Chapter 223: Chapter 223: New Skill, Artifact Refining

Xirong County, Chu Mansion, under the pavilion.

After Chu Ming and Shen Yu left the Commandery Mansion, they returned home.

"Do you want to investigate the Blood Evil Sect?" Shen Yu asked worriedly.

He knew all about the smuggling of Jingyan salt.

Choosing the Commissioner of Canal Transport at this time was clearly aimed at the Blood Evil Sect.

Chu Ming silently nodded.

"Chu Royal Attendant, the Blood Evil Sect is powerful, isn’t this too risky?" Commander Meng Zhen was also concerned.

"Don’t worry." Chu Ming smiled lightly, "Brother Shen, Commander Meng Wanfu, I’m just using the identity of the Commissioner of Canal Transport to make contact, I won’t be too aggressive."

"By the way, Commander Meng, are you returning to the army tomorrow?"

"Yes, Chu Royal Attendant’s strength is astonishing, staying here..." Meng Zhen hesitated to speak, "It’s not very useful."

The night breeze swept by, and all three fell silent.

Single-handedly wiping out Black Wind Stronghold and Blood Vine Castle, An Hengying and Teng Sect among the five Meridian Unlocking experts in Xirong County died because of it.

Shen Yu and Meng Zhen were both shocked to the core.

They looked at the youthful Chu Ming, not knowing what to say.

A moment passed.

Chu Ming’s voice broke the silence.

"Commander Meng Wanfu, here are some treasure medicines and some exotic beast meat."

Opening the package, there were fifteen hundred-year-old herbs, three five-hundred-year-old ones, and about five pounds of exotic beast meat.

Is this what you call some treasure medicine and exotic beast meat?

"Rest assured, Chu Royal Attendant, I will deliver them to the Personal Attendant Fang." Meng Zhen showed no greed but spoke solemnly.

"It’s not for Housekeeper Fang, it’s for you."

"For me?!" Meng Zhen’s heart trembled.

The fifteen hundred-year-old herbs and the five five-hundred-year-old herbs were already extremely rare, and the five pounds of exotic beast meat were even more different.

Earlier, in Jingyan County, the Tier Three Exotic Beast, Grey Rat, that was killed weighed only about fifty pounds; removing the fur and bones, thirty pounds of meat was considered good.

Five pounds of exotic beast meat made up nearly a fifth; for Martial Artists in the early and middle stages of the Refining Organ Realm, eating it would definitely boost their strength quickly.

Meng Zhen found it hard to believe.

"Hmm, I owe Commander Meng for all the trouble during this period." Chu Ming cupped his hands, "I hope Commander Meng will accept it."

Meng Zhen had shielded him from danger many times, making him worthy of this exotic beast meat.

Moreover, he needed Commander Meng, who was in the Refining Organ Realm, to relieve Housekeeper Fang of some burdens after returning to the army.

"Old Meng, since Chu Ming has given it to you, just take it!" Shen Yu pushed the package toward Meng Zhen.

After a long time of changing expressions, Meng Zhen finally cupped his hands, "Thank you, Chu Royal Attendant."

Chu Ming nodded slightly, then brought out another package, saying, "Inside are items for Housekeeper Fang and my master. Please take them as well, Commander Meng Wanfu."

The package contained fifty hundred-year-old treasure medicines, ten thousand-year-old treasure medicines, and two volumes of Inference Techniques, which had been deduced to the Meridian Unlocking Realm.

"Don’t worry, Chu Royal Attendant, Meng Zhen will definitely deliver them."

"Good."

"Old Meng, once you leave, no one will teach me martial arts anymore..."

"..."

...

In the late night.

Chu Ming sat in the room, two blood-colored bells of thumb size before him.

Picking up one of the bells, he stared at the inscription within, then pinched and pulled the core of the bell, pulling it out.

He examined the core for a while, then forcibly tore open the bell to inspect it closely.

After an unknown period, he stretched lazily, a glow of joy flashing at the corner of his brow.

[Artifact Refining (Entry-Level)]

[Progress: 77/100]

Disassembling and observing the blood-colored bell, utilizing the vast Book collection Lake to analyze the refining methods increased the [Artifact Refining] progress; this was what he was doing.

After disassembling the first bell, he continued with the second one.

