The elevator doors swung open, and Gus immediately spotted the legendary demon shopkeeper.
He casually tossed aside his staff and asked Lu Sinian with great interest, “So you’re the shopkeeper? Show me what you have to offer.”
Perfect timing! Lu Sinian was just about to aggressively promote his durian candy, and here it was.
He pulled a durian candy from the ball of light. Wrapped in colorful wrapper, an indescribable aroma filled the shop almost instantly.
Gus’s face paled, and he took several steps back, wishing he could run away immediately.
Lu Sinian expertly covered his nose, handed the candy to Gus, and earnestly persuaded, “Don’t let the strong smell fool you, it’s actually quite delicious once you get used to it. Don’t be put off, want to try some?”
Gus frowned in disgust, really not wanting to get close.
But he’d come all this way, it wouldn’t be good to go home empty-handed. Thinking of his wife and daughter waiting at home, he knew they would worry themselves sick if he left like this.
He figured he could at least appease them, he couldn’t go back empty-handed.
Gus gritted his teeth: “I’ll take it. How much?”
Lu Sinian didn’t hesitate for a second, and quickly shoved the candy into the man’s hand, then took a few steps back, smiling broadly, “Six gold coins.”
Gus was shocked, frowning, “That’s too expensive! It’s just one candy!”
Thinking of his wife and daughter, he didn’t bother arguing with this unscrupulous merchant. He simply tossed down a few gold coins and casually popped the candy into his mouth.
The candy was even worse once it entered his mouth. A stench immediately spread, seemingly filling his entire chest and lungs even though it was only in his mouth.
This smell was a hundred or a thousand times worse than before, and almost made Gus vomit.
He silently counted to himself, “Six gold coins, six gold coins,” barely managing to keep from vomiting. Unable to bear it any longer, he crunched the candy into pieces and ate it.
At that moment, he felt as if his entire body was covered in that stench, and his mouth was even worse—it could kill someone with just a single breath.
Sure enough, this kind of pretentious, cunning merchant was not to be trusted. Gus no longer cared about the money, and was already thinking about how to answer his wife’s questions when he got home.
Just as he stepped out of the shop, a gentle coolness washed over his mind like a refreshing breeze caressing his spiritual sea.
His spiritual energy, which had been raging like a volcano about to erupt, was suddenly calmed.
The faintly cracked magic core also showed signs of healing. It was only a tiny change but Gus keenly noticed it.
He knew his magic core extremely well. Years of quiet recuperation had only prevented the cracks from widening, and healing the magic core was unheard of.
Even the priceless Demon-Melting Ointment probably couldn’t do that, could it?
His mental energy suddenly calmed down. It was no longer roaring and raging as before, and no longer fueling his red-eyed rage.
These changes were undoubtedly caused by that terribly unpalatable candy from earlier.
Gus abruptly turned around. He was unable to contain his joy, wanting to rush forward and hug the shopkeeper tightly to thank him for saving him.
As for what he just said, that anyone who believed in this shop was a fool?
Yes! That’s right, the fool is himself.
A shop as miraculous as this that possesses medicine that calms magical energy and heals magic cores, what else could it be but a miracle?
Lu Sinian hadn’t expected the customer to leave so soon, only to turn back. He couldn’t help but wonder if the customer was going to ask for a refund.
Dumplings like durian candy are absolute torture for those who don’t like them.
But then, Gus made a huge purchase, even changing his address and becoming incredibly respectful: “Shopkeeper, how many durian candies do you have left? I’ll take them all!”
Gus didn’t know how many durian candies he’d need to completely heal his magic core, but he saw hope. If it could heal his magic core, what harm was there in buying more durian candy?
However, after his recent shopping spree, Lu Sinian only had eight candies left. Subtracting the one Gus had just eaten, packing the rest would cost a total of forty-two gold coins.
After quoting the price, Gus paid without hesitation. He looked somewhat dejected and said to Lu Sinian, “Shopkeeper, is this all you have?”
Lu Sinian was even more distressed. He frowned, sighed hesitantly, and then shook his head slightly.
He sighed again, “Come back tomorrow. We’re out of stock today.”
Too much business can be a mistake, Lu Sinian thought to himself.
*
The sun was setting, and Vista City shimmered with a beautiful orange glow.
Gus put his hand in his pocket, touched the few hard candies, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
He strode into the city, greeted the two guards, and hurried home.
The two remaining warriors covered their noses, bewildered. “What’s that smell? It stinks!”
A distinct, unmistakable odor lingered in the path Gus had walked, causing passersby to peer around, searching for the source of the stench.
Gus, oblivious, was rushing to share the good news with his wife.
Upon seeing the familiar door, he dashed inside, panting for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Bessie, I’m back!”
Gus hugged his daughter who rushed towards him. He pinched her chubby cheeks, unable to contain his joy.
“Bessie, I’m saved! That shop is amazing! My magic core is healing! Good heavens, I can’t believe it’s real! It’s incredible!”
His wife, Bessie, stared wide-eyed, dropping her needle and thread.
She stood up, hurried forward, and after carefully checking Gus for any wounds, covered her mouth while weeping with joy.
“By the God of Light, it’s wonderful… wonderful! Quick, come inside, let me see.”
“Don’t worry, I’m alright, we have hope.”
Gus gently put his arm around her waist and nuzzled her cheek.
He held his daughter in his left arm and his wife in his right, the most important person in his life.
The warm atmosphere touched everyone. Gus lovingly stroked his wife’s long hair.
Their distance drew closer, little by little.
Just as Gus happily closed his eyes, preparing to kiss her, suddenly, something soft was placed in his mouth. Gus froze, opening his eyes.
He had a toothbrush in his mouth. His expression was bewildered and confused, unsure what to do with his hands.
“Hurry up and brush your teeth, the taste of this medicine is just too strong.”
Bessie withdrew her hand from the toothbrush, feeling deeply disgusted.