Chapter 78: Chapter 77: So-Called Sky-High Prices, Paying
Right There and Then_l
Translator: 549690339
“So, you admit you’re overreaching!”
“Heh, such a young chap with such a big appetite.”
“Too much!”
The speakers were, in order, Ke Yuelin, Sikong Shoujia, and Mi Junping, who hadn’t uttered a word yet.
Luo Chen kept these names in mind.
He shook his head, “Not too much. Really, it’s not. The profits from elixirs are unimaginable. For my Allure Pill, the production cost is merely five Spirit Stones per furnace, but it sells for several dozen stones. I’m asking for half, it’s indeed not much.”
“And you say it’s not much!” Ke Yuelin sneered: “You know the profit is high, but you think you’re worthy of half?”
He said it naturally, and Mi Shuhua, Mi Junping, and the others all nodded in agreement.
However, Ke Yuelin didn’t see how sullen his sworn brother Qin Liangchen’s face had become.
Luo Chen seemed unaffected by his sneer, continuing to complain, “What can I do then, make the elixir yourself? Hall Master Ke, you’re so impressive, you’ve raised pigs so well—surely your skill with handling medicinal ingredients and manipulating flames is pure too!”
Ke Yuelin was stunned.
If he had that technical skill, with his cultivation at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, why would he need to be here raising pigs and cattle?
Well, the Beast Hall is responsible for such matters.
The Broken Mountain Gang not only hunted demon beasts but also domesticated some easily tamed lower order wild beasts.
They released these beasts into the Ancient Plains Mountain Range, cultivated them with Spirit Qi, and over time, there would be a steady output of low-order demon beasts.
To say that he, the Beast Hall Master, was a pig and cattle raiser, was not an insult.
“Xiao Luo, be nice, don’t tease your big brother Ke.”
Murong Qinglian said cheerfully, though her gaze fell coldly on Ke Yuelin.
When did their little brother unexpectedly lean towards Mi Shuhua?
“Alright, I’ll listen to my sister-in-law!”
Luo Chen didn’t act pitiful, instead spoke directly: “Pill refinement is a hard job, I won’t lie to you, you can come and see for yourself, you can even get hands-on experience—I’ll guide with all his might.”
“Hence, it’s absolutely fair and reasonable for me to have a share of the profits.”
“Five ten-tenths might be a bit too much, but look around, look at me!”
Under everyone’s gaze, Luo Chen pointed to his dusty clothes.
A first order lower-grade robe—second-hand!
There were holes in it, the corners had been scorched by fire.
He held out his hand, and a flying sword borrowed from Gu Caiyi shone into view.
A first order lower-grade flying sword, with flowers carved into it, specifically for female cultivators.
“Poor Xiao Luo, not properly fed, not warmly dressed, even my magic tools are second-hand, specifically for female cultivators.”
“If other forces come to see in the future, the Pill Hall Master of one of the Nine Halls, is in such a sorry state. How shameful! It’s not only my face, but the entire Broken Mountain Gang’s, even Gang Leader Mi, a great foundation establishment cultivator!”
Mi Shuhua’s face was splendid.
He never thought that one could play the pity card like that.
The others were also somewhat shocked. When they were at the middle stage of Qi refinement, they might not have been this miserable, right?
With teary eyes, Murong Qinglian said, “Xiao Luo has endured enough hardship trying to improve his pill refinement technology. His robe is the shabbiest, his flying sword is cast-off from the neighbouring lady, he really has seen tough days.”
Looking at it this way, a fifty percent share of the profits really didn’t seem excessive?
Yet.
“Still too much!”
Mi Junping spoke coldly.
Luo Chen solemnly asked, “Then Merits Hall Master, what’s your suggestion?”
“You should contribute to our gang. Two Qi Nurturing Pills per month should be enough.” Mi Junping’s face didn’t change a bit as she spoke.
Luo Chen was furious, “Are you trying to dismiss a beggar? If the news got out that Broken Mountain Gang treats pill refiners so harshly, the tens of thousands of cultivators in the Great River District will look down on you!”
“Who are you to dare to speak like this…” Mi Junping’s eyebrows knitted as she prepared to criticise.
“Ping’Er!”
Mi Shuhua spoke, his smile never leaving his face.
