Chapter 232: Petty Mindset

To complete the task of “Wandering Fragrance,” two things were needed: rescuing people and taking back the Xingli Sect from Qian Changjian.
Lin Dong tapped his head. Since Yun Lan wanted to hide her identity, the Sky Sword Technique could definitely not be used. However, with the help of several elders from the Guhuan Sect and Wandering Fragrance as a guide, there should be a decent chance of success. As for taking back the Xingli Sect, it would only be possible if, after rescuing the people, the Guhuan Sect mobilized all its forces as a surprise attack, combining efforts to increase the chances of success.
But doing so would cost the Guhuan Sect dearly. No matter how high the reward, it wouldn’t be worth the loss.
The only option was to target the Ningji Sect. If they could get the Ningji Sect and the Xingli Sect to fight each other fiercely, the aftermath would be easier to handle, and it would also buy more time before Qian Changjian fully took control of the Xingli Sect.
With a general plan in mind, Lin Dong wasn’t in a hurry. He glanced at Ma Chun beside him and asked, “How’s business at the inn these past couple of days?”
“Business has dipped a bit,” Ma Chun said with a grim face. “There are only about eighty tables on the second floor every day. It’s mainly because all the restaurants are slashing prices. The Windward Tower is the most aggressive—just in a short time, they’ve reduced prices by 40%.”
Lin Dong nodded. This was within his expectations. What he wanted was for all the restaurants to go all out in competition, so as to prevent the Maple Forest Restaurant from dominating Qiufeng City through its connections in the merchant guild.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Dong asked, “Has the merchant guild sent any news?”
Ma Chun shook his head. “Just some scattered pieces of information. Nothing definite yet.”
Lin Dong stroked his chin. Matters related to the merchant guild were likely to continue for another month or two. If the inn also slashed prices right away, it might accelerate the collapse of some restaurants, which would only serve the interests of the Maple Forest Restaurant.
But if they didn’t lower prices, business at the inn would only get worse. By the time the merchant guild’s situation resolved, it would be difficult to attract customers.
Eighty tables…
“Eighty then!”
Lin Dong’s sudden remark left Ma Chun confused. “Boss, what do you mean, eighty?”
“Except on rainy days or special occasions, if there are fewer than eighty tables on the second floor every day…” Lin Dong declared firmly, “Special dishes will have their prices reduced—Stewed Turtle with Maple Leaves, Energy Beef Balls. Copper cards get 10% off, silver cards get 20% off.”
“Only the special dishes?” Ma Chun hesitated.

Lin Dong nodded. The plantation and ranches of the Gu Huan Clan were still in the planning stage and could not provide spiritual beasts or materials, so the inn’s supplies had to be bought from the market, resulting in a profit margin of only about double. The price of Turtle Stewed with Maple Leaves and Vitality Beef Balls was two taels of silver each, while their costs were only 200 wen and a little over 20 wen respectively. Even for the most costly option, Turtle Stewed with Maple Leaves, a 10% discount would still cover the costs. As for Vitality Beef Balls… there was no need to worry about reducing the price further.

“By the way, the one-year-thyme from the winery should be available by now. With additional ingredients, it’s equivalent to three-year-thyme,” Lin Dong said, recalling that thyme could also withstand price competition. “Apart from those included with the VIP cards, those too will be discounted.”

“Owner…” After some thought, Ma Chun couldn’t help but ask, “Won’t that be a bit too little? Other restaurants discount all their dishes. If we only reduce the prices of our specialty dishes, we probably won’t last long.”

Lin Dong smiled. “Let other restaurants reduce prices however they want. As long as our inn maintains 80 tables under normal conditions, it’s fine. If the copper cards get a 10% discount and the silver cards an 8% discount and that still isn’t enough, reduce each price by another 10%. No matter how much it drops, we must keep 80 tables.”

