Chapter 546: Travesty, stripped of noble titles (2/2)

Mu Linger had no idea of the one-year deadline that Long Feiye had imposed on the Wang Clan to sever Medicine City’s connections with the Cloud Realm Trade Consortium. She couldn’t help but say seriously, “Han Yunxi, three years is impossible!”

Gu Beiyue smiled. “This one still has ways to make it work as long as our supplies from Medicine City doesn’t stop.”

“Mu Linger, how about we make a bet?” Han Yunxi grinned.

Mu Linger was no fool. After being tricked once, she wouldn’t fall for it a second time. She was full of precautions against Han Yunxi now, especially when the woman mentioned bets. “Since Doctor Gu is confident, I won’t pour ice water over your plans,” she drawled instead.

It had to be said that money really sped things up. With the help of Long Feiye’s massive wealth, it was smooth sailing for Han Yunxi to buy land, stores, interior decorators and employees. Within one month, 20 branch stores of Pill Fiend Pharmacy popped up around the continent. Ten of them only sold rare and uncommon goods, while the other half stocked regular ingredients. Han Yunxi required card memberships for the exclusive shops while promoting sales at the common ones. It could be said that she was following the model of modern-day franchise chains, allowing the famous Pill Fiend Pharmacy to grow even more popular. The Cloud Realm Trade Consortium was forced to frequently sent representatives to Medicine City to discuss trade deals. They kept offering discounts in hopes that the city would sign exclusive agreements with them, too.

These so called ‘exclusive agreements’ meant that Medicine City would only do certain trades with the Consortium. Naturally, Medicine City didn’t agree to sign any of them. The Council of Elders and all its associated members put ahead the excuse that they hadn’t elected their new members yet! Again and again, Cloud Realm Trade Consortium suffered setback after setback. It was unknown how severely they punished Ouyang Ningnuo, but for now he seemed to have evaporated into thin air. No one could find any news of him.

Meanwhile, Jun Yixie spent an entire month investigating the Hundred Poisons Sect before he found Ouyang Ningnuo’s spy. But Jun Yixie still couldn’t figure out how much Ouyang Ningnuo found out about the sect, because the spy ended up committing suicide by biting off his own tongue. His master Bai Yanqing looked into the matter and gave Jun Yixie a whole slew of punishments. After Jun Yixie went back to Northern Li, the emperor even refused to see him.

Now that he was banned from both Medical and Medicine City, even the emperor of Northern Li would be hard pressed to defend him against his court of ministers and officials, much less the protests from the imperial clan. Northern Li was very powerful, but it still wouldn’t dare to offend both Medical and Medicine City. Jun Yixie knew that the emperor wouldn’t really turn against him on account of the long friendship between his master and the emperor. But on the surface, he still had to make a show of things. He ended up kneeling in front of the imperial study for five days and five nights before the emperor deigned to see him.

It was unclear what the two discussed in the study, but the Northern Li emperor soon issued a decree revoking Jun Yixie his status as Duke of Kang and demoting him to a commoner. There would be nothing linking Jun Yixie to the Northern Li emperor from this day on. Medical and Medicine City were going to pressure Northern Li’s emperor themselves, but relented upon hearing the final verdict.

As soon as Jun Yixie returned to his courtyard, he headed straight for Bai Yanqing’s quarters. “Master, this disciple can’t stand for this!”

Bai Yanqing was currently engrossed in concocting poisons, so he simply ignored him. His foster daughter Bai Yuqiao glanced over with a snicker. “You knew you were supposed to stay and take care of the horses, not aggravate Han Yunxi. But you just wouldn’t listen. Serves you right for getting grief!”

Bai Yuqiao was still young, but she was a budding beauty. Unfortunately, Jun Yixie had never shown tenderness towards woman and kicked her. Unable to evade the blow, Bai Yuqiao was sent flying by his foot.

“Impudence!” Bai Yanqing roared.

Jun Yixie trembled and froze. His arrogant and domineering ways would always turn docile and obedient in front of his master. He knew that the only reason Northern Li’s emperor had cut off his noble ties was because of master’s idea.

Bai Yanqing didn’t say anymore, but finished up his poison before glancing over with a cold tone. “How are things going with the horse farms?”

“I haven’t gotten them all yet,” Jun Yixie admitted.

“How many times does master have to repeat himself before you take in my words?” Bai Yanqing asked seriously.

“Master, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi have already gotten their hands on Medicine City. We can’t just sit around and wait. As I see it, we should spread word that the poison beast is in Han Yunxi’s hands,” Jun Yixie grumbled.

“And then?” Bai Yanqing asked.

“Then tell everyone that that Shadow Clan man’s protecting Han Yunxi. Even if she isn’t the West Qin imperial heir, we can use her to lure out the other Seven Noble Families!”

Jun Yixie had long entertained this idea. Back then, it’d been his own grandfather who witnessed the death of West Qin’s last imperial hair. He didn’t think any of their descendents still existed, but was more inclined to believe that the Shadow Clan man was only protecting Han Yunxi for the poison beast’s sake. Whether or not she’s the heir, she’s worth using at any rate!

Bai Yanqing only sighed and asked, “Do you still listen to your master anymore?”

“Master is like a father to me. A father’s words are law!” Jun Yixie said earnestly.

“Then fine. In the future, you’re not allowed to get involved with Han Yunxi and Long Feiye’s affairs without your master’s orders. If you defy me, then…master will break off all relations with you!” Bai Yanqing said seriously.

Jun Yixie couldn’t believe his ears. “But why?” he asked.

TLer’s Note: As usual, make sure to check out the chapter announcement post for goodies like graphics, videos, and a link to a very important poll.