Chapter 208: with translation of chapter title

The performance props have been completed, the final piece of the brand story's puzzle is in hand, and all that remains is to find a suitable stage to make a dazzling debut.

Translation: "The stage props were finished, the final piece of the brand story's puzzle was in hand, and all that remained was to find a suitable stage to make a dazzling debut."

The performance props have been completed, the final piece of the brand story's puzzle is in hand, and all that remains is to find a suitable stage to make a dazzling debut.

The violent creature incident escalated, and not only outsiders fled Sunlight City in fear.

Translation: "The violent creature incident escalated, and not only outsiders fled Sunlight City in fear."

Those who fled Sunlight City in fear were not just outsiders.

Over the past period, several shops on the commercial street have already chosen to move out.

Translation: "In recent times, several shops on Business Street have chosen to move out."

With the world in chaos, no one wanted to take over these shops, so they all remained vacant.

Translation: "With the world in chaos, no one wanted to take over these shops, so they all stood vacant."

Therefore, Diming chose one of the relatively secluded shops and placed Edgar's corpse there.

Translation: "So Ji Ming chose one of the relatively secluded shops and placed Edgar's corpse there."

Friends familiar with the scene of the forged case know that the simplest, most direct set-up and the most decisive destruction often yield the best results.

Translation: "Friends familiar with staging fake crime scenes know that the simplest set-up and the most ruthless destruction often yield the best effect."

After laying out the various alchemical vessels retrieved from the ring and completing the shop's interior and exterior setup, Diming immediately began smashing the shop.

Translation: "Thus, after taking out the various alchemical vessels from the ring and completing the shop's interior and exterior setup, Ji Ming directly began smashing the shop."

The vigorous shovel strikes, the forceful axe chops, and even the tiny details—like the potion that splashed when I hastily used the Fourth Generation Rejuvenation—...

Translation: "Fierce shovel blows, vigorous axe chops, and even the minute detail of the potion that spilled when I was in a hurry while using Rejuvenation Generation Four..."

His own part was naturally simulated as second nature, but things got complicated when it came to Edgar's "attack".

Translation: "This part of his was naturally second nature to simulate, but it became troublesome when it came to Edgar's 'attack'."

Lies piled up, just as they are today.

Translation: "Lies one after another, just like today."

—No wonder Edgar would splash potions on hatred whether or not there was an issue; clearly he was conducting human experiments to confirm the product's effects!

Translation: "——No wonder Edgar would splash potion on hatred whenever he had the chance; this is clearly him conducting human experiments to confirm the product's effect!"

Others also tried to morally blackmail Diming by leaning into his "Lawful Good" and "Benevolent Divine Healer" persona.

Translation: "Still others tried to morally blackmail Ji Ming by exploiting his persona of 'Order Good' and 'Benevolent Divine Doctor'."

Although they look miserable, with surfaces full of scars and breaches from being ravaged, their overall integrity remains intact.

Translation: "Although they looked miserable, their surfaces full of scars and breaches, their overall integrity remained intact."

But before Diming could even speak, someone immediately stepped in to explain for him.

Translation: "But before Ji Ming could speak, someone immediately explained for him."

Moreover, under the subtle guidance in Diming's story, the attention of most listeners was also diverted onto the correct path.

Translation: "Moreover, under the subtle guidance in Ji Ming's story, the vast majority of listeners' attention was also diverted onto the correct path."

Boom!

Translation: "Boom—"

It's not that Diming didn't know how to fight the alchemy madman; rather, upon opening the moldy wooden box, eight out of ten of the opponent's potions lacked labels, and the remaining two were described only in extremely rough terms.

Translation: "It wasn't that Ji Ming didn't know how the alchemy madman should fight; rather, upon opening the moldy wooden box, eight out of ten bottles of the opponent's potions lacked labels, and the remaining two were described only in the crudest terms."

