Chapter 45

On one hand, while Li Er and Changsun were discussing, Li Kuan was also communicating with the system in his room. Perhaps because the energy points were more abundant this time, the system was no longer silent and began to answer Li Kuan's questions.

"System, why does it cost tens of thousands of energy points to exchange for a poem? Has the value of energy points dropped?" Li Kuan was most concerned about whether the value of energy points had depreciated. Previously, fifty points could exchange for a fifty-year-old ginseng, and if they had depreciated, his hope of recovering his health would be delayed indefinitely. Although the system had given a rough explanation in the hall, Li Kuan still wanted to ask again.

"The energy contained in energy points is fixed, so there is no issue of depreciation. The system's exchange prices are mainly based on the impact of the items on this world. The items you previously exchanged were for personal use, with negligible impact on the entire world. However, poems are different; they can influence many people when spread. For example, the distillation technology for brewing that you hope to exchange will have a significant impact, useful for medical purposes and as a tradable commodity. Therefore, the system's exchange price is very high!" The system patiently answered Li Kuan's questions.

"So, my thirty million points aren't that much? Is it enough to exchange for this brewing technology?" Li Kuan had planned to exchange for this technology. He knew how to drink but not how to brew, and he needed this technology to produce alcohol for treating Li Xiuning's injuries, as well as to sell the alcohol!

"The distillation technology for brewing requires ten million energy points!" The system's price shocked Li Kuan. Although he had just earned thirty million in the afternoon, he hadn't expected to spend a third of it so soon. Actually, it was more than that, as he still needed to exchange for other items, such as the medical book he had promised Li Er. This was like being robbed, and it seemed he would have to find more coal mines or oil wells!

Since he had already promised, Li Kuan had to pay, no matter how much. Now was the time to gain Li Er's initial trust, and he couldn't afford to let him down.

Painfully, Li Kuan paid ten million points and obtained the distillation technology. Although he could have just exchanged for a distiller, the real challenge was brewing. Did he have to buy alcohol to distill and sell, which would be too costly? Of course, with Li Kuan's current status, he could obtain some brewing secrets through cunning means, but that didn't align with his character. He could rob, but not from the people of the Tang Dynasty. Robbing from places like Goryeo, Japan, or the Abbasid Caliphate would be guilt-free. However, targeting the people of the Tang Dynasty was a different matter. He had always been a patriotic person, believing that Diaoyu Island belonged to China and that Outer Mongolia was part of China, so...

After spending ten million points, plus the previous exchanges for hypnosis and a poem, Li Kuan had used up 10.1 million points, leaving him with 20.6 million points. He wondered how many points would be left if he exchanged for the medical book he wanted.

"How much does the 'Qing Nang Jing' cost?" Li Kuan asked, as if he were buying something from a store.

"The 'Qing Nang Jing' is a medical classic written by the famous physician Hua Tuo during the Three Kingdoms period. This book has been lost in this timeline, so the original price of 1.5 million points has an additional 500,000 points added due to its rarity, totaling 2 million points!" The system once again took advantage of Li Kuan.

"Two million, not 200 points?" Li Kuan screamed, lowering his voice instinctively to avoid being heard by the maids next door.

"Indeed, 2 million points. Although this book does not exceed the time limit, it is not a simple item. If given to a famous physician of this era, it might change some significant historical events!" The system's response made Li Kuan think of many things. Could this book help Sun Simiao cure Changsun's illness, or even allow Nizi to grow up?

After considering these possibilities, Li Kuan decided against exchanging for 'Shanghan Zabing Lun,' as Zhang Zhongjing's work was still available in this era, albeit in fragmented form.

Li Kuan hoped Changsun would live longer. Over the past two to three months, he had developed feelings for the beautiful Queen of Qin, despite her occasional probing. He understood that it was for his own good, just like his mother in the future nagging him to get married and introducing him to girls, which he found annoying. Now, he deeply regretted not starting a family earlier, as he wished someone could take care of his mother and bring her joy. But it was too late to regret, and he could only silently pray across the centuries, hoping his mother could accept the fact that he could no longer take care of her.

