Chapter 20: The Body-Forging Pill is Complete

“What am I angry about? You’ve all shown you understand your strengths and can cooperate with each other. That reassures me more than seeing him foolishly charge at Cai Golden Blade head-on. When facing an enemy, you must adapt to the situation, utilize your advantages, and exploit their weaknesses. That is the way to victory.” Ye Qingyun shook his head and smiled.

“Father, how should we distribute these spoils?” Fang Xian asked. This time, they had returned with quite a bounty: a wild boar weighing four or five hundred pounds, a deer over a hundred pounds, a mountain goat close to eighty pounds, two badgers weighing about seventy or eighty pounds each, along with various pheasants, wild rabbits, and muntjacs—over a hundred in total, amounting to more than a thousand pounds of game.

“These are your trophies. Handle them as you see fit,” Ye Qingyun replied with a smile.

“Well then, since the brothers have worked hard, let everyone take home a pheasant or a rabbit for their families. The rest can be processed together, with some distributed for everyone to taste—a few families can gather and enjoy it. The remainder should be dried and made into jerky,” Fang Xian suggested after a moment of thought. Ye Hongxiu nodded in support.

“Thank you, son-in-law! Thank you, young master!” The crowd was delighted. A trip with the son-in-law and young master had yielded not only game, but also valuables from the bandits of Crouching Tiger Stronghold, which Ye Hongxiu had let them divide among themselves.

“Those injured, go home and rest well. If you need new medicine, come find me at the clinic. Make sure your wounds stay dry. If you notice any inflammation or swelling, come to me immediately—otherwise, it could be fatal. Er Niu, why aren’t you taking anything?” Fang Xian said to those choosing their share, noticing Er Niu leaving empty-handed and quickly calling him back.

“Son-in-law, my elder brother took something already,” Er Niu replied, confused.

“I meant every person gets their own share. Your brother took his, and you still have yours. Here, take this; this pheasant is particularly plump. Your family is large, so it might not be enough,” Fang Xian said with a smile, picking out a fat pheasant and tossing it to him. Er Niu laughed, thanked him, and ran off.

“Hongxiu, later pick a few pheasants and rabbits to send to Second Uncle’s family. And some for Third Uncle’s family, too,” Fang Xian said to Ye Hongxiu, using her name since he couldn’t call her ‘wife’ in front of Ye Qingyun.

That night, after their intimacy, Ye Hongxiu suddenly said, “Husband, today’s medicinal bath had almost no effect. It was only in the beginning that it worked noticeably, but after breaking through to first-rate, the effect gradually diminished. Today it was barely noticeable.”

“Yes, I’ve been pondering over this lately and have improved the formula. Tomorrow, I’ll make you some pills instead. I suspect the original bath isn’t useful for Father anymore either; the enhanced version can be for him,” Fang Xian replied. He had always intended to make some Body-Casting Pills, but though he’d gathered the herbs, he hadn’t gotten around to compounding them.

The next day, Fang Xian began preparing the Body-Casting Pills. The process was complex, so it took him half a day to produce about ten pills.

At lunchtime, he handed Ye Qingyun a bottle containing six pills, Ye Hongxiu a bottle with three, and reserved three for Zhou Boxiong. As for himself, the medicinal bath still worked, so he planned to wait until it was no longer effective before taking the pills.

“What is this?” Ye Qingyun opened the bottle and sniffed, catching a faint fragrance.

“Brother Xian, is this the enhanced version you mentioned last night?” Only Ye Hongxiu understood, asking excitedly.

“I suspect the medicinal bath is no longer effective for Father, so I made these Body-Casting Pills with the enhanced formula. Take them directly; the medicinal power lasts for a while, but you must diligently practice to refine it daily. There must be a five-day gap between pills, to prevent the buildup of toxicity,” Fang Xian instructed.

That evening, Ye Qingyun joyfully told Fang Xian, “Xian’er, I took a pill this afternoon, practiced for a while, and absorbed medicinal energy equal to ten days of hard training. I estimate the pill’s effects will last half a month.”

