Dalang, Take Your Medicine

Gathering materials to summon the battlefield radar and eliminate blind spots in enemy reconnaissance—this is the second task for now.

Su Ming's third task was to order Black Claw around.

In the afternoon, he went to the Black Claw stronghold and met with their leader Hubiang.

Su Ming chatted casually with the other party for a few minutes, and then probed a few times during the conversation. The result was similar to his initial impression.

This half-fox sorcerer was quite adept at navigating the social world, with a warm smile and eloquent words. However, when Su Ming asked for some "contraband," the sorcerer began to dodge the question, only agreeing to provide a small amount.

Hubiang is very risk-averse.

He's willing to cross the line, but only in the gray areas; he wants to make money, but he's unwilling to get into too many troublesome traps.

That won't do!

Su Ming was very dissatisfied, and he decided to try the strategy provided by the Dodder Group.

"A friend of mine has something to sell," Su Ming said. "It was a gift from a divine messenger."

Hubiang's eyes narrowed instantly.

The items that could be bestowed by divine messengers and accessed and traded privately by people at their level are very narrow in scope, almost limited to just one thing: "Ash Combustion Agent".

This drug can enhance the user's physical abilities and Magic Power over several years, but at the cost of a significant loss of life force.

For the followers of the Plundering Clock, this is actually an acceptable thing.

The Lord Jörmungandr, will grant Eternal Kingdom of Heaven and protect believers who have made sufficient contributions to God.

Fanatics flocked to it, taking a dose of Ash Combustion Agent " every five years, which was considered a sign of piety towards the God.

Conversely, it's disloyalty!

Because of the large number of users, this substance occasionally leaks out into the outside world.

"How many friends does my master have?" Hubiang asked in a low voice.

Su Ming smiled.

"How much is left? Just one pill."

He held up his finger, indicating the number one.

"Price: 100 gold coins. Find me a buyer, and I'll give you half a percent referral fee." While "Ash Combustion Agent" can indeed aid cultivation, one pill can kill more than a decade of one's lifespan. Beyond the fanatical believers, few are willing to risk their lives for an opportunity to advance.

Therefore, its price actually seems "low".

A referral fee of five gold coins is quite substantial for the leader of a theft gang.

"You got a good deal," Su Ming said. "In Lingbei Port, this kind of thing is always in high demand."

Su Ming didn't finish his sentence, but Hubiang already understood.

Mr. Graves has recently been trying to fulfill his sister's dream by renting the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater and rebuilding the theatre company, so he must be short of cash.

So I'm taking something out to cash in.

"No problem!" Hubiang replied, "Sir, just wait for our news!"

His tone was as enthusiastic as ever, but his eyes held an undisguised longing.

****

Su Ming left quickly.

"Dodder, are you sure this Hubiang will be interested?" he asked. "He's a level three sorcerer now, which is the limit of his talent," Dodder replied.

"With one pill, one can climb to level four in about three or four years, stepping into the threshold of Intermediate Rank extraordinary being."

"The price is merely a mere ten years or so of lifespan."

Su Ming tried to put himself in the other person's shoes and began to understand.

Even the lowest-ranking gang of thieves obeyed his orders. But in this extraordinary world, Hubiang wouldn't even qualify as a expendable resource for a truly powerful force.

"So Hubiang won't hesitate for long before he comes knocking," said Dodder.

"Okay."

When Su Ming returned to the Raccoon Dog Dream Theatre, he and Yise exchanged a few words in public as usual. He glanced disdainfully at the set made by the staff, pointed out a bunch of flaws, and gave them a dressing down.

During the process, he also retrieved the listening device from the Hebana.

However, Su Ming doesn't need to waste his time on intelligence analysis.

After returning to his room, he handed the data to the support team and used his spare time to study the overflowing phenomenon of his magic circuits.

Su Ming connected with Zijin. "Does your life Magic Power exhibit similar phenomena?" he inquired.

Zijin also possesses a pupil technique called "Omniscient Vision".

"I can see the life force and its flow," Zijin replied.

Su Ming.

"Strike at the enemy's weak points, launch a vulnerability attack?"

"Perhaps," Zijin sighed, "But I'm not a melee fighter, and my magical attacks can't be that precise."

Magical combat often involves high-speed maneuverability and distance, and generally focuses on mechanics and area coverage.

