Chapter 258: The Baby's Wooden Box

Lin Manzhi thought for a moment and said, "But these are six‑year‑old ginseng, and their effect is different from the old ginseng over three hundred years old we used before. You should have someone try them first to see if they work."

Mo Lie: "No need to find anyone; I can try."

He stepped forward with Lin Manzhi, turned to the wooden box holding the Ginseng Essence, kept holding Lin Manzhi's hand, bent over and with one hand lifted the lid, then casually took a bottle from the neatly arranged glass jars and straightened his posture.

Lin Manzhi's expression tightened slightly with nervousness.

Watching Mo Lie hold the glass bottle with one hand, his thumb resting on the cap, she hurriedly said, "Wait, you've already taken the Ginseng Essence; testing it won't help, right? If you drink it again, what if… the effect becomes excessive! What would we do then!"

Mo Lie paused his hand on the bottle cap, let out a low chuckle with a hint of meaning, "It doesn't work on me, but if I drink it I can discern the effect inside."

Lin Manzhi: "…"

Mo Lie's fingertip applied gentle pressure, the glass bottle cap emitted a soft "pop" and sprang outward, revealing the pale‑gold, bead‑like Ginseng Essence inside, and he said, "If I feel unwell, Zhi Zhi, you'll have to help me."

Lin Manzhi: "…"

Mo Lie tilted his head back and drank; the ginseng was slightly bitter, instantly followed by a fresh herbal fragrance and a faint surge of energy.

He lowered his gaze, his long lashes casting a shadow over his eyes, his expression blank so that no one could tell if anything had changed.

Lin Manzhi tilted her head and looked at Mo Lie.

She blinked nervously and asked, "How is it?"

Mo Lie lifted his eyes, and when they met the worried black eyes of the Little Female, his voice softened, "It's not as effective as the old ginseng, but it's sufficient for a Beastfolk without special abilities. Also, I discovered—"

"I drank the Ginseng Essence again; the Spirit Core didn't grow stronger, the energy didn't increase, but the Spirit Core feels a bit more comfortable."

Mo Lie looked at Lin Manzhi; his usually expressionless face now lacked the cold, unapproachable aura, his blue eyes holding a hint of innocent question, "Not the scorching feeling we had last time?"

Lin Manzhi: "…That's great."

Heh, why does it sound like you're disappointed that the effect isn't there?!

She saw Mo Lie was fine, withdrew her hand, and walked toward the study, saying, "What are you going to do about the Ginseng Essence?"

Mo Lie took a few steps to catch up with Lin Manzhi, slowed his pace, walked beside her toward the hall, and said, "This is Zhi Zhi's gift to me, of course it's to keep—"

Lin Manzhi turned her head to look at him.

Mo Lie: "Keep it, and select a portion of the elite troops from Kuangsha City to use it."

He extended his hand, with a light laugh, hooking the hand hanging at Lin Manzhi's side.

When they reached the doorway, he turned his head toward the guard standing under the colonnade, his smile fading back to a blank expression, "Have Hu Jiao come here to see me now."

"Yes, Lord."

One of the guards outside the study took the order and left.

Lin Manzhi and Mo Lie waited in the study for half an hour.

Summoned by the Lord, Hu Jiao dropped everything and rushed over.

He saw Mo Lie and Lin Manzhi seated behind the desk, bowed with a hint of anticipation, "Lord, Lord's Wife."

Mo Lie lifted his gaze at the Hu Jiao before him and asked, "How did the matter of the Beastfolk I asked you to select from the army go?"

Hu Jiao: "Lord, rest assured. Following your command, I have selected ten thousand promising and loyal Beastfolk warriors from your Kuangsha domain's army; they come from the First Legion, and I have already written the list and brought it."

Speaking thus, he took a scroll from his chest and respectfully presented it upward for the Lord to review.

This matter began the day he and Hua Zheng ate the Ginseng Essence and grew stronger; the next day the Lord gave him the order.

Although the Lord did not specify why he should find Beastfolk in the army, he vaguely guessed it might be related to the Ginseng Essence that can strengthen Beastfolk!

He was thrilled.

Mo Lie took the Thin Skin Scroll recording the list, untied its strap, his fingers gripping the dark wooden rod on its side, slowly unrolled it and casually scanned through.

The Beastfolk names appearing here had considerable influence in Kuangsha City before; their strength was never weak, and several familiar names stood out.

Now the Kuangsha troops are under Hu Jiao's command, Hua Zheng handles the Lord's Residence guard, and the Ansen City troops remain led by the former Leopard Pool War General.

These twenty‑six legions, which he merged and then re‑separated two continents of a few months ago, all belong to Mo Lie's sphere of influence.

The reason he now prioritizes the Kuangsha legions over the Ansen City Beastfolk legions is that the Lord's Residence is located in Kuangsha City.

He had previously read ancient texts. In the desert, terrifying massive tides of Exotic Beasts once surged, with millions attacking simultaneously, treating Beastfolk as food, causing countless casualties and nearly destroying the ancient Beastfolk city; fortunately the Beastfolk eventually prevailed.

Therefore, with Lin Manzhi here, the Beastfolk warriors of this Kuangsha continent can become stronger sooner and be safer.

As for Ansen City, its legions can be dealt with later.

Mo Lie set down the Thin Skin Scroll and said lightly, "I will give you 2,980 doses of Ginseng Essence; have them taken according to the names listed, and report back to me in a day about the results."

Hu Jiao rejoiced, "Yes, Lord!"

He knew good news had arrived; as a War General of a domain, nothing pleased him more than seeing his own troops' strength increase.

Since the Lord can dispense so many doses of Ginseng Essence at once, it shows it's not as rare as Concentrated Spirit Dew; perhaps every one of the tens of thousands of Beastfolk warriors under his command could drink it!

Overcome with excitement, Hu Jiao stacked the three wooden boxes containing Ginseng Essence together, carried them out of the Lord's Residence, refused the Beastfolk nearby who offered help, and tossed a personal Thin Skin Scroll to his subordinate, saying, "Go summon the first 2,980 on the list to the camp."

The Beastfolk warriors, seeing Hu Jiao's prized stance holding the wooden boxes, were baffled but obeyed the order and went.

The party sprinted all the way to the nearest military camp.

…

Hu Biao, the former leader of East City District, was defeated by Mo Lie and has long been wholeheartedly loyal, becoming Mo Lie's most faithful warrior; like the other four former Kuangsha City leaders, he rose to command the Second Legion with his bare fists.

He felt he was living a good life; the Beastfolk under his command were far stronger than the ragtag group he once led, he received a monthly salary, and most importantly, a monthly allotment of medicinal plants.

"Thank the Lord; all of this is bestowed by the Lord and the Lord's Wife!"

Hu Biao, hearing the War General Hu Jiao's summons, like the other Beastfolk warriors immediately responded and headed there, but being farther away, he arrived a bit later at the Dilen camp nearest Kuangsha City.