Ten Thousand Waters and a Thousand Mountains Are Always Love, Is One Hundred and Fifty Lines Not Enough

White Cloud Manor was renowned far and wide, bustling with a constant stream of visitors, making for a lively scene.

Xiang Yuan glanced at the couplets by the entrance. Above the plaque, a flagpole stood, its banner adorned with exquisite cloud patterns and the characters for "White Cloud" in seal script. It was grand yet elegant, a striking image that left a lasting impression.

A line of greeters stood at the entrance, warmly welcoming every customer. They were articulate and attentive, treating customers with courtesy regardless of their simple attire, whether introducing goods or answering questions.

White Cloud Manor's fame wasn't just due to its quality goods, but also its attentive service.

However, while the goods were of high quality, the prices were another matter. For those in the know, White Cloud Manor was honest and fair. For newcomers to the martial world, it was inevitable they'd pay a "tuition fee" here.

Moreover, White Cloud Manor had shops all over Western Chu. Some were reputable, while others not only overcharged customers but were also particularly skilled at exploiting acquaintances.

These minor flaws couldn't overshadow its great reputation. There were no wrong goods, only wrong prices. In this world where might made right, it was truly commendable that they never sold fakes.

Without further ado, Xiang Yuan followed a greeter into the main gate.

White Cloud Manor offered a comprehensive selection, from hats and boots to weapons and secret manuals. Whatever people in the martial world desired, they sold it, prioritizing customer satisfaction above all else.

Their flagship products were pills, unmatched in Western Chu. Perhaps some famous mountain sects could refine better pills than White Cloud Manor, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, success rate, and distribution volume, they couldn't compete.

They were practically monopolizing the market.

Another establishment, Forget Sword Manor, was comparable in scale to White Cloud Manor. Their flagship products were weapons. Each manor had its strengths, and neither could defeat the other in their respective specialties.

Thus, they coexisted peacefully, maintaining a facade of cordiality for business.

White Cloud Manor's shops occupied a vast area, divided into two courtyards. The front courtyard resembled a supermarket, displaying numerous goods for the passing martial artists to choose from. The back courtyard was the VIP section, staffed by attractive attendants, with private rooms for tea tasting accompanied by music, making wealthy martial artists feel right at home.

According to whispers, spending a fortune in the back courtyard could allow one to take a favored attendant out.

The fifteen hundred taels of silver on Xiang Yuan weren't a fortune; he could splurge in the front courtyard, but he was insignificant in the back.

With some self-awareness, he headed straight for the pill section and stated his needs.

The attendant introduced and recommended a blood-replenishing pill. It dissolved upon contact with the mouth, was simple to use, and tasted sweet, receiving rave reviews as the best choice for replenishing blood and healing injuries.

The attendant's eloquence was exceptional. A common blood-replenishing pill was described as being incredibly rare, almost nonexistent anywhere else. Before Xiang Yuan could react, two hundred taels of silver were gone.

I didn't even get to haggle!

Recalling Lu Ming and Old Liu's advice, Xiang Yuan was filled with regret. As steady as he was, haggling and playing the victim didn't suit him. Being cold-blooded was even less likely; he'd probably resort to force. After much thought, he decided to cut his losses and switch to a more playful persona.

A playful demeanor was shameless and perfect for bargaining.

"Captain Xiang, besides our White Cloud Manor's special Acupoint Opening Pills, we also sell Acupoint Opening Pills from other sects. Which sect do you hail from, or do you have any preferences?" the attendant asked, presenting a catalog.

"No specific preferences, the White Cloud Manor's special Acupoint Opening Pills will suffice."

Xiang Yuan flipped through the catalog. He didn't see True Heart Dao. The sects whose pills were sold were all within Western Chu, mostly second-rate. Only Qingxu Sect and Sword Heart Zhai were first-rate forces.

The pills from these two sects had moderate and balanced medicinal properties, offering comprehensive effects and high applicability. Their own shops were few, so they partnered with White Cloud Manor to share the profits.

Xiang Yuan's sharp eyes noticed that the prices weren't directly marked in the catalog, indicating significant room for negotiation.

"Captain Xiang, these three bottles are all Acupoint Opening Pills. This is mid-grade, this is high-grade, and this is top-grade. You get what you pay for. Which one would you like?" the attendant said, bringing over three bottles of pills.

"Low-grade" sounded too unappealing. Everyone in the martial world valued appearances. Adding a bit of money and renaming it "mid-grade" made it easier for those with shallow pockets to make a purchase.

Making money is never shameful.

The buyer gained face, and the seller profited. It was a win-win situation.

