Vicious Tool

The two individuals bowed respectfully to the blonde woman, reciprocated by her with a warm smile as she rose. Behind her stood a horse-drawn carriage, identical to the common ones, despite her role as a royal caretaker.

"Oh, I almost forgot," she delved into her satchel, took out coins, and walked towards Meisha. "This serves as compensation for one month, along with payment for the massage."

"No, no, keep it," Meisha attempted a polite refusal, but Jia insisted. "This is too much."

"It's a symbol of trust between us," her azure eyes locked onto Meisha's. "Consider it a token that signifies the trust you have in me."

Meisha could do nothing but accept it, stunned to see ten golden coins in her hand. In all the time she had opened the shop, not once had she earned even a single silver, but right now, she held more than that.

"Thank you," her voice stammered, eyes on the verge of tears. "Thank you so much."

Jia's lips curled into a smile, feeling delighted and touched by their modest circumstances and their effort to improve themselves. Especially when she learned that the prices of their concoctions were somewhat low cost, resulting in a small profit.

"We'll be here tomorrow in the afternoon or sooner," she informed them, still uncertain. "It depends on whether Xinran comes back earlier or not."

"I understand, don't be concerned," the red-haired woman turned to Zhihao who also smiled until turning back to the front. "Our house is always open for you."

"I appreciate that," Jia uttered, bowing her head. "Then I take my leave."

Meisha nodded, stepping forward as Jia boarded the wooden carriage drawn by two horses. "Be careful!" Meisha exclaimed, waving until the carriage rolled away. "I never imagined something like this would happen to us."

Zhihao, as if understanding his sister's sentiment, responded, "Ah, true. I received a similar coin from Xinran when I healed her."

Turning around with a face of happiness, Meisha approached Zhihao. "How did you manage that massage?" she inquired. "You never mentioned about it or anything related!"

Flustered, Zhihao attempted to avert his gaze, unaware that Meisha was inching closer. "Well," he chuckled clumsily, rubbing his nape, "I think it doesn't come in handy when I'm focused on concoction."

Meisha sighed, realizing that her foster brother had grown up and needed to understand certain boundaries. "Be cautious not to overstep, alright?"

She patted his shoulder and added, "Always keep that in mind," then stepped back inside. "Make sure to finish mowing the lawn before noon!"

He furrowed his brows. "Why? Is there something we're doing later?"

"I was a little offended by your remark back then," she halted from her walk and turned around to face him. "So, buying some tools won't hurt if it's to enhance our abilities, right?"

Zhihao's eyes widened in astonishment and nodded in agreement. This was an opportunity to improve himself and explore the knowledge with more decent tools as he knew alchemy was not only about concoction but also mineral manipulation.

This aspect will continue to expand and build other things including transmutation which has the potential to maintain the effect until the object is destroyed. The most creation of these manipulates are amulets while there are a lot of things that can be applied.

However, not only does it require qualified tools, alchemists need to have high abilities in cultivation so that transmutation techniques can be carried out. Meisha said the main reason lies in the elements contained in the mineral itself so that it can be connected to the chi.

"But why haven't we created poison yet?" Zhihao inquired, his sight still directed outside the carriage they were riding in. "Don't we have more than enough tools?"

Meisha, seated next to her brother, turned her head. "For what? Do you intend to harm someone?"

"Why do you have such thoughts?" Zhihao sighed and shifted his face toward Meisha.

"So what's your intention then?"

"Well, maybe for hunting wild animals?" The man squared his shoulders.

"And what's the next step? Consuming them while the poison courses through their veins?" The woman, with her hair tied in red, gazed outside as the sunlight faded. "Not all poisons are vulnerable to heat. It could backfire, don't you think?"

Silence fell between them this time until Meisha spoke up. "Poison is the most vicious tool you ever imagined," she said almost in a whisper. "It will grant you slow unbearable death."

Zhihao who was watching her sister in detail felt something strange with her this time. Her eyes were somber, laden with sadness and her luscious lips seemed to tremble until she chose to bite her lower lips – refraining not to cry.

Upon reaching home, the two siblings collaborated with the coachman to unload their new tools. Before they knew it, night had fallen, and they spent the time cleaning the house and rearranging their belongings for tomorrow's honored guests.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame them, leading to rest. Meisha fell asleep in her room, while Zhihao found repose on the sofa. The wearisome day prevented them from preparing elixirs that were out of stock, leaving the task for the next sunrise.

[You have a several mission!]

[Prepare some of the elixir!

Fill the stock:

Headache Potion (1/3)

Diarrhea Potion (1/3)

Fever Potion (1/3)

Reward

Profession EXP: 750

Skill Unlocked: None]

"Fever again?" Zhihao then opened the cabinet attached to the wall and sure enough, the elixir was absent. "Well, it must be because of this rainy season."

He looked outside his shop and saw that the sky was filled with black clouds. "Even in this noon, it seems they can't hold it for too long."

Zhihao then focused on the elixir without the assistance of Meisha who was preparing food in the kitchen. They both seemed occupied and dedicated themselves to what was at hand. Until the moment she was done with her cook, a voice startled her.

"Excuse me, Ms. Lin!" the sound was outside and a knock on the door could be heard.

Zhihao emerged from the shop room, observing Meisha as they both adjusted their tunics. Approaching the visitor with enthusiasm, as predicted, they were none other than Jia and Xinran, adorned in dazzlingly beautiful attire.

The brown-haired woman, her hair tied in an elegant topknot, wore a striking white hanfu that captivated Zhihao's attention. He found himself unable to look away, standing frozen in place.

In embarrassment, Xinran sweetly smiled as she observed the mesmerized Zhihao. Their eyes locked, creating a moment as if the world was spinning for the two of them. In that instant, Zhihao felt his heart beating rapidly.