Chapter 630 - 630: The Top of the Hidden Dragon List Controls the Medical Dao Hall

"Judging by your expressions, it seems the Medical Dao Hall headquarters has you intimidated?"

Jiang Xinghai looked at Wu Gang and Meng Chun's faces. "What's the situation?"

"Young Master Jiang, the Medical Dao Hall headquarters is under the jurisdiction of the top ranker on the Martial Arts Hidden Dragon List. You can't just walk in," Wu Gang reminded him.

Meng Chun also nodded emphatically. "Furthermore, you have to submit an application to get in, and it takes at least three days just to hear back."

"The top ranker on the Hidden Dragon List?" Jiang Xinghai was slightly surprised to hear this.

He had originally thought that with his status and his relationship with the Medical Dao Hall, he could get in quickly and solve the herb problem.

But he didn't show the slightest hint of worry. Instead, he smiled confidently. "If that's the case, then let's go meet this top ranker from the Hidden Dragon List. If that doesn't work, we'll apply. At the same time, I'll contact an acquaintance at the Medical Dao Hall and see if we can use a special channel."

The acquaintance he referred to was, of course, that wise and benevolent old man—the big shot!

"Young Master Jiang, the top master on the Martial Arts Hidden Dragon List is very difficult to meet," Wu Gang said with a pained smile.

Meng Chun also nodded.

"Isn't he just the number one Martial Arts expert in our Dragon Country? Is it really that hard to see him?" Jiang Xinghai said dismissively.

'Even if my name, Jiang Xinghai, isn't enough to impress him, if the big shot makes an appearance, what top ranker on the Hidden Dragon List wouldn't have to bow his head?'

"Young Master Jiang, the top ranker on the Hidden Dragon List is only the number one expert in name. There are still many old-timers who don't care about titles and aren't on the list. So, there are plenty of people stronger than him," Wu Gang, who seemed to know a lot, explained in detail.

Jiang Xinghai nodded. "Of course, I figured as much. Perhaps, for the sake of the Celestial Dao Pavilion's development, I'll even pay them visits one by one. If they offer a helping hand, I will naturally be grateful. If they can't be bothered, I won't force them. But if they dare to criticize me, then they'll have to excuse my actions."

'After all, the Shadow Sect's ambition is the entire Dragon Country!'

'So, the Shadow Sect isn't just my personal enemy. Those reclusive old-timers who don't care for fame can't remain in obscurity forever. They have to stand up and face this together.'

'Of course, I won't resort to moral grandstanding.'

"Wu Gang, you drive."

Jiang Xinghai pulled the car over to the side of the road and switched places with Wu Gang.

Wu Gang nodded firmly and drove with focus.

But in his heart, he and Meng Chun shared the same worry.

'Their Pavilion Master of the Celestial Dao Pavilion, Jiang Xinghai, actually wants to visit those old-timers?'

'You have to understand, those old-timers have withdrawn from worldly affairs for years, focusing on ascetic training. Even their own families have a hard time seeing them.'

"Elder Tang, I've arrived in the Imperial City."

Meanwhile, Jiang Xinghai had already dialed the four-star Tang Zhen's phone number.

"Jiang, you arrived last night and you're only calling me now?" Tang Zhen, who was at home practicing calligraphy to cultivate his mind, asked in a feigned tone of displeasure.

"Elder Tang, I arrived late last night. I didn't dare to disturb you," Jiang Xinghai said with a chuckle.

Tang Zhen gave a wry smile. "Fine, I suppose that excuse is barely acceptable."

"Elder Tang, let's talk business. I'm on my way to the Medical Dao Hall headquarters right now. I heard you need permission from the director—who is also the top ranker on the Hidden Dragon List—to get inside?" Jiang Xinghai asked bluntly.

"According to procedure, that is indeed the case."

Tang Zhen asked softly, "Why are you suddenly going to the Medical Dao Hall headquarters?"

"To request two herbs," Jiang Xinghai said.

"Are they only available at the Medical Dao Hall headquarters?" Tang Zhen asked again.

Jiang Xinghai nodded. "Under normal circumstances, yes."

