Singing a Duet

Gray Robe Jiang Lao smiled slightly and said, "I have everything you could possibly need here. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I can satisfy the needs of you both!"

Meng Bohai heard this, glanced down at Meng Haoran, and replied, "I am not here to buy anything. I wish to discuss a business deal with you, Jiang Lao."

From the earlier conversation with Gray Robe Jiang Lao, Meng Bohai had already confirmed that the man was indeed a merchant within the black market, and that he could attempt to negotiate a distribution channel with him.

"Oh? Not here to buy? My eyes must have deceived me. Then, Fellow Daoist, what kind of business do you wish to conduct?" the gray-robed elder asked.

Meng Bohai took an item from his robes, tossed it toward Gray Robe Jiang Lao, and said aloud, "Jiang Lao, you may call me Fellow Daoist Bohai."

Gray Robe Jiang Lao caught the object Meng Bohai threw, looked down at it, and said, "A Second-Tier Spirit Plant, Six-Pattern Wheat?"

"Indeed, it is the Second-Tier Spirit Plant, Six-Pattern Wheat. I ask that you take a close look, Jiang Lao!" Meng Bohai said with a smile.

Gray Robe Jiang Lao studied it for a moment before saying, "I have been in the black market business for decades. I don't know how many items like this Second-Tier Spirit Plant have passed through my hands, but this is the first time I have ever seen Six-Pattern Wheat of this quality."

Meng Bohai raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "I would appreciate it if you could explain in more detail, Jiang Lao."

"Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat is generally consumed by cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm and above, yet even then, the heaven and earth spiritual energy contained within it is extremely limited."

Gray Robe Jiang Lao changed his tone, adding, "However, the Six-Pattern Wheat that Fellow Daoist Bohai has brought is plump and full, and it even emits a faint fragrance of rice. In my view, the value of this Six-Pattern Wheat far exceeds any I have seen before!"

Hearing this, Meng Bohai and Meng Haoran exchanged a smile.

To receive such recognition from a black market merchant meant that the value of the Second-Tier Spirit Plant "Six-Pattern Wheat" currently being cultivated by the Meng Family was exceptional.

Their Meng Family had hope for a rise to power!

Meng Bohai calmed the joy in his heart and asked, "For this kind of Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat, what price might it fetch in the black market?"

Gray Robe Jiang Lao's eyes darted around as he smiled. "Nowadays, in the major markets, Second-Tier Spirit Plants generally sell for ten Spirit Stones per jin. In the black market, the price is higher, at twelve Spirit Stones per jin. Since you and I have a fated connection today, Fellow Daoist Bohai, I will do you a favor: fourteen Spirit Stones per jin. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"

Meng Bohai's expression remained unchanged. He feigned a shake of his head and sighed, "Alas, that is still somewhat short of the price I had in mind."

He raised a hand to pat Meng Haoran on the shoulder, expressing deep regret, and said, "Forget it. Let us go try our luck at the Chiyang County black market instead."

With that, he turned to walk away.

Seeing Meng Bohai's performance, Meng Haoran naturally understood the intent and followed closely behind him.

Seeing this, Gray Robe Jiang Lao grew anxious.

If the "Six-Pattern Wheat" Meng Bohai had given him were ordinary, it would be one thing, but it was actually "Six-Pattern Wheat" brimming with heaven and earth spiritual energy, which left Gray Robe Jiang Lao very satisfied.

In the black market, whoever held exclusive resources held the password to wealth.

As a mere rogue cultivator, how could Gray Robe Jiang Lao let such a golden opportunity slip away?

He certainly could not!

"Fellow Daoist Bohai! Wait a moment!" Gray Robe Jiang Lao trotted a few steps forward and called out.

Meng Bohai turned back and said, "Jiang Lao, no matter what else you say, it will be of no use. After all, there are costs involved in our family cultivating these spirit plants. We cannot accept the price you offered."

"Fifteen! For this kind of Six-Pattern Wheat, I will buy as much as you have, all at fifteen Spirit Stones per jin!"

Gray Robe Jiang Lao asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you satisfied now?"

"Fifteen Spirit Stones per jin? Jiang Lao, you shouldn't speak so lightly," Meng Bohai said, watching Gray Robe Jiang Lao's eyes with a smile.

Gray Robe Jiang Lao said in a deep voice, "When I, Jiang Lao, do business, my word is final. If I say I will purchase your Six-Pattern Wheat at fifteen Spirit Stones per jin, I am certainly not just trying to amuse you!"

Meng Bohai laughed aloud, "Jiang Lao truly knows how to do business!"

According to his own estimation, selling at fifteen Spirit Stones per jin meant he would likely take a slight loss, because in the black market, scarcity drove value. Since only the Meng Family possessed "Six-Pattern Wheat" of this quality, once it hit the market, the purchase price should have exceeded fifteen Spirit Stones per jin.

It could potentially even reach eighteen Spirit Stones per jin!

Moreover, if Meng Bohai did not sell his family's "Six-Pattern Wheat" to Gray Robe Jiang Lao but instead sold it openly in the black market, it would surely attract a frenzy of competition from other merchants.

In that case, the "Six-Pattern Wheat" grown by the Meng Family would become a target for everyone. Once spotted by those with ill intentions, it would be detrimental to the future development of the Meng Family.

Rather than harming the future of the Meng Family, it was better to sell to Gray Robe Jiang Lao at a slightly cheaper price.

Firstly, Meng Bohai would still receive a fair purchase price, ensuring their trip was not in vain.

Secondly, he would shift the attention regarding their "Six-Pattern Wheat" onto Gray Robe Jiang Lao, letting him bear the scrutiny of those opportunistic merchants on behalf of the Meng Family.

This move was killing two birds with one stone!

Gray Robe Jiang Lao exhaled slightly and smiled, "I wonder how many jin of this Six-Pattern Wheat Fellow Daoist Bohai has on hand? I will purchase it all!"

Meng Bohai replied, "Coming here this time, I was only looking for a channel to sell our Six-Pattern Wheat, so I did not bring much. I only have eight hundred jin."

After a moment of thought, Gray Robe Jiang Lao said, "Eight hundred jin it is. I will take it all."

Having said this, Gray Robe Jiang Lao lowered his head, took a "Storage Bag" from his robes, and said, "Fellow Daoist Bohai, at fifteen Spirit Stones per jin for eight hundred jin, this Storage Bag contains twelve thousand Spirit Stones. Please, count them."

Meng Bohai handed the "Storage Bag" containing the Spirit Stones to Meng Haoran.

While Meng Haoran used his divine sense to verify the amount, Meng Bohai handed the "Storage Bag" containing the "Six-Pattern Wheat" to Gray Robe Jiang Lao.

Gray Robe Jiang Lao accepted the "Storage Bag" without checking its contents, instead asking, "Just now, I heard you say you were looking for a channel to sell your Six-Pattern Wheat. Is my channel satisfactory to you, Fellow Daoist?"

Meng Bohai feigned composure, nodded, and said, "Naturally, I am satisfied. The price you offered is good, Jiang Lao. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly seek you out again."

Gray Robe Jiang Lao struck while the iron was hot, pressing, "Why wait for the future? Why not establish the channel with me right here and now? What do you think, Fellow Daoist Bohai?"