Unfortunately, the refining methods of the two bells weren’t much different; the [Artifact Refining] progress stopped at ’87’.

Chu Ming gazed at the bell fragments on the table, deep in thought.

After about half an incense stick’s time, he suddenly flung his sleeves, a black shadow swirling around him.

He reached out his right hand, and a pitch-black stone fell into his palm.

"Apparently, if I want to refine this piece of Primordial Artifact material, I still need to find a way."

Either enhance the [Artifact Refining] progress or find the true refining method for Primordial Artifacts.

But for now, the former is easier to improve, while the latter poses some difficulty.

"The true refining method for Primordial Artifacts... I’m afraid only the Divine Mystery Bureau possesses it."

The Divine Mystery Bureau is not so easy to contact, and the pitch-black stone cannot be exposed; otherwise, Jin Yu from the Divine Mystery Bureau will surely know that he’s the one who vanquished the evil.

Chu Ming looked out the window.

...

...

Divine Mystery Bureau.

"Master, is the Primordial Artifact for this disciple finished?" Jin Yu eagerly asked.

"What Primordial Artifact?" Bai You frowned.

"The material from vanquishing evil at the Jingyan County mine, Master promised to refine it for me."

"Hmm?"

"..."

...

Dawn.

"Young Master, breakfast is ready." Little Shan’s voice echoed.

"Coming."

Chu Ming stepped out of the house, and Shen Yu was already seated, waiting to eat.

After breakfast.

Shen Yu couldn’t wait to practice martial arts, and Chu Ming sat on the side guiding him.

"Brother Shen, the move just now needs to be done like this."

"The qi moves with your intention, and your body moves with the qi."

"..."

After about a quarter of an hour of teaching, Shen Yu found an excuse to let Chu Ming go.

The reason was simple: a young man guiding an older man, while Little Shan watched, made Shen Yu feel a bit embarrassed.

"Little Shan, make some fruit brew for Brother Shen."

"Okay, Shan’er will go now."

After assigning some tasks to Little Shan, Chu Ming left the Chu Mansion, heading southwest of the County City.

Along the way, passing through a deserted alley, he took out a new set of clothes from the Golden Fragments and changed his appearance.

[Tracking] sensed that The Medicine Maniac and the two Jiaang sisters were in the southwest.

This time, he intended to have The Medicine Maniac handle some matters.

...

County City, in a medicine tower on the southwest side.

"Master, everything is almost ready. Is today the opening day?" Jiaang Yan asked while wiping the counter.

The Medicine Maniac sat behind the counter, slowly arranging the medicine cabinet, appearing just like an ordinary old man.

"Opening today? Didn’t you open yesterday?"

"Master, the child yesterday was seriously ill. I acted on my own..."

At this moment, Jiaang Jing’s gentle voice rang from inside.

"Alright, alright..." The Medicine Maniac waved his hand, "Open today!"

"Thank you, Master." Jiaang Jing walked out from inside and slightly bowed.

The Medicine Maniac acted as if he didn’t see her and continued organizing the medicine cabinet.

This Medicine Tower originally belonged to the Medicine Maniac, but he had closed it for five or six years while searching for Life-Extending Elixir materials.

After the battle at Blood Vine Castle, The Medicine Maniac gathered the Life-Extending Elixir materials and was temporarily free from the threat to his lifespan, so he reopened the Medicine Tower and waited quietly.

Jiaang Jing walked to the entrance of the Medicine Tower and gazed at the passersby on the street with a somewhat dazed look.

"Sister, still looking for the elder?" Jiaang Yan stood beside her.

The two women stood together, attracting many gazes, despite their faces being covered by veils.

"Are the ladies physicians?" A young nobleman approached with a fan in hand.

"Are the two ladies wearing veils because of the sun?"

"..."

In just a moment, seven or eight ’elegant young noblemen’ gathered in front of the Treasure Medicine Tower.

At this time, a young nobleman in a white robe approached the building, surrounded by several guards.

"I am Zhou Hao from the Zhou Family of Xirong County. May I know the lady’s name?"

Zhou Family?

Once these words were spoken, the surrounding noblemen immediately retreated in fear.

"Is the young master here to see a doctor?" Jiaang Jing asked with a frown.

