Chapter 29: Yinwu

The bustling stalls instantly grew quiet.

The young vendor also seemed shaken; he hung his head in dejection for a long while before finally lifting it again—and suddenly realized someone was still standing before his stall.

A young boy, not yet mature, dressed plainly.

The young vendor had a decent memory; after a slight pause, he recognized Gao De as one of the onlookers from earlier.

“There’s no more spectacle to watch—why are you still here?” the young vendor muttered, though he didn’t show any hostility toward Gao De.

Gao De smiled at the young vendor and spoke:

“I didn’t come to watch a spectacle.”

“Hm?”

Gao De pointed at the copper object that had sparked the earlier argument and said earnestly: “Four Xie coins—will you sell it?”

Gao De was truly sincere.

Because his entire fortune amounted to four gold and fifteen silver coins.

The young vendor fell silent for a moment, then didn’t answer immediately; instead, he stared at Gao De’s still-boyish face and asked: “Don’t you think I’m lying to you?”

“Though the rune patterns are worn, I can still tell the original runes must have been extraordinary,” Gao De said, studying the copper object closely several more times before confirming.

The young vendor fell silent again, then picked up the copper object and handed it to Gao De: “Done.”

Gao De didn’t hesitate; he swiftly pulled three Xie gold coins and twenty three-leaf silver coins from his pocket and handed them over.

Looking at the scattered gold and silver coins in his hand, the young vendor hesitated, sighed, and spoke again:

“To be honest with you, this copper object is called Yinwu’s Fang. When intact, it was a Level One magical alchemical artifact capable of casting the Level One spell, Yinwu Spell—but during a battle, its spell runes were accidentally worn away.”

“So when I said earlier that if repaired, it could easily fetch sixty or seventy Xie gold coins, I wasn’t boasting.”

The average price for a Level One magical item is sixty-five gold coins.

Gao De didn’t show excessive excitement, because if the vendor said so, there must be more to come.

As expected.

“But my father once took it to an enchanting repairer. After inspecting it, the repairer discovered the worn runes on Yinwu’s Fang were the core runes.”

“To restore it would be nearly equivalent to re-engraving the entire spell rune pattern—beyond his ability. The matter was dropped.”

“So, repairing it isn’t simple.”

“I see you’re not well-off—if you’ve changed your mind, let’s call off the deal.”

The young vendor’s expression was both helpless and regretful.

“It’s fine. If no way to repair it can be found, I’ll keep it as a collection,” Gao De said calmly.

The young vendor froze, still not reacting.

Meanwhile, Gao De, having obtained the item he wanted and with his purse empty, had no interest in further wandering—he walked away leisurely.

Herb Garden.

Before a brown-black door.

Gao De, having just returned from the town square, lightly knocked on the door.

“Cough—come in,” came the familiar voice of Master Seda, laced with coughing.

Gao De quickly pushed open the door.

Master Seda sat at a solid wood table, facing him.

At the sight of Master Seda, Gao De was startled.

Only a dozen days had passed, yet Master Seda’s condition had deteriorated as if he’d suffered a grave illness—his complexion was utterly lifeless.

Previously, Master Seda had been pale and drained, but never this bad; his face showed almost no trace of blood, as white as a corpse’s.

Gao De suppressed his questions and rising unease, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, then offered the receipt from Phil’s Apothecary with both hands, his head bowed deeply.

“Master, today I delivered the herb garden’s accumulated potions to the city. Here is the receipt I brought back.”

“Put it on the table, cough...” Master Seda’s voice was weak and listless. But Gao De dared not show the slightest disrespect.

He carefully placed the receipt on the solid wood table, then stood respectfully beside it, waiting for Master Seda’s next words.

Master Seda’s face was expressionless; his half-lidded eyes studied Gao De, as if pondering something.

After several breaths, he suddenly opened his eyes wide—a sharp gleam flashed in his cloudy gaze.

“Lately, I’ve noticed you often leave the herb garden?”

Gao De’s heart jolted; the next instant, he understood—and his face turned pale with panic, as if caught red-handed.

He clenched his fists, his face filled with fear and shame: “Master, I—I was wicked, seduced by the city’s luxuries, neglecting my daily cultivation...”

Master Seda stared at Gao De’s repentant face, weighing something.

“Master, I swear I’ll return to the right path. Please forgive my foolishness and indulgence.” Gao De added several more flattering words.

But Master Seda didn’t care; he sneered, watching Gao De’s performance with mockery.

“I don’t care whether you cultivate diligently or not. I only care whether you interfere with my work.”

“Master, I swear I’ve never delayed any task! Please, Master, see this!” Gao De felt a surge of unease.

The next instant, Master Seda reached out and seized Gao De’s wrist.

Gao De knew it was bad—he instinctively wanted to resist or dodge—but instantly calmed himself, hesitated a moment, and ultimately took no action.

It wasn’t time to turn against him yet.

Master Seda’s hand clamped Gao De’s wrist like an iron vice; magical energy surged, sending pain deep into Gao De’s bones.

“Do you know how long I’ve studied the Spirit-Linking Elixir formula? Ten years—listen carefully, not ten days, not ten months, but ten years!” Master Seda hissed, his voice thick with malice.

“Now that I’m finally close to success, I won’t tolerate any mishaps at this stage!”

“You’re a corrupt boy, running into town every other day, with no real talent—you’ll cause trouble sooner or later.”

“I tell you, if it were anyone else, dying would be fine—just the life of a disciple. I know none of you truly see me as your master. It doesn’t matter—I never saw you as disciples either.”

“But you’re different. Even if you die, you must die by my potions,” Master Seda’s expression twisted into a snarl, nearly shouting at Gao De, “Do you understand?!”

As Master Seda’s fury intensified, the pain in Gao De’s wrist grew excruciating; he gritted his teeth and answered in a trembling voice: “I understand.”

Having confirmed through the [Interrogation] spell that Gao De hadn’t lied, Master Seda ended his spell.

Gao De, meanwhile, was drenched in sweat from the agony, his clothes soaked through.

He clenched his lips tightly, no longer able to maintain inner calm.

A soul from the modern world, confronted with someone who clearly intended to kill him yet still threatened him so cruelly—his mind couldn’t accept it.

But he understood: begging or raging would change nothing. He could only force himself to endure.

“From today until the trial, you are not to leave the herb garden. No more potions need be delivered to the apothecary.”

Master Seda was satisfied with the immense pressure he’d imposed on Gao De.

“I understand, Master,” Gao De gritted his teeth and submitted under Master Seda’s overwhelming power.

Hearing Gao De’s submission, Master Seda exhaled deeply—the pent-up tension of recent days finally eased.

At this critical moment, his own anxiety and pressure were no less than Gao De’s, who was plotting “rebellion.”

“Leave,” Master Seda waved his hand.

Gao De bowed once more, then withdrew.

He knew clearly: Master Seda no longer cared whether he showed proper respect or deference.

Yet Gao De still maintained a respectful demeanor, revealing not the slightest hint of his intent to rebel.

He knew he must not let Master Seda grow wary.

Their power gap was already vast; the only real chance of success in rebellion lay in surprise.

(End of Chapter)