The greater the influence, the more money it requires.
Although their market value exceeds one hundred billion, they don't have much disposable cash.
Investing fifteen billion in a project can yield profits several times over.
But fifteen billion for medicinal herbs requires careful consideration.
Even though the Jade Marrow Ganoderma can help martial artists break through, the success rate is less than ten percent.
"Fifteen hundred and fifty million!" Yang Sanmei stated.
"Sixteen hundred million," Qin Hanchu said immediately.
Upon hearing this, Yang Sanmei chuckled, "Handsome young man, how about you let me have this Jade Marrow Ganoderma?"
"On what grounds? You wouldn't even give yourself to me," Qin Hanchu retorted.
You!
A hint of annoyance flickered across Yang Sanmei's face, "Sixteen hundred and fifty million!"
"Seventeen hundred million!" Qin Hanchu continued.
This time, Yang Sanmei remained silent.
Seventeen hundred million had completely exceeded her affordability.
"My four esteemed guests, would you like to bid higher?" Chen Sansheng was quite pleased; seventeen hundred million was already a very satisfactory price for him.
Seeing that Yang Sanmei and the other three were no longer speaking, Chen Sansheng turned to Qin Hanchu and said, "Transfer the funds first, then I will escort you to collect the goods."
"You expect seventeen hundred million based on a mere photograph?" Qin Hanchu said indifferently. "Give me seven hundred million first, and I'll pay the balance upon seeing the goods."
Chen Sansheng nodded, "Agreed."
Qin Hanchu glanced at Suanmei, who stepped forward and paid the deposit.
"My four guests, we shall take our leave."
"Mr. Qin, please follow me."
Chen Sansheng stood up and said.
A moment later, Qin Hanchu and Chen Sansheng were in the latter's car.
The two cars departed from the hotel together.
As soon as they left, several other cars quietly followed.
"Third Boss, are we really going to make a move?"
"We can't afford to offend the Xiao family from Luojing City."
In the hotel elevator, the Third Boss's subordinate asked.
"That brat is just using the Xiao family's name to scare us."
"If the Xiao family truly intended to purchase the Jade Marrow Ganoderma, would they send an outsider?"
"Besides, once they're both dead, who would know who snatched the Jade Marrow Ganoderma?"
The Third Boss snorted.
It wasn't just the Third Boss who harbored this thought; Yang Sanmei and the other two factions shared the same sentiment.
The four factions trailed them along different routes.
An hour and a half later, the two cars had left Beihai City.
Qin Hanchu did not inquire about the location of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma. He leaned back in his seat, resting with his eyes closed.
Suanmei sat beside Qin Hanchu, gazing out at the passing scenery.
"Aren't you curious about the Jade Marrow Ganoderma's location, Mr. Qin?" Chen Sansheng asked, observing Qin Hanchu's nonchalance.
Qin Hanchu, still with his eyes closed, replied, "Aren't you going to take me there? Why would I ask for the location?"
"It's rare to find someone your age who can remain so composed," Chen Sansheng said with a smile.
"We're being followed."
Even after leaving the city, there were still many vehicles around.
Suanmei commented, looking at the cars behind them.
Chen Sansheng chuckled, "It's fine, let them follow. Once we enter the mountains, they won't be able to keep up."
Seeing Qin Hanchu's lack of concern, Suanmei said no more.
Three more hours passed, and the car finally reached the mountainous area.
This was a region of continuous mountains, so vast that even the local residents hadn't fully explored them.
Furthermore, the forests here were home to many ferocious beasts, and even Ninth-Grade martial artists had to tread with caution.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in a mountain village.
"It's already quite late; we'll be staying in the village tonight and heading into the mountains at dawn tomorrow," Chen Sansheng announced.
Qin Hanchu nodded, "We'll follow your arrangements."
Chen Sansheng and his group were familiar with the villagers, and under their arrangements, Qin Hanchu and Suanmei were housed in a local farmhouse.
"The village conditions are simple; the two of you will have to make do in one room for the night," Chen Sansheng said.
Upon hearing that she would be sharing a room with Qin Hanchu, Suanmei's expression shifted slightly.
"That's fine," Qin Hanchu agreed without hesitation, figuring he could manage for just one night.
In the evening, Chen Sansheng purchased some game from the villagers and prepared a sumptuous dinner.
With Qin Hanchu's medical skills, he had no fear of being poisoned, so he ate the wild game with gusto.
"Young man, you have quite the courage, not fearing we might poison your food?" Chen Sansheng asked with a smile, seeing Qin Hanchu eat so casually.
"There are probably no poisons that can affect me," Qin Hanchu replied.
Chen Sansheng chuckled, "Do you dabble in medicine, young man?"
"A little," Qin Hanchu responded.
With little to do for entertainment in the village, Qin Hanchu took Suanmei to their room after dinner.
"You sleep on the bed; I'll sleep on the floor," Qin Hanchu offered.
"You are the Young Master; how can we let you sleep on the floor?" Although Qin Hanchu had told Suanmei and the others not to call him Young Master, in their hearts, Qin Hanchu remained their master.
While casual banter was acceptable, making Qin Hanchu sleep on the floor was out of the question.
"How about we sleep together?" Qin Hanchu teased.
Hearing this, Suanmei's face flushed crimson, "As you wish."
Suanmei's response left Qin Hanchu feeling rather awkward.
The joke had been a bit too rash; he hadn't expected Suanmei to not refuse.
"Ahem... I was just kidding," Qin Hanchu said. "I need to cultivate tonight and won't be sleeping, so you sleep on the bed."
"One can cultivate on the bed too..."
Before Suanmei could finish speaking, Qin Hanchu's expression turned stern, "That's an order."
Seeing Qin Hanchu's seriousness, Suanmei could only nod.
Spreading a blanket on the floor, Qin Hanchu sat down cross-legged.
Watching Qin Hanchu begin his cultivation, Suanmei sat on the bed, playing with her phone, doing her best not to disturb him.
Time flew by, and the night passed silently.
At four in the morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
It was then that Chen Sansheng's voice could be heard.
By the time the sun fully rose, Qin Hanchu and the others had entered the mountain forest.
The Jade Marrow Ganoderma was located deep within the mountains. After walking for a full four hours, they finally arrived at a cliff face.
Chen Sansheng pointed to the nearby precipice and said, "The Jade Marrow Ganoderma is on this cliff face. My men have been guarding it here."
"Let's go; I'll take a look," Qin Hanchu said.
"This cliff is extremely treacherous. It's very difficult to ascend for anyone below the Eighth Grade."
"My men can pick it for you."
Chen Sansheng continued as they walked.
Qin Hanchu smiled, "No need. Picking the Jade Marrow Ganoderma requires a certain technique. I'll do it myself."
Hearing this, Chen Sansheng looked at Qin Hanchu in surprise, "Have you reached the Eighth Grade?"
Qin Hanchu nodded, "Yes."
"What is happening in this era? So many geniuses?"
"To reach the Eighth Grade at twenty years old, are you perhaps a student from the special class at the Military Academy?"
Chen Sansheng exclaimed in astonishment.
"You guessed correctly," Qin Hanchu replied with a smile.
"Anyone who can enter the special class is destined for great things," Chen Sansheng said, offering a compliment first. Then he continued, "If you need anything in the future, feel free to let me know. Our team specializes in finding precious medicinal herbs and can help you improve your strength faster."