So, this time, he hoped everyone around him would be healthy. Those who were good to him would live well, and those who were bad to him would face his revenge!

Li Kuan decided to live a life of passion and revenge in this era, even if he had to wait to earn enough energy points to take revenge on his enemies.

Since he knew the required energy points, he quickly exchanged for the items to avoid being unprepared when needed. As for his health, Li Kuan had already asked and knew it would cost about 15 million points to fully recover, taking several years, even with his consistent practice of Xinyi Quan to enhance the healing effects of the medicine. Without it, it would take even longer, due to his congenital weakness.

Li Kuan chose the items to exchange and paid a substantial fee. Two thin booklets quietly lay in his private space.

This private space was like a small warehouse, but only items from the system could be stored there. External items couldn't be placed inside. Otherwise, if Li Kuan weren't Li Er's son, he could have become wealthy by trading with this small warehouse.

Li Kuan calculated that after deducting the cost of his recovery, he had about 3 million points left. He decided to exchange for a toothbrush, which he had long desired, as using willow twigs was frustrating. Unfortunately, toothpaste was too advanced! He also exchanged for several quilts, as he had become a wealthy man. He calculated that he needed to please: Li Er and Changsun, Yang Fei, Yin Fei, and Wei Fei, the three concubines, and their children, Li Chenggan, Li Tai, Li Ke, and Li You. This would cost him only a few hundred points, which he wouldn't mind after spending millions.

After about half an hour of busy work, Li Kuan finished and went to bed. Snowflakes continued to fall outside, landing on the window frames and tree branches, making a soft rustling sound like gentle music.

The next morning, Li Kuan poked his head out of the quilt. It was just getting light, the perfect time for exercise. He couldn't be lazy with his training, or he would never make progress.

Dressed, he stepped on the snow, the crunching sound leading him to the pavilion where he usually practiced. The cold air cleared his sleepiness. He set up his stance and began the San Ti Shi. Breathing deeply, he felt the strength in his muscles and skin, then quickly punched, breaking the air with a whooshing sound.

Li Kuan shook his head; he still hadn't mastered the San Ti Shi. If he could punch through the air with a sharp sound, he would have truly entered the door. In his previous life, Li Kuan had just touched the threshold, and this time, with his weak body, he had a long way to go.

After practicing twice, the sky was bright, and the servants began clearing the snow. The snow from the previous night wasn't heavy, but clearing all the paths in the Qin王府 was no small task. The servants worked enthusiastically, while Li Kuan went to the kitchen for breakfast.

Since Changsun knew Li Kuan's habit of eating breakfast, the kitchen always prepared a meal for him. This was one of the reasons Li Kuan wanted to save Changsun. Such small acts of care made Li Kuan feel a sense of home. Of course, there was also the little girl Li Lizhi, whose presence brought Li Kuan peace and comfort, leading him to decide to save her future mother, the Empress Changsun.

After breakfast, Li Kuan returned to his courtyard, where Li Er was already waiting. Li Kuan hurriedly greeted him, though he was still somewhat annoyed. However, without the strength to resist, he had to endure. He could be more relaxed when the little girl was around, as Li Er liked her and wouldn't blame him. As for Li Er's affection for Li Kuan, he pretended not to know, as it was for the previous Li Kuan, not for him. Therefore, Li Kuan always felt some resistance towards Li Er but still had to flatter and please him, though not excessively.

"Father, I believe you know the reason I am here. Your aunt can't wait any longer, so you should contact your master and see if they have prepared the promised items. This morning, someone reported that Sun Simiao, the Daoist, has been found and is on his way to Chang'an. I hope we will receive good news from your master by then!" Li Er's attitude towards Li Kuan was somewhat strange, neither as formal as a collaborator nor as casual as a father to a son. Li Er was still figuring out how to communicate with his son!