Fortunately, luck was on their side. It didn't take long before they encountered Xiao Qingying, who was also drawn by the smoke.
She didn't seem to be hurt, still had a trace of surprise on her face, not knowing what had happened.
Moments earlier, she hadn't even had time to see clearly before Chen Wuyou pulled her away.
It was only after walking a considerable distance that she had the chance to return.
After understanding the situation, Xiao Qingying's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Bandits appeared!? And they attacked Zhang Rongfang?"
Zhang Rongfang was her follower, which meant that if she had been slower, the one attacked might have been her.
On the way back to the village.
"Are you alright, Zhang Rongfang?" She hurried up, hesitated for a moment, but still asked with concern.
In essence, she wasn't bad, just a bit willful, but her heart was considered kind.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have helped Zhang Rongfang in the past.
"Thank you for your concern, senior sister, I'm okay. This blood was splashed from others, not mine," Zhang Rongfang showed a 'moved' expression and quickly saluted.
"As long as you're fine, since it was because of me that you got hurt, if anything really happened..." Xiao Qingying didn't finish, her pretty face showing some worry.
"Don't worry, senior sister. After all, I'm a Martial Cultivator now, not so fragile," Zhang Rongfang said seriously.
"That's good."
Xiao Qingying wanted to ask something else but held back when she saw Zhang Rongfang looking exhausted.
The group returned to the village.
Under the strange gazes of others, Zhang Rongfang returned to the village house he was staying at and changed his clothes.
He admitted to killing the man with the trap, but he straightforwardly claimed he didn't know about the other one.
Yang Xuanchao also judged that the other man's death was unrelated to Zhang Rongfang since, according to Zhang Rongfang, he had only been practicing martial arts for a short time.
And the deceased man was clearly killed by someone with martial arts far superior to Zhang Rongfang.
According to Yang Xuanchao's judgment, that person was likely muscular and strong.
A person like that would have martial arts experience of at least several years. Such a person was most likely Chen Wuyou.
Afterward, Yang Xuanchao didn't have time to deal with other matters because he found more hidden bandits in the mountains during his search.
Both sides had a minor skirmish.
He personally took the field, killed several, and drove the bandits away. But he also got his shoulder pierced by a crossbow arrow, sustaining a significant injury.
They actually had crossbow arrows!
This instantly turned Yang Xuanchao's attention away from the minor doubts about Zhang Rongfang and quickly dispatched someone to Huaxin County to request reinforcements.
Meanwhile, the group from Qinghe Palace returned independently along the official road, alternating with other forces when the time was up.
*
*
*
Huaxin County, urban area.
Li Family Pharmacy.
In the evening, Old Li was weighing newly arrived medicinal herbs in the pharmacy with a small balance, carefully placing each bit of Homogeneous Grass onto it, then getting close to note down the weight scale with his severe nearsightedness.
"Owner!" Suddenly, a voice came from outside the shop, startling Old Li enough to almost drop the Homogeneous Grass on the ground.
"Who is it!" He irritably put down the balance and looked towards the doorway.
A young man wearing a dark blue Daoist robe swiftly walked in from the somewhat dim doorway.
"Owner, I've been feeling unwell lately. Do you have a prescription for greatly boosting Qi and Blood? I'll take some, money is not a problem!"
The young man waved his hand grandly with considerable flair.
"....." Old Li rubbed his somewhat sore eyes and squinted to examine the newcomer.
This young man, dressed in a Daoist robe, had a Qinghe Palace waist badge hanging from his belt, evidently a Daoist from Qinghe Palace.
"A prescription for greatly boosting Qi and Blood?" Old Li was a bit puzzled.
The man appeared rosy-faced, with solid build, well-balanced and strong limbs, and his voice was vigorous, suggesting abundant Qi and Blood.
"You, Daoist, you have more Qi and Blood than typical manual laborers. Where are you deficient? Tonic remedies shouldn't be taken indiscriminately; too much can make one sick." Old Li, with a Ningzhou accent, kindly advised.
The Daoist patted his chest.
"Boss, don't be fooled by my loud voice. I feel depleted. I only appear rosy because I just took Qi and Blood supplements. Once the medicine stops, the effect won't be as good."
Old Li shook his head. He's just a shop owner, and since the man demands it, as long as it's not a government-prohibited poison, let him buy the tonic.
Perhaps the person, despite appearing healthy, harbors some unspeakable hidden ailment?
Considering this, Old Li couldn't help but glance at the man's lower half, his eyes showing curiosity.
Zhang Rongfang didn't mind these things as he was now immersed in the recent bounty.
From the wallets of those two bandits, he managed to squeeze out 5 taels of silver coins.
5 taels!
In Huaxin County, 5 taels could buy more than a stone of coarse rice, equivalent to 150 pounds in modern units.
Even for Zhang Rongfang, it's a substantial income. Especially after being fined two months without his regular stipend, he cherished this hard-earned silver money all the more.
The previous money had all gone to gifts and favors. But this time, his painstakingly accumulated silver coins were his truly freely disposable savings.
"For strong tonics, we have Eight Treasures Soup and Shiquan Dabu Soup. Which one do you want? Additionally, you can choose the herb's age, but be warned, over ten years will be expensive."
The old man Li rummaged around and happened to find some leftover medicine packets from previous regular customers, all neatly packed in paper bags.
Perfect for selling to this Daoist.
"Eight Treasures Soup? What are the eight treasures?" Zhang Rongfang felt somewhat familiar with it, as if he had heard of this prescription in his past life.
