Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Perfume

    ?

    Not only the younger generation like Xiao Ning, but even Xiao Zhan himself was utterly confused. Spreading rumors only to clear them up later?

    Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. They were unable to comprehend the Little Clan Leader''s intentions.

    "Yan Er, you specifically asked me to go to the Miteer Auction House to clear up the rumors and encourage them to boldly cooperate with the other two major clans and supply those low-grade medicinal ingredients. Are you worried that Miteer Ya Fei might have

    reservations?" Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan who was having breakfast and asked the question in his heart.

    "One of the reasons, yes. Father, rest assured. I''ll accompany you to the auction in a few days. I happen to have something I want to purchase," Xiao Yan said with a slight smile. That confident smile had never disappeared from him since he was a child.

    ...

    In front of the specialized medicinal pill sales window in the Ao Jia Market, the crowd was already buzzing with the sounds of mercenaries yelling, cursing, and fighting, all of which merged into a deafening cacophony that reverberated throughout the market.

    Behind the counter of the medicinal pill sales window, members of the Jia Lie Clan responsible for selling the pills were looking outside with faces full of amusement, watching the mercenaries fighting fiercely over the healing pills. There was a sense of pride in their smiles. It was as if their status had been elevated by the pills they sold.

    The person in charge, Jia Lie Ke, narrowed his already small eyes into slits as he smugly chuckled, "Heh, they rant about not buying if the prices go up again, yet they still obediently purchase in the end."

    "How shameless."

    Once people got used to a certain level of comfort, it was difficult for them to return to their previous way of life. The sense of security that came from purchasing a dose of healing pills was what all mercenaries needed most.

    The mercenaries of Wu Tan City had to venture into the outskirts of the forest almost every day to hunt magical beasts and extract their demon cores to earn money. Fighting these magical beasts could be a matter of life and death. A bottle of Rejuvenation Powder could quickly stop the bleeding and ensure that even if a major artery was cut, one wouldn''t die from excessive blood loss.

    Suddenly, a different kind of murmur began to ripple through the crowd.

    "Have you heard? The Xiao Clan posted notices in various districts and industries this morning, announcing they will be selling medicinal pills in a few days. They claim their prices will be lower and their effects better."

    "That''s unlikely, isn''t it?"

    "Well, it might be true. I''ve heard through the grapevine that the Xiao Clan somehow got their hands on the pill recipes for the Rejuvenation Powder and the Minor Dou Qi Pill. It''s said that they used those pill recipes to make a deal with an alchemist from the Nalan Clan."

    "I knew it! The merchants have been steadily raising the prices of medicinal ingredients lately. It turns out that they were actually bidding against each other. So it was the Xiao Clan that acquired the pill recipes."

    "But I heard that the Ao Ba Clan and the Jia Lie Clan have joined forces to buy up the medicinal ingredients from the merchants. Where will the Xiao Clan get their ingredients from?"

    "Don''t forget about the Miteer Auction House. The quarterly auction is only three days away."

    As the discussions among the neighbors grew more heated, all the mercenaries and merchants understood one thing: the Xiao Clan was preparing to counterattack!

    The auction in three days would be the beginning of a bloody storm!

    ...

    for the next five years."

    Normally, business contracts were confidential, but Ya Fei handed the contract signed two days ago directly to Xiao Yan.

    This was because she felt that this was entirely Xiao Yan''s doing, and hiding it would be

    pointless.

    The contract was straightforward. The two major clans had paid a deposit to secure the four types of medicinal ingredients at the same price offered by the medicinal merchants for the

    next five years.

    Though it might sound complex, simply put, it was a futures contract.

    Xiao Yan couldn''t contain his smile when he saw the contract. He knew the two major clans

    were about to be done for!

    "Little Brother Xiao Yan, could you tell Elder Sister what kind of medicine you''re brewing

    inside that gourd-like mind of yours? After all, it was Elder Sister who helped you out," Ya Fei softly uttered as she gracefully rose from her seat and approached Xiao Yan. A stray strand of her hair delicately caressed his cheek, carrying with it a subtle hint of roses that enveloped his senses in a soothing embrace.

    Xiao Yan couldn''t help but curse this fox spirit in his heart.

    He calmed down and casually replied, "Although I''d like to have a heart-to-heart talk with Sister Ya Fei, Sister Ya Fei should get ready for the auction as it''s about to start. I''m still

    waiting to make a purchase."

    Seeing that Xiao Yan showed little interest in her appearance, Ya Fei couldn''t help but raise

    her eyebrows in surprise. ''I even used my ''Man-Slayer'' perfume today! And yet, it didn''t work

    on a fifteen-year-old boy?''

    ...

    It did not take long for Xiao Yan to enter the auction hall. He sat down next to Xiao Zhan and

    nodded at him.

    The auction began shortly after.

    Xiao Yan flipped through the auction catalog, and among the items listed, there was

    something that happened to be perfect for today''s spectacle.