Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 190 - 190 189 Admiration for Katie

Chapter 190: Chapter 189: Admiration for Katie Chapter 190: Chapter 189: Admiration for Katie In the midst of a sweltering summer, Glowing Valley wasn’t all that hot, and such a climate was actually more suitable for the growth of plants.

During the icy periods, Wuyao Snake Manor was nothing but wasteland.

Now, at this time of year, Wuyao Snake Manor burst with vigorous life, with shades of green punctuated by vibrant purples and reds.

Russell was in the storeroom of the manor’s guest house, taking stock of his Magic Elixir inventory.

Bottles made of clear glass were neatly arranged in wooden crates, each topped with a different label.

The labels were of two types: the large labels, which read “Boiling,” “Beneficial,” “Healing,” “Fantasy Beast,” “Amplification,” and so on, indicating the direction in which the effects of the Magic Elixirs were biased.

The small labels read “Perfect,” “Pure,” “Fused,” “Mixed,” “Diluted,” among others, indicating various concentration standards.

Magic Elixirs were derived from the magical extraction of Magic Potions.

Different plants and mushrooms naturally possessed different effects, therefore resulting in great variance among the Magic Elixirs produced.

But much depended on the skills of the alchemist.

If one wanted to produce a boiling Magic Elixir that could stir Battle Qi and facilitate the opening of meridians, it must be brewed at high temperatures to preserve the active effects of the magic; to make a healing Magic Elixir capable of repairing wounds and regenerating flesh, the magic had to be squeezed out drop by drop using water pressure.

In short,

Magic Elixirs were strategic materials and were generally not circulated on the market; nobles cultivated their own alchemists and produced their own Magic Elixirs.

Russell didn’t have an alchemist among his ranks yet, so the Magic Potions were transported to Fluorescent Castle, where the castle’s alchemists would do the processing.

“Mostly boiling potions and beneficial potions,” Russell finished inventorying his own Magic Elixirs.

Boiling potions could stir Battle Qi, making it easier to open meridians, while beneficial potions could enhance Battle Qi and were used for minor and major circulation.

They were both types of potions that assisted in cultivation.

And the quantity was not too substantial; it was just enough to meet his and Eric’s needs, as well as the needs of the four Knight Attendants for cultivation, with some diluted level potions left to be exchanged with the Wildcat sisters and the Dungeon Rangers—as a purchase.

“Charles.”

“Sir, please give your instructions.” Charles followed behind Russell.

“When the next batch of Glowing Mushrooms is ripe, remember to exchange them with Fluorescent Castle for some Qi and Blood Ointment or Essence Meat Pills to stock up,” Russell directed.

Charles, being a smart man, immediately grasped the meaning, “Sir, are you planning to train Knights?”

“Exactly. Now the estate isn’t short of money, and it’s the harvest season for Magic Potions. We can certainly start training Knights ahead of time,” Russell said with a smile.

Qi and Blood Ointment and Essence Meat Pills were not Magic Elixirs but effects that could match the lowest-level diluted potion.

They were suitable for laying a foundation for children, helping them to nurture the Qi Seed more swiftly.

“Isn’t that a bit hasty? You also need a lot of resources for your cultivation,” Charles inquired, puzzled.

“Not at all. It will take several years before the children are trained, and by then I will probably have advanced to a Phantom Beast Knight and will be able to lead my Knights in battle across the Snowfields,” Russell explained, “As for my cultivation needs, there’s no need to worry.”

Others might not be able to buy Magic Elixirs, but could Russell not buy them?

Fluorescent Castle didn’t sell Magic Elixirs to the public, but what Russell wanted, the Baron and his wife would not be stingy with.

Before he could get his hands on the profits from the Rain Dragon Cigars, Baron Roman had already decreed that one-third be allocated to support the family. Russell, of course, had to shear more wool to cover his own expenses—not out of pettiness, but fatherly and motherly love.

“The school may only free up manpower to build during the icy season later this year,” Charles said.

After speaking, he couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, “The office says they’ll build but who knows when they will start; to this day, we’re still crammed in a decrepit building, with a yard next door full of chickens, their fragrant droppings a daily treat to the nose.”

Russell didn’t know Charles was grumbling, and he replied indifferently, “That’s alright, let’s just stock up on the Qi and Blood Ointment and Essence Meat Pills first, and next year we can choose the right-aged children to start with physical training, helping them establish a solid bodily foundation.”

