Chapter 267 Negotiation
For three consecutive days.
Chen Mu slackened off chopping trees by day, and at night, he flew back to Peng Yue Mountain to sleep and cultivate.
After dinner in the evening, Chen Mu burrowed into his tent early.
“I’ve transmigrated, yet I still have to keep to a work schedule? This is really…”
Arriving at five in the morning, leaving at nine at night with no days off, this was even tougher than the life of a salaried worker in his previous life!
“Forget it, it’ll be fine once the wasteland is developed,” sighed Chen Mu.
He did actually desire to be a wild cultivator unfettered by restrictions.
But being a wild cultivator meant not only were you unlikely to find a secret technique inheritance, but it was also dangerous.
Glancing at his mana that was filled up more than halfway with jade seeds, Chen Mu felt a little joy in his heart.
Though flying back and forth every day was troublesome and depleted his mana, being able to use the Exquisite Jade Plate unrestrainedly, and quickly condense mana, made it well worth the trouble.
It also allowed him to avoid the danger of exotic beast attacks at night.
“So it’s just commuting, right? Didn’t I do the same in my previous life?”
“Besides, now I’m commuting by ‘plane’. Such treatment, tsk tsk…”
“The key is, I can also increase my proficiency,” Chen Mu chuckled to himself as he looked at the grey wall in front of him.
Manipulation: 2036/10000/First Rank;
Since joining the Lower Courtyard of Tongtian River, his skill in manipulation had barely improved.
Now, flying back and forth to commute actually gave him time to grind experience.
“It’s just a bit costly in white jade.”
Since accumulating mana with the Exquisite Jade Plate, the speed at which white jade coins were being consumed had increased!
“I wonder how Shang Huan’s negotiations are going?” Chen Mu invoked the United Heart Rope to feel for Shang Huan’s presence and contacted him.
Soon after, he came back to his senses.
“Dissatisfied with the profits, and wants to negotiate with me personally?” Chen Mu furrowed his brows.
The cost of producing Wood Spirit Boys was low.
The tree core could be found almost anywhere, and the spiritual pulp wouldn’t cost more than a few white jade coins.
It was really just the Wood Spirit Talisman and the refining technique that were worth a bit of money.
So by these calculations, a twenty percent profit margin on a Wood Spirit Boy was nearly equivalent to nineteen white jade coins!
Merely for lending his name, and yet still unsatisfied?!
Greed!
Too greedy!
Old Hao had said Mo Wuzhou was a decent person, but how come when it comes to me, he’s like…
The problem was, it was hard for Chen Mu to refuse.
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Now that Mo Wuzhou was aware of the Wood Spirit Boys, even if Chen Mu chose not to sell, Mo Wuzhou might coerce him to do so.
He might even take things into his own hands and attempt to seize the refining secret formula!
Chen Mu couldn’t help but squint his eyes.
“Condensing Aperture Secret Method…”
If it wasn’t for the need to buy the Condensing Aperture Technique, he wouldn’t have even thought of saving money.
But now he had drawn big trouble onto himself without even knowing exactly what the Condensing Aperture Technique was.
“All I wanted was to save up some white jade.”
“It would have been fine to just live in peace.”
“But if one becomes insatiably greedy…”
…
Two days later, late at night.
Beneath Peng Yue Mountain, within a dense forest.
Mo Wuzhou stood beneath a large tree, admiring the blanket of stars in the sky through the swaying leaves overhead.
Standing beside him, Shang Huan, however, was somewhat restless and anxious.
If the negotiations went well tonight, then all would be good, but if they couldn’t reach an agreement, and both parties were to come to blows, with his small frame, geez…
“Finally deigned to come, huh? Why not use your sneaky curse techniques to check a few more times? What if there’s an ambush around here?” Mo Wuzhou’s face was rigid and cold as he sarcastically stared at the figure emerging from the woods.
Chen Mu looked at Mo Wuzhou’s rigid and cold face.
He couldn’t seem to make it fit with the man’s mournful voice.
Was there something wrong with this person’s face?
Chen Mu shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it further. He started trying his best to play the role of Gongsun Sheng.
“There’s no need!” Chen Mu’s voice was mild as he said, “I trust in Brother Mo’s character.”
Mo Wuzhou couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
“You haven’t forgotten, have you? I possess the Spiritual Eye Secret Method, and I can see that black smoke of yours!”
Trust my character, really?
I’m not blind, you know.
Those several puffs of black smoke have been circling the woods for nearly half an hour already!
Is that for taking a walk or something?!
