Chapter 62

Upon arriving in Jiuding City, one could smell the strong scent of traditional Chinese medicine from a distance.

"Master, what herbs would you like to buy? Ginseng, Astragalus, Rhodiola, Lingzhi, Snow Lotus, Danggui, Polygonatum, and more, we have everything here." Wu Shanhe slightly bowed, leading the way while speaking respectfully.

"The type doesn't matter, the older the better." Chen Fan said indifferently.

What he needed was not the medicinal properties but the spiritual energy contained in the herbs that had been aged for a long time.

Wu Shanhe was taken aback. Traditional Chinese medicine is not like in movies or novels where thousand-year-old ginseng or ten-thousand-year-old snow lotus is the best. The most important thing is the combination, the principal, auxiliary, and moderating herbs. If one uses too much of a potent herb, it could be counterproductive.

However, he did not dare to argue. Chen Master was a great person, and if he said so, there must be a reason.

"Speaking of very old herbs, only a few old-established pharmacies might have some in stock." Wu Shanhe thought for a moment and then said, "Master, please follow me."

He seemed very familiar with Jiuding City and quickly led the two to a grand pharmacy.

"Baoyao Hall!"

"Although Jiuding City is known as the city of medicine with a large traditional Chinese medicine market, it is ultimately monopolized by a few major families. Baoyao Hall is one of them, with nearly 300 years of history, and is a well-known old-established brand in China." Wu Shanhe introduced.

The three entered, and staff members quickly came to ask what they wanted to buy.

Ordinary herb vendors would definitely go to the wholesale market. Those who came to Baoyao Hall were either seeking medical treatment or buying precious herbs.

"Call your master over."

Despite Wu Master's humble demeanor in front of Chen Fan, he immediately became arrogant when facing a young clerk.

"Sir, who are you?"

The clerk was slightly taken aback.

In an old-established pharmacy like Baoyao Hall, the most important person is often not the manager but the master who runs the shop. These masters are renowned old Chinese medicine practitioners, the pride of the shop, and have significant influence even with the big bosses, far more important than the manager.

"I am Wu Shanhe." Wu Master stroked his long beard and said proudly.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

Although the clerk was puzzled, seeing his extraordinary demeanor, he went to the back to find the master.

Chen Fan and the others sat down, and other staff members quickly served them fragrant tea. After a short while, the sound of quick footsteps approached, and an old Chinese medicine practitioner with white hair and a white beard, over sixty years old, came out from the back.

"Oh, it's actually Master Wu in person. Why didn't you inform our family head?" The old practitioner walked a few steps forward and said respectfully.

Seeing the surprised and doubtful looks of Ah Xiu and the staff, Wu Master smiled smugly.

He might be unknown in Jiangbei, but in Zhongzhou Province, he was one of the few renowned masters, and many high-ranking officials treated him as a distinguished guest.

However, seeing Chen Fan's half-smile, Wu Master shuddered and quickly got to the point.

"My... young friend wants to buy some precious herbs with a long history. Do you have any?"

"About that..." The master hesitated, his face showing difficulty. "To be honest, Master, a young lady recently swept through all the old-established pharmacies in Jiuding City, taking all the best herbs. Now, I don't even have a few fifty-year-old herbs left, let alone those over a hundred years old."

"Oh, who is she, to be so generous?" Wu Master asked in surprise.

After all, in the market, ginseng over a hundred years old is sold by the gram, with each gram costing tens of thousands of yuan. A single root weighing nearly a hundred grams would be worth millions. Each shop would have a few such precious herbs, and now they were all gone. How much money would that be?

"It's said to be a young lady from a major family in Hong Kong. We don't know the specifics." The old master shook his head.

Seeing this, Wu Master looked at Chen Fan with difficulty.

Chen Fan frowned. "Could it be that in such a large city like Jiuding, there are no old herbs left at all?"

"Well, there are some." The old master hesitated and looked at Wu Master. "Master, have you heard of the 'Precious Herb Auction'?"

"You mean the underground auction?" Wu Master said with a light exclamation.

