Chapter 120: Procuring Medicinal Herbs (Please Subscribe)

Minister of War Chen Lin, along with Vice Ministers Li Shanghua and Wang Guoliang, and several senior officers of the Ministry of War, gathered around Fang Xian. They were eager to see the man who had just achieved the top score in the civil examination and now aspired to compete in the martial imperial exam.

“Fang, although you hold the token of a Cavalry General, now that you have already secured the title of civil champion, why do you still wish to vie for the martial champion?” Li Shanghua asked sternly.

“Vice Minister Li, I must disagree. A general who does not aspire to be a marshal is no good general; likewise, a general who does not seek the martial champion title is not a true warrior. Though I have attained the civil champion, why should that prevent me from pursuing the martial title?” Fang Xian shook his head. “By the Ministry’s regulations, any general ranked Cavalry General or above qualifies to participate in the martial imperial examination. Since I meet the criteria, would the Ministry forbid me from enrolling?”

“Your qualifications are indeed met, but there is no precedent for this. We are unsure whether to permit your participation. Perhaps Minister Chen should report this to His Majesty?” Vice Minister Wang Guoliang suggested, passing the matter to Minister Chen Lin.

“No need to consult the Emperor. Since Fang meets the requirements and wishes to participate, let him register. Should he succeed as both civil and martial champion, it would be a great fortune for our nation,” Chen Lin decisively decreed. After all, he reasoned, Fang’s martial skills might be average, and the outcome remained uncertain.

“Is this truly Fang Xian, the civil champion? Who would have thought he’s also a Cavalry General and wants to take the martial imperial exam?” one whispered.

“Don’t forget, Fang is also a renowned healer. I’ve heard he even tamed the sweat-blood horse brought in by the eldest princess. Perhaps he truly has a chance at the martial title,” another murmured.

“Heh, this promises to be exciting. Rumor has it several powerful Cavalry Generals from the border armies are competing, all aiming for the martial championship. I wonder how they compare to Fang Xian?”

“A fierce battle between dragons and tigers awaits. Among the common folk’s trials, a few formidable warriors have emerged, rumored to be contenders for the title. Who will ultimately dominate them all?”

---

“Merely surpassing the crowd is insufficient. Achieving the martial champion is unlike selecting a vanguard general. It requires mastery in martial prowess and horsemanship, as well as deep scholarship in military classics. The final judgment is comprehensive, not just personal valor.”

As word spread through the Ministry, news of Fang Xian’s impending participation in the martial imperial exam quickly exploded anew, overshadowing even his recent civil champion accolade.

In the following days, visitors who had come to pay respects to Fang dwindled after hearing the news. Fang himself ceased receiving guests, delegating Li Daqi and others to accept gifts and letters on his behalf.

Having been busy recently, the medical hall had amassed a vast collection of herbs, including many rare ones from the imperial court. Fang seized this quiet spell to concoct numerous medicinal pills.

These included the much-demanded Fortifying Essence Pills and Body Casting Pills. A few months prior, King Falcon had sent word that these pills were nearly depleted, requesting a substantial supply for his return journey.

Fang also prepared antidote pills, hemostatic and wound-healing pills, and other common remedies. Since he was no longer at the mountain stronghold, timely treatment for injured allies could be critical.

As for the precious herbs, Fang did not hoard them but transformed them all into potent Hundred-Toxin Pills and Life-Extending Pills. He then entrusted King Falcon to deliver them to Ye Hongxiu and Ye Qingyun, with instructions to share with the Southern Li Stronghold and Phoenix Ridge.

Now, King Falcon could effortlessly carry a kilogram of cargo and soar thousands of miles back to Qingyun Stronghold in about three days, flying a direct route—a marked improvement from before when it had to find its way.

Moreover, Fang had sufficient celebrity points to exchange for a Blood Pact Pill for King Falcon to consume. After it metabolizes the pill, it might transcend its species’ limits and grow into a giant eagle-hawk. Fang’s ultimate aim was for King Falcon to carry passengers in flight.

For an entire week, Fang remained confined to the apothecary, refining all herbs into pills. King Falcon had already delivered the first batch to the stronghold and returned with letters from Ye Hongxiu, Feng Ling, and others.

The remaining pills were given to Wu Qingluan, who used them to train her personal guards—though only those fiercely loyal and young enough to develop were worthy of cultivation.

To this end, Wu Qingluan had tasked Wu Lanxin with gathering various herbs, creating a shortage in Wudu. Fortunately, merchants from across the region, seeing opportunity, began sending large shipments of herbs, including traders from the Northern Barbarian lands and the Southern Liang Kingdom.

“Find a reliable merchant and have him try auctioning some pills in neighboring countries. Then purchase abundant herbs to bring back to Wuguo. They need not all go to Wudu. Those from Xiaguo and Liangguo can be sent to Qingyun Stronghold in the Daba Mountains; I will arrange reception,” Fang had once discussed with Wu Qingluan.

Subsequently, Wu Qingluan approached Han, the largest merchant family in Wuchao. Their vast trade network spanned multiple nations, enabling a small quantity of Fortifying Essence Pills and sporadic Body Casting Pills to be auctioned abroad with remarkable success. This continuous influx of funds allowed for the steady procurement of herbs sent back to Wuguo.

Some supplies were stored nearby at Qingyun Stronghold, while others arrived directly in Wudu, explaining why Fang spent so many days preparing pills.

Of course, no one knew Fang’s actual speed in pill-making. Publicly, he claimed to produce only a hundred Fortifying Essence Pills and one Body Casting Pill per hour, but in truth, he mass-produced both.

“Master, the Ministry of War just sent word. The martial imperial exam is tomorrow morning at the South Grand Training Ground of the Imperial Guard. You must be there early,” Li Daqi reported as Fang exited his quarters.

“Understood. That’s just right,” Fang nodded. “I’ll rest well tonight and restore my condition. Tomorrow’s exam should pose no problem.”

“Distribute these Body Casting Pills to everyone. Don’t hold back. If you run out, just ask the master for more. Everyone has worked hard following me here; they deserve this advantage.”

Fang then handed some Body Casting Pills to Li Daqi to share among the group for cultivation. After traveling a thousand miles from Qingyun Stronghold, they had certainly earned these benefits.