Chapter 12: How Many More Little Talents Do I Not Know About?

Little Liu the Hunter didn't notice the Daoist Master's reaction behind him.

He had entered first to check for any danger and then stood guard by the side, keeping a close watch on Wen Gu.

He saw Wen Gu staring intently at the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk for a long while, lost in thought, before he began to search.

This was a study, not a large room. The furnishings were in plain sight, and no precious items like jade were visible.

It was all filled with things Little Liu the Hunter wasn't interested in. Even if he were to search himself, he wouldn't find anything useful to him.

He was only interested in things related to food and weapons.

Many of the objects in this room had no practical use in the current chaotic times.

He knew that the current dynasty valued the literary over the martial. Scholars no longer carried swords, so he didn't expect to find any swords or knives here.

Books and wooden furniture might be taken by villagers if the furniture and door panels elsewhere had been depleted.

Little Liu the Hunter was only waiting patiently because he was following Wen Gu.

He continued to observe.

He saw Wen Gu find a small item. It looked like an unremarkable little thing made of bamboo. Even if he had found it himself, he would have thrown it into the stove as firewood.

However, when Wen Gu drew out the sheath, he realized it was a knife.

Little Liu the Hunter was filled with shock.

Didn't they say scholars' weapons were "brushes and ink"?

There was actually a knife?

No matter how small, it was still a knife!

"Paper cutter," Wen Gu said.

"Ah... right. You need it to cut paper," Little Liu the Hunter said with an embarrassed smile.

Before he could finish speaking, Wen Gu produced another item from somewhere on the desk, a delicate, slender little ornament.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be a knife again?

It wasn't made of precious materials, but the pattern on the handle was intricate, fresh, and elegant.

"Letter opener," Wen Gu said.

"Oh, oh," Little Liu the Hunter just nodded blankly. This item seemed a bit flashy and impractical to him.

But it was also a knife.

Scholars' things were so refined!

Just as he thought Wen Gu had finished searching, Wen Gu took out the books from the bookshelf and flipped through them.

He found another knife inside a book.

In Little Liu the Hunter's eyes, this couldn't even be called a knife; it only had the shape of one. It looked more like a bookmark.

The blade was not made of metal but of beast horn. It wasn't as sharp as metal, but the entire body of the knife was smooth and lustrous, with a patina that showed it had been handled frequently by its owner.

Wen Gu found it quite pleasing as well. It could cut paper, open letters, and serve as a bookmark. He decided to keep it!

He stood up and looked around the room. Observing the custom of drinking tea here, he noted the absence of a tea knife. Otherwise, he might have found another one.

When one travels the world, one must carry a weapon.

Conspicuous knives should be carried, and inconspicuous ones should also be hidden.

"A paper cutter, a letter opener, a book knife; doesn't it just sound elegant?" Wen Gu said.

"Uh... yes," Little Liu the Hunter could only nod, his expression a little dazed.

He felt that some stereotypes might be inaccurate.

He muttered, "Can scholars hide so many knives?"

The Daoist Master chuckled enigmatically, "They can hide even more when they smile. Scholars are so... subtle."

Meanwhile, Wen Gu had already packed the items he could take.

Although he coveted many things here, they weren't of much use for their journey.

The paper could be taken, cut and sewn into a small booklet, and with a charcoal pencil from the Daoist Master, it would be more convenient to record things along the way.

As for the books, the more precious ones might have been taken by the owner. Those placed here were all ones that could be bought at a bookshop.

Wen Gu couldn't take them, and the village didn't need them.

Who knew how long these books would remain here? Uninhabited and unmaintained houses would decay faster. If the roof leaked one day, they would deteriorate even more quickly. Perhaps one day, the survivors might even burn these books for firewood.

The brushes, ink, and inkstones were all taken, as they were useful in the village.

The elegant ceramic brush washer and water basin were not useful to Wen Gu but would be brought back to the village.

He also found two incense burners, one large and one small. The small one was exquisite and portable for travel, while the larger one could be traded with the village.

Other items found, such as needle and thread, scissors, tea sets, and cushions, were all packed and brought back to the village to be towed. After deducting the items that needed to be handed over, transport fees, and the portion given to Little Liu, the rest would either be kept for himself or traded with others.

For three consecutive days, the villagers were busy transporting goods from the town, and they had less time to rest at night.

