Chapter 43: Atavism

Chapter 43: Atavism

Hua Changxi had quite a few medicinal pills on hand. Selling them to a pharmacy would not only make it easy for her to be lowballed but could also attract unwanted attention. Since she didn't know any middlemen, after much hesitation, she decided to go to Pharmacist Xu.

Pharmacist Xu also ran a pharmacy. More accurately, most of the pharmacists and physicians of the Medical Bureau ran their own pharmacies outside.

On ordinary days, these pharmacists and physicians served at the Medical Bureau, while their pharmacies were either managed by family members or left to shop assistants.

The common people valued their reputation and medical skills, so they would visit their pharmacies to purchase medicine or seek treatment. Consequently, these pharmacies enjoyed much better business than ordinary ones.

When Hua Changxi arrived at the Xu Family Pharmacy, she found that Pharmacist Xu was not there; only a shop assistant was tending the store.

"Brother Wu Shuang, Happy New Year! Is Uncle Xu in?"

When not on duty, Pharmacist Xu would see patients at his pharmacy. Hua Changxi was somewhat surprised not to see him in the shop.

The assistant, Wu Shuang, smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Jiu Niang. The proprietor is in the backyard." He then lowered his voice, "A-Ling is sick. The proprietor is looking after her."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi hurriedly asked, "Is A-Ling seriously ill?"

Xu Ling was Pharmacist Xu's daughter. His wife had passed away from illness shortly after giving birth to her. Over the years, the father and daughter had relied on each other, and Hua Changxi knew how much Pharmacist Xu cherished his daughter.

Wu Shuang scratched his head. "I don't know if it's serious. A-Ling doesn't have any other issues; she's just extremely lethargic."

Hua Changxi asked, "How lethargic?"

Knowing that Pharmacist Xu treated her like a junior in the family, Wu Shuang did not hide it. "At first, A-Ling just woke up late in the morning. Later, she wouldn't wake up until the afternoon. But now, A-Ling only wakes up for a short while at night; the rest of the time, she is sleeping."

Hua Changxi frowned. "How long has this been going on?"

Wu Shuang thought for a moment. "It started last October. Ever since the snow began to fall in the capital, A-Ling has become increasingly lethargic."

"Brother Wu Shuang, I'll go to the backyard to check on A-Ling."

Since Hua Changxi had visited the Xu Family Pharmacy before, she didn't need to announce her presence to enter the backyard, so Wu Shuang did not stop her.

"Uncle Xu."

Entering the backyard, Hua Changxi did not see Pharmacist Xu in the main hall, so she walked directly toward the east wing, where Xu Ling's room was located.

The east wing of Pharmacist Xu's house had a layout of one bright room and two dark rooms: the middle was the living room, while the two ends were the study and the bedroom.

The door to the wing was open. As Hua Changxi called out to Pharmacist Xu, she walked into the living room.

Sitting by Xu Ling's bedside, Pharmacist Xu was clearly startled by the sound. Then, to Hua Changxi's astonishment, he rushed out of the bedroom, pushed her out of the living room, and quickly slammed the wing's door shut.

Hua Changxi stared at him in bewilderment, utterly confused by his sudden behavior.

Pharmacist Xu's reaction had been instinctive. Facing Hua Changxi's questioning gaze, he knew he had overreacted, but he didn't know how to explain himself.

After her initial shock, Hua Changxi asked tentatively, "Uncle Xu, what is actually wrong with A-Ling?"

There was only one possibility for his reaction: he was afraid of someone seeing Xu Ling.

Seeing that he remained silent, Hua Changxi added, "Uncle Xu, one person's plan is short, but two people's plan is long. Even if I can't help much, if you tell me about A-Ling's condition, perhaps I can provide some ideas for her treatment?"

Pharmacist Xu looked at Hua Changxi. Over the past few years, Jiu Niang had interacted with him frequently, and A-Ling had become acquainted with her as well.

He trusted Hua Changxi's character. After a moment of hesitation, he turned and opened the wing's door. "Come inside and see A-Ling."

Hua Changxi followed him into Xu Ling's bedroom.

Xu Ling was sleeping peacefully with a serene expression, except... her cheeks were covered in silvery-white patterns that emitted a faint, shimmering glow.

Hua Changxi's pupils dilated. She stepped quickly to the bedside and examined the patterns on Xu Ling's face closely. "These patterns look somewhat like snake scales. What do you think, Uncle Xu?"

