“Dear, we went to Xia Province to gain a foothold and raise troops because we intend to accomplish something great. A skilled apothecary is indispensable for that.” He Chunhua, of course, knew just how to soothe his wife. “Shihuan City is filled with sects and talented people. Finding the right candidate here is better than waiting until Xia Province to recruit one. From that perspective, Chuan’er might not be so thoughtless after all.”1

Madame Ying trusted her husband above all. Her anger softened into doubt. “But it’s just a monkey. Can it really refine proper medicine?”2

“I’ve heard of the Thousand-Heart Flow before,” He Chunhua said. With ambitions reaching across the land, he had studied the great sects thoroughly. “It’s famed throughout the realm for its alchemy. Even though it’s technically a monster sect, the medicines refined by its medicine apes rival, or even surpass, those of human apothecaries. That’s what it means for each craft to have its masters. If we tried to hire a reputable apothecary by ordinary means, the price could easily double and still not succeed.”0

High-level talent never came cheap, least of all when recruited from the capital, yet expected to relocate to Xia Province. Wages would have to cover...0