The people who had been gossiping about them just moments ago were now all tempted.
If the medicine truly had such powerful effects, it would be priceless. Getting even one pill would count as a stroke of fortune.
People immediately crowded over, asking to try the medicine.
Xiao Mo and Xiao Yan quickly stuffed the bags containing the medicine into their pockets.
"Quiet, settle down. The medicine trial is already over. We can't give every one of you a cut to test it on. We'd waste all our pills."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, revealing the sole remaining pill in his palm.
"This is your last chance to test the medicine. Anyone who wants to try it should seize the opportunity. After this, we'll only be giving it away."
His words stirred the crowd into an even greater uproar.
Watching the noisy crowd, he immediately began fanning the flames.
"Actually, I have a suggestion. You should choose someone with a bit more standing. That way, you can all trust his judgment."
"If we just pull someone out of the crowd at random, you probably won't trust our results, will you?"
Soon, someone called out a question.
"Then who do you think would be more credible?"
He lowered his head, the corners of his mouth lifting. Someone had finally taken the bait.
He looked up and pointed at the Jia Lie Family Market opposite them.
"Someone from the Jia Lie Family, of course. After all, they're our competitors. If the medicine works on him too, wouldn't you be able to trust us?"
At those words, many people immediately turned to look toward the Jia Lie Family Market.
The shopkeeper at the Jia Lie Family Market had never expected Xiao Mo to single him out so suddenly.
The shopkeeper, who had been hiding inside his shop, reluctantly squeezed through from behind the crowd. He knew the boy had spotted him long ago.
There was no point hiding.
"Boy, what if I find that your medicine isn't as effective as you claim?"
Xiao Mo patted Xiao Yan beside him.
"You should all recognize this young man. He's Xiao Yan, the Xiao Clan Leader's son. If we really are lying here today to deceive you, you can drive me out of the market."
"I'm staking the Xiao Clan's reputation on this. Are you willing to let me give it a try?"
The shopkeeper froze. After hesitating for a moment, he glanced behind him.
The person seated inside the shop nodded at him. It seemed that person had agreed to let him act.
"Fine, I'll play along. But let's make this clear: if your medicine doesn't work well, don't blame us for showing no mercy."
With that, he drew a dagger straight from his waist.
Looking at his arm, he winced at the thought of the pain.
But he soon steeled himself and slashed his arm, sending flesh and blood flying.
A great gush of blood surged out. Some people could even see the bone exposed beneath his flesh.
"Damn, that shopkeeper's ruthless. He nearly sliced his own arm off!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, and Xiao Yan tugged uneasily at Xiao Mo's arm.
"Senior Brother, he cut himself so deeply. What if our medicine can't deal with it?"
He smiled and waved a hand.
"We never said it could restore everything completely. As long as it repairs the injury to some extent, or even just stops the bleeding, that will demonstrate its effect."
"Stay here and don't say anything. Just leave this to me."
With that, he took out a medicinal pill and handed it straight to the shopkeeper.
The instant the shopkeeper received it, his eyes widened. In disbelief, he rubbed the pill between his fingers.
The moment the pill touched his hand, he felt a cool sensation seep into his body. Even the pain from his wound eased a little.
Good stuff. This is definitely good stuff.
He looked at the two Xiao Clan disciples before him with a complicated expression.
I never imagined the Xiao Clan would be like a hundred-legged insect that refuses to fall even in death. They still have something this good. It looks like they've brought it out to stake everything on one last fight.
At that thought, his heart sank.
No matter what, I absolutely cannot let them succeed. We've already driven them this far. If their business rises again, we'll be in trouble.
A pill of this quality was clearly anything but cheap.
If they found an opportunity to win over wealthy officials and nobles and sell this medicine to the upper ranks of society...
Then before long, the Xiao Clan might take an entirely different path, bypassing them altogether to earn even greater profits.
Whatever happens, I have to make sure his medicine fails.
At that thought, he immediately sneered.
"And here I thought your pill had some miraculous effect. It looks like nothing more than an ordinary pill. Watch closely, everyone. If it doesn't work, you'll have to get the hell out."
He flicked his hand up and stuffed the pill into his mouth.
Then he chewed a few times and made a swallowing motion.
Everyone stared intently at his wrist, waiting for the wound to heal.
But after three minutes, the shopkeeper's face had turned deathly pale. From losing so much blood, he seemed to be swaying on the verge of collapse.
Yet the wound remained exposed, without even the slightest sign of healing.
The shopkeeper looked smugly at the two of them.
"Didn't I tell you? There's no way this medicine could have such miraculous effects. That woman earlier was probably their shill too."
"So I advise you not to believe these two frauds. Just beat them out of the market. What dignity or reputation does the Xiao Clan have left? Don't forget, the Nalan Family even broke off their engagement."
At those words, Xiao Yan, who had remained calm until then, suddenly saw red. What he could least bear was having his clan's reputation tarnished, or hearing people discuss and mock the broken engagement.
This did more than rub salt into his wounds. It lashed him over and over, constantly forcing him to confront his own powerlessness.
Just as his eyes reddened and he prepared to attack...
Xiao Mo suddenly moved, stepping forward and seizing the shopkeeper's left hand.
"Shopkeeper, isn't that a little dishonest of you?"
The shopkeeper froze and frowned despite himself.
"What are you talking about?"
Xiao Mo pried open his hand, then spread his palm flat.
"Look, you didn't even swallow the medicine. It would be a miracle if your wound healed!"
The noisy crowd immediately looked toward his palm. Sure enough, a red-and-yellow pill lay in his hand.
At once, anger crept into the looks the people around them directed at the shopkeeper.
"I was wondering how it could work so well before, yet show no healing effect at all now. Something was obviously wrong."
"Exactly! So this shopkeeper was secretly playing dirty all along. They're despicable!"
Before you continue