Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 6

Who knew what kind of strange supernatural powers these unclean beings—extraordinary and eerie—might possess?

The mere fact that they could drive humans into a state of frenzied self-destruction was enough to send chills down Lu Xuan’s spine.

If not for the fact that he had acquired the Crimson Flame Saber Technique and significantly improved his strength—and if not for the immense benefits Yin energy offered him—he wouldn’t have dared to even consider targeting these foul creatures.

The next moment, a sharp pang of hunger suddenly gripped Lu Xuan.

Acting out of habit, he reached to the side and picked up a small wooden box placed on the ground beside him.

He opened it gently, revealing a blood-red object inside.

This was a potent tonic he had prepared in advance. Every time his cultivation advanced, his body required a massive intake of flesh and blood nutrients.

The object resembled a ginseng root, though it was as large as Lu Xuan’s palm.

Anyone who saw it would immediately recognize its extraordinary value.

Blood Ginseng!

A rare medicinal herb worth over a hundred taels of silver on the market—if one could even find it for sale.

To put it into perspective, a single tael of silver was enough to sustain an ordinary commoner for half a year.

This was also why Lu Xuan’s expenses were so exorbitant.

A single consumption session cost him a hundred taels. If not for the fact that the Lu family ran an herbal medicine shop, he would have long since bankrupted them.

No wonder, then, that upon discovering the effects of Yin energy, Lu Xuan had become so desperate to obtain it.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the Blood Ginseng and stuffed it into his mouth.

In moments, the expensive, nutrient-rich herb was being frantically absorbed by his body, and the gnawing hunger gradually faded.

———

Three Days Later…

After the Lu family had finished arranging Lu Yun’an’s funeral, Lu Xuan had spent his time in the courtyard, fully mastering the Crimson Flame Saber Technique.

Lu Family Main Hall.

At this moment, Lu Xuan sat on the central seat at the head of the hall, eyes closed in meditation, as if waiting for something.

Finally, a figure appeared at the entrance, stepping inside cautiously with a servile demeanor.

The man was lean and somewhat gaunt. The moment he saw Lu Xuan sitting there with his eyes closed, he immediately adopted an expression of deep reverence, clasping his hands and bowing.

“Young Master, I am Li San. What do you need from me?”

Over the past three days, Lu Xuan hadn’t just been practicing his saber skills—he had also investigated everyone who had gone to Ping’an Village that day.

“Li San, I called you here to discuss the matter of my cousin, Yun’an.”

The moment these words left Lu Xuan’s mouth, Li San’s face turned deathly pale. A look of terror flashed in his eyes, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

“Young Master, I—I had no idea something like this would happen to Yun’an that night! It was my negligence—I failed to notice anything amiss in time!”

Li San had been one of the guards on night watch, specifically assigned to Lu Yun’an’s quarters.

Naturally, he was the one who knew the most about what had happened that night.

That was precisely why Lu Xuan had summoned him today.

“Speak. Tell me everything you know about what happened that night.”

Li San cautiously raised his head, studying Lu Xuan’s expression. Seeing that the young master remained composed and unreadable, he finally relaxed slightly.

He had feared that Lu Xuan had called him here to punish him for failing to protect Yun’an.

After all, he had already been thoroughly questioned by the family elders—the First Master and the Second Master. Surely, the young master must have already heard everything.

“Yes, Young Master!”

“That night, Yun’an woke up needing to relieve himself.”

“Since we were in an unfamiliar village, I didn’t feel comfortable letting him go alone, so I woke up a few others to accompany him.”

“But then… an entire hour passed, and they still hadn’t returned.”

“I was just about to go look for them when, suddenly, Yun’an and the others came back. So I didn’t think much of it after that.”

“Hm?”

Lu Xuan’s eyes suddenly locked onto Li San, his calm gaze sending a shiver down the guard’s spine.

“You’re saying Yun’an and the others were outside for an entire hour?”

“Y-yes, Young Master.”

Under Lu Xuan’s piercing stare, Li San’s voice trembled.

“When they returned, did you notice anything unusual about them?”

“Unusual?”

Li San hesitated, then racked his brain, trying to recall.

“Well… if I had to say, when they passed by me, I felt a strange chill in the air.”

“And… Yun’an and the others didn’t say a word to me. They just walked straight into the room.”

“Then they lay down on their beds without even closing the door. I was the one who shut it for them.”

“Wait…”

Li San’s words trailed off as his face drained of color.

He wasn’t a fool. He was starting to realize what might have happened to Yun’an.

Could it be… they ran into one of those unholy things?

“Young Master, could it have been—”

Lu Xuan cut him off before he could finish.

“That’s enough. Do you still remember the location of that village?”

Li San answered without hesitation. The name of that place was seared into his memory—there was no way he could forget.

“Of course. It’s called Liugou Village, not far from the main road. It’s one of the villages the Lu family sources herbs from.”

“Liugou Village…”

Having gotten his answer, Lu Xuan fell into deep thought for a moment before turning his attention back to the still-terrified Li San.

“Good. Prepare yourself. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me out of the city—we’re going to Liugou Village.”

“W-what?!”

Li San’s eyes widened in shock, his fear skyrocketing.

Had he heard correctly?

The young master—leaving the city?

In all of Li San’s ten years as a guard for the Lu family, he had never seen Lu Xuan set foot outside the county town.

It was common knowledge that the young master lived in seclusion, dedicating himself to saber training in his courtyard.

Yet now, he was not only leaving—but heading straight for that cursed village!

After the incident with Yun’an, the First Master had already issued an order:

Sever all ties with Liugou Village. No more herbs would be purchased from there.

Li San wholeheartedly supported this decision. He would rather die than set foot in that horrifying place again.

Even now, the memories of that night haunted him, jolting him awake from nightmares in a cold sweat.