Wondrous medicines that could affect psychic powers were extremely rare. However, because the sample size exceeded five hundred, quite a few showed up among Gu Zuo’s stone ova.
Although they couldn’t compare to the stalk of hundred thousand year old Immaculate Bamboo Gu Zuo obtained in a certain strange phenomenon, he did have two bunches of Flowing-Tassel Hearts and three stalks of Hundred-Dew Vines.
Gongyi Tianheng faintly nodded his head: “Since it’s like this, we’ll send someone to welcome Shen Yuanbai.”
Gu Zuo blanked: “We’re not going to go out to see him?”
Tianheng smiled and said: “For a personage like Shen Yuanbai, if we found a restaurant outside to meet with him, then it would inevitably be somewhat neglectful of his station.”
Gu Zuo thought about it, and understood in a flash.
Yes. When Shen Yuanbai received them as guests, it was within one of his own properties — This also showed how much he valued them.
It stood to reason that they weren’t particularly familiar friends, and Shen Yuanbai shouldn’t have been invited to their residence in the sect. However, their properties in Ten Ultimates City hadn’t been developed yet. It would be inappropriate to invite Shen Yuanbai to one of those places.
What’s more, Shen Yuanbai’s strength was several major realms higher than their own, and he had also politely delivered a visitation notice… Even though he came to seek something from them, he had also given enough face.
Thus, they were obliged to invite Shen Yuanbai onto the manor grounds.
Soon after, Tianheng stood up: “Ah Zuo, you can stay here to refine medicine. This elder brother will go to welcome him.”
Gu Zuo nodded his head: “There’s no need for me to go with you?”
Tianheng said: “Ah Zuo was originally focused on refining medicine, so he doesn’t have to mind this.”
Gu Zuo considered it, and nodded again.
Right. This was an exchange between a prodigy and a Celestial Realm martial artist. It was better that he didn’t insert himself into this kind of excitement… In any case, they were going to come over before long.
Hence, after an hour, just as he finished refining a furnace of medicinal pills, Gu Zuo was called by Tianheng to come out.
However, there was no one by Tianheng’s side.
Gu Zuo stared: “Big brother, did Brother Shen not come?”
Tianheng smiled: “He’s in the central room of the side hall.”
Within the side hall.
Shen Yuanbai sat quietly, sipping tea.
At this time, although he was alone, his expression was serene and his bearing was rather unhurried. One wouldn’t have been able to tell that his mood was actually a little anxious.
Gongyi Tianheng originally used this side hall as a place for entertaining guests, so it was considered rather comfortable after tidying it up.
When Gu Zuo and Tianheng entered together, Shen Yuanbai slightly lifted his head, and his eyes flashed with a hint of happiness. Shortly thereafter, he faintly nodded his head and gestured to the pair.
Tianheng smiled and said: “Brother Shen has been kept waiting.”
Gu Zuo promptly called out in greeting: “Brother Shen.”
Shen Yuanbai stated: “Brother Gongyi, Pharmacist Gu.”
The two other people quickly took their seats.
Gu Zuo didn’t keep their guest in suspense. Instead, he directly asked: “Did Brother Shen come here to get wondrous medicine?”
Shen Yuanbai was also straightforward: “That’s right. Previously, this Shen had all of his stone ova examined without exception, but I still didn’t see any wondrous medicines that could treat He Meng.”
He explained concisely: “After He Meng left in advance, Yuanxu settled him down, but couldn’t find any useful medicines. If the wondrous medicine can’t be found as soon as possible, the delay of one more day means He Meng is in that much more danger. Who can say when He Meng’s Tianfu Acupoint will collapse? Otherwise, this Shen will have no choice but to…”
Gu Zuo finished listening. He nodded and spoke: “Previously, I said that if Brother Shen couldn’t find the corresponding wondrous medicine, he can come find me. Even up until now, this answer hasn’t changed.”
Shen Yuanbai’s breath hitched. His tone was filled with gratefulness: “Many thanks, Pharmacist Gu.”
In a natural and relaxed manner, Gu Zuo took out a stone ovum from the storage space. He placed it on the table, and said: “Brother Shen is pretty lucky. Among the remaining stone ova, this Gu obtained this stalk of Hundred-Dew Vine. I can yield it to Brother Shen.”
Shen Yuanbai remembered that the Hundred-Dew Vine was one type of wondrous medicine that could treat psychic powers. He immediately spoke: “Pharmacist Gu is a trustworthy person.” Once he said that, he asked: “This kind of wondrous medicine is rarer than the other stone ova. There’s a price, but no market. Even in higher-ranked auctions, it has practically never been sold. Whatever price Pharmacist Gu asks for, just name it. This Shen definitely won’t be stingy.”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “Brother Shen can do as he sees fit. After all, we’ve gotten to know one another for a while. Moreover, were it not for Brother Shen giving a Gate Opening Pearl, let alone this stalk of Hundred-Dew Vine, we wouldn’t have been able to obtain any wondrous medicines.”
Shen Yuanbai replied: “If I need to quote a price, then it’s worth a million profound crystals…”
Gu Zuo was shocked.
