C12 This Treasure Is Called Rivaling the Gods(2)

"It's cheating, using the Howling Celestial Dog to gang up two against one. Otherwise, the monkey would likely be unbeatable."

"I need to stop by home first to deliver Rivaling the Gods to my mom. Can I come back and stay at Whispering Blossoms for a bit tomorrow?"

"Do you want to hear more of Journey to the West?"

"Yeah, I've never heard such a captivating story. If I miss the rest, I feel like I'd die of curiosity!"

"... Suit yourself. Stay if you like. I need to head down the mountain anyway, so we can go together."

"Great! Could you fill me in on the earlier parts of Journey to the West along the way?"

"It basically starts with a monkey popping out of a stone."

"... That's it? Your storytelling is truly in a league of its own..."

"Take it or leave it!"

...

At that moment, Zhong Wen was wide awake.

Unable to sleep after tossing and turning in bed, he sat up, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and entered the Sanctum of Scrolls within his mind.

The once meager bookshelves now boasted a modest collection. Though most sections remained bare, the "panacea" and "alchemy" shelves each held a couple hundred volumes. They weren't full, but they finally resembled a proper library.

Quantum Wave Speed-Reading!

With a mischievous grin, Zhong Wen concentrated and began perusing the tomes of the Vale of Healing.

He flipped through book after book, with paragraphs of text swarming into his brain. Despite the shelves' miraculous reading powers, the deluge of information made his head spin, nearly causing him to black out.

Within half an hour, Zhong Wen had committed all the knowledge on panaceas and alchemy from the Vale of Healing to memory, feeling the self-assurance of an Arch-Apothecary and Grand Alchemist.

In his past life, with such a skill, he could have run a lucrative training course. Would he ever have worried about affording a house? Zhong Wen mused with a sigh.

Glancing out the window, he saw it was still early. Climbing out of bed, he sat down at his desk and earnestly began to transcribe Elementary Studies.

Elevate culture and eradicate illiteracy, starting with myself!

Zhong Wen steadied his mind and grasped the pen in his hand.

The Hosmu Trading Company building rose three stories high and spanned nearly an acre, standing as one of the most stately structures in Krokridge.

As dusk approached, the young clerk at the front desk yawned and lethargically swept the floor, preparing to close up shop.

The clerk, not yet twenty and unmarried, had no immediate plans to settle down. The money he'd saved from his job at the trading company had all gone to Red at the Whispering Blossoms.

Visions of Red's soft skin and exquisite figure filled his head, nearly causing him to salivate. He was just waiting to lock up and see her.

If I could marry Red, my life would be complete, he mused.

Just then, a striking young woman in red, her hair tied in a ponytail with a long braid, and a longsword slung across her back, pushed open the door.

A goddess!

Upon seeing the girl, the clerk completely forgot about Red and any other girl. He had never laid eyes on someone so beautiful in his entire life.

Next to this girl, Red was plain by comparison.

"May I ask if the shopkeeper is in?" The girl's voice was melodious.

The clerk, still in a daze, simply gazed at the girl in red.

"Hello, is the shopkeeper available?" she asked again, a hint of impatience creasing her brow.

"Oh, oh, are you looking for Wang Luye?" The clerk snapped out of his reverie, embarrassed by his behavior. He quickly added, "You're in luck. If you'd come just a moment later, he would have left for the day."

"I have a valuable item I'd like to sell. Is it possible to discuss this with the shopkeeper?"

"Sure, sure. Just give me one moment, I'll go inquire." The clerk, still drooling, hurriedly climbed the stairs without even setting down his broom.

Shortly after, a chubby middle-aged man in a silk robe appeared before the girl.

"Miss, my name is Wang, the humble shopkeeper of Hosmu Trading Company. I understand you have a precious item for sale?" The middle-aged man spoke with a respectful and friendly tone, easily endearing himself to her.

"That's right, I have something I'd like you to take a look at." The young girl pulled a small cloth bag from her bosom, unwrapped it, and revealed another paper package inside. Upon opening that, a white crystal was exposed. "This is a unique seasoning called 'Rivaling the Gods'..."

In comparison to Azrogas, the fourth largest city in the Wild South, Krokridge could only be deemed a minor town.

Surrounded by numerous mountains, the area near the town was abundant in spiritual energy and had fertile soil. Whether for cultivating food or medicinal herbs, the quality was exceptionally high. As a result, those who frequented Krokridge were primarily merchants of panaceas and grains. Business was seasonal, and most merchants did not reside in the town year-round.

