Immortal Cage - Chapter 52 Making Money and Obtaining Medicine
On the bustling and lively street, Yu Lie covered his face and set up a fish stall.
Although the Black Serpent Fish was a specialty of Heishui Town and the most common spirit fish, it didn't mean it wasn't popular.
Every time Yu Lie set up a stall, whether he displayed one or two, or three or four, in just a few words, the Black Serpent Fish would be sold out.
He didn't intentionally lower the prices but sold them at the daily market price without any discounts.
However, for Yu Lie, the troublesome part was not selling the fish but relocating after selling out.
He had to move to a new spot after making a sale.
After going through seven stalls, Yu Lie managed to sell most of the Black Serpent Fish he caught at night and exchanged them for copper coins.
Once, he even encountered a landlady selling fake fish bait. To avoid being exposed, he had to immediately move to a new spot, wasting his elaborate disguise.
Fortunately, Heishui Town had a sizable population, and Yu Lie was cautious in his actions. His discreet movements didn't attract attention as he kept changing spots.
Even so, for caution's sake, Yu Lie decided to call it a day.
As soon as the sun rose and the crowd of fish sellers dwindled, he suppressed his thoughts and stopped selling.
After resting for a day, the next night, Yu Lie emerged from his stone house and wandered around Heishui Town, selling his Black Serpent Fish.
After two days of hard work, Yu Lie managed to process all the fish he caught except for the old Black Serpent Fish, earning a substantial profit!
On the street, amidst the noisy chatter, Yu Lie squatted in front of his fishy-smelling stall, took a deep breath, and said, "Finally, it's all done."
Having sold all the fish, he didn't need to hurriedly pack up and move to the next spot.
Yu Lie sat there, looking dazed, watching the passing Daoist disciples on the street.
People hurried by, occasionally glancing at Yu Lie's empty stall. Their faces would show envy or jealousy at the sight.
Observant individuals could tell that Yu Lie had finished selling his goods and made a profit, but they didn't know how much.
As he sat there, Yu Lie realized it was still early in the day, not fully bright yet.
He casually rolled up the oilcloth, tucked it in his hand, closed his stall, and started walking, unsure of what to do next.
Since it was early, the apothecary's shop wasn't open yet, and going back home seemed troublesome as he would have to leave again soon, not worth the trip.
In the past, at this hour, Yu Lie would either be rushing to the academy or hurrying to the street or preparing at home.
After days of coming out at night and resting during the day, he suddenly found himself idle on the street for the first time.
As he strolled, Yu Lie turned to look at the Daoist disciples bustling around him.
He noticed that everyone, including himself, seemed to be constantly in a rush, as if something was chasing them from behind!
However, Yu Lie couldn't help but smile and shake his head inwardly.
It wasn't as if they seemed to be chased by something; there was indeed something pushing them to be busy, restless, and always moving forward or falling behind!
After arriving in Heishui Town, whether it was the progress of cultivation, the pressure of survival, the oppression from others, the three-year deadline... all these factors made people never dare to stop for a moment.
Lost in his thoughts, Yu Lie suddenly saw a teahouse, where steam rose, emitting a tempting aroma of oil.
"Steamed buns!"
The busy shopkeeper kept calling out to passersby, "Freshly baked buns, small and large baskets, we have them all!"
Yu Lie raised his eyebrows slightly, approached the breakfast stall, and was hit by a wave of heat, instantly feeling warmer.
Choosing a corner seat, Yu Lie sat down and called out, "Waiter, a basket of small steamed buns!"
The waiter at the breakfast stall promptly replied, "Sure thing, sir."
Sitting at the stall, Yu Lie, amidst the busy street, began nibbling on the steaming hot buns. Although his face was still pale, he felt warm inside.
While enjoying the buns, Yu Lie's eyebrows suddenly raised as he spotted a familiar face in the neighboring teahouse.
Dressed in Daoist robes with a goatee, the person was leisurely enjoying breakfast and tea.
It was the old head of the Daoist Academy who had given Yu Lie the bronze token for the apothecary.
The old head arrived earlier than Yu Lie, finished his meal, left some coins, and casually mingled into the crowd, probably heading to open the Daoist Academy and start the day.
With Yu Lie still smelling strongly of fish and partially covering his face, he didn't approach the old head as it wasn't suitable to reveal himself. He simply watched the old head leave and didn't greet him.
