Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 7

“Young Master, you mustn’t!”

“That Willow Ditch Village is dangerous! It’s the reason something happened to Young Master Yun’an!”

“The patriarch has even given orders forbidding us from setting foot in Willow Ditch Village again!”

Li San immediately grew tense, urgently trying to dissuade Lu Xuan from this idea.

After all, even his superior, Li Mingzhong—the captain of the Lu family guards and a martial artist who had reached the peak of Muscle-Tempering Realm—spoke of Willow Ditch Village with fear and avoidance.

Let alone Li San himself, who had only barely reached the Skin-Tempering Realm.

Though the young master had trained diligently in blade techniques since childhood, he was still too young and inexperienced with the dangers of the outside world.

Seeing that Lu Xuan remained unmoved, Li San made one last desperate attempt, pleading earnestly:

“Young Master, regarding Young Master Yun’an’s matter, we can simply report it to the county magistrate. Let the officials avenge him!”

“A person of your status must never take such risks!”

Li San was certain that the young master intended to go to Willow Ditch Village to uncover the truth and seek vengeance for Yun’an.

To him, that place had become a nightmare—one he would never return to, even if it cost him his life.

If the young master insisted on going, he’d rather leave the Lu family altogether.

At least then, he might have a slim chance of survival!

“Hmph!”

“That is not for you to consider. I have my own plans.”

A low, thunderous sound echoed through the Lu family hall as an invisible pressure, like a raging flood or a ferocious beast, bore down on Li San.

He suddenly felt an overwhelming force pressing against him, making it hard to breathe. The immense pressure forced him to collapse onto the ground.

Then, just as swiftly as it had come, the crushing weight vanished without a trace, as if it had all been an illusion.

“Here are ten taels of silver. Take it—consider it your reward.”

A silvery object was then tossed through the air, landing precisely in Li San’s arms.

When he saw what it was, his face lit up with delight. He quickly grabbed it and scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply to Lu Xuan.

“Li San thanks the young master for your generosity!”

Ten taels of silver!

His yearly earnings amounted to only three taels. This single reward was more than three years’ worth of his wages!

No wonder Li San, forgetting all decorum, looked overjoyed.

Men would die for wealth, as birds would for food.

Now, Li San no longer had any intention of dissuading Lu Xuan—because the young master had simply given him too much.

Too much to refuse.

Of course, there was another reason: Li San could feel his back drenched in cold sweat.

He was utterly shocked.

Who would’ve thought the young master was this terrifyingly strong?

With just a flicker of anger, the pressure he exerted made Li San feel as if he were facing some primordial beast, insignificant as an ant in comparison.

Between the young master’s overwhelming power and the ten taels of silver in his hand, Li San gritted his teeth and mustered his courage.

What’s there to fear from some backwater village like Willow Ditch?

“Good. Now go and make the necessary preparations.”

“Remember—no one else is to know about our trip to Willow Ditch Village.”

“Even if the patriarch asks, you are not to speak of it. Just say I’m traveling for a while.”

“Understood, Young Master. I’ll prepare the carriage at once.”

Li San’s attitude toward Lu Xuan had shifted from respect to outright reverence.

Lu Xuan silently watched Li San’s retreating figure, saying nothing.

During their conversation, he had carefully observed every one of Li San’s movements—his gestures, expressions, even the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Everything was normal, with no signs of deception or concealment.

This confirmed that Li San had spoken the truth, holding nothing back.

Not that Lu Xuan was being overly cautious—after all, the supernatural horrors he was about to face demanded nothing less than absolute vigilance.

Willow Ditch Village…

Don’t disappoint me. This is crucial for my system points.

……

Night fell, but the Lu family hall remained brightly lit, with two figures seated inside—Lu Xuan and his father, Lu Jiahe, the head of the Lu family.

“What?!”

“Xuan’er, you’re leaving the county town? So suddenly? Where are you going?”

Lu Jiahe’s face was full of concern as he stared at his son.

“Father, there’s no need to worry. I’ve trained in martial arts for years—I won’t be in any danger.”

“I’ll return in a few days.”

Seeing that Lu Xuan had already made up his mind, Lu Jiahe could only sigh and give up trying to dissuade him.

Then, he made another suggestion:

“At least take some of the Lu family guards with you, just in case.”

“The world beyond the county town is full of dangers. Having more men will ensure your safety.”

“No need, Father. Li San alone is enough. I’m just going out to broaden my horizons. I’ll be back soon.”

“Very well… Xuan’er, be careful in all things.”

Lu Xuan had spoken firmly, so Lu Jiahe could say no more.

Xuan’er had always been steady and reliable. If he said this, he must have thought it through carefully.

With that in mind, Lu Jiahe stopped trying to stop him, offering only one final piece of advice:

“Xuan’er, though your martial skills are formidable, human hearts are treacherous. You must be cautious in all things.”

“I understand, Father.”

……

The next day.

The county gates stood wide open, with a steady stream of people coming and going. The streets bustled with activity, vendors on either side enthusiastically calling out to passersby.

Amid the crowd, a plain-looking carriage moved slowly along the bluestone-paved road.

On either side of the carriage sat two men—Li San and a tall, burly man with a simple and honest face.

The burly man was another servant of the Lu family, assigned as the carriage driver.

Inside the carriage sat a young man—Lu Xuan.

The carriage continued its unhurried pace until it reached the county gates, where it came to a stop.

A long line of people waited ahead, all hoping to leave the county town.

Time passed, and soon it was the Lu family carriage’s turn. The driver guided the carriage forward, halting before the guards stationed at the gate.

Li San, quick-eyed and deft-handed, immediately pulled out a wooden token from his robe.

On it were inscribed the words: “Lu Family Apothecary.”

Cupping it respectfully in both hands, he smiled and presented it to the guard.

“Honored officer, this is the Lu family’s carriage. Inside is the young master of the Lu Family Apothecary. Please take a look.”

“The young master of the Lu Family Apothecary?”

The guard immediately straightened up upon hearing this, accepting the token with both hands.

Of course, he knew of the Lu Family Apothecary—the largest in the county town.

The Lu family patriarch was the most renowned and skilled physician in the area. Even he had once been treated by the old master.

But as for this “young master of the Lu Family Apothecary”… he had no impression of him at all.