Chapter 8

It must be said that the Dragon-Engraved Gold Token has a significant influence. Whether it's the Third Hall Master of the Apothecary Hall or the elders, upon hearing that the person holds the Dragon-Engraved Gold Token, they dare not be negligent.

Such a person, they are not someone who can't be offended, but they don't want to offend them either.

Soon, Jiang Zheng was invited inside. Besides the Third Hall Master, there were also a male and a female elder accompanying him, which could be considered giving him ample respect.

Jiang Zheng had visited the Apothecary Hall more than once or twice, but the highest-ranking person he had met before was only at the level of a steward, and even then, it was just a fleeting glimpse without any chance for conversation.

However, today, Hall Masters and elders were all before him, treating him as a distinguished guest.

Isn't this a complete turnaround?

Jiang Zheng felt very pleased inside, but he didn't get carried away. He tried hard to tell himself to stay calm and not show any weakness. He knew that these people were not giving him respect, but rather respecting the gold token.

Since he had the gold token as protection, why should he be nervous?

It must be said that Jiang Zheng's psychological素质 is quite good. After the tea had been served three times, the Third Hall Master still couldn't figure out the situation. He chuckled and said, "This gentleman holds a gold token personally bestowed by His Majesty. You must have an extraordinary background. May I ask what guidance you have for us?"

Personally bestowed by His Majesty? Jiang Zheng almost dropped the teacup in his hand from shock.

Jiang Chen had only told him that the token was useful, but he never expected it to be personally bestowed by the king. Now he finally understood why they were so polite.

"Actually, it's not a big deal. I originally came to pick up some herbs and to discuss a business deal with your Apothecary Hall."

Picking up herbs is a trivial matter in the eyes of Hall Masters and elders, and they wouldn't bother with it. What they were more interested in was the business.

A big shot coming to discuss business is no small matter.

"May I ask what kind of business?" The Third Hall Master didn't easily follow up. Before understanding the other party's background, he wouldn't easily agree to anything.

"I have a pill formula, an ancient lost formula." Jiang Zheng got straight to the point, "I won't sell this formula, only share the profits. Fifty-fifty split, you cover the cost of the herbs, and I take the dry share."

Taking a dry share and a fifty-fifty split is like a lion opening its mouth wide.

Even for an exclusive formula, the Apothecary Hall has seen it before. This guy's attitude is a bit too arrogant. A fifty-fifty split is like a robbery!

"Ha ha, we have dealt with pill formulas before, but they were all one-time buyouts. There's no precedent for profit sharing. Moreover, if we cover the costs, the fifty-fifty split is really... How about this, can you show me the formula?"

The Third Hall Master didn't completely reject it, but he was clearly not very enthusiastic. His suggestion to see the formula was more out of professional instinct.

"The formula can be seen, but I'm afraid you won't understand it. Forget it, I'll show it to you. Anyway, the refining method is in our hands, and I haven't written down the key ingredients. You can look, but don't think about stealing the method."

Jiang Zheng casually threw out the list, his tone becoming even more relaxed, as if he were sitting on a mountain. Clearly, he had fully entered his role and was handling the situation with ease.

The Third Hall Master took the formula, glanced at it, and his brows slightly furrowed. How could this formula be an ancient lost formula?

Ordinary paper, very mediocre handwriting, his first impression was that of a fraud.

If you want to forge an ancient formula, at least find an old-looking piece of paper and write in a more elegant style.

What is this?

Faking it so unconvincingly? Do you think you can extort the Apothecary Hall with just a Dragon-Engraved Gold Token?

The other two elders also looked at the formula, their expressions very strange. They could see the word "fraud" in each other's eyes.

The Third Hall Master took back the list, looked at it again, and his brows furrowed. "Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill, I've never heard of this name."

"An ancient formula, it's normal that you haven't heard of it. If you had, it wouldn't be an ancient formula." Jiang Zheng calmly sipped his tea.

He casually put down the teacup. "You've seen the formula. If you don't recognize its value, there are others who will. I know what you're thinking, that the paper and handwriting look too casual, like a fake. Forget it, you can't explain the ice to a summer insect. If you understand, you don't need me to say anything; if you don't, no matter how much I explain, it won't help. I won't trouble you, goodbye."

Jiang Zheng spoke very casually, but his heart was pounding. This was his last move. A feint to capture. Deliberately acting profound and casual.

If the other party doesn't follow, he really won't have any other options.

"Ah, I hope the Shennong Hall and the Pill King Garden have someone who can recognize its value. I don't want the capital to be full of mediocre alchemists, with no one who can see the gem."

Jiang Zheng looked disappointed, stood up leisurely, and was about to leave.

The Third Hall Master saw his profound and casual demeanor and was somewhat uncertain. If he left, the Apothecary Hall wouldn't be impolite. They should politely see him off.

But the Third Hall Master felt that letting him go like this would be a loss.

As if possessed, the Third Hall Master called out, "Sir, please wait. Our First Hall Master and Second Hall Master will be back soon. I don't recognize the formula, but perhaps they will..."

