CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 068 DEBT MANAGEMENT

This year, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid prepared to sell two hundred Xianglan Seeds to the caravan.

Dragon Cypress believed that Mountain Lord Melde must be even more anxious to meet, so instead of waiting on the hilltop, he hid with Ink Orchid in the woods not far from the hill, waiting peacefully.

「The next morning」

Mountain Lord Melde arrived.

"Dragon Cypress. Ink Orchid."

Mountain Lord Melde’s tone was much more polite and even carried a hint of flattery as he exclaimed, "Your growth speed is truly fast. Especially you, Dragon Cypress, to have become a Mid-Level Ant King in just your third Age Period."

"Mountain Lord Melde," Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid greeted.

Without any attempt at concealment, Dragon Cypress said, "I am about to evolve into the fourth Age Period, and Ink Orchid is about to evolve into the sixth Age Period."

Dragon Cypress emphasized, "If there is enough Origin Force Food, Ink Orchid could evolve into the seventh Age Period this year. By next year, she could reach the ninth Age Period, and the year after that, become a High-Level Warrior. The yield of the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid Seed would surge, and we would then have the means to clear our debt."

"Debt?" Mountain Lord Melde asked, as if suddenly remembering. He then exclaimed, "Oh! White Ivy Mountain Lord told me about it; you bought Origin Force Food worth 2,000 Source Stones on credit from it, with an interest of one hundred Source Stones, so you need to pay back a total of 2,100 Source Stones."

After speaking, Mountain Lord Melde focused his spiritual power, sensing the Spider Silk Bag Ink Orchid was holding. He then turned directly to Dragon Cypress and asked, "Only two hundred Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds?"

Dragon Cypress replied, "Yes."

Mountain Lord Melde pressed, "What about the rest? The Origin Force Food produced from other Life Seeds in your territory?"

Dragon Cypress said confidently, "Mountain Lord Melde, why do you think I was able to evolve to the third Age Period so quickly? Obviously, because I ate it myself."

Mountain Lord Melde asked, displeased, "Then what about the Source Stones you owe White Ivy?"

Dragon Cypress replied calmly, "We can owe for another year. We will pay the interest as agreed, and next year I will repay with the Origin Force Fruit produced from the Divine-Given Deep Blue Seed."

When Dragon Cypress mentioned the Divine-Given Deep Blue Seed, Mountain Lord Melde’s annoyance instantly vanished.

"Little Dragon Cypress, it’s not good for an Insect to be too shrewd..." Unable to hide his urgency, Mountain Lord Melde asked, "Dragon Cypress, that Divine-Given Seed you found, was it really picked up by the seaside? Have you identified what kind it is? White Ivy Mountain Lord was careless, didn’t ask you clearly, nor tell me clearly. Last year, White Ivy Mountain Lord said your Divine-Given Seed didn’t bloom. How come you’re now saying the fruit is about to mature?"

Dragon Cypress first joked, "Mountain Lord Melde, you are too impatient; that’s not how a seasoned Roving Merchant should behave." Then, he unhurriedly addressed each point.

"My Divine-Given Seed," he began, "was indeed found at the seaside. Ink Orchid and I went south to see the sea, and I picked it up while we were playing on the beach."

"The tree’s shape is strange, and it’s not recorded in my Inherited Memory, so I don’t recognize what kind of tree it is."

"Based on long-term observation, it prefers heat. It bloomed early last summer and grew rapidly during the summer. The fruit developed at an average pace. I estimate it should mature by the end of this summer or in autumn."

"It’s confirmed to be a berry, quite rich in pulp, containing a pit the size of an apricot kernel."

"Currently, I can generally deduce that it likely enhances Water Element Ability."

"Oh—" Mountain Lord Melde commented objectively, "This type isn’t particularly valuable, but it won’t be cheap either. Among Divine-Given Seeds, it belongs to the middle tier, I’d say."

Dragon Cypress, quite content, lightly tapped his antennae in agreement.

Mountain Lord Melde then asked, "What about the yield?"

Dragon Cypress said, "After all, it’s an Arbor, planted only a year or two ago, and this is its first time bearing fruit, so the yield is somewhat low."

Somewhat low? Melde mused. He waited two seconds for more details, then said bluntly, "Unwilling to state the number upfront? Does that mean the yield is very low, then?"

Dragon Cypress admitted, "Sixty-two..."

He then emphasized, "That’s an Arbor! Its Blossom-Fruit Cycle is two years. The next time it flowers and fruits, the yield will definitely reach two hundred."

He had said all that just to prove he had the ability to repay his debt and, therefore, to postpone repayment for this year...

"Let’s talk about the next bloom when it happens," Mountain Lord Melde said, not wanting to dwell on the issue. "How shall we trade this year?"

"Here!" Ink Orchid exclaimed, handing over the Spider Silk Bag.

Mountain Lord Melde made a direct offer, "One thousand two hundred Source Stones."

