The Hundred Herbs Hall Confrontation

“Yingkong, perhaps we shouldn’t provoke Hundred Herbs Hall. If we do, we’ll surely be the ones to suffer,” his elder brother advised, his concern evident.

“There’s no need to fear. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. No matter what tactics they employ, I am capable of handling them all,” Lin Tian stated firmly, then turned and walked deeper into the house.

Witnessing his unwavering confidence, the family found themselves at a loss for words. Luo Yingkong had been remarkably intelligent since childhood, and now, having matured into a woman of both scholarly and martial accomplishments, they knew she would undoubtedly manage any situation.

Returning to the living room, Lin Tian retrieved Wu Yuan’s Hundred Poisons Marrow Cleansing and meticulously compiled a list of the missing toxic ingredients.

“Xiao Cai—”

“Coming! Does Miss need something?” The maid hurried over at the sound of his voice.

“Go and gather the medicinal herbs on this list for me.”

“Medicinal herbs?” The maid accepted the list with a puzzled expression and scrutinized it carefully. “Miss, these herbs are all highly poisonous. When used in medicine, only a tiny amount is taken. Why do you need so much?”

“Just go and collect them. If the shop doesn’t have them, buy them elsewhere. Also, collect a sample of venom from snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, and toads, if possible.”

“Understood, this servant will go at once.” The maid didn’t question their purpose, rushing out the door straight to the apothecary.

Lin Tian had tasked them with collecting items many times before. Almost every request involved gathering various materials; initially, they would inquire about their use, but eventually, they grew accustomed to it and stopped asking.

With his instructions given, he took out the Sinew Gate Art and began to read. This cultivation method required concurrent use with the Hundred Poisons Marrow Cleansing. Practicing the Sinew Gate Art alone would cause the physical body to fail.

Ever since he began cultivating the Qi Gathering Art, his five senses had improved by leaps and bounds, and his memory had reached a photographic level. He could fully memorize a cultivation technique after just one read!

While the Sinew Gate Art was described as a mortal martial art, Lin Tian quickly discovered its profound intricacies, surpassing even some immortal cultivation techniques. The inventor of this art must have been a true genius.

First, it involved practicing peculiar stances. For instance, standing on one leg for an entire day, performing a one-armed handstand for a day, or keeping hands and feet off the ground for a day—all to induce blood engorgement in every part of the body.

It was a regimen of intense asceticism. He closed the book and immediately began his practice.

****

Three days later, Lin Tian’s legs and feet ached intensely. An ordinary person might not even be able to stand up after a day on one foot.

The maid also brought the collected medicinal ingredients to Lin Tian, all of which were incredibly potent poisons.

“Miss, there are a few other herbs only sold by Hundred Herbs Hall, but they refused to sell them to me.”

“Refused to sell? No matter…”

****

The influence of the rumors proved far greater than imagined. In just two days, Hundred Herbs Hall became notorious throughout the town. The rumor of them selling poisonous medicine spread like wildfire, ensuring that not a single customer dared to enter their doors.

When the maid went to buy so many poisonous herbs, the staff assumed she was causing trouble and drove her away. However, they secretly dispatched someone to follow the maid, who led them all the way to the Luo estate. It was then they realized who was behind the recent events.

The news quickly made its way back to Hundred Herbs Hall. The grand and opulent apothecary stood empty of customers, its shopkeeper slumped in a chair, consumed by worry.

A figure wearing a cloth hat rushed in, panting. “Boss, we have news! The young woman who came to buy poisonous herbs is also from the Luo family! The rumors about us selling poison definitely have something to do with them!”

The shopkeeper’s face instantly darkened upon hearing this. “The Luo family! It’s them again. A small apothecary daring to defy us. Let them enjoy their two days of glory; the higher-ups have already sent someone down.”

Hundred Herbs Hall boasted hundreds of branches spread across various cities in the Wu Kingdom, even reaching Sifang Town. Driving out competitors was a familiar task, and no other force had ever dared to challenge them. They had initially expected the Luo family to move out soon, never anticipating such a fierce counterattack!

“Shopkeeper, I need to buy medicine.”

“Oh! A customer!”

