Supreme Emperor of Mist

"Is there any words from our people?" Er-Lang asked.

"No... They're still struggling to cultivate the plant. It's barely reached half of the efficiency you could get from the Essence Transformation Pill." Si-Lang said.

"We've invested too much in this project. No matter what, we'll have to make this happen. The Essence Transformation Pill business must be monopolized by our Lang (Medicine) House no matter what."

"My second and fourth brother... Use whatever tricks you know to make this happen. The next battle on the border between our Yunshan and Kuanglei Province is going to happen soon. Only by being well prepared can we become the biggest winner." Da-Lang appeared in between them.

"Your brother understood." both of them acknowledged Da-Lang's word as they left the spiritual cave.

'Qin Lan... What kind of alchemist are you? To be able to come up with three spiritual herbs and cultivation pills in less than a year with the Cloud Plucking Sect...' Da-Lang tapped the table as he asked the question.

"Knock - Knock - Knock"

"Eldest brother..." Qi-Lang came into the room after knocking at the door a few times.

"What's wrong?" Da-Lang turned his gaze at the youngest of the seven of them.

"We've received a letter from the second prince." Qi-Lang quickly placed the letter in front of his eldest brother so he can take a look at it.

"This letter is finally here..." Da-Lang opened the letter without delay.

== == == == ==

Second Prince Mandate

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On behalf of his royal prince's request, the Lang (Medicine) House is appointed as the alchemist organization to supply the punitive force with relevant pills.

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10,000 Blood Clotting Pills

10,000 Turbulence Pills

10,000 Flesh Foundation Pills

10,000 Fasting Pills

10,000 Vein Unblocking Pills

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The house is also expected to deliver a continuous supply of the Jewel Lotus Fruit to the battlefield. Failure to do so will result in the reward delayed after the battle.

-

Signed,

Sun Ding Tian,

Second Prince of Wu

== == == == ==

"Fifty thousand pills... His appetite is too big!" Da-Lang threw the letter on the floor due to his anger.

"Big brother... Are we going to..." Qi-Lang picked the letter up as he waited for his brother's decision.

"Go and get them prepared. Send what the second prince ordered to his courtyard before the end of the week." Da-Lang changed his mind after considering a bit.

"But - That's fifty thousand pills!" Qi-Lang said.

"Just do it. If we don't have enough, purchase from the Medicinal Manor or other establishments. Also, bring along another 10,000 Flesh Foundation Pills to be gifted to the second prince when you deliver the goods he ordered." Da-Lang ordered.

"I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll excuse myself first." Qi-Lang turned around and left.

'Sun Ding Tian... Just you wait..." Da-Lang destroyed the tea table he used to rest his hand with a strength equivalent to a half-step Bone Reconstruction Layer.

...

...

...

"Brother Qin." today, a special guest paid Qin Lan's newly opened Qin-Zhou Medicine Store a visit.

"Brother Sun." Qin Lan smiled as he politely cupped his hands together at Sun Wu Jian.

"My humble little store is really blessed to have a visit from the heir of the dragon itself. What else more can I ask?" Qin Lan jokes as he invites Sun Wu Jian inside.

"The medicinal fragrance inside your store always has a kind of smell lingering around. Don't tell me... Your medicine store is selling alcohol as well?" Sun Wu Jian jokes.

"Qin Lan, don't dare, your highness! Even with your approval, I wouldn't dare to sell alcohol in my medicine store. But..." Qin Lan quickly denies Sun Wu Jian's assumption. Additionally, he made it sound mysterious while they're getting closer to the private courtyard.

""But what? Brother Qin Lan, please don't keep a secret from me..." Sun Wu Jian pointed his finger at Qin Lan, urging him to break open his silence.

"All your curiosity will be answered when we're at the private courtyard. Let's go, Let's go." Qin Lan smiled as they continue moving further into the store.

"Greetings, Your highness. May the nine dragons of Wu blessed this shop while your highness dines inside our humble establishment." Hu Jia and Zhou Mei politely greet Sun Wu Jian with proper etiquette.

"Very well said." Sun Wu Jian laughed.

"Brother Qin, I recognized miss Hu Jia from our first meeting back in the spiritual cave, but this one... seems familiar... Don't tell me she's someone from the Zhou Household?" Sun Wu Jian asked.

