Chapter 1286: Submission
The young man, his face set in a stubborn expression, had originally intended to refuse Yang Haoran immediately, but the words faltered on his lips. He had sensed the killing intent lurking within Yang Haoran's words, and he knew that if he refused again, destruction awaited him.
“Young man, the world is in chaos now. Without sufficient strength, it's very difficult to survive in these troubled times. Although your identity as a Pharmacist offers you some protection, it will also draw the attention of more people and more factions. Generally, major powers don't bother with ordinary Pharmacists; only smaller ones will take an interest. Guardian Yang, an esteemed Guardian of the Underworld Office, shouldn't, by rights, even notice an ordinary Pharmacist like you. Yet, he's willing to take you in and nurture you. I believe this is both your blessing and your good fortune. ”
Seeing the hesitation on the young man's face, the old crone smiled faintly and began to persuade him. As her words fell, not only did the young man's expression darken considerably, but even the middle-aged man beside them furrowed his brow slightly.
Yang Haoran took a drag from his cigarette, then turned his gaze to the old crone, his smile deepening a touch.
The old crone noticed Yang Haoran looking at her. She smiled and nodded at him, then picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued speaking.
“As a Pharmacist, you know that cultivating Pharmacists consumes a lot of resources. With your current strength, simply surviving in these chaotic times is difficult, let alone relying on your own power to find vast resources to improve your alchemy skills. Accepting Guardian Yang's invitation means not only absolute protection for your safety but also access to resources for self-improvement. Such a good opportunity isn't easily found. By my estimation, the Medicine God Society is likely in urgent need of Pharmacists right now, which is why you're even getting this chance. If you don't cherish it and let it slip, you might never get another one. ”
Hearing this, the young man couldn't help but turn his head to look at the old crone, asking with a grim expression.
“Are you really so sure that what he says is true? What if he's deceiving us? ”
“If, in the future, any of you three discover that I have deceived you, you can choose to leave at any time. I absolutely will not harm a single hair on your heads. ”
Yang Haoran smiled faintly, offering another assurance. This promise, too, was not just for the young man, but for all three of them.
Upon hearing Yang Haoran's guarantee, the old crone's smile involuntarily grew much richer. The middle-aged man's expression also softened considerably, looking much better than before.
As for the young man, though his brows were tightly furrowed, his expression showed a significant change compared to his previous grimace.
“Heh heh, Guardian Yang has made such a promise. What more are you agonizing over? With Guardian Yang's status, do you really think he would deceive you? Oh, you young people, little skill but a big temper. If you truly miss out on such a good opportunity, you'll regret it when there's no chance left. Don't blame this old crone for speaking too much; I'm saying all this entirely to help you. ”
The young man stared at the old crone for several seconds without speaking, then turned his head back to Yang Haoran, specifically eyeing the cigarette in Yang Haoran's hand. He saw that Yang Haoran's cigarette was almost down to the butt; it looked like Yang Haoran would take one more puff at most before flicking it away.
The young man knew that Yang Haoran had given him little time to choose. Thus, he fiercely gritted his teeth and, with great reluctance, finally nodded at Yang Haoran.
“Fine! I accept your invitation. But if you don't keep your word, then don't you dare stop me when I decide to leave! ”
The young man spoke through gritted teeth. From his expression and tone at that moment, it was clear just how unwilling he was to make this decision. If he had any other choice, he certainly wouldn't have compromised. The problem was, he had no other options; if he didn't compromise, only a dead end awaited him.
Despite his outwardly stubborn and angry demeanor, he was just as afraid of death. After all, he was still very young, and with his identity as a Pharmacist, he had a long road ahead of him. He certainly didn't want to die so young.
Furthermore, the old crone's words had also had a considerable impact on him. Although he disliked what the old crone said, he couldn't deny the truth in her words. Born into these chaotic times, it was extremely difficult to survive solely by one's own power. If someone had their back, if someone offered protection, then the chances of survival would greatly increase.
