BXBX NOVEL Chapter 19 - 19: Conspiring
Chapter 19: Conspiring
Chapter 19: Conspiring . . .
In these recent days, the once bustling Drunken Star Manor found itself deserted, its prominence overshadowed by the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion. Following the tumultuous events initiated by Ye Yuan, Wan Donghai chose seclusion, shunning all visitors. This decision left Wan Dongyang, his younger brother, in a state of restlessness. Though eager to dispatch someone to settle the score with Ye Yuan, Wan Dongyang hesitated, fearing to act without his big brother's approval. Consequently, he loitered near Wan Donghai's secluded location, hopeful for an early emergence.
Wan Dongyang paced impatiently by the room's entrance, visibly agitated. His frustration had reached its limits, prompting him to express his discontent aloud.
"Big Brother, if you don't come out soon, I'll bring a crew to teach that punk a lesson! I can't endure this insult any longer," Wan Dongyang exclaimed, his temper flaring.
With no response from Wan Donghai, Wan Dongyang, in a fit of anger, stomped his feet. Just as he was about to depart, Wan Donghai's voice reached his ears.
"Dongyang, come in."
Ecstatic at the summons, Wan Dongyang promptly entered the room.
"Uh... Big Brother, weren't you in closed-door seclusion? Why..." Wan Dongyang initially believed his big brother was immersed in a breakthrough attempt. To his surprise, he found Wan Donghai leisurely sipping tea, exuding an air of nonchalance.
Wan Donghai showed no signs of frustration or defeat, contrary to Wan Dongyang's expectations. His demeanor radiated vitality and vigor, as if the incident from two days ago had never occurred.
Wan Donghai, with an air of assuredness, smiled lightly and remarked, "Dongyang, how many times must I tell you? In times of trouble, avoid excessive agitation. This is the capital—it's our territory, but also Ye Hang's. Do you believe you can eliminate Ye Yuan by openly dispatching people? Not unless Ye Hang has lost his wits."
"But Big Brother, I can't stomach this insult! How can our Drunken Star Manor continue operating in the capital after being humiliated by a brat who's still wet behind the ears?" Wan Dongyang retorted.
"Business thrives on harmony, bringing prosperity. Even in conflict, it should remain discreet. There's no point in openly assaulting our opponents; it would only force Drunken Star Manor into a disadvantageous position."
"This..."
"Your task is to stabilize and manage Drunken Star Manor. As for Ye Yuan, leave it to me. I've already made arrangements."
Wan Dongyang's eyes lit up, and he eagerly inquired, "What arrangements, Big Brother?"
With a smile, Wan Donghai disclosed, "He's merely a First Level Essence Qi Realm brat. No need for us to personally handle him. Now that he's recovered, he'll likely return to the Dan Wu Academy within two days. If something were to happen to him along the way, it won't be our concern."
"What are Big Brother's intentions?"
"I've hired a Mosha assassin. Dealing with a First Level Essence Qi Realm brat should be well within his capabilities."
"Hahaha!" Wan Dongyang laughed heartily, expressing admiration. "Big Brother truly has the situation under control. I'm impressed! Why didn't I think of this? Mosha assassins are like shadows, known throughout the Tranquil Cloud Ten Nations. With them involved, that brat won't escape death!"
"Indeed. Mosha is the most outstanding and reliable assassination organization in the Tranquil Cloud Ten Nations. Since my son failed to poison that brat, I'll use another method to send him on his way. Anyone daring to provoke me, Wan Donghai, must be tired of living."
Wan Donghai's demeanor turned colder as he uttered these words.
"Exactly. Who knows where that brat acquired such a mysterious poison? To challenge us is sheer ignorance of life and death. If he had some strength, it would be a different matter. Unfortunately, he's nothing more than a First Level Essence Qi Realm wastrel. Eradicating him will be effortless." In Wan Dongyang's eyes, Ye Yuan was already a dead man.
Wan Donghai laughed, displaying disinterest in Ye Yuan's affairs. To him, Ye Yuan wasn't even considered a worthy opponent; at best, he was a mere nuisance.
"If this incident was instigated by Ye Hang behind the scenes, he has successfully infuriated me! This time, Drunken Star Manor will surely crush the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion completely! I want Ye Hang's friends and relatives to abandon him!"
Wan Donghai produced a medicinal pill from his sleeve and handed it to Wan Dongyang. Though skeptical, Wan Dongyang accepted the pill, unable to discern any extraordinary features. Not possessing the alchemical expertise of Ye Yuan, Wan Dongyang could only determine it to be a pill akin to the Essence Qi Pill.
"Big Brother, what is this...?"
