“We certainly don’t export drugs like opium,” the merchant said, standing upright. His well-fitted suit made him look like an antique sculpture. “The core planets of the Empire lost the ability to grow crops long ago, otherwise we wouldn’t be purchasing special plants on such a large scale from Rayman Star.”
“What do you intend to sell them then?” the ambassador already had a rough idea. After all, the merchant’s trade ship only carried a limited variety of goods. “Your shuttles and weapons don’t sell well on Rayman Star. Aside from farmers, the only other inhabitants are aristocrats indulging in luxuries. Nobody here wants war.”
“This time, we’ve brought ten ships loaded with aphrodisiacs,” the merchant revealed his trump card. “Of course, this is only the first batch. The Imperial Parliament has tasked us with establishing a market for aphrodisiacs on Rayman Star and making them the opium of the spacefaring age.”
“Aphrodisiacs?” The ambassador’s hair practically stood on end, astonished.
As if anticipating the ambassador’s reaction, the merchant calmly explained, “You should be aware that over the past century, the widespread popularity of synthetic food has greatly impacted men’s sexual potency. Especially for the aristocrats who live in luxury and indulge in synthetic food, most men lose their potency by the age of thirty.”
The ambassador remained silent, but a strange sound came from his throat—clearly, he could relate.
The merchant continued, “The decline in male potency has caused significant problems. Not only has it decreased the Empire’s birth rate, but it has also led to the rise of female chauvinism, which greatly concerns the Imperial Parliament.”
Speaking of female chauvinism, the ambassador felt a chill run down his spine. In the Empire’s history, the female chauvinist revolution two centuries ago was a catastrophe for men—over a hundred million men were executed during that uprising.
“What does this have to do with aphrodisiacs?” the ambassador still couldn’t connect the dots.
“This new batch of aphrodisiacs is the Empire’s latest scientific breakthrough—an extract derived from heavy metals and chemically synthesized. It significantly enhances male sexual potency,” the merchant flattered, bowing his head. “More importantly, no one else in the galaxy can produce similar aphrodisiacs. In other words, once we get the Rayman Star aristocrats to experience the benefits of these pills, we’ll enjoy long-term, very substantial profits!”
“Will this powder really work?” A large bag of white powder had already been placed in front of the ambassador, who looked at it sideways.
The merchant kept grinning and began elaborating on the drug’s benefits. However, Yang Hao had already stopped listening. The conversation between the two men about the Empire’s secrets had made Yang Hao sweat profusely. Finally, he dared not eavesdrop any longer and hurriedly climbed up to Ess’s room.
Ess had already been waiting anxiously. She had taken a shower, changed into sexy lingerie, and was looking radiant as she awaited her lover. As soon as she saw Yang Hao climbing up, drenched in sweat, Ess didn’t ask why—immediately dragging him to bed for a passionate session.
For Yang Hao, these past few days had truly marked a transformation in his life. Not long ago, he had still been an innocent virgin, but now he was performing like a seasoned lover. Whether it was due to the pill from Hunyuanzi, Yang Hao noticed he could last longer with Ess and even control the timing of his climax.
After leaving Ess completely exhausted and nearly unconscious, Yang Hao finally had time to think about his troubles. Old Master Hunyuanzi wanted him to learn cultivation techniques. Although the sect’s reputation was terrible, it still counted as a rare martial art, so it wasn’t too bad. The problem, however, was that without money, he couldn’t learn the alchemy techniques. And without practicing them, he would die.
This burning anxiety made Yang Hao feel like an ant on a hot pan, constantly fearing being burned alive.
“What’s wrong?” Ess, still naked, wrapped herself around him. Noticing Yang Hao’s unusual expression, she asked, “Why do you look so troubled? Still thinking about Wang Zhijun? Didn’t you win today?”
“No,” Yang Hao shook his head—he had practically forgotten about his fight with Wang Zhijun. “I’m just worried about money. I need a large sum recently.”
“Huh, I thought it was something so important,” Ess chuckled. “I have money. There’s still a million imperial credits on my card. If you need it, just take it.”
“I don’t want your money,” Yang Hao immediately refused, especially not after they had just finished making love. It made him feel cheap.
“Why be so distant?” Ess pouted, her round, firm breasts pressing against Yang Hao’s arm as she gazed at him dreamily.
“Good apprentice, a woman’s money—why not use it if you can?” Hunyuanzi’s voice, lacking any sense of decorum, inappropriately chimed in.
