Medicinal Bath

A few days later, in a room on the second floor of the Stone Oak Inn.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the glass window, casting bright patches of light onto the wooden floor.

Matthew was sitting quietly at the table when he heard familiar footsteps and a soft knock outside. He stood up to open the door.

Regg stood outside the door, dressed in dark green casual clothes under an elegantly crafted short linen cloak. His blonde hair was neatly combed, and his features still carried his usual composure, albeit with a trace of fatigue that was hard to notice.

He held a rather exquisite-looking carrying case in his hand.

Behind him stood the robust, steady-breathing guard who had entered the city with Young Master Regg a few days ago.

At this moment, the guard's face was flushed with a healthy glow, and an irrepressible excitement shone in his eyes. When he saw Matthew, he even took the initiative to nod in greeting, a friendly smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Matthew's heart stirred slightly. It seems he received some sort of reward... His mood is so good, and his demeanor seems even sharper than before. Since he's accompanying Regg alone, his status must have risen as well.

“Matthew,” Regg nodded slightly with a warm smile. “Is it convenient to come in and talk?”

“Please come in, Young Master Regg.”

Matthew snapped out of his thoughts and stepped aside, his gaze lingering for a moment on the wicker case—

The body of the case was tightly woven from dark brown fine wicker, its corners wrapped in polished copper plates. A small, dark green crystal was embedded in the clasp, presenting an understated elegance that was not overly showy.

The two of them sat down by the small square table in the room.

Regg placed the carrying case gently on the table before looking up to size Matthew up. He then glanced at the room's layout, which was simple and unpretentious, and nodded inwardly.

He then asked with concern, “Have you been getting used to staying at the inn these past few days? Though the Stone Oak isn't the best place to stay, it's clean enough. If you find it too cramped, I have a small courtyard house in the western part of the inner city that is usually vacant. You can move there anytime.”

Matthew understood. The "small courtyard house" Regg mentioned was likely a detached residence with its own courtyard, far superior to any ordinary inn. Given Regg's temperament and status, he would not be stingy once he spoke up; there was genuine sincerity in this invitation.

However, Matthew still waved his hand and politely declined:

“Thank you for your kindness, but I've already gotten used to staying here, and it's convenient to go in and out. There's no need to trouble yourself for now.”

Regg nodded and did not press further. Instead, he asked about Matthew's experiences at the guild over the past few days. The two of them casually chatted about inner city trivia and mission intelligence, the atmosphere as relaxed as a conversation between old friends.

After a moment, Regg changed the subject. His fingers lightly rested on the wicker case's copper clasp, and his expression gradually turned serious.

“Actually, I came here today mainly for this.”

He pressed the clasp, and with a soft click, the lid of the case slowly opened.

The inside of the case was lined with dark blue velvet, where over a dozen square medicinal packages sealed with wax paper were neatly arranged. Each package was about the size of a palm, thick and flat, emitting a rich and bitter herbal scent.

The packages were separated by soft cloth, and embedded on the side were two narrow-necked glass vials. Through their translucent glass, a dark gold liquid could be seen sloshing inside, looking like melted amber.

Regg placed one package of herbs on the table, his voice steady and clear:

“This is a complete set of body-tempering herbs, fifteen packages in total. Use one package a day for a medicinal bath.”

He paused slightly, his gaze shifting to Matthew.

“I have fully refined all the herbs you need, and the effects are guaranteed to be top-tier.”

“As for the shelf life, you don't need to worry—they can be preserved for at least half a year. If you don't use them during this period and they spoil after a few months, you can come find me anytime.”

Matthew was slightly surprised. “A medicinal bath?”

“These herbs are designed to improve your body's adaptability to life energy,” Regg explained.

“Through the medicinal bath, the medicinal properties will penetrate your muscles and nourish your meridians, allowing you to gradually adapt to the impact of that energy. The entire process takes about half a month. Once you finish these fifteen packages, your body's adaptability will be significantly enhanced.”

“However, half a month is the maximum duration. Soaking for longer won't bring any extra benefits.”

He pointed downward.

“The cypress tub for the bath has also been prepared and is in the carriage downstairs. I'll have someone carry it up later. The tub is specially made to ensure the medicinal properties disperse evenly.”

Matthew listened quietly, his gaze falling on the package sealed with wax paper as ripples of emotion stirred in his heart.

So that was how it worked—not for internal consumption, but for external soaking.

Thinking about it carefully, it was quite reasonable. If that "violent life energy" were swallowed directly, it would likely burn the meridians like raging fire and assault the internal organs, which an ordinary person's body could never withstand.

Using a medicinal bath to gently penetrate from the outside in, tempering the physique step-by-step, was the truly secure method of refinement.

He recalled the scene when he watched Instructor Calm's breakthrough. The instructor had swallowed the crystal core in one gulp, and that violent life energy had erupted from his body like a volcanic eruption, instantly filling the small room. It was like an invisible energy storm sweeping through everything, making even the air tremble.

And what the instructor had consumed back then was merely an inferior crystal core.

In comparison, his own crystal core was produced by a descendant of a Gold Rank beast. Although its exact energy level was unclear, it was definitely no ordinary object.

Thinking of it this way, waiting and adjusting through half a month of medicinal baths was only logical.

With this thought, a trace of understanding flashed in Matthew's eyes.

He looked at Regg and nodded solemnly.

“I understand. This method is safe and thorough. Thank you for taking the trouble to prepare it, Young Master.”

His words lacked excessive flowery language, but his sincerity and gratitude were clearly visible to Regg.

Although this reward had been agreed upon beforehand, now that they were in the inner city, even if Regg wanted to delay or give him the runaround, Matthew would have no effective means to hold him to it.

Under such circumstances, since the other party still chose to fulfill his promise so sincerely, Matthew naturally would not remain indifferent.

Regg smiled slightly and gently pushed the wicker case toward Matthew.

“This is all part of the reward we agreed upon beforehand. It's only right.”

“In that case, I will leave this case of herbs with you. When you are ready to advance, soak in one package every night. The water temperature must be kept hot but not boiling, and you should soak until the medicinal properties are fully absorbed and your entire body is sweating slightly.

“If you feel any abnormalities during the process, such as unbearable stinging, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath, stop immediately.”

He stood up and brushed off his clothes.

“I'll have someone bring the wooden tub up right away.”

Matthew also stood up and bowed slightly.

“Thank you.”

The two words were spoken quietly, but they carried the weight of a heavy stone.

Regg waved his hand and turned to walk out.

The door closed gently.

Matthew stood alone in the room, his gaze lingering on the case of herbs on the table for a long time.

The light fragrance of cypress and the bitter scent of herbs intertwined and filled the air.

...

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