"Yes, I am indeed here to see a doctor."

"What’s your illness?" Jiaang Yan stepped in front of Jiaang Jing, her tone slightly angry.

"Caught a cold." Zhou Hao took a step forward and entered the Medicine Tower.

Upon entering the building, he met a pair of cold, fierce eyes.

"Young Master, your steps are unsteady, your face pale; it seems you’re suffering more than a cold, but there might be an issue with your physical foundation as well?"

The Medicine Maniac said slowly.

Cold sweat broke on Zhou Hao’s back, and he dared not move.

That gaze...

Oh no!

In an instant, he realized he had caused big trouble.

"I will prescribe you some medicine; take it for a month, and you should recover."

The Medicine Maniac took out a prescription and handed it to Jiaang Jing and Jiaang Yan.

The two women acted swiftly, quickly gathering the medicine.

"Five hundred taels," The Medicine Maniac said, holding the medicine packet.

How much?!

Five hundred taels?!

Zhou Hao’s heart trembled violently.

Although he was a member of the Zhou Family, a major clan of Xirong County, he was merely from a branch and didn’t have much silver.

But... he definitely had to pay up this time, or it wouldn’t be just about the silver.

Zhou Hao reluctantly bowed, "Thank you, Sir."

He then unwillingly took out five silver notes from his pocket, which he had painstakingly saved up.

"Also, for a month, avoid alcohol and women; otherwise, even an Immortal Elixir cannot save you." The Medicine Maniac kindly reminded as he received the silver notes.

"Thank... Thank you, Sir..."

Zhou Hao suppressed his unwilling expression and bowed out of the Medicine Tower.

The onlookers watched in silent surprise.

Zhou Hao from the Zhou Family left respectfully; this Treasure Medicine Tower was no ordinary place.

The effect was excellent; no one dared to casually approach Jiaang Jing and Jiaang Yan afterward.

On the bustling street, pedestrians swarmed, horses and carriages perpetually moving.

Two streets away from the Treasure Medicine Tower, in a tea house, Chu Ming, dressed in a black robe, leisurely sipped his tea.

[Sword Gourd Spirit] spread out, capturing every occurrence at the Treasure Medicine Tower.

The Medicine Maniac’s performance was commendable.

But Chu Ming’s attention was not on the Medicine Maniac nor on the Jiaang Family sisters; it was on Zhou Hao and his group.

To be precise, his focus was on one individual, a guard behind Zhou Hao.

"With the presence akin to a beast, fierce and bloodthirsty, yet forcibly restrained..."

"Feels much like a rebellious wolf beast, subdued by humans for some reason."

He paid attention to the guard precisely because of his unique aura.

Neither entirely human, nor entirely beast.

"The Zhou Family, huh..."

He set down his teacup and placed a piece of broken silver on the table before walking out of the tea house.

"Come back soon, Sir." The waiter gleamed with excitement upon seeing the broken silver.

"..."

Walking along the street, Chu Ming brushed past Zhou Hao and his companions.

"Not a half-human, half-beast physique..."

"The smell of blood on him indicates a relation to the Blood Evil Sect."

With keen observation, the aura around Zhou Hao’s guard became even more distinct.

"Forget it; I’ll take a look once night falls."

After walking one street, Chu Ming changed direction and headed towards the Treasure Medicine Tower.

...

Treasure Medicine Tower.

Jiaang Jing sat behind the counter, blankly staring outwards.

"Sister, stop staring; Master wants you to sort this medicine."

"Alright."

Jiaang Jing withdrew her gaze and adeptly began sorting the herbs.

Halfway through the sorting, the light at the entrance flickered, seemingly blocked by someone.

She slowly lifted her head.

"Elder... Elder...?"

"Sister?" Jiaang Yan turned at the sound. "Elder!"

"Benefactor!"

The Medicine Maniac hurriedly rushed out to welcome him.

"This place, quite nice."

Chu Ming calmly walked to the counter, his gaze falling upon Jiaang Jing and Jiaang Yan.

Jiaang Jing’s face flushed slightly, as she hastily uncovered her veil.

Wearing a veil in front of a benefactor was considered discourteous.

"No need, just keep it on."

Chu Ming paid it no mind, for his purpose here was not the two women.

"Benefactor, please come inside."