Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
After a tedious six days, Luo Qian and Du Lengning used three catties of Yunying Grain to make ten ginger-colored elixirs and used three catties of Azure Sea Millet to make ten sea-blue colored elixirs. Du Lengning brought them to Du Boan for an appraisal. The ginger-colored elixirs were still top-grade elixirs, but their effects were almost twice as strong as that of the elixirs previously made using Yuying Rice. In contrast, the sea-blue colored elixirs were already at the standard of inferior-grade Treasure Pills.
Du Lengning was overjoyed. He felt that he had really done right by ‘becoming a shareholder’ this time.
In the Fushan cave abode, Luo Qian carefully used his Immortal power to sculpt a flat jade box. There were ten grooves chiseled out inside the box. They placed each of the ten Scarlet Pupil Elixirs into the grooves. The two of them had put their heads together and decided to name the azure-green elixirs made from Yuying Rice as ‘Green Jade Elixir,’ the ginger-colored elixirs made from Yunying Grain as ‘Scarlet Pupil Elixir,’ and the sea-blue colored elixirs made from Azure Sea Millet as ‘Jade Water Elixir.’
“What are you doing?” Du Lengning asked. “Aren’t you just giving them to Xiao Xiangzi to get him to craft more electric generating cases for us? Why are you taking the matter so seriously? Haven’t you always had a dislike for him?”
Luo Qian explained, “It’s precisely because I don’t like that fellow that I’m packaging them this way. Packaging, do you understand? In the Human Realm, packaging is of great importance. The cost of packaging is calculated into the cost of the product. Take those cigars for example. If they weren’t packed in crystal cases and sheathed in silver pipes, how would you know the costliness of these cigars?”
Regarding affairs of this aspect, Du Lengning was an absolute blockhead. He could only listen to Luo Qian rattle on and nod dully.
“…So, what we’re smuggling aren’t just the products of the Human Realm, but also the ideas of the Human Realm!” Luo Qian shook the jade box in his hand and gently opened it in front of Du Lengning. Ten Scarlet Pupil Elixirs were neatly lined up in two rows inside the jade box. Once the box was opened, there seemed to be a cloud of mist rising. It indeed looked different now.
Du Lengning said in admiration, “Not bad, not bad. Old Luo, way to go!”
The two of them came to Xiao Xiangzi’s residence on Silk Cliff once again and presented the box to him. Sure enough, Xiao Xiangzi was visibly moved. “These are top-grade elixirs, and they look like they’re almost at the level of Treasure Pills. How could I accept such a valuable gift.” Though that was what he said, his hands had no intention of returning the box.
Luo Qian smiled inwardly; he had guessed right. This Xiao Xiangzi knew very well the value of these ten elixirs. They were enough to remedy ten of his failures during crafting.
“Don’t stand on ceremony, Brother Xiao. Since we’ve handed it out, how could we take it back?” With some pushing and shoving, Du Lengning ‘forced’ Xiao Xiangzi to accept it.
Gifts blind the eyes. Xiao Xiangzi’s attitude became much better. Putting away his long face, he asked with a pleasant countenance, “May I know what you both have come for this time?”
Du Lengning replied, “Still the same thing as before; we wish to order more.”
Xiao Xiangzi thought for a moment and agreed. “No problem. We’re longtime acquaintances now, so the price is negotiable. I’ll charge you just three million Standard Immortal Jades per piece, how is that?”
Luo Qian grinned, his carrot strategy1 had come into play.
“Alright, no problem.” Luo Qian took out six pieces of Superior Immortal Jade. “Here is the deposit of six million. I’ll order ten of them for now. Cash on delivery, how is that?”
These six pieces of Superior Immortal Jade were Luo Qian’s savings for marriage. After struggling in the Immortal Realm for so many years, he still hadn’t saved much.
“Deal, I will inform you guys once I’m done.”
Du Lengning left Silk Cliff with Luo Qian and immediately said anxiously, “Old Luo, you were impulsive, ordering ten pieces at one go. That is 30 million Standard Immortal Jade. I’m penniless right now; where are we going to find so much money? Selling those elixirs isn’t as simple as making it happen once you decide to.”
Luo Qian wore a strange smile. “Don’t you worry. I have a wonderful plan. Come with me…”
Du Lengning sat in the black massage chair, moaning from the comfort of it.
Luo Qian started driving the person away impatiently. “Hey, Young Master Du, that’s almost it. I have not even tried it after bringing it back; quickly get up and let me have a go.”
Du Lengning squinted his eyes and waved his hand in pleasure. “Old Luo, this belongs to you anyway. You can use it whenever you want it; does this short while now matter to you? Oh dear, my back… My father has been forcing me to cultivate all day long recently. I’ve been meditating cross-legged so much that it hurts; it’s like needles are pricking my spine…”
Immortal bodies suffered from ‘overwork’ as well; they weren’t machines after all. Despite having much more tolerant bodies than humans, they were still living beings. Immortals sit for at least several days once they enter meditation, so who wouldn’t have some ‘occupational disease?’
