"But Grandma, what if someone else buys it?" Yao Le asked, concerned.
In this world, most transactions could not be done with the ease of things on Earth. Things like clan ties, loyalty, and the reputation of the seller and buyer greatly restricted how business could be done on Earth. As such, the buying of precious gu worms like the Liquor Worm could not be done in an open auction most of the time, and naturally since the merchant caravan wanted to raise the price as much as possible they would not post a flat price. Instead, they would allow people to place in anonymous bids, and if the price was too low the Liquor Worm would simply not be sold.
Of course 'anonymous' was only a relative term - who knew if someone like Yao Ji had the ability to find out the buyer? and many people feared the wrath of Gu Yue Yao Ji- she had great influence on people's lives being the medicine hall elder. What if they offended her and then when they or their family members needed her, they were overlooked for other people? Who would risk such a thing? Only someone with strong backing- or someone who did not care for clan ties.
Someone like Fang Yuan, in other words. The Liquor Worm would normally be useless to him once he got to Rank 3 given he had one already, but he had a plan in motion which while slightly cumbersome, would require him to have an excuse as to how he had obtained a second one.
New main mission!
Advance Fang Zheng's vital gu to the Four Flavors Liquor Worm.
Reward: A 2% permanent increase to your aptitude.
By this point, Fang Yuan was completely focused on getting to Rank 3. The difference between 61% and 63% made this goal go from extremely to moderately difficult, and the next 2% would make the journey quite smooth.
The Four Flavors Liquor Worm required two Liquor Worm to be fused, and alcohol of four flavors to be mixed in- Spicy, Sweet, Bitter, and Sour. Three out of the four were easy enough to obtain- but he couldn't find bitter wine despite looking around. Even the merchant caravan did not carry any. He knew of locations where it would be found but they were far away, and if he could reach those he could reach other inheritances more easily.
Needless to say though, he could only think of that once he actually had another Liquor Worm that he could openly use.
"Don't worry dear," Yao Ji said. "Your grandmother has seen countless decades, and knows the exact price to buy it at." If someone bid far more than her price, they could be said to be a fool who didn't know how to manage their resources.
Fang Yuan, though, had seen far more decades than she had and already had a good idea of what price she would've paid. He was reasonably sure that he could outbid her by a chance of around 90% if he raised the price he had in his mind by 10 primeval stones, and by around 95% if it was raised further by twenty primeval stones. However, he raised the price by 30 stones, making his bid 99% likely to succeed in his own mind.
With that settled, he turned his eyes to the Cleansing Water Gu. Chi Lian was no doubt eyeing this gu worm for his grandson, but Fang Yuan wanted it for Fang Zheng, if no other reason than to assuage him to let him inject his aperture with his own primeval essence. Like with the Liquor Worm, he already had a good idea of what price Chi Lian would pay and raised it by a dozen or so primeval stones.
While extorting Chi Lian for this gu worm was an option in the future, it would cause him needless trouble and might possibly trigger the system's anger.
Both of these gu worms, however, were nothing compared to the value of the two Rank 2 gu worms being proudly displayed near the center- Red Steel Relic Gu! Able to instantly raise one's cultivation at Rank 2 by a minor realm, it was worth several thousands of primeval stones.
Fang Yuan did not intend to buy either of them given he already had two- but that did not mean that he could not use the fact that they were on sale to his advantage!
Fang Yuan went back home to see Fang Zheng eagerly waiting for him.
"Brother- just like you asked for, I bought some rocks and gambled with them and brought the rest here," Fang Zhen said. He had not tried to open any of them on his own, being worried that he might damage them if there was a gu worm inside.
"Good work," Fang Yuan said. This was all part of his greater scheme.
He sighed inwardly though, despite smiling. This was all an unnecessary headache in his eyes- he would not need to deal with such formalities if he was fully devoted to the demonic path. However, despite the hoops he had to jump through it was worth it simply because the benefits were large enough.
Fang Yuan began dissecting the rocks. This was merely a formality at this point as he was not expecting to find anything within them, though if it turned out that they had something, he would only be pleasantly surprised.
None of the rocks had anything, and Fang Zheng sighed. "I knew it didn't matter... but it would be good if they had one..."
"Don't worry," Fang Yuan said, reassuring him. "As a matter of fact, I have found something interesting in the merchant caravan- a gu fusion recipe that I think could be greatly useful for you."
"Really? You mean- for the Liquor Worm?" Fang Zheng asked excitedly. The only recipe that the Gu Yue clan had for the Liquor Worm's advancement was the Moong Harbinger Gu which was unfortunately not quite useful. While it could eventually become the Seven Fragrances Liquor Worm, even if Fang Zheng managed to refine it it would be useless to him, a Rank Two Gu Master, once he became Rank Two. However, it was important for his development that he advance his vital gu- otherwise he was just wasting one of the most precious tools that a Gu Master had.
"Yes," Fang Yuan said. "But, I have to speak to the caravan head regarding the same. Wish me luck!"
Two days later, Fang Yuan approached Jia Jin Fu's tent.
"Ah, Brother Jin Fu, thank you for gracing this one with your time," Fang Yuan said, the perfect picture of cordiality.
"No matter, no matter," Jin Fu said, behaving as if Fang Yuan and himself were on equal footing despite him being at Rank 4. "I heard that there was a business opportunity that you wished to approach me with?" He had heard a few stories here and there of Fang Yuan naturally the moment he had entered the village, and it was because of his curiosity that he had so readily agreed to this meeting.
The two exchanged pleasantries before Fang Yuan said, "Thank you for your hospitality- coming to the meat of the matter, I was wondering if it were to be possible to set up my younger brother to join your merchant caravan?"
"Oh, you mean Fang Zheng?" Jin Fu asked. When one spoke of Fang Yuan, they could not help but speak of Fang Zheng- especially given the clamor that the assassination attempt had caused. "You wanted him to join my merchant caravan?" It was odd that Fang Yuan would ask for such. Jin Fu was under the impression that naturally, the twin brothers would care greatly for each other. Why would Fang Yuan, who was on his way to become an elder, wish to send his younger brother away instead of keeping him safe alongside himself?
"The truth is... I am greatly worried about Fang Zheng's future," Fang Yuan said, giving an air of awkwardness that made it clear this topic was difficult for him to broach.
"No matter, no matter," Jin Fu said, sending the servants out and leaning closer. "Don't worry- whatever happens here will remain between you and I and not a soul outside the two of us will get to know. Feel free to tell me what's bothering you."