Chapter Fourteen The Poorhouse
If the west district of Ark Town was the commercial area, then the southwest district was a complete slum.
The environment and public order here were exceptionally terrible. Not only were there no oil lamps on the roadside, but the entire area was pitch black. During the short journey Li Wen had taken, she had encountered at least three people who attempted to rob or steal from her.
To avoid any further unnecessary trouble, Li Wen had no choice but to break the bones of one of their hands as a warning.
After she did so, indeed, no one bothered her again.
Ark Town was not large, so finding a building that fit the style of a poorhouse was not difficult. However, the intricate layout of houses and roads in the slum made Li Wen take several detours before finding her destination.
It was a three-story high building, constructed entirely of deep red brick, which stood out from the surrounding architecture. The poorhouse was closed at the moment, with only a firelight visible through the windows.
Li Wen knocked on the door and waited for a long time before a muffled voice came from inside.
“The poorhouse is closed. If you want to collect your subsidy, come back tomorrow morning.”
“I am here to find someone. Is Old Sem here?” she said.
A moment later, the door opened, revealing a stout, solid bald head.
“Looking for Old Sem,” the bald man said, appraising Li Wen from head to toe. “I don’t recall that old fellow having any relatives… Come in.”
Li Wen followed him inside.
The interior of the poorhouse was quite spacious. Although it couldn’t be described as comfortable overall, it was at least clean and tidy, allowing the homeless to feel the warmth of home.
In addition, Li Wen noticed that there were church-style decorations and furnishings everywhere.
“Was the poorhouse established by the church?”
The bald man walking in front had a large head and ears, swaying as he walked; such a physique was rare in a rural place like Ark Town.
“Hmm, it was indeed funded and built by the Holy Church. The daily management and funding are the responsibility of Priest Mog. By the way, do you know Priest Mog?”
Li Wen did not reply, but asked another question, “Who are the usual recipients of the poorhouse’s services?”
“Generally, it’s for the homeless, such as children abandoned by their parents, the elderly who have no one to support them, or those who are seriously ill and cannot support themselves through labor. Of course, we also take in some beggars and the poor, as long as they are willing to provide labor… Why are you asking this?” The bald man rambled on for a while before realizing that Li Wen was here to find someone.
“Just curious.” Li Wen stopped talking after that.
The bald man led her all the way to the third floor and pointed to the room in the farthest corner, saying, “Old Sem usually lives there. If you want to find him, just knock on the door. I have work to do, so if you need anything, just call me on the first floor.”
Watching the bald man slowly go downstairs, Li Wen walked to the room and gently knocked on the door.
After waiting for a while, the door opened a small crack, and the owner of the room peered out.
“Who are you?”
Old Sem’s voice was hoarse and dry, as if he hadn’t had water in a long time.
“Priest Mog sent me,” Li Wen said concisely.
Upon hearing Mog’s name, Old Sem became visibly agitated. He pushed the door open, letting Li Wen in, but clearly did not trust her just yet.
“What did he send you here for? I’m just an old man with nothing.”
Li Wen did not rush to answer. She observed the room and the old man. The room was so empty that not even rats could survive, truly “nothing” as the old man said. Old Sem was a typical, or rather, a stereotypical, Duwei person. He was short, with a sallow, wrinkled face. His arms and face were smeared with strange paint, like some kind of totem.
“Do you make medicine?”
As soon as Li Wen entered, she smelled the faint bitter aroma of herbs. Besides that, she also noticed residual sulfur and plant sap under Old Sem’s fingernails.
Old Sem’s expression immediately turned displeased. He tightened his lips, as if considering how to make Li Wen leave quickly.
“You don’t need to deny it. I have some knowledge of Alchemy, so I can tell.”
“When I was young, I heard the elders in my tribe mention the grinding and preparation of herbs, but it’s nothing worth mentioning,” Old Sem’s voice rumbled.
“I need some materials for a ritual. Priest Mog said you might have what I need.”
Old Sem did not speak upon hearing this. He walked to the bedside, laboriously moved the bed aside, then pried open the wooden board that had been covering the hidden compartment underneath.
Inside the hidden compartment were some non-professional grinders, filters, crucibles, and many bottles and jars.
Arthur officially prohibited the spread of folk Alchemy techniques, so Old Sem’s caution was not without reason.
Old Sem picked up a half-full leather backpack from the hidden compartment, added several bottles and jars to it, and finally handed it to Li Wen.
“Everything I have is in here. If you still lack anything, then I apologize, but I can do no more.”
Li Wen opened it to check. Based on her past memories, she could tell that although the materials were not complete in variety, they were sufficient for the current situation.
“It’s enough.” Li Wen calculated the price based on the black market rates from her previous life, and then took out two Pounds Sterling and five Shillings to give to Old Sem.
Old Sem shook his head. “Since you were introduced by Master Mog, I cannot accept money.”
“It has nothing to do with him,” Li Wen said.
“It has a lot to do with me.”
Li Wen was too lazy to argue. She placed the money down and turned to leave. Old Sem’s stamina was naturally no match for the young Li Wen, so he could only watch Li Wen’s disappearing figure with frustration.
*
Back at the nunnery dormitory, Li Wen saw Luna standing at the door of her room.
“Are you looking for me?”
Sister Luna was startled and breathed a sigh of relief when she turned around and saw it was Li Wen.
“I baked some potatoes and lamb and wanted to give them to you to try.”
Saying this, the nun shook the basket of food in her hand.
So that’s how it is.
Li Wen nodded. “Thank you, then. I haven’t eaten yet.”
She took the basket and was about to dismiss Luna, but seeing the little nun’s expectant gaze, she felt a bit exasperated.
“If you don’t mind, let’s eat together.”
The nun was overjoyed to receive the invitation. She didn’t necessarily want to eat together, but simply wanted to know Li Wen’s opinion on her cooking.
*
“It tastes very good.”
After the food entered her mouth, Li Wen immediately gave her assessment.
“Really? Priest Mog said the same. I still think there’s room for improvement,” the nun’s little face turned red; she seemed unaccustomed to praise.
“What kind of person do you think Mog is?” Li Wen suddenly asked.
“Priest Mog?” Sister Luna looked a bit confused. “Priest Mog… he should be a very good person. He treats everyone with kindness and gentleness, is very good at listening to the needs of his flock, is helpful, and teaches me a lot of knowledge… The people in town all like Priest Mog.”
“I see.”
Li Wen stopped talking.
She wondered what expression the little nun would have if she knew the truth.