In a few days, he would have to visit the Daoist Academy in person and catch up with the old head over a cup of tea.
Feeling warmer, Yu Lie left the breakfast stall and headed towards the entrance of the apothecary.
Having finished his breakfast, the apothecary was likely open by now.
Entering the apothecary, most Daoist disciples were already inside, busy with their tasks, leaving only a few welcoming and greeting the guests.
Yu Lie headed towards the side room where he had bought medicine last time.
It was still early, and there weren't many people buying medicine yet. The Daoist selling medicinal herbs in the side room was yawning.
Upon hearing the footsteps crossing the threshold, the Daoist muttered, "You're here early, just as we opened, not letting people sleep a bit longer."
Yu Lie bowed courteously and promptly listed the names of the medicines he needed: "Three pills of Fire Burnt Copper Juice, one packet of Red Lead Medicine, three pairs of Frosted Locusts, one roll of White Iron Skin... and a bottle of Refined Fire Oil!"
The Daoist behind the counter, who was yawning, slightly startled upon hearing the list and said with a bit more alertness, "Oh! This prescription, are you preparing for a ritual, a transformation?"
Yu Lie recognized the slightly familiar words and looked up to see a dried-up head poking out from the counter, grinning at him.
The person behind the counter was the same senior Daoist who had sold him medicine last time.
Unlike the previous encounter, Yu Lie wasn't reserved this time. He respectfully bowed and asked, "Indeed, do you have any other recommended medicines, senior?"
The head bobbed up and down, not recognizing Yu Lie, and shook his head, "No, you've bought quite a variety, not easy, not easy."
"Hehe!" The person chuckled and said, "Then I wish you success in your endeavors and ascension to immortality!"
Afterward, the head handed over the medicines, and Yu Lie accepted them one by one.
Since the variety and quantity of medicines this time were more extensive and expensive than last time, Yu Lie didn't want to attract attention on his way back. He decided to stuff all the medicines into the belly of a blood clam at the entrance of the side room.
This action surprised the Daoist behind the counter, "Oh! A storage blood clam! You're truly a wealthy young man. Remember to visit often."
Yu Lie bowed and replied, "I will," before leaving with a smile, seemingly empty-handed, and headed back towards his home.
As he wandered around, when Yu Lie reached his doorstep, he reached into his sleeves and pulled out a string of something.
This slippery, sausage-like object, with excellent elasticity and a fishy smell, was not quite intestines but emitted a distinct odor.
Instead of entering his home, Yu Lie knocked on the door of his female neighbor.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
After a few knocks, a fragrant breeze suddenly wafted out, and a face adorned with makeup peeked out from behind the door, looking surprised at Yu Lie.
The female neighbor said, "Oh, it's Little Brother Yu." She was about to ask Yu Lie what was going on when she noticed what he was holding in his hands.
Her eyes lit up slightly, "Is that... fish maw?"
Yu Lie nodded and handed it over, "Indeed, it's from the Black Serpent Fish. The landlord made do with it for now, and I'll bring you more next time."
The female neighbor couldn't contain her excitement, accepting the fish maw without any aversion to the fishy smell, "Oh my, how embarrassing."
She glanced coquettishly at Yu Lie, "Thanks to Little Brother Yu, my guests will be delighted."
However, Yu Lie didn't give the fish maw to the female neighbor without reason. He politely said, "There's one more thing I need to trouble the landlord with."
"I'm planning to seclude myself for a while. If any thieves try to break into my house and the landlord sees it, please help chase them away..." Yu Lie explained in detail.
Although the rented stone house was sturdier than the official meditation chambers, he would set up additional defenses to prevent disturbances and adhere to the town's regulations. Having someone look after the place from the outside would provide extra security and prevent interruptions from people like Gao Li.
Moreover, while his female neighbor was in the skin trade, her cultivation level was not low, higher than Yu Lie's, enough to handle most situations. Even if someone tried to cause trouble, she could handle it and at least save face.
The female neighbor looked at Yu Lie in surprise, but after a moment, she smiled and said, "That's fine, but if there are more fish maws in the future, you must bring them back to me."
After dealing with various matters, Yu Lie returned to his courtyard, his face slightly solemn as he entered his house.
The transformation of his copper muscles and iron bones had officially begun.