With a quiet sigh, he ultimately gave up on politely asking for the price, expressed his thanks again, and then left the lounge.

Translation: "With a quiet sigh, he ultimately gave up on politely asking the price, expressed thanks again, and then left the rest room."

Moreover, the first to enter the lounge were not emissaries, but a group of men and women wearing exquisite dresses.

Translation: "Moreover, the first to enter the rest room were not emissaries, but a group of men and women wearing exquisite dresses."

"Your Excellency the Divine Chosen, we are the waiters of the Golden Restaurant; Lord Sora has reserved a table of the highest standard lunch for you, please enjoy."

Translation: "\"Divine Chosen Sir, we are the waiters of the Golden Restaurant; Suo La Sir has reserved a table of the highest standard lunch for you, please enjoy. \""

Winter skies always light up unusually late, so by the time he finished all this, the surroundings remained cold and silent.

Translation: "Winter skies always brighten unusually late, so by the time he finished all this, the surroundings remained in cold silence."

Diming immediately contacted Ston, only to receive an angry retort: "Friend? He owes me ten silver coins and hasn't paid them back!"

Translation: "Ji Ming immediately contacted Stoon, only to receive his angry reply: \"Friend? He owes me ten silver coins and hasn't paid back! \""

"Ah, if we had had this armor during the previous operation, my poor brother wouldn't have died."

Translation: "\"Ah, if we had had such armor during the previous operation, my poor brother wouldn't have died. \""

In effect, it seems that whoever can take the sigil armor from Diming's hands possesses absolute wealth and power, and is now the top seat in Sunlight City!

Translation: "Invisible to the eye, it seemed that whoever could snatch the Talisman Armor from Ji Ming's hands would possess absolute wealth and power, becoming the top seat in Sunlight City!"

Since conventional methods failed, some began to curry favor with Diming, playing the emotional card.

Translation: "Thus, when conventional means failed, some began to curry favor with Ji Ming, playing the emotion card."

Ah, it seems we can neither take it nor afford it.

Translation: "Ah, it seems we can neither take it nor afford it."

And after demonstrating his dazzling experimental techniques to Diming, they, whose breathing had gone awry, all wore sincere expressions.

Translation: "And after showing Ji Ming their dazzling experimental methods, their breathing in disarray, they all wore sincere expressions."

"Your Excellency the Divine Chosen, the members of the Business Union have arrived—be careful!"

Translation: "\"Divine Chosen Sir, the Business Union people have arrived—be careful! \""

Thus, when he stood on the pulpit of the Holy Light Church as a Divine Chosen Saint and shared with the crowd below his glorious tale of battling the mad alchemist Edgar for three hundred rounds last night, the story had already become an indisputable truth that no one could question.

Translation: "Thus, when he stood on the podium of Sheng Guang Jiao Tang, as a Divine Chosen Holy Disciple, sharing with the crowd below his glorious tale of battling the mad alchemist Edgar for three hundred rounds last night, this story had become an indisputable truth that no one could question."

Seeing that he had eaten his fill, a few neatly dressed middle-aged people then leisurely walked in.

Translation: "Seeing that he had eaten his fill, a few neatly dressed middle-aged people then leisurely walked in."

"Just hand over the beaker to me; if you bring it, you'll only corrupt the child……"

Translation: "\"Hand over the beaker to me; if you do it, you'll only corrupt the child……\""

Even as noon approached and the envoy of the mountain folk mercenaries' leader, Fein, regretfully departed, a sudden clamor broke out outside the tranquil Holy Light Church.

Translation: "Even as noon approached, when the envoy of the Mountain Folk Mercenary Alliance Leader Fein reluctantly departed, a clamor suddenly erupted outside the tranquil Sheng Guang Jiao Tang."

As for why this alchemical construct has such an effect, it is because it itself is considered a strange anomaly.

Translation: "As for why this alchemical construct has such an effect, it is because it itself is also a sort of anomaly."

