Chapter 3: 'Earth' Miracle Medicine

It was called the 'Earth' miracle medicine. In this context, 'Earth' referred to the first book of the Scripture series, titled Scripture of Earth. This volume primarily delved into various natural resources that could support growth and combat, encompassing medicines, creatures, minerals, and various types of rocks. If an item originated from nature, the Earth record would detail its characteristics, uses, helpfulness, weaknesses, location, etc. While the author claimed that it didn't contain all relevant knowledge, the sheer volume made it worthy of being called the greatest compendium of natural resources. A 1000 years ginseng which could grant you an astronomical amount of Qi? There, on chapter 45. The most effective bug for refining Qi? Chapter 67. The plant discovered by Xu family? There, in chapter 1. From the first chapter, to the last, represent the least useful but still beneficial, to the most impactful. Some even possessing overwhelming effects, to the point where if one consume or use it in the right way, they could be the most powerful person there. Irreplaceable even after a thousand years. But of course, obtaining these extraordinary resources came with equally challenging conditions. For example, the best mineral to create a heat Qi armaments can be found in Volcanic Mountain of Vermillion Summit. But the quantity is very scarce. There's also a mystical creature there. Only when you have permit, the creature will let you mine. The same applies for other resource. It's all designed for the lucky and the strong. 

"That's why, this recipe is beyond Legendary class. Like, could you imagine, you can have a result like those hard-to-find medicines with significantly less cost! All you need is patience, and precise dosage. Remember, it has to be followed word by word. If not, then it would be failed. And—ah yes, i should list the benefit you will get," he paused before typing a new paragraph.

"In the first consumption, your five sense will undergo a massive upgrade. Second consumption, you will start to easily sensitive to Qi. The third consumption will enhance your entire body. But while it's truly magical, there are still side effects. Since the medicine uses a small amount of poison to stimulate the body and bring forth the desired effect, at most, you will feel sick and has to bedridden in 24 hours after the consumption. Also, this medicine will bring more effect before your cultivation, not after," like a student in the middle of a presentation, medicG then shared his thesis and baseline research. This was the introduction to his last and best creation (according to him), the 'Earth' Miracle medicine.

While pondering if it's either a coincidence or the work of fate, Ryong recalled the content of the recipe as he walk into the medicine hall not far from his current living place. From two month ago, he rent a place in some cheap inn. His daily wage from working as server at night, and the monthly pay from working in restaurant has provide him with more money than he imagined. Even after paid the weekly rent, he still have money left to buy cauldron to create the medicine, not to mention the spare change he had was plenty to buy three batches of the needed ingredients.

But still, he worries if this world was the same as he thought. 

'Well, i guess this trip should clarify my doubt. Whether it's really the Scripture world or not. But, if not, then i should create a backup plan...'

While Ryong contemplate about his doubt, his step already arrive in front of the medical hall. He take a deep breath before going in, attempting to stabilize his fast-beat heart. The first thing he notice after opening the door, is the aromatic smell of countless medicine. Funnily, the layout of this place are more like a small supermarket, rather than those traditional stall often depicted in novels and comic. There was only one cashier, to the right after the entrance. But there were three men with weapons inside, each with a sword at their hips. They wore the same uniform as the cashier. This is not a surprise for him. This medicine hall is the business of Xu family. One of them, to be exact. While medicine business are promising, there are a lot of fraud and cheating. If there are no guards, then the store could be looted all the time. 

Ryong walk to one of the guards, handed him a shred-paper with list of medicine written on it. It was a memo. 

"Excuse me, where can i find this?" the guard glanced at the memo for a moment, then immediatly point in certain direction. 

"Third aisle, right there. You will find everything you need there." 

Ryong went to the third aisle without delay. It seems like this aisle was the solely for common medicine. As he walk to the third aisle, he glanced upon other medicine, looking for similarities to clarify his doubt. 'Bamboo blossom, Horse-hoof petal, even Moonlight Orchid. It's really the Scripture universe...' his heart once again pounding fast. But Ryong instantly took control. He already expecting this. And this fact strenghten his desire for a better life. To make full use of information he has. On the other hand, he felt relieved. 

'I must thank the author for giving me this luck.' 

Immediatly after he arrive at the aisle, he acted quickly and grab everything he need. The cashier only glance for a bit, and quickly calculate the price. 

"Seven Silkshroom, nine Azure vine, ten Elif grass, one Pearl lotus, six Tiger Claw truffle, and six Opal moss. All in three batch. Anything else?" Ryong shook his head. 

