https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-78-The-Alchemy-Hall-Master-Louis-Chen/12831560/
Chapter 77: The Art of Exorbitant Demands and Grounded Bargains
Chapter 77: The Art of Exorbitant Demands and Grounded Bargains
"You know it’s a bit much, don’t you!"
"Haha, the little guy may be young, but his appetite is huge."
"Too much!"
The speakers, in order, were Ke Yue Lin, Sikong Shoujia, and Mi Junping, who had remained silent until now.
Luo Chen noted down each of their names.
He shook his head, "Not too much, really. The profit from elixirs is astronomical, and you can't imagine it. Take my Elixir of Subtle Marvels, for example. The cost for a batch is just five spirit stones, but I can sell it for dozens. Asking for half is more than fair."
"Still too much!" Ke Yue Lin sneered. "You know the profits are high, but do you really deserve half?"
He spoke with such ease that Mi Shuhua and Mi Junping, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.
But Ke Yue Lin didn’t see the grim look on his sworn brother Qin Liangchen’s face.
Luo Chen, however, seemed completely unfazed by the sneer. He continued, "What can I do? Will you refine the elixirs? Hall Master Ke, with your distinguished appearance and your exceptional skills in raising livestock, I’m sure you’re also a master at handling herbs and controlling the alchemy furnace, right?"
Ke Yue Lin was taken aback.
If he had that kind of skill, he wouldn’t be stuck here tending to pigs and cattle with his Ninth Layer Qi Condensation realm.
Indeed, the Beast Hall was responsible for this sort of thing.
The Broken Mountain Gang didn’t just hunt demonic beasts; they also raised some easily tamed low-rank wild beasts.
These beasts were released into the Ancient Plains Mountains, where they were nurtured by the spiritual energy. Over time, they would become a steady source of low-rank demonic beasts.
Calling him the head of the Beast Hall, who basically tended to pigs and cattle, wasn’t an insult at all.
"Xiao Luo, speak nicely, don’t put your brother Ke in an awkward position," Murong Qinglian said with a smile, though her gaze towards Ke Yue Lin was icy.
When did her little brother secretly align himself with Mi Shuhua?
"Alright, I’ll listen to you, Sister-in-law."
Luo Chen dropped the act and said straightforwardly, "Refining elixirs is a tough job. I’m not lying; you can come and see for yourselves. I’ll even give you hands-on guidance."
"So, it’s only fair that I get a share of the profits."
"Fifty percent might seem a bit much, but look at me!"
Under everyone’s gaze, Luo Chen pointed to his dusty clothes.
A low-grade first-rank robe, and a secondhand one at that!
It even had holes and scorched corners.
He then revealed a flying sword he had borrowed from Gu Caiyi.
A low-grade first-rank flying sword, intricately carved with flowers, a tool typically used by female cultivators.
"Xiao Luo is in a sorry state. He can barely afford to eat or dress properly, and he uses secondhand equipment, even a flying sword that was discarded by a female cultivator."
"If other factions see the head of the Alchemy Hall, one of the nine halls, looking like this, it will be embarrassing. Not just for me, but for the entire Broken Mountain Gang and its Foundation Establishment cultivator leader, Mi Shuhua."
Mi Shuhua’s expression was a mix of emotions.
He hadn’t expected such a convincing act of poverty.
The others were also somewhat astonished. Had they been in such a dire state when they were at the mid-Qi Condensation stage?
Murong Qinglian had tears in her eyes, "Xiao Luo has endured so much to improve his alchemy skills. He wears the worst robes and uses a flying sword that was discarded by a neighbor. He’s truly suffered enough."
From this perspective, a fifty percent profit share didn’t seem too much, did it?
However,
"Still too much!"
Mi Junping said coldly.
Luo Chen’s expression turned serious, "Then, Hall Master of the Merit Hall, what do you suggest?"
"Contributing to the gang is your duty. Two bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills per month should be enough," Mi Junping said with her usual sternness.
Luo Chen was furious, "Are you treating me like a beggar? If it gets out that the Broken Mountain Gang mistreats its alchemists, the tens of thousands of cultivators in the Great River Market will look down on you!"