Only three local forces of any significant size existed: "Hosmu Trading Company," "Order of the Gold Blade," and "Elysian Gang."

The "Hosmu Trading Company," as the preeminent power in Krokridge, had a formidable background. Their business scope included everything from food, medicinal herbs, livestock, ironware, and farming tools to jewelry, antiques, cultivation methods, arcane techniques, and pills. Their influence was extensive and unassailable.

The other two major forces, "Order of the Gold Blade" and "Elysian Gang," one a cultivation sect and the other a criminal organization, appeared to coexist peacefully, yet behind the scenes, they were fierce rivals.

However, Zheng Gongming, the leader of the Order of the Gold Blade, had lost all interest in any rivalry with the Elysian Gang.

His beloved wife, Zhen Dongwei, had recently developed anorexia. Initially, she could manage to consume some soup or broth, but in recent days, she couldn't even swallow a drop of water. Anything she forced down was promptly regurgitated.

In an era that greatly favored men over women, it was common for influential men to have multiple, sometimes even a dozen, wives. Yet Zheng Gongming, as the head of a sect, was remarkably faithful, having married only Zhen Dongwei. This alone spoke volumes about the depth of their affection.

As Zheng Gongming looked upon Zhen Dongwei, bedridden and gaunt, his heart was filled with pain, yet he felt utterly helpless.

In Puidorin, anorexia was not uncommon, especially among the nobility. With no effective cure, patients were often left to recover on their own, and many aristocrats succumbed to the illness each year.

"Master, I'm not going to make it," Zhen Dongwei said, her cheeks hollow and her spirit defeated. "I only hope that after I'm gone, you'll marry the girl from the Lee family to continue the family line. I won't have peace of mind without a woman to look after things."

"Madam, just focus on getting better. In a couple of days, you'll start to feel an improvement. Don't worry about anything else," Zheng Gongming reassured her, though his heart was heavy.

"You've been so loyal to me over the years, never seeking the company of another woman, even enduring ridicule for it. I've always been grateful for your devotion," Zhen Dongwei said weakly. "But you must promise me this one thing. If not, I won't be able to rest easy. The Lee family girl is kind-hearted, and with her looking after you and the children, I can depart in peace."

"Madam, there's no room in my heart for anyone but you..." Zheng Gongming finally let his tears fall. "Please, don't give up. Think of Tingting and Qiyuan. They need their mother."

"Tingting is already capable and independent; I have no concerns about her. But Qiyuan, with his gentle nature..." Zhen Dongwei's voice trailed off, worry etched on her face.

"Dad! Mom!" Zheng Yueting's voice rang out from beyond the door.

Zheng Gongming, in his sorrow, was taken aback by the hint of cheerfulness in his daughter's voice and was about to reprimand her.

"Master," Zhen Dongwei signaled with a shake of her head and a knowing glance.

With a wry smile, Zheng Gongming held back his words.

"Ting Er, did you come out on top at the Whispering Blossoms' sparring session?" Zhen Dongwei mustered her strength to ask, her interest in her daughter's success a brief respite from her own suffering.

"Let's drop the subject," Zheng Yueting said with a twist of her lips. "Mother, how's your appetite? Can you manage to eat something?"

"I'm feeling a bit better; I just had a bowl of porridge," Zhen Dongwei replied, glancing at her husband who stood behind their daughter.

Zheng Gongming could only muster a strained smile and nodded.

Zheng Yueting was quick-witted and immediately understood the situation from their expressions, though she chose not to call them out. With a smile, she said, "On my recent trip up the mountain, I encountered an eccentric who gave me a treasure. It might just be the cure for your anorexia."

"Is that so?" Zheng Gongming exclaimed with delight, eagerly inquiring, "What kind of treasure?"

"Fetch a bowl of chicken soup," Zheng Yueting instructed the maidservant, keeping the details to herself. "I'll demonstrate the 'Rivaling the Gods' effect right here."

Soon, the maidservant returned with a large bowl of chicken soup. Without a word, Zheng Yueting pulled out a salt packet, pinched off a small piece, dropped it into the soup, and told the maid to stir it well before bringing it to Zhen Dongwei's bedside.

"Mother, please have a taste," Zheng Yueting coaxed, gently blowing on a spoonful of the soup before offering it to Zhen Dongwei's lips.

Zhen Dongwei, moved by her daughter's earnest gaze and despite her lack of appetite, couldn't disappoint her. Bracing herself against the nausea, she parted her lips and took a small sip of the chicken soup.