Chapter 77

Evening.

After Qin Xianyu finished his cultivation, he finally waited for someone to come and invite him.

Su Wenshuang’s map of the terrain was already completed.

“Have I heard correctly that Daoist Qin is setting off tomorrow? Why such a hurry?”

Su Xiangye handed the letter and the map to Qin Xianyu and smiled, “Why not stay a few more days at the Xiang Mansion? These days, I have been ill, and the mansion has been in chaos. I believe there have been many impolite moments. Now that I have recovered, I should let them treat you properly, and it wouldn’t be right to neglect you.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xiang,” Qin Xianyu said, “but I dare not indulge in comfort, for fear it might affect my cultivation.”

Since he heard about the earth veins, he had changed his mind and decided not to go to the capital but to the earth veins.

Su Xiangye was slightly taken aback and said, “It is said that to condense sha qi, one must have the cultivation to release true qi. Since Daoist Qin has not yet condensed gang sha, why such a hurry? Why not cultivate quietly here until you can release true qi, and then go to the earth veins? Besides, your journey was originally to the capital. In a few days, I will also be heading to the capital. Why not travel together?”

Qin Xianyu had thought the same. Going to the capital and then to the earth veins to condense gang sha seemed just right. If he went to condense sha qi first and then to the capital, the grand assembly in the capital would likely be over by then.

However, Qin Xianyu still felt that cultivation should be the priority.

“The capital is filled with cultivators. Although I am eager to meet these people whom even Master Lian Guanxu cannot reach, my cultivation is too low, and there are many uncertainties.”

“Upon careful consideration, going to the capital does not necessarily mean attending the grand assembly.”

Qin Xianyu thought to himself, “I need to seek the jade sword, consult medical books, and break off my engagement with Miss Shangguan. These matters have little to do with the grand assembly. Even if the assembly is over, it won’t affect these three tasks. Therefore, cultivation should be the priority. I should go to the earth veins first to condense sha qi, to avoid any changes over time, as this place has already been discovered.”

“I will travel to the earth veins, cultivate quietly for a while, and with the golden elixir refined from the jade pill, I should be able to release true qi soon. Then I can condense sha qi, and my cultivation will be even higher.”

“The real uncertainties might be my jade sword, the herbs, and the source of the strange illness.” Qin Xianyu pondered for a long time, thinking, “Perhaps the cultivators have the herbs I need and suitable jade. Perhaps some knowledgeable cultivators can recognize the strange illness my parents suffered and help me understand it. However, these are not urgent. The capital has many officials and wealthy merchants, and with careful searching, I should be able to find what I need. Moreover, this person here is a high-ranking official, and I can use his influence.”

After much consideration, Qin Xianyu felt that with only the first realm of cultivation, the capital’s grand assembly would offer little benefit beyond broadening his horizons. Instead, his low cultivation would bring many worries.

Upon further reflection, he realized he had many secrets, such as the jade pill, the dao sword, the Cicada Wing Step, and the Palm Thunder, all of which could attract others’ attention. He had also entered the Immortal Map of the Mountain and River, which originated from the capital. The sword immortal pursuing the Immortal Map might also be in the capital, possibly from the Astronomical Bureau.

If he encountered the sword immortal Lin Jingtang, many complications would arise.

With so many concerns, he decided to prioritize cultivation and improve his cultivation.

With this in mind, Qin Xianyu said, “I have one more request, and I am willing to exchange treasures for it.”

Su Wenshuang raised his white eyebrows slightly and said, “Daoist Qin, if you have any requests, just say them. You saved my life and the lives of my granddaughter and dozens of others. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best.”

Qin Xianyu was delighted and then listed many herbs.

Initially, he had asked Liu Jun for many herbs but did not disclose all of them, keeping some secret. Now, he informed Su Xiangye of the herbs he had not told Liu Jun.

Some of the more obscure and hard-to-find herbs, which he had not told Liu Jun, he now told Su Xiangye.

The more valuable herbs, most of which Liu Jun had already found for him, he now told Su Xiangye about the few he had not told Liu Jun.

However, to prevent others from discovering the formula, he kept two common herbs secret. These herbs were readily available in ordinary pharmacies, but he had deduced that each herb in the formula recorded in the Sword Dao True Explanation was essential.

Only Qin Xianyu knew the exact formula recorded in the Sword Dao True Explanation. Even if someone obtained the types of herbs from Liu Jun and Su Xiangye, they would still be missing two.

“The herbs, I will do my best to find. I can contact the famous doctors in Qingyuan Prefecture, and even in the capital, I can help you search,” Su Wenshuang nodded and then pondered, “But regarding the jade sword...”

“You want a small sword made of pure gold, and I can find it for you, but a jade sword is rare.”

Gold and iron can be mined in large quantities and forged, so a gold sword is not difficult to make.

However, jade can only be carved, not forged.

