Pill Cauldron Pavilion divides its alchemy and herb trade industries. Both originate from the same source but operate independently, each with its own responsible party. Qiancao Hall is the establishment set up by Pill Cauldron Pavilion for the sale of medicinal ingredients.
After obtaining the "Ten Elixir Herbs Manual," Su Mu paid attention to the required alchemy ingredients along the way. Unfortunately, many of them were difficult to acquire. This is the very reason Su Mu plans to stay temporarily in Donglai County.
In such a world, silver coins only have value when refined into pills that manifest as personal strength; otherwise, one is like a sheep carrying precious jade, easily robbed by others.
Su Mu is extravagant for the sake of enhancing his strength, unwilling to become a tool for someone else’s gain.
For the past three days, Su Mu has been gathering information, having not journeyed much through Donglai County himself. After applying a disguise and asking for directions, he quickly arrives in front of Qiancao Hall.
Qiancao Hall stands majestically in the bustling business district of Commandery City, with its seven-story vermilion pavilion rising from the ground, its roof beams and gold-tiled eaves shining in the sunlight, offering a panoramic view of the grand commercial streets from the top floor.
A shadow suddenly paused in front of Qiancao Hall, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, as he stood still gazing up at the three words "Qiancao Hall" on the plaque.
Passersby seeing this scene exchange knowing smiles, not finding it strange.
Being drawn by the medicinal fragrance of the plaque upon first arrival at Qiancao Hall is quite usual. That year, the alchemy master from Pill Cauldron Pavilion used five-hundred-year-old spiritual wood for the plaque and personally refined the essence of a hundred spiritual herbs into the gold paint, making the fragrance of the plaque more robust as the years have passed.
As people pass by, they’re often unconsciously halted by that subtle aroma.
"Tsk tsk, another soul captured by the fragrance of the medicine."
"The alchemy master’s skill from Pill Cauldron Pavilion is truly remarkable to this day."
Many marvel at the alchemy master’s ingenious move from Pill Cauldron Pavilion, relying on the plaque as a medium, not needing to shout, as passersby often stop for the fragrance of "Qiancao Hall."
As word spreads, Pill Cauldron Pavilion’s reputation naturally endures.
Low discussions from the streets outside the hall aren’t long before the shadow outside slowly regains awareness. Su Mu listens to the discussions of the people around him, as two points of sharpness quietly disappear from his gaze, feeling a fiery excitement in his heart.
Su Mu now has a comprehension of one hundred and sixty-two points, possessing the Dragon-and-Phoenix Level awareness, able to perceive what ordinary people cannot. Yet, the rush of spiritual light in his mind cannot be fully materialized.
"Like Hongmen Martial Arts Hall, the alchemy master from Pill Cauldron Pavilion also left some profound alchemy skill on the plaque... It’s a shame my current alchemy skills are too shallow to comprehend it."
Su Mu silently retracts his gaze. Since passersby outside the hall have already given him a perfect cover, Su Mu promptly feigns a sigh, "How peculiar, indeed worthy of Qiancao Hall, a plaque with such a fragrant aroma."
Though he speaks so, he thinks Qiancao Hall won’t escape, and he can come to comprehend it later.
At the moment, Su Mu steps forward into the hall.
"Dear customer, what do you need?"
Su Mu enters Pill Cauldron Pavilion not long before a young woman dressed in pale green, with single-leaf patterns embroidered on her clothes, greets him. Though not overly enthusiastic, she warmly welcomes him with a smile.
"How much for a portion of the medicinal ingredients on this list?"
Without idle words, Su Mu takes out a pre-written list from his sleeve and hands it to the woman. Upon glancing at it, her eyes reveal a slight suspicion, and her demeanor becomes noticeably respectful.
"White Ginseng, Three-leaf Blood Ginseng, Dihuang Root... All need to be over fifty years old; some are even over a hundred years."
In merely a glance, the woman understands that the medicinal ingredients on the list are necessary for refining Grade-Entering Elixirs, with many related to Qi and Blood, which are quite valuable. Ordinary small county herb halls would find it challenging to directly stock these.
Su Mu maintains a calm demeanor, observing the woman’s expression, knowing she must have discerned something. However, Su Mu foresaw these issues.
This list is not entirely composed of Qi and Blood Elixir ingredients; it also contains herbs from several other pill formulas, enough to confuse and mislead.
"Honored guest, please proceed to the second floor for discussion. I will promptly seek Steward Fang Wuling."
Soon, the pale green-clad woman respectfully speaks. Aware of the precious nature of the herbs on the list, she immediately guides Su Mu away from the bustling first-floor hall.
"Much appreciated."
Su Mu nods slightly, following up to the second floor of Qiancao Hall. After delivering the tea into the suite, the pale green-clad woman bows and exits.
Before long, a refined middle-aged man wearing a reddish-brown robe reminiscent of dried herbs, with a belt of medicine pouches, and sleeves adorned with hundred-herb intertwined patterns enters the room.
"I am Fang Wuling, steward of Qiancao Hall. How should I address you?" Fang Wuling slightly bows to Su Mu, his eyes discreetly scanning Su Mu up and down, sensing an extraordinary aura despite Su Mu’s plain hemp clothing.
"I go by the surname Cheng."
"Ah, Mr. Cheng, I have reviewed the herbs on your list. Qiancao Hall has them all, but some are rare and need sourcing from outside the city, requiring two days."
Fang Wuling straightforwardly states, and Su Mu nods lightly.
"What is the price per portion?"
"The herbs you require are quite precious, mostly for nourishing Qi and Blood, promoting Blood Exchange; one set costs one thousand five hundred taels of silver."
"One thousand five hundred taels..." Su Mu is secretly shocked. Although he knew the Qi and Blood Elixir herbs were valuable, the price still left him speechless.
The Five-Complete Muscle-Strengthening Soup costs one hundred taels of silver per set; regular Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artists consume at most seven or eight sets a month. Calculating like this, it only amounts to seven or eight hundred taels, yet the herbs for one set of Qi and Blood Elixir on the list, even after excluding the confusing herbs, probably exceed one thousand taels.