Ma Chun nodded firmly. If they could keep reducing prices, with Vitality Balls as a support, and as long as Maple Forest Restaurant didn’t run into any problems, 80 tables shouldn’t be too difficult to maintain given the tactics of other restaurants.

“Also, send someone to Bai’s Mansion in Minyue Commandery and ask Boss Bai to bring 100,000 taels of silver in spiritual stones. Then come here tonight; I have something to discuss with you,” Lin Dong decided to inform Ma Chun about the matter of transporting the portal.

“Okay. If there’s nothing else, shall I head to the lobby first?” Ma Chun asked.

Lin Dong nodded. After Ma Chun left, he turned to Yun Lan beside him. “Is You Yin Xiang’s injury a problem?”

“The highest-grade medicinal ingredients are only of the second tier, which should be available on the market,” Yun Lan replied slowly. “I’ll write up a list of spiritual materials later; have Ma Chun buy them for you.”

Lin Dong smiled. “I’ll be out for a while. How about you wait for me in my room?”

“Mm!” Yun Lan nodded slowly.

Lin Dong was surprised. “Do you know why I’m asking you to come?”

Yun Lan replied nonchalantly, “To help you take the Qinglan Fruit.”

Lin Dong was speechless. The effect of the Qinglan Fruit when taken together for the first time was astonishingly strong, enough to help him easily break through to the first level of the Mental State phase. However, since he needed to nurture his dantian after the breakthrough, the excess effect was somewhat wasted. One could only take the Qinglan Fruit up to five times per major realm before it lost its efficacy, and the combined effect of the last four times wasn’t as strong as the first. According to his plan, he had intended to wait until he reached the fifth level of the Mental State phase before taking it, so as to ensure no waste of the drug’s effect.

Now, with the mess caused by Ning Jizong, being at the first level of the Mental State phase allowed him to protect himself without worry in Qiufeng City, but compared to the sect’s disciples, his strength was considered mediocre. That’s why Lin Dong wanted to change his mind and strengthen himself first.

He didn’t expect Yun Lan to guess even this.

“Women who are too smart aren’t good,” Lin Dong said leisurely.

Yun Lan smiled faintly. “Are you trying to make me suspect you have ulterior motives and draw my sword against you? With my swordsmanship, you probably won’t even get a chance to speak.”

Lin Dong felt ashamed. His weak strength meant even joking could put his life at risk.

After returning to the backyard and opening the door for Yun Lan, Lin Dong immediately went to the storage room and then headed to Xilan City. He found Zhang Ye and asked about the handling of the deceased companions and the inn’s business. Lin Dong told him to send someone to Guhuan Mountain to inform Xiao Tianchi that, aside from leaving one or two elders to handle sect affairs, all elders and loyal disciples should head to Qiufeng City.

Temporarily stopping the exchange of spiritual materials with the Wan family, and focusing all the accelerated time on the Wanhong Tree and Qinglan Fruit, Lin Dong returned to Qiufeng City. He repeated the process in the small vegetable garden before leisurely returning to his room.

When he pushed open the door, Yun Lan was sitting cross-legged on the wooden bed. Her fair, delicate neck emitted a faint glow, and her smooth, white palms rested gently on her knees. Her serene and elegant presence filled the entire room, causing Lin Dong to lose his focus momentarily.

Suddenly, the door swung shut on its own without any wind, pulling Lin Dong back from his daydreams.

Smacking his lips, Lin Dong rushed to the bed and quickly took off his shoes. Climbing onto the wooden bed and while taking off his robe, a blue light flashed, and a sword with a faint glow appeared on the snow-white sheets.

“Well… fewer clothes will make it easier for your spiritual energy to flow through my meridians,” Lin Dong explained.

Yun Lan remained silent. With a gentle push of her right hand, she touched Lin Dong’s shoulder. Instantly, Lin Dong felt as if he were wrapped in a soft breeze, his body spinning involuntarily until he was facing Yun Lan.

“Sit down and focus your mind!”

