"So that's how it is." Fang Yuan stroked his chin, then shook his head. "I'm not selling my Wine Worm. Since Pharmacist Yao is so determined to acquire it, why not go find the Gu Master who bought the Wine Worm instead?"
Hearing this, a cloud of worry immediately settled over Qing Shu's face. He sighed deeply. "Alas, we have no idea which clansman purchased this Wine Worm, and they've kept it secret all along. We simply can't investigate — after all, we can't casually probe other people's Empty Orifices, can we? That would be an invasion of privacy, a terrible taboo. Stirring up public outrage over something as trivial as a Wine Worm would be unwise. Still, one can understand this clansman's desire to keep a treasure hidden. That's only human nature."
Qing Shu didn't know that the true buyer was sitting right in front of him.
But Qing Shu had never suspected Fang Yuan. In his mind, since Fang Yuan already had a Wine Worm, there was no way he would buy a second one. What would be the point?
If Qing Shu knew the secret recipe for refining the Four-Flavor Wine Worm, he would absolutely have suspected Fang Yuan first. But as things stood, the recipe for the Four-Flavor Wine Worm was known only to Fang Yuan.
The person who truly knew Fang Yuan was the buyer was Jia Fu. But in Jia Fu's eyes, Fang Yuan could very well have been purchasing on someone else's behalf — perhaps for a family member, perhaps for a lover. There was nothing wrong with that. Wasn't Pharmacist Yao in the same situation, buying a Wine Worm for her granddaughter?
"Regardless, I will not budge on the matter of the Wine Worm." Fang Yuan's attitude was resolute, yielding no ground, though inwardly he sneered.
This was the system at work.
On one hand, the system was powerful. On the other, it was also a kind of bondage.
Guye Yao Ji was a Third Transformation Gu Master. She was clearly stronger than Fang Yuan, but bound by the system, she couldn't simply seize it by force. Bound by the rules within the system and concerned for her reputation, she couldn't force the purchase either.
Beside them, Fang Zheng suddenly spoke up: "Brother, you have no use for the Wine Worm anymore. Why cling to it? Grandmother Yao Ji is very kind. I've met Sister Yao Le several times — she's a wonderful person. She'll definitely take good care of the Wine Worm. And the Wine Worm will be very helpful to her. Helping others is the foundation of happiness. Brother, you saved the village — I'm truly happy for you. It brings me pride as well. But why must you cling to it this time? Being so stubborn about it is rather petty."
Fang Yuan's face immediately hardened. "My dear brother, are you lecturing me? The Wine Worm is my affair. Even if it rots in my palm, it's none of your business to tell me what to do."
He wasn't truly angry, but attitude was the mask of the heart — by showing this attitude, he could make Qing Shu understand just how firm his refusal was.
"It seems Fang Yuan is determined to refuse. Bringing Fang Zheng along this time was a miscalculation. These two brothers have never gotten along — it's backfired." Guye Qing Shu's gaze flickered.
"Fang Zheng, why don't you go take a walk outside." Fang Zheng was about to say something more, but Qing Shu raised his hand to stop him.
Fang Zheng gritted his teeth but ultimately obeyed Qing Shu's command.
"Either way, I just don't understand this, Brother." He opened the door and left those words behind.
"I don't need your understanding to do what I do, Fang Zheng." Fang Yuan's face was expressionless.
Fang Zheng paused mid-motion at the door, then strode out without looking back, slamming it behind him.
This action made the atmosphere in the room even more awkward.
"If there's nothing else, I'll ask Brother Qing Shu to see himself out." Fang Yuan directly issued the dismissal.
"Heh heh heh." Qing Shu chuckled dryly twice, attempting to ease the atmosphere, but Fang Yuan's expression remained cold as ice, unchanged.
Still, his temperament was mild, and he wasn't offended.
Rubbing his nose, Qing Shu smiled awkwardly. "Actually, there is one more matter. It concerns the Nine-Leaf Vitality Grass—"
"The Nine-Leaf Vitality Grass is not for sale." Fang Yuan rolled his eyes.
"I know, I know." Qing Shu nodded repeatedly. "It's about the Vitality Leaves. This is a personal matter for my own group. I hope you can supply us with the Vitality Leaves you produce. Naturally, we'll provide you with appropriate compensation."
Business was business, and Fang Yuan wasn't one to turn it down. "Very well. Sixty-five Yuan Stones per Vitality Leaf."
Hearing this, Qing Shu clicked his tongue.
At market price, the clan's original selling price was fifty-five Yuan Stones. Though the Vitality Leaf was a single-use First Transformation consumption Gu — gone after one use — it was a life-saving item, and you could never have too many.
Moreover, with the Wolf Tide approaching, the clan had raised its prices. A single Vitality Leaf now sold for sixty Yuan Stones. In truth, it wasn't just Vitality Leaves — the prices of many things were climbing. In times of turmoil, Gu Masters had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept it.
But Qing Shu hadn't expected Fang Yuan's asking price to be even higher than the clan's.
"Find my price too steep? You're free not to buy. But as I understand it, after the Wolf Tide hits, the clan will control supplies, and Vitality Leaves will be in short demand. By then, prices will climb even further, and even if you want them, there may be none to be had. Wouldn't you agree?" Fang Yuan spoke with calm certainty, sitting comfortably like a man fishing from his boat.
Qing Shu choked on his words, his tone tinged with helplessness. "You see things clearly enough. But raising your price like this is rather excessive. Aren't you afraid of making enemies? If you lowered your price, you could use the opportunity to build connections. But by hiking it up, you'll only breed resentment among the clansmen watching you profit this way."
Fang Yuan threw his head back and laughed. "The Wolf Tide is coming. I'm a nobody who might drop dead any day. Why would I concern myself with such trivial matters?"
"You haven't been a nobody for a long time. And interpersonal relationships are anything but trivial." Guye Qing Shu looked at Fang Yuan deeply, then gently shook his head. "But to each their own thoughts and choices — I won't press the matter. Just be careful. Pharmacist Yao won't let this go so easily... I'll take my leave."
Qing Shu said nothing more about purchasing Vitality Leaves. Fang Yuan's price had scared him off.
He was a clever man, and clever people didn't make purchases on impulse — they used reason. Every clever person had a price in mind, and once it was exceeded, they would calmly pull back.
Fang Yuan had seemingly raised the price by only five Yuan Stones, but Qing Shu would need far more than a single Vitality Leaf. The Wolf Tide would last at least a full year, and the number of Vitality Leaves consumed would be enormous. Over time, the accumulated cost would be staggering.
"Thank you for the advice. Take care on your way out — I won't see you off." Fang Yuan watched Qing Shu leave, his mind perfectly clear, knowing full well that Qing Shu would come back.