Joining the Pellet Association.(1)
1647 Words
"Ahem... Haha.. so esteemed senior played such a cunning trick on this junior."
"This junior of course had some misgivings upon reading the set of instructions but in the end decided to follow through."
" Hoho.. you did well young scholar Zhu Yuan. You did well. Such knowledge is better of shared for the benefit of the entire Celestial Sky Continent." Old Su Bihai commended giving Zhu Yuan the appreciative look he often gave as he doted upon his grandchildren.
"Ahem.. do you mind taking us through your refining process." Elder Shen Kong asked politely.
Zhu Yuan bit his lower lip with a little indecisiveness but then steeled his heart and decided to follow through.
"Of course, esteemed seniors. The first thing I did was to merge the three base elements.. " Zhu Yuan went on to tell of the process he had followed carefully adding up all the big words and medical jargon he had accumulated in his very brief career as a pellet refiner.
The four esteemed figures listened attentively , furiously jotting down the key points and details, nodding their heads vigorously like chickens pecking rice in the market. After Zhu Yuan completed his 'expert lesson' and after answering the many pertinent questions from his 'students', the elders led Zhu Yuan to an empty office adjacent to the examination room. It was elder Feng Xiao's private office.
"This is truly a day that will go down in the history books of the Celestial Sky Continent. I can hardly imagine the uproar this will bring about.!"
"Esteemed young scholar Zhu Yuan... Err your master . . Why didn't he come public with this spectacular breakthrough..?" Old Su Bihai at once went to the heart of the matter that was perplexing him a great deal.
"The imperial reward is 1,000 golden spirit stones. That's 10,000,000 bronze spirit stones!!!"
"Err... This.. " Zhu Yuan furrowed his brow as he tried to come up with the best answer that would leave Old Man Yuan his 'master' out of trouble.
However senior elder and Chairman Zeng Xiao came to his rescue with a chuckle.
"Hoho... Old Su Bihai how can you presume to know the thoughts of a hidden expert.."
"For us old men, we are driven by the need for recognition and greed but for a pure scholar like Old Man Yuan he is not motivated by such trivial matters but purely by the pursuit of knowledge."
"He is content with simply succeeding where the rest of the world has failed. This is a true scholar's heart and essence."
The three other supreme existences of the revered Pellet Association could only nod in agreement and reverence as they thought of the exemplary temperament of Old Man Yuan, a hidden pellet refinement hegemon. This was simply a saint in the world of pellet refinement, they concluded in their hearts.
Besides them Zhu Yuan could only awkwardly scratch his head in silence and give a hollow smile. He did not know how to react to the sight of the very top brass of the Red Eagle Pellet Association vividly revering Old Man Yuan deeply in their hearts.
Chairman Zeng Xiao after giving out a set of instructions to his deputies shooed them away and kindly invited Zhu Yuan to his office. Zhu Yuan complied and entered the top most office in the building all the while masking his elation and wonder at the elegance displayed before him.
He sat opposite senior elder Zeng Xiao and quietly observed as the white haired top existence of the Pellet Association calmly collected his thoughts.
"Hooo... This must be the calm before the storm." Zhu Yuan gulped and awaited. For Chairman Zeng Xiao to stand atop the biggest association in Red Eagle Town his level of shrewdness and wit ran deeper than the roots of the mighty azure oak trees of legend.
"Will I be able to match him??" Zhu Yuan wondered as he held his hands together tightly. He felt as if he was walking a very tight rope with a huge unbalanced load on his back.
"Ahem... Young scholar Zhu Yuan. You really have surprised this old man."
"This achievement today.... you might not be aware of the uproar that will follow when the whole world comes to know. I feel that we should have a candid talk of how to move forward so as to ensure we reap maximum benefits with the least difficulties."
"The pellet association will put our full support behind you and your master to ensure you come out on top."
Zhu Yuan cleared his throat.
"Ahem.. I thank esteemed senior in advance. I am but a child, I know nothing of the bureucracies involved in the world of pellet refining. I only wish to advance my knowledge and craft. My master as well ,.. he has seen it all and prefers a reclusive life only pursuing the wonders of medicine and pellet refining."
