Cooperation

This improved Blood Nourishing Powder was at least thirty percent more effective than the original.

And thanks to his precise use and selection of medicinal ingredients, its cost was even a little lower than the original's, at around one tael of silver per batch.

He had successfully prepared twelve batches of the improved Blood Nourishing Powder.

Carrying the twelve batches, Lin Qing returned to the martial hall and went straight to see Master Hong Yuan.

"Master, my family has improved and prepared some Blood Nourishing Powder based on an ancient formula."

Lin Qing presented a batch. "This powder is gentle in nature and excels at nourishing qi and blood and strengthening the sinews and bones. It may benefit disciples like us who are tempering our qi and blood."

"Your disciple is bold enough to ask you to inspect it."

Hong Yuan looked at Lin Qing with some surprise. From his words, Lin Qing clearly thought the martial hall's formula wasn't good enough.

But the Hong Family Martial Hall's medicinal formulas had always been family secrets passed down through the generations, so Hong Yuan was still half skeptical of what Lin Qing had said.

Still, since the boy had dared to present his treasure, he might as well take a look.

"Let me have a look first."

Hong Yuan took the powder. He examined its color, then brought it closer and sniffed. A flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes.

As a Organ Cleansing martial master, he had a keen sense for the properties of medicinal ingredients. This powder was of excellent quality, with a pure medicinal aroma.

Clearly, it had been made with top-grade ingredients and expert processing.

It was like dishes made by different cooks: each had its own flavor. Even an ordinary mapo tofu could have a thousand different variations.

And the powder contained more than a dozen medicinal ingredients. The proportions had to be just right; even the slightest discrepancy wouldn't do.

Hong Yuan pondered for a moment, then had someone bring him a cup of water. He picked out a little powder, dissolved it, and tasted it carefully.

A moment later, he took a few sips and felt a warm current stirring faintly within him. A glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Lin Qing with newfound interest.

"Mm. Its medicinal properties are rich yet gentle, and its nourishing effect is remarkable."

"Even more impressive, it seems to contain several ingredients that strengthen the sinews and bones. The combination is ingenious, and the balance between the principal and supporting ingredients is excellent. It truly surpasses the similar powders commonly sold on the market."

Hong Yuan spoke slowly, his tone filled with praise.

He had run a martial hall in Qingping County for many years and had tried nearly every Blood Nourishing Powder in town. The best had been the secret formula from the Zhang Family Pharmacy.

But Lin Qing's formula was several times more effective.

"Lin Qing, I didn't expect you to have such talent for medicinal studies, too. How many batches have you made?"

"Master, so far I've only managed to prepare twelve."

Lin Qing answered respectfully.

"What's the cost?"

Hong Yuan asked directly.

Lin Qing's thoughts raced. Knowing this was the key point, he replied frankly, "The ingredients are hard to come by, and the process is complicated. Each batch costs about two taels of silver."

He deliberately quoted a higher cost.

Hong Yuan nodded. The cost was within his expectations, and even a little lower than he'd imagined.

He considered it, then said, "All right. I'll take all twelve batches. How does five taels of silver per batch sound?"

Lin Qing's heart stirred. Each batch had cost him only a little over one tael, so he could make nearly four taels on each one.

Twelve batches meant a profit of more than forty taels.

That was almost as much as Benevolent World Hall earned in several months!

If he could supply them every month, hire a few workers, and expand the business, he might one day become one of Qingping County's biggest earners!

Lin Qing was overjoyed, but he kept his composure and bowed. "I'll leave it to you, Master."

Hong Yuan took out sixty taels of silver and handed them to Lin Qing. Then his expression turned stern, and he said in a low voice, "Lin Qing, this powder is remarkably effective. If you can supply it consistently, it'll greatly benefit the martial hall's disciples. I'm willing to work with you long-term and buy it at this price."

"But remember, this is strictly between the two of us. Until you've grown stronger, you must never reveal the formula, and you mustn't supply it to other martial halls or factions."

"Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

There was a note of warning in his words.

Lin Qing's heart tightened. He knew this was Hong Yuan drawing a line—and protecting him, too.

From now on, if he ran into trouble, his master would surely lend him a hand.

Ultimately, it was a bond forged through shared interests.

Lin Qing hurriedly agreed in earnest. "Your disciple understands. I wouldn't dare let it slip!"

The deal was done. Lin Qing went home with a whopping sixty taels of silver tucked away, feeling rich for the first time in his life.

But something even more astonishing awaited him.

A few days later, he heard that the wealthy disciples at the martial hall, eager to get ahead, could buy the remarkably effective secret Blood Nourishing Powder from Master Hong for eight taels of silver per batch.

The supply was limited, and it was first come, first served.

"Eight taels? He turns around and makes three taels?"

When Lin Qing heard, he was speechless for a long while and could only marvel to himself.

"Ginger really is spicier when it's old!"

With his reputation and connections, Hong Yuan had easily raised the price by quite a bit, earning about as much as Lin Qing.

But Lin Qing also understood that without Hong Yuan's name behind him, he'd have struggled to sell it for even three taels, let alone five.

The division of profits was always a contest of strength and resources.

Still, beneath Lin Qing's excitement, he felt a weighty pressure.

Wealth stirred people's hearts, and without the strength to protect it, this way of making money could sooner or later become a death warrant.

Whether it was martial arts or making money, both required more resources and strength to support them.

The setting sun bathed Yongning Street in warm orange light. Smoke curled from chimneys, carrying the faint aroma of cooking.

After finishing a day of training at the martial hall, Lin Qing returned to the street where Benevolent World Hall stood.

As he approached his shop, a nearby courtyard gate creaked open. He Xiaoya came out carrying a wooden basin, apparently to hang up some laundry.

When she saw Lin Qing, she froze. Two blushes bloomed across her fair cheeks, and she lowered her eyes in a fluster.

"Brother Lin Qing, you're back?"

Her voice was soft, with a young girl's distinctive lilt.

"Mm, I'm back."

Lin Qing stopped and gave her a gentle smile.

Xiao Ya set the basin down by her feet and wiped her hands on her faded apron. Then, as if she'd made up her mind, she looked up at Lin Qing and said softly, "Brother Lin Qing, wait here."

Before Lin Qing could answer, she turned and darted back into her courtyard like a startled fawn.

Lin Qing was a little puzzled, but he didn't hurry off.

Before long, Xiao Ya ran back out, carefully carrying two white porcelain bowls. Inside were several soft, snowy-white pieces of tofu pudding, still giving off a faint wisp of steam.

"Brother Lin Qing, my mother just made this tofu pudding. You and Sister Lin Wan can try some..."

Xiao Ya held out the bowls. Her voice grew softer and softer, her cheeks red as ripe apples, but her eyes held a hint of earnestness.

Lin Qing paused.

These days, tofu wasn't exactly a luxury, but for an ordinary family like Xiao Ya's, it was still a rare source of protein.

He instinctively tried to decline. "Xiao Ya, I couldn't possibly. You should keep it for yourselves..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Ya's lips puckered slightly and a flicker of hurt crossed her eyes. She held the bowls out a little farther. "We made it ourselves. It's not worth much."

"Who—who said I wanted your money?"