A million profound crystals was too outrageous! If the asking price was this much, then did Shen Yuanbai not want to save face?”
Gu Zuo hurriedly said: “There’s no need for this much.”
A trace of a smiling expression flickered across Shen Yuanbai’s cold and resolute face: “If the purchasing price for ordinary wondrous medicines is ten thousand profound crystals per stalk, then it’s not at all surprising for the price of this Hundred-Dew Vine to be a hundred-fold. Besides, the Hundred-Dew Vine’s medicinal properties are rather powerful. One stalk can provide critical care to a handful of pharmacists. Apart from He Meng, the rest will be preserved by this Shen for future uses.”
Gu Zuo still shook his head.
He knew that what Shen Yuanbai was saying was right. Even a million profound crystals was just the normal purchasing price, not the auctioning price. However, he originally planned to sell it cheaply. Receiving this much was out of the question.
Seeing that Gu Zuo was somewhat worried, Tianheng finally stopped being a spectator. Instead, he took the initiative, and spoke to Shen Yuanbai: “Brother Shen, in my opinion, three hundred thousand profound crystals is already enough. There’s no need raise it higher.”
Shen Yuanbai’s brows furrowed deeply: “This isn’t reasonable.”
Tianheng’s lips curled into a grin: “Brother Shen is a businessman. We should try our hardest to lower the costs. How can there be one who stubbornly wants to make a fair business deal? We have already yielded the advantage. Is it worth the trouble for Brother Shen to decline?”
Shen Yuanbai said: “This is no ordinary business deal.”
Tianheng calmly stated: “We won’t sell it any higher than that. Brother Shen should think it over.”
Shen Yuanbai: “…”
If outsiders were allowed to witness this form of price haggling, perhaps they would feel that these people were fools. Otherwise, how could they yield the advantage just like this? However, the inner-workings of this matter weren’t something that mere profound crystals could compare to.
Shen Yuanbai hesitated for a moment. Then, he forthrightly said: “You guys have good intentions, but I can’t take such a huge advantage. How about I give you guys three hundred thousand profound crystals, and ten treasured crystals on top of that?”
Once these words were uttered, Gu Zuo stared distractedly again.
Treasured crystals on top of that?
In this otherworld where strength was respected, crystals such as spirit crystals, profound crystals, and treasured crystals were generated from heaven and earth. They weren’t only resources for cultivation. They were also a form of “currency” due to their relative abundances. However, it was precisely because they were still resources that, barring unexpected circumstances, they couldn’t be converted with each other based on their corresponding valuations.
To put it simply, between objects of different realms, it was suitable to use the corresponding crystal of the lower realm to act as currency. For example, profound-level medicinal pills used spirit crystals or profound crystals to conduct a purchase. However, if it was an earth-level pill, one needed to use treasured crystals. This was actually considered a type of alternative bartering system.
This time’s Hundred-Dew Vine was very precious and rare. However, when all was said and done, it didn’t have any records of being sold on the market. As a result, there weren’t any comparisons. Because the other stone ova were all exchanged using profound crystals, if the Hundred-Dew Vine also used profound crystals, the value ought to have been at least a hundred-fold. However, if the Hundred-Dew Vine used treasured crystals to conduct a trade, then that would also be possible.
How many spirit crystals were comparable to ten treasured crystals? This method of calculation basically didn’t exist. Thus, it could be said that Shen Yuanbai’s actions were treating treasured crystals as an incidental freebie. It was just that this kind of freebie was too costly.
Just then, Gu Zuo wanted to refuse again.
At this time, Shen Yuanbai also stated: “If you aren’t even willing to accept this, then this Shen will have no alternative but to miss this chance at the Hundred-Dew Vine. I will have to look for other means to provide critical care for He Meng.”
Gu Zuo: “…”
This matter couldn’t be handled like this! Brother Shen, He Meng was your cousin’s personal pharmacist!
Both sides were deadlocked.
At last, Tianheng said: “Since Brother Shen is so insistent, Ah Zuo also can’t be so unbending. We don’t want to hurt any feelings.”
Gu Zuo had always listened, and diligently nodded his head: “In that case, we’ll do it this way, big brother.”
Then, he spoke to Shen Yuanbai: “Brother Shen, here you go.”
As he spoke, he pushed the stone ovum over.
Shen Yuanbai’s expression eased. He accepted the stone ovum, took out two bags that were respectively loaded with three hundred thousand profound crystals and ten treasured crystals, and pushed them to Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo similarly accepted the bags.
This business transaction was considered complete.
Shen Yuanbai stated: “After He Meng gets better, I’ll be sure to have him and Yuanxu come to express their gratitude.”
Gu Zuo was exasperated, but promptly said: “There’s no need. This was as simple as lifting a finger, or charging a fee…”
Shen Yuanbai didn’t argue with him on this matter. After giving a pointed look, he only changed the subject. Then, he sat and conversed with Tianheng about the path of martial arts.
Meanwhile, Gu Zuo withdrew to the back.
