life.
He’d taught it to them after one too many noisy days of the girls playing and shouting in the house, making it impossible to study his medical texts. Even when he’d shushed them, they’d sneak back into play within minutes.
So he’d thought of a solution: teach them chess. It was simple, yet engaging—and it sharpened their minds.
And it worked. The two girls had become utterly hooked. Even Xiao Li, despite her beastly nature, had taken to it with surprising focus.
These days, they played whenever they had free time. Wins were evenly split—no clear victor.
And today was no different.
Xiao Yan grinned. “I won more! I beat Xiao Li seven times, and she only won six!”
Then Lu Qing saw Xiao Li reach into her box, grab a pebble, and place it on the board.
Xiao Yan’s smile vanished. “Now it’s tied! She won seven too!”
Now it was Xiao Li’s turn to beam, her ears flicking back, eyes crinkling with delight, tail held high.
Lu Qing: ……
No wonder he often felt dizzy from their endless games. These two were absolute geniuses—two of a kind, the ultimate pair.
He decided he’d had enough.
“I’m going to train in the bamboo grove behind the mountain,” he announced.
For the next few days, with no need to visit the Half Mountain Courtyard, Lu Qing stayed indoors, dedicating himself entirely to cultivation.
Because he could feel the breakthrough approaching, he even paused his practice of the Four Directions Sword, focusing instead on the Nourish Body Fist—refining his body and cultivating his vital energy.
Finally, after consuming several more Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pills, one morning, he felt it—the subtle, electric shift of energy, the moment of ascension.
(End of Chapter)
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