The sudden appearance of Blood Clotting Powder swept through the medicinal market of Wutan City like a storm, swiftly capturing more than half of the healing medicine market. In just two days, it had also restored and even surpassed the previous popularity of the Xiao Family Marketplace. The day after the Blood Clotting Powder was released, the Galley Family gradually adjusted the price of their Rejuvenating Powder back to its original level. However, due to the high prices they had set earlier, many mercenaries were already displeased. Even though the Galley Family lowered their prices, it was still difficult for them to regain the bustling scene of the past.
Due to Wutan City’s proximity to the edge of the Magic Beast Mountains, the city’s mercenary traffic was enormous. With the numerous dangers in the Magic Beast Mountains, the demand for healing medicines was extremely high. Therefore, even though the Xiao Family had seized most of the market, the Galley Family was still making a profit—albeit a much smaller one compared to before.
The explosive sales of healing medicines far exceeded the Xiao Family’s expectations. Every morning, the Blood Clotting Powder in the marketplace would be snapped up by the mercenaries who had been waiting there, and by the afternoon, all the healing medicines would be sold out. At this point, some mercenaries who failed to purchase the Blood Clotting Powder had no choice but to go to the Galley Family’s marketplace and buy the inferior Rejuvenating Powder.
Thanks to the high demand for healing medicines, the Galley Family managed to hold their ground against the fierce offensive of the Xiao Family. The future would depend on which family had more stockpiled healing medicines.
…
In the meeting hall, Xiao Yan looked at his grinning father, Xiao Zhan, with a hint of helplessness. Shifting his gaze, he saw the three elders, all of whom were also smiling broadly. The cause of this cheer was the black-robed man, who had again secretly delivered a batch of Blood Clotting Powder that morning.
“Ha ha, the sales of Blood Clotting Powder are simply insane. If it weren’t for the old man bringing another batch, our warehouse would have been empty,” Xiao Zhan said, cradling a green bottle in his hands with a smile.
“Yes, in just a few short days, the popularity of our marketplace has doubled compared to its peak before. The losses from the previous period are gradually being recovered. Ha ha, adding the profit from the sales of healing medicines, the earnings from these few days are equivalent to the income of the Xiao Family for a month or two!” The usually reserved First Elder couldn’t help but become more talkative in the face of such a great harvest, his wrinkled face resembling a blooming chrysanthemum.
Xiao Zhan nodded with a smile, then turned to look at Xiao Yan, who was sitting rather boredly. He couldn’t help but scold, “You little rascal, you never seem to be around when the old man comes to the family. Can’t you just stay at home quietly?”
Innocently reprimanded, Xiao Yan could only roll his eyes, muttering inwardly, “If I didn’t move, where would you get the healing medicines from?”
“Ah, this old man is truly generous. But fortunately, I managed to ask about the required medicinal herbs for the healing medicines. From now on, we’ll take care of the herbs. The Xiao Family has already received too much benefit from him. If we continue to be greedy, we might end up losing more,” Xiao Zhan mused, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket.
“Indeed,” the three elders hurriedly agreed, realizing that they had almost forgotten this important detail.
“In the face of such immense profits, knowing when to stop is commendable. No wonder your father became the Clan Leader,” the Medicine Elder’s voice echoed in Xiao Yan’s mind, filled with admiration.
Smiling, Xiao Yan felt slightly reassured. Even though he could provide material assistance to the Xiao Family, the true strength of a family depended on the abilities of its leader. If the leader was not competent, even with Xiao Yan’s help, the family would remain stagnant. However, it seemed that Xiao Zhan had the capability to lead the family well.
“Clan Leader, the three elders, Miss Yaphira from the Mitel Auction House is outside the family estate,” a clan member rushed into the hall, bowing respectfully.
“Yaphira?” Xiao Zhan was taken aback, quickly saying, “Quickly, please her in.”
Soon after, a graceful figure appeared in the doorway, her soft laughter echoing through the hall. “He he, Clan Leader Xiao, you seem to be on cloud nine recently.”
Leaning against the cool backrest of his chair, Xiao Yan’s gaze turned towards the entrance. A stunning mature woman in a red cheongsam stood there, her alluring figure wrapped in a tight, red dress, her waist swaying with an enticing curve. The split in her dress revealed her shapely legs, and the sight of her white skin was both captivating and alluring.
“A fairy…” the young, middle-aged, and elderly men in the hall couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.
Coughing, Xiao Zhan stood up with a smile, saying politely, “Miss Yaphira, you jest. The annual profit of the Xiao Family is not even close to the wealth of a branch of the Mitel Auction House. How can we be smug?”
“Hee hee, Clan Leader Xiao, you are so eloquent. Lately, the popularity of the Xiao Family Marketplace has far surpassed the auction house, and everyone can see it.”
Yaphira bowed gracefully to the three elders, her eyes glinting as she shifted her gaze to Xiao Yan, saying, “Little Young Master Xiao Yan, it seems you are stronger than last time?”
“Just call me by my name, ‘Little Young Master’ sounds creepy,” Xiao Yan said with a seemingly innocent smile, his whole body covered in goosebumps.
Yaphira chuckled, and Xiao Zhan asked, “Miss Yaphira, what brings you to the Xiao Family today?”
With a smile, Yaphira nodded, sitting elegantly next to Xiao Yan and saying, “Clan Leader Xiao, the Mitel Auction House has refused to supply medicinal herbs to the Galley Family any longer.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan spilled tea on the table, his eyes flashing with barely concealed joy. He wiped away the spill and glanced at the three elders, who also had a similar expression.
The hall fell silent. Xiao Zhan downed his tea, hesitantly asking, “Why? Haven’t you always been neutral?”
Yaphira smiled but did not speak.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Zhan asked in a low voice, “What do you want us to do in return?”
“Nothing at all,” Yaphira replied with a smile.
“Ah?” Xiao Zhan was stunned, looking at the smiling Yaphira in disbelief. He didn’t believe the Mitel Auction House would help them without any cost. Scratching his chin, he suddenly asked, “Is it… the doing of that old man?”
Raising her red lips, Yaphira nodded, “The old man has already paid, so Clan Leader Xiao doesn’t need to worry. From now on, we are on the same side.”
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan burst into laughter, shaking the room. Calming down, he realized he was getting carried away and saw the three elders with wry smiles. Smiling awkwardly, he glared at Xiao Yan, who was snickering, and scolded, “Little brat, stop laughing. Go serve tea to Miss Yaphira, show some manners!”
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, picked up a cup of warm tea, and walked over to Yaphira, handing it to her with both hands.
With a gentle smile, Yaphira took the tea, her face suddenly changing as she stared intently at the white palm, or rather, the black ring on Xiao Yan’s right hand.
Xiao Yan’s gaze sharpened, discreetly retracting his hand. He stared at the beautiful woman, shielding his gaze from his father and the others.
Feeling Xiao Yan’s gaze, Yaphira tensed but smartly lowered her head, sipping her tea and hiding her expression.
Relieved, Xiao Yan sighed, touching his nose and lazily returning to his seat, frowning in thought.
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