Against the Ropes
Entering the VIP room with quality lighting and deluxe furniture, Zheng Xiuming helped himself to a seat first and pointed to the pine on the table. “May I ask where you obtained this?”
Mu Yu reciprocated the attitude, pulling out a chair for himself. “I don’t see a reason to answer your question when I’m just looking to sell my herb.”
“Hmph.” Displeased with Mu Yu not taking the hint to humble himself, Zheng Xiuming consulted, “What do you think it is worth?”
“Five million.”
“Five million? You think this is worth five million? And I thought I’d seen it all,” fumed Zheng Xiuming, continuing the conversation for the sole purpose of getting his hands on the herb he’d never seen before to study.
“You’re more than welcome to inspect it in as much detail as you like. Tell me: is there something special under the pine?” taunted Mu Yu, pointing to the pine with a subtle smirk.
In that split second Zheng Xiuming shifted his gaze, Mu Yu caught him with divine soul wood and then interrogated, “Which faction are you with?”
“I am with Alchemist Yao.”
“How many Taishi purple sky pills do you have at this branch? Let me see one.”
“We don’t have any in stock. Policy requires us to notify headquarters for level six pills to be delivered when needed.”
“What a drag. Do you have the formula, then?”
“No, only a rank six alchemist would have the privilege of knowing a level six pill’s formula.”
“Are there any other ways to counteract celestial flame injuries?”
“No. According to what I know, a Taishi purple sky pill is the only solution. On that topic, it’s also capable of healing injuries Heaven Level elemental demons inflict.”
“What are the symptoms that other elemental demons inflict?”
“If a Heaven Level earth elemental demon injures someone, their skin will start to dry and fall off. Their muscles will turn into plant veins and atrophy. If a metal elemental demon hurts them, their body will gradually turn to metal, thereby immobilised. If a water elemental demon hurts you, you will gradually decay. Taishi purple sky pills are the only cure for damage sustained from Heaven Level elemental demons.”
“How long does it take to be delivered here once an order is placed?”
“Due to how far away we are, I need to personally make the trip back for it. If we include the time it takes for the request to be processed and needs to be concocted, a conservative estimate would be ten days if I rushed.”
That’s too long. I need to make him head to Pill Cauldron Sect now. You know what? Let’s just alter his memories so that he remembers finishing another normal transaction, Mu Yu decided.
Upon prying more, Mu Yu ran into yet more hurdles: the proprietor of the branch had to personally pick up the level six pill and pay the entire sum of it at the same time. Mu Yu’s entire fortune only totalled three million. Owing to the stores recording expenditure daily, there was no way Zheng Xiuming could explain where three million suddenly popped into existence from.
“You’re a rank five alchemist, and you only have a million spirit stones? What have you been doing with all your spirit Stones?”
“I spent six million on some level five pill formulas from the sect.”
Ordinary pill formulas were free, but even disciples had to pay for valued formulas. In other words, earn your keep.
“I’m going to ask Mr. Xuan for a million first, then. He should’ve sold the two fiend beasts by now. Worst comes to worst, I’ll sell one of my level six pills.”
Upon returning to Mystic Beast Store, Mu Yu saw Xiaoshuai still asleep on the table, while Xuan Zhengtang was staring into space. “Mr. Xuan, have you sold them already?”
Xuan Zhengtang stumbled to his feet. “You are finally back, Master Yu. We are in big trouble. Beast-Taming Hall has cut us off from all of our buyers, so we can no longer do business. This is all my fault. I should not have affronted someone from one of the eight great sects.”
Seeing Xuan Zhengtang on the verge of tears lit up a fire under Mu Yu. Nevertheless, he needed to calm Xuan Zhengtang first, comforting, “Hold your head up. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“There is no more hope. Earth Sovereign Sect won’t stop until we are finished, and we cannot possibly offer any competition!”
“Regardless of what may be thrown your way, I’ll have your back. I told you I’d help you, and I’ll make good on my word.”
Xuan Zhengtang did not know where the confidence and faith came from, but he could not resist believing in Mu Yu. Nevertheless, Xuan Zhengtang still struggled to deal with the situation in his mind.
“I am at my wits end, so I will take any advice you have, Master Yu.”
“Father.” Xuan Sitong embraced her father tight. “It’s not your fault, Father. We’re in this together no matter what comes our way. I will always be there to help you. I refuse to believe this is the end of the line for us.”
“I’ll stand tall, Sitong. I will collect the spirit stones,” promised Xuan Zhengtang, voice low.
“Good deeds will be repaid with grace, Father, but this world…”
Good people are victims of bullies yet again. I’m getting fed up with cultivators in this world by the second, Mu Yu internally lamented. “Mr. Xuan, I chose to extend a hand to you out of respect for your upright character. I hope you will always stay the same. This world still needs people like you. Don’t abandon your principles for money.”
Appreciative but unable to find words that could do his feelings justice, Xuan Zhengtang watched Mu Yu head to the door.
“You can trust me.”
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