"Do you all think I'm going to make money relying on fake medicine?"

Little did they know, with a switch in his tone, Wang Zhan addressed their deepest doubts directly.

Then Wang Zhan laughed haughtily. "It's true I sell fake medicine, but who told you that the fake medicine I sell must *actually* be fake?"

It sounded convoluted, but it stirred something in Boss Chen's mind.

"Young man," Boss Chen asked, his interest piqued, "do you mean the medicine we sell could also be real?"

Wang Zhan looked into his eyes and laughed scornfully. "HEH HEH HEH, that depends on how we look at it."

"'When the real is treated as fake, the fake becomes real,' Wang Zhan explained. 'From the perspective of efficacy, it's one hundred percent fake. Compared to the Elixir Company's elixirs, the dosage of our fake medicine doesn't match the potency of a single real elixir. But if you look at the components, aside from some harmless fillers, what I mix in is one hundred percent the original elixir formula—or you could call it an imitation, a weakened version, or a slow-release version!'"

Of course, Wang Zhan explained so earnestly because he had a decent impression of the two. Take Boss Chen, for example. He has a good disposition and is willing to sacrifice his future for his descendants, so Wang Zhan decided to give him an opportunity. Then there's Tian Qi. He's also good-natured, though he often disregards rules and can turn hostile in an instant. But when it comes to his brothers, he couldn't bring himself to be as ruthless as Snakehead. This proves that Tian Qi truly has a warm heart.

So, after the incident with Snakehead and witnessing the deeper choices these two made, Wang Zhan was finally ready to make his move!

Why did Boss Chen, knowing that Wang Zhan was untrustworthy, still stick with him? Because of his obsession; it was this obsession that drove him to gamble everything for profit, even risking his life.

Why did Tian Qi, who clearly realized that Wang Zhan was not an ordinary person and even started to fear him, still continue to side with Wang Zhan? Because Boss Chen was the brother Tian Qi genuinely cared about; Boss Chen's choices naturally also became Tian Qi's choices.

In the later stages, such a relationship could easily collapse completely if the distribution of benefits became unequal. But in the early stages, it was the greatest guarantee of their unified cooperation, not to mention Wang Zhan had a series of backup plans.

After Wang Zhan's explanation, Boss Chen, who was a businessman himself, finally understood! No wonder the fake medicine he bought, although counterfeit, had proven genuinely effective for his son.

Just like some people sell cotton, while others sell polyester. Essentially, the difference between the two often boils down to the cotton content. A product with higher cotton content can be labeled as pure cotton, while those with less are considered inferior. Crucially, though, both can be worn!

Isn't this exactly what Wang Zhan was doing at this moment?

However, the two immediately thought of another question. Wang Zhan actually said that he mixed the elixir in... What business was he in, to have such resources and capability?

Wang Zhan continued to speak, paying no heed to their shock and only delving deeper into the subject. "Have you ever thought about why the elixirs sold outside always maintain the same price, never getting weaker? Have you considered how many small families have nearly been ruined by the cost of a single elixir? And how many young people, who once possessed martial arts Talent, have been locked out of the great path of martial arts because of a small Medicine Pill…"

Wang Zhan looked around the three of them. All three were somewhat moved. Though some were born into wealth and some into poverty, without exception, they all understood how significant an elixir was in their martial arts path.

Could this be Wang Zhan's real purpose? they wondered. Could he be such a young man who genuinely cares for the commoners, even putting others above himself?

Thinking about this, Boss Chen couldn't help feeling somewhat ashamed and fell silent. It seemed like he had wronged Wang Zhan!

"...When I talk about making a little money, of course I'm referring to this kind of small profit," Wang Zhan continued. "That being said, I can assure you that what we sell, if it's fake medicine, then it will always be fake medicine; this line cannot be crossed by anyone."

The three naturally understood. The Elixir Company pays taxes to the Federation every year, then reaps benefits from the Federation many times over, having long ago monopolized a significant amount of influence. Ordinary people have no place in such vital conversations. However, even though they understood the corrupt practices of the Federation, they definitely couldn't decipher Wang Zhan's thoughts.

Just like… "This is why I need you to sell medicine—and sell a lot of it. The profits will be enough to fulfill your desires. It's best to let everyone who has ever had contact with us know that we are selling medicine."

Why is that, though? Boss Chen wondered.

"Also, remember this: we are selling medicine to make money, so the prices will only get more expensive, never cheaper. If there is any mistake, and losses occur, you will have to cover them."

