Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 103 Alchemy, The King of Hell's Account
She realized that Chen Shunan did not feel alienated or distant because of her identity.

A smile appeared on Jinzhen Li's face.

"You are the son-in-law of the Zhang family, a genuine local tyrant in Wuqing County, and your background is quite impressive."

"Alright, you know my situation. It's like a virgin boy or girl jumping into a river—the person falls but the dignity remains, all that's left is a respectable face."

Chen Shunan chuckled self-deprecatingly, then pointed at the Eight Treasures Mercury and said,

"You bought this to refine pills?"

"of course."

Jinzhen Li instructed a young apprentice to open the sluice gate and release the mercury, allowing the Eight Treasures Mercury in the pool to slowly flow into the alchemy furnace, saying...

"The Five-Treasure Immortal Water is a specialty of the wells in the capital region. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty and spirits, and you can't find these things anywhere else."

This Eight Treasures Mercury is one of the basic ingredients for many secret medicines, such as the 'Celestial Immortal Blood Loss Pill,' and many other powerful and dangerous medicines require it to be blended.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shunan suddenly realized what was going on.

Shuiwozi delivered drinking water to the people during the day and used it to supply medicine shops for alchemy at night.

The four essentials of martial arts are "nourishment, training, eating, and sleeping," and Shuiwozi indirectly mastered the "nourishment" aspect.

This is probably the real reason why Shuiwozi became one of the four most powerful places in the capital.

Chen Shunan squinted and pointed at the tortoise and deer demons not far away,
"Those two demons...could they also be ingredients for alchemy?"

"of course."

Jinzhen Li calmly said, "Everything in the world can be used as medicine, so what if it's a demon? Besides..."

At this point, Jinzhen Li gave a strange smile.

"Didn't you already consume the pills refined by those two demons?"

Chen Shunan was surprised: "I've eaten it?"

"Of course, it's the potent medicine, the Turtle and Deer Two Immortals Ointment."

The two stood before the alchemy furnace. Chen Shun'an watched as a physician took some fresh blood from the deer demon, added some medicinal powder, and then put it into the alchemy chamber.

The deer demon seemed to have accepted its fate, remaining motionless as the physician bled it out.

Upon seeing this, Chen Shunan's heart stirred slightly, and suddenly he could clearly see a few more aspects of the Holy Dynasty.

It turns out that the strange and supernatural things that people talk about over tea and after meals are not far away.

It has even quietly permeated every aspect of the Holy Dynasty.

Because of the need to "maintain stability," ordinary people are unaware of this, and even ordinary martial artists are not aware of the inside story.

He practiced martial arts learned from observing birds and beasts, and consumed elixirs refined from obtaining demon treasures.

As Chen Shunan thought of this, he vaguely grasped something, and his eyes flickered between light and shadow.

Chen Shunan asked, "Can all demons be used in medicine? Including the weasel and snake demon we encountered on our way here?"

"Not really."

Jinzhen Li shook his head and said, "Although there are many kinds of demons, they can be divided into two types: those that are gathered in form and those that are scattered in form. Those that are gathered in form still have their bodies after death, and their bodies can be used as medicine; those that are scattered in form turn their bodies into a pool of blood after death, and their bodies cannot be used as medicine."

Generally speaking, demons with scattered forms are far stronger than demons with concentrated forms. Some of them can even speak human language and learn human martial arts.

As for the reasons behind it, no one knows. Perhaps only those immortals who caught a fleeting glimpse and roamed the mortal world would know.

The form is scattered.

Form cluster.

Chen Shunan pondered for a moment.

Why are there such distinctions between demons and monsters?
As the two were talking, the top-notch expert with the square nose and big ears hurriedly came over and whispered a few words in Jinzhen Li's ear.

Jinzhen Li remained expressionless and looked towards the outside of the alchemy room.

Chen Shunan followed the gaze and turned his head, and saw a large group of fierce-looking martial artists dressed in uniform black jackets, belted black boots, carrying or lifting patients in.

