Chapter 4: Thoughts On Making Money

Standing by the bed, Francis grew serious. He placed his right hand on Dracula's head, channeling spiritual energy through his palm to dissolve the blood clot in Dracula's brain. Gradually, beads of sweat formed on his forehead and even on his nose, his face turning pale. Having just acquired the ancestral knowledge, Francis's spiritual energy wasn't strong yet, making this process extremely taxing. But for his father, he pushed through. After about ten minutes, Francis withdrew his hand, exhausted and drenched in sweat. "Mom, I've dissolved the blood clot in Dad's brain. He should wake up in about an hour. I'm going to rest in my room for a bit." Though he was severely depleted, Francis was exhilarated. The ancestral knowledge he received would transform his life. Lying on his bed, Francis reflected on recent events. Memories slowly resurfaced. Four years ago, at eighteen, he entered the medical school at Dongshui University, becoming the first college student from Qingshan Village. Like many students, he fell in love during his junior year at twenty-one. His girlfriend, Olivia Qin, was the campus beauty. His family's poverty made him mature early. While other boys played games, he started a business, opening a gift shop near the school. It thrived. Olivia admired his ambition and self-reliance, which drew her to him. Everything seemed perfect. One night, Olivia texted him. She was at a KTV celebrating a friend's birthday and had been drugged. Rushing to the KTV, he found Olivia disoriented, with a man trying to assault her. Furious, Francis grabbed a bottle and attacked. The man he struck turned out to be Niklaus, the son of Yang Group chairman, a notorious playboy. Niklaus retaliated mercilessly. Francis's shop was destroyed, and Olivia was violated, the scandal spreading across campus. Unable to bear the shame, Olivia left Dongshui University and disappeared. Francis was captured by Niklaus's thugs. He could never forget Niklaus's words as he lay helpless, his limbs pinned, Niklaus's foot on his head. "Francis, you're just a filthy farmer. How can you compete with me? In Dongshui City, I can crush you with a finger!" "Why should a bumpkin like you have Olivia? That whore was blind to choose you over me! But I had her in the end. She's just a slut!" "Angry? What can your anger do? Oh, you dare glare at me? Die!" The last thing Francis saw was a baseball bat swinging at his head. This was why he had been foolish for a year. Worse, Niklaus had also injured his father, who sought justice for him. Francis's eyes grew cold, his body emanating a murderous aura. He swore vengeance for himself, his father, and Olivia. Thinking of Olivia pained him. Where was she now? He dialed her old number, trembling, but it was disconnected. Hearing the automated message, Francis felt lost but also relieved. Maybe it was best to leave the past behind. She might have a new life now. He shouldn't disturb her or dredge up painful memories. With a deep breath, Francis resolved to let her go. After resting for half an hour, Francis felt better and left his room to gather medicinal herbs. Though he had dissolved the blood clot, his father's nerves were damaged from prolonged pressure. Complete recovery required herbal treatment, particularly a fifty-year-old ginseng root, nearly impossible to find and extremely valuable. He needed to make a lot of money for his father's full recovery. For now, he would gather herbs to help his father recover gradually. "Mom, take care of Dad. I'm going to the mountains for herbs." After informing his mother, Francis grabbed a basket, a digging tool, and a knife, heading to Daqing Mountain. Qingshan Village was at the foot of Daqing Mountain. From the village, crossing a river and farmland led to the mountain. What once seemed ordinary now felt like an untouched treasure trove of wild herbs, thanks to his ancestral knowledge. Many rare herbs thrived there. On Daqing Mountain, Francis moved effortlessly, gathering herbs like Bai Zhi, Ze Lan, Dang Gui, Gan Cao, and She Gan, known for their blood-circulating and clot-dissolving properties. Wild herbs were more potent than cultivated ones. With the needed herbs collected, he headed down the mountain, pondering how to make money. He needed a plan to earn enough for his father's full recovery.