Morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains.
Lu Yuan opened his eyes, and greyish-white text emerged at the edge of his vision:
【Sanity: 94/120 (Total)】
He hadn't consumed much last night, and with the natural recovery combined with the additional effects of the perfect-quality potion, it was already approaching the maximum value.
Lu Yuan sat up and remained still on the edge of the bed for a few seconds.
There was a mission today, so he needed to move a bit faster.
When he went downstairs, Laurina was already at the workbench. The crucible before her was heating over a low flame, the liquid inside releasing tiny bubbles.
Her routine was even more regular than Lu Yuan's; she began researching alchemical potions as soon as dawn broke.
"Morning."
Laurina didn't even look up, merely offering a soft "Mm" before seeming to remember something.
"Your mission for today has been canceled. The notice came early this morning, so I didn't wake you."
"Oh? Alright."
After a quick wash at the sink, Lu Yuan realized that the Nightwatchers had likely deployed enough personnel this time.
However, the substantive evidence Claude wanted would likely not be found at all.
After all, the strength of the person who had acted was truly terrifyingly high.
Pulling his thoughts back, his gaze swept over the items on the table.
The wooden boxes were still there.
He had signed for them from the branch yesterday afternoon but hadn't had the time to unpack them.
The matters regarding the meeting had occupied too much of his mind, and after returning, he had practiced Guard for a while, so the boxes had been left until today.
Lu Yuan walked over, untied the thick rope, and lifted the lid.
The contents inside were wrapped in a piece of old cotton cloth.
Opening the cloth, the first thing he saw were several strips of dried meat. They were deep red, neatly cut, and preserved using a pickling method unique to the desert.
Pressed beneath the meat were several ore specimens, each about the size of a fist, with fine crystalline patterns on the surface.
Further down were three small packages wrapped in oil paper.
Lu Yuan unwrapped one, and the scent of dry medicinal herbs wafted out.
Desert sage.
The color was greyish-green, and the leaves were dry but intact; the quality was quite good.
A small ceramic bottle was also tucked into the corner, its opening sealed tight with wax.
Lu Yuan picked it up and gave it a shake. There was liquid inside, and a slip of paper was pasted on the bottle with Herman's handwriting: "Refined sandworm oil, use with care."
There were also two letters at the bottom of the box.
One was thicker, contained in rough kraft paper. The other was much thinner, with crooked writing on the envelope.
Lu Yuan opened the thicker one first.
Herman's handwriting was rugged, but every stroke was written with great care.
"Mr. Lu Yuan:
Our parting last time was hurried, and I didn't get the chance to say much.
These items aren't much, just a small token of my appreciation. The sage was freshly picked this year and the quality is decent; you should be able to use it since you know how to refine medicine. The ores were dug up last month from the eastern dunes; they should have some value. I've sent some dried meat for you to taste; it's made the same way as what you ate in town.
There is also a small amount of refined sandworm oil, which might be of use to you.
The town has stabilized now. The Empire sent two Nightwatchers to be stationed here. Although there are many more rules, it is indeed safer. The contaminated sandworms are nowhere to be seen now, and a new defensive line has been built.
After you left, a few more infected people fell ill. Fortunately, it was discovered early and handled according to the method you taught us, so no lives were lost. When people in town mention you now, they all say they owe you their lives.
I'm a businessman, and I don't know how to say pretty words. But I will remember this favor. If you ever need help from Sandworm Town in the future, just ask.
By the way, after that incident, I searched the town and found some interesting things. I didn't hand them over, but I can't figure out what they are either, so I've left them in the warehouse for now. If you're interested, take a look the next time you visit.
Bronze City seems restless lately; take care of yourself.
—Herman"
After Lu Yuan finished reading, he folded the letter.
Herman. The old merchant who had picked him up in the desert back then. Throughout the journey, he had kept a cigarette holder in his mouth and calculated sharply, yet he hadn't abandoned him at the critical moment.
After the mayor died, he had taken over the entirety of Sandworm Town. The pathfinders had also recognized his position before they left.
The letter said the town had stabilized.
That was good.
Lu Yuan set the letter aside and opened the second one.
The thin envelope contained only a single sheet of paper.
The handwriting was large and crooked, with several words clearly written incorrectly, crossed out, and rewritten.
"Lu Yuan:
When are you coming back?
I'm going out with the hunting team now. Old Fane says I'm fast but my brain doesn't work well, so he wants me to practice more. I think he's wrong; my brain works just fine.
I play the bone flute every day. Grandpa says I play much better than before, but I still think you learn faster. You could play a complete tune after only practicing for two days, while it took me several months.
There's no one to practice with me since you left. Grandpa doesn't have much time to teach me, and the others in town aren't interested.
By the way, I know how to use ropes to lasso sand rats now. I'll teach you when you come. I haven't forgotten the things you taught me last time either.
Are you still looking at that score manual? There are a few difficult ones in there that I still can't play. If you learn them, come back and play them for me.
—Little Karl"
After Lu Yuan finished reading, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
It was very subtle, almost imperceptible.
This kid.
Back then in the courtyard, he had corrected Lu Yuan's fingering with such a serious expression. He was clearly only twelve or thirteen, yet he had a proper air about him when teaching.
Lu Yuan put both letters away and tucked them into his inner pocket.
He tore off a piece of dried meat and chewed on it; it was still the taste of Sandworm Town.
Salty, hard, and carrying the unique spiciness of desert spices.
He placed the three packages of desert sage and the ceramic bottle on the workbench.
Laurina, sensing the arrival of new materials from across the table, unwrapped one package of oil paper, pinched a leaf, and brought it to her nose to sniff.
"Desert sage." There was a hint of interest in her tone. "Dried... the quality is good. This stuff is hard to buy in Bronze City."
She looked through the other two packages.
"It's enough to make seven or eight batches of basic sedatives. If paired with silver leaf powder, we could even try a modified version of the Sanity recovery potion."
Speaking of this, her gaze fell upon the small ceramic bottle.
She picked it up, scraped away the wax seal, and leaned in to sniff the opening.
Her movements suddenly froze.
"Is this sandworm oil?"
"Refined," Lu Yuan said.
Laurina looked up, the light in her eyes different than before.
"Refined sandworm oil," she repeated, her tone carrying something Lu Yuan rarely heard from her—surprise. "I've only ever seen this in literature. You can't buy it in Bronze City at all."
She carefully pressed the wax seal back into place and set the ceramic bottle at the very back of the workbench, against the wall.
"Sandworm oil itself has the property of dispersing pollution. Once refined, it can serve as a base solvent for high-level potions or be used directly as medicine."
She glanced at Lu Yuan.
"Where exactly is that desert town you mentioned? How have I never heard of it before?"
"It's just a remote town," Lu Yuan said, looking at the materials before him. "They rely on hunting sandworms. It should be incorporated into the imperial territory now."
Laurina didn't press further, rewrapping the sage and placing it on the third shelf of the medicinal cabinet.
Rate on N.U.
