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Chapter 1077: The Dark Market of White City

The walls of Minas Tirith shone like mother-of-pearl in the twilight, and the torches that lit up the seven-story gates were like stars falling into the world. Zhao Wuji stood at the door of the infirmary on the lowest floor, watching the wounded soldiers being brought in on stretchers. The army of the dead led by Aragorn had just lifted the siege of the pirates, but the shadow of war still loomed over the White City.

“Hemostats.”

A bloody hand stretched out in front of him. Zhao Wuji handed over the tool silently, and at the same time noticed the silver key swinging on the doctor's waist - it was the key to the medicine storage room, and according to his memory, three Rohan reinforcements would arrive before dawn tomorrow, bringing the most serious shortage of medicine.

The system projected a light blue prompt in the corner of his vision: [Action range: reserve non-strategic materials]

The storage room at midnight was filled with the bitter smell of mint and nightshade. Zhao Wuji sorted the items quickly in the dim light of the oil lamp:

Stock up first: Willow bark for fever relief, witch hazel for excellent hemostasis (sold out in three hours)

Moderate collection: Fennel seeds for treating gastrointestinal discomfort (demand is stable in the next five days)

Completely avoid: Ashira, a cure for dark magic (Aragorn will use it himself)

As he hid the seventh bag of willow bark in the lining of his cloak, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

“Who’s there?”

Faramir's voice. Zhao Wuji quickly extinguished the oil lamp, but knocked over the copper scale.

The moment the sword was pressed against his throat, he blurted out: "I'm here to replenish the tourniquets that the Rohan cavalry needs!"

In the moonlight, he could clearly see the tired face of the Archon of White City - his eyes were bloodshot, but the tip of his sword was as steady as a rock.

"The men of Rohirrim use horsehair to stop bleeding," Faramir said coldly, "and you hold willow bark in your hands."

A drop of cold sweat slid down the back of Zhao Wuji's neck.

Unexpectedly, Faramir drew back his sword. "You hoard herbs instead of bidding on the black market." He picked up a packet of witch hazel. "Why?"

Zhao Wuji looked at the flashing "Warning" on the system interface and answered cautiously: "The war will last longer and more people will need these."

These words touched something, and Faramir sat down suddenly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the chess piece hanging at his waist - a castle with a missing corner.

“Can you play chess?”

For the next three hours, they played chess at a small table in the storage room. Zhao Wuji deliberately lost the first two games, and when he narrowly won the third game, Faramir smiled for the first time since the start of the war.

"Starting tomorrow," the Archon threw the key to him, "you will be responsible for dispensing medicine for the wounded in the west district."

The moment the key fell into my palm, the system prompted: [Obtain temporary authority: Level 2 medical supplies]

On the seventh day of the most brutal siege, Zhao Wuji recorded the following while dispensing medicine:

The night before the Battle of Pelanno Fields: Save 12 bottles of wine (the price will increase fivefold after the battle)

At the breach in the wall: Pick up a dagger sheath inlaid with gems (belonging to a fallen Harad noble)

The most important discovery: the fragment of Faramir's chess book (recording the lost opening of the Gondor royal family)

When the horn of the Pelennor finally sounded, he stood on the battlements of the sixth wall and watched the black sails on the Anduin River turn into a sea of ​​fire. In the morning light, Aragorn's figure holding the holy sword high was like a reappearance of the myth.

Zhao Wuji touched the newly acquired parchment in his arms - on it was the map of the secret passages in the White City that Faramir had drawn last night after getting drunk. These paths, which were not mentioned in the original book, would become the key for him to explore the treasure house of Gondor.

The goal of 100,000 gold coins has now been completed more than halfway. And as the coronation of the emperor approaches, every brick and stone in the White City is nurturing new opportunities.