Chapter 5: Secrets

In the midst of his frustration, Sui Ge opened another can of beer

Wū -

Although the professors at the College of Agriculture are knowledgeable and well-experienced, and the library's specialized collection can be considered vast, there is not a single person or book that can resolve the doubts in his heart

Sui Ge realized that the situation was perilous and quickly got up from the ground, preparing to escape from here swiftly. Naturally, he could not leave behind the ancient book. Sui Ge reached out to grab it, intending to place it into the iron box, but unexpectedly, he ended up grasping at nothing.

Uncertain whether it was due to drinking too heavily or being overly fatigued and troubled, Sui Ge unexpectedly fell asleep in a daze

Sui Ge's mood became increasingly gloomy

But this wind seemed to deliberately tease Sui Ge, as that ancient book was swept up by the wind, actually lifting off the ground, appearing as if it were about to be carried up into the sky

A few days later, Sui Ge began to feel disappointed

Is this nonsense?

What pained Sui Ge even more was that several pages of the book had been torn, with some fragments of paper swirling in the air.

Unfortunately, although universities are hailed as temples of knowledge and bastions of culture, they are unable to resolve the doubts that weigh on Sui Ge's mind

This ancient book is a treasure in Sui Ge's heart; how could he allow it to be swept away by the wind? He suddenly dashed out, then used all his strength to leap up, extending both hands high, and finally managed to grasp the ancient book in his hands before landing on the ground

Finally, Sui Ge managed to grasp a withered vine with one hand, barely stabilizing his position. However, the situation was far from optimistic—he found himself hanging over a dirt embankment more than five meters high, with a circular pond approximately ten meters in diameter directly below him.

A few drops of cool rain splashed onto Sui Ge's face, and a gust of cold wind swept in, causing him to shiver. The effects of alcohol and drowsiness vanished in an instant. He opened his eyes and saw that the sky was overcast with dark clouds, and a storm was raging.

In recent days, Sui Ge has been trying various ways to consult some professors about certain questions. However, the names of the "immortal herbs" he mentioned were surprisingly unfamiliar even to the professors, and there were no books in the library that referenced them.

He has no aversion to studying, but foreign language classes are an exception, and the reason is quite simple: he does not like them

Next to the pond, there stands a warning sign that says "Caution: Risk of Falling into Water"

Could it be that coming to university to seek answers is a mistaken decision

Sui Ge even abandoned his backpack and desperately chased after that ancient book

Sui Ge forcefully poured the beer in his hand down his throat

As university life has just begun, Sui Ge still has plenty of time. However, the old landlord has already lived more than half of his life and is aging day by day. Even if, in ten or twenty years, the old landlord's leg could be healed, it is likely that he would no longer be able to walk. Therefore, Sui Ge cannot help but feel anxious.

This problem had troubled Sui Ge for a long time, and it also troubled the old landlord. After decades of exploration, the old landlord finally gave up completely and, in a somewhat idealistic manner, believed that this ancient book from m.hetushucom.com was a celestial text, and the prescriptions within were also divine formulas. During the campaign to eradicate the Four Olds, heaven showed him mercy, allowing him to find this book in the ruins of a Taoist temple. However, divine formulas are indeed divine, and the herbs in the prescriptions are not ordinary herbs, but rather "celestial herbs" from the heavens. Since they are celestial herbs, they naturally cannot be found in the mundane world. He said that if he could truly find those celestial herbs, he could also cure his lame leg.

For many years, Sui Ge followed the old landlord and personally witnessed the miraculous effects of the dog-skin plaster, which surpassed any kind of trauma medicine or trauma liquor, and even those imported Western medicines made in the United States were far inferior. If the prescriptions in ancient texts were false, then the dog-skin plaster could not possibly be so effective.

Sui Ge silently prayed in his heart, pulling hard on the withered vine, hoping to climb up.

The sound of raindrops hitting the leaves is becoming increasingly dense

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in, blowing away the ancient book, which rolled incessantly on the ground, being carried down the mountain.

Oh dear

As for the other prescriptions found in ancient texts, it is truly bizarre; although there are formulas, they are entirely unusable for treating illnesses or saving lives. The reason for this is that many of the "herbs" in those prescriptions cannot be purchased at traditional Chinese medicine shops, and even many experienced practitioners have never heard of them. Furthermore, some even believe that those so-called "herbs" are not medicinal at all, and the prescriptions themselves are mere fabrications.