The patients had varying injuries; some were covered in coal dust and missing limbs; others were soaking wet and had swollen abdomens.

Chen Shunan asked in confusion, "This is..."

Jinzhen Li put down the large knife he was using to cut herbs and said, "It's from Guanghui Money House. Those injured people are all creditors who couldn't repay their debts and were forced to go into the mountains to mine coal or go into the water to dig for pearls."

Chen Shunan frowned and said, "Ha, the money house is so kind as to spend a lot of money to bring them here specifically for medical treatment?"

Jinzhenli washed her hands and dried them with a towel.

Upon hearing this, he said with a half-smile,

"Zhao Guanghui of Guanghui Money Shop is kind-hearted and can't stand to lose even a single copper coin. These creditors, leaning on crutches and enduring the pain, would enter the pharmacy lying down, and then leave the pharmacy full of energy... Then they would act as bait and suicide soldiers, going up the mountain to hunt demons and down the sea to catch monsters."

Chen Shunan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly realized where the demons used for alchemy and medicine making in this large pharmacy came from.

At this moment, even the image of Jinzhen Li in his mind became more complex and three-dimensional.

As Jinzhen Li spoke, he walked out.

"The poor take medicine, the rich pay back debts, and the desperate risk their lives. Old Chen, I'll give you a piece of advice: don't touch microloans, and don't get involved with the King of Hell!"

……

Everyone will spend the night at the pharmacy.

According to the rules, the water deliveryman, Shui San'er, should not stay overnight at the customer's house, as it would be considered a disturbance.

However, since we encountered a powerful demon while delivering water tonight, and it was already late, returning rashly might lead to an accident.

Secondly, Jinzhen Li and Chen Shunan were acquaintances, and Jinzhen Li warmly invited Chen Shunan to stay.

Lin Shouzhou then made the decision: they would stay at the pharmacy tonight and set off back to the county at 2:45 AM tomorrow!
The shop's helpers prepared a table of food and drinks for Chen Shunan and the others, and tidied up the bedding and prepared a guest room.

After a hearty meal, everyone went to fetch water to wash up, without further ado. As soon as Chen Shunan and the others returned to their rooms, they saw a fair-skinned man standing in the corridor.

He wore a silk trousers and jacket, tailored to fit perfectly, and a gleaming gold pocket watch chain hung on his chest.

Upon seeing Lin Shouzhou, the man glanced at Chen Shunan again without revealing his expression, and said with a smile,

"I heard that you gentlemen are Zhao Guangxi, skilled men under Master Zhao. I am Huo Ning, a runner from Guanghui Money Shop. I heard that you are staying at the pharmacy, so I came to inquire."

"Street runners" were the people from the money shop who were responsible for soliciting deposit and loan business, and for investigating the credit and assets of potential customers. They were active in the streets all day long, had extensive connections and were well-informed, and were considered the eyes and ears of the money shop.

After saying that, Huo Ning handed over some blank bills, stamped and stamped with the seal of Guanghui Money Shop.

Huo Ning said, “If any of you gentlemen are short of money, Guanghui Money Shop is willing to help you generously. Based on your credit, you can withdraw any amount of silver under one thousand taels at any time with this note, without any deductions. The monthly interest rate is two percent. We are honest and fair to all, young and old. Consider it making friends.”

Lin Shouzhou didn't even glance at the receipts handed to him. He snorted coldly, ignored them, and went straight back into his house.

Huo Ning's smile remained unchanged as he walked over to Chen Shunan and the others.

"Internal and external deductions" means that when borrowing money at exorbitant interest rates (usurious loans), the profit or loss is deducted first, and then the interest is deducted.

For example, if you borrow 100 taels of silver, you would usually only receive 95% of that amount, and after deducting the interest for the month, which is either 8% or 1%, you would only receive a little over 70 taels.

Guanghui Money Shop was a private money shop, which was considered a private lender. Its interest rate was usually around 5% or 6%, which was a huge difference from the interest rate of around 3% charged by the official money shops of the Holy Dynasty.

Therefore, the conditions offered by Huo Ning are indeed quite fair.

