175: How about it, do you want to bow your head?

Polygonatum, a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb.

On the market, Polygonatum was already selling for over five hundred yuan per jin several years ago.

However, those in the know understand that the Polygonatum on the market is a mix of genuine and fake.

Moreover, there's hardly any pure wild Polygonatum; it's all cultivated.

Such Polygonatum is frequently sold at wild prices.

But the efficacy is truly somewhat disappointing.

This is also why Traditional Chinese Medicine is now criticized, looked down upon, and deemed useless.

Leaving aside other things, just with the various cultivated Chinese medicines available now, the medicinal effect alone is discounted by fifty percent.

Some greedy medicine merchants even put fake or artificially ripened medicines into the market.

Can such a vicious cycle allow Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve?

Su Can knows very well that truly good Chinese medicine can genuinely cure illnesses, even faster than Western medicine.

For some difficult and complicated diseases, and even strange folk remedies, the effects are immediate.

"Polygonatum is a good thing, an indispensable and valuable medicinal herb for us martial artists."

"I've known about Polygonatum before, but only its reputation and efficacy. This is the first time I've actually seen what real Polygonatum looks like!"

After Su Can dug out a few pieces of Polygonatum, Zhao Hao couldn't help but walk over and strike up a conversation.

Seeing this, Su Can, hearing him say that, also couldn't help but say with emotion, "So, this is one of the reasons for the decline of our Traditional Chinese Medicine!"

"Most Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners now are just 'talking on paper,' only studying theory and prescribing medicine to people from an office!"

"But if you truly let them go into the market, or into the mountains, even if you put the herbs in front of them, they wouldn't recognize them!"

"This is one of the tragedies of Traditional Chinese Medicine!"

As Su Can spoke, he suddenly performed a magic trick, reaching behind his back and pulling out a simple pouch.

"Hmm?"

Others didn't notice his movement, but Su Ran saw it and was a bit stunned.

What's happening?

Where did he pull that simple pouch out from?

Su Can smiled to himself, put two pieces of Polygonatum into the pouch, and slung it over his shoulder.

"Brother Su is absolutely right, that really hits home!"

Zhao Hao sighed.

"Alright, these are not our concerns. Let's continue on our way!"

Su Can smiled and returned the entrenching tool.

To avoid going the wrong way, Zhao Hao took out the map again to confirm the route against the surroundings.

"Brother Su, according to the route we agreed upon, we will soon pass through a canyon ahead!"

"Although the canyon is not long, the two Mountain Peaks forming it are extremely high. The canyon is dark and gets no sunlight, with dense undergrowth. It's possible wild beasts are lurking, so we need to be careful!"

Zhao Hao warned with a serious expression.

"Okay, I understand!"

Su Can, holding his long blade, nodded and looked at the distance, saying, "This section of the road ahead is also not easy. After we finish it, we'll find an open area to rest, replenish some food, and recover our strength!"

"Really? That's great, I'm practically exhausted! No, I'm tired and hungry!"

As soon as Wei Dandan heard Su Can suggest a rest, she spoke up impatiently before Zhao Hao could respond.

"And my feet are sore from walking this whole way!"

"Why weren't you so delicate before?"

Zhao Hao looked at Wei Dandan speechlessly: "Alright, don't say anymore. Since Brother Su suggested it, everyone will rest for a bit, replenish some food, and recover their strength!"

"Sounds good, I certainly have no objections."

Yang Fan also chuckled and raised his hand.

"Then it's settled. Let's keep going!"

Su Can smiled faintly, turned and swung his blade, and the messy branches and bushes blocking the path in front of him were all neatly cut down.

He took a step, the cold light of his xiuchun blade surged in his hand, and large swaths of branches and shrubbery were laid underfoot, clearing a small path.

Everyone followed his steps in an orderly fashion.

For a moment, everyone closed their mouths to conserve energy, with only the sounds of hacking through thorns and their footsteps on the branches.

They walked for another twenty minutes or so.

Everyone suddenly felt the ground level out. Looking up, they had already passed the most difficult section of the road and arrived at an open area.

Moreover, there were many large stones exposed on the mountain soil, with fine broken stones all around, and sparse weeds and vegetation.

Looking further ahead, there was a reflection, seemingly a very narrow stream, flowing from a distance.

"Great, we can finally rest, I'm exhausted!"

As soon as Wei Dandan saw the situation, her face lit up with joy, and she went straight to a stone and sat down.

She no longer cared about her image, immediately took off her hiking boots, sat cross-legged on the stone, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh, a look of comfort on her face.

"Alright, everyone, let's rest here!"

Su Can stood and surveyed the surroundings, then looked up at the eagle circling high above.

Based on the feedback from the eagle's flight, there were no dangerous wild beasts in this vicinity, making it suitable for a short rest.

"Everyone must be hungry, right? He Yuan, take off your backpack, let's eat some compressed biscuits!"

Zhao Hao also surveyed the surroundings, looking at the ground beneath his feet. Seeing no footprints or traces of wild beasts, he called out to He Yuan with relief.

"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Hao, I've been hungry for a while anyway!"

He Yuan chuckled, took off his half-human-tall backpack, placed it on a stone, unzipped it, deftly pulled out a pile of food, and walked over to distribute it to everyone.

Su Can glanced at it; it was mostly instant food, with compressed biscuits making up the majority.

He shook his head; to be honest, he really didn't want to eat these things.

No, he had said from the beginning that he wouldn't eat their food or use their things.

Sure enough, when He Yuan passed by him, he deliberately stopped and sneered, "Su Can, you said it yourself, you wouldn't eat our things. Now, if you give in and humble yourself, everyone will pretend you never said it."

"Well? Are you going to eat, or not?"

He Yuan smiled, watching Su Can with an expression of anticipation, waiting for his answer.

Zhang Chao on the side also smiled mischievously. While eating his compressed biscuit, he sat with Wei Dandan and nudged her with his hand.

"What is it?"

Wei Dandan was applying oil to her ankle. When nudged, she couldn't help but look up at Zhang Chao in confusion.

"Watching the show!"

Zhang Chao smiled and gestured towards Su Can.

Wei Dandan immediately understood, stopped her actions, and deliberately said aloud, "I wonder who said before entering the mountain that he wouldn't eat our food, use our things, or accept our help."

"What's wrong, hungry now? Not so aloof anymore?"