C19 Dai an

"The name 'Wind Moon House' is just too tacky," one of them chuckled with a laugh.

"How about 'Spring Abundance Pavilion'?" suggested a man in white, flourishing his folding fan with a satisfied smile.

"Brilliant!"

The group broke into applause.

Qin Ming recognized the newcomer; he was affiliated with the Dai Family of Mobei. Being one of the eight big families, it was only natural that he had some insight into their affairs.

Dayu Pharmacy was a local establishment rumored to be backed by the Dai Family.

Ju Hsing Building, though founded by outsiders, had branches in every major city of the Gilt Country, making it a formidable force. However, in recent years, it was said to have faced oppression from local powers in Mobei City.

This scheme was likely the handiwork of the Dai Family, the preeminent leader among Mobei's eight big families.

The price of the Beast Blood Pill had plummeted from eight hundred to five hundred taels in recent years, a manipulation by the Dai Family from the shadows. A family of their stature could easily force a small Ju Hsing Building branch to close.

Despite the relatively small proportion of warriors in Mobei City, the sheer size of the population meant that tens of thousands were affected. Furthermore, the Beast Blood Pill was a hot commodity among warriors, with profits that were highly coveted.

Horse bandits roamed the outskirts of Mobei City, making it dangerous to venture out without substantial backing. Apart from the eight big families, who could procure the Beast Blood Pill on their own, the remaining warriors had no choice but to purchase from one of the two trading companies.

"Is it you again? How dare you cause a scene at Ju Hsing Building?" Guo Jie's face was livid with rage.

"We haven't caused any trouble inside Ju Hsing Building. We're outside, aren't we? Don't intimidate me," Dai An feigned alarm.

The Dai Family disciples erupted into boisterous laughter.

"You dare to insult Ju Hsing Building? I'm eager to see how the Dai Family will explain this," Guo Jie declared, his voice imbued with the authority of his position.

"I've heard that Ju Hsing Building is on the brink of closure. My intention is simply to acquire this land and rebuild. How is that an insult? I don't see it that way," Dai An, ever the sly one, retorted with a smirk.

"Come back and gloat after we've actually closed. Until then, get lost," Guo Jie commanded.

Bystanders on the street couldn't help but pause and gather around, witnessing the Dai Family's embarrassment and murmuring among themselves.

Dai An shot back, "If you're without a single Beast Blood Pill or any business to speak of, why cling to this endeavor? What do you call that?"

"They're just asking for trouble," chimed in one of the Dai Family disciples.

"Wrong. They're being foolish," another added.

Laughter erupted from the crowd outside Ju Hsing Building.

Guo Jie, fuming with anger, retorted, "Who says Ju Hsing Building doesn't have any Beast Blood Pills?"

"Then show me," Dai An taunted.

"Why should I? Can you even afford them?" Guo Jie challenged.

"Afford them? If you can produce them, I'll buy each for 10,000 taels," Dai An boasted, though he was skeptical—Dai Family intelligence suggested that Ju Hsing Building hadn't sold any Beast Blood Pills recently.

"You're on record now," Dai An said, grinning confidently.

Guo Jie responded by presenting three Beast Blood Pills.

The Dai Family disciples were stunned, unable to believe that Ju Hsing Building still had Beast Blood Pills in stock.

"This can't be; Ju Hsing Building shouldn't have any Beast Blood Pills left," they muttered in disbelief.

To purchase these three Beast Blood Pills would cost him a hefty 300 gold coins.

"Hand them over," Dai An demanded.

Pooling their money together, the Dai Family disciples reluctantly paid the 300 gold coins, their hands shaking. With so many witnesses, there was no chance for Dai An and his kin to renege on the deal. Though the sum wasn't substantial, it was a few months' worth of their savings, and the blow to their pride stung even more.

Guo Jie could have offered more Beast Blood Pills, but he refrained. At the moment, Ju Hsing Building's most pressing need was to attract customers, and they needed the remaining Beast Blood Pills to retain the few they still had.

Naturally, he surmised that these scions of the Dai Family weren't carrying much in the way of gold coins.

Qin Ming couldn't suppress a chuckle. With just a single transaction, Guo Jie had traded three Beast Blood Pills, and Ju Hsing Building had already recouped its investment. Such a deal, however, was a one-time opportunity.

Qin Ming's laughter, however, didn't go unnoticed and soon drew the Dai Family disciples' attention.

"Is that you? Qin Ming, you have the audacity to sell Beast Blood Pills to Ju Hsing Building?" Dai An spat out, his words laced with venom.