Some accepted, some refused.

Chen Shunan hesitated for a moment, then accepted it.

I'm really ashamed lately, I'm short of money, and I'm almost out of rice to eat.

After doing all this, Huo Ning didn't linger or say anything more. He smiled and nodded to everyone, bowed a few steps back, and then turned and strode away.

Sun Xiao entered the house and gulped down a whole cup of herbal tea from the table.

Then he shook his head and chuckled softly.
"It's rare to see the two brothers from the Zhao family, who were once close friends, fall into such a state."

Someone chimed in, "Who says otherwise? Even broken bones are still connected by tendons. These two would rather scatter each other's ashes!"

Lin Shouzhou, who was in the inner room, spoke in a cold voice.

"Stop gossiping about the master's business! If you can't sleep, go outside and practice your martial arts!"

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled sheepishly and said nothing more.

The owner behind Guanghui Money Shop, Zhao Guanghui, was Zhao Guangxi's half-brother.

The kind that turns into bitter enmity.

Zhao's father was a loan shark, and knew several fallen clansmen who preyed on the people of Shun. He was a powerful and influential man, and even in Tongzhou City, he was considered a prominent figure.

However, it seems that Zhao's father did not treat his sons equally, and a rift developed between the two brothers, Zhao Guangxi and Zhao Guanghui, leading to a drama of filial piety and a struggle for the crown prince position.

It angered Zhao's father to death and ruined the family business.

Zhao Guanghui was the eldest son, so he took over the family's money shop and pawnshop.

Zhao Guangxi was the second son and only received some worthless warehouses and remote shops.

Finally, he made a tough decision and sold them all to raise money, starting from scratch and eventually becoming the owner of Shuiwozi in Wuqing County.

A few years ago, Zhao Guanghui spent money to buy a job, and forcibly created a radish pit, thus becoming the owner of the Wuqing County Water Hole.

These two brothers ended up in the same business again; they were both owners of water stalls.

So there's no need to say more; the two are more like enemies than sworn enemies. They constantly engage in open and covert struggles, wishing they could drink each other's blood and devour each other's flesh.

Even the subordinates of both sides showed signs of never speaking to each other again. They would not go to your money exchange or pawnshop, and you should not come to my door, just to avoid suspicion and avoid accidentally offending their boss.

Lin Shouzhou slept fully clothed, sleeping alone in his own bed.

Sun Xiao and a few others squeezed onto the large communal sleeping area outside, chatting casually.

Chen Shunan glanced at the sky, then suddenly stood up, put on his coat, slung a short sword over his waist, and took a lantern and torch with him.

Seeing Chen Shunan's appearance, Sun Xiao casually asked,

"Old Chen, where are you going?"

Chen Shunan said, "I just happened to be in Banno Tsuto, and I can't sleep tonight either, so I'll take a look at the fish market and see if there are any fishing boats returning early so I can pick up some fresh catch."

"Okay, be careful and don't wander off."

"Yeah, I know. Brothers, get some sleep."

Chen Shunan then informed Lin Shouzhou, who was facing away from him, and Lin Shouzhou grunted in acknowledgment.

After Chen Shunan left, Lin Shouzhou turned around and squinted at the window.

Outside the window was a grove of pine trees, lush and green, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Lin Shouzhou, perhaps preoccupied with something on his mind, had his brows furrowing slightly, sometimes furrowing, sometimes relaxing.

He was craving a cigarette, so he got up, grabbed a pipe from the table, stuffed a few wisps of smoke into it, and started puffing away frantically.

"Where on earth did this powerful demon come from...?"

A hint of doubt flashed across Lin Shouzhuo's eyes.

In the outer room, Cheng Bin lay on the bed, and by the moonlight, he repeatedly stroked the blank receipt with his hand before carefully putting it away.

"Perhaps, with this thousand taels, I can marry Xiaoman?"

As Cheng Bin silently pondered this, he suddenly felt a rush of blood to his head, his heart pounded, and he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

His lame leg started itching again.

(End of this chapter)