Chapter 875: A New Challenge
In the Underworld's shops, not all goods qualify for Soul Pills as currency; only when their value reaches a certain threshold are Soul Pills used.
Typically, the currency used for transactions is Underworld Currency, not Soul Pills.
The medicinal liquid Yang Haoran brought held considerable value, which was why the other party chose to use Soul Pills as currency for the sale—it was not only easier to calculate but also more substantial.
Of course, if Yang Haoran preferred Underworld Currency to Soul Pills, that was also an option. After all, in the Underworld, one could buy Soul Pills with Underworld Currency and exchange Soul Pills for Underworld Currency, so either choice was acceptable.
As for the goods in Zeng Bingwen's shop, he typically priced individual items in Underworld Currency; only a select few higher-value goods were marked with Soul Pills.
Now that he was selling all the remaining goods in a bulk package to Yang Haoran, despite the relatively low value of each individual item, their combined worth was considerable. This was why he opted to use Soul Pills as currency, as it made the calculation simpler.
While Zeng Bingwen was surprised that Yang Haoran could produce three bottles of mid-grade medicinal liquid, he also couldn't help but sigh at the thought that his entire shop's worth of goods ultimately only exchanged for three bottles of medicinal liquid.
However, it was merely a sigh, not regret, for he knew full well that although his shop contained many goods, their true value indeed paled in comparison to Yang Haoran's three bottles of medicinal liquid, at least according to the prevailing market rates in the Underworld.
Yang Haoran said with a smile, his words startling Zeng Bingwen once more, who only reacted after a moment of stunned silence.
“It seems I still underestimated Netherworld Emissary Yang. So, Netherworld Emissary Yang is planning a big business venture. In today's world, all sorts of medicines refined by Pharmacists are highly sought after. Selling these things, it'd be hard *not* to get rich. Before, I was worried that after Netherworld Emissary Yang took over my shop, he might follow in my footsteps, ending up with a mountain of debt just like me. Now, it seems I was overthinking things. ”
Zeng Bingwen spoke with a look of surprise, both his tone and expression revealing a hint of envy.
“As long as you can acquire various medicines refined by Pharmacists, I can guarantee Netherworld Emissary Yang one hundred percent that it would be difficult for your shop to even go bankrupt! ” Zeng Bingwen declared, his tone utterly confident.
“Heh, Netherworld Emissary Zeng also knows that Pharmacists are rare in this world, so acquiring medicines refined by them is quite difficult. This time, to successfully open the shop, I not only depleted my family fortune but also used up most of my various medicines. By the time this shop opens, I still don't know what I'll have to stabilize the business. ”
Zeng Bingwen naturally didn't believe Yang Haoran's words. How could one decide to open an apothecary in the Underworld without any stock? What would he sell when it opened then?
Though disbelieving in his heart, Zeng Bingwen didn't voice it, instead nodding to Yang Haoran.
“Netherworld Emissary Yang is right. Pharmacists are indeed too rare in this world, which is why the medicines they refine are so precious. If I had the chance, I’d love to become a Pharmacist myself, but alas, there’s no one to guide me in. ”
At this point, Zeng Bingwen paused, the smile on his face suddenly deepening a few shades, before he continued speaking to Yang Haoran.
“Since Netherworld Emissary Yang can acquire medicines refined by Pharmacists, you must surely know a Pharmacist personally. Could you perhaps introduce me, so I might learn a few superficial skills? ”
Hearing this, Yang Haoran forced a wry smile, his expression rather helpless.
“I do indeed know a Pharmacist, but he has a peculiar temperament and acts as a lone wolf. Even I dare not speak too loudly in front of him, for fear of displeasing him. My opening an apothecary in the Underworld this time is a partnership with him; he provides the medicines, and I handle the sales. However, he specifically instructed me not to reveal his identity to anyone. If I were to introduce you to him, I would surely infuriate him. Not only would your objective remain unachieved, but I too would suffer the consequences. Given his character, he would very likely terminate our cooperation, and I would suffer a great loss. ”
Although Zeng Bingwen didn't fully believe Yang Haoran's words, Yang Haoran had laid out his reasoning so thoroughly that Zeng Bingwen naturally found it difficult to press the matter further, only offering an awkward smile.