Boss Chen was puzzled. Weren't you supposed to help the commoners? Why make it more expensive? This makes no sense.

Thus, he looked up and asked, "Why is that? My young friend, according to your reasoning, if we sell medicine, shouldn't we be trying to get it to as many people in need as possible? Why then would we keep increasing the price?"

Wang Zhan responded matter-of-factly, "Didn't I just say it? We want to make money! Besides, do you really think selling medicine has no costs? Do you believe it's as simple as getting the elixir from the Elixir Company and then processing it? Moreover, what ulterior motives could I have? You make money, I make money, and those in the Federation's lower classes who can afford it also benefit from a significantly cheaper elixir. Isn't that enough? Why should we be the ones giving money away? The more people enjoy our elixir, the more we earn. The more we earn, the more we produce. The more we produce, the more market share we capture, the more money we make. Isn't that the goal of our Round Table meeting?"

Boss Chen finally understood. He felt a sense of helplessness; it was all just a load of nonsense. How is this different from those Elixir Companies? In the end, aren't we just transforming from dragon-slaying knights into the next evil dragon?

Fortunately, having lived for decades, he sensed the flaw in his mentality and realized he was straying from his original intentions. Consequently, he kept quiet throughout the rest of the proceedings.

Boss Chen thought, Forget it. My primary goal was to make money anyway; I was just momentarily confused by Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan continued, "Alright, that concludes the purpose of our Round Table meeting. Now, we move on to the implementation steps. Do you have any other questions about the objectives? If not, let's proceed."

Tian Qi immediately raised his hand and replied, "I don't! Let's proceed to the next phase."

Glancing at Boss Chen, whose flicker of benevolent thought had been stirred by him only to be quickly snuffed out, Wang Zhan nodded calmly.

I'll tell him the truth after this mission is over, Wang Zhan thought. Kind people deserve to be treated with equal kindness. Besides, it's only when things are turned upside down that the true value of a person's heart becomes apparent.

Then, Wang Zhan said, "Very well. Next are my plans for Quan State City. Your roles in this are crucial, so listen carefully…"

「After quite some time.」

After successfully setting up the first phase, Wang Zhan, without further ado, handed over two districts to these two men. He directed Ku Zhu to hand over one-tenth of the elixirs he'd brought along to the two men, which they then stored in this hidden underground fortress.

Afterwards, a somewhat disgruntled Boss Chen finally left, accompanied by Tian Qi, who was excitedly examining the elixirs in his hand.

Wang Zhan said nothing and decided to let things flow naturally. After all, Boss Chen had his own ways, and Tian Qi naturally had his too. Wang Zhan just needed to wait and see how they performed.

However, Boss Chen's attitude was too obvious, somewhat negative in fact. It made Ku Zhu knit his brows.

"Young Master, should this ordinary person really be involved in this matter?"

He didn't even understand how such a character had grabbed Wang Zhan's attention.

Wang Zhan shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows? Let's try. After all, for us, they are just the first step. Go, bring our men here, and while you're at it, bring that idiot waiting outside over."

The idiot outside was, of course, Tie Xiuqing, who was within Wang Zhan's perception range. This fool, to express his loyalty, had actually brought a bloody head and was waiting outside the gate of Jinxiu Manor, causing quite a commotion. Because of the many points and precautions Wang Zhan had just detailed, the fool had been waiting for quite a while, terrifying many passersby.

Damn it, he really is an idiot. Those guys were right about him… Wang Zhan couldn't help but mock inwardly.

Ku Zhu nodded in agreement and then turned to leave, a slight frown on his face.

Wang Zhan, however, shifted his focus to Snakehead, Tian Qi's arch-enemy, who had been locked up.

Snakehead must die! Wang Zhan decided. There was no other way. No matter Snakehead's identity or value, he was of immense potential benefit to the Original Organization. Naturally, this posed a considerable threat to Wang Zhan.

Of course, Snakehead was destined to die, Wang Zhan thought. But I shouldn't dirty my own hands with it. I'll need to find a convenient reason for him to die on the way back. After all, as an underground figure of his stature, it would be incredible if he didn't have any enemies.

So, in the next moment, Wang Zhan smiled at Snakehead, who was tied to a rack. "We meet again!"

Snakehead, pale and ashen-faced, looked at Wang Zhan. Wang Zhan's attitude no longer seemed distant, almost friendly even. Yet, upon seeing him, a glint of viciousness flashed in Snakehead's eyes, quickly replaced by overwhelming fear.

"HMPH!..."

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