Business Is Business

"All right, little brother, you're incredible at massage..."

Huang Ying wanted to grab Gao Xian's hand, but her whole body was too limp to muster even a little strength. Even her voice sounded unusually soft and languid.

She knew Gao Xian was skilled at massage, but this time he had massaged her soul right out of her. She had no idea where she was and felt as though she were floating up to heaven.

Gao Xian handed Huang Ying a cup of warm tea. "Sister Ying, have a drink."

Master-level Lightning Dragon Hand was too powerful. He had massaged Huang Ying until she was drenched in sweat, so she must be thirsty by now.

He had meant to take the opportunity to talk with Huang Ying about Shopkeeper Zhu, but she looked as if her soul had left her body. It wasn't a good time to discuss business.

He chatted casually with Huang Ying for a while. By the time the sweat had dried and most of her tipsiness had faded, Gao Xian finally broached the subject. "Sister Ying, Shopkeeper Zhu is looking into the Heavenly Gui Pill. I'm afraid he'll find his way to me soon."

Huang Ying frowned slightly. "Zhu Hong'an is greedy. It could be troublesome if he learns about our arrangement."

She had actually anticipated this. Flying Horse Market was so small, and the Heavenly Gui Pill was selling in greater and greater quantities. How could Zhu Hong'an, as the owner of a medicine shop, turn a blind eye?

By the rules, only Longevity Hall was permitted to sell pills in Flying Horse Market. She had already crossed the line.

She had thought Zhu Qiniang's recommendation and introduction meant the arrangement had been tacitly approved. At the very least, she had assumed Zhu Qiniang could handle things.

Now that Zhu Hong'an was making trouble, things had become difficult.

Besides, Zhu Hong'an had brought Gao Xian in, and the two of them had signed an alchemy contract. If Zhu Hong'an used that as leverage, she would have even less right to interfere.

But the Heavenly Gui Pill involved enormous profits, and she didn't want to give it up without a fight.

A Stone-Slicing Sword could sell for a hundred Spirit Stones, but they could only sell a few swords at that price each month.

Besides, Hundred Weapons Hall was the Lianyun Sect's business, and her Huang Family only got a fifth of the profits.

That left her personally with very little. Even using every means at her disposal, she only made sixty or seventy Spirit Stones a month.

The Heavenly Gui Pill was different. All the Spirit Stones it earned went to her. She made one Spirit Stone for every ten pills.

With the Heavenly Gui Pill selling so well, she could earn at least a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones a month—or one mid-grade Spirit Stone!

That was more than she made as a shopkeeper, and it was easier work.

Whoever she sold the Heavenly Gui Pill to, she gained a favor in return. By controlling the pill's supply, she had become a prominent figure among the female cultivators of Flying Horse Market.

The intangible benefits that came with it were hard to measure in Spirit Stones.

After thinking it over, Huang Ying said, "Don't worry. If Zhu Hong'an really gives you trouble, I'll stand up for you."

"I'm worried he'll go to my master." Gao Xian wasn't particularly afraid of Shopkeeper Zhu, but he was somewhat afraid of his master.

That fear mainly came from the original owner's deep reverence for Xu Mingyuan.

"Your master is in Lianyun City, far away. How could he manage what you do here?"

Huang Ying said, "Your alchemy skills have improved so much. Once your master finds out, he'll surely protect you. He can't possibly take an outsider's side.

"You still have Zhou Ye on your side. If anything happens, the two of us will protect you together. We'll find a way to keep you safe!"

Gao Xian was a little disappointed. Huang Ying's plan wasn't wrong, but it was too passive and lacked specifics.

He didn't say anything, though. He chatted with Huang Ying a little longer before taking his leave.

After leaving Hundred Weapons Hall, Gao Xian went to Spirit Talisman Hall to see Zhou Ye.

Taking Deer Antler Powder every day had left the old man glowing with health and vigor. He looked more than ten years younger.

Zhou Ye was delighted to see Gao Xian. Deer Antler Powder had been selling better and better lately, and supplies were nearly unable to keep up with demand.

The income from selling Deer Antler Powder was even higher than what he earned from selling spirit talismans.

After all, spirit talismans were expensive. Though they were consumables, ordinary rogue cultivators only bought two or three for self-defense and wouldn't use them unless absolutely necessary.

Deer Antler Powder was different. A lecherous man needed at least one packet a day.

Just as Gao Xian had said before, Zhou Ye could easily sell a thousand packets of Deer Antler Powder a month.

Spirit talismans took careful work to draw, while Deer Antler Powder only needed to be resold. There was a world of difference in the effort involved.

Zhou Ye now treated Gao Xian more fondly than his own daughter. He led Gao Xian to the main room in the back courtyard and warmly offered him tea and snacks.

