Chapter 874: Exchange
The price Zeng Bingwen had quoted earlier already seemed very low to Yang Haoran, but considering the importance of not flaunting one's wealth, he still refused Zeng Bingwen, even though he was greatly tempted.
What he hadn't expected was for Zeng Bingwen to spontaneously lower the price again. Although he didn't specify by how much, a price that was already low would naturally become even lower; this much was certain.
Seeing the surprise on Yang Haoran's face, Zeng Bingwen thought there might be a chance, so he immediately struck while the iron was hot.
"Emissary Yang," Zeng Bingwen began truthfully, "to be honest, I, Zeng Bingwen, was once quite wealthy, but ever since I impulsively opened this shop, I've not only exhausted my savings but also accumulated a mountain of debt. So now, I desperately need Soul Pills, not to improve my own strength, but to pay off my debts first."
Although Zeng Bingwen verbally agreed with Yang Haoran's assertion that he truly had no money left, he didn't entirely believe it in his heart. Over this period, he'd had some contact with Yang Haoran, and Yang Haoran struck him as a very steady and reliable person. For such a person to open a shop in the Underworld and do business without keeping some emergency funds for unforeseen circumstances, Zeng Bingwen found it hard to believe.
Therefore, at this moment, his words to Yang Haoran conveyed both his difficulties and his inner helplessness, while also assuring Yang Haoran that this deal would not be a loss, hoping Yang Haoran would change his mind.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran's face showed a flicker of hesitation. After a moment's thought, he spoke.
"Everyone faces difficulties sometimes," Yang Haoran said. "Emissary Zeng's situation today might well be my own tomorrow. Alas, originally, I truly couldn't help with this matter, as I genuinely have no Soul Pills left. However, since Emissary Zeng has put it this way, if I, Yang Haoran, were to refuse again, it would seem rather heartless. Name your price."
. . . because he had to re-quote a price for the goods in his shop. If he quoted it well, then both he and Yang Haoran would, if not be overjoyed, at least enjoy a pleasant cooperation. But if the price wasn't right, both would find themselves in an awkward position.
"Before, I asked for twenty Soul Pills, but now, Emissary Yang, fifteen will suffice!"
Zeng Bingwen gritted his teeth and quoted a price, reducing it by five Soul Pills in one go. After his words fell, he quickly added.
"Emissary Yang, rest assured, you absolutely won't lose out by giving fifteen Soul Pills for these items. Even if I were to sell them to other shops, I estimate I'd get at least twelve to thirteen Soul Pills. While I'm selling them for a bit more than other shops' buying prices, those shops drastically exploit me for these kinds of items. The prices they offer are far, far below the actual value of the goods, so. . ."
Although Zeng Bingwen didn't voice the rest of his thoughts, Yang Haoran understood exactly what he was trying to convey.
Yang Haoran understood this point even without Zeng Bingwen saying it, because when he had initially prepared to sell his own collection, he had witnessed how ruthless these Underworld merchants were with their pricing; calling it "knife to the bone" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Although he hadn't inspected every single item in Zeng Bingwen's shop, even the things he had seen were worth no less than twenty Soul Pills. If one factored in the goods he hadn't inspected, the value would naturally be even greater. After all, Zeng Bingwen was an experienced Emissary of Death; how could he possibly put worthless items up for sale in his own shop? Wouldn't that be a slap in his own face as the owner?
A deal at twenty Soul Pills would have been a sure profit, so fifteen Soul Pills would naturally yield an even greater gain. And if these items found someone who truly needed them, the returns would be even more substantial.
This calculation was simple; there was no need to spend time on it. Yang Haoran hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently under Zeng Bingwen's expectant gaze.
His hesitation wasn't due to him calculating; rather, it was a performance. He needed to make Zeng Bingwen believe that his funds were genuinely tight, that he was truly in a difficult position, and that his initial refusal hadn't been an attempt to drive down the price.
Seeing Yang Haoran nod, the nervousness in Zeng Bingwen's heart finally vanished.
Before Yang Haoran nodded, he had already made up his mind: if Yang Haoran disagreed or still wanted to haggle, he would simply liquidate all his goods to other shops. Although doing so would cost him two to three Soul Pills, it would be unavoidable, as he urgently needed them.
