Tongtian Square Lower Courtyard residence.

    Inspection Courtyard, Lin Su''s compound.

    The sturdy man in black, Wu Lie, strode into the main hall, presenting a scroll the thickness of a wrist in bright yellow fabric with both hands, "Prefect, this is the list of secret technique exchanges from the Scripture Transmission Institute over the last twenty years."

    "They say the Talismanic Inspector is unsociable. Unexpectedly, this time he was so forthcoming," Wu Lie remarked with surprise.

    "He just asked about the Zhongshan Path traitor incident, and he gave me the list outright."No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Lin Su gave Wu Lie a blank look.

    Forthcoming?

    That''s because I gave him money!

    "Does the Prefect suspect that Zhongshan Path has been plotting for a long time and has already infiltrated the Lower Courtyard?" Wu Lie inquired.

    "Hmm," Lin Su nodded slightly but didn''t say anything.

    Zhongshan Path was just a pretext; he was actually looking for the thief who stole the Exquisite Jade Plate!

    "That''s right, I was mistaken before," Lin Su suddenly realized.

    "It''s not the first time Dong Cheng has swindled and deceived."

    "And it''s the old disciples who have been fooled the most."

    "Such individuals have the power to turn the tables on Dong Cheng!"

    Thinking of the disappearing black dot on the Round Light Mirror, Lin Su''s certainty grew.

    "Check all the people in the past twenty years who have exchanged for the Perceptive Secret Technique."

    "Those famous prodigies require even more attention."

    A cold glint flashed in Lin Su''s eyes.

    "Prefect is wise!" Wu Lie expressed his admiration.

    "Such people, once they break through, are most likely to seek apprenticeship and blend into the Lower Courtyard!"

    "Zhongshan Path was actually planning to sabotage our Lower Courtyard!"

    "Rest assured, Prefect, I will definitely root out all these people!" Wu Lie promised earnestly.

    Lin Su''s eyelids twitched. Could it really be explained this way?

    Well, as long as you understand, that''s fine.

    ...

    Low Hill Courtyard.

    Sizzle, sizzle...

    A burst of stir-frying noise echoed within the small courtyard.

    A thin layer of black smoke enveloped the bottom of the pot as Chen Mu, holding the spatula, stirred quickly.

    In just over thirty breaths'' time, he swiftly dissipated the black smoke from the Spirit Armor Technique, lifting a slice of cured meat for tasting.

    "Finally succeeded," Chen Mu nodded in satisfaction.

    The scorching effect of the black smoke far surpassed that of the fierce stoves in his previous life.

    In his initial uses, he had even charred the dishes, which was rather shameful for a Fourth Rank chef.

    Chen Mu carried the dish to the wooden pavilion.

    The square table was covered with a large spread: fragrant pan-fried fish slices, boiled fish balls, braised pork chunks, spicy marinated cold meat, quickly saute?ed vegetables, a small pot of Yellow Bud Rice, and a flat bamboo basket filled with the Qi Family''s old pies.

    With the black smoke from the Spiritual Armor serving as a fierce stove, Exotic Beast meat was no longer difficult to handle.

    Paired with a tenderizing secret recipe, many of the previous dishes could be slowly realized.

    "According to the Da Liang Calendar, today is the first day of the New Year," Chen Mu declared after snatching up a pie and biting it in half.

    "Of course!" Angry? Want to curse? Feel like getting physical? Bring it on!

    Shang Huan glared at Zhang Tu''an, "Deal!"

    A fake incense formula and he''s willing to spend forty-six White Jade Coins?!

    Is he an idiot?

    Zhang Tu''an: "..."

    That''s not the response I was expecting.

    "Changed your mind?" Shang Huan glowered at Zhang Tu''an.

    Zhang Tu''an opened his mouth and found himself at a loss for words.

    "Tight on cash? I can make it cheaper."

    Zhang Tu''an: "..."

    ...

    Underground Market District.

    Chen Mu, dressed in black and wearing a beast head mask, set up his stall to sell medicine like usual.

    "Excluding the time for rest and tending to the fields, the White Jade Plate requires roughly seventy-two White Jade Coins a month."

    "I have a total of one hundred thirty-nine on me, which is just enough for two months."

    "I''ve got to keep selling Calming Pills," Chen Mu sighed, "Damn Scripture Transmission Institute always cost a fortune!"

    If they didn''t set such high prices, he wouldn''t be in a financial crisis so soon.

    "Selling ten more bottles of Calming Pills should be enough to break even," Chen Mu conceded helplessly.

    As the Elixir Pills sold more and more, he feared they might attract unwanted attention.

    "I''ll just have to change my appearance and be more careful," Chen Mu decided.

    He took out ten bottles of Calming Pills and laid them on the felt pad, placing the price sign in a conspicuous place.

    Calming Pills are the most cost-effective consumable Elixir Pills for the Spirit and Soul Unification phase.

    As long as they''re for sale, there will be buyers.

    "Lucky for me that I have this Calming Pill business. Otherwise, I''d have to save money like others by farming," Chen Mu felt fortunate.

    He was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly felt a scrutinizing gaze.

    Chen Mu opened his eyes discreetly to see a middle-aged man setting up shop diagonally across from him, looking at Chen Mu with a mixture of confusion and vigilance.

    Chen Mu was curious and glanced at the man''s pricing sign.

    One White Jade Coin for thirty-two Calming Pills.

    I''ve encountered a fellow trader...

    Chen Mu sighed, as the Hundred Herbs Pavilion couldn''t completely monopolize the Elixir Pill trade after all.

    In the Underground Market District, aside from him, many people sold Elixir Pills.

    Unfortunately, this time he ran into a competitor who was also selling Calming Pills.

    Fortunately, Calming Pills were in high demand. One or two additional traders really didn''t matter.

    Chen Mu didn''t mind and was about to look away.

    Then he saw the middle-aged man glaring at him fiercely, taking out a brush and drawing a line on the sign.

    One White Jade Coin for thirty-three Calming Pills.

    Chen Mu: "..."

    Do we really have to compete like this?

    It''s not necessary!