Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 68 Wonderful Thoughts

As night fell, the market became deserted. Song Xian ordered the shops to be closed and went to the Beast Taming Pavilion with Zhang Ningyuan.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang is here? Is there anything you need?" Hua Yun, who was in charge of the shop affairs, saw him come in and came forward to greet him.

Zhang Ningyuan stayed in the market town for a few months and became familiar with the people there. He met the staff of the Beast Taming Pavilion twice, so they knew each other.

"Fellow Daoist Hua, may I ask if fellow Daoist Yang Yude of your sect is here?"

Hua Yun looked the two of them over and asked, "What does Fellow Daoist Zhang want to see Junior Brother Yang about?"

Song Xian interrupted, "Well, Fellow Daoist Yang recently bought a hundred Jade Fragrance Pills from our shop. We're worried the pills might be of poor quality and tarnish our reputation, so we came to ask if he's satisfied."

"Who is this fellow Taoist?"

Zhang Ningyuan introduced, "This is our sect's headmaster, Song Xian."

"Oh! It's Sect Leader Song. I've long heard of your great name. Sect Leader Song just mentioned that Junior Brother Yang bought a hundred Jade Fragrance Pills from your shop. I wonder when that happened?"

"Just a few hours ago."

"Really?" Hua Yun looked thoughtful. "Junior Brother Yang is not in this shop."

Song Xian pressed the issue, "Fellow Daoist Hua, there's a young lady in your sect named Wang, in her early twenties. A few days ago, she and fellow Daoist Yang went to our shop and bought one Jade Fragrance Pill. Later, they bought thirty more. I wonder if she lives in your pavilion?"

Hua Yun smiled and said, "There is such a person, but she passed away a few days ago. Why is Sect Leader Song asking about her?"

"Nothing, she's the first distinguished customer of our shop, and I wanted to ask her if she's satisfied with our Yuxiangdan."

"If you're not satisfied, will you buy another thirty? I've heard a lot about your sect's Jade Fragrance Pills, and they really live up to their reputation. When Junior Sister Wang took them, a strange, refreshing fragrance emanated from her body. It was incredibly pleasant."

"I wonder where this Daoist friend Wang lives?"

"Why is Sect Leader Song asking about this? Could it be that he's attracted to her?"

"To be honest, I think Fellow Daoist Yang, a grown man, would have no interest in the Jade Fragrance Pill. He must have bought so much to please Fellow Daoist Wang. I see Fellow Daoist Wang is handsome, has an extraordinary temperament, and is generous, so I think she is no ordinary person. Since she likes the Jade Fragrance Pill, it would be a blessing for our sect, so I would like to pay her a visit. If she needs it in the future, I will personally send someone to deliver it to her residence."

Upon hearing this, Hua Yun stared at Song Xian for a moment, not disguising her admiration. "These past few days, everyone in the market has been sneering at the mention of the Jade Fragrance Pills sold in your sect's shop, and quite a few have even privately made fun of them. I also thought it was just a flash in the pan, a publicity stunt. But now it seems that's not the case. Having someone like Sect Leader Song is truly a blessing for your sect's shop."

"Fellow Daoist Hua, your praise is truly unacceptable. I truly feel bad for it."

"I've been working in the market for over twenty years, and I've never seen someone as quick-witted as Master Song, with so many brilliant ideas and the courage to act. Not only did he put up shop signs outside the market and in front of the lakes in Bianxia Town to attract customers, but today, to boost sales, he even personally visited customers to ask if they were satisfied. This is truly unprecedented. I admire him."

Song Xian smiled and said, "I can't compare to your sect's wealth and business. Let alone a generous customer like your sect's Daoist Fellow, even an ordinary customer should be treated with respect!"

"With Sect Leader Song's attitude, your sect's business will surely grow and prosper. However, I don't know where Junior Sister Wang lives."

"Oh? Isn't she a disciple of your sect?"

"She was sent by the Mountain Gate, and I don't know where she lives. From what I know, she should be returning to the Mountain Gate soon."

Hearing her words, Song Xian couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He had finally managed to get a big client, but he didn't expect him to leave so soon. "Is that so? Then I won't bother you anymore, Fellow Daoist Hua. Goodbye."

The two turned to leave. Just as they reached the door, Song Xian pulled out a small wooden box containing the Jade Fragrance Pill from his storage ring. He turned around and handed it to her, saying, "This is the Jade Fragrance Pill from our sect's shop. Thank you for telling me about this. If you don't mind, please accept it."

"Thank you very much, Master Song." Hua Yun took the wooden box with a smile.

After the two left the shop, Zhang Ningyuan sighed, "What a pity, it's rare to meet such a generous person, and he is sent from the mountain gate of the Beast Taming Sect." Song Xian remained silent, thinking in his mind how to widely promote the Yuxiang Pill. It is not reliable to rely solely on such a big customer who suddenly appears and falls from the sky. He still has to take the initiative. But he couldn't think of where to start for a while.

At this moment, there was a sudden noise. He looked up and suddenly saw a merchant ship coming overhead. It was a merchant ship transporting goods to the market.

His eyes lit up and he instantly had an idea.

He went back to the backyard of the shop and slept for the night. Early the next morning, he came to Wu Xuan's mansion on the South Street of Fangshi.

After waiting for a long time in the spacious and bright waiting room, Wu Xuan finally arrived. The two exchanged a few words and sat down as host and guest.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, I never visit you without a reason. I'm taking the liberty of visiting you today because I'd like to collaborate with your city on something."

"Oh? What kind of cooperation? Master Song, please tell me." Wu Xuan felt a little expectant when he heard his words. Ever since Song Xian proposed renting land outside the market to put up a sign, several shops have followed suit in recent days. The market has gained an extra income. He wondered what ideas he had this time.

"I've seen merchant ships frequently transporting goods to and from the market, and I'd like to put a few paintings on the outside of these ships. Is that possible?"

"Paintings?" Wu Xuan frowned slightly. "What does Sect Leader Song mean? Please explain clearly."

"I hope to make my shop known to more people. I want to put pictures of my shop on the sides of the merchant ship. That way, wherever the merchant ship goes, people will see my shop. If Fellow Daoist Wu is willing, I am willing to pay a sum of spirit stones."

"Master Song, you really are...capable of imagining things." Wu Xuan couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He never expected that Song Xian would propose such a ridiculous cooperation.

"Hey! This isn't that easy, and it's not something I can decide. This shop isn't like the open space outside the market that can be rented out casually."

"A merchant ship is a valuable asset, even the face of an organization. How could they covet your few spirit stones? If someone else's merchant ship were to have your shop's painting table hanging outside, wouldn't that be a joke?"

"I don't think this is feasible. Sect Leader Song should give up on this idea."

Song Xian still didn't give up hope. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Perhaps someone would agree? Fellow Daoist Wu is in charge of the security of the market town, and all merchant ships entering and leaving are registered. Could you please ask for me? If anyone is willing, I will definitely give them a reward."

Wu Xuan glanced at him with contempt in his heart. If you don’t feel ashamed to ask this question for you, then I do!

"Although our sect is not a large one, it is at least a sect in name only. I don't care about this little thank you gift from Sect Master Song. If it were anything else, I would help if I could. But this matter is absolutely not feasible."

"If we tell other sects about this, we might even lose our own reputation. Why bother? I advise Sect Master Song not to pursue this idea. If Sect Master Song insists on having his own way, then please go ahead and negotiate with those sects yourself. I cannot interfere."

Song Xian saw that he was displeased and his words were very clear, that is, he felt ashamed and knew that it was useless to say more.

"In that case, then forget it."

Wu Xuan took a sip of his tea and said, "Master Song, I heard that your shop not only has a sign outside the market, but also has signs hanging along almost all the lakes and rivers in Bianxia Town. Is that true?"

"Yes, isn't this to let more people know the location of the shop? Wouldn't it attract more people to the shop?"

Wu Xuan smiled and said, "I'm really impressed by you, Sect Leader Song. I'm surprised you could come up with such an idea. I heard that your shop has a lot of caravans of monks who come here because of your reputation. How is it? I'm sure business is good!"

"Oh! It's hard to explain." Song Xian shook his head. "To be honest, quite a few people come here, but when they hear the price of the Yuxiang Pills, the good ones turn around and leave, while the bad ones start cursing. So far, I haven't sold a single pill to any of them."

Wu Xuan's smile grew wider. He had, of course, heard the recent rumors in the market, which were full of criticisms of the Yuxiang Pills from Hunyuan Pavilion. As a colleague, he was naturally happy to see other shops losing their reputation, and he continued to offer consolation.

"There are so many people coming and going in this shop, so sooner or later someone will buy it. Sect Leader Song, don't be discouraged. But then again, aren't your Jade Fragrance Pills a little too expensive? I heard they cost ten spirit stones each. Not only would I be reluctant to buy one, let alone those thrifty merchants. Your price is too high. If you could lower it a bit, maybe the situation would improve."

(End of this chapter)