Chapter 970: Who is the Pig and Who is the Tiger

“Master Wang, up ahead is the Medicine King Manor.”

Ten miles outside Daye City, a carriage came to a halt in front of a grand manor. The well-dressed man accompanying Wang Chen inside the carriage smiled and said, “The five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng you seek is only available here.”

“Hmm.”

Wang Chen nodded and stepped out of the carriage.

Dressed in a pristine white scholar’s robe, he exuded an air of refinement and elegance, resembling a distinguished gentleman of the world.

Over the past two days, since his arrival in the imperial capital, Wang Chen had embarked on a shopping spree at several renowned establishments in Daye City, acquiring a vast quantity of precious herbs.

His potential points were earned through these strength-enhancing medicinal treasures!

In the past, while residing in the local districts, Wang Chen had been limited in his access to high-quality herbs due to scarce resources. However, the imperial capital was a treasure trove of rare items, and with enough silver, even a thousand-year-old ginseng could be obtained.

Given Wang Chen’s extraordinary generosity, he was regarded as a top-tier patron. This reputation led an herbal merchant to introduce him to the Medicine King Manor, located just outside the imperial capital.

It was said that the Medicine King Manor housed an astonishing collection of medicinal herbs, including rare and unconventional varieties.

Naturally, Wang Chen felt compelled to visit.

The lesser-aged herbs now offered minimal benefits to him; he required more and higher-quality items. In just two days, he had already spent several hundred thousand taels.

In the main hall of the Medicine King Manor, Wang Chen was introduced to the owner of the estate—Old Mu.

Old Mu’s hair was as white as snow, yet his complexion was rosy and healthy. His eyes sparkled with divine light, a clear indication that he was no ordinary man.

According to the well-dressed man’s introduction, the owner of the Medicine King Manor hailed from a long line of physicians and was himself a renowned doctor. His family’s centuries of expertise had earned him his esteemed reputation.

Upon learning of Wang Chen’s intentions, Old Mu promptly had three sandalwood boxes brought from the storeroom.

He personally opened each box, revealing old mountain ginseng with intact roots.

“This one is five hundred and twenty-seven years old…”

Old Mu introduced each ginseng to Wang Chen. “This one is five hundred and fifty years old, and this one, the finest of them all, is nearly six hundred years old!”

His voice carried pride and satisfaction. “Master Wang, were it not for the endorsement of Ruoyun Hall, I would not have brought out even a single one of these. These old mountain ginsengs will only grow more valuable with time!”

Wang Chen nodded and inquired, “May I ask the price of these mountain ginsengs?”

Old Mu tilted his chin slightly, pointing to the five-hundred-and-twenty-seven-year-old ginseng. “This one is two hundred and fifty thousand taels.”

Then, gesturing to the finest one, he added, “This one is four hundred thousand taels, and the price is non-negotiable!”

The value of older mountain ginseng varied greatly. Those over five hundred years old were considered heavenly materials and treasures, their worth beyond the comprehension of most, and essentially priceless.

Old Mu’s asking price was not unreasonable.

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Chen asked, “May I examine them more closely?”

Old Mu smiled. “Of course.”

With that, he slid the box containing the most expensive old mountain ginseng toward Wang Chen.

Wang Chen’s gaze flickered, and a glimmer of light passed through his eyes.

A moment later, he withdrew his gaze, stood up, and said, “Old Mu, I’ve troubled you.”

Old Mu was visibly taken aback. He paused briefly, then furrowed his brow and asked, “Master Wang, what do you mean by this?”

With a hint of anger in his tone, Wang Chen appeared extremely displeased.

Seeing the situation turning sour, the well-dressed man hurriedly interjected, “Master Wang, you…”

Wang Chen cast a lightly mocking glance at him, causing the latter’s words to get stuck in his throat, his face turning bright red.

Wang Chen pointed to the ginseng box on the table and said lightly, “I don’t like jokes, and I dislike it even more when others joke with me. Old Mu, this joke is a bit too much!”

He was a person of considerable stature, and having consumed five-hundred-year-old old mountain ginseng before, he lacked neither insight nor experience.

This old mountain ginseng was flawless in size, appearance, color, and smell.

Yet, no matter how perfectly it was disguised, it couldn’t possess the unique spiritual energy and charm of a genuine five-hundred-year ginseng.

In other words, what lay before Wang Chen was a counterfeit!

“A joke?”

Old Mu exploded in anger: “You think I’m joking with you? What do you mean, are you saying my ginseng is fake?”

“Ha ha.”

Wang Chen laughed: “Don’t you know whether it’s real or fake?”

Old Mu’s face immediately darkened, and his eyes turned fierce as he stared at Wang Chen: “Master Wang, my Medicine King Manor has a hundred years of reputation, which is not something you can easily tarnish. If you don’t clarify this today, don’t even think about leaving this door!”

As soon as he finished speaking, two strong martial artists appeared at the entrance of the hall, glaring at Wang Chen like a hungry tiger.

The aura and momentum they displayed clearly reached the level of fourth-level martial generals!

Wang Chen seemed unfazed: “Could it be that you at the Medicine King Manor wish to resort to coercion?”

He turned to the well-dressed man beside him: “Manager Wang, what do you say?”

The well-dressed man took two steps back, forcing a smile: “Master Wang, I only brought you here; I have nothing to do with the rest. I truly don’t know what to say.”

On the surface, he appeared terrified, but deep down he was sneering.

Someone as fat a sheep as Wang Chen would eventually be ruthlessly slaughtered; why shouldn’t they be the ones to do it first?

If anyone was to blame, it was just Wang Chen for being so foolish, not understanding the principle of keeping one’s wealth hidden, and deserving to learn this painful lesson!

“I see, you are all in this together.”

Wang Chen smiled: “So you’ve been treating me like a fat sheep, huh? Don’t you fear biting your teeth off? Do you know who I am?”

Old Mu coldly replied: “No matter who you are, you must settle this account first!”

He had already begun to harbor killing intent.

As he spoke, Old Mu exchanged glances with his men.

One martial artist, blocking the doorway, revealed malice in his eyes, suddenly stepping forward and throwing a punch at Wang Chen’s back.

The purpose of this punch was to break Wang Chen’s spine, leaving him injured yet alive, without any capacity to resist.

Bang!

In a flash, the martial artist’s fist hit Wang Chen hard.

The sound of bones shattering rang out suddenly!

“Ah!”

However, to everyone’s surprise, the scream did not come from Wang Chen but from the martial artist who launched the sneak attack!

This fourth-level martial general had just retracted his right hand, his fingers already twisted, and white bone spikes pierced through his skin, half of his arm bent at a horrifying angle.

The immense pain twisted his features into a painful grimace. That he hadn’t fainted on the spot was a testament to his strong will.

As for Wang Chen, he regretfully shook his head: “Old Mu, business is business—there should be righteousness in trade. What you did is too much.”

Old Mu was taken aback for a moment, then anger surged within him, and he tore off the pretense: “Kill him!”

He never imagined that the so-called fat pig he saw in Wang Chen was actually a disguised roaring tiger.

It was precisely because of this that Old Mu’s killing intent soared to its peak!