Btth: The Rise of Qingshan

The empty square in the back of Thousand Medicine House was filled with apprentices who had not left, directed by Xiao Yi Xian to take some medicinal herbs out to dry in the sun.

This winter, there was sun almost every day, but the duration of sunshine was really not long, so they had to make full use of the limited sunlight.

"Brother Qingshan!"

Suddenly, the white-clothed beautiful figure trembled, excitedly stepped forward, and rushed into an embrace like a swallow returning to its nest.

"Xian'er!!!"

Yan Qingshan hugged Xiao Yi Xian tightly. The little girl's first reaction when she saw him made him feel the beauty's heart, and while he was happy, he also felt a faint guilt.

His feelings for Xiao Yi Xian were not pure from the beginning. He knew she had the Woeful Poison Body, and used her innocence to launch a romantic offensive, step by step making this young girl's heart tied to him.

Yan Qingshan knew that once the Woeful Poison Body was activated, cultivation by taking poison would improve extremely fast. Before the Woeful Poison Body fully erupted, the owner of the Woeful Poison Body would at least have the strength of a Dou Ancestor.

In the original work, even without Xiao Yan's appearance, it wouldn't be too difficult for Xiao Yi Xian to achieve Dou Venerate, but she would probably not be able to suppress the Woeful Poison Body's eruption early on, and eventually either be killed or go to self-destruction.

His choice to pursue Xiao Yi Xian was also with some ulterior motives. If his plan failed and he couldn't rise smoothly, he would at least have Xiao Yi Xian as a way out.

Once Xiao Yi Xian grew into the "Heavenly Poison Girl," her Dou Ancestor strength would make her the most powerful expert in the Black Corner Region and even the neighboring empires.

Obtaining a Di-Class wood-attribute Dou Qi Method and resources to become a Dou King or even a Dou Emperor was indeed difficult for Yan Qingshan, but not for a Dou Ancestor.

Yan Qingshan's idea was essentially one of exploitation, and its nature was of course somewhat despicable. He didn't make excuses for himself, so he felt guilty towards Xiao Yi Xian.

Of course, at this stage, he had no intention of actively activating the Woeful Poison Body, and he didn't even want this innocent girl in his arms to become the feared Heavenly Poison Girl.

"Xian'er has grown taller again!"

Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yi Xian walked hand in hand in the backyard of Thousand Medicine House. Yan Qingshan, who was taller, stroking the girl's hair, immediately provoking a burst of protest.

Girls of twelve or thirteen were at the most obvious stage of development and growth. In half a year, Xiao Yi Xian had almost completely changed.

Her figure was obviously curvy and she was approaching Yan Qingshan's height of nearly fifteen.

"Brother Qingshan is so annoying. You're not much taller than me, and you're acting like an adult."

Xiao Yi Xian pouted and acted spoiled to Yan Qingshan, but she didn't dodge his head-patting. Her eyes were narrowed, as if she was enjoying it and also protesting, which was extremely cute.

"Qingshan is back! Xiao Yi Xian is here too!"

Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yi Xian had just passed a corner when a voice suddenly came from ahead. Xiao Yi Xian wrinkled her delicate nose, secretly took half a step back, and hid behind Yan Qingshan.

Yan Qingshan also stepped forward without leaving a trace, blocking the man's slightly excessive gaze.

"Mister!"

Yan Qingshan gave a hasty salute, and spoke loudly to finally turn the man's gaze away.

Mister Yao of Thousand Medicine House was Xiao Yi Xian's adoptive father, and also Yan Qingshan's benefactor. This person was not a good person, but he was not an unforgivable villain either.

He adopted many orphans like Xiao Yi Xian, and also lent a helping hand when Yan Qingshan was in the most difficult time. But this person was also greedy and never gave up an opportunity to extract value.

Of course, the account was not calculated like this. If it weren't for Mister Yao, homeless orphans like Xiao Yi Xian might have died before they grew up.

Even if they had survived, they would basically not have the life they had now, so Mister Yao's kindness to them was still very great.

Mister Yao was not only greedy for money but also lecherous. He not only frequented brothels, but even had designs on the orphans he adopted... even Xiao Yi Xian, a girl who was not yet thirteen, was extremely wary of this evil father figure.

After Mister Yao withdrew his gaze, he began to lecture Yan Qingshan. "Ahem... Qingshan! I have treated you well. Every time you asked for leave, I tried my best to satisfy you, but what happened this time? You've been gone for almost a month before coming back..."

Mister Yao asked a series of questions, with some hints of warning. Yan Qingshan had performed very well in the past few months, not only had his medical skills improved rapidly, almost as good as a formal physician except for a lack of experience, but he also took the initiative to lead the herbal gathering team, opening up two new safe herbal gathering spots. Each harvest was considerable, and he had become a "cash cow."

This time, Yan Qingshan had been missing for almost a month. Because he had sent a letter, Mister Yao didn't care at first, but in the past few days, he really started to panic.

He hadn't shaken this "cash cow" enough yet! How could he just disappear like this? He had originally planned to keep this young man for a few more years before letting him become a full-fledged physician!

"Mister, I was delayed on the road this time, but I brought back some things, and I want the mister to take a look!"

"This is... Blood Clotting Grass, Yellow Root Flower, Blood Bone Vine... you actually grew them alive..."

Mister Yao looked at the things in the six large jars that Yan Qingshan took out, and his whole body trembled, even his voice was shaking.

