206: Chapter 196 206: Chapter 196 Xuanyuan Mengting, amid the friendly conversation between her fellow disciple siblings, truth be told, didn’t want another woman to join them, yet she couldn’t very well refuse too obviously.
As children of the Martial World, she could only nod heartily and say, “Alright then, let’s all go together.”
The shop assistants and the shopkeeper all exhibited ambiguous smiles.
Their boss was indeed very popular with the female Immortals.
These two women were the ones who visited the boss the most.
In their hearts, they wondered which one the boss favored more.
Other customers in the shop were also quite curious as they watched the trio exit the establishment.
Jiang Tang walked with a woman on each side, both being rather attractive female Immortals, drawing considerable attention as they strode down the street.
“Miss Xuanyuan Mengting, do you often come to Immortal Venerable City?” Jiang Tang made small talk, feeling that if he were holding a fan at that moment, he might present the image of a scholarly gentleman accompanied by beautiful women.
“Immortal Venerable City is quite famous.
However, our family is not based here; we are in Imperial City.
I only knew about the competition here and came to participate,” she replied.
Seeing that Jiang Tang was chatting with her first made Xuanyuan Mengting feel superior.
Proud as she was, she would not admit that she liked Jiang Tang, convincing herself it was merely curiosity about his affairs.
“Will the competition here still continue?” Jiang Tang had been harboring this question.
So many days had passed; even if the destroyed venue had been repaired, they would have to guard against enemy attacks once again.
“It is said that the repair is complete but since the competition’s date has passed, it can only be postponed.
It’s uncertain whether the delay will be for years or months.
The higher-ups of all the Immortal Sects have yet to decide on a sound resolution.”
“Then, Sister Yan, have you heard of what’s to be done?” Jiang Tang then asked Yan Weiwei.
“Jiang Tang, you don’t need to compete; you shouldn’t worry about the competition but whether you will return to the Sect afterward,” Yan Weiwei said with a gentle smile.
In her eyes, there was a hint of rivalry towards Xuanyuan Mengting, which she found somewhat amusing.
“Where I go will depend on whether there’s worth in it.
You’ve seen that my current status is that of a Servant Disciple.
Without a higher status, there’s no point in returning; I might as well run my shop outside.”
Jiang Tang had considered his future.
The Sect used to be his backing, but whether it would remain so depended on the Sect’s attitude.
“Jiang Tang, with your skill in Alchemy and such high Cultivation, the Sect will surely value you.
But if you have other aspirations, that’s great too.
I support you.”
“Thank you, I will certainly think it over carefully.”
Xuanyuan Mengting led them to a shop that sold Magical Treasures and Pills.
If it hadn’t been for her, no one would know this shop was the property of the Xuanyuan Family.
It seemed that many shops in Immortal Venerable City were veiled in secrecy, as were many residences, making it difficult to discern their true ownership.
Upon their entrance, a shop assistant greeted them.
Xuanyuan Mengting uttered a covert phrase to the assistant, who initially only offered a polite smile.
After recognizing the password, the assistant’s demeanor became very respectful.
“Miss, if you need anything, the shopkeeper is upstairs in the room,” the assistant said.
“Hmm,” she acknowledged.
Xuanyuan Mengting led the way upstairs, heading to the room the assistant had mentioned.
When the three of them reached the room’s door, it opened automatically.
This was an automatic door, controlled by someone inside.
“Miss, please come in and take a seat.
Guests, please be seated as well,” a middle-aged man dressed as a shopkeeper emerged from within, a member of a collateral branch of the Xuanyuan Family who ran the establishment.
“Thank you, Shopkeeper,” Jiang Tang politely clasped his hands and walked inside to take a seat.
Yan Weiwei said nothing, simply nodded to the shopkeeper, and took a seat next to Jiang Tang.
Xuanyuan Mengting took a seat on the other side of Jiang Tang and said to the still-standing shopkeeper, “Please sit.”
“Miss, I’ll brew some tea for you first.”
“There’s no need; I’d rather drink the tea brewed by Jiang Tang.
I wonder if Jiang Tang would be willing to brew some here?” Xuanyuan Mengting stopped the shopkeeper from brewing tea not because she disliked his service, but because she thought his tea wasn’t as good as Jiang Tang’s.
“Well…
would this young master agree to the young lady’s request?” The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, thinking that his brewing skills were not as good as Jiang Tang’s and that the miss was dissatisfied.
As a servant, he naturally obeyed orders.
“It would be my honor,” Jiang Tang performed the tea ceremony with the grace and fluidity of a moving cloud in front of everyone.
“Such a strong fragrance,” the shopkeeper was the first to speak, realizing that he had misunderstood Jiang Tang.
It turned out the young lady had other intentions; the guest’s tea was so exceptional that he too wished for a cup if possible.
“Please taste…” Jiang Tang poured a cup of tea for everyone present.
“Jiang Tang, I didn’t expect you to have such fine tea,” Yan Weiwei exclaimed in admiration after taking a sip.
“Sister Yan, it’s not that I am stingy and wouldn’t share; it’s just that this type of tea is produced in very limited quantities and is reserved for guests,” Jiang Tang guessed their thoughts from the looks in their eyes.
He didn’t understand why such a tea plant had appeared in his space; pruning and transplanting were ineffective.
If possible, he wanted to plant them on a large scale.
“What a pity; I was hoping if you had extra, you could sell some to our shop,” the shopkeeper voiced the idea that had surfaced in his mind.
“Shopkeeper, I brought Jiang Tang here this time because he mentioned wanting to buy some seeds or perhaps some rare herbs, specifically those Spirit Grasses brought back by those who trained in the outside world,” Xuanyuan Mengting stated the purpose of their visit.
“For friends introduced by the young lady, I will of course do my utmost.
I have some rare Spirit Plants on hand.
Let’s not talk about buying or selling; I just want to exchange some of the young master’s Pills for our shop to sell,” this shopkeeper, being a businessman, recognized Jiang Tang’s name, recalling the most famous shop owner recently in the cultivation world, whose goods were quite costly.
If he could make a profit from this or acquire some Pills for his family, it would be a contribution to his family.
“Shopkeeper, that’s a great idea.
I’ve had this thought for some time now, but I wonder if Jiang Tang would agree?” Xuanyuan Mengting herself had taken a Pill which had improved her cultivation; one could imagine if their family members could improve their cultivation, it would be worth even a great sum of money.
“You are good at calculating.
My Pills are not so easily obtained.
I might provide a few as part of the transaction, but supplying them in bulk is out of the question since I need to do business,” Jiang Tang thought of playing hard to get; if the Xuanyuan Family were sincere, they wouldn’t be so miserly.
“Young Master Jiang Tang, then I will consider these as gifts to you.
Does that show enough sincerity?
After I report to my family, we’ll see what they think.
Does this proposal work for you?”
“Shopkeeper, with such generosity, I’ll offer you two Pills as a gift, a welcome present to the Shopkeeper.
As for whether we can trade with your family in the future, that will depend on whether you can provide more exotic seeds.”
“Excellent, it seems Jiang Tang is also someone who enjoys cultivation.
That’s wonderful, wonderful indeed,” the shopkeeper rejoiced.
Knowing that although the seeds he offered were rare, the Pills Jiang Tang gave him were worth a fortune.
Whether he used them himself or sold them, they were valuable…