It was precisely because the young man had considered these points that, despite his deep reluctance, he ultimately chose to bow his head and compromise.
“Heh heh, excellent. One day, you will be proud of the choice you've made today. ”
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, simultaneously stubbing out the cigarette butt in his hand within the ashtray on the table before him.
In response to Yang Haoran's words, the young man merely let out a cold snort, using it to vent his inner dissatisfaction and resentment, and simultaneously as a forceful way to save face. Other than that cold snort, he didn't speak, nor did he hurl insults at Yang Haoran as he had before.
“Since all three of you have agreed to join the Medicine God Society founded by my friend, then next, on behalf of my friend Feng Xiao, who is also your Medicine God Society's president, I will discuss the details with you. For instance, what you will need to do after joining the Medicine God Society, what benefits the Medicine God Society can bring you, and how much assistance my Guardian District can provide you, and so on. ”
Yang Haoran spoke with a faint smile. Aside from the old crone, whose expression remained largely unchanged, the middle-aged man and the young man both revealed signs of displeasure. In their view, Yang Haoran should have discussed the details before they agreed. Yet, Yang Haoran had deliberately not done so, choosing instead to bring it up only after all three had agreed. They could somewhat guess at Yang Haoran's intentions.
“I just promised you that all the spiritual herbs you need for alchemy will be provided by my Guardian District, and your safety will also be protected by my Guardian District. These two points are not deceptions; they are my genuine intentions. However, of all the various medicines you refine, sixty percent must be submitted to the Medicine God Society, with the remaining forty percent belonging to you. ”
Yang Haoran stopped there, not continuing. His gaze swept over the three faces one by one, taking in all their reactions and expressions. Aside from the old crone, who showed no change, both the middle-aged man and the young man's expressions changed significantly, their displeasure plainly visible on their faces.
“Heh heh, don't think this distribution is unreasonable. You won't have to contribute anything except your skills. All the spiritual herbs you need will be provided by my Guardian District. Furthermore, I will cover your food and lodging, allowing you to enjoy treatment befitting those above others. I'll even protect your safety. So, a forty-sixty split means you incur no loss at all. Of course, if you make outstanding contributions, there will be additional rewards. ”
As these words fell, Yang Haoran took a light sip of tea. The displeasure on the young man and middle-aged man's faces did not lessen because of Yang Haoran's words, but neither of them spoke, for they knew it would be meaningless to do so.
“Heh heh, a forty-sixty split is already quite good. If it were any other faction, we probably wouldn't even get twenty percent of the medicines we refine. Guardian Yang giving us forty percent, this old crone is very satisfied. How could there be any objections? ”
Yang Haoran had long discerned that the old crone had a significant ulterior motive for agreeing to join the Medicine God Society. Her current words, along with every word she had spoken before, only confirmed his suspicions. However, he was growing increasingly curious about the exact purpose behind the old crone's decision to join the Medicine God Society.
“It's good that there are no objections. As for the rules of the Medicine God Society, these will be set by your president and vice-president. I will communicate with the two of them then, ensuring that your personal freedom is restricted as little as possible. However, there's an unpleasant truth I must state upfront: if there is any betrayal of the Medicine God Society, or of my Guardian District, then do not blame me for being ruthless. Whether it's an ordinary Pharmacist or one who has reached the Spirit Medicine realm, I will absolutely leave no path for survival. I can provide you with the best possible alchemy platform to improve your refining skills. I can also offer you more benefits, so that you truly feel joining the Medicine God Society was a wise choice. But I absolutely cannot tolerate betrayal. I hope you will engrave this point deeply in your minds. ”
Although Yang Haoran wore a smile and his tone was utterly calm when he spoke these words, all three could feel the intense killing intent radiating from them. If someone truly betrayed him, they believed Yang Haoran would undoubtedly strike without hesitation, for they could detect not a single trace of jest in his words.
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