A human cannonball in fine silks had just arrived at the main gate of the Xiao Estate. Wang Shu, built like a larger and more imposing version of his son was practically vibrating with agitation. His breath came in short powerful bursts, stirring the dust at his feet.
Elders and the guards looked at each other in confusion. Not receiving an answer to his question, Wang Shu hurriedly spoke once more.
"My son! My wastrel son!" He waved a thick hand in the air. "He is here is he not? With your Young Master Yun?"
The Seventh Elder's lips thinned. The association between the two degenerates was a point of constant irritation. "They are." He answered shortly.
The three elders exchanged a glance and extended their spiritual sense. It was a subtle, invisible net that spread across the estate, capable of observing things from a large distance, a privilege of those who had reached the Foundation Building realm. In an instant they pinpointed the source of the disturbance: the central garden, two life forces, one boisterous and one peaceful, surrounded by the remnants of a feast.
"We shall accompany you." said the Fifth Elder, his curiosity piqued. It was rare for the peaceful Wang Shu to lose his composure so thoroughly. He wondered what mischief those two partners in crime have been up to.
The four powerful cultivators strode through the estate with servants and guards alike bowing at their sight, their imposing presence a stark contrast to the surrounding decay. Some of the younger descendants of the clan stopped their training and looked at the procession with curiosity.
When they arrived at the garden, the scene was one of shameless leisure. Wang Jun was gnawing on a chicken leg and Xiao Yun was staring contentedly at a koi pond while sipping tea. Nearby on a table was the aftermath of a battle, from which the fried chicken and the plum wine did not emerge victoriously.
"WANG JUN!" Wang Shu roared, his voice cracking like a whip.
Fatty Wang jumped so violently he nearly swallowed the bone. He saw his father’s face painted the color of a thundercloud and immediately turned pale. "*Cough F-Father! What are you doing here!?"
"What am I doing here? I should be asking you what you're doing, gallivanting around the city peddling some…some 'Mystic Jade' and causing a city-wide frenzy! Do you have any idea the trouble you could be in? Come home with me now!" Wang Shu lunged forward, his thick fingers ready to grab his son's ear.
"Uncle Wang, please." a calm voice interjected.
Wang Shu stopped, his hand hovering in the air inches away from Wang Jun, who proceeded trip on the table leg and fall his buttocks. He turned to see Xiao Yun, who hadn't even stood up. The young man was still seated, holding his cup, his expression as serene as the pond before him. "Let's not be hasty. Wang Jun and I were just concluding some important business. Perhaps you and I could discuss the matter in private?"
Wang Shu snorted, his agitation turning to contempt. This was Xiao Yun, the disgrace of the Xiao Family. A boy whose greatest achievement was mastering the art of getting drunk and napping in the sun. "Discuss with you? Boy, you are in no position to discuss anything. This is a Wang family matter."
He dismissed Xiao Yun with a wave and turned back to his son, his anger reignited. "And don't you try to defend him, you useless brat! Get up!"
Seeing his friend slighted and his father about to drag him away, Wang Jun panicked. All semblance of tact fled his mind. Scrambling up, he hastily yelled. "Father wait! You don't understand! It wasn't me! It was Brother Xiao! He made the uh- the Mystic Cleansing Jade!"
The declaration hung in the air, thick and stunning like the person who made it.
Wang Shu froze with his hand still outstretched. He slowly turned his head back to Xiao Yun, his eyes wide with disbelief. He looked at the lazy, mediocre young master, then back at his panicking son, then back again. The gears in his mind were grinding, trying to connect the legendary "Mystic Cleansing Jade" that had taken the city by storm with the boy famous for doing absolutely nothing other than being just as useless as his son.
Meanwhile, the three elders who had been observing the family drama with detached amusement, exchanged confused looks.
"Mystic Cleansing Jade?" the stern Seventh Elder murmured to the others, his voice low. "Is that a new type of defensive artifact? Or perhaps a low-grade spiritual tool? But made by Xiao Yun?"
