Chapter 125: Thoughts of Entering the Cultivation Market

Lu Yang leaned back in his seat, contemplating the matter for a moment.

There was still time.

He was only eighteen years old, and although his cultivation progress had slowed somewhat due to a lack of resources, he was not in a desperate situation.

Once he reached the middle or later stages of Spirit Awakening Realm, he could have Zheng Hui expand the business into nearby counties and eventually Luoyun Prefecture City.

At that point, the scale of their operations would be much larger, and obtaining more than a thousand taels of silver annually would no longer be an unrealistic goal.

Of course, expanding a business was not as simple as opening a few additional stores.

There would be more employees to manage, more suppliers to negotiate with, and more competitors to deal with. The risks would increase alongside the potential profits.

Nevertheless, Zheng Hui had already demonstrated his abilities, and Lu Yang was willing to give him more time.

For now, the existing businesses were sufficient.

After putting aside these thoughts, Lu Yang looked at Zheng Hui again.

"Have you considered entering the cultivation market?"

Zheng Hui was slightly surprised by the question.

However, he quickly nodded.

"Indeed, senior. I have been considering this matter for some time."

He paused before continuing.

"Ordinary businesses have their limitations. Even if I manage to establish myself throughout the county, the profits will eventually reach a bottleneck. If I want to expand further, I will need to find another source of income."

Lu Yang gave a faint nod.

The market for ordinary people was limited by the population’s purchasing power. No matter how successful a merchant became, there was only so much money that could be earned from a single county.

But the cultivation market was different.

Cultivators required medicinal herbs, pills, weapons, martial arts, cultivation techniques, and many resources to advance their cultivation. Some of these items were extraordinarily expensive, and even a relatively small number of wealthy cultivators could generate substantial profits.

Naturally, the competition was also a little more intense, even dangerous.

"How do you intend to begin?" Lu Yang asked.

"I plan to start with a small pharmacy."

Zheng Hui answered without hesitation.

"At the beginning, I will only sell ordinary medicinal herbs and resources suitable for cultivators in the early stages of Body Tempering Realm. These items should be relatively easy to obtain, and the risks will be manageable."

He briefly considered his next words before speaking.

"If the business proves successful, I will gradually expand into other areas."

Lu Yang listened quietly, not offering any particular advice.

Zheng Hui understood the limitations of his own abilities, and his proposed approach was sensible. There was no reason to interfere just because Lu Yang possessed more knowledge of the cultivation world.

Besides, Zheng Hui was responsible for managing the business.

As long as the man did not make any foolish decisions, Lu Yang was willing to let him exercise his own judgment.

"Proceed carefully," Lu Yang said. "Do not invest too much money before you understand the market."

Zheng Hui bowed his head.

"This subordinate understands."

Lu Yang glanced at him.

"You do not need to address me so formally every time."

Zheng Hui immediately smiled awkwardly.

"Of course, senior."

Lu Yang fell silent, not dwelling on it anymore.

After discussing several more matters, Zheng Hui suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Senior, please wait a moment."

He stood up and walked into the inner room.

Lu Yang watched him leave without asking any questions.

A short while later, Zheng Hui returned carrying a small wooden box.

He placed it on the table before Lu Yang and opened the lid. Inside were neatly arranged silver taels, approximately one hundred and fifty in total.

Lu Yang glanced at them, raising an eyebrow under the mask.

"What is this?"

Zheng Hui paused before explaining.

"Your first returns. Although the business has only recently stabilized, we have already generated some profits. Since senior provided the initial capital, I thought it appropriate to give you something now."

Lu Yang looked at the silver before shaking his head and pushing the box back towards Zheng Hui.

"Keep it."

Zheng Hui stilled in his movements, a hint of surprise appearing in the depths of his eyes.

"Senior?"

"I gave you two years to establish your business. During those two years, you were not required to pay me anything."

Lu Yang spoke calmly.

"Now that the two years have passed, you can begin paying me my share of the profits once every year. The previous two years do not count."

Zheng Hui stared at him, stunned.

He had assumed that Lu Yang would naturally want to receive his share as soon as the business became profitable.

After all, the agreement was made with money, not friendship.

That was how things usually happened in this world.

Yet, Lu Yang not only refrained from demanding any returns during the initial period but was now refusing the silver he had voluntarily offered.

For a moment, Zheng Hui did not know what to say.

"Senior, but this money..."

"Use it to develop the business." Lu Yang interrupted him.

"Your current operations are still small. If you want to expand into the cultivation market, you will need additional capital. There is no need to take money out of the business prematurely."

He paused before adding, "Of course, I am not telling you to spend recklessly. Keep proper accounts, and do not let your ambition exceed your abilities."

Zheng Hui’s expression gradually became solemn.

He had already regarded Lu Yang as someone worth following, but this gesture further strengthened his resolve.

The other party had given him a chance when he was at his lowest point. Now that he had finally begun recovering, Lu Yang was not rushing to take back every possible profit, but giving him additional time to develop.

Zheng Hui understood that this did not mean Lu Yang was being charitable.

Their agreement was still in place, and he would still need to pay his share of the profits in the future.

Nevertheless, the other party was a man of his word, and if he could maintain it, then this connection would be extremely valuable to his Zheng Family for generations to come.

He carefully closed the wooden box.

"This subordinate will not disappoint senior’s expectations."

Lu Yang waved his hand, "Do your best."

...

After another short conversation, Lu Yang stood up.

"I will be leaving now."

Zheng Hui hurriedly rose as well.

"Senior, are you leaving the county?"

"I have other matters to attend to in Wuyuan Province."

Lu Yang adjusted his clothes.

"Remember what I said. Preserve your records carefully, and keep my share of the profits separate from the business’s operating funds."

Zheng Hui nodded repeatedly.

"Rest assured, senior. I will handle everything properly."

Lu Yang looked at him for a moment before continuing.

"I may return after a year, two years, three years, or perhaps even longer. Do not assume that I will arrive at a fixed time every year."

He did not want to spend his life traveling back and forth just to inspect a business.

If Zheng Hui proved capable of managing everything independently, Lu Yang would naturally have fewer reasons to intervene.

After all, his own cultivation was more important.

Zheng Hui understood this and bowed deeply.

"This subordinate will preserve the records and your share of the profits. Whenever senior returns, everything will be accounted for."

Lu Yang nodded.

"Good."

He turned and walked towards the gate.

Zheng Hui followed him outside and watched as the masked young man gradually disappeared into the street.

Only after Lu Yang was no longer visible did he return to the courtyard.

He looked at the wooden box in his hands, then towards the account book resting on the table inside.

The future was worth looking forward to.