Chapter Eight: The New Elixir

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Liang Jin gazed calmly at Miao Yuanzheng, who knelt before him, though his heart was already stirred.

Good heavens!

The lightness skill Miao Yuanzheng displayed moments ago was beyond Liang Jin’s own ability.

This Miao Yuanzheng was undoubtedly a seventh-rank martial artist!

Martial artists of the seventh rank were the backbone of their sects.

In remote areas where martial cultivation was rare, a seventh-rank martial artist could even dominate an entire county.

Liang Jin had never expected such a hidden master to exist here.

This realization made him cautious, fearing that Miao Yuanzheng might use his strength to coerce him into treating his illness.

Fortunately, Miao Yuanzheng had a glaring weakness: his sickly son.

Only Liang Jin could heal the boy, which gave him a firm grip on this vulnerability.

Moreover, Liang Jin was merely a clone within the Lu family estate and did not fear death.

At that moment, Miao Yuanzheng lifted his head and replied,

“My heart is sincere.”

“If I offended you just now, punish me as you see fit.”

Liang Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.

If he could recruit this seventh-rank martial artist under his banner, it would greatly benefit his development in Taiyang County.

But controlling a powerful subordinate was no easy feat.

In many dramas, a down-on-his-luck protagonist unexpectedly rescues an unparalleled master, who then willingly becomes their lifelong servant or slave, doing all their bidding.

Such plots, however, rarely happen in reality.

Doctors save lives, but their homes seldom overflow with servants.

On the contrary, those with power and authority, who can grant or take life, often have countless followers and retainers.

Liang Jin was only eighth-rank himself; to accept and subdue Miao Yuanzheng, he had to bind him completely to himself first.

Therefore, Liang Jin said,

“Kneel three hundred times to show your sincerity.”

He intended to test Miao Yuanzheng’s pride and see what kind of man he truly was.

After speaking, he passed by Miao Yuanzheng and went to treat the other patients.

Miao Yuanzheng did not argue. He carefully took his son off his back, gently placed him on the ground, then knelt and began kowtowing.

“Dong! Dong! Dong!…”

Each kowtow was earnest.

Even when his forehead began to bleed, he showed no hesitation or slackening.

After a while, all three hundred kowtows were completed.

Blood streamed down Miao Yuanzheng’s face, yet he remained composed.

Lu Qiannan, who was counting beside him, was moved by the man’s meticulousness:

“Great Sincere Master, he finished without missing a single kowtow!”

Liang Jin returned and nodded in approval as he observed Miao Yuanzheng.

It was clear this was not a rebellious or unruly man.

That made things much easier.

Liang Jin said,

“There is some sincerity here.”

“Since you have joined my path, you must serve the Way of Peace.”

“I hereby appoint you as a Yellow Turban Strongman. Take a volume of the ‘Scripture of Peace’ and travel to the villages and towns of Taiyang County to spread the doctrine.”

“And inform all the sick that those who join the Way may receive talisman water for healing.”

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Liang Jin wanted everyone to know that Miao Yuanzheng was a follower of the Way of Peace and worked for it.

This would make it difficult for Miao Yuanzheng to withdraw later.

Having said this, Liang Jin turned and left.

Miao Yuanzheng was taken aback by Liang Jin’s departure and hurriedly spoke,

“Great Sincere Master, what about my child…”

He was willing to do anything for his son.

But he hoped his efforts would at least save his son’s life.

Liang Jin left without answering.

Lu Qiannan scolded,

“You fool, don’t you understand? Now that you have entered the Lu family estate, no one is allowed to die.”

“You must take seriously the tasks assigned by the Great Sincere Master.”

“If you succeed, do you think the Great Sincere Master would withhold talisman water?”

She then handed Miao Yuanzheng the ‘Scripture of Peace’ and the Yellow Turban Strongman’s clothing.

She even arranged a horse for him.

Miao Yuanzheng remained silent, his heart echoing a single plea:

“Don’t deceive me! Don’t deceive me! Please, don’t deceive me!!!”

