Gu Zuo understood in a flash.
So it was for the Spirit Devouring Pill’s pill prescription!
Originally, from when he used this method under everyone’s gazes, he knew that it would certainly be coveted. It was just that he’d forgotten about this matter after seeing so many medicinal ingredients and getting too excited about purchasing them.
Now that it was being mentioned like this, many thoughts suddenly popped up in his mind.
The people of Danyun City invited him over to engage in talks, so it was clear that they were courteous. That little prince Xu Lingxiu and the others should’ve also known this point. As such, they reminded him when they let him go over.
In other words, Xu Lingxiu also believed that Danyun City wouldn’t use methods that were too overbearing.
In that case... They were here to trade with him?
Hence, Gu Zuo started to calculate what kind of price the other party would set out.
In any case, he also really wanted to sell this method. When that time came, he’d take out top grade medicinal pills to sell and make a huge fortune. By laying down these foundations, he wouldn’t arouse any suspicions...
Gu Zuo appropriately revealed a trace of urgency, but right away, he seemed to become cool-headed again: “The City Lord has something to say, but please tell it to me straight. This younger generation will listen with respectful attention.”
When City Lord Xin heard these words, he knew that things were promising. The other pharmacists also revealed happy expressions.
No matter what was said, being able to discuss things was good!
After that, City Lord Xin directly said: “Junior Gu is a straightforward person.” After that, he said, “Junior, that method has great use to my Danyun City. My Danyun City is willing to pay a high price in exchange for that method of pill refining. Would this junior be willing to make an exchange? If this junior is interested but has some requirements, by all means, please tell us.”
Gu Zuo was really blunt: “I want medicinal ingredients.”
City Lord Xin: “...”
He still had lots of entreaties prepared and many benefits to pledge. He didn’t expect that the other side would put forward his request so directly and efficiently. It was as if Gu Zuo completely lacked any feelings of unwillingness.
However, City Lord Xin soon felt somewhat appreciative towards Gu Zuo.
Indeed, they were determined to win this pill prescription. No matter how much he declined, it was impossible for them to relinquish it. Even if Qingyun Sect opposed it, it was impossible for them to give up.
The other side was straightforward, so he should’ve already clearly analyzed the pros and cons. For such a young teenager to accomplish this point, it truly wasn’t easy.
Of course, as far as Danyun City was concerned, it was better being able to make an exchange than starting a war over it. As for the medicinal ingredients the other side wanted... City Lord Xin recalled the report he heard from the Myriad Medicine Tower’s attendant yesterday. The corner of his mouth slightly curled up.
There was no lack of medicinal ingredients in Danyun City!
City Lord Xin said: “What medicinal ingredients does Junior Gu want?”
Gu Zuo was very blunt: “I want the fifth floor’s spirit medicine.”
City Lord Xin showed a surprised expression.
That’s right. Gu Zuo already knew what spirit medicines were.
Last night, he had spent the night delving into that new item book. Numerous medicinal ingredients were classified within <<Details of Ten Thousand Medicines>>. This made Gu Zu realize that above those top-grade medicinal ingredients were spirit medicines.
The meaning of spirit medicine was a medicinal ingredient that had spirituality.
In that case, what did having spirituality mean?
Very simply, it meant being capable of movement or making some independent responses.
For example, ginseng that broke ten thousand years were rarely seen. In that case, what if its maturation was even longer? For instance, what about a hundred thousand years?
This, too, was a key moment.
When ginseng reached a hundred thousand years of age, it would be capable of freely traveling in the soil between mountains. It could also briefly transform into the shadow of a child to run. Although a child’s shadow was only to confuse people and to achieve its own goal of escaping, the fact was that it truly possessed intelligence.
Hence, hundred-thousand year old ginseng was a type of spirit medicine.
— The longer the maturation of a medicinal ingredient, the easier it was to produce spirituality.
