JSCMU-Chapter 42: Cooperation

“Eldest Senior Brother, wait up! Where are you running off to?” Yun Jin struggled as she stuffed the leftover herbs from the assessment into her storage pouch. Only after that did she allow herself to be dragged away.

She didn’t forget to wave at Ming Heng, “I’ll be back!”

Yue Zhao’s face turned dark.

I’ll be back…

Does she think she’s a supervillain?

Having just witnessed the birth of a first rank alchemist and the formation of a perfect quality pill, the surrounding crowd was still restless. Thankfully, Chen Changrong and Lan Cen helped shield the two of them, allowing them to finally escape the crowd.

Yue Zhao let out a sigh of relief.

Yun Jin looked regretful.

Next time, what should she do to draw a crowd like that again?

If she had stayed and chatted with everyone a bit longer, she could’ve harvested a few more Emotional Points.

How could the time-traveling Eldest Senior Brother be so cowardly?

Yue Zhao glanced at Yun Jin.

Yun Jin glanced at Yue Zhao.

At that moment, the same sentence passed silently through both their minds:

Never go to the marketplace with him (her) again!

“This way, you two,” called Chen Changrong. Although they had gotten away from the crowd, there were still people chasing after them, so he beckoned.

Without hesitation, Yue Zhao dragged Yun Jin to follow Chen Changrong.

They took a narrow alley back to the Baicao Pavilion and entered a secret chamber.

A bright smile spread across Chen Changrong’s face, the wrinkles looking like blooming flowers.

“Little miss, you’re really something,” Chen said, looking at Yun Jin as though she were a treasure. “I didn’t expect you to actually become a first rank alchemist.”

Yun Jin responded calmly: “A first rank alchemist? That’s only the beginning. If this surprises you, you better get ready to be surprised a lot more.”

Yue Zhao’s lips twitched: “Pavilion Master Chen, please don’t take my little junior sister’s words to heart, she doesn’t know how to talk properly.”

Chen Changrong chuckled. “Not at all. I quite like her confident attitude.”

Yue Zhao: “???”

“You truly have the eyes of a wise man,” Yun Jin approved.

Chen Changrong cleared his throat and said, “Little miss, I was wondering if we could work together.”

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow and pointed to Yue Zhao beside her: “For business matters, talk to my Eldest Senior Brother. My time is extremely valuable, I can’t waste it on such worldly concerns.”

Yue Zhao gritted his teeth. “And my time isn’t valuable? Also, do you even have anything else to do right now?”

“Of course,” Yun Jin nodded as if it were obvious.

“What is it?” Yue Zhao asked suspiciously.

“I haven’t even had time to explore the marketplace yet. I’m going shopping with Sister Lan Cen,” Yun Jin declared confidently.

That’s your so-called serious business?!

Yue Zhao was momentarily speechless.

Yun Jin rummaged through her bag and pulled out the bottle of perfect quality pills. Right in front of Chen Changrong, she handed it to Yue Zhao, “Eldest Senior Brother, deal with this however you like. No need to treat it like a treasure. It’s just a mere perfect quality pill. If I can make one bottle, I can make plenty more.”

Chen Changrong’s eyes flickered slightly.

Did this little girl mean that producing a perfect quality pill wasn’t just a fluke?

That she was confident she could make more?

An hour ago, Chen wouldn’t have believed such words.

But now Yun Jin had already performed too many miracles.

At that moment, he inexplicably wanted to believe her.

Chen Changrong even felt that this girl might just be the greatest opportunity of his entire life.

If he seized this chance, he might soar to the heavens in one leap!

A kindly smile appeared on Chen Changrong’s face: “Lan Cen, go shopping with the young lady. Our Baicao Pavilion will cover any expenses.”

“Yes, Master,” Lan Cen immediately responded.

She looked at Yun Jin, full of youthful energy, and a hint of emotion flickered in her eyes.

Just an hour ago, she had been explaining to this young girl how difficult it was to become a first rank alchemist. An hour later, this very girl, who had declared she would bring her to leap to the heavens, actually became a first rank alchemist.

The whole process felt like a dream.

“Sister Lan Cen, let’s go~” Yun Jin grabbed her by the hand, and the two girls left together.

Yun Jin controlled the mask, changed her appearance, and happily went shopping.

