All Things Are Contracts

Chapter 46

The woman took two strands of Zhanyue’s hair, keeping one as a token for the Thousand Steeds Association and making the other into an identity jade token.

“Young Master Zhan, take this jade token and you’ll be an honorary alchemist of the Thousand Steeds Association. Today’s herb costs will be calculated at a 10% discount, and we’ll return 9,000 purple crystal coins to you,” the woman said respectfully.

“Thank you.” Accepting the token, Zhanyue was delighted. Just by being an honorary member, he could save a lot of money. Soon after, the herbs were packaged and brought out by an assistant, placed on the counter.

“Young Master Zhan, please check them,” the woman said, pointing to the herbs on the counter.

As Zhanyue was checking the herbs, a man in green clothes swaggered in. He looked to be in his early twenties, with an average appearance, but his face seemed to say ‘I’m the best in the world’.

“Young Master Zhou, you’re here,” the woman hurried to greet him.

Zhou got straight to the point, “Give me five portions of Phoenix Blood Grass, quickly.”

“Phoenix Blood Grass? Uh, Young Master Zhou, we’re just out of Phoenix Blood Grass. A new batch will arrive in about two days. Please wait for two days, and I’ll personally deliver it to you then,” the woman said politely. This Young Master Zhou was a third-grade alchemist, also formally employed by the Thousand Steeds Association. More importantly, he had a fifth-grade alchemist grandfather in the association.

“Phoenix Blood Grass has a very distinct chicken blood smell. Do you think my nose doesn’t work?” The man named Zhou Hong walked to the counter, pointing at a package of herbs, which indeed contained Phoenix Blood Grass.

Zhou Hong sized up Zhanyue, seeing his handsome features and pine-like demeanor, feeling quite jealous. “Isn’t new stock arriving in two days? Let him wait. I’m the Thousand Steeds Association’s own alchemist, don’t I have any priority? Moreover, these herbs are crucial for my attempt to break through to fourth-grade alchemist, do you understand? If you delay my advancement, can you bear that responsibility?”

These heavy accusations immediately pressured the woman, who had no background and didn’t dare to argue with this young master, knowing his background. Zhou Hong mentioning his attempt to break through to fourth-grade alchemist was meant for Zhanyue to hear.

Though also involved, Zhanyue calmly watched the drama unfold, as if uninvolved. He couldn’t be bothered to argue with these people. After all, the Thousand Steeds Association was such a large organization; the more they were in the wrong, the more he would benefit later. At this moment, he almost hoped the man in front of him would make even more unreasonable demands.

“Young Master Zhou, our Thousand Steeds Association is based on integrity. This Phoenix Blood Grass has been sold and belongs to Young Master Zhan. I no longer have the right to dispose of it. If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to complain about me,” the woman also lost her temper. This Young Master Zhou was detested by all, tyrannical because of his fifth-grade alchemist grandfather. Many in the Thousand Steeds Association were dissatisfied with him.

“You! You actually side with an outsider.” Zhou Hong was very indignant, having lost face in front of this man who irritated him just by looking at him. “You wait. In the future, don’t expect to have a single fourth-grade or above pill in your shop. When Thousand Feather City’s performance is at the bottom, don’t come begging me for help.”

The woman’s face turned ashen. Young Master Zhou’s grandfather really had that ability; the fourth-grade and above pills in several nearby cities were all refined by his grandfather.

“Qing Luo, pack the Phoenix Blood Grass for Young Master Zhou.” At this moment, a deep voice came. A middle-aged man came down from upstairs, followed by a black-robed person whose appearance and build were unclear. The middle-aged man was dressed luxuriously, with a prosperous face and robust build, his gaze sharp. He was Luo Mingtao, the overall manager of all Thousand Steeds Association properties in Thousand Feather City, holding a very high position in the association.

“Steward Luo is here.” The man’s arrogance immediately changed. Steward Luo was a silver steward, one rank higher than his grandfather’s bronze steward.

“Alright.” Since Luo Mingtao had spoken, the woman no longer insisted and reluctantly handed the Phoenix Blood Grass to Zhou Hong.

“Then let me congratulate Young Master Zhou in advance on breaking through to fourth-grade alchemist. Also, please give my regards to your grandfather,” Steward Luo said to Zhou Hong with a smile.

“Of course, of course. I won’t disturb you further then.” Zhou Hong took the Phoenix Blood Grass with a grin, not forgetting to give Zhanyue an arrogant look before leaving, as if to say, even Steward Luo has to give me face, what level are you compared to me?

Zhanyue was completely bewildered. He was the one who had his things taken away, he was the victim. Why did that Zhou whatever hate him so much? He hadn’t said a word.

“Steward Luo, why did you side with that bastard too?” Qing Luo asked, feeling wronged.

Luo Mingtao, still wearing his smiling tiger expression, explained, “His grandfather recently found a sixth-grade pill formula somewhere and presented it to Elder Hong. The Zhou family is currently at the height of their influence. We should avoid offending them if possible. It’s unfortunate for you and this young brother here.”

Zhanyue could feel a pressure from a superior. This Steward Luo must be a Profound Being. Profound Beings were rare and considered experts everywhere, occupying high positions.

“Without the Phoenix Blood Grass, I’m afraid I’ll have to wait a few more days,” Zhanyue said, shaking his head.

Luo Mingtao turned around and politely asked the black-robed person behind him, “Do you have any Phoenix Blood Grass?”

The black-robed person answered in a hoarse voice, “Yes.” Then took out several high-quality Phoenix Blood Grass plants from a spatial treasure.

“Consider that I owe you another favor,” Luo Mingtao said, then brought the Phoenix Blood Grass to Zhanyue. “I apologize. You’re a guest of the Thousand Steeds Association yet suffered such unfair treatment. This time, all the herbs will be given to you for free. Qing Luo, return the herb money to this young master, charge it to my account.”

“Yes.” The woman naturally returned purple crystal coins rather than pills, but Zhanyue was also happy to accept these purple crystal coins. Using pills for deduction every time was quite troublesome.

Zhanyue was quite satisfied with this compensation because he had just stood there without saying a word from beginning to end, yet gained an extra 90,000 purple crystal coins for nothing. That Zhou Hong was truly a fortune-bringing child.

“Young brother, you want to refine third-grade alchemys, right? After becoming a third-grade alchemist, you’ll need to refine fourth-grade pills. Just finding all the materials is very troublesome. Let me give you this booklet as further compensation,” Luo Mingtao said, taking out a small booklet and handing it to Zhanyue.

“What’s this?” Zhanyue asked, puzzled.

“Pearl City will hold an auction next month. This is an invitation to the auction. Many fourth-grade pills, pill formulas, and materials can be bought at the auction. You might want to pay attention to it. This booklet contains information on the items to be auctioned. You’ll need this booklet to enter the venue, so please keep it safe,” Luo Mingtao explained.

“Oh? I see.” Zhanyue happily accepted it, then bid farewell to everyone and left.

“This person is really generous. He waived 90,000 purple crystal coins just like that, and even knew what I needed most. He’s truly shrewd. No wonder he holds such a high position,” Zhanyue praised.

After Zhanyue left, the woman took out the pills Zhanyue had used for deduction earlier. “Steward Luo, look at these pills.”

Steward Luo took the pill bottle and handed it to the black-robed person beside him. The black-robed person took out a pill and carefully examined it, suddenly trembling all over.