Chapter 19:

“Concentration Incense, 10 points for 1 stick. This is too expensive,” Qin Wan frowned.

In the “Doomsday Camp” game, points were hard-earned, and every bit had to be spent wisely.

Qin Wan looked at the line that read “Effect: Concentration and Calmness, Enhances Focus on Tasks,” and sighed softly, “What a pity.”

She genuinely wanted the item, but the cost-effectiveness was too low, it wasn’t worth it.

Qin Wan continued browsing.

As she scrolled, she realized something was amiss. “Why does it seem like someone’s buying in bulk?”

Originally, the screen was full of “Concentration Incense” and “Yun Shan,” but upon refreshing, more than twenty listings had disappeared.

Qin Wan often shopped in the trade market, so she knew that listings disappeared so quickly only when the goods were completely swept away.

Could this incense have some special effect?

Qin Wan was too curious. Preempting the sell-out of the Concentration Incense, she placed orders for two sticks. “Let’s buy two and give it a try.”

**

In a corner of the trade market, Yan Zhiguo and Song Xingyun swiftly placed orders using two adjacent self-service machines.

Song Xingyun had exceptional talent, and his dexterity did not hinder his idle chat. “Yun Shan is truly talented! Not only is her Purple grass Ointment better than NPC’s, but she also makes fantastic incense. I was being superficial, 10 points for 1 stick of Concentration Incense is not expensive at all.”

“Shut up,” Yan Zhiguo whispered, “Be careful, the walls have ears.”

Getting Song Xingyun to be quiet was harder than asking for his life. His hands didn’t stop, and neither did his mouth, he just changed the topic, “Why is the maximum order five sticks? Can’t we place orders for 10 or 20 at once?”

“Oh no! Looks like someone else is buying in bulk.”

“What’s going on? Have other factions discovered the usefulness of this thing?”

“Damn it! Hurry up, there’s no time!”

Song Xingyun answered his own question and forced his hands to move faster.

After an unknown amount of time, upon refreshing the page, there were no more listings for Concentration Incense. Only then did the tension in their emotions relax. “I’m exhausted…”

Yan Zhiguo looked around.

He saw that all eighty self-service machines in the hall were in use. Many operators had a black name above their heads and wore smiles, as if they had struck it rich.

He fell silent for a moment, with a faintly uneasy feeling, “The ones competing with us for the Concentration Incense are probably not players, but NPCs.”

Song Xingyun, “…”

Competing with NPCs for goods on their turf? Well, that was bold.

Pay-to-Win Game Group

“West Lake: I spotted the leader’s name at the trade market. Is she planning a comeback to the scene?!! @Yun Shan”

“Boss: Weak, pitiful, helpless, but wealthy. Seeking Concentration Incense, Healing Potions, and Revitalizing Elixer. @Yun Shan”

“Going Crazy: I heard the news and planned to make a purchase. But as soon as I entered the trade market, it was packed with people, and there was a queue for the machines. By the time it was my turn, the Concentration Incense was already gone. Truly, a woman who brings chaos and bloodshed wherever she goes. @Yun Shan”

Yun Shan was astounded. She thought to herself, “No wonder the group is still incredibly active with 99+ messages every day even in the absence of the group leader. I’ve only just returned to the game, and the group already knows about it.”

“Yun Shan: I was forced to go offline before, but now I’m back. Let’s start trading. Interested parties, please message me.”

“Food, Drink and Fun (Kang Zeyang): It’s definitely you, Yun Shan. The emotionless trading machine.”

“Food, Drink and Fun(Kang Zeyang): Do you still have Concentration Incense? Give me 100 sticks first.”

“West Lake: !!! Asking for 100 sticks straight away. The power of money really comes in handy. So envious, I’m in tears.”

“Boss: Leader, please help me! I’ll give you the money, you give me the medicine! @Yun Shan”

“Country Bumpkin: What’s Concentration Incense? How did the group leader fake her death?”

Each member of the group was talented, spoke eloquently, and returning to the group felt like returning home.

Moreover!

