Free Web NovelChapter 367: Chapter 300: Longing and Reunion
It was Yan Qing’s first time in Pharmacist’s Wish’s room.
Unlike Shang Xinlei’s meticulously decorated room, Pharmacist’s Wish’s room was purely a storage space, with walls covered in armor and weapons, and the floor stacked with jars and bottles of wine. The whole room was filled with a strong aroma of liquor, as if staying too long might make one drunk.
This room perfectly reflected Pharmacist’s Wish’s character—raising a glass full of cheer, putting it down ready to fight. She inherited the martial legacy of the Zhou Kingdom, embodying a warrior living on the edge of death from head to toe.
The only thing out of place was the desk, piled high with books in a disorderly fashion, clearly not for decoration but frequently read, each book placed back without care after being read.
Yan Qing was surprised to learn that Pharmacist’s Wish actually had a hobby for reading?
Looks can be deceiving; he thought Pharmacist’s Wish was the type to say, ’Books? What the hell for?’
While a messenger must have skills, they aren’t necessarily cultured.
Pharmacist’s Wish sat down at the desk, opening a package on the table, revealing a collection of tools glowing with a mystical aura.
"Two Vajra Unbreakable Talismans," she introduced as she took them out one by one, "ten Fire Papers, three batches of Incense Ashes, one can of Super Top-grade Pharmacist Glue, and..." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Yan Qing’s eyes widened; these were all top-tier treasures from the Zhou Kingdom’s treasury. The Vajra Unbreakable Talisman, for instance, significantly enhances the performance of defensive artifacts, temporarily increasing their rarity. The ones he bought had been used up in the Qi Kingdom’s six-day unrestricted fighting competition. Fire Paper adds fire damage to weapons temporarily, Incense Ashes increases damage against vengeful spirits and corpse ghosts, and the Super Top-grade Pharmacist Glue works on all mortal-grade items, restoring durability to 90%.
These rare items couldn’t be bought with Spiritual Jade alone; their limited annual production was already divided among the nobility, with no chance of trickling out. Pharmacist’s Wish hadn’t just gathered these overnight; she must have been planning and preparing for quite some time.
"Take what you need," Pharmacist’s Wish said. "I can’t bring out what I don’t have."
"Why have you prepared so much?"
Yan Qing selected two Vajra Unbreakable Talismans and a can of Super Top-grade Pharmacist Glue, curiously asking, "Besides, some of these you don’t even need, right? The agility-boosting Yunqiao Pill isn’t much use to you since you don’t rely on attack speed."
"These are for the group’s next mission," Pharmacist’s Wish calmly replied. "The upcoming mission is perilous and we must give it our all. Even you can invest Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends to cultivate a Red Snake, so how can I be stingy with these Spiritual Resources? Besides, preparing these items costs me nothing now; I swapped for them using future allocations. As for years down the road, I may either die on a Thief’s House mission or overlook the Central Plains after my Foundation Establishment Fourth Transition."
"Thank you," Yan Qing said sincerely, even though he was supposedly the wealthiest in the Thief’s House, his resources were still no match for Pharmacist’s Wish with her backing from the Zhou Kingdom. "You’re really great, Black Wolf."
"It’s what I should do. After all, I’m the future leader of the Thief’s House, and you all are my subordinates; no mistakes can be tolerated." Pharmacist’s Wish pulled a book from the desk and opened it, "Have you chosen what you need?"
"Yes, I only need these. The other items aren’t significant for me, and I can’t carry too much anyway."
"How many days will you be away?"
"Five days and four nights."
"I can use the excuse of wilderness survival to leave the Military Town for a few days," Pharmacist’s Wish said, "Temporarily leaving won’t have any effect."
"No need," Yan Qing shook his head. "The place I’m going to is the Demon Gathering Land in the Qi Kingdom. If you know about it, you’d be aware there’s no real danger there. Demons won’t attack proactively, and most participants are only First or Second Transition. As a Third-Turn Messenger equipped with Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, entering then is like a True Dragon in a pond. It’s already gracious of me not to cause chaos."
"Alright." Pharmacist’s Wish paused, then nodded. "With your personality, you wouldn’t personally risk danger if there’s even a slight risk. You would choose to send subordinates as cannon fodder. Since you’re not worried, you’re clearly confident, and I’m overthinking it."
Though the first part of this comment wasn’t pleasant, the latter part of Pharmacist’s Wish’s attitude satisfied Yan Qing immensely. He most appreciated her straightforwardness in handling matters—once discussed, it’s over, like foreheads nailed down, without any sentimental overtures, unlike a certain kitchen maid who loves to act coy.
"How are Wuqiu and Shidong doing?" Yan Qing suddenly remembered to ask.
"Wuqiu has recovered, but as for Shidong..." Pharmacist’s Wish sighed lightly, "After feeding her the manual, she’s much better physically, but she’s become much quieter—not as lively as before, and she’s been following Wuqiu around all day, not daring to look me in the eyes." freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Give her time, don’t rush," Yan Qing said. "There’s an old saying, ’A leopard can’t change its spots,’ and with you spoiling her, she’ll surely revert to her old self sooner or later."
Pharmacist’s Wish glared at him slightly, much of the sadness in her eyes dissipating. "Hopefully."
Yan Qing lingered in the room for a while, looking around. Not hearing any further topics from Pharmacist’s Wish, he didn’t dare to stay longer. Having visited Shang Xinlei’s room earlier and now Pharmacist’s Wish’s room, although everything was innocent and aboveboard, Yan Qing still felt inexplicably guilty.
He took the initiative to say, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out first. See you in five days."
Pharmacist’s Wish glanced at him, a look appearing as if she had something to say, but ultimately kept silent and continued reading. Yan Qing found it odd, but didn’t think too much of it, turning to leave the room.
However, as he took just two steps, a strong force halted him, as if something had caught on his clothes.
Yan Qing turned around suspiciously and froze.
Pharmacist’s Wish was still engrossed in her book, her right hand turning pages while her left hand, which should have been holding the book, tightly clenched Yan Qing’s sleeve. Her thumb, index finger, and middle finger formed hooks, snagging Yan Qing’s departing intent.
He tugged on his clothes, but it wouldn’t come free. Pharmacist’s Wish’s grip was too strong, and further pulling would only result in tearing.
"Do you have anything else to tell me?" Yan Qing asked.
Pharmacist’s Wish didn’t respond, her eyes focused on the book as if she couldn’t hear Yan Qing’s voice. The Duke of Youth Jin couldn’t dream of a player in the Thief’s House.
Yan Qing looked at his sleeve, then at Pharmacist’s Wish, thought for a moment, and tentatively asked, "Do you want me to give you a hug?"
"I don’t want that!"
Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly heard him, as if Yan Qing’s mic had just come back online. "Why would I want a hug from you?"
"So I’ll leave then?"
"Suit yourself."
"Then let go first." Yan Qing lightly tugged on Pharmacist’s Wish’s wrist, which was cool and slightly moist, as though freshly washed with soap.
Pharmacist’s Wish quickly glanced at Yan Qing, released her grip, and returned to her book-immersed state.
But as Yan Qing took another two steps, he was stopped again by those familiar hooks.
Watching Pharmacist’s Wish, who continuously pretended to read while clinging tenaciously, Yan Qing considered for a moment, recalling how Shang Xinlei was similarly evasive earlier, refusing to directly request a hug. He figured out the reason behind Pharmacist’s Wish’s strange behavior and asked again, "May I give you a hug?"
