Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 30

Qingyun County Office – Morgue

Inside the cold, dimly lit morgue, several plain wooden beds held the corpses—Zhang Heng and the men of the Huang family.

“Uncle Chen, why overcomplicate this? Both sides of the ‘case’ are lying right here.”

“In my opinion, we should just hand these bullying scumbags back to the Huang family.”

“Keeping them here is nothing but bad luck!”

Liang Cheng scowled at the bodies, especially the blood-and-brain-matter bundle wrapped in thick cloth and the half-stripped skeleton beside it.

Even in death, this piece of trash is revolting.

“Enough,” Chen Shi said, unmoved. “Have someone fetch ice from the cellar. These bodies need to stay a few more days.”

“At dawn, I’ll report to the Magistrate and let him decide.”

He ignored Liang Cheng’s suggestion. There were still unanswered questions, and with the dead man being the County Deputy’s secret son, only the Magistrate could settle this.

…..

Dawn – Outside the County Gates

Golden sunlight pierced the clouds, draping the city walls in a veil of morning glow.

The gates had just opened when a horse burst through at full gallop—its rider, Lu Xuan!

Not wanting to risk delays, Lu Xuan rode straight for Tongling Peak, the location of the Purpleblood Spirit Mushroom Zhang Heng had mentioned.

Tongling Peak, huh?

Lu Xuan wasn’t reckless enough to take Zhang Heng’s words at face value. Having studied the wisdom of countless cautious predecessors, he never acted without thorough research.

Before setting out, he’d investigated Tongling Peak in detail. Only after confirming its safety did he relax.

The mountain was two hours’ ride from the county. A village—Chenpo Village—nestled at its base, its residents having lived there for generations.

Lu Xuan pushed his horse hard, following the main road without pause. In under two hours, he veered onto a narrow dirt path.

Soon, a sprawling village came into view—far larger than Liugou Village, the last rural settlement he’d visited.

Slowing his horse, Lu Xuan approached the village entrance. A polished stone tablet stood by the path, engraved with three characters:

Chenpo Village.

This is the place.

Villagers were already tending to morning chores. One, noticing Lu Xuan, nudged a sun-darkened, burly man with calloused hands—clearly no stranger to hard labor.

The man hesitated, intimidated by Lu Xuan’s striking looks and refined aura.

“Young Master, you are…?” he asked nervously.

Lu Xuan dismounted and clasped his hands politely. “I’ve come from the county. Is this Chenpo Village?”

The villager brightened. “Ah! A guest from the city! I’m Chen Dachun. Yes, this is Chenpo. What brings you here?”

“I’m heading to Tongling Peak. Could you point me in the right direction?”

Lu Xuan knew the mountain loomed near the village but needed specifics.

“Tongling Peak?” Chen Dachun pointed behind the village. “That’s it right there—our people have lived under its shadow for generations.”

Lu Xuan followed his gesture. In the distance, a towering peak stabbed into the heavens.

But before he could study it further—

“Young Master… you’re not planning to climb it, are you?” Chen Dachun’s face paled. “You mustn’t!”

“Why not?” Lu Xuan frowned.

“It’s too dangerous! Half a year ago, something happened at the summit. The beasts there went mad—charging down to attack our fields and homes!”

“If not for our village’s martial defense team, we’d have been overrun. Going up now risks facing those frenzied creatures!”

Beasts descending from the peak?

Lu Xuan’s frown deepened, but he shrugged. “No need to worry. I’ve trained in martial arts—ordinary beasts aren’t a threat.”

“Besides, I’m only going partway up to gather herbs unavailable in the county.”

“Herbs?” Chen Dachun blinked. True, the mountain was rich in medicinal plants—a key income source for villagers.

Lu Xuan pulled out 20 copper coins and offered them. “For your trouble. And if you could watch my horse while I’m gone…?”

“W-what? This is too much!” Chen Dachun stammered, eyes wide—the sum equaled a month’s earnings for him.

Lu Xuan pressed the coins into his hand.

“T-thank you, Young Master!” The villager bowed, suddenly eager. “Let this humble man tend to your horse! This way!”

…..

Tongling Peak – Base

After stabling his horse, Lu Xuan followed Chen Dachun to the mountain’s foot. A worn footpath zigzagged upward—carved by generations of villagers.

“Here’s the trail, Young Master. Should I… accompany you? For safety?”

Chen Dachun scratched his head, guilt-tinged gratitude in his voice.

“Your kindness is appreciated, but I’ll manage. Farewell.”

Before the villager could reply, Lu Xuan was already a speck in the distance, vanishing up the path.