Chapter 38: I Hope You Won’t Regret It

The second medicinal herb Li Jian-san picked up was rather peculiar. It was a tri-colored plant: yellow petals, purple leaves, and, even more strangely, red roots. He held the herb to his nose and took a sniff. The pungent odor immediately reminded him of a particular medicinal plant—Oxwood Vine.

This was a special plant that only grew in the borderlands, known for its hallucinogenic effects on humans. Apothecaries would sometimes refine it into hallucinogenic agents for self-defense. Setting the herb down, Li Jian-san was surprised to find such a rare borderland plant here.

"If the variety of herbs here is so rich, then surely the ones I'm looking for must also be among them," he thought to himself, gaining a bit more confidence in his search.

He gazed at the herbs before him, quickly recalling information about each one in his mind.

With a rapid swish, Li Jian-san took up his pen and, without a moment's hesitation, began to write briskly across the paper.

Elsewhere in the room, the other candidates picked up the herbs, examined them closely, sniffed them carefully, and only after much deliberation did they nervously jot down their answers.

But Li Jian-san required neither thought nor delay; he wrote his answers straight away, as if he were simply copying them down.

Yang Zishuo, who witnessed this scene, sneered coldly to himself.

This fool—does he really think he can bluff his way through? Does he imagine that, because he performed well earlier, striking a pose now would draw the masters’ attention? How naïve.

This examination is extremely rigorous; every test is watched closely by the elders. If he tries to muddle through, he’ll be in for a good show soon enough.

Yang Zishuo was not alone in his thoughts. An elder invigilator nearby also frowned deeply at Li Jian-san’s actions, his face darkening.

“Another one trying to muddle through,” he muttered internally.

Every year, some examinees attempt to bluff their way through the apothecary exam, scribbling down nonsensical theories, naively thinking the elders won’t scrutinize their answers and that they might slip by unnoticed.

He despised such people. Apothecaries must have solid foundations; frauds who lack real skill could easily cause fatalities with their concoctions.

The herbs on display were randomly selected from among hundreds of thousands of known species—far beyond the knowledge of a first-tier apothecary.

Even a first-tier apothecary would need time to identify and write down all the answers. Li Jian-san was only in his teens—how could he possibly reach such a level? To write them all down without even thinking—only a third-tier apothecary could achieve that.

How could someone so young have such accomplishments?

“Another one here just to waste our time!” The elder didn’t even glance at Li Jian-san’s answers, fully intending to eliminate him. It was no surprise, for no one had ever seen a candidate answer at such speed. In all his years overseeing exams, he’d never witnessed such genius.

Within just a few minutes, Li Jian-san had identified all the herbs and neatly organized his answers on the sheet.

“Hm? How is that boy so fast?”

“Are you kidding? Do you really think he finished? Didn’t you see him just glance at each herb? He’s given up, that’s all.”

“At least he knows his own limits. Honestly, this test is too hard—there are herbs here I’ve never even seen. I might give up as well.”

“Try to hold on, we’ve come this far.”

Seeing Li Jian-san stop writing, those around him began to whisper among themselves. They all assumed he hadn’t truly finished—he simply didn’t know the answers and was giving up.

But for Li Jian-san, a third-tier apothecary, this knowledge was trivial. He finished in no time.

Having completed the exam, and since early departure wasn’t permitted, Li Jian-san lay down and promptly fell asleep.

Soon, the time was up.

“All examinees, remain where you are. Your answer sheets will now be collected,” announced the supervising elder, scanning the room.

At his command, everyone obediently stood—everyone except for Li Jian-san, who remained asleep.

The elder’s expression changed at the sight, but he said nothing. He was too disinterested to bother with such a candidate.

Before long, all the papers were collected—except Li Jian-san’s.

“Elder, why hasn’t his paper been collected?” asked the disciple assigned to collect the tests, puzzled.

“Leave it. He’s just a charlatan—his paper isn’t worth grading. Reading it would only waste our time,” the elder snapped.

To finish so fast was clearly a sign of carelessness. Such a paper was not even worth his glance.

The disciple hastily shut his mouth.

Just then, Li Jian-san awoke, stretching languidly. Noticing his paper still on the desk, he yawned and called out, “Elder, my answer sheet hasn’t been collected yet.”

Why are these people so unreliable? he muttered inwardly.

Hearing him, Yang Zishuo was the first to sneer. This fool dares to question the elder at a time like this? I’m eager to see the consequences.

Sure enough, had Li Jian-san stayed quiet, he might have slipped through unnoticed. But now, upon hearing his words, the supervising elder’s anger ignited, his chest nearly bursting.

He hadn’t cared to deal with him before, but now the boy had the gall to question him?

Are you still dreaming? You know nothing, yet you dare scribble nonsense and then demand your paper be graded?

The elder stormed over and roared, “Do you have no sense of your own ability? And you still dare question me now?”

Li Jian-san smiled faintly. “I am fully aware of myself. That’s precisely why I ask you not to overlook my paper.”

The elder’s face shifted from red to white in fury. Unable to contain himself any longer, he bellowed, “Someone, throw this boy out! And don’t let him ever set foot in the Apothecaries’ Guild again!”