The Xiao Clan's predicament and a partnership

While crowds outside boiled with excitement, fighting tooth and nail over a single Magic Core Armament,

Zhou Changqing's days remained peaceful.

In the blink of an eye, two months passed.

That day,

a rare visitor arrived at Zhou Changqing's courtyard.

"Uncle Xiao? What brings you here? Please, come in and sit down."

Opening the courtyard gate, Zhou Changqing looked surprised, then warmly invited Xiao Zhan inside.

Xiao Zhan followed Zhou Changqing into the courtyard with a smile, asking as they walked, "Changqing, I haven't disturbed you, have I?"

"Of course not."

They sat down beside the stone table. Zhou Changqing poured Xiao Zhan a cup of tea and smiled. "I couldn't be happier to have you visit, Uncle Xiao."

"Hehe, as long as I'm not disturbing you. Since I've come unannounced, here's a little token from your uncle."

"You're too kind, Uncle Xiao."

"It's only right."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Only then did Xiao Zhan get to the point, his expression turning serious. "Changqing, I came because there's something I'd like to ask your help with."

"Oh? What is it? Please tell me, Uncle Xiao. If it's within my power, I certainly won't refuse."

Seeing this, Zhou Changqing grew serious as well.

For the Xiao Clan Leader to use the word "ask" showed just how grave the situation was.

"Ah... This has to do with the Jia Lie Family. Changqing, you should know that our Xiao Clan has always been at odds with them."

Xiao Zhan took a sip of tea, sighed, and slowly explained.

"Originally, our two families were evenly matched, and neither could do anything to the other, so we've coexisted without incident all these years."

"But recently, the Jia Lie Family found a First-Rank Alchemist somewhere. He's made a healing medicine called rejuvenation powder. It's not only cheap and easy to produce in large quantities, but also far more effective than ordinary healing medicine."

"As soon as rejuvenation powder appeared, it became very popular with the Mercenaries in Wutan City and the surrounding areas. That sent many Mercenaries flocking to the Jia Lie Family's markets. The Xiao Family Market has now lost more than half its customers, which has dealt our clan quite a blow."

"This affair has left me running ragged. If things continue like this, I'm afraid all the Xiao Clan's markets will close before long, and the clan will fall into a slump it can never recover from."

As he listened to Xiao Zhan, Zhou Changqing began to think.

He vaguely remembered something like this happening. What was that First-Rank Alchemist's name again? Liu Xi, he thought.

This affair had indeed caused the Xiao Clan considerable trouble. Later, however, Xiao Yan learned alchemy, posed as an expert, and partnered with the Xiao Clan, supplying large quantities of healing medicine. He also killed Liu Xi, resolving the matter.

But right now, Xiao Yan probably hadn't broken through to Dou Zhe yet, let alone begun practicing alchemy. He might not even know about this.

"So, Uncle Xiao, you came to me because...?"

By now, Zhou Changqing had roughly guessed Xiao Zhan's purpose, but he still wanted to confirm it.

Xiao Zhan was a shrewd man himself. How could he fail to notice that Zhou Changqing had already guessed? He made no attempt to hide it and nodded. "I won't keep anything from you, Changqing. The Xiao Clan may not be teetering on the brink just yet, but if this continues, it's only a matter of time."

"So I'd like to ask you to supply the Xiao Clan with a batch of Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons. Not many—ten would be enough. With how sought-after these weapons are, they could temporarily keep customers coming to the Xiao Family Market and buy our clan time to find a solution."

"Rest assured, Changqing, the Xiao Clan certainly won't let you lose out. We're willing to buy them at twenty percent above the highest auction price for a Treasure Weapon."

Just as he had expected.

Zhou Changqing did not refuse. He immediately nodded with a smile. "You're too polite, Uncle Xiao. Xiao Yan helped me a great deal before. I'll agree to this."

"However, we can't follow your proposal..."

Hearing Zhou Changqing agree had delighted Xiao Zhan, but his newly formed smile froze at what came next.

