The Card Apprentice

Sue Lochiro’s opinion was simple and direct. She merely said, “I will support you.”

However, when Chen Mu took out the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus, everyone was overjoyed.

Sue Lochiro observed the video on the thousand kilometer card carefully, staring at it attentively for five minutes before giving the affirmative. “This is definitely a gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus. This was a dried and preserved specimen. We just need to soak it in water to revert it to its original form.”

A few minutes later, Chen Mu finally saw the true form of the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus. A large piece of jelly rested quietly at the bottom of the clear water. The piece of jelly was two to three times larger than the previous one. What had been black was now brown. The patterns on the surface of the jelly became brighter and more dazzling than before. Clusters of glittering golden patterns covered the jelly like a refined patchwork.

“I can’t guarantee it will work.” Hesitation fell over Sue Lochiro.

Originally, it had been Sue Lochiro who had mentioned the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus. That was the reason Chen Mu had gone searching for it desperately. Moreover, allowing a patient to consume a medicine with unknown side effects was a serious violation of the medical card artisans’ code of conduct. Sue Lochiro couldn’t help but judge herself for saying something like that. However, if they left the green thread inside Chen Mu to its own devices, there would only be one predictable outcome.

Chen Mu glanced at Qiu Shanyu and asked, “What do you think?”

Qiu Shanyu simply shook her head. “I know the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus is able to improve longevity, but I’ve never heard anything about its reaction with the Green Mark.”

Chen Mu’s gaze was fixated on the squishy, jelly-like object inside the water. He gritted his teeth and directed his question to Sue Lochiro. “How do I use this?”

Chen Mu had witnessed the spreading of the green flowery pattern on his wrists, and it only grew lusher day by day. It was a warning sign that the grim reaper was slowly but surely creeping closer. The weight of unbearable anxiety would have crumpled the faint-hearted.

He had considered all of his options. Even if he did follow Qiu Shanyu’s suggestion, it was impossible to find the demonic woman in such a short time. To be honest, Chen Mu had never liked gambling. Now that he was left with no other options, though, he could only bet on his fate.

Unlike Chen Mu, Sue Lochiro had managed to calm down. As a medical card artisan, she needed to provide the best solution for her patients no matter the circumstances. The gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus was the only possible cure she had found for the Green Mark inside Chen Mu. There would only be two possible results: a positive one or a negative one. The probability was 50-50.

Sue Lochiro raised her voice, carefully stating the procedure in detail. “Use a knife to cut the surface of the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus. After you slice through the surface, golden liquid will ooze out from the cut. You will need to consume the golden liquid. Do take note that you will need to finish the process within one minute. If you don’t, the liquid will lose its potency.”

Chen Mu nervously fixed his gaze on the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus in the water. He trusted Sue Lochiro’s knowledge. If she had pointed out that the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus would work against the Green Mark, it would definitely work.

All eyes fell on Chen Mu. It was up to him to make the call. A few moments later, his emotions gradually fell into place. He had gone through so many obstacles, and the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus was finally in front of him. Why would he still hesitate?

Chen Mu took the jelly-like substance from the water and held it, feeling the weight in his hand. A few centimeters of a glowing green energy extended from his fingertips and lightly grazed the surface of the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus. A cut immediately formed, and golden liquid streamed out of the opening.

Chen Mu didn’t hesitate as he put his lips closer the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus. He hastily brought it to his mouth and started sucking the liquid keenly. Soon, his lips were gilded in gold as drops of golden liquid dripped out from the corner of his mouth. He continued suckling for two minutes before removing the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus from his mouth. His lips looked like they had been painted in gold.

“How do you feel?” Sue Lochiro asked anxiously. Her expression fluttered.

“Spicy!” Chen Mu’s face was red. Even his lips had turned from gold to bright crimson. His eyes, too, were glimmering like rubies, similar to those of a rabbit.

“Spicy?” Sue Lochiro was taken aback, but she hurried on. “Nothing else? Try using your perception to check on the green thread inside you.”

Gathering what he had heard, Chen Mu acted at once and used his perception.

The others noticed Chen Mu’s expression turn awkward suddenly. They were worried about his condition, but no one dared to speak, afraid they might interrupt him in some way.

“That’s strange. It seems like the golden liquid has fused with my muscles.” Chen Mu was troubled. “It didn’t have any contact with the Green Mark.”

“Why? How could this be?” Sue Lochiro was on the verge of tears. Regrettably, she wasn’t with Chen Mu, so she was unable to give him any further examination. How could there be no reaction between the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus and the Green Mark? They have completely opposite structures!

It was then that Wei-ah suddenly called out, “Hey, blockhead, do the calisthenics!”

“Calisthenics?” Chen Mu was confused. As he had continued to strengthen his body, the effect of calisthenics had decreased gradually. In the end, it did him no good, so he had stopped practicing it a long time ago. Why would Wei-ah suddenly ask him to do it?

Nevertheless, he didn’t question Wei-ah but started to do calisthenics without delay. Wei-ah was usually mum; when he did speak, it meant he was certain.

