The 29th Chapter

The Zheng family's side residence.

Although it was a side residence, it was still a courtyard with three entrances and three exits.

"You're saying the other person defeated you in one move?"

Chen Chen was imposing in appearance, dressed in a white robe, holding an ancient book. He had none of the sharpness of a warrior, seeming more like a scholar.

He ignored Long Shi's broken left arm, frowning slightly.

"More than that, he was too young."

Long Shi pressed his barely scabbed left arm, his face contorted in pain and resentment. "Young, extremely strong, fair-skinned, with no signs of sun exposure."

He harbored deep hatred, wishing he could eat the other's flesh and sleep on his skin, but dared not hide anything.

Because if it came to a confrontation, these esteemed lords would absolutely not lead the charge. They would use him as a vanguard, and if they weren't adequately prepared, his entire family could be in danger.

Even if the other party didn't care about his whole family, if he died, those he had offended over the years would gladly take his place.

Long Shi looked at Chen Chen expectantly.

These esteemed lords above had vast spiritual power. With sufficient preparation, they wouldn't fear some young man with a background, right?

"In that case."

Chen Chen rested his hand on the ancient book and said slowly, "Then we'll postpone. Let's prioritize the main family's affairs first."

Long Shi lowered his head.

After giving everyone at the general store a bonus of ten taels, and Huang Deyou double that plus two days of paid leave, Jiang Ding returned home.

This was a significant sum of money.

It could buy over four thousand catties of rice, or two to three times that amount of coarse grains, enough for a family of several to live for several years.

If those so-called big shots were relentless, even if he liked the current situation, he would have to flee.

If they took their anger out on him, there was nothing he could do.

But he would get revenge.

No matter which arrogant, high-and-mighty big shot it was, as long as they were involved, when he was strong enough to crush them, he would find them all and stab them to death with a single sword.

One in the morning.

Jiang Ding glanced at his phone. He skimmed past the endless chatter in the class group chat and noticed two unread messages from the Immortal Sect Library app.

He opened them, a look of joy appearing on his face.

"Rainbow Cloud Pharmaceutical, Shao Kangkang: Hello, sir. The α-acetyl 257 molecule you discovered and patented in 'Purple Spirit Grass' has a certain auxiliary effect on the refinement of one of our company's elixirs. After our research, we are willing to purchase your complete patent authorization for 155,000 Mortal Coins."

"What are your thoughts?"

The first law of the Immortal Sect was that no one could violate it.

This meant that the company would no longer need to pay Jiang Ding patent fees for using Purple Spirit Grass ingredients in the future; they were buying it out.

Purple Spirit Grass was discovered by Jiang Ding when he was in the mortal realm, and its patent had a 300-year term.

"155,000 Mortal Coins..."

Jiang Ding hesitated, unable to make up his mind.

Lacking relevant knowledge, he couldn't determine if the price was reasonable.

Large companies like this had many backup options for elixir research. If they asked for an exorbitant price, others would simply choose not to use this ingredient.

They might not even have elixirs that used this ingredient; it could just be a technological reserve the company had prepared in advance.

Conversely, if it was confirmed that Purple Spirit Grass was an irreplaceable ingredient, perhaps even used in a high-value spirit elixir, then patent fees of hundreds of thousands or even millions of Mortal Coins, plus Spirit Coins, might be negotiable.

No longer hesitating, Jiang Ding got up and went to Lin Wanqiu's bedroom door, knocking.

Bang bang bang!

Before long, Lin Wanqiu opened the door, her eyes still heavy with sleep, her hair messy. "Ding Ding, what's wrong?"

Jiang Ding pointed towards the sofa.

"...That's how it is. Mom, do you know anyone in the pharmaceutical field?" Jiang Ding explained, then handed his phone to Lin Wanqiu.

"Huh?"

Lin Wanqiu's eyes immediately widened. She quickly took the phone.

"Our family is going to get rich!"

Her eyes sparkled. "I studied metallurgy in college, and my job was in that field too. But I have a best friend from high school who's in this industry."

Ignoring the rudeness of calling someone in the middle of the night, she made a call.

After a while, she hung up.

"It's hard to say."

Lin Wanqiu rubbed her forehead. "Elixirs involve billions of ingredients and refining techniques. Just based on a molecular structure, even an insider can't determine its value, unless it's a master in the field or someone from Rainbow Cloud Pharmaceutical."

"We can't afford an Alchemy Master, it's too expensive."

"Then we'll just have to accept their offer," Jiang Ding sighed. He didn't understand anything, so he couldn't even try to negotiate.

Statistically speaking, it was highly likely to be just an ordinary, replaceable ingredient. After all, very few medicinal materials could be used in high-value Spirit Pills.

"This is already very good."

Lin Wanqiu said excitedly.

Jiang Ding lightly stroked his sword hilt, dispelling the unwillingness and greed rising in his heart. "Mom, economic foundation determines the superstructure. Since I've already earned this large sum of money, can you promise me one thing?"

"You tell me," Lin Wanqiu waved her hand generously.

"Quit the overtime you've taken on, for at least a year."

Jiang Ding looked into her eyes.

Rongcheng Steel Plant operated on an eight-hour workday, from 8 AM to 6 PM, with a two-hour lunch break. They rotated through three shifts. Because Jiang Ding and Jiang Yuan, one in high school and the other in middle school, had high expenses, Lin Wanqiu voluntarily applied for four hours of overtime each day.

"This... you need money for practicing martial arts..."

Lin Wanqiu hesitated. This was just a windfall, like winning the lottery, with no follow-up. They could only spend it until it ran out.

And practicing martial arts, As far as she knew, no amount of money was enough, especially for someone with poor talent.

"Just one year," Jiang Ding placed his hand on his sword hilt, exuding a confident and spirited aura. "Besides, haven't you heard? For any Martial Artist to achieve success, their will must be unhindered."

Lin Wanqiu noticed his movement and frowned.

She knew her son was extremely opinionated. Once he decided on something, it was rarely possible to dissuade him.

"...Alright."

Lin Wanqiu hesitantly agreed.

To be honest, she hadn't worked overtime since she was a young girl. These past few years had been unbearable. Several times she had called her grandmother and cried, but she had persevered through sheer grit.

"That's great! Goodnight!"

Jiang Ding smiled and walked briskly to his room. His Internal Force flowed naturally, and his whole body felt much more invigorated.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating his Internal Force through the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, then the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and finally to the third main meridian, the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian.

The progress was roughly as expected.

Threads of Internal Force gently nourished and tempered the ten main meridians of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. A tingling pain spread, only to be repaired, and the pain subsided.

He opened his eyes, letting a kingfisher that had entered through the window at some point carry away a large stack of specimens, including various plants and insects, and even a small animal resembling a mouse, all packed in a small cage.

It was almost a small mountain, and the tiny kingfisher at the top was barely visible.

However, the bird seemed to have no trouble, steadily packing and carrying it away, with enough energy left to cast an invisibility spell as Jiang Ding requested.

"Need help?"

Jiang Ding asked softly.

This mountain of specimens was larger than the window; it looked impossible to get through.

"Chirp chirp!"

The kingfisher shook its pointed beak, and a spot of green light spread from it. Immediately, the pile of specimens visibly shrank. Then, it flapped its wings and disappeared.

A spell?

Jiang Ding watched this scene in amazement. Not every delivery kingfisher knew this trick; this one was an elite.

He took out his phone, set an alarm, replied to a researcher from Rainbow Cloud Pharmaceutical, and dealt with the last unread message.

The moment he opened it, Jiang Ding's finger trembled.