I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Aunt Wang is right!"

"Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders; that's the old saying!"

In rural areas, the practice of brothers succeeding each other is not uncommon, as it's a way to make a living and continue the family line.

But being told that to someone's face is still a bit embarrassing.

Zhao Zian was a young man, a scholar, and very thin-skinned.

Hearing that made my ears burn.

"Aunt Wang, please stop teasing your nephew. Things are in a mess at home, I'll pay my respects to you another day."

He gave them the order to leave, but he did so politely.

Knowing what was going on, the crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

Zhao Zian turned and went into the kitchen. Li Suqin was squatting in front of the stove with her back to him, adding firewood.

"Sister-in-law." He stopped behind her.

Li Suqin managed to squeeze out a "hmm" from her throat.

"Just now... Aunt Wang and the others were gossiping, don't take it to heart."

Zhao Zian explained somewhat awkwardly.

Li Suqin stopped adding firewood. "...I know."

Looking at her thin and frail back, Zhao Zian felt a pang of sadness.

"Sister-in-law, just focus on your pregnancy and recovery. Now that my elder brother is gone, I am the man of this family. As long as I, Zhao Zi'an, am alive, I will never let anyone bully you and your child."

His words, every single one, burned into Li Suqin's heart.

he does not know.

He knows nothing.

The more he protected her, the more the secret hidden in his heart pierced her, making it hard for her to breathe.

If he were to find out the truth one day, how would he view her?

"Um."

Zhao Zian assumed that she was simply reminded of her deceased brother by the scenery, so he didn't say anything more.

"Sister-in-law, don't be too sad, take good care of yourself."

After saying that, he turned and left the kitchen.

The thugs were driven away, but the root of the trouble remained.

Fifty-eight taels of silver!

This is not a small amount.

Zhang Laizi, having suffered such a great loss today, will certainly not let this go easily.

The next group of hooligans to come won't be Scarface Liu and his gang.

We need to get the money as soon as possible!

Zhao Zian sat on a stone bench in the courtyard.

His greatest reliance right now is the item passed down from his ancestors in his dream.

The "Green Wood Longevity Manual" can strengthen the body, but it cannot turn into piles of silver.

Then... traditional Chinese medicine?

Practicing medicine and making diagnoses is one possible approach.

But who would believe him, a poor scholar with no reputation whatsoever?

Besides, saving lives and treating illnesses takes too long to show results; by the time he finally sees the results, it will be too late.

He couldn't wait.

Shennong Valley Classic?

This scripture is not just about farming; it encompasses all things in heaven and earth.

A ten-year-old wild ginseng in the mountains is worth several taels of silver.

If you're looking for a hundred-year-old piece, that's an astronomical price! What's a mere fifty-eight taels?

It's it!

Let's go to the mountains to find medicinal herbs!

The kitchen door was pushed open, and Li Suqin was so startled by his appearance that she almost dropped the bowl.

"Zi'an...you..."

She noticed the look in Zhao Zi'an's eyes.

It was a kind of resoluteness she had never seen before.

What is he going to do?

Could it be that he's going to go and fight Zhang Laizi to the death?

Zhao Zian, oblivious to his sister-in-law's panic, went into the storeroom.

Before long, he took out a basket, a short knife for chopping firewood, and a small shovel for digging sweet potatoes.

He placed the dagger on the whetstone in the yard, poured water on it, and began to sharpen it.

Li Suqin stood frozen in place, holding the bowl of porridge.

Oh no, this guy's going to commit suicide!

The head of the household has just left, and now the younger brother-in-law is going to die.

How will she and the child in her womb survive in the future?

No!

"Zian!"

Li Suqin slammed the bowl of porridge onto the stone table and rushed to his side.

"Why...why are you sharpening your knife!"

Zhao Zian stopped what he was doing and looked up at her.

"You always need something for self-defense."

"You're not allowed to go!"

Li Suqin grabbed his arm tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"I won't let you go! We...we'll sell the house! We'll sell the land! We can raise enough money! You can't go and die!"

Zhao Zian was taken aback, and then he understood.

She actually thought she was going to seek revenge?

He was both amused and exasperated: "What are you thinking, sister-in-law? I'm a scholar, how could I do something so reckless?"

"Then sharpen the knife..." Li Suqin choked up, her eyes filled with tears.

"The mountains aren't just home to wolves, tigers, and leopards; they also harbor life-saving medicinal herbs," Zhao Zian explained patiently. "I know a bit about herbs, and I'd like to try my luck in the mountains—it's better than sitting around waiting to die."

Li Suqin still clung to him tightly: "The mountains are too dangerous, you're all alone..."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law." Zhao Zian patted the back of her hand to reassure her, "I'll just wander around the outer mountains and won't go in. I'll definitely be back before dark."

"Then you must be very careful."

Zhao Zian tucked the sharpened dagger behind his waist and then found some dry food and a water bag to put into his backpack.

"I'm leaving, sister-in-law. Lock the gate and don't open it for anyone who comes."

Before he finished speaking, he strode out of the courtyard and headed straight for the foot of the mountain.

Step onto the mountain path worn down by the villagers.

Zhao Zian verified the records in the Shennong Valley Classic with the scenery before his eyes.

"The north slope is shady and damp, with rotten wood growing everywhere, and many snakes and insects. This place is suitable for the growth of shady mushrooms, which are cheap and slightly poisonous. If not handled properly, they can cause diarrhea if eaten."

He glanced at the hillside to his left and saw clusters of small, grayish-white mushrooms growing on several rotten trees.

After walking for about half an hour, the surrounding paths had disappeared.

"This is the place."

Zhao Zian stopped.

According to the Shennong Valley Classic, there is a medicinal herb called "Three-Leaf Red Pearl" that likes to grow in shady places on the mountainside. It often grows together with the stone fern. Near its roots, there is always a layer of reddish-brown iron ore.

This medicine may not be considered top-grade, but it is easy to find.

A fully ripe plant can be exchanged for at least ten taels of silver at the county pharmacy.

For someone like him who desperately needs money, this is the best hope he can have right now.

Zhao Zian pushed aside the bushes that were taller than a person.

On the stone wall, patches of dark green stoneline ferns clung.

This is it!

Zhao Zian climbed up, clinging to the vines and protruding rocks.

I saw a small grass growing in the crack of the rock, with three leaves the size of my palm.

Mitsuba Akashi!

Zhao Zian wrapped it up with a few large leaves and put it into his basket.

……

In the kitchen.

Li Suqin held the spatula, but her mind was elsewhere.

What time is it? Why hasn't Zian returned yet?

The mountains are teeming with jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards. Even the fiercest hunter in the village wouldn't dare venture out alone after dark, let alone a scholar who couldn't lift a finger...

In case something unexpected happens...

Li Suqin dared not think about it anymore.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

Li Suqin's heart was in her throat. Was it Zi'an? Or were those damned bastards, Zhang Laizi, coming to collect debts again?

Without thinking, she grabbed the kitchen knife from the stove and went to the door.

A figure pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate.

It's Zhao Zi'an!

Zhao Zi'an was startled, and upon recognizing her, asked, "Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"

Li Suqin didn't answer, her eyes reddened first, and she rushed over, her hands stroking his arms and shoulders.

Zhao Zian was in the prime of his life, full of youthful vigor, and couldn't resist her reckless advances. He was immediately aroused, and a surge of heat rose within him...