Xuan Qing said nothing further. Just as he intended to leave, Zhang San refused to let it go, launching into a round of petty, sarcastic mockery: “A bumpkin is a bumpkin; got scared right out of—mph—”
“Mph… mph…”
The words that had just reached the tip of Zhang San’s tongue were cut short instantly. A look of terror crossed his face as he touched his mouth with both hands, only to find he could no longer open it.
He turned his gaze toward Xuan Qing, who stared back at him with the smiling composure of a cunning fox. At that point, there was nothing he failed to understand.
“Mph…” You’re the one who pulled this trick!
Zhang San pointed angrily at Xuan Qing, yet his mouth failed to emit a single sound.
Huo Xuanwu was astonished; the Young Master really hadn’t just been trying to scare him! Observing the man’s aggrieved and awkward predicament, he burst out laughing heartily: “That’ll teach you to judge people by their covers, ha-ha-ha! You deserved this!”
Hearing that, Zhang San came close to fainting on the spot from sheer fury, his anger flaring hotter as he strode forward to charge at the two of them.
“Hey, you still want to get physical! Alright, let me have a go at you!” Huo Xuanwu rolled up his sleeves. This time, Xuan Qing made no move to stop him.
With his own young master’s tacit permission, Huo Xuanwu felt energized. Finally, it’s my turn to step up; I must put on a good performance in front of the Young Master!
Xuan Qing offered no interference. If Huo Xuanwu intended to remain by his side long-term, these were matters he would eventually have to face; this provided a fine opportunity for him to gain some practical experience.
The two soon became locked in a scuffle, trading blows back and forth.
Xuan Qing stood off to the side, watching with keen enjoyment. Unremarkable as Huo Xuanwu usually appeared with his simple-minded demeanor, he certainly didn’t hold back when throwing punches.
Every strike landed squarely with flesh-and-bone impact, bringing tears of distress straight to his opponent’s eyes. Unfortunately, since the man couldn’t shout out, he was forced to swallow his bitter loss in silence.
Only then did the servant regret his loose lips, wondering why on earth he had sought trouble with these two the pain was excruciating.
“What are you all doing?!”
Steward Wang had stepped out on an errand, and upon returning immediately upon entry, found the shop’s servant pinned to the ground and taking a beating.
After being briefed on the sequence of events, Steward Wang cast a stern, warning glare at Zhang San and shot him a meaningful look.
With his face bruised and discolored in shades of purple and green, and knowing he was in the wrong, Zhang San hurried forward after receiving the cue, bowing low to Xuan Qing to offer an apology: “Apologies to the esteemed guest! It was this humble one who lacked eyes and failed to recognize true worth. I beg Your Excellency to be magnanimous and not hold this against me!”
Considering himself a fox of broad and magnanimous vision, since the other party had apologized, Xuan Qing naturally chose not to bicker with him further.
“Since you’ve offered a sincere apology, we’ll let this matter rest. Pay closer attention next time, though after all, not everyone possesses as fine a temper as this young master.”
Having secured the other party’s forgiveness, Zhang San nodded repeatedly in gratitude: “Yes, yes! Many thanks, honored guest!”
Seeing that Xuan Qing showed no inclination to press the issue further, Steward Wang adopted an even more earnest and obliging tone: “This incident was entirely the shop’s oversight. Should the young master make any purchases in the shop today, Wang can offer you a forty-percent discount.”
Hearing this, Xuan Qing thought to himself that it would be foolish not to take advantage of such savings, especially since he happened to lack a few spiritual plants for testing his alchemy.
Vitality pills belonged to Tier-1 elixirs, which, true to their name, replenished bodily vitality, assisted in meridian repair and circulation, and suited junior practitioners.
Refining vitality pills required three common spiritual herbs: Blood Scorpion Grass, Concentrated Essence Grass, and Spirit-Gathering Grass.
Low-grade spiritual plants were significantly cheaper than elixirs; a single vitality pill sold for twenty spiritual pearls, whereas a stalk of Blood Scorpion Grass cost merely one spiritual pearl.
Naturally, pricing varied according to the grade of the spiritual herbs, but higher-tier spiritual plants commanded far steeper prices.
Xuan Qing purchased twelve stalks of spiritual plants in a single breath: four stalks of Blood Scorpion Grass, four of Concentrated Essence Grass, and four of Spirit-Gathering Grass.
