Rebirth of the Fallen Master

Thousand Treasures Shop

"Boss, I'd like to buy this. How much is it?"

Li Ye asked as he showed the item he had picked up to the attendant, who was still sitting leisurely in his seat while fanning himself. At that moment, another customer besides Li Ye entered the shop.

The attendant's tired eyes examined the set of needles Li Ye was holding.

"Ten gold coins," he replied casually, sounding as though he had named the price at random.

Li Ye narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.

"You should know that even if you search this entire city, you won't find this item anywhere else," the attendant said after noticing the doubtful look on Li Ye's face.

"Physicians and alchemists are still quite rare, so it's only natural that items like these are difficult to obtain," Li Ye thought. "Besides, I need them anyway."

"Alright, earlier you asked whether I wanted to buy or sell. That means I can trade it for something else, right?" Li Ye asked to make sure.

The attendant gave a slight nod while continuing to fan himself.

"I'd like to trade it for this," Li Ye said as he took out a bottle of medicine he had made himself.

The shopkeeper set his fan aside and took the bottle from Li Ye. He uncorked it and sniffed it. His eyes briefly glanced at Li Ye.

"A Qi and Blood Recovery Potion?" the shopkeeper asked.

"He could tell just by smelling it? You really can't judge someone by their appearance, Li Ye thought," slightly impressed.

"This potion is worth one gold coin," he said as he corked the bottle again and placed it on the table.

Li Ye was startled. "Only one gold coin?" he asked in disbelief.

Just then, a middle-aged man walked over carrying a small jar.

"Twenty gold coins," the shopkeeper said casually.

The man paid immediately without bargaining, then inadvertently glanced at the bottle of medicine on the table.

"Is that really a Qi and Blood Recovery Potion?" he asked curiously.

"Yes, it is. Feel free to examine it if you'd like," Li Ye replied.

As the man reached for Li Ye's bottle, the shopkeeper stopped him with his fan.

"Ma Yuan, don't steal my customer," he said lazily.

The middle-aged man chuckled and brushed aside the Thousand Treasures Shop keeper's fan.

"He's new. There's no way I'd let you cheat him," he said as he examined the bottle, causing the shopkeeper to click his tongue but ultimately let him continue.

Ma Yuan's eyes widened as soon as he smelled the potion.

"The quality is excellent. Where did you get this potion?" the middle-aged man praised in surprise.

"I made it myself," Li Ye replied.

"Impossible. Even an alchemy apprentice couldn't make a potion like this. Its quality has already been enhanced. It must have been made by a true alchemist, and I happen to know every alchemist in this city," Ma Yuan said skeptically.

"See? Ours is the only shop that doesn't ask where the goods come from," the Thousand Treasures Shop keeper said mockingly.

Li Ye observed the man for a moment before suddenly grabbing his wrist.

"Sir, you've been poisoned. If it isn't treated soon, you may not have much time left," he said seriously.

Those words made Ma Yuan slam Li Ye's bottle onto the table in annoyance.

"Young man, I only asked where this came from, yet you're cursing me?" he snapped indignantly.

Li Ye immediately let go of the man's wrist.

"That's not what I meant," he said quickly.

"Look at your hand. There's a black line at the tip of your fingernail."

Ma Yuan and the Thousand Treasures Shop keeper both looked at the black line Li Ye pointed out. Their expressions changed slightly.

"If you've been experiencing sudden dizziness or shortness of breath shortly after waking up lately, you'd better be careful," Li Ye added.

The Thousand Treasures Shop keeper narrowed his eyes with curiosity. He began evaluating Li Ye more seriously.

"Young man, the person standing before you is Ma Yuan, one of the finest alchemists of the Herbal Tower. How could someone like him be poisoned without realizing it?" the shopkeeper remarked, testing Li Ye.

"Just as I expected," Li Ye thought. I had already guessed his identity from the way he carried himself.

"If you haven't experienced the symptoms I just mentioned, then I must be mistaken. My apologies for startling you," Li Ye said as he prepared to leave.