Lan Cen saw Yun Jin’s altered appearance but didn’t show any surprise.

Most cultivators are cautious. Operations like Yun Jin’s are very common and nothing unusual.

In the secret chamber.

Chen Changrong raised a smile, “Sir, how should I address you?”

Yue Zhao smiled, “Pavilion Master is too polite. Just call me Ren Woxing.”

“So it’s Mister Ren.” Chen Changrong responded naturally, “Mister Ren, I wonder if you’re interested in selling this bottle of perfect quality pills? Perfect quality pills contain ten times the spiritual energy of ordinary pills. Therefore, I’m willing to offer ten times the price of a regular pill bottle. I wonder what your opinion is, sir?”

Chen Changrong’s gaze remained fixed on the medicine bottle, unwilling to look away.

A sharp glint flashed in Yue Zhao’s eyes. “Ten times? Master Chen, I’m afraid your sincerity is lacking.”

Chen Changrong grew anxious: “Mister Ren, what do you mean by that?”

Yue Zhao said calmly, “Is the value of this pill only in its spiritual energy? A Grade 1 pill that was refined in public, its collectible value alone far exceeds that. Not to mention, it also holds great research value for alchemists. I dare say, even that Master Ming would be willing to pay a hefty price. Master Chen, we chose to negotiate with you first only because my little junior sister has a connection with that Apothecary Lan Cen. But if this is all the sincerity you have, then this market isn’t lacking in potential partners!”

Yue Zhao immediately put the porcelain bottle away and turned to leave.

Chen Changrong panicked and quickly grabbed him: “Mister Ren, we can still negotiate on the price, really!”

“Master Chen, we’re all busy people. This bottle of pills for one price only: ten high-grade spirit stones. If you want it, take it. If not, we’ll find another buyer,” Yue Zhao stated directly.

Chen Changrong’s expression changed slightly.

Yun Jin used fewer materials than a typical alchemist, and succeeded in one go. The total cost of refining this bottle of Biling Pills was roughly three mid-grade spirit stones.

Of course, the spirit stones were provided by him.

And one high-grade spirit stone equals one hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

Ten high-grade stones! That’s a thousand mid-grade spirit stones!

Normally, a bottle of regular-quality Biling Pills sells for about fifteen mid-grade spirit stones.

This was nearly a hundred times more expensive.

Is it expensive?

A bit.

But…

Considering the research value these Biling Pills held…

Chen Changrong gritted his teeth, “Fine. Ten high-grade spirit stones. I’ll buy it!”

Yue Zhao smiled and sat back down. “Master Chen, pleasure doing business with you.”

Chen Changrong wiped the sweat from his forehead: “Mister Ren is truly a master negotiator.”

Yue Zhao remained modest, “Just acceptable.”

“Let’s now discuss future collaboration. If your esteemed junior sister can produce more perfect quality pills, I’ll be happy to continue buying them at this price.”

“Agreed. We can prioritize working with you. But I would like some of the rare herbs from the Baicao Pavilion included in our partnership.”

The two immediately entered a heated discussion.

When Yun Jin returned from her outing with Lan Cen, she happened to see the two of them emerging from the chamber.

Except, Yue Zhao looked energetic while Chen Changrong looked completely drained.

“Eldest Senior Brother, what did you do to the Pavilion Master?” Yun Jin asked in surprise.

Chen Changrong waved his hand with a bitter smile, “This Mister Ren is just too good at business.”

“Mister Ren?” Yun Jin glanced at Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao, completely shameless, said seriously: “You didn’t know? My mundane name is Ren Woxing.”

Yun Jin: “…”

She wanted to laugh but she held it in.

She just wanted to know,

When Senior Brother eventually realizes that she also read ‘The Smiling, Proud Wanderer’ (1), would he be so embarrassed that he runs into a wall?

(1):笑傲江湖: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer / Laughing in the Wind

This is a wuxia novel written by Jin Yong, a wuxia novelist from Hong Kong in 1967-1969. There’s also multiple drama series under the same chinese name, the oldest one is filmed in Hong Kong and is in Cantonese. I’m not sure whether there are English subs/dubs since it’s pretty old and I’ve never watched it.

Btw, this is 任我行: Ren Woxing, the alias Yue Zhao chose: