The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 108 - 105: The Identity of the Pharmacist

Chapter 108: Chapter 105: The Identity of the Pharmacist

Zhang Qian Ding rose early in the morning, had breakfast, bid his parents farewell, and headed to the Songhe Restaurant.

Following the upheaval, Zhang Qian Ding, who was a wastrel in the past, underwent a significant transformation. He severed ties with his fair-weather friends, implored his father to purchase the Songhe Restaurant for him, and then began his daily routine as the manager, completely a changed man.

Today, as usual, upon arriving at the Songhe Restaurant, Zhang Qian Ding subconsciously walked towards a certain spot near the window on the second floor. Whenever he had downtime, he liked to sit by the windowsill, staring out at the bustling streets below and daydreaming.

However, today, his usual spot was already taken by someone else.

"Mr. Zhang, would you care to join us for a drink?" one of the occupants of his usual spot, holding up a cup, invited.

Zhang Qian Ding went over and sat down, speaking slowly, "A drink might be best avoided, especially so early in the morning, as it harms the stomach. Besides, I, Zhang, have long given up drinking, I’m afraid the Sixth Prince might be disappointed."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha..." Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan suddenly burst into laughter, his palm thumping on the table, spilling the wine in his other hand.

"That doesn’t sound like you at all, Mr. Zhang Qian Ding. I heard you used to drink all night at Feiyin Pavilion until dawn, and now you’ve become so... so..." The Sixth Prince struggled to find the right words to describe Zhang Qian Ding’s current state.

"Drinking leads to trouble, and I, Zhang, have personally experienced its harm. Thinking back on it still makes my heart uneasy, which should serve as a lesson for the Sixth Prince," Zhang Qian Ding replied unflusteredly.

"Is it really the drinking that led to trouble, or was it something else, Mr. Zhang?" At this point, another man at the table, who had yet to speak and was dressed like a scholar, spoke up.

"And who might you be?" Zhang Qian Ding looked towards the speaker.

"My name is Han Wenxin."

"Mr. Han..." Zhang Qian Ding pretended to realize, "So it’s Han Wenxin from Mountain River Academy who I’ve long heard of. I wonder, what trouble led to Mr. Han being unceremoniously shown the door?"

Mountain River Academy was the center of attention for everyone in the Divine Capital, even more so than the Northern Zhou Imperial Palace. As an exception, Han Wenxin’s early graduation from the academy was quickly unveiled to all within half a day.

The content of True Qi gathered and voiced by Qing Yu was heard by no fewer than a few hundred people, making it impossible to keep secret.

Faced with Zhang Qian Ding’s mix of overt and covert mockery, Han Wenxin remained calm, with not a trace of anger on his face, instead smiling as he replied, "I simply made a choice I believed was right."

"That’s right, Mr. Han made the right choice," said the Sixth Prince, "And now it’s your turn to make a choice, Zhang Qian Ding, or should I say, Pharmacist."

The Sixth Prince’s gaze was deep, closely observing the transformed wastrel opposite him to see how he would react.

To his disappointment, Zhang Qian Ding remained composed and not the least bit panicked as he retorted, "And you believe that the Sixth Prince is the right choice?"

By asking this, Zhang Qian Ding undoubtedly acknowledged his own identity.

"Of course," the Sixth Prince responded confidently.

"And since I, the Prince, am the first to find you, you should know the consequences of refusing the right choice."

"In the end, it’s a choice without a choice," Zhang Qian Ding shook his head with a wry smile.

"Given that, I shall then take my leave, Your Highness."

...

"Who would have thought that the first to find the Pharmacist would be Feng Chaonan," Feng Jiu said, looking at the letter in his hand, "With wealth and power as the foremost among all the princes, Feng Chaonan still takes an interest in such sordid dealings."

Among the princes, Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan and Eighth Prince Feng Qiwu currently wield the greatest power. Feng Chaonan’s mother, the Noble Consort, the second-highest ranking woman in the harem next to the Empress, came from the Si Family, one of the Eight Great Families that boasted influence throughout Northern Zhou.

The mother of the Eighth Prince was the reigning Empress. Though he appeared to have no desire for the throne, his father’s favor and an aura of ’Vast Righteous Qi’ inadvertently drew to him a support that far exceeded that of the other princes, making him the favorite candidate for the Crown Prince among all the princes.

"It’s to be expected. The rise and fall of the Sixth Prince are both tied to the Si Family. The Si Family’s power is so great it makes the Emperor wary. Throughout history, influential in-laws have always been regarded with suspicion by Emperors, and all the more so is the Sixth Prince, who uses this power to turn the tide and win over countless hearts. His power is too conspicuous, and considering that the Emperor Zhou is still in his prime with years away from death, Feng Qiwu’s effortless progress has won the Emperor’s affection," said Qing Yu across Feng Jiu, putting it succinctly.

Historically, the Nine Provinces outside of the Central Province where the Imperial Family resided were led by the heads of the local families, collectively known as the Eight Great Families. However, three hundred years ago, the founding of Northern Zhou occupied the northern provinces of Yan and Yun. The leading family of Yan Province was annihilated by Northern Zhou, while the Si Family of Yun Province, sensing the times, aligned themselves with Northern Zhou, forming a marital alliance, and survived.

Over these three hundred years, the Si Family bolstered their foundations as one of the Eight Great Families, greatly expanding their influence within Northern Zhou. Now, merged with Northern Zhou, the family receives wary respect from successive emperors.

"Feng Chaonan must also be aware of this and has consciously begun to sever his obvious connections with the Si Family. Without such a break, he would never have a chance at the Crown Prince’s position unless he rebelled," continued Qing Yu.

"But without the support of the Si Family, all the power he has built up over the years would be hard to maintain, so he needs a new source of wealth. This is where Longevity Powder comes in, as an opportune pillow for a sleepy head. The very sordidness of the trade is its advantage—because it cannot withstand the light, it allows him to aggressively cut back his power publicly while covertly transferring it out of the Emperor’s sight."

A thorough analysis by Qing Yu laid bare Feng Chaonan’s intentions, leaving Feng Jiu dumbstruck.

"I never expected our ’Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell’ would inadvertently do such a huge favor for the Sixth Prince," Feng Jiu sighed helplessly after hearing Qing Yu’s insights.

"He also did us a favor indirectly," Qing Yu remarked, shaking his head, "The reduction in Feng Chaonan’s power has left many gaps on the surface. We can use the Pharmacist to subtly take control of these gaps for ourselves."

"Moreover, with Feng Chaonan’s weakened influence, Feng Qiwu will be unobstructed. Just wait, it won’t be long before you can rise by taking advantage of the situation. After all, you, also a Core Scholar from the Mountain River Academy, are the best candidate to counter Feng Qiwu."

Counter Feng Qiwu? The implications in Qing Yu’s words sparked deep thought in Feng Jiu.

"Do you mean... Father Emperor!!!" Feng Jiu exclaimed in surprise.

"The Emperor is always distrustful. If the Si Family can be feared, why wouldn’t the Mountain River Academy..."