Chapter 16: 16, I'll give you a discount

Ren Xiaosu inspected his harvest in the dead of night, tallying the gratitude coins from the previous day— one from Xiao Yu Jie, one from Yan Liu Yuan, and two from students, totaling four. Yet he had spent one, leaving him with three, along with a small vial of medicine that could be used twice. He resolved to name it "Black Medicine," simple and memorable...

In Ren Xiaosu’s mind, one gratitude coin could exchange for a vial of Black Medicine, and one vial could treat three people. Thus, one-for-three exchanges were always a sure profit. Converting gratitude coins into Black Medicine to sell might seem to slow his weapon-unlocking progress, but the more Black Medicine he produced, the more gratitude coins he would earn—this was geometric growth, perhaps even accelerating his unlocks!

Moreover, Yan Liu Yuan still had a bone knife to tide him over. He need not venture out hunting anytime soon, so earning money to sustain his household became paramount—first, profit, then other matters!

That night, Ren Xiaosu dreamed of standing in a wasteland, wielding a black blade that seemed as heavy and enigmatic as the night itself.

...

The next morning, Ren Xiaosu set out early, carrying only Yan Liu Yuan’s bone knife instead of his iron pot. With Xiao Yu Jie guarding two tents, daytime thefts were unlikely, and honestly, the untrustworthy types in the settlement were picking soft targets—why steal from someone as formidable as Ren Xiaosu?

Not lugging an iron pot... truly liberating...

Otherwise, Ren Xiaosu, a young man of promise, would have been a sight dragging a pot everywhere—ridiculous!

Today, he ventured into the wasteland not to hunt, but to feign gathering herbs.

Ren Xiaosu was cautious; if he claimed to possess a herbal formula, he must first endure the process of gathering herbs to avoid suspicion. Though he had heard no whispers of persecution against "supernatural beings," he understood a truth: to survive in chaos, one must masquerade as ordinary.

The saying went, "The arrow that flies first meets the target; the tree that stands tallest is felled by the wind; wealth unseen"—ancient maxims warning against vanity.

When he returned to the settlement at noon, a familiar face asked, "Ren Xiaosu, what’s with all that wild grass?"

"Is this wild grass?" Ren Xiaosu glared. "These are herbs!"

Herbs? The questioner, a native of the settlement, was baffled—how could he not recognize these plants? No one had ever treated them as such before.

Ren Xiaosu spoke mysteriously, "With varying proportions, they can be boiled into a trauma-healing remedy. Or do you think my past wounds healed by sheer endurance?"

The questioner pondered. "...Didn’t you just tough it out?"

"Piss off," Ren Xiaosu muttered, turning on his heel toward his tent.

At that moment, Xiao Yu Jie was mending clothes for Ren Xiaosu and Yan Liu Yuan. She glanced up, set aside her needle and thread, and asked, "What are these?"

"They’re for brewing a secret formula," Ren Xiaosu explained.

He hung the iron pot, lit a fire, added water, and began the charade of boiling herbs. The greatest cost in this process was water—more valuable than firewood or weeds.

He deliberately lifted the tent’s curtain, allowing passersby to witness his work. Many saw him brewing, yet none dared approach.

Ren Xiaosu grew irritated; he had opened the curtain hoping someone would inquire, so he could promote his remedy.

After waiting in vain, he glared at a gaunt onlooker outside: "You!"

The gaunt man pointed at himself. "Me?"

"Yes, come here," Ren Xiaosu urged once the man cautiously neared. "Quick, ask what I’m doing!"

The gaunt man: "..."

Xiao Yu Jie: "..."

"Ask!" Ren Xiaosu pressed.

"What... what are you doing?" the gaunt man stammered.

With his wish fulfilled, Ren Xiaosu beamed, his demeanor benevolent: "I’m brewing herbal medicine! When I’m injured, I concoct this remedy—it reduces inflammation, eases pain, and accelerates healing! I once hoarded it, but now I’ve realized my error and choose to share it. From today, I’ll open a clinic specializing in blade wounds and external injuries. Anyone in need of treatment?"

His words left the crowd stunned, but after exchanging glances, they dispersed, unmoved.

Come on—Ren Xiaosu was indeed capable, but claiming he suddenly knew medicine was absurd. Neighbors knew he’d always endured injuries through sheer grit...

Now, suddenly touting herbs? Who’d believe that?

Ren Xiaosu fumed; he had to prove the remedy’s efficacy. He knew firsthand—applying it erased pain and burning sensation instantly, and by the next day, scabs formed!

If he demonstrated its power, wouldn’t business follow?

He set out with a small vial to seek patients in the settlement. Where were they most abundant? The clinic, of course.

Upon arriving, he found the clinic empty—too expensive for anyone to afford!

Ren Xiaosu glared at the young doctor, who had been sipping tea leisurely, and turned away. The doctor, unnerved by the stare, felt inexplicably flustered...

No choice remained; Ren Xiaosu wandered the settlement until afternoon, when workers left factories. Finally, he spotted a gaunt man with a cut on his hand!

Overjoyed, Ren Xiaosu called out, "Brother, hurt your hand working? I’ve got a miracle cure—want some?"

The gaunt man eyed him warily, sensing something off. "No thanks."

"Come on, try it!" Ren Xiaosu lunged, pinning him down. To promote his Black Medicine, he abandoned his last shred of dignity: "I’ll give you a discount!"

Yet the man refused—the black substance in Ren Xiaosu’s hand looked dubious.

Gritting his teeth, Ren Xiaosu said, "Consider this a promotion—I’ll heal you for free!"

"Fine, fine, just put the knife away..."

Ren Xiaosu had come seeking patients, brandishing the bone knife...