The emergence of Blood-Staunching Powder swept through Wutan City like a storm, seizing over half of the healing medicine market in a matter of days. Within just two days, the Xiao Clan's market stalls had reclaimed their former bustle and then some, drawing crowds even larger than at their peak.
By the second day of Blood-Staunching Powder's release, the Jie Lie family had quietly lowered the price of Rejuvenation Powder back to its original level. Yet their earlier profiteering had already alienated most mercenaries, and even with the cut, their stalls could not recover their former vitality.
Wutan City lay on the edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and countless mercenaries passed through its gates each day. With danger lurking at every turn inside the range, demand for healing medicine was relentless. Though the Xiao Clan had captured the lion's share of the market, the Jie Lie family still profited—just far less than during their brief monopoly.
The surge in sales far exceeded the Xiao Clan's expectations. Each morning, mercenaries who had been waiting since dawn would swarm the stalls and clear out the entire stock of Blood-Staunching Powder before noon. By afternoon the shelves were bare, and those who arrived too late had no choice but to buy the inferior Rejuvenation Powder from the Jie Lie family.
That very demand kept the Jie Lie family on its feet despite the Xiao Clan's onslaught. From here on, the contest would come down to which side could keep its shelves stocked longer.
...
Inside the meeting hall, Xiao Yan watched helplessly as Xiao Zhan beamed from ear to ear. The three elders were in no better state, their faces creased with unabashed delight as laughter rolled through the hall. The cause was simple: that morning, Xiao Yan—disguised as the black-robed figure—had slipped in another batch of Blood-Staunching Powder.
"Hehe, sales are utterly mad. If the old gentleman hadn't delivered again, our warehouse would be empty by now," Xiao Zhan said, cradling a small green bottle as if it were treasure.
"Indeed. In just days our stalls have drawn more than twice the traffic of our best days before. Our earlier losses are steadily being recouped, and the profit share from the medicine alone already rivals a month or two of the clan's former revenue." The First Elder, normally the most reserved, could not hide his glee. His wrinkled face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
Xiao Zhan nodded, then turned to Xiao Yan, who sat slouched in his chair looking bored. "You little rascal, every time the old gentleman visits, you're nowhere to be found. Can't you stay home for once?"
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at the undeserved scolding and thought wryly, If I stayed home, where would you get the medicine?
"Sigh, the old gentleman is too generous," Xiao Zhan went on, producing a slip of paper from his robe. "Thankfully I managed to ask for the list of ingredients required. From now on, we'll source them ourselves. The clan has received more than enough favor—pressing for more would be unwise."
"Mm." The three elders nodded at once, grateful for Xiao Zhan's prudence.
"Knowing when to stop before such profit—not bad. No wonder your father leads the clan," Yao Lao's approving voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, reassured. He could offer material help, but a clan's true strength depended on its leader. No matter how capable he became, he could never prop up a leader who was mud through and through. Clearly, Xiao Zhan had what it took.
"Clan Leader, Elders—Miss Ya Fei of the Mitel Auction House is outside," a clansman reported from the doorway.
"Ya Fei?" Xiao Zhan blinked, then said quickly, "Show her in."
Moments after the clansman departed, a graceful figure appeared at the entrance. A soft, bone-melting laugh drifted in ahead of her: "Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao has been in high spirits lately."
Xiao Yan rested his head against the cool chairback and glanced toward the door, a flicker of amazement crossing his eyes.
There stood Ya Fei in a tight red cheongsam that hugged every curve of her mature, full figure. Her slender waist swayed with alluring grace, and the high slit at the hem flashed tantalizingly against her pale thigh with each step, a glimpse of spring that set hearts racing.
"Enchantress..." young, old, and in-between, every man in the hall shared the same involuntary thought.
"Ahem." Xiao Zhan cleared his throat and rose with a practiced smile. "Miss Ya Fei flatters us. The Xiao Clan's yearly earnings cannot compare to a single branch of the Mitel Auction House."
"Clan Leader Xiao is too modest. Everyone has seen with their own eyes that the Xiao stalls now outdraw even the auction house," Ya Fei replied, curtsying gracefully to the three elders. Her luminous eyes then drifted to Xiao Yan. She paused in mild surprise. "Young Master Xiao Yan seems stronger than when we last met?"
"Just call me Xiao Yan, Miss Ya Fei. 'Young Master' gives me goosebumps," Xiao Yan said with a disarmingly innocent smile.
Ya Fei chuckled musically at that.
"May I ask what brings Miss Ya Fei today?" Xiao Zhan asked.
Ya Fei settled elegantly into the seat beside Xiao Yan, pressed her red lips together, and came straight to the point: "Clan Leader Xiao, the Mitel Auction House has refused to supply further medicinal ingredients to the Jie Lie family."
The teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand jolted, tea sloshing onto the table. Delight flashed through his eyes, quickly masked as he wiped the spill and glanced at the elders—who were equally lit with excitement.
The hall fell briefly silent. Xiao Zhan drained his cup and asked cautiously, "Why? Haven't you always remained neutral?"
Ya Fei only smiled.
Gritting his teeth slightly, Xiao Zhan lowered his voice. "What do you want in return?"
"Nothing at all," Ya Fei said with a radiant smile.
"What?" Xiao Zhan stared in disbelief. He could not imagine the Mitel Auction House crippling the Jie Lie family for free. Stroking his chin, a thought struck him. He ventured softly, "Was it... the old gentleman who arranged this?"
Ya Fei's lips curved, and she nodded lightly. "That old gentleman has already paid the price, so Clan Leader Xiao need not worry that we will ask anything of the Xiao Clan. From now on, we stand on the same side."
Wild joy burst across Xiao Zhan's face. He threw his head back and laughed heartily, the sound rattling the rafters.
Catching himself, Xiao Zhan realized he'd been carried away. He lowered his head to find the three elders looking at him with resigned amusement.
He gave an awkward laugh and, to cover his embarrassment, glared at Xiao Yan, who was stifling a grin behind his hand. "You little brat, what's so funny? Go pour tea for Miss Ya Fei—mind your manners."
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, picked up a cup of warm tea from the side table, and trotted over to present it to Ya Fei with both hands.
Ya Fei accepted it with a gentle smile, but her expression shifted abruptly. Her beautiful eyes locked onto Xiao Yan's pale hands—or more precisely, the black ring on his right hand.
Catching her gaze, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. Without haste, he withdrew his hand, his back to his father and the elders as he met Ya Fei's stare with calm, measuring eyes.
Under that gaze, Ya Fei's heart tightened. She wisely lowered her head and sipped her tea, smoothing her expression with practiced composure.
Seeing her discretion, Xiao Yan relaxed inwardly. He rubbed his nose, ambled back to his seat, and frowned as if deep in thought.