"Wait," Ma Yuan called, stopping him. "Tell me what poison is affecting me."

His voice carried the tone of a challenge. It was obvious he still didn't fully believe Li Ye.

"Have you been refining Soul Dew Grass and Midnight Sunflower?" Li Ye asked, unsure whether those two plants still had the same names.

Ma Yuan frowned.

"That's right. I've been using those two ingredients. Stop beating around the bush and answer my question."

"You're suffering from Soul Reversal Poison."

"Soul Reversal Poison? I've never heard of such a poison in my entire life," Ma Yuan scoffed, convinced Li Ye was making things up.

"Try circulating your qi to the Tanzhong acupoint."

Ma Yuan did as instructed. His face suddenly turned pale.

"My chest really feels tight," he thought in shock.

The shopkeeper, who had been acting relaxed the whole time, slowly lowered his fan. The way he looked at Li Ye became serious.

"If not handled properly, the Yang Qi of the Midnight Sunflower will burn the essence of the Soul Dew Grass," Li Ye explained. "That combination will transform into Soul Reversal Poison."

Hearing the explanation, Ma Yuan let out a slow breath.

"To be honest, I've indeed been experiencing the symptoms Young Master mentioned lately. I've even consulted several physicians and examined myself, yet I found nothing unusual. That's why I assumed it was merely ordinary fatigue."

Ma Yuan sighed once more. "That's why I was so shocked when Young Master said I had been poisoned."

"So something like this really can happen?" the owner of the Thousand Treasures Shop asked in disbelief.

Li Ye nodded slightly.

"This poison infiltrates the meridians, making it difficult to detect through ordinary methods. As a result, most people mistake it for simple exhaustion, when in reality, if left untreated, it can lead to sudden death."

That explanation made Ma Yuan's expression grow worried. This was clearly no ordinary poison.

"Is there a cure?" the man asked anxiously.

"Of course. I can provide you with the prescription and the preparation method if you wish," Li Ye replied, causing Ma Yuan's eyes to light up.

"Then I'd greatly appreciate your help."

Ma Yuan signaled the shopkeeper to prepare paper and a brush. Without another word, the shopkeeper immediately placed a sheet of paper and a writing brush on the table.

Li Ye then wrote down the characteristics of the required ingredients along with the preparation method in language that was easy to understand.

Ma Yuan and the shopkeeper of the Thousand Treasures Shop watched silently, curious about what he was writing.

Not long afterward, Li Ye handed the paper to Ma Yuan. Ma Yuan's eyes widened as he read the prescription. The longer he read, the more astonished he became.

"Well... I'm not sure about the names of the ingredients, so I wrote down their characteristics instead. Can you understand them?" Li Ye asked while watching Ma Yuan carefully read the paper with a serious expression.

Ma Yuan immediately nodded.

"Young Master didn't mention the name of a single ingredient, yet somehow I know exactly which ingredients Young Master is referring to."

"Young man, who exactly are you? With your abilities, how is it possible that I've never heard of you?" the Thousand Treasures Shop keeper asked curiously.

"I'm nobody," Li Ye replied, puzzled.

"Who does this old man think he is? Does he have to know everyone?" Li Ye thought suspiciously.

"Then, how much should I pay for this prescription?" Ma Yuan asked, coming back to his senses.

"There's no need. I didn't do anything besides writing it down," Li Ye replied with a friendly smile.

"Then sell the prescription to me instead," the shopkeeper said, only to be interrupted by Ma Yuan slamming his fist onto the table.

"Stop cheating people," Ma Yuan said, causing the Thousand Treasures Shop keeper to snort softly.

"This child's ability is extraordinary. There must be a powerful master backing him. I need to build a good relationship with him," Ma Yuan thought as he evaluated Li Ye.

The man immediately smiled.

"Young Master, your potions are of excellent quality. I'll buy them for two gold coins per bottle. Also..." Ma Yuan took out a jade token from inside his robe. "Please accept this."

Li Ye looked at him in confusion.