As the days slowly passed, the amount of healing potions sold by the Galley family in Utarn City’s markets decreased day by day. On the last day, when the final bottle was sold, the Galley family member who sold the potions had to embarrassingly smile at the crowded mercenaries outside: “I am truly sorry, but due to a shortage in our inventory, this shop will need to close temporarily.” Outside the shop, upon hearing this, the crowd of mercenaries, who were pushing and shoving, suddenly fell silent. They glared fiercely at the salesperson for a long time before dispersing with curses and grumbles. Amidst the dispersal, some even shouted insults, causing the salesperson’s face to turn pale with anger.
In less than an hour after the Galley family’s healing potions were completely sold out, the news spread throughout Utarn City. People were stunned, some secretly rejoicing in their misfortune, others lamenting, and some sighing. Without the support of the healing potions, the Galley family’s confrontation with the Xiao family would undoubtedly end in complete defeat. After such a significant loss, the Galley family’s strength was clearly diminished, and their influence in Utarn City would likely never return to its former glory.
Xiao Family, Meeting Hall.
“Has the source of the Galley family’s healing potions been cut off?” Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Xiao Zhan stood up abruptly, his joy almost impossible to conceal. Excitedly, he exchanged glances with the three elders, seeing that they too were elated. Walking around the hall, Xiao Zhan finally suppressed his joy and asked with a smile: “What about their alchemist, Liu Xi?”
“He has not been seen since the day Garry and Liu Xi had a conflict with Little Young Master Xiao Yan. We have no information on his whereabouts.”
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan and the three elders were momentarily stunned, then their gazes subtly shifted toward Xiao Yan, who was sitting in a chair.
“Why are you looking at me? It has nothing to do with me,” Xiao Yan said innocently, rolling his eyes as the four men looked at him.
Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly. He did not believe that it had nothing to do with Xiao Yan. How could someone just disappear after having a conflict with you?
“Oh, and Clan Leader, I overheard a Galley family insider saying that Second Elder Gally Bi was killed by a mysterious black-robed figure while transporting medicinal ingredients.”
The footsteps halted, and Xiao Zhan’s eyelids twitched slightly. Nodding, he dismissed the messenger and, with a fixed gaze on Xiao Yan, said with a smile: “Yan, who else in Utarn City, besides your teacher, could have easily killed a Three-Star Great Warrior like Gally Bi?”
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, sighed, and nodded reluctantly: “Gally Bi is indeed dead.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s confirmation, Xiao Zhan also shook his head in amazement. The Galley family, which had been competing with the Xiao family for decades, was gradually declining due to a single youth. This feeling…
Xiao Zhan chuckled bitterly and said, “I know that the old man helped us mostly because of you. But if you have the chance, please thank him on behalf of the Xiao family. We owe him a great deal.”
Xiao Yan shrugged and nodded nonchalantly.
“Next, we’ll see how the Galley family deals with this mess,” Xiao Zhan said with a grin, his voice filled with schadenfreude. The competition in the healing potion market resulted in a significant defeat for the Galley family. This heavy blow left them severely weakened, while the Xiao family became the biggest beneficiary of the competition. In just two months, the Xiao family miraculously turned the tables from a desperate situation, with the profit from the healing potions in two months exceeding a year’s usual income. Additionally, the Xiao family’s influence in Utarn City now surpassed that of both the Galley and Aubba families. Because of Xiao Yan, even the Mittel Auction House was making friendly gestures towards the Xiao family. All these factors made the Xiao family the most powerful force in Utarn City.
Although the Galley family suffered a major setback, they were like a hundred-legged insect that remains alive even after death. Even without the profit from the healing potions, the Galley family’s power was still formidable. Their armed forces, cultivated over the years, were not to be underestimated. The Galley family was well aware of the Xiao family’s influence. After realizing they had no hope of winning, they quietly bided their time, licking their wounds, and waiting for an opportunity to strike back.
However, this period of lying low did not last long. The day after the Galley family’s healing potions ran out, a group from the Tram City medicinal family, led by two Great Warriors, stormed into the Galley family compound, demanding that Gally Bi pay back the thirty thousand gold coins owed for the purchase of medicinal ingredients within two days, with a threatening tone.
The actions of the Tram City medicinal family were like a stick beating down on the already beleaguered Galley family. Despite his rage, Gally Bi dared not offend a force that was not weaker than his own. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and start frantically raising money. However, even after turning the entire family upside down, he only managed to gather ten thousand gold coins, far short of the debt.
With no other options, Gally Bi had to swallow his pride and ask for a loan from friendly forces. While there were many people willing to add to one’s success, there were few who would help in times of need. Seeing the Galley family’s current state of decline and with the Xiao family watching closely, no one was willing to lend a hand. Helping the Galley family would mean offending the Xiao family, who were in the ascendancy. Despite visiting most of the influential forces, Gally Bi still could not raise the remaining funds.
Returning to the family with a sullen face, Gally Bi, after a fit of rage, reluctantly came up with a shocking idea: sell the markets! The Galley family owned three medium-sized and four small markets in Utarn City. Gally Bi planned to sell the two most prosperous and popular medium-sized markets!
This announcement caused a strong reaction within the Galley family and a shock throughout Utarn City. The income from the markets accounted for about half of the Galley family’s profits. For Gally Bi to resort to selling the markets, it was clear how desperate the situation had become.
Opening a market, if it attracted enough people, was a guaranteed moneymaker. However, there were only a dozen or so markets in Utarn City, mostly controlled by the Galley and Xiao families. The Aubba family relied on underground casinos and pleasure houses for their profits, so when they learned that the Galley family was planning to sell the best-located market, many were envious. However, their enthusiasm quickly waned. The Xiao family now dominated the market, and buying a market would be a losing proposition. Most importantly, anyone who bought the Galley family’s market would offend the Xiao family. Thus, those who had intended to buy the market reluctantly gave up.
After announcing the sale, Gally Bi, who had expected a bustling response, once again tasted embarrassment. He had not anticipated the Xiao family’s influence to be so strong. With the repayment deadline approaching, Gally Bi still could not raise the full amount. Just as he was in a panic, a stranger appeared, and they spent the entire afternoon haggling over the price. In the end, the stranger, with a satisfied look, took the two transfer contracts and walked out of the Galley family with a confident stride, having paid twenty thousand gold coins.
With the twenty thousand gold coins, the Galley family finally sent the Tram City medicinal family members away. Watching the creditors leave like bandits, Gally Bi felt like crying. Just as he was sending off the creditors, a family member rushed in with more news. The two markets sold that morning had been transferred to the Xiao family.
Upon hearing this, Gally Bi, overcome with rage, spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
Looking at Gally Bi being carried into the room, the Galley family members all sighed deeply. From now on, the Galley family was destined to be a second-rate force in Utarn City…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage