The yellow-clad gatekeepers standing outside the Medicine Gathering Hall crossed their arms, looking down their noses at the martial folk coming and going on the street. Because the Medicine Gathering Hall was the foremost powerful household in Zhuqi County, and even more so because of the revered status of the Medicine King Gang throughout Pingzhou Province, the arrogance on the faces of these doormen was a good seven parts higher than that of doormen from smaller factions.

The county constables who lorded it over the countryside didn't dare utter a peep in front of these gatekeepers. Ordinary martial artists wouldn't dare cause trouble on the Medicine Gathering Hall's turf either.

Seeing their imposing demeanor, Ye Qin dared not approach to inquire about recruiting medicine-gathering apprentices. He hid far back in the corner of the street with Da Niu, cautiously peering into the Medicine Gathering Hall, its main doors wide open, trying to see if they were currently recruiting.

Suddenly, he spotted a familiar donkey cart parked near the side entrance of the Hall.

The old local gentry was talking to a steward-like figure from the Medicine Gathering Hall, accompanied by his slightly plump son. He took out a heavy coin purse and handed it over, his aged face plastered with obsequiousness: "Steward Zhang, please take care of my little one! This is just a small token of my appreciation."

At this moment, the old gentry showed none of the arrogance he displayed in the countryside.

Steward Zhang glanced at the sliver of silver peeking from a corner of the bag, weighed the purse, which felt substantial—easily estimated at one or two hundred silver leaves. In terms of gold leaves, that was only one or two. One silver leaf could be exchanged for a hundred copper coins.

Disappointment flickered in Steward Zhang's eyes, and he spoke indifferently, "It can be arranged, it can be arranged! I will certainly look after your boy appropriately so he comes to no harm. But whether he can join the Medicine Gathering Hall and become an apprentice still depends on your son’s fortune... Actually, if you had ten times this amount, it would be best to send your boy directly to the inner hall as an inner hall disciple apprentice. My word as the chief steward carries weight."

The old gentry looked extremely awkward. He was merely a minor landowner with a few hundred acres of barren fields; where could he find such a sum? Gathering one or two hundred silver leaves was already a strain. Furthermore, this year’s harvest was poor, making him even tighter on money. If it weren't for the fact that he had his son in his late sixties or early seventies and doted on him excessively, wanting to secure a good future for him, he wouldn't be spending this money to send his son to the powerful Medicine Gathering Hall in Zhuqi County.

The poor old gentleman never once considered the difference between the inner and outer halls of the Medicine Gathering Hall, nor whether his son could endure the hardships of an outer hall apprentice. This money was fated to be wasted.

Seeing the old gentry's embarrassment, Steward Zhang knew he wouldn't produce more money. He impatiently took the silver and led the plump boy through the side door into the Medicine Gathering Hall. The old gentry watched happily until his son disappeared inside with Steward Zhang before whipping up his donkey cart and leaving.

Within half an hour. At least ten more children, aged around ten or eleven, were brought into the Medicine Gathering Hall by common folk from the town. However, they all entered through the main gate, unlike the gentry's son who used the side door.

Only then did Ye Qin dare to confirm that the Medicine Gathering Hall was indeed recruiting, and recruiting quite a few. The two doorkeepers barely questioned the children's origins, letting them right in. As for the adults, they were all blocked outside the compound, forbidden to enter.

Ye Qin noticed the sky was darkening; if he delayed any longer, it would be too late.

He mustered his courage, pulling Da Niu along, and shuffled timidly toward the two gatekeepers. He dared not look up, merely stammering, "Is—is this place—recruiting medicine-gathering apprentices?"

The two yellow-clad, sword-bearing gatekeepers burst into laughter, looking down on them both. "Ha! Two little beggars actually show up wanting to be medicine-gathering apprentices? Do you think our Medicine Gathering Hall is a beggar den?" "Hurry up and scram, don't dirty the steps of the Medicine Gathering Hall!" The two gatekeepers likely didn't want to soil their own hands by touching them.

They hadn't finished laughing when a man in green robes, about forty years old, walked slowly out from within, sweeping the area in front of the main gate with a cold gaze.

