Leaving No Room

"One hundred and ten Foundation Strengthening Pills, ninety White Dew Pills, sixty Qi Recovery Pills..."

Zhu Hong'an sat behind the counter, working his abacus as he calculated the day's medicine sales.

His expression was rather grim, so the four shop assistants kept their heads down and worked. None of them dared look at Zhu Hong'an.

"Damn it, sales keep getting worse." Zhu Hong'an suddenly slapped the counter and cursed.

Flying Horse Market was only so big, and the Rogue Cultivators were all dirt-poor. With Deer Antler Powder and Heavenly Gui Pills selling so well, they were bound to cut back on other expenses. It wasn't just pills; all the other businesses would inevitably be affected. The medicine shops had simply taken the biggest hit.

Zhu Hong'an turned to Yang An, who was standing beside him with a fawning smile. "What the hell are you smiling at?"

Yang An had tiny eyes, a flat, sunken nose, and a face covered in dark spots. He was short and thin, and in his black Daoist robe, hunched over, he looked like a big rat.

Though Zhu Hong'an had berated him mercilessly, Yang An still wore a fawning smile, his face full of obsequious humility. Lowering his voice, he said, "Shopkeeper, all the Spirit Stones are with Gao Xian. Aren't his Spirit Stones as good as your money?"

"Hahaha..."

Zhu Hong'an liked the sound of that, and his mood brightened.

At first, Zhou Ye's secret sale of Deer Antler Powder hadn't affected him much. Zhou Ye's teacher was the Dharma Transmission Elder, someone he couldn't afford to offend. More importantly, when he'd gone to Zhou Ye, the other man had been quite amiable, saying he was only testing the market for a few months. If business went well, they'd work together afterward.

He hadn't thought much of it at the time. But when Huang Ying came out to buy Heavenly Gui Pills, he realized something was wrong. After looking into it, he found that Gao Xian was the one behind it all! Once he learned the truth, he wasn't angry—he was delighted.

As long as he got Gao Xian under his thumb, all that money would be his. And from then on, Gao Xian would have no choice but to make pills for him.

Deer Antler Powder and Heavenly Gui Pills would both become his cash cows. As for Zhou Ye and Huang Ying, without Gao Xian supplying pills, what were they worth?

Zhu Hong'an patted Yang An on the shoulder and praised him. "It's thanks to you that we got to the bottom of this. Don't worry, I won't treat you badly."

As for what "wouldn't treat him badly" meant, Zhu Hong'an figured that a couple of words of praise were already more than generous.

Yang An nodded repeatedly, beaming. "Thank you, Shopkeeper."

When Yang An looked up, he saw Zhu Qiniang coming in through the back door. His smile immediately turned a little stiff.

Zhu Qiniang was always cold-faced, and Yang An was genuinely afraid of her. He knew very well that she was Longevity Hall's top enforcer, cold and ruthless, with a vicious hand.

What was even more frightening was that he could never read what was going through her mind.

He had always kept his distance from her.

"Boss Lady, you're back." Yang An hurriedly greeted her with respect, while also alerting Zhu Hong'an.

Zhu Hong'an closed the ledger and turned to look at Zhu Qiniang. "Did you bring him back?"

"Mm."

"He's a coward. Leave him alone for a while, and he'll scare himself."

Zhu Hong'an said with a chuckle, "Let's eat and drink our fill before we go deal with him."

Yang An quietly reminded him, "Shopkeeper, don't let him get away."

"He wouldn't dare."

Zhu Hong'an sneered. "Flying Horse Market is tiny. Where could he run? If he tries, his own master, Xu Mingyuan, will beat him to death before I even have to lift a finger!"

He took a Spirit Stone from his sleeve and tossed it to Yang An. "Go to Old Li Wine Shop and buy some good dishes. Today's a good day. We should have a drink..."

By the time Yang An returned with the food and wine, it was completely dark.

Yang An sat below the Zhu couple, drinking with Shopkeeper Zhu and his wife. He hardly dared touch the food, busy pouring wine for Shopkeeper Zhu and ingratiating himself with jokes and conversation.

Zhu Qiniang ate a lot but didn't touch a drop of wine. Once she'd eaten her fill, she left first.

Only after Zhu Qiniang was gone did Yang An relax. He drank a few cups with Zhu Hong'an and grew a little tipsy. The two began talking about the beauties at Flying Flower Courtyard.

As they talked about those bewitching slender waists and long legs, Zhu Hong'an grew excited too. "Once Gao Xian signs the death contract today, I'll take you to Flying Flower Courtyard for a good time. Yun'er and Feng'er are incredible in bed..."

The two old men grew more and more excited, already imagining the debauchery they'd get up to later.

It wasn't until the half-moon had risen high into the sky that Zhu Hong'an brought Yang An to the side room in the rear courtyard.

It was mid-September, and the weather had already turned cold.

The side room had originally been used to store miscellaneous items. It didn't get much sunlight, and the paper window was torn. As the night wind blew, the room grew even colder.

The flame of the oil lamp flickered in the night breeze, its light brightening and dimming. Seated on the far side of the table, Gao Xian's face shifted between light and shadow. His expression was neither dark nor bright, and his calm held an indescribable eeriness.

