"Zhao Residence Recruiting! All boys and girls aged eight to sixteen without disabilities or illnesses are welcome to apply! Generous compensation offered!"
As the sound of a copper gong echoed in the town center, the Zhao family's once-every-five-year recruitment event officially began. Known as the "Recruitment of Retainers," it was essentially an examination to select household servants and guards. The family used this method to strengthen their basic power by evaluating candidates through various tests such as identity verification, bone assessments, physical examinations, and interviews.
A martial artist standing beside a table at the recruitment site shouted loudly, "All selected boys and girls will have the opportunity to learn martial arts techniques from the Zhao family! Those with exceptional talent may even be promoted to martial artist disciples of the Zhao family! After signing a lifelong contract, they will be taught the Zhao family's body-strengthening martial techniques! The benefits are excellent!"
However, everyone understood that once they signed the contract, they would be bound to the Zhao family for life, losing their freedom. Unless the head of the family, Zhao Ba, took special notice of them and accepted them as adopted children or personal disciples, they would simply be slaves to the family.
"If you wish to apply for servant positions, as well as menial labor or shop assistants, sign up here!"
A man dressed in plain clothing stood beside another table and shouted loudly right after the martial artist had finished speaking.
Through recruitment, the Zhao family sought people to work in their various enterprises, such as menial laborers and shop assistants. These individuals wouldn't receive the same treatment as martial servants or guards, but they would not have to worry about their basic needs. Furthermore, their status was relatively free, and they could choose to stay or leave in the future based on agreed-upon contracts.
Chen Zijing was currently standing in the recruitment line. In order to survive, he had no choice but to take on some odd jobs. He had decided to participate in the selection for menial laborers in one of the Zhao family's shops.
"If I want resources for cultivation in the future, I must acquire some real skills. If I can learn alchemy and become an apothecary, I'll never have to worry about medicinal herbs again..." Chen Zijing silently contemplated as he stood at the back of the menial labor recruitment line.
His primary focus was on getting a job at the Zhao family's pharmacy to help identify herbs. In his view, this was the first step toward establishing a livelihood. In the future, when practicing martial arts, he would undoubtedly need the assistance of various spiritual medicines, and knowing how to make medicine himself would be crucial.
Looking at the long line ahead of him, Chen Zijing thought to himself, "The Zhao family's enterprises include gold shops, inns, wineries, pharmacies, and more. Among these, the gold shop and winery offer the best benefits and are the most desirable, but the competition is fierce. The pharmacy requires its laborers to be literate and to have some knowledge of medicinal herbs..."
"Although I have no problem with literacy, my knowledge of herbs is rather lacking. Other than the basics of common medicines, I know almost nothing. I'm not sure if I'll be selected, but most people participating in this menial labor selection come from poor backgrounds, and literate ones are rare, let alone those who understand medicine... I might still have a chance."
Although Chen Zijing had some confidence, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous as he watched the long line of people signing up ahead and behind him.
The once-every-five-year recruitment event had attracted a large number of participants. At this moment, Xingbian Town was livelier than ever, with people from nearby villages coming to join the festivities. The long line stretched from one end of the street to the other, looping around three times, with children of all ages present.
Chen Zijing had been standing in line for more than an hour and still couldn't see the front. Meanwhile, the small vendors nearby were delighted, as their stalls selling buns, candies, and tea were all bustling with business.
"Hyah! Make way!"
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves and a cracking whip rang out, followed by a burst of screams from the crowd. A sharp-voiced woman shouted loudly.
Chen Zijing turned his head to see a beautiful girl with phoenix-shaped eyes, dressed in red, riding a black horse. The horse was rearing up, and its hooves were about to land on an elderly man's head. The situation was extremely dangerous, and everyone nearby was frozen in shock! If the old man were trampled, he would surely be either dead or gravely injured.
Just at the critical moment, a blue figure suddenly flipped through the air, grabbing the elderly man and swiftly pulling him to safety! The crowd finally let out a collective sigh of relief, realizing that a disaster had been averted.
