Simply Trading

Qin Feng left Fu Lai Medicine Hall in high spirits. The episode with that idiot of a Prince had upset him a little, that was true. But the mere thought of his gains from trading with that Second Ducal Prince - what was his name again? Li something-something? Well, that fellow's Eagle Blood Essence was almost enough to make up for all of it!

To tell the truth, he had not known that there would be such a thing available, there in Changqing City. He had thought to get away with a few unusual medicines for his own use, but the quality of his gains this time had certainly made his trip more than a little worthwhile!

The Crystal Bird's Nest, for instance. That was going to cut down the time that he needed, to get his body into shape! Which meant that he could probably be able to leave the mountain by Spring next year! And that was certainly enough to put him in a good mood!

Of course, he had not forgotten about the Purple Blood Ginger. That was the reason why he was down there in the first place. He would have to deal with that, once he got back. Luckily, he didn't have to worry about its somewhat obvious smell any longer.

The Medicine Hall had even given him nice boxes to hold these precious medicinal herbs, when it was clear that he was simply going to wrap them up in his old muslin cloth, and tuck them away in his satchel. Apparently, this had so horrified the Hall Manager that he had dug out a few empty boxes that he had lying around, that were able to seal the potency, as well as the smell, of the medicines that were stored within.

And since they were generously given to him at no cost, Qin Feng had naturally accepted the gift with a smile. It would also make it easier for him to hide those items, once he got back to the Heaven Sword Martial Arts School.

After all, he was only supposed to be an Outer School disciple, who was assigned to handle the medicine gardens, to grow simple and regularly used herbal remedies and such, for the said Martial Arts School.

And Purple Blood Ginger was a restricted herb, back at the School itself!

Hence, he had to take extra care, when he was back there. Especially with all of the other herbs in his possession. It would be a complete farce, if everyone found out what he was doing.

Selling all of those restricted herbs was certainly something that was not part of his job description, and likely to get him kicked out of the Heaven Sword School! And that would be the lightest of punishments listed in the School Regulations!

Why else would he bother to go through all this trouble in the first place?

The sound of a horse neighing drew him back to the streets of Changqing City, and he heaved a sigh as he started for the hawkers that had set up shop along the road that led to the Southern Gate. He might as well pick up half-a-dozen mantou for the road, since he didn't have the time to stop for a proper lunch again.

That was another thing that he would have to blame the Royal Prince for. But making him miss a chance at a proper meal was rather inconsequential, compared to trying to make off with his medicines for nothing. He was tempted to rob that trio clean, because of that!

Unfortunately, they were already long gone by the time that he left Fu Lai Medicine Hall. And he wasn't about to go hunt them down. Especially since he had already given them a warning, with that display of his. It would not be so easy to make them lower their guard against him now.

Besides, he didn't have the leisure, and would have to rush, if he wanted to make it back to the School in time!

So he concentrated on getting his food, and hurried out the City Gate. He took care to make sure that he was wearing that large straw hat once more, before vanishing into the crowd shortly afterwards. And he didn't even bother to hide the fact that he was walking a lot faster than everyone else, using his Lightness of Body technique.

And he kept it up too, all the way back towards the mountains to the South.

That helped a little, to make up for the time that he had wasted, dealing with the idiot Prince. But the distance was still much too far, and it had cost him a good bit of strength, not to mention time. Even at his best speed, the sun was already beginning to set by the time that he got back to the nameless mountain that stood just outside the Heaven Sword Martial Arts School grounds.

Given the season, the moon had already risen and rather high in the sky when he started up the mountain. Which was good for him, since it made it easier for him to get to the secret trail. And take the narrow trail from that to the hidden cave, about a third of the way up the mountain.

Getting through the dark and hidden passage took him a little longer than usual, thanks to the unreliable light. Otherwise, he would be a lot quicker, despite having to clamber over the obstructions along his path. Still, he was back in his little hut back at the medicine fields, there on the nameless mountain, by the time true night fell.

Fortunately, he had already made a bit of a name for himself, as a rather responsible gardener, down at the medicine fields. And one who had followed all the unusual practices described in the obscure texts that lay in the Heaven Sword Library. Including the ones that required the gardener to water certain herbs by moonlight. And to use human waste as a fertilizer.

And since the crops that were under his control usually produced exceptional yields, the rest of the School had long since given up on trying to stop him from his irregular hours. And his midnight visits to the medicine gardens.

That reputation was enough to grant him the use of a rather reasonable excuse, if he could not be found at the cave where he was supposed to have made his home. So he was not particularly worried.

Yet, even with that in place, Qin Feng still had a rather crucial element to take care of, before he was completely safe from having his little excursion out of the School discovered:

He had to change out of the puppet that he was using, and get back into his real body!

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