Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

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No wonder this merchant was qualified to join the Seven Treasures Merchant Guild—his silver tongue could turn the dead into the living. Just moments ago, he hadn't shown any sign of wanting a peaceful resolution; instead, he seemed determined to push the issue.

However, with Mr. Sun lowering himself so much and offering goods worth over a thousand gold coins, it was hard for Gu La to hold a grudge. After all, one shouldn't hit someone who's smiling at you.

The main issue was that Gu La's cultivation level was too low. If he encountered a Soul Elder, his disguise would be exposed, so it was better to take what he could and leave.

"Alright, I'll give the Seven Treasures Merchant Guild face today."

Gu La took out the gold card. "This is fifteen thousand gold spirit coins. How many herbs can I buy?"

"Please wait a moment, sir."

Boss Sun summoned his martial soul—a bamboo abacus—and after tinkering with it for a while, he retracted his martial soul and said:

"Based on the list of more than ten types of herbs provided by this young friend earlier, you can purchase about three thousand portions. At cost price, that would be six thousand seven hundred portions. Adding the hundred portions I promised earlier, I'm willing to round it up to seven thousand portions."

Gu La nodded faintly, pleasantly surprised. Considering they needed one portion of ointment per day, these herbs would last him and Tang San a full decade of practice.

Moreover, the current price of medicine wasn't high. Once the new paper was published, the price of herbs would undoubtedly skyrocket. Selling some of the medicine later would provide funding for future research.

At the same time, Gu La couldn't help but acknowledge the outrageous profits of herb merchants. Even at cost price, each portion was worth two gold coins, and that was the price from the source. Retail prices in pharmacies would likely reach anywhere from ten to twenty gold coins per portion.

Most of the profit went to middlemen, making it unaffordable for commoner soul masters.

Of course, that had nothing to do with Gu La.

He had already chosen the most common and inexpensive herbs, which already catered to the majority of people.

"Boss Sun is generous. Let's just forget about what happened earlier. Start packing the herbs."

Gu La suppressed a smile and retracted his "pressure."

Boss Sun let out a sigh of relief and quickly responded, "Alright, I'll have my men pack the herbs right away and prepare them for you."

He summoned his abacus again, calculating how many jin of each herb were needed. Of course, the herbs Tang San requested weren't the actual formula.

In fact, even if the formula was exposed, it wouldn't matter. The Spirit Hall, being the foundation of commoner soul masters, would surely stockpile the herbs and then publish the formula. By then, everyone would know the formula, and confidentiality would no longer be an issue.

Boss Sun quickly finished his calculations and instructed his subordinates to fetch the goods.

Within half an hour, several carts of herbs were weighed and brought to the warehouse.

Gu La personally inspected everything, confirming the herbs were fine. He then took out an empty Ultra Ball and stored all the herbs inside.

A flicker of surprise appeared in Boss Sun's eyes. He hadn't expected Gu La to possess such a large storage-type soul tool. Not daring to show any disrespect, he tried to strike up a conversation with Gu La, but Gu La brushed him off and left with Tang San and Xiao Wu.

After the three left, one of the Great Soul Master guards asked hesitantly, "Boss, bandits are rampant around Xin Ya City, often robbing passing caravans. It's said there are informants among the city. Shouldn't we warn them?"

Boss Sun snorted coldly. "And what if we did? Do you think the bandits would listen to us? They'd probably think we were shouting 'thief' to cover our own tracks."

"Besides, how do you know they'll definitely be targeted? Even if they are, that soul master will surely come out unscathed. Saying too much might make it seem like we're underestimating him."

Boss Sun sneered inwardly. What were soul masters to him? With a little scheming and a few carefully omitted words, he didn't even need to lift a finger. Either way, those three would suffer greatly.

"But what if they come back to cause trouble?" The Soul Grandmaster shuddered at the memory of the pressure he had felt earlier, his body going limp.

Boss Sun shot him a cold glance and walked away without a word.

Of course, he wouldn't tell his guard that he had once been robbed by bandits, seen one of their informants, and even became a new informant himself to save his life.

Among the people watching the area nearby were some of the bandits' men, who had already gone to report the situation.

When the time came, he'd get his goods, and the bandits would get their money—a win-win.

Soon enough, Gu La sensed a faint trace of malice. He exchanged a glance with Tang San, confirming that they both noticed it.

To be safe, Gu La switched to his Celebi martial soul. A flash of silver light illuminated his vision as he glimpsed the future after leaving the city.

"A group of bandits? Oh, and they're connected to Mr. Sun."

Gu La watched the future unfold, seeing Tang San interrogating the bandit leader. A question mark seemed to hover over his head.

He hadn't sensed any malice from Boss Sun earlier. If an ordinary person harbored ill intentions toward him, it shouldn't have escaped his notice.

"Unless his acting skills are so flawless that he can even deceive himself."

Gu La chuckled. That would indeed be quite the talent—an actor worthy of an Oscar in his past life.

"I suppose he's also quite skilled at playing dead."

Anger flared within Gu La. He made a note in his little notebook, leaving it for his future self. When he had the ability, he could return to the present and deal with him.

As for the extra time this man had to live, let him worry and tremble for a while.

Gu La felt he was being far too merciful.

"Xiao San, there might be a fight soon. Protect Xiao Wu. Don't let her charge recklessly."

"Understood."

Their efficient response left Xiao Wu dissatisfied. "Who are you calling reckless? I've always been smart, okay? Xiao San, you agreed so quickly—are you implying I'm impulsive?"

Tang San: "... No."

Xiao Wu huffed, satisfied for now, but then realized something belatedly:

"Oh, who are we fighting?"

Gu La smiled. Tang San was too rigid and boring; occasionally teasing Xiao Wu was quite amusing.

"You'll see once we leave the city."

"Always keeping secrets! You'll choke on them one day."

Xiao Wu muttered to herself, sulking alone, hoping Gu La would cave and tell her. But Gu La didn't indulge her, completely ignoring her.

With no other choice, Xiao Wu convinced herself to stop being angry and began looking forward to the upcoming battle.

The three rode a carriage out of the city. It was already afternoon, and the sun was setting in the west. By the time they returned to Noding City, it would likely be the next afternoon.

After traveling about ten kilometers out of the city gates, they reached a forest. Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and the driver stammered, "Three esteemed guests, many bandits have emerged from the woods and surrounded us. We're in trouble."

"No problem."

Gu La shed his disguise, while Tang San knocked out the driver and dragged him into the carriage.

The three stepped out of the carriage to see more than thirty armed men surrounding them, their expressions fierce.

The leader of the bandits was taken aback upon seeing the three children. Grabbing the collar of the informant beside him, he barked, "Didn't you say there was a soul master? Where is he? Why are there only three brats?"

The informant, now pale with fear, stammered, "I don't know! I saw them board the carriage. Maybe… maybe they got off somewhere along the way?"

"You're useless!"

The bandit leader cursed loudly, kicking the informant to the ground. He raised his hand and swung his blade:

"Tie up these three kids and demand ransom from their families. Men, move in!"

At the leader's command, the bandits charged toward Gu La and the others, their greedy eyes filled with malice.

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