"Exactly. This auction is held every few months. It features many precious herbs directly collected from herb farmers and mountain collectors, some of which are over a hundred years old. They don't enter the market but are directly auctioned to various merchants and wealthy individuals, who pay on the spot." The old master whispered.

This auction is clearly a private organization, not something that can be openly advertised.

Firstly, the origin of the herbs is unclear. At least one-third of the ginseng collectors who die in Changbai Mountain are victims of human causes.

"When does it start?" Chen Fan didn't care about the unclear origins; he just needed enough and good herbs to help him reach a higher level.

"Three days from now, at 7 PM, at 'Qinghu Manor' in the outskirts of the city." The old master lowered his voice and whispered.

"Good." Chen Fan stood up, and Wu Master quickly followed, bowing to the old master in gratitude.

After leaving Baoyao Hall, they found a place to stay.

...

Three days later.

Chen Fan and the others took a taxi to the entrance of Qinghu Manor and found it heavily guarded, with a circle of security personnel standing at the gate.

"Sorry, this is a private place. If you don't have an invitation, please leave." A security guard approached and said rudely.

"We don't have an invitation." Wu Master said indifferently. "Go and inform them that Wu Shanhe from Dongdu is here to visit."

The security guard, seeing his dignified appearance, hesitated, wondering if he was really a big shot.

At this moment, a black luxury car stopped at the entrance, and a chubby middle-aged man stepped out. Seeing Wu Master, his eyes lit up, and he quickly approached, surprised.

"Master Wu, why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be in Jiangbei?"

"Hehe, it's Mr. Hu!" Wu Master's face turned slightly red.

He had planned to go to Jiangbei to make a big move and enhance his reputation, but he failed at the first hurdle with Chen Fan. He quickly changed the subject:

"You're also here for the herb auction? Perfect, I'll tag along with you."

"No, it's me who will tag along with Master Wu. I'll need your help to identify the goods!" Mr. Hu quickly said.

The items at the herb auction are of unknown origin, so there are both genuine and fake ones. The organizers are not responsible, and it all depends on the buyer's discernment. Although Wu Master is not a top Chinese medicine expert, his reputation in Zhongzhou is formidable, and no one would dare to sell him fake goods.

Seeing that they knew each other, the security guard did not stop them.

The group entered Qinghu Manor and found it to be a large estate. Led by a receptionist, they turned several corners and finally entered a secluded courtyard.

In the courtyard, a group of people were already waiting. Judging by their attire, they were all wealthy individuals or herb merchants from Zhongzhou and other parts of the country.

"Master Wu, you're here too?"

"Master Wu, hello."

"Master Wu, you look well."

As Chen Fan and the others stepped into the courtyard, many people seemed to recognize Wu Shanhe and greeted him warmly.

For those who didn't know him, others quickly introduced him. He was the famous Master Wu from Dongdu, Zhongzhou, known for his ability to summon spirits and drive away ghosts.

Chen Fan found it amusing that this Master Wu, who was so easily intimidated and would kneel to beg for mercy, had such a great reputation in Zhongzhou.

Just as he was thinking, a cold snort came from the side.

"What Master Wu, just a charlatan."

Wu Shanhe's face darkened, and he looked over to see another group entering the courtyard, with a woman leading them.

The woman was tall, with a face that seemed chiseled from marble, looking like a mixed-race individual. She held her chin high, with a hint of disdain in her eyes.

"This is the young lady from the Zheng family in Hong Kong." Mr. Hu quickly whispered. "She recently swept through the entire herb market in Jiuding City, taking all the herbs with a long history. It's said that her grandfather is very old and needs divine herbs to extend his life."

"The Zheng family from Hong Kong?" Wu Master's eyes narrowed.

PS: Thanks to Dizhan Huang for the 1000, to Shuyou 160702 for the 500, and to Qianqian Xingyu, Yanqing Buyan'ai, Shuiyu Sen, Kanshi Wen, Shuyou 15082, and Riyao Tian Tang for their support.