Their friendship was fragrant with the scent of money!

“Yun Shan: All transactions are to be done via private chat. @Everyone”

**

“Lord, this is Hawthorn Cake made by Divine Doctor. Please try it,” You Yi offered the pastry, eyes filled with expectation.

Lu Ming glanced at it, then looked away, pretending not to have heard or seen anything.

You Yi’s face fell. “This illness is so strange.”

Previously, when he fell ill, no one could recognize him. Now that his condition had worsened, and he was only consuming what the Divine Doctor had given… The Lord might be suffering from a terminal illness.

“It’s better not to eat it. It saves us from being harmed inadvertently,” Lu Liu was quite philosophical, but his eyes kept glancing at the Hawthorn Cake.

You Yi: “…Show some restraint.”

“I haven’t touched it, have I?” Lu Liu felt he was showing considerable restraint.

“The Lord has been ill for several days and hasn’t awakened. Aren’t you worried at all?”

“With the Divine Doctor around, nothing will go wrong.”

Pausing slightly, Lu Liu added, “In case something does happen, we can’t prevent it. Let’s be more accepting.”

You Yi: “…”

Not only was he not accepting, but he also clenched his fists.

“By the way, you keep coming near the Lord for no reason. During the Lord’s illness, he prefers tranquility. People other than Yun Shan who get too close tend to worsen his mood,” Lu Liu said seriously.

“Come here, I promise not to kill you,” You Yi rolled up his sleeves.

“You make it sound like you can beat me,” Lu Liu sneered.

Unconsciously, all the redness faded from Lu Ming’s eyes.

“Lord, you’re awake!” You Yi glimpsed and was instantly filled with joy.

“Where am I?” For a moment, Lu Ming almost confused reality with a dream.

“The residence of the Divine Doctor,” You Yi answered immediately.

“The Divine Doctor?”

“Miss Yun Shan’s residence,” Lu Liu offered another explanation.

Lu Ming pursed his lips. “Where is she?”

“She’s temporarily away.”

Lu Ming changed the subject, “What did I do during this illness?”

You Yi briefly described the events of these days.

Lu Liu’s expression subtly changed.

Lu Ming noticed and looked at Lu Liu, “You, said something about happened during the period of losing control.”

“Yes,” Lu Liu recounted the events as they had occurred.

Comparing the two, it was evident that one was a shortened version and the other was the complete account.

During the illness, he didn’t recognize his own people but was willing to accept Yun Shan’s care.

Zuo Xin, You Yi, Lu Liu, and Zhu Hong, none of them could restrain him, but when Yun Shan held him, he would calm down.

During a headache attack, contrary to his usual behavior, he didn’t think about slaughter but instead brought people into the house.

…

Lu Ming stared intently at You Yi, and there was a faint trend of redness in his pupils. “Why didn’t you say the truth earlier!”

He only knew that he would accept Yun Shan’s help after falling ill but didn’t know the healing process was so… so shameful.

You Yi hurriedly knelt down, unable to utter a word of defense.

Lu Liu stood firm and reported, “As long as the Divine Doctor can cure the illness, other things need not concern us. These are the Lord’s own words.”

Although at that time, it was about not needing to worry about the Divine Doctor’s background, it was fitting in this context.

“I believe that as long as the Lord can recover, the method of treatment is of no concern.”

Redness swirled, occupying most of the iris in the blink of an eye.

Lu Ming could barely suppress the turmoil and irritability in his heart. “Get out, all of you, get out!”

Without a word, You Yi and Lu Liu left the room.

Alone in the room, Lu Ming’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, and there were several bloodstains on his arm.

At that moment, a slightly sour and sweet fragrance wafted into his nostrils.

Lu Ming made every effort to restrain himself and took a bite of the hawthorn cake.

After consuming the pastry, he furrowed his brow, “Sour.”

Even so, he managed to eat three pieces in a row.

The violent emotions finally subsided.

**

“Lord… are you okay?” You Yi stood outside the room, his expression somewhat uneasy. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have kept it from you.”

