The Herb King

"Sister, why did you agree to his demands? The main source of income of our Urgel Household comes from those wine shops. Now, that he has gained control of a third of it, our annual profits might decrease." Grace tugged her sister's sleeves and looked at her worriedly. Although she was still young, her sister taught her a lot of things about their business.

Julie stopped in her tracks and shook her head as she replied. "You're wrong, Grace. Aethelwolf might have gained ownership of one-third of our wine shops, but the profits we will gain because of this book will be beyond what we currently earn. He wasn't exaggerating when he said that he can make a wine shop chain of his own with the information he has. If that happened, our Urgel Household would have been forced to close down our wine shops." She knew that Aethelwolf was capable of doing it. The man already possesses the wealth to establish his own wine shops and he would only need some time to integrate into the wine market.

Grace stared at her sister in shock. "Then why did he give the book to us?" She asked in confusion. If Aethelwolf has the power to force their business to close down, why did he give up on it?

Julie was silent for a moment before she responded with a sigh. "He must be planning to expand his business and this is his gift to our Urgel Household. Perhaps he wants our Urgel Household to pave the way for him and we wouldn't even be able to decline when that time comes." However, she knew that Aethelwolf was looking for allies! He must have predicted that something would happen soon so he decided to gain the support of the Urgel Household.

"Why not?"

Julie's eyes narrowed as she answered. "Because he can take back what he gave to us any time he wants. That man is dangerous."

Suddenly, a playful voice butted in. "Then, how about you marry him? Wouldn't that solve your worries?" It was their father, Raven Urgel. He wore a mischievous look on his face as he stared at Julie.

Julie didn't even spare him a glance and just flicked her sleeves and walked away while pulling Grace with her.

Seeing this, Raven hummed joyfully and followed them.

Meanwhile, Henry jogged to where Aethelwolf's group was seated.

"Sir Aethelwolf, I have been looking for you." Henry sat down beside Aethelwolf. He then wiped off the sweat on his forehead as he continued. "I spoke with Sir Brian and he told me to bring you to his room. He wants to discuss the matter about the Soul Jade with you in private."

Aethelwolf glanced at Henry and smiled. "Is that so? Then please take me to him."

"Sure. Just let me drink some water first." He then poured water into an empty glass and after drinking it, he complained. "Aiyoo! My bones are hurting a bit from all the running..."

Aethelwolf chuckled and handed him one Recovery Pellet. "This will help you recover."

Henry immediately took the pill from his hand and kept it inside his storage ring. "Let's go, Sir Aethelwolf. Let's not make Sir Brian wait for long."

"Eh? How about your knees?"

"They're not hurting anymore." Henry shamelessly answered.

"Stay here and wait for me." Aethelwolf said to Anton and the others before he followed behind Henry.

Soon, the two arrived in front of Brian's room.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Henry knocked on the door. "Sir Brian, I've brought Sir Aethelwolf here."

"Let him in." A calm voice echoed inside the room.

Henry pushed the door open and told Aethelwolf to go in. "You two can talk. I'll stay here."

Aethelwolf nodded his head and entered the room.

Brian was seated behind his study, holding a piece of gem-like stone. When he heard someone's footsteps, he raised his head and looked at Aethelwolf with a smile. "Come. Take your seat." He said.

Aethelwolf grabbed a chair and sat down.

"I heard from Henry that you are looking for this." Brian opened his palm and showed him an egg-shaped gem. It was the Soul Jade that Aethelwolf was looking for.

Aethelwolf stared at the Soul Jade and muttered calmly. "You indeed have it. Are you willing to sell it to me?" He was prepared to be sucked dry this time since this item was very expensive and some would even go beyond 100,000,000 gold coins!

Brian put down the Soul Jade and smiled at him. "I don't lack money, but there is something I need and you might be able to make it." He then took out a piece of parchment made from magical beast skin. "This is an ancient recipe for a pill called 'Soul Eclipse'. Can you refine it?"

Aethelwolf furrowed his eyebrows as he studied the recipe written on the parchment. The ingredients were all high-level herbs with value reaching tens of millions. 'This is a 4th-Grade Pill that can strengthen the soul and cleanse the mind! Does he plan to use this pill to reach the peak stage of Level 4?'

"This is a 4th-Grade Pill. I can refine this." Aethelwolf nodded his head as he put down the parchment.

"Really?" Brian was a bit surprised by his confidence. When he showed the recipe to Karman Leone, the old man didn't guarantee that he could refine the pill successfully. He didn't want to risk it since he only has one set of ingredients. He needed someone who could refine the pill with certainty.

Aethelwolf stared at him calmly and answered. "I'm a Level 4 Alchemist. I can refine any 4th-Grade Pill as long as I have the recipe. If you give me the ingredients now, I can refine the pill here. The recipe is quite sophisticated so it might take me about thirty minutes to refine the pill."

Brian stared at him in shock when he heard this. Thirty minutes? When he asked Karman Leone how long it would take him to refine the pill, the old man said that it would take him several hours! "I only have one set of ingredients. If you make a mistake-"

Aethelwolf cut him off. "I'm a hundred percent confident that I can refine it. If I fail, I'll compensate you ten times the amount you used to purchase the ingredients."

Hearing this, Brian's eyes narrowed into slits.