Therefore, a large piece of jade would be needed to carve a sword. Not only is such a piece of jade rare, but it is also extremely valuable.

Qin Xianyu sighed, “If even a person of your stature finds it rare, I fear I will return empty-handed even if I go to the capital.”

“Not necessarily,” Su Wenshuang said, “You mentioned a jade sword that is one foot and three inches long, meaning the jade must be at least that long. Such a large piece of jade is indeed rare and extremely valuable, but it should be possible to find one in the capital.”

“According to historical records, hundreds of years ago, the founding emperor of our dynasty used a large piece of jade to create the imperial seal. Over the years, the jade was broken and used for military funds, with the most valuable part used to create the seal. Apart from the seal, some founding heroes received pieces of jade. These heroes have been dead for hundreds of years, and their descendants are now prominent in the capital. The jade bestowed by the founding emperor should still be well-preserved.”

“However...” Su Wenshuang’s tone was somewhat mocking, “whether the historical records are accurate is another matter.”

...

Qin Xianyu returned to his room, feeling quite heavy-hearted.

The capital was indeed a place of endless prosperity, but finding a jade sword would not be easy.

He had just sat down in his room when someone came to report.

“The famous doctors of Qingyuan Prefecture are outside, requesting an audience.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Xianyu, who had intended to meditate, naturally thought of refusing.

However, he recalled the formula recorded in the Sword Dao True Explanation and had some second thoughts.

“Finding herbs with these famous doctors would be ideal. They have decades of medical experience and a deeper understanding of herbs than I do. The formula in the Sword Dao True Explanation includes some herbs I have never heard of, and perhaps these experienced doctors know them.”

“Whether it’s Lord Liu Jun or Lord Xiang, to search for herbs, they would need the help of pharmacies. I shouldn’t offend them.”

Thus, the servant invited the doctors in.

These doctors, of course, were there for the Centennial Cold Grass.

In addition to famous doctors like Bai Yao, there were other well-known physicians, and even Imperial Doctor Tao was present.

To treat Lord Xiang, the Centennial Cold Grass was used without a thorough examination, but their curiosity remained, so they came to inquire.

Facing these doctors’ questions, Qin Xianyu, who had become a renowned doctor in Fengxing Prefecture, could answer most of them fluently. Whenever asked about the Centennial Cold Grass, he would be vague, especially about how to cultivate and obtain it, redirecting the conversation to other topics.

Imperial Doctor Tao smiled wryly, “Enough, enough. You’re a clever young man. Let’s be straightforward. We are here to borrow a leaf of the Centennial Cold Grass for a few days.”

“That’s right, just to borrow,” Bai Yao, the old man, tugged at his beard and said with wide eyes, “We’ve never seen this legendary herb, and it was immediately used. We are itching to see it. Just lend us a leaf, and we’ll return it.”

Qin Xianyu looked at the amusing old man, half-smiling, and said nothing.

Bai Yao, angry, said, “Why are you looking at me like that? I was handsome in my youth and am still vigorous, but I don’t like men.”

Qin Xianyu was about to speak but almost choked on his words. He coughed a few times and said to Bai Yao, “I don’t like that either. The Centennial Cold Grass is a legendary herb, comparable to a thousand-year-old ginseng, extremely valuable. Lending it so easily would be too frivolous.”

Hearing this, the doctors fell silent.

Even Bai Yao, who usually had no guile, felt somewhat awkward.

Seeing the right moment, Qin Xianyu smiled, “I need some herbs. If you can find them for me, I will not only let you observe the Centennial Cold Grass for a few days but will also use it as a reward for finding the herbs.”

“What herbs? What could be worth using the Centennial Cold Grass as a reward?”

The doctors were all shocked and interested.

Qin Xianyu thought that these were all famous doctors, and Imperial Doctor Tao had seen many precious herbs in the palace. They should be able to give a satisfactory response. Thus, he listed the herbs one by one.

For the task of finding herbs, he had initially reported to Lord Liu Jun and now to Lord Xiang. Most of the herbs were different, but some obscure herbs were hard to find, so he had mentioned them to both Lord Liu Jun and Lord Xiang.

Now, he mentioned these obscure herbs to the doctors and some precious herbs.

As for the two common herbs, he kept them secret.

“Please find these herbs for me, regardless of the cost, and I will pay for them. The Centennial Cold Grass will be the reward.”

Qin Xianyu looked at them, speaking sincerely.

The doctors began to ponder these rarely heard herbs.

Qin Xianyu sighed, “Many of these herbs I have never heard of. Perhaps some are not ordinary? The herbs required by the Sword Dao True Explanation, a cultivation technique, must include some extremely precious and rare types, possibly even more valuable than the Centennial Cold Grass.”

“I will do my best.”

PS: The two chapters for tomorrow will also be in the evening, but they won’t be as late as today. I will try to make the update times consistent with before.

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