My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 289: Chapter 152: Divine Sense

’First, I’ll go and get that mace of ointment... At the same time, I’ll ask Shopkeeper Cui if this poison is valuable... After I get a clear answer, I’ll think about the rest.’

With that in mind, Qin Fang quickly got ready. He took a vial of poison—less than a gram—and left immediately with his silver taels.

He paused at the door... noticing two pitchers of water and a food container... It was the hot water and food for the day.

...But it was all cold by now.

He glanced at them and headed to the entrance of the Post House. Seeing the soldiers on duty, he walked over.

”Excuse me, sirs, could you tell me the time?”

As Qin Fang approached, several soldiers turned to look at him.

Hearing Qin Fang’s question, the men exchanged glances. One of them answered, ”It’s three quarters past the hour of xu.”

’Three quarters past the hour of xu?’

That was around nine o’clock at night.

Qin Fang nodded, thanked them, and hurried out the gate.

’There’s still an hour until midnight. Huichun Hall isn’t far; I can make it in time.’

After Qin Fang was a good distance away, the soldiers began to whisper among themselves.

”So that’s the Qin Fang hand-picked by Tributor Yun?”

”Yep. So young, yet he already has a Huajin Cultivation...”

”He’s got a real shot at one of the twelve seats this year.”

”Tsk, tsk. Once you get one of those seats, your future is set. It’s a meteoric rise, from a commoner to royalty...”

They sighed in admiration.

...In Lanyang City, who wouldn’t want to join the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect?

Just as they were marveling at this, a few figures walked into the Post House, overhearing their conversation.

Leading the group was a young man approaching thirty. He wore a luxurious white robe, his expression aloof. He was followed by two exceptionally beautiful maids.

Hearing their chat, his eyes darkened, and his pace faltered for a second.

But it was only for a moment; he then continued inside.

And his destination was, of all places, the A Courtyard!

He stopped at Courtyard A-19 and said calmly, ”Have Geng Ye come see me.”

The attendants behind him were stunned for a moment, but one of them immediately whispered, ”Yes, Young Master.”

The attendant turned and ran off with a CLATTER of footsteps.

The young man walked into the courtyard, and the others followed him.

A short while later, a young man in tight-fitting clothes appeared at Courtyard A-3. The young master was seated in the yard, flanked by his two beautiful maids, who were pouring him wine.

”Young Master.”

The man in the tight-fitting clothes bowed respectfully.

Without even lifting his gaze, the young master asked flatly, ”I had you investigate Qin Fang’s background. What did you find?”

Geng Ye replied in a low voice, ”I only found that he’s from Yanfang Prefecture. He arrived on the eighth day of the third month. When he was boarding the ferry, he had no travel permit and stated he was here for the Martial Arts Examination. Upon questioning, they learned he was a Huajin master. Yun Guanyu later confirmed his Huajin status, so they didn’t press for his detailed background. They just gave him a Temporary Passage Token to enter the city and housed him in the Post House, forbidding him from entering the Inner City... Other than that, there’s nothing.”

The young master frowned. ”You found nothing about his origins?”

”I did find out his Cultivation Technique, though. According to Yun Guanyu... he seems to practice the ’Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile.’”

He spoke.

”’Spiritual Snake Listening Wave’? You only know about his Pile Method?” the young master asked, his brow furrowed.

”Yes.”

The young master fell silent for a long moment before suddenly speaking. ”Tomorrow, you will go and test his capabilities.”

The man named Geng Ye was taken aback for a second, then bowed. ”Yes, sir.”

”Go on.” The young master waved his hand dismissively.

Geng Ye bowed and departed.

The young master picked up the cup of wine his maid had poured. It was fragrant and rich, with a viscous, syrupy color.

’I hope he doesn’t turn out to be some unforeseen complication.’

He thought to himself, then drained the cup in one go.

...

”Ah, Sir, you’d like another mace of ’Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment’?”

It was now the hour of hai, but Lanyang City had no curfew. The city remained brightly lit, its streets teeming with people.

...In fact, one could say Lanyang City was even livelier at night.

Lanterns of every color adorned the streets, resembling a long, fiery dragon—a breathtaking sight.

Huichun Hall hadn’t closed for the night. Qin Fang went straight in and asked for Shopkeeper Cui, who, upon seeing him, enthusiastically invited him into the back hall.

He was surprised to hear Qin Fang’s request, but then he smiled. ”It seems you’ve already used it, Sir. The Treasure Medicine from my Huichun Hall is quite effective, isn’t it?”

Qin Fang smiled and nodded, offering generous praise. ”Indeed, the effects are excellent.”

”Excellent! Please wait a moment, Sir. I’ll have someone fetch it right away.”

After speaking, Shopkeeper Cui stood up and called for an assistant to get the medicine. Only then did he return to pour Qin Fang some tea and chat.

But then Qin Fang suddenly asked, ”I was wondering, does Huichun Hall purchase medicinal materials?”

Shopkeeper Cui paused, then repeated, ”Purchase medicinal materials?”

He hesitated for a moment before replying, ”My Huichun Hall typically has dedicated specialists for procurement; the shop itself doesn’t usually buy materials... However, you are a valued guest of Huichun Hall, Sir. If the materials you have are rare and precious... it wouldn’t be out of the question.”

Hearing this, Qin Fang said, ”Poison from an Exotic Species... would that count as rare and precious?”

”Poison from an Exotic Species?” Shopkeeper Cui’s eyes instantly lit up. ”Materials from an Exotic Species are, of course, considered rare and precious! May I ask what kind of poison you are referring to, Sir?”

Qin Fang handed over the vial containing a gram of Bee Venom. Seeing the shopkeeper subconsciously reach for it, he paused and said sternly, ”This poison is extremely potent. It’s fatal upon entering the bloodstream, taking effect in three seconds and causing death in just over ten breaths... You’d best be careful, Shopkeeper Cui.”

At these words, Shopkeeper Cui’s expression changed dramatically, and he quickly snatched his hand back. ”It’s that potent? ...May I ask what kind of Exotic Species this poison is from?”

Qin Fang replied, ”It’s the venom of an Exotic Species of Giant Bee.”

”Bee Venom?”

Shopkeeper Cui’s eyes lit up again. ”Bee Venom? We’ll definitely take it! After all, bees aren’t purely venomous creatures; their venom can often be used in medicine.”

Qin Fang’s eyes flickered at his words...

’It’s true,’ he thought. ’Bee venom can be used in medicine.’

He remembered in his past life, his father had kept a hive of bees. He himself had suffered from chronic back pain, and after hearing that a few stings could cure it, he’d tried it. Sure enough, his back had never bothered him again after that.