In the quiet and serene living room, misty yellow light spilled out of the lamp and lit up the central area.
There, the tiny table had already been cleared out by Tang Qi.
Only a dagger and the Essos Ghost Herb — or rather, Professor Rick Kassel — that was pinned down by the dagger remained on it. By its side was a glass of water.
The two of them were in the midst of a rather odd conversation.
Tang Qi had discerned the cause of the serial killer case in Moses University and thereafter, brought the true "chief offender"— in other words, Professor Kassel who had turned into a Shadow Fungus in the active state — back home. Of course, this wasn't because Tang Qi sympathized with him.
No matter from the perspective of law or from a moral viewpoint, the old professor didn't deserve any sympathy.
The reason why he had brought him back was naturally that he had something that Tang Qi needed.
Furthermore, it wasn't just one item.
Tang Qi's line of vision gradually shifted away from the pile of notebooks and papers and turned to the fungus. He asked, "Where did you get your secret pharmaceutical arts knowledge from?"
Had Professor Kassel been human right now, he would probably be having a look of shock and horror right upon hearing the question.
This was his biggest secret, and yet it had been straight up exposed by someone else with just a single remark. Of course, he was going to be shocked.
Unfortunately, he was just a strange plant now.
His tentacles could only subconsciously tremble lightly. Only then did his current circumstances finally sink in, much to his alarm. He didn't bother to hide anything. Dipping his tentacle into the water, he started writing on the table.
"When I was inspecting a shipwreck that dated back to the thirteenth century of the old calendar, I unexpectedly discovered some books that were immune to decay. A lot of information about secret pharmaceutics was recorded in the books. As the weather was stormy that day, other than myself who was willing to sort through those things, all the other experts went to rest.
"I was very intrigued by all that information, so I pored over them the entire night. Unfortunately, it was bright and sunny the next day. When those books came into contact with sunlight, they burst into flames and were burned to nothingness instantly. Other than a part of it that remains in my memory, all that knowledge is completely gone.
"Based on my subsequent research, those books are highly likely to have originated from the few mysterious tribes who were enemies with the ancient Mayan civilization. The owner of that capsized ship was no ordinary person either. But because it dates too far back, I wasn't able to get anywhere in my investigations."
Compared to Tang Qi's short and concise questions, Professor Kassel's replies were very detailed.
Without much further thought, Tang Qi asked again, "Other than knowledge on secret pharmaceutical arts, do you have knowledge on any other mystical arts?"
"No! Although I've also encountered a few other strange and inexplicable incidents in the other archaeology inspections I experienced throughout my life, all of them were resolved by firearms in the end. Other than that one unexpected incident, I didn't obtain any more related knowledge, even if I've become aware of the existence of the mystical realm too.
"It's just that I couldn't bear to part with my status and reputation, so I didn't reveal that I was versed in the secret pharmaceutical arts. Neither did I enter that unknown world."
"Makes sense," Tang Qi thought.
He didn't go on to his next question, however.
He had originally wanted to know to what level Professor Kassel had advanced his secret pharmaceutical arts. For example, whether he had successfully been promoted to a Class Specialist, as well as the kinds of secret potions one needed to successfully concoct before they could be recognized in their specialization and be promoted to a Class Specialist.
According to what Tang Qi knew, the classes corresponding to secret pharmaceutical arts should start from "Secret Apothecary Apprentice". The official title of "Secret Apothecary" came next.
However, since Professor Kassel didn't really enter the mystical realm, there was no need to ask about these anymore.
Tang Qi mused quietly as he sat on the sofa.
All that Professor Kassel had told him was probably true. At this point, there was no longer any need for him to deceive him. Besides, from how he had recklessly used curse potions to turn the female teaching assistant and head security guard into Spider Monsters, he was clearly not someone in the mystical realm.
Anyone even the slightest bit involved in the mystical realm would know that when it came to supernatural powers, the official authorities were the ones who were truly fearsome.
In truth, even if Tang Qi hadn't interfered, the serial killer case in Moses University would have been successfully solved in the end.
Just that, by then, its influence would definitely have broadened to a certain extent in order for the official authorities to step in.
At that point, Kassel, the chief offender, would probably meet an incredibly tragic and wretched end.
Looking at it from this perspective, Tang Qi could be considered Kassel's savior.
When he thought of that, Tang Qi suddenly got up slowly. Standing in front of the table, he reached out, gripped the dagger, and plucked it out.
Following Tang Qi's actions, with a soft spurt, a few drops of black fluid squirted out from the active fungus and splattered onto the table.
However, Rick Kassel, who had regained his freedom, didn't move. He remained sprawled on the table like a big black octopus, waiting for Tang Qi's next move.
Smart guy! Tang Qi gave a silent evaluation. Without any further delay, he went on to the content of the transaction he initiated.
"Professor Kassel, I can help you to find a body that perfectly fits the requirements. I can also carry out the ritual and chant the incantation for you so that you have a chance to start your life anew."
Kassel didn't show any agitation at his words.
Instead, he waited quietly. True enough, Tang Qi's voice continued to ring out.
"In exchange, you need to pay a price — the only thing that you can offer right now, your… knowledge!
"The secret pharmaceutical arts knowledge, you must give me all the secret pharmaceutical arts knowledge that you unexpectedly obtained.
"Since you can get your hands on the Essos Ghost Herb from the Saha Continent warlocks, then you should also know how to split off part of your soul. You need only to concentrate all your secret pharmaceutical arts knowledge into a fragment of your soul and split it off, and our transaction will be considered complete.
"Of course, you can also choose to decline my offer, and I will send you on your way immediately. I won't feel any guilt from killing the true culprit behind a serial killer case.
"Alternatively, you can also choose to deceive me during the process of splitting your soul. But if I find out, I will still kill you."
After finishing, Tang Qi stood at the side and waited quietly for him to make his decision.
From the surface, one couldn't detect any bit of agitation or any other emotion from Tang Qi.
As if the secret pharmaceutical arts knowledge wasn't of any importance to Tang Qi and that the current transaction was just a whim.
Because, right from the start, Tang Qi had always had an absolute upper hand in their interaction. Despite how clever Professor Kassel might be, in his eyes, the high school student Tang Qi was potentially an experienced figure in the mystical realm.
The most important thing was that, truth be told, it actually didn't have any other choice.
One was a true death!
While the other was giving up his knowledge in secret pharmaceutical arts in exchange for a brand new life!
As long as it wasn't a fool or a lunatic, anyone would be able to make the "right" choice.
True enough, just as Tang Qi reached "three" in his internal countdown, the "black octopus" on the table moved.
Under Tang Qi's gaze, it slowly lifted its smallest tentacle.
Squeak~ Squeak, squeak.
The simple act seemed to bring it immense pain and agony. It started to emit screams like those of a mouse before it was stomped to death.
Gradually, under Tang Qi's gaze, that short and small black tentacle started turning red. Wisps of crimson light surged into it without pause, and it turned into a color like that of a red-hot branding iron.
At the same time, a special interface popped up at the bottom of Tang Qi's vision.
Information fragments streamed past his eyes.
When the last information fragment went by, that black tentacle had already turned so red that it was glowing. The screams that Kassel was emitting would probably make someone think that the person living in this house was a pervert who enjoyed torturing mice.
Whizz~
Tang Qi moved. A sharp dagger sliced through the air and cut off that firm and tough tentacle at the same time.