Late at night, Song Qing, having successfully sent the death row prisoner for reincarnation, walked downstairs with dark circles under his eyes, looking to satisfy his hunger.
As he walked, he pondered: “The grafting technique could work on human bodies, like replacing damaged organs.
“Could it be refined further? Like limb regeneration… hmm, that’s a unique ability of Third-Grade Warriors. If I could unlock its secrets through alchemy, it would shock the world.
“Li Ning Yan said bio-alchemy should focus on the microscopic… but the human eye can’t see such tiny particles… I’ve got it, I could create something like a telescope.”
Telescopes already existed; after the discovery of glass, concave and convex lenses were quickly developed. They were widely used in the military, typically issued to common soldiers.
Elite scouts rarely used them since after reaching the Qi Condensation Realm, warriors’ eyesight improved dramatically. The stronger one’s cultivation, the sharper their senses became, making telescopes somewhat redundant.
“What’s that fragrance?” Song Qing sniffed the air.
Following the aroma downstairs to the kitchen, he found Chu Caiwei directing several white-robed attendants, with something simmering in the pot.
“Oh, chicken soup? How thoughtful of you, Junior Sister Caiwei,” Song Qing’s mood lifted at the sight of chicken stewing on the small stove.
“Shoo, shoo!” Chu Caiwei chided him. “This is the alchemy technique Li Ning Yan taught me. If successful, it could spread delicious flavors across the world.”
After listening to Chu Caiwei explain the principles of chicken essence and flavor enhancers, Song Qing mused thoughtfully, “Li Ning Yan is truly remarkable.”
Indeed, this too was alchemy.
Extracting essence from herbs to create pills, refining steel from ore to forge weapons, and now, extracting umami from mushrooms to make flavor enhancers.
It aligned with the knowledge he had shared during his lectures.
Alchemy encompassed many fields, with its core principle being the extraction of the invisible.
“I haven’t figured out his flavor enhancer yet, since he only explained the basic principle of extracting it from grains without detailing the process,” Chu Caiwei said.
“Senior Brother will help you,” Song Qing patted Chu Caiwei’s head.
The renovation of the new residence was completed two days ahead of schedule. Li Ning Yan took leave from the yamen to help Second Uncle and his wife move.
Second Aunt, wearing a deep cyan silk robe with a matching outer jacket, stood with one hand on her hip and the other waving a handkerchief, commanding the servants to move things like a general leading troops.
Such a pose would appear uncouth and disagreeable if struck by an ordinary-looking woman. However, on a thirty-six-year-old madam who maintained the appearance of someone barely in her thirties, with delicate features and a graceful figure, it became a stunning sight.
Li Ning Yan wondered if the beautiful young lady beside him, with her clear features and perfectly structured face, would possess the same charm as her mother in twenty years.
Perhaps even surpass it.
Ah, Ling Yue is of marriageable age now. Wonder which lucky fellow will get to marry such a beautiful girl… Li Ning Yan sighed at how quickly his sister had grown up, then continued helping Second Uncle with the moving.
Having hired enough carriages, they finished moving everything in just two trips. Second Aunt planned to buy some miscellaneous items in the inner city, taking the opportunity to replace old things.
Though Li Ning Yan bought the residence, the main eastern building was given to the Second Uncle and Second Aunt as they were the elders.
During room allocation, the usually gentle Ling Yue had a rare argument with Second Aunt.
The three-sectioned mansion was spacious, but the core inner courtyard had limited rooms, as the guest rooms and servants’ quarters weren’t suitable for the family.
According to the Second Aunt’s arrangement, the connected rooms in the western wing would be Li Ning Yan’s, considering he would marry in the future.
But Ling Yue insisted on staying there too, wanting to live next to her elder brother.
Second Aunt scolded her, saying it was shameful for a grown lady to live so close to her brother.
Ling Yue suddenly became agitated, arguing loudly with her mother.
In the end, she got to stay in the western wing, but Second Aunt arranged Second Young Master’s room there as well. She discussed with Li Ning Yan that after he married, Ling Yue and the Second Young Master would move to the northern building.
Li Ning Yan was somewhat reluctant, as living so close meant his sister would notice when he spent nights at the courtesans’ quarter. She would surely complain then.
Little Ling Yin was arranged to stay in her uncle and aunt’s rooms. Children tend to be particular about their beds and environment, and the Second Aunt worried the young girl might have nightmares.
The eastern wing was particularly spacious anyway, with three connected rooms.
Li Ning Yan quickly set up his room, as his original courtyard had few decorations and didn’t need much embellishment.
He walked out to enjoy the sunshine and saw Ling Yin crouching alone by the well, her small face pale with fear, yet forcing herself not to run away.
“What are you doing?” Li Ning Yan asked.
“Elder Brother…” Seeing her powerful elder brother approach, Ling Yin felt relieved and pointed fearfully at the well, “This place is haunted.”
“So why are you crouching by the well?” Li Ning Yan couldn’t understand.
If she knew it was haunted, shouldn’t she stay far away? Why crouch beside the well, scared yet persisting?
“Sister said ghosts especially love eating children,” Ling Yin furrowed her little brows.
“And?”
She suddenly became secretive, running over and whispering, “I’m trying to lure it out, shh… don’t let it hear.”
“???”
Li Ning Yan stared at her in bewilderment for a while before giving her a thumbs up: “A true connoisseur is a hero.”
Everyone has dreams, and young Ling Yin had found hers: nothing in this world is inedible, it’s just a matter of whether she wants to eat it or not.
Willing to use herself as bait for good food… this determination and perseverance made her a genius in a way.
“Keep at it then. When you lure the ghost out, Elder Brother will make it into something delicious for you,” Li Ning Yan patted her head.
“Mm!” Ling Yin nodded excitedly despite her fear.