Chapter 29: Alchemy Ghost

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Alchemy Ghost

Shen Dujiang chuckled and shook his head. He clearly saw through Chen Yue’s fabrication about a "friend" but didn’t bother to point it out.

He stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "I don’t really have any high-level Cultivation Techniques. That kind of thing wouldn’t end up in a black market like this. However, I do have a Body Technique called Tianya Travel. As for its quality... it should be a fair bit better than the run-of-the-mill stuff you’d find out there."

’Tianya Travel?’ Chen Yue’s eyes lit up. The name alone didn’t sound like some common technique like Cao Shangfei.

He had already mastered the Wind Chasing Technique to Perfection, making him adept at extreme maneuvers in tight spaces and instantaneous bursts of speed. However, long-distance travel and endurance were not its strengths.

"Okay, I’ll take the technique. How much silver?" Chen Yue asked directly.

Shen Dujiang shook his head. "I happened upon this Tianya Travel by chance in my younger days. I’ve read through it myself, so it’s no great, secret art. It’s just collecting dust with me. Since you want it, you can have it. No charge."

Chen Yue was a little surprised. "That generous?"

Shen Dujiang smiled. "It’s just a Body Technique, and not a top-tier one at that. It isn’t worth much. Besides, since we’ll be cooperating long-term, there’s no harm in doing you a small favor. But let me be clear beforehand: I’ll give you the Secret Manual, but I won’t offer a single bit of guidance."

"Of course. Thank you, Boss."

Chen Yue didn’t stand on ceremony, simply cupping his hands in thanks. A free Cultivation Technique, even a basic one, was always a welcome gain for him.

From an inner pocket close to his chest, Shen Dujiang carefully pulled out a small booklet. It wasn’t thick, but it had clearly been thumbed through many times; some pages even showed the faint stains of old sweat.

Chen Yue accepted it with both hands and quickly flipped it open for a look. It was filled with text and illustrations detailing the coordinated techniques for breathing, footwork, and Qi and Blood Circulation. It was indeed a complete Body Technique Secret Manual, not just a fragment.

"Is there something else?"

When Shen Dujiang saw Chen Yue put the Secret Manual away but remain standing there with no sign of leaving, he couldn’t help but feel it was a little strange.

Chen Yue nodded. "You have extensive connections, so I wanted to ask: do you know of any other Pill Formulas with unique functions? They don’t have to be like the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, which can directly perform Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging. Even something with more niche effects would be fine."

Now Shen Dujiang was truly surprised. He looked Chen Yue up and down, as if meeting him for the very first time.

’This young man is working like a fiend to master the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, asking for a new Cultivation Technique to practice, and now he’s even inquiring about other special Pill Formulas?’

’What exactly is he trying to do? How can he be so energetic?’

Shen Dujiang’s mind raced. He found the young man before him increasingly difficult to read.

"I don’t have any more Pill Formulas with special functions. However, I do know someone here in the black market who has the formula for an Antitoxic Pill. He’s been looking for a buyer for a while."

"An Antitoxic Pill?"

Chen Yue’s eyes brightened. "It can neutralize all poisons?"

"Neutralize all poisons?"

Shen Dujiang shook his head with a laugh. "It’s not that miraculous. The Antitoxic Pill does have some detoxifying properties, but the effect is mediocre. At best, it can delay the inevitable. Its main purpose, really, is that with long-term consumption, it allows the body to build up a slight resistance to some common poisons.

"But the effect is... well, it’s nothing special. It won’t make you Immune to Hundred Poisons. Plus, it’s difficult to refine and the ingredients are expensive, so no one is willing to take it long-term. Naturally, nobody is interested in the Pill Formula."

’An idea sparked in Chen Yue’s mind. ’If I combine this effect with my panel’s ability to amplify special effects each day... I might see some unexpected results.’

’Even if I can’t become Immune to Hundred Poisons, just increasing my poison resistance would be an added layer of security in these chaotic times.’

"I want that Pill Formula."

Chen Yue stated his intention plainly. "Could you introduce me, or at least tell me where his stall is? I’d like to talk to him and see if I can buy it."

Shen Dujiang saw the serious look in Chen Yue’s eyes and knew he wasn’t joking. Though his confusion only deepened, he nodded. "Fine. I know the stall owner. He’s just around the corner. I’ll take you there myself; it’ll save you from wandering around."

"Thank you for the trouble, Boss," Chen Yue said gratefully.

Shen Dujiang said no more. He blew out the oil lamp in the room and led Chen Yue, the two of them walking single file toward the stall ahead.

Meanwhile, at the Huichun Hall apothecary, a shadowy figure slipped silently out of a window, as nimble as a cat, and landed without a sound.

Li Lie hurried through the shadows along the base of the wall until he reached a deserted, narrow alley beside the apothecary. With a single leap, he placed a hand on the wall and vaulted cleanly into a dilapidated courtyard.

Li Lie pushed open the door to the main house to find Gu Bei leisurely brewing tea.

"Li, congratulations on your breakthrough. It seems that Elixir worked well." Seeing Li Lie, Gu Bei offered a slight smile, set down his own teacup, and picked up a bronze pot to fill the cup at the empty seat opposite him.

Li Lie didn’t even glance at the tea, sitting down directly opposite him. "You summoned me in a hurry. What’s going on?"

Gu Bei didn’t seem to mind. He poured himself a cup as well, cradling it in his hands for warmth. Only then did he speak, his voice unhurried. "We’re short on Alchemy Masters."

Li Lie’s brow furrowed in clear displeasure. "Short on Alchemy Masters? Didn’t you people kidnap three of them from Huichun Hall last time? Even if their skills don’t compare to Lin Quan’s, they should have been more than capable of refining basic Elixirs. How can you not have enough?"

The gentle smile on Gu Bei’s face faded. He took a sip of tea before stating calmly, "There was an accident. The three Alchemy Masters are all dead."

"Dead?"

Li Lie’s frown deepened, his eyes flashing with shock and suspicion. "How did they die? Did you..."

"It wasn’t my wish, but they are dead nonetheless."

Gu Bei set down his teacup, his gaze calm as he looked at Li Lie. "Therefore, we need new Alchemy Masters."

Li Lie stared at Gu Bei. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, "Are you planning to kidnap Lin Quan?"

He shook his head, a warning in his voice. "They learned their lesson last time; security at the apothecary has been strengthened. Besides, aren’t you still planning to seize that batch of Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Ointment from the Chen Family? Alerting them now would just ruin the plan, wouldn’t it?"

Gu Bei shook his head. "The plan has changed. The matter of the Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Ointment is on hold. And our target this time is not Lin Quan."

"Not Lin Quan?"

Li Lie froze. Then, as if a thought struck him, a look of disbelief flashed in his eyes. "Don’t tell me... you’re planning to kidnap that Chen Yue? All he can make are Blood Circulation Pills. What’s the use in taking him? Are you running low on Blood Circulation Pills or something?"

"It is Chen Yue."

Gu Bei nodded, the gentle smile returning to his face. "But we don’t need his Blood Circulation Pills. We need his Cultivation at the Skin Refining Realm."

"What does Alchemy have to do with his Cultivation?"

Li Lie’s expression grew grim, and his voice turned cold. "Gu Bei, what the hell are you people plotting? You need an Alchemy Master, but one with a specific level of Cultivation!"

Gu Bei didn’t answer immediately. He just watched Li Lie quietly, his fingers tapping a light rhythm on the rough-hewn table. The room fell silent, save for the faint crackling of the stove fire.

After a long silence, Gu Bei finally spoke, his voice unnervingly calm. "Li, have you ever heard of an Alchemy Ghost?"