"If esteemed senior allows it, I and my master would prefer anonymity as we move forward. I feel this would be best."
Chairman Zeng Xiao gave Zhu Yuan a rare smile of adoration. He deeply admired this young man's lack of arrogance and non-desire for fame.
"Such a good seedling.! Sigh... If only my pesky good for nothing apprentices could learn from you..." Old Zeng Xiao bitterly lamented in his heart.
"Naturally of course the Red Eagle Pellet Association is a top most existence in the Celestial Sky Continent when it comes to pellet refining. So with us taking care of things you need not to worry."
"As for anonymity, I can personally guarantee that apart from I , my two deputies and instructor Feng Xiao, no other individual shall come to know if your amazing achievement. You can rest assured."
"I thank esteemed senior for his discretion."
"Hoho.. don't mention it kid. It saddens me that no one will know of the blinding brilliance of Zhu Yuan but I suppose it's for the best for now. Maybe in the future you can re-evaluate this decision."
Zhu Yuan nodded with satisfaction. More eyes meant an increased risk of his secret being discovered and that was something he did not want to risk for something as fragile as fame.
"Now on to more serious matters. Your master... could you perhaps invite him so he can be made aware of the recent developments."
"Hoho... In truth I don't know how he will react given his temperament. He sent you here to achieve the title of youngest master pellet refiner but in the end we inadvertently solved one of the biggest mysteries of our times.!"
Zhu Yuan's face was greatly flustered. And indeed he was.
"Err.. This... I was thinking deeply of how exactly to break this news to him too. He has quite the temper."
Chairman Zeng Xiao seeing Zhu Yuan's perturbed expression leaned back and laughed. It confirmed to him of Old Man Yuan's reclusive master status. Meanwhile Zhu Yuan was sweating as he imagined breaking the bizzare news to this unaware mid level pellet practitioner who had now transformed into a genius level reclusive master pellet practitioner and teacher.
"Hoho... How about this kid. I'll personally pen down an official letter informing him of today's events. You don't have to worry about getting a beating for performing so well."
"Haha.. then I'll be in your care." Zhu Yuan laughed all the worry leaving him. With this letter supporting him he could craft some crafty lies.
"No problem, no problem at all. Now in this letter I wish to include some ideas of my own as well."
"We currently have a hot potato on our hands. I have already instructed deputy chairman Su Bihai and deputy Sheng Kong to carry out extensive research regarding the mass production of the Dragon Essence Pellet."
"We naturally have to confirm the blood issue, whether it will affect the pellet's efficiency and compatibility in relation to the various different blood groups."
"Worst case scenario is that the pellet is only effective to you the original blood donor and your closest of kin or perhaps your blood group only. But do not worry I already have some insights on how to best go about this."
"Utmost within a week we should have a Dragon Essence Pellet ready for the mass market."
Zhu Yuan was astonished at Chairman Zeng Xiao's sharp intellect and business acumen. After all it had only been an hour since he came to know of Zhu Yuan's successful refining.
"Esteemed senior is more than capable. No wonder the Red Eagle Pellet Association has grown into the hegemon it is today. This association is truly blessed to have you attending to it's cause."
"Hoho.. what a slippery tongue. You brat I can only imagine the numerous headaches you give our mutual friend Old Man Yuan." Chairman Zeng Xiao laughed heartily as he gave his soft rebuke. He was liking this brat more and more.
"Now it's merely stating facts to say if successful, this world defying pellet will be demanded by the whole of the Celestial Sky Continent from the minute it's presented."
"Naturally we will only produce a limited set sighting 'astronomical' production costs. This will further drive up demand and we get to regulate the supply."
"Hoho... I cannot quote a figure right now but it will be a very nice surprise.. hoho.." Chairman Zeng Xiao's eyes lit up and he licked his lips as he imagined the huge piece of business that had appeared out of the blue.
"Now I am proposing a profit sharing ratio of 30% to you and to Old Man Yuan, 30% to the pellet association. The other 40% will take care of the production and distribution costs. Of course the Imperial reward will be collected by the Pellet Association but will be handed over to you in full."
"How does this sound young scholar Zhu Yuan?"
*****
- Writer
