The Demon Lord and I: Frenemies - chapter 35

Chapter 35

Judging by appearance, Elixirs are divided into lower, middle, and upper grades. The efficacy of the same Elixir can be determined by how much spiritual energy is manifested externally. The more proficient an Alchemist becomes, the higher the grade of Elixir they can refine. For example, Su Hongli used to only be able to refine middle-grade Heart-Clearing Pills, but after a busy period of running her stall, she can now produce upper-grade ones.

Yet the Elixir before them showed no sign of spiritual energy. Even when held beneath the nose, there was no medicinal fragrance, making it impossible to discern its effects.

Chu Zaishuang used a small stick to poke at the Elixir in the furnace. Its surface was golden-green, rolling around restlessly.

“I remember you once said this was a modified recipe based on the Heart-Clearing Pill,” Chu Zaishuang said. “So what is this one? Is it the same as the Heart-Clearing Pill?”

“No. If it were similar to the Heart-Clearing Pill, I should have been able to refine a whole batch, but now only one has condensed. The effects must be different.” Su Hongli flipped through a book, racking her brains. “There’s no record of a similar Elixir in the books, and its spiritual energy isn’t manifesting. We’ll have to test the medicine ourselves.”

“Test the medicine?”

Su Hongli nodded. “Yes. According to what I learned in class, if an Elixir is completely harmless, its spiritual energy will definitely manifest, and at the very least, you should be able to smell the medicinal fragrance. But if nothing can be discerned from its appearance, then the effects of the Elixir can’t be determined. All medicine has some toxicity. If the spiritual energy is neutralized by something else and can’t wrap around the Elixir, then it could very well be poisonous.”

Chu Zaishuang: “I see.”

Su Hongli snapped the book shut and stood up. “I’ve never tested medicine before either. I’ll head back to Thousand-Gold Peak and ask my senior brothers and sisters where to buy things for testing medicine.”

*

At Thousand-Gold Peak, several small buildings were built along the mountainside. Looking up from the foot of the mountain, one could see layer upon layer of lush green terraced fields, all planted with Spiritual Herbs by the Alchemists. Wherever the cultivators of Thousand-Gold Peak set foot, there was no barren land.

Under the eaves, Chu Zaishuang stood outside, waiting for Su Hongli to come out. This was where Alchemists exchanged for materials. From time to time, cultivators with Yellow Gourds at their waists would come and go, carrying Spiritual Herbs or Elixir furnaces in their hands.

Inside, Su Hongli stood at the counter, talking to a Male Cultivator in white, looking confused. “Senior Brother Shan He, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“Sorry, Hong Li, what I mean is, you won’t be able to exchange for anything to test medicine here either.” The white-robed Male Cultivator, named Shan He, held a scroll in his hand and smiled awkwardly. “Actually, even I rarely test medicine. Only Master does that. Everyone else basically just follows existing recipes.”

“But Master hasn’t been on the mountain lately…” Su Hongli looked troubled.

Shan He glanced up and saw someone peeking their head in at the door. Curious, he asked, “Is that your friend?”

“Ah, yes, she’s waiting for me.” Su Hongli turned to look and stammered, “She’s not an Alchemist, so she doesn’t dare come in.”

Shan He smiled kindly. “It’s fine, let her come in. Not many people are here exchanging for medicinal materials right now, so it won’t bother anyone.”

Chu Zaishuang had been observing from the shadows. When she saw Su Hongli beckon to her, she entered and walked over. “Is something wrong?”

Su Hongli looked dejected. “Senior Brother rarely tests medicine either, so we can’t get anything for testing here.”

“Can we buy it outside?” Chu Zaishuang suggested. “Let’s check out Floating Street, or ask someone to help us find it.”

Shan He was puzzled. “You two really want to test the medicine that badly?”

“Yes, we’re really curious.”

After all, the Twin Spirit Heart Flower wasn’t recorded in any books. It had taken great effort to refine an Elixir from it, so it must have some unusual effect.

Shan He pondered for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something, but hesitated.

Chu Zaishuang noticed his hesitation and asked, “Senior Brother, what is it you want to say?”

“Well…” Shan He said, “Actually, you don’t need anything special to test medicine. As Master’s direct disciple, I’ve seen him test medicine several times. It’s not difficult. Usually, you just take a small amount of the Elixir and have a Spirit Beast consume it, then observe its subsequent reactions.”

Su Hongli: “But if you don’t use the whole Elixir, the effects will be different, right? And people and Spirit Beasts aren’t the same.”

“That’s true. So there’s another method-having a person test the medicine. That’s also why I hesitated to mention it.” Shan He sighed. “Master loves to test medicine on himself. He always figures out the effects, but sometimes he ends up with a hoarse voice from poisoning, or gets dizzy and lightheaded after taking it. I’ve tried to persuade him to stop, but every time he finishes refining, he still takes it. There’s just no stopping him.”