Seeing her leaning so close and analyzing them so seriously, Pharmacist Xu was somewhat surprised. "Aren't you afraid?"

Hua Changxi froze for a moment. She realized she wasn't particularly afraid; instead, she felt a faint sense of excitement.

From the day she began her cultivation, she had known this was a fantasy world. She had simply felt that the mystical side of it was far removed from ordinary people and required her hard work to explore.

She hadn't expected to encounter something extraordinary and bizarre so soon, and right within her own social circle.

She was excited—excited to finally touch the mystical side of this world.

Of course, such thoughts could not be shared with outsiders. Thus, Hua Changxi looked at Pharmacist Xu with a serious expression. "Uncle Xu, the person lying here is A-Ling. What is there to be afraid of?"

Finally having someone to discuss his daughter's condition with, Pharmacist Xu couldn't help but say, "You don't know. Two days ago, when I saw those snake scales appearing on A-Ling's face, I was scared to death."

Hua Changxi comforted him, "Uncle Xu, don't be afraid. Even if A-Ling turns into a snake, she is still your daughter, isn't she?"

Pharmacist Xu: "..." He did not feel comforted at all.

Hua Changxi took Xu Ling's hand and began to check her pulse; she was truly curious about her condition.

How could snake scale patterns appear on a human face?

[Observation, Listening, Inquiry, and Palpation (Beginner): Diagnosis 1/10]

Hua Changxi let out an "Eh?" as new data appeared.

Seeing this, Pharmacist Xu hurriedly asked, "What is it? Did you find something? I checked A-Ling's body before and didn't find any issues."

Hua Changxi quickly shook her head. The moment the data appeared, a warm current rushed into her eyes. After a wave of warmth, she discovered that her eyes could now see much finer details.

For instance, right now, she could see that the glow of the snake scales on Xu Ling's face fluctuated in rhythm with her breathing.

Hua Changxi stood up and carefully examined Xu Ling's body, only to find that snake scale patterns had also appeared on her limbs, and the light on them also changed with her breath.

Watching this scene, Hua Changxi suddenly thought of the "Small Bird Breathing Diagram" that appeared in her mind during her cultivation.

When she practiced, she could clearly perceive every pore on her body performing breathing and gas exchange in sync with her breath.

How similar was this to Xu Ling's current state!

Hua Changxi felt a sudden pang of fear. She had always practiced alone and had never seen what she looked like while cultivating. Could she also, like Xu Ling, grow bird feathers on her body while practicing?

No, no, no!

She immediately dismissed the thought. She practiced in the servant dormitory; if something were actually wrong with her, her roommates would have made a scene long ago.

Therefore, her situation was different from Xu Ling's.

Hua Changxi breathed a secret sigh of relief, then looked at Xu Ling with renewed doubt.

Was this Xu Ling... practicing cultivation?

Thinking that her own ability to cultivate was entirely thanks to the Demonic Path, Hua Changxi hurriedly asked Pharmacist Xu, "Uncle Xu, before A-Ling became lethargic, did she go out or come into contact with anyone special?"

Pharmacist Xu shook his head. "A-Ling usually stays in the pharmacy. The people she contacts are either patients or those picking medicine. There are no 'special' people."

Hua Changxi couldn't make sense of it. If she hadn't gone out and hadn't met anyone special, how could something so bizarre happen to her? It couldn't have been self-induced, could it?

Hmm?

Self-induced?

Looking at the snake scales on Xu Ling's face, a spark of inspiration flashed in Hua Changxi's mind. She remembered a record in the *Notes on the Classic of Materia Medica* regarding a type of spiritual plant called the Atavism Fruit.

Atavism.

For some reason, Hua Changxi thought of that household name story. She looked at Pharmacist Xu curiously. "Uncle Xu, was A-Ling's mother surnamed Bai?"

Pharmacist Xu didn't understand why she was suddenly bringing up his late wife, but he replied, "A-Ling's mother was surnamed Zhou. However, an ancestor of my Xu family was indeed surnamed Bai."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi clapped her hands together and said excitedly, "Uncle Xu, have you heard the story of the Legend of the White Snake?"

Of course Pharmacist Xu had heard it. He asked, puzzled, "I have. What about it?"

Hua Changxi was quite animated. "Uncle Xu, the person the White Snake Lady repaid with her kindness was surnamed Xu—the same Xu as yours!"

Pharmacist Xu's face darkened. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Hua Changxi's eyes shone. "Uncle Xu, A-Ling is lethargic. Don't you think she looks a lot like a snake in hibernation?"

