Chapter 37: Not Really—I've Been So Wasteful, How Am I Still Making Money?

Leaving the dark forest, we stepped onto the main road where fellow travelers appear from time to time; this journey back to the city finally became much steadier.

Soon, a snow‑white city as pale as bone appeared at the far end of our sight.

"Captain Si Tong, today's haul wasn't small, was it?"

Without showing any emotion, Si Tong grabbed the guard captain's hand that was about to lift the black cloth, and forced a bitter expression.

"Man, brother, don't bring it up; today we almost got torn apart alive by those wolf beasts…"

He pulled him aside, and Si Tong reported that a large wolf pack had been roaming Wild Fruit Valley.

"The wolf king was born, at least above level ten?"

But as he listened, the captain's brows furrowed tighter, and he couldn't help muttering.

"Could it be that the gentleman's caravan is…"

He abruptly stopped speaking, raised his tone, and waved his hand impatiently.

"We'll take care of it; according to the rules, your tax this time is waived. Go ahead and enter!"

"Thank you."

Too lazy to deal with these twisted beasts, Si Tong turned and left.

After passing the city gate checkpoint, everyone finally returned to the "safe" Sunlight City.

Seeing the occasional strange glances from passersby, Anna whispered a reminder.

"How about we deal with this batch of goods first? The sooner we split the money and settle the accounts, the more at ease everyone will be."

"Agreed, then let's go."

Following Lao Bo Er's personal connections, the group arrived at a market near the Inner City.

"Yo, isn't that the most famous old hunter of Sunlight City?"

The shopkeeper was a bald man with a beard, his greasy butcher's leather apron stained with indelible blood.

Putting down the heavy cleaver he held, he looked at Charlie and Bei Li carrying the black cloth bags.

"So, any good goods today?"

Lao Bo Er didn't answer directly, but lifted his chin.

"Let's go to the back to talk."

"Really good goods?"

The butcher grinned, leading Lao Bo Er and the youths toward the back courtyard.

Seeing Ji Ming watching, Si Tong whispered an explanation.

"This is Lao Bo Er's friend; though his background isn't clean, he can handle large shipments."

As expected, after a short wait, the group emerged from the back courtyard.

The youths' backs were now empty, each wearing a pleased expression, indicating they had secured a good price.

The laughing butcher kept patting Lao Bo Er's shoulder, cheering repeatedly.

"Next time there are such good goods, be sure to remember, brother!"

"No problem, I still have something to do, shall we… see you later?"

"See you!"

Back in front of everyone, Lao Bo Er's face showed a relieved sense of having fulfilled his duty.

"Let's go, we'll head to the Old Place to split the money."

Today's battle was indeed perilous, but the more dangerous the setting, the more it fosters bonds among people.

If before, Ji Ming's relationship with the Iron Chain squad was maintained by gratitude and profit,

now a iron chain called "friendship" tightly twists them together, turning into a rope.

No one questioned or hesitated, and Ji Ming was simply led to the squad's secret base.

The so‑called Old Place was actually Si Tong's apartment, spacious enough to hold a meeting for everyone.

In front of everyone, the money in the bag was divided into several portions, and Lao Bo Er handed them out one by one.

But when it came to Ji Ming's share, it suddenly contained several extra coins.

"Doctor, plus the spoils you asked me to sell, that's a total of eighteen silver coins; please take them."

This "small money" really isn't much for Ji Ming, whose net worth is already counted in gold coins.

Yet on second thought, even in the Clinic, selling a single bottle of rejuvenation elixir to a patient is extremely pricey.

Even counting the death‑seal together, the cost of today's consumed medicines probably doesn't exceed six silver coins.

It can only be said that science and technology truly are the primary productive force; the core technology is an absolute money‑printing machine.

All preparations are set; in a couple of days we'll slaughter a wave of goblins to replenish our blood.

How does it turn out that we seem to have made a small profit after all?

"Alright, it seems the profit from this adventure is still decent."

After counting the silver coins in his hand, Si Tong was about to pocket them when he suddenly noticed that there was nothing in front of Lao Bo Er.

Forgot to keep some for himself? No way.

Just as he was about to point it out, the old guy shook his head.

"Running into a wolf pack today was mainly because the path I led was wrong; I won't split this money…"

Lao Bo Er stood up and gave a sincere bow to everyone.

"Apologies for betraying everyone's trust; the old guy has no face to stay here for now. Once this shame passes, he'll return."

Having said that, he turned and left, briskly disappearing at the doorway.

"Ah…"

Si Tong was about to try to stop him, but Anna grabbed his sleeve.

"Right now the old man is in the throes of shame; nothing you say will help."

"When night comes, bring a few bottles of Reno Black Wheat Beer over, and then…"

He listened while nodding; now that's all we can do.

Seeing that everyone had finished counting the silver coins they received, he also stood up.

"Alright, it's getting late; we'll schedule the celebration feast and such tomorrow."

"Today was truly full of twists; everyone should have a calm night's rest and recuperate."

"Charlie Bailey, you're in charge of escorting the doctor back."

So another thoughtful round of pickup and drop‑off took place, and Ji Ming also bought some food along the way.

"You lads have worked hard; have something to fill your stomach first."

Ji Ming slipped a bacon‑filled buttered roll to each of the two youths, successfully getting them to talk.

"It seems our Iron Rope Squad gets along well; who first suggested forming it…"

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west; time flows, and in an instant night falls.

Lying on the soft bed, AdaiEr tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter what.

While being escorted home by Anna, she subtly asked what Anna felt after drinking the Rejuvenation Elixir.

"Very good, just like all things reviving in spring."

"The wounds heal especially fast, fatigue is swept away, and there's even a sense of renewed vigor."

"What's wrong? Do you feel any discomfort? Want me to accompany you to see a doctor?"

She politely declined Anna's concerned offer, but AdaiEr's heart grew heavy.

She clicked her tongue; even though much time had passed, her mouth still seemed to retain the sweet taste of the Rejuvenation Elixir.

What followed was a gnawing hunger that kept clawing at her heart and liver.

That craving didn't stem from the flesh, but from a profoundly mysterious place.

Want another sip, want another bottle, want…

Oh, right!

She rolled over and pulled a glass bottle from her bag.

Earlier, Dr. Ji had left in a hurry and forgot to retrieve the little bottle she hadn't finished.

The viscous liquid is hard to drink all at once, and now some has gathered at the bottom of the bottle.

She tipped her head back, drank it, then closed her eyes to savor it.

After a while, she opened her eyes, her face bearing a calm that indeed matched the feeling.

As a seventeen‑year‑old who has already reached Warrior level 16.

It's not just her sense of smell; in fact, AdaiEr's overall perception is extremely sharp.

She clearly sensed that the few intangible, unsolvable cursed shackles in her bloodline were struck by the life‑force the Rejuvenation Elixir brought.

Even though the force was slight, they eventually loosened.

If one could drink a sufficient amount of the Rejuvenation Elixir at once, could it completely solve the problem?

It isn't a pathological addiction of the body, but rather…

A withered plant yearning for water?

She leaned on the windowsill, gazing at Sunlight City shrouded in night, and glanced toward Ji Ming's Clinic.

I'll go again tomorrow…