Seeing the unimpeded sales of the Snowy Ginseng Pills, the young manager was all smiles. However, his actions were very careful as he removed the red cloth from the tray held by the other woman.
The jade box presented on this tray had an azure color. Lying within was a plump medicinal pill whose color and l.u.s.ter seemed no more than a common light brown. Its average and unsurprising appearance made the others somewhat disappointed.
However, numerous guests clearly understood that if that thing wasn't too good, the Gongyi Clan's astute young master wouldn't have promoted it with such fanfare.
Each and every person who had some experience and understanding all realized that when young master Gongyi was previously frail, he was in charge of several businesses. Although one couldn't say that they were profitable in the beginning, they had their ways of making money. The merchandise that was launched also didn't leave customers unsatisfied.
As a result, they weren't discouraged by that medicinal pill.
Sure enough, the young manager was composed, only lightly picking up that pill: “Everyone, please examine it carefully.”
While he spoke, he slowly rotated the medicinal pill.
At first, many guests didn't understand what he meant, but nevertheless, they still paid serious attention to it. After scrutinizing it, they discovered a clue at last.
One guest suddenly shouted: “The rays of light are changing!”
The hearts of the other guests moved as they rushed to examine this scene.
In a moment, they were discussing this excitedly.
“That radiance is actually made up of five colors!”
“When it circulates, the colors are extremely beautiful…”
“Previously, I had never once seen such a peculiar medicinal pill!”
“I don't know what this sort of medicinal pill is, but in the end, what kind of function does it have?”
There was no need for doubt. Numerous guests had their interests suddenly spike. The expectations toward this medicinal pill also rose.
Gu Zuo saw how this packed exhibition was surging, and his heart was stirred up.
After all, this was a medicinal pill he refined. He knew that it'd sell relatively well, but the feelings weren't the same as actually watching this lively scene.
This sort of feeling… Of having something one made being sought after by everyone, truly stimulated a person's pride.
Gu Zuo couldn't help softly saying: “Big brother, that guy is amazing.”
These strategies for marketing and tantalizing the customers were the models for modern-day marketing employees! Also, he never saw that young manager say anything unnecessary, but every word he did say was right on point. He talked about the things they wanted to know the most. And fitting them with those deliberately mystifying actions would definitely stimulate consumption.
Gongyi Tianheng smiled, and softly replied: “Dragon 182 [1]. He's a subordinate among the Tianlong Guard who's an expert in business. Ah Zuo can call him Qian Sheng. That's his alias.”
Gu Zuo nodded: “Oh.”
Ahead, the guests looked at the medicinal pill's appearance in a new light. With such exotic colors, their interests increased greatly.
After the guests conversed for a while, the young manager Qian Sheng revealed a mysterious smile. His topic of discussion changed directions, but didn't immediately introduce the medicinal pill. Rather, he said: “Everyone should know that some time ago, our Clan's young master had completely recovered. Moreover, he can already practice martial arts. Even his strength has received the acknowledgment of many people.”
The guests were all very shrewd. Once they heard this, their minds began guessing.
A guest couldn't help asking: “Don't tell me that—”
Qian Sheng smiled proudly: “Everyone has guessed correctly. The young master had taken this exact medicinal pill. Under long-term recuperation, it slowly nurtured his body until now. The young master no longer suffers the symptoms of his grave illness!”
Once again, the venue was turned into a cacophony!
“There really is this kind of medicinal pill?”
“Who made this medicinal pill?”
“In the end, what's the effectiveness of this pill?”
“Please tell us, too!”
Qian Sheng waved his hand downwards: “Don't worry, everyone.”
It was difficult for the guests to restrain their itching hearts, but they nevertheless endured it.
Qian Sheng spoke neither quickly nor slowly: “Four to five years ago, the young master invited pharmacists from all over, but not a single one could cure the young master's illness. As a result, he secretly issued a bounty for a remedy that could cure the young master. Among them was a prescription that had some feasibility.
“The young master still held on, trusting his luck. He asked someone to refine this medicinal pill and took this medicine for a long time while he recuperated his body in the villa. After several years, the young master discovered that the state of his health had improved and that he could gradually practice martial arts…
“To this day, he has already brought the illness under complete control!”
The guests suddenly realized.
So it was like this. Those previous years, that young master of the Gongyi Clan actually nursed his health in secret until he made a complete recovery and revealed himself.
This scheme of silently enduring was really out of the ordinary!
To the side, Gu Zuo had a helpless look on his face. He turned to look at Tianheng: “Four to five years?”
Tianheng pat his head: “We'll approach the issue the same way as always [2]. We can't allow others to harbor suspicions about you. Besides, spending four to five years researching a prescription to develop several medicinal pills doesn't appear too excessive.”
Gu Zuo understood, and his heart was touched.
At last, he realized that this was to protect his existence.
Although it was said that Gongyi Tianheng recuperated the first two years at the villa, in actuality, he made frequent visits to the villa four to five years ago. He definitely wasn't staying at the Gongyi ancestral household. The current claims that he went to recuperate at that time were considered true.
Tianheng and the Tianlong Guard's control over that villa was air-tight. Just like an iron barrel, there wasn't even a single secret agent stationed within. No one knew what Tianheng did in the villa.
As for Gu Zuo's arrival last year, even if someone really did discover his existence, they wouldn't connect it to a matter that occurred four to five years ago. Currently, the only ones who knew about Gu Zuo providing the prescription was the Clan Head and Tianheng's immediate family members. They all approached external problems using the same methods. To explain, they also didn't know that Tianheng was secretly nursing his health back. Declaring his full recovery now was for the sake of preventing them from losing hope and so on.
