Chapter 164: Chapter 164 - Stolen Cure
Turner Keira leapt to his feet, eyes wide. "Is that true?"
The young assistant nodded vigorously. "Yes! Everyone in Shiglance City’s talking about it! Look, there’s even video evidence!"
He thrust his phone into Turner’s eager hands. On the screen played footage of none other than Mason Raymond creating a medicinal pill. When Turner observed the Blue Spirit Fire dancing between my fingers and the Pill Cloud materializing above, shock transformed his features.
"Get the Ganoderma immediately! Take me to Mason Raymond right away!" Turner demanded, anxiety evident in his voice.
Connecting with an alchemist of such caliber made parting with a mere Ganoderma insignificant. Everyone knew herbs wielded far greater potency in an alchemist’s hands than when used by ordinary martial artists.
Meanwhile, I checked my phone again – eleven o’clock already. My face darkened with displeasure.
"Looks like he’s not coming," I muttered, irritation creeping into my voice. Breaking promises ranked high on my list of annoyances.
"Better get some rest." I stretched lazily, fighting back consecutive yawns.
Just then, the sound of screeching tires came from below. Moments later, I spotted Turner rushing up the stairs, clutching the Ganoderma, which he presented to me with surprising reverence.
"My sincere apologies, Mr. Raymond. Some matters required my attention today, causing my delayed arrival," Turner explained, bowing slightly.
I studied his face carefully. "Was your delay genuine, or were you deliberately testing me?"
Turner’s expression faltered momentarily. He shook his head quickly. "Mr. Raymond, I truly had urgent business to attend to. Otherwise, I would have arrived much earlier."
The words rang hollow, but I chose not to press further. Taking the Ganoderma, I nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Keira."
Turner performed a respectful hand gesture. "I’m merely returning what rightfully belongs to you, Mr. Raymond."
I acknowledged him with a slight nod. Taking the cue, Turner departed swiftly without lingering.
"This Turner Keira certainly understands how to calculate advantage," I mused, examining the Ganoderma with amusement.
"Still... obtaining this Ganoderma makes it worthwhile." My heart quickened as I examined the prized herb.
After securing the Ganoderma safely, I collapsed onto the bed. Exhaustion swept over me like a powerful wave, days of accumulated fatigue finally demanding release. Within moments, I drifted into deep slumber.
——
The following morning, people continued streaming in, desperate for the Curing Pill. Officials and nobles arrived one after another, offering substantial sums to acquire the remedy.
Elder Drake received them courteously, explaining Mason’s conditions to each visitor.
"Mr. Raymond specified that the Curing Pill isn’t for sale. If you want one, you must exchange it with hundred-year medicinal materials," Elder Drake informed them politely.
This news visibly disappointed the visitors. Hundred-year medicinal materials weren’t common commodities—even wealthy individuals struggled to procure them.
Two more days passed with the same pattern: eager seekers arriving daily, but none producing the required exchange items.
By the third day, Mason still hadn’t awakened. Elder Drake glanced toward Mason’s room with growing concern. "Mr. Raymond has been asleep for five consecutive days without stirring. Could something be wrong?"
Worried, Elder Drake tiptoed into the room to check. After confirming Mason still breathed, the elder sighed with relief.
A sudden knock interrupted his thoughts. Hurrying to the door, Elder Drake opened it to find a young man dressed in an expensive suit, exuding wealthy confidence, flanked by two imposing bodyguards.
"I understand you possess a Curing Pill?" The young man dispensed with pleasantries, cutting straight to business.
Elder Drake nodded respectfully. "Yes, but it requires an exchange with hundred-year medicinal materials."
The young man gestured, and one bodyguard immediately presented a box.
"This contains hundred-year-old ginseng. Would this suffice for exchanging with your Curing Pill?" the young man inquired smoothly.
"Certainly, but I must verify it first," Elder Drake replied, accepting the ginseng for inspection.
After a careful examination, Elder Drake’s brow furrowed. Looking up, he addressed the visitor. "Sir, this appears to be ordinary ginseng, not the hundred-year variety you claim."
The young man feigned surprise. "Impossible! I specifically brought hundred-year ginseng!"
"Perhaps someone deceived you?" Elder Drake suggested diplomatically.
A sinister smile crossed the young man’s face. "Or perhaps you switched it? I definitely brought authentic hundred-year ginseng!"
Elder Drake’s expression changed as realization dawned. This visitor clearly intended robbery!
"Don’t make false accusations," Elder Drake said firmly, attempting to return the ginseng.
The young man scoffed. "Who will Mason Raymond believe—you or me? You’re obviously planning to keep the valuable ginseng for yourself, deceive Mason, and blame me!"
Elder Drake’s face flushed with anger. "How dare you make such baseless accusations!"
"Do you think Mason will trust an old nobody like you over me? I’m taking the Curing Pill, and you can explain the situation however you wish," the young man sneered.
With a subtle gesture, his bodyguards pounced, forcing Elder Drake against the table while snatching the precious Curing Pill.
"Mr. Tenny," the bodyguard said, handing the pill to the arrogant young man.
Taking the pill with satisfaction, the young man smirked. "Thank you for your cooperation, old man. How you’ll explain this to Mason is entirely your problem."
Elder Drake clenched his teeth in fury. "When Mr. Raymond awakens, he’ll hold you accountable for this!"
The young man laughed mockingly. "He’ll make me pay? Do you know who I am? I’m Anton Schroeder of the Schroeder Family! If Mason has any sense, he won’t challenge me over one insignificant pill!"
With those parting words, Anton Schroeder departed triumphantly.
Elder Drake’s expression darkened with worry. The Schroeder name was familiar—one of Chuzzle’s most influential families, far more powerful than even the Hill family. He felt utterly helpless.
Another knock sounded at the door. Opening it revealed Blair Blake.
Blair greeted Elder Drake respectfully. "Elder Drake, where might I find Mr. Raymond?"
"Sleeping," Elder Drake replied dejectedly.
Blair noticed the elder’s distress. "Elder Drake, what’s troubling you?"
With a bitter smile, Elder Drake recounted the entire incident.
"Anton Schroeder?" Blair’s forehead creased at the mention of this name.
