Resplendent – Chapter 402

Chapter 402 – Shock and Doubt

Jiang Zhongtian scratched the back of his head sheepishly and said in a low voice, “I brought several types of medicine. Some are my own carefully prepared masterpieces. I wanted you to give me some pointers. Others I made while practicing at the inn using the set of equipment you gave me…”

Gu Ye’s expression showed a hint of understanding. 

This guy has clearly been ready all along, just waiting for someone to challenge him to a pharmacology duel! It seemed that these Huang sect apothecaries were destined to lose to her and her Junior Nephew! 

The Huang apothecaries had been too arrogant. They definitely deserved a lesson!

The fourth-level apothecary, noticing the strange expression on Jiang Zhongtian’s face, let out a sly laugh: “What now? Feeling like backing out? As long as you admit that the Jiang family is no match for our Huang sect, Senior Brother and I will let you off.”

Jiang Zhongtian’s face hardened, and his eyes blazed with resentment and determination. “A duel it is! And when you lose, no backing out!”

Betting on the honor of his family and his personal dignity, he was determined to win — and win so decisively that the opponents wouldn’t be able to lift their heads! 

The two groups glared at each other like rival roosters before a fight. The foreign Grand Pharmacist chuckled, “What’s this? Are you planning to duel by staring? Whoever blinks first loses?”

By now, the crowd had gathered both inside and outside the Jinyuman Pavilion. There were ordinary onlookers as well as apothecaries drawn by the duel. 

Most people thought it was far too arrogant for these two low-level apothecaries to challenge higher-ranked apothecaries. They were clearly overestimating themselves! Even some apothecaries friendly with the Jiang family were worried for Jiang Zhongtian.

The two groups glared fiercely at each other, then almost simultaneously turned to prepare. They carefully placed their most prized medicines onto trays borrowed from the jewelry shop’s shopkeeper.

The foreign pharmacist had been invited to serve as a judge, and several respected high-ranking apothecaries from the crowd were also invited to help officiate.

The opposing fourth-level apothecary presented three prepared medicinal ingredients. Any expert could immediately see that both the techniques and the quality of the preparation were top-notch. Under normal circumstances in an apothecary-level assessment, he would indeed have the qualifications to skip a level and advance to sixth-level apothecary.

Looking at his age — barely seventeen or eighteen — achieving such skill at such a young age was proof of extraordinary talent. The senior apothecaries serving as judges couldn’t help but marvel: Grand Pharmacist Huang truly produced remarkable disciples. 

The ninth-level apothecary, on the other hand, brought out two types of compounded medicines and one powdered medicine.

The compounded medicines were: Huopu Xialing Decoction for treating diarrhea and indigestion. Fangji Fuling Decoction to tonify qi, promote yang, and reduce water retention and swelling. The powdered medicine was Guishe Powder (Cinnamon twig and musk powder), primarily used to treat yin sores and unruptured ulcers such as abscess.

*On research, these medications cure more than just the abovementioned ailments.*

The precision of the two decoctions and the excellence of their formulation earned unanimous praise from the senior pharmacists. Though Guishe Powder had minor flaws, it still showed an independent, distinctive style. 

No wonder Grand Pharmacist Huang was highly satisfied with this senior disciple, calling him the most talented among all his students and the one most likely to become a Grand Pharmacist.  With time, his future would be limitless!

Jiang Zhongtian pursed his lips and glanced at the medicines and wound-healing remedies he had brought. He naturally wouldn’t foolishly challenge a ninth-level apothecary. His opponent would be that arrogant yet mediocre fourth-level apothecary.

After evaluation by the foreign Grand Pharmacist and several senior pharmacists, the prepared medicinal ingredients Jiang Zhongtian brought out were on par with those of the Huang sect’s fourth-level apothecary. When he revealed the bottle of Golden Sore Medicine, the judges’ faces immediately grew serious.

The ninth-level Huang apothecary, surprised, leaned over to take a closer look and then smirked maliciously: “Junior Brother Jiang, you just explained the rules of the pharmacology duel to the young lady beside you. You’re presenting Gu’s Golden Sore Medicine. Aren’t you afraid of being exposed and expelled from the apothecary world?”

Jiang Zhongtian frowned slightly. “Why would I be expelled? This Golden Sore Medicine was made casually yesterday while I was practicing!”

“Gu Pharmaceuticals’ Golden Sore Medicine is unique in color, taste, and efficacy. And you can produce it yourself? When did you change your surname to Gu?” The Huang sect’s fourth-level apothecary naturally seized the opportunity to ridicule Jiang Zhongtian, holding his stomach as he laughed arrogantly.

“Xiao Tian hasn’t changed his surname to Gu, that’s for sure!But it seems you haven’t noticed. This young lady’s surname is Gu!” Gu Ye’s small figure stood straight and tall, like a slender bamboo stalk, radiating a natural, imposing presence.

The fourth-level apothecary choked on his own words, froze for a moment, then smacked his thigh and laughed loudly again: “So what if your surname is Gu?” There are plenty of apothecaries with the surname Gu in the world. Does having the surname Gu mean you can impersonate someone from Gu Pharmaceuticals?”

“Why would my Aunt Master need to impersonate anyone? She is the founder of Gu Pharmaceuticals. Every medicine from there was developed by her own hands!” Jiang Zhongtian snapped with anger. 

It was one thing to doubt him but to cast suspicion on Aunt Master? According to her, the Huang sect disciples were asking for trouble! Just wait — there will come a time when they won’t be laughing!

The fourth-level apothecary laughed even more arrogantly, pointing at Jiang Zhongtian’s nose: “Don’t tell me this Golden Sore Medicine with typical Gu characteristics was taught to you by this recently weaned little girl? Jiang Zhongtian, you’re really going backwards in life. Does anyone here actually believe that?”

The crowd — both commoners and apothecaries — glanced at the petite little girl, who looked no older than ten, with her delicate, doll-like features. Then they noticed her pale blue-collared apothecary robe, completely plain without any embroidery, and the laughter erupted even louder.

“I believe it!” A gentle, clear voice cut through the laughter, reaching every ear. Following the voice, it was Grand Pharmacist Baili, smiling gracefully. He looked at the little girl, who rolled her eyes in impatience, and added, “If I told you this Miss Gu is my Little Junior Sister, would you still doubt her identity?”

The laughter stopped instantly. The entire scene went silent. Especially the Huang sect disciples — their faces drained of color. 

The ninth-level apothecary froze, cold sweat slowly dripping from his temple. 

Grand Pharmacist Baili’s Little Junior Sister? The mysterious Grand Pharmacist who had built the Gu Pharmaceuticals into a brilliant name? How could she possibly be just a young girl in her early teens?

Wait a minute! 

What did Jiang Zhongtian just call this little girl? 

Little Aunt Master! 

The last disciple of the Sage Apothecary: How could he have overlooked that detail? Damn it! The Huang sect has fallen right into the Jiang family’s trap!

Jiang Zhongtian had deliberately provoked Fifth Junior Brother to bring up the pharmacology duel. Then Miss Gu used reverse psychology to propose betting the honor of her sect! 

The Jiang family must have planned this long ago, all because their Master had embarrassed Grand Pharmacist Jiang a few times! That must be it!