Three days later, as more evil creatures appeared outside, Liu the Hunter stopped wasting medicinal herbs and the villagers began to withdraw.

They would return for the remaining items in the winter.

Although there wouldn't be the smoke from burning fields to drive them away then, the severe winter would make the evil creatures sluggish and easier to deal with.

In the village, Wen Gu also had to make more preparations for their departure.

Using the items he had found and some cloth raw materials, he asked some aunts in the village to help sew four sets of autumn and winter clothes.

He and his cousin would each have two sets, one to wear and one for changing.

Shoes, boots, and gloves were also obtained through trade.

The boots were covered with an extra layer of beast hide, making them thicker. The gloves didn't take up much space, so they prepared more to bring along.

There were no iron armors, as they had already been scavenged by the village. Thus, Wen Gu traded with the village for two sets of leather armor.

They weren't professionals in this field, so the items were made rather crudely. However, in this era, practicality was more important than refinement; anything that worked and provided some defense was sufficient.

Daoist Master Qingyi was equally busy.

Since they were considering this place as a fallback, he had to maintain his persona.

He used some of the items provided by the village to make cleansing incense.

Without the ritualistic performances of the "Immortal Master," alternative measures could be taken.

The prepared medicinal incense was given to the villagers, who could simply light it. If the villagers still felt uneasy, they could perform their own rituals and worship heaven and earth.

Upon hearing this, Wen Gu went to talk to Daoist Master Qingyi again, asking him to teach the village two simple methods for making medicinal incense.

The Daoist Master was initially reluctant, but Wen Gu had a point. Simple medicinal incense recipes, as long as they didn't involve his life-saving skills, wouldn't have much of an impact.

Many of the medicinal ingredients grew locally. In the past six months, he had asked the villagers to dig for medicinal herbs, and they were already able to identify them. Dou Miao, the village chief's grandson, was probably close to figuring out recipes on his own.

It would be better for him, the "Immortal Master," to add some divine aura to himself before leaving.

Therefore, Daoist Master Qingyi, with his characteristic stance of a wise elder, said to the village chief and others:

"The plague descends upon the world, causing death and injury to the masses. We cultivators should retreat to seclusion in times of prosperity and descend the mountain to save all beings in times of chaos..."

He began with a grand speech to solidify his persona, then bestowed a favor, offering to teach some exclusive secret techniques – making medicinal incense, also known as "exorcising incense" among the villagers.

However, he would only impart simplified procedures and methods. He would never easily pass on his more advanced techniques.

Wen Gu wouldn't be overly generous in this matter either.

The villagers highly valued the medicinal incense, but they were more concerned about the ritual of worshipping heaven and earth and inquired about the details seriously.

If you told them how to exterminate insects or detoxify, they might not remember it all, or they might be lazy.

But if you told them how to professionally burn incense to honor the gods...

They could be careless about meals, but burning incense was not to be neglected!

They remembered the steps thoroughly, ensuring they performed the worship with the most correct posture!

The elders of the village seemed afraid to blink an eye.

Some of the Daoist Master's explanations were abstruse, but they boiled down to observing the wind direction, wind force, and weather.

Having served the crops for decades, they could still grasp these fundamentals.

At the right time, in the right place, with the right weather and wind conditions, they could burn incense and worship the gods.

Of course, the Daoist Master's more advanced techniques could not be revealed.

Wen Gu did not comment on the villagers' attitude towards this matter. In such chaotic times, preserving this small spiritual pillar for the villagers was essential for them to endure.

Afterward, Wen Gu went to find Liu the Hunter.

In the past few days, based on the villagers' descriptions, he had drawn a map of the vicinity, with brief annotations of information about various locations, and sought Liu the Hunter's confirmation.

He encountered Little Liu on the way.

Little Liu the Hunter, unlike his father, couldn't keep things to himself. Upon seeing Wen Gu, he asked, "Second Brother Wen, you're heading north to join relatives. Is your relative really a military official?"

This was not a secret in the village.

Commoners in this era still held great fear of "officials." Although people had their own agendas in times of chaos, revealing this would make others more hesitant.

Seeing Little Liu's demeanor, Wen Gu had a general understanding.

He said, "He's my maternal uncle. He's a military official in the northern lands. His rank wasn't very high before, but he had some actual power, otherwise, I wouldn't have traveled so far to go there."