Aside from spirit medicines like ginseng which were good at running away, there were also spirit medicines that could bewilder people, and there were spirit medicines that could conduct attacks independently. After evolving for a long time, medicinal ingredients of all sorts could become spirit medicine. Of course, it was easier for naturally raised medicinal ingredients such as herbs or some minerals to produce spirituality than medicinal ingredients taken from the bodies of wild beasts.
Although Gu Zuo didn’t know how many spirit medicines were on the fifth floor at this moment, since an opportunity to make an exchange had come today, even if it was only an exchange of one or two stalks, he would be equally happy to do so!
Ah, spirit medicine! Rare throughout the world! He couldn’t let it be in vain!
As for the wondrous medicines, treasured medicines, and secret medicines mentioned in that item book, those were even rarer. He reckoned that even if it was Danyun City, it also might not necessarily have them.
But if it did...
As a result, what Gu Zuo wanted to do the most was to conduct his selection personally.
Having made his decision, after Gu Zuo declared his own request, he met his gaze with City Lord Xin.
Among the pharmacists off to the side, there were some who grew restless.
They truly didn’t expect that the request Gu Zuo would raise would be spirit medicine.
After City Lord Xin heard what was said, he instead had a feeling that this was a matter of course.
If nothing else, one could see from previous matters that Gu Zuo was especially fond of hoarding medicinal ingredients — It could be said that with regards to many pharmacists, their fondness for collecting medicinal ingredients wasn’t necessarily inferior to Gu Zuo’s fervor — Currently, Gu Zuo had strolled through four floors and wanted to go to the fifth floor. This was very natural.
City Lord Xin: “...The request of this junior seems somewhat excessive.”
Gu Zuo was still very straightforward: “Then, two stalks. But I get to choose them myself!”
City Lord Xin rubbed his forehead: “How about one stalk?”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “I know that spirit medicines are very rare, but I also believe that Danyun City certainly doesn’t have just a few in its collection. Spirit medicines are precious, but the value of a single stalk of spirit medicine can’t compare to my pill prescription.”
One could only aid a small number of people. It was definitely precious, but the scope of its usage was very small. Meanwhile, the other one would be the good fortune of younger generations for years to come, upgrading the overall strength of an organization.
After thinking about it, a single stalk of spirit medicine was indeed not enough.
If it was an ordinary person, in front of so many seniors of higher identities and positions, perhaps they’d be trembling in fear without any confidence. But Gu Zuo was different! Gu Zuo was itching to empty out all of Danyun City’s spirit medicines! He clenched his teeth on the bare minimum of two stalks. He couldn’t yield a single step!
City Lord Xin seemed to see Gu Zuo’s determination. He hesitated: “If it’s two stalks, then two stalks it shall be. Only, Junior Gu can’t choose them by himself.”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “This younger generation doesn’t mistrust City Lord Xin, but there will inevitably be a degree of suitability between spirit medicines and people. This younger generation still wants to personally choose and collect them.”
City Lord Xin paused. After a moment passed, he said: “If it’s like this, then this pill prescription can’t be exchanged with other people.”
Gu Zuo stated: “I’ll be clear with the City Lord. The lowest price in the heart of this younger generation is two stalks of spirit medicine that I choose myself. In addition, if it’s to external forces, I’ll naturally only make an exchange with the City Lord. But to internal forces, I’m afraid it’ll be unavoidable if my Sect has any interests in this pill prescription.”
City Lord Xin exchanged meaningful glances with the other pharmacists.
Xin Bailin looked to City Lord Xin and nodded his head: “Father, this is good karma.”
City Lord Xin faintly muttered to himself. Immediately following which, he also nodded his head and said: “In that case, it’ll be according to Junior Gu’s words!”
Gu Zuo revealed a smiling expression at once: “Many thanks for meeting me halfway, City Lord Xin.”
City Lord Xin saw him recounting pleasantly, and smiled as well: “You and I are helping each other out.”
Because the trade talks went smoothly, everyone ate harmoniously during the following small feast. After finishing their meals, Xin Bailin was responsible for delivering Gu Zuo back. Xin Bailin also invited him to go look at those medicinal ingredients together when the time came.
