During the pharmacy's early days, business was lukewarm.
This was within Lin Yan's expectations.
When people on the Douluo Continent suffered headaches, fevers, bruises, or other injuries, their first choice was still a reputable medical clinic. Or, if their injuries were serious or involved Soul Power, they would even save up money to seek help from a healing-type Soul Master.
Most people took a wait-and-see approach toward a newly opened little pharmacy whose main offerings were a few fixed patent medicines.
As an experienced physician, Physician Zhang enjoyed a good reputation among a certain circle of people. His presence at the shop attracted some customers who wanted convenience or trusted the familiar face of an old physician. They bought common medicines for colds and diarrhea, but the shop was still far from having crowds at its doors.
After a month, once rent and labor costs were deducted, the profits were meager.
Lin Yan had been mentally prepared for this situation, but he also knew full well that he had to break the deadlock.
The keys were ordinary people's tendency to follow the crowd and their trust in "authority."
On the Douluo Continent, one of the most credible "authoritative" institutions was undoubtedly Spirit Hall.
Lin Yan decided to approach Spirit Hall about a partnership. When it came to Spirit Hall, however, the only member he knew was Deacon Su Yuntao. Judging from the original novel and their interactions, Su Yuntao was fairly easy to talk to, so Lin Yan decided to start with him.
Having made up his mind, Lin Yan picked a day, gave instructions concerning the shop's affairs, and set off for the Spirit Hall Branch in Nuoding City himself.
Although Nuoding City's Spirit Hall was only a low-ranking branch, its building was still quite imposing.
As soon as Lin Yan reached the main entrance, the guards stopped him.
"Kid, this isn't a place to play. Run along." Seeing Lin Yan's young age and ordinary clothes, a guard tried to shoo him away.
Unhurried, Lin Yan looked up and said, "Hello, uncles. I'm not here to play. I'd like to see Deacon Su Yuntao."
"Deacon Su? Who are you? What business do you have with the deacon?" The guard looked him over doubtfully.
"My name is Lin Yan. I'm one of the children whose Martial Souls Deacon Su helped awaken before. There's something I'd like to discuss with him. Sorry for the trouble, uncle, but could you let him know?" Lin Yan's tone was calm and very polite.
Seeing that he spoke clearly and coherently and did not seem to be fooling around, the guards hesitated. One of them said, "Wait here. I'll ask whether the deacon will see you."
A little while later, the guard returned, followed by Su Yuntao in a Spirit Hall uniform.
Su Yuntao looked at Lin Yan with a hint of puzzlement on his face, clearly not recognizing him right away.
"Young fellow, you wanted to see me?" Su Yuntao asked.
Lin Yan stepped forward and gave a slight bow. "Hello, Master Su Yuntao. You may not remember me. My name is Lin Yan, and I'm from Dalin Village. Last year, you awakened my Martial Soul-Blue Silver Grass, with half a rank of Innate Soul Power."
"Blue Silver Grass... half a rank of Innate Soul Power?" Su Yuntao paused, then realization dawned on him. "Oh! It's you! I remember now!"
Indeed, a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul with Innate Soul Power was extremely rare. Even half a rank was enough to leave an impression.
"Did you need something from me?" Su Yuntao grew even more curious. What had this child come to him for?
"Yes, Master Su Yuntao. I came this time to discuss a business deal with Spirit Hall," Lin Yan stated his purpose directly.
"A business deal?" Su Yuntao could not help laughing at that. He found it rather absurd. A child of about ten, with Blue Silver Grass and only half a rank of Soul Power, had come to discuss business with Spirit Hall? "Little fellow, you aren't joking, are you? Do you know what sort of place Spirit Hall is?"
Lin Yan had anticipated his reaction and said calmly, "Master, I'm not joking. Have you heard of a very effective 'wound medicine' that's been circulating around Nuoding City recently?"
Su Yuntao nodded. "Yes, I've heard of it. They say it works wonders on ordinary external wounds and less serious injuries caused by Soul Power. Quite a few Soul Scholars and Soul Masters keep some on hand. Could it be..."
A possibility suddenly occurred to him, and he looked at Lin Yan in surprise.
Lin Yan confirmed his guess. "That's right. I developed that wound medicine. I also have other formulas, such as ones for ordinary colds and fevers, ones for stomach and intestinal discomfort, and others for some common everyday illnesses."
This time, the dismissive look on Su Yuntao's face vanished instantly. He had indeed heard of the wound medicine. Even some low-ranking deacons and guards in the branch bought it to keep on hand, and its effectiveness had been proven. If the child before him really had developed it, then he did indeed have the qualifications to discuss "business."
His attitude turned serious. "Is that true? Tell me more."
Lin Yan laid out his hopes for cooperating with Spirit Hall in full. "I've opened a pharmacy in the city. I hope Spirit Hall can certify my pharmacy and allow me to use a Spirit Hall certification mark on its sign. In return, I'm willing to give Spirit Hall twenty percent of the pharmacy's profits."
After hearing him out, Su Yuntao felt this was no longer something he could decide himself. He considered it for a moment, then said to Lin Yan, "Come inside with me. I'll take you to see Master Ma Xiunuo."
Su Yuntao introduced Lin Yan to Master Ma Xiunuo, the person in charge of the Spirit Hall Branch in Nuoding City. Ma Xiunuo was a kindly-looking elderly man, but shrewdness showed in his eyes.
He listened carefully to Lin Yan's account. Like Su Yuntao, he was surprised at first, then fell into thought.
"Young Lin Yan, you say your medicines are remarkably effective, but words alone are no proof. Moreover, the matter of sharing profits requires careful consideration," Master Ma Xiunuo said slowly. "We need to verify the actual effects of all your medicines."
"Of course," Lin Yan replied composedly. "I can provide some finished medicines first. Master, you can arrange for people to try them, or find suitable patients to test their effects. Once their effectiveness is confirmed, it won't be too late for us to discuss it."
Ma Xiunuo inwardly nodded at Lin Yan's composure and clear reasoning, and agreed. Lin Yan soon delivered samples of several finished medicines, along with instruction sheets.
Spirit Hall had its own channels and methods for verification. Some time later, Lin Yan was invited to the Spirit Hall Branch again.
Both Master Ma Xiunuo and Su Yuntao were in the meeting room. Master Ma Xiunuo wore a satisfied smile. "My young friend Lin Yan, we've tested your medicines. They really are as effective as you said-even more effective, in fact. The wound medicine and those pills for clearing heat, removing toxins, and regulating the stomach and intestines are especially useful for low-ranking Soul Masters and ordinary guards who frequently have to go out on missions. We've already reported this to the higher-level Spirit Hall, and they've agreed to cooperate with you."
What followed fell naturally into place. The two parties signed a simple cooperation agreement stipulating that Spirit Hall would provide certification and protection in exchange for twenty percent of the Lin Family Pharmacy's profits. The agreement also stipulated that Lin Yan had to ensure the quality of his medicines and must not damage Spirit Hall's reputation.
Leaving Spirit Hall with the signed agreement, Lin Yan felt considerably more at ease. Soon, a conspicuous mark bearing the words "Spirit Hall Certified" appeared beside the Hundred Herbs Shop's sign.
The appearance of this mark was like an injection of stimulant into the little shop's heart.
The people of Nuoding City might not trust a new shop, but their trust in Spirit Hall's authority was deeply rooted.
More and more people began entering the Hundred Herbs Shop with the thought of giving it a try. Its effective medicines and low prices gave those who had visited plenty to praise about the Hundred Herbs Shop, and word quickly spread.