Startled, Yang Hao instinctively replied, “I don’t want it. What’s it got to do with you?”
“What did you say?” Ess thought Yang Hao was talking to her.
Yang Hao stuck out his tongue, suddenly remembering that Ess couldn’t hear Hunyuanzi. He quickly grabbed the communicator by the bed, pretending to speak to someone on the other end.
“You really don’t want to use a woman’s money?” Hunyuanzi chuckled.
“Of course not. I have hands and feet—I’ll figure something out.”
“I’ll give you an idea,” Hunyuanzi, showing his sly side again, said. “After all, I’m your good master. I can’t just watch my only apprentice die.”
“What idea could you possibly have?” Yang Hao was already exasperated with Hunyuanzi. “Just stop causing me trouble. Every time, you put me through hell.”
“This time, it’s definitely a good idea,” Hunyuanzi quickly assured him. “I’ve decided—you should sell aphrodisiacs.”
“Aphrodisiacs??” Yang Hao shouted. He suddenly realized that Hunyuanzi must have overheard the earlier conversation between the ambassador and the merchant, hence this terrible idea.
“Exactly! If those people can sell aphrodisiacs, the market must be great. We can sell them too!” Hunyuanzi enthusiastically recommended.
“I absolutely refuse to sell aphrodisiacs,” Yang Hao was nearly furious. What kind of master gives such suggestions? How did he end up with such a teacher? “I’d rather get a job than sell this kind of thing.”
“Stupid apprentice, do you think selling aphrodisiacs is shameful?” Hunyuanzi sighed deeply. “Didn’t you hear those two talking? Men’s potency has declined significantly. The imbalance between the sexes is a serious issue. On a small scale, it causes family problems; on a large scale, it leads to social instability. If you can help men regain their potency, you’d be doing a great service to others.”
“…”
Noticing Yang Hao’s attitude softening slightly, Hunyuanzi continued persuading, “Plus, selling aphrodisiacs has high profit margins and makes money fast. Earning money this way is still better than stealing or doing evil deeds, right?”
“But it’s aphrodisiacs…” Though somewhat convinced, Yang Hao still had reservations. “You think it’s that easy to start selling? We don’t even know anything about it.”
“Ha ha ha ha!!!” Hunyuanzi burst into laughter.
“What are you laughing at…” Yang Hao’s face began to darken.
“If we don’t know, then no one in the world does. Don’t forget—we’re the aphrodisiac sect cultivators. The best aphrodisiacs are just a byproduct of our alchemy.”
Yang Hao wasn’t convinced. “But what they’re selling is high-tech stuff. Can ours really compete?”
“Don’t worry, with your master here, everything will be taken care of,” Hunyuanzi confidently declared, wielding both a carrot and a stick. “You only have one option left. Otherwise, without money, you’ll be dead.”
Yang Hao understood that although Hunyuanzi often caused trouble, this time he was right. According to the merchant, the entire Empire urgently needed aphrodisiacs to enhance male potency, making it the most profitable business currently. Plus, making aphrodisiacs wasn’t exactly a crime—it just carried a slightly bad reputation.
“But I don’t even have a place to sell them,” Yang Hao raised a critical point. “They all need storefronts to sell goods.”
“I have one!” Ess’s bright voice rang out like a savior. She had been listening to Yang Hao’s conversation with someone invisible, feeling anxious but unable to interrupt until now. “I can help.”
“You?”
“Yes!” Ess smiled and nodded. “I have a store in the most prosperous part of the Rayman Star capital city. I’ve never managed it before, so I can give it to you.”
“How come you have a store?” Yang Hao was puzzled.
“It was a birthday gift from the Rayman Star royal family last year,” Ess happily explained. “They were trying to please my father. You can use it perfectly.”
“Hehe, kid, you really do have good fortune,” Hunyuanzi sounded like an old lecher. “Now that it’s settled, let’s officially begin.”
Yang Hao was still confused. “Officially begin? How?”
“Producing the pills, of course! Mass-producing our aphrodisiacs!!!” Hunyuanzi shouted excitedly, as if he had been holding back for centuries and finally found an outlet.
Yang Hao nearly fainted. Just moments ago, he had become the senior apprentice of the aphrodisiac sect cultivators. In the blink of an eye, he had somehow become the owner of an aphrodisiac shop. Who knew what other strange adventures awaited him in the future.
Life was indeed unpredictable.
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