Su Hongli suddenly realized, “That’s right, just like Spiritual Herbs, you can test Elixirs on yourself…”

“No, no, that’s not reasonable. The Medicine Elder is at the early stage of Eight Leaves. Even if he’s poisoned, he won’t die easily. If you eat random medicine, you’ll really be in trouble!” Chu Zaishuang saw through her intention and quickly waved her hand to stop her. She then asked, “What about using a Spirit Beast to test the medicine? How is it usually done?”

“For Spirit Beasts, we usually use Shiya Beasts or Heavenly Treasure Weasels. They naturally eat Spiritual Herbs in the wild and have some regenerative ability. Their constitution is similar to ordinary cultivators.” Shan He explained patiently. “Many cultivators on Dragon Tiger Peak raise them to scout out Minor Paradises. As long as they’ve passed through a place, it means there are no poisons or dangers, and cultivators can safely follow.”

“Heavenly Treasure Weasel?”

Chu Zaishuang and Su Hongli exchanged a glance, both thinking of the same person.

*

By the pond under a tree, a chessboard was placed on a stone surface, serving as a table for the Heavenly Treasure Weasel to stand on.

The little brown-yellow weasel had shiny round eyes. It was holding a Heart-Clearing Pill in its two short paws, gnawing away adorably as it looked at the four people around it, still unaware of its impending fate as a test subject.

Chu Zaishuang and the others sat around the table, all staring at the Heavenly Treasure Weasel on the table, silent for a long time.

After a long stalemate, someone finally broke the silence.

“No, I still don’t think this is right. You two have ignored us for so long, and now that we meet, you want to use Xiao Tian to test medicine. I absolutely can’t accept this!” Li Jingjie shook his head like a rattle-drum, then looked at Fei Wanghuai and wailed, “Wanghuai, say something fair. They ignore us every day to refine medicine, and only come to us when they need something. How can we tolerate this?”
Fei Wanghuai held the fan handle but did not speak up for him. His eyes curved like a crescent moon as he smiled gently, “Can we hurry up and test the medicine? I have things to do later.”

Recently, he had been searching for a secret passage inside Tongtian Tower, hoping to teleport off the island to meet Bone Elder. Yet, he was suddenly called over to play house with them, which was honestly a bit much for him.

“Stop sneaking off to Tongtian Tower to cultivate!” Li Jingjie, hearing his calm tone, raised his voice, “At such a critical moment for the Heavenly Treasure Weasel, you, as Xiao Tian’s junior in the shop, having sold medicine with it before-shouldn’t you show some concern?”

“I’m willing to write an elegiac couplet for it.”

“…”

Li Jingjie shook his head, “Too cruel, too cruel. All of you care only about Elixirs, regardless of its life or death.”

“But the Heavenly Treasure Weasel is meant to detect poison and treasure. Otherwise, there’s no point in taming it. Not letting it test medicine is actually more unreasonable.” Fei Wanghuai replied calmly. “Once your cultivation is higher, it’ll have to test poison sooner or later.”

Chu Zaishuang nodded in agreement, “Exactly! Instead of letting it get beaten up outside, we should… I mean, we should teach it to adapt to the harsh world of cultivators first.”

Su Hongli held a small dish containing Elixir fragments and assured, “I only cut off a tiny bit. Compared to a whole Elixir, the medicinal power is just one-tenth. It won’t endanger its life.”

“I understand the logic, but I just can’t accept it. To me, it’s not just a Spirit Beast, it’s my friend.”

Li Jingjie picked up the Heavenly Treasure Weasel from the table, speaking with deep emotion, “I know testing poison is its fate, but that day should come later. Xiao Tian is the purest and kindest Spirit Beast I’ve ever met.”

“Is it really that special to you…” Chu Zaishuang asked in confusion. “Why not just find another Spirit Beast? It doesn’t have to be this one.”

Just then, the Heavenly Treasure Weasel was held in Li Jingjie’s palm. The Heart-Clearing Pill in its claws fell, and it lowered its head in annoyance, biting his finger hard.

“Ah-” Li Jingjie was caught off guard by the bite. He tried to break free, but the weasel clung tightly, shouting, “Help me, help me! Hurry and test the medicine! Feed the pure and kind one the medicine!”

“…”

A moment later, Su Hongli treated Li Jingjie’s wound, while Chu Zaishuang and Fei Wanghuai gathered around the table, preparing to have the Heavenly Treasure Weasel, standing on the chessboard, take the medicine.

The Heavenly Treasure Weasel showed no fear toward the two. Its round eyes rolled as it used its little paw to groom its sleek fur, looking quite content after eating and drinking, lazily curling up into a ball.

