Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Senior Brother is Really Amazing

The incident with Xu Yuan’s swapped medicine packet put everyone in the Pharmacy on alert.

The atmosphere in Taiyu City was already tense, and an incident like this naturally made everyone more vigilant. Furthermore, Xu Gaocen’s words made them take the matter even more seriously.

After he finished speaking, Xu Gaocen told everyone else to return to their work.

As Yang Chan went about his daily tasks, he kept an eye on Pharmacist Zhao Qiyang. However, Zhao Qiyang showed no sign of anything unusual, acting as if he had simply discovered the issue by chance.

“Senior Brother Yang, you’re incredible. If it were me, I wouldn’t have dared to say that.”

Sun Qi Wu walked over to Yang Chan, a look of adoration on his face. It was clear that Yang Chan had just done something he would never have dared to do.

He, on the other hand, had been ruthlessly scolded by Pharmacist Xu Gaocen before.

However, their situations were vastly different. Sun Qi Wu had been scolded for his own mistakes, like working too slowly. Yang Chan’s case, however, involved someone secretly tampering with things, which was a completely different matter.

Of course, what he admired most was Yang Chan’s courage.

“It’s nothing. Next time, just try repeating it silently in your head. When you can’t hold it in anymore, the words are bound to come out.”

Yang Chan smiled, giving him a piece of very unreliable advice.

“Does that really work?”

Sun Qi Wu’s eyes widened as he asked hurriedly.

“You can give it a try, as long as you don’t mind Pharmacist Xu throwing you out.”

Seeing the eager expression on Sun Qi Wu’s face, Yang Chan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Then I’d better not.”

Upon hearing this, the excited look on Sun Qi Wu’s face vanished.

He couldn’t afford to lose his position as a Pharmacist’s Assistant.

The benefits and subsidies for a Pharmacist’s Assistant were quite good, and no other task within the Cyan Yuan Sect was as suitable for him.

“Spend more time studying. Once you know medicine preparation like the back of your hand, you’ll have the confidence to back yourself up.”

Yang Chan’s own confidence stemmed from his skill and competence. Certain that he had made no mistakes, he naturally had the courage to argue his case.

Besides, as Pharmacist Xu Gaocen’s personal Pharmacist’s Assistant, he naturally held a certain advantage.

As Xu Gaocen’s assistant, any punishment would have to be approved by Xu Gaocen himself, the Pharmacist in charge.

His daily tasks were as busy as ever, but by now, Yang Chan had grown accustomed to it.

…

「Taiyu City, Qinghan Mansion, the Medicine Hall.」

“Are you sure you want to take the Pharmacist assessment? If you fail this time, you’ll have to wait a year for the next opportunity. Don’t you want to reconsider?”

Lei Jingshan asked.

He was one of the Intermediate Pharmacists who had come down the mountain with Yang Chan’s group. He was presiding over the assessment, assisted by three Basic Level Pharmacists.

The Pharmacist assessment was a comprehensive evaluation of multiple skills. An applicant had to pass every single section to be considered successful.

Failing even one section meant failing the entire assessment. The standards were incredibly strict, because a Pharmacist’s work affected the lives of many, not just one.

A mistake in a prepared medicine could kill countless people.

Every Official Disciple of the Cyan Yuan Sect was important; the sect would never allow someone without the requisite skills to become a Pharmacist. This was not just a matter concerning the disciples, but one that could also affect Elite Disciples and Elders.

A Pharmacist’s responsibilities far exceeded those of other disciples.

Yang Chan, of course, knew what the Pharmacist assessment entailed. It covered several areas: medicine preparation, treatment, decoction, alchemy, pharmacological theory, and solutions for common ailments. For each section, one Pharmacist would conduct the test while the other three observed and evaluated.

Only at the very end would they give a final evaluation to determine if he had passed.

“Yes, I understand. I confirm that I wish to take the Pharmacist assessment today.”

Yang Chan’s tone was firm. He had already inquired about all the requirements for the Pharmacist assessment and was confident he would pass.

His practical skills had been a bit weak, but he had learned a great deal from treating the injured disciples over the past several days.

Moreover, he had spent two Potential Points on it, raising his progress in the ’Pharmacist: Tier Two Entry’ skill by more than ten percent. By practicing on the injured disciples, he was now sure his treatment skills were up to standard.

“Very well. I will begin your Pharmacist assessment.”

Seeing his resolve, Lei Jingshan began the assessment immediately. His earlier questions were a standard part of the procedure, meant to gauge an applicant’s mindset and readiness.

Mindset was, in itself, a hidden test.

When a Pharmacist prepares medicine or treats the wounded, situations can be urgent. A poor mindset can lead to frequent errors.

Yang Chan’s current demeanor, however, left Lei Jingshan quite satisfied.

“I will begin with the medicine preparation test. Take these herbs from the table and prepare one dose of Qi Nourishing Soup. You have the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.”

Preparing Qi Nourishing Soup was a fundamental skill and one of the most common tasks for Basic Level Pharmacists, as it was in high demand.

In this context, ’medicine preparation’ meant selecting the necessary herbs for Qi Nourishing Soup from a large pile, then combining the chosen ingredients according to their Medicinal Properties. It was also a subtle test of one’s pharmacological knowledge and discerning eye.

Being able to independently prepare a dose of Qi Nourishing Soup that could exert its full effect was, one might say, the most basic requirement.

If an applicant couldn’t even do that, there was no point in continuing the assessment. It was the minimum threshold.

“Now, begin.”

As Lei Jingshan finished speaking, a stick of incense was lit.

Upon hearing the command, Yang Chan didn’t reply. He immediately began sorting through the pile of herbs on the table, quickly picking out the ingredients for the Qi Nourishing Soup. The process was swift; this was a fundamental skill he had been required to master as a Pharmacist’s Assistant.

Yang Chan moved with practiced ease, weighing the herbs and setting them aside.

In truth, with his current skill, he could have just grabbed the correct amount by feel. However, the act of weighing them made him appear more methodical and reliable, ensuring it wouldn’t negatively impact his evaluation and leaving no room for criticism.

Once the herbs were weighed, he laid the ingredients out before him. Yang Chan sorted through them carefully, arranged them into a single dose, and only after a final inspection did he conclude his task.

“I have completed the preparation. Pharmacist Lei, please inspect my work.”

Yang Chan walked over and placed the prepared packet on a nearby table designated for the test submissions.

At his words, Lei Jingshan stood up, walked over, and carefully inspected the packet Yang Chan had prepared. After he was finished, the three Basic Level Pharmacists also stepped forward to examine it, each recording their own evaluation.

When they were done, the examiners exchanged a look, and one of the Basic Level Pharmacists spoke up.

“I will test your ability to handle complex and difficult cases. I will now present you with a case study. You have the time it takes for two sticks of incense to burn to think it over and then write a prescription for treatment.”

“The case is as follows…”

Although no one commented on his preparation of the Qi Nourishing Soup, the fact that the Pharmacists were proceeding with the questions meant he had passed the first stage. This wasn’t the end, however. It was only the beginning.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep