Ling Yao's answer
The "testimony meeting" organized by Finn was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pond. Although it didn't immediately restore the water's clarity, it did create ripples, breaking the previous one-sided oppressive atmosphere. The few troublemakers who were scared off on the spot became the laughing stock of the townspeople, and some began to wonder: were those terrifying rumors about the "cost of the soul" really a bit too exaggerated?
The shop remains sluggish, but occasionally a few bold or genuinely urgent regulars will sneak over under the cover of night to complete their transactions. The transactions are brief and quick, with a thrilling feel reminiscent of underground rendezvous.
Finn felt both relieved and frustrated. He was relieved that someone still believed in them, but frustrated that this was clearly a legitimate business, yet it had been treated like something a thief would do.
“Miss Ling, we can’t go on like this!” Finn counted his visibly shrunken purse, looking distressed. “Testimony will be of some use, but it’s not strong enough! Those rumors are too venomous, and many people are still terrified.”
Ling Yao was sorting through a batch of newly arrived medicinal herbs when she heard this and paused. She naturally knew that the testimonies of a few people and a single impromptu "enlightenment" were not enough to overturn the prejudice rooted in fear. The insidious nature of the rumors spread by Silas (or someone else) lay in their inability to be disproven—who could prove that an invisible and intangible "soul" had not been extracted?
But this passive situation was indeed somewhat unpleasant. She didn't like this feeling of being held back.
She glanced at the eyes outside that, though not daring to approach, still lingered and peered into the distance, and then looked at the ordinary-looking medicinal herbs beside her. Suddenly, an idea came to her.
“Since they’re curious,” Ling Yao put down the herbs in her hand, her tone calm and even, “then let them see.”
"Huh? What are you looking at?" Finn didn't react for a moment.
"Let me see how the medicine is made," Ling Yao said. "It's public and free."
Finn's eyes widened instantly: "Public demonstration? Free? Miss Ling, do you mean... we should hold a public class? A live demonstration?"
This idea is too audacious! Rumors are spreading like wildfire, and many people consider their refining methods to be evil secret arts. Miss Ling is actually going to demonstrate it publicly? Wouldn't that expose her biggest "secret" to everyone's eyes?
"Will this... will this work?" Finn hesitated. "What if they get even more scared after seeing it? Or... or what if bad guys learn it?"
"Learn?" Ling Yao's lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile. "If I can learn it, then I will."
What she used wasn't technique at all, but a dimensional reduction attack based on an understanding of energy and rules. Without the corresponding level of understanding and comprehension of the "Tao," watching it multiple times is futile. It's like showing a monkey a calculus textbook; what can it do besides tear the book up or use it to scratch itself?
Seeing Ling Yao's calm "bring it on" attitude, Finn gritted his teeth and stamped his foot: "Fine! I'll do as you say! I'll go prepare right away! Let's go big!"
Without further ado, Finn immediately put his exceptional organizational and publicity skills to use. He had numerous simple notices written and posted on bulletin boards and in front of taverns throughout town, bearing the prominent message:
"Eastern Secret Medicine" Q&A Lecture!
Special guest, the mysterious pharmacist Ms. Ling Yao, will give a live demonstration!
Confront the doubts and reveal the truth!
Time: Afternoon of [Month] [Day]
Location: East side of the central square of the college
Completely free, everyone is welcome to watch!
The announcement immediately dropped a bombshell on the already turbulent Academy Town!
A public demonstration? That Eastern witch is going to concoct her potions in front of everyone? Is she insane? Or... is she truly innocent?
All sorts of opinions instantly erupted. Skeptics believed it was definitely a ruse, with a bigger conspiracy behind it; the curious were eager to be the first to grab a good spot; the timid decided to stay far away, fearing they might be affected by some evil ritual.
Inside the courtroom, Silas glanced at the notice his subordinates had brought him, a cold smile creeping across his icy face. A public demonstration? She's courting death! Perfect opportunity for him to catch her using evil powers on the spot!
Professor Eleanor Silverstalk also learned of this from her assistant. Almost immediately, she looked up from a pile of ancient scrolls, her eyes behind her glasses flashing with astonishing light: "A public demonstration? Excellent! I must see this clearly this time! Recorder! My high-precision magic recorder, get ready!"
Everyone had different thoughts as they waited for that day to arrive.
The weather was fine on the day of the lecture. A large crowd had already gathered early on the east side of the academy's central square, three or four deep, making it impossible to move. There were students who came to watch the spectacle, ordinary townspeople with wary expressions, mercenaries observing coldly with their arms crossed, and spies from various factions mingling in the crowd, their eyes gleaming. Inquisitor Silas and his men were hidden in the shadows of the buildings surrounding the square, like venomous snakes waiting for their prey. Professor Eleanor, however, was at the very front, holding a complex crystal instrument, ready for anything.
In the center of the venue, a long table was simply set up, upon which were placed various common herbs, mineral powders, and the crucible and small furnace that Finn treasured, engraved with arrays. Ling Yao, dressed in simple casual clothes, stood behind the table, her expression as calm as ever, as if the hundreds of gazes around her did not exist.
Finn was busy running around trying to maintain order (though it was of little use), his palms sweating with nervousness.
When the time came, Ling Yao didn't say anything. She picked up a very ordinary Tranquilizing Flower and showed it to everyone. Then she clearly said in the common language of the continent, "Today, we will refine the 'Heart-Clearing Pill,' also known as the 'Wisdom Pill.'"
Her pronunciation was still a bit stiff, but it was clear enough for everyone to understand.
Without chanting or complex magical gestures, she simply and skillfully processed, proportioned, and added several basic medicinal ingredients to the cauldron, then lit the fire to heat it. The entire process was fluid and rhythmic, yet it seemed... not much different from the initial processing of ordinary potion-making?
The onlookers held their breath, especially those who were waiting to find fault with her; their eyes were wide open, not wanting to miss a single detail.
Professor Eleanor was completely focused, her recorder aimed at Ling Yao's every move. Energy ripples danced steadily on the screen, with no abnormal magical fluctuations detected.
"See! I told you there was nothing special about it, didn't I?"
"Don't rush! The main event is yet to come!"
"She really didn't seem to use magic?"
Whispers began to rise.
Soon, the potion began to boil, reaching the crucial stage of fusion. According to potion-making, magic power needed to be injected at this moment, and incantations needed to be chanted to stabilize the structure.
Everyone stared wide-eyed, awaiting the appearance of the "evil force." Silas's hand was already on the Judgment emblem.
However, Ling Yao simply extended a finger and gently tapped the crucible from a distance.
Still no magical fluctuations! No incantations!
But on Professor Eleanor's recorder screen, the originally stable energy ripples suddenly experienced a very brief and subtle period of chaos, as if forcibly interfered with by an elusive force. However, it instantly returned to stability, while the liquid in the crucible quickly became clear and peaceful after that one finger, emitting a faint, cool medicinal fragrance.
"What happened? What just happened?"
"I don't feel any magic!"
"Did the dashcam flash?"
A commotion broke out in the crowd.
Ling Yao ignored everyone's reactions. She took out the prepared ointment and began to roll pills with her bare hands. As her slender fingers flew, round, dark green pills fell into the plate.
“This is the ‘Mind-Clearing Pill’.” Ling Yao picked up a pill. “It’s refreshing, clears the mind, and is harmless.”
Her gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on a few people whose faces clearly held hostility and suspicion: "Who, to try?"
The scene fell silent instantly. People looked at each other, no one daring to step forward. Although it seemed fine at first glance, what if something was wrong? Who knew what kind of trickery was involved in that subtle touch?
Just then, a loud voice rang out: "I'll try!"
The crowd parted, and Knight Karl Iron Shield strode out with a fearless grin on his face: "I trust Miss Ling's medicine!" With that, he picked up a pill, popped it into his mouth, chewed it twice, and swallowed it.
A moment later, Carl's eyes lit up: "Hey! It works just like the one I bought before! My mind is much clearer! It feels so good!"
With Karl taking the lead, several more daring students and mercenaries, driven by curiosity, stepped forward to try it. Their reactions were similar; they all said that it did have an energizing effect and that they experienced no physical discomfort.
The dissenting voices seem to have been somewhat suppressed.
But just then, the weasel-faced guild spy spoke up in a sinister tone: "Hmph! Who knows if these are just ordinary pills you prepared in advance? There's definitely something wrong with what you did with your finger just now! Maybe you injected something unseen at that moment!"
These words immediately stirred up fear in some people.
Ling Yao seemed to have anticipated that someone would say that. She didn't argue, but simply pointed to the remaining medicinal herbs and another clean set of spare tools on the table.
“You,” she said, looking at the troublemaker, “select the materials, specify them, and I will refine them.”
The man was taken aback, not expecting Ling Yao to pull such a stunt. His eyes darted around, and he immediately pointed to several herbs with clearly conflicting properties—herbs that, according to potion-making theory, would absolutely cause an explosion—and said with a sinister smile, "Alright! Then try making the same potion with these and see what happens!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. These medicinal herbs mixed together—it's no wonder they explode! This is clearly a deliberate attempt to make things difficult!
Professor Eleanor frowned as well; this completely contradicted the basic theory of potions!
Finn's heart was in his throat.
Ling Yao merely glanced at the medicinal herbs and nodded: "Alright."
She resumed processing the herbs, placing them into the crucible. At the moment when the medicinal properties clashed most intensely, the man's eyes widened, waiting to witness the comical explosion. Silas also held his breath, ready to catch them in the act.
Ling Yao extended that finger again and pointed it in the air.
The energy ripples on the recorder screen once again exhibited that eerie, brief period of chaos.
Then, a miracle happened—those medicinal herbs that should have exploded with tremendous force obediently fused together once again! The resulting ointment had the exact same color and smell as before!
Ling Yao rolled out another pill and handed it to the troublemaker who was already dumbfounded: "Want to try it?"
The man stared at the pill offered to him, his face turning deathly pale. He retreated hastily, as if it weren't a pill but a red-hot iron. How could he dare try it? This was completely beyond his comprehension!
"No...don't dare to try? That means you have something to hide!" Finn immediately seized the opportunity and shouted loudly.
Ling Yao didn't press him further. Instead, she casually tossed the pill to a chubby student watching the commotion. The student caught it instinctively and, amidst the cheers of those around him, hesitantly put it in his mouth.
"Huh? Really... nothing's wrong? The effect seems to be the same?" The chubby student's eyes widened in surprise.
Facts speak louder than words!
This caused a complete uproar among the crowd! Once could be attributed to coincidence or preparation, but to concoct the same medicine twice with completely illogical materials was beyond the explanation of magic!
"How...how did they do that?"
"Is it really not an evil force?"
"It seems like...she really just touched it with her finger?"
While skepticism still exists, it has weakened considerably, replaced by intense curiosity and disbelief.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Ling Yao knew the time was right. She spoke slowly, her voice clear to everyone: "Force is not the only factor. Order is the core. Understand its nature, guide its direction, and the result will follow."
These words still sounded somewhat mystical, but combined with the incredible demonstration just now, they seemed to carry a strange kind of persuasive power.
She said no more, began packing her things, and indicated that the demonstration was over.
The crowd lingered, still discussing the shock they had just experienced.
Professor Eleanor stared at the two inexplicable fluctuations on the recorder, then at Ling Yao's calm, expressionless face, and was filled with a mixture of bewilderment and excitement. It wasn't magic! It definitely wasn't magic! But what was it?
Silas's face was so dark it could drip water. He hadn't managed to find any evidence against them, and instead, they had used this opportunity to greatly weaken the power of the rumors! He slammed his fist against the wall beside him.
Finn was all smiles, busy dealing with several people who came up to inquire about prices and effects—business seemed to be showing signs of recovery!
Ling Yao calmly left amidst a multitude of complex and varied gazes.
The public lecture had an immediate effect. Although the title of "Eastern Witch" wouldn't be easily shaken off, the most vicious rumors about "soul extraction" were dealt a severe blow. More and more people began to believe that while the Eastern apothecary might not have used traditional magic, it seemed... not so sinister after all?
The shop's popularity began to recover slowly but steadily.
However, both Ling Yao and Finn knew that this battle of public opinion was far from over. The enemy lurking in the shadows would never give up so easily.
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