Chapter 67 – The Exchange

Chapter 67 – The Exchange

Cheng Yang would never let the negotiation initiative fall into the other party’s hands. He immediately said, “It’s no problem for me not to sell my potions in this main city. But asking me to sell 80% of my production to you is impossible. The potions I refine must first satisfy my own needs.”

The shopkeeper’s face fell. This was completely a seller’s market, leaving him no room for bargaining. He said helplessly, “Then… how much can you offer? Surely not just 10%?”

Cheng Yang smiled, “Of course not. I’m a generous person. I’ll trade 20% of my daily production with you. How does that sound?”

The shopkeeper didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Although 20% was double 10%, it was still a small fraction of Cheng Yang’s total output.

Fortunately, Cheng Yang added, “But this 20% is the minimum. If I’m in a good mood someday, I might trade more. Of course, if you can offer a higher price, I wouldn’t mind selling more.”

Seeing Cheng Yang’s smile, the shopkeeper realized this young man was an old fox. He prided himself on being shrewd, but had still been outmaneuvered.

The shopkeeper knew Cheng Yang had already grasped the true value of potions refined with divine talent. Trying to turn the tables was impossible. He could only swallow his pride and accept the terms.

Next, Cheng Yang began signing the purchase agreement with the shopkeeper. This agreement was made under divine witness, making it unbreakable. However, it only covered mana and health potions. Any other potions or pills Cheng Yang might refine in the future were excluded.

The agreement had a one-year term. The shopkeeper had wanted it to be permanent, but Cheng Yang wasn’t foolish enough to agree to that.

As for delivery, Cheng Yang naturally couldn’t deliver daily. But the shopkeeper had a solution. Knowing Cheng Yang was from a wilderness outpost, he had Cheng Yang name his territory. Cheng Yang would periodically deliver the potions to the alchemist shopkeeper in his outpost, who would then arrange delivery.

After signing the agreement, Cheng Yang learned the shopkeeper’s name: Zhao Yi. Cheng Yang couldn’t help but mock the name internally – this guy must be money-obsessed to choose such a name meaning “trillions.”

Storing his copy of the agreement, Cheng Yang asked, “Shopkeeper Zhao, I have a question. Since you understand the value of divine talent, shouldn’t the alchemist shopkeeper in Luofeng Village outpost know too? Why didn’t he make an offer?”

In good spirits after the agreement, Zhao Yi explained, “Your outpost is still just a village. Village shopkeepers don’t have purchasing authority. But as wilderness outpost residents, they have looser restrictions on what they can sell. Occasionally, special items appear. Most importantly, they have the authority to grant secondary professions.”

Cheng Yang could see Zhao Yi’s envy of wilderness outpost alchemists. But this was a rule set by the gods. Unless Cheng Yang one day gained the power to oppose the gods, there was nothing he could do.

“About today’s potions…” Zhao Yi reminded humbly.

Cheng Yang generously handed over six small mana potions. Zhao Yi’s mouth fell open – he had hoped Cheng Yang would sell all thirty potions he’d refined today.

Zhao Yi transferred some spirit energy points to Cheng Yang, who paid close attention to the amount. Seeing 180 points, Cheng Yang was secretly pleased. Zhao Yi had quoted main city prices. At outpost prices of 2 points per potion, Cheng Yang would only have gotten 120 points.

“If you increase the price, I might sell you all the potions I refined today,” Cheng Yang said, waving a potion.

After swallowing hard, Zhao Yi finally said, “40 points per potion. That’s my final offer.”

Thirteen times the original price – Cheng Yang was very satisfied. He knew Zhao Yi would still make a huge profit, but spirit energy points were more important to Cheng Yang now. An extra thousand points daily would be very welcome.

After Zhao Yi bought the remaining 24 potions for 960 points, he was thrilled but dared not show it. Who knew how much more Cheng Yang might raise the price if he knew? Zhao Yi considered himself a shrewd businessman, but compared to Cheng Yang, he felt like an innocent lamb.