The Third Elder raised his long eyebrows. "The name implies purity. Perhaps an elixir for cleansing meridians? But for it to cause a city-wide frenzy... it would have to be potent indeed. I have heard no whispers of such a thing from the Pill Refiners Association."
The Fifth Elder, ever the thinker, frowned. "Wang Shu's agitation isn't that of a man who's discovered a priceless treasure. It's the panic of a merchant who's suddenly sitting on a mountain of gold he can't protect. The value might not be martial."
Their confusion was palpable. This was a development that fell completely outside their realm of understanding. Powerful cultivators like them dealt in spiritual herbs, cultivation manuals, spirit stones and enchanted weapons. Commerce was a grubby, worldly affair beneath their notice but the sheer scale of the commotion Wang Shu described had snagged their attention and it seemed this entire matter had something to with their stagnant young master.
"Guard!" the Seventh Elder commanded with a sharp voice. A nearby Xiao Family guard who had been trying to pretend that he was a potted plant snapped to attention. "Go into the city. Find one of these Mystic Cleansing Jades. Learn everything you can about it and report back immediately. Be swift!"
The guard bowed and vanished in a blur of motion.
As the elders whispered and schemed, Xiao Yun finally rose to his feet. He gave Wang Shu a smile that was both polite and profoundly weary, the kind of smile he used to give his boss after being asked to stay late on a Friday.
"Uncle Wang." he said, his voice imbued with a subtle authority. "As my friend has just so enthusiastically revealed, I am the one who made the product in question. I believe we have a lot to discuss regarding production scaling, profit-sharing and brand security. Shall we retire to a more discreet location? After all it will be a long while of discussion and negotiation.”
Xiao Yun turned around and walked out of the garden, leaving all the stunned onlookers behind. Shortly after Wang Shu blinked his eyes a few times and followed him, as if entranced by his words and confidence. He himself wasn’t sure why he even took Xiao Yun seriously or followed after him at all. He would usually ask both of these wastrels a million questions like an interrogator, but this time he just let a seemingly clueless youngster take the lead. This time something was different. This didn’t look like the boastful and feigned confidence of a useless junior who was trying to rope him into a hairbrained scheme.
His confidence seemed genuine, his words and actions that of an experienced negotiator who knew they held all the cards.
Wang Shu left the garden in a seemingly entranced state, forgetting his anger and leaving behind his scared and confused son. Wang Jun who was looking even more disheveled that usual stood there dumbfounded. He’d never seen his father’s anger doused so quickly and effectively. Xiao Yun must have awakened a new innate ability or something of the sort for him to be able to achieve such a feat. Soon he started to feel the questioning gazes of the three elders focused onto himself.
Even if they weren’t directly pressuring him, being started at so intensely by powerful cultivators made him feel like rabbit being started at by hungry wolves. After all Wang Jun was only a fourth circle Qi condensation stage cultivator, a puny little ant in front of these elders. Even if they said or did nothing but stare Fatty could still feel an invisible pressure. He hurriedly scrambled to run after his father leaving the puzzled Elders alone with their countless unanswered questions.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Now left behind in the garden all by themselves, the Elders could do nothing but stare at each other. They could use their spiritual senses to spy on their conversation, but that would be a shameful act someone of their status and seniority should avoid. Especially so, since Wang Shu was also in the Foundation Establishment realm, which meant that he would realize if someone was using their spiritual senses to pry into their conversation. So, the elders could do nothing but stand in the garden like some lifelike statues and wait for the guard to return with some answers, like what the hell this Cleansing Jade thing was and why Wang Shu was so agitated.
As they walked through the manor, Wang Shu’s presence was a stark contrast to the faded grandeur of the Xiao estate, a vibrant splash of color against a canvas of weathered wood and stone. Like most well-to-do merchants, he was dressed in finest silks and wearing expensive accessories. His very presence radiated an aura of nouveau rich. Which didn’t fail to grab the attention of the Xiao clan members, who were used to more muted colors. Whispers began to circulate, their volume escalating with each passing moment.
