Chapter 67 - 66: Win-Win

Chapter 67: Chapter 66: Win-Win

The truth was, Gaode hadn’t found the house deed and land deed in the Secret Technique Box left behind by Mage Seda.

Most likely, Mage Seda hadn’t considered the deeds important enough to store in the Secret Technique Box. As a result, they had been reduced to ashes in the explosion.

This was also the biggest hidden danger Gaode faced after taking over the Medicinal Garden. Without official documents like the land and house deeds in hand, if someone with ulterior motives found out, there would be plenty of room for exploitation. It would even affect the sale of the Medicinal Garden.

Such as right now.

"What’s wrong?" Oliver frowned upon hearing this.

Without the land and house deeds, no matter how much he valued Gaode’s potential, he wouldn’t be willing to pay the 300 gold coins.

"Don’t tell me he took the land and house deeds with him when he went back to his hometown to visit relatives." Oliver narrowed his eyes at Gaode, a dangerous glint—and even a hint of anger—flickering in his gaze.

Based on all the information he had gathered, as far as he was concerned, Mage Seda should already be a dead man. And that was indeed the case. However, Oliver had no idea that Mage Seda hadn’t died of old age, but had perished at Gaode’s hands. But regardless, he had already tacitly assumed that Mage Seda was no longer in this world.

In Oliver’s eyes, the current negotiation was built on an unspoken agreement with Gaode. He knew Mage Seda was gone, but he wouldn’t say it. And Gaode knew that he knew Mage Seda was no longer alive, but wouldn’t say it either. Essentially, Oliver valued Gaode’s potential and was spending money to buy his labor for their Magic Pharmacy for at least twenty years.

So what did the boy mean by suddenly claiming he didn’t have the deeds? Was he trying to play mind games? If Gaode was really going to be this unappreciative, he couldn’t blame Oliver for turning hostile.

"That’s not it..." Gaode seemed to sense Oliver’s displeasure and put on a troubled expression.

Finally, as if making some difficult decision, Gaode gritted his teeth, reached into his jacket, and pulled out an exquisite wooden box. He placed it on the table, showing it to Oliver.

"This is?" Oliver stared at the wooden box in surprise.

Gaode sighed helplessly and "told the truth," saying, "Mage Seda placed the house and land deeds inside this wooden box, which has a Secret Technique Lock cast on it. However, he didn’t leave behind the Unlocking Secret Spell when he left. So..."

Upon hearing this and looking at the wooden box Gaode had brought out, Oliver’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"I see," he smiled. "Then it’s not a big problem. Give the Secret Technique Box to me; I have a way to open it. Once I dispel the Secret Technique Lock and retrieve the deeds, we can sign the transfer contract."

As he spoke, he reached out to take the Secret Technique Box, but Gaode snatched it up with even greater speed and pressed it against his chest.

"Money first, goods later. The transfer contract hasn’t been signed, and I haven’t received the money. If I give you the wooden box first, what will I do if you refuse to admit to the deal later?" he said warily.

Oliver paused, then laughed. "I have such a large shop right here. Do you really not trust me?"

"No. Money first, goods later." Acting like an impulsive greenhorn, Gaode stubbornly shook his head, shoved the wooden box back into his jacket, and turned to leave.

This reaction made Oliver a little anxious.

"Wait, wait a moment," he said with a dry laugh, stopping Gaode. "How about this? I’ll pay you 200 gold coins first, and we’ll sign the transfer contract. After signing the contract, you give me the wooden box. Once I dispel the Secret Technique Lock and retrieve the deeds, I’ll give you the remaining 100 gold coins.

"How does that sound?

"After all, I’m not certain if the deeds are actually inside the Secret Technique Box," Oliver added, his reasoning entirely sound.

"No, 300 gold coins means 300 gold coins. It must be settled in full at once." Gaode refused to listen to a single word. He stubbornly retorted, "You do big business. You’re a big shot with power and influence in Hogan City. If you refuse to acknowledge the remaining 100 gold coins later, there’s absolutely nothing I can do.

