: Negotiations on Medicine Field Mountain

2024-10-22 Author: Gu Zhenren

: Negotiations on Medicine Field Mountain

Wan Medicine Valley, Medicine Field Mountain.

Ning Zhuo and Lin Shanshan walked side by side along the mountainside.

Gazing into the distance, the warm afternoon sunlight bathed the mountain slopes, casting golden hues everywhere. Medicine Field Mountain unfolded like a painted scroll. Terraced fields rose layer upon layer, lush and vibrant with greenery.

Within the medicine fields, various herbs flourished, brimming with vitality.

There was Green Spirit Grass, emerald like jadeite, its slender leaves swaying gently in the breeze, glistening with a soft sheen.

Clusters of Purple Mist Flowers bloomed, their petals like rosy clouds, their subtle fragrance permeating the air, attracting bees that danced around them.

Snow Lotus Seeds, pure white like jade, dotted the green fields like stars scattered across the earth, emitting a faint glow.

Then there were the fiery red Chi Dragon Fruits, plump and full, hanging from branches like tiny lanterns, adding splashes of bright color.

Golden Vine Tendrils twisted and coiled, their vines shimmering like golden threads under the sunlight, exuding an overflowing vitality.

Between the medicine fields, straight, well-planned paths were paved with blue stone.

Numerous streams, deliberately channeled, flowed from spiritual springs, irrigating medicine fields of all sizes.

A gentle breeze carried the blended scents of various herbs, refreshing the heart and mind.

Lin Shanshan led the way, while an elder from the sect was responsible for explaining things to Ning Zhuo.

The elder was currently describing the formations on Medicine Field Mountain.

"Primarily, there's the Eight Trigrams Formation, used for defense against external threats and also for eliminating pests."

"There's the Green Mountain Stability Formation, which maintains the fertility of the soil, keeping it constant."

"And there's the Spiritual Spring Yuan Gathering Formation, which draws water from the spiritual springs to irrigate the medicine fields, helping each herb absorb nutrients and grow to its fullest potential."

After walking for a while, the group noticed a commotion in a distant pavilion where a crowd had gathered.

"Go see what's happening," the sect elder frowned and immediately instructed an attendant beside him.

The attendant left quickly and returned just as fast: "Someone is causing trouble."

"That merchant named Li Jingqing wants to buy on credit but has no money. It's against the rules, so the responsible disciple refused him."

"Who would have thought Li Jingqing would throw a tantrum, crying, making a scene, and even threatening suicide? He claims all his money was stolen and that our Wan Medicine Sect bears some responsibility for failing to provide adequate security."

"He was carrying a large sum of payment, not entirely his own. If he returns without the herbs, he won't be able to explain himself and will face a fate worse than death!"

"He’s shouting that if he can’t get credit—what he sees as his only lifeline—he’ll dash his head against the wall right there!"

The sect elder’s face darkened, and he snorted coldly. "A mere merchant dares to pressure our Wan Medicine Sect?"

Lin Shanshan glanced at Ning Zhuo. "Serves him right. Li Jingqing previously schemed against you, Young Master. I never thought retribution would come so quickly."

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly. "Those who do evil will inevitably meet their doom!"

"However, since he has already apologized to me, our grudge is long settled."

"Letting him continue to make a scene isn’t good, is it?"

"Right now is an important time for your sect to distribute medicinal goods to various merchants. Having Li Jingqing cause a disturbance creates a bad impression."

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly. "Miss Lin and the elder, given your positions, cannot intervene directly."

"So, let me handle it."

As he spoke, he took out a bag of spirit stones and handed it to the attendant. "Go tell him that I, Ning Zhuo, am lending Li Jingqing five thousand low-grade spirit stones. Tell him to stop making trouble and use these stones to purchase some herbs to fulfill his obligations for now."

The sect elder sighed in admiration. "Young Master, your righteousness is commendable!"

Lin Shanshan smiled. "Thank you. Later, we will repay you three times the amount in spirit stones."

Ning Zhuo also smiled. "It’s a trivial matter, done without a second thought. There’s no need for repayment; five thousand low-grade spirit stones are a small sum. Let’s focus on discussing cooperation between our sides—that’s far more important."

Lin Shanshan smiled without speaking.

The sect elder then said, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, please take a look at the specific price list."

He handed Ning Zhuo a jade slip.

Ning Zhuo took it, held it in his hand, and infused it with his spiritual sense, quickly scanning the contents.

He frowned slightly. "The prices on this list are almost identical to those offered to the merchants."

"Our clan seeks a long-term partnership with your sect, and our annual purchases will not be small. So, wouldn’t it be possible to offer some discount?"

Lin Shanshan remained silent.

The sect elder shook his head, pointing toward the pavilion where the trouble had occurred. "Young Master Ning Zhuo, you saw it with your own eyes just now. The herbs from our Wan Medicine Valley are always in high demand. Every time we distribute goods, it’s like this—our gates are crowded with merchants."

"If we rashly lower prices, it would be difficult for our sect to justify to the public."

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly, well aware that this mountain inspection was partly intended by Wan Medicine Sect to showcase their strength.

He had expected this and remained calm. "Your sect’s business is thriving, truly enviable."

"However, our clan is different from these merchants."

"Not to mention our clan’s Nascent Soul-level combat power, but our origins lie in the North Wind Country, where we value northern integrity most highly."

"If an alliance is formed, our clan has never once betrayed such a pact."

"In the cultivation world, strength speaks. If trouble arises in the future, can these merchants serve as strong allies for your sect?"

For a moment, Lin Shanshan glanced sideways, and the sect elder raised an eyebrow.

Neither spoke.

Ning Zhuo smiled and walked ahead, giving them time to react.