"Who is that?" a young disciple with an impressive topknot nudged his companion.
"That’s Master Wang Shu, of course." Said his friend replied with a hint of awe in his voice. "The one who deals in exotic products and rarities, they say he’s practically swimming in spirit stones."
"But why is he here?" the first disciple pressed, his gaze fixed on the merchant’s regal entrance. "The Xiao clan… well, we aren't exactly thriving. What could a man like him want with us?"
“Have you been living under a rock?” the second disciple asked rhetorically with some disdain.
“His son is a friend of young master Xiao Yun. He must have come to collect him, why else would be here?” Only now did the first disciple noticed that Wang Shu’s younger version was following behind him. And both of them eventually noticed that the father-son duo were following after Xiao Yun.
“You’re so knowledgeable huh? Then tell me, why is he following after young master Yun?” asked the disciple with the topknot, somewhat irritated at his friend.
The question hung in the air unanswered, fueling further conjecture. Some speculated it was a desperate plea for a loan, others a business proposition of some kind. The more imaginative conjured tales of hidden treasures and ancient pacts. But a select few, those privy to even the most scandalous gossip felt a prickle of unease, a dawning realization that this unusual visit might be directly connected to their own resident ‘degenerate.’ They had been aware of his recent bout of unusual activities, but they didn’t expect anything good to come of it. As long as Xiao Yun didn’t do something to further drag the family name through mud, they were happy to ignore his existence.
…Elsewhere in the Xiao estate, Xiao Yun walked calmly through the courtyards with Wang Shu following from a short distance. Fatty Wang hurried to catch up to them, with the eyes of the curious servants following the peculiar trio. Shortly they all reached the calmest and one of the most secluded parts of the estate.
As they reached the imposing dust-covered courtyard of the Xiao Clan library, Xiao Yun clapped his hands. "Servants! Bring a sturdy table, three chairs and a pot of our finest tea!"
Within minutes a makeshift boardroom was assembled under the shadow of the weeping willows. Although he had the reputation of a degenerate, he was still the young master of the clan so his orders were usually followed, unless told otherwise by the Elders. Xiao Yun took the head of the table, gesturing for Wang Shu to sit opposite him and for a bewildered Fatty Wang to sit to the side.
He poured the tea with a steady hand. "Alright Uncle Wang." he began, his eyes sharp and clear. "Let's talk about logistics. My current production capacity is twenty units a day. It's artisanal you see. To meet the full expected demand of the current market we'll need to acquire a dedicated workshop, hire and train the workers and secure a consistent supply chain for the base oils and other necessary materials. I propose a formal partnership. The Wang family will handle capital investment, distribution and retail. The Xiao family, that is I, will retain ownership of the formula and oversee production and ensure quality. We'll start with a 60/40 revenue split in your favor, with an agreement to renegotiate to 50/50 once we gain the market control and have consistent customers. I assume that will be agreeable? Now, let's discuss your initial investment..."
More Wang Shu listened, more impressed and confused he became. Xiao Yun didn’t talk like a clueless kid who had just found some secret recipe. He had a sharp glint in his eyes as he spoke and put out his demands and what he expected out their so-called partnership. Even some of Wang Shu’s longtime friends, who had been merchants for many decades didn’t have the kind of in depth understanding of market demands, profit margins, cost benefit analysis etc. currently being displayed by this famous wastrel. If he hadn’t known Xiao Yun, or at least known of Xiao Yun ever since his childhood, he might have suspected that some old monster in the Nascent Soul realm who had turned his appearance youthful was playing a trick on him.
Despite him being much younger and of a much lower cultivation realm, Wang Shu felt pressured by Xiao Yun. He negotiated like an experienced old fox and didn’t even let Wang Shu interject before he finished all he had to say. Xiao Yun had completely taken the initiative.
