Disrupting Market Prices

After seeing off the enthusiastic, almost fawning Steward Han Li, Li Chengjie rubbed the slightly cool Flowing Cloud Sect Ironwood Token in his sleeve, along with the bag of sixty Low-grade Spirit Stones that had been returned to him. Yet he felt little joy; instead, a growing realization weighed heavily on his heart.

This status and the returned Spirit Stones were not simply gestures of goodwill or recognition. They were more like part of an invisible net, binding him ever more tightly to the storm-tossed Qingshi Market and the uncertain future of the Flowing Cloud Sect. Where fortune lies, misfortune lurks beneath; this layer of protection could, at certain times, become a death warrant.

Li Chengjie steadied his mind and continued inventorying the medicinal herbs, calculating the types and quantities of pills he needed to refine next. After becoming an External Alchemist, aside from supplying his own shop, he also had to set aside some effort to fulfill the sect's quota tasks. His cultivation time was becoming ever more pressing.

He wished for stillness, but the wind refused to cease.

Business at Li's Pill Pavilion remained booming. In particular, the Mid-Grade Pills Li Chengjie refined, such as Harmony Qi Pills, were highly sought after for their consistent quality, few impurities, abundant spiritual power, and, most importantly, excellent value for money. They were in short supply almost every day.

This inevitably touched certain people's interests.

That morning, there were still quite a few customers in the shop. Li Chengjie was busy packing several bottles of Harmony Qi Pills for an old customer when the light at the entrance dimmed and three cultivators walked in.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a slightly pale face and a sinister glint in his eyes. He wore a brocade robe, and a Jade Token engraved with medicinal herbs hung at his waist. His cultivation level was around Qi Refining Level 7.

Two burly attendants with unfriendly expressions followed behind him, both at Qi Refining Level 5.

The moment the three entered, the previously bustling shop fell noticeably quieter. Some regulars recognized the middle-aged man, apprehension appearing on their faces as they instinctively shifted aside.

The middle-aged man swept his gaze through the shop before finally settling it on Li Chengjie behind the counter. The corner of his mouth curled into a smile that did not reach his eyes, and his voice was somewhat shrill. "Oh? So you're the Alchemist Li who has recently become so famous? Truly young and accomplished."

Li Chengjie's guard rose, though his expression did not change. He handed the packed pills to the customer, then looked at the newcomer and asked calmly, "That would be me. May I ask who you are?"

An elderly cultivator nearby, who seemed to know the situation, offered a quiet reminder. "Alchemist Li, this is Shopkeeper Chen of Hundred Herbs Hall in the inner district."

Hundred Herbs Hall?

Understanding dawned on Li Chengjie.

It was a fairly sizable pill shop in the inner district, seemingly backed by one of the small families within the market. It had previously catered mainly to cultivators with some means and low-ranking disciples of the sects, selling all kinds of common pills at consistently steep prices.

Since his Li's Pill Pavilion had opened, its affordable, high-quality pills had indeed taken away much of Hundred Herbs Hall's business among lower- and middle-tier customers.

Shopkeeper Chen seemed not to hear the old cultivator's reminder—or perhaps he simply did not care. He strolled up to the counter and tapped the surface with a finger, neither heavily nor lightly, producing a series of knocks. His tone carried a hint of lofty scrutiny. "I am Chen Kun. I have run Hundred Herbs Hall for many years and have gained a modest reputation in Qingshi Market. I heard that Alchemist Li's pills are of exceptional quality and in short supply, so I came especially to see for myself."

Li Chengjie replied blandly, "Shopkeeper Chen overpraises me. This is a small business with modest capital. I merely refine some rudimentary pills to make a living; I would not dare compare myself to Hundred Herbs Hall."

"Make a living?" Chen Kun sneered, raising his voice enough for every customer in the shop to hear. "Alchemist Li, you are being too modest, aren't you? Your Mid-Grade Harmony Qi Pills sell for ten percent below market price, yet their quality is not the slightest bit inferior. That is more than merely making a living. Might I ask where you learned your craft, Alchemist Li? Your pill-refining methods are quite unique, and your efficiency is so high that it makes one... curious."

His words already carried accusation and an undercurrent of threat, implying that Li Chengjie's pills came from an improper source or that he had used some unsavory method.

Li Chengjie's brow furrowed slightly, and his tone cooled. "It is inconvenient to disclose my master's identity. As for my pill-refining methods and efficiency, they are the result of diligent cultivation and hard practice. There is nothing shameful about them. If Shopkeeper Chen has come to purchase pills, Li welcomes you. If you have some other advice to offer, then please speak plainly."

Seeing that Li Chengjie's attitude was neither submissive nor confrontational, the darkness in Chen Kun's eyes deepened. He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, though it remained clear enough for those nearby to hear. "I would not dare call it advice. But Alchemist Li, business is about making money through harmony, and one must also understand the rules. Selling at such low prices and throwing the market into disorder makes things very difficult for your peers. Qingshi Market is neither large nor small, and the pill trade runs deep. Young man, when your edge is too exposed, it is easily broken."

This was a naked threat.

Anger stirred within Li Chengjie, but he knew this was not the time for a direct clash. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and replied evenly, "Market prices rise and fall. The pricing of Li's pills is based on cost and reasonable profit; I have not engaged in malicious undercutting. As for the rules, I operate legally, pay taxes according to law, and abide by the market's regulations. Which rule have I violated? If Shopkeeper Chen believes I have broken trade conventions, you may file a complaint with the market management Steward."

He deliberately mentioned the "market management Steward" and slightly revealed the Flowing Cloud Sect External Alchemist Token hanging from his waist.

