I Can See Your Combat Power

: Chapter Four Hundred and Ninety: Shopkeeper

When Tang Luo came out of the chieftain’s study, all the way until he found the little boy to get the Explosive Flame Deer, he was still unable to recover from his astonishment. He was only stunned because of a single sentence uttered by the chieftain. He could only mock himself, realizing his mental cultivation had not yet reached its peak.

Of course, he was touched by the value the chieftain placed on him. But he must first understand that such value is due to his currently displayed qualifications and talents. Anyone with such qualifications will receive the careful consideration of Chieftain Tang Zhi. Judging from this untraceable method, his father, Tang Sen, must have also been influenced by this tactic, otherwise, Tang Luo wouldn’t have understood why his father agreed to the mountain blasting plan.

While working under such a sly and wise chieftain is heartening, Tang Luo wouldn’t be naive enough to think that Tang Zhi is the only intelligent person in the world. His supposedly subtle solutions could not only be inferred by Tang Zhi, but even the destinations could be pointed out. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

In other words, his every move is within the chieftain’s accurate judgment. If there is any person as smart as Tang Zhi plotting against him, wouldn’t that be dangerous?

Tang Luo never considered himself a clever person. He’s just more willing to learn and absorb information than others. The experience of living two lives gives him extraordinary insights, but that’s the extent of his wisdom.

Compared to such a demonic creature as Tang Zhi, his little cleverness is really not worth mentioning…

“Martial arts suit me better.” Tang Luo lamented in his heart. “So what if I’m not as smart as others, if you dare to plot against me, I’ll knock you dead!” A sixteen-year-old warrior of the Fierce Realm, how terrifying! Thinking about how he, with his 20,000 units of spiritual power, will start forging his god soul in just 10 months, he feels his future is very bright. His awe for wisdom instantly vanishes.

The shopkeeper arranged by Chieftain Tang Kuan had been waiting at the entrance of the academy for a long time. With one glance, Tang Luo was certain that he was a seasoned merchant.

The man was around thirty-five or six years old, of average height, and his plump lips on a square face made him look very honest. His hair was slightly bald at the temples, his eyebrows were thick, black, and neat, and his eyes were bright and spirited.

He stood respectfully along the inner side of the mountain gate, posing in a way that neither obstructed the passage nor went unnoticed by those coming out of the academy. His lively, youthful eyes were always attentive to the passing crowd. Whenever he made eye contact with a passerby, he would smile and nod, showing a set of neat, slightly white teeth, and then politely avert his gaze.

When he saw Tang Luo, he greeted him with an expression of genuine joy. He then approached as though greeting an old acquaintance, paid his respects, and softly said: “I pay my respects to Minister Luo. I am Cui Dayou, the manager of Pingbo Grain Bank. I am fairly familiar with Lin Chuan region and I am here to guide you.”

Being able to become the manager of a grain bank before the age of forty, even with self-deprecation, could not overshadow this achievement. Tang Luo nodded, saying: “Rise, for this journey I am not looking for a guide, but a person responsible for hosting the trade expedition. Since Uncle Kuan has recommended you, it means you are capable of handling this, there is no need to belittle yourself.”

Cui Dayou knew his place, didn’t behave like an ordinary small businessman, blabbing, and on top of everything, he had the cultivation of the Mortal Realm. Thus, Tang Luo was quite satisfied.

“Minister, your words are too kind, I dare not bear such a heavy duty of being fully entrusted. I am merely fortunate to accompany you because I know some Lin Chuan language. The trade expedition will, of course, be led by you. I will be merely translating and serving as a guide for you.” Although Tang Luo had shown a humble demeanor, Cui Dayou owed his current position to his caution and exactitude.

The purpose of this trade expedition was to place orders, prove that Tang Luo, as the rightful son of the house, possesses business talent. He had to let Tang Luo stand out. If he really took the title of full hosting responsibility seriously, and the scores assessed by the clan for the expedition turned out to be low without any achievements from Tang Luo, then Cui Dayou would be the one singled out to bear the brunt of Tang Luo’s frustration. Having had some experiences, Cui Dayou deemed his response to be perfect.

Next, he should be getting a pat on the shoulder, followed by a compliment for his sensibility, and then, they would happily embark on their journey. Cui Dayou was gleefully hoping in his mind as he bowed down in gratitude.

“This trip to Lin Chuan requires the purchase of six million bags of grains within fifteen days. Do you really think you can accomplish this merely by assisting from the side?” Tang Luo looked at the respectful manager, and somewhat jokingly retorted.

Six., six million bags?!

Cui Dayou stiffened all over, feeling an electric current from his tailbone to the top of his head, making him stand straight: “You must be joking!”

One bag contains one hundred catties of rice; two hundred catties make up a unit (dan), five hundred catties make up a portion (hu), and two thousand catties make up a ton.

Six million bags equate to three hundred thousand tons. The three representatives of the Tang Clan only procured a million tons of grains after exhausting half a year. Now they had to procure three hundred thousand tons in just half a month. The mere thought of it caused Cui Dayou to feel aching darkness in his eyes.

“Minister, you must be joking. To procure six million bags of grains, we would need a huge trading team, and many spirit-beast-drawn carts.” Cui Dayou swallowed hard, “Furthermore, Lin Chuan is currently flooded and inaccessible. It’s a plain, so the Wancheng Treasure Ships can’t sail in, this is simply impossible.”

Unlike Sun Jinfang, who is willing to believe that Tang Luo can create miracles, Cui Dayou, as the manager of the grain shop, is more aware of what six million bags of grain represents. He dares not be optimistic and hopes that he can persuade Tang Luo to give up this impractical idea.

“You don’t need to worry about transportation, or the trading team. You only need to tell if you can procure these grains within fifteen days and pile them in the warehouse.”

“Even if transportation is not an issue.” Cui Dayou wore a bitter smile. “We ought to carry the gold and silver, right? Although the plain of Lin Chuan is vast and yields a substantial amount of grains, each noble family has a constant grain warehouse. So, the price of grain has always been stable at 15-20 gold per bag. Purchasing six million bags will cost a billion in gold. Even if we melt it into gold bars, it will weigh a million catties. Lin Chuan has many spirit springs, so the price of exotic herbs there is relatively cheap. The common ones won’t cost more than 50,000 gold per plant. Two thousand such plants would require at least twenty large jade boxes even if we separate them. If we only bring spirit medicine, then the other party will bargain hard. Although I have a way to avoid the price being bid down, the back-and-forth will also delay the time.”

Tang Luo looked at the astonished merchant. Although the man was cautious at first, when it came to business, he was very knowledgeable about Lin Chuan, which was quite surprising.

With such a professional manager running the show, Tang Luo felt even more reassured about the journey to Lin Chuan. He said in a deep voice: “Cui Dayou.” Upon hearing his name called, the manager jumped. Only then did he remember that, standing before him, was not an ordinary noble son or daughter. This was Luo, the Peerless Prodigy who holds the title of the First Mortal Realm Ascender in Xiling.

Thinking about the rumors about his cold and arrogant behavior, and then recalling how Tang Luo annihilated Mi Chu fearlessly in the Jianglin Battle, he was filled with awe.

The two words “done for” echo in the heart of Cui, the shopkeeper. He felt that he made a hundred mistakes because of his desperate situation.

A prodigy like Tang Luo likely dislikes hearing the words “impossible” or “cannot do it” the most. Perhaps in the eyes of such heavenly talents, so-called common sense exists to be broken. His repeated advice may have seemed like provocation to Tang Luo.

He’s finished, he’s finished. Cui, the manager, sees darkness before his eyes. He feels that his career as a shopkeeper is over..