Did he think the Xiao Clan's offer wasn't sincere enough? Did he want a higher price?

Gritting his teeth, Xiao Zhan was about to raise his offer when the next words filled him with surprise and joy.

"How could ten treasure weapons be enough? Besides, their prices are too high for most Mercenaries to afford. They might draw plenty of people to the Xiao Family Market for a short while, but that would only last a few days. It wouldn't be sustainable."

"So I have a proposal you could consider, Uncle Xiao."

“Forget about just ten. I'll supply the Xiao Clan with large quantities of lower-grade Treasure Weapons instead. They'll cost a few thousand Gold Coins, no more than five thousand.”

"Although these lower-grade treasure weapons won't be quite as sharp, their prices will be within reach of most Mercenaries."

“That way, the Xiao Family Marketplace will definitely win back its lost customers. It will minimize the impact of rejuvenation powder, and might even take the market to greater heights.”

"Additionally, I can provide you with two Magic Core Armaments to draw attention. With those, the Xiao Family Market should be able to rest easy."

"What do you think of this proposal, Uncle Xiao?"

After finishing his explanation, Zhou Changqing looked at Xiao Zhan and found him sitting there dumbfounded.

Then Xiao Zhan came back to his senses, his face lighting up with delight. His eyes brimmed with gratitude as he looked at Zhou Changqing.

"My dear nephew, this... How could I accept so much? I'm sorry to put you to so much trouble."

"No need to stand on ceremony, Uncle Xiao. I'm not helping for free. I'll be making a profit too."

Zhou Changqing smiled faintly.

"Rest assured, nephew. The Xiao Clan will never let you lose out!"

“In that case, come back in three days, Uncle Xiao. I should have ten lower-grade Treasure Weapons forged by then. After that, I'll supply the Xiao Clan with ten more every three days. As for the Magic Core Armaments, I still have some in stock. You can take them now.”

"Thank you, nephew. Words can't express my gratitude. If you ever face any trouble or need anything, come straight to the Xiao Clan. We will never refuse."

"You're too kind, Uncle Xiao."

After another exchange of pleasantries, Xiao Zhan left the courtyard looking thoroughly satisfied.

Zhou Changqing had his own considerations in this matter.

Even setting aside his relationship with Xiao Yan and all the help Xiao Yan had given him,

this arrangement cost him nothing. There was absolutely no reason to refuse.

Besides, the partnership wouldn't last too long. Once Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Zhe and learned alchemy, the matter with Liu Xi would be resolved for good.

He could simply treat it as a little extra income.

Three days later,

word spread that the Xiao Family Market was selling treasure weapons.

The news immediately attracted quite a few Mercenaries.

And when the prices were announced, those Mercenaries went wild!

Treasure Weapons that had originally cost over ten thousand Gold Coins now cost less than half that!

Even if these Treasure Weapons were a notch below those auctioned by Mittel, they could still slice through the defensive Yarn Garments of Five-Star Dou Masters and anyone below that level!

What more could anyone possibly ask for—a carriage too?

Just go for it!

Even the Mercenaries shopping at the Jia Lie Family's markets left without looking back when they heard the news.

These were Treasure Weapons!

Rejuvenation powder?

What was that stuff, to even deserve comparison with Treasure Weapons?

The Jia Lie Family Marketplace?

Never heard of them. Truly, never heard of them.

Not to mention that the Xiao Family Market had also announced Magic Core Armaments for sale.

Magic Core Armaments were almost impossible to obtain now. Countless people were waiting eagerly for Mittel to auction them again.

Such equipment was of considerable use even to powers like the Three Great Families.

Even if their higher-ups had no use for it, didn't those beneath them need it?

After all, what family didn't have younger members? Obtaining this equipment would go a long way toward ensuring their safety.

Thus, apart from the other two great families and a handful of first-rate powers, almost every force in Wutan City sent people to the Xiao Family Market to snap up Magic Core Armaments!

(End of chapter)