Chapter 3137 — A Lesson for the Xuandan Sect

The Blossom Guardian

Only, Ouyang Legend never said any of this aloud. Had he spoken it, Ouyang Nong's heart would surely have felt even worse.

"Second Grandfather, I'm healed!" Ouyang Nong could deceive others, but to this elder—closer to him than his own grandfather—he dared not hide a thing.

"Healed? What do you mean, healed?" Ouyang Legend asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Second Grandfather, my meridians are healed!" Ouyang Nong said excitedly. "The meridians I injured have fully recovered, and I've already touched the barrier to advancement. Within two days, I can break through to the mid Heaven Rank!"

"Oh? Your meridians... healed? How? Did you stumble onto some stroke of fortune?" Ouyang Legend was astonished. By all rights, if he himself had found no way to treat Ouyang Nong's meridians, then there was no way—unless those people inside came out... But though Ouyang Nong was outstanding, he was hardly worth their special favor. So Ouyang Legend was truly amazed.

"Yes, Second Grandfather, I had a stroke of fortune. Someone... helped heal my meridians. But the particulars, forgive me, I cannot disclose. I cannot break faith with them. Though I know you would keep my secret, this is a matter of principle. We merchants prize trust—it is the most basic measure of a person's character," Ouyang Nong said.

"Good, I understand. I won't ask. But this is good news no matter how you look at it!" Ouyang Legend said. "I can cover for you—say that I found some rare treasures, and after you took them, through some twist of fate, you recovered. But your recovery I must report up the chain. If you advance to the mid Heaven Rank, I can consider giving you more responsibility in the Cultivator's Commerce Association!"

"More responsibility... there's no need for that." Ouyang Nong gave a bitter smile. "Right now, I'm afraid I'm too busy as it is!"

"What do you mean? How busy can the head of one market be?" Ouyang Legend's tone shifted, somewhat displeased. "Ouyang Nong, have these years of easy living since your injury made you lose your drive? Now that your meridians are restored, your ceiling is surely not that of a mere vice president!"

"Second Grandfather, you misunderstand me!" Ouyang Nong hastened to explain. "I mean that there is a more important matter requiring my attention now, and I may not have the energy to spare for anything else!"

"Oh? What important matter?" Ouyang Legend asked.

"It's like this..." And with that, Ouyang Nong told Ouyang Legend about the first-grade automatic pill cauldron, including his cooperation with Wei Zhao and the rest.

Ouyang Legend had clawed his way from a grassroots disciple to Second Supreme Honorary President—no simple man. The moment he heard of the first-grade automatic pill cauldron, his eyes went green. "Ouyang Nong, this thing you speak of—is it real? Why does it sound so incredible? Have you seen it with your own eyes?"

"I have. Not only seen it, but I had the pill appraiser here test it personally. The pill was refined successfully in a single attempt, and not only was it full in color and luster, it even had a pill halo. Ordinary alchemists, I'd say, can't reach that level!" Ouyang Nong said with a bitter smile. To be honest, he'd harbored the same doubts at first. The thing was a bit too fantastical—but after seeing it with his own eyes, he knew it truly was that miraculous!

"Heavens..." Ouyang Legend, crafty old schemer that he was, still let out a shocked cry. What this thing represented, Ouyang Nong understood—and Ouyang Legend understood even better. No wonder Ouyang Nong said he had no time. So this was the reason!

Yet suddenly Ouyang Legend thought of something, slapped his forehead, and said, "Little Nong, bring that first-grade automatic pill cauldron to me as soon as you can. I'm going to see the Grand Supreme Honorary President right now. Once this cauldron comes to market, first-grade pills are bound to sit unsold—and if so, we must stop accepting first-grade pills from the Xuandan Sect!"

Though the Xuandan Sect supplies its goods free of charge, the Cultivator's Commerce Association would be ashamed to let them keep delivering pills without end.

"Stop?" A sinister glint flashed through Ouyang Nong's eyes. "Second Grandfather, could we hold off on telling the Xuandan Sect this news?"

"Oh? Why?" Ouyang Legend was slightly taken aback.

"Previously, the pills here were always supplied by my friend Brother Lin. Then the Xuandan Sect suddenly monopolized the Commerce Association's stock, and my friend had to take back every pill he'd brought. I felt terribly guilty about it. But Brother Lin bore no grudge—he came back with an even better partnership proposal. If I don't do him the favor of teaching the Xuandan Sect a lesson, I'll feel uneasy in my heart..." Ouyang Nong said.

"Oh?" Ouyang Legend paused, pondering a moment, but still refused. "Little Nong, his cooperation with you is a win-win. You needn't feel guilty over it. After all, if there's no profit in pills, he can only make his money elsewhere—there's nothing unusual in that! But to offend the Xuandan Sect over a trifle like this is truly unnecessary. I don't fear them, but one more friend is always better than one more enemy! Little Nong, as a merchant, you must know—profit above all!"

"Indeed, profit above all!" Ouyang Nong said gravely. "If Brother Lin can offer me profit far greater than the Xuandan Sect's, and I must choose between them, I will certainly cast aside the Xuandan Sect to please Brother Lin!"

"Oh? What do you mean?" Ouyang Legend asked, somewhat puzzled.

"My injury was healed by Wei Zhao—Brother Lin," Ouyang Nong said.

On the other end of the line, Ouyang Legend's breathing caught. He was silent a moment, then said, "Little Nong, I know what to do. Wait for my word!"

"Thank you, Second Grandfather!" Ouyang Nong knew that Ouyang Legend had agreed to help teach the Xuandan Sect a lesson.

(To be continued) 8