"You are all disciples of the Xiao Clan. How could you betray your own clan like this? If you really needed Rejuvenation Powder, you could have reported it to your superiors. How could you do something that disgraces our name?"
At those words, everyone's heart pounded with fear.
Some had not yet had time to act, but they had already been discreetly asking around and searching for ways to buy it.
Now, abruptly reprimanded, their expressions changed dramatically, and panic rose in their hearts.
Some even felt fortunate that they had been slow to act and had thus avoided getting themselves into trouble.
Seeing the disciples below wearing strange expressions, some even looking guilty, how could Xiao Zhan, a veteran of countless battles, fail to understand?
He sank dejectedly back into his chair.
At least half their shops had already closed, leaving only five or six struggling to stay in business.
Now, the unexpected discovery that outer disciples were buying Rejuvenation Powder from the Jia Lie Family's market left the Xiao Clan unable to hold its head high before outsiders.
For a moment, he felt lost, not even knowing what to do next.
Several elders also stood, their faces filled with condemnation.
"You disciples truly have no idea how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is. You've brought a great disaster upon us."
"Utter fools! How could you do something so muddleheaded? If you really needed Rejuvenation Powder, would we have refused you if you had reported it?"
Several disciples below began muttering.
"It would be a miracle if you gave us any. You elders only ever worry about your own descendants. When have you ever cared about disciples like us?"
"I did report it, but all they did was offer me a twenty-percent discount. Where was I supposed to get that much money?"
"We'll buy wherever it's cheapest. It's your own fault you can't lower your prices. You're just sticking your noses where they don't belong."
Emboldened by the crowd around them, quite a few people voiced what they truly thought.
But those honest words were decidedly unpleasant to hear. Xiao Zhan's expression grew even uglier, and the senior elders soon found themselves unable to save face.
"You... you ungrateful disciples!"
Yet however angry they were, they could not expel these disciples from the clan over something like this.
Watching from the side, Xiao Mo felt frustrated. This assembly was an utter failure. He could practically imagine Xiao Zhan's next move: explicitly forbidding the disciples from buying Rejuvenation Powder.
Sure enough, Xiao Zhan suddenly stood and swept a stern gaze over every disciple.
"Starting today, we will enact a clan rule. Regardless of your purpose or reason, you are forbidden from buying Rejuvenation Powder from the Jia Lie Family's market."
"Other medicinal pills are forbidden as well, of course. Whatever you need, buy it from our Xiao Clan shops first. Only if we do not have it may you consider other sources."
An uproar immediately erupted below.
It was not long before someone voiced an objection.
"No! Clan Leader, you have to consider the practical realities. How could I have enough money to buy the Xiao Clan's Rejuvenation Powder? It costs twice as much as it does elsewhere. I could buy two bottles for that price!"
"Exactly! You can't be this unreasonable. Are you planning to drive us to our deaths for the sake of those few Xiao Clan shops?"
Many disciples voiced their opposition, raising their hands and protesting loudly. Eventually, nearly half of those present had expressed their objections.
Xiao Zhan slumped back into his chair. He did not even know what he could do next to stop these frenzied disciples within the clan.
Seeing this, Xiao Mo sighed softly.
He had known things would turn out this way. Forcibly restraining these people would never work. They had to be guided through a different approach.
At that thought, he suddenly raised his hand and signaled to Xiao Yan above.
Xiao Yan nodded and immediately leaned close to Xiao Zhan's ear.
Without hesitation, Xiao Zhan slammed his fist into the wall.
With a bang, another crack appeared in the wall, and everyone instantly fell silent.
Only the outer disciples serving as renovation attendants wanted to weep but had no tears. They dared not show it on their faces and could only cry out inwardly.
Clan Leader Xiao, please take it easy! That's marble you're smashing. Replacing that slab will cost a fortune!
You've already broken a second slab. Please, could you hold back a little? The clan is poor enough already, and we barely get any funding as it is. We'll have to tighten our belts for a while now.
Once everyone had quieted down, Xiao Zhan's gaze settled squarely on Xiao Mo.
Looking at the young clansman who cultivated alongside his son, he suppressed his anger and spoke as gently as he could.
"Xiao Mo, did you raise your hand because you had something to say?"
He nodded and rose to answer Xiao Zhan under everyone's astonished gazes.
"I suggest allowing inner disciples to buy medicinal pills from the Xiao Family Market at cost. Otherwise, we have nowhere left to retreat."
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone stared at Xiao Mo, disbelief written all over their faces.
"Xiao Mo, do you know what you're saying?"
The three elders above were displeased. One slapped the table and rose, glaring fiercely at him.
At least half the Xiao Clan's revenue came from the Xiao Family Market. If they lowered prices for inner and outer disciples, even people outside the Xiao Clan would all buy the cheap medicinal pills rather than patronize the shops.
Their business would plummet.
And with every source of profit gone, what would they eat and drink?
An elder stood and angrily rebuked Xiao Mo.
"You truly don't know the price of oil and rice until you run a household. What do you think this place is? Lowering prices will send the Xiao Clan into utter decline."
Xiao Zhan waved wearily at Xiao Mo.
"Child, I know you mean well. After all, if these medicinal pills simply sit in our shops, they remain lifeless goods that cannot be turned into cash."
"Every day the shops go without fresh income, they will continue to decline. I understand what you mean."
"But have you considered how our Xiao Clan will earn revenue in the future if we lower our prices? We might as well let those shops close sooner rather than later."
He shook his head and looked firmly at Xiao Yan.
"Clan Leader Xiao, you said it yourself. Without fresh income, the shops will close sooner or later. So which means a smaller loss: selling at half price, or leaving all the goods piled up in our hands?"
The question left Xiao Zhan speechless. He hesitated for a long time without saying anything.
After all, lowering prices was easy, but raising them again in the future would be almost impossible.
Once everyone grew accustomed to cheap medicinal pills, they would never pay twice as much for them again. That was his greatest concern.
Xiao Zhan seemed to age several years in an instant. He waved at the people below.
"I'll keep your suggestion in mind for now. Let me think it over carefully. This matter isn't as simple as you imagine."
Before you continue