NEC Chapter 56: Medicine, I Want It!

The voice shouting at the door belonged to Kato, the self-proclaimed “gold-worshipping lackey” of “Roy” and his loud-mouthed herald. Chen Mo

The voice shouting at the door belonged to Kato, the self-proclaimed “gold-worshipping lackey” of “Roy” and his loud-mouthed herald.

Chen Mo rushed out in two strides.

It was finally here!

If his guess was correct, the important visitor was none other than the noble delegation from Cloudmist Domain.

Chen Mo could count the “big shots” he knew on the Starry Continent on one hand.

Some time ago, Little John had hurried over to inform him that Captain Paven had tasked Luke the mercenary with tracking him down. Old John, not daring to delay, sent his grandson on a day-and-night journey to ask for Chen Mo’s opinion.

Chen Mo’s response was immediate: “Invite them, quickly!”

He was still fixated on the medicine in the young countess’s possession.

The healing pill he’d sent back to East Xia had been partially used for laboratory research. The core principles and mechanisms of the drug were starting to take shape, but the biggest hurdle was the lack of raw materials.

Three critical components in the drug’s structure were completely absent on Blue Star or, to be precise, absent in the regions of Blue Star known to East Xia.

The remaining portion of the pill had been divided into five doses by Academician Li Yunhai’s medical team. Three doses had already been used, saving the lives of three of East Xia’s most distinguished contributors.

Despite the treatment process being tightly sealed and patients and their families sworn to secrecy, some things couldn’t be hidden.

For a research master who was terminally ill, with funeral arrangements already underway, surrounded by grieving family, colleagues, admirers praying for a miracle, and perhaps even opportunists eyeing their position or funding, a near-miraculous recovery was bound to attract attention.

Especially when it happened not once, but three times.

Academician Li Yunhai was immediately bombarded with inquiries from all sides. After all, when it came to those most reluctant to die, a significant portion were the powerful and their heirs.

As a staunch hardliner, Li held tight control over the scarce medicine, reserving it exclusively for the nation’s most eminent figures and ignoring all others. This stance brought immense pressure from certain quarters.

If not for the unwavering support of the Cangming Authority, who deployed the Yongning Hall’s elite guards to secure the site, the Ninth Laboratory of the Medical Research Institute would likely have been torn apart by now.

These details were kept from Chen Mo, likely to spare him the pressure.

But Chen Mo could sense some of it.

In a letter from the Cangming Authority, written with earnest sincerity and high praise, accompanied by a photo of a signed document, Chen Mo was awarded the East Xia Republic Medal for his outstanding contributions.

Back in his school days, even a county-level “outstanding” title sparked fierce competition. This national honor, without exaggeration, was the kind of achievement that could be etched into family records, local chronicles, and textbooks, shining for generations.

Chen Mo understood that this was both a reward for his contributions and a subtle way of conveying just how critically important this matter was.

So, when he heard the young countess might visit again, Chen Mo could hardly wait!

Now, with the message finally arriving, and calculating the travel time for Little John’s round trip, it seemed the other party was also in a hurry.

The Cloudmist delegation adhered strictly to noble etiquette. An ornate invitation embossed with their intricate family crest, a credential stamped with the Emerald Duchy’s lordly seal, and a personal request bearing the young countess’s private seal were all meticulously encased in a heavy, gold-gilded box.

The gold foil alone on the box, invitation, and credentials could probably fetch a tidy sum, a true noble extravagance.

Though the delegation claimed it was a visit, Chen Mo worried that too much fanfare might expose his dubious identity. Plus, there might be some discreet dealings involved, which wouldn’t be convenient in this rustic mage compound. So, he decided to make the trip himself.

After hurriedly requesting leave from Instructor Morton, who gave him a complex, bittersweet look, Chen Mo, along with Little John and Old Luke, arrived at Lady Frost’s temporary encampment.

Though it was a temporary camp, Cloudmist had arranged an impressive welcoming ceremony. Guards in gleaming silver armor lined both sides, weapons lowered in a grand formation.

At the camp’s center, the Cloudmist lord’s flag, with its swirling clouds and intricate patterns, flew high, flanked by smaller banners representing the origins and affiliations of the team’s key figures.

The main path to the central tent had been carefully leveled and covered with a green carpet, infused with some kind of fragrant incense. As Chen Mo stepped onto the path, trumpeters behind the guards sounded their horns, startling flocks of birds from the distant forest.

The ceremony was nothing short of spectacular.

In the ensuing exchange of pleasantries, Chen Mo learned the real reason for their lavish reception: the thermite grenade he’d given them had apparently been a game-changer.

Captain Paven personally greeted Chen Mo, his tone earnest. “If not for the weapon you provided, I fear I wouldn’t have escaped the enemy’s grasp. No matter what, I had to come and express my gratitude!”

His words carried a subtle agenda.

Having spent little time with Chen Mo and knowing nothing of his background or character, they couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t leverage their gratitude for outrageous demands if they admitted the “fire weapon” had saved the entire Cloudmist team, including preventing the young countess’s abduction.

Thus, having Paven, who narrowly escaped death at the orc leader’s hands, take on the debt of gratitude was a strategic move, a genuine thanks, but carefully limited to a personal level.

Chen Mo, oblivious to these cunning calculations, hadn’t witnessed the battle himself. From their description, he assumed the Cloudmist team had held the line while the Goldscale Swordsman led a daring charge. He couldn’t help but praise them.

“It was a fortunate accident. That weapon was a self-defense item granted by a great lord from another world through my altar’s summoning. It’s not exactly user-friendly, too close, and you risk injuring yourself; too far, and it’s easily dodged. Throwing it into the enemy’s armor, as you did, is probably its most effective use.”

“Truly, it was Captain Paven’s heroic charge that broke their ranks and made it work so well.”

These words put Master Locke and Linda, who had been slightly wary, at ease. The conversation warmed considerably.

“You speak with such refinement and carry an air of elegance. May I ask which family you hail from?” they inquired.

Chen Mo dreaded this question.

At its core, this was a nobility-driven society, and every conversation seemed to circle back to lineage. After a moment’s thought, he shook his head gently. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to be forthcoming, but I’m out here on my own now, making my way. My family… no longer has much to do with me, and I don’t wish to be seen as relying on their name.”

“Let’s not dwell on that. Instead, I owe thanks to the countess. I have a mentor, a scholar, not a professional, just an ordinary person, but he’s cared for me like family.”

“This mentor was gravely ill, and it was the medicine the countess gave me that saved him!”

Chen Mo stood and bowed deeply. “On behalf of my mentor, I thank the countess for her generous gift!”

This gesture left the Cloudmist leaders a bit embarrassed. They’d been cautious, yet Chen Mo seemed so forthright. They quickly returned courtesies and exchanged pleasantries, warming the atmosphere further.

Seizing the moment, Chen Mo pressed forward with his request. “If I may be so bold, do you have any more of those pills? I’d like to secure a few more for my mentor. I’m happy to trade or buy them!”

Locke and Paven exchanged a glance, about to respond, when the quiet young countess suddenly piped up.

“I have some! I have four left, given to me by my aunt. I’ll keep one and give you three. How’s that?”

Locke silently dropped his head onto the table, and Paven, sitting stiffly, forced a strained smile.

“Great!”

Chen Mo could tell the older men were far less candid than the young countess. He had to strike while the iron was hot and seal the deal.

“It’s a deal! I’ll go grab my things right now and you can pick whatever you like, Countess!”

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