Chapter 182: Chapter 181: Plans For The Spiritual Tavern
After the birthday banquet ended, the Li residence slowly returned to its usual activities.
The gifts Li Cheng and Li Zhang received were moved into the storage room, where the twins could sort through them properly later. The children were still excited whenever they mentioned the banquet, they were even planning what to do for the next birthday.
Li Jain knew that the peaceful celebration would not last forever. His breakthrough had been delayed for some time. And the Spiritual Tavern had also been closed for over a month now.
Although the family had enough resources to live comfortably, the tavern was more than a business. It was Li Jain’s foundation to establish in South River City. The Tavern gives them security.
It was time to reopen again.
That morning, Boss Lan, Old Man Ling, and Patriarch Yan came to visit. The three men came originally to South River City for the birthday celebration, but they had also brought the herbs Li Jain asked them to gather earlier. Since the herbs were not easy to find, they had many means possible to get them.
They met Li Juanxin at the gate, Juanxin then took them in to meet his father.
"Dad, Boss Lan, Old Man Ling, and Patriarch Yan are here to see you."
Li Jain, who had been reviewing several notes about ingredients and pill refining, immediately put the papers down: "Please come in."
The three men entered one after another.
"Xiao Jain," Boss Lan smiled: "Your banquet was truly something special. I have attended many social gatherings, yet never have I witnessed an Ancestor utilize thirty-two gifts for the sole purpose of... securing dessert. It was a performance of unparalleled audacity."
Old Man Ling let out a sharp snort, adjusting his sleeves: "Audacity? It was a tactical acquisition, you preening peacock. Your eyes were too busy looking for gossip to notice the spiritual density of those pastries. That old fox didn’t bring crates for the sugar; he brought them because he recognized a pill essence when he smelled one. I, of course, noticed it instantly."
Patriarch Yan smiled and added: "The Li Ancestor does nothing without a calculated objective. To dismiss his appetite as mere whim is to fundamentally misunderstand the nature of power."
Li Jain looked between them feeling perplexed: "My grandfather... simply has a profound fondness for sweets."
The three men exchanged a look and were at a loss for a moment.
Boss Lan let out a short, melodic laugh: "Xiao Jain, your humility is your most charming, yet most frustrating mask. Let us dispense with the pleasantries of the palate and move to the gravity of our errand."
"What’s with you speaking all noble today?" Old man Ling frowned.
Boss Lan snorted: "What do you know? It comes with age. We are now in South River city, of course the way we usually speak has to change."
Li Jain didn’t understand what they were being on each others’ throat for, but he didn’t ask further. He only gestured for them to sit. And then pour tea for them.
After a few polite words, Old Man Ling slapped a storage ring onto the table, his eyes darting toward the other two with a victorious glint: "The herbs you requested are inside. I personally secured the Heaven Meridian Orchid and the Ninefold Spirit Ginseng, at a cost that would make a rich man weep. I should add, unlike certain ’old men’ who merely sent their subordinates, I braved the black market of the southern peaks."
Boss Lan sneered: "Quantity is the refuge of the unimaginative, old Ling. My acquisition of the Star Dew Grass, and Void Sand Fern required a finesse that your ’black market’ brawling could never achieve. It is not about how much one spends, but the purity of the source."
Patriarch Yan cut through the argument, not wanting to be outdo: "Earth Pulse Amber Resin, Sunfire Silk Vine, and Pure Origin Snow leaf are accounted for. They are held in stasis Formations of my own design. Their potency is absolute."
Li Jain accepted the ring and inspected it with his spiritual sense. The herbs were preserved properly.
Most were still fresh enough that their spiritual aura had not weakened at all. Others had been stored inside jade containers with sealing formations. It was obvious that Boss Lan, Old Man Ling, and Patriarch Yan had spent a great deal of effort collecting them.
Li Jain’s expression softened: "You have all worked hard."
Patriarch Yan said calmly: "It is not a great effort. You are the one who will refine the pill. We only gathered materials."
Boss Lan added: "Also, we wanted to witness the process of how Xiao Jain would refine a pill capable of regenerating spirit roots. The pill I got from old Ling works wonders. After seeing such good results, naturally, we must help."
Old Man Ling said: "Don’t misunderstand. This old man only came because I am interested in the results, not the formula."
"Even if you get the formula, what will you do with it?" As patriarch Yan asked this, they laughed, teasing old Ling.
The three old men were about to begin arguing again. Li Jain quickly took out several jade bottles. He placed them on the table.
The three froze in their action and turned their attention to the bottles.
Li Jain said: "These are the five essence Spirit Root Regeneration Pills. Like we had agreed, I will give out the pills based on the amount of spirit herbs you acquire."
Li Jain pushed one group of bottles toward Boss Lan: "There are twenty."
Then he pushed two larger groups toward Old Man Ling and Patriarch Yan: "Fifty for Old Man Ling. Fifty for Patriarch Yan."
Boss Lan stared at the twenty bottles in front of him. He was very excited, although he got the least, his family wasn’t as large as the other two men.
Old Man Ling’s fingers trembled slightly as he picked up one of the jade bottles.
Patriarch Yan’s expression remained calm, but his gaze had become much deeper.
Li Jain: "I made some adjustments, the effect should still be stable. They are suitable for people without spiritual roots, but have a good healing effect with damaged roots, blocked roots, unstable roots, or those whose cultivation has been harmed by poison or serious injury."
Old Man Ling opened a bottle carefully. The medicinal fragrance that drifted out was gentle but pure. He only needed one look to know that these pills were not ordinary. They were high-quality.
The thanked Li Jain over and over again sincerely
Li Jain waved his hand with a smile: "No need to thank me, you gathered everything I needed. Also, I may need your help later when I reopen the Spiritual Tavern."
Boss Lan immediately looked up: "You are reopening?"
Li Jain nodded: "Yes. Unfortunately we won’t be returning to Qingyang Town. I will be establishing footing here in South River City. But don’t worry, if you need anything, the delivery system will be able to reach you."
Boss Lan’s eyes brightened.
Old Man Ling also looked much more interested: "This old man has a lot to do, it wouldn’t be of much help to my business if I’m traveling to South river city everyday."
Boss Lan laughed: "Just say you’re too lazy to move."
Old Man Ling raised his chin: "I am a businessman."
"You own a broken talisman shop."
"My shop is not broken."
The two began arguing again.
Li Jain watched them quietly and felt that their relationship was strange but good.
Patriarch Yan said: "Owner Li, once you reopen, I am afraid South River City will become more lively than Qingyang Town ever was."
After the discussion ended, the three stood up.
"We should leave before evening. The roads to Qingyang Town are long, and I do not want to arrive after dark." Boss Lan said.
Old Man Ling nodded: "This old man also has business to return to."
Patriarch Yan looked at Li Jain: "If there is anything you need, send a message."
Li Jain stood up to see them off: "Thank you for helping me."
Boss Lan smiled.
"Do not thank us too soon. Once the Spiritual Tavern reopens, I will be coming for a discount."
Old Man Ling added: "This old man is reserving the first table, with a good view."
Patriarch Yan said calmly, "Then reserve the second."
The three men left the Li residence in a much better mood than when they arrived. The Spirit Root Regeneration Pills alone were enough to make their trip worthwhile.
After they were gone, Li Jain sat quietly for a while. The herbs are finally gathered. The pill materials are ready. His breakthrough could no longer be delayed.
He knows that when he begins refining the pills it will cause a lot of commotion. Therefore he needs his workers back. But before that, the Spiritual Tavern needs to be in business.
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