“Oh, right, look at my memory! I was so busy chatting with you that I completely forgot about the real business! ”
To conceal his embarrassment, Zeng Bingwen feigned a sudden realization, and after saying this to Yang Haoran, he immediately rushed into the shop.
“You all, put down what’s in your hands first. Everything in this shop now belongs to Netherworld Emissary Yang. Be careful placing things back in their original spots; don’t break anything. ”
Standing outside the shop, Yang Haoran could hear Zeng Bingwen’s voice echoing from within. With a smile on his face, he stepped inside the shop.
“Netherworld Emissary Yang, all the goods that originally belonged to this shop are here. I, Zeng Bingwen, can swear to the Death God that I have absolutely not taken a single item. If you don't believe me, you can count them on the spot. Once Netherworld Emissary Yang finishes the count and confirms there are no issues, I will then leave. ”
As soon as Yang Haoran entered the shop, Zeng Bingwen greeted him with a smile, making a solemn vow.
“Heh, though this humble one hasn't interacted with Netherworld Emissary Zeng for long, I still trust Netherworld Emissary Zeng's character. Moreover, this isn’t our last encounter; we’ll have plenty more interactions in the future, and perhaps even cooperate. If I don't even have this much trust, how could I get along with Netherworld Emissary Zeng going forward? Let these goods remain here for now; I will figure out how to deal with them later. ” Yang Haoran said with a smile.
“Haha, Netherworld Emissary Yang is straightforward! I, Zeng Bingwen, find it truly enjoyable to deal with a frank person like Netherworld Emissary Yang. Thank you very much, Netherworld Emissary Yang, for this time. I, Zeng Bingwen, have noted this favor. Should you ever need anything in the future, Netherworld Emissary Yang, please feel free to come find me in High Tower City! ” Zeng Bingwen said with a laugh.
Interacting with someone like Yang Haoran, some people found it quite pleasant, for such individuals were approachable, polite to everyone, and seemed utterly kind, never arrogant or overbearing, which made others feel very comfortable.
However, others were unwilling to interact with someone like Yang Haoran because they perceived such individuals as too dangerous. You never truly knew what such a person was thinking; perhaps one day you might be stabbed in the back without even realizing it. Thus, they harbored a great deal of wariness towards this type of person.
As Zeng Bingwen's words reached his ears, Yang Haoran's smile, though considerably deepened, betrayed little ripple of emotion within his heart.
Because whether Zeng Bingwen genuinely enjoyed dealing with him or was merely speaking pleasantries, Yang Haoran didn't particularly care.
As the saying goes, "Distance tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart. " He wouldn't offer an immediate affirmation to someone he had only recently met, nor would he offer a dismissal; that would be too arbitrary.
After exchanging courtesies, Zeng Bingwen departed from the shop that had cost him even his underwear. Though it was a place of sorrow for him, he was filled with reluctance as he left, having truly invested too much here in such a short time.
As for the ghosts wearing skins that he had brought, they naturally left with him, leaving Yang Haoran as the sole occupant of the entire shop.
After Zeng Bingwen left, Yang Haoran didn't bother with the goods Zeng Bingwen had left behind. He dropped the smile from his face, found a spot to sit down, lit a cigarette for himself, and sank into deep thought.
Now that he had a shop, his next step was to open for business. However, before that, a crucial problem needed to be resolved. If this problem couldn't be addressed, it would significantly impact the shop's future.
This problem was that he couldn't remain in the Underworld indefinitely to oversee the shop, as he still had many matters to attend to in the mortal realm. Furthermore, his goal wasn't to become a business tycoon in the Underworld. Therefore, he needed a capable shop manager to handle this Underworld shop for him, freeing him from the need to constantly be present in the Underworld.
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