Little Liu the Hunter looked conflicted. "Before the world fell into chaos, I went to the county town with my father. The officials there were so majestic."

"My father used to train hawks and pigeons for the nobles in the county town. He once hoped to find an opportunity to get me a position in the county, but he didn't succeed."

But they never gave up.

Opportunities, like hunting in the mountains, required patient waiting.

Although he was young, he had patience in such matters.

However, they didn't expect the world to change so suddenly, and the nobles and officials in the county town had all disappeared.

Little Liu the Hunter went to brood in a corner.

Wen Gu went to talk to Old Liu.

After discussing the map, Old Liu also stated his plan.

He hoped that Wen Gu could take his son to the northern lands.

Little Liu had mastered the family skills of hunting and training falcons, and he could provide assistance to Wen Gu along the way.

Wen Gu said sternly, "To be frank, the world is in great chaos now, and I don't know the situation in the northern lands."

"Yes, we understand all this," Old Liu the Hunter had already considered it carefully.

Wen Gu and Daoist Master Qingyi, two powerful individuals, were heading north, which indicated that the northern region had more potential for development in the current world.

He wanted his son to go and try his luck.

In this regard, compared to Daoist Master Qingyi, who possessed immortal methods, he trusted Wen Gu, the scholar, more.

This was not a bookworm who only read books; this was a scholar from a good background, well-versed in literature, and possessing great ability. If this were a peaceful era, he would have certainly become a prominent figure through the imperial examinations.

Even if Wen Gu's maternal uncle couldn't be relied upon, Wen Gu himself could make a good living.

If his son stayed by Wen Gu's side and was fortunate enough to survive, his life might undergo a tremendous transformation.

Liu the Hunter knew that times of chaos were a reshuffling.

During his time serving nobles in the county town, he had gone to teahouses to listen to storytellers and scholars discuss their tales, and he had heard the children of nobles gossiping.

He didn't understand many of the grand theories they spoke of, but some words left a deep impression, and he developed his own understanding.

In times of chaos, great clans fall, and grassroots also rise.

He didn't have overly high expectations, just hoping his son could safely reach the northern lands, and if he could secure a position by the side of some influential figures, that would be great.

If this influential figure were Wen Gu... that would be even better!

Wen Gu pondered.

He had already considered recruiting Little Liu from the beginning, but he thought the village situation wouldn't allow it.

He had underestimated them.

Crossing class boundaries was the obsession of these ambitious commoners.

While others were only thinking about survival, they set their sights high, willing to take risks as long as they saw a glimmer of opportunity!

The Liu father and son shared the same mindset.

If possible, Old Liu might have also wanted to go north, but the village couldn't do without him, and he still had relatives in the village.

When Wen Gu left the Liu family, Little Liu was pacing outside. He saw Wen Gu and opened his mouth to ask, but stopped himself.

Wen Gu said, "We will be staying in the village for a few more days. You can discuss it with your family before making a decision."

However, it was evident that Old Liu and Little Liu were decisive. Once they made up their minds, they began preparing.

Little Liu transferred his patrol duties in the village to someone else.

Soon, other villagers learned of this news.

"How could Liu the Hunter bear to do it!"

"A man away from home is worthless!"

"After this winter, when the fortress is built, it will be even safer. With food and drink, and so many of us, as long as we put in some effort, we will be safe."

Upon hearing the villagers' discussions, Daoist Master Qingyi snorted: How could sparrows understand the ambitions of swans and dragons!

The Liu family had ambitions!

Daoist Master Qingyi, who was eager to go north and realize his potential, spent his time in his alchemy room, apart from teaching the village secret formulas.

Wen Gu decided to check on his teammate's progress.

Since they were now allies, there was no need for formalities. Without sending a letter of introduction, he went directly to the door and inquired. When he heard a response from inside, he pushed the door open and entered.

Daoist Master's alchemy room was piled high with things. Of course, not all of them could be taken. The remaining items and various materials would be handed over to Dou Miao, the village chief's grandson, to manage.

This time, a medicine furnace was also brought back from the town. After the Daoist Master leaves, the village could use it for preparing and decocting medicines and making incense.

However, for now, it was still the Daoist Master's territory.

Upon seeing Wen Gu, Daoist Master Qingyi did not maintain his usual persona but also did not offer a pleasant greeting. He raised his eyes and asked, "What is it?"

