Wen Ping’s gaze fell on Huaikong’s face, remaining silent. In fact, he had never said anything about forbidding the disclosure of his knowledge of medicinal cuisine.
Although he hoped Huaikong wouldn’t tell anyone, once people found out he knew medicinal cuisine, many would come seeking medicine. There are simply too many sick people in the world, and he didn’t have the time to hang out a shingle and practice medicine.
Now that Mo Lin had come, he didn’t want to send him away, so he asked, "Chairman Mo, who is ill?"
Mo Lin replied, "My father."
Upon hearing Mo Lin’s words, Wen Ping rummaged through his memories but realized he didn’t know Mo Lin’s father. He then asked, "What illness does the old man suffer from?"
Mo Lin, hearing Wen Ping’s question, knew that the matter was already half resolved and immediately became joyful, quickly saying, "A strange ailment. He lost the ability to walk a year ago, and no renowned doctor could pinpoint the cause. Today, he suddenly fainted, his breath became very weak, and he would sometimes sleep for days without waking even when pushed."
After Mo Lin finished speaking, Wen Ping fell into thought.
Of course, his contemplation was about how much to charge, rather than worrying about whether he could cure the illness. With the Life Cigar, theoretically, there was no ailment he couldn’t treat. What he lacked most now was gold coins.
The tens of thousands of gold he acquired from Yu Mo were half spent in the blink of an eye. To develop quickly, he had to find ways to earn a bit extra. With just the daily income of a few hundred gold from accepting disciples, it would take a long time to upgrade a building.
However, seeing Wen Ping deep in thought, Mo Lin mistakenly believed this matter was tricky, and quickly said, "Sect Leader Wen, as long as you help me with this, I can handle the star promotion at any time."
But at this moment, Wen Ping suddenly shook his head and refused Mo Lin’s request, "Forget it, I’m not interested in star promotion and don’t plan to do it in the future. Chairman Mo, it’s better to offer another reward."
Mo Lin was taken aback.
He seemed unable to react to Wen Ping’s words, as Wen Ping’s disinterest in star promotion was truly shocking.
Previously, only the Hundred Sects Alliance would refuse a sect’s star promotion, never had a sect refused a star promotion themselves.
Take the businesses, for example. No matter how large they grow, they still only operate within the city, selling things available both inside and outside the city. Only in the Hundred Sects Alliance could you buy items from other places.
The Hundred Sects Alliance has the most extensive trade network. A star-level sect can acquire anything they want from the alliance’s trade hall.
Even if you wanted to buy a Great Demon or a cultivation technique from a sect thousands of miles away, as long as you could pay the price, the people of the Hundred Sects Alliance would deliver it, ensuring no accidents.
It goes without saying how crucial this trade network is to a sect.
Additionally, trade privileges for a sect are very important. The Hundred Sects Alliance could sell your goods elsewhere, possibly doubling or even tenfold increasing the price, while the alliance only takes a 30% net profit cut.
All in all, for a sect to become strong, relying on the Hundred Sects Alliance is undoubtedly the wisest choice.
However, Wen Ping refused the star promotion.
And said he didn’t want to do star promotion.
Mo Lin couldn’t believe it and asked with some skepticism, "Sect Leader Wen, are you sure you’re serious?"
Wen Ping responded, "What else could it be?"
Seeing Wen Ping’s nonchalant expression, Mo Lin shook his head, thinking Wen Ping was indeed serious.
With the star promotion being refused, Mo Lin truly didn’t know what could tempt Wen Ping, as his greatest "trump card" was ineffective, making other rewards pale in comparison.
After thinking for a while and getting nowhere, he could only frankly say, "Sect Leader Wen, since you’re not interested in star promotion, just name what reward you want, and I’m sure I can provide it."
Wen Ping made a "ten" gesture with both hands and then blurted out three words, "One hundred thousand gold!"
The words were like a thunderclap in a clear sky, causing Jiang Yueye to choke on his saliva in shock.
Then he looked at Wen Ping in disbelief, unable to believe that Wen Ping had proposed such a reward. Wasn’t he using the star promotion review to buy time for self-preservation just a few days ago?
Upon hearing Wen Ping’s words, Mo Lin didn’t refuse directly. After pondering for a moment, he nodded in agreement.
"Sect Leader Wen, as long as you cure my father, I will give you one hundred thousand gold."
"Chairman, those one hundred thousand gold also..." Jiang Yueye’s words were cut short by Mo Lin raising his hand.
"Yueye, no need to say more, my decision is made."
Jiang Yueye nodded, not daring to say anything more, even though he thought a hundred thousand gold was an exorbitant price.
After settling the price, Mo Lin wasn’t in a hurry to leave, remembering that Yu Mo was in the Immortal Sect.
Since he was already here, he thought about paying a visit.
Unfortunately, Yu Mo directly said he didn’t want to see him, so Mo Lin could only leave in frustration, taking the leopard down Yunlan Mountain with him.
But just as he got down the mountain, he saw a crowd gathered below, blocking the road completely. Everyone was dressed in fine clothes, clearly people with some wealth and influence.
"Chairman Mo, I’m Yang Mo, and I’ve prepared fine wine and dishes at my humble abode. I’d like to invite you over for a meal."
"Chairman Mo, I’ve received a batch of blood-red Feng Liu horses. Would you like to see them? If you like them, I can give them to you."
A dozen people surrounded Mo Lin, chattering like sparrows.
Mo Lin didn’t show any sign of annoyance because Jiang Yueye’s cold voice had already come out accompanied by the leopard’s roar, "Roar~ If anyone comes closer, don’t blame my knife for not recognizing you!"
With that, a short knife was unsheathed.
The resurrected leopard bared its teeth viciously, as if it were releasing the pent-up frustration it felt on the mountain.
The sudden gleam of the blade frightened these clan leaders into retreating several steps, and upon seeing the leopard, they hastily ran further back.
Finally seeing a clear path, Mo Lin got onto the carriage and left. But in the carriage, Jiang Yueye was still preoccupied with the transaction between Mo Lin and Wen Ping, eventually unable to resist asking Mo Lin.
"Chairman, a hundred thousand gold is no small amount, enough for Master Su Li to act four or five times."
"But Su Li isn’t in East Lake. Enough, Yueye, is a person’s life or gold more important? When your family elders are on the brink of death, you will understand." With that, Mo Lin closed his eyes and said no more.
But not long after Mo Lin left, those clan leaders gathered again. Although they felt a bit regretful about not being able to please Mo Lin, their eyes fell on the words "Immortal Sect" on his shoulder.
"It seems the rumor of the Immortal Sect’s rise in the city is true."
"Could it be fake if even the Sect Leader of the Kao Shan Sect respects Chairman Mo enough to come in person?"
After discussing amongst themselves, they all decided to head up to the Immortal Sect, planning to rely on the Immortal Sect as their backing.
After all, they lived right at the foot of Yunlan Mountain. If the Immortal Sect was willing to extend a hand, their future prospects in both career and wealth would be bright.