Luo Qian retorted, “This isn’t mine. The payment for the ten power supply cases will depend on this.”
Du Lengning opened his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“How much money do you think can be made back after selling this?”
Du Lengning’s eyes lit up upon hearing his words. “Good job, Old Luo. To think you could come up with this. Mm, I think it could earn at least 50 million Standard Immortal Jade.”
Luo Qian continued, “I’ve already sent invitations to all of my clients, inviting them to come to Fushan cave abode the day after tomorrow to take part in the auction of the massage chair. Give it some thought, is there anyone you know on your side who could be interested in this?”
Du Lengning rolled his eyes and leaped out of the massage chair like a carp. “I’ll go inform everyone right away.” He left just as he said that and exited the cave abode like a whirlwind.
Luo Qian hurriedly gave chase and advised loudly, “Find reliable people…”
“Don’t worry!”
Two days later, in the usually desolate Fushan, bursts of Immortal light would flash from time to time. These were shadows left behind by Immortals who went past at high speeds. Luo Qian bustled about, taking care of all the guests alone.
Roche Trade’s meeting room was swept and decorated. The oval-shaped meeting table had been removed; in its place were rows of roomy and cozy rock chairs. Of the 30 rock chairs, more than half were already occupied. Only, all these people were shrouded in cloaks with hats covering their faces. Although everyone was interested in the items that Luo Qian mentioned, nobody was willing to let others know they were buying these prohibited items.
Except for Luo Qian—who knew everyone’s identity—the customers had no idea who each person was. More than 20 people quietly sat together; no whispers and no idle chatter.
A hand reached over from the entrance and tugged Luo Qian over. “Brother Luo.” Lifting his hat, he turned out to be homebody Ling Xiaose. There stood one more person behind Ling Xiaose, wrapped entirely in black. He looked even more afraid of having his identity exposed than those people in the meeting room.
Putting his hat down, Ling Xiaose said, “Brother Luo, this is my cousin. He’s the one who wanted the computer I asked you to buy previously…”
The memory came back to Luo Qian, and he quickly nodded. “Nice to meet you…”
Yet the other party had no intention of removing his hat. Luo Qian looked at Ling Xiaose oddly, and the latter let out an embarrassed laugh. “This cousin of mine… his temper is a little weird.”
Luo Qian glanced at him doubtfully, pondering to himself, He can’t be someone from the Imperial Guards, could he…
Catching Luo Qian’s expression, Ling Xiaose’s cousin guessed his thoughts and said, “Rest assured, Brother Luo. I’m only here for the items.”
Luo Qian laughed in relief and nodded, “This way, please!” He gave the two a number plate, 35.
For some reason, he’d been entangled with number 35 recently.
Just as he’d sent Ling Xiaose and company inside, voices buzzed outside. Du Lengning rushed in with a group of people.
Luo Qian quickly stopped him and tossed him a hood. “Aren’t you afraid of people knowing about your current job?”
Du Lengning faltered, and he thought for a moment. Behind him was the massive Faraway Hall; hence he obediently put on the hood. There were about ten-odd people behind him; there wouldn’t be enough seats now.
Luo Qian hurriedly brought some more rock chairs from another place. All the buyers had arrived, the auction could now begin.
Luo Qian stood on the stage and sounded the auction hammer. Clearing his throat, he began loudly, “Good afternoon everyone, welcome to Fushan Roche Trading. I believe everyone is very curious about today’s auction items. Alright, without further ado, let’s bring out today’s stars!”
“Firstly, the first item is ten treasure pill-level Jade Water Elixirs! Everyone please look.” In the box carved from Immortal Jade were ten neatly placed sea-blue colored elixirs.
Although they were Treasure Pills, their quality was average, which made them inferior-grade Treasure Pills. Everyone present wasn’t of simple backgrounds. Although Treasure Pills were considered pretty good items, they could not move them.
These people were of established backgrounds; they couldn’t be compared to people like Xiao Xiangzi—who came and went freely. Sects with solid capabilities naturally had Immortals in charge of making elixirs. Though treasure pills were rare, they were unlikely to make the crowd here put down their affairs on hand and come a long way to take part in the auction.
Sure enough, everyone was rather dispassionate towards the Jade Water Elixirs. After Luo Qian announced the bottom price of 500,000 Standard Immortal Jade, only a handful of people marked up the price. Finally, the Jade Water Elixirs were sold for a bid of 1.2 million Standard Immortal Jade, only slightly higher than the normal price.
However, everyone understood that this was only a ‘warm-up,’ the appetizer before the main course; hence everyone was patient.