Chapter 25: Raking in a Million Taels

"Brother Tang, what kind of cooperation did you have in mind?" Ge Ming asked, choosing his words carefully.

"A profit-sharing arrangement," Tang Yan replied succinctly.

After a moment's thought, Ge Ming said slowly, "As far as I know, any pill capable of tempering the meridians must be at least third-grade. My authority doesn't extend to negotiating profit-sharing on high-grade pills. I'll send word to headquarters today and have someone come to discuss this with you."

"Old Brother, you're overthinking it," Tang Yan said with a smile. "My master has naturally considered all of that. The Meridian Tempering Powder is only an upper-tier first-grade pill. I'm sure a man of Grandmaster Ge's caliber would have no trouble refining it — in fact, most other Alchemists could refine it too."

"What?! A first-grade Meridian Tempering Pill!" Ge Ming shot to his feet again in excitement.

Having learned his lesson from before, Tang Yan kept his hand steady this time, leisurely sipping his tea and watching Ge Ming with an amused smile. "Old Brother Ge, shall we sit down and talk business properly this time?"

"Yes, yes, let's talk." Ge Ming sat back down eagerly. As an Alchemist, he understood perfectly well what profits this formula could bring. He asked urgently, "Brother, let's skip the pleasantries — what would it take for you to hand this formula over to Miaodan Pavilion?"

"The right to use the formula — sold to Miaodan Pavilion for one million taels of silver. As for the profits from the pills, we split it seventy-thirty, with Miaodan Pavilion taking seventy percent," Tang Yan calculated.

One million taels sounded like a great deal, but compared to the true value of the Meridian Tempering Powder, it was a drop in the bucket — Miaodan Pavilion wouldn't think twice about it.

"The profit split seems a bit steep," Ge Ming said with a frown.

"For an ordinary formula, even ten percent would be generous. But Old Brother Ge knows better than anyone how precious a formula for tempering meridians truly is. Miaodan Pavilion isn't the only alchemy establishment in the Nation of Tingxiang — I could walk out of Yun City and find other buyers. And the split could easily be negotiated to fifty-fifty, sixty-forty, or even seventy-thirty — with us taking the larger share, of course. The reason I'm offering a thirty percent cut is twofold: first, to thank you for the gift of the cauldron that day, and second, because I trust Miaodan Pavilion's reputation. Anywhere else, a split this low would simply be out of the question," Tang Yan said earnestly.

Ge Ming knew Tang Yan was telling the truth. He nodded and asked, "What exactly are the effects of the Meridian Tempering Powder?"

"Here — take a look, Old Brother." Tang Yan reached into his robe and produced a porcelain bottle, handing it over.

Ge Ming took the porcelain bottle, pulled out the stopper, and sent a thread of his soul force probing inside. A refreshing, heart-clearing fragrance wafted out, and he felt the meridians within his body stir — like a stuffy cellar suddenly flooded with fresh air, leaving him feeling invigorated and at ease.

From that aura alone, Ge Ming could tell this was no ordinary thing. He excused himself and walked toward the appraisal room with the porcelain bottle in hand.

Fifteen minutes later, Ge Ming came bursting out in high spirits!

"Brother Tang, it really is a meridian-tempering pill!" Ge Ming's face was flushed with excitement. The effects of the Meridian Tempering Powder had exceeded every expectation.

"Would I joke about something like this?" Tang Yan laughed despite himself.

"I got carried away." Ge Ming said eagerly, "When would it be convenient to sign the contract? And when can you give me the formula?"

"We can sign right now. Once the contract takes effect, I'll hand over the formula immediately," Tang Yan decided without hesitation.

"Excellent! Straightforward! Please wait a moment — I'll draft the agreement right away." This was a deal with no downside and enormous upside, and Ge Ming moved with impressive efficiency.

Tang Yan borrowed paper and brush and began writing out the formula for the Meridian Tempering Powder, along with the detailed steps for refining it.

