C19 – We Lacked the Pill
In the Yun family’s meeting hall, Patriarch Yun Hai presided from the head seat, attentively listening to the elders’ reports.
“Patriarch, the route from Silkbarrow to Ambercoast has been seized by bandits. What’s worse, these bandits are under the Yuan family’s influence from Ambercoast.”
“Indeed, these bandits aren’t after money. They’re deliberately preventing us from passing through and have confiscated all the pills our family brought into Ambercoast.”
“Patriarch, we need a solution fast. My Pill Shop is nearly out of stock.”
“You think you’re the only one? My Pill Shop is facing a shortage too.”
“As it stands, the Bian family is the only one in Silkbarrow with any pills left.”
“Well, naturally. They have their own Alchemist, so they can produce pills in-house without needing to buy any.”
“Enough! Everyone, quiet down,” commanded Yun Hai, rubbing his temples in frustration.
He was surrounded by ineffectual elders. The pill shortage was giving him a headache, and these elders seemed incapable of resolving anything without his intervention.
But what could he do? He wasn’t an Alchemist, and with the sole path to Ambercoast blockaded by bandits, his options were limited.
Just then, Yun Haoyan entered and respectfully bowed to his father.
“Father, is something troubling you?”
Yun Tiantian trailed behind Yun Haoyan, casting a timid glance at her father. His stern reputation made her nervous in his presence.
“Yun Haoyan, you’ve arrived?” Yun Hai said, his face softening into a smile. He took pride in his son, who had gained the support of a powerful cultivator and was now showing maturity.
The Yun family had a promising future.
“Come, take a seat beside me. It’s time you were involved in the family’s affairs.”
Yun Haoyan had come of age and it was essential for him to engage in the family’s business.
“Yes, Father.”
Yun Haoyan chose a spot, exchanged pleasantries with the elders, and sat down with Yun Tiantian beside him.
“With the road to Ambercoast blocked, we’re cut off. We can’t let our family’s shops run out of stock.”
“The only option we have now is to purchase pills from the Bian family. Even if it means taking a loss, our shop must continue to sell them.”
Once a shop opens, it can’t just shut down. If we close, it’ll be a long time before we can get the business back on its feet.
“It looks like we’re going to have to part with some Spirit Stones for the time being.”
“We’re in a bind because the Yun family doesn’t have an Alchemist. If we did, we wouldn’t be facing this crisis.”
“Recruiting an Alchemist isn’t easy—they’re a proud bunch, and we simply can’t curry favor with them.”
The elders resumed their discussion, left with no alternative but to turn to the Bian family, one of Silkbarrow’s four major families, for their pill supply.
Surely, the Bian family’s pill prices have skyrocketed, but the Yun family is still forced to make the purchase.
“Brother…” Yun Tiantian gazed at Yun Haoyan.
With a wave of his hand, Yun Haoyan signaled to his sister to hold her tongue.
Yun Tiantian, biting back her words, closed her mouth in resignation and listened to her father and the elders talk.
She harbored a secret that weighed heavily on her, yet she couldn’t reveal it, which was incredibly frustrating.
But she trusted her brother’s judgment; he must have his reasons for silence.
Yun Haoyan gently patted his sister’s head and whispered, “We’ll go out later, do some shopping, and I’ll buy you some food and clothes.”
At those words, Yun Tiantian’s inner turmoil vanished. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager for the elders to wrap up their meeting so she could enjoy a day out with her brother.