This chapter opens with a description of the medicinal powder that the jia-lie clan was using to steal customers away from the auction house. The powder is of a very low grade and is not very effective. The alchemist explains that he has many recipies, but none of them are of a higher rank. Now that he is a dou-practitioner, it is time for him to try his hand at making medicine for the family. He makes a medicine pot with only two intakes, which is inferior to a dual-intake pot, but the alchemist praises the pot's quality. He explains that when he learns to make medicine, he can learn to make constant failures, and this is the reason why alchemists waste so much money. The patriarch of the family is very distressed, and he apologizes to the alchemist for not knowing about the family's financial situation. He says that he will return if he is free.