Chapter 53: Please Hold On a Moment

He paced back and forth seven times before the dragon's skeleton, and Ji Ming finally gave up on reviving it.

Although the 91st‑level Dragon God Mage was indeed extremely tempting, modern life experience told him to compare prices.

Money is only money when you hold it in your hand; the money you rush to spend is just a pile of waste paper.

Now, by picking any spot to test the waters, he could encounter a dragon‑race strongman's skeleton; who knows what other treasures might be elsewhere.

Since unlimited teleportation is possible inside the dungeon, it's better to keep a reserve and revive the combat power when needed.

Having thought it through, Ji Ming made another round in the armory and collected seven skeletons.

He opened the system, checked the time, and saw that sunset was only a few hours away.

In theory, because the Sun Month system is as benevolent as parents and expects filial devotion.

Besides the interior of the dungeon, he can also teleport directly to the Clinic.

But who could blame him for greeting the guard when he left home this morning?

If there's only an exit record and no entry record, it'll be hard to explain later if someone checks.

Having no choice, he teleported himself back to the dark corridor.

Yet the instant he left the thief's den, a booming sound erupted behind him, and all the sand and earth automatically refilled, restoring the place to its original state.

【Just a little help within our power, see you later!】

The golden square faded slowly, Ji Ming affixed the final death‑seal, and sprinted toward Sunlight City.

Just before arriving, he, like last time, pulled out a cloth sack and plucked some dandelions and mint from the grass into it.

"Yo, the doctor wasn't robbed today."

Seeing the handful of copper coins Ji Ming drew from his chest, the guard's eyes were full of sarcasm.

"I'm luckier today, after all I'm a broke soul."

There's no point in tangling with such a brat, Ji Ming smiled and replied offhand.

Then, while pondering where to bury the body, he safely returned to the Clinic before the sun set.

He had arranged with AdaiEr yesterday to go out of the city to gather herbs today, so she wasn't at the Clinic.

But patients come every day; at the doorway they either squat or stand, waiting for a while.

These patients are either urgent or poor, and usually don't cause trouble; Ji Ming is happy to lend them a hand.

"Come in."

One person finished treatment peacefully; Ji Ming saw off the last patient and locked the main door.

On a rare idle night, he reheated the meals he packed yesterday and slept soundly.

The next day, business opened as usual.

He added the secret Defeating Fire Tea to the price list, poured a cup of hot water, waited a moment, and then heard a knock.

Probably to fit the role of a doctor's assistant, AdaiEr wore a less flamboyant white robe today.

"Doctor, today is the opening day, right?"

"Yes, you rest first; patients should be arriving any moment."

With AdaiEr's help, the Clinic's morning work proceeded flawlessly.

Those looking to cause trouble, Ji Ming would even grimace, pull out an axe and confront them head‑on.

Even the roughest adventurers, seeing Ji Ming's hard stance and genuine fire, would naturally stop being foolish.

He stammered a bit, then it passed.

Business is like that; you can't think about digging graves in the backyard every day.

But these are really trivial matters.

What really gives Ji Ming a headache are the adventurers who can't keep their mouths shut and always crave more.

He must constantly keep his ears pricked to be ready to rescue, otherwise if AdaiEr swings her staff, a new grave will truly be added.

Soon, it was noon.

Ji Ming weighed his earnings, grabbed his lunchbox, and went to a nearby eatery for two meals.

"Our Clinic may not provide lodging, but we do provide food!"

He sneaked into the brewing room, tossed a bacon‑and‑lettuce sandwich to the mouse in the drawer, and he and AdaiEr finished lunch together.

After filling his stomach, Ji Ming tidied the newly added empty bottles and checked the inventory.

In recent days, both medicines and talismans have been consumed rapidly.

Except for Black Centipede Jaw and Stone Dragon, which were restocked midway, the other raw materials are basically depleted.

In other words.

"If you ate my food, then watch the shop for a while; I need to go out to procure some materials,"

After winding through twists and turns, he arrived at the Ill Tree Material Shop.

The shop remained as dim as ever; only after he entered did a few oil lamps light up.

"You're here?"

Ms. Buluowa sat behind the counter, calmly watching him with one eye.

"The materials from last time are all used up; I'd like to purchase more,"

Although two types of materials remained, to see the trick through, Ji Ming took a few more, more or less.

He also slipped a bag of white sugar into his pocket, since that Defeating Fire Tea was extremely bitter.

In the morning there was a hulking man with a mouth ulcer who looked very fierce.

It actually took a full half‑hour for him to barely finish a cup of herbal tea.

Next time when selling, add a bit of sugar to balance it, or else the wooden chair armrest will be crushed.

Placing a large bag of materials on the counter, Ji Ming then spoke.

"Ms. Buluowa, we're out of parchment—could you give me some more?"

The old elf, however, didn't move; instead, he continued staring at his eyes.

"But I heard you barely used any of those so-called Eastern scrolls—how could you have used them all up?"

Damn, how do you know everything?

Sigh...

Though I hadn't expected Buluowa to ask me that, Ji Ming quickly let out a long sigh to buy himself some thinking time.

"Because I was carrying parchment with me when I got robbed."

Ji Ming recalled the feeling of having his wages withheld by the Sun bandits back then, and he squeezed out a look of grievance.

"Actually, I found a very strange stone slab outside the city, etched with special patterns."

"I had wanted to trace it to see if it was magical writing, but it ended up being stolen along with my money."

Buluowa stayed silent for a moment; seeing he was unwilling to speak, she simply nodded.

"The battle shield you ordered should arrive tomorrow, but there's no need to hurry."

"I'll hold onto it for you until you've saved up one gold coin."

Having such a big shot express concern, Ji Ming naturally had plenty of nice things to say.

He stepped back and gave a proper salute.

"Madam, thank you for your kindness and generosity."

She counted out a stack of parchment from the counter, and Buluowa placed them on the table.

"You have twelve in your hand and eighteen on the table, making thirty silver coins total—we don't take IOUs."

Ji Ming frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then seemed to make a firm decision.

"Please wait a moment..."

He turned away and unfastened his black coat.