Zijin glanced at Su Ming.

"Right now, the most practical use is probably to pinpoint the timing of your recovery."

Su Ming didn't react at first.

But he soon recalled some of his intimate experiences with Zijin.

Sometimes, when Su Ming went too far, Zijin would retaliate, seamlessly taking over his position at precisely the right moment.

Suddenly struck in the face by a car wheel, Su Ming was speechless.

He glared at Zijin.

Zijin smiled alluringly.

Actually, your problem is quite simple.

She got back to the main topic.

"Your 'line of sight' didn't actually penetrate the target."

"The information you see is actually something that Space Element perceive in addition to it."

Zijin had experienced similar confusion on "Omniscient Vision".

Su Ming sealed her mind with "Grey Thoughts Exhaust the Heart," disrupting the operation of "Omniscient Vision," which made her suddenly realize these things.

"You can definitely segment it and remove extraneous visual information."

Su Ming suddenly realized. "I'll give it a try!"

****

Later, the intelligence department compiled the information from Hebana's wiretapping into a report and sent it to Su Ming.

During a break from work, this half-raccoon visited figures like the squad leader of the Cloud Fang City Guard, inquiring about the whereabouts of a human girl named Ximina.

"Ximina?"

Su Ming felt the name sounded familiar.

"The third princess of the Pearl Duchy," Katharine said. "Of course, it's possible it's just a case of the same name."

Su Ming also remembered the person who had been pushed forward to try and "marry" him.

"It might actually be her," he said to Katharine. "Ximina really has come to Water Chestnut Island."

Ximina's father, the King of the Pearl Duchy, made a special trip to visit Su Ming while in the Sea Clearing Kingdom, hoping that he could lend a helping hand to his daughter when the opportunity arose.

Su Ming continued reading the report.

The Hebana had sent out many gifts and promised a fairly substantial reward over the past few days, but had received absolutely no response. Logically, buying a human captive as a slave shouldn't be this difficult in a place like Water Chestnut Island.

"This Ximina, could she be dead?" Katharine sighed.

In a state of war, a human girl is stranded in a world of orcs, and nothing she encounters is surprising.

Su Ming was also somewhat moved.

"Follow up on this when you have the time and energy."

"Save them if there's a chance."

Katharine nodded.

****

Around 9 p. m., Su Ming and his group arrived at Beiweier's house.

It's a little early.

Orcs began arriving with bags containing their goods. As usual, Beiweier tampered with the weighing, picking and choosing items to drive down the price, claiming "too many impurities."

However, the items he was acquiring were too "useful," and he didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble. Beiweier the price down to about 60% and paid. His subordinates who were handing out the money and the orc laborers who were receiving it were all taken aback; such a kind and easy-going person Beiweier was a rare sight.

Soon, the orc who delivered the goods left with the copper coins.

Beiweier's men moved most of the collected rocket debris into the basement and hid it, leaving only one box in a room on the first floor.

"As agreed, we must give half to Lord Simba."

"Beiweier said to the wizard."

"Bring bags and pack half a box of these."

"Yes!"

Su Ming and Yise leaned against the corner of the wall, watching Beiweier's performance.

There are still quite a few orcs in the hall.

"How about we go check out that safe first?" Yise suggested.

Su Ming nodded, and the two people and the fairy went up to the second floor.

The safe was naturally protected by a security spell. But this was no challenge for Jinxiu; she worked with extra effort and cracked the lock in less than two minutes.

Yise stepped forward and took down the painting, revealing a silver metal door with a gleaming magic circle and keyhole.

Su Ming was also very curious.

This was the first time he had ever seen someone pick a lock since arriving in Taya.

Then, Yise took out the "Raven Key" and then took out the "Zuyi's Blessing" ornament from it.

With a few quick clicks, the girl meticulously recreated the form of "Zuyi's Blessing."

"The Scholar Bay Owl made some additional modifications," Yise said. "Fortunately, she only did some bending and deformation."

Finally, she pieced it back together, restoring it to the shape of a key. The key's surface was engraved with flowing spring water, and between the fine lines, Magic Power flowed like water.

Su Ming frowned.

"Could this thing be one of the six keys of the legendary Cangxiao Dynasty?"

"Zuyi's Blessing" is a rare Saint Rank item, and it was originally seized from the half-werewolf Yexiya.