Pharmacist Xu's face went completely black. "Hua Jiu Niang, if you keep talking nonsense, do you believe I'll kick you out?"

Seeing that he was angry, Hua Changxi had to suppress her excitement. "Aren't I providing you with a line of reasoning? Uncle Xu, think about it carefully. Isn't my theory quite reasonable?"

"Reasonable my ass!"

Pharmacist Xu snapped in anger. "So your meaning is that my Xu family ancestor was a snake, and we are all descendants of snakes?"

Hua Changxi said, "Don't be angry. I have a source for what I'm saying."

Pharmacist Xu's chest heaved with rage. This Hua Jiu Niang had essentially stripped his entire family of their human status; how could he not be angry? He was livid.

"Hua Jiu Niang, explain yourself clearly. If you can't, I'm cutting ties with you."

Hua Changxi said, "Uncle Xu, have you ever heard of a fruit called the Atavism Fruit?"

Pharmacist Xu snorted. "This pharmacist has never heard of it."

Hua Changxi's expression turned serious. "But I have. It is said that after eating the Atavism Fruit, one's bloodline can revert to its ancestral state. It is the most coveted spiritual fruit of the Demon Race."

Pharmacist Xu laughed in disbelief. "The Demon Race is involved now? Hua Jiu Niang, have you read too many storybooks and lost your mind?"

Unaffected by his mood, Hua Changxi continued, "Humans can also undergo atavism. It is said that in ancient times, humans were protected by deities, and people of that era possessed divine power within them. After undergoing atavism, humans can possess that divine power once again."

Pharmacist Xu was done listening. He directly pushed Hua Changxi out of the wing. "Go back to where you came from. You are not welcome here. Go tell your stories elsewhere."

Hua Changxi didn't expect him to believe her, but she looked at him solemnly. "Uncle Xu, A-Ling should be fine. Do not let anyone else know about her condition. Demon monks and demon priests are most interested in people like A-Ling."

Pharmacist Xu was extremely impatient. "Just leave!"

Hua Changxi didn't say more. After giving him a few more warnings, she left.

Once she was gone, Pharmacist Xu stood in the courtyard in silence for a while. He then returned to the wing, gazed at his daughter for a long time, and finally entered the room where the Xu family ancestors were enshrined.

Looking at the Bai family memorial tablet at the very top of the altar, Pharmacist Xu's expression was incredibly complex.

The Legend of the White Snake was widely circulated in the Great Jin Dynasty. To avoid being mocked, Pharmacist Xu had never proactively told anyone that his family truly had an ancestor surnamed Bai.

Hua Changxi's words had indeed stirred a storm in his heart.

The reason he was affected was not just because of the legend, but also because of certain events that had occurred within the Medical Bureau over the past two years.

Ordinary people only knew that the Medical Bureau was a government office, but few knew that it was under the jurisdiction of the Celestial Department.

The Celestial Department held power equal to the Six Ministries and was directly under the Emperor's leadership.

The Celestial Department had three major branches. The Medical Bureau was one; another was the Martial Academy; the third was rarely known to the public—the mysterious Demon Suppression Division.

Demon Suppression.

What demons?

Demons and monsters, of course!

Over the past two years, the workload of the Medical Bureau had become increasingly heavy. The amount of pills required from the Nine Streets' pharmacists and physicians was growing. Where did all those submitted pills go?

A small portion was distributed to the Martial Academy, but the majority was sent to the Demon Suppression Division.

Judging by the volume of pills consumed, the number of casualties in the Demon Suppression Division had clearly increased significantly over the last two years.

Though he had never seen a demon with his own eyes, he could sense that the opponents of the Demon Suppression Division were quite formidable; otherwise, they wouldn't require such a massive amount of medicine.

"If there really are demons in this world..."

Pharmacist Xu thought of Xu Ling's condition. At this moment, he was also somewhat uncertain if he was truly human. Could it be that the descendants of the Xu family really were the offspring of snakes?

***

After leaving the Xu Family Pharmacy, Hua Changxi's mind was restless. She felt the excitement of a new world opening up to her, but also the gravity of a perceived approaching crisis.

If people like Xu Ling were appearing in her social circle, what about others?

If more and more people became like Xu Ling, could this world remain peaceful in the long run?

A sense of crisis welled up in her heart. She had to accelerate her progress in cultivation.

Since she had obtained this opportunity to cultivate, she did not want to be merely a piece of foam tossed about by the surging tides of the era.

