Chapter 67: Flustered and Exasperated
Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Flustered and Exasperated
"To be honest, Elder Grey Rat, I wasn’t the one who actually commissioned you to refine the Evil Qi Pills."
"Oh!?"
Xu Chang’an looked at the Toad Spirit, his gaze questioning.
Seeing Xu Chang’an’s confusion, the Toad Spirit continued.
"The real client is an alliance of minor mountain powers.
I just knew that you, Elder Grey Rat, could refine Evil Qi Pills.
I wanted to be the middleman."
"I never expected this, but that alchemy commission was just a trial run.
The quality of the Evil Qi Pills you refined far exceeded their expectations, and now they want to establish a long-term business relationship.
So, they’ve requested a meeting with the Alchemist who refines the Evil Qi Pills.
To clarify the terms for future transactions."
"I’m hoping you, Elder Grey Rat, can make a trip there with me. That way, we should be able to finalize the partnership smoothly."
"This alliance of minor mountain powers has been expanding aggressively in recent years. Their demand for Elixirs is immense.
If we can successfully establish this channel, the profits should be substantial."
Then, the Toad Spirit added another explanation.
"Don’t blame me, Elder Grey Rat, but if I had brought the minor mountain powers directly into the Marketplace...
...I’m afraid I’d lose my middleman’s fee entirely.
I was forced to resort to this less-than-ideal plan."
A glint appeared in Xu Chang’an’s eyes.
The Toad Spirit’s words were logical and reasonable.
He clearly explained the cause of the matter and his own vested interests.
If what he said was true, it would be a win-win situation.
"Establishing a long-term partnership... that must involve a transaction volume of over ten thousand Demon Stones a year, right?"
Xu Chang’an said half-jokingly, his eyes shining.
"Uh, you must be joking, Elder Grey Rat.
While the alliance of minor mountain powers is well-off, they can’t afford that kind of volume!"
The Toad Spirit’s expression froze.
A transaction volume of ten thousand Demon Stones a year was something even an ordinary power overseen by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon might not be able to handle.
Ten thousand Demon Stones spent on Elixirs alone?
If that alliance of minor mountain powers had such financial resources, they probably would have already been targeted by those Foundation Establishment Great Demons.
"Oh, so there isn’t?
Then forget it.
I’ve had some insights into Alchemy recently and need to quietly contemplate them. It’s not a good time for me to go out."
Xu Chang’an refused.
"Elder Grey Rat, although this deal isn’t worth ten thousand Demon Stones...
...if the partnership goes smoothly, it should reach a scale of two thousand Demon Stones a year.
You only need to show your face before the alliance of minor mountain powers, Elder Grey Rat.
I’ll handle the specific negotiations. It shouldn’t take much of your energy."
The Toad Spirit tried to persuade him again.
"No."
Xu Chang’an waved his hand dismissively, looking completely uninterested.
"It’s a real shame you’re not interested, Elder Grey Rat."
The Toad Spirit said awkwardly, disappointment written on his face.
He then bid farewell and left the Elixir Workshop.
Xu Chang’an watched the Toad Spirit’s retreating figure, lost in thought.
...
「Three days later.」
The Elixir Workshop received a rather destitute-looking customer.
He bought several bottles of Cultivation Elixirs but found he couldn’t produce enough Demon Stones to pay.
Finally, out of desperation, he offered to pay with an item instead.
The Little Demon attending to him was about to refuse, but the Alchemist in charge noticed that the carving the customer offered was quite extraordinary.
In the end, he decided to accept the item as payment.
This matter, being a special case, was naturally reported to Xu Chang’an, who oversaw the shop.
"So he used this item to pay for the Elixirs!?"
Xu Chang’an asked the Alchemist before him, fiddling with the stone carving.
"Yes, Elder Grey Rat. This is the item. I saw that while the carving looks ordinary, it contains a hidden charm.
This charm alone should make it no less valuable than a Low-grade Magical Artifact.
So I took the liberty of accepting it."
The Alchemist explained respectfully.
"Alright, I understand. You may leave."
"Yes, Elder Grey Rat!"
Xu Chang’an looked at the stone carving, a playful expression on his face.
’A stone carving, huh...’
He possessed Demon Sense, and with a light sweep, he saw straight through the stone carving.
With a burst of Demon Power, the stone carving in his hand instantly shattered into several pieces.
A folded piece of animal hide—a map—fell out from within.
He picked up the map, unfolded it, and saw that it was a Treasure Map!
A short inscription stated it was an inheritance left behind for his family by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon before he passed away.
The map recorded the specific location of the treasure.
Judging by the terrain, it was a mountain peak more than three hundred miles away from the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
Even without his Demon Sense, a careful inspection would surely have revealed the secret within.
A Treasure Map hidden inside, the legacy of a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
’The legacy of a Foundation Establishment Great Demon!’
’To think I’d stumble upon such a fortunate opportunity!’
"How interesting."
Xu Chang’an smiled faintly.
He casually placed the Treasure Map on the table and paid it no more attention.
...
「About a month passed.」
Xu Chang’an remained within the Elixir Workshop the entire time, never stepping out.
On this day, to better promote the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace, expand the influence of its trading circle, and encourage more Little Demons to learn about and participate in its trades, the Marketplace organized a small trade fair in a valley outside its walls.
The barrier to entry was extremely low, with no Demon Stone deposit required.
The Marketplace mobilized its various shops and Treasure Pavilions to participate actively.
It was actually a good idea. Many Little Demons, limited by their worldly experience, didn’t dare to venture into the Marketplace to trade, even if they had needs.
They often chose to barter with others in their immediate surroundings instead.
This move by the Marketplace was much more down-to-earth, allowing Little Demons to become aware of it.
By letting them experience the goods and atmosphere of the Marketplace firsthand, it could greatly cultivate a habit of trading among the Little Demons.
Xu Chang’an quite approved of this initiative by the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
He promptly mobilized the Elixir Workshop to participate in the trade fair.
However...
He didn’t go.
He had too many recent insights into Alchemy that required quiet contemplation!
...
"What! You’re telling me he still hasn’t come out!?"
The Plum Deer Demon slammed his hand on the table, his face livid with rage.
"Yes, Ninth Elder. The Grey Rat hasn’t left these past few days."
The Wild Beijing Spirit said in terror.
"Didn’t you say you’d arranged everything? That you were just waiting for the fish to take the bait?
And now this is the result you give me!"
"Ninth Elder, please calm your anger.
It’s not that your subordinate has been negligent.
It’s just that the Grey Rat is far too cautious.
Whether it was the trade channel connection, the Treasure Map, or the trade fair organized by the Marketplace...
...he remained unmoved, staying inside the Elixir Workshop the whole time."
"They say rats are timid, and this Grey Rat’s guts are certainly small enough!
If that’s the case, then why was he so bold when he took a thousand Demon Stones from our Lujiao Mountain!
I’d like to see just how long you can hold out!"
The Plum Deer Demon snorted coldly, his gaze icy.
’As long as he dares to step out of the Marketplace, with his paltry Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivation, won’t he be completely at our mercy?’
...
Xu Chang’an’s life was very routine.
He focused on studying Alchemy Skills. In his spare time after Alchemy, he took a few kickbacks and accumulated Energy for his panel.
He had already properly attuned his Magical Artifacts.
But as for Magic, he still needed to constantly master and practice it.
...
PS: Have a great weekend~