"Indeed, your highness. This girl's name is Zhou Mei. I am the daughter of Fuyun City's Zhou Treasured Pavilion Manager, Zhou Shen." she introduced herself using the manner and etiquette fancied by the people from the capital.

"No wonder. I heard that uncle Zhou has been sent here to manage the Yunshan Branch. How's uncle Zhou's health lately?" Sun Wu Jian placed his hand right on Zhou Mei's sight to order her to stand up.

"My father's health is the same as ever. I'm sure he will be happy if he knew that your highness still remembers him." Zhou Mei replied. From the way she talked, it seems that the Zhou and Sun do have some connection.

"Of course, I still remember. When Lady Zhou returned to the pavilion, please reminds uncle Zhou that his goodwill in the form of a Foundation Advancement Pill will not be forgotten. Wu Jian will forever remember this favor." Sun Wu Jian said.

"Zhou Mei will make sure to deliver this word back to father without changing anything in between." she nodded gently to Sun Wu Jian.

"Brother Sun, please have a cup of medicinal tonic first before we start our conversation." Qin Lan then poured a cup of brown-colored tonic into a wine vessel. The smaller cups that were used to drink wine are nowhere to be seen.

"Brother Qin, are you trying to trap me with words, or you're making fun of me during the daylight?" Sun Wu Jian narrowed his eyes while looking at Qin Lan.

"Oh? Why would your highness said so? This surname Qin is clueless on how to answer the question..." Qin Lan shook his head as he continues with his act.

"Look at them..." Hu Jia and Zhou Mei both chuckled as they nodded at the others.

Soon, multiple dishes cooked with medicinal herbs were served on the table o enjoy during their conversation.

"Brother Qin, you call it a tonic, but it was sealed in a wine jar. You say it wasn't wine, but it smells like wine. Then when I look at it... It seems to be wine, but why does it look like a cup of bitter medicinal tonic?" Sun Wu Jian scratched his head from getting puzzled by Qin Lan.

"That's because what I'm serving your highness today is not wine, but Medicinal Wine. The Rock Lotus Fragrance is made for one to forget his worries. But this Plum Flower Fragrance is for one to remember his duties." Qin Lan replied.

"Tao-Hua Xiang... A fitting name. Then, brother Qin, let's drink." Sun Wu Jian reached to the wine vessel and proposed a toast.

"Drink!" Qin Lan raised his cup with both hands as they finished the medicinal wine in a mouthful.

Bitterness from the herbal ingredient attacked his five senses when the alcohol made its way past Sun Wu Jian's throat. Although the alcohol content in this wine is strong, it was not as strong as the one he tasted from the Rock Lotus Fragrance.

"There's a kind of indescribable hint of energy wrapping my body. Brother Qin should just open a wine store. I'm sure the business would be booming with customers." Sun Wu Jian tapped Qin Lan's shoulder as he made this comment.

Although it was just a mere sentence of goodwill and appreciation, the weight behind his word is heavier than a chest of pure gold. It also stands for his support over Qin Lan's business venture inside of this city.

"Let us get back to a serious conversation. I wish to have your support. My punitive force is going to take down the Hushan Bandits in Flame Demon Mountain!" Sun Wu Jian's sentence is like a lightning strike beside Qin Lan's ear.

"Hushan Bandits?" he chuckled.

Even Hu Jia's expression is changed because they indeed had some unfinished business with the Hushan Bandits.

"From brother Qin's expression, it seems there's some history between you and the Hushan Bandits..." Sun Wu Jian asked.

"Yes. I wonder what kind of help brother Sun would need from my humble Qin Faction?" Qin Lan's tone changed.

"Pills, Medicine, and people." Sun Wu Jian answered.

"Great." Qin Lan turned to Zhou Mei for her opinion before he gave Sun Wu Jian his answer. Her suggestion is valuable for Qin Lan because she represents the decision of the Zhou Treasured Pavilion.

"Let's do it," she whispered with a nod.

"The Qin Family will support the ninth prince will all resources we have." Qin Lan firmly held Sun Wu Jian's hand as he gave his answer.

"Good! Let us destroy the bandit stronghold together!" Sun Wu Jian tightened his grip.