The Spring Return Hall was a pharmacy in Luo Feng City with an excellent reputation. It was fair and honest, never selling counterfeit medicine, and its medical practice and drug sales were both just, earning it the trust of the city's residents.
Entering the Spring Return Hall, Ye Chen's black-robed appearance was quite eye-catching. However, as it was midday, a time when most people were resting, the spacious pharmacy was quiet and devoid of customers.
He walked straight to the counter. The shopkeeper was a white-haired elder who had practiced medicine for many years and was a highly trusted senior physician in Luo Feng City. Because his surname was Xiao, people in the city habitually called him Physician Xiao.
Physician Xiao wasn't surprised by the arrival of the black-robed Ye Chen. Running a pharmacy meant selling medicine and also purchasing medicinal materials; people often came to sell herbs. Usually, those selling relatively rare medicines would appear in special disguises, fearing trouble and robbery.
He asked gently, "Sir, are you here to sell medicine?"
"Yes, I wish to sell this bottle of medicinal liquid," Ye Chen's voice was slightly hoarse, making it impossible to discern his age. He took a medicine bottle from his wide sleeve and placed it on the sandalwood counter.
Physician Xiao took the bottle. It was a rather ordinary medicine bottle, the kind you could buy two of for a single copper coin on the street. But the moment he uncorked it, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out, refreshing the spirit upon smelling it!
Good stuff!
With his many years of medical experience, Physician Xiao knew just from the scent that this medicinal liquid was undoubtedly a top-grade product. Looking closely at the liquid inside the bottle, it was emerald green and clear, with a faint coolness seeming to emanate from it. He even felt the aches and pains in his body seemed to lessen, which secretly astonished him.
Delighted, Physician Xiao said, "Sir, may I ask if this is a healing medicinal liquid? Such fine products are rarely encountered on ordinary days."
Ye Chen nodded. "Physician Xiao has good eyes indeed. This is a healing medicinal liquid, especially effective in completely curing the hidden ailments cultivators develop from their training."
Hearing this, Physician Xiao was shocked. Even the most ordinary healing medicinal liquid could fetch a price of over five gold coins. This kind, capable of completely curing the chronic pains cultivators suffer from their training, was even more precious, worth several times or even dozens of times more than the ordinary type.
"I wonder how much you wish to sell it for? Our Spring Return Hall is interested in purchasing it," Physician Xiao hurriedly inquired. Such a fine medicinal liquid naturally couldn't be let slip away.
Ye Chen raised three fingers from within his wide robe. Physician Xiao, though somewhat puzzled by how fair and youthful those three fingers looked, nodded. "Thirty gold coins. Although slightly expensive, this price is still quite fair. Our Spring Return Hall is willing to purchase it and can pay on the spot."
However, the black-robed man shook his head. "Physician Xiao, I think you misunderstand. Not thirty gold coins, but three hundred gold coins."
"Th... three hundred gold coins!?"
Physician Xiao was dumbfounded, unable to help but suck in a sharp breath of cold air.
Although this healing medicinal liquid appeared to be a fine product, three hundred gold coins was too high, undoubtedly an astronomical figure. Who would be foolish enough to buy such a bottle of medicinal liquid? No one would buy it even if the effects were excellent.
"Sir, isn't this price... a bit on the high side?" Physician Xiao couldn't help but say.
Ye Chen shook his head. If those familiar with him from his past life knew he was selling a medicinal liquid he prepared for only three hundred gold coins, they would probably be dumbfounded. How could it be high? It was even too low.
Seeing this, Physician Xiao no longer tried to dissuade him. He sighed and said, "Sir, I'm truly sorry. The price of the medicinal liquid is too high. Our Spring Return Hall cannot purchase it."
Hidden within the black robe, Ye Chen frowned slightly. He hadn't expected to hit a wall on the first try. It seemed selling it wouldn't be as easy as he imagined. However, only a true alchemist would understand how valuable this bottle of medicinal liquid could be. Three hundred gold coins was even too little.
