Scene 1 — Negotiations in the Private Chamber

  The Thousand Veil Chamber’s private room glowed under soft lantern light. Silk curtains swayed lightly as the scent of sandalwood filled the air.

  Yue Lan sat elegantly behind a low jade table, her bearing calm and poised—like a predator wrapped in silk.

  Lin Xian and Bai Yu Sheng faced her, the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea curling between them.

  Yue Lan’s eyes gleamed as she placed a small jade bottle on the table. She set the jade bottle before her and uncorked it again. A faint shimmer drifted upward, carrying the scent of pure spirit herbs. “The current Qi Restoring Pills in the market—most restore only thirty percent of a cultivator’s qi, and that, too, depends on luck. Worse, they leave behind minor impurities that accumulate over time.

  “This pill… is unlike anything circulating in Azurecloud City. Fifty percent guaranteed Qi recovery, no residual impurities, and far cheaper to produce. Do you realize what you’ve made, Alchemist Lin?”

  Lin Xian’s lips curled slightly. “A simple pill.”

  Her smile deepened. “A simple pill that can overturn the entire market.”

  Bai Yu Sheng nodded in agreement. “She’s right. The current Qi Recovery Pills barely reach thirty percent recovery—on a lucky day. Yours will be sought after by every academy, clan, and rogue cultivator in the region.”

  Yue Lan leaned forward slightly, her tone businesslike. “If we’re to distribute this, we’ll need to talk profit. The Thousand Veil Chamber handles trade, transport, branding, and sales. Normally, we offer inventors a twenty percent cut.”

  Lin Xian chuckled. “Twenty percent?” His gaze drifted to the jade bottle lazily. “Miss Yue, that might be enough for those who beg you to sell their wares. But I’m not one of them.”

  Yue Lan’s smile never faded. “Then, what do you propose,Young Master Lin?”

  He leaned forward, meeting her eyes without blinking. “Sixty percent. You handle distribution and logistics. I handle production and formula secrecy.”

  The attendants nearby froze at his audacity. Even Bai Yu Sheng blinked. “Sixty?” she whispered.

  Yue Lan raised a brow, neither rejecting nor accepting. “That’s rather bold for a man selling through my chamber.”

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  Lin Xian smirked. “Boldness is only arrogance when you can’t back it up. But my pill already speaks for itself.”

  Her gaze sharpened. “You drive a hard bargain.”

  “I drive a fair one,” he corrected smoothly. “Think of it this way: your profit is stable, your market dominance guaranteed. All I ask is the share that matches the value I bring.”

  Yue Lan studied him for a long moment before softly tapping her fingers on the table. “Fifty-fifty.”

  Lin Xian remained silent. He picked up the tea cup, swirled it, then set it down again. “Fifty-five.”

  Her lips curved in amusement. “You truly don’t know fear, do you?”

  “Fear doesn’t pay bills,” Lin Xian said simply, his tone dry. “And I’ve been through worse negotiations—with people who didn’t smile as kindly as you.”

  For a heartbeat, the room fell silent—then Yue Lan suddenly laughed, melodic and genuine. “Fine. Fifty-five. You have a deal, Alchemist Lin. But I hope your production can match your confidence.”

  He smiled faintly. “You’ll have your supply. Just don’t expect me to be easy to control.”

  Her eyes softened, a mix of respect and curiosity flickering within. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “Good,” Lin Xian said, rising slightly. “Then we’ll keep this between us. And for the record, I don’t plan to tie this to the Lin Clan. I’ll open a new front—anonymous, quiet, untouchable.”

  Yue Lan’s fingers paused midair. “Ah… a hidden merchant. Smart. No one can trace it back to you.”

  “Exactly,” Lin Xian said. “You handle the outside noise. I’ll handle the production.”

  Yue Lan’s smile was faint but dangerous. “You might just be more cunning than the merchants I’ve seen in ten years.”

  “Flattery is free,” Lin Xian said as he finished his tea. “But next time, I’ll charge for it.”

  Her laugh followed him like wind chimes as he stood up.

  ---

  Scene 2 — The Real Request

  After the documents and hand seals were finalized, Yue Lan dismissed her attendants until only the three of them remained.

  The refined politeness in her eyes faded, replaced by quiet tension. “There’s one more matter.”

  Lin Xian arched a brow. “Ah. The real reason for this meeting?”

  Bai Yu Sheng gave a small, helpless smile. “You never change, do you?”

  A quiet chuckle escaped Yue Lan. “You’re quick.” She reached into her sleeve and produced a thin jade slip, sliding it across the table. “You see, I know of your previous work. The Thousand Venom Purge Pill—crafted during your duel with Xu Tian.

  Yue Lan took a slow breath and slid a thin jade slip across the table. “Someone close to me—an elder of this Chamber—was poisoned by a deadly venom during an expedition. None of our healers or alchemists have managed to suppress it. His meridians are deteriorating day by day.”

  Lin Xian studied her for a long while, his eyes unreadable. “And you want me to make another.”

  “I’m willing to pay any price,” Yue Lan said quietly.

  She looked directly at Lin Xian, her calm finally giving way to faint urgency. “If the stories are true, and you still remember that formula… I would ask for your help.”

  Lin Xian tapped his finger against the table, thinking. “So, that’s the problem.” His lips curved into that faint, knowing smile again. “You gather every secret in the city, yet still come asking nicely.”

  Yue Lan’s lips tightened, but her eyes didn’t waver. “Because I don’t beg easily. But I value life—and debts.”

  Lin Xian chuckled, then stood, walking toward the window. “Bring me the patient’s details—pulse pattern, poison type, and remaining spiritual stability. I’ll decide after I see it.”

  Yue Lan blinked, mildly surprised. “You won’t commit?”

  “Not yet.” His eyes glinted faintly. “I don’t take requests based on pity. I take them based on profit—and potential.”

  For a second, silence filled the room again. Then Yue Lan slowly nodded, a trace of admiration in her expression. “You truly are a difficult man to negotiate with.”

  “Flattery won’t change that either,” Lin Xian said with a light smile.

  Bai Yu Sheng sighed softly. “You could at least pretend to be cooperative.”

  Lin Xian shrugged. “Pretending is for people who can’t deliver.”

  Yue Lan chuckled, unable to help herself. “Very well. I’ll arrange for you to see him tomorrow morning. If you can save him… I’ll owe you a favor.”

  Lin Xian’s smirk deepened. “Favors from the Thousand Veil Chamber? Now that’s worth considering.”

  As they left the chamber, Yue Lan’s calm voice drifted after them:

  “Alchemist Lin… one day, someone will realize how dangerous you truly a

  re.”

  Lin Xian paused at the door, half-turning with a faint grin. “Then it’s time they learned to adapt.”