It could be said that Gongyi Tianheng had to employ many schemes to hide Gu Zuo's peculiarities.
At this time, he gently said: “It's merely that this one matter has wronged Ah Zuo.”
Gu Zuo didn't feel wronged, and directly said: “Everything big brother has done has been for my own good. I understand.” Then he asked, “What matter?”
Tianheng shook his head while chuckling: “You appearing by my side needs justification.” He slowly said, “I intend on solidifying my version of events where after you were betrayed and fled for your life, you arrived within the vicinity of the villa. Naturally, the situation of the villa's surroundings cannot be concealed from me. Once the Tianlong Guard discovered you, I investigated your past and found out about the matters of your…medical beads. Since misery loves company, I offered you shelter. Only, this would be constantly erasing your contributions.”
Gu Zuo hastily said: “I don't like to be in the spotlight. This kind of thing doesn't make me feel wronged at all!”
If people were to find out what he was doing, then his small life would be in danger! What was a little fame worth? A reputation would only bring life-threatening trouble.
Gongyi Tianheng smiled: “Rest a.s.sured, Ah Zuo. I naturally won't have you act like a disabled person forever. Since you're a pharmacist, there were inevitably come a time when you must come out in the open. In order to avoid drawing people's suspicions at that time, we need to lay the groundwork in advance…”
Tianheng muttered to himself, “Let's say that you originally possessed two pairs of medical beads. As a rare gift, due to the Qi Family's incompetence, they only knew that you had a natural talent, but not that this talent was so astonishing. After you lost one pair of medical beads, the Qi Family thought that you wouldn't be able to rise up again. Once you escaped to my side, you discovered by chance that you could still refine medicine.
“Through comprehensive examinations, it was determined that you still had one pair of medical beads remaining and you could slowly train your medicine refining skills. Despite your initial hold ups, your talents were much stronger than that of ordinary pharmacists. Gradually, you revealed your skills once more. This way, there's no correlation at all. How's that?”
Gu Zuo thought it over carefully, and felt it was reasonable. At that time, the system actually said the same thing. It was simply that he confessed his own secrets to Tianheng. His big brother probably thought that his body was restored after being inhabited by the system. Because he'd long established himself, he needed a cover story. Yet instead, it was Gongyi Tianheng who laid the groundwork… With such calculations, were the minds of his big brother and the system communicating telepathically?
Thinking these thoughts, Gu Zuo shuddered and felt it was a little ridiculous.
However, this method was indeed very good.
Gu Zuo nodded: “Good!”
Gongyi Tianheng continued to console him: “Don't worry, Ah Zuo. This kind of information naturally won't be leaked easily. What should be hidden will be kept hidden. Merely, while it will be kept confidential, it can't be said to be absolutely safe. If someone made discreet inquiries in the future about the necessary cover up, if it was without good cause, it wouldn't be likely for you to be forced to expose yourself.”
Gu Zuo smiled and vigorously nodded his head: “I got it. Thank you, big brother.”
Preparing so far in advance with every kind of precaution was all for his wellbeing. This was already sufficiently thoughtful.
The two spoke along these lines. Gu Zuo felt even more at ease about his own safety and was even more confident in Gongyi Tianheng.
After that, they went back to paying attention to the things in front of them.
Thus, that Qian Sheng continued his enthusiastic sales pitch. Speaking of which, those guests suddenly realized that while they placed some of their trust in what he said, only a general idea was given about the medicinal pill's specific effects. Without any details, it made them anxious.
Qian Sheng seemed just about done with keeping them in suspense, and properly said: “This pill is called the Five Essence Pill. It's refined from this world's five elements, and it's capable of promoting the vitality of the internal organs and strengthening the circulation of qi and blood.
“And through subtle changes, it can broaden a martial artist's meridians.”
Broadening the meridians!
Among this continent's many countries and countless pharmacists, who would dare say their medicinal pills could broaden the meridians? One could at most say that it would nourish the meridians. Because the results could never be verified, it was all up to chance!
However, this manager of the Gongyi Clan dared to say “broaden”?
Those guests naturally responded first with disbelief, but they had second thoughts as they recalled Gongyi Tianheng. Although this person's illness wasn't publicized with great fanfare, those with some power could all find out. His meridians were weak and clogged up, creating a situation where he couldn't practice martial arts.
Since he could now, it was certainly because the problem with his meridians was solved. In that case, the Five Essence Pill's effects…might actually be something worth looking forward to.
Qian Sheng's words continued: “For this grade of Five Essence Pill, every thirty pills can broaden the meridians by a thread. Merely, these thirty pills must be taken consecutively.”
He paused here, and then raised his voice, “If it's for a martial artist who hasn't yet manipulated their qi, they must take one pill every month. A Blood Refining realm martial artist must take one pill every ten days. A Bone Forging realm martial artist takes one every five days. A Meridian Condensing martial artist takes one every two days. If they are a Meridian Condensing perfect-grade martial artist, then it's only one pill a day!
“As for each Five Essence Pill, it's only one thousand gold!”
“—For a cheap medicinal pill with such G.o.dly effects, what is everyone waiting for!?”
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[1] I don't know if other members of the Tianlong Guard will be brought up individually, but anyone between 11-200 will be set as numerals.
[2] 统一口径 - Tong yi kou jing, to adopt a unified approach to discussing an issue.
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