NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: A Loan of Promise
"Though my cultivation speed has been impressive, I am already seventeen years old, and my cultivation is still stuck at the fifth level. While breaking through to the sixth level by next year isn't a problem, it still feels unsatisfactory. If only..." The effects of the Juqiqi Dan left Yang Hao Xuan somewhat restless.
In games, levels below 10 are for beginners, running quests, and it is only at level 10 that life skills like alchemy become available. What if he used the Juqiqi Dan to reach level 10 and then returned the favor by refining even more pills? It would be a win-win situation. So, Yang Hao Xuan thought of going to his father to borrow some Juqiqi Dan, promising to return double the amount later.
The formula and crafting method for the Juqiqi Dan were readily available, and just a quick glance at the attributes would give him all the information he needed.
Lost in thought, Yang Hao Xuan's movements during dinner slowed down. Then, he suddenly put down his bowl and quickly made his way toward Yang Batian's room.
Left behind, the maid looked confused for a moment but was soon cheered up by the full table of food and began happily picking up her chopsticks.
...
"Haoxuan! You mean you need ten Juqiqi Dan?" Yang Batian looked at his son, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"Father, don't worry! I'm only borrowing them. Once I break through to the sixth level of martial cultivation, I'll definitely return them!" Yang Hao Xuan said quickly.
Sighing, Yang Batian waved his hand dismissively. "It's not that I'm unwilling... Well, you're my son, so don't say ten Juqiqi Dan, I'll get you a hundred if you need them!"
Yang Hao Xuan smiled lightly, a warm look in his eyes.
Then, following Yang Batian, they made their way to the Yang family's pharmacy. As they walked, Yang Batian explained, "Pills are extremely valuable and closely tied to the family's interests. Usually, Juqiqi Dan are reserved for those undergoing adult trials or family disciples who've made notable contributions. For someone like you, still in training, the effect of the pills is limited. So, you'll only be able to get them after practical trials or significant contributions. If I go and ask for ten right now, the Elder in charge of the pharmacy is bound to be upset."
With that, Yang Batian sighed again, glancing at the somewhat run-down wooden building in front of them. He nodded toward Yang Hao Xuan and led him inside.
Yang Hao Xuan followed behind, noticing that the door was slightly ajar. The room inside was pitch black, and when Yang Batian opened it, a modest and nearly empty room appeared before them. The only notable feature was the distinct smell of medicinal herbs lingering in the air.
"This is our pharmacy?" Yang Hao Xuan looked around in confusion. The room seemed almost barren, apart from the pervasive scent of herbs.
"Quiet!" Yang Batian hushed him, his tone turning serious. "The Elder may be a second-grade alchemist, but someone of his rank is rare on the Tianhe Continent. Even I, as the clan leader, can't afford to offend him. The Elder usually distributes pills in the middle of the month, as rewards for the disciples who've done well. Since it's the end of the month now, there's not much available."
Yang Hao Xuan nodded, feeling curious about the profession of alchemist. Just as he was about to speak, slow footsteps sounded from upstairs. As a pair of feet appeared, an old, disheveled man gradually came into view. He looked frail and decrepit, as if the years had taken a heavy toll.
Immediately, Yang Hao Xuan used his ability to check the Elder's attributes. A string of data appeared:
Name: Yao Wuming
Level: 2nd Grade
New World Special Profession Level: 2nd Grade
Profession: Alchemist
HP: 674/674
Mana: 2547/2547
Strength: 19
Intelligence: 65
Spirit: 3121
Agility: 15
Profession Skills: None
Life Skills: Alchemy
The surprising part was the high mana and spirit, which likely formed the core attributes of an alchemist. Yang Hao Xuan couldn't help but wonder about the spirit attribute. In the game, spirit was typically used to boost mana but was almost useless. Here, though, it seemed to have an entirely different significance.
"Cough, cough!" The old man's hoarse voice rang out. "What brings Clan Leader here today?" He barely glanced at Yang Hao Xuan before proceeding to adjust his robes, though the action seemed half-hearted.
In that moment, Yang Hao Xuan felt as if he were naked, exposed under the Elder's gaze.
"Elder Yao, I came to ask for ten Juqiqi Dan for my son," Yang Batian said seriously.
"Oh?" Elder Yao's eyelids drooped as he coldly replied, "Clan Leader Yang, I believe you are well aware of the clan's rules. Disciples must prove their worth to the family before they can receive pills. Requests are approved by the Elder of Punishment. What achievements does Yang Haoxuan have to warrant such a request?"
Yang Batian was immediately put on the spot. Elder Yao had been with the Yang family for three generations, and his seniority was higher than even Yang Batian's. He didn't have much to say in response to a refusal, but as his son stood behind him, he was preparing to flatter the Elder.
But Yang Hao Xuan, standing at the back, wasn't nervous. Calmly, he stepped forward and spoke with a slight smile, "Elder Yao, I'm not asking for a gift—I'm borrowing the pills."
"Borrowing?" Elder Yao's laughter was a harsh, dry sound. "Borrow? If you already have a source of pills, why come to me for them?"
"Well, that's a secret!" Yang Hao Xuan grinned. "But, if you lend me ten pills, I'll return one hundred. How about it?"
"Oh?!"
"Haoxuan!" Both Yang Batian and Elder Yao spoke in surprise. Yang Batian quickly scolded, "Yang Hao Xuan! What are you doing? Even if you urgently need the pills, I can auction them for you. You can't just go around asking like this. People will talk!"
His expectations of his son began to waver.
After all, Juqiqi Dan were no mere trinkets. One pill was the equivalent of ten years of a common family's savings. Even the Yang family would find it impossible to collect a hundred pills in a short time.
Yang Hao Xuan's blunt request stunned everyone.
"Trust me, Father!" Yang Hao Xuan said confidently. He didn't explain further, but his belief in himself was evident. Juqiqi Dan were first-grade pills, and once he broke through to level 10, he could learn alchemy and refine his own pills. In the game, crafting alchemy was easy, and once he gathered the materials, producing a hundred pills wouldn't be a problem.
Unlike regular alchemists, whose mental energy limited their ability to craft pills, Yang Hao Xuan didn't rely on mental strength but on the special functions in his mind. Once he learned the craft, he wouldn't need to worry about energy. Mana, on the other hand, was easily replenished.
Yang Batian looked at his son with a new sense of trust. There was seriousness and confidence in his son's eyes, and he couldn't help but believe him.
Elder Yao, too, seemed intrigued by the proposition. "Well, in that case, I see no reason to refuse. But this still requires the approval of the Elder of Punishment."
With those words, Elder Yao motioned for Yang Batian to summon the clan's elders. Within moments, the elders had gathered. This was no small matter—one disciple asking to borrow ten Juqiqi Dan? And this disciple was none other than the clan leader's son.
The idea of using power for personal gain quickly spread among the elders' thoughts. They knew that such pills were incredibly valuable, and they couldn't simply give them away.
However, their skepticism was soon quelled when they heard the terms of Yang Hao Xuan's "loan"—ten pills for one hundred.
What kind of deal was this? Could this be some sort of trick?
Many of the elders began to suspect something was amiss.