Chapter 44: Chapter 44 – Main Medicine, Auxiliary Medicine 1
Translator: 549690339
Chen Mobai felt puzzled.
Were there really people in this world without a last name?
Seeing that Qing Nu had already walked away, he decided not to ask and just followed her.
“The grilled fish here is especially good. I only splurge on this meal once every month when I get my paycheck.”
Chen Mobai followed Qing Nu to a small restaurant tucked away in a corner of the city. Being familiar with the place, she picked up a menu and was about to order a spicy dish, then remembered that she’s the one treating him.
“You pick something.”
“I’ve never eaten here, you can go ahead and order. Just make it not too spicy.” Upon hearing Chen Mobai’s request, Qing Nu simply ordered grilled fish in a pepper and salt style instead of the spicy version. She also added lotus root slices, bean sprouts, and glass noodles, and ordered two sodas to round out their meal.
“How is it? The taste isn’t bad, right?”
Qing Nu seemed happy with her choice. Chen Mobai tried it out and found that the side dishes were indeed tasty. The fish, however, was quite average. Having enjoyed Azure Blood Carp from Lake Azure Cloud consistently, which even the Gold Core masters in Tianhe realm found irresistible, the fish they could source here in the mundane world just couldn’t compare.
“It’s alright.”
All Chen Mobai could muster was a neutral comment. Qing Nu shot him a white look in apparent disapproval of his lack of social tact, but that didn’t stop her from relishing the meal. She managed to finish the majority of the large portion they’d ordered.
“Do you like grilled fish a lot?”
Chen Mobai asked, watching Qing Nu take a sip of soda to alleviate the greasiness of the meal.
“Mm, the first time I ate out, it was here. Since then, I’ve always thought that this place serves the best food in the world.”
“Next time, I can personally catch a fish, and with the condiments from this restaurant, I guarantee the taste will be even better.”
Although he had already eaten all the Azure Blood Carp in Lake Azure Cloud, there were still some offspring left over. The taste might not be as good as the original, but it will definitely be better than what this restaurant serves. Upon hearing this, Qing Nu didn’t know how to respond and stood there momentarily dumbfounded.
The owner was clearing their table at the moment which made the scene extremely awkward.
Who would have thought someone could criticize the fish right in front of the owner!
Qing Nu concluded that the boy sitting in front of her was seriously lacking in social grace.
“The play is about to start. We should go.”
Originally planning for a leisurely chat after the meal, now Qing Nu had to hastily pay the bill and pulled Chen Mobai away citing the play as the excuse. “Do you have any affordable sources for the raw material for the Qi-replenishing Spirit Water?”
The pair found a quiet coffee shop to continue discussing matters related to their upcoming collaboration.
“No, everything in our store was packaged by the Baoping Pharmacy and sent over. My master handles the item list and I sign when the items arrive.”
Qing Nu shook her head.
“I looked at the formula. It mainly requires three primary ingredients and four supplementary ones. The primary ones are easy, I could find them online, but there’re so many brands for the supplementary ones, I’m not sure which to choose?”
Chen Mobai took out the tube of Qi-replenishing Spirit Water he hadn’t opened yet and handed it to Qing Nu.
The three primary ingredients are Huang Jing, Baizhu, and Fangfeng. Since they’re only refining a Rank-1 Qi-replenishing Spirit Water, ten years worth of medicinal effectiveness will suffice. These are common ingredients that anyone with Good Deed Points can purchase.
However, the four supplementary ingredients were different; they were Dextrin, Mannitol, Flavor Modifier, and Fengling Substance.
These seemed more like industrial materials with so many different brands, it was hard to know which worked best.
“Use this brand for Dextrin, this one produces good Mannitol, this factory has a good Flavor Modifier, and if you’re consuming the result right after synthesis, you can use the cheapest Fengling Substance…”
As expected of a professional, Qing Nu quickly pointed out which brands they should buy from and spoke confidently, having evidently planned out the whole thing beforehand.
I understand the purpose of Fengling Substance from its name; it should be used to seal the Spiritual Water after completion to prevent the medicinal effect from leaking out. But what are the functions of the other three?” “Dextrin is for combining the medicinal properties of the three main herbs, Mannitol is to enhance absorption by the human body, and the Flavor Modifier is for sweetening. The original mix is extremely bitter, and without a Flavor Modifier, it’s hardly consumable.”
“So, are you saying we can leave out the Flavor Modifier?”
Chen Mobai posed another question, causing Qing Nu to choke.
I mean, it’s not entirely necessary. We can save 500 Good Deed Points that way. But are you sure about this? You don’t like the taste of herbs, right? I’ve tasted the Spiritual Water without the Flavor Modifier before, it’s extremely bitter.”
While Qing Nu continued trying to persuade him, Chen Mobai began to waver. He really didn’t like the taste of herbs.
“Fine, I’ll go with your suggestions for the ingredients for the first batch. How will we solve the issues of location and equipment?”
“Well, I could try borrowing my master’s medication pool and Cold Brewing Machine initially. If he notices and objects, then well have to find another way.”
The pair continued discussing finer details. Qing Nu also helped Chen Mobai select a few online suppliers for the primary ingredients on Xuemen Net, some of which her master also orders from, ensuring their quality.
Without further questions, Chen Mobai placed the orders following her instructions. Both the address and recipient he entered were Evergreen Pharmacy and Qing Nu, considering she was usually the one signing for packages at the store, keeping it safe from teacher’s discovery.
After purchasing all three primary ingredients and four supplementary ones, the ten thousand Good Deed Points Chen Mobai had earned from converting’ Spirit Stones were reduced by more than half.
How many tubes can you ensure to produce out of a single batch?”
Chen Mobai picked up the unsealed tube of Qi-replenishing Spirit Water that was on the table and asked.
“Somewhere between 10 to 20 tubes.”
“Ahem….”
Mid-drink, Chen Mobai almost choked on his coffee.
“Isn’t that setting up for certain loss?”
“Some initial investment is definitely required. Don’t worry, once I get proficient, you’ll start reaping profits.”
Qing Nu clenched her slender fingers tightly and patted her chest, full of confidence.
But all Chen Mobai could do was heave a sigh.
Well, no other options were there. Being in Xuemen where resources were scarce, if he wanted to use ‘Qi-replenishing Spirit Water’ or even better medicinal items with no restrictions, having an Alchemist was the best choice.
He could only hope that the girl in front of him was worth the investment.
Come on, we’re allowed in the theater now.”
Checking the time, Qing Nu immediately urged Chen Mobai to head out, eager to watch ‘Stepping on the Moon’ by the Jade Phoenix Theater Troupe.
In the theater.
Chen Mobai sat down in his seat, his face somewhat awkward.
He had overlooked something.
“Brother, is she your girlfriend?”
To his left was his younger cousin, Wang Xinying who he had given a ticket to for Jiang Yuyuan’s performance today.
Her eyes widened, and she scrutinized the beautiful Qing Nu sitting to the right of Chen Mobai.
Qing Nu blushed a little, bowing her head in confusion due to the blunt question from the innocent young girl..