“I heard Brother Mo isn’t too satisfied with the profit-sharing scheme,” Chen Mu softly inquired.
“Very unsatisfied!” Mo Wuzhou huffed coldly.
Chen Mu couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.
“How much does Brother Mo want?”
Mo Wuzhou, with his hands clasped behind his back, said, “One hundred White Jade Coins for each Wood Spirit Boy. Do you have any idea how significant a business this will be?”
“The Administrative Affairs Institute, Inspection Courtyard, Scripture Transmission Institute–anyone with a bit of strength will turn green with envy!”
“Having my name attached to this, I’ll have to shoulder all the pressure that comes from all sides on your behalf.”
“Even when dealing with some of the more aggressive ones, I’ll have to share a part of the profits with them!”
“Take Liang from the Minor Supervision Court, for example. He has started cultivating the Condese Aperture Secret Method.”
“If he speaks up, do you think I can refuse to pay?” Mo Wuzhou huffed.
You think a mere twenty percent profit will suffice to send me on my way?
No chance!
“Then, how much do you want, Brother Mo?” Chen Mu asked again, his voice still gentle, but he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This Brother Mo really aims to ask for the moon!
Inside the Jade Seed, the Five Ghosts Moving Mountain Curse Talisman slowly flew into the Primordial Talisman, with the Sand Containing Technique Talisman waiting beside it on standby.
If we can come to an agreement, that’s fine, but if we can’t, I can’t just let Mo Wuzhou leave so easily.
I don’t want to resort to force. But seeing how greedy he looks, I fear…
“I’ve worked hard. For each Wood Spirit Boy sold, you should at least give me twelve White Jade Coins!” Mo Wuzhou said sternly.
As expected… he actually dares to ask for twelve White Jade Coins!
Five Ghosts… huh?!
Twelve White Jade Coins?
Is there really such good fortune?!
Chen Mu suddenly looked up, staring at Mo Wuzhou.
“What? You think it’s too much? Let me tell you, it’s not too much at all!”
“Don’t think I don’t know how much your costs are! I understand artifact refining,” Mo Wuzhou said confidently, raising his head.
You know nothing about artifact refining!
Twelve White Jade Coins aren’t even as good as a twenty percent profit!
Chen Mu looked oddly at Mo Wuzhou.
Could this guy be a fool to actually reduce his own asking price?
“Don’t try to fool me with your talk of a twenty percent profit! I want twelve White Jade Coins!”
Sure, sure, whatever you say.
Chen Mu was inwardly overjoyed.
But he couldn’t just readily agree, so he calmly watched the other party without speaking.
Under the moonlight, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a sound that filled the air. The atmosphere became somewhat tense.
Mo Wuzhou unconsciously clenched his hands behind his back.
This gloomy fellow, he wouldn’t actually resort to violence, would he?!
Is twelve White Jade Coins perhaps too high a demand?
That Magic Artifact was indeed exquisite. The cost couldn’t be less than fifty White Jade Coins.
I’m asking for twelve White Jade Coins straight off the bat, maybe… I should lower it a bit more?
“Deal!” Chen Mu said with a feigned grimness.
Mo Wuzhou instantly relaxed, thankful the deal was done.
Lucky I held back from lowering the price, otherwise, I would have suffered a big loss!
Looks like… I do have some talent for business, huh?
Ha ha…
Glancing at Chen Mu, who remained silent and exuded a somber aura, Mo Wuzhou felt a bit guilty.
“Am I being too greedy?”
“It’s all for the sake of the Condense Aperture Secret Method, sigh…”
After mumbling to himself for a while, feeling bad, he hesitantly spoke up, “How about this, I’ll talk to Liang from the Minor Supervision Court.”
“See if I can get the court to fund and buy a batch for the pioneering teams?”
“He’s told me before that eradicating Exotic Beasts is of utmost importance.”
“Wood Spirit Boys are beneficial for pioneering and hunting; perhaps he’ll be tempted.” Mo Wuzhou said uncertainly.
An internal purchasing channel? If the hundreds of pioneering teams are all equipped with Wood Spirit Boys…
Must not laugh! Absolutely cannot laugh!
Those twelve White Jade Coins are unbelievably well spent!
He almost loses his grim expression!
“You get in touch with Shang Huan. He’ll act as the intermediary,” Chen Mu said, softening his gaze slightly, though his tone remained colder than before.
After speaking, he turned and walked away.
He feared that if he stayed any longer, he would not be able to withhold his laughter.
Old Hao is right!
This Brother Mo’s character is indeed top-notch!
Ha ha…