Chu Zaishuang held the small dish, using a slender metal spoon to scoop up the medicine fragments. She carefully brought it to the weasel’s mouth, coaxing, “Dalang, time to take your medicine-”

The Heavenly Treasure Weasel turned its head away, dodging the metal spoon, showing no intention of opening its mouth.

“Why?” Chu Zaishuang looked down at the medicine fragments, puzzled. “Does it think it tastes bad?”

Fei Wanghuai pondered, “It just ate so many Heart-Clearing Pills, maybe it’s already full.”

“Impossible. Heart-Clearing Pills provide spiritual energy, they shouldn’t fill its stomach.” Chu Zaishuang pulled out an osmanthus candy from her pocket, waving it in front of the weasel. Seeing it perk up and stand excitedly, she exclaimed, “See, it’s still interested!”

Fei Wanghuai shot her a sideways glance, “Not very capable, but eats a lot.”

Chu Zaishuang didn’t catch his sarcasm and continued using the candy to attract the weasel’s attention.

The Heavenly Treasure Weasel stared at the candy with its round eyes, hopping around, trying to grab the treat but never touching the spoonful of medicine.

She held the fragrant osmanthus candy and brought the spoon closer, bargaining, “Eat the medicine first and you’ll get the candy, how about it?”

Bathed in warm sunlight, her hair shone with a beautiful luster, like fine silk, and even her fingers looked translucent as jade, gently coaxing the stubborn Heavenly Treasure Weasel to open its mouth. Her attitude was so gentle and obedient-never had anyone seen her act so sweetly.

Fei Wanghuai listened to her soft, gentle voice, as if she regarded the Spirit Beast as a real person, reasoning with it so patiently that he felt both amused and exasperated.

He crossed his arms, a bit dissatisfied, and teased, “You never had this much patience when feeding me decoctions. You’d complain after blowing on it twice. Do you think that’s fair?”

Back when he was bedridden with serious injuries, she’d only come to annoy him, always taking advantage of him whenever she could.

“Fair, why wouldn’t it be?” Chu Zaishuang looked at him, her expression subtle. “People shouldn’t ask for humiliation. How can you compare yourself to something fluffy?”

Fei Wanghuai: “?”

Listen to what she says-she’s even more beastly than the Heavenly Treasure Weasel, with not a shred of humanity!

Fei Wanghuai pursed his lips, unable to stand the scene any longer. He directly picked up the Heavenly Treasure Weasel, took the metal spoon from her, and forcefully pushed the medicine fragments to its mouth, saying coolly, “Open up.”

He’d never seen such an arrogant Heavenly Treasure Weasel-clearly a tamed Spirit Beast, yet it acted like it wanted to climb onto people’s heads.

Suspended in midair, the weasel that had just dared to bite now behaved, sneaking a glance at Fei Wanghuai with its round eyes, then, sizing up the situation, opened its mouth and licked the medicine fragments clean off the spoon.

When children refuse to eat, it’s usually because they’re spoiled. Just pick them up and it works.

Fei Wanghuai watched it finish, then put it back on the chessboard. He chuckled softly, hinting, “Just like you-the better the attitude, the more outrageous the behavior.”

“…”

Beside them, Li Jingjie had finished applying medicine to his finger. He and Su Hongli hurried to the chessboard, looking at the Heavenly Treasure Weasel on the table, asking, “How is it? How is it? Is Xiao Tian still here?”

Chu Zaishuang watched the Spirit Beast licking its paw, “Seems like nothing happened. Doesn’t look poisoned, but there’s no other effect either.”

Fei Wanghuai saw it unharmed, “What a pity.”

Su Hongli said, “Maybe the medicine was too weak, only one-tenth of a dose, so there’s no reaction?”
The next moment, the Heavenly Treasure Weasel suddenly arched its body, letting out a shrill screech. Its fur bristled, and it anxiously hopped around on the chessboard, nearly kicking over the bamboo jar filled with black and white chess pieces. Its round eyes widened even further, its feet moving faster and faster in short, frantic steps, until it suddenly leapt off the table and dashed out uncontrollably!

“Xiao Tian, don’t run!” Li Jingjie stood up to chase after it. “Let’s talk this out. Don’t just run away from home every time there’s a disagreement!”

Su Hongli was completely confused. “Is it upset? Did we make it run away?”

“Impossible,” Fei Wanghuai, a Charm Clan half-blood who had seen many people command Spirit Beasts, replied, “The Heavenly Treasure Weasel isn’t very intelligent, nor is it a high-level Spirit Beast. It can’t have such complex emotions.”

Xiao Shi exclaimed, [Its target is the bamboo basket behind the tree!]

The Heavenly Treasure Weasel wasn’t running aimlessly-it charged straight toward the hidden bamboo baskets behind the tree, where many books and miscellaneous items were stored. After testing the Elixir, it had become incredibly strong; it bit down on a grass rope and managed to overturn the pile of bamboo baskets, causing their contents to spill out in a noisy mess.

