Big Business

The afternoon sun slanted into the shop as Lin Qi pushed a neatly written list of materials toward Fengye, discreetly watching her reaction.

"One hundred one-star Healing Cards, ten Source Crystals, and the auxiliary materials on this list. The quantity of each is clearly marked."

Fengye took the list and looked it over, her brows gradually knitting together.

Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. This is bad. Did I ask for too much and give myself away?

He hurriedly leaned forward, speaking in a casual tone. "What's wrong? Are there words on the list you don't recognize? Want me to read them to you?"

"Uh..."

Fengye was taken aback.

She was the deputy leader of the mercenary group, and her usual duties included managing the acceptance of assignments and coordinating logistics. Of course she had to be able to read!

Still, considering that literate people were even rarer than Card Masters in Stone Iron City, it was understandable that Lin Qi would ask.

"Lin Qi, I can gather the Source Crystals and these auxiliary materials, but the Healing Cards... Are a hundred really enough?"

"Hm?"

Lin Qi was a little confused and wondered if he had misheard her.

Fengye continued on her own. "I know Master Lin Feng is skilled at making Implement Cards. Healing Cards might not be his specialty. How about we prepare more? What do you think of two hundred?"

"Uh... You have a point."

Lin Qi forcibly suppressed his delight. He hadn't expected Fengye to be so thoughtful!

Even so, he made a show of politely declining.

He deliberately put on a stern face, acting as though he had her interests at heart. "I only suggested that to save you money, Sister Fengye. Here at the Wonderful Tales Shop, honesty and affordability are what we're all about!"

A smile appeared on Fengye's face. She was evidently touched by Lin Qi's sincerity.

"Thank you for your consideration. As long as the master can make this card, I'd rather spend more money to make absolutely sure nothing goes wrong."

Lin Qi nearly lost control of his expression.

He quickly did the math in his head. One hundred one-star Healing Cards were worth a hundred thousand, and ten Source Crystals were worth another hundred thousand. The other auxiliary materials were only there to fool her, but they were worth around twenty thousand Ka'en. Add the hundred-thousand card-making fee, and Wild Wolf was spending three hundred and twenty thousand this time!

She didn't bat an eye at three hundred and twenty thousand Ka'en, and now she wants to spend even more. I really have been poor for too long. I can't keep up with the way rich people think.

Lin Qi slapped the counter and declared, "All right! For the sake of that bold spirit of yours, Sister Fengye, I guarantee that as long as all the materials are here, my dad will make this card!"

Guaranteed?

Hearing that firm assurance, Fengye finally relaxed her tense shoulders.

"Then let's double the Healing Cards on this list. I'll bring the master two hundred one-star Healing Cards in two days."

Lin Qi warmly saw Fengye out of the shop. "Are you going to another town, Sister Fengye?"

Fengye nodded. "That's right. The Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion in Stone Iron City is too small. It only has ten Healing Cards for show. I'm planning to go to Xinyao City. The Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion there has plenty of Healing Cards."

Lin Qi's face lit up. "Then could you also see if they have any skeleton-type Summoning Cards? I'll take as many as they have."

"Skeleton Summoning Cards?"

Fengye raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of suspicion. Those low-level Summoning Cards had little combat power. What did Lin Qi want them for?

"Right. Even the Dust Star Card, Bone, will do, as well as the one-star Skeleton Foot Soldier and two-star Skeleton Cards. I don't want anything above two stars."

Fengye nodded without asking further. After all, she was the one asking for a favor.

"All right. I'll ask when I get there and bring them back for you if they have any."

Afraid she wouldn't take it seriously, Lin Qi added, "Make sure you come straight back. My dad has already started preparing himself. As soon as the materials arrive, he can fire up the furnace and start making the card."

"All right, I'll leave now."

Fengye patted her chest, then turned and strode out of the courtyard. The sound of her leather boots on the stone-paved road gradually faded into the distance.

Watching Fengye walk away, Lin Qi could no longer keep his expression in check.

"Two hundred one-star Healing Cards can be fused into four three-star Healing Cards, and there are also ten Source Crystals and a hundred thousand Ka'en for the job."

Lin Qi counted on his fingers, his voice beginning to tremble. "I can earn two hundred thousand from this one deal? And I'll still have three Healing Cards left, worth at least a hundred thousand each. That means I can make at least five hundred thousand Ka'en this time?"

He took several deep breaths before he managed to suppress his surging excitement. Then he hung the "Closed for business" sign on the door and headed briskly to his room.

All the way there, Lin Qi wondered: were Healing Cards really worth that much?

Couldn't Fengye buy a Healing Card even for three hundred thousand Ka'en?

"Dad, why aren't you focusing on your cultivation? Why do you keep wandering around?"

In the main hall, Lin Feng had finished cultivating and was carrying a barrel of ale, intending to have a drink. He hadn't expected Lin Qi to catch him as soon as he came out.

"I've already cultivated for two hours. I should be allowed to take a break, shouldn't I?"

"Is two hours a lot? Why don't you learn from your son? I cultivate Source Power for at least twelve hours every day, and you can't sit still after just two!"

Lin Feng gave an awkward smile. "Son, you're a genius. Your dad is just an ordinary person. How can I compare to you?"

As he spoke, he filled his cup with ale.

Lin Qi shook his head and stopped trying to persuade him.

"Dad, do you know about Healing Cards?"

"Glug, glug..."

Lin Feng drained his cup and wiped his mouth. "Of course. Healing Cards can heal injuries instantly. They're much more effective than the ointment we sell. You should go to the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion and buy a couple to keep on hand."

"Why doesn't the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion have any Healing Cards above two stars? Are they very valuable?"

Lin Feng waved a hand. "They're more than just valuable. A one-star Healing Card can sell for a thousand Ka'en, but all it can do is stop bleeding and the like. It's about as effective as clotting ointment. We mercenaries would rather use clotting ointment and spend a few days recovering than buy a Healing Card.

"But Healing Cards of two stars or higher can not only treat injuries, they can also remove toxins. Those of three stars or higher can even lift curses and regrow severed fingers. You couldn't trade another three-star card for even a two-star Healing Card, because no matter how good a card is, it isn't as important as your life. In short, Healing Cards are cards that can save your life. The higher the quality, the higher the price."

"Still, most high-quality Healing Cards are found in principalities, kingdoms, and countries like those, and their prices are frighteningly high. In third-tier towns like ours, one-star Healing Cards are too expensive, and clotting ointment is more affordable. There are no sales channels for Healing Cards of two stars or higher, and there isn't a single card maker in dozens of towns around here. Even if you have the money, there's nowhere to buy one!"

After listening to Lin Feng's explanation, Lin Qi finally understood why Fengye was willing to pay such a high price.

I see. Things are valuable because they're rare. A three-star Healing Card might only sell for a hundred thousand Ka'en in the royal capital, but in a backward, remote mountain region like ours, it's a fine card that can save your life. You can't buy one even if you have the money.