Chapter 495 - 502: The Qingfeng Gang’s Choice

Wu Mingxu and Fang Lan were also dumbfounded. Their imposing auras faltered, as they clearly hadn’t expected things to take such a turn.

Wu Mingxu’s face flushed with embarrassment, but with so many people staring at him, he still refused to admit his mistake.

"Hmph. Who knows how those rumors got started?"

"For all we know, you’re the one who deliberately spread them to mislead everyone, just to suck up to Song Bangzhu!"

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of his own theory. After all, merely being associated with the Ghost King Valley would elevate her status considerably.

Countless people were envious of the Ghost King Valley’s prestige!

Everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but turn back to Song Wanning. What Wu Mingxu said wasn’t entirely out of the question.

In any case, they could only remain silent for now, lest they be foolishly dragged into the mess.

But to everyone’s surprise, Song Wanning wasn’t the least bit flustered. Instead, she began to set the record straight with Wu Mingxu.

"You can ask the Shopkeeper for the ledgers detailing how many Elixir Pills I’ve produced over the past two months."

"Tell me, do I look like I have time to be spreading rumors?"

"The Ghost King Valley is indeed formidable, but the character of its members is remarkably inconsistent... What a pity."

Her efficiency in Alchemy was far beyond what any ordinary person could match.

This was Song Wanning’s confidence as an Alchemy Grandmaster. No matter where she went, she would never be second-best!

"This—"

The Shopkeeper glanced at Song Wanning, then at Song Bangzhu, before taking out the ledgers and handing them to Wu Mingxu.

Wu Mingxu took them nonchalantly. However, as he flipped through the pages, the color drained from his face.

The number of Elixir Pills Song Wanning had produced was truly astonishing; not even he could achieve such a feat.

What’s more, the quality of the Elixir Pills was consistently top-grade. ’If this is all true,’ he thought, ’then this person is a terrifying opponent.’

Wu Mingxu’s face paled, and he stood there, hesitant and embarrassed.

He knew now that he had been mistaken, but apologizing felt too humiliating.

Seeing this, Fang Lan also took the ledgers. An inscrutable gleam flashed in her eyes.

"Brother Wu, it seems we were mistaken. We should apologize to her."

She added, "I’m sure if you offer a sincere apology, she won’t hold it against us."

Her words were framed as advice, but they only served to provoke Wu Mingxu.

"Apologize? Impossible!"

He immediately blew up, fuming, "So she has some skill. That doesn’t prove anything! Why should I apologize?"

"Besides, being mistaken for a disciple of the Ghost King Valley is an honor for her!!!"

Wu Mingxu threw the ledgers back and turned to Song Bangzhu. "Song Bangzhu, are you going to choose her, or are you going to choose our Ghost King Valley?"

"If you choose to cooperate with her, then don’t even think about getting a single Elixir Pill from the Ghost King Valley ever again!!!"

He threatened Song Bangzhu directly, completely disregarding whose territory he was on.

After all, the Ghost King Valley was his backing. No matter how displeased these people were, they could only suck it up!

As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the reception hall grew tense, thick with the smell of gunpowder and ready to ignite at any moment.

Song Wanning, however, shot Fang Lan a meaningful glance, seeing right through her petty scheme.

In fact, most people present could see what was happening. Only an oaf like Wu Mingxu was being used and didn’t even realize it.

"Mr. Wu, what is the meaning of this?"

Song Bangzhu had wanted to bring Song Wanning into his fold, and now Wu Mingxu was making such unreasonable demands. This was simply going too far.

But Wu Mingxu couldn’t stand to see Song Wanning get her way, especially with that haughty, arrogant look of hers. He found it to be a complete eyesore.

"My meaning is the Ghost King Valley’s meaning. If you refuse to cooperate with her, we can give you an additional ten percent of Elixir Pills every year. But if you insist on working with her, then you can forget about ever buying a single Elixir Pill from the Ghost King Valley again!!!"

The Ghost King Valley was notoriously protective of its own. He knew that as soon as he went back and reported this, the Qingfeng Gang would be immediately blacklisted.

Now, it was up to the Qingfeng Gang to make a choice!

With that, he plopped down in his seat and waited for their answer.

A heavy silence descended upon the reception hall.

They didn’t want to lose a talent like Song Wanning.

But they couldn’t afford to offend the Ghost King Valley. After all, Song Wanning was just one person, however great her potential, while the Ghost King Valley was an established power...

It seemed they had no choice at all.

Song Bangzhu’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot. In his mind, he cursed that ungrateful fool Wu Mingxu over and over again.

Finally, he could only muster a regretful expression.

"Young Friend Song, I am very sorry. The Qingfeng Gang is in the wrong here."

"How about this? We can compensate you with some Medicinal Herbs..."

He was willing to offer compensation out of respect for their two-month partnership.

"There’s no need."

Song Wanning’s lips twitched into a smirk. ’I thought Song Bangzhu had some backbone, but he caved to a mere Alchemist.’

’It’s better to be without a partner like that.’

Since cooperation was off the table, she didn’t want to waste any more time. If she hadn’t been hoping to find a more powerful Pill Recipe, she wouldn’t have wasted her breath on these people in the first place.

"Hmph, see that? This is reality. So what if you’re talented?"

"Before our Ghost King Valley, you are nothing."

Wu Mingxu was gloating internally. ’This woman’s talent is truly infuriating.’

’But so what? She could never match his status.’

"Just a dog on the Ghost King Valley’s leash, and you really think you’re the master?"

A smirk touched Song Wanning’s lips. Channeling her formidable Divine Soul Power, she placed a mark on both of them.

’This isn’t the right place for this,’ she thought. ’I hope they can still smile the next time we meet.’

"Pathetic."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode away without a single look back.

"You—"

Wu Mingxu hadn’t expected her to dare insult him. He pointed at her retreating back, his face flushing red with rage.

A vicious glint flashed in Fang Lan’s eyes, tinged with a deep sense of avarice.

She concealed the malice in her heart and averted her gaze.

What had started as a wonderful partnership had been ruined like this.

The Shopkeeper of Yuefeng Pavilion was furious, but he was under the Qingfeng Gang’s authority. He couldn’t interfere with a decision made by the gang leader.

The regret in his heart was beyond words.

He had a feeling that Song Wanning was no ordinary person, and that the gang leader would surely come to regret this.

But seeing the gang leader and Wu Mingxu chatting happily, the Shopkeeper could only depart in disappointment.

Meanwhile, the members of the Wolf Fang Gang had been completely ignored from start to finish.

Wu Yaozu glanced at Wu Mingxu, then at Song Wanning’s departing figure, a look of conflict flashing in his eyes.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, he hurried after Song Wanning.

The other members of the Wolf Fang Gang were taken by surprise, but they could only follow him helplessly.

Before they left, their leader had told them their only duty was to ensure Wu Yaozu’s safety; they were not to interfere in anything else.

...

"Ma’am! Ma’am! Please wait for me!!"

Wu Yaozu chased after Song Wanning without stopping, quickly catching up to her, out of breath.