Xiao Zhan spoke without the slightest courtesy. He had never been the sort to swallow such humiliation.
Xiao Yan clenched his fists as well. He wanted nothing more than to rush forward and punch that old bastard, venting the anger and resentment in his chest.
But Xiao Mo pressed down on the back of his hand again and gently shook his head.
The senior elders beside them abruptly rose. All three stepped forward together and forced Xiao Zhan back into his chair.
Standing close by, the two of them clearly heard the head elder trying to persuade Xiao Zhan.
"Clan Leader Xiao, you cannot let your emotions rule you like this. I know you have never been one to swallow your anger, but you must think of our clan as well."
"If we refuse their terms this time, our market might have to close down. That would bring us a hundred harms and not a single benefit!"
Two of them held Xiao Zhan down and began trying to brainwash him, while the remaining senior elder hurried over to Ge Ye and promptly offered him tea.
"Our clan leader has yet to think things through. Please give us a moment to discuss this before we decide."
Ge Ye snorted coldly, lifted the teacup, and took a sip. Then, with utter disgust, he tossed it onto the table.
Tea leaves scattered at once, and water splashed across the tabletop.
"Only a little clan like yours would drink this stuff. It is so bitter and astringent I can barely swallow it."
"You fucking..."
Unable to contain his fury any longer, Xiao Yan conjured a fireball in his palm. He stepped forward, ready to strike the old bastard down.
He was already a Dou Zhe, after all. No matter what happened, he was going to teach this fellow a lesson today.
But suddenly, an icy chill flowed through his wrist and into his heart. It was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over his rage, cooling it in an instant.
Startled, Xiao Yan turned around and saw Xiao Mo holding his wrist, gently shaking his head.
"Don't rush. Your father won't give in so easily. Besides, don't forget that we just refined Rejuvenation Powder. Our medicine is far purer than anything their lousy formula can produce."
"In a moment, your senior brother will teach you how to slap someone in the face. Just don't act rashly. You're only a Dou Zhe right now. Punching him won't do you any good; it will only put us at a disadvantage."
"You need clever methods to deal with a scoundrel like this. Just watch your senior brother put on a show."
With that, he pulled Xiao Yan straight back.
After all, if Xiao Yan charged over now, Ge Ye would certainly spread the story far and wide, immediately putting them at a disadvantage.
The more tense things became, the more important it was to stay calm. They only needed to watch the other party put on his monkey show and ignore him.
Sooner or later, he would be unable to keep performing by himself.
The head elder's expression turned extremely ugly. Unable to advance or retreat, he could only withdraw with an awkward smile.
By now, Xiao Zhan could no longer stand the flies buzzing on either side of him. He simply shoved the two senior elders away.
"Both of you, get lost! I am the clan leader, and you will listen to me. Sit back down and stay there."
The head elder wanted to keep persuading him, but Xiao Zhan had already risen and stepped up to Ge Ye.
Ge Ye instantly grew wary. His muscles tensed, and he clenched his fists, ready to meet Xiao Zhan's punch. He could see the fire blazing in Xiao Zhan's eyes, as though the man wanted to tear him apart.
Yet when Xiao Zhan reached him, he merely picked up the nearby teapot, poured himself a cup, and took a small sip.
"Hmm, it really is rather ordinary. After all, we only bring out our finest tea for honored guests. Shameless scoundrels who come knocking and beg for a beating can only expect tea like this. Wouldn't you agree, Ge Ye?"
Xiao Yan and Xiao Mo both burst out laughing.
Xiao Mo tugged Xiao Yan's arm.
"See? Hating evil with a passion is part of your character, but you can't act on it the same way in every situation. Sometimes, you have to use a little cunning."
"Your father is far more mature than you in that respect. He kills without drawing blood! Look, Ge Ye's face has turned green."
Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully. By now, all the anger in his chest had dissipated. Instead, he was intensely curious about what his senior brother would do next.
Xiao Mo stood up and pulled him toward Xiao Zhan.
The two approached Ge Ye, and Xiao Mo pressed Xiao Yan's head down as they bowed to him together.
"Elder Ge Ye, I think a ten-percent share of the profits is open to discussion, but that depends on how much sincerity you show."
As he spoke, he pointed to the medicinal formula in Ge Ye's hand.
"First, shouldn't you bring out the medicine for us to inspect? You claim, with nothing but your bare word, that your Rejuvenation Powder is better than the Jia Lie Family Market's. How are we supposed to believe you?"
At those words, Ge Ye's expression stiffened.
The three elders standing nearby suddenly spoke in stern voices.
"Xiao Mo, you have no right to speak here. Get back here and stand at the rear. What are you two brats doing, making trouble?"
Before they could finish, however, Xiao Zhan stopped them.
He watched Xiao Mo with keen interest.
He had been observing this boy for some time. Xiao Mo was extremely close to his son, and he was also remarkably adept at handling people from every angle.
In short, he trusted that the boy would not shoot without a target, suddenly stepping forward merely to spout a few pointless remarks.
Perhaps he already had another plan taking shape.
At that thought, Xiao Zhan turned and shot the three senior elders a fierce glare. The menace in his eyes instantly scared the rest of their words back down their throats.
He gave the two boys an encouraging look, waiting to hear what they would say next.
Sensing the support behind him, Xiao Mo became even gentler and more courteous, though his words actually carried barbs that were nearly impossible to guard against.
"Surely you don't think you can fool our Xiao Clan with nothing but a medicinal formula? The Nalan Family wouldn't be so shameless as to snare a white wolf empty-handed and keep cheating our Xiao Clan, would they?"
Ge Ye's chest heaved with anger. Why were the old and the young alike so difficult to deal with? Their tongues seemed fitted with knives, stabbing straight into his chest.
"Of course not. We came with sincerity this time."
With that, he took out a pill box, removed two medicinal pills, and presented them to Xiao Zhan.
"Here. You can taste them and judge their purity. We guarantee that we can sell these pills for exactly the same price as those at the Jia Lie Family Market."
"We will cut your costs in half outright, while offering somewhat greater purity than theirs."
Xiao Zhan took a pill, broke off a small piece, and put it into his mouth. The harsh, bitter, earthy taste immediately made him frown.
Especially with pearls and jade already before him-having tasted the Rejuvenation Powder Xiao Yan and Xiao Mo had brought him-he found the stuff in his mouth utterly impossible to swallow. It felt as though he had accidentally swallowed something filthy, and he could not help spitting it out.
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