14 days ago Author: Pig Heart Shrimp
Chapter 41 One Hundred and Twenty Dragon Tiger Pills at Qian Feng Tower.
As the shopkeeper, Yang Shanyu personally welcomed Gu Wen.
Unlike last time, this time Gu Wen was more guarded, no longer attributing the restlessness to physical reactions.
"Master Wen, why didn't you inform me in advance of your visit?"
Yang Shanyu was dressed gorgeously, a dress revealing half of her chest immediately capturing the attention of everyone around, causing many "connoisseurs" to stare in awe.
Such a beauty that can only be admired from afar is the most profitable.
Every year, countless people come here, even just to play the zither with the girls from the Qing Pavilion, it's worth spending dozens of taels.
For someone like Yang Shanyu, her appearance fee starts at a hundred taels.
Although Gu Wen didn't think they were much prettier than the other girls in Longqiao, people are just cheap and like things that are out of reach.
Gu Wen said, "I am just a humble merchant, why such a grand reception."
"Everyone knows how prestigious you are now. With two forbidden troops accompanying you when you go out in Bianjing, they can be counted on one hand."
Yang Shanyu covered her face and chuckled lightly, then took over from the maid and led Gu Wen up to the third floor, gradually leaving behind all the noise, with only the bustling sounds of Longqiao faintly heard.
"Master Wen is here to take over from Hu Sanyuan?"
"Innkeeper Yang is truly insightful."
"How can that be called insightful? His death at home even alarmed the Prime Minister. Since he's dead, only Master Wen can handle such a big business."
"I heard about Hu Sanyuan's death this morning. It's truly horrifying, with dozens of people being slaughtered by unknown assailants."
Gu Wen remained unfazed, the memories of the killings from yesterday not even causing his breath to quicken.
Massacres have always been major cases throughout the ages, enough to alarm the county governor, and even reach the court.
Bianjing is still under the Emperor's feet, where everything is a big deal, but the current Emperor doesn't bother with such matters.
The Prime Minister is already at the top, but so what.
The greatest fear of killing comes from the punishment after being discovered, and ancient forensic methods cannot track down a person who raided twenty miles in an hour and single-handedly wiped out a whole family.
"Those in this line of work will die sooner or later. There are plenty of talented individuals in this world who can kill them. If you don't like someone, it's just like crushing an ant."
Yang Shanyu smiled and covered her face, her words would have previously led Gu Wen to aim for higher-ranking officials, but now it's different.
What she said is true, in front of cultivators, all are like pigs and dogs.
Even if one cannot move mountains and fill seas, as long as cultivators are not foolish, mortals cannot contend with them.
And I have embarked on the path of cultivation, and have gone further than anyone else.
-
Entering the room, Gu Wen sat down casually, while Yang Shanyu poured tea and water for him.
"This is my first time handling this matter, can Innkeeper Yang tell me more about it?"
"Of course."
Yang Shanyu leaned over to pour water, a fragrant aroma wafted over, and she softly said, "Our Qian Feng Tower relies on the Qing Pavilion and these medicinal pills. I wonder if Master Wen has heard of some strange events."
Gu Wen calmly replied, "Over the years, I have assisted the Ninth Prince in some matters, so I have come into contact with some. Otherwise, I wouldn't have purchased a large quantity of Dragon Tiger Pills. When can I get those pills?"
"The demand for Dragon Tiger Pills is high, so it may take some time for Master Wen to receive his pills. But since the Wang Family has given us such a big business, I can provide a backdoor for Master Wen."
Yang Shanyu called a maid and whispered a few words in her ear.
The maid left the room and returned shortly with a wooden box.
The exquisite redwood box lined with silk contained neatly arranged Dragon Tiger Pills, with a total of six boxes of twenty pills each, totaling one hundred and twenty Dragon Tiger Pills.
As per the agreed price of seventy taels per pill, this amounted to eight thousand four hundred taels, while Gu Wen only had five thousand six hundred taels, even with the initial two thousand taels deposit.
Money was running short.
Gu Wen sighed, it was inevitable.
Doing business at Jiuliu One was already top-notch, and his ten thousand taels was the limit he could reach without taking risks or engaging in illicit activities.
Moreover, his cultivation consumed a great deal, requiring resources for his destiny, refining his luck and mana.
According to Yu Hua, others also needed to consume pills to quickly restore their mana.
Money, money, money, everything required money.