Gu Zuo didn’t know Xin Bailin particularly well, but from Xin Bailin’s figure, he could actually see some similarities to the bearing of his dear big brother, Gongyi Tianheng. Thus, he had a good impression of Xin Bailin.
Xin Bailin’s attitude was gentle. When he delivered Gu Zuo to the front of the courtyard’s entrance, he smiled and asked again: “It seems that Brother Gu still hasn’t taken the medicinal ingredients he deserves with the gold slip?”
Gu Zuo heard this, and startled. He remembered shortly thereafter and replied: “Senior Sect Brother Xu had said that we’d go together to choose them prior to our departure. Therefore, I haven’t made my selection yet.”
There were ten stalks of precious medicinal herbs for winning the first place reward of the pill battles. The so-called precious herbs were actually medicinal ingredients whose prices were above ten thousand gold. Later on, when they wanted to receive the ingredients, they could rely on the permit slips in hand and proceed to the Myriad Medicine Tower’s fourth floor.
Previously, Gu Zuo was too excited when he was buying medicinal ingredients. He actually forgot that he still had as many as ten stalks of unexpected ingredients. His eyes faintly shined. The more medicinal ingredients, the better. After this, he certainly wouldn’t forget again!
Xin Bailin heard Gu Zuo mention Xu Lingxiu, and his gaze faintly moved: “Brother Lingxiu has always been like this, so it isn’t strange.” He paused, “When you all go to select your ingredients, would it be possible to bring this Xin along? Although this Xin doesn’t have any abilities, perhaps I can offer some suggestions on the medicinal ingredients?”
Gu Zuo knew that Xu Lingxiu didn’t have a good impression of Xin Bailin, but Xin Bailin gave such a cordial invitation. How, how could he refuse? After hesitating for a moment, he forced a smile and said: “This... Brother Xin is willing to help us out. This Gu naturally can’t thank you enough. Merely, Senior Sect Brother Xu is over there. This Gu wouldn’t dare...”
Fortunately, Xin Bailin also didn’t want to make things difficult for Gu Zuo. After hearing what was said, he gave a free and unconstrained laugh: “Brother Gu can rest assured. Brother Lingxiu definitely won’t forbid it.”
Gu Zuo silently nodded.
Yes, for the sake of the Sect’s face, he definitely wouldn’t forbid it.
However, he wouldn’t actually be happy about it.
If he wasn’t happy...then, no way would everyone else be happy.
After bidding farewell to Xin Bailin, Gu Zuo returned to the courtyard.
As a devoted and reliable Tianlong Guard, although Dragon One couldn’t follow due to the City Lord’s request just now, he’d been waiting at the courtyard entrance ever since Gu Zuo left. Upon seeing Gu Zuo enter, he promptly resumed his state of keeping guard in secret, and disappeared in front of Gu Zuo’s eyes.
At the same time, Gu Zuo looked to Xu Lingxiu and Li Yunquan who were drinking tea in the courtyard.
They were still waiting for him...
Gu Zuo walked over and forthrightly narrated what happened during the previous banquet. Of course, he didn’t explain things regardless of their significance to Xu Lingxiu and Li Yunquan as he would with Tianheng. Very many details were left out by him, and he only roughly talked about the course of events and the outcome. As for any possible conjectures or making transactions with Qingyun Sect, he didn’t raise the issue at all.
After Xu Lingxiu finished listening, his expression became a little odd: “Junior Sect Brother Gu means to say that you sought two stalks of spirit medicine from them?”
As core personages of the Sect, Xu Lingxiu and Li Yunquan had a clear understanding of what spirit medicines were. They had the Sect’s backing, and their accumulated knowledge was quite abundant. This was completely different from Gu Zuo, who would be the equivalent of a country bumpkin without the item books.
Gu Zuo nodded: “Yes. I’ve heard that spirit medicines are precious and rare, so I want to collect them.”
