In fact, everyone had already noticed it without Mo Younian saying anything. His white hair was nearly gone, and his entire face was glowing with health—clearly not the appearance of a man nearing fifty. Moreover, Mo Younian now stood there speaking with vigor, like a tiger about to reclaim its former might, a stark contrast to his faded appearance just a few days ago.
Everyone present was a wealthy or powerful figure from Shao City, and none of them were simple people. Naturally, they could see many things from Mo Younian.
Thus, when Mo Younian took out the elixirs, a trace of astonishment flashed through the eyes of everyone present.
Could Mo Younian's transformation be related to these elixirs?
The people present had all kinds of thoughts. Mo Younian had made quite a few major moves over the past several days. First, he had gone to Dragon City, then returned in the middle of the night, and immediately begun purchasing medicinal materials on a large scale. None of these actions could escape the eyes of those who were paying attention.
“These elixirs were refined from those medicinal materials, right? Are they really effective? What exactly did Mo Younian encounter in Dragon City?”
Many people’s imaginations ran wild, and the atmosphere consequently froze. No one intended to be the first to go up and test the medicine.
This was perfectly normal. The circle in Shao City was only so large. Although everyone usually smiled warmly whenever they met, only they themselves knew what sort of dirty tricks were being played behind the scenes. It was not that they suspected Mo Younian would tamper with the elixirs; with all eyes on him, Mo Younian would not make such a foolish move. However, with so many people present, all it took was one fool to step forward. There was no need for them to be the first to volunteer.
No one moved, and Mo Younian was not in a hurry either. After taking the elixir, he could feel that his physical condition was astonishingly good, no different from his prime at thirty. Even if he stood there for a long time, it would not trouble him in the slightest.
“Master Mo, may I give it a try?”
While everyone remained silent, a fool finally stood up, willing to stick his neck out, and spoke.
Everyone turned their eyes toward him. From the very corner, a tower-like strongman stood up. He was at least six feet three inches tall, with dark skin and exceptionally robust muscles. Simply standing there, he radiated a frightening presence.
This man was named Tang Feng. He had several dozen men under his command and occupied a large territory in southern Shao City. In secret, he also controlled Shao City’s underground boxing matches. However, everyone knew that Tang Feng had been raised up by Mo Younian and had always followed Mo Younian’s lead behind the scenes.
Tang Feng had seen that no one dared to step forward and test the medicine, causing the atmosphere to become somewhat awkward, so he hurriedly stepped out to break the deadlock.
However, Mo Younian shook his head at Tang Feng’s suggestion. “You’re exactly thirty this year, strong and sturdy as an ox. Giving this elixir to you would be a waste.”
“How about this? If none of you are willing, then we can call over Old Qian, the elderly gatekeeper at my house. You should know him, right? How about having him give it a try?”
“Alternatively, you can discuss it among yourselves and find someone to come. But let me make this clear beforehand: each elixir costs two hundred thousand. If you are satisfied with the results afterward, you will have to pay for the elixir yourselves.”
“This is the Master’s business. I, Mo, am merely running errands. Surely you won’t make things too difficult for me, will you?”
Two hundred thousand for one elixir?
The moment Mo Younian finished speaking, everyone present was shocked once again.
“Old Mo, what kind of Immortal Elixir is this? It actually costs two hundred thousand? Have you gone mad for money?”
Song Jingwen immediately spoke in a blunt and carefree manner, but Mo Younian merely chuckled and said calmly, “This is a one-of-a-kind deal. If you don’t want it, there are plenty of people lining up to buy it.”
“Don’t blame your old brother for failing to look after you. Refining these elixirs is extremely difficult. The medicinal materials alone number more than thirty types, and it also requires the ability of a Master to refine them. So far, the Master has only refined three batches, eighteen elixirs in total. I have already taken one of those eighteen. The rest will decrease by one every time one is taken.”
The elixirs were excellent, and they were one-of-a-kind besides. Naturally, Mo Younian had every reason to be confident.
The more than thirty types of medicinal materials included those used to refine the Beauty Pills. Although Mo Younian had purchased them on a large scale, and many were uncommon, the total cost had only come to five hundred thousand. Mo Younian also knew that the number of finished elixirs was definitely not limited to eighteen, but he did not care. He was selling them for two hundred thousand each—buy them if you wanted them.
The price had to be high. Otherwise, how could it demonstrate Mo Younian’s capabilities?
Besides, time was short. Otherwise, Mo Younian would not even have bothered circling around Shao City. He could have gone straight to the provincial capital, where wealthy people were as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river. Selling them for five hundred thousand or one million each would have been entirely possible.
This was a business with enormous profits!
Mo Younian was also filled with admiration for that unfathomable young man.
“Fine, then call someone over to test it. It’s only two hundred thousand. My Song Family will pay it, just to give all my old brothers some peace of mind.”
Song Jingwen waved his hand grandly and spoke with great generosity.
