“The White Crane Pharmacy is now officially open!” Su Changhe announced in a resonant voice at the entrance.

Su Zhe, crouching in the corner, immediately grabbed his pipe upon hearing the announcement and lit the fuse of the firecrackers. The sound of crackling explosions filled the air.

The crowd gathered at the pharmacy’s entrance covered their ears, smiling as they watched the red paper fragments flutter through the smoky air.

Standing at the highest point, Su Changhe observed the scene and suddenly recalled a phrase Su Muyu had mentioned before.

The essence of mortal life.

Su Muyu had said that Anhe lacked this essence, which was why he often went to the back mountain. He said that occasionally he could smell the cooking smoke drifting from distant villages there. This scent brought him peace, and in books, they called this the essence of mortal life.

The amusing part was that whenever Su Muyu stood anywhere, he looked like someone completely detached from mortal affairs.

Quite the contradiction.

Su Changhe smiled as he inhaled the gunpowder-laden air, thinking: This too must count as the essence of mortal life.

“A pharmacy?” a troublemaker in the crowd teased. “Not counting the small medicine shops, South’an City has sixty-three pharmacies, plus four great physicians and thirty master healers. Which expert presides over your establishment?”

Bai Hehuan stepped forward. “I do.”

The troublemaker, who had only intended to stir up excitement, was surprised to see a beautiful young woman respond. He swallowed hard but refused to back down. “You? Little girl, go help your master pound medicines instead of causing trouble here. Let your master come out.”

“May I ask, honored sir, if your Fengmen acupoint aches during the hours of Yin?” Bai Hehuan asked solemnly.

The troublemaker was startled. “How did you know? That’s from doing too much physical labor in my youth—you pay for it when you’re older.”

“Then why does your Baihui acupoint pain you during the hours of Hai?” Bai Hehuan pressed. “Surely farm work in your youth wouldn’t have damaged your head. If this condition goes untreated, you’ll be meeting the King of Hell soon.”

The troublemaker immediately dropped to his knees. “Divine Physician! I’ve sought treatment for years to cure this chronic condition. I’ve spent considerable effort, but doctors either couldn’t diagnose the problem or prescribed useless medicines.”

“You said you did farm work in your youth. Did you take cold baths afterward?” Bai Hehuan inquired.

“Of course. The well water in our area was especially cool. It felt wonderful to pour it over myself after working in the fields.”

“That explains it. The conflict between hot and cold, yin and yang, means your ailment isn’t external but internal. I’ll write you a prescription. Take it for seventy-nine days, and you’ll be cured. As our first customer on our opening day, this divine physician won’t charge you a fee.”

“Thank you, Divine Physician!” The troublemaker’s expression had completely transformed from earlier disdain to tears of joy as he rushed inside.

Others in the crowd grew restless. Someone called out, “What kinds of illnesses does the female Divine Physician treat?”

“Injuries, difficult and unusual cases—in short, as long as you’re not dead, we can save you!” This time it was Su Muyu who answered.

“Then I want to be examined! I’m second in line—can I get a discount?” the person asked.

“Consultation is free, and medicines are half-price!” Su Muyu replied.

“Then examine me, examine me!” The person hurried inside.

Su Muyu addressed the remaining crowd: “Anyone who comes for treatment today gets a free consultation—you only pay for medicines!”

The rest of the crowd surged forward into the pharmacy.

“Chaoyan, help me attend to them,” Su Muyu said to Xiao Chaoyan beside him.

Having lived in the village for many years, Xiao Chaoyan was excited by the scene. “Sure thing!”

Su Zhe stood at the entrance, watching the scene unfold while smoking his pipe in lengthy silence.

Su Changhe walked over curiously. “Uncle Zhe, what are you pondering?”

Su Zhe lowered his pipe and said meaningfully, “I used to be a top-tier assassin who struck fear in these parts, and now I’m reduced to lighting firecrackers.”

“What would Uncle Zhe prefer to do?” Su Changhe asked.

“At least I should be the one unveiling the red cloth, shouldn’t I?” Su Zhe answered seriously.

“Uncle Zhe, that’s rather silly thinking,” Su Changhe replied just as seriously.

Inside the pharmacy, a long queue had formed. Bai Hehuan sat on a wooden chair, taking pulses one by one. The spectators-turned-patients mostly had minor chronic conditions, which were extremely simple cases for Bai Hehuan, the direct disciple of the Medicine King Valley. She would lightly feel their pulse, speak eloquently about their condition while they nodded continuously, then flourish her brush to write a prescription, fully embracing the role of a divine physician.

Su Muyu was responsible for dispensing medicines. Though he had never studied medicine, his time with Bai Hehuan in Qiantang City had made him intimately familiar with the medicinal ingredients, and he measured them with perfect accuracy. Of course, among the patients were many young women whose hearts began racing at the sight of such a handsome young man preparing their medicines, adding lovesickness to their ailments.

They remained busy until sunset.

Everyone gathered around a table laden with wine and good food to celebrate their successful opening day. Just as they were getting into the festivities, there was a knock at the door. Su Changhe called out, “Come in!”

The troublemaker from earlier slipped in furtively.

Xiao Chaoyan asked suspiciously, “What are you doing here? Looking for more trouble?”

“Not at all, not at all—we’re all on the same side.” Su Changhe waved his hand, tossing out a large silver ingot. “Take it. You performed well today. Come find us again if we need something similar.”

The man caught the silver. “All smiles here! The Divine Physician truly has skill though. I may have been acting, but she did cure my ailment!”

“Forty-nine days, not one day less, remember?” Bai Hehuan seemed unsurprised, raising an eyebrow as she spoke.

“Will do!” The man turned and left immediately.

More people arrived successively to collect their silver—all part of the crowd from earlier. It became clear that half of the day’s crowd had been arranged by Su Changhe.

“You knew all along?” Su Muyu asked Bai Hehuan.

Bai Hehuan shrugged. “He said he had a plan; I didn’t expect this kind of plan. Dog-dad was right—he’s full of tricks.”

“Hahaha, after today, our White Crane Pharmacy will be known throughout South’an City,” Su Changhe said proudly. “Don’t worry. Half of today’s customers were fake, but tomorrow, they’ll be breaking down our doors.”