Chen Kun's gaze swept over the Ironwood Token, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Clearly, he recognized what it represented.

A flash of wariness crossed his face, but even more than that, he was angered at having been slighted.

Chen Kun had not expected this seemingly ordinary young alchemist to have quietly latched onto the Flowing Cloud Sect. Though he was only an External Alchemist, it still gave him an official layer of protection.

"An External Alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Sect? Hmph. Fine. Even with that status, you still need to respect seniority and understand the trade conventions!" Chen Kun's voice turned cold as he stopped concealing his purpose. "Alchemist Li, let's lay our cards on the table. Your Harmony Qi Pills are passable in quality, but your prices are too low! Do you know that selling so cheaply makes it impossible for the other pill shops in the inner district to do business? Hundred Herbs Hall in particular—our reputation and customer base, built over many years, are being thrown into disorder by you!"

Chen Kun jabbed a finger heavily against the counter with a muffled bang, drawing the attention of the remaining customers in the shop.

"Today, I, Chen, will draw the line for you! Starting tomorrow, the Harmony Qi Pills at your Li's Pill Pavilion must be sold at market price! Otherwise..." Chen Kun's gaze was vicious, his threat plain for all to see.

"Otherwise, don't blame me, Chen, for showing no mercy and making it impossible for your shop... to stay open!"

This was his true purpose in coming today—not a warning, but a direct order for Li Chengjie to raise his prices and protect Hundred Herbs Hall's interests and pricing system.

Li Chengjie sneered inwardly.

Sell at market price?

It was not that Li Chengjie had the heart of a bodhisattva. The main reason was that selling below market price brought Spirit Stones in faster. He was a lone commander with no family to feed, unlike the clans. He desperately needed Spirit Stones for replication—how could he care about all that?

If he did not earn Spirit Stones quickly, how could he replicate others' experience a year from now? A month ago, he had lacked the Spirit Stones to replicate Alchemist Feng's three thousand Replication Points, and the regret had turned his guts green.

It was all because he did not have enough Spirit Stones.

Li Chengjie had come this far by relying on his pill-refining skill and his strategy of small profits and quick turnover. How could he cut off his own arm just because of another man's threats?

Li Chengjie raised his head, meeting Chen Kun's sinister gaze with calm but resolute eyes. He slowly shook his head, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Shopkeeper Chen, I cannot comply."

"When Li opens a shop, I have my own considerations in setting prices. I know exactly what my pills cost and how much profit they bring. My prices are fair prices, and they are also a return to the customers who support me. The market makes its own choices. Customers come to Li's Pill Pavilion because they trust Li's pills. If reasonable pricing is called disrupting the market, Li cannot agree."

He paused, then continued, his voice carrying clearly to everyone present. "As for making this small shop unable to stay open... Shopkeeper Chen, Qingshi Market has its own laws, and the Flowing Cloud Sect is no mere decoration. I operate legally, pay taxes according to law, and bear sect status. If anyone intends wrongdoing, I fear they should first weigh the consequences."

Li Chengjie emphasized "Flowing Cloud Sect" and "laws" once more. The words were meant not only for Chen Kun, but also for the customers in the shop who harbored doubts.

"Good! Good! Good!" Chen Kun said "good" three times in a row. His face darkened completely, and his chest rose and fell slightly with rage.

Chen Kun had not expected Li Chengjie to be so unyielding, showing him no respect whatsoever and even using the Flowing Cloud Sect to pressure him.

Chen Kun stared fixedly at Li Chengjie. A flicker of killing intent flashed through his eyes and vanished as he practically gritted out, "Li Chengjie! I gave you face, but you refused it! You won't drink the toast, so you'll have to drink the penalty! You think that just because you're wearing the Flowing Cloud Sect's skin, everything will be smooth sailing? There are plenty of accidents in this world! We'll... just wait and see!"

Having said that, Chen Kun spoke no more. He violently flung his sleeve, then turned and strode away with his rage and two attendants in tow. The shop door slammed shut behind him with a thunderous bang, making the doorframe hum.

The shop fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

The customers exchanged looks. All of them could feel the drawn-sword, nocked-bow tension in the air, as well as the undisguised malice Chen Kun had left behind.

The old regular who had previously warned Li Chengjie sighed and said in a low voice, "Alchemist Li, you... sigh, now you've completely offended Chen Kun. That man never forgives the slightest grievance—you must be careful! Recently, you'd best... avoid going out alone whenever possible."

Li Chengjie nodded to the old customer in thanks. His expression remained calm, but inwardly, he had already tensed up.

Li Chengjie knew that from the moment he refused, the two sides had already torn off all pretense. There was no longer any room for reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the furious Chen Kun left Li's Pill Pavilion but did not return to Hundred Herbs Hall. Instead, he went straight to the rear courtyard of an inconspicuous teahouse in a relatively secluded part of the inner district.

Inside a secret private room, a bald, burly man with a vicious scar across his face and a ferocious gaze was holding a scantily clad female cultivator in his arms, teasing her.

The Spiritual Power Fluctuation emanating from the man had astonishingly reached Qi Refining Level 8. He was none other than Wu Kui.

Chen Kun dismissed the attendant who had led him there, then sat across from Wu Kui with a dark expression.

Wu Kui glanced at him, released the female cultivator in his arms, and gestured for her to leave. Then he laughed roughly. "Yo, Shopkeeper Chen, what's wrong? Who put you in such a foul mood? Your face is black as the bottom of a pot."

"Who else could it be?" Chen Kun ground his teeth. "That brat from the newly opened Li's Pill Pavilion—Li Chengjie!"