Both men looked up to see a white-haired woman enter. Her build was ordinary, but her beauty was the most striking they had ever witnessed.

“Young lady, what medicinal herbs do you require? For treating an illness or…”

The young woman handed him a list. The shopkeeper’s expression immediately shifted. “More poisonous herbs? Did the Luo family send you?”

Lin Tian frowned. “I’m just looking for a few poisonous herbs. Is that bothering you?”

“Hmph! The town is abuzz with rumors that our Hundred Herbs Hall sells poisonous medicine. Are you not looking for trouble by buying these now?” the shopkeeper retorted, clearly annoyed.

“All medicine has some toxicity. Is there anything strange about that?”

“But outsiders don’t understand that! In any case, I cannot sell you these herbs. Leave at once.”

The shopkeeper settled back into his chair, making it clear he wouldn’t sell. The young man beside him leaned in and whispered, “Shopkeeper, this woman seems to be a young lady from the Luo family. I heard she is exceptionally intelligent, capable of resolving complicated matters even as a child.”

“Oh?” The shopkeeper looked up at the girl again, his gaze now filled with ill intent. “Alright, so the Luo family has come to stir up trouble at my establishment? You’re quite bold, aren’t you?”

Lin Tian overheard their words clearly, realizing that this matter would likely not end peacefully.

“I’ll give you two options: either move out of Sifang Town, or pay three hundred taels of silver every month,” the shopkeeper said, crossing his legs, looking utterly confident of his victory.

“I’ll also give you two options: either get lost, or die,” Lin Tian didn’t mince words. With his current strength, leveling Sifang Town would be no issue, let alone a small apothecary.

“Such big talk from a little girl! I’ll make you cry and beg for mercy later! Guards! Seize her!”

Several young men, all from Hundred Herbs Hall, had been lurking outside the door. Upon hearing the shopkeeper’s command, they swarmed forward, blocking the entrance. Pedestrians in the distance, witnessing the scene, quickly retreated. The maid, who had accompanied Lin Tian, stood outside the door, growing anxious. She immediately ran towards the Luo estate to seek help.

Facing the girl, who was not particularly tall, the group advanced ostentatiously, unarmed except for grass ropes. Lin Tian swiftly threw a grenade. His jade pendant instantly formed a protective qi barrier around him. He wouldn’t have needed to waste a grenade, but his legs were incredibly sore, and fighting directly would surely be painful.

The group was still bewildered when the grenade exploded with a thunderous roar! All those who had surrounded him from behind were blasted away! Even the Hundred Herbs Hall signboard was shaken from its perch and crashed to the ground.

A small crater was blasted into the earth. None of the subordinates were spared, and the medicine cabinets toppled everywhere, leaving the place in utter chaos! Lin Tian dispelled the qi barrier, gazing at the dust-covered shopkeeper, and spoke softly.

“How about it? Either die, or get lost.”

The man was utterly stunned by the sudden explosion. Seeing all his subordinates outside scorched, cold sweat poured down his forehead. “Heroine, spare my life! I’ll get lost, I’ll get lost…”

“Who’s begging for mercy now? Oh, by the way, I came to buy herbs.” Lin Tian handed him the list once more.

“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll fetch them for you right away…”

****

Before long, Lin Tian exited the shop, leaving the still-reeling shopkeeper behind. There were several bodies in front of the door. He used his Attraction Art to gather them all, then incinerated them to ash with a single Fireball Art.

“Master, why bother so much with mere mortals? No one would do anything if you just tore down his shop,” Jiaofeng emerged from the spirit beast pouch, assisting him as they walked home.

“I wouldn’t face repercussions, but my family would. Once they call their leader, and the problem is thoroughly resolved, I can leave with peace of mind,” Lin Tian replied.

****

“You’re practicing this technique too fiercely. How about I carry you?” Jiaofeng’s stature grew a few inches taller.

“I’m not a child!” Lin Tian’s face flushed slightly. He shook off his hand and used spiritual energy to strengthen himself as he walked back to the Luo estate.

Along the way, he encountered his brothers rushing towards him. Seeing that Lin Tian was unharmed, they all breathed a sigh of relief.