Fasting Cake Sales Problem

"Old classmate, your new Compressed Biscuit samples are ready."

"Oh, okay. I'll come pick them up later."

"Um... I was planning to head back into the city tonight anyway. How about I drop them off for you on the way?"

"That works perfectly. Sorry to trouble you."

"Are you free tonight? I'll treat you to dinner. I'm pretty bored by myself anyway."

"Ah, sure. Then I'll treat you."

"It's all the same. It's a deal, then~"

After hanging up, Yang Genshuo did not dwell much on Xu Mengqi. It was just as well that she was willing to deliver them.

He had just remembered something more important.

"What happened to that Spirit Plant Family—the Ge Family?"

When the Rogue Cultivator Market had first opened in the fourth year, a Qi Refining Realm expert from the Ge Family had brought an Iron-Spined Gray Wolf to find Yang Shi. He had ended up being casually dealt with by the old beggar at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining and given to Yang Shi as a gift.

Afterward, Yang Shi had asked Liao Cao to use Treasured Goods Pavilion's connections to keep an eye on the Ge Family and see how they reacted.

After that, there had been no further word, and Yang Genshuo had forgotten about it.

By the time the Compressed Biscuit samples made from Spirit Wheat were ready, two years had already passed.

The third Rogue Cultivator Market was about to be held in the cultivation world.

Yang Genshuo returned to his room and asked Yang Shi about it.

"The Ge Family suffered losses twice in Bluestone County. Did they have any reaction afterward?"

Yang Shi said, "Last year, Manager Liao had an acquaintance inquire in Jade Dragon Commandery. The Ge Family had already spread word that they would no longer involve themselves in the Fasting Cake business. This matter ends here."

The crisis was over?

No!

The Ge Family's way of doing things was nothing like that of a benevolent family!

A family that sent people to kill and rob whenever they saw something valuable—did anyone expect them to let go of their hatred?

Dream on!

They were definitely holding in something foul!

"Yang Shi, what do you think?"

Yang Shi replied calmly, "I have already arranged for brothers from the Beggars' Sect to beg in the towns near the Ge Family's Green Bamboo Grove. Green Bamboo Grove has an illusory formation, and mortals simply cannot enter, so we cannot learn what is happening inside. But they heard passing Rogue Cultivators say... the Ge Family's formation has become even tighter."

"Also, Manager Liao voluntarily transferred to the Jade Dragon Commandery headquarters this year to gather intelligence for us."

Yang Genshuo nodded. It seemed Yang Shi thought the same way he did. He did not believe that two families with a grudge between them could shake hands and make peace just like that.

It was only that... the Yang Family was hidden in the shadows while the Ge Family stood in the open. The other side did not know their strength or composition. After their Qi Refining Realm cultivators had all vanished, they merely did not dare act rashly.

But as long as the Yang Family remained in Bluestone County, the Ge Family would discover them sooner or later.

"Is Liao Cao reliable?"

"Last year, I gave him five sets of Three Kingdoms Kill cards. He sold them privately for forty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Before leaving for Jade Dragon Commandery, he also entrusted his wife and children to my care."

Yang Genshuo nodded. Liao Cao was a smart man who knew to cling tightly to Yang Shi's thigh.

As long as nothing went wrong on his end, the Ge Family would not know in the short term that Yang Shi was the one selling Fasting Cakes.

Treasured Goods Pavilion had some influence in Jade Dragon Commandery. The Ge Family would not dare directly seize a mortal shopkeeper by force. When that happened, the cultivators of the Great Nai Dynasty in Jade Dragon Commandery would not spare them, and many cultivators who still needed Treasured Goods Pavilion to handle their transactions would also lend a hand.

Although the Ge Family was the foremost Spirit Plant Family of the Great Nai Dynasty, it had one enormous weakness: there was no Foundation Establishment powerhouse in the family. Otherwise, they could simply crush everything with their eyes closed, and even the Great Nai Dynasty would have to turn a blind eye.

This was the information Liao Cao had provided after investigating in Jade Dragon Commandery.

"But now comes the problem. The Spirit Meal Fasting Cakes on my side are ready—how should we sell them? If Yang Shi sells them himself, that would be like laying our cards on the table and telling the Ge Family: I killed your retainers and that Qi Refining cultivator. If you've got the guts, come take revenge on me!"

