Ji Yunzhi quickly understood that no matter how much he offered, the storekeeper wouldn’t bend the rules.
And from the way the storekeeper carried himself, it was clear he expected his rules to be respected.
He wasn’t upset about being unable to buy another can, but he couldn’t help but wonder why it was limited to just one per day. However, thinking about it only left him more frustrated.
In the end, he decided to push the thought aside and asked another question instead.
“Storekeeper, would it be possible for me to take this empty can with me?”
“I’d like to study it further.”
As an alchemist, he was used to dissecting the composition of materials, whether they were herbs, pills, or potions. Even the container itself might hold some clues.
Perhaps it contained traces of the Cola’s ingredients or residual essence left behind. It was a basic habit for someone in his craft.
Hao, hearing the request, didn’t immediately answer. Instead, he turned his attention inward.
’System, can he take it?’
[Yes, host. The Cola is one of the products that can be taken outside. Since it has already been purchased, ownership belongs to Ji Yunzhi.]
Hao shrugged. “Go ahead.”
Ji Yunzhi gave a polite nod before introducing himself properly. “My name is Ji Yunzhi, a rogue alchemist.”
Hao nearly lost his composure. He held back his laughter.
A bald alchemist?
He had seen all kinds of people walk into his store, but this was the first time he’d met one without a single strand of hair. Back on Earth, he had read countless web novels and comics, yet not once had he come across a bald alchemist.
To make matters worse, Ji Yunzhi’s outfit did him no favors. Rather than a refined master of pills, he looked more like a battle-hardened body cultivator who had just returned from a grueling fight.
If he had a giant sword strapped to his back, Hao would’ve mistaken him for a warrior on a revenge arc.
It took all of Hao’s willpower to keep a straight face.
If he weren’t alone, this would’ve been a disaster. One glance from a friend, and he’d completely lose it!
“Hao.” He kept it brief. Any more than that, and he might actually crack.
Ji Yunzhi nodded, committing the name to memory. He sighed in relief. Good thing he had given his real name.
From the way Hao looked at him, it was as if he had already seen through everything.
Even though Hao wasn’t the one who concocted the Cola, he was clearly connected to the one who did.
This storekeeper wasn’t an ordinary mortal either.
An old master hiding his identity by pretending to be a simple shopkeeper? It wasn’t unheard of. However, he had no reason to pry further.
He had more important matters to attend to.
Ji Yunzhi bid farewell and stormed out of the store, heading straight to rent the highest-grade alchemy chamber he could afford.
Hao watched the bald alchemist disappear into the exit.
Why did he look like that?
Should I spend a crystal to satisfy my curiosity?
’System, how much to get information on that guy’s outfit?’
[Host, this request will cost 1 crystal. Your current balance is 1.3 crystals.]
’Tch. A whole crystal just for that?’
’What kind of robbery is this? Can’t you give me a discount?”’
[Host, this is a fair exchange. Curiosity comes at a price.]
’What if you throw in some details about his identity?’
[That will cost another crystal, host.]
’This feels like one of those pay-to-win games where even breathing costs premium currency.’
[You are free to remain ignorant, host.]
’Fine. Just take my money. I want to know why he looks like that. That includes why he’s bald too, right?’
[Yes, host. That’s included.]
[Request accepted. Host, your current balance is now 0.3 crystal.]
A floating screen popped up in front of Hao.
[Ji Yunzhi is bald by choice. He sees hair as a nuisance. Stray strands can catch fire, absorb alchemical fumes, or get in the way of delicate experiments. To him, keeping a clean-shaven head is simply practical.]
[His sleeveless alchemist robe serves the same purpose. Loose clothing is dangerous near open flames and volatile substances. Rather than risk setting himself on fire, he wears a simple, fitted robe to minimize hazards.]
[He also wears reinforced gloves and bracers to protect his arms, since burns and chemical corrosion are common risks in alchemy. His boots are not the typical soft shoes alchemists prefer but heavy-duty ones, capable of withstanding explosions and corrosive spills.]
’So he shaved himself bald for safety? That’s… actually pretty smart.’
’Why has no one else thought of this before?’
’If there was no hair, there was nothing to burn.’
Alchemists had existed for thousands of years, yet Ji Yunzhi was the only one who had taken such extreme precautions.
A crystal well spent.
Hao convinced himself of that. He absolutely would not start overthinking whether it had been a waste.
If he did, he might just end up regretting it.
Time passed, and Lin Yijun, Hua Feixue, Yue Xueyan, and Xiao Lianfeng slowly woke up from their enlightenment. After a short talk, they went for a second round of instant noodles.
At the same time, Mo Xixi finally returned from her shopping trip.
“Welcome back, Little Xixi.”
Mo Xixi stopped in her tracks. For some reason, that greeting made her feel like she had just returned home.
She shook her head and pushed the feeling aside. I can’t get too comfortable.
But even as she thought that, her feet didn’t move. Instead, she naturally walked toward Hao.
“I’m back, boss.”
“How did it go?”
“It went well. I bought a bunch of different robes and inner garments. I shouldn’t need to buy more for a while.”
“I only spent one crystal, boss.”
For Mo Xixi, this was already a luxury. But since she was planning to work again today and earn another two crystals, she had allowed herself to spend a little more on good-quality robes.
Hao patted Mo Xixi on the head.
“Good job, Little Xixi. That’s what you should do.”
Seeing her like this, he felt genuinely happy. Mo Xixi had gone through terrible things despite her young age.
At the very least, she deserved some stability now.
Mo Xixi blinked.
She could have easily dodged Hao’s hand. In fact, her instincts as a cultivator told her she should – but for some reason, she didn’t.
