When the White Moonlight Holds the Script - Chapter 21

One day later.

The flying vessel finally reached its destination.

The Sixth Junior Brother was so excited at the sight of the heavy snowfall that he was the first to rush out.

Then he was frozen silly by the terrifying temperature difference.

He shivered and turned around to see the Little Junior Sister wrapped in a thick cloak, its fluffy collar nearly covering her face, making her jade-white complexion appear even smaller.

The Little Junior Sister descended slowly and unhurriedly.

Wan Mengchen followed behind Zhu Zhihan, chuckling, “I told you to wear more.”

The Sixth Junior Brother, with a pained expression, obediently went back to put on more clothes.

With the Snow Mountain Secret Realm about to open, there were indeed many cultivators on the snowy plains.

As soon as the Third Elder disembarked, he went off to find some wine. Zhu Zhihan and the Eldest Senior Brother headed together to browse the stalls, looking for better spiritual herbs and spiritual seeds for sale.

Meanwhile, Wan Mengchen and the Sixth Junior Brother went to learn how to set up a stall or rather, how to sell things.

After paying some spirit stones, they drew lots and obtained their own stall.

By the time they arrived, the neighboring stall was already occupied.

Wan Mengchen glanced over.

Coincidentally, they recognized the person at the neighboring stall, it was that extremely esteemed alchemist from the flying vessel.

Out of courtesy, Wan Mengchen greeted him.

The flattering attendant remembered him and raised his chin, saying, “You’re here to sell things too? Hmph, judging by your appearance, you probably don’t have anything good.”

Wan Mengchen remained silent.

The attendant pressed on, “I bet you won’t even earn back the rental fee in the end, haha.”

Even a clay figure has a temper.

Wan Mengchen’s smile faded as he held back the Sixth Junior Brother, who wanted to argue, and said, “No need for you to worry about that.”

The attendant was taken aback that the other dared to retort and was momentarily stunned.

While he was still stunned, Wan Mengchen let out a sigh, sat down at the stall, and began laying out the items for sale.

Arguments are like that once the moment passes, speaking up again feels awkward. The attendant had no choice but to sulkily shut his mouth.

As Wan Mengchen arranged the items, his heart grew heavy.

Since both stalls were selling pills, comparisons were inevitable, and one side was bound to come up short.

The alchemist next door, with his substantial wealth, had rented several stalls in a row. The sandalwood tables looked expensive, making the small jade bottles on them appear ethereal and divine.

In contrast, their own stall.

Although Wan Mengchen understood the importance of presentation and had done his best to make their setup look decent, their financial resources were limited. The beautifully patterned cloth and plain white porcelain bottles simply couldn’t compare to genuine luxury.

Next to their neighbor’s, their stall looked shabby and small.

Wan Mengchen sighed inwardly, thinking: I just hope the neighbor is selling mid-tier or high-tier pills, so they won’t compete with our low-tier ones.

A few people approached the area. Seeing this, Wan Mengchen nudged the Sixth Junior Brother beside him, who then raised his voice and shouted, “Come take a look, passersby! Green Spirit Pills, Nourishing Yuan Pills, Blood Replenishing Pills! Each type only ten top-grade spirit stones!”

The passersby showed no reaction, but the attendant next door glanced over finally, he had found an opportunity.

The attendant sneered, “Oh, you’re selling Green Spirit Pills and Nourishing Yuan Pills too?”

Wan Mengchen: …

So you’re selling the same things after all.

Seriously? You set up such a luxurious display just to compete with us low-tier pill sellers?

The attendant was about to mock them further when the slightly plump alchemist patted him and said, “Enough. Why bother with a bunch of counterfeit sellers?”

Seemingly magnanimous in defusing the situation, he was actually subtly belittling them as low-tier forgers.

The sixth disciple beside him couldn’t sit still any longer, gritting his teeth: “You should weigh the truth before speaking, not slander people out of thin air, right?”

The slightly plump alchemist feigned surprise: “As an alchemist with so many admirers, why would I bother slandering you?”

The sixth disciple was about to rush over and fight him but was pulled back by Wan Mengchen.

Wan Mengchen shook his head at him.

The sixth disciple clenched his fists, ultimately restraining himself. He said resentfully, “Why, senior brother? That pig-headed guy dares to draw conclusions without even appraising it? Doesn’t he feel guilty?”

Wan Mengchen didn’t know how to respond.

When people are placed on too high a pedestal, those with poor character become arrogant and look down on others. Yet they wield power and influence, with their own followers, making them untouchable.

In the end, he only said, “Those who do too many shameful deeds will face retribution. Let’s wait and see.”

In truth, Wan Mengchen said this merely to comfort the sixth disciple. After all, the concept of karmic retribution is too abstract, who knows if it truly exists? And even if it does, how long until it manifests?

But Wan Mengchen never expected the retribution to come so swiftly.

They had been setting up their stall all morning, yet passersby avoided them like the plague, flocking instead to the neighboring stall.

No matter how loudly they shouted or how much they slashed prices, they attracted few customers, only drawing contemptuous glances. Even when someone showed interest, the plump man next door would casually dismiss their goods as fakes, and no one would approach them again.

In contrast, the neighboring stall, despite its grand setup, was nearly overflowing with people, some even competing in bidding wars.

At noon, Zhu Zhihan and the eldest senior brother arrived, bringing back a considerable amount of materials.

Seeing them, Wan Mengchen felt even more guilty and smiled bitterly. “Junior sister, I’ve failed your expectations.”

Zhu Zhihan was slightly surprised and asked what had happened.

Wan Mengchen recounted the entire incident.

Observing her senior brother’s despondent expression, Zhu Zhihan’s gaze darkened.

“I understand.”

Holding a small hand warmer, she sat down beside the stall.

The exquisitely beautiful, snow-haired girl, who resembled a jade figurine, drew many glances.

Zhu Zhihan remained composed under their scrutiny and said calmly, “Senior brother, they’ve prepared such an extravagant setup yet still sell low-grade pills. Do you know why?”

Wan Mengchen was puzzled but asked anyway, “Why?”

“Because mediocre alchemists can only resort to such flashy theatrics.”

Zhu Zhihan’s voice had a unique, cool clarity. Though not loud, it carried clearly to everyone nearby.

The buyers gathered around the neighboring stall turned in surprise. The slightly plump alchemist, who had been feigning magnanimity, could no longer maintain his act. He slammed the table and shouted, “What did you say!?”

Zhu Zhihan ignored him, casually picking up a bottle of Qingling Pills from the table and uncorking it.

An intoxicating medicinal fragrance wafted out.

The surrounding noise gradually quieted.

She then poured one pill into her palm. “Three pill striations.”

Lifting her eyes, she looked at the alchemist next door. “Do your pills even have one striation?”

Wan Mengchen and the other two, being outsiders, were baffled.

But the plump alchemist next door had already lost his composure. “Impossible!”

Among the pill buyers, there were those who understood the craft. Soon, four or five people gathered in front of Zhu Zhihan’s stall.

Someone asked, “Can we take a look?”

Zhu Zhihan raised her hand, inviting them to examine it closely.

In the girl’s snow-white palm lay a pale green pill, resting steadily. Its surface was glossy and beautiful, resembling fine jade. On the pill, three dragon-like patterns coiled and intertwined.

These were pill patterns!

The plump alchemist was still shouting nearby, “Impossible! It must be fake, a counterfeit! Can’t pill patterns be forged?”

The few knowledgeable individuals examined it carefully and said, “It looks genuine to me.”

“I once had the privilege of seeing a fourth-grade pill with my elders, and it had three pill patterns, exactly like this one!”

Someone else, unfamiliar with the matter, asked, “Is there really such a big difference between pills with patterns and those without? Why are you all so excited?”

“Of course, there is!”