"Doctor Diming, I heard you wore armor that could defend against anomaly attacks during your battle with Edgar; may I take a look?"

Translation: "\"Doctor Ji Ming, I heard you wore armor that could defend against anomaly attacks during your fight with Edgar; may I take a look? \""

Perhaps this is the reality for most alchemists nowadays—they don't even know what the potions they brew actually are.

Translation: "Perhaps this is the state of most alchemists nowadays—they themselves don't even know what kind of thing the potions they brew actually are."

When spilled on the ground, some potions emit a foul stench, some give off a fragrant aroma, and others simply fizz vigorously like cola……

Translation: "When spilled on the ground, some potions gave off a foul stench, some emitted a fragrant aroma, and some simply bubbled vigorously like cola……"

He tore his black robe, splashed some acid on it, and Diming pulled out an overcharged alchemical grenade—same price, more power.

Translation: "He tore his black robe, splashed some acid on it, and Ji Ming produced an extra‑large alchemy hand grenade."

Although he had absolute confidence in his on‑site preparations, destroying evidence as much as possible was still necessary.

Translation: "Although he had absolute confidence in the scene's arrangement, destroying evidence as much as possible was still necessary."

"Maybe he himself was forced into the inner city; after all, the powerful hatred he carried is gone—most likely he's dead!"

Translation: "\"Perhaps he himself was forced into the Inner City; after all, the mighty hatred he carried isn't missing, is it? Eighty percent he's dead! \""

"Is it really this good? If you can part with it, I'll surely offer a price you'll find satisfactory!"

Translation: "\"Is it really this good? If you can bear to part with it, I will surely offer a price you'll find satisfactory! \""

Too bad the point of a persona is to deceive; how could Diming possibly be fooled by such clumsy acting?

Translation: "Too bad the point of a persona is to deceive; how could Ji Ming possibly be fooled by such clumsy acting?"

"Hiss…"

Translation: "\"Hiss……\""

Alright, then go ahead and propose a suitable price!

Translation: "All right, then you go ahead and name a suitable price!"

Actually, at first everyone was fairly mild; after all, business thrives on harmony.

Translation: "Actually, at first everyone was still rather mild; after all, business thrives on harmony."

I had expected it to shatter or even explode, but in the next moment the entire ring silently turned to ash.

Translation: "I had thought it would burst or even explode, but in the next instant the entire ring silently turned to ash."

"No report has ever mentioned that he possesses the ability to create and control violent creatures, so how could he possibly be the mastermind behind everything?"

Translation: "\"No report has ever mentioned that he possesses the ability to create and control violent creatures—how could he possibly be the mastermind behind everything? \""

The beast‑folk guard would explain it all when they tried to investigate, and even if they later met the mercenaries' self‑purification squad, they could repeat the explanation.

Translation: "The Beast Tribe Guard would give a full account when trying to investigate, and could repeat it again upon halfway encountering the Mercenary Self‑Purification Team."

Upon hearing this, he showed no hesitation and generously took the sigil armor out of a box.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, he showed no hesitation and generously produced the Talisman Armor from a box."

Ah, you say this—I won't be sleepy anymore!

Translation: "Ah, you say this—I won't be sleepy anymore!"

Although this number doesn't surpass the total of all previous bids, it is certainly enough to claim the top spot.

Translation: "Although this figure doesn't exceed the sum of everyone's previous bids, it can absolutely claim the top spot."

Too bad Diming's current status is special, and he has the church as his backing.

Translation: "Too bad Ji Ming's current identity is special, and he also has the church as his backing."

Thus the Antler family, the Truffle family, the Sharp Claw family, the Mountain Folk Gale, and many more miscellaneous small forces, plus further scouting and reporting…

Translation: "Thus the Antler Horn Family, Truffle Family, Sharp Claw Family, Mountain Folk Wild Wind, and many more miscellaneous small forces, plus further scouting and reporting……"

"I say, big brother, what are all these things you have?"

