Simply Trading

"There are no large problems with the other herbs. Except that particular root over there. The problem is the lack of any leaves that might help with the identification. It looks like a Grey Striped Licorice Root, but it has a rather astringent scent to it. To confirm, I will need to cut it open. If there is a sweet smell, then it is correct. If there is a more bitter scent, then it is an Ashen Core Rhizome."

"An Ashen Core Rhizome? Isn"t that poisonous?"

"Only mildly so. It can actually be eaten once it has been boiled for three hours or so. But it doesn"t have any medicinal properties. Most of them are generally grown as supplements for horses, since it helps to help flush certain parasites from their bodies."

"Supplements? For horses?"

The Elder"s voice made it rather obvious that he was not too pleased to hear that. So Qin Feng quickly turned back to the other specimens that he had harvested. And picked out the stalks of the Dragon Beard Gra.s.s.

It was about time to pique the old man"s interest, he judged.

"If you were to add the this Dragon Beard Gra.s.s to a real Grey Striped Licorice, and toss in some Sobbing Violet stamens, and a single stalk of Fragrant Apricot Flower, you would be able to come up with a rather remarkable tonic, the Four Fragrance Soup. But it would only be useful for young women, who has not given birth before.

"That is what the Fan Yao Zhuan, the Common Medicine, Text says. Although I am not too certain about what that particular tonic does, off-hand. I"ll need to read through that book again, to figure it out."

Elder Ming did not appear to have heard his qualifier, and had turned to fix him with a rather feverish stare. "Do you have ... Would you know the exact formula for that ... particular tonic? The proportions of each herb that should go into the mix?"

"Oh? Elder Ming, you are interested in that too. Well, it might take a while but I made a copy of that recipe and I have that at my house. I can pa.s.s it to you if you are interested in trying it out. And I see that you have all the ingredients already.

"Well, all except the Grey Striped Licorice Root. We still have to test this particular one."

The two of them didn"t waste any more time after that, and quickly performed the test that Qin Feng had described on the said item. As expected, it gave off a slightly bitter scent, thereby proving that it was an Ashen Core Rhizome instead of the hoped-for Grey Striped Licorice Root.

That disappointing result was enough to have Elder Ming Guanhe cursing rather vehemently. Which prompted Qin Feng to put on a surprised expression. He wasn"t supposed to know just how important this particular ingredient, and that Four Fragrance Soup, was to the Elder. Or, to be exact, to his daughter.

"Ah. Do not mind this old man. You see, I have a need for this Grey Striped Licorice Root myself, so you can see why I am upset. It is the only item that I am missing from the Four Fragrance Soup that you had just mentioned, so I am naturally unhappy. Don"t be too worried by my display. It has naught to do your performance."

He put on a look of relief then, and quickly gestured at the Ashen Core Rhizome, as if to distract the Elder. "Well, it is a rather common mistake. Especially if the plant has already lost its leaves. Both the Ashen Core Rhizome and the Grey Striped Licorice Root tend to have leaves that are rather delectable to Spirit Beasts, so it is no surprise that you have picked the wrong one.

"If you stick to those spots with a thick canopy, you should be able to find more of the same. The Grey Striped Licorice Roots like to grow under some shade, and do not care to under the bright sunlight. If you wish, you could take a look at those sort of places tomorrow. You might be able to find one there."

Then he looked away and looked up at the darkening sky. And slowly tapped his lower lip with a finger.

"I think you should try to remember that the Licorice Root has an astringent scent. If you try to track it by smell, rather than by look, you would certainly have a better chance of success."

Elder Ming laughed, as soon as he heard that.

"If that is the case, why don"t I bring you along with me tomorrow, as I scout out the areas just outside of where our Hunters will be. It will give you a chance to look the place over, and see if there are any rare herbs there. And you can also help me look out for a real Grey Striped Licorice Root."

Qin Feng managed to put on an excited air without too much effort. After all, hadn"t he been waiting for a chance just like this?

"Elder Ming, you ... You will really bring me along with you? That is more than I dare to hope for! There are so many herbs that cannot be cultivated in the Medicine Fields so I have so frustrated trying to find out more about them! This is a wonderful opportunity for me, Elder Ming. I don"t know to begin thanking you for the chance."

Then he frowned, as though something had just occurred to him. And he looked at the old man with the mult.i.tude of small sword scars on his face a little awkwardly.

"But ... won"t those disciples under Elder Ping ... They are supposed on check on our gains, aren"t they? And some of the herbs here are ... on the restricted list."

Ming Guanhe gave out a deep grunt in response to Qin Feng"s half-hearted warning. And flicked his sleeve to the ground derisively. "They have been duely warned not to make trouble for our group of Hunters. And by someone in much higher authority than they can handle on their own. I doubt that they would dare to try anything against us," he growled.

"Ah. I see."

So Elder Ming had taken steps after all. That was good to know. Still, Qin Feng reminded himself to be a little more careful, when he returned to the School. There was always a chance that some idiots from Ping Jiexian"s faction may try their luck. And he didn"t wish to be caught with something that he should not be in possession of.

But now, it seems Ming Guanhe is going take care of all those messy details. So it looked like getting someone influential to back him in the Heaven Sword School was the indeed right decision.

That meant that he could pick whatever herbs he wanted, to his heart"s content, the following day!

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