"The total would be... 41 silver and 7 copper." Ryong instantly grimaced. That's the fruit of all his hardwork this 6 months. Three months of doing random jobs, and three months' salary of his two jobs. He did calculate it will be expensive, but seeing all his saving just puff away like that... truly devastating. The Opal moss and Azure vine are especially pricey. While the book said they would be, at most, 50 copper, but because he purchase it in batches, the price nearly tripled. 

'But why they charge it at full cost?! Why!!' 

While Ryong pout over the little unexpected price, the cashier felt puzzled. He's a disciple of Alchemist Hall, so you could say he knows lot of recipe, especially the one's with common ingredients. But this time, no matter how hard he thought, no recipe comes to mind. 

'Why does he wants Tiger Claw truffle? That mushroom only good for echancing the taste of meat. Whilst Azure vine has a miniscule amount of poison which can only be neutralized with Cerulean Blossom. Even if that poison is not a threat for a martial artist like me, for common people, it's quite bad.' but after a while, he give up thinking. 

'Perhaps that person only run an errand. I thought he's working on an experiment, but i didn't feel any qi in him... But why he purchase a lot? Well, whatever it is, it's not my problem.' 

After receive the money from Ryong's trembling hands, Bak Jee decided to forget any conspiration in his head, and lazily lounged around in his remaining shift.

 * * *

Three month has passed since his visit to the medicine hall. In the past three month, Ryong only succeed in concoct one batch of medicine. While it's a loss, Ryong already expected this. Since it's his first time doing it, of course failure are impossible to avoid. This success is only possible due to luck. Ryong didn't account the factor of time, which became his biggest issue. According to the recipe, after brewing the the powdered Tiger Claw truffle and Opal moss, he has to leave it buried for 3 hours. From when the sun at its peak, till afternoon. The absence of clock here makes it very difficult to tell when is when. So, he could only rely on his mental clock. It's not like the concept of accurately telling time didn't exist. There are sand clock, which already advanced and could represent hours and minute. But flipping them everytime is a hassle. And they're expensive. There is also city bell which rang 4 times a day. After the chicken crowed, representing morning, then in daylight, evening, and night. But again, it wasn't reliable as he could tell the bell often rang at different times. Even if the difference was only a minute, it still threw off his sense of time.

But for whatever reason, his mind subconciously able to tell when is 3 o'clock, when is 12 o'clock, and so on. It's not that accurate. Or, that's what he thought. Because in his last attempt, he accurately predict when the medicine is ripe. He cannot contain his happiness. Ryong even humming happily while attend his costumers. 

"You look happy, does something big happen? Perhaps, it's women?" one of the loyal patron here ask Ryong. The ears of any ladies there perk up in instant at the mention of woman. 

"Ah, no. It's not. Honestly, there's nothing. I just felt happy for no reason." the old man squint his eyes in disbelief. 

"Really?? Eyy, it's alright to tell me the truth. Handsome kid like you surely has experience with women!" 

"What do you take me for, old man?" he answer flatly. 

Anyway, in preparation for taking his medicine, Ryong talk to his boss for taking absence. The boss agreed, since the time Ryong need are next week. And at that time, festival will be held in this city, The owner want to attend the festival with his daughter, thus closing their restaurant for a while. 

He also address his absence to the bar owners, without disclosing his reason at all. He said he only need four days, but in his heart, he was uncertain whether the bar owner would grant his absence or not. Because the night of festival are surely a significant opportunity for any business. Especially for bar business like this. But shockingly, the bar owner agrees. 

"Just remember, if you won't came up the next day after, i will count it as contract breaching. And you will be punished accordingly." He only said that and went on his way after.

The next week, Ryong sat in a lotus position in his rented room. In front of him were the medicines he had concocted, ready for consumption. Ryong repeatedly exhaled and inhaled, trying to calm his overly happy heart.

'This is the beginning,' he thought. This would be the beginning of his own chronicle. He couldn't help the trembling in his hand. The excitement, the realization, all swirling inside his heart. All these months, while working his two jobs and wandering around for random jobs, he wondered why he transmigrated to this world. For what reason? He had never been in a position of a main character before. Not even in his dreams. But now, reality was more like dreams. He felt like the world gathered around him. It was a surreal experience, and Ryong couldn't believe every second of it.

'The memory... did the author want me to use all my friends' knowledge? To put it in practice? Indeed, that may be the case. If so, then i shall carve my name into this world. I will use all of our delusion, and make all of our wisdom into reality. That is my goal.' as his purpose began to root in his heart, Ryong calmly took the medicine, which divided into three portion. He braced himself as he swallow the first portion. 

* * *

Three days later, his room opened. He has already used all the medicine. As he greet the sunlight, Ryong was born anew.