"Forget it, opportunities don't wait for anyone. I came to the Apothecary Hall today on a whim. I don't have the patience to wait for days. I didn't expect such a large Apothecary Hall to have no one who can recognize its value. What a pity."

Jiang Zheng used a retreat to advance, further feinting to capture.

The Third Hall Master and the two elders were speechless, planning to see him off politely. Suddenly, a cold snort penetrated the corridor, and a cold voice echoed, "What formula? Blowing your own horn, bring it here for me to see."

Jiang Zheng paused, about to speak, but the Third Hall Master smiled. "It's Elder Shun speaking. Elder Shun is our guest scholar, a master in the alchemy world. Even our First Hall Master respects him greatly."

"Can a guest scholar make the decision?" Jiang Zheng's nose was up.

"If Elder Shun appraises it, we in the Apothecary Hall trust him."

A guest scholar with such prestige? What kind of guest scholar is this? Jiang Zheng found it strange, but it wasn't his concern.

The formula was passed over. In another room, an old man with white hair and a sage-like appearance took the formula, glanced at it, and his first impression was the same as the Third Hall Master's. But then his brows furrowed, and soon he fell into deep thought.

After a long time, Elder Shun's brows furrowed even deeper, muttering, "Is there really such a formula in the world? I've been in the alchemy world for two hundred years, could I really be so ignorant?"

Suddenly, Elder Shun stood up, pushed open the door, and came to a garden behind the room. In the center of the garden, a girl in light green silk stood among a grove of green bamboo, feeding some birds. The morning mist thinly enveloped her, making her fair skin look like white jade.

"Huang'er." Elder Shun called out.

The girl turned around, her beauty like a clear silver moon, melting snow, exquisite beyond measure. A faint sorrow was etched on her forehead, adding a touch of melancholy to her beauty.

But such a beauty was truly no less than a celestial maiden.

"Elder Shun, what's the matter?"

Elder Shun smiled. "I just got a formula, and I'm not sure about it. Can you take a look, Huang'er?"

The girl smiled lightly, her forehead relaxing, the sorrow dissipating, adding a touch of liveliness.

"If Elder Shun is unsure, I'm afraid I won't be able to either. Let me take a look."

Taking the formula, Huang'er didn't pay attention to the paper or handwriting, but couldn't help exclaiming, "Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill? This is an ancient name."

The more she looked, the more surprised she became. Finally, she read the formula from beginning to end. "I've seen this formula in a precious book, but it was incomplete. However, the materials in the book and this formula are exactly the same. The materials in the book are even less complete than this formula."

Elder Shun was surprised. "So, is the Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill formula real?"

"Whether it's real or not, I've never seen a complete formula. But based on this, it's likely to be real. Elder Shun, where did you get this formula?"

Elder Shun's expression suddenly became lively, his eyes shining, but then he seemed to think of something sad, and the light in his eyes slowly faded.

"Ah, even if the Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill is real, it's only a holy medicine for bone and flesh injuries. It won't help your condition."

Hearing this, Elder Shun's enthusiasm immediately dropped.

But Huang'er smiled slightly. "Elder Shun, matters of fate cannot be forced, let it be."

...

The formula returned to the Third Hall Master and the others, and Elder Shun coldly added, "The formula is ninety percent real. Moreover, once the Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill is produced, all the healing pills in the Eastern Kingdom and the surrounding sixteen countries will be garbage compared to it. They will have no market and no one will ask for them. How to handle it is up to you!"

It was clear that although Elder Shun was a guest scholar, his status was very high, and the Apothecary Hall had to court and respect him.

The Third Hall Master was stunned. He didn't expect that after Elder Shun's appraisal, the formula, which seemed fake, was ninety percent real.

It was one thing for it to be real, but Elder Shun's words were frightening. Once the Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill was released, it would make all similar products in the market obsolete, which was terrifying.

This is market monopoly! The high profits and huge returns from market monopoly made him shudder just thinking about it.

On the contrary, Jiang Zheng, hearing Elder Shun's evaluation, felt a great relief. Benefactor, expert, family, someone who can recognize its value.

Jiang Zheng was afraid that Elder Shun would dismiss the formula as "garbage." If that happened, he would have to leave the Apothecary Hall in disgrace.

Now, with Elder Shun's evaluation and the reaction of the Third Hall Master and the others, Jiang Zheng knew that the young lord had won this bet, truly with divine assistance!

With confidence and a trump card, Jiang Zheng's attitude became even higher. He smiled faintly. "Since the Apothecary Hall has no stance, I won't waste my time. Goodbye."

"Sir, please wait." The Third Hall Master was in a hurry.

He couldn't afford to be in a hurry. If the Shenxiu Zhaohua Pill fell into the hands of a competitor, it would be a disaster. According to Elder Shun, not only the market of the Eastern Kingdom but also the markets of the surrounding sixteen countries would be dominated by this pill.

This was simply too terrifying.

...