Chapter 74: Equivalent Exchange

“Retreat!”

The deputy general of the Tianqi Kingdom ordered a retreat.

Seeing the Jiang family members’ excited expressions as they finally defended the city walls, the deputy general sneered.

Today was just a small test run, and they were already this happy?

They must’ve still been dazed from the last beating.

——

Below, the enemy troops were now scattered, with less than a hundred soldiers remaining.

Second Uncle Jiang looked at the electrified net spread out beyond the city walls, feeling for the first time that winning a battle could be so easy.

In the past, the most powerful weapon they had was gunpowder.

But gunpowder was limited in supply.

Most of the time, their soldiers would wield broadswords, mount their horses, and charge into battle with their bodies, fighting the enemy with their lives.

“Your Highness, can we ask the deity for more of these things?”

If they could surround the entire city wall with this, Wuzhou would become an impenetrable fortress!

“I don’t know,” Jiang Qingqing was about to say that she would ask the deity about it when she returned tonight.

But unexpectedly, Fu Zhengnan said nothing and directly clicked purchase.

The next second, several bundles of electric netting and generators appeared out of thin air in the clearing—enough to surround the city wall inside and out.

Second Uncle Jiang was stunned.

The deity’s grace arrived that quickly?

“Thank you so much! Thank you, Deity!”

“Hurry, what else do you all want? Speak up quickly while the deity is still here!”

Having tasted the sweetness of it, Second Uncle Jiang hurriedly summoned the people around him.

He wanted everyone to make wishes!

Since the deity had finally descended to the mortal world, they had to ask for more!

The Jiang family had already decided: once the flood passed, they would build a temple in Wuzhou dedicated to the deity’s worship.

At first, the soldiers were a bit shy.

But seeing that as long as you spoke up, the deity would grant it—everyone began asking for things from the deity.

“I want a pair of boots!”

“I want a new suit of armor, and a divine bow!”

“Gunpowder—we’re short on gunpowder.”

“I want to eat meat! Beef, pork, chicken, grilled fish…”

“……”

Everyone knelt on the ground, looking up at the sky and voicing their wishes.

Jiang Qingqing stood to the side, feeling increasingly uneasy.

So awkward…

She had no idea how things had developed into this.

Was it really okay to blatantly ask the deity for things like this?

Her heart was overflowing with guilt, nearly bringing her to tears.

But the next moment—

Several white sheets of paper floated down from the sky.

Someone reached out and caught one, reading aloud the words written on it:

[Equivalent Exchange]

[Herbs: LKI, XXX, YGY… can be exchanged for any daily necessities, clothing, or weapons.]

Below, the medicinal properties and age requirements of all the herbs were clearly listed.

Special note:

[Bundles with higher overall quality can be exchanged for two wishes.]

After everyone finished reading the text on the paper, they looked at each other in confusion.

They didn’t quite understand what it meant.

“Is the deity short on medicinal herbs?”

Someone asked.

But the herbs listed here—honestly, in Wuzhou they were no different from wild vegetables!

They were everywhere.

The common folk wouldn’t even bother picking them.

Because there were better and more effective herbs available.

“What does the deity mean by this? Can we really trade these herbs for things?”

One young soldier boldly asked.

Fu Zhengnan, seeing that his recharge level had increased again, enabled the voice broadcast function for everyone to hear.

He gave a simple explanation:

“Bring the herbs to the Prefect’s office. Register your name and your wish.”

“Come back the next day to collect your items.”

His cold voice was magnetic, echoing down from the sky like crystal-clear pearls clinking together.

Each word was precise, calm, and mysterious.

Everyone present heard it—and all shivered involuntarily.

Was that… the voice of a god?

Jiang Qingqing was the first to react and quickly said, “Thank you, Deity!”

“Everyone get up and start looking for the herbs listed on the paper. Equivalent exchange!”

The crowd rose to their feet, still a little dazed.

They confirmed again with Jiang Qingqing:

“Your Highness, can these herbs really be exchanged for things?”

Jiang Qingqing answered firmly:

“If the deity says they can, then they can. You’ve all seen the deity’s divine power for yourselves.”

With that, everyone’s doubts were completely dispelled.

That’s right!

They had just witnessed the deity’s divine power firsthand.

It must be that the deity was using this as an excuse—

Deliberately picking something easy for them to do, to make them feel they had earned their rewards legitimately.

It was truly too good to be true!

If Fu Zhengnan had heard their self-righteous conclusions—

He would’ve just smiled faintly.

A businessman never does a losing deal. They were not Jiang Qingqing.

Jiang Qingqing also picked up a few of the white sheets, planning to take them back for Doctor Zhao to look over, and sent people to search for some herbs too.

She wanted to exchange for a few things herself.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“What just happened—I’m really sorry.”

Jiang Qingqing whispered to Fu Zhengnan, apologizing for the soldiers demanding things from him earlier.

To her surprise, Fu Zhengnan chuckled lightly. “And you? You picked up so many sheets—what do you want to wish for?”

Jiang Qingqing gripped the papers in her hand tighter, a bit flustered.

“N-nothing in particular.”

Why was the deity observing so closely?

She had just picked up a few sheets in the chaos and stuffed them into her sleeve.

With so many people around…

How did he notice her?

So unlucky.

Fu Zhengnan glanced at the time. It was time for his meeting, so he casually said:

“Today’s your birthday—ask for whatever you want.”

“I’ve got things to do. I’ll be back later.”

With that, he gathered his documents and exited the game.

Completely unaware that when Jiang Qingqing heard him say it was her birthday, she was utterly stunned.

That kind of…

Expectant yet terrified feeling.

Sweat soaked her palm as she clutched the papers, her movements stiff and mechanical, unsure what to do.

Could it be him?

The one who saved her?

So…

The one who gave her breath—was also the deity?

That conclusion completely shattered Jiang Qingqing’s expectations.

Not far away—

The mood was completely different from her dazed expression.

“General! We request one day off!”

“We’re going to search for medicinal herbs for the deity—please grant us a day of leave, General!”

The soldiers who had just been skeptical were now crowding around Father Jiang, waiting for his word so they could rush to the mountains and dig up wild herbs!

Ah—no!

Medicinal herbs!

Father Jiang looked at the crowd of young, half-grown soldiers, all gazing at him with excited faces, and suddenly felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

It had been a long time since he’d seen such joy on their faces.

Ever since that defeat in Yingzhou, when the Jiang army had suffered heavy losses to Tianqi—

The morale of the troops had been gloomy and lifeless.

Father Jiang waved his hand.

“Go, go, but go in shifts! Don’t all run off—who’s going to guard the city gates then?”

He said half-jokingly.

With his permission, everyone cheered loudly.

“Hurry up! Last one there has to guard the gate!”

“Quick! I know where these herbs grow—I found them last time during patrol!”

“I’m getting new weapons, this is great!”

“……”