Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Compulsory Tribute

The next day.

After completing his morning training, Lin Yuan did not hurry back to the drying ground to choose medicine as he usually did. Instead, he walked slowly back, step by step, his mood heavy. He even took the time to closely observe the road he had walked countless times before.

After contemplating all night, Lin Yuan finally decided that he must hand over this one unit of Qi-Blood Powder. Furthermore, after conversing with Xie Wanxin in the morning, he learned that contributing a unit of Qi-Blood Powder to the elite disciples was a long-standing tradition of the academy.

If he opposed paying tribute, even if he immediately consumed the Qi-Blood Powder upon acquiring it, there would be no improvement at all. Failing to produce the Qi-Blood Powder would cause endless undercurrents of trouble due to the pressure from elite disciples.

This is because he would stand against all the elite disciples.

After carefully examining the surroundings along the road, Lin Yuan memorized everything firmly.

"Senior Brother, how often do we have to pay tribute?" Lin Yuan returned to the drying ground, finished his work for the day, and asked You Xiaozhong.

"Everyone has to hand it over, and there are quite a few new chores disciples like you. I estimate it will take some effort, but it should be soon," You Xiaozhong replied with a slight frown.

"Finding people one by one is indeed troublesome."

"Do you think the black-robed disciples are willing to go around searching for chores like us?"

"Let's not talk about these bothersome matters." You Xiaozhong smiled, suddenly remembering a good thing today, "Have you been to Yanghua Market?"

"Market?"

"Judging by your look, you haven't been there. Let's go, we're done for the day."

Immediately following You Xiaozhong's lead, they walked outside.

The market was right next to the academy, similar to a vegetable market from Lin Yuan's previous life. People hustled and bustled, with street vendors shoulder to shoulder offering their goods.

You Xiaozhong took Lin Yuan around for a tour, both holding a skewer of roasted pig kidneys, nibbling as they walked.

After wandering for a while, Lin Yuan noticed many appealing things for sale in the market. Besides staple foods like rice, noodles, grains, and oil, there were also martial arts cultivation techniques and herbs.

"Senior Brother, wait. Is that Qi-Blood Powder? And elixirs?" Lin Yuan was a bit surprised as he passed a tastefully decorated store.

"That's right. With money, anything can be bought," You Xiaozhong wiped the oily corners of his mouth, the chili from the kidneys making his lips red, "The medicinal potency of the Qi-Blood Powder sold in the market is slightly inferior to that issued by the academy, only at eighty percent."

Even with eighty percent potency, it was enough to tempt Lin Yuan, but ultimately he gave up due to the Qi-Blood Powder's high price. Five units of Qi-Blood Powder would cost two taels of silver, calming his restless heart.

Lin Yuan looked up at the signboard with four golden characters "Miao's Herb Field."

The two walked by again and saw that many herb fields outside had long queues with many of the academy's chores disciples.

"It is common for disciples in the academy to spar frequently, getting injuries is normal. Many wait for medical treatment outside the herb fields,"

"Wait a minute."

A bolt of lightning flashed through Lin Yuan's mind.

Injury?

Sell medicine?

Would ointment for bruises and injuries count as medicine?

Moreover, most of these disciples sustained surface injuries from fighting, perfect for the herbal patches, right?

Thinking of this, Lin Yuan pulled You Xiaozhong back to the drying ground. You Xiaozhong was puzzled about why Lin Yuan was leaving the market to go back.

That evening, Lin Yuan consumed five pots of herbal decoction. Once martial arts practice was done, he started making herbal patches. After making about twenty, he barely managed to sleep.

The next day.

"Senior Brother, what do you think of the effects of last time's injury ointment?"

Lin Yuan lined up the injury ointments neatly on the table in front of You Xiaozhong.

"Junior Brother Lin, you mean to?" You Xiaozhong was slightly shocked seeing so many herbal patches.

"That's right, Senior Brother, I plan to sell these ointments and then exchange them for Qi-Blood Powder?" Lin Yuan smiled slightly, "What do you think, Senior Brother?"

"What are the costs of these herbs?" You Xiaozhong knew the advantages of this ointment compared to the usual recovery time from injuries, which was reduced by nearly half. Also, using Lin Yuan's ointment was cool and significantly reduced the pain during recovery.

If they were really sold, they would be excellent medicine for low-level disciples. Besides, the academy had the largest number of these lower-tier disciples. Healing drugs were unaffordable for most, and if the ointment costs were low enough, it would definitely have a large market space.

Moreover, most disciples in the academy practiced martial arts and sparred, making bumps and bruises inevitable. This ointment would suit such superficial and mild injuries...

"Less than 20 copper coins," Lin Yuan estimated a rough figure, smoothing his brow, "If mass-produced, it could be even cheaper." Having already explored the market, he had a rough idea of the necessary costs.

Only a few main herbs were slightly expensive, while other supplementary herbs were very cheap.

He even secretly investigated the herb field, where just a consultation would cost several silver coins, not including the cost of getting prescriptions filled.

Comparing the two, if the injuries weren't severe, chores disciples would be willing to try the ointment, which indeed had a good market.

"Alright." You Xiaozhong's spirit was lifted upon hearing this, but he quickly calmed down, whispering to Lin Yuan, "Junior Brother Lin, don't make a fuss over this matter. I'll first find a few familiar faces to test the effects. If they're as good as I experienced, then we can talk further."

Afterward, You Xiaozhong swept the ointments on the table into his pocket, invited Lin Yuan, and they went out to find others to test the efficacy.