After a pause, Physician Xiao added, "Sir, if you trust our Spring Return Hall, we can sell it on your behalf. We would only charge a commission fee of five gold coins upon success; no fee if unsuccessful. What do you think?"
If the Spring Return Hall didn't buy it, they could still act as an agent for sale, earning a certain commission fee in the middle.
Although five gold coins as a commission fee was slightly high, it was relative to the three hundred gold coin price; otherwise, it generally wouldn't be so steep. However, Ye Chen didn't mind. He nodded. "That works too. I'll come again in three days. By the way, I'd like to pick up some medicinal herbs. Here's the list. The quantities must be exact. I need ten portions."
He handed over a piece of paper filled with writing.
Physician Xiao took it and scanned the herbs listed on the paper: Clear Spirit Grass, Nine-Lingzhi, Cold Forest Fruit, Fire Candle Fruit, and so on. Although not exorbitantly priced, they were basically all rare herbs. Some were even obscure herb names that ordinary physicians hadn't even heard of, making him look at the black-robed man before him with slight surprise.
But the customer was king. Although surprised, Physician Xiao didn't probe further. He asked Ye Chen to wait a moment, then went to the pharmacy and gathered five portions. "Sir, these are the herbs you requested. Please check if the quantities are sufficient."
Ye Chen took them, weighed them slightly in his palm, and knew they were exactly right. He then opened them to inspect. With his discerning eye, he could tell at a glance that the herbs were not adulterated and their medicinal age was sufficient, all at least mid-to-high grade good herbs. He nodded. "Correct. How much?"
"A total of eighteen gold coins, five silver coins, and seven copper coins. We'll give you a discount and charge you eighteen gold coins," Physician Xiao said.
Among the herbs, most were rare and obscure, some inherently expensive, so naturally the cost was higher. Ye Chen still frowned slightly; this took away more than half of his wealth at once.
But it was alright. As long as this bottle of medicinal liquid was sold, it could fetch three hundred gold coins. Moreover, the value of this set of herbs was far more than just sixty-five gold coins to him.
Not long after Ye Chen left, a white-robed elder walked in. On his chest hung a cauldron-shaped badge inlaid with a star, appearing brilliant and eye-catching.
Everyone who saw the white-robed elder stopped and bowed respectfully. The black-robed man, however, remained calm and composed as he walked away.
Looking carefully, one would notice that the gazes of the people on both sides fell more on the badge on his chest, filled with admiration and envy.
Anyone would know this was the badge of a One-Star Alchemist, the symbol of an alchemist. With this badge, one would receive extremely high treatment throughout the entire Xia Feng Kingdom.
The moment the white-robed elder appeared, the shopkeeper physician of the Spring Return Hall immediately showed respect and hurried forward. "So it's Master Li Yun. You've come. Please, please, have a seat."
Li Yun was a famous alchemist in Luo Feng City, or rather, one of only two alchemists in the entire city.
Although only a One-Star Alchemist, his status as an alchemist was undeniable. Having come from the royal capital, even City Lord Ye Ao would treat him with courtesy and respect.
Li Yun waved his hand and smiled. "Physician, you're too polite. I've come this time to purchase some medicinal herbs. I heard that in Luo Feng City, the Spring Return Hall has the best reputation and sells the best herbs. Recently, I want to refine a certain pill and lack some materials. I wonder if the Spring Return Hall sells them?"
Physician Xiao quickly stepped forward to inquire. "Master Li Yun, please speak. If our Spring Return Hall has them, we will certainly fetch the best herbs for you."
Li Yun nodded, took a piece of paper, and swiftly wrote a series of material names. He handed it over and said, "These are the materials I wish to buy. Physician Xiao, please see if you have them?"
"Clear Spirit Grass, Nine-Lingzhi, Cold Forest Fruit, Fire Candle Fruit..." Physician Xiao took the list and looked carefully. He was immediately greatly surprised. It was almost exactly the same as the list from the black-robed man earlier. He couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Master, what effect does the pill you wish to refine have?"