Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 billion people

Chapter 123 The Pharmacist's Dream
Pharmacy at No. 13 Chenfeng Street.

The moment Yud swallowed the evening tea leaves, the scene before him underwent a dramatic transformation.

He saw himself as a baby, not a wrinkled monkey, but a delicately sculpted little boy.

Instead of being kicked out by his father, he had a warm family and could play with other children his age without being called a monster or having stones thrown at him.

Even his mother was no longer a laundry worker who had to work all day in winter, washing clothes until her hands were raw and eventually died from overwork.

She could sit by the warm fireplace, sipping tea and warming her hands with the fire, chatting with the neighboring women, and complaining about her husband together, living a leisurely life like that.

How wonderful, how blissful!

If only things could stay like this forever.

Yud, now a cute little boy, ran to his mother's side and opened his arms, wanting a long-awaited hug.

The woman bent down and hugged him as she had before, gently stroking his face with her warm hands.

But why are her palms still so rough?

Yude looked at his mother with a puzzled expression, only to see the woman smile slightly and whisper in his ear:
I still think you're cuter the way you are.

"My son."

In an instant, Yud turned back into that skinny little monkey.

He looked at his mother with tears in his eyes, his lips moving but no sound coming out.

Because it was all just a dream.

Just as she had done countless times when he was sad, the woman gently kissed his forehead, then vanished with a tender smile along with the surrounding scenery.

"Are you alright, Yud?"

The black-haired youth asked with concern and took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"My sage, I am fine!"

Despite the tears streaming down his face, Yud's face beamed with the brightest smile he had ever seen.

Although still ugly
“This tea is strange; it seems some unknown force is hindering my gift.” After wiping away his tears, Yud frowned and analyzed.

Gifts are different from abilities; they are bestowed by the world rather than awakened by oneself. Therefore, when one receives a gift, one is already at the highest level without needing to develop it.

For the vast majority of abilities in this world, gifts have a higher priority.

Therefore, this was the first time that Yud had encountered a situation where he was completely unable to analyze the effects of the herbs after receiving the blessing.

"Can't it be analyzed?" Xia Mingyu asked, somewhat disappointed.

"No, it just needs a little time."

Yud quickly shook his head; he didn't want the Sage to think he was useless.

"It should take me at most three days to break through the barrier of that unknown force and analyze the effects of the tea."

Yud thought for a moment and said.

"Thank you for your help. It's urgent. Once you've analyzed it, please come to Red Fox Fortress and let me know immediately."

Xia Mingyu patted Youde on the shoulder and took out two silver sols from his money bag, placing them on the wooden table as his reward.

He then left the potion shop with the bearskin potion.

Red Fox Castle, inside a secret room built of hard stone.

Three boxes sat quietly on the cold, black floor.

Inside were three potions: a cat's tail potion to increase agility and balance, a viper potion to increase explosive power, and a bear skin potion to increase skin defense.

Undoubtedly, consuming these three potions, each with different effects, in one go would bring about a tremendous leap in power. However, every gift of fate comes with a hidden price.

Unlike other professions that require various tedious conditions to advance, hunters can advance rapidly as long as they have enough potions.

But that's assuming the person hasn't gone mad.

Advancing from hunter to hunting master is undoubtedly a huge chasm, even called a "trial of death".

Countless hunters have lost their minds and gone mad while taking three bottles of magic potions in one go to advance in the process, ultimately turning into humanoid beasts who only know how to kill.

"Are you ready, Berg?"

Xia Mingyu looked at the resolute-looking young man in front of him, who had shed his childishness and whose brows revealed a sharp edge, and asked.

“Yes.” Berg nodded heavily.

"Is there anything you wish to leave behind before entering the Trial of Death?"

Upon hearing this, the young man hesitated, and after a long pause, he finally spoke:

"Your Highness, if I haven't left the secret chamber within a week, please come and kill me."

The boy said solemnly.

"You must promise me you will not show any mercy, because no matter the reason, if I lay a hand on you, I will no longer be myself."

Xia Mingyu neither nodded nor shook his head, but simply gave an ambiguous hum.

Even if his companions degenerate into mindless beasts, he would only imprison them temporarily and seek solutions, rather than kill them outright.

After all, getting your comrades' blood on your hands is something you'll regret for the rest of your life.

"Your Highness, if I die, please give all the coins I have saved to Chief Robert. He is too tired."

“Your Highness, please tell Sister Anlia that I may not be a good younger brother, but she is definitely the best older sister. When we were little, I secretly ate that half piece of white bread, which caused her to be beaten. I'm sorry.”

"If you also wish, please grant Anlia the title of concubine in the future. She truly loves you very much; I have never seen such a radiant smile on her face."

After leaving behind a long message that sounded like a will, Berg closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, only an indomitable spirit remained in his brown eyes.

“Your Highness, I will definitely succeed in becoming a master hunter. I will fulfill the vow I made before you and become your fiercest hound.”

Berg knelt on one knee, his expression solemn.

Xia Mingyu remained silent for a moment, then walked over and gently placed his hand on the boy's increasingly broad shoulders.

"I want you to get promoted, not because I want a fiercer hound, but simply because I want you to live."

Xia Mingyu said calmly.

"Because, without companions by your side, you will be very lonely."

He said softly, and after helping the boy up, he left the secret room directly.

He's said everything he needed to say and done everything he could. Now it's up to the other person to decide.

Long after Xia Mingyu left, Berg still stood there, stunned.

The simple word "companion" stirred up a huge wave in his heart.

I am already the happiest servant in the world, but do you want to give me more?

How glorious, how generous, how merciful you are!
Berg felt a fire burning inside him, making him feel hot all over and his heart about to leap out of his chest.

He knew very well that the name of that flame was loyalty!
Without further hesitation, the boy grabbed the cat-tail potion from the first box and drank it down in an instant.

(End of this chapter)