Equivalent exchange… It was as if lightning struck Song Qing’s mind, his soul seemingly hit by something.
This impact was like classic poetry to a scholar.
Equivalent exchange is the unchanging principle of alchemy!
“Yes, that’s right, it’s like this…” Song Qing muttered to himself.
Whenever he successfully crafted something, correspondingly, the raw materials would disappear or transform into something else.
This phenomenon had always existed, but few people noticed it. Or if they did notice, they didn’t think much about it, didn’t think as deeply as this.
When the teacher taught us alchemy years ago, he once said that the essence of alchemy is not “transformation,” but “conversion”!
“Equivalent exchange, so that’s what it means…”
This pivotal statement made this passionate alchemy enthusiast tremble involuntarily.
After calming his excited heart, Song Qing began to ponder the meaning behind the words “Edward Elric.”
Is it a name?
What a strange name.
Is it a code, or some kind of alchemical jargon?
Unable to figure it out, he felt an unbearable itch of curiosity.
Song Qing took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, and eagerly turned to the next page, reading the twisted, unsightly characters with professional patience.
The first sentence of the chapter read: Enter the world of alchemy!
Is this teaching people how to step into the field of alchemy?
How arrogant! Song Qing thought to himself.
Alchemy had always been taught through personal instruction and oral tradition. Those with innate talent could grasp the basics in a year or so, while those less gifted might achieve nothing even after thirty or fifty years.
The Astronomical Bureau still didn’t have a proper textbook.
But the opening line gave Song Qing enough patience to continue.
“Chapter One: Changes and Properties of Matter. In nature, there are many examples invisible to the naked eye. These examples constitute matter, and matter interacts in various ways and undergoes constant changes…
“I categorize these changes as chemical changes and physical changes…”
As Song Qing read on, he fell into deep thought.
What is chemistry?
What are atoms?
What am I reading?
Why do I recognize every character, but when they’re combined, I can’t understand them?
Even the classics of the sages have annotations, why is there nothing here?!
However, Song Qing wasn’t completely at a loss. He keenly perceived that this was an unparalleled celestial book.
It expounded on the true face of the world, pointing out the most essential structure of all things in heaven and earth.
Song Qing’s body trembled slightly. For a moment, he wanted to tear up the book. These were mysteries that only gods should know; mortals shouldn’t peek into them.
But deep in his heart, another force supported him—the most primitive human desire for knowledge.
The alchemy room fell silent.
The white-robed disciples looked at each other, not daring to disturb, deeply concerned about Senior Brother Song’s ever-changing expressions.
“Senior Brother must be contemplating some unacceptable alchemy again.”
“Yes, last year he tried to alchemize cat flesh and blood into a tree so that even if the head was cut off, it could grow back. But the Chief Astrologer confined him for a month.”
Song Qing was immersed in his world, both terrified and excited. As he read on, his eyes suddenly lit up because he saw a detailed explanation of how to refine the tax silver.
Step One: First, filter the salt water to purify sodium chloride (refined salt).
Step Two: Evaporate the salt water, crystallize it, and melt it at a high temperature of 800 degrees Celsius.
Step Three: Attention! This step is crucial for refining the tax silver. Success or failure hinges on this.
Song Qing’s eyes shone brightly. Finally, finally, he was about to solve the problem that had troubled him and his junior brothers for so long.
This truly was a divine book.
Song Qing realized he had reached the end of the page. He wet his fingertip with saliva, eagerly turning to the next page.
Blank!
Song Qing: “???”
No more?!
There’s nothing after this?
What exactly is the third step? Why isn’t it recorded? Who wrote this book? This kind of cliffhanger writing deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces.
Song Qing spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Song Qing opened his mouth, forgetting something, and said in a deep voice, “Who brought this book?”
“Didn’t notice.”
“Didn’t hear.”
“Forgot.”
The junior brothers’ answers were exceptionally honest.
Song Qing immediately went downstairs to find the disciple who had received Captain Wang earlier, asking for details of what had transpired.
This is an exchange… After analysis, Song Qing came to this conclusion.
“Senior Brother, what’s wrong with you?” The white-robed junior brothers followed him downstairs.
“What’s the problem with this book?”
Song Qing’s face was incomparably serious as he swept his gaze over everyone’s faces. “Junior brothers, listen to me. This is an opportunity for the Astronomical Bureau to rise rapidly. It’s a once-in-a-millennium chance. Alchemy might be about to usher in unprecedented glory.”
…
Sheep Pavilion.
Two carriages slowly moved along the official road, carrying the two great scholars who had just finished their verbal sparring.
Liu Xinnian and his classmates rode on horseback, trailing behind the carriages.
“I shouldn’t have told the truth just now,” Liu Xinnian felt somewhat regretful.
When the two great scholars were arguing, spittle flying, and about to come to blows, Liu Xinnian had bluntly said: Actually, Teacher and Mr. Mubai are just trying to create an immortal poem, right?
The scene had been very awkward.
Although he had prevented the two great scholars from fighting, Liu Xinnian also realized that telling the truth wasn’t the right thing to do.
“Mother was right, I’ve never been good at speaking. I need to change!” Liu Xinnian engaged in the Nth self-reflection of his life.
He reached into his bosom and touched the smooth jade pendant. Liu Xinnian gazed into the distance contentedly, but as he was feeling happy, a rapidly approaching figure appeared in his vision.
In a moment, the figure’s outline came into view. It was his father, Liu Pingzhi.
Liu Xinnian was stunned. He spurred his horse, overtaking the carriage to meet his father.
“Father, why are you here…” As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Xinnian’s heart sank. His father’s expression made him realize that something was wrong, even though he knew nothing about it.
Liu Pingzhi told Liu Xinnian what had happened as quickly as possible.
Vice Minister Zhou’s son harassing his sister on the street… almost trampling Lingyin with his horse… Big Brother being taken to the Ministry of Justice… Liu Xinnian’s mind heated up, his blood surging.
“Nian’er, your big brother’s life depends on you now.”
“Father, don’t worry.” Many thoughts flashed through Liu Xinnian’s mind, and he quickly had an idea. He turned his horse around, stopped the carriage, and called out loudly: “Teacher, Mr. Mubai, Cijiu has a request.”
The curtain lifted, and Zhang Shen and Li Mubai poked their heads out. “What is it?”
“My elder brother is in trouble. Please, Teacher and Mr. Mubai, help save him.” Liu Xinnian repeated what his father had told him.
Zhang Shen stared at him and said in a deep voice, “Is this the talented young man who wrote ‘Don’t worry that there are no kindred spirits ahead, who in the world doesn’t know you’?”
His voice was solemn as if this was very important.
“That’s right!” Liu Xinnian nodded.
Just as Zhang Shen was about to speak, Li Mubai in the carriage next to him interrupted: “Cijiu, leave your brother’s matter to me. You and your teacher should return to the academy first.”
“Hmph!” Zhang Shen snorted coldly. “Outsiders, don’t meddle. I’ll handle my student’s affairs.”
Liu Pingzhi was overjoyed, not expecting his son to have such influence.
“Teacher, Mr. Mubai, my brother has been taken to the Ministry of Justice. Please hurry, or it might be too late!” Liu Xinnian urged anxiously.
This was not the time for arguments.