Douluo Continent: Rebirth of Ma Hongjun, Phoenix of Ultimate Light

Chapter 51 Prescription

"Teacher, I have something to show you."

Flander put down the ledger. Ma Hongjun took the neatly folded piece of paper out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

Flander unfolded the paper and looked down at the densely packed small characters. He looked at it for a long time, so long that Ma Hongjun couldn't help but clench his fist.

"Did you write this?" Flander looked up at him, his expression unreadable, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

"Yes."

"Six qian of Bone-Tempering Grass, one liang of Blood-Activating Vine, three qian of Mind-Calming Flower, two qian of Benzoin, and two buckets of Thousand-Year-Old Hot Spring Water." Flander read the contents of the prescription aloud, then paused for a moment. "Six qian of Bone-Tempering Grass is the adult dosage. You're only seven years old. Aren't you afraid of breaking your bones?"

Ma Hongjun has already prepared the answer to this question.

"The bone-strengthening herb enters the kidney meridian and strengthens bones and muscles. Its medicinal power is mild and suitable for all constitutions. Although six qian (approximately 30 grams) is a bit much, when soaking in the bath, the medicinal power is absorbed through the skin of the whole body and will not be concentrated on any one bone. After being dispersed, the amount is actually not that large. Moreover, after a year of tempering, my body has bone density and strength far exceeding that of my peers, so I can withstand it."

"And an ounce of Blood-Activating Vine?"

"The Blood-Activating Vine is the main ingredient in the prescription, used to unblock the meridians. My flames are the Evil Fire Phoenix, and my meridians are wider than those of ordinary people..."

They are also more vulnerable than ordinary people. The intense heat of evil fire can easily leave hidden injuries by burning the meridians for a long time, and the amount of blood-activating vine in ordinary prescriptions is not enough.

One or two ounces is just right for me; it clears the meridians without overstimulating them.

"Where's the Concentration Flower?"

"When I meditate, my mind is restless and my efficiency is low. The combination of calming flowers and benzoin neutralizes the agitation in my heart, allowing me to sit still and calm down."

Flander placed the prescription on the table, tapping his fingers lightly on the paper. A moment of silence followed.

Have you tried this recipe?

"no."

"You dare show it to me if you don't have one?"

Ma Hongjun looked at Flander with a calm expression.

"I need my teacher's guidance. Teacher Shao Xin knows more about the age, quality, and processing methods of the medicinal herbs than I do. I'm not sure about the size of the bath tub, how long to soak, or the water temperature range."

Flander's fingers stopped. He looked at Ma Hongjun with something indescribable in his eyes—this boy was never reckless, he dared to think and act, but every step he took was measured.

"Keep the recipe with me for now. I'll go discuss it with Shao Xin to see if it's usable, how much to use, and how to prepare it. I'll let you know once we've figured it out."

Flander folded the prescription and put it in the drawer. That was considered acceptance; he hadn't refused.

Ma Hongjun was secretly delighted.

"There's one more thing," Flander called after him. "The medicinal knowledge you read in books is different from actual use. No matter how well it's written on paper, it might be completely different in the pot. Whether this prescription works or not ultimately depends on Shao Xin's decision."

"I see."

"Go train first, I'll give you an answer tonight."

When Ma Hongjun walked out of the office, his steps were a few paces faster than usual.

Unbeknownst to him, after he left, Flanders summoned Shao Xin. Shao Xin remained silent for a long time after reading the prescription, so silent that Flanders assumed he was about to refuse.

"Did Hongjun write this?" Shao Xin looked up after reading it three times.

"Um."

"Six qian of Bone-Tempering Grass and one liang of Blood-Activating Vine — this dosage is quite daring."

"Will it work?"

Shao Xin didn't answer immediately. He looked at it again, his finger lightly tracing the surface of the paper, as if weighing something. He pondered for a long time, his expression shifting from surprise to seriousness, and from seriousness to solemnity.

"The idea behind the prescription is correct. Bone-strengthening herb strengthens bones, blood-activating vine unblocks meridians, and mind-calming flower soothes the mind. The three main ingredients each have their own function and are properly combined. Although the dosage is a bit high, it's not unadjustable. For the first batch, try halving the dosage he wrote down, and then gradually increase it based on the reaction."

"That means it's usable."

Shao Xin put away the prescription, his usually smiling face unusually serious.

"How many books has this child read this year?"

Flanders thought for a moment.

"More than I've seen in the past ten years."

Shao Xin sighed, carefully folded the prescription, and put it in his pocket. His tone was complex as he spoke, a mixture of relief, emotion, and a hint of refusal to admit he was getting old.

#Chapter Thirty-Nine: Shao Xin didn't delay the first pot.

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That afternoon, he had all the medicinal herbs ready.

Four medicinal herbs—Quenching Bone Grass, Blood-Activating Vine, Mind-Concentrating Flower, and Benzoin—were neatly arranged on the kitchen cutting board. The Quenching Bone Grass was dried, its leaves curled into a dark brown, and a faint bitter smell emanated from it. The Blood-Activating Vine was cut into sections, the cross-sections a dark red, as if soaked in blood. The Mind-Concentrating Flowers remained intact, their petals having lost moisture, yet still retaining their blooming posture.

Shao Xin divided the four medicinal herbs into two portions. One portion was 50% of the original prescription from Ma Hongjun, and the other portion was 70%.

"Let's try 50% first," Shao Xin said to Flander, who was standing next to him. "Hongjun has a good physique, but six qian of Bone Tempering Grass is still too strong for him. Start with three qian and gradually increase."

Flanders nodded.

"The water is ready. It's hard to find water from the thousand-year-old hot spring, but the water from that deep well north of Soto is about the same quality. We'll use that for now."

Shao Xin put three qian of Bone-Tempering Grass, five qian of Blood-Activating Vine, one and a half qian of Mind-Calming Flower, and one qian of Benzoin into the bathtub and poured in boiling well water. The moment the herbs entered the water, a rich medicinal aroma burst forth, spicy with a hint of bitterness, and a touch of sweetness within the bitterness, filling the entire kitchen.

The color of the medicinal soup quickly darkened, changing from transparent to light brown, and then from light brown to dark brown. Steam rose from the surface of the water, as the medicinal properties were continuously released in the high temperature.

"Wait until the water cools down." Shao Xin wiped his hands. "It's too hot to soak in."

That evening, after training, Ma Hongjun went into the kitchen and saw the large bathtub in the center of the room. The medicinal soup was dark brown, with a thin layer of dregs floating on the surface. Steam rose gently, and the aroma of the medicine was so strong it was pungent.

Shao Xin reached out and tested the water temperature.

"That's enough, go in. Soak for 15 minutes first, and if you can't stand it, come out. Don't push yourself."

Ma Hongjun took off his coat and stepped into the bathtub.

The ground beneath their feet was scalding hot medicinal soup.

The first sensation was heat. Not the burning sensation on the skin's surface, but a heat that penetrated deep into the pores, like countless fine needles simultaneously piercing the skin, muscles, and even the crevices of the bones. The medicinal effects of the Bone-Tempering Grass took hold first, sending a tingling, aching sensation deep within the bones, as if something was stirring inside.

Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth, his facial muscles tense like stone.

"Does it hurt?" Shao Xin stood by the bathtub, arms crossed, staring at him nervously.

"Sour." Ma Hongjun squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, "My bones ache."

"That's how Bone-Tempering Grass works. It strengthens your bones, pushing calcium into them. Acidity is normal, but pain is not. Pain means you've taken too much and need to take it out immediately."

.....