This time, the old beggar at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining was no longer around.

"This is troublesome."

Yang Genshuo sat alone in his room, pondering how to sell the Fasting Cakes.

After turning it over and over in his mind, he could think of only two methods.

"First, sell them directly to the Treasured Goods Pavilion headquarters in Jade Dragon Commandery and let them sell them. The Ge Family would not dare rob them outright, but the price would certainly be lower. Treasured Goods Pavilion would be taking the risk and would need its own profit as well."

"Second, sell them somewhere else. The first-hand price would definitely be the highest, and it could also muddy the Ge Family's waters, making them think the person producing the Fasting Cakes had long since left Bluestone County."

"But the problem is... changing locations carries great danger. What might we encounter on the road? Would we be murdered and robbed at other Rogue Cultivator Markets? The Yang Family cannot take risks right now."

Yang Genshuo felt that, at present, only the first method was still somewhat suitable.

Yang Genshuo threw the question to Yang Shi.

Yang Shi said cautiously, "Ancestor, the Treasured Goods Pavilion headquarters may not be entirely trustworthy either."

Yang Genshuo frowned. That was true.

He had subconsciously tied Liao Cao and Treasured Goods Pavilion together, but in reality... Liao Cao could keep a secret, while the Treasured Goods Pavilion headquarters might well have greedy people.

"During this year's sacrifice, first bestow the samples from Red Maple Food Factory upon Yang Shi. This stuff can be stored for a long time anyway. We can sell it when a good opportunity arises."

"If the Fasting Cakes are of acceptable quality, then process and produce all one thousand jin of Spirit Wheat offered this year as well. Stockpile it in my house first."

Yang Shi had not sold any grain at last year's market because Yang Genshuo had taken away the harvest from two mu of Spirit Wheat. From the remaining two mu of fields, he, Jiang Xiaobai, and Huzi had eaten it all.

This was only because, after Jiang Xiaobai cultivated the Springwood Longevity Technique, her technique benefited the growth of Spirit Plants, increasing the yield by roughly one hundred jin per mu. Otherwise, after offering one thousand jin, there would not have been enough left for them to eat.

On day 275 of the fifth year, Bai Heyu of the Blackstone Sect arrived on schedule and cordially invited the Rogue Cultivators to participate in the third Demon Venerable Tournament.

With Blackstone Sect disciples stationed there, Bluestone Market had become very orderly. For two consecutive years, no vicious incidents of murder and robbery had occurred. Yang Shi's guarantee had taken effect, and he had gained considerable prestige among the Rogue Cultivators.

On day 280 of the fifth year, Yang Shi held a hundred-day banquet for little Yang Fu, inviting the entire county. Yang Fu could already call out "Father" and "Mother," leaving the Rogue Cultivators astonished. They called the child a prodigy!

Seeing the dense spiritual radiance above the child's head, Bai Heyu declared that he possessed extraordinary talent. So long as he did not perish young, he would surely become a great figure. Bai Heyu gifted him a protective jade pendant.

On day 300 of the fifth year, Bluestone Market opened.

Because imitation Three Kingdoms Kill cards had become increasingly common among the people, Yang Shi's hunger-marketing strategy collapsed without a blow. Genuine Three Kingdoms Kill cards could no longer fetch a high price this year, earning only fourteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

The Yang Family's Spirit Stone income was rather low this year, and they were unable to add any assets.

On day 304 of the fifth year, Bluestone Market ended. Before leaving, Bai Heyu sought out Yang Shi and said that his senior sister, Murong Ziyan, had asked him to bring three talismans. Once he handed them to Yang Shi, he would know what to do.

Yang Shi presented a sweet gift package made up of candy, chocolate, and milk tea powder. Bai Heyu was about to take it back and report in when Yang Shi stopped him.

"Senior Brother Bai, I have something to ask."

"Brother Yang, please speak freely."

"I have noticed that the Blackstone Sect disciples do not seem to care much about the stalls at this Rogue Cultivator Market. Why is that?"

"Hahaha~ The goods of Rogue Cultivators are beneath even the notice of Blackstone Sect outer disciples. We inner disciples would waste even less time on them. Better to find someone for a few exciting rounds of Demonic Dao Kill."

"Then may I ask Senior Brother Bai, where do you usually trade cultivation supplies?"