Actually, Zhao Yi hadn’t been entirely truthful earlier. The special dungeons he mentioned weren’t the only places these potions were valuable. In fact, all dungeons’ hell difficulty levels could only use level-restricted potions. Hell difficulty offered the best rewards, and many would pay dearly for better potions to clear them.

As they finished their transaction, footsteps approached outside. Seven or eight people entered, though Cheng Yang didn’t see who he was looking for.

The leader was a forty-something man in warrior gear. Though not in uniform, Cheng Yang knew he was Yuan Jianze, commander of Xiang City’s military and the city’s current highest authority.

“Commander, he’s the one who posted the quest,” Situ Fa said, following closely behind Yuan Jianze and pointing at Cheng Yang upon seeing him.

Hearing this, Cheng Yang knew Situ Fa had indeed mistaken him for a quest NPC – exactly as Cheng Yang had intended by using the alchemy shop.

Yuan Jianze stepped forward and asked, “Are you the one looking for those people?”

Cheng Yang nodded, “Yes. Have you found them all?”

“We have,” Yuan Jianze said, “but I must ask – why are you looking for them? If you intend to harm them, I won’t hand them over.”

Cheng Yang remained calm, not particularly impressed by Yuan Jianze’s apparent nobility. While Yuan Jianze’s character wasn’t bad, there was a fair amount of posturing in his words. From what Cheng Yang knew, Yuan Jianze might sacrifice some personal interests for Xiang City’s people, but not for a few individuals’ lives. Besides, obtaining this necklace would give Yuan Jianze greater strength to survive the apocalypse and reduce casualties.

Still, Cheng Yang said, “Don’t worry, I won’t harm them.”

As expected, Yuan Jianze didn’t press further after Cheng Yang’s assurance. If he truly cared about these people’s lives, he wouldn’t have been so hasty.

Yuan Jianze turned to Situ Fa, “Bring them in.”

“Yes, sir!” Situ Fa left and soon returned with several soldiers escorting six people.

The six were filled with anxiety, unsure of what fate awaited them.

Upon entering, three of them gasped upon seeing Ma Tao standing behind Cheng Yang.

“Tao?…”

“Ah Tao…”

Three voices called out as they tried to rush to Ma Tao, but soldiers restrained them before they could take two steps, as Yuan Jianze hadn’t given the order to release them.

Ma Tao was equally emotional, “Dad, Mom, Xiao Ling, don’t worry.”

These three were clearly the right people. Cheng Yang looked at the other three – also the ones he sought. One was Zhou Jie, an ordinary-looking man who could disappear in a crowd. Beside him stood Wang Lu, a delicate-looking woman in her early twenties. Behind them stood a neatly dressed, slender beauty under twenty. Her face, which would put so-called “jade maidens” from TV to shame, showed some fear but her eyes revealed inner strength.

“These are the people you’re looking for?” Yuan Jianze asked, frowning at Ma Tao.

Yuan Jianze’s group was confused. According to Situ Fa’s description, this should be a quest NPC, but why did someone behind this NPC seem connected to Xiang City survivors?

Cheng Yang smiled nonchalantly, “Your efficiency is impressive. They’re indeed the ones I’m looking for. Actually, I’m mainly seeking Wang Lu, Zhou Jie, and Liu Xiyue. The other three are family of my new follower. Now that we’ve found them, there’s no need for me to stay. Here’s your reward.” He tossed the necklace and a leather armor to Yuan Jianze.

Cheng Yang wasn’t worried about Yuan Jianze reneging after getting the items. With his strength, he could easily kill everyone present if needed.

For a moment, Yuan Jianze did consider going back on the deal, but quickly suppressed the thought. These six people weren’t particularly valuable to him, and without knowing Cheng Yang’s true capabilities, he dared not act rashly.