Chapter 70: A Seventy-Thirty Split
Li Jian-san spoke calmly, “Heh, talking business with me? I wonder what sort of business you wish to conduct with us?”
“We’re interested in your prescription. Would you be willing to sell it to us? We can offer a handsome price,” Manager Zhang inquired cautiously.
In this world, alchemists held a position of utmost prestige. Thus, anyone wishing to use a prescription owned by an alchemist required explicit permission; otherwise, the Alchemist Guild would relentlessly pursue them.
Li Jian-san was taken aback. “You want to buy my prescription?”
“If you wish to collaborate, I don’t intend to sell the prescription outright. I’ll only accept a share of the profits: you handle the sales, I’ll take half of the profit, and leave the rest to you.”
If he were to sell the prescription, any future earnings would be unrelated to Li Jian-san—a deal too disadvantageous for him. But with half the profit, he could simply be an idle shareholder, waiting for the money to flow in.
Half the profits for a single prescription? That was asking for the moon.
No alchemist would dare demand such a price!
Even so, Manager Zhang didn’t outright refuse. He coughed. “Young man, half the profits for a prescription… that’s unprecedented.”
“My prescription,” Li Jian-san said, “whether you sell it to others or mass-produce the pills, is a guaranteed win. Competing pills will have no chance against it.”
“Competing pills will have no chance? That’s…” Manager Zhang was stunned. He looked over the prescription again.
“Wait, wait, I think I’ve seen something like this in ancient records. This is a fragment! Even in those ancient texts, only a few scattered parts were recorded, never the complete prescription.”
“But this sheet details every ingredient, and the combinations are perfect!”
“A prescription fragment is extremely rare. There might be only one in existence—it’s priceless!”
Suppressing his shock, Manager Zhang asked respectfully, “Young man, where did you obtain this prescription?”
It was a fragment, and someone had managed to decode it!
How could he not be astonished?
“My master composed this prescription,” Li Jian-san replied casually.
Manager Zhang’s face was filled with disbelief. “Heavens, your master cracked the fragment!”
“Brother Li, may I ask where your master is? Would it be possible to meet him?”
Now Manager Zhang was positively ingratiating himself, even changing how he addressed Li Jian-san.
“I’m afraid my master is somewhat eccentric and isn’t keen on meeting strangers,” Li Jian-san replied with a cool tone. In truth, he had no mysterious master at all—just an emotionless external tool…
Manager Zhang wasn’t too disappointed at Li Jian-san’s answer. He’d only asked on the off chance; such a figure could hardly be met so easily.
Looking at Li Jian-san, Manager Zhang said, “Brother Li, if you transfer the prescription to us, let’s split it seventy-thirty—you take seventy, I take thirty. Consider it a gesture of friendship. What do you think?”
Even with this arrangement, Manager Zhang stood to gain handsomely. A unique prescription fragment was of incalculable value.
He decided swiftly, not only because of the prescription’s worth, but also to win over Li Jian-san. After all, behind Li Jian-san stood a formidable alchemy master. If he could one day gain that master’s favor, his future prospects would be limitless.
“Agreed,” Li Jian-san replied without hesitation.
If the pills were produced and put on the market, their flawless efficacy would guarantee a monopoly and enormous profits—enough to sustain a family clan for a year.
Just then, the attendant from earlier entered and whispered a few words in Manager Zhang’s ear.
Manager Zhang smiled at Li Jian-san. “Brother Li, the items you requested are ready.”
But the attendant stood there in shock, dumbfounded by Manager Zhang’s deferential attitude toward Li Jian-san—as if he were a subordinate.
“What are you standing there for? Out!” Manager Zhang barked.
After handing over the medicinal ingredients, Li Jian-san asked, “Do you have a quiet room here?”
“We do,” Manager Zhang replied promptly, then added, “Brother Li, do you need a place to rest? We have guest rooms…”
Li Jian-san interrupted, “No need, just a quiet room will do.”
Li Jian-san intended to refine the pills, so a quiet room was ideal. He saw no need to explain any further.
“Of course, please follow me,” Manager Zhang said, leading Li Jian-san to a quiet chamber.
After Manager Zhang departed, Li Jian-san was about to enter when a cold voice called out:
“Are you going inside to cultivate?”
Li Jian-san turned to see a striking young woman in red, her figure alluring.
“No,” he replied.
The young woman stepped closer, catching sight of the prescription in Li Jian-san’s hand. “So you’re going to refine pills?”
Seeing he didn’t deny it, she pressed further, “Then you’re an alchemist?”
Her heart was momentarily stirred, as if a tidal wave had crashed within. He was an alchemist—and so young…
Especially since he was about to test the Yuan Seal. If successful, it would be a sensation.
She didn’t know his rank, but for someone so young, his talent must be extraordinary. In time, he could easily reach the third rank of alchemy; in this vast region, there were only three third-rank alchemists.
If she could recruit him, the benefits would be immense.
Yet Li Jian-san had no intention of continuing the conversation and entered the quiet room.
“You arrogant scoundrel, how dare you ignore me!” she muttered.
“Hmph! You’ve got no skill, but you’re full of airs. Fine, I’ll just wait at the door for you.”
As Li Jian-san entered, the red-clad maiden began to mock him.
“I’ll see what you manage to concoct—don’t fail, or you’ll have nowhere to hide your face.”
Her pride wounded by Li Jian-san’s indifference, her annoyance only grew.