18: Mrs. Jin Zhou Qingyu

Chief Constable Shi was in a good mood after reading Chu Qing's report.

"A gang leader, a thug, can be so thoughtful."

"Not bad!"

He instructed Officer Li to safeguard the fabricated evidence Chu Qing provided, saying, "Tonight, the He family and dozens of other Fortified Manors and Powerful individuals are hosting a banquet for me. Bring the evidence then and tell them the killer has escaped."

Officer Li nodded.

In fact, this outcome was inevitable days ago, after failing to apprehend the killer within three days.

It was a pity that Hall Master Liu was not smart enough to give Chief Constable Shi a way out.

Other Powerful individuals and Fortified Manors also wanted to take the opportunity to pressure and suppress the Chief Constable's prestige.

Now it's good:

Chu Qing gave them an out. If they don't take it now, when will they?

Chief Constable Shi smiled and said, "That... Chu Qing has rendered great service."

"Arrange a time; I, the Chief Constable, will reward him."

Officer Li smiled and said, "Chu Qing knows how to conduct himself."

"Oh, right, what about Hall Master Liu's one thousand taels of silver?"

Chief Constable Shi said in surprise,

"The brothers have been busy for days catching the killer for him, and they've all gotten thin; tell him to send another five hundred taels of silver to reward the brothers."

"Understood!"

...The matter of apprehending the killer came to a close.

Chu Qing was delighted.

That night, he spent the entire night researching the Toad Secret medicine.

This Secret medicine's formula had over three hundred ingredients.

Most were common, but a few were precious.

"Thankfully, I have the silver from Liu Jun's tribute; it should be enough to buy the Materials."

"It's just... my profession panel didn't form a pill refining skill."

"What a pity!"

Chu Qing guessed:

His profession panel could only activate one profession—Martial Artist.

The profession for refining Secret medicine should be Alchemist or Pill Master.

Therefore:

The profession panel was powerless.

"It doesn't matter if I can't refine medicine; refining medicine takes time anyway."

"With that time, it's better to read and learn, or hone my tendons and bones."

The Secret medicine Materials were precious, and Chu Qing didn't have much silver left, so he didn't dare to waste it and decided to find someone to help refine it.

In the morning, he walked through the streets and alleys, checking dozens of large and small pharmacies in Shiji County, and three of them satisfied him.

However, he didn't know which one to choose.

"Never mind, I'll gather enough Materials first."

He went to different pharmacies to buy Secret medicine Materials.

In the end, he was only missing one Nie Qi Grass.

Many pharmacies said they didn't have it and had never heard of it.

Chu Qing was unwilling to give up; he had gathered hundreds of ingredients, including a century-old ginseng worth over a thousand taels.

Now, he was only missing one Nie Qi Grass?

Was the formula wrong? Or... was the name of the Material changed?

He continued to search, and when he reached the last pharmacy, the owner was a white-bearded old man over sixty years old. His pharmacy had been passed down for hundreds of years in Shiji County, and business was quite prosperous.

"Nie Qi Grass?"

Apothecary Li frowned, "This herb is not available in our Shiji County; only the Prefecture City has it."

Chu Qing happily said, "That's great."

"Which pharmacy in Prefecture City has it? I'll go buy it."

Apothecary Li shook his head and said, "Nie Qi Grass is a prohibited medicine."

"Although Prefecture City has it, to purchase it, you need the joint approval of the yamen and the Bingjia Sect."

Chu Qing... a small herb became a prohibited medicine?

"Is this thing addictive?"

Apothecary Li shook his head and said, "It's not addictive. I heard this thing is a necessary ingredient for refining some special Secret medicine."

"So..."

Chu Qing suddenly understood.

Nie Qi Grass, to put it plainly, was a particularly important strategic resource!

So important that most apothecaries didn't even know about it.

Fortunately, Apothecary Li knew.

Chu Qing cupped his fists and bowed, saying, "Apothecary, besides Prefecture City, can it be obtained elsewhere?"

Apothecary Li was silent.

Clatter.

Chu Qing pushed ten taels of silver to the Apothecary.

Apothecary Li pushed it back.

Rip!

Chu Qing increased the silver to fifty taels.

Apothecary Li hesitated repeatedly, then took the silver and said,

"Outside Qingshui County, there's a black market."

