Chapter 164: How Did the Pirate Ship End Up on My Face?

Who would have thought that just going out and turning left, there would be an Old Six standing in the stairwell?

Faced with the obviously waiting Ailin Nuo, Ji Ming first pretended to be startled, looking left and right, then clasped his hands.

"Hello, may I ask if you're looking for me for something?"

People will be wary of a good person, and also wary of a bad person, but absolutely no one will be wary of a coward.

Especially since the other person is still too young; although they're already trying to read the room, they can't even hide the fact that they don't know what they're doing.

Thus Ailin Nuo's mouth corners visibly relaxed a bit, and she pursed her lips somewhat nervously.

"Um... our teacher is a friend, so I think we can also communicate more..."

Her expression was lively, her delivery heartfelt, yet she stumbled as if reciting from a script.

Moreover, because Ji Ming had initially stepped back, Ailin Nuo, who felt she was in the wrong, also felt embarrassed to look at his face.

So it seemed she had the initiative, but in fact she was completely passive.

All that could be done was to let Ji Ming look down from above, reading her inner fluctuations through microexpressions, awful as if in a public execution.

"... My office is just on the second floor, it's pretty spacious; if you still have time, you can come have a drink."

Ji Ming suddenly recalled from primary school the female class monitor who, whenever a leader arrived, had to dress up and act as the little MC.

Tsk, how old are you to still be drinking? I'm even afraid the cops will arrest me...

But since they've offered, going to listen wouldn't hurt.

"Sure, but I still have appointments at the clinic, so I might not be able to stay long."

"No problem."

Thus I followed her to the second floor; there's a room here that hasn't had a sign put up yet.

Ailin Nuo took out a key and opened the door somewhat awkwardly.

Stepping inside, Ji Ming quietly looked around and realized that what Bishop Tenisi meant by "she's busy" was probably just setting up the office.

After all, although some exquisite decorations had been placed inside, the other half was still empty, and there were two obviously unopened suitcases in the corner.

They looked plump, probably bedding and clothing.

"Just a moment."

By the large table in the room, Ailin Nuo also used magic to heat up some plain water.

"Although Teacher Tenisi likes tea, recently the nobles of Hui Guang Kingdom have still been favoring this drink."

Saying that, she took out a transparent crystal jar from the drawer.

"This coffee sent from Lingxi is rich and smooth, a rare flavor."

Whoa, although the way she shows off her status is rather stiff, but...

You really are a noble connections person!

Watching the familiar black liquid being poured into the cup, Ji Ming secretly felt that something was missing.

But since the host had already raised the cup in a gesture, how could I hesitate?

All I could do was smile, lift the cup, and take a small sip.

…

Haha, this is done pretty well, pinned!

It's bitter, sour, and astringent—this stuff is harder to drink than the black coffee I bought just to show off!

But seeing Ailin Nuo also looking like she's undergoing torture on her tongue, he could only grimly swallow it down.

"Um, Ms. Ailin Nuo, in my humble opinion... would this drink be better with milk and sugar?"

Although the word "yes" was already on his lips, waiting for that breath to blow out, Ailin Nuo still swallowed it down at the last moment.

"Improper—true Royal Capital nobles drink it plain; only country bumpkins from the Western Border would add..."

"Then I can relax!"

Activate trap card—I'm a barbarian too!

Ji Ming pulled out from his pocket the Rejuvenation Four he always carries, and directly poured half a bottle into the cup.

The power of the miraculous potion needs no saying—this sip, upon drinking, not only eliminated the bitterness completely, but the mellow fragrance twisted with the fresh scent into a strand, expanding to the fullest extent.

Once the liquid reached his stomach, even Ji Ming himself felt his eyes light up.

Refreshed, he felt energized!

Moreover, just like Death God's biochemical nuclear weapon, the diffusing aroma would attack indiscriminately.

Thus Ailin Nuo couldn't help but lean her head forward slightly.

"Is this... a local specialty sugar water?"

Anyway, this is currently the clinic's flagship product; the more people who know about it, the better.

So Ji Ming cleared his throat.

"What? This isn't sugar water, it's Rejuvenation Four..."

Moreover, just as she said, the other party being a student of a friend of the teacher makes them a natural ally to develop.

So he, while bragging, generously handed over the remaining half bottle.

"This is the product I'm most proud of as a pharmacist; you can give it a try."

Ailin Nuo hesitated for a moment.

"I remember that potions must not be used recklessly; unlike magic potions, they basically all have side effects."

Side effects?

If your vital energy is severely depleted, would developing a certain drug dependence count?

Ji Ming shook his head.

"That's why it's my capital for establishing myself in Sunlight City—after all, as a powerful healing potion, it itself has no side effects."

Ai Li Nuo was half-believing, half-doubting, but she still tried to put it in.

Then, the second side effect of Revitalization Four appeared.