“Father, the medicinal power lasts about ten days. At first, the body absorbs slowly, but it speeds up later. For a first-rate expert, a pill can last about a month, saving half a year of arduous practice,” Fang Xian said, now clearly aware of the pill’s potency.

After refining the Body-Casting Pills, the system store also began offering them for exchange. However, each pill cost 100 celebrity points, a hefty price—even Fang Xian considered selling some to the system store, though the system did not buy them back.

“Oh, Xian nephew, I’ve been fretting because the medicinal bath stopped working. This is just what I needed!” When Fang Xian gave Zhou Boxiong the pills, the latter was overjoyed.

“I only just derived the formula and made it yesterday. Father and Hongxiu tried it, and it’s quite effective for first-rate experts,” Fang Xian replied with a smile.

“Thank you, Xian nephew. If Second Uncle ever becomes a grandmaster, it will be thanks to you,” Zhou Boxiong said, happily accepting the pills.

“No need for formality, Second Uncle. Aren’t we family now?” Fang Xian smiled. Not only was Hongxiu his wife, but Zhou Ming’en wanted to recognize him as godfather, further cementing their familial bond.

“Yes, yes, we’re family. Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Zhou Boxiong laughed, his admiration for Fang Xian genuine and his affection growing stronger.

“Sister-in-law, your complexion has improved, though your pulse is still weak. The medicine I prescribed should be cooked with the pheasant. You must eat both the meat and the soup; it’s highly beneficial for your recovery,” Fang Xian said, visiting A Fang. Normally, men weren’t allowed in a woman’s room during her confinement, but as a physician, Fang Xian was exempt. He checked her pulse and gave instructions.

“Thank you, big brother,” A Fang smiled. She had always gotten along well with Ye Hongxiu and knew her son wanted Fang Xian as his godfather, so she treated him without formality.

“We should thank Brother Xian,” Zhou Tianming added, accompanying her. These days, aside from practicing martial arts, he spent his time with his wife and son, very satisfied with his life.

“How’s the medicinal bath working for you, big brother? When do you think you’ll break through to first-rate? I have some good things prepared for you,” Fang Xian asked as Zhou Tianming escorted him out.

“It’s working very well. My physical strength has improved greatly, and there’s some movement in my meridians—I think a breakthrough is close at hand,” Zhou Tianming replied enthusiastically. For a martial artist, advancing a level was always cause for joy.

“No need to rush. Let everything progress naturally; forcing it could damage your meridians and affect future cultivation. I can’t guarantee everything, but helping Second Uncle and you become grandmasters someday shouldn’t be a problem. But let’s keep this between us,” Fang Xian whispered. Zhou Tianming’s eyes widened, then he nodded repeatedly.

“Wife, what do you think of Brother Fang Xian?” Back in their room, Zhou Tianming asked his wife.

“He’s obviously a good man. Not only is his medical skill superb, saving so many in the stronghold; he’s also learned and courteous—look how well he treats Hongxiu. And he’s capable, kind-hearted, trustworthy,” A Fang replied after a moment’s thought.

“Yes, Brother Xian truly is talented. I believe, with him here, it won’t be long before our stronghold becomes the largest in the area,” Zhou Tianming said with a smile. If his father could break through to grandmaster, then with two grandmasters, Azure Cloud Stronghold would be the strongest in the region.

Moreover, soon the number of first-rate experts in Azure Cloud Stronghold would increase, and the ranks of second-rate and third-rate warriors would grow as well. The stronghold’s future was bound to be brighter.

A sharp cry echoed overhead.

While Fang Xian practiced martial arts in the courtyard, the young falcon circled above. The entire area within several dozen miles of Azure Cloud Stronghold was its patrol range—Fang Xian had instructed it so.

“Little one, eat more and grow quickly,” Fang Xian said with a smile after finishing his practice. He whistled, and the young falcon swooped down. Fang Xian went inside, grabbed some fresh meat, and tossed it to the bird, speaking kindly to it.