After the crash, books poured out, and various items rolled everywhere. The Heavenly Treasure Weasel picked up something from the chaos-a lustrous jade pendant of fine quality-and brought it back to Li Jingjie.

“Whose jade pendant is this?” Li Jingjie took the pendant, surprised. “Why are there so many bamboo baskets hidden behind the tree?”

Everyone had been sitting at the table, completely unaware that anything was amiss. Who would have thought there was a hidden trove behind the tree?

Chu Zaishuang explained, “I often play chess here, so I keep some odds and ends behind the tree. This jade pendant is for nurturing my energy, a gift from my mother. I’ve heard it’s quite valuable.”

Fei Wanghuai seemed to realize something. “That Elixir must have stimulated its abilities. Now that it’s excited, its treasure-seeking instincts are triggered, so it’s rummaging around for anything valuable.”

The Heavenly Treasure Weasel, spoiled by Li Jingjie and used to a lazy life, had never done anything useful. Now, filled with the Elixir’s spiritual energy, it suddenly became alert and agile, looking well-trained and shedding its usual slothful demeanor.

Li Jingjie nodded in understanding. He returned the jade pendant to Chu Zaishuang and advised, “Xiao Tian, you got it wrong. You found something from one of us. Try looking elsewhere.”

Under the effects of the Elixir, the Heavenly Treasure Weasel bounced around nimbly, leaping into the air and, with lightning speed, darted outside!

“What did you use to make that Elixir?” Fei Wanghuai frowned, suspicious. “It’s faster than any Heavenly Treasure Weasel of the same rank. Is this some kind of Elixir that strengthens Spirit Beasts?”

“It’s not meant for Spirit Beasts,” Su Hongli replied in astonishment. “But even a small dose causes this reaction. If it ate the whole pill, wouldn’t it…”

Seeing the Heavenly Treasure Weasel about to disappear, Li Jingjie hurriedly chased after it, calling, “Wait!”

Su Hongli was about to follow, but suddenly remembered something and stopped, glancing back at the pile of miscellaneous items. “Zaishuang’s bamboo baskets…”

The Heavenly Treasure Weasel had just crashed into the baskets, scattering their contents everywhere, and hadn’t helped clean up at all.

Fei Wanghuai said, “You two go after it. We’ll tidy up here.”

“Alright, I’ll check the effects of the Elixir and report back,” Su Hongli waved to Chu Zaishuang and hurried after the others, afraid the excited Heavenly Treasure Weasel would get away.

Seeing her companions all chasing after it, Chu Zaishuang, curious about the Heavenly Treasure Weasel herself, dashed outside, her voice crisp, “You’re so capable, I’m sure you’re good at cleaning up. If I stay, I’ll just get in the way. I might as well join them…”

“I didn’t leave you here alone, so I’ve already done my duty. Now you want to leave me behind to clean up your mess?” Fei Wanghuai saw through her ploy immediately. He grabbed her as she tried to escape, smiling, “Aren’t these things yours? Shouldn’t you keep an eye on them, so you’re not dissatisfied with how they’re handled?”

He worried she’d be unhappy if left behind, but she seemed quite carefree, eager to leave him with the task.

“Oh, come on! What’s yours and mine? Our relationship doesn’t need words,” Chu Zaishuang thought it was all just junk, nothing valuable, and was more interested in the miraculous Heavenly Treasure Weasel. She blurted out, “I trust you completely, I have no secrets from you. Clean up however you like, I don’t mind at all!”

Fei Wanghuai was taken aback by her quick agreement and let go, no longer insisting.

Her openness caught him off guard.

Seeing him relent, Chu Zaishuang was instantly delighted. She took two steps forward, testing softly, “So I can go? You’ll clean up?”

“Fine, it’s no big deal. I’m not interested in chasing you all over the mountain. Just come back later.”

“Alright, thank you! Then I’ll…”

“Wait.” Fei Wanghuai paused, glancing at the scattered books, hesitating. “I’ll clean up, but I have one question.”

Chu Zaishuang saw his serious expression, blinked, and asked, “What is it?”

Fei Wanghuai’s dark eyes flashed. He covered his face with his fan, his gaze drifting awkwardly to the side, his voice light, “Can I help you tidy up your books? There aren’t any inappropriate things mixed in, are there?”

History must not repeat itself; he couldn’t afford another awkward moment.

“…”

Chu Zaishuang glanced at the messy pile of books, then at his awkward, evasive look. She instantly understood his meaning, her ears burning red as she blurted out, “What are you talking about? I returned those ages ago!”

“Oh-” He shot her a sidelong glance, seemingly incredulous. “So you actually borrowed them on purpose.”

“???”