A well-proportioned young man had rescued the elderly man just in time. Once the danger passed, Chen Zijing took a closer look at the impressive youth before him and silently praised him, thinking, *"What a fine figure!"*
The young man was dressed in blue scholar's robes, of medium build, with fair skin and a high nose bridge. His appearance could be described as as handsome as the legendary Pan An, though he had a slightly feminine look, lacking some masculinity.
Although Chen Zijing was some distance away, he immediately recognized the fierce young woman with the red phoenix-like eyes and the bold attire. She was none other than the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, Zhao Feifeng. She had already reached the fourth level of the martial disciple rank. Known for her unruly behavior, she was notorious in the town alongside her brother Zhao Feilong, the infamous bullies of the area.
"Who dares meddle in my business?! Do you want to die?" Zhao Feifeng yelled furiously, seeing that the old man had been saved. Her horse had reared up in fear, nearly throwing her off. Her anger flared up even more, and she cursed loudly.
However, when she finally focused on the one who had interfered, she froze. The fire in her eyes was quickly extinguished as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. Her gaze suddenly shifted, becoming filled with admiration. Her expression softened.
Zhao Feifeng narrowed her watery eyes and said in a sweet voice, "Young master, you must be startled. It seems I was riding a bit too fast. I hope you weren't hurt?" She giggled flirtatiously while eyeing the handsome man before her.
The blue-robed young man noticed Zhao Feifeng's lascivious gaze, and his face darkened. With a look of disgust, he coldly replied, "Hmph, you saw that elderly man from afar and still didn't avoid him! Don't pretend to be a good person now!" With that, he helped the old man and began to walk away, his expression making it clear that even staying a moment longer repulsed him.
"Wait! Don't go…"
Zhao Feifeng, hoping to strike up a conversation and learn the young man's name, was taken aback when he turned and left after speaking just one sentence. A flash of anger crossed her face, and she quickly moved to block his path.
"What is it, Miss Zhao? Are you trying to seduce young men in broad daylight?" the handsome youth asked coldly.
The crowd erupted in laughter upon hearing this. Though Zhao Feifeng was known for her wild behavior, even she felt embarrassed in front of so many people.
"You insolent fool!"
Zhao Feifeng lashed out with her horsewhip. Given her strength as a fourth-level martial disciple, the force behind the whip was quite terrifying. The whip made a loud *whooshing* sound as it sliced through the air.
However, the blue-robed youth didn't seem bothered. With a light movement, he easily dodged the whip, then swiftly reached out and grabbed it from her hand.
"You…!"
Zhao Feifeng's face twisted in anger, but her rage was met by a pair of cold, disdainful eyes.
"You've successfully angered me," the handsome youth said. "A wild and unruly woman like you will only become a future disaster!" As he spoke, a murderous aura radiated from him, causing Zhao Feifeng to tremble and retreat several steps in fear.
The Zhao family's guards and servants, sensing the danger, quickly surrounded Zhao Feifeng with their weapons drawn.
The blue-robed youth glanced at Zhao Feifeng and then at the surrounding crowd. After a brief hesitation, he let out a cold snort and turned away, walking off at a steady pace.
As he grew further away, Zhao Feifeng finally snapped out of her shock, but she was seething with anger. The shame of losing face in front of the entire town consumed her. She immediately whispered something to her maid before mounting her horse and heading back to the Zhao residence.
Chen Zijing watched enviously as the handsome youth left, thinking, *"What incredible skill! To be able to defeat Zhao Feifeng so easily, he must be highly trained. One day, I will become an even stronger martial artist than him!"*
Later, after the selection process, Chen Zijing was successfully recruited into one of the Zhao family's businesses, a medicinal shop called Tianren Apothecary. The process was easier than he expected, mainly because the literacy requirement eliminated most of the applicants. Poor children rarely had the opportunity to learn how to read, and wealthier children would never lower themselves to apply for such menial positions.
The next day, Chen Zijing reported to Tianren Apothecary, along with two other new recruits.