Translation: "\"I say, Head Brother, what are all these things you've got? \""

He took a deep breath, pulled the pin, and tossed it straight into the shop.

Translation: "Taking a deep breath, he pulled the ring's pin and hurled it straight into the shop."

Consider your mother—consider whether in the future you'll give Ni Ma a small cut or a large one.

Translation: "Consider your mother—should we give Ni Ma a small cut or a large one later?"

He removed his own black ring and carefully touched it to the surface of the armor.

Translation: "He took off his own black ring and carefully touched it to the surface of the armor."

These feeble black worms generate a chill when they sense their own kind; the maker exploited this trait, showing great cleverness.

Translation: "Such feeble black worms, upon sensing their kind, would feel a chill; the maker exploited this trait, making it quite cunning."

"Please go ahead."

Translation: "\"Please go ahead. \""

Realizing this, Diming belatedly understood.

Translation: "Realizing this, Ji Ming belatedly understood."

If Ji Ming truly were a nouveau riche crammed into Sunshine City, he'd probably already have his brain muddled by the lavish, eye‑dazzling feast.

Perhaps hoping to strike while Ji Ming was full and drowsy, they launched a swift and fierce assault as soon as they met.

As the saying goes, even the wisest have a slip.

"Ten thousand gold coins."

They first clumsily made small talk, then stumbling their way toward the main business.

In a daze, Ji Ming felt as if he had returned to the outer city, back when he was just a lowly doctor.

Ji Ming had the junior boss do a rough market‑price calculation and found that if the deal went through, old Suo La could instantly surpass Director An De Lu to become the top ranking brother!

"Director An De Lu said he once had some misunderstandings with you; indeed he was somewhat abrupt then. These are reparations; please consider them again."

"You may not know, but I and Stone of the Iron Chain Squad have been old friends; back then we shared a life‑risking bond!"

Even An De Lu, that byd, shamelessly sent someone to deliver a gift.

Gripping the rune‑etched armor until his fingertips turned pale, Cooper wished he could roll up the armor and flee right now.

Moreover, even if he possessed a hint of kindness, it was only for the poor; for these thugs he wielded a reaping scythe.

See, I knew no one cared where Edgar's inheritance was.

But now, before Ji Ming could even stand, Bishop Tenis walked in with a solemn expression.

To protect the recent days' revenue, he once fabricated a tale of being cheated and wept all the way from the city gate to the Clinic.

Whoa, finally they're here; I thought they could really sit still all morning without a sound.

Lately Sunlight City has been too tense; before the wispy blue smoke even reaches the sky, the surroundings already become noisy again.

But since this is a pure seller's market, all the selling rights lie with Ji Ming, so he can hold his ground.

Ha, who could have imagined that in just over a month, both Sunlight City's situation and his own social standing would undergo such a dramatic shift?

Yet the doctor Ji Ming beside him seemed oblivious, still devoutly proclaiming it a precious blessing from the Holy Light God.

It's even so swift that it only takes four words!

"That means Edgar isn't the real mastermind, just a scoundrel trying to profit from the chaos,"

"That can't be right; according to several Holy Light Knights who have faced Edgar, his main strength is the hateful giant that follows him,"

Handlers are knives but merely knives; as a commercial organization, the real backbone and power holders are actually those before us.

Ji Ming ran through every possible suspect in his mind, opened the door, and found it was Cooper again.

After roughly explaining the function of the black ring to Ji Ming, Cooper thoughtfully placed an extra one beside him.

"Doctor, may I try out the effect of this rune‑etched armor?"

But as a modern Huaxia person, at least in the realm of cuisine he had never seen anything before.

Before the meddlesome ones could dissect and nitpick, Ji Ming deliberately left a loophole for himself.

As earth and stone rained down, the two‑story small building ahead was half‑blown away, turning into a pitiful battlefield ruin, with many traces untraceable.