"This pill is called Essence Gathering Pill. Similar to the Essence Qi Pill, it accumulates essence energy, but its efficacy is 50% stronger! Imagine the profits when Drunken Star Manor starts supplying this pill."
Wan Donghai couldn't conceal the pride on his face.
Wan Dongyang, now grasping the potential, felt a surge of emotions. The release of such a pill into the market promised substantial gains, a lucrative venture indeed.
Although the Essence Qi Pill held the potential to enhance one's strength, its efficacy dwindled as one progressed from the First Level Essence Qi Realm to the Fifth or Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm. The Essence Gathering Pill, however, presented a game-changing alternative. If initiated at the First Level Essence Qi Realm, it accelerated cultivation speed by an astounding 50%. For prodigies hailing from influential families, this was a dream-like boon.
In the realm of martial pursuits, every passing moment played a crucial role. As bone age advanced, the body's potential gradually diminished. The time available for strengthening became exceedingly limited. Consequently, those who achieved higher realms in their youth could tread further on the Martial Path. This perspective underscored the extraordinary significance of the Essence Gathering Pill.
"Big Brother, what is the cost of producing this Essence Gathering Pill?" Wan Dongyang, being an alchemist, cut to the chase with this pivotal question.
"Rest assured, the Essence Gathering Pill is also a Tier 1 medicinal pill. The production cost is only marginally higher than that of the Essence Qi Pill."
"That's fantastic! With this Essence Gathering Pill, Big Brother, we can decisively overpower the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion!"
Their gazes met, and the brothers erupted into synchronized laughter.
...
At the Tang Family residence:
Tang Zonghuai, having consumed the medicinal pill provided by Ye Yuan, immersed himself in closed-door seclusion, striving to refine its potent efficacy. The pill, named the Ink Jade Heart Returning Pill, was unprecedented in the State of Qin. However, with the resources of the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion at his disposal, Ye Yuan swiftly gathered the necessary herbs and successfully refined it.
The Ink Jade Heart Returning Pill specialized in treating internal injuries. Though similar to the Great Returning Pill in medicinal properties, its efficacy surpassed it by an entire grade. It not only shielded Tang Zonghuai's heart meridians but also mended his injured organs. Thorough absorption of its properties promised complete recovery within three days.
In the Tang Family Outer Hall, Tang Yu respectfully bowed to Ye Yuan. "This time, if Brother Ye hadn't fortuitously appeared, I'm afraid my father would be beyond salvation. Brother Ye, please accept this bow."
Ye Yuan halted Tang Yu with a smile, saying, "No need for such formality, Brother Tang. It was your filial piety that moved me. Observing the filial bond between you and your father, I couldn't bear to witness you two separated by death. In a way, you played a crucial role in saving your father. If you hadn't offered the Six Leaf Grass, I would have been powerless against Uncle's injuries."
Tang Yu, upon hearing Ye Yuan's words, suddenly realized that Ye Yuan's essence energy was excessively abundant. In just one day, he had reached the Third Level Essence Qi Realm!
"In one night, Brother Ye advanced by two levels? H-how is that possible?" Tang Yu, initially focused on his father's condition, now found himself dumbstruck by the changes in Ye Yuan's body.
The Dan Wu Academy, a gathering place for geniuses, had introduced Tang Yu to many prodigies. However, the notion of a genius progressing by two levels overnight was utterly inconceivable.
Ye Yuan smiled and responded, "I seized an opportunity. I don't mind Brother Tang's jests."
For Ye Yuan, it was indeed seizing an opportunity. However, the Exploding Yuan Pill, which he consumed, was not something others would dare ingest as he did. For anyone else, it would lead to meridian rupture and death. Yet, Ye Yuan's profound understanding of medicinal properties and the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art gave him the confidence to swallow such pills.
Recovering from his astonishment, Tang Yu forced a smile. "Seizing an opportunity? Incurring jests? Brother Ye, your words make me feel inadequate!"
"Hahaha. No need to feel that way, Brother Tang. I have some cultivation-enhancing medicinal pills; I'll give them to you. I believe there's no longer any concern for Uncle Tang's injuries. Will Brother Tang accompany me back to the Dan Wu Academy tomorrow?"
"Alright. Once Father emerges from seclusion without issues, I'll follow Brother Ye back tomorrow."
"Good. Keep the medicinal pills I've given you safe. Ensure no one else discovers them."
Tang Yu understood the importance implied by Ye Yuan's words. He replied solemnly, "Rest assured, Brother Ye. I will keep it confidential."
An Exploding Yuan Pill, though ordinary in the Divine Realm, held immense value in the State of Qin. Ye Yuan understood the principle that wealth could lead an innocent man into trouble.