Chapter 631 - 631: A Great Harvest from the Herb Garden

On the other end of the phone was the top-ranked individual on the Hidden Dragon List, Qin Tian, the Director of the Medical Dao Hall.

When he heard that Jiang Xinghai had arrived and needed the two precious herbs, Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance, he hesitated slightly.

Jiang Xinghai was a newly promoted four-star officer who had received an unconventional promotion from a humble background, all thanks to his unbelievably miraculous medical skills!

He should, by all rights, befriend such a so-called genius.

However, the Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance were simply too rare. The entire Medical Dao Hall headquarters had fewer than ten plants in stock!

Moreover, these two herbs had life-saving properties. Even someone on the brink of death could extend their life by at least three months if they took both herbs at the same time!

Therefore, such precious medicinal herbs were reserved for major figures.

But Jiang Xinghai was, after all, a four-star officer of the War Department, and he also had his connection with Tang Zhen.

"Vice Director Hong, take Young Master Jiang to the reception room to rest for a bit. I'll head back to the Hall immediately."

Qin Tian gave his concise and clear instructions over the phone without saying whether he agreed or not, then hung up.

Hong Tai explained the situation to Jiang Xinghai and led them into the reception room to wait.

Although Jiang Xinghai was slightly dissatisfied with the process, he understood the rules and didn't say much, simply sitting there and waiting quietly.

「About half an hour later.」

Tang Zhen, dressed in a Tang suit, was the first to arrive at the Medical Dao Hall.

"Elder Tang." Jiang Xinghai stood up to greet him.

Vice Director Hong Tai also greeted him with a smile. "Elder Tang, you're here as well."

Tang Zhen nodded with a smile.

He first nodded to Chu Yunfeng, then looked at Hong Tai. "Old Hong, don't tell me you still haven't gotten the herbs for Jiang?"

"Elder Tang, I wanted to get the herbs for Major General Jiang immediately, but I don't have the authority to do so." Hong Tai looked ashamed.

"Even you don't have the authority? Don't tell me only Elder Qin can make the call?" Tang Zhen frowned upon hearing this.

"That's right." Hong Tai wore an expression of helplessness, then invited Tang Zhen to sit down as he began to personally serve tea.

"I won't sit."

Tang Zhen waved his hand, his brow furrowed as he asked, "Has he been notified?"

"He's on his way," Hong Tai replied.

Tang Zhen sighed softly and looked at Jiang Xinghai. "Jiang, why don't we take a look around the Medical Dao Hall while we wait for Director Qin to get back?"

"Sounds good." Jiang Xinghai also wanted to take a look around the Medical Dao Hall.

After all, this was the headquarters of the Dragon Country Medical Dao Hall.

"Then let me show you two around," Hong Tai said, hastily getting up and walking over.

"No need, Old Hong. You stay here and wait for Qin Tian. Just let us know the moment he gets back. I'll take Jiang for a stroll and a chat. There's no need for you to tag along," Tang Zhen said, shaking his head decisively.

Since he had put it that bluntly, Hong Tai could hardly insist on following them.

"Alright then, Elder Tang, please feel free to look around. I'll wait here and notify you both the moment Director Qin returns."

A trace of embarrassment showed on Hong Tai's face.

He was just... a little worried.

After all, the Medical Dao Hall was filled with countless medicinal herbs. Every single herb garden contained extremely precious plants. It would be troublesome if Tang Zhen and Jiang Xinghai decided to help themselves to a few.

This wasn't a baseless fear.

Anyone familiar with Tang Zhen knew he was unconventional, acting on his whims. If he liked something, he liked it; if he didn't, he didn't.

He would often shamelessly pocket things, then justify it by saying, "I just couldn't help myself. You're not going to blame me, are you?"

A joke!

Tang Zhen was a distinguished four-star officer. Who would dare to laugh at him?

Only a select few would dare.

And those few were on such close terms with Tang Zhen that they wouldn't say anything anyway.

Now, with Tang Zhen and Jiang Xinghai, both four-star officers, wanting to wander around the Medical Dao Hall headquarters alone, heaven only knew what might happen.

Helpless, Hong Tai could only remain in the main hall, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Director Qin Tian.

「At the same time.」

Tang Zhen led Jiang Xinghai into one of the herb gardens.