What is this? Coffee with Revitalization Four, take a sip.

……

What is this? Added……

What?

What?

Ai Li Nuo shook the cup twice.

Crystal cup: laxative, not a drop left.

In an instant, a feeling of loss never before experienced rose in her heart.

However, Ai Li Nuo wasn't cursed, so the negative emotion only floated for a moment and then disappeared.

You can always trust Revitalization Liquid, so Ji Ming asked casually.

How?

Good!

……

Ai Li Nuo quickly composed her expression, putting on an unchanged face.

Not bad, maybe this is the southern specialty flavor.

After two cups of coffee, the atmosphere at the table relaxed, and the conversation could get to the point.

"Doctor Ji Ming, actually I've wanted to get to know you for a long time."

Probably she's just reciting lines again; Ai Li Nuo is classic at starting with flattery.

"Your medical skill and pharmaceutical knowledge impress me greatly, and not every pharmacist can have a qualified proprietary product; as an independent pharmacist, this is a very remarkable achievement."

Ji Ming smiled.

"I'm just a doctor, doing my best."

"Of course, I understand what you mean."

Ah?

Ji Ming also didn't know what Ai Li Nuo understood, but she nodded solemnly.

"So I think your abilities go far beyond this; if you can go to the Royal Capital and exchange with more masters, you could surely advance further."

What???

Saying this, she again suddenly let out a soft sigh,

"It's a pity I still need to stay in Sunlight City for a while; otherwise I could perhaps pave the way for you."

Um……

Ji Ming let out a silent sigh, figuring it out.

I was wondering how to stop me from bringing things from my office; turns out there's an ambush here!

Although her reasoning is confused and her wording stiff, the other party's intention is clear—winning over.

So.

Could it be that the other side isn't cultivating flower vases to gild a marriage alliance in the church?

But rather someone qualified to inherit the family business, going to the borderlands to cultivate political capital as the eldest heir?

After all, as I previously expected, for a low-threshold 'medicine', Revitalization Liquid is still best suited to the battlefield.

Or rather, it's a large workshop only nobles can afford.

However.

Ji Ming has struggled in society for years, and what he's eaten most are other people's pies.

This kind of straight-hook salty bait, a terrible pie you wouldn't even spread cream on—you can't trust a bit of it!

Therefore he put on a look of surprise, but said with his mouth.

"Don't hide it from you, actually my pharmaceutical formula is also a rough recipe brought from the East."

"Although the healing ability is strong and there's an extra energizing effect, the manufacturing process is unnecessarily complicated and hard to optimize……"

Ai Li Nuo nodded thoughtfully, her eyes showing no disappointment, only offering comfort.

"No problem, perhaps when you come to the Royal Capital later, you'll find a suitable processing method, and then I'll help you."

Facing a commoner who has lost half their utility value, they still manage to keep composure without instantly changing expression.

Leaving other things aside, at least in personal quality they've surpassed 99% of noble lords.

Heh.

With a light chuckle, Ji Ming sought nothing on this trip, and prepared to find an opportunity to leave.

But the other party's purpose seems not limited to this; after a pause, their expression gradually turned solemn.

"Actually, on my way here I heard some dangerous rumors."

"Teacher Tenisi said you once lived in the Outer City; what do you know about feral beasts?"

Ji Ming startled; this question caught him off guard.

"Sorry, I'm just a doctor……"

After considering his own persona, he spoke more vaguely.

"I only know that recently the hospitals in the Inner City have been raising prices, and the number of wounded at various clinics keeps increasing."

To show sincerity, he thought longer for a while.

"Moreover, casualties in the Outer City are heavy, and it seems there was even an incident of townspeople secretly fleeing; as for the rest…… I don't know."

Alinuo furrowed her brow, her face showing worry, and finally seemed to have made some decision.

"Doctor, I believe you should have seen it—I am a noble from Guanghui Capital."

"Although this place has no clear lord, Sunny City and even the Black Forest Territory are, legally speaking, part of our Hui Guang Kingdom."

"My noble surname has been passed down for generations; my family's honor prevents me from leaving monsters to threaten the lives of the subjects."

"Therefore..."

She took a breath.

"There must be some cause behind the rampant creature incident; I need capable people to uncover this secret with me!"

"Damn, how did that pirate ship end up in my face?"

At this point, I should play dumb.

"I still don't quite understand what you mean; I'm just a doctor..."

Alinuo directly cut off his words.

"You can certainly choose to refuse, but if you're willing to help me, I'll give you due compensation!"

Ji Ming fell into silence.

"To be honest, the closed beta is imminent, and this is the crucial time for the three gates; he doesn't want to get involved in this mess."

But.

"It is clearly the aberrant council of the Chaos side; while reaching out to this place, they have also discovered the existence of the dungeon."

"Even if Sunny City were razed, it would only postpone the open conflict to later, not solving the root problem."

Moreover.