"Hmm, it's a combination of Four Gentlemen Soup and Four Substances Soup," the old man Li briefly explained.
"It contains ginseng, Poria, Atractylodes, licorice, reprocessed Rehmannia, white peony root, Angelica sinensis, Shanqiong.
It mainly treats both Qi and Blood deficiency, sallow complexion, general fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, and similar symptoms..."
Old man Li glanced at the Daoist's slightly robust arms and rosy complexion and stopped explaining.
"Does this stuff greatly nourish?" Zhang Rongfang asked.
"Yes, it's primarily for replenishing Qi, suitable for those who exercise little and have weak spleen and stomach..." said the old man Li.
"I'm just one of those with little exercise and a weak spleen and stomach." Zhang Rongfang looked pleased.
"..." Seeing the cash placed firmly on the counter, old man Li chose not to say more.
"But, is it okay to just replenish the blood?" Zhang Rongfang asked again, thinking his attribute ability might only need blood, not Qi.
"Then you can just buy Four Substances Soup. However..." old man Li wanted to say more.
"Then that's it! How much for a pack? How long does a pack last?" Zhang Rongfang interrupted, waving his hand.
"One silver coin per pack, a pack can be consumed twice, the effect weakens significantly by the third time. The way to consume depends on the condition. Of course, the ingredients are of inferior age. If you want better-aged ingredients, it costs extra."
"Give me five! If the effect is good, I'll come back for more!"
Soon, Zhang Rongfang left hurriedly with five packs of Four Substances Soup, leaving old man Li who hesitated to speak behind.
Actually, he wanted to say... generally, Four Substances Soup is used to nourish blood and regulate menstruation for women... hence it's also commonly known as Women's Friend Soup...
Zhang Rongfang exited the pharmacy, carrying the cloth bag in his hand, feeling content.
Five silver coins is equivalent to his total allowance for two months... unfortunately, after this opportunity, it will be hard to have another chance.
For many wealthy families, five silver coins are merely the cost of an outfit, but for someone like him without any income source, it's quite substantial.
He walked briskly within Huaxin County, occasionally crossing stone arch bridges.
The streets were bustling with a large number of pedestrians.
Among them, many had pale skin, somewhat resembling Europeans he had seen in his past life. Occasionally, there were black people passing by, but the majority were yellow-skinned.
However, unlike Tianyin County, even farmers here didn't look haggard, and people often gathered around wooden platforms shouting exuberantly.
Dong.
Suddenly, a sound of a gong echoed from afar.
"The imperial decree, dispatching troops to the Min Kingdom, those willing to join the military can receive compensation supplies at the government office."
"The imperial decree, dispatching troops to the Min Kingdom....."
With each gong, a small troop of soldiers wearing iron hats slowly walked along the street.
These soldiers wore gray cloth military uniforms, leather belts, with long swords hanging from their waists, and most carried bows and arrows on their backs.
The leader at the front even wore a protective black iron mask, engraved with wolf patterns.
Zhang Rongfang paused slightly, watching the troop pass.
Looking at the surrounding civilians avoiding them as if they were venomous snakes and scorpions, he seemed to understand somewhat why so many people were desperate to squeeze into Daoist and Buddhist sects.
The Great Spirit engages in extensive militarism, constantly waging wars by invading other countries and regions.
Whether victorious or defeated, casualties are inevitable. Although the martial prowess of the Great Spirit is formidable, sweeping all opponents, it doesn't mean they can conquer other nations without any losses.
Besides, the frequent uprisings in various places also required a large number of soldiers for suppression.
Under such circumstances, being a soldier was indeed a tough job. Once leaving home, perhaps they would never return, being possibly killed on some unknown battlefield.
Zhang Rongfang felt heavy-hearted, suddenly recalling the past of this body's predecessor.
His predecessor's sister, in order for him to avoid military service, and to stop both siblings from being bullied, proactively schemed and seduced influential figures.
Because she was from a scholarly family, her demeanor far surpassed that of ordinary women. Unexpectedly, she actually succeeded.
Unfortunately... now they're lost.
But it's also fortunate, otherwise, he wouldn't know how to disguise the previous personality and other traits.
Immediately, he stopped dwelling on it, briskly carrying the medicine package, heading back towards Qinghe Palace.
During these few days, having returned from an external inspection, Xiao Qingying was temporarily keeping quiet.
Due to privately gathering with Chen Wuyou, she was punished by Xiao Rong to recite scriptures and reflect in Spirit Official Hall, not allowed to go anywhere.
Thus, Zhang Rongfang had some free time but had to return quickly before nightfall.
Since Xiao Qingying's rest time was an hour before night.
He carried the medicine package all the way back, from Huaxin County to Qinghe Palace, which takes an hour on foot for a single trip.
By the time he returned to his room and started preparing the decoction, it was already dark.
First, he joined Xiao Qingying for a meal at the dining place, then escorted her back to her room for rest.
Afterwards, he went alone to the back mountain, putting the purchased medicine pot in place, stuffing the herbs inside, adding water, then arranging wood, and lighting a fire.
After half an hour, Zhang Rongfang picked up a bowl of dark medicine soup, smelling its strong medicinal scent.
'Hope it works.'
He felt that accumulating attribute points through eating was too slow now.
If he could pave the way to accelerate progress by taking medicine, it might be much easier in the future.
He shook the wooden bowl with the medicine soup, blowing on it, sipping slowly with small mouthfuls.