The shop manager summoned the three of them to the counter and spoke arrogantly, "Working in Zhao family's medicinal shop requires at least three years of service! And the first month, you will receive no wages. As a servant here, you will have room and board, but if you wish to leave early, you must pay ten lower-grade spirit crystals as a penalty. Otherwise, don't expect to make a living in this town anymore! If you have no objections, report for work tomorrow!" After finishing his speech, the manager pulled out a contract. Chen Zijing read it carefully, and after confirming that everything was in order, he pressed his fingerprint on it. The other two servants followed his example.
Despite the shop providing lodging, Chen Zijing chose to continue living in his shabby mud hut on the east side of town. He preferred not to move out, partly because he would have to share a room with other servants if he lived at the shop. Additionally, staying in his own place allowed him to practice martial arts at night without interruption. As long as he performed his duties on time, the shop wouldn't interfere with where he lived.
On the first morning after officially starting work, Chen Zijing arrived at the pharmacy. The senior worker sternly reprimanded Chen Zijing and the other newly recruited workers, saying, "Here in this pharmacy, you must be diligent with your hands, feet, and eyes! Your hands should always be busy. If you're found lazing around, you will be dismissed immediately! Although the rules here are few, you must remember each one well!"
Chen Zijing and the other workers, all with earnest expressions, obediently listened to the reprimands, not daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction. At that moment, a middle-aged man emerged from the inner room of the pharmacy. Apart from his age, he looked like a frail scholar.
The senior worker immediately fawned and said, "Let's introduce you to everyone today! This is our shopkeeper, Wang Kaifu, Master Wang! Master Wang has served Zhao Bà, Master Zhao of the Zhao family, for many years and is a trusted confidant! In this pharmacy, his word is law! Understood?"
The senior worker introduced everyone to Wang Kaifu, the shopkeeper. Later, Chen Zijing learned that Wang Kaifu had once been Zhao Bà's servant boy in his youth, and in his old age, he was given the position of shopkeeper as a reward for his long years of loyal service. It would be a big mistake to think of him as a weak scholar.
He was a cunning merchant, sharp-minded, and only interested in profit, a man with a deep, scheming nature—a true "smiling tiger."
Chen Zijing's tasks at the pharmacy were very demanding. In addition to identifying, sorting, and drying herbs, he often had to serve Wang Kaifu by bringing him tea and water, only returning to his shabby hut late at night to rest.
As Wang Kaifu put it, "Since Tianren Pharmacy has taken you in and provides you with food and clothing, you must repay it a hundredfold. Otherwise, why would we keep you?"
Yet no matter how busy Chen Zijing was with his duties at the pharmacy, even as his time for training was severely limited, he persisted in his cultivation. Every day, he woke up early to absorb the first rays of the rising sun, refining his body.
Furthermore, during his time at the pharmacy, he gradually deepened his understanding of the names and properties of various basic herbs.
"Pinellia has calming and anti-asthmatic effects… Zéxuè strengthens the bones… Xiāngfù is excellent for promoting blood circulation…" As Chen Zijing sorted through the herbs, he studied diligently, muttering the names and functions of each herb.
The pharmacy had three pharmacists, one of whom, surnamed Hu, was over seventy years old. He was a humble man with superb medical skills and had been hired by Wang Kaifu at a high cost. Whenever Chen Zijing had the time, he would linger around him, asking all sorts of questions. Much of Chen Zijing's knowledge of herbal medicine came from Hu.
"Master Hu, this Ice Orchid Flower is extremely cold in nature, but why can it be added to a patient's prescription? Is it because the Scorching Sun Flower has a balancing effect?" Chen Zijing asked curiously as he carefully observed the herbs by the cabinet.
"Does this Lily Leaf really have hemostatic effects for bone injuries? But that's not how it's described in the pharmacopeia!" Chen Zijing asked, blinking, as he helped support a patient with a fractured arm and looked up at Master Hu.
"Master Hu… do you think adding this much of Nine-Leaf Fragrance is appropriate?"
...
Whenever Chen Zijing asked him about herbal medicine, Master Hu was surprisingly generous with his knowledge. As long as it didn't involve specific prescriptions, he was happy to mentor the youngest and most unfortunate child in the pharmacy. After all, most children his age were probably still clinging to their mothers for comfort.