Xu Lingxiu reflected over this. He nodded his head and said: “Two stalks of spirit medicine. This price is actually suitable, too.”
Gu Zuo hesitated for a moment, but still asked: “Senior Sect Brother Xu, how much is the price of spirit medicine?”
Xu Lingxiu saw his confusion, and replied in a mood that wasn’t unhappy: “Spirit medicines have a price but no market. A stalk will normally cost five million gold or more. Tens of millions of gold would be a common matter as well. It’s like this, but rarely would someone be willing to sell them.”
Gu Zuo did some mental math and was satisfied.
It seemed that it really was very worthwhile... Right now, his views had very big changes. Under the premise that his big brother wasn’t that short on money, medicinal ingredients were his true love. Golden banknotes and whatnot were subpar.
He wanted take his entire cash reserve and transform it into a medicinal ingredient reserve!
En, he wanted to do this in the future...
Soon after, he told Xu Lingxiu about Xin Bailin’s invitation. Following that, he saw the totally expected sneering face of Xu Lingxiu. Gu Zuo felt that he’d better withdraw in a hurry. Otherwise, Xu Lingxiu might explode.
Luckily, Xu Lingxiu didn’t have any intentions of blowing up at Gu Zuo. He immediately waved his hand, allowing Gu Zuo to leave.
Like a wisp of smoke, Gu Zuo scampered back to his own room.
He wouldn’t let himself become a cannon fodder between the firing lines of equally talented pharmacists.
After Gongyi Tianheng accepted the Ling Clan siblings, he started to enact his plan of targeting the Mount An Bandit Gang.
Because he had made discreet inquiries about many matters, Tianheng had roughly inferred some things. Also, from a few seedy elements, he had obtained news that someone was operating in the city recently.
Currently, the most important thing was to draw the snake out of its hole.
The bait was naturally Ling Ziqi and Ling Ziwei, the brother and sister pair.
Tianheng stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked at the pair, and his voice was slightly deep: “If you two have any objections or feel that there’s something wrong, speak now.”
Ling Ziqi shook his head and said: “This younger generation doesn’t have any objections. Merely...” He glanced at Ling Ziwei, “My little sister is a woman. I’m afraid that...”
At this moment, his words were interrupted by Ling Ziwei: “Big brother, if you and I don’t appear at the same time, those people from the Mount An Bandit Gang won’t be fooled.”
After all, if only one appeared, it would be possible that the clan’s item was taken away by the other person — Often times, for the sake of the continuation of a clan, it was inevitable to sacrifice the one acting as a cover. Only if all the remaining people in the clan were present would others want to urgently capture them.
Otherwise, one wouldn’t be able to catch the big fish.
In fact, Ling Ziqi was also aware of this reasoning. He, however, dearly loved his younger sister... In addition, there was another reason. His younger sister didn’t know. For the time being, Ling Tianen also didn’t know. However, many of the other members of the clan had known.
And Ling Ziqi wasn’t forthcoming to Tianheng about this reason.
Ling Ziwei was unaware of her elder brother’s entanglements, but through huge changes, she was no longer that young girl who was kindhearted to the point of stupidity. At this moment, there was a trace of unswerving determination in her countenance: “Big brother, let me go. I must avenge our clan with my own hands!”
Ling Ziqi recalled Ling Ziwei’s heart knot — From beginning to end, she believed that she had caused harm to her clan. At last, he sighed: “As you say. But little sister, you have to listen to our benefactor. Even if you see Ling Tianen, you absolutely can’t act impulsively. Act calmly and pretend properly. Understand?”
Ling Ziwei’s eyes flashed with hatred, and she solemnly agreed.
Tianheng waited until after this brother and sister pair finished communicating. Then, he smiled: “You two don’t need to be too worried about safety issues. There are some things here that I’ll be placing in your hands. When it gets dangerous, these will be useful for stalling for time or settling any uncertainties. After you two have these, you don’t need to be flustered. Just use them properly.”
Ling Ziqi and Ling Ziwei naturally agreed.
