Published at 23rd of September 2024 9:59 am

Chapter 8: The Merchant’s Gambit

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The Silverleaf Ginseng thrived under Wei Long’s care, its luminous glow intensifying with each passing day. Every morning, he would rise early to tend to the crops, meditating beside the river as the sun broke the horizon. The energy the plants emitted fed into his cultivation, accelerating his progress in subtle but profound ways. He could feel his core strengthening, his spiritual energy becoming more stable, more refined. The process of growth—both for himself and for the plants—was slow, but it was sure.

Yet, Wei Long knew that simply growing herbs wouldn’t be enough. While the Silverleaf Ginseng was valuable, his ambitions required more. He needed connections, resources, and a way to turn his farm into something greater. And for that, he would need to step back into the world of commerce.

The small town he had come to was an ideal starting point, but the real wealth and opportunity lay beyond its borders, in the larger cities and markets where wealthy cultivators and powerful sects traded in rare goods. If he could establish a reputation for cultivating high-quality spiritual crops, he could attract the attention of these powerful figures. But first, he needed a way to sell what he had already grown.

The following day, Wei Long made his way back to the market, the pouch of Silverleaf Ginseng leaves securely tied to his belt. He had dried and prepared them according to the instructions the old woman had given him, and now he was ready to see if they would fetch the price he needed.

As he walked through the bustling streets, his eyes caught sight of a merchant stall that was different from the others. While most of the vendors in the market sold mundane items—food, clothing, tools—this stall was filled with rare herbs, crystals, and artifacts that shimmered with faint energy. A tall man in fine robes stood behind the counter, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd as he haggled with a customer over the price of a glowing crystal.

This was the kind of merchant Wei Long needed—someone who dealt in rare and valuable goods, and who had connections to the larger markets beyond this small town.

Wei Long approached the stall, waiting patiently as the merchant completed his transaction. When the customer left, the merchant turned his gaze toward him, his eyebrow raising slightly at the sight of the young cultivator.

“What can I do for you, young one?” the merchant asked, his voice smooth and practiced.

“I have something to sell,” Wei Long said, reaching into his pouch and producing a small bundle of dried Silverleaf Ginseng leaves. “Rare herbs, cultivated with care.”

The merchant’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward slightly, inspecting the leaves in Wei Long’s hand. “Silverleaf Ginseng,” he muttered, his tone shifting to one of interest. “Not bad. It’s been a while since I’ve seen fresh ones like these. Where did you get them?”

“I grew them myself,” Wei Long replied. “I have a plot of land by the river.”

The merchant’s expression shifted slightly, a mix of surprise and curiosity. “A young cultivator and a farmer? That’s an unusual combination. Most of your kind prefer the sword to the plow.”

“I prefer both,” Wei Long said, keeping his tone steady. “And I’m looking to sell.”

The merchant tapped his chin thoughtfully, then reached out to take one of the leaves. He held it up to the light, studying its shimmering surface before bringing it to his nose and inhaling deeply. After a moment, he nodded approvingly.

“These are good quality,” the merchant said. “Very good, in fact. I can offer you ten silver for the bundle.”

Wei Long’s eyes narrowed. Ten silver was far too low for something this rare, especially considering the time and effort he had put into cultivating the plants. He shook his head. “These leaves are worth more than that. I’ve seen similar herbs sell for triple that price.”

The merchant chuckled, clearly amused by Wei Long’s boldness. “Ah, I see. You’re new to this, aren’t you? Let me explain how things work. You may have cultivated these herbs, but that doesn’t mean you can dictate the price. There’s a process, a network of buyers and sellers, and I have connections you don’t. If you want to sell to the big markets, you’ll need someone like me to move your goods. Ten silver is a fair price for a newcomer.”

Wei Long stood his ground, his mind racing. The merchant was right in one sense—he didn’t have connections, and he didn’t have the experience in selling rare goods. But he wasn’t willing to let himself be taken advantage of. He needed leverage.

“How about this,” Wei Long said, crossing his arms. “I’ll sell you this bundle for twenty silver, but that’s only a small portion of what I can produce. If you’re willing to give me a fair price, we can form a partnership. I can supply you with a steady stream of high-quality herbs, cultivated directly from my farm. If you lowball me now, I’ll find another buyer.”

The merchant’s eyes flickered with interest. He leaned back slightly, studying Wei Long more closely. “A steady supply, you say? And you’re confident you can continue producing herbs of this quality?”

Wei Long nodded firmly. “I’ve already started planting more. And not just Silverleaf. I’m working on other rare crops as well.”

For a moment, the merchant was silent, his fingers drumming lightly on the counter as he considered the offer. Finally, he let out a sigh and gave a small smile. “All right, young one. You’ve got guts. I’ll take the bundle for twenty silver, and we’ll see how things go from there. If your next harvest is as good as you say, we can discuss a more permanent arrangement.”

Wei Long’s heart skipped slightly, but he maintained his composure. “Deal,” he said, extending his hand.

The merchant shook his hand firmly and reached into his coin pouch, counting out twenty silver coins and placing them on the counter. Wei Long pocketed the money, feeling the weight of his first successful sale. It wasn’t just the silver that mattered—this was the first step toward something bigger.

“You’ve got potential, kid,” the merchant said, his tone almost approving. “If you keep this up, you might just make a name for yourself. But remember—business is about more than just the product. It’s about trust, reputation, and knowing when to take risks.”

Wei Long nodded. “I understand.”

“Good,” the merchant said with a grin. “I’ll be expecting your next harvest soon. Don’t disappoint.”

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With the silver in hand and the beginnings of a partnership secured, Wei Long left the market feeling a surge of confidence. This was just the beginning, but it was a strong start. The silver would allow him to expand his farm, purchase more seeds, and experiment with new crops. And with a merchant willing to buy his goods, he had a way to turn his hard work into tangible progress.

But as Wei Long made his way back to the riverbank, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something larger was brewing. The merchant had been friendly enough, but there was a sharpness to his eyes, a calculation that suggested he was always looking for the next advantage. Wei Long knew he would have to be careful—alliances in business, like cultivation, required balance.

For now, though, his focus returned to his farm and his cultivation. The world of business had its own dangers, but Wei Long was determined to navigate it just as carefully as he did the path of a cultivator. His journey was only just beginning, and each step he took—whether in the fields or in the marketplace—brought him closer to the power he sought.

And with power, he knew, came responsibility. The seeds of his ambition had been planted, but how they would grow depended on his next moves.

As Wei Long returned to his farm, he stood by the river, watching the flow of the water, feeling the energy of the land beneath him. His path was clear—grow stronger, cultivate his resources, and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.

For he knew that the world of cultivation, much like the world of business, was unforgiving to those who were unprepared.

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