"Elder Tang, these herbs are valuable, but many can be found on the market. Why did you bring me here?" Jiang Xinghai asked, confused, as he followed beside Tang Zhen.

"This is just the first herb garden. Follow this cobblestone path and you'll find eight more. The further back you go, the rarer the herbs become. You get what I mean, don't you?" Tang Zhen said with a mysterious smile.

Jiang Xinghai pretended not to understand and asked, feigning confusion, "Elder Tang, are you saying that while we wait for Director Qin, we can look for some other herbs on the side?"

"Some things are better left unsaid. As long as you understand."

Tang Zhen's old face flushed slightly as he continued forward.

Jiang Xinghai chuckled. "Since Elder Tang is showing me such kindness, it would be a crime not to appreciate it."

"That's more like it," Tang Zhen said with a straight face. "We're just taking a little something on the side. And only what we need. We can't just pick things we don't need."

"Actually, Elder Tang, these herbs in front of us are still growing. Their age is too low—ten years at most, some as little as six months. What I need are herbs over fifty years old." For the various pills Jiang Xinghai wanted to refine, the older the ingredients, the better.

If he were to pick from here, not only would he be unable to take much, but their age wasn't up to his standards.

"Don't be hasty. Follow me."

Tang Zhen seemed to be very familiar with the place, leading Jiang Xinghai onward.

"Wait a moment."

As he and Tang Zhen were passing the third herb garden, Jiang Xinghai suddenly caught the scent of a Jade Orchid, and his eyes lit up.

A peculiar plant was tucked away in a corner of the garden. Its leaves had a faint jade-like luster, and its blossoming flower was as elegant as a reclusive orchid. It was an extremely rare and ancient Jade Orchid grass.

This herb not only aided in cultivation but could also be refined into a Miracle Pill that could heal injuries, nourish the internal organs, and preserve one's youthful appearance.

His mother, Ji Qingya, had suffered for five years at Mirror Lake Manor in Shanghai. Her skin had become loose and aged. She desperately needed a Youthful Appearance Pill!

"Jiang, what are you spacing out for? Let's hurry to the back gardens before that old fellow Qin Tian gets here," Tang Zhen said, puzzled when he saw Jiang Xinghai had stopped in his tracks.

"Elder Tang, come here."

Jiang Xinghai led Tang Zhen, and they slipped into the third herb garden.

When the two of them arrived in front of the Jade Orchid grass, Tang Zhen's eyes couldn't help but light up.

"I was wondering where that unique, fragrant scent was coming from. So it was this! Seeing how happy you look, this herb must be something special, huh?" Tang Zhen was also pleasantly surprised.

Jiang Xinghai explained, "Elder Tang, you might not know this, but this is a Jade Orchid. It might not look big, but it's at least a hundred years old. It's a truly rare find. We're quite lucky. I have you to thank for bringing me here, Elder Tang. Otherwise, I would have missed it."

"Not bad at all. Hurry up and take it."

A pleased look appeared on Tang Zhen's face. He began to scan the surroundings, acting as a lookout for Jiang Xinghai.

There was no time to lose.

Jiang Xinghai carefully dug up the entire Jade Orchid and placed it in a jade box made specifically for storing herbs.

He knew that this herb was now a priceless treasure to him.

'Tonight, I can refine the Youthful Appearance Pill for my mother!'

Afterwards, the two continued deeper into the remaining six herb gardens.

Each garden had its own unique characteristics, housing a rich variety of herbs of different ages.

Tang Zhen would offer Jiang Xinghai pointers from time to time, sharing his years of experience with medicinal herbs and his insights into the medical dao, from which Jiang Xinghai benefited greatly.

Finally, in the ninth and deepest herb garden, they found several stalks of Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance that were over three hundred years old.

"My god!"

Jiang Xinghai couldn't believe his eyes. 'The Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance I've been searching so hard for are right here!'

'Weren't they supposed to be in the most top-secret pharmacy?'

"You two seem to be enjoying yourselves."

Just then, an old man in a white robe appeared behind Jiang Xinghai and Tang Zhen.

It was none other than the top-ranked master on the Martial Arts Hidden Dragon List, the man in charge of the Dragon Country Medical Dao Hall headquarters—Qin Tian!