Chapter 053: Nine Herb Hall (Vote Requested)

Xin Lang managed to coax and deceive the three extraordinary individuals, sending them south into the forest. The “Strongest Mercenary Corps”—this title brought Xin Lang extraordinary benefits time and again; not only did the experience points for the Leveling Device soar, but Xin Lang even hoped to advance to the level of a third-tier martial artist through his own cultivation, without relying on the Leveling Device.

Deceiving Dongfang Invincible and the other two did give Xin Lang a pang of guilt, but to prevent them from passing word of him to Ouyang Unfaithful, he could only mislead them with a false path.

“I hope the southern road isn’t too dangerous,” Xin Lang silently prayed for them.

After watching the trio from the “Strongest Mercenary Corps” vanish into the depths of the forest, Xin Lang began gathering Blue Silver Grass by the pond. Now that he had plenty of gold coins, and with Blue Silver Grass as a medicinal primer, Xin Lang felt confident he could heal his blocked meridians and clear the way to the peak of martial arts.

He collected a large amount of Blue Silver Grass, filling two storage slots. Thanks to the preservation function of the Leveling Device’s backpack, he had no worries about the grass wilting. Having become a second-tier martial artist, Xin Lang unlocked two more storage slots, so space was no longer a concern.

Over these days, through his own cultivation and the experience points gleaned from the “Strongest Mercenary Corps,” his total had reached 792. If not for the fact that Dongfang Invincible and his companions were hired by Ouyang Feiyun, Xin Lang would have sincerely thanked them, even inviting them to a lavish feast in Nine Suns City.

With his current experience points, he could easily upgrade to a tenth-tier martial artist. Yet Xin Lang refrained, fearing that attaining the tenth tier would trigger a main quest demanding he advance to Grandmaster within a set time. He would not be so reckless this time; he wanted to heal his body first before attempting the Grandmaster realm. Moreover, he realized that with his own cultivation, he was close to reaching the third tier anyway.

Xin Lang had trained in the forest for nearly twenty days. Though he wished to continue, he had given his last few buns and preserved meat to Dongfang Invincible and the others. “Looks like I need to return to Nine Suns City,” he thought, “and buy some Golden Silkworm Thread to forge a Golden Silkworm Armor using the Leveling Device, boosting my defense!”

He could not yet afford the super weapons requiring a thousand experience points; those would have to wait until he reached Grandmaster. For now, he could only forge weapons and equipment with modest experience points.

Golden Silkworm Armor was a sixth-grade earth-level item, able to defend against physical attacks from all weapons below that level, and could dispel six layers of hidden force from an opponent’s strikes.

“That’s right!” Xin Lang suddenly exclaimed. “Now that I’m a martial artist, with so much experience stored, once I get a Golden Silkworm Armor, Ouyang Feiyun and Ouyang Tianfeng won’t scare me! Meng Linglong offered such good conditions—free board and lodging. Why rush to leave?”

Xin Lang descended the mountain and returned to Nine Suns City.

Along the way, he noticed nothing amiss. Previously, he had merely embarrassed Ouyang Feiyun, and as for killing Ouyang Unfaithful, Xin Lang had kept silent and no one else knew.

Passing by Rising Sun Academy, Xin Lang did not hurry inside but first visited the city’s renowned pharmacy—Nine Ginseng Hall.

The manager, Sun, had a strong impression of Xin Lang. Coincidentally, he was on duty that day and greeted Xin Lang as soon as he entered, straightening his goatee and smiling: “Young man, here to sell medicine again? Looking to sell centuries-old Polygonum this time?”

Xin Lang smiled. “I’m not here to sell medicine today. I’m here to buy.”

“To buy?” Sun’s eyes lit up, thinking, “Last time I didn’t earn from you, this time I’ll get my share.” He grinned, “Young man, tell me what you need. I can guarantee, if Nine Ginseng Hall doesn’t have it, nowhere in Nine Suns City does.”

Xin Lang replied calmly, “Better call your chief manager. I have a big deal for him.”

“A big deal?” Sun snorted, sizing Xin Lang up again. Noting his dusty, scratched clothes, he scoffed, “How big a deal could you have? Speak up, I can decide.”

“Two hundred thousand gold coins! Can you make the call?” Xin Lang smiled.

“Ah!” Manager Sun was nearly floored by the words. “How…how many gold coins?”

“Two hundred thousand gold coins!” Xin Lang repeated, holding up two fingers.

Two hundred thousand gold coins was the pharmacy’s revenue for several months, even a year. Sun dared not decide and immediately called for the chief manager.

The chief—Jin Mingcai—was a genial, stout man in his forties. Hearing Sun’s report, he respectfully addressed Xin Lang: “Sir, I am Jin Mingcai, chief manager of Nine Ginseng Hall. How may I assist you?”

Xin Lang produced a list from his breast pocket and handed it to Jin Mingcai. “I need some medicines. Here’s the list.”

Jin Mingcai examined it carefully twice. “So many!” Though he’d heard of the two hundred thousand gold coin deal, the actual list startled him. If sold, it would nearly empty Nine Ginseng Hall’s stock of rare medicinal ingredients, and several items weren’t even in their inventory.

He considered and said, “Some of these medicines aren’t available at the grade you require. Would lower grades suffice? If not, we can source them from our branches in other cities.”

“How long would it take to transfer from elsewhere?” Xin Lang asked.

“Usually seven days, but if you’re willing to cover travel expenses, three days,” Jin Mingcai replied.

“Agreed!”

Xin Lang’s prompt answer eased Jin Mingcai’s mind.

Xin Lang knew Nine Ginseng Hall couldn’t have everything on his list, so he allowed three days for preparation. He negotiated the price with Manager Jin, and after some bargaining, spent a total of one hundred eighty thousand gold coins. He paid five thousand as a deposit, with the balance due upon collection in three days.

Actually, Xin Lang could have saved money by buying lower-grade medicines and upgrading them with the Leveling Device, but he valued experience points more than gold coins, and chose to pay the higher price rather than waste precious experience.

Leaving Nine Ginseng Hall, Xin Lang went to the weapons shop to purchase Golden Silkworm Thread and refined iron.

After Xin Lang entered Rising Sun Academy, the figure who had trailed him slipped away. From the moment Xin Lang had passed by the Academy, this shadow had followed, visiting Nine Ginseng Hall and the weapons shop, meticulously recording Xin Lang’s every move.