Chapter 29: The Divine Doctor Ji Ming Strikes Again! (Please Follow!)

"Doctor, these items were agreed upon in advance, how could I break my word…"

"I may be a pharmacist, but my prescriptions are limited; even if you give me this deer antler, I'll just sell it for money."

Ji Ming pressed his hand down, signaling Si Tong to stay calm.

"And this money isn't a free gift; if you truly feel indebted, keep an eye out for any good formulas on the market."

Rhetoric is a fine tool; with a few words, Ji Ming turned this charity into a transaction.

Even the slowest member, Bei Li, could tell that the doctor was willingly selling them a favor.

Do they have any objections? No objections.

Or think from another angle—why doesn't the doctor sell this favor to someone else?

That means the doctor's relationship with our squad is the best!

At that point, Si Tong didn't insult Ji Ming's face; instead he turned his head and shouted.

"Remember what the doctor said—be careful when buying things at the market."

Old Bo Er tied the rope, stood up, brushed dust from his hands, and his words were stern, even a bit scolding.

"Even if we have to front the money, snap up any suitable formula—don't jeopardize the doctor's affairs!"

He's sharp despite his age; this old hunter is smarter than I imagined.

Ji Ming raised his eyebrows, gaining a new impression of the old hunter.

Yet while his mind kept calculating, a warm smile spread across his face.

"Ha, it's not as serious as you say."

"Sunlight City is a grim place; finding reliable friends isn't easy, we just help each other."

Everyone responded in agreement.

"Right, right, right…"

With Ji Ming's Knocking Mute Stick preserving the prey, the Iron Chain Squad doesn't plan to return to Sunlight City any time soon.

"We won't go deeper into the Dark Forest; let's wander north and see if we can scoop up more loot."

Cover it with a black cloth, then sprinkle some wild rabbit blood as camouflage.

Charlie and Bei Li each shouldered a deer, moving wildly as if they'd hunted a wild boar.

With a guaranteed haul, although the formation didn't change, the squad's atmosphere relaxed into a bit of a picnic feeling.

And on this forest path trodden by countless predecessors, the Iron Chain Squad isn't alone.

"Oh, it's Bao Luo."

"This one? Haha, a wild boar!"

"Not big, only four to five hundred jin."

Si Tong laughed heartily, joked with another squad's captain, then lowered his voice after they left.

"Doctor, remember this man's face; he's the notorious Da Laipi of the Outer City!"

"If he shows up at your Clinic, bite him dead and don't let him run a tab; if you can't, call us over to deal with him!"

Times are like this; even if this were an obscure squad, any wild boar caught would be snatched away.

But who can blame them for being Iron Chain?

When you're strong enough, even sitting in a thieves' den, everything you see appears as good people.

Ji Ming nodded, silently committing that man's name and face to memory.

"You're heading out of the city today too? Ah, today's luck is bad; we've been busy all morning and haven't found suitable prey yet."

"Thanks, but let's do it next time; next time we'll act together."

Unfortunately, aside from running into a few "friendly" adventurer parties, the squad got no further loot.

Only Old Bo Er casually picked half a basket of wild fruit.

"I recall a cave not far away; we can solve our lunch there."

After exiting another thicket, everyone arrived near a hillock.

But they didn't rush in; instead they piled firewood at the entrance.

As Old Bo Er tossed some unknown animal dung inside, thick smoke billowed upward, and the wind drove it all into the cave.

A chaotic clamor instantly filled the cave.

Soon, a swarm of shade‑loving creatures—bats, lizards, snakes, scorpions—escaped from within.

"Hmm?"

Ji Ming's keen eyes and quick hands pressed one down with a shovel.

It was an entirely black centipede, thrashing its head and tail under the shovel, its sharp fangs glinting coldly.

Just as he slipped it into his pocket, a rather plump stone lizard scurried up at his feet.

Ji Ming didn't have time to strike, so he stepped on it first.

Seeing Ji Ming's frantic scramble, An Na hurriedly took command.

"Centipedes and lizards, grab them for the doctor!"

Ji Ming wanted to say he only needed the black centipede and stone lizard, but to protect his intellectual property, he had to take everything.

"Thanks."

Watching Charlie and Bei Li haul a whole bag of centipedes, Ji Ming was both amused and exasperated, yet he encouraged the youths with a grateful nod.

When everyone finished the capture, the piled fire and toxic smoke burned out.

Old Bo Er first entered with a torch to scout, then came out and waved to the group.

"All clear, everyone come in and rest!"

Another clean fire was lit, and Si Tong took out some food from his pack to share.

"Just stay alive and replenish your stamina; we'll have a proper meal when we get back to the city, my treat!"

He smiled and handed the two wrapped honey breads to Ji Ming.

"I'm also a member of the adventure, Captain, I understand."

When enjoying food, people relax most, so eating is often the time that tests a person's acting the most.

Taking the bread, Ji Ming, while eating, also took the chance to quietly observe the others.

Si Tong and An Na were discussing equipment purchases, and the nearby air carried an inexplicable sour stink.

Charlie and Bei Li were chatting about the newly released knight novel, and that knowing‑all little expression suggested there was probably something exciting in it.

Lao Boer checked the condition of the red‑furred white deer, then walked to the cave entrance with the food to ventilate it.

Only AdaiEr sat alone by the fire, nibbling the bread in small bites while gloomily pondering something.

Savoring the honey's sweet taste, Ji Ming's thoughts gradually drifted.

Come to think of it, AdaiEr's presence in the squad is indeed the lowest, and she's also the one I understand the least…

After the influence of the bloodline curse was removed, the system still delayed in giving the next task.

Could it be that we need to take the initiative ourselves, trying to trigger the next stage?

With his mind settled, Ji Ming silently walked over.

"Hello, you've been active all morning; is there any discomfort in your body?"

During the gentle inquiry, he naturally sat down.

AdaiEr woke from her reverie, blinking blankly.

"It's… it's okay…"

"I feel unwell."

The doctor, upon hearing that, merely shook his head.