Chapter 0001: Worse Than Death

The autumn wind stirred, and the scent of medicine filled the air.

In the medicinal market of Hanshan City, in the northwest corner stood a low, ancient shop of blue bricks, with a pitch-black signboard hanging askew like ink. Three vigorous, ancient blood-red characters were deeply engraved in the center of the sign: Zhenyao Workshop.

In front of the door.

The tranquility of the stone-paved alley was broken by the sudden sound of footsteps.

The newcomer was a thin, pale-faced youth, his steps faltering and weak, his whole body swaying as if a gust of wind could blow him over. In his hand, a large, blue-black hand tightly gripped a sack woven from hemp.

“Huff…”

The youth panted heavily, stopping in front of the Zhenyao Workshop. As he bent down, he placed the sack at his feet. With trembling hands, he took out a black handkerchief embroidered with a manjusaka flower, and with great effort, raised his arm to wipe the thick sweat from his forehead.

He was Henry Clark!

He was the medicine boy of the Zhenyao Workshop, and now its sole master.

Henry Clark clutched the handkerchief tightly, raised his head, and stared at the signboard before him. In his once lifeless eyes, a complex light slowly emerged. Henry Clark hated this place, yet was attached to it. It was his hell, but also his safe harbor.

“The young master has returned!”

A low, hoarse voice came from inside the Zhenyao Workshop. An elderly, hunched man, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, shuffled out the door. Judging by his appearance, he didn’t look like he had many years left.

“Cough, cough…”

Henry Clark withdrew his gaze. Amid several violent coughs, he discreetly wiped the black blood from the corner of his mouth with the handkerchief, picked up the sack at his feet again, and nodded, saying, “I’m back.”

The hunchbacked old man asked, “Did you find the Blood Ganoderma and Withered Bone Grass?”

Henry Clark stepped forward, brushing past the old man, leaving only a drifting voice behind: “Ninety-year-old wild Blood Ganoderma, one hundred and twenty-year-old Withered Bone Grass. But, all the blue silver left by the old man is spent.”

“If it’s spent, then so be it.” Hearing the youth’s words, the old man’s wrinkled face relaxed, and he turned to follow behind Henry Clark, smiling with satisfaction: “With these two main ingredients found, the young master can live another two months.”

Henry Clark’s staggering steps did not stop, but his tone grew colder: “Medicine slave, can you stop saying the same thing every time? I know how long I have left! Go decoct the medicine, I can barely hold on.”

The hunchbacked old man seemed not to notice the change in Henry Clark’s tone, still wearing that smiling old face, chuckling as he said, “I’m afraid the young master can’t take a medicinal bath yet. There are guests in the shop who won’t leave.”

“Hmm?” Henry Clark paused, glancing at the luxurious carriage parked at the alley’s entrance, and frowned, asking, “Here for medicine?”

The old man replied, “Here for medicine!”

“Let them wait.”

Henry Clark’s pace quickened slightly, passing through the arched corridor and around the spacious courtyard, as if not seeing the three figures sitting cross-legged on meditation mats in the courtyard, heading straight for the side courtyard’s arched gate.

Several meditation mats were placed on the ground in the courtyard. At this moment, three people sat cross-legged on them: an elderly man with a head of silver hair, dressed in luxurious robes, clearly over seventy; a beautiful, mature woman in a light blue dress, still graceful; and a stunning young maiden, as if a celestial maiden had descended to the mortal world.

They watched Henry Clark head toward the side courtyard, and watched the hunchbacked old man approach.

“Who is he?”

The beautiful middle-aged woman rose gracefully, fixing her gaze on the old man and asking.

The hunchbacked old man chuckled, “My young master.”

The woman’s brows furrowed slightly, and in a flash, her agile figure blocked Henry Clark’s path before he could enter the arched gate. She snorted coldly, “Since you’re back, hurry up and make medicine for us. Our elder’s illness can’t wait. If you delay, you can’t bear the consequences.”

“If you won’t wait, then get lost.” Henry Clark stopped, a cold light flashing in his eyes, like a fierce beast staring down the woman before him.

Henry Clark…

He felt his soul swelling.

He couldn’t hold on much longer!

The beautiful woman was stunned, looking at Henry Clark in disbelief, as if she couldn’t trust her own ears.

How many years had it been?

How many years since she’d heard such arrogant words? How many years since she’d met someone so brazen?

It seemed that ever since she took over the Zhang Trading Group more than a decade ago, no one had dared speak to her so insolently. And now, this little brat actually dared…

“My young master said, if you won’t wait, then get lost.”

The hunchbacked old man, leaning on his dragon-headed cane, slowly walked to the woman’s side. His expression was no longer all smiles, but cold as frost.

The woman, enraged, burst forth with an overbearing aura and shouted sharply, “We gave you face by entrusting you with the task of making medicine. Don’t push your luck! Hurry up and make medicine for us, or else…”

“Hmph, or else what?”

The old man straightened his back, a surging, overwhelming aura erupting from him, murderous intent surging, his domineering presence on full display: “Face is earned, not given by you. Even though the old master… it’s not your turn to throw your weight around. Get lost…”

“Hiss…”