At this time, Zhang Yong returned to the store and delivered the news to Su Ming, telling him to prepare the store for the upcoming crowd in five days.
This wasn't an exaggerated confidence from Zhang Yong, but he was certain. The medicines capable of curing someone's paralysis were no trivial matter. Yet, Zhang Yong was already shocked that the system sold these pills for ten thousand points.
The five-day preparation period wasn't entirely for the stage setup, as Zhang Yong left Su Ming to prepare the stage in the main square using the money he earned from selling the Heart Seal. At the same time, he went to the hunting forest to gather points by killing monsters.
During these five days, Zhang Yong did everything he could to kill a large number of monsters.
On the agreed-upon day, the stage was finally set up.
Looking at the massive crowd, Su Ming was shocked. "There are so many people… are you sure this will work?" His voice carried some anxiety.
Zhang Yong smiled calmly and patted his shoulder. "Relax a little. Stress won't help at all. I am confident it will succeed."
(A new mission has been launched…)
But before Zhang Yong could read the mission details, Duan Winly's calm voice came from behind. "I hope you don't mind, but I've spread the news to attract more spectators. So, is everything ready, young hero?"
"Who is this?" Su Ming asked in surprise, as a man he didn't know advanced on a wheelchair, pushed by a maid.
"He is our special client. Su Ming, go to the store and get ready. I think it's showtime." Zhang Yong cracked his fingers and decided to begin the performance.
Meanwhile, as the crowd gathered, they continued to talk and spread rumors.
"Have you heard about this show? It seems a magical medicine has appeared."
"Many have gathered here; it would be terrible if the show fails."
"Look! Someone is climbing onto the stage."
A man advanced on a wooden wheelchair and ascended the stage, pushed by a beautiful maid dressed in bright red. Then followed a young man with long, messy white hair and pure golden eyes.
"Wow, this man is incredibly handsome!"
"Isn't that the person on the chair the owner of the Treasure Hall, Duan Winly? Why is he here?"
"Yay! I think I just fell in love."
The audience watched in bewilderment as Zhang Yong extended his hand and gave a green pill to Duan Winly, who swallowed it immediately.
As soon as he consumed it, a green light spread through his body, and the veins on his face became pronounced. Suddenly, with a sound of stretching bones, the wheelchair creaked slightly.
The man paused, panting and sweating coldly from his forehead, while the maid watched in shock.
Suddenly, he stood up, seemingly able to walk, with a joyful smile on his face, almost about to cry. "Ah… I can't believe it… after so many years, I can walk again!"
A collective cheer erupted from the crowd, and astonishment marked their faces as they saw a once-paralyzed man now standing tall, his limbs bending freely as he had long forgotten.
Whispers and murmurs of disbelief spread among the audience, and their initial doubts turned into clear awe.
Zhang Yong smiled, turned to them, and announced, "Everyone can see the effect of this pill. This is our guarantee of the quality of our products. You won't find this quality anywhere else but at our store, Yong Ming's Store, in Maple Leaf City. Here, you will find high-quality pills: Purple Heart Pill, Water-Sensing Pill, Qi gathering Pill, Fierce Tiger Pill, and many other pills and talismans , we have a special offer for today , any person buy more than fifteen pills from our shop will get one healing pill from those that we just used right now , this promotion is Available only today since it's a special one!Hurry before they run out!"
"The effects of these pills are like magic."
"These aren't just medicinal pills; they're extra life."
"He said there are other pills too? If they're all as good as this one, clear the path for me!"
"There are also talismans ?… but is he a trustworthy source?"
"They must be high quality as well. Quick, before it runs out!"
The crowd paused for a moment, then began rushing toward the store. Su Ming, waiting quietly inside, felt the ground tremble and thought a battle was about to break out.
Suddenly, the doors opened, and a massive crowd stormed inside, demanding pills. Orders for pills and Talismans rained down like a storm.
Outside, Zhang Yong could only smile. Everything was going smoothly. After the performance, the store's location became well-known, and now it was up to rumors to continue the momentum of the event.
However, a hidden worry lingered in his heart—the owner of the store across the street. Naturally, upon seeing the success of his competitor, he would want to investigate. And if he were a potential threat, he might deal with it—but not directly.