"Teacher, bishop, priest, plus a clearly ambitious noblewoman from the royal capital..."

"If they want, they could actually stir up something in that tiny plot of Sunny City!"

"Moreover, only when the waters are muddied can one fish in troubled waters; the players will surely have to emerge from underground and step onto the world stage, which is not without opportunity."

"So even if he doesn't participate, he must still follow the whole thing!"

Thus he also gritted his teeth, as if he had made some decision.

"What I can do might not be much..."

Ji Ming really wanted to remind her that reality isn't a game; completing a task doesn't need such strong feedback—please control your expression.

But upon seeing her rummage through the drawer and pull out a notebook, he decided to forget it.

"Cough, um, just as I said before, our teachers are friends, so we ought to be natural friends."

Alinuo first offered some pleasantries, then pushed the notebook toward Ji Ming.

"Perhaps it's not as precious as the teacher's, but it's something; this is my sincerity."

Ji Ming flipped open the cover, casually glanced at a page, and found written in the corner:

"【Goblin meat tastes pretty good!】"

!!!

Oh, good, it refers to the taste after cooking.

Fine, fine my ass!

"This is something I bought from an old bookseller; it's the final work of the genius apothecary Siwendisi from a hundred years ago."

"Apothecaries' minds are usually not quite normal, so Siwendisi's notes are rather abstract."

So Alinuo probably hasn't carefully read what's written inside, and she's still talking at length.

"How is it? Not bad, right?"

Ji Ming's fingertips trembled slightly as he closed the notebook.

"Very spirited!"

???

While Ji Ming was negotiating with Alinuo, on the other side, after Ji Ming left and closed the door, the conversation between Buluowa and Tenisi also came to an abrupt halt.

After a moment of silence, Tenisi broke the quiet.

"First, let me say this: I took Alinuo as my student per the church's arrangement, and also as a favor to the former Marquis."

"You, why did you suddenly take on a young male apothecary as a student?"

Buluowa said nothing.

Tenisi waited three seconds, then sighed.

"Ah, back then I didn't know it was that old tree claiming its heart was burned to ashes by national hatred, after which it decided to seal off its emotions and exile itself."

She blinked her eyes, finally revealing a hint of the succubus's natural cunning.

I didn't expect that upon seeing the little one, I'd roar, couldn't help but sprout new shoots, clenching my fists, eager to...

Bang!

"Don't get angry, the table is expensive."

Buluowa clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it.

"Don't overthink it; there are hardly any good people in the world—I just pity him for not getting his due reward."

"Then why can't you pity me, an old succubus who has no home to return to?"

All she got in return was Buluowa's habitual cold snort.

"You had it coming—who told you to mismanage your kin and go get involved with that damned Shixin?"

The succubus flew into a rage.

How would I know my father would have that much charm? Getting myself involved is fine, but even dead he can hook the souls of mortals, letting the Lionheart King bring tens of thousands of troops to seize people—if I hadn't run fast.

He suddenly shut his mouth, his expression shifted, and he glared.

"Old thing, you're trying to change the subject!!"

It's a shame we've known each other for so long, but Buluowa didn't even lift an eyelid.

"I don't have any; I was just going along with what you said."

"Fine, fine, fine, you're just making excuses, aren't you?"

Te Ni Si adjusted the collar of his purple robe, then flicked his hair.

"Perfect, when I helped you make the sheepskin garment last time, I happened to keep a large one."

"Since you don't have those feelings for him, let me indulge—just thinking about it feels great."

He was quite confident, but then Lao Nv Shi's line "What airs are you putting on, you old novice?" broke his composure.

"Ahhh!"

"Alright, don't rush, I'll tell you the reason."

Buluowa rolled up his sleeve, revealing his arm covered in scars, dry and withered like bark.

"As a race close to nature, we elves can know our fate, so..."

She slowed her speech.

"I feel like I'm about to die."

"Huh?"

With a gasp, Te Ni Si's face was bewildered.

"But the Holy Nine Surnames have long lifespans, often tens of thousands of years; you should be in your prime now, right?"

"That's just in theory."

Buluowa extended a finger and began to calculate.

"But after experiencing so many upheavals, being cursed by the God of the Dense Forest, enduring prolonged persecution, inner torment..."

"Even the greatest talent will eventually burn out, reducing my lifespan as well; surviving five hundred years would be lucky."

"Since my life is like a candle in the wind, I need someone to inherit my mantle."

"Then he showed up; although his talent is poor, I'm even worse, so I think he's okay—just that."

Te Ni Si bit his red lips, the succubus's characteristic goat horns emerging from his anger.

"You old thing, what the hell nonsense are you spouting?"

She was still enjoying the birdsong and floral scent, but suddenly her expression changed.

"What's wrong?"

The demon's aura vanished, replaced by holy light appearing out of thin air.

"I suddenly sensed……a deity?"