"All sorts of prohibited medicines and illegal items are available there."

Chu Qing smiled.

There was a clue for the Secret medicine.

About ten minutes later: He learned about the black market from Apothecary Li and also asked the Apothecary to draw a picture of the Nie Qi Grass.

Apothecary Li took the fifty taels of silver, knowing that the man in front of him was determined to get the Nie Qi Grass.

It was even possible that he would ask him to refine Secret medicine or similar items.

So... he drew it in detail and wrote many methods for identification, fearing he might buy fake medicine.

After thanking Apothecary Li repeatedly, Chu Qing headed straight to Madam Jin's house.

He hadn't seen Madam Jin for several days, having been busy catching himself, and he wanted to rekindle their relationship.

Jin Family Mansion:

Madam Jin saw Chu Qing and happily complained, "Qing'er hasn't been here for a long time."

Xiao Tao Hong rolled her eyes from the side: It had only been two or three days.

Chu Qing presented her with rouge and powder, and also the ancient books he had plundered from the haunted house and ruined temple.

Madam Jin's eyes instantly curved into a smile.

"Qing'er is thoughtful."

Madam Jin set aside the rouge and powder and carefully flipped through the ancient books.

When she discovered that many of them were not in her study, and some she had never even seen.

The Madam was even more delighted.

"Qing'er, these books are worth a thousand gold."

"Are you really giving them to me?"

Chu Qing smiled and said, "These ancient books, outsiders don't understand, only you do."

"Moreover, you are my only family now, and all good things must be given to you."

Madam Jin was moved, her eyes reddening.

"Qing'er is so good."

"Come, help me organize the ancient books."

"Okay!"

In the quiet study, the two were busy. Madam Jin personally taught him how to handle ancient books and how to prevent insect damage.

Their fingers brushed, and their heads were close.

Xiao Tao Hong, standing by, watched with trepidation.

She quietly stood by the door, occasionally looking at the main entrance, and occasionally at the study.

"Madam... you must be mindful of your status!"

More than two hours later, the ancient books were organized.

Madam Jin washed up, then lay lazily on the rocking chair, stretching her long legs straight and saying, "Qing'er, massage my shoulders."

"Okay!"

Large hands massaged her aching muscles, and Madam Jin was so comfortable she didn't want to move.

One minute... five minutes... Chu Qing thought Madam Jin had fallen asleep.

However, the Madam suddenly said, "Qing'er, I heard Madam Shi say that there have been changes in this year's Martial Arts Academy assessment."

Chu Qing's heart stirred, and he said, "What changes?"

Madam Jin shook her head. Her face touched the man's large hand, but she didn't mind. Instead, she lazily said, "I don't know the specifics, but I heard Madam Shi say that ordinary people who want to enter the Martial Arts Academy must sign a servant contract."

"Otherwise, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

Chu Qing was silent.

Madam Jin tilted her head back forcefully, her slender neck like a white swan, and with complex eyes, she said to him, "I asked Madam Shi for a spot."

"Tomorrow, you will come with me to see Madam Shi."

"She likes to listen to opera, so..."

Chu Qing placed his finger on her lips and whispered,

"I want to try it myself."

Madam Jin's heart pounded, feeling only a burning sensation on her lips, her head buzzing, and she didn't clearly hear what Chu Qing said.

After a long while, she finally came back to her senses.

However, Chu Qing was gone.

Madam Jin, flustered, said, "Xiao Tao Hong... what did Qing'er say when he left?"

Xiao Tao Hong sighed to herself, "Madam, he wants to try it himself."

"No, you tell him later that he must accompany me to see Madam Shi tomorrow."

"Yes!"

"Also, make an appointment at the tailor's. Tomorrow, I'll take Qing'er to get new brocade clothes."

"Yes!"

Xiao Tao Hong went out to chase Chu Qing.

Madam Jin hesitated, then picked up a pen and wrote a letter:

[To Father, personally: ]

[Your daughter is well... blah blah blah... ]

[Recently, I adopted a godson. He is quite intelligent, enjoys literature and martial arts, but comes from a humble background... I hope Father can provide ten or eight Secret Manuals of martial arts.]

[Your daughter—Zhou Qingyu, respectfully.]