"What gives you the right to speak this way!" Mi Junping raised an eyebrow, ready to scold him.
"Ping-er!"
Mi Shuhua interjected, his face full of smiles.
"Yes, once you join our ranks, you’re part of the family. How can we let a family member suffer? Moreover, the Broken Mountain Gang never mistreats any of its brothers!"
With those words, Mi Junping’s expression changed subtly.
She was wrong.
If word ever got out that the Broken Mountain Gang was enslaving alchemists, the gang’s reputation, which had been built over many years in the Great River Market, along with Uncle Mi Hua's reputation for supporting lower-ranked cultivators, would be completely ruined.
Once the reputation and goodwill take a hit, the chain reaction would be something the Mi family couldn't afford.
For a loose coalition of independent cultivators, strength lies in numbers.
But if others are unwilling to join, the gang would eventually disintegrate, becoming just another forgotten chapter in the history of the Great River Market.
Uncle Mi Hua looked at Sima Shoujia, “Sima, you’re experienced and have worked in several departments in the past. Why don’t you give us a reasonable suggestion for everyone to consider?”
Cough, cough!
Sima Shoujia cleared his throat and raised a finger.
“Ten percent, that should be enough.”
“No.”
“Little Luo, don’t rush to oppose. Think about it: the raw materials for the pills are provided by the gang, and the sales channels are also managed by the gang. In the future, you won’t have to deal with the public; there will be dedicated personnel to handle sales, saving you a lot of time for cultivation.”
Sima Shoujia spoke calmly, listing out his points one by one.
“We’ve seen your predicament, and as elders, we understand. Without going into details, Chief Mi is known for supporting younger cultivators. He could even give you a high-quality magical tool if he has any spare ones.”
“Is that right, Chief Mi?”
Mi Hua smiled slightly, “Indeed, a magical tool or two is nothing. There’s no need to buy them from outside; I can gift you one.”
Luo Chen remained silent, frozen in place.
The atmosphere in the Bright Moon Hall grew increasingly oppressive.
After a long pause, a rough voice broke the silence.
“Young man, you shouldn’t be so greedy. You need to know when to be content.”
It was Luo Wudi, the Downhill Tiger!
Luo Chen glanced at him, gritting his teeth, “Ten percent is indeed too little!”
“This is the maximum the gang can offer, considering we have over a thousand brothers to support,” Mi Junping refused to budge.
Luo Chen lifted his head, not looking at her but at the others.
“I admit I’m not very skilled, but I do have some expertise in alchemy.”
“If my cultivation improves and I have suitable pill formulas, I will certainly refine the necessary pills for everyone without charge.”
The others were starting to be swayed.
Their eyes flicked around, showing signs of interest.
“Moreover, you can send your trusted disciples or descendants to the Alchemy Hall. I will do my best to guide them. If they learn a thing or two, they will have a valuable skill for the future.”
As soon as he finished speaking,
Long Pan Hu Yang Wei laughed heartily, “Little Luo is being so generous, why should we be stingy?”
Zhang Shicong from the Mining Hall said gently, “Ten percent is indeed too little. How about twenty percent? After all, it’s Luo Chen’s hard work.”
Qin Liangchen and Murong Qianlian spoke in unison, “Twenty percent is neither too much nor too little. Little Luo doesn’t have other means to make a living.”
Among the twelve senior members of the Great River Market, including Chief Mi, five had already agreed to this split.
If Luo Chen, who hadn’t opposed, was counted, it would be half.
Mi Junping’s face had turned as dark as water.
They had already discussed and agreed on a rough split with the other hall leaders.
Now, increasing the split to twenty percent would mean a significant loss for the Mi family.
Ke Yuelin didn’t dare to speak up anymore, as Qin Liangchen and his wife were staring at him intently.
Sima Shoujia wore a sneer and remained silent, staying out of the matter.
Mi Hua’s smile faded, and his gaze shifted to another person.
“Zeng Wen, did you have a good time at Tianxiang Tower this month?”
(End of Chapter)
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