He had barely set down the brush when Ge Ming slid the drafted contract across the table to him.

Tang Yan read through every clause carefully — including the monthly settlement terms, which were written out clearly and precisely. Satisfied, he nodded, picked up the brush, signed his name, and pressed his handprint.

Ge Ming then produced Miaodan Pavilion's official seal and stamped it on the document, followed by his personal seal and handprint — not a single one omitted. One copy of the two-part contract was kept by Tang Yan, and finally Ge Ming produced a thick stack of gold notes and handed them over. The deal was done.

"Remarkable — truly remarkable! Your master is a divine figure!" Ge Ming, having reviewed the formula, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Though it was only a first-grade pill, the process involved was intricate and extraordinarily complex — a chain of refining steps, each linked to the next, methodical and precise, utterly shattering the long-held belief that no meridian-tempering pill existed below the third grade.

"You flatter him. Now that the matter is settled, I wish us a fruitful partnership!" Tang Yan and Ge Ming exchanged a smile, both thoroughly pleased.

"Brother Tang, if you ever come across another suitable formula in the future, bring it straight to Miaodan Pavilion. I'll make sure your interests are protected to the fullest," Ge Ming added.

"Formulas like this are rare and hard to come by — my master spent a great deal of time working this one out. If another formula comes along in the future, I'll certainly bring it to you, Old Brother Ge. I'll head back for now and come to trouble you again another day."

Tang Yan clasped his hands in farewell, and Ge Ming rose quickly to see him out.

When Tang Yan and Ge Ming emerged, the main hall — which had been buzzing with noise — fell immediately quiet.

"Greetings, Grandmaster Ge!" Everyone offered their respects.

"Don't mind me — carry on with your work. I'm just seeing Brother Tang out." Ge Ming nodded to the crowd and paid them no further attention, leading Tang Yan toward the exit.

What surprised Tang Yan was that the white-robed woman from earlier had still not left. The moment she saw Ge Ming appear, she stepped forward and said coldly, "You are Ge Ming?"

"That's right. And you are, miss?" Being blocked in his path and addressed so bluntly by name without a shred of courtesy, Ge Ming replied with cool indifference.

"Can you refine a third-grade upper-tier pill?" the woman asked icily.

"I'm afraid not. I am only a second-grade Alchemist and cannot refine one," Ge Ming replied, growing increasingly displeased at being asked about his limitations in public. "Third-grade upper-tier pills are worth a fortune and nearly impossible to find. I'd suggest the young lady try looking in the Eastern Continent."

"I see. My apologies for the interruption." The woman was nothing if not decisive — upon hearing that no one at Miaodan Pavilion could refine what she needed, she turned and walked straight out.

"Ha, I've made a fool of myself in front of Brother Tang," Ge Ming muttered, watching the woman leave with a touch of gloom.

"Think nothing of it. Old Brother Ge, you needn't walk me any further — do come visit the Tang Clan when you have time," Tang Yan said, extending an invitation in kind.

"Of course — I'll come call on you in a few days," Ge Ming replied warmly.

The Tang Clan?

Those in the hall who had been listening perked up at the exchange. What was the connection between Miaodan Pavilion and the Tang Clan? And that young man — didn't he look rather like the scoundrel young master of the Tang Clan?

Tang Yan tucked the thick stack of gold notes into his robe and had been planning to head straight back to the Tang Clan — but when he stepped outside and saw the white-robed woman walking away, curiosity got the better of him, and he quietly followed.

Tang Yan, strange creature that he was, had an inexhaustible repertoire of shadowing techniques rattling around in his head. On a busy street full of people coming and going, he tailed her for a good while without her noticing a thing.

After one hour, the woman had only purchased some medicinal herbs before heading toward the city gates. Once outside the city, her pace suddenly quickened.

Tang Yan kept up without falling behind, circulating a breath of True Qi and carefully following after her.