"Then you can just show your identification and go right in," Tang Zhen suddenly said with a laugh.

"It's that simple?" Jiang Xinghai was slightly stunned.

"Of course!"

Tang Zhen's back straightened. "After all, you and I are both four-stars. In the whole of vast Huaxia, aside from a handful of places that require approval, you can go anywhere you want."

"I knew it. A four-star has to have at least this much authority. I understand now," Jiang Xinghai said with a knowing smile.

"Do you want me to come along?"

Tang Zhen put down his calligraphy brush and, without waiting for Jiang Xinghai's reply, continued, "Hm, I have something to discuss with you, so I need to see you anyway. How about this? I'll head out now, and we can meet up at the Medical Dao Hall headquarters."

The two ended the call.

Wu Gang and Meng Chun asked in shock almost simultaneously, "Young Master Jiang, when you said four-star, you meant…?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Jiang Xinghai said with a meaningful smile.

Wu Gang and Meng Chun were both astonished. "A War Department four-star!"

Jiang Xinghai smiled faintly.

Wu Gang and Meng Chun couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"Young Master Jiang, if I had known you were a four-star, getting into the Medical Dao Hall headquarters wouldn't be so troublesome. You have that qualification and authority," Meng Chun said, her face full of hope as she secretly admired Jiang Xinghai.

Jiang Xinghai couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Sister Meng, it seems you know a lot about the War Department. Could it be that someone in your family…?"

"Yes, my grandfather is a one-star," Meng Chun said forthrightly.

Jiang Xinghai nodded.

「A short time later.」

The three drove to the reception area outside the Medical Dao Hall headquarters.

Jiang Xinghai directly presented his identification.

When the reception staff saw the credentials Jiang Xinghai showed them, a flash of surprise crossed their eyes.

They immediately realized that the young man before them was no ordinary person, so they quickly notified the upper echelons within the Medical Dao Hall.

Before long, an old man in a white robe with an extraordinary air strode out of the Medical Dao Hall headquarters' main gate to welcome Jiang Xinghai's group.

He was the vice-director of the Medical Dao Hall and also one of the important assistants to the top ranker on the Hidden Dragon List.

"Young Master Jiang, I've long heard of your fame! I, Hong Tai, welcome you to the Medical Dao Hall on its behalf," the old man said with a beaming smile as he approached.

Jiang Xinghai responded politely, "You're too kind. I've come unannounced because I am in urgent need of two medicinal herbs, Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance. I hope Mr. Hong can help me out."

Hong Tai nodded slightly after hearing this, but his expression turned bitter. "Young Master Jiang, I understand your needs. However, the two herbs you require, Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance, are exceedingly precious. They are stored in the hall's most top-secret pharmacy, and I don't have the authority."

"Mr. Hong, do you not have the authority to make the decision, or do you not have the authority to take me into the top-secret pharmacy?" Jiang Xinghai asked seriously, his expression unreadable.

"Both situations you mentioned apply, Young Master Jiang," Hong Tai did not deny it.

"Then could you please ask someone with the authority to come out and meet me?" Jiang Xinghai could only settle for the next best thing.

'He just didn't understand. According to Elder Tang, he had the authority, yet he was still being given a hard time here.'

'Are they looking down on me? Are they deliberately making things difficult?'

Seeing that Jiang Xinghai was not angry but instead appeared very calm, Hong Tai inwardly praised his profound self-control.

After a moment of thought, he explained to Jiang Xinghai, "Young Master Jiang, please don't take offense. The Medical Dao Hall does indeed have a very strict management system, especially concerning the storage and allocation of precious medicinal herbs. Even as the vice-director, I cannot unilaterally decide to hand over herbs from the top-secret pharmacy to others."

"However, given your status as a War Department four-star and your close relationship with Elder Tang Zhen, I can try to contact the esteemed top ranker of the Hidden Dragon List and ask him to personally decide on this matter. Please wait a moment. I will make the arrangements for you as soon as possible."

After speaking, Hong Tai immediately took out his phone, dialed a number, and reported the situation in a low whisper.