Yise realized this too. "It was in key form just now, and its origin is from Water Chestnut Island, so that's quite possible."

****

Then, Yise further changed the shape of the two keys and finally inserted them into the locks of the safe.

As she continued to adjust, the Magic Power circuits in the two parts gradually became connected.

Click.

The safe was thus opened.

Su Ming was completely baffled. "Do you have some kind of technique?"

"Actually, I don't know anything about lock picking or anything like that." Yise shrugged.

Su Ming pointed to the open safe and remained silent.

Yise explained.

"These two items are Saint Rank!"

"All I need to do is use the power of the artifact wielder to make these two noble Saint Rank artifacts mimic the Magic Power patterns of the genuine key." "Then the cabinet will naturally open."

No wonder she said this morning that she could now open locks with two holes; she now has this "Holy Spring Key".

So your strategy is actually purely pay-to-win?

Yise said matter-of-factly.

"As a user of rare artifacts, wealth is power!"

The safe contained a lot of gold coins and several sets of Magic Power crystals.

Su Ming readily accepted the offer.

There was a small booklet on the side with complex rune locks that couldn't be opened. Now was obviously not the time to crack it, so Su Ming removed the tracking spells from it and stuffed it into his pocket.

Going downstairs again, they found the place cleared out; Beiweier had dismissed his men. He and the wizard rubbed their hands together, pacing back and forth with a mixture of unease and anticipation.

Su Ming and Yise suddenly appeared next to the box.

Yise's identity was quickly written into their memories by Jinxiu, and he became "Lord Simba's" assistant.

"My lord!" The two orcs hurriedly bowed. Su Ming glanced at the box and the several neatly packed cloth bags on the ground. "Well done!"

A slight sweat broke out on Beiweier's brow; Su Ming's appearance was completely unexpected.

He couldn't help but feel relieved that the adults hadn't seen him hiding those "secret bones."

****

Su Ming weighed the bag in his hand, his expression becoming even more satisfied.

He told Beiweier how to use the "Secret Bone".

"Add houttuynia cordata and strong liquor, mix and drink?" Beiweier, somewhat taken aback.

"Hmm," Su Ming said seriously, "This is the highest grade of material, so naturally it only needs to be taken in the simplest way."

This reason convinced the two of them.

After all, the raw material is a powerful and mysterious alchemical beast, and legend has it that the more advanced something is, the more it emphasizes returning to simplicity.

The two quickly filled a jar and then went to find wine and houttuynia cordata.

Su Ming and Yise didn't say much, and disappeared with their bags. But the two of them and the fairy actually went to the basement.

There were five large boxes piled up here.

[That guy Beiweier, really lived up to expectations.] Jinxiu sighed.

[Yes, it wasn't for nothing that I told him to take less.]

There were too many materials, and it was inconvenient for Su Ming and Yise to carry them all.

Furthermore, the fact that Beiweier was collecting wreckage would inevitably be exposed after his death, so something that could roughly correspond to it had to be left at the scene.

Su Ming thought for a moment and decided to take only the rarer elements with her, leaving behind the common ingredients.

When they returned to the first floor, Beiweier and the wizard had already prepared the food.

Su Ming selected the portion with the most residual toxic substances, added it in, and shook it well.

Then the two poured themselves a bowl and drank it all.

At first, the two only felt a warm sensation in their stomachs, assuming it was the medicine taking effect. But soon the warmth turned into a burning sensation, and the burning sensation turned into excruciating pain.

The two men quickly summoned servants to fetch a doctor. However, their reaction became increasingly violent; they soon foamed at the mouth, convulsed, and fainted.

By the time the witch doctor arrived, the two had already lost consciousness. Jinxiu had completely erased all memories related to Su Ming from their souls.

****

It was already midnight when the group returned.

Su Ming took the materials he had brought back to the attic. He selected the parts he needed, like picking out medicine, and then arranged the regular materials he had collected over the past few days together before activating "Summoning of All Things".

A single-soldier battlefield radar appeared in front of Su Ming.

Su Ming first addressed the appearance.

He slightly adjusted its shape and added some bone fragments commonly found among orcs to decorate it, making it look different from an industrial product from Earth.

"How high should this thing be installed?" Su Ming asked.

"If possible, the higher the better," the technician replied.

