Chapter 81

The appearance of the Blood-Clotting Powder was almost like a sudden storm, sweeping through the market with a thunderous force and quickly occupying more than half of the healing medicine market in U坦 City. Moreover, it restored the popularity of the Xiao Family Market within just two days, even surpassing its previous level.

Two days after the release of the Blood-Clotting Powder, the Jiali Family gradually returned the price of their Rejuvenating Powder to its original level. However, due to the excessive profits the Jiali Family had made earlier, which had caused widespread resentment among mercenaries, even after the price reduction, the market's popularity remained far from its previous bustling scene.

Since U坦 City was located near the edge of the Beast Mountain Range, the city had a massive influx and outflow of mercenaries. The Beast Mountain Range was fraught with dangers, so the demand for healing medicines among mercenaries was enormous. Therefore, even though the Xiao Family had seized a large portion of the healing medicine market, the Jiali Family still managed to make a profit, albeit much less than before.

The sales of healing medicines far exceeded the Xiao Family's expectations. Every day, the Blood-Clotting Powder in the market would be snatched up by mercenaries who had been waiting there since early morning. By the afternoon, the healing medicines in the market would be sold out. At this point, some mercenaries who failed to purchase the Blood-Clotting Powder had no choice but to buy the inferior Rejuvenating Powder from the Jiali Family's market.

With the indirect help of the mercenaries' high demand for healing medicines, the Jiali Family managed to stand its ground against the Xiao Family's fierce offensive. The future would depend on which family had a larger stock of healing medicines.

...

Sitting in the meeting hall, Xiao Yan helplessly looked at Xiao Zhan, who was grinning from ear to ear. His gaze then shifted to the three elders, who were all beaming with joy. The hall was filled with their cheerful laughter, which had not stopped since the morning when Xiao Yan, disguised as a black-robed figure, had quietly delivered another batch of Blood-Clotting Powder.

"Hehe, the sales of the Blood-Clotting Powder are truly insane. If it weren't for the old man delivering another batch, our warehouse would have been emptied by now," Xiao Zhan said, holding a small green bottle as if it were a treasure.

"Yes, in just a few days, the popularity of our market has more than doubled compared to its peak in the past. The losses from the previous period have gradually been recovered. Hehe, with the profit-sharing from the sales of healing medicines, the profits from just these few days are already equivalent to what the Xiao Family used to earn in one or two months!" The usually calm and composed First Elder could not help but become more talkative in the face of such a bountiful harvest. His wrinkled face, like a blooming chrysanthemum, was filled with joy.

Xiao Zhan nodded with a smile, then turned to Xiao Yan, who was sitting in his chair, looking somewhat bored. He scolded, "You little rascal, every time the old man comes to the family, you're never around. Can't you just stay at home and not move around so much?"

Innocently scolded, Xiao Yan rolled his eyes helplessly and muttered to himself, "If I don't move, where would you get the healing medicines from?"

"Ai, this old man is truly generous. But fortunately, I managed to ask him for the ingredients needed for the healing medicines. From now on, we'll take care of the ingredients. The Xiao Family has already received too many benefits from him. If we become too greedy, it might backfire," Xiao Zhan said, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket and pondering.

"Um." The three elders nodded in agreement with Xiao Zhan. If not for his attention to detail, they might have forgotten this important point.

"Heh, knowing when to stop in the face of such huge profits is commendable. No wonder your father can lead the clan." The voice of the Medicine Master echoed in Xiao Yan's mind, praising him.

Smiling and nodding, Xiao Yan felt somewhat relieved. Although he could help the Xiao Family materially, the clan's prosperity ultimately depended on the capabilities of its leader. If the leader was incompetent, no matter how powerful Xiao Yan was, he could not turn a pile of mud into a wall. However, it was clear that Xiao Zhan possessed such abilities.

"Clan Leader, Elders, Miss Yafei from the Miter Auction House is outside the family compound." Just as Xiao Yan felt a sense of relief, a clan member rushed into the hall and respectfully reported.