Soon, Xiao Yun had the servants bring a basin of water and he produced a bar of somewhat lumpy looking soap from his sleeve, as if everything was going according to his expectations. He had Wang Shu test the effectiveness of the soap by washing his hands, and Wang Shu was able to confirm that this Mystic Cleansing Jade wasn’t too far off from the rumors when it came to its effectiveness.
“This is truly incredible, my hands feel so soft and it smells like flowers.” Muttered Wang Shu absentmindedly.
After the test was done, Xiao Yun launched into another lecture about the minor details of the contract.
All of the mentioned things above however, only caused Wang Shu to have more questions. How did Xiao Yun gain so much experience, or how the hell did he even know how to make the Mystic Cleansing Jade? The fact that no one else had managed to replicate his product so far meant that it wasn’t easy to produce. That much was clear from the fact that despite the whole city clamoring for it, no one could find supply for it. Since when was his wastrel son’s equally useless friend such a talented alchemist?
Wedged between them and looking thoroughly overwhelmed was Wang Jun. He nervously crammed a sweet pastry into his mouth, his wide eyes darting between his formidable father and his best friend, who was currently behaving like a completely different person. This wasn't the Xiao Yun who would get drunk with him on cheap wine and scour brothels. This was an entirely different person.
Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead with an embroidered handkerchief, Wang Shu interrupted Xiao Yun, who was just getting into the finer details of the contract. He couldn’t let this kid have the initiative the entire negotiation, after all he was the actual merchant here, he had to do something!
“Nephew Yum, sixty-forty division of profit is a bit skewed. After all, I will be making the initial investment and distributing the product according to your proposal. Seventy-thirty division seems a bit more agreeable.”
“A seventy-thirty split is an insult, Uncle Wang.” Xiao Yun said in a calm voice. He tapped a slender finger on the table with a peculiar glint in his red irises. “I am providing a product that is without any exaggeration, revolutionary. You are providing the distribution network. While your network is extensive, it is not irreplaceable. My product however, is.”
Wang Shu’s bushy eyebrows shot up. The sheer audacity! “Sixty-forty? Young Master Xiao, you jest. I am taking all the risk! I am putting my reputation on the line, leveraging contacts I have spent decades building to push an unknown item. I am handling logistics, security and customer relations. A seventy-thirty split is already generous considering your family’s current standing.” The unspoken words hung in the air: your family is on its last leg, you have no leverage to negotiate anything.
Xiao Yun gave serene smile that almost looked infuriating. He was already being generous with his split, and that was for two reasons, one was that Wang Jun was a loyal friend and the probability of his father going around Xiao clan and betraying them was very low. Second reason was that he had further plans other than making and selling soap, the main goal here was to hook Wang Shu into wanting an alliance with the Xiao clan. What better way to do that than giving him plenty of benefits? You can’t rely on someone else’s good intentions for long after all. If Xiao Yun had learned anything on earth, it was the fact that the best and most reliable motivator was self-interest. You can buy someone’s loyalty or scare them into submission, but it was a temporary solution. If you wanted to make someone into a reliable ally, the best way was to make sure their interests and your success and/or well-being were aligned.
“Current standing is irrelevant when one holds a monopoly. Let’s not speak of risk Uncle Wang. The only risk is how quickly you can restock before riots break out. We both know just how much demand there is. Ladies of noble houses, disciples of prominent sects and young mistresses of powerful clans competing over a bar of what they call ‘Mystic Cleansing Jade’? That’s not a risk that’s a gold mine. Or rather a spirit stone mine.”
Internally, Xiao Yun had to suppress a laugh. Mystic Cleansing Jade. It was just soap. A simple saponification of animal fats and lye, infused with some common essential oils. A first-year chemistry project. But in a world where cleanliness was often a matter of scrubbing with harsh lye powder, using inefficient herb infused water, rice water or using expensive cleansing talismans, it was a miracle. As for using spiritual force to clean things, who in their right mind would ask a formidable Golden Core Realm cultivator to help them wash or do the laundry? That would be like using a cruise missile to kill a mosquito.