Since she couldn't find Pharmacist Xu to offload her pills, Hua Changxi thought of Yu Gui. Yu Gui wouldn't be able to use all his share of the pills; he would certainly have to sell the rest.

With his connection to Eunuch Yu, he should have channels to sell medicinal pills.

Unfortunately, she didn't know where Yu Gui lived and could only look for him once she returned to the servant dormitory.

Hua Changxi did not wander the streets but went straight back to the Hua residence. Upon entering the courtyard, she saw many gifts laid out.

"Jiu Niang is back! Come quickly and see if there's anything you like!"

Seeing Hua Changxi, Hua Dalang waved her over with a smile.

Old Lady Hua had been happily browsing through the gifts Hua Dalang had brought from outside. Seeing him call Hua Changxi over, the smile faded from her face, though she did not voice her opposition.

Hua Changxi walked over and asked, "Brother, who gave these?"

Old Lady Hua immediately boasted, "The Count's manor and the Great Clan Elder value your brother as a sixth-rank martial artist, so they specially bestowed so many things upon him."

"Hmph, even outsiders are more generous than a biological sister."

Hua Changxi ignored Old Lady Hua and glanced at the fabrics and jewelry in the courtyard with little interest. "I'm going to my room to rest."

"What kind of attitude is that!"

Old Lady Hua was furious. The Count's manor appreciated Dalang, and the whole family was happy for him, yet this Jiu Niang didn't even offer a single word of congratulations.

Hua Dalang merely assumed Hua Changxi was still angry about the New Year's Eve incident. He casually picked out a few pieces of fabric and jewelry that young ladies liked and went to find her.

After returning to her room, Hua Changxi had just put away the unsold pills when Hua Dalang entered. She immediately said with displeasure, "Brother, in the future, remember to knock when you enter my room."

Hua Dalang laughed dismissively. "What, are you really going to become distant with your own brother?"

Hua Changxi replied, "It's not about being distant; it's about having boundaries. I am a young lady now; I have my privacy. If you enter my room, you must ask for my permission first."

Hua Dalang said, "Fine, fine, I'll knock next time, alright?" He set down the fabrics and jewelry. "I picked these out for you. See if you like them?"

Seeing that Hua Dalang intended to mend their relationship, Hua Changxi did not reject him. She flipped through the fabrics and jewelry and said perfunctorily, "They're alright."

Hua Dalang chuckled. "Your standards have certainly gone up since you joined the Medical Bureau. Our family could never afford such fine jewelry and fabrics before."

Hua Changxi looked at him. "Brother, it's not that my standards went up because of the Medical Bureau; it's that I feel I deserve better."

Hua Dalang knew his sister had loved using twisted logic since childhood and didn't want to argue. He asked with a smile, "Jiu Niang, it must be very hard for you in the servant dormitory, isn't it?"

Hua Changxi looked suspiciously at her brother, who was suddenly showing concern. "It's fine. I can handle it."

However, Hua Dalang showed disapproval. "Jiu Niang, come home. It won't be long before I start my official duties. I can't bear to see my sister working as a servant."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi didn't care whether his intentions were good or not. She said directly, "Brother, I am not coming home."

In the Medical Bureau, although she was just a servant, she was participating in social production and had entered the social sphere.

What was the point of going home? To return as a mere appendage to the family?

Hua Dalang frowned and said patiently, "I know you don't want to stay home all day. I've already spoken with Grandmother. Once you leave the Medical Bureau, the matter of refining medicine at our family pharmacy will be handed over to you..."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi understood exactly what Hua Dalang was planning. She sneered, "Brother, you don't need to say more. No matter how hard or tiring the servant dormitory is, I am willing to endure it. I will not come back to work for this family."

In the servant dormitory, everything she gained belonged to her personally.

Working at the Hua family pharmacy, everything she did would belong to the Hua family. She would produce value only to wait for the family to distribute it to her. She would have to be insane to return.

Hua Dalang grew angry. "Jiu Niang, your temperament is truly a headache."

Hua Changxi sneered, "Yes, I am not like Fifth Sister. Young ladies like her are the ones you like, because through your 'affection,' she became someone else's concubine."

Seeing Hua Dalang's angry glare, Hua Changxi stared right back. "Brother, since I have already left this house, there is no reason for me to return."

Hua Dalang stood up abruptly and said coldly, "Grandmother was right. You truly are born with a rebellious spirit, unteachable."

Hua Changxi shrugged and spread her hands. "That's just how I am."