The laughter of the two sword-bearing gatekeepers stopped abruptly. They hastily cupped their hands in salute. "Apothecary Wang, why have you come out, Elder!" "We have this humble pair watching here; do you have any instructions for us?!"

Apothecary Wang walked with his hands behind his back and snorted.

"Don't you know the rules of my Medicine Gathering Hall? My Hall recruits apprentices without regard to origin or background; anyone who comes is accepted. What are you two doing? Turning away prospective apprentices?"

Cold sweat immediately broke out on the foreheads of the two gatekeepers. They dared not offer an explanation, only repeatedly pleading for mercy.

The hierarchy within the Medicine Gathering Hall was strict.

Apothecaries held extremely high status; there were only a few dozen in the entire Hall. These two doorkeepers certainly couldn't afford to offend one.

Apothecary Wang did not look at them, stating, "Bring these two little fellows inside and prepare them for tomorrow's drug testing!"

"Yes, yes!"

Once ordered, the two gatekeepers disregarded the dirt and stench on the two little beggars. They quickly grabbed one of each, gripping Ye Qin and Da Niu by the necks, and strode into the Medicine Gathering Hall.

Ye Qin was stunned, unsure of what was happening. However, he clearly heard Apothecary Wang intending to take them in, so he didn't struggle. Da Niu was even too frightened to move, being dragged along by the neck.

"Wait a moment!"

Apothecary Wang suddenly noticed something and called them to a halt.

The two gatekeepers stopped, at a loss, wondering why Apothecary Wang told them to pause.

Apothecary Wang approached Da Niu and indifferently glanced at the two holes in the boy's calf.

"The calf tendons must have been bitten by a wild dog. He’ll have trouble walking and will likely be useless waste later on. Throw him out! Take the other one inside!"

The two gatekeepers immediately understood, secretly admiring Apothecary Wang's keen eyesight. One of them quickly tossed the injured beggar out, while the other dragged Ye Qin inward.

Ye Qin had not anticipated this sudden turn of events; he and Da Niu were being separated, which made him frantic. He struggled and shouted, heedless of everything, suddenly kicking out with his foot at the gatekeeper, trying to break free.

But the sword-bearing guard was no easy mark. Ignoring his kicking and shouting, he slung Ye Qin over his back like an eagle snatching a chick and hurried deeper into the compound after entering the main door of the Medicine Gathering Hall.

Ye Qin shouted in despair, "Da Niu, don't go, wait for me!"

"Brother Qin!"

Cheng Da Niu was tossed outside the main gate of the Medicine Gathering Hall. He cried out and struggled, but under the cold gaze of the gatekeeper, he dared not approach the door in the slightest. He lingered near the estate the entire night, realizing there was no hope of seeing Ye Qin again, and finally limped away into the unknown. The two partners from the same village were torn apart: one inside the Medicine Gathering Hall, one outside.

During his struggle, Ye Qin was carried by the gatekeeper to some unknown part of the Hall, where he was thrown into a small courtyard. Then, the gatekeeper left him alone, locking the courtyard door once more.

There were also guards watching the courtyard entrance.

Ye Qin scrambled to his feet, preparing to figure out an escape, but as he took in the scene inside the small courtyard, he froze in astonishment.

Inside this courtyard were hundreds of children, both boys and girls, ranging from seven to twelve years old. They were divided into dozens of small groups, clustered together. Judging by their attire, these children came from well-off rural families, town commoners, or impoverished country folk.

They all stared at Ye Qin strangely. In their eyes, the gatekeepers of the Medicine Gathering Hall were already figures of considerable status. What kind of person required them to personally carry him in?

Ye Qin had never been around so many unfamiliar children. He shrank back slightly, slowly maneuvering himself into a corner, trying his best to avoid attracting the attention of the other children.

Suddenly, a fat child in the crowd widened his eyes in disbelief, pointed at Ye Qin, and shouted in terror, "Aren't you that kid from the street? How did you get in here? Is this a place someone like you belongs? Watch me beat you up!" He drew back his fist, ready to swing at Ye Qin.