The total came to twelve hundred taels, reduced to seven hundred and twenty taels after the discount saving several hundred taels felt rather satisfying, did it not?
Noticing him purchase such a large quantity of spiritual plants, Steward Wang felt a flicker of confusion, yet acted prudently and refrained from prying.
It was Huo Xuanwu who failed to hold his tongue, whispering anxiously at his side: “Young Master, what are you planning to do with all these spiritual plants?”
“Mind your own business; the Young Master has his uses.”
“Oh~” Huo Xuanwu blinked rapidly, wisely sealing his lips.
With the spiritual plants acquired, a pill cauldron was still missing.
Turning his head, Xuan Qing inquired of Steward Wang: “Steward Wang, does the shop carry cauldrons for sale?”
Steward Wang repeated the question with some uncertainty: “Does the young master mean a pill cauldron? Can you practice alchemy?”
“Mmm, naturally.”
Upon hearing this, Steward Wang lost his composure entirely. Never had he imagined he would actually cross paths with an alchemist and such a youthful one at that.
If he could manage to forge ties with an alchemist, the benefits would be immeasurable!
Steward Wang felt a surge of excitement wash over him as he exclaimed: “We do, we do! The shop happens to have one in stock! Please wait a moment!”
Turning instantly, he shouted at Zhang San: “Go quickly and bring over that spirit cauldron!”
Steward Wang dashed off in a daze, leaving Zhang San with a lingering sense of lingering dread as he thought: Heaven, I almost offended an alchemist! The mere memory made his hair stand on end, though thankfully the other party hadn’t held a grudge.
Before long, Zhang San emerged cradling a small cauldron. The entire vessel was a vibrant crimson red, its surface adorned with exquisite patterns, looking remarkably compact and refined.
Xuan Qing took a liking to it at a glance: “How much for this cauldron?”
Steward Wang introduced it with warm enthusiasm: “This is part of our shop’s newly arrived inventory. If the young master is genuinely interested, this old Wang will grant you a fifty-percent discount: five hundred spiritual pearls.”
Xuan Qing: ? It was indeed a generous discount, but he lacked the funds.
Noticing the young master remain silent and appear somewhat conflicted, Steward Wang correctly deduced his predicament.
Thus, he spoke with thoughtful consideration: “If the young master finds this one too expensive, our shop carries another model though this one possesses a minor flaw.”
The alternative cauldron appeared entirely ordinary; the medicine cauldron was pitch-black, and several cracks marred its surface.
“This cauldron is much cheaper; it only costs one hundred spiritual pearls.”
A mere hundred spiritual pearls with a wave of his hand, Xuan Qing announced: * bought it!*
Just as he was about to instruct Huo Xuanwu to pay, the boy clutched desperately at his sleeves, looking as though he were about to cry: “Young Master, we’re out of money.”
Xuan Qing: …
“How about this, Steward Wang? Sell me this cauldron for fifty spiritual pearls, and once I finish refining these pills in a couple of days, I’ll give your shop priority purchase rights, how does that sound?”
Xuan Qing decided to take a gamble. Since alchemists were so scarce, establishing ties with one should prove infinitely more valuable than a few dozen spiritual pearls.
“This… please wait a moment, Young Master; I must go consult our proprietor.” With that, he hurried off in haste.
Steward Wang was well aware of the manifold advantages of befriending an alchemist, but he still needed to seek authorization from above.
Before long, he returned looking thoroughly excited, confirming to Xuan Qing that the gamble had paid off.
“Young master! Our proprietor has spoken: if you can successfully refine elixirs on the spot, both of these cauldrons are yours free of charge! Naturally, we will also purchase any elixirs you produce according to their quality.”
Is he treating me like a fraud? Well, that was entirely understandable.
“Lead the way; prepare a quiet room for me.” Xuan Qing prepared to show them a thing or two.
Hearing this, Steward Wang hastily stepped forward to guide him.
Huo Xuanwu remained in a daze, unable to snap back to reality. Having served by his young master’s side for so many years, he had never once known the boy possessed the ability to refine pills.
Why isn’t the Young Master the least bit nervous? This is blatant fraud! Young Master, wake up!
By now, there was no turning back. Huo Xuanwu silently resolved that if his young master ended up surrounded by an angry mob for scamming people, he would stand resolutely in front of him to block the blows.