"What a large centipede, this venomous insect must certainly be an insect demon that has gained power!"
Gu Yuan's lip twitched slightly, a bit frightened, feeling quite fortunate that he wasn't blinded by the treasure. Otherwise, if he had been bitten, he would definitely end up like those corpses!
Wherever there are Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, there are often Exotic Beasts guarding them!
This gigantic centipede should be the guardian of these Spirit Medicines.
The gigantic centipede clearly noticed Gu Yuan, but seeing him wisely retreat, it didn't pursue.
Gu Yuan did not hesitate and turned to stride away.
"Today, I actually discovered traces of Spirit Medicine. It seems my luck isn't too bad."
On the way back, his face showed a hint of regret and helplessness:
"It's just a pity with this demonic insect guarding it, I can't do anything about it. I'll have to find a way to deal with it gradually."
Thinking like this, Gu Yuan didn't dwell on it any longer.
After all, these Spirit Medicines won't run away. As long as he finds a way to deal with the gigantic centipede, these Spirit Medicines, Yellow Spirits, will naturally be within his grasp.
Actually, it's not just the Spirit Medicines; Gu Yuan even developed a bit of greed for that centipede.
This gigantic centipede is quite formidable. If he could tame it, it would be a great asset. Its value might not be inferior to those Spirit Medicines, Yellow Spirits!
The only problem is how to capture this centipede!
...
The sun was nearing noon when Gu Yuan arrived at the county town along the mountain road.
Beiliang County is just an ordinary small county at the foot of the Yunmeng Mountain, but because of the rich resources within the Yunmeng Mountain Range, this small county's commerce is prosperous, and its economy is quite developed.
The streets are wide, lined with open-doored shops on both sides.
Occasionally, there are taverns, inns, and restaurants from which wafts of enticing aromas make one's mouth water.
The streets are bustling with people coming and going, including many peculiar individuals carrying swords and appearing quite fierce.
You can tell just from their attire that some of these people are Martial Masters making a living by force, while others are Medicine Gatherers carrying baskets.
This was Gu Yuan's first visit to the county. After getting a simple taste of the ancient customs and traditions, he intended to start handling business matters.
Though not very familiar with the county, Gu Yuan knew that Yellow Spirit was something usually purchased only by medical halls and pharmacies.
Arriving at a pharmacy called "Ji'an Hall," Gu Yuan entered the store with the Yellow Spirit on his back.
He saw a slightly chubby, somewhat wealthy-looking elder at the counter, absorbed in calculating with an abacus.
Seeing Gu Yuan arrive, the elder glanced up and down, momentarily pausing at the worn clothing and the cloth bag on Gu Yuan's back, forming some judgment of Gu Yuan's identity in his mind.
With a slight smile, he greeted, "My surname is Xu. May I ask what this young brother needs?"
Gu Yuan placed the bag on the counter: "Manager Xu, I have just dug up some Yellow Spirit. I wonder if your shop buys it?"
"Well... Ji'an Hall is a reputable store for decades. We have high standards for medicinal materials. If these Yellow Spirits are not aged enough or are slightly damaged, we definitely won't take them."
As he spoke, Manager Xu stepped forward to open the bag, and upon seeing the five or six differently shaped, large Yellow Spirits inside, a hint of surprise flitted through his eyes.
But outwardly, he simply flipped them over a few times and then shook his head, sighing, "I can see, young brother, that you were quite careful when digging up these Yellow Spirits. They're of good quality and undamaged."
"However, the age of these Yellow Spirits isn't that old. For instance, this one is only about six or seven years old."
He picked up the largest one, about a foot long and weighing more than four pounds, weighed it slightly, and then looked at Gu Yuan:
"But seeing these Yellow Spirits are of decent quality, I'll offer eighty coins for this one and two hundred and thirty coins in total for the others. How about it?"
"Six or seven years old? Two hundred and thirty coins?"
Gu Yuan was almost amused to anger.
This, for ordinary mountain dwellers, is certainly not a small amount.
But even though Gu Yuan didn't know much about medicinal materials, he knew that these Yellow Spirits he dug up, even the ones with the shortest age, were at least a dozen years old.
The largest one, he estimated, had grown for twenty or thirty years.
Such a good thing, even if the price were ten times higher, someone would likely buy it. Yet, this Xu character devalues it and pretends to give a "high price."
Obviously, he was being treated like an ignorant fool being tricked!
"Yes, young brother, don't think the price I offer is too low. In truth, you can see for yourself in other pharmacies in town. The price I'm giving is definitely the highest."
Manager Xu spoke with feigned earnestness, seemingly unconsciously adding:
"However, if you can bring more Yellow Spirit, the price can certainly be negotiated further."
"Sorry, I'm not selling."
With a fake smile, Gu Yuan let out a brief laugh, snatched back his bag of goods.
The other party was clearly bullying with their large store. He'd be foolish to suffer this loss.
Business is business, and Gu Yuan could understand a pharmacy underpricing materials, but the problem was that items potentially worth a couple of taels of silver were directly reduced to a few coins, which was too greed-driven!
Moreover, this guy even tried to pry into whether he had other Yellow Spirits, indicating some suspicion. This made Gu Yuan wary, deciding he must leave this place of trouble immediately.
Manager Xu's previously smiling face turned somewhat gloomy: "You should think clearly, young brother."
He tapped his short, broad fingers on the solid wood counter, coldly saying, "Missing this opportunity, there won't be such a good deal next time..."
This was anger turning into threats... Gu Yuan's eyelids twitched first, suddenly feeling a bit itchy in the teeth!
Damn, a black shop!
Absolutely a black shop!
Xu, I've remembered you!
Gu Yuan cursed inwardly and was about to turn to leave.
Suddenly, a robust voice called from behind:
"Manager Xu, is there still any Golden Wound Medicine from last time? Fetch me two bottles more!"
Gu Yuan turned to see that it was a robust, tall middle-aged man speaking.
He carried a medicinal basket and had a thick-backed machete at his waist. Even though it was early winter, with a chill in the air, this middle-aged man was wearing only a single layer of clothing, feeling not the least bit cold.
Gu Yuan could even faintly sense that this person had an inexplicable aura of power, bringing a ferocious energy, quite different from ordinary people.
"Ah, it's Mr. Cheng."
Upon seeing this man, Manager Xu's face changed, a hint of dread flashing by, and he promptly forced a smile: "Please wait a moment, sir. There's plenty of what you need; I'll fetch it right away."
Then, without bothering Gu Yuan, he turned and began rummaging through the medicine cabinets in the back.
"Thank you."
Gu Yuan earnestly cupped his hands toward the middle-aged man called "Mr. Cheng," then left directly.
Whether intentional or not, the fact is, he helped Gu Yuan out, and for that, gratitude was due.
...