Xiang Yuan's original target was low-grade, no, mid-grade. The Formless Seal Method strengthened the Primordial Spirit internally and the divine power externally, cleansed the marrow and reshaped bones, and reversed meridians and altered acupoints. He firmly believed that even without Acupoint Opening Pills, he could steadily advance to the Acupoint Opening stage. Buying a pill was just to be safe and ensure success on the first try.

Now that his pockets were full, he set his sights on the top-grade ones.

Whether rich or poor, everyone had their way of living. Now that he had the means, he naturally wanted the best!

"What are the prices for these three bottles?"

"Mid-grade is excellent value for money, fifty taels. High-grade is superb value, two hundred taels."

The attendant had a silver tongue and spoke sincerely: "The refinement of top-grade pills requires vast amounts of rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Their collection is fraught with danger and casualties, and each medicinal ingredient is incredibly precious. It also requires experienced alchemists to extract the essence and discard the dross. Furthermore, senior experts refine them for three days and three nights. Ordinary individuals wouldn't dare guard the furnace. The finished products are scarce and in high demand. Scarcity drives up the price, and it costs five hundred taels."

You can really spin a tale!

Xiang Yuan blinked and said sternly, "I'll take the top-grade. Give me a discount. Fate brings us together from a thousand miles apart; a hundred taels of investment fosters deep affection."

"Impossible, impossible. You can't even buy high-grade with a hundred taels. You just spent so generously, I'll give you a small discount, four hundred and ninety taels!" the attendant gritted out.

"A thousand rivers and ten thousand mountains, all filled with love. How about one hundred and fifty?"

The attendant was momentarily stumped by the poetic line. He inwardly acknowledged he'd met a master. Taking a deep breath, he couldn't come up with a poetic retort and said directly, "No, no. If I sell it to you for one hundred and fifty taels, the shopkeeper will break my legs."

"True feelings exist in the world. Two hundred is enough for a smile."

"You're truly amazing. How about this, four hundred and fifty taels. That's the lowest price."

"Through wind and rain, our bond grows stronger. Two hundred and fifty is also acceptable!"

"Four hundred and twenty taels, non-negotiable!!"

"Where in the world are there no fragrant grasses? If you don't sell for three hundred, I'll run."

"Four hundred taels, bottom price!!!"

After a period of bickering, Xiang Yuan, pitying the attendant's plight, took a step back and added fifty taels, purchasing the top-grade Acupoint Opening Pill for the exorbitant price of three hundred and fifty taels.

Both sides felt they had lost out.

The attendant snapped back to reality, already drenched in sweat. He looked at Xiang Yuan with a changed expression. Not only was he a master, but he was also spouting rhymes like a pro. Three hundred and fifty taels! In all the years since this establishment opened, they had never sold high-grade Acupoint Opening Pills for such a cheap price.

Oh no, I fell for his trap and broke the rules. Will the shopkeeper beat me?

Xiang Yuan obtained the pills he needed, exchanging money for goods. He turned to leave.

The attendant followed him with a pained expression. "Captain Xiang, you got a great deal today. Please, remember not to tell anyone, or I'll be in serious trouble."

Nonsense, you definitely still made a profit, just a smaller commission.

Xiang Yuan nodded. Seeing the attendant still trailing him, he raised an eyebrow. "What, do you want to come back to the yamen with me to get your bearings, planning to rob me tonight?"

"Captain Xiang jokes. White Cloud Manor conducts legitimate business and doesn't engage in petty thievery."

The attendant looked troubled. "I broke the rules today. I just want to recommend a few more items to you. Otherwise, if I make a losing sale, the shopkeeper will really break my legs."

He put on a sorrowful face, as if Xiang Yuan had gotten an unbelievable bargain. Whether it was true or not, it certainly made the customer feel good.

"What do you want to recommend?"

"Weapons! Captain Xiang has obtained Acupoint Opening Pills and will surely achieve Great Accomplishment and become famous throughout the land. If you fail because of your weapon and are defeated by some idle rogue, won't you regret it later?"

That makes a lot of sense.

Xiang Yuan still had nearly a thousand taels in banknotes in his embrace and was indeed considering purchasing a weapon. He shook his head. "If you're buying weapons, you should go to Forget Sword Manor. Their shop is right in the front..."

"We offer a discount here! You can choose in the back courtyard!" the attendant interrupted directly.

White Cloud Manor had a rule, meant to harm others without benefiting themselves: when selling weapons, even if they took a small loss themselves, they couldn't let Forget Sword Manor make a large profit.

If I can't beat you in quality, I can still engage in predatory competition!

The back courtyard!

Xiang Yuan's eyes lit up. It was indeed worth going in to take a look. Even if he didn't buy anything, it would be good to go in for some tea, listen to some music, and wander around to broaden his horizons.