Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Lin planned to keep 10 out of the 18 Inner Strength Pills and sell all the remaining pills. Of course, he was not planning to sell the pills at the alchemy pavilion anymore because it was such a fraud. He figured that he would not even be able to make much of a profit in the end if he were to sell them there.
However, he needed an approach to selling his pills. Fang Lin wanted to sell the Inner Strength Pills to the martial arts disciples. The first step was to allow those martial art disciples to find out about the rare Inner Strength Pill in his possession.
Moreover, he heard from Xu Shangao that an official disciple would be demoralized and stopped by the alchemy pavilion if he were to sell his pills to outsiders without permission. In the past, some official disciples sold their elixirs to the martial arts sect disciples secretly, but in the end, they were forced to hand their elixirs over to the alchemy pavilion.
Fang Lin was worried about this issue as well. In case his pills sold well, what would he do if he was caught by the alchemy pavilion? He would need to figure out a way to manage this issue in order to prevent getting caught off-guard.
It was tough to come up with a flawless plan. Fang Lin paid Xu Shangao a visit. Since Xu Shangao had been mingling with the official disciples for many years, he would understand the situation much better than Fang Lin, thus he would be able to provide precious opinion on this matter.
Xu Shangao appeared to be rather surprised when he learned that Fang Lin wanted to sell his pills discreetly. However, after reconsidering it, he remembered that this was Fang Lin’s usual style of conduct, so he was no longer surprised.
They sat facing one another. Xu Shangao frowned ever so slightly and said, “That’s not an easy feat. I believe that your pills will sell very well for sure, junior brother disciple Fang. However, the problem is with the alchemy pavilion. I think that the alchemy pavilion will notice soon enough and you’ll end up under a lot of pressure, Junior Brother Disciple Fang.”
“Is there anything that I can do to solve the problem?”
Xu Shangao shook his head and spoke in a solemn tone, “As mere disciples, how can we fight against the alchemy pavilion? In the past, people tried to figure out ways too. However, the alchemy pavilion was too powerful. The smart tricks and little schemes were utterly useless.”
He paused for a moment before he continued, “I think that it’s better for you to hand over your pills to the alchemy pavilion, Junior Brother Disciple. Even though the profit margin is slightly lower, it’s a safe approach. By then, if you can give the elder of the alchemy pavilion some benefits, you’ll be able to build a network in the alchemy pavilion. That way, he’ll give you a discount when you purchase something from there.”
Fang Lin was speechless for a second. I’m here to seek your idea to figure out a way, yet you’re actually still persuading me to sell my pills to the alchemy pavilion? “If I have no other choice, then I shall sell my pills to the alchemy pavilion. However, I must still give it a try.”
Xu Shangao realized that Fang Lin was determined. He pondered for a moment before he suddenly suggested, “How about this? I shall introduce you to a few martial arts disciples. Let them commission you to refine some elixirs and you can seize this opportunity to sell them your pills.”
Fang Lin was stunned for a moment. Soon afterward, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “That’s a great idea!” Upon saying that, he looked at Xu Shangao strangely and said, “Did you really come up with the idea all by yourself?”
Shyly, Xu Shangao said with a bitter smile on his face, “How can I ever think of that myself? I’ve seen someone do that in the past and he managed to sustain for a long time before he was discovered by the alchemy pavilion unintentionally. We must be more careful this time and warn those martial arts disciples to act cautiously too. Then, perhaps we can evade the alchemy pavilion.”
“Someone did this in the past? We shall do this then. If we get noticed by the alchemy pavilion, then we shall come up with another plan,” said Fang Lin while nodding excitedly.
Fang Lin then returned to his residence. He was pondering about how to perfect the plan between him and Xu Shangao earlier when he heard someone knocking on his courtyard door.
“Are you there, Junior Brother Disciple Fang?” A male voice was heard.
Fang Lin opened the courtyard door to find an ordinary-looking youth standing outside. He smiled and cupped his hands before his chest to salute Fang Lin. He said, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, I’ve been entrusted by Senior Brother Disciple Lu to come over and invite you to a small gathering at his place.”
“Senior Brother Disciple Lu? Who is that? I’m not acquainted with him.” Upon saying that, Fang Lin closed the door with a loud bang.
The youth standing by the door was dumbstruck. What was going on? His expression turned furious when he thought about how he had softened his voice and spoken humbly to Fang Lin before he was turned down at the door. Fang Lin is such an abomination!
However, he suppressed the rage in him at once when he remembered he had come with a purpose. He cracked a smile and knocked on the door once again.
Fang Lin opened the door with a rather impatient expression. “What’s wrong with you? I told you that I’m not acquainted with him.”
The youth almost lost control of himself, but he feigned a chuckle. “It’s fine that you aren’t acquainted with Senior Brother Disciple Lu yet. Other than yourself, the rest of the newly-promoted official disciples are already there. The small gathering was specially prepared by Senior Brother Disciple Lu for the newly-promoted official disciples like you.”
Fang Lin could read the development of this matter vaguely after listening to the youth. It was not as simple as just a small gathering, so he shook his head and said, “I’ve been very busy recently. I’m afraid that I can’t attend it.”
The youth hastily stretched out his hand to hold the door when he realized that Fang Lin was about to close it again. He said in a hurry, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, it’s a waste if you don’t attend the small gathering this time. Moreover, the Senior Brother Disciple has offered his precious collection of Century Lingzhi as the lucky gift of this small gathering. All the newly-promoted disciples will stand a chance to get the Century Lingzhi.”
Fang Lin’s eyes glowed brightly at once when he heard that. The Century Lingzhi was a truly precious item. “When is it?”
The youth was relieved as he said, “It’s at noon tomorrow. You must come, Junior Brother Disciple Fang.”
“I’ll be there.”
The youth left and Fang Lin closed the door. He had a playful expression on his face.
It seems like he came here intentionally just to invite me. Moreover, he was trying to lure my attendance with the Century Lingzhi. Heh heh, since you are dangling the gift in front of me, then I shan’t decline it.
Early the next day, Fang Lin visited Xu Shangao first. He wanted to find out more about the person name Senior Brother Disciple Lu because he would be at a disadvantage if he were to foolishly go over to this gathering without even learning about the person.
As soon as Xu Shangao heard that Senior Brother Disciple Lu had invited Fang Lin for a small gathering, he said, “His name is Lu Jiuhe. He’s a top-grade disciple and one of Yu Qiufan’s supporters. Since he has taken the initiative to invite you, I think that he harbors ill intentions. Do be careful.”
Fang Lin understood the situation when he learned that Lu Jiuhe was Yu Qiufan’s supporter. Now that he knew that Lu Jiuhe had ill intentions, he would not show any fear either. Moreover, he had no choice but to go because of the Century Lingzhi.
It was noon when Fang Lin arrived at Lu Jiuhe’s courtyard. He spotted the youth that visited him yesterday standing outside of the door. Looking around from afar, the youth welcomed Fang Lin with a smile as soon as he saw him.
“Junior Brother Disciple Fang, you’re here at last! The rest of the newly-promoted disciples are here. We’re just missing you,” said the youth, grinning from ear to ear with a big smile.
Fang Lin nodded and said, “Please show me the way.”
The youth’s expression stiffened for a moment. How dare you ask me to show you the way, huh? Are you blind? The door is right in front of you and you still need me to show you the way? F*ck you!
Meanwhile, a rather overbearing voice was heard coming from the courtyard. “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, why haven’t you come in since you’re already here?”