Following which, Tianyang gave them a demonstration of the usage of some Trick Pills and medicinal poison. After the siblings saw the power of those things, their hearts were greatly eased. This also increased their confidence.
After that, everyone started to act according to the plan.
Of course, the first thing they needed to do was to anonymously sell some news...
Yes, just as how Tianheng and company inquired about the Mount An Bandit Gang in the gray areas of the law, when the people of the Mount An Bandit Gang followed traces and inferred that the Ling Clan siblings were still within Clear River City, they had naturally scouted out information about the siblings.
When one wasn’t able to distinguish its source, the information could be true or false.
As a result, everything depended on the IQ of both parties to determine who could find the true information and who could only obtain the false information.
However, the news that was anonymously sold wasn’t only about the siblings’ traces. It included an even more important matter.
It was that...there was a pretty good weapon in the siblings’ possession.
Moreover, it seemed that they intended to take this weapon out to do something or to exchange it for something else. The Ling Clan siblings really had exchanged the heirloom treasure with Tianheng, so it was quite easy to fabricate the details. If it was someone who used their heads, they should’ve been very quick to find this information.
On top of that, although this matter could’ve been either true or false and many people didn’t know how powerful that weapon was, some shadows in the dark were also a little eager to move when they discovered that the strengths of those siblings weren’t high.
However, it was also because the siblings’ strengths were too weak that no one could recklessly judge the grade of that weapon...
Perhaps there were many people who were still watching from the sidelines, but those who knew what the weapon was really used for couldn’t help but worry at this moment. Otherwise, once the treasured sword was obtained by others, and even the information of the hidden treasure was obtained from it, it would be greatly disadvantageous to them!
The people of the Mount An Bandit Gang firmly believed that once the Ling Clan siblings were found, with their strength, no matter how weak the power they confronted was, the only path they had was to be captured.
The hidden treasure... In the wake of their capture, the probability of it being discovered was greatly increased.
Automatically, the furtive movements of the Mount An Bandit Gang rose.
Before long, Tianyang scouted things out. The information they sold on consignment had already been bought out by someone else.
Had a fish taken the bait?
It also wasn’t known whether this time’s fish was big or small.
Wondrous Wolf Mountain, a bandit den.
In a serene and deep hall, at the seat of honor and in the seats on the left and right were three men. They were the Mount An Bandit Gang’s Bandit Master as well as two bandit leaders.
There were two rows of large chairs that were just off to their sides. On each chair sat a bandit, and they were all Xiantian Realms.
This bandit den was the old nest of the Mount An Bandit Gang. All the high-end forces of the Mount An Bandit Gang had occupied this large hall.
However, what was different from the past was that the person who sat in the first right-side large chair was a young man. His appearance was upright and gallant, but in this shadowy hall lined with evasive eyes, he seemed somewhat treacherous. He seemed like...a scheming and crooked individual.
At this moment, a slim man kowtowed at the front of the hall. His head was lowered, but his voice was loud and clear. He shouted the information he’d scouted out: “Reporting to the Bandit Master! I have news to share. The Ling Clan siblings have gone into hiding within Snake Tail Mountain! It seems they intend on using the heirloom treasured sword in exchange for asylum. Some people have even mentioned that the Ling Clan siblings will use this to recruit people to retaliate against their enemies!”
There was no doubt that their enemies were the Mount An Bandit Gang.
The siblings knew that, and the Mount An Bandit Gang knew this as well.
After listening to the report, the atmosphere in the entire bandit den suddenly became agitated.
A bandit laughed in a cruel and strange manner: “Those two are just small mice who don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. Yet they dare to challenge our bandit gang? They must be tired of living! I say we should directly pinch them to death and snatch the treasured sword!”
Another bandit said eerily: “Anyone who sets themselves against our bandit gang mustn’t have good deaths! I ask the Bandit Master to allow me, the Black Hand Bandit, to lead a squad to remove the heads of those two. I’ll scoop out the insides of their skulls and give them to the Bandit Master as wine cups. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”
There was an additional bandit whose mouth reeked of blood: “What about after killing them? Let’s cut off slices of their flesh. When the time comes, we can fetch some wine to accompany that girl’s tender flesh! Hahahaha!”
