Chapter 176 — The Chancellor

"Use this prescription to brew medicine and soak her injured leg in the decoction. It will open the meridians and invigorate the blood, leaving no hidden trouble. " Seeing the crane restored to its original state, Daoist Lingyun was both startled and overjoyed. He hastily accepted the prescription, thanking him repeatedly, and said with a smile, "You embarrassed me before the Emperor, and I bore a grudge.

Now I'm actually somewhat grateful.

" Shen Mu smiled. "No fight, no friendship. " Daoist Lingyun felt the phrase was somewhat awkward and seemed inappropriate here, but he had no time to ponder it further.

He hastily called the crane away to fetch medicine from the storehouse. Shen Mu smiled.

"Physicians, how much is this bottle of wound medicine worth? I'm short on money lately. " The physicians were both startled and delighted.

Physician Yu said, "The little divine physician wants to sell it? Then its value is no small sum. This kind of wound medicine, to soldiers on the battlefield, is more precious than any heavenly treasure!

I'd estimate at least ten thousand Great Feng coins! " Shen Mu was astonished. "Faster than robbing Fan Yunxiao? " "What?

" The physicians had not heard clearly.

"Nothing. " Shen Mu smiled. "I can refine one bottle a day.

Shall I make it ten thousand gold and sell it to the Imperial Physicians' Hall? " The physicians' eyes lit up.

They exchanged glances. Physician Yu smiled. "That would naturally be wonderful. " Shen Mu was well satisfied and took his leave. The physicians' white-haired heads clustered together.

Physician Qu said, "We're rich!

" The physicians nodded repeatedly, thrilled.

"Old Yu is clever—this small bottle of wound medicine is worth far more than ten thousand gold!

We resell it and earn half again as much! " Shen Mu walked out of the Imperial Physicians' Hall and returned to the Scholars' Residence.

Suddenly a voice came from behind him: "Little bald donkey, where is your Brahma-Silence Twelve-Ring Zen Staff? " Shen Mu stopped and turned to look at the purple-robed elder behind him.

With a smile, he bowed slightly. "This student greets Grand Chancellor Gu.

" This purple-robed elder was none other than Pei Wujiu. The nine-patterned insignia was gone from his purple robe—clearly he had removed his first-rank official garb and changed into third-rank attire. Pei Wujiu smiled faintly and stepped before him, saying leisurely, "You swindled away my Chubao Sword.

Did you know then that you too would have this day, that you too would fall into my hands? " Shen Mu shook his head. "Grand Chancellor, why say such things?

" Pei Wujiu smiled proudly and extended his hand. "Hand it over! " Shen Mu shook his head again.

"Things I've swindled, I never return. " Pei Wujiu's eyes flashed with menace. Shen Mu showed no fear.

"I am now a sixth-rank official, the Doctor of the Academy appointed by the Emperor himself. The Empress Dowager's illness was also cured by me. If you touch me, the Emperor will kill your entire family.

" Boom!

Demonic qi surged around Pei Wujiu and transformed behind him into a hundred-zhang demon god, reeking of killing intent.

That hundred-zhang demon god congealed the air around it, seeming even to distort space, making the demon god appear twisted like ground scorched by the afternoon sun, glaring viciously at him.

Shen Mu smiled faintly. "Does the Grand Chancellor have other business? " Pei Wujiu said coldly, "If I wanted to kill you, I would not need to do it myself. " "You wouldn't dare.

" Before Shen Mu could speak, a voice came from behind Pei Wujiu.

"If you touch my junior brother, there's no need for the Emperor to kill your family—I'll kill your family. " Pei Wujiu's body went rigid. He felt as though an indestructible blade were pressed against his neck. He laughed. "Chancellor Bashan?

You want to stand up for this little bald donkey?

" Chancellor Bashan stood behind him with his robe open at the chest, the two sabers at his back jingling ceaselessly in their sheaths.

His face was expressionless.

"Old Gu, you haven't appeared for two hundred years. Your dao arts and divine abilities are outdated. Shall I give you some pointers?

" Pei Wujiu suddenly burst into loud laughter, his body transforming into a wisp of demonic qi and vanishing. His voice came from afar: "Pointers for me? Bring the Heaven Saber, and that would be more like it!

" Shen Mu turned, and suddenly saw a blade-qi tear through the air, pursuing that wisp of demonic qi. "Chancellor Bashan has always loved a fight. Seeing a worthy quarry, he's delighted—he'll likely have it out with Pei Wujiu. A pity I can't keep up. " Shen Mu sighed and returned to the Scholars' Residence.

Just as he entered the door, he heard Snow Fox's voice: "Young master, we have a guest. " Shen Mu entered and saw the middle-aged man standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. He could not help but start slightly.

The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping. The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping turned around, his gaze falling upon him.

"The Holy Cult Leader of the Heavenly Sage Cult—I never expected him to be the Academy's first Doctor of the Academy. What an amusing thing.

"