If it had been Zhou Yuling, Gao Xian could have spent the entire day clinging to the girl without getting tired of it. But with an old geezer, he got straight to the point and told him about Shopkeeper Zhu.

"Zhu Hong'an is nothing to worry about. If he dares to cause trouble, I'll stand up for you. I've known the Foundation Establishment elder of his family for years."

With the ownership of Deer Antler Powder at stake, Zhou Ye immediately thumped his chest and promised to stand up for Gao Xian.

Zhou Ye's attitude was the same as Huang Ying's. Neither of them wanted to step forward and resolve the matter themselves.

Gao Xian understood their position well enough. The Lianyun Sect must have a clear division of responsibilities, and they were already somewhat in the wrong for getting involved in selling medicine. They didn't dare throw their weight around and pressure Zhu Hong'an.

Besides, Huang Ying and Zhou Ye probably couldn't keep Zhu Hong'an in check.

Longevity Hall was the biggest shop in Flying Horse Market. Hundred Weapons Hall was a step below it, and Spirit Talisman Hall was even less influential.

Zhou Ye was willing to stand up for him, which was already decent. Gao Xian couldn't ask for more.

Leaving Spirit Talisman Hall, Gao Xian sighed to himself. It seemed he would have to rely on himself after all.

For now, his priority was to arm himself as much as possible.

Gao Xian went straight to Cloud Clothing Workshop, a ready-made clothing store that sold clothes, shoes, hats, and other necessities.

Cloud Clothing Workshop had a lovely name, but the shop itself was small. The front displayed ordinary items such as Daoist robes, undershirts, socks, slippers, and boots.

The clothes weren't expensive. A single Spirit Stone could buy three or four outfits. Customers could buy items individually, too, and the shopkeeper would give them change in Talisman Coins.

One Spirit Stone could be exchanged for ten Talisman Coins.

Talisman Coins were gold coins about the size of copper coins. The words "Lianyun" were stamped on one side, and the Lianyun Talisman on the other.

Only the Lianyun Sect could produce the distinctive talismanic aura on the coins, which effectively prevented cultivators from counterfeiting them.

Since Talisman Coins were made by the Lianyun Sect, they could only be used within its territory.

Most cultivators preferred to trade with Spirit Stones whenever possible and rarely used Talisman Coins.

Especially in a place like Flying Horse Market, where cultivators considered Spirit Stones more reliable.

The owner of Cloud Clothing Workshop knew how to do business. He had written the prices on pieces of paper and displayed them, saving customers the trouble of asking.

Gao Xian had money now and had no interest in ordinary clothes. He walked in and told the shop assistant, "I want something good."

The smile on the assistant's face immediately grew warmer. "This way, Daoist."

In a room farther inside were seven or eight magical robes, several styles of shoes, belts, and other items. Each one was fastened with a long chain to prevent theft.

A plump, genial-looking middle-aged man came to greet Gao Xian. "What would you like to see, fellow Daoist? I can make a recommendation."

The middle-aged man was clearly a cultivator, and a late-stage Qi Refiner at that. Though plump, his eyes gleamed with vigor, and his spirit was well-contained.

Gao Xian nodded. "Shopkeeper, I'm looking for a good pair of shoes."

"Haha, you've come at just the right time, fellow Daoist. I've just received a pair of Water-Fire Lotus Silk Boots."

The shopkeeper brought out a pair of black, knee-high boots. Their design was simple, and the material had a fine, lustrous sheen.

"Look at the leather. The silk is drawn from Purple Leaf Lotus Roots in Tailian Lake. It's impervious to water and fire, resistant to venomous insects, supple, and breathable. The soles are tanned from Two-Headed Demon Crocodile hide, making them puncture-resistant and non-slip. I've carved Wind Control Art into them, so you can activate it three times a day."

The shopkeeper beamed. "These are mid-grade first-tier Water-Fire Lotus Silk Boots. Eighty Spirit Stones is a fair price, wouldn't you say?"

Gao Xian was rather pleased with the boots. "I'm not sure they're the right size, though."

"I can adjust them for you. I guarantee they'll fit."

"Can I try them on?"

"Afraid not. You can feel the material and inspect the craftsmanship. You won't find another pair like these in Flying Horse Market!"

The shopkeeper truly knew his trade, praising the boots until they sounded like a treasure from heaven.

Gao Xian was tempted, but he wasn't the same man he had been two months ago. Back then, he'd had no experience and had been timid and unsure of himself.

After spending so much time with Huang Ying and Zhou Ye, Gao Xian had realized that late-stage Qi Refiners were just ordinary people too. At least in intelligence, ability, and temperament, they weren't much better than anyone else.

He summoned the swagger of someone haggling at a street stall in his previous life. "Twenty Spirit Stones. I'll take them."

The smile vanished from the shopkeeper's face. He stared at Gao Xian coldly. "Fellow Daoist, I don't appreciate jokes."