Picking people up off the street—there’s no particular trick to it. It just takes practice.
Wei Yu stepped outside and picked up two con artists.
Well, no. In times like these, to be precise, those two should actually be respectfully called masters who sell miraculous elixirs.
A crowd had gathered in a street corner.
It was noisy and chaotic, and that spot was the most eye-catching place on the entire street.
When Wei Yu approached after hearing the commotion, what he heard was the common people begging the person in the center for a miracle cure.
An elderly woman held a sallow-faced child and was pleading with the surrounded “master.”
“Immortal master, I beg you to take a look at my grandson. These past few days, he hasn’t been able to eat anything—whatever he eats, he throws up. Please, great master, give me a pill of your elixir. I’m willing to pay any amount of silver!”
Wei Yu almost blurted out, “If he’s sick, go see a doctor,” but when he saw the two so-called masters, he swallowed the words back.
Because the two “immortals” really looked the part.One had white hair and a youthful face, the other had a head of hair mottled black and white. Both had long white beards and kindly, serene expressions. They looked just like immortals from a fairy tale.
One of them held a banner that read “Miraculous Elixirs,” and the other had a small wooden box in front of him filled with bottles and jars.
Wei Yu’s gaze moved from their faces to the banner, then to the box. His eyes started to light up.
Could these two be the legendary alchemists?
Wei Yu rubbed his hands together, a little excited.
Not because of the elixirs—mainly because in times like these, alchemists were exactly the kind of chemistry talent he needed!
Sure, most of the so-called miracle pill sellers were swindlers these days. But for these two to have so many people begging them for medicine, they had to have some skill, right?
Whether it was a little or a lot, as long as they knew any alchemy techniques, had some chemistry knowledge—Wei Yu had to rope them in no matter what.
He pushed a little closer, intending to observe first.
At that moment, Fang Sheng, who was with him, suddenly gave a quiet warning: “Young Master, these two… their breathing is calm and steady. They may be trained fighters.”
Hmm?
Wei Yu paused.
He didn’t doubt Fang Sheng’s words. Instead, he took a closer look at the two.
The old men certainly looked energetic—probably very healthy. As for whether they were trained martial artists or not… forget it, Wei Yu couldn’t tell.
But these men wandered the land as “immortals,” so it wouldn’t be surprising if they knew a bit of martial arts, right?
Wei Yu kept the reminder in mind and continued squatting in the back to watch the show.
The elderly woman was sincerely begging them for medicine. The man with the mottled hair just glanced at the child, then pulled out a bottle from the box.
He handed it to her and said, “This immortal pill was made atop Lu Fushan, after I absorbed the essence of sun and moon for a full month. If your grandson takes it, he will surely be revitalized and radiant with health.”
Tch.
That sounded just like one of those scams where they get old folks to buy health supplements.
Wei Yu grumbled inwardly. Then he watched as the elderly woman joyfully took the bottle, bowed repeatedly, thanked them profusely, and left carrying the child.
Wei Yu: ?
She left??
Just like that?
Didn’t even pay?!
She took the elixir and walked off without paying—and that caught Wei Yu completely off guard.
He started to doubt whether these two were really con artists.
What, are they actually real immortals come down the mountain to save the world? Talked up how hard their pill-making was, and yet didn’t charge a single coin? What were they getting out of this?
Wei Yu kept watching from the back for a while as more people begged for pills. After the crowd thinned out, and only a few remained, he finally learned the truth from one of the last few people.
One man holding a medicine bottle thanked them repeatedly: “Thank you, Immortal Masters! Your great kindness—I’ll be sure to visit Lu Fushan personally to offer thanks once my mother recovers!”
Another woman chimed in: “Yes! A few days ago, I got my hands on a fine ginseng root. I’ll definitely bring it to you as a gift. I hope you won’t refuse it!”
Wei Yu: …
Looking at the two immortals, smiling quietly and acting every bit the dignified masters, and then at the awed, reverent expressions of the common folk, Wei Yu had to admit it—
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Turns out they didn’t ask for money because they knew the people would bring valuable gifts of their own accord!
When the last few people finally left, only Wei Yu and Fang Sheng were left in front of the two “immortals.”
Meeting their curious gazes, Wei Yu smiled and clapped for them.
“Immortal Masters, your labor in alchemy, freely giving medicine to those in need without asking for a single coin—what compassion! I am but a humble traveler from Danzhou, and seeing your righteous deeds, I’d like to have a proper chat with you both. Might I invite you for a visit?”
The two exchanged a look. The white-haired, youthful-faced one smiled and politely declined.
“Young Master is too kind. Sadly, our sect has ordered us down the mountain to distribute medicine and help the world. We do not seek fame or fortune. It’s getting late—we must be on our way.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Wei Yu blinked, then suddenly raised a hand and gestured behind him.
A previously ordinary-looking street suddenly swarmed with a dozen or so people.
Though dressed differently and staying still, the dangerous aura around them was unmistakable—and instantly made the two “immortals” fall silent.
Wei Yu gave them a shy smile. “Please don’t be alarmed, Immortal Masters. I’m currently staying at the county magistrate’s residence. The people there worry for my safety, so when they see suspicious folks around me, they can get… a little overexcited.”
The two “immortals”: …Are they the suspicious ones??
Wei Yu looked innocently at the pair and asked again, “So… are you willing to come for a chat now?”
The two old men stared at him, then exchanged another look—one of helpless resignation.
The white-haired one gave a gentle smile and said, “Since the young master insists, my junior and I shall accompany you.”
“That’s more like it.”
Wei Yu clapped his hands and quickly called out to Fang Sheng, “Hurry! The Immortal Masters are distinguished guests—help them carry their things!”
Everything they had brought was quickly carried off by others, and the two “masters” had no choice but to follow Wei Yu empty-handed.
On the way, the two held their lofty expressions and said little. But they couldn’t outtalk Wei Yu’s relentless chatter.
“I heard the people earlier say your sect is based at Lu Fushan? Where exactly is that?”
“Were all those people earlier given the same medicine? Do miracle pills that cure everything really exist? Could you tell me the name of the pill?”
“How old are you two, Immortal Masters? How many people are in your sect? Are they all your age too?”
The two “immortals”: …
They were about to go crazy.