Chen Mu’s strange actions baffled everyone. The calisthenics routine consisted of various weird and indecent movements, so it lightened the heavy atmosphere.

When Chen Mu started the routine, he could feel a new sensation. His body was gradually cooling down. As if he was soaking in a pool of cold water, the flame inside him quietly receded. After finishing a round, he felt refreshed. He couldn’t describe it, but it was a pleasant feeling.

“Don’t stop,” Wei-ah reminded him.

Chen Mu obliged and started the routine from scratch. The others exchanged glances, absolutely baffled by Chen Mu.

He did the routine again and again. After doing it for the fifth consecutive time, Wei-ah eventually stopped him. Right after he stopped, Chen Mu hurriedly examined his body.

The green thread is still there! Chen Mu’s heart sank. How could this be?

However, when he composed himself and thoroughly screened his body, he found that something had distinctly changed. The thin green thread was now cloaked with a golden hue. What is this?

When he continued to manipulate his perception to comprehensively inspect the rest of his body, he was perplexed. The golden hue not only surrounded the green thread but had also wrapped itself around every single muscle tissue and vein inside his body. Even his skin was tinted in a faint golden glow. However, the golden hue on his skin was sparse, making it quite difficult to distinguish.

The golden hue was densest around the green thread. If one were to see it with the naked eye, it would seem like the green thread had completely turned gold. Yet, through perception, one could clearly differentiate that the green thread was still what it was. It was just wrapped in some golden substances, secured.

Secured? Chen Mu’s heart skipped as he tried stroking the green thread with his perception. As expected, there was no reaction! Chen Mu was overwhelmed with euphoria!

The green thread was rather sensitive to perception. Up until then, when he had manipulated his perception to lightly reach out for it, it would squirm violently inside him. Ghastly pain had followed. Now, however, no matter what Chen Mu did, the green thread was unresponsive. Could this golden liquid really kill the green thread?

Chen Mu promptly told Sue Lochiro about the outcome, but even she was unable to give an explanation. Nobody knew whether the green thread was truly dead or otherwise.

Although he didn’t know the exact result, Chen Mu was content with the current outcome. At least they had confirmed that the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus could effectively confine the Green Mark.

The rest were also thrilled with the outcome. Even Qiu Shanyu looked relieved. If anything were to happen to Chen Mu, she would be the first one to suffer. The people around her wouldn’t have let her off the hook.

Sue Lochiro was the happiest among the others. She was the one who had proposed the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus as a solution in the first place. Now that its use had finally been validated, she was relieved beyond words. She was so excited that her cheeks were flushed, making her more gorgeous than before.

When Chen Mu saw the joy on Sue Lochiro’s face, he couldn’t help but feel touched. Others might not understand, but he knew. Sue Lochiro had researched the green thread inside him relentlessly in order to find a cure for it.

When Sue Lochiro realized Chen Mu was looking at her, the rosiness on her cheeks grew, and she involuntarily lowered her gaze. However, when she looked up again, she found that Chen Mu had already turned his attention to Wei-ah and was engaged in a conversation with him. She immediately pouted and was at the verge of gritting her teeth.

“Wei-ah, you know it?” Chen Mu asked, curious.

If not for Wei-ah, who had reminded him to do the calisthenics routine, nobody would have known what would happen.

“I don’t.” Wei-ah was still expressionless, but his twinkling eyes gave away his delight.

“Why would you ask me to do the calisthenics, then?”

“It was a guess.” Wei-ah dropped an irresponsible remark and strode away.

Chen Mu was at a loss for a moment. The rest of his questions were left unanswered.

Wei-ah, who was at the door, then said faintly, “Hey, blockhead. Air skill.”

Air skill? Chen Mu was dumbfounded. Practice air skill? His physical conditions wouldn’t allow him to practice that!

Could it be… An idea flashed through Chen Mu’s mind. Am I able to use air skill now? He was just pondering when his right hand moved in a slicing motion.

Hiss! The sound of air being severed reached his ears, and Chen Mu was bewildered as he stood rooted to the ground. He stared at his right hand in disbelief. His right hand was shrouded in a barely noticeable golden hue.

Chen Mu’s puzzled gaze darted to Sue Lochiro. Other than Wei-ah, she was the only one there who could possibly come up with an explanation.

For once, Sue Lochiro raised her nose and snorted. It was rare for the usually quiet and tasteful Sue Lochiro to act like an impudent little girl. The others were dazed by her reaction. Even Chen Mu was at a loss.

Sue Lochiro brushed her bangs awkwardly. She cleared her throat and explained in a solemn tone, “The gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus is famous for extending life expectancy because its mechanism can improve one’s physique. For cardless sect aces like Wei-ah, their bodies are much stronger. It isn’t too surprising that the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus is able to strengthen one’s bodily functions.”

She continued to speak as if nothing had happened. “It’s a pity that the boss’s physique is still far from that of the cardless sects. So, the benefits are quite limited.” She finished by holding her palms out, grinning mischievously. “This is just a speculation—for reference purposes only.”