Yet an overly perfect story is often a point of doubt.

Just in time, it reminded me to go back to your basement and restock!

Of course, visiting patients is just a pretense; no matter how long the visitor's foreplay lasts or how bright their smile, it ultimately cannot be avoided.

But after the emissaries of the Fang Claw clan and the Mountain Folk Gale, two mortal rivals, unintentionally met, the auction‑like bidding nature of this affair changed.

Ji Ming certainly wouldn't be resting in rags; he had already changed into a clean set of casual clothes.

"Is the effect really that good!?"

In other words, even if he went into battle now wearing it, it would serve as a qualified suit of armor—what resilience and power!

And after battling various ferocious beasts for so long, the handlers have developed their own detection and inspection methods.

Carrying a bulging suitcase, he pretended to be weary as he rose from the ruins and brushed the bloodied wound on his face.

"Thanks!"

Some even, viewing Ji Ming as a 'Divine‑Chosen Saint,' simply tried to sell themselves.

"Indeed, with such frequent ferocious‑beast incidents, he couldn't have done it alone; there must be an entire organization behind it!"

But not wasting anything, Ji Ming simply cleared six, seven, eight dishes before stopping.

"Doctor Ji Ming, I heard you were injured; this is a token from Master Mi Yang..."

No matter how many entered the Rest Room, the people of Sheng Guang Jiao Tang, aside from hosting and maintaining order, had no involvement at all.

Naturally, the first to arrive were members of the Commercial Union; seeing Cooper's slightly panicked face, Ji Ming knew this had stabilized.

"The Divine‑Chosen Lord is still too kind, having overlooked such an important place,"

It's merely a different cooking method for fats and proteins, nothing special.

As long as the opponent can't resort to brute force and flip the table, Ji Ming is invincible on the battlefield of words.

Since you all think my rune‑etched armor is awesome, both its outer shell and inner lining are unrivaled in Sunlight City, a scourge to all armor‑craftsmen.

Thus, while leafing through the dossiers sent from the Holy See, Bishop Tenis was the first to raise doubts.

He pulled a fragrant incense stick from Edgar's small box, and Ji Ming ignited it with fire‑tech to use as a travel incense.

So after various polite refusals, head shakes, and evasive answers, everyone left disgruntled.

As a frontline combatant, Cooper instantly spotted the extraordinary qualities of the two armors.

So barely after he arrived at the Rest Room in the temple, someone immediately knocked on the door.

It's unclear whether they truly trust Ji Ming's social skills or simply wish to avoid meddling in such complex matters.

"So this is the miraculous rune‑etched armor? I heard it can resist strange incursions— is that true?"

They probably aimed to take Ji Ming in one swoop, so the Commercial Union dispatched its largest delegation.

"Cooper, I may have caught the mastermind behind the ferocious‑beast incidents!"

—Ya Er, they didn't even get a shout before dying.

Yet his departure was only a beginning, for as soon as Cooper's front foot left, members of the Adventurers' Guild came seeking an audience.

Each of them wore a black ring on their hand that could sharply drop the temperature nearby when something uncanny appeared, serving as a warning.

When the tax officers came to assist, they said it once; when the Holy Light Knights heard the news and rushed over, they said it once.

"So it was the handiwork of the Holy Light God himself—no wonder it's the Holy Teaching from the Royal Capital… I wonder if your sect would allow me to convert?"

In order to be able to etch the story into everyone's heart in one go, Ji Ming drank plenty of water ahead of time.

Although this giant-blooded individual had already risen to a relatively high position among the handlers, they were still somewhat reserved when speaking with him.

Hey, with the money in place, anything can be discussed—Ji Ming chuckled happily and finished the remaining half-course lunch with the three of them.

And only after nearly an hour, when the guests and hosts had finished enjoying themselves, did the attendants begin clearing the tables, and no one else came to visit.

Looks like this is the final bid for this small auction, eh… the locals sure have deep pockets…