"Yafei?" Xiao Zhan was taken aback and quickly said, "Please invite her in."

Soon, a graceful figure slowly appeared in the hall, and a charming laugh echoed through the room. "Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, you seem to be in high spirits lately."

Leaning back in his chair, Xiao Yan looked toward the door, slightly stunned, his eyes filled with admiration.

At the door, a mature woman in a red qipao stood smiling. The tight red qipao accentuated her curvaceous figure, her slender waist swaying in a way that was tantalizing. A slit in the qipao extended up to her thigh, revealing glimpses of her snow-white skin as she walked, captivating the heart.

"Siren..." The young man, the middle-aged man, and the three elders in the hall all muttered involuntarily at the sight of this mature and alluring woman.

"Cough." Xiao Zhan cleared his throat and stood up with a smile, saying politely, "Miss Yafei, you're always joking. The annual profit of the Xiao Family is far less than that of a single branch of the Miter Auction House. We have no right to be proud."

"Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, you're too modest. The popularity of the Xiao Family Market has far surpassed that of the auction house, as everyone can see," Yafei said, bowing to the three elders with a smile. Her bright eyes then turned to Xiao Yan, and she was slightly surprised. "It seems that Young Master Xiao Yan is even stronger than the last time I saw him?"

"Call me by my name, Miss Yafei. 'Young Master' sounds a bit creepy," Xiao Yan said with a seemingly innocent smile, feeling goosebumps.

Yafei smiled in response.

"Miss Yafei, what brings you to the Xiao Family today?" Xiao Zhan asked with a smile.

Yafei nodded with a smile and sat down gracefully beside Xiao Yan. She sipped her tea and said directly, "Clan Leader Xiao, the Miter Auction House has decided to stop supplying ingredients to the Jiali Family."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan spilled his tea on the table, his eyes flashing with hidden joy. He wiped the tea away inconspicuously and glanced at the three elders, who also had a gleam in their eyes.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Xiao Zhan finished his tea and hesitated, "Why? Weren't you always neutral?"

Yafei smiled but said nothing.

Clenching his teeth, Xiao Zhan asked in a low voice, "What do you want us to pay for this?"

"Nothing at all." Yafei smiled sweetly.

"Uh?" Xiao Zhan was taken aback, looking at Yafei in disbelief. He didn't believe the Miter Auction House would help them strike against the Jiali Family without any cost. Rubbing his chin, Xiao Zhan suddenly had a thought and asked tentatively, "Is it... the old man's doing?"

Yafei's lips curled up, and she nodded, smiling. "The old man has already paid the price, so Clan Leader Xiao doesn't need to worry about us demanding anything from the Xiao Family. From now on, we are on the same side."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan's face lit up with joy. He laughed heartily, the sound shaking the room.

Gradually calming down, Xiao Zhan realized he might have been too excited. He looked down and saw the three elders frowning in amusement.

Embarrassed, Xiao Zhan laughed and glared at Xiao Yan, who was smirking. "You little brat, stop laughing and go serve Miss Yafei some tea. You're being impolite."

Rolling his eyes helplessly, Xiao Yan picked up a cup of warm tea from the table and ran to Yafei, offering it to her with both hands.

Yafei smiled warmly at Xiao Yan and took the cup. However, her expression suddenly changed as she stared at Xiao Yan's pale hands, or rather, the black ring on his right hand.

Noticing Yafei's gaze, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. He subtly withdrew his hand, turning his back to his father and the others, and stared at the beautiful woman in front of him with a faint frown.

Feeling Xiao Yan's intense gaze, Yafei's heart tightened. She lowered her head and sipped her tea, carefully concealing her expression.

Seeing the beauty's compliant behavior, Xiao Yan sighed in relief, rubbed his nose, and lazily returned to his seat, frowning as if deep in thought.

(The next chapter will be updated around 1-2 AM. I suggest you don't wait up that late. You can read it in the morning. ^_^)