Chapter Sixteen: Let Me Treat You to a Meal

“Your movements are precise, and your breathing is well-coordinated. It seems you’re quite talented after all.” After giving some pointers, Qian Qian couldn’t help but show a trace of surprise on his face.

As an instructor, his eyesight was keen, and he himself had long since mastered the Apothecary King’s Stance to perfection. He could easily see how solid Chen Yushu’s foundation was in the practice.

“Master Qian, you flatter me!” Chen Yushu hurriedly replied with humility.

“If it’s good, it’s good. If not, then not—there’s no such thing as flattery,” Qian Qian waved his hand dismissively, then asked offhandedly, “Out of the thirty-six forms of the Stance, how many have you mastered?”

“All of them.” Chen Yushu hesitated for a moment, but answered truthfully.

“All of them?” Qian Qian was taken aback and quickly pressed, “Have you reached the entry level? Show me—from the first to the thirty-sixth form, perform them in succession.”

“I should be at the entry level. But I can’t do it now; I’m out of strength.” Chen Yushu didn’t shy away from displaying his talent. He knew very well that in any world, any place, one principle always held true: ‘the capable rise, the mediocre fall.’ Having talent and hiding it would only make others underestimate you.

The doctrine of moderation did not mean hiding one’s abilities but rather letting others know you possess a ‘sword’ without actually drawing it. Just like Li Hu had mentioned before: Xu Lihao, who managed to reach entry level in the Apothecary King’s Stance within seven days and achieved minor attainment within a year—he displayed enough talent and was immediately chosen by Physician Liu to become an apprentice eligible to learn medicine.

Since others had already paved the way, Chen Yushu saw no reason to refrain from following their path.

However, at this moment, hunger gnawed at him, leaving him weak and powerless. He hadn’t eaten a bite since the previous day, enduring hunger all through the night while staying alert against any ghostly mischief, his nerves stretched to the limit. Just now, he’d put extra effort into keeping up with Master Qian’s corrections, adjusting his movements and breath to match the instructions, which further depleted his strength.

By now, he truly had nothing left to give to the practice.

“In that case... you two, keep practicing here. I’ll handle things when I return,” Qian Qian said thoughtfully to Lü Liang and Zhao He, then turned to Chen Yushu. “Come with me.”

“Where to?” Chen Yushu was puzzled.

“To treat you to a meal!”

...

The pharmacy had its own kitchen. Not only did the apprentices take their meals here, but so did the shopkeeper, the managers, physicians, and all the hired hands. As long as one worked for the pharmacy, meals were provided—though the standard varied greatly depending on one’s status.

Qian Qian, being both an instructor and a member of the pharmacy’s guard, naturally enjoyed much better fare than apprentices like Chen Yushu. Early in the morning, the apprentices usually received nothing more than thin gruel and a piece of coarse rye bread.

Qian Qian, on the other hand, had meat for breakfast—a large pork knuckle, fragrant white rice, and a bowl of bone broth that had simmered for two hours. In his previous life, Chen Yushu would have thought little of such a meal—oftentimes he found such dishes too greasy.

But now, as a child from a rural farming family in an ancient dynasty, this was the sort of meal he could only dream of.

Chen Yushu admitted to himself that he was tempted, his mouth watering uncontrollably. He didn’t stand on ceremony and, at Qian Qian’s gesture, began to eat in earnest, devouring everything in sight. Only after drinking the last drop of soup did he let out a satisfied belch.

“Had your fill?” Qian Qian asked with a smile.

“I have!” Chen Yushu nodded in reply.

“Good, let’s return to the courtyard,” Qian Qian said briskly.

Chen Yushu understood the man’s intentions. If Qian Qian hadn’t wanted to see his level in the Stance, he would never have treated him to such a lavish meal, given his usual stinginess.

The two quickly returned to the courtyard. Most apprentices had already left after finishing their own practice, leaving only a few behind, panting and resting from exhaustion. Clearly, they had just completed their stance training and used up a lot of energy.

Of course, Lü Liang and Zhao He were still present. Without Qian Qian’s permission, they dared not leave—and having paid for instruction, they certainly wouldn’t go without receiving it.

“Show me the Stance again!” Qian Qian said immediately.

Chen Yushu nodded silently. He stood aside, launched into the first form of the Stance, and adjusted his breathing in perfect harmony with his movements.

In an instant, he felt his whole body tremble. With the unison of breath and movement, his blood and energy began to flow, stirred by the Stance.

Then came the second form, then the third...

Chen Yushu had already reached entry level in the Apothecary King’s Stance yesterday, aided by the Nourishing Essence Decoction. Early this morning, Master Qian had guided him through every posture and breath. Now, his movements were not only precise, but his breathing was smooth and natural, each form flowing with a sense of inherent rhythm.

He continued all the way to the final form, seamlessly connecting the beginning and end, his blood and energy circulating throughout his body.

Boom!

Chen Yushu felt as if, in that moment, he had become one with the entire world. An invisible force surged within him, making his energy and blood circulate at high speed. The food he’d just eaten was rapidly consumed, his body generating such heat that he broke out in a heavy sweat, his clothes drenched in moments.

But at the same time, a special warmth suddenly welled up and washed through his entire body, restoring some of his previous exhaustion.

He didn’t exhale until the warmth faded completely. A sense of delight rose in his heart. A hearty meal had granted him another round of practice, and he even felt he had enough strength to do it all over again.

Of course, there was also a noticeable, albeit slight, increase in his energy and strength—definitely more than before.

He glanced at his attribute panel.

Apothecary King’s Stance +1

His progress had inched forward again. At this rate, with the accelerated effect of the Nourishing Essence Decoction, he estimated that within three to five days, he could advance the Stance to the next level.

“After entry level comes proficiency. After proficiency, minor attainment. Practicing three times a day, I should be able to reach minor attainment within two months,” Chen Yushu calculated, a faint thrill stirring within him.

“Excellent! The Apothecary King’s Stance has truly been mastered at entry level.” Qian Qian gave a low exclamation, a look of excitement flashing in his eyes.

He hadn’t expected that, in a place like Jianghuan Town, there would be someone who could truly reach entry level in the Apothecary King’s Stance within three days. Even though the Stance was just a basic martial practice, it was by no means something anyone could accomplish.