"Besides, if you open the Secret Technique Box and find that the deeds really aren’t inside, I can return the full 300 gold coins to you, and the transfer contract will be voided. We can write that into the contract.

"You’re not worried that I would dare or even be able to play tricks on you, are you?"

"This..." Oliver truly hadn’t expected the young apprentice in front of him to be so pigheaded and stubborn. He didn’t know where the boy got his confidence.

However, Gaode wasn’t wrong. Oliver didn’t think Gaode had the capability to renege on him. He had indeed entertained the thought of denying the debt afterward by adamantly claiming that the 300 gold coins had already been paid in full when the contract was signed.

This kid was incredibly accurate at reading people!

Whatever. The kid really did have some potential. To be able to proficiently formulate both the Basic Endurance Potion and the Basic Spider Venom Potion at such a young age was no small feat. He figured that whatever money he spent on the boy today would eventually be earned back in the future. Either way, he wouldn’t take a loss; at worst, he would just make a little less profit.

"Fine, then we’ll sign the transfer contract tomorrow. I will pay you a visit then!" Oliver’s voice was slightly cold, expressing his dissatisfaction even as he agreed.

"Then I will await your esteemed arrival at the Medicinal Garden tomorrow," Gaode hurriedly replied with an apologetic smile, seeing that Oliver had agreed.

After watching Gaode leave the room, Oliver, who had worn a furious expression just a moment ago, completely changed his demeanor, revealing a smug smile.

Oliver thought, "As expected of an apprentice who started as a beggar. No matter how talented he is, it can’t change his shortsightedness.

"For a Mage, how could a wooden box with a Secret Technique Lock cast on it be used merely to store land and house deeds?

"There must be something far more precious stored inside.

"What could a Third-class Mage Apprentice possibly have that’s worth such a grand setup?

"It must be all the Magic Potion Recipes that the Elder Mage possessed, including the One Tier Magic Potion Recipe and the related records he’s been researching all these years...

"Although he never succeeded before he died, having persisted for so many years, he wouldn’t have kept at it if he didn’t have some results to show for it.

"When the time comes, as long as I can get my hands on that incomplete recipe, with the combined efforts of the Alchemists in this shop, we might really be able to complete it.

"If that happens, relying on a One Tier Magic Potion, Phil’s Magic Pharmacy could even expand its business to Bremen City.

"A pleasant surprise! What a pleasant surprise!

"I need to sign the contract as soon as possible and get my hands on this Secret Technique Box."

Stepping out of Phil’s Magic Pharmacy, Gaode, who had been the picture of stubbornness just a moment before, instantly dropped his act, breaking into a relieved smile. He let out a long breath.

"I finally managed to fool him," he murmured.

The reason Gaode was unwilling to transfer the Medicinal Garden wasn’t just because the other party’s offer was too low, but also because he truly couldn’t produce the house and land deeds. Without those two items, the Medicinal Garden couldn’t be considered his at all. How could he possibly transfer it?

Gaode analyzed his options. "The two most common ways to undo a Secret Technique Lock are the Tapping Technique and Dispel Magic. Dispel Magic is a 3rd Ring Magic, so that’s out of the question.

"That leaves only the Tapping Technique. The Tapping Technique is a 1st Ring Magic, and a Niche Magic at that. Even if Phil’s Magic Pharmacy has money and connections, it would probably be very difficult for them to find a 1st Ring Mage in Hogan City who has mastered this Magic.

"If they really could find one, Oliver would have found someone to unlock it on the spot instead of talking in circles with me.

"Therefore, just like me, he has no choice but to go to Bremen City to purchase a Magic Scroll or find a High-Ring Mage to unlock it.

"Round trip, even riding at top speed, it will take at least ten days.

"Ten days. That’s enough time.

"But I can’t be careless. I have to start making preparations right now."

With these thoughts in mind, Gaode looked up, got his bearings, and hurried off.