Chapter 20: A Windfall

Hu, the imperial alchemist, held the supreme healing pills Wu Tian had refined with an expression of utter disbelief. Though these were only yellow-grade pills, even producing high-grade healing pills was exceedingly difficult—let alone supreme quality ones. Without extraordinary fortune or consummate skill in alchemy, crafting such pills was impossible. Indeed, throughout the entire Mad Martial Empire, there were few alchemists capable of producing supreme healing pills at will.

“Young master, please have a seat!” Hu quickly gestured to the chair beside him.

Wu Tian made no pretense and sat down heavily.

“How should I address you, young master?”

“My surname is Wu.”

“Young Master Wu, did you truly refine all these pills in a single night?” Hu inquired.

“I’ve said it countless times already—absolutely true. Yesterday, I even told him that I would crush him today with the pills I refined. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself.” Wu Tian pointed bluntly at the shop assistant.

The assistant put on an awkward smile, waving his hand as he said, “Master Hu, he did indeed say that yesterday.”

“Incredible! Young Master Wu, to refine so many high-grade and supreme healing pills in one night is unheard of. The quality and luster of these pills are both exceptional. Would our pharmacy be able to purchase these healing pills?” Hu asked, barely containing his excitement.

“Of course you can. I need money right now anyway. Yesterday, you said a high-grade healing pill goes for two thousand taels. I won’t sell for less than that. As for the supreme pills, Master Hu, you name your price.” Wu Tian was not one to suffer losses; since he needed money, it was the perfect moment to sell off these pills.

“We’ll purchase each high-grade healing pill for two thousand taels. As for the supreme ones, would you permit me to discuss with the shop’s manager in the back?” Hu was hesitant to make the decision alone.

Wu Tian glanced at him and said, “Go ahead and discuss.”

This “Jimin Pharmacy” was a major establishment in Pingyang City, a branch of the Shunfeng Trading Company. Shunfeng was a renowned commercial giant in the Mad Martial Empire, with shops throughout the empire and even across the Divine Dragon Continent. Wu Tian believed such a business wouldn’t exploit him over a few pills.

“Young Master Wu, please wait a moment, I’ll return quickly! Wang San, serve tea to Young Master Wu at once!”

With that, Hu took a supreme healing pill and went into the back room. The assistant, Wang San, hurried to prepare tea for Wu Tian.

“Young Master Wu, I failed to recognize your abilities yesterday—please forgive me. Do have some tea.” Since even Master Hu was so respectful, how could a mere assistant dare show any neglect?

Wu Tian had no intention of quarreling with a shop assistant. He accepted the teacup and took a small sip.

As the tea entered his stomach, Wu Tian was surprised to find that his depleted true energy had increased by one point.

“It can actually restore true energy? What kind of tea is this?” Wu Tian asked curiously.

“This is our pharmacy’s special ‘Spirit Gathering Tea.’ The leaves are rich in spiritual power, so drinking it can replenish a martial artist’s true energy,” the assistant replied with pride.

“Excellent! Just what I needed. I exhausted my true energy refining pills, and I’ve run out of elixirs to restore it. Bring me a large pot!” Wu Tian requested.

“Well…”

“Hmm? Is the grand Jimin Pharmacy unwilling to serve a guest even a pot of tea?”

“Alright, you are an honored guest. I shall make it for you.”

And so, Wu Tian drank tea non-stop, numbers indicating “True Energy +1” appearing above his head—though only he could see them. He had now reached level 20, the rank of a tenth-level Martial Master, with a total true energy of one thousand. After finishing a large pot of tea, his reserves were finally replenished.

“Assistant, I still need a bit more. Do you have any left?” Wu Tian asked, somewhat unsatisfied.

The assistant’s face twisted in pain. In his heart, he was grieving—damn, this was the finest Spirit Gathering Tea, reserved only for VIPs, and even then, there was only so much. Today, this young man had squandered so much—what a waste!

“There’s none left. All our Spirit Gathering Tea has been drunk by you—there’s no more!” The assistant shook his head vehemently.

Wu Tian burped and muttered, “Stingy. Not even willing to part with a few tea leaves. And you call yourselves a major commercial pharmacy? Not a trace of generosity!”

At that moment, Hu finally returned from the back room, his gaze upon Wu Tian now even more respectful.

“Young Master Wu, my apologies for keeping you waiting!” Hu said apologetically.

“It’s nothing, I haven’t waited long. Even if I had, it wouldn’t matter.” Now that his true energy was replenished, Wu Tian was in high spirits.

Beside him, the assistant wore an expression of heartache. It was no trouble for you, but our pharmacy’s entire month’s supply of Spirit Gathering Tea was finished in one day—damn!

“Young Master Wu, I have discussed with the manager. We will purchase your high-grade healing pills at two thousand taels of silver each, and the supreme healing pills at eight thousand taels each. What do you think?” Hu inquired.

“Only eight thousand taels for a supreme healing pill? Master Hu, are you deliberately underpricing?” Wu Tian narrowed his eyes. “Ten thousand taels each, or there’s no deal!”

He expected Hu to bargain further, but to his surprise, Hu smiled and said, “Deal!”

Wu Tian’s eyes widened in surprise. “Damn! Master Hu, you’re doing this on purpose!”

Hu shook his head. “You misunderstand, Young Master Wu. Supreme healing pills are still yellow-grade elixirs, and eight thousand taels per pill is already the limit. The reason we are willing to purchase them at ten thousand is because we hope to establish a long-term partnership with you.”

“Long-term partnership? What do you mean?” Wu Tian asked, puzzled.

“We at Jimin Pharmacy would like to hire you as our resident alchemist. What do you say?” Hu proposed.

Wu Tian immediately understood, but waved his hand and declined without hesitation. “I’m afraid not. I only refine pills casually. I have little interest in becoming a full-time alchemist.”

“Casually?” Hu was speechless. He had devoted his entire life to the study of alchemy, yet had never produced so many high-grade and supreme healing pills in a single night. This youth did it as a mere pastime—unbelievable.

“Young Master Wu, in truth…”

“Master Hu, instead of persuading me to become a resident alchemist, why not just pay me now? That’s more important.”

Hu was helpless. It was clear this young man had no intention of taking up the position. “Young Master Wu, how about this: you don’t have to become our resident alchemist, but we can enter a deeper cooperation. In the future, we will have priority to purchase any pills you refine, and you will receive a twenty percent discount on all premium goods under the Shunfeng Trading Company. How does that sound?”

At this proposal, Wu Tian was indeed tempted. The Shunfeng Trading Company’s products were many and varied—spirit flowers, herbs, medicines, weapons, artifacts, and so on. A permanent twenty percent discount was exceedingly attractive.

For alchemy, forging, and other auxiliary skills, the biggest expense was always materials—requiring vast amounts of money. With everything now at a discount, he stood to make a fortune, while all he had to offer in return were a few pills. It was, without question, a hugely profitable deal!