"It seems you are still not satisfied with the results despite such success. That's good; this is a necessary trait for any great merchant." Duan Winly approached from behind, still using his wheelchair since it had been a long time since he last used his legs
Zhang Yong glanced at him sideways and coldly thought 'There are things I want to ask him, but I'm sure he won't answer easily'
A smile appeared on Zhang Yong's face as he asked, "There's something I want to inquire about: the three herbs—Nine Lives Mushroom, Silver Tail Herb, and Buddhist Heart Herb."
Duan Winly smiled slyly. "Oh, of course, young friend. But everything comes with a price, and I'm sure you know how expensive they are. After all, these are fifth-grade herbs and very rare."
Zhang Yong frowned, narrowing his eyes. "What do you want?"
"No need to act this way. If you want me to bring them to you, I want in return the recipe for this pill you gave me."
Zhang Yong sighed internally 'Well, it's not like I didn't expect this, but I didn't expect him to say it outright'
He shook his head. "I can't do that. Are you joking? My master gave me this pill; I don't even have the recipe."
Duan Winly's eyes narrowed as he thought, 'Master? Of course! It's impossible for a boy his age to manage and plan this shop so meticulously, so it must be his Master who's in control behind the scenes. Then, for him to warn me not to look into his background, the only way that would mean he belongs to a sect, and the closest one is the Purple Star Sect. Since he has the freedom to go out, he's definitely an inner disciple. It would be best if I didn't offend him. It's better to make a friend than an enemy.'
Then a smile appeared on Duan Winly's face. "Oh, I said, if you want me to get them for you, but if it's just information, I don't mind researching it for you. Since you cured me, I won't ask for compensation. How about that?"
Zhang Yong turned to him and replied, "Yes, that seems reasonable. By the way, do you know how we can find an Origin Fire from the heavenly rank?"
Duan Winly stroked his chin in deep thought. "I can't help with that. I can find medicines through my connections, but the Origin Flames is out of reach."
"Then I thank you in advance. For now, I'll go help my partner." Zhang Yong turned and walked calmly to the store.
He sighed internally 'I'm definitely not the main character; otherwise, he would have bowed and pledged allegiance to me'
Zhang Yong entered the store and began the real work. The two started working, and waves of customers kept arriving over the next few days.
After a week, the two sat quietly, counting the money they had earned.
Su Ming laughed heartily, "Haha, our net profit is twenty thousand Spirit Stones unexpectedly. At this rate, buying the herbs for the pill won't take long."
Yet Zhang Yong's expression remained cold. "No, there's still a long way to go. I plan to expand, but we have some problems."
Su Ming nodded. "It's the location and the resources, right?"
Zhang Yong replied, "Yes. I've already scouted stores in other cities, and there were no vacant ones. So the options are either buying occupied stores or leaving this region. Then there's another problem—the workers. To expand, we need workers, specifically alchemists. But the problem isn't that; it's trust."
Even though Zhang Yong could perceive others' trustworthiness, it didn't mean it would last, creating a long-term flaw.
Su Ming thought and agreed, "I concur. Any leak of recipes or secrets will destroy everything we've built. We need trustworthy workers."
Zhang Yong smiled faintly. "Hmm… not necessarily. Instead of workers, how about slaves?"
Su Ming was shocked. "Zhang Yong, even if you're crazy, there are limits! Besides, the slave trade is semi-forbidden in the empire."
"Wait, semi-forbidden? And I'm not talking about the kind you're thinking. I have the ability to seal someone's soul and make them obey me. Perhaps 'slave' is exaggerated, but yes, they'll obey every order. We just need the right subjects."
Su Ming immediately frowned. "You promised not to use underhanded methods, remember?"
Zhang Yong sighed deeply. "Su Ming, damn it. If you don't want that, then you'll have to work hard yourself, starting… now."
"Wha-…"
Zhang Yong grabbed Su Ming by the clothes, threw him into the refining room, and sealed the door with a talisman
Su Ming pounded the door. "Zhang Yong, let me out!"
Zhang Yong laughed coldly. "Didn't you say you opposed slaves? Then you become the 'slave' Now make these pills. I've already put the herbs inside. Work hard."
He left Su Ming inside the room and went to the storefront, sitting at the counter and working on Talismans while taking care of the store's affairs.
After another five days, Zhang Yong returned to the room to lift the seal from Su Ming.
Su Ming was sitting on the floor, resting his head on his arm, with fifteen bottles of pills beside him.
Zhang Yong scolded immediately, "What are you doing, fool? Get back to work!"
Su Ming gave him a listless look. "Zhang Yong, I understand, but I just feel I've lost my motivation. How about I rest for a day?"