He could not imagine the torment of losing his son because of betrayal — the self-blame, regret, and madness that would follow.

Lu Qiannan urged him on,

“What are you waiting for? Complete your task quickly and return to your son.”

“I will take good care of your son. Rest assured, he will not die.”

Gritting his teeth, Miao Yuanzheng stood and accepted the items.

He solemnly bowed to Lu Qiannan,

“Thank you, young lady. My son is frail; please take extra care.”

With that, he looked back at his son with longing, then mounted his horse and swiftly departed, unwilling to waste a moment.

Meanwhile, Liang Jin was checking the messages on his interface.

[Congratulations, Host. Successfully used talisman water to cure ten patients. Reward: Five Tiger-Subduing Pills.]

[Congratulations, Host. Successfully used talisman water to cure one hundred patients. Reward: One Longevity Ointment.]

[Pills can be stored in the inventory and retrieved at any time.]

Liang Jin was surprised; this was his first time receiving pills as a reward from the system.

And the inventory—did this mean he could store items within the system?

That was like having an extra portable space!

He then examined his status panel in detail:

[Host: Liang Jin]

[Cultivation Level: Martial Artist, Eighth Rank]

[Martial Arts: Forbidden Army Long Fist (Triple Stage), Coiling Dragon Staff Technique (Double Stage), Greater Yin Palm (Novice), Great Demon Subduing Fist (Quadruple Stage), Northern Tyrant Six Harmonies Spear (Double Stage), Bone-Melting Soft Palm (Novice)]

[Special Trait: Talisman Water Healing]

[Number of External Clones: 1]

[Inventory: Five Tiger-Subduing Pills ×5, Longevity Ointment ×1]

Sure enough, there was an inventory tab.

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Liang Jin then checked the effects of the pills he had just obtained:

[Tiger-Subduing Pill: Temporarily increases internal power upon consumption.]

[Longevity Ointment: Increases lifespan upon application.]

He was mildly surprised.

The Tiger-Subduing Pill was familiar—he had heard of similar items in this world.

But the Longevity Ointment was entirely new to him.

It could directly prolong life?

For mortals who must accept birth, aging, sickness, and death, this was a priceless treasure.

“Let me take them out and see.”

With a thought, a pill and a patch of ointment appeared in his palm.

Another thought, and the pills were immediately re-stored in the inventory.

“I wonder if other items can be stored here, too?”

Liang Jin picked up a stone to test.

But a line of text appeared:

[Inventory external storage function not yet unlocked.]

He frowned slightly.

There was still an unlocking process?

No mention of the conditions, though.

If he could unlock it and store everything, that would be incredible.

For now, he set the inventory aside and focused on the rewards.

This made him thoughtful.

It seemed that curing a thousand or ten thousand people would continue to grant rewards.

With the plague raging, there were surely more than thousands or tens of thousands of sick people.

If…

If he slowed the pace of treatment to allow the plague to spread more widely, he could cure more patients.

Wouldn’t that mean more rewards?!

In the end, Liang Jin shook his head decisively:

“I absolutely cannot do that.”

In recent days, he had witnessed too many villagers suffer and die from the plague and heard countless tragic stories.

The people were already in misery; how could he selfishly harm them for personal gain?

Besides, steadily earning rewards over time was sufficient—there was no need to rush.

Liang Jin then resolved firmly and summoned Lu Qiannan, instructing,

“I will not rest tonight and will treat more patients.”

“Have everyone chant scriptures through the night, praying to the Yellow Heaven to bestow more spiritual talismans for healing.”

“Have that child and other patients drink the latest talisman water.”

Lu Qiannan nodded vigorously, accepting the order:

“Having the Great Sincere Master is a blessing for all living beings!”

Her gaze toward Liang Jin grew ever more admiring.

She had never imagined she could participate in such a grand cause of healing the people.

Especially seeing patients gradually recover after drinking the talisman water filled her with boundless accomplishment.

It energized her completely, willing her to assist Liang Jin wholeheartedly.

Only a person like him was worthy of her utmost loyalty!