Zhu Hong'an was a little surprised. He remembered Gao Xian as a timid boy who lost his wits after a few words of intimidation.

Why was he so calm now?

Then he grew a little annoyed. Did this brat really think he wouldn't dare lay a hand on him?

Zhu Hong'an strode over with a dark expression, slammed a hand on the table, and shouted, "Gao Xian!"

As a Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivator, Zhu Hong'an had a booming voice, full of vigor.

Yet Gao Xian remained exceptionally composed. He sat still, showing no sign of fright.

He looked up at Zhu Hong'an and asked calmly, "Shopkeeper Zhu, why did you have me brought here?"

"You've got some nerve!"

Zhu Hong'an had been putting on an act, but now he was genuinely angry.

Gao Xian had seen him come in and still dared to sit there—and even ask why!

"Tell me, did you make Huang Ying's Heavenly Gui Pills and Zhou Ye's Deer Antler Powder?"

Gao Xian nodded. "I made them."

Then he asked in turn, "What's the problem?"

"You still have the nerve to ask!"

Zhu Hong'an jabbed a finger at Gao Xian and cursed furiously. "The ingredients are mine, the pill furnace is mine, and you secretly made pills and sold them outside. Is that what your master taught you?"

"I'm the only one in all of Flying Horse Market allowed to sell pills. It's the sect's rule!"

"You stole from me. You betrayed me. If I send you back to the Lianyun Sect Discipline Hall, you'll be dead for sure."

At that, Zhu Hong'an softened his tone a little. "For your master's sake, and because you're young, ignorant, and a first-time offender, I'll give you a chance."

Gao Xian felt conflicted too. He'd never known that Longevity Hall held the exclusive right to sell pills. Qiniang hadn't even mentioned something so important...

But he hadn't had a choice. Zhu Hong'an was too greedy to work with. And Deer Antler Powder and Heavenly Gui Pills were tied to the Humanity Aura, so he had to sell them in large quantities.

He remembered Qiniang asking him what he would do if Zhu Hong'an refused to let him sell pills. So she'd warned him long ago...

Gao Xian sighed softly. "Please, Shopkeeper Zhu, tell me plainly."

Zhu Hong'an was about to say something, but then he realized Gao Xian was still sitting there. He grabbed Gao Xian by the collar and hauled him up. "You little brat, you still dare sit in front of me? Who do you think you are?"

Gao Xian didn't resist. He gently tried to calm him. "Shopkeeper Zhu, don't get worked up. Let's talk this through."

Yang An watched from the side. Gao Xian seemed far too calm to him. He'd never dealt with Gao Xian before, but he could tell something wasn't right.

Suddenly, he sensed someone coming in. He turned his head and saw Zhu Qiniang.

She stood more than a head taller than him. Silent and motionless in the doorway, she nevertheless radiated an imposing air.

Yang An hurriedly nodded to Zhu Qiniang with a fawning smile, then sidestepped out of the way.

Having Zhu Qiniang standing behind him would have been not only impolite, but unnerving.

Zhu Hong'an was busy shouting at Gao Xian, spittle flying everywhere. Gao Xian looked helpless.

The middle-aged man's mouth was poorly cared for, and after drinking, his breath stank horribly.

Zhu Hong'an thought Gao Xian was afraid. He felt rather pleased with himself. The boy had been putting on a good act, but once he was in Zhu Hong'an's hands, none of those little tricks would work.

He pulled a contract from his sleeve and slapped it onto the table. "Sign this contract, and I'll let the past go."

Gao Xian picked up the contract and read it. Its terms were simple: Longevity Hall would sign a hundred-year contract with him, and every pill he made during those hundred years would belong to Longevity Hall.

If he violated the contract, Longevity Hall could do whatever it wanted with him.

As for his treatment and compensation, not a word was written.

"Shopkeeper Zhu, this contract lasts too long, and it doesn't say how we'll share the profits from the pills..."

Gao Xian shook his head. The terms were too harsh. If he signed, he'd become Longevity Hall's slave.

Qiniang really hadn't lied to him!

He hadn't fully believed what she said. After all, Qiniang clearly held a deep grudge against Shopkeeper Zhu.

Now it seemed Zhu Hong'an really was greedy, and truly ruthless, leaving no room for anyone else.

Zhu Hong'an grabbed Gao Xian by the collar and pulled him close until they were face-to-face, their eyes locked. His small eyes blazed with menace.

He gave a chilling laugh. "You secretly used my ingredients and pill furnace to earn all those Spirit Stones. Did you really think I was running a charity?"

"Today, you either sign the contract or die. Choose!"

Gao Xian sighed again and glanced toward Zhu Qiniang, who stood in the doorway. Her lips were pressed together, her expression cold, her eyes filled with a chilling murderous intent.

Noticing Gao Xian's gaze, Zhu Qiniang gave him a slight nod.

With his back to Zhu Qiniang, Zhu Hong'an couldn't see her gesture.

But Yang An saw the exchange between Zhu Qiniang and Gao Xian. His heart filled with unease and suspicion. What were Gao Xian and Zhu Qiniang up to? Something seemed off...