29: Chapter 29 Body Tempering in a Medicinal Bath

That whole morning, he helped Uncle Zhang forge twenty horseshoes, exhausting himself to the point where he could barely lift his arms, but the gains were immense.

As he was leaving, Uncle Zhang tossed him a packet of herbs: 'Take these back and apply them. Don't want you useless tomorrow. Also, if you want to use the forge tonight, come by yourself. Don't interfere with my business.'

'Got it! Thanks, Uncle Zhang!'

Chen Mo took the herbs, feeling reassured. Tonight after his shift, he would refine those two precious pieces of Ore.

...

The hour of Si, the yamen.

Chen Mo had just entered the duty room and hadn't even warmed his seat when Tiger Li arrived.

'Chen Mo, come with me.'

Tiger Li's expression was serious as he pointed towards the rear hall.

The idle chatter and banter among the Runners came to an abrupt halt, their gazes turning subtly meaningful once more.

Once inside the inner hall, the clamor from outside was cut off.

Tiger Li sat in a grand armchair, picked up a teacup, skimmed off the floating tea leaves, and didn't rush to speak.

Chen Mo stood there obediently, eyes lowered, focusing on his own thoughts.

'That round of drinks last night must have cost you a pretty penny?' Tiger Li suddenly spoke up.

'It was only right, sir. You and the brothers have always looked out for me.' Chen Mo replied with a deferential air.

'Enough, spare me the formalities.' Tiger Li set down his teacup. 'I called you in here for serious business.'

He paused, tapping his fingers on the table. 'Do you know what the Imperial Astronomical Bureau does?'

Chen Mo shook his head. 'This humble officer only knows it's a place for immortals, in charge of observing the stars.'

'Observing stars? That's for the Emperor. Their real work is dealing with the filthy things on the ground.'

Tiger Li lowered his voice, a trace of apprehension flashing across his face. 'In this world, demons and Monsters are becoming more and more common. Our yamen's blades are fine for dealing with petty thieves, but against the real deal, they're just fire pokers. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau specializes in handling those kinds of things.'

'And Lord Jiang...'

'Jiang Hongli, the third Disciple of the Chief Inspector. Rumor has it she wields a superb blade technique, and her temper is even sharper than her blade.' Tiger Li looked at Chen Mo. 'Her coming to the south city isn't a casual visit. She's here specifically to stir up trouble.'

'Stir up trouble?'

'Hunting a major Monster.' Tiger Li gestured with his hands. 'It's said that thing has been lurking in the south city for a long time, having devoured no fewer than a hundred people. That ghoul from last night was just a minor underling of that major Monster.'

Chen Mo's heart sank.

A major Monster that had eaten over a hundred people?

And he was supposed to be the assistant for this kind of mission?

This wasn't dumb luck; this was a delivery service straight to his doom!

'Sir, I...' Chen Mo wanted to say he quit.

'Don't even think about running.' Tiger Li seemed to see right through him. 'You were personally chosen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Running would be disobeying an order, and your whole family would be exiled. All you can do now is stay sharp. Don't lose your life, and don't disgrace our yamen.'

After saying this, Tiger Li pulled out a thin booklet from his robe and tossed it to Chen Mo.

'This is some internal yamen documentation on Monsters. Take it back and study it. Don't end up not even knowing what you're facing.'

Chen Mo took it. The cover was worn and tattered, with the title 'Records of Monsters and Anomalies: Incomplete Manual' written on it.

'Also.'

Tiger Li stood up, walked over to Chen Mo, and clapped him on the shoulder. The force was considerable, making half of Chen Mo's body go numb.

'Since Lord Jiang thinks highly of you, I can't be too stingy either. Our yamen has three spots for 'medicinal bath Body Tempering' this year...'

Chen Mo's head snapped up.

medicinal bath Body Tempering!

This was a hidden benefit of the yamen. A broth made from tiger bone, snake gall, and dozens of secret medicinal herbs. Soaking in it overnight could forcibly clear the meridians and strengthen the skin and membrane.