Recently, Qin Ming had emerged victorious in a competition, securing first place and fifteen bottles of Beast Blood Pills—a fact that had quickly made the rounds within the elite family circles.

Family intelligence suggested that Ju Hsing Building had run out of Beast Blood Pills. The pills now in Guo Jie's possession could only have come from Qin Ming.

The Dai Family had previously decreed that no other family should sell Beast Blood Pills to Ju Hsing Building, declaring such an act as a direct affront to their authority.

Qin Ming, long dismissed as worthless, was not privy to these familial warnings and was oblivious to the underlying disputes over interests.

"The Qin Family seems to have quite the ambition. Not content with the profits from mining, you're now eyeing the pharmaceutical trade," mocked another Dai Family disciple.

Three years prior, the Qin Family had inexplicably secured the mining rights to two veins from the authorities, reaping substantial profits. The reasons for this windfall were unknown even to the City Lord of Mobei City.

Hearing this, Qin Ming grasped the gist of the situation but remained indifferent to the Dai Family's quarrel with Ju Hsing Building.

"Am I to seek your approval before selling my own goods? The Dai Family truly knows no bounds," Qin Ming retorted icily.

"Qin Ming, you dare to defy the Dai Family? Excellent," Dai An sneered, moving to apprehend Qin Ming for questioning. His Spirit Founding Stage Sixth Phase presence caused bystanders to back away.

As the foremost among the eight big families, the Dai Family held considerable sway. Dai An, ranked third in strength within his family, was confident in his ability to overpower any rival family's disciple.

Yet, to his shock, a crisp slap rang out across his stern face.

Before Dai An could even register what was happening, a series of slaps landed on his face.

Moments earlier, Dai An had been seething with rage, but he was now completely bewildered, frozen in place, obviously terrified.

The Dai Family disciples stood equally shocked. Their big brother appeared utterly defenseless against his opponent.

"Get lost," Qin Ming commanded icily.

When he was at the Fourth Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage, he had managed to defeat Qin Wu. Now, Dai An, who had recently advanced to the Fifth Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage, seemed insignificant in his eyes.

Qin Ming had utterly overpowered Dai An.

Dai An was so intimidated that he didn't even dare to breathe heavily. If Qin Ming had wanted to kill him, Dai An wouldn't have stood a chance to fight back.

"Fine then. It looks like the Qin Family wants to rule over Mobei alone. The Dai Family will ally with the other great families to ostracize the Qin Family and you," boasted a disciple.

Dai An's cheeks and eyes were severely swollen, but he attempted to sound defiant, "The Newcomer Large Competition is just a few days away. You just wait."

Dai An's two cousins were the ones representing the Dai Family in the competition.

"You won't be arrogant for much longer," another disciple threatened.

Qin Ming glared and made a step forward.

"We'll leave."

Dai An immediately pleaded for mercy. He was genuinely scared. With his swollen face still evident, he led his disciples in a hasty and humiliating retreat.

The crowd slowly thinned out.

Guo Jie looked distressed as he said, "Brother, this incident has brought trouble upon you, and for that, I'm deeply sorry."

If Guo Jie hadn't brought out the Beast Blood Pill, Qin Ming wouldn't have been dragged into this mess. He admitted to himself that he hadn't fully considered the consequences.

Nevertheless, using the incident to promote Ju Hsing Building's possession of the Beast Blood Pill, and the Dai Family's defeat, was an excellent marketing strategy.

Qin Ming dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand, "The Beast Blood Pill was my sale to Ju Hsing Building in the first place. Even without today's events, the Dai Family would have traced it back to me eventually."

After all, once the news of the Beast Blood Pill spread from Ju Hsing Building, the Dai Family's resources would quickly lead them to Qin Ming.

"Ju Hsing Building is not to be underestimated. Brother, you can rest easy," Guo Jie said with full confidence.

Qin Ming felt a wave of relief wash over him. With Ju Hsing Building's backing, he could sidestep some unnecessary complications. "Mr. Guo, I'll need your help with acquiring fresh Blood Essence."

With just over ten days until the Newcomer Large Competition, a sense of urgency gripped him. Qin Xianer had been in seclusion at the Heart Condensation Pool for a month, and he was uncertain of the level she would attain upon her emergence.

"Five days. No, just give me four days at most," Guo Jie promptly assured him.

"Thank you for your efforts."

At this moment, Qin Ming's sole focus was on using every means possible to enhance his cultivation level, aiming to defeat Qin Xianer in the upcoming Newcomer Large Competition in Mobei.