Chapter 19: First Refining Session
When Li Lang woke up today, he immediately knew what the day had in store for him.
After finishing his routine of cultivation, food, and hygienic needs, he quickly moved outside to the small courtyard by the well. The innkeeper had agreed to allow him to store the cooking stove he had bought the day before there. It wasn’t uncommon for travelers to bring along a portable stove with them, but the one he had was a size or two larger than what most people would travel with.
Li Lang set up the furnace in the corner of the courtyard and readied all the other equipment he would need today. There were containers, materials, tools like tongs, and even a mortar and pestle.
As he laid out everything, the workers who were using the well all curiously looked on. None of them dared to bother their guest, but they slowed their steps as they walked by to earn themselves more time to view the spectacle.
Once Li Lang had gotten his makeshift alchemy setup in order, he quickly ran toward the front of the inn to find an unoccupied staff member. He found the innkeeper, the middle-aged lady who had initially greeted him, scribbling on a piece of paper as she worked the abacus.
“Good morning. Do you think I could buy some firewood?”
The lady looked up and recognized Li Lang before nodding as she smiled at her little guest.
“Of course.” She cupped her hand to her mouth and yelled. “Hong Er, go get some firewood from the kitchen for our guest here.”
“Yes!” a distant voice replied.
The middle-aged innkeeper then quickly resumed her calculation on the abacus while chatting with Li Lang.
“So, I heard your little drink business is doing pretty well. Soda, was it? Why don’t you let me give it a try?”
“Hm, are you looking to sell it at your place?”