It was said one soak was equivalent to three years of arduous training!

But the stuff was extremely expensive, and the spots were always pre-assigned—either to those with connections or those who paid hefty bribes.

'Sir, this...'

'One of them is yours.'

Tiger Li said it casually, but Chen Mo could sense the weight behind the words.

'Don't get too excited yet.' Tiger Li looked at the stunned Chen Mo, a glint flashing in his eyes. 'This medicinal bath is extremely potent. If you can't endure it, your skin will split and flesh will tear, leaving you bedridden for half a month. Also, the money comes from public funds, but the favor is from me. If you make it big someday, kid...'

'Sir, don't worry!' Chen Mo immediately clasped his fists and bowed at a ninety-degree angle. 'Wherever you point, I'll strike! I'll remember this kindness for life!'

Whether Tiger Li was making an investment or had other motives, the benefit was real and tangible.

In this world, strength meant survival.

'Alright, enough of this empty talk.' Tiger Li waved his hand. 'Don't leave after your shift tonight. Wait at the bathhouse in the backyard. I'll have someone prepare the medicinal bath for you.'

'Yes, sir!'

When Chen Mo exited the inner hall, his palms were slick with sweat.

He touched the 'Records of Monsters and Anomalies' inside his robe, then thought of the medicinal bath tonight and the Ore in the cellar.

A sense of crisis and opportunity simultaneously bombarded his nerves.

He had originally thought he was just an ordinary Transmigration office worker. Now it seemed the gears of fate were starting to turn, and they were turning rather fast, even emitting a few sparks.

'medicinal bath...'

Chen Mo took a deep breath, his gaze gradually sharpening.

Since he couldn't avoid it, the only option was to become stronger.

Strong enough that no one would dare use him as cannon fodder.

...

The yamen backyard, the bathhouse.

This place was usually used to wash off the bad luck of prisoners. It never smelled right, perpetually filled with the musty, rotten scent of soapberries. Today was different. The smell was even more pungent, as if someone had boiled a pair of ten-year-old leather boots in a pot and added two liang of arsenic.

In the center of the room sat a large wooden tub, set over a charcoal fire. The water inside was black as ink, bubbling and gurgling.

Tiger Li stood nearby with his arms crossed, squinting from the steam. 'Strip.'

Chen Mo looked at that tub of 'poison,' his Adam's apple bobbing. 'Sir, can people really soak in this stuff? Won't they get cooked?'

'Stop with the nonsense.' Tiger Li snorted. 'This has tiger bone powder, snake bile, and the yamen storeroom's prized 'Blazing Fire Powder' added to it. This one tub costs fifty taels in medicinal ingredients alone. Others beg for it and can't get it, and you're complaining it's too hot?'

Chen Mo said no more, quickly stripping off his clothes.

His frame wasn't particularly sturdy; he was even somewhat lean, with ribs faintly visible. It was the legacy of years of insufficient food and hard labor.

'Get in.'

Gritting his teeth, Chen Mo lifted his leg and stepped in.

Hiss—!

The moment his foot touched the water, it felt like stepping into strong acid. It wasn't just heat; it was a stabbing pain. Countless red-hot needles seemed to drill into his flesh through his pores, instantly pricking his entire body.

Chen Mo slid his whole body into the tub until the water covered his neck.

'Ah—!'

A stifled groan caught in his throat. Chen Mo's face instantly turned purplish-red, veins bulging on his forehead like earthworms. It hurt. It really damn well hurt. Like someone was sanding down his bones with sandpaper.

Tiger Li watched from the side, the corner of his mouth curling into a somewhat gloating smile.

Back when he first soaked in this medicinal bath, he had howled loud enough for half the yamen to hear, almost jumping out of the tub. This kid looked weak; he probably wouldn't last the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

'Endure it. This is how the medicinal potency enters the body. The more it hurts, the better it's being absorbed.' Tiger Li said leisurely. 'If you really can't take it, just yell. It's no shame.'

Chen Mo didn't yell.