Fortunately, the worst outcome didn't materialize. Yang Haoran eventually relented and nodded, agreeing to take his goods. This filled him with both joy and a sense of loss and helplessness.
The joy stemmed from successfully offloading all the items, allowing him to acquire fifteen Soul Pills.
The sense of loss was because this shop, along with all the goods within, would no longer have any connection to him; they would no longer belong to him.
And the helplessness, of course, was due to taking such a significant loss by selling everything in a package deal. Yet, he had no choice but to do so, so how could he not feel helpless?
"Emissary Zeng, although your business failed, you didn't run away or renege on your debts. Your first thought was how to settle them, and for that, I truly admire you."
Yang Haoran smiled as he spoke, then retrieved three small porcelain bottles from his independent space, which floated suspended between him and Zeng Bingwen.
"These are?"
Seeing that Yang Haoran had produced not Soul Pills, but three small porcelain bottles, Zeng Bingwen couldn't help but reveal a bewildered expression.
"This junior did not deceive you before; I truly have no Soul Pills left, let alone enough to produce fifteen at once. However, these three porcelain bottles contain Pharmacist's Medicine used to heal injuries, with ten drops in each bottle. I've sold some of this Pharmacist's Medicine before in the Underworld, and each bottle fetches at least five Soul Pills. So, selling three bottles for fifteen Soul Pills shouldn't be an issue. If Emissary Zeng agrees, I will exchange these three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine for all the goods in your shop."
Upon hearing that the three porcelain bottles contained Pharmacist's Medicine for healing, Zeng Bingwen's face not only showed no disappointment but was instead alight with pleasant surprise.
"This. . . may I take a look?"
As if fearing Yang Haoran might misunderstand, Zeng Bingwen quickly explained.
"It's not that I don't trust Emissary Yang; I simply cannot contain my excitement, so I wish to see them."
Yang Haoran showed not the slightest hint of displeasure. A smile graced his face as he nodded to Zeng Bingwen.
"Emissary Zeng, you're too polite. Since we are making an exchange, it's only right that you inspect the goods first, so there's no need to feel embarrassed."
Zeng Bingwen smiled and nodded, then proceeded to inspect each of the three hovering bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine before him.
A short while later, Zeng Bingwen's face beamed with delight. From his expression, it was easy to see that he was extremely satisfied with the Pharmacist's Medicine inside the three porcelain bottles.
However, he didn't immediately place the three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine into his independent space, as such an act would be too impolite. Instead, he returned the three bottles to their original positions, where they remained suspended in the air by the force of Spirit Power.
"I never expected Emissary Yang to possess such valuable mid-grade Pharmacist's Medicine! These are truly excellent items; five Soul Pills per bottle is already a bargain. Emissary Yang, are you sure you want to exchange these three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine with me?"
Zeng Bingwen's emotions were clearly stirred. He spoke to Yang Haoran, seeking confirmation, and by his demeanor, it was clear that if Yang Haoran nodded in agreement, he would immediately put away the three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine.
"Mid-grade Pharmacist's Medicine?"
Yang Haoran thought to himself, Zeng Bingwen's designation for the three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine sparked a flicker of doubt in his mind. He didn't know much about this aspect, so he didn't understand the specific meaning. However, judging by the literal words, "mid-grade Pharmacist's Medicine" likely referred to the quality of the Pharmacist's Medicine.
Nevertheless, he didn't ask aloud or betray his inner confusion. He temporarily set the question aside, then smiled and nodded to Zeng Bingwen once more.
"Haha, then many thanks!"
Zeng Bingwen let out a hearty laugh, then immediately swept the three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine hovering before him into his independent space. He looked as if he feared Yang Haoran might change his mind if he delayed even a moment.
After securing the three bottles of Pharmacist's Medicine, Zeng Bingwen felt much more at ease. When he looked at Yang Haoran again, his gaze couldn't help but undergo a subtle shift.
"I was truly mistaken before; I never expected Emissary Yang to be so capable, producing three bottles of mid-grade Pharmacist's Medicine just like that! Compared to your three bottles of mid-grade Pharmacist's Medicine, my goods are simply a pile of junk!"
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