Lu Liu saw through it, “You were just afraid of embarrassing the Lord and were eager to protect him.”

The Lord’s anger was probably not due to the concealment but rather because of excessive shame.

At first, it was difficult to accept, but things would be fine once he calmed down.

You Yi sighed, “If it were Zuo Xin by the Excellency’s side instead of me, it would have been better.”

Compared to him, Zuo Xin was much more reliable.

“Zuo Xin?” Lu Liu sneered, “With him around, guarding Yun Shan like a guard against thieves, would the Lord even accept treatment?”

You Yi fell silent.

Zuo Xin was highly vigilant about extraplanar travelers. If he was around, the treatment process would undoubtedly be much more arduous.

Presumably, aware of his own traits, Zuo Xin willingly took on the piled-up work and entrusted the care of the Lord to him.

“With Yun Shan around, nothing will go wrong. Just wait and see,” Lu Liu patiently waited.

As expected, after a moment, Lu Liu was called into the room.

“Lord,” Lu Liu awaited instructions.

“Has the consultation fee been paid?” Lu Ming inquired.

Lu Liu shook his head, “Without your instructions, I dare not act independently.”

“I remember there’s a four-star cub in the manor, right?” Lu Ming said, “Send it as a gift to Yun Shan.”

“Understood.”

Only during their cub stage are beasts not defensive, and after spending some time together, they easily become friendly with humans. If a bond is not successfully established during this time, as they grow older, their temper becomes increasingly volatile, and their aggression intensifies.

The gift had been prepared a year ago, but the Divine Doctor had yet to return.

The manor was currently preparing the third one, as the two previous ones had been transferred to others due to their advancing age.

“Besides the cub, prepare twenty pieces of land and two tenant farmers,” Lu Ming instructed.

“Understood,” Lu Liu complied.

**

Mission Hall

Yun Shan found NPC Miss Jin, “Hello, I’d like to post a job advertisement.”

“Please go ahead,” Miss Jin replied.

Yun Shan elaborated on her requirements and paid the publishing fee. Soon, the new job advertisement was posted on the bulletin board.

【Chef】

Location: East District Manor

Responsibilities: Responsible for preparing three meals a day for the beasts

Salary: 12 points/hour, paid daily

Benefits: Food and accommodation provided

Requirements: Outstanding culinary skills

Number of positions: 1

Contact: Contact the player Yun Shan

Previously, Yun Shan had been cooking personally mainly because Dahei had a mental illness, and the White Falcon cub suffered from anorexia. She had intended to find a cook to take care of the daily meals once the beasts recovered, while occasionally making snacks and treats herself as extra meals.

However, unforeseen events occurred. After lying in the hospital for a year and two months, she encountered Lu Ming’s madness upon returning to the game. Matters were delayed time and again, dragging on to today.

“Once we hire a chef, I can focus on making medicine,” Yun Shan calculated, “At the current rate of money-saving, I can clear the medical expenses owed in at most two months.”

**

Returning to the manor, Yun Shan was almost overwhelmed by the gifts.

“This is twenty plots of land given to you by the Lord.”

“These are the tenant farmers responsible for cultivation.”

“And here is a four-star White Tiger cub.”

Yun Shan: “…”

Truly befitting of a lord, with vast resources.

If she were to sell the land and convert the points into money, she could instantly clear her debts. However, Yun Shan planned to enjoy the game and didn’t want to sell the land for the time being.

“Is Lu Ming awake?”

“Yes,” You Yi nodded.

“Bring him over,” Yun Shan said, “While he’s awake, prepare the medicinal bath.”

“Why didn’t you do it before…”

As the words were halfway spoken, automatic muting ensued.

You Yi remembered that when the Lord fell ill, he wouldn’t allow others to approach. Even when the Divine Doctor advised him to eat and take medicine, he only occasionally complied, mostly resisting.

It was likely the same when it came to having him soak in medicinal baths.

Unless the Divine Doctor helped the Lord undress and held him down…

The imagery was too vivid, and You Yi dared not dwell on it. With a lowered head, he muttered, “I’ll go do it now.”