Elder Huang frowned slightly, as if trying to recall something, before continuing after a long pause. "If my memory serves me correctly, a medicinal treasure of this caliber hasn't appeared in the martial world of Pingzhou for over a decade. To my knowledge, the last Heart-Calming Pill seen in Pingzhou was kept close by Tie Yuyang, the leader of Pingzhou's largest sect, the Blazing Cloud Gang. Unless you can persuade Chief Tie to part with that pill, finding a second one will be impossible. However, Chief Tie keeps it for saving his own life, so naturally, he won't transfer it to an outsider."

"I also wish to ask the Elder, what is the going rate for a Heart-Calming Pill?"

"Ha! For such a treasure, there is never a fixed price. If there were only a single pill, everyone would scramble for it, and selling it for a hundred Gold Leaves would be common. But if there were dozens or a hundred, the price might drop to just twenty or thirty Gold Leaves."

Elder Huang laughed heartily, finding Ye Qin's question amusing.

Ye Qin had a rough idea of the market value for the Heart-Calming Pill. Uncaring of the old man's amusement, he produced a small pill bottle: "As it happens, I possess a single 'Heart-Calming Pill' that the martial world is fighting over. I wonder how much the Elder would offer to purchase it?"

Elder Huang's booming laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by sheer astonishment. "Boy, you actually have a Heart-Calming Pill?"

Ye Qin cupped his hands in apology: "Indeed, I have one, and I am looking for a buyer to offload it. Because I was unaware of the proper price, I took the liberty of probing first. I ask for your forgiveness, senior."

"Oh, no wonder you wear a bamboo hat and keep your face hidden—you carry a treasure! I misjudged you today. Deceiving me slightly is of no consequence, but I must first verify the goods in your hand."

Hearing Ye Qin's explanation, Elder Huang was not angered; instead, a flicker of delight crossed his face. To a treasure merchant like himself, seeing a Heart-Calming Pill surface after more than ten years was an event capable of bringing immense pleasure.

Ye Qin tossed the small pill bottle casually. It arced through the air, landing precisely in the old man's hand.

The Treasure Guild built its business entirely on reputation, establishing a significant enterprise in Pingzhou on that very foundation. This single Heart-Calming Pill, while a treasure, was merely cargo valued between a few dozen and a hundred Gold Leaves in the eyes of a treasure merchant. A respected Elder of the grand Treasure Guild would hardly risk his reputation over a mere medicinal pill worth at most a hundred Gold Leaves.

Elder Huang took the vial, opened it, and poured out a single azure pill. He first examined the pill's color, then tested it with his fingernail, carefully discerning its aroma. Satisfied, he nodded deeply.

"Good. It is indeed a Heart-Calming Pill, a premium regulation medicine. The medicinal scent is exceptionally pure and rich; it seems it was freshly finished not long ago. Young Brother, how do you wish to sell this pill?"

Having verified the merchandise, Elder Huang returned the vial to Ye Qin, now treating him as a selling client and even adjusting his form of address.

"I am unfamiliar with the Treasure Guild's rules of trade, I ask the Elder for guidance."

"With this pill, Young Brother already qualifies as a seller to the Treasure Guild. I shall explain our methods of transaction. The Treasure Guild offers three ways to trade:

The first is consignment for auction. The seller entrusts the treasure to us, and it is publicly sold at an auction. The Treasure Guild only takes a small commission from the final price, which is determined entirely by the bidders. After the auction concludes, the Guild collects the money from the buyer and pays the seller. This method takes longer, as auctions are not held daily. I estimate I will host a small treasure auction in Zhuqi County every ten days or so. If you have time and are not urgently in need of funds, you may entrust this medicine to me for auction."

"What else?"

"There is direct sale. If a seller is eager to move their goods, they can sell the treasure directly to the Treasure Guild. In that case, we pay immediately. It’s a clean exchange of cash for goods. However, the price will certainly be much lower than the auction price. The last method is treasure exchange. If the seller fancies an item we possess, they can trade their own treasure for something from the Treasure Guild. Naturally, it must be a higher-value item exchanged for a lower-value one. After all, the Treasure Guild is not a charity offering free exchanges at parity. Young Brother, which do you choose: consignment auction, direct sale, or would you rather exchange this pill for another treasure?"

Ye Qin pondered for a moment before making his decision.

He intended to conduct all future dealings only privately with this Elder Huang of the Treasure Hall to maximize his concealment. The Herb Gathering Hall in Zhuqi County would never trace matters back to an Elder-level figure of the Treasure Guild. Likewise, the Medicine King Sect would not mobilize significant forces to pursue an unknown disciple like himself to the very end. As long as the trail didn't lead to the Treasure Guild Elder, it wouldn't lead to him.

As for the raw white jade from the Chunyu Shop, he had already decided to abandon it to avoid drawing trouble to himself. Since that was the case, he was not in a rush for money. The first option, consignment auction, took too long; he didn't have the luxury of waiting ten days or half a month. The second option, direct sale, was not what he needed—he didn't require currency. The third option, treasure exchange, was undoubtedly the best choice.

What he lacked most currently were jade stones imbued with spiritual energy, necessary for cultivating the second layer of the Zuowang Sutra. If even a small shop like Chunyu possessed one or two as a prized possession, a major organization like the Treasure Guild should certainly possess such jade.

Ye Qin made up his mind. "Treasure exchange. Elder Huang, I wish to trade this pill for a piece of jade. However, that jade must possess substantial spiritual energy; if it lacks sufficient lingqi, I will not accept it."

Elder Huang pondered briefly. "Jade with substantial spiritual energy?... My Treasure Guild has quite a few jade items. I just don't know if they meet your requirements, Young Brother. Why don't you accompany me to the inn? I brought quite a few treasures with me on this trip to Zhuqi County; perhaps something you desire is among them."

Ye Qin nodded.

The two left the alley, one after the other, and entered the luxurious inn where Elder Huang was staying. To avoid suspicion, Ye Qin deliberately maintained a gap of a hundred paces, only entering after the Elder was already inside.

Inside the inn, a sturdy young man from the Treasure Guild was waiting. Upon seeing Ye Qin in his black attire and bamboo hat, the man immediately led him to a lavish room on the second floor. As Ye Qin entered the room, he instantly sensed several sharp gazes warily watching him from the adjacent room.

Ye Qin was slightly startled but quickly relaxed. It was natural for the residence of a Treasure Guild Elder to be guarded by many protectors; it didn't necessarily mean they were focused on him.

Elder Huang was already waiting inside the room.

On a large, dark-red sandalwood table, dozens of small treasures were laid out: a sharp Blood-Congealing Dagger, inner armor woven with golden threads, several volumes of high-level secret manuals, some rare formulas, various bottles and jars, and several items whose function Ye Qin could not discern.

Elder Huang picked out several pieces of jade, pendants, and bracelets, smiling. "These few small jade pieces I carry with me at all times are here. Take a look, Young Brother. If none appeal to you, you may select any other small treasure from the collection."

Ye Qin's gaze swept over the jades, and his heart stirred. He picked up one of the blue jade pendants.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ The competition on the rankings is so fierce! Baili requests votes here! .