Lin was even more confused.
"Boss, why are you collecting all these things? You said your way of doing business was to start by ripping people off. Wouldn't that mean you couldn't even earn ten gold coins?"
"Quiet. Let me finish."
Mu Rong impatiently cut him off.
"How much you collect depends on how many cards you issue."
These cards had to be designed with a little finesse. They needed to look impressive at first glance—not like cheap goods.
"Then, set different levels on the cards. First-tier cards, second-tier cards, third-tier cards, and... Supreme cards."
Mu Rong spoke slowly, but each word landed like a hammer, striking Lin and Suo Ling right in the heart.
"The first-tier cards will be for the oil, rice, vinegar, and tea you collected. They'll offer a discount of one hundredth."
"And the remaining one percent will be genuine premium goods."
He paused deliberately, giving the other two a moment to digest his words.
"With first-tier cards, you can get things the city lord's estate can provide—rare items, such as a precious soul artifact or an uncommon soul-technique manual. In short, they have to be things everyone in the city would scramble to get."
"Second-tier cards could get you the finest soul beasts, whose abilities are suitable for a soul master at the Spirit Lord level, or a stalk of thousand-year-old spirit herb."
"As for third-tier cards, they'll be even better. A ten-thousand-year soul beast, a gold-grade soul bone, or other items of comparable value."
As he spoke, the corners of Mu Rong's mouth lifted slightly, his expression filled with confidence.
"Finally, we need to set the price."
"One card will cost one soul crystal."
He held up a finger and waved it in front of the other two.
"Now, the two of you, take a guess. If this gets started all across Ju Yuan City, how much could we make in a single day?"
"A hundred thousand!"
This time, Lin and Suo Ling didn't just suck in a breath. They both froze in place, their bodies stiff, as if they'd been struck by lightning.
One soul crystal!
To ordinary people, that might be something they'd need to save up for a while.
But for those with even a little background—and especially for disciples who dreamed of getting rich overnight—it was practically nothing.
Who could resist paying one soul crystal for a chance to change their fate?
Even Lin himself couldn't. If he didn't know what was coming, and ran into an opportunity like this, he'd have to buy a hundred or so cards first, no matter what.
And for those rich heirs, a hundred or so cards wouldn't even equal the cost of the oil, rice, vinegar, and tea they'd bought from Mu Rong...
This... this wasn't just a scam. He was openly and brazenly taking their money!
"Boss... Boss... you... you really are a genius!"
Lin's eyes shone as he looked at Mu Rong. The confusion in them had vanished, replaced by wild admiration.
How had he ever come up with this?
He really was an inhumanly brilliant businessman! He'd thought up a scheme that was practically guaranteed to make a fortune! No, not just a fortune—an absolutely massive fortune!
"Boss, you're so clever! You even figured out a way to cheat them!"
Suo Ling was excited too, her face flushed.
"It's not too late to get started."
Mu Rong gave Lin a faintly cool look.
"Listen, if you want to do business, you have to keep your word.
"If someone really does draw a premium prize, you have to make sure you give it to them.
"Only then can this scheme last, and become a steady source of income that keeps producing gold soul crystals."
"Besides, your father is the city lord of Ju Yuan City. You've got the backing to do this properly.
"I guarantee that across Ju Yuan City's three districts, no one will dare try to compete with you."
Mu Rong patted Lin on the shoulder, a playful smile appearing on his face.
"What do you think? Is this plan worth my getting involved? Give it some thought."
"You've already taken the first step. The money you've saved, and your cultivation resources, will be more than enough, won't they?
"With enough resources piled up, becoming a Soul Venerable in the future—or even a Soul Master—might not be impossible. Don't you want that?"
Those words struck the deepest desire in Lin's heart.
As the city lord's son, he might seem to enjoy boundless glory, but the world was far bigger than he could imagine.
The most he could hope for was to inherit his father's position as city lord, then become a minor local ruler. His soul power and talent would probably never be enough to compare with those great soul sects.
But now, Mu Rong had shown him a completely different path.
Gold coins, resources, a higher level of soul power!
Suddenly, it seemed that the boy before him—who had once been several steps behind him—might truly be able to give him a different future. A future that wasn't simply about standing by while others became Soul Masters!
"Of course."
Mu Rong's voice abruptly turned cold.
"Let me make one thing clear. This idea came from me. If you want your father involved, and he wants a share..."
He didn't finish, but the warning in his words was unmistakable.
"Mu Rong, you're no ordinary person."
"I really do see you as a younger brother. That's why I'm telling you that you can lay eggs and hatch them into gold."
Lin was so moved that all his doubts vanished.
He bowed deeply to Mu Rong.
"Boss, don't worry! I'll go back and talk it over with my father!
"I, Lin, am sticking with you! Only with you can I have a future! Only with you can I have a bright future!"
Seeing the child earnestly thinking things over, Mu Rong smiled with satisfaction.
This was what a promising protégé looked like... no, a truly loyal follower. He'd have to nurture him properly.
"Good. Stay with me, and you'll live a very different life."
"Boss, this matter is extremely important. I need to go back right away and discuss it with my father!"
Lin couldn't wait any longer.
"Go on, then. I'll be waiting for your good news."
Lin didn't say another word. He stood up at once and dashed toward the Lin family home like a gust of wind, leaving the two people behind him unable to catch up.
After he left, only Mu Rong and Suo Ling remained.
Suo Ling was full of admiration, but her brow furrowed. She still had something she couldn't quite understand.
"Boss, why did you make it a hundred thousand soul crystals a day? Wouldn't it be better to split the prizes? Wouldn't we get even more that way?"
Mu Rong smiled and reached over to pinch her smooth cheek.
"Little fool, today I'm going to teach you a lesson."
"You know what our status is, don't you? We're civilians.
"Can a civilian sit at the same table as someone from the city lord's estate? No. Even if I'm here, I don't have the qualifications to sit at the table and eat."
"So the only thing we can do is rely on the 'Soul Venerable' backing I've made up. We'll pretend to have authority, then use that to get the door open."
"Doing business is like this. First, you have to shout your name from the rooftops, then slowly work your way down.
"Only then can you end up in the position you truly want. Understand?"
Suo Ling nodded uncertainly. She didn't quite understand, but she knew her boss's plan must have its reasons.
"Enough. Stop thinking about it."
Mu Rong looked at her.
"You and Lin are both my younger siblings. You are too."
"As for the Soul Venerable thing, don't worry. You'll get there too. As for me, I'm going to carve out a place for myself in the world."
"People should really push themselves and fight for a future! Why should we wait around for someone else to hand us one?"
Mu Rong's voice was full of passion as he looked at Suo Ling and spoke earnestly, one word at a time.
"What happened to being modest?"
"Listen, girl. Someone with the martial soul of a tiger can only have the ambition of a tiger!"
Before you continue