After this laughter echoed out, the bandits who filled the bandit den all cackled.
In their eyes, human life wasn’t worth a damn thing.
There were even many people who smiled strangely while giving sidelong glances at that treacherous and gallant young man, as if on purpose. It seemed they were deliberately trying to provoke him.
A good while later, the bandit leader who sat on the right side smiled and stood up. She was a beautiful and alluring woman. It was just a pity that her heart was like it was dipped in poison. Even though she was coquettish and touching, the bandits only dared to swallow mouthfuls of saliva. They absolutely didn’t dare to have any lustful feelings towards her.
The female bandit leader gave a delicate laugh and said: “Aiya, you shouldn’t say these vulgar words! We still have a distinguished visitor here. His little darling has run away. And if you guys injure her, I won’t let you off easy!”
The other bandit leader was a man with a jaundiced face. His voice was stiff: “Stop bullshitting. Black Hand Bandit, go forth and capture them! The man’s life or death doesn’t matter. Bring the woman back to me alive. You hear me?”
The two bandit leaders gave their orders. On the contrary, that tall and sturdy Bandit Master kept both eyes slightly closed. At this moment, not a word was spoken.
It seemed to be his tacit approval.
Meanwhile, that Black Hand Bandit got up at once: “The Black Hand Bandit follows your command!”
T/N: I’ve been translating this story for a little less than two years. I genuinely love this story, and I appreciate everyone’s comments and reviews, for better or for worse. However, while I accept that this story isn’t for everyone, it pains me to see people misconstruing the relationship between Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng. A long time ago, Charysa once asked me if I was going to translate an author’s note that addressed this issue, but I didn’t think it was that important at the time. I’m putting that author’s note here as well as at Chapter 60, where it came from. Hopefully this corrects any misunderstandings as well as prevents any potential readers from getting the wrong impression.
The author has something to say:
Concerning some questions yesterday, I’ll simply list them here for everyone to read. If I see such questions in the future, I won’t explain again. Always having to explain something is like a foot-binding cloth. Little sisters who are earnestly reading shouldn’t need me to explain things over and over again... Okay?
The things the gong is doing for the shou:
1. Supplying all the resources he needs.
2. Giving detailed explanations for general knowledge at any time.
3. Helping him research a body cultivation method.
4. Helping him adapt to this world where the weak are prey for the strong.
5. Giving him encouragement at any time, giving him enough trust.
6. Bringing him to see the world.
7. After the shou renounces it, still giving the shou the money and payment he deserves. (Although, the shou still doesn’t know.)
8. Raising his identity so he can establish himself in the clan.
The things the shou is doing for the gong:
1. Treating his illness.
2. When researching medicinal pills, selecting the ones he needs takes precedence.
3. After emotions have deepened, wanting to give all good things to him.
Details of the two’s transaction:
The gong will provide resources, and the shou will treat the gong’s illness.
↑
So, everyone shouldn’t feel like the shou is investing a lot while the gong isn’t doing anything. Apart from the first article in their transaction, everything after is about both sides investing in each other. And one should understand from the above-mentioned that the gong acted in good-faith first. When the shou sensed this, he reciprocated. Everyone shouldn’t consider the shou a fool. I’ve hinted it before that he has frequently seen all kinds of people in the modern era. If the gong hadn’t treated him with additional care, how could the shou have treated him with additional reciprocation? The gong gives the shou everything the shou wants, and the shou knows it.
Furthermore, this story is a mutual love story. The gong first treats the shou well based on morality and integrity, and the shou sincerely reciprocates. The gong treats the shou even better, and the shou tries even harder to reciprocate. It’s this kind of process. After that, it’s BL.
Many thanks for everyone’s support. Hugs and kisses!
Please don’t forget to support the original author.
