Chapter 15: Nullification of the Servitude Contract, Promotion to Pharmacist!

Translator: Daoist6fubtiW

Time passed by, and in the blink of an eye, two more months had gone by.

On this day, Lu Changsheng, as usual, was following Elder Wen.

Suddenly, Elder Wen let out a long sigh and looked at Lu Changsheng with satisfaction. He said, “Changsheng, you can already graduate.”

“Graduate?” Lu Changsheng was slightly surprised.

After just a few months of following Elder Wen, he could already graduate?

Under Elder Wen’s guidance, Lu Changsheng had learned a lot, especially in identifying medicinal herbs and understanding their properties. These were Elder Wen’s experiences that money couldn’t buy. Many medicinal herbs were not even recorded in the pharmacopeia, but Elder Wen knew them by heart. He had shared his knowledge generously with Lu Changsheng.

“Yes, I’ve taught you everything I should. There’s nothing more for me to teach you.”

“Now, you can officially become a pharmacist.”

“I will report to Miaoshou Garden, and someone will discuss the servitude contract and terms with you.”

Elder Wen was full of satisfaction. He had seen geniuses before, but none as exceptional as Lu Changsheng. To become a pharmacist in just a few months was an incredible achievement.

“Thank you, Elder Wen.” Lu Changsheng bowed to Elder Wen. He knew that with Elder Wen’s recommendation, everything would proceed smoothly.

Sure enough, in the afternoon, a manager from Miaoshou Garden found Lu Changsheng. This manager was surnamed Zheng and was a member of the Zheng family, one of the higher-ups in Miaoshou Garden.

With a smile, Manager Zheng handed Lu Changsheng a servitude contract and an employment agreement, saying, “Lu Changsheng, you have been in Miaoshou Garden for exactly one year and one month according to the servitude contract. You still have one year and eleven months left.”

“However, Elder Wen’s report says that you are already qualified to become a pharmacist. Miaoshou Garden has a rule that once someone becomes a pharmacist or a physician, they will transition to an employment contract.”

“Take a look at the employment contract, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

Lu Changsheng carefully examined the employment contract and nodded in approval. He had already researched the situation of pharmacists in Miaoshou Garden. Pharmacists received a monthly salary of two taels of silver, and during major festivals, they also received various bonuses from Miaoshou Garden. Moreover, if someone stayed in Miaoshou Garden for more than thirty years, they could designate a direct disciple to become a pharmacist apprentice without starting as a menial apprentice. In short, Miaoshou Garden offered the best treatment in Nanyang City, without a doubt.

Lu Changsheng had no intention of leaving Miaoshou Garden, so he accepted the terms gladly.

“In that case, please sign your name on the contract and affix your seal after.”

Lu Changsheng signed the contract, and Manager Zheng handed him the servitude contract. Lu Changsheng glanced at it and then promptly burned it.

Although Lu Changsheng could now disregard the servitude contract with his current strength, he was still delighted to openly remove the identity of a servant. From now on, officially, he would be recognized as a pharmacist rather than a servant.

Manager Zheng left with a smile.

Pharmacists were provided with their own separate courtyards in Miaoshou Garden, so Lu Changsheng quickly moved to his new residence.

The courtyard was quite nice, not luxurious but peaceful, with no one to disturb him.

“Pharmacist…” Lu Changsheng thought for a moment, then took out some Baxian Bushen Powder and tasted it lightly.

Then, he closed his eyes.

“There’s Dong Quai, Ginseng, Deer Antler…” Lu Changsheng listed the precious herbs contained in the Baxian Bushen Powder one by one, especially the eight rare herbs.

As a pharmacist, it was easy for him to identify the herbs in a medicinal formula. However, he wanted to be able to prepare the formula himself. The key to preparing medicinal formulas was the right proportions between the herbs, something that generations of physicians had figured out through painstaking efforts. Moreover, preparing a formula required an understanding of the human body based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

Lu Changsheng had always wanted to be able to prepare medicinal formulas himself. It wasn’t just because purchasing medicinal formulas was expensive, but also because the effects of the Baxian Bushen Powder were becoming weaker. He hoped to develop a more potent medicinal formula on his own.

However, without a deep understanding of medical principles and the ability to diagnose patients, it was impossible to prepare a formula correctly.

“It seems that becoming a pharmacist is not enough. I need to become a physician.”

But there was a challenge. To become a physician, Lu Changsheng would need to apprentice under a physician. He had no connections in Miaoshou Garden, and he didn’t know which physician to approach. Even if he found a skilled physician, there was no guarantee they would accept him as an apprentice.

Becoming a physician would be beneficial, as understanding the human body was essential even for martial arts. Traditional Chinese medicine had a saying: “Medicine and martial arts are not separate paths.” Lu Changsheng firmly believed in this.

So, he was determined to become a physician.

The only person in Miaoshou Garden whom Lu Changsheng knew well was Elder Wen.

Thinking of this, Lu Changsheng stood up and went to find Elder Wen.

“Elder Wen, I have become a pharmacist now, but I want to become a physician. Do you have any recommendations?” Lu Changsheng asked directly.

Elder Wen raised his head, not surprised but pleased. “Well done, I didn’t misjudge you. With your talent, it would be a waste not to practice medicine.”

“Miaoshou Garden has many physicians, but only a few can be called renowned.”

“Among them, Dr. Wu Jing is a legendary figure, not only in Nanyang City but also in the entire world. He is truly a famous physician.”

“If you can follow Dr. Wu Jing, your future will be boundless.”

Elder Wen spoke highly of Dr. Wu Jing.

“Dr. Wu Jing?” Lu Changsheng pondered. He had heard of Dr. Wu Jing; he was indeed a famous physician. However, he seemed to have a peculiar temperament, and Lu Changsheng hadn’t heard of any exceptional apprentices trained by Dr. Wu Jing.

Being a great physician didn’t necessarily mean being a great teacher. But Lu Changsheng wasn’t worried. His high comprehension meant he could learn a lot even by just observing Dr. Wu Jing.

“Elder Wen, I don’t know Dr. Wu Jing, and I’m not sure if he’ll accept me as his apprentice.”

Elder Wen waved his hand. “No worries. I have a close relationship with Dr. Wu Jing. I’ll speak to him on your behalf. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

“You can go back and rest for now. I will notify you when there’s news.”

“Thank you so much, Elder Wen!” Lu Changsheng expressed his gratitude deeply. He didn’t say more, but he kept Elder Wen’s kindness in his heart and vowed to repay it when the opportunity arose.

After becoming a pharmacist, Lu Changsheng had a few days of vacation. Since he had nothing else to do, he continued to cultivate his blood with the Sixfold Blood Strengthening Technique in his courtyard.

In the past two months, his improved comprehension had allowed him to better understand the Sixfold Blood Strengthening Technique. While comprehension couldn’t replace the need for specific medicinal meals, it did enhance his understanding of the martial art. As a result, his efficiency in cultivating the technique had increased, leading to rapid improvements.

Once, twice, three times…

Lu Changsheng was completely immersed in cultivating the Sixfold Blood Strengthening Technique.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when suddenly…

“Boom!”

Lu Changsheng felt a shock throughout his body, and he exuded a burning sensation. It was as if a fiery energy was surging within him.

He could clearly sense a bundle of energy and blood within his body, rapidly increasing in size at a visible rate, about to envelop his entire body.

At the same time, a line of small text appeared in front of his eyes.

“Sixfold Blood Strengthening Technique Perfected, +6 Comprehension.”