Chapter 52: Pang Cai

"He has his helpers scouring the entire Burrows for those Skyherbs. He’d made an actual business here in the Main Camp, and it’s very lucrative. I bet he’s got the most amount of sunspores out of everyone here."

"That’s the power of the Prominent Families," Abe sighed. "Those poor guys are trying to curry favor with Pang Cai so that their futures are secure even after the License Exam.

I heard that they have some kind of contract that compensates them with a huge windfall of money even if they don’t pass the License Exam. They just have to make sure that Pang Cai passes his."

Not an unfamiliar strategy to Eren. Even the most Righteous Sects fall victim to the convenience of money.

It was a very sensible strategy from both sides.

Pang Cai benefited from it by having a lot of help during the License Exams, basically securing his license.

And in turn, those people who may not even have a good chance of passing the test in the first place, would get something at least something at the end of the exams.

Eren didn’t find this despicable at all. Athan always taught him to never be ashamed of his path to the top. A win was a win. Pride had no business in cultivation. It dragged you down.

Eren got up out of his seat and approached Pang Cai. The scion of the Cai family examined the bundles of Skyward Herbs in his lap while wiping beads of sweat off his face.

Heat bloomed on Eren’s left side as he walked. He immediately swerved to the right, avoiding the jostling shoulder of an examinee.

"... move away!"

It was a lanky man with a scar on his right eyebrow and a chip on his shoulder. He was flustered. He didn’t expect Eren to dodge his elbow.

"Pang Cai. You better get your goons to clear up any loitering in your space. People may think you’re a lot busier than you really are and turn their business elsewhere."

His implication was obvious as he gave Eren the side-eye.

"Frank Doter! Back already? You’re really thirsty for that soup, aren’t ya?" Pang Cai put his hands on his waist and faced the scarred man with a deadpan smile. He smartly ignored the man’s comment about Eren.

"Yeah. And I’m your biggest buyer. So, do me a favor and lower your price," Frank demanded, his scarred eye twitching.

Such arrogant words. And yet, Pang Cai didn’t seem to react negatively to him. A sign of a good businessman, Eren thought.

"Well, the Skyward Herbs are pretty popular right now. Lots of injuries in these Burrows... lots of demand for these little leafs, but so very few supplies."

"That’s because you hoard them all, Pang Cai. Your goons swept up every last piece of the herb."

Pang Cai shrugged. "What can I say? I just got lucky and found an entire vineyard of Skyward Herbs. Is it my fault I don’t want to share?"

Their warring words were simply a prelude to their negotiations. Eren enjoyed the show on the sidelines. It was always a treat to see negotiations play out in real time. Lots of little details that revealed a person’s true personality.

"50 leaves for 50 sunspores," Frank offered.

Pang Cai inhaled sharply. "That’s a bit too low. Our reserves are getting low. Give me 70 and we can call it even."

Frank sneered. "You need those sunspores more than I need those leaves. You probably need two just to illuminate your hands, huh?"

"Probably," Pang Cai replied, unperturbed by the insult. "But how are you going to cook that soup without these Skyward herbs?"

Seething, Frank crossed his arms. "No one’s going to be buying those leaves at that price. No one can afford it. You think these normies have what it takes to gather fifty sunspores and spend it on herbs?"

It was at this point that Eren approached Pan Cai, before immediately getting intercepted by Frank.

"Can’t you see we’re busy talking?!"

Eren looked him straight in the eye. "You’re talking. I’m buying."

Pang Cai’s eyes glistened as he heard Eren’s words. "A customer? What can I do for you?"

"I need a hundred Skyward Herbs," Eren said.

Frank immediately scoffed. "Don’t lie. You can’t afford that."

Even Pang Cai was doubtful of Eren’s request.

But Eren reached into his pockets and revealed an entire handful of sunspores. They were bulging out of his fists, some almost falling out of his grip.

The ridiculing words bubbling inside Frank were stuck in his throat. "Ah—"

"A paying customer, now that’s what I like!" Pang Cai exclaimed. He immediately grasped at the opportunity in front of him. "Let’s talk business!"

Eren walked past Frank. "Don’t loiter around," he whispered.

>>>

>>>

>>>

"HAHAHAHA! Did you see the look on his face?! Priceless!" Pang Cai guffawed, euphoric after seeing Frank get humiliated like that.

He held out his hand for Eren to shake and introduced himself. "Pang Cai. Pang. Fatty. Call me whatever you like."

"Eren."

The two shook hands. The solidity of their grip told them both that they were in the presence of kindred spirits.

"I haven’t seen you before. I never forget a face," Pang Cai said, studying Eren’s face.

"I lived a secluded life."

"Hmmm, I hear ya. Sometimes a bed is too comfortable to get out of. But I’m glad to meet you." Pang Cai then rubbed his hands together with a smile on his face. "Now onto business. You look like you’re in need of something."

"We’re all in need of something," Eren replied.

For a second, the hefty young man looked at Eren. Then, a smile crept on his face. "That’s exactly right, my friend."

"And right now, I’m in need of a few Skyward Herbs."

"I have Skyward Herbs," Pang Cai nodded. "How much do you need? Ten? Fifteen? I’ll give you a good price."

Eren shook his head. "I already told you. I need a hundred."

Pang Cai’s jaw dropped, his chin doubling. Or quadrupling. "You were serious?"