“Yes, once you join us, we are all family. How could we let a family member suffer? Moreover, we in the Broken Mountain Gang never treat any of our brothers harshly!”
At his words, Mi Junping’s face subtly changed.
She had made a mistake.
If the news of us enslaving pill refiners really gets out, the reputation that Broken Mountain Gang has established over many years in The Great River District, and Mi Shuhua’s fondness for mentoring lower order cultivators, will be ruined in an instant.
Once the reputation turns sour, the chain reaction that would follow is something the Mi family cannot afford to handle.
Rogue cultivator group is about the strength in numbers.
However, if it gets to the point where the others are no longer willing to join, the rogue cultivator group would end up being just another gang in the history of The Great River District.
Mi Shuhua looked at Sikong Shoujia, “Sikong, you’re mature and prudent, and have served in several halls in the past. How about giving a fair proposal for everyone to consider?”
Cough Cough!
Clearing his throat, Sikong Shoujia raised a finger.
“Ten percent, that should be enough.”
“No…”
“Xiao Luo, don’t be hasty in opposing. You have to think about it, the raw materials for the elixir are provided by the gang and the sales channels also belong to the gang. Additionally, you won’t need to make any public appearances in the future, there will be specialized personnels for sales, think about how much time you can save for cultivation?”
With great composure, Sikong Shoujia stated this step by step.
“We elders are very aware of your predicament. Without saying much, Gang Leader Mi is fond of promoting young talent, he has plenty of ascendant grade magic tools, gifting you one wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Isn’t that so, Gang Leader Mi?”
Mi Shuhua gave a faint smile, “Indeed, gifting you a magic tool or two is not a big deal, why bother going outside to buy, I will just gift it to you.”
But Luo Chen still remained silent, standing stiffly.
The atmosphere in the Bright Moon Hall was getting more and more oppressive.
After a while, a coarse and wild voice sounded.
“Young man, one must not be greedy for gains, you must learn to be content.”
Downhill Tiger, Luo Wudi!
Luo Chen shot him a glance, gritting his teeth, “Ten percent profit share is indeed too low!”
“This is already the limit that the gang can afford, after all we have thousands of brothers to feed.” Mi Junping stood firm.
Luo Chen lifted his head, ignoring her, and looked at everyone else.
“Luo Chen does not claim to be talented, but when it comes to pill refinement, I do have some insights.”
“If my cultivation level improves, and I’m given the right pill formula, I will definitely refine the required elixir for everyone for free.”
This caused some commotion among the crowd.
There were signs of anticipation as their gazes drifted.”
“Not only that, everyone can send your trusted disciples, or younger generations to the Pill Hall. Luo Chen will definitely do his best to guide them. If they learn something, they would also have a skill set in the future.”
As soon as he finished.
Long Panhu and Yang Wei laughed out loud, “Xiao Luo is being so generous, why should we be stingy.”
Zhang Shicong from the Mining Hall spoke gently, “Ten percent profit share is indeed too low, let’s make it twenty percent, after all, Luo Chen is putting in a lot of effort.”
Qin Liangchen and Murong Qinglian spoke in unison, “Twenty percent is neither too much nor too little, after all, Xiao Luo does not have any other means to earn money.”
Since the meeting started, there was only one person who has not spoken yet.
That person was Wang Yuan.
He was frowning the entire time, until he saw Luo Chen bargaining with everyone word by word.
Though there were laughing, shouting, disgruntles, yet he was calm and collected, definitely not someone who would only whine and wallow in self pity.
Only then did his frown gradually relax.
“Let’s settle for twenty percent. If it’s more, it will arouse others’ greed and envy. If it’s less, it will freeze people’s enthusiasm.”
Within a moment, including the gang leader, twelve executives of The Great River have already agreed on this share division.
If Luo Chen, who didn’t oppose, is counted, that would be more than half of them.
Mi Junping’s face had darkened.
Before this, they had already decided on a rough share division with the other hall masters.
Now, two more shares need to be distributed, the loss would be borne by their Mi Family.
Ke Yuelin dared not to speak anymore, because Qin Liangchen and his wife were glaring at him.
Sikong Shoujia was smiling at the corner of his mouth, he didn’t say a word, minding his own business.
Mi Shuhua’s smile gradually faded, his gaze falling on another person.
“Zeng Wen, did you have a good time at Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion this past month?”