Wen Gu cut to the chase. "I heard that the Daoist Master has made some incense to mask blood aura. Are there any suitable ones that can fit into a small incense burner?"

Daoist Master Qingyi had seen the small incense burner Wen Gu found. He pointed to a corner. "Over there, find it yourself."

He paused, then reminded him, "Make a note of it!"

"Of course," Wen Gu replied calmly.

He walked to the corner and looked. He recognized a few types of incense, and besides those, there were some other things.

"Are these also the Daoist Master's alchemy products?" Wen Gu pointed to the small porcelain bottles beside them.

"Indeed!"

"Can I have a look?"

"Feel free."

Daoist Master Qingyi was always proud of his professional work.

"This is refined from the Pure and Filthy Earth I found while wandering."

He didn't explain how to use it specifically, standing by with a look of amusement.

Wen Gu didn't mind. He picked up a small porcelain bottle and opened it. It contained a dry powder.

He fanned the opening of the bottle and cautiously sniffed the scent. Then, he dipped a cloth towel into some powder to examine it.

He said to the Daoist Master, "If I can guess it, will you give me this bottle?"

"Yes! But you must do it within ten breaths."

If no time limit was set, the Daoist Master worried that Wen Gu might test it a few more times and truly guess it. Whether he could afford to give it was one thing, but whether he was willing to give it was another. He didn't want the "dog scholar" to get any advantage from this!

Wen Gu agreed.

Then, under the Daoist Master's shocked gaze, he opened the bamboo tube water flask he carried, poured some water onto the cloth towel with the powder, and rubbed it slightly.

Wen Gu looked at the Daoist Master and smiled knowingly. "So that's what it is."

Soap powder!

Its cleaning efficacy was passable, better than some basic versions, and it felt good in the hand.

Wen Gu began his usual way of speaking. "When I was traveling and studying, I saw artisans making something called soap for washing clothes and hands. However, that one had more water content and was used in cut blocks. Have you further dried and ground yours into powder?"

Daoist Master Qingyi: "..."

Damn you!

If you answer directly, was your travel and study really proper?!!

Wen Gu didn't pay attention to the Daoist Master's tense expression. He looked at the small porcelain bottle in his hand.

This item still needed improvement. If he had the conditions in the northern lands later, he could offer the Daoist Master some more words of encouragement.

As for the village, the villagers believed more in water infused with medicinal herbs.

They didn't bathe frequently either. They dared not touch raw water, and boiling water required firewood, so they saved it whenever possible.

Soaking their hands in medicated water could wash away dirt and leave behind the scent of medicinal herbs, masking one's blood aura. If possible, the villagers wished they could cover their bodies in medicinal mud.

Soap powder couldn't meet the villagers' needs. However, if there were more survivors in the northern lands in the future, they could add medicinal herbs to make medicated soap and sell it to wealthy families.

The Daoist Master was truly a capable person!

Wen Gu became even more interested in examining the Daoist Master's "alchemy results."

Let me see, how many more little talents do I not know about?

"What is this?"

Wen Gu picked up another item, a wooden stick coated with something. After a brief exploration.

"For igniting fire?"

It was somewhat like a match.

They would make fire starters to bring before leaving the village. However, Wen Gu hadn't expected Daoist Master Qingyi to have tinkered with this!

Why not improve it further and make it into a more portable, strikeable match?

Enduring the Daoist Master's wary gaze, Wen Gu quickly went to exchange ideas with him, offering suggestions—if there were enough materials, why not improve it like this and make a safe match?

Involving professional content, the Daoist Master immediately began to ponder.

For someone who understood technology, a little hint was enough for him to grasp it and then let his thoughts diverge.

Then he disdained Wen Gu's term "safe match" as too vulgar and direct.

"You're a scholar, yet...!"

"Then what should it be called?" Wen Gu didn't mind the technical talent's fussiness.

Daoist Master Qingyi pondered for a moment, pointing to the long igniting sticks he had made earlier. "This item is called 'Igniting Slave'."

Considering Wen Gu's suggestion from earlier, the Daoist Master continued to express his views. "After further refinement, it can be called 'All-Round Fire Slave'."

Wen Gu: "..."

Flying Slave, Cat Slave, Igniting Slave, All-Round Fire Slave...

Why do people here like to name things with "slave"?