After speaking, the spider silk ropes binding the cargo on his back loosened. He rummaged, retrieved a petite Spider Silk Bag, and handed it to Ink Orchid, saying, "Here are the Orchid Seeds you wanted. Still ten varieties, with four being repeats. I’ve added six new varieties: Sand Orchid, Hard Leaf Orchid, Boat Orchids, Great Snow Orchid, Large Fruit Tiger-Striped Orchid, and Great Orchid."

"Yay! Thank you, Mountain Lord Melde!" Ink Orchid cried with glee.

Melde said, "That’s two hundred Source Stones. You have 1,000 Source Stones left. Do you want another set of the Origin Force Fruit you chose before?"

Dragon Cypress stated, "We need to stockpile a batch of Source Stones for when the Divine-Given Seed’s fruits ripen."

"No problem," Melde replied. "But that means you won’t have any Origin Force Food to eat this year."

Dragon Cypress said, "But I still hope to complete two Age Periods of evolution."

Ink Orchid declared, "I also want to advance to a High-Level Warrior sooner!"

Melde asked, "So, what are you suggesting?"

Dragon Cypress said, "White Ivy Mountain Lord is so poor, yet it still extended us credit for Origin Force Food worth 2,000 Source Stones. Mountain Lord Melde, you’re famously wealthy. Shouldn’t that amount be doubled or tripled?"

Melde knew this fellow was addicted to incurring debt. He asked, "Owing so much, how will you repay it? When can you clear it?"

Dragon Cypress replied, "Once Ink Orchid advances to High-Level Warrior, won’t one harvest from the Fruit-Scented Orchid clear the debt?"

Melde asked, "So you want to borrow for three years? Four years?"

Dragon Cypress said, "Four years should do it. After Ink Orchid becomes a High-Level Warrior, the Blossom-Fruit Cycle of the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid Seed will likely extend to two years."

Melde asked, "How much do you want to borrow?"

Dragon Cypress stated, "Eight thousand Source Stones."

Melde fell silent.

Dragon Cypress continued, "We live right across from you, and our Life Seeds have taken root. We can’t run away, and we won’t default on the debt."

Melde said, "I’m definitely not worried about you defaulting. You borrow this year, you’ll want to borrow next year, and the year after too. I am worried that you won’t be able to pay it back."

Dragon Cypress said, "Melde, rest assured. I’ve done the math. We can repay it. Didn’t you tell me about this before? It’s called ’debt financing.’ For Insect Clan Warriors who possess Divine-Given Seeds, taking on appropriate debt to achieve crucial advancements early yields comprehensive benefits greater than the cost."

Melde stated, "You’re borrowing too much."

Not buying Dragon Cypress’s argument, Melde pondered and continued, "You can borrow, but not too much. You’re only Mid-Level. Origin Force Food worth 8,000 Source Stones—can you even finish it? Even if you could, much of it would go to waste. It’s not reasonable."

Melde said, "I’ll lend you 4,000 Source Stones. Don’t be greedy; exercise some restraint and be frugal. With that, plus the output from your own territory, it should be enough to complete two Age Periods of evolution each year."

After a pause, Melde added, "A Mid-Level Ant King and a Mid-Level Flower Mantis Warrior molting twice a year is already the limit. I’m telling you this for your own good. Don’t risk an accident by pushing for overly frequent evolution."

Dragon Cypress said, "I know. Thank you, Melde..."

He then complained, "Melde, you’re being too difficult. If you’re only willing to lend 4,000 Source Stones, then you must waive the interest."

Melde exclaimed, "What are you saying?" He felt a surge of anxiety as it dawned on him. This fellow’s true plan was to borrow 4,000 Source Stones all along, and now he’s starting to haggle! He’s trying to use the reduced amount as leverage to lower the interest. What a crafty insect, scheming against me every step of the way, is he?

"Nice try," Melde retorted. "I’m not falling for it."

He declared angrily, "Four thousand Source Stones, borrowed for four years, principal plus interest, you must repay 5,600 Source Stones."

Dragon Cypress said dolefully, "White Ivy Mountain Lord only charges 5% interest."

Melde snapped, "That’s because it’s foolish!"

Dragon Cypress said, "Alright, Melde. You say White Ivy is foolish. I absolutely won’t tell it."

Melde: "..."

Dragon Cypress said earnestly, "Ink Orchid and I have two Divine-Given Seeds. Melde, don’t you want us to advance to the High-Level Stage sooner?"

"Growth and evolution shouldn’t be rushed..." Melde sighed. "I’ll lend you 4,000 Source Stones. Four years later, principal plus interest, you’ll repay 4,800 Source Stones. Dragon Cypress, you’re independent now, and you even have your own Divine-Given Seeds. Consider this the last time I’m helping you like this."

Melde asked, "What Origin Force Food do you want? The same set as before?"

Dragon Cypress replied, "Of course. The set I formulated is optimal."