Yan Qingshan nodded.

"This time I went out and encountered a strange swamp that actually grew a white orchid. After I took the white orchid, I found that the soil in that area had some medicinal fragrance.

I suspected it was rare medicinal soil, so I asked someone to pack it up and bring it back in a carriage. I planted some herbs along the way, and they all survived..."

"This is a treasure, a treasure..."

Mister Yao's expression suddenly became excited. Medicinal soil was extremely rare. At least for people at the bottom of the continent like them, this thing was usually only available to big shots, and it was used to open up medicinal fields.

Although there wasn't much medicinal soil in these six jars, it was enough to open up a medicinal field. With a medicinal field to grow herbs, it would be a steady stream of wealth for Thousand Medicine House!

"Boss, I think with my and Xiao Yi Xian's skills, we should be qualified to become physicians, right?"

Yan Qingshan walked to Mister Yao's side and lowered his voice. "Although this medicinal soil is precious, it's too bulky, and I can't take it away. Why not exchange it for some good things..."

"Qingshan! I knew you were no ordinary person. With your and Xiao Yi Xian's skills, you're more than qualified to become physicians. I'll gather everyone tomorrow to announce it..."

Mister Yao changed his face very quickly after hearing Yan Qingshan's words. He put his arm around Yan Qingshan's shoulder and chatted with him, patting his shoulder and acting like he was very optimistic about him.

Mister Yao's slight displeasure with Yan Qingshan disappeared instantly with the appearance of this medicinal soil. He was this kind of merchant, putting profit first.

Since Yan Qingshan had given him benefits, he was naturally willing to do a favor.

Mister Yao was satisfied, and Yan Qingshan was also happy. This medicinal soil was actually the soil from the flower bed in the treasure cliff cave.

He knew that Mister Yao had always wanted to get a medicinal field, so he brought back some medicinal soil to settle the karma with Mister Yao, saving himself from future troubles.

After all, Mister Yao had been kind to him. He was not the kind of person who repaid a drop of kindness with a spring, but he was not an ungrateful person either. If conditions allowed, he was willing to repay the favor and part ways with Mister Yao on good terms. Wouldn't everyone be happy?

…

Just as Yan Qingshan was dealing with Mister Yao and talking privately with Xiao Yi Xian, a commotion suddenly came from outside. An old servant quickly walked to Mister Yao's side and whispered a few words.

Mister Yao's face immediately turned gloomy.

"Follow me!"

Mister Yao said to the guards beside him. The strong guards, with no weak aura, moved upon hearing this, knowing that it was time for the boss to use them.

"Let's go take a look too!"

Yan Qingshan was curious, so he took Xiao Yi Xian's soft hand and they went together.

In the outer hall of Thousand Medicine House, in the square where the notice was posted, there was a constant quarrel, and many mercenaries were pushing each other, and the scene was almost out of control.

"Mang Ba, I know you are a big shot among mercenaries, but this matter was personally decided by our leader. This quota is taken by our Wolf Head Mercenary Company. Thousand Medicine House has said nothing, what are you making a fuss about!"

Opposite Mang Ba and other mercenaries who had cooperated with Thousand Medicine House for many years, a group of well-equipped and powerful mercenaries shouted. The leader of this group was a young man in his early twenties.

Yan Qingshan followed Xiao Yi Xian into the field. When the girl saw the young man, a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes, and she whispered, "Brother Qingshan, that person is Mu Li, the young master of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company. I heard that he just broke through to Dou Practitioner two months ago."

"Xian'er, you really hate him!"

Yan Qingshan noticed the displeasure in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes when she looked at Mu Li, and he leaned over and whispered in Xiao Yi Xian's ear, deliberately blowing hot air, making Xiao Yi Xian blush and glare at him.

Xiao Yi Xian wrinkled her delicate nose and said, "I saw him bullying others on the street last month. He's a very annoying person."

"Is that so! Mu Li, I have some impression!"

Yan Qingshan's eyes changed slightly. This was the third original character he had encountered besides Xiao Yi Xian and Mister Yao.

He was a small BOSS in the early stage, but he died soon after. However, his arrogant personality was in line with the consistent characteristics of a villain.

Mu Li pushed through the crowd and came to the field, looking around and announcing loudly,

"Everyone must be clear about how our Wolf Head Mercenary Group is. This is the first herbal gathering team to go out after the New Year. Our Wolf Head Mercenary is responsible for the safety. I don't think anyone will doubt our Wolf Head Mercenary's strength!"

The thirty or so mercenaries from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group stood in a row, bursting out with a powerful aura. The other mercenaries subconsciously retreated, giving the Wolf Head Mercenary Group a big show.

Mister Yao didn't look happy when he saw this. The old servant beside him hurriedly stepped forward and said politely,

"We Thousand Medicine House trust the strength of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company. We Thousand Medicine House welcome Young Master Mu Li's willingness to take the remaining quota."

"Who said... our Wolf Head Mercenary wants to take the remaining quota."

Mu Li suddenly showed a strange smile on his face, turned his head and drew his long sword.

"I mean, this time the escort mission for the Thousand Medicine House herbal gathering team is taken by our Wolf Head Mercenary Company.

Of course, we won't only have these people coming. This time, our Wolf Head Mercenary Company will send a hundred elites. I don't think anyone will have any objections!"