Yang Shanyu said, "This is a recent batch of Dragon Tiger Pills. How many does Master Wen need?"
"I'll take them all."
Gu Wen said without hesitation, displaying a bold attitude.
Although he was short on money, he had Zhao Feng's money.
He would take as much as he lacked.
Even if he risked being discovered for suddenly missing a few thousand taels, as long as the risk could quickly be converted into strength, it wouldn't be a risk.
The fist is the ultimate truth.
These one hundred pills were equivalent to ten years of Heavenly Essence, and for a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Second Level, each complete refinement of the five viscera and six bowels required two years of Heavenly Essence, just enough for the Foundation Establishment Third Level.
Yang Shanyu was somewhat surprised and asked, "Can Master Wen consume so many pills?"
Gu Wen replied, "Business always involves risks. The Wang Family needs them, and so does the business."
"In that case, please pay in full at once, as the amount is quite substantial."
Yang Shanyu didn't inquire further.
Their Qian Feng Tower was not a store, as an upstream supplier, as long as they could quickly sell the goods, it was fine.
As for how much profit Gu Wen could make from it, that was his own ability.
Gu Wen placed a stack of banknotes on the table, spending six thousand four hundred taels without any hesitation.
As long as it could enhance his strength, all expenses would be transformed into better assets.
Money and cultivation are like dung and gold.
Not to mention that Gu Wen didn't pay all by himself, as half of it would be reimbursed by Zhao Feng.
With a deposit of five thousand six hundred taels, spending six thousand four hundred taels, the Wang Family would reimburse three thousand taels, leaving two thousand two hundred taels.
Yang Shanyu had someone go to the bank to settle the accounts.
Banknotes were not currency, at most, they were a kind of paper voucher.
Their authenticity needed to be verified at the bank, and not all places accepted banknotes for direct exchange.
If a thug with a tough face walked into the bank with banknotes, they would likely be taken to jail for a meal.
Gu Wen picked up a pill and examined it.
It was a pale yellow color with some mottled black spots, quite different from the crystal-clear high-grade Dragon Tiger Pills.
"There are also the high-grade Dragon Tiger Pills needed by the Ninth Prince."
Another box of pills was brought over, containing only five pills.
Gu Wen sighed inwardly, realizing that the barriers between different circles could not be broken through solely with money.
Without connections, they wouldn't include me in their games.
Even if I appear prestigious on the surface of Longqiao, they wouldn't share their treasures with a mere mortal like me.
"How much?"
"Negotiated by Hu Sanyuan, each high-grade Dragon Tiger Pill costs one thousand five hundred taels, and we have spared no effort to increase the success rate."
"How many inferior pills are produced in one batch?"
"About fifteen."
"The Wang Family has also taken charge of these inferior pills. I want to buy one high-grade pill for a thousand taels, forty low-grade pills, and no mid-grade pills."
Yang Shanyu was taken aback for a moment and smiled, "The market price for selling Dragon Tiger Pills is fifty taels each. By lowering the price by five hundred taels at once and also wanting to buy low-grade Dragon Tiger Pills at a low price, does Master Wen think this is reasonable?"
"Very reasonable."
Gu Wen's gaze was steady, his right hand supporting his chin, exuding an aura that subtly surpassed Yang Shanyu's, displaying a demeanor of being in control of everything.
This was one of the few areas where he didn't need to hide his abilities.
He was just a merchant, and if he was weak in business, how could he make a living?
"In recent days, the situation in Zezhou is at a standstill. Although there have been continuous victories, as long as the troops are not withdrawn, there will be no peace. At this time, the desire for consumption among the wealthy is at its lowest. Everyone is tightening their belts, willing to spend even if prices rise a hundredfold."
"Your alchemy at the tower is not just for selling. Instead of keeping these inferior pills, it's better to sell them to me to the south. I make money, and you can quickly recoup your silver."
He makes money to buy medicine, buys medicine to cultivate.
Similarly, Qian Feng Tower makes money to buy spiritual herbs, refining and selling pills to buy more spiritual herbs, with the majority inevitably being used for internal cultivation.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
Yang Shanyu's smile gradually faded, her face showing contemplation, but she didn't agree immediately, saying, "Please wait, Master Wen. I need to consult with the main family."
Shortly after, she returned and succinctly said:
"The main family wishes to see Master Wen."
Another unexpected turn of events.
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish what you have.