Published at 4th of December 2025 8:28 am

Chapter 1319: Better Alternative

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Adam’s lips twitched.

I knew he was related to the Tsuitsui Clan, but I didn’t expect him to be the previous Patriarch, he thought to himself in surprise.

Why is a man like that running an apothecary in the first place? What a strange old man...

"So, did you speak with my Father?" Dokuto asked with an amused smirk.

"Auhh!" Adam nodded, then he gestured to his body.

Standing beside him, Goro translated, "Father, he says Grandfather has performed a diagnosis about his injuries."

Dokuto frowned ever so slightly. "How can you understand him?"

"Heh." Goro rubbed his nose. "It’s because I’m the smartest man in Yen-Lu."

Dokuto’s lips twitched. He found this quite hilarious, actually, and wanted to laugh. But in front of a visitor like Adam, he had to maintain the facade of a cold, aloof figure of authority.

He shifted his attention back to Adam, then continued in a dignified voice. "Ao, I’ve heard about your martial skills. The fact that you were able to fight my son to a draw means that you are a splendid Magus."

"Auhh-auhh!" Adam nodded.

Dokuto’s eye twitched.

This man...

He found Adam quite funny.

"What did my Father say to you?" He asked. "Did he say that your injuries can be cured by our healers?"

"Auhh!" Adam happily nodded.

"That goes without saying," the Patriarch stated matter-of-factly. "My father is a Grade-4 Herbalist himself. I doubt there is an illness or an injury in this world that he cannot cure."

No wonder the old man was quick to identify the cause of my injuries with a simple glance, Adam thought to himself in surprise.

"That being said," the Patriarch continued. "You must have already guessed what we expect from you in return for curing your injuries."

"Auhh-auhh!" Adam cheerfully said, then retrieved two scrolls from his ring. He handed them to Goro.

"Auhh!" He gestured to the man to read it aloud.

Goro arched his brows as he glanced at the scrolls. Then, he turned towards his father, asking for his permission.

Dokuto briefly glanced at the scrolls, then nodded.

Goro unfurled the scroll, cleared his throat, then finally began:

"Esteemed Patriarch, I am grateful you have granted me this audience. I have come seeking a remedy for my injuries. I understand you wish that I marry into your clan, but what if I could present an alternative that benefits us both?"

Goro paused, his brows furrowing together.

The Patriarch had a dark look on his face, and this time, he wasn’t pretending. His lips parted and he coldly muttered:

"A better alternative than marrying one of my daughters? You are a bold man indeed, Ao."

Adam suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He hurriedly urged Goro to continue reading. "Auhh-auhh!"

Goro gazed at his friend with a slightly complicated look in his eyes, but he continued to read nonetheless:

"After consulting with the old proprietor at the Baicao Tang, I have come to learn that although my injuries can be healed, the treatment would cost me a fortune, a price that I could never afford. But what if I told you I had something far more valuable to offer?"

The Patriarch’s eyes narrowed as he deeply gazed at Adam. Then, he turned to Goro and gestured for him to continue.

Goro unfurled the other scroll, then began. But soon, he frowned.

"Huh?" He turned the scroll upside down, then turned it again. But no matter what, he couldn’t understand the things written on it.

"...What’s this?" He turned to Adam and asked. "I don’t understand a thing."

"Auhh-auhh!" Adam pointed at the Patriarch.

"Alright." Goro climbed the stairs, then handed the scroll to his father.

Not expecting much out of it, Dokuto turned his attention to the scroll, then began studying it.

A few moments later...

He was thunderstruck!

"Father... what is it?" Even Reika was surprised witnessing her father’s reaction.

Dokuto didn’t reply. No... he couldn’t reply. His eyes were glued to the information on the scroll. If what Adam had written was indeed feasible, then it would truly change the future of his clan!

He shot to his feet, then descended the stairs. "I’ll be back."

Adam sensed Dokuto arriving before him and grabbed his collar. The next thing he knew... he was soaring through the clouds.

And before he knew it, he had already arrived at the doors of Baicao Tang.

"Follow me," Dokutso muttered solemnly as he entered the apothecary. Adam could only helplessly follow after him.

Inside, the old proprietor was still lazily smoking from the pipe, his legs propped up on the counter. When he noticed his son enter, he asked in surprise, "What are you—"

But when he saw Adam walking behind him, he was truly surprised. "You know this kid?"

"Father," Dokuto solemnly began, unfurling the scroll on the counter. "Please take a look at this. Do you think it’s possible?"

With a deep frown on his face, the proprietor shifted his attention from Adam to the scroll in front of him. A few moments later, his eyes widened. He shot to his feet and read the information on the scroll with rapt focus.

A long time later, he looked at his son and asked in a solemn voice, "How did you get your hands on this?"

Dokuto simply pointed at Adam.

The madman waved at them. "Auhh!"

The old proprietor deeply looked at Adam. Gradually, his lips curled into a smile. "So this is your form of payment, eh? In return for us healing your injuries?"

"Auhh!" Adam nodded with a confident smile.

"Father," Dokuto called out, his voice laced with... expectation. "Is it possible?"

The old proprietor turned to him, then nodded. "Aye."

He inhaled a long drag from his pipe, then added with a thoughtful look on his face:

"I don’t see why not. We should still have most of the resources required for this formation in our treasury. The rest... well, we can purchase them. We also need to establish a steady supply of these materials without alerting our enemies and also our allies. Tell Little Reika to figure out the logistics."

The old man couldn’t help but chuckle heartily. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so elated. He turned to Adam and nodded.

"What you have given us is far more valuable than what we can offer you in return. It seems we are the ones indebted now. Tell me, boy..."

The old man’s lips curled into a smirk.

"How should the Tsuitsui Clan repay this debt?"

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