Lin Shanshan and the sect elder exchanged a look, both feeling that Ning Zhuo’s negotiation style was like his spellcasting—once initiated, it came with overwhelming momentum that stirred the heart.

The sect elder remained silent, only giving Lin Shanshan a meaningful glance.

Lin Shanshan quickened her pace to walk beside Ning Zhuo, both overlooking the beautiful scenery of Medicine Field Mountain.

She said, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, your words just now struck a chord. But an alliance between our two families is a significant matter. Please don’t blame me for being cautious, but I must ask: can you truly make the decision on this matter?"

Ning Zhuo smiled, still admiring the layered medicine fields. "Even if I say I can, Miss Lin, no matter how much you trust me, your father would not believe it."

"In a few days, when your sect’s team returns from gathering information at Fire Persimmon Mountain, the truth will be clear."

"Before that, I merely wish to advance this matter more quickly."

"Although our clan and your sect are quite distant, we complement each other well. Your sect needs our martial strength, and our clan, having migrated from the north to Southern Bean Country only about ten years ago, also needs strong external allies to stabilize our situation."

"If we can form an alliance in the future, our two families would complement each other well—a partnership benefiting both."

"Speaking with you face-to-face, Miss Lin, I feel there’s no need for haggling. Such petty bargaining would only tarnish the friendship between us. So, let me be frank."

"The prices on that list are beyond what our clan can afford."

"Our clan migrated from the north and has been recuperating all these years, only barely restoring some of our vitality."

"Not long ago, when the Molten Immortal Palace emerged on Fire Persimmon Mountain, the entire Fire Persimmon Immortal City experienced much turmoil. The beast tide nearly overwhelmed the entire city."

"To purchase medicinal herbs annually at such high spirit stone costs is something our clan cannot manage. I’ve been thinking that perhaps we could trade goods instead."

"Look at this—it’s a local product of Fire Persimmon Mountain: fire persimmons. They have wide uses—as medicine, for artifact refining, and even as fuel or explosive material."

Lin Shanshan took the fire persimmon but did not inspect it, merely holding it in her hand.

Her intelligent eyes gazed sincerely at Ning Zhuo. "Our Wan Medicine Sect has long been aware of fire persimmons. When Fire Persimmon Immortal City was first established, a team of elders from the previous generation went to investigate."

"To be honest, we initially viewed these fire persimmons as competitors, worried they might impact the medicinal herb market in Southern Bean Country."

"However, after investigation, the elders were largely reassured."

"Over the years, facts have proven the elders’ initial judgment correct. Fire persimmons have not impacted our medicinal herb business."

"While fire persimmons do have various uses, the many herbs in our medicine fields specialize in specific areas and have always been well-regarded by the public—they are the superior choice."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo, if you doubt this, you can gather information and verify the market share of fire persimmons. You’ll find my words are true."

Ning Zhuo smiled. "I naturally believe you, Miss Lin."

"However, bartering isn’t limited to just fire persimmons."

"If this local product doesn’t appeal to your sect, that’s fine. The Flaming Flame beasts on Fire Persimmon Mountain are numerous and endless. Your sect must need these beast materials, right?"

Lin Shanshan nodded. "Indeed."

"Our sect excels in cultivation, alchemy, and healing."

"Among the materials used for alchemy, beast materials are something we procure in large quantities annually from outside."

"If your clan can offer a price lower than the market rate, then the likelihood of our two sides reaching cooperation is quite high."

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily. "Since your sect requests our clan to offer below market price, why can’t your sect lower the price of your herbs?"

Lin Shanshan replied, "We certainly can lower them."

"But it depends on the scale of the transaction. If the scale is small, it might be difficult to lower the price to your satisfaction."

"After all, the sale of medicinal herbs involves the interests of many factions within our sect. Although our faction, led by the sect leader, can make unilateral decisions, forcefully suppressing others over such matters would harm the sect’s风气 (feng qi - atmosphere/tradition)."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo, would you like to hear my suggestion?"

Ning Zhuo: "I think I know—Miss Lin wants me to follow Li Jingqing’s example?"

Lin Shanshan: "Young Master is indeed exceptionally clever, understanding immediately."

"As long as you secure one of the top cave dwellings, according to our sect’s rules, you will receive a significant discount on herb prices."

"Working within the existing rules doesn’t infringe on others’ interests and is the most acceptable to everyone."

"For others, it might be difficult, but given your abilities, Young Master, reaching the top ten is highly possible."

Ning Zhuo nodded. "I came to your sect seeking guidance partly to use the Minor Strife Peak to temper my combat skills."

"Now, with herb price discounts involved, I’ll have to strive even harder."

"Miss Lin, I’ll be counting on your guidance in the future, especially in martial techniques…"

Lin Shanshan nodded, winking at Ning Zhuo. "Aren’t we friends? Since I’ve accepted your flower, as a friend, I won’t stand by idly."

This young lady of the Wan Medicine Sect had indeed received excellent upbringing.

By the end of the negotiation, she smoothly transitioned from discussing sect and clan cooperation to personal friendship, adding warmth that greatly softened the previously tense and unyielding atmosphere.

The sect elder nearby, however, pricked up his ears, catching a certain "key point": "Flower? What flower? Ning Zhuo gave Shanshan a flower? And Shanshan accepted it?!"

For a moment, a trace of worry flashed in the elder’s eyes.

He scrutinized Ning Zhuo again.

Seeing this young man in white, upright and graceful, with clear, handsome features and a sincere, natural demeanor, he inwardly praised him.

But upon further thought, he glanced nervously at Lin Shanshan.

Seeing Lin Shanshan chatting happily with Ning Zhuo, her smile like a flower, the elder’s worries grew. He secretly decided to report this matter to the sect leader.

(End of )