Lin Dong knew he had reached Yun Lan’s limit. Instantly, he put on a serious expression, sat cross-legged, took out the spirit stones and placed them properly, then took out the green and blue fruits from his storage space and asked, “How do I eat them?”
“Take a bite of the green fruit, then a bite of the blue fruit, alternating until they’re all gone. Remember, the amount of flesh in each bite shouldn’t differ too much—exceeding even a small amount can disrupt the medicinal effect,” Yun Lan said with a sly glint in her eyes.
“Is it that difficult?”
Lin Dong was shocked. A small amount meant really just a tiny bit!
“Do you think a spirit fruit with ninth-level medicinal effects can be eaten casually?” Yun Lan replied calmly.
Reluctantly, Lin Dong picked up the green fruit and carefully took a bite. The flesh melted in his mouth and turned into a warm current that slowly flowed into his meridians.
He then picked up the blue fruit, examined the bite marks on the green fruit, and finally took a bite. Once the flesh turned into a warm current that entered his meridians, he took another bite of the green fruit. This process continued in alternation for several minutes until all the green and blue fruits were consumed.
His meridians were now filled to capacity with intense warmth.
Exhaling, Lin Dong asked, “Is everything fine now?”
Yun Lan gave a light nod.
Placing his hands on his knees, Lin Dong focused his mind, and his spiritual energy quickly flowed into his meridians.
In just one cycle, a massive surge of spiritual energy rushed into his dantian, with such force that it was like a raging flood, startling Lin Dong so much he almost jumped up.
“Give up resisting!”
Yun Lan slowly placed her palms on Lin Dong’s back. A gentle stream of energy entered through his back and penetrated his dantian. Then, a strange channel formed, through which the intense spiritual energy flowed out, now much purer and gentler.
Relieved, Lin Dong quickly controlled the spiritual energy to keep flowing through his meridians.
In the room, a man and a woman alone, yet their hearts were as pure as water…
In the backyard of Maple Forest Restaurant, Ling Zhengyang was holding a racket, playing against a guard.
Over the past few days, Ling Zhengyang’s skills had improved significantly. The guard was quite strong, so his speed and reflexes were beyond ordinary people’s, but despite that, he still fell short under Ling Zhengyang’s highly skilled play.
One game ended with a score of 21 to 17.
Ling Zhengyang took a towel from his attendant to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then took a sip from his teacup. Just as he was about to invite the now-calmer guard to play another game, Jiang Youcai rushed in from outside.
“Third young master, there’s activity at Lin’s Inn.”
“Oh?” Ling Zhengyang was surprised. “Has Manager Lin finally lost his patience?”
Jiang Youcai smiled. “He’s lost his patience, but he’s also a bit petty.”

“Petty?” Ling Zhengyang was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head and saying, “I’m afraid Manager Jiang will be the first to call him petty.”
“That’s not necessarily true. Lin’s Inn just issued a notice: two specialty dishes and three-year thyme are available at 10% off for copper cards and 20% off for silver cards.” Jiang Youcai said confidently, “With such a discount, compared to the free three-day offer that caused chaos in all the restaurants in Autumn Wind City back then, not to mention me, even the owners of other restaurants would think Manager Lin is a bit petty.”
“Manager Lin just doesn’t want to push the other restaurants too hard. If we do, by the time the guild’s announcement ends, there will probably only be one or two restaurants left in Autumn Wind City.” Ling Zhengyang smiled indifferently and waved his hand, saying, “Let’s talk about it in a few days.”
“In a few days?” Jiang Youcai frowned. “Although Lin’s Inn’s discount isn’t large, other restaurants surely won’t sit idly by either; they’ll definitely cut their prices even more. In that case, our restaurant’s business might be affected.”
“It’s okay. Let’s talk about it in a few days,” Ling Zhengyang said nonchalantly.
“Alright then. If there’s nothing else, shall I go first?”
Jiang Youcai felt somewhat disappointed. He had just mocked Manager Lin for being stingy, but it turned out the third young master was even more so.