If Song Jingwen had been trying to win favor like this under normal circumstances, Mo Younian would probably have felt somewhat uncomfortable. But things were different now. Since he considered himself to have pledged allegiance to Master Fan Haotian, Mo Younian had suddenly broadened his horizons. The Mo Family’s ambitions should no longer be confined to the tiny area of Shao City.
The matter was settled quickly. Mo Younian arranged for the elderly gatekeeper here, while Song Jingwen found a man in his sixties. Mo Younian did not bother asking about the old man’s background. After they took the elixirs, they simply sat there quietly and waited. Half an hour later, Mo Younian arranged for the two men to go to the bathroom. When they emerged again, everyone’s expression changed.
“Old Mo, my Song Family will take all the elixirs you have left.”
“Master Mo, I’ll transfer the two hundred thousand to your account immediately. Also, may I reserve one while I’m at it?”
“Old Mo, our friendship over the years has to count for something...”
In an instant, all those who had remained silent earlier began scrambling to buy elixirs from Mo Younian. Whether by check or bank transfer, one after another they rushed to send him money, yet they were still frantic with impatience.
There was no helping it. Fifteen elixirs were not enough to go around.
Although some of those present were still in the prime of life, everyone was vulnerable to unexpected misfortune, and no one could escape birth, aging, illness, and death. Buying these elixirs in advance as a precaution was perfectly reasonable.
“Don’t rush. I anticipated this long ago. How about we simply let the highest bidder win?”
Mo Younian smiled at this group of fat sheep—no, wealthy friends—as he prepared to fleece them.
With fifteen elixirs auctioned one by one, he would definitely be able to drain these people of every last bit of their wealth.
“Fine. You’re ruthless.”
Song Jingwen spoke irritably, but there was nothing he could do. The elixirs were in Mo Younian’s hands, so Mo Younian made the rules.
“Sigh, if I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have arranged that medicine trial.”
They had given an old man a huge advantage for nothing. That was all money.
Quite a few people shared Song Jingwen’s thoughts. Those who had not wanted to stick their necks out earlier were now regretting it bitterly.
Seeing everyone’s eyes turn red, as though they were ready to fight for their lives, it was absolutely impossible for the price of these elixirs not to multiply several times over.
..
Longjiang Residence began auctioning off the remaining fifteen elixirs one by one. After Mo Younian’s masterful maneuvering, the ones who ultimately suffered were naturally the wealthy men of Shao City. Of course, for precisely that reason, many people became intensely curious about the Master Mo Younian had mentioned. One after another, they secretly sent people to Dragon City in search of this so-called Master.
If they could befriend or cooperate with such a figure, the elixirs alone would be enough to make a family flourish.
Of course, whether Fan Xiwen would pay them any attention after they arrived in Dragon City was another matter entirely.
Zhou Xin’s performance ended at half past eleven. It had lasted only two hours, and she had not even interacted with the audience. Once the performance was over, she simply left, extremely decisive.
“Sigh, what a pity.”
After the three of them left the bar, Tang Qingrou was still sighing.
“Although Zhou Xin had never played the female lead before, her acting was absolutely excellent. Besides, she sings beautifully. I used to love listening to her songs. It’s just that after the television series she starred in three years ago became a huge hit, she more or less vanished from the entertainment industry. Some people online said she refused to accept unspoken rules and was therefore blacklisted. It’s such a pity.”
Tang Qingrou chattered on, while Fan Xiwen smiled inwardly. Zhou Xin had been controlled by someone, so how could she possibly continue filming? Her appearances at various venues were probably deliberately arranged by the people behind the scenes. After all, she had been somewhat famous before. If she suddenly vanished, people would certainly become suspicious. By occasionally showing her face in a small place like Dragon City, they could at most make people think Zhou Xin had fallen on hard times rather than that she was being controlled. Of course, this situation probably would not last much longer. After three years, the people behind the scenes were likely preparing to make their move.
“Your luck is pretty good. You ran into me.”
A smile curled at the corners of Fan Xiwen’s lips. He then said to Xie Min, “Teacher Xie, please take Classmate Tang Qingrou home.”
“I’m going too.”
Xie Min was still brooding over what had happened in the bar earlier. She especially wanted to find the culprit and beat him senseless.
After breaking through from Bright Force to Internal Force, Xie Min had not yet fought anyone. At this moment, in the words of a later popular internet saying, she was practically unable to contain the primordial power raging within her.
Fan Xiwen shook his head and did not agree to Xie Min’s request.
“Where are you going?”
Tang Qingrou looked at the two of them with some confusion.
“Of course I’m going back to review my lessons. After all, the two of us have a bet between us.”
At the mention of the bet, Tang Qingrou’s ears immediately flushed red. That loudmouth Song Pingping had completely failed to keep it secret, and practically everyone in the class already knew.
“What a brat.”
Watching Fan Xiwen leave, Xie Min could not help cursing helplessly. But there was nothing she could do. Li Yuan and Chen Gang had already slunk away, and it was unsafe for a young girl like Tang Qingrou to be outside so late. It was better to take her home personally.