“Pill patterns represent the alchemist’s mastery of pill refinement. Five patterns are the ultimate limit. These patterns can enhance the pill’s medicinal properties, meaning that each additional pattern doubles the pill’s efficacy.”

Someone sighed in admiration, “I’ve never seen three pill patterns on a low-grade pill like the Green Spirit Pill! Occasionally, I’ve seen one pattern.”

“Why? Does that mean they’re really selling fakes?”

“Nonsense! Because only skilled alchemists can produce pill patterns! An alchemist must be at least fifth-grade or higher to consistently produce pills with patterns. Such alchemists are long past refining these low-grade pills, why would they bother with them?”

Finally, people understood. “So, it’s not that it’s impossible, but rather.”

Zhu Zhihan listened to their arguments, her eyelids drooping as she grew drowsy.

She thought, Better to resolve this quickly.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions so soon,” she said. “Since someone has accused us of selling fake pills, we ought to provide some proof, shouldn’t we?”

She cast a meaningful glance at the plump alchemist in the distance. “How about this: I’ll offer three pills for cultivators who have taken Green Spirit Pills before to test. Let’s see if the effects are genuine.”

The plump alchemist nearby stopped his shouting. Seeing Zhu Zhihan’s confident expression, he realized he might have kicked an iron plate.

How could this be? These people are clearly impoverished lowly.

After some commotion, the cultivators participating in the test were finally selected.

To avoid any possibility of fraud, Zhu Zhihan had them randomly choose pills from the stall.

The results, of course, were genuine after all, Zhu Zhihan had refined each pill herself. How could she not know their effects?

With the on-site demonstration and word-of-mouth, the crowd grew excited and gathered around.

“I knew coming to the Snow Mountain Secret Realm was the right decision! I’ve been struggling to advance for so long!”

“Exactly! Where else in the world can you buy Green Spirit Pills with three pill patterns? We’ve stumbled upon a great bargain!”

“How much are these pills, please?”

Zhu Zhihan clapped her hands, and the crowd quieted down.

Unaccustomed to such situations, she glanced at Wan Mengchen.

Wan Mengchen snapped out of his daze and, with his strong professional instincts, quickly took over. “This is our first day in business, so we’re offering a goodwill price, the same as the market price for ordinary Green Spirit Pills, ten top-grade spirit stones! The price will increase starting tomorrow!”

“Besides Green Spirit Pills, we also sell Nourishing Yuan Pills and Blood Replenishing Pills, all refined by the same alchemist and also bearing pill patterns! Feel free to inspect them before purchasing!”

“What? You’re asking how much these two types of pills cost? Let me tell you, they’re also ten top-grade spirit stones! You won’t regret this purchase!”

After hyping up the atmosphere, Wan Mengchen shifted his tone: “Of course, given the slander from our competitor next door, we will respond appropriately.”

“Here’s the deal: regardless of past transactions, from now on, if anyone buys pills from that vendor next door, we will refuse to sell our pills to you. Even if we’ve already sold them to you, we’ll take them back.”

The sixth junior brother suddenly became energized: “I’ll keep an eye out! I’m really good at remembering faces!”

The crowd only had eyes for the originally priced pills with pill patterns, completely ignoring the neighboring stall.

They chimed in one after another: “We absolutely won’t buy from them!”

“That person has such a wicked heart, ugh, they almost made me miss out.”

“Please don’t hold our earlier shortsightedness against us!”

“Hurry up and start selling, I want five pills!”

“I’ll take ten!”

In just a short moment, the situation completely reversed. The neighboring stall became deserted while Wan Mengchen’s side was bustling with activity.

As Wan Mengchen was selling like hotcakes, Zhu Zhihan on the other side, holding her small hand warmer, began feeling drowsy again.

Before closing her eyes to rest, she glanced at the plump alchemist nearby.

The plump alchemist had already turned pale and collapsed in their chair.

This shows that one must always be cautious with words and actions, and avoid doing unethical deeds.

Otherwise, who knows when karma might strike?

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