Zhang Yong thought for a moment, then smiled and returned with a cup in his hand, giving it to Su Ming. "Drink this; it will help."
Su Ming took the cup, looking at it for a moment. "What is this?"
Zhang Yong smiled innocently. "It's a family recipe tea that stimulates your nerves."
Su Ming looked skeptical but still drank it in the end.
Zhang Yong asked, "Now, how do you feel? Motivated?"
Su Ming shook his head with a smile. "Actually, it tastes really good."
Zhang Yong announced, "It's poison."
The cup fell from Su Ming's hands, and he cursed, "What?! You bastard! Why did you do this?"
Zhang Yong grabbed his axe and struck it on the ground, cutting through the wind with a sharp sound. "Now, work, or forget about the antidote , this poison is a one cure kind, no ordinary antidotes will work , and it's only with me!"
Su Ming returned to work reluctantly, grumbling as he prepared the pills.
Then Su Ming turned to scold Zhang Yong. "What about you? Did you finish the Talismans?"
Zhang Yong smiled quietly and walked to the opposite room, opening it and pointing at a bundle of yellow papers. "All here. What? Did you think I'd slack off? In your dreams, kid."
Su Ming could only stare in shock. "This quantity…did you reached the Truth Realm?"
Zhang Yong smiled proudly. "Do you doubt me? I'm already in the truth realm at low stage while you're still in the Peak stage of the Void Realm So work hard."
*These are the mental energy Realms in this world, I'll list the worlds at the end of the chapter*
Su Ming snorted angrily. "Tch, lucky."
For the next few days, sales gradually and slowly developed and the number of customers fluctuated. The reason was obvious—the effect was too great to be true
Even if rumors spread about the effect, not everyone would believe such a thing.
One night, while Zhang Yong and Su Ming were taking a break, someone knocked on the store door.
Su Ming opened it and said, "We're already closed; you can leave."
Su Ming looked again and saw a short, slightly chubby man with a round face, wearing a red hat—undoubtedly the appearance of an ordinary merchant.
The man smiled calmly. "I just came to greet my neighbors in the area."
Zhang Yong stepped forward and smiled. "Who are you? How can we help you"
The man stared in slight surprise. "I am Qi Boran, managing the store on the opposite side. Is it just you two young friends in charge of this store?"
Zhang Yong smiled, folding his hands. "Oh, I'm sorry for not introducing myself, Mr. Qi. Of course, please come in."
Qi Boran waved hastily. "No need, but it seems you're still young. Take this as a gift from your old neighbor."
Immediately, he handed a basket to Su Ming and turned. "I hope your business flourishes. Goodbye."
The two went back into the store, and Su Ming had a silly smile on his face. He opened the basket, took an apple, and bit into it. "What a kind person. Even though it's late, he came to greet us."
Zhang Yong stroked his chin and smiled. "No, he's a cunning man. I'm afraid we've stirred up a hornet's nest."
Su Ming couldn't help but ask, from his perspective, the man seemed kind. "What do you mean?"
Zhang Yong slapped his forehead, unable to endure Su Ming's naivety. "Think a little. Why come at this time? And why bring a welcoming gift when it's been a month since we opened our store? Think, monkey , Think!. He came to inspect the store, to know who he's dealing with. If we were old men, he would be a bit cautious and threatened, but we're young, so he'll lower his guard slightly."
Su Ming was shocked and thought deeply, then he looked at the apple in fear. "Don't tell me this apple is poisoned!"
Zhang yong shook his head. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned… yet , As you can see, depending on who owns the shop, it's how he will deal with him , he found out that we're both young, but he'd be worried if there was a hidden mastermind behind the scenes. But this guy is really cautious, so he'll wait."
Su Ming tilted his head. "What exactly is he waiting for?"
Zhang yong explained clearly. "If he had come early, during customer time, and they saw him entering our shop, it would have ruined his reputation , because then , We could have closed our shop, and everyone would have thought he'd threatened us, which would have affected his credibility and reputation among the people. But he's not sure, so he came in the evening when no one would know. He didn't make any direct threats, which means he's still planning to monitor us. So, depending on our reaction in the coming days, it will determine whether we're a real threat or just disposable children."
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Mental Energy realms in this world are divided into Low , Middle ,High , Peak ,and they are:
Origin realm
Void realm
Truth realm
Formation realm
Transformation realm
Ruler realm