Now that the conversation had nothing to do with him, he silently reviewed his prescriptions. He started planning what to refine in the following period of time…
It was already late in the day when Shen Yuanbai arrived. Once the color of the sky darkened, Tianheng insisted that Shen Yuanbai stayed here for a meal. Gu Zuo quickly stood up, and personally cooked a great feast of medicinal cuisines. The dishes completely covered the large, round table. He took out the fine wine stored inside the Enlightened Hundred-Spirits Monkey Race’s wine-cellar, and served them attentively. For this meal, both the guest and the hosts thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
At this time, it was already quite deep into the night. If one sent away a guest this late, then it wouldn’t have been proper.
Soon after, Gu Zuo instructed someone to set up a guest room for Shen Yuanbai to spend the night. Early the next morning, Gu Zuo once again entertained Shen Yuanbai with the best medicinal cuisines. As a host, his care was completely genuine.
Once he finished breakfast, Shen Yuanbai said: “He Meng’s matter can’t be delayed any longer. This Shen should take his leave.”
Tianheng naturally smiled and said: “Since it’s like this, we really can’t keep Brother Shen for much longer.”
Shen Yuanbai’s lips twitched. It seemed like he wanted to reveal a smiling expression, but to no avail. His facial features were cold and stern, and he was serious in speech and manner all year round. A momentary smile was hard to accomplish.
He appeared to hesitate about something, but his movements in standing were agile and fluid. After another short period passed, he spoke again: “Before leaving, this Shen would like to pay a formal visit to the Blood Transformation Palace Master. I don’t know if…”
Hearing Shen Yuanbai say this, Tianheng’s mind stirred.
He had long discovered that, ever since their first meeting, Shen Yuanbai treated him with greater lenience than other people. At that time, he already guessed that he and this Shen Yuanbai shared some kind of relationship. And now, it looked like the source of this relationship lay with his master.
Tianheng plainly said: “If you want to pay a formal visit to see my master, I can introduce you to him. But if my master isn’t willing, there’s nothing I can do about it.” After that, he seemed somewhat curious, “Brother Shen, could it be that my master is an acquaintance of yours?”
Shen Yuanbai paused.
Tianheng had a smile on his face as he looked at the other.
In the end, Shen Yuanbai spoke: “It would be going too far to say that we’re acquaintances. Fifteen years ago, this Shen was attempting to develop his trading company, and was going through critical circumstances. Unexpectedly, I was caught by a powerhouse of an extremely profound realm. Before I was crushed like an ant, someone wearing blood-red robes descended from the sky and rescued this Shen. At that time, this Shen was too weak, and didn’t have the ability to help. I could only watch the battle on the sidelines. It was just that, the longer the fighting progressed, the less clear everything became. On the contrary, when the two’s battle reached its fiercest heights, the qi streams rushed forth, and this Shen was instantly knocked unconscious.”
Speaking up to here, he sighed: “When I came to, I was already inside the sect. It was only then that I realized Ten Ultimates Sect’s Blood Transformation Palace Master had been hunting down an infamous bandit and happened to notice this Shen’s predicament. He saved me, and sent someone to escort me back… The kindness of saving my life is something that I must repay.”
Gu Zuo silently glanced at Shen Yuanbai’s grave and resolute face, and thought about the incomparably handsome face of his big brother’s master. The palace master was only slightly less good-looking than Tianheng… He started imagining.
For the matter that happened fifteen years ago, would it be considered as the “beauty” saving the hero? The strength of the present “beauty” had already reached near-unclimbable heights, but the hero’s realm was also advancing extremely quickly. Speaking of which, both of them were formidable, genius personages…
This Shen Yuanbai was someone who knew to repay favors.
Shen Yuanbai continued to talk: “This incompetent Shen has developed his trading company up to this point, and has only now obtained some good things to use as gifts of gratitude. While I came to trade for the Hundred-Dew Vine, I also came to pay my respects to the Blood Transformation Palace Master. Perhaps, the palace master has long forgotten that he once saved this Shen in passing, but this Shen has never forgotten why he is alive.”
Tianheng heard the sense of responsibility within these words, and happily approved: “While I don’t have the authority to handle this matter, how about I report this to my master? Once my master gives the order, you can tell him yourself.”
The radiance in Shen Yuanbai’s eyes was smooth and steady: “Many thanks, Brother Gongyi.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master’s reply came quickly. After Tianheng swiftly read the letter, his expression carried a smile: “Brother Shen, my master has agreed. You can ride one of these wild birds. It can bring you to the Blood Transformation Palace Hall.”
Happiness sparked in Shen Yuanbai’s heart. He said once more: “Many thanks for making this possible, Brother Gongyi.”
Following this, Tianheng whistled to call a wild bird. Shen Yuanbai jumped onto its back, and rapidly flew away.
As for what Shen Yuanbai wanted to give to the palace master, the kind of scene that would play once the two of them met, and how they got along, none of it was known to Gu Zuo or Tianheng.
Gu Zuo rotated his arms, and loosened his shoulders: “Big brother, that guy’s temperament is quite straightforward.”
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
Please don’t forget to support the original author.