Sui Ge ascended Qixia and *Tu* Shushan alone, not to experience the romantic atmosphere, but to alleviate his melancholy

However, why are the remaining prescriptions unable to match the required herbs?

Qixia Mountain is located near the back gate of the campus, with an elevation of only about 200 meters, yet it offers a panoramic view of the entire campus. Among the students at Dongda University, it is known by two colloquial names. In the morning, it is referred to as "Madman's Ridge," because every morning, one can hear countless language enthusiasts loudly reciting in various languages such as English, German, Japanese, and French, with sounds like "ABCD" and "ee-ya-ya" filling the air, even drowning out the calls of thousands of birds on the mountain. In the evening, many people call it "Lover's Slope," as this is when many couples meet on the hillside to watch the sunset. Indeed, this small mountain is the only place in the campus that possesses a hint of romantic atmosphere.

Perhaps attending university is a mistaken choice

After spending some time online, Sui Ge increasingly felt a sense of restlessness. Therefore, he slung a backpack over his shoulder, bought a few cans of beer at the school convenience store, and went alone to Qixia Mountain behind the school

Originally, he thought that by entering university and coming into contact with some experts and professors, he would be able to find some clues. However, the reality has left Sui Ge deeply hurt, and to this day, he has not seen even a glimmer of hope.

Sui Ge's confidence was inevitably shaken

Dada! Dada!

Moreover, I did not encounter any distinctive beauties such as maidens, mature women, or queens. It is said that there are many beautiful women at Dongda University; could it be just an illusion?

Be sure not to fall down!

With thoughts of the books, Sui Ge took a hearty gulp of beer

In the afternoon, there were two foreign language classes, and Sui Ge decisively chose to skip them.

However, today Sui Ge truly experienced a stroke of bad luck, akin to hearing a crow caw during a wedding ceremony. Just as he exerted force with his hand, he heard a sharp "crack" from the withered vine—it had snapped.

But strangely, the student who often skips classes to play games actually went to attend a foreign language class

In the bedroom, only Sui Ge remained.

After obtaining this ancient book, Sui Ge devoted himself to research for a period of time, and he arrived at conclusions similar to those of the old landlord. The main issue still lay with those peculiar "herbs." However, Sui Ge did not believe that these were "immortal herbs," things that do not exist in this world. He believed that these "herbs" should be rare and precious plants, only growing in remote areas, which is why many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners do not recognize them. Therefore, Sui Ge entered university and chose a major in Grass Science, hoping to clarify what these so-called "immortal herbs" truly are.

After the old landlord "understood" this principle, he no longer pondered over the ancient book, as the only two usable prescriptions had already benefited him immensely. He could only be content and accept his fate. Therefore, three or four years ago, the old landlord simply passed the ancient book to Sui Ge, but cautioned him not to show it to others easily, lest the "immortal formulas" within be leaked, which would incur divine retribution.

The other three individuals in the bedroom thought that Sui Ge had finally come to his senses, realizing the futility of the major in grass science, which was why he felt so frustrated with the books. Thus, they occasionally offered Sui Ge some words of comfort, sharing a sense of mutual sympathy, yet they had no idea that the source of Sui Ge's gloom was entirely different from theirs

After a few rolls, Sui Ge felt stars in his eyes from the fall. In his panic, he reached out and grabbed wildly, not knowing how much wild grass he had pulled away with his hands. However, he still could not stabilize his body, and instead, he seemed to be accelerating.

I am still a virgin, and I certainly do not want to be struck by lightning

Clearly not

Gudu Gudu

This nameless ancient book is the greatest secret of the old landlord and the foundation of his wealth as the richest man in Yongquan Village. Although the book has no title, it contains records of over a thousand "immortal prescriptions." The old landlord's dog-skin plaster and that gynecological panacea were derived from this book, making them his most proud and effective remedies

Before he had the chance to feel relieved, Sui Ge was tripped by a vine as he landed, causing him to lose his balance instantly, and he rolled down the mountain like a gourd.

Although it is now September, the sunlight on the mountaintop is still quite harsh. Sui Ge leans against a large tree, drinking beer while taking out a rectangular tin box from his backpack, which has a small brass lock on it. Sui Ge unlocks the brass lock and retrieves an ancient book from the tin box. The book is very worn, with a thick cover, but it has no title. Upon opening it, the pages inside have yellowed and show some damage, clearly indicating that it is an item of considerable age.

Even a hint or clue is completely absent