“As you wish,” Charles responded.

“Your son and Eric’s son are both almost of age, so when the time comes, we’ll recruit them together and give them a good physical training,”

“Ah, thank you very much for your kindness, sir!” Charles said joyfully.

In his lifetime, he had reached the limit of his battle qi cultivation, with no hope of becoming a Great Knight, but he still hoped that his own children could stand out in the path of fighting qi cultivation.

In the future, father and son together would revive their family heritage.

It is known that his ancestors were once Lords and Phantom Beast Knights, but then the family fortune declined from generation to generation, eventually falling into decay.

Now that he had aligned himself with the right person, Russell was clearly destined for great things, and naturally, Charles also hoped to share in Russell’s glory and restore the family’s former brilliance.

“You and Eric are both my trusted brothers in arms, who else would I take care of if not you?” Russell smiled.

He then checked the amount of Gold Coins in the treasury, along with various other items.

Seeing that Russell had no other commands, Charles hesitated momentarily before speaking, “Sir, could I exchange for a healing potion here?”

“A healing potion? What do you need that for?” Russell gave Charles a look, “You don’t seem injured – what, do you want to take a chance, use the healing potion to repair your meridians and reopen your body’s channels?”

Charles had repeatedly said he wanted to practice cultivation, but each time he quickly gave up.

Russell didn’t believe he had the determination.

“No, no,” Charles said with an embarrassed smile. “I’ve long given up the idea. I couldn’t bear the hardship when I was young, let alone now that I’m older… I just want to buy one for Katie, to help her recultivate her battle qi.”

“Katie? Recultivating battle qi?”

“Yes, Katie truly has the courage and perseverance. She’s already dissipated her Ranger’s battle qi and is ready to start over,” Charles said ruefully. “But you know, recultivating battle qi is practically a fool’s errand, I fear she’ll end up crippling herself in the process without achieving anything.”

“Is that so.” Russell frowned, then turned and instructed the Personal Servant waiting at the door, “Ram, please call Miss Katie over.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Shortly after, Katie followed Ram and came to the manor’s annex.

“Sir, you wanted to see me?” Katie, wearing breezy clothes that after living under the sun, made her figure rise in fullness.

Unfortunately, although she was prettier than her sister Catherine, her looks were still lacking, certainly not a match for Head Maid Leona.

“Katie, I just heard from Charles that you have started to recultivate your battle qi?” Russell inquired.

Since she couldn’t hide this from him, Katie had long been mentally prepared to face it openly.

So she answered calmly, “Yes, Sir, I have started to recultivate my battle qi… I’m sorry I didn’t report the situation to you in advance. But rest assured, Sir, if I fail to recultivate my battle qi, I will voluntarily resign and become an ordinary serf.”

“I won’t blame you. You and Catherine have made contributions in the recovery of Grotto Village and with Kevin the Gold and Silver Wolfhound,” Russell said.

As he looked at Katie, he spoke slowly, “While serving as an official, you’ve always been diligent, and I have no complaints about you, so your ability will not be negated whether you recultivate battle qi successfully or not.”

“Thank you, Sir!” Katie looked up at Russell briefly before lowering her head again.

“If you had come to me before, I would never have agreed to you recultivating your battle qi, this path… is very difficult. But now that it has come to this, I can only wish you achieve what you set your heart on and become a true Knight,” Russell said.

“The road may be difficult, but I’m not afraid! Sir, I will give it my all!”

“Good, that’s the spirit!” Russell admired Katie’s character and immediately said, “I will personally sponsor you with two healing potions and ten strengthening potions… No need to rush to refuse, Katie. If you succeed, that will be the greatest reward you could give me.”

Whether it was admiring Katie’s character or the notion that one could buy a spirited horse for a thousand Gold Coins.

Russell handed over twelve Magic Elixirs to Katie, as she gratefully fought back tears, he simply smiled.

After sending off a very grateful Katie.

Russell glanced at Charles, who was watching Katie’s retreating figure with a look of wistful regret. So he reminded him gently, “Mr. Charles, as the Chancellor of Records, you must set a moral example and not continue to make mistakes once they are known.”

Charles’s face flushed, and he sheepishly said, “Of course not, Sir, I was just… simply admiring, that’s all.”