Su Ming thought for a moment.

He currently runs the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater, where a wooden pole can be erected on the roof to display announcements and promotions for performances, such as "Countdown to the Show." This radar can be mounted on the top of the pole.

"[Yise, can you draw?]" Su Ming sent a message.

"I've practiced a bit," Yise asked. "What kind of thing do you need to draw?"

[The brown wood grain, the kind that looks like a piece of wood.] Su Ming explained, [To disguise it as radar.]

"That's fine," Yise said.

She had just finished showering, so she put on a shirt over her nightgown and went downstairs to get her materials. The orcs used a lot of paint and brushes when they were making sets during the day, so they were readily available.

Yise quickly gathered everything.

She carried a candle to the attic, put down her paints and brushes, and Jinxiu perched on her shoulder, peeking out to watch the commotion.

"The material needs to look almost like wood," Su Ming emphasized.

"It can also withstand outdoor sun and rain."

Yise smiled slightly.

"These are all oil painting materials I've chosen; they'll last for months." Yise took a piece of radar casing, sketched the wood grain with a pencil, then mixed different shades of brown and began to outline it stroke by stroke.

Gradually, she painted it with a wood-look texture, making it very similar.

"You are truly multi-talented," Su Ming exclaimed in admiration.

Yise's cheeks flushed slightly.

"I only took some drawing classes for a short time."

"I'm not very skilled, so I don't draw very fast."

"Take your time drawing, I won't hang it up until tomorrow during the day."

****

Su Ming continued organizing the materials and began transferring the reinforcement components for the satellite antenna.

Water Chestnut Island is in the Southern Hemisphere, and it's only just beginning autumn there.

The roof absorbed a lot of heat during the day, and it didn't dissipate completely even at night, making the attic quite stuffy.

Su Ming grabbed his collar and fanned himself, but the surrounding candles made the air even more stuffy. Yise was wearing an extra jacket, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

[Actually, you don't need to wear a coat.] Jinxiu kindly reminded him, [but for Su Ming, it makes no difference.]

[Huh?] Yise was very surprised to hear that.

Soon, Jinxiu told her what had happened during the day.

Yise was filled with mixed emotions.

Anger rose within her.

Su Ming is already taken, so he is quite careful about his appearance. He always wears a coat when his clothing is suggestive, and he will subconsciously press his chest when he makes any big movements.

Unexpectedly, everything was just a skeleton in front of Su Ming!

Yise angrily took off his shirt and threw it aside, his movements no longer so restrained.

She couldn't explain why she was angry, but she felt a little wronged.

When he got to the crucial spot, Yise simply bent over and pressed the outer casing directly onto his thigh.

She brushed aside the stray hairs damp with sweat from her forehead and continued sketching the wood grain. Her focus gradually sharpened, and the distracting thoughts in her mind were suppressed. So, when Su Ming turned her head, this was the scene she saw.

In the candlelight, Yise was bent over, drawing wood grain. Her nightgown was thin, her hair was slightly disheveled, and she looked less prim and proper than usual, but more charming as she focused on her work.

But those clothes and posture--

Su Ming almost choked on his own saliva and nearly couldn't look away.

Despite his forced head turn, his gaze inevitably wandered over there after a while.

Su Ming realized that this time, Yise had gone even further.

The girl leaned down and reached for a paintbrush lying beside her. Her soft nightgown was open, revealing no other clothing.

Su Ming nearly crushed the materials in his hand.

"Yise."

He decided to bring it up himself.

"Do you usually dress this casually?"

Yise had just finished one of the designs, blinked, and didn't immediately react. "Hmm?"

Jinxiu also looked at Su Ming with a puzzled expression.

Su Ming's spirit arrived.

"Wait, you don't think I can't see it now, do you?" he quickly said. "I fixed the problem this afternoon."

Clatter

The paintbrush fell from Yise's hand.

She froze for a moment, her face instantly turning crimson. Then she silently resumed her proper kneeling posture, picked up the shirt beside her, and put it back on.

Su Ming felt extremely embarrassed.

"I've finished my work here, I'm going to take a shower."

He hurriedly fled the attic.

Yise kept his head down until Su Ming was far away, then slowly raised his face, clenched his fists, and looked at the fairy with an unfriendly expression.

"Jinxiu!" she gritted her teeth, then lunged forward.