After working hard for an afternoon, Lin Yuan and You Xiaozhong returned to the drying ground. Looking at the silver coins in front of them, which almost matched their half-month's pay, they exchanged smiles.

That night, after finishing the herbs, Lin Yuan didn't sleep.

He went out again, walking along the mountain path, not for any reason, but for joy.

The silver coins earned today finally gave Lin Yuan some relief. Even if he no longer worked at the drying ground, he had some means for survival.

After a while, Lin Yuan ran to a protruding rock on the cliff and looked downward. The night view below unfolded entirely in his eyes, broadening his mood.

Under the night sky, the academy's buildings in the distance were brightly lit.

From far to near, the light gradually faded into darkness, except for some residences of the disciples, which emitted an orange glow. There was no other light. Occasionally, he could see some lanterns moving slowly in the dark. Lin Yuan understood those were the patrolling elite disciples.

The next day, Lin Yuan attempted to teach You Xiaozhong how to make the herbal patches. Due to certain herb shortages, they could only produce about thirty ointments.

After selling the ointments yesterday, chores disciples found them quite effective. Word of mouth among the chores disciples spread quickly. Today's ointments sold unusually fast, and they returned to the drying ground in less than an hour.

Realizing the shortage of herbs severely impacted the production of the herbal patches, the two disguised themselves somewhat, purchasing the necessary main herbs at various shops in the market before regrouping to head back.

The two were slightly joyful, returning to the drying ground just as night fell.

But they saw an unexpected visitor that made Lin Yuan's heart sink.

What was bound to come had to come.

"You Xiaozhong, you made me wait," said the man with an ordinary appearance, his bushy beard covering half his chin. He wasn't tall, but his muscular build revealed his considerable martial arts prowess.

He sat boldly on a chair in the middle of the room and, upon seeing Lin Yuan and You Xiaozhong enter, sneered, "Had you not returned, I would've thought you were dodging this month's quota."

"Ji Rucheng," You Xiaozhong's once smiling face turned cold upon noticing him, "You've got a keen dog nose, knowing I have Qi-Blood Powder."

"Heh." Ji Rucheng responded with amusement, unfazed, "Isn't it supposed to be handed over?"

"One unit, be ready! If there's any shortfall, you know the consequences." Ji Rucheng was expressionless as he pulled out a cloth bag and opened its mouth.

His eyes locked on You Xiaozhong, tilting his head and puckering his lips contemptuously.

You Xiaozhong's face turned red like a pig liver, finally sighing in resignation, looking dejected.

He retrieved a neatly folded paper package from his pocket, taking step by step towards Ji Rucheng, moving slowly, and finally placed the package into the bag.

"Heh!"

As the package entered the bag, Ji Rucheng chuckled softly.

You Xiaozhong felt a sense of defeat, his expression extremely unpleasant.

Ignoring You Xiaozhong, Ji Rucheng turned to Lin Yuan, "New here?"

Lin Yuan remained expressionless and nodded.

"The rules, you know?" Ji Rucheng eyed Lin Yuan steadily, his tone indifferent.

Lin Yuan said nothing, pulling a pre-prepared medicine bundle from his clothes and stepping forward to put it into Ji Rucheng's open bag.

As he was placing the bundle into the bag, a hand reached out.

"Wait!" Surprise flashed through Ji Rucheng's eyes.

Typically, new disciples were furious the first time they had to pay tribute, and ultimately, under the pressure of elite disciples, they had no choice but to comply.

It was a highlight of their time.

But Lin Yuan's reaction puzzled him, showing no anger as if what he handed over was not an aid in martial arts, but a handful of useless dust.

He took the medicine package from Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan and You Xiaozhong both kept their eyes on Ji Rucheng's hand gripping the paper package string.

Pulling the string.

Opening it.

Ji Rucheng carefully examined the Qi-Blood Powder inside the paper package; the medicine was correct, the quantity was accurate, precisely one unit.

Recalling Lin Yuan's calm demeanor, Ji Rucheng felt a bit displeased for no reason.

His thick beard twisted into a narrow gap, revealing slightly yellow teeth.

"Not enough!"

Ji Rucheng's eyes fixed on Lin Yuan again. He wanted to see how much backbone this seemingly composed new chores disciple had.

There always had been those chores disciples who didn't know their places, challenging the authority of elite disciples, only to end in failure. He relished such opportunities.

"Ji Rucheng, one unit means one unit. What do you mean by not enough?" You Xiaozhong's expression changed as he stood up abruptly.

"Hmm?" Ji Rucheng's lips curled as he glanced at You Xiaozhong, "Do you want Brother Huang to break your third leg?"

"Senior Brother You, no problem." Lin Yuan stopped You Xiaozhong from moving further.

Lin Yuan smiled again, pulling another paper package from his pocket and handing it over, "Here's an additional unit for your inspection, Brother Ji."

Once more Ji Rucheng opened and checked, it was indeed another unit of Qi-Blood Powder, with no quality issues.

Was it really less?

Seeing the smile on Lin Yuan's face, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. Why didn't this new chores disciple seem angry at all?

"Are you willing?" Ji Rucheng asked Lin Yuan, his attitude relaxed.

"Senior Brother Ji, I'm new to the academy and have the opportunity to provide Qi-Blood Powder to help Senior Brother Ji and the elite brothers—it's my privilege."

"Rest assured, Senior Brother, my contribution of Qi-Blood Powder is voluntary."

"I'm typically amiable and especially enjoy helping others."

"And most importantly, as a person, I know my limits!"

Having said that, Lin Yuan pulled another paper package from his pocket, handing it over.