Leaving aside Lan Qingyou, who had just obtained a batch of stockpots from Shang Chuan...
At this moment, Shang Chuan was also having a rather difficult time.
Not only had a single sentence from the world consciousness caused massive market fluctuations, but several of his previously profitable projects now required significant overhauls.
It could be said that ever since the world consciousness announced that supply chests would no longer refresh, he had been busy dealing with the fallout.
Of course...
Aside from the headaches in his business, the biggest weight on Shang Chuan’s heart was his debt to Lan Qingyou.
Although Lan Qingyou was always blunt about asking for things when she contacted him, and he was very proactive in cooperating with her, he knew very well that the small things he provided were incomparable to the favor he owed her.
Every time he thought about it, it felt like ten thousand ants were devouring his heart; he simply couldn't feel at ease.
He felt it would be better to pay off this debt as soon as possible, lest he remain constantly unsettled.
About five minutes after ending his conversation with Lan Qingyou, his contact, Ailuel, sent him a message.
Ailuel: “I’ve gotten in touch with an old acquaintance. He says Sherlock Cloudley has some mental-type materials in his possession.”
Shang Chuan frowned slightly at the message.
Who didn't know what kind of man Sherlock Cloudley was?
Setting aside the matter of those slave contracts, the Roland Island incident he had caused back on Blue Star was already infamous.
It was a globally known 'imprisonment incident' of the worst kind, the largest in scale, and the longest-lasting. Over a thousand young girls had been imprisoned for more than a decade, resulting in over three hundred deaths and more than five hundred girls being trafficked.
Compared to himself, an economic criminal, Sherlock was a true villain—someone for whom death was too good, and whose entire lineage deserved to be held accountable.
And now, to repay his debt to Lan Qingyou, he had to deal with such a person?
The thought gave Shang Chuan a headache.
It wasn't that he was afraid of the man; he just felt a profound sense of disgust at the idea of dealing with such vermin.
Indeed.
Even Shang Chuan, who usually prioritized profit above all else, felt repulsed.
Whatever, let it be dirty. It was still better than constantly owing a debt of gratitude.
Although Lan Qingyou hadn't said much, the sharp-witted Shang Chuan could easily connect the dots.
She had asked for a lot of mental-type materials one moment and produced a talent ascension potion the next. Shang Chuan didn't believe for a second that there was no connection between the two.
So, Shang Chuan typed in Sherlock's name and sent a message.
Shang Chuan: “I heard you have some mental-type materials. I’m interested in buying.”
He skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. There was nothing worth chatting about with someone like that.
Sherlock: “Shang Chuan, the great merchant of the Abandoned Forest. You have dealings with many organizations there, especially your potion partnership with the Witch of the Tower. You must have made a fortune.”
Sherlock’s reply came almost immediately.
Upon reading it, Shang Chuan’s furrowed brow actually relaxed.
Why?
Because the other party had investigated his identity so thoroughly shortly after the regional merger.
Normally, wouldn't one feel annoyed or troubled to have their identity completely exposed? Shang Chuan was indeed annoyed.
But looking at it from another angle, for this slaver to have researched him so clearly in such a short time meant that he had been 'noticed' by the other party.
Whether this 'noticing' meant an attempt to recruit him or to cause trouble was unknown.
But regardless, it meant he had weight, and being targeted was a certainty.
Just like the 'Witch of the Tower' the man mentioned.
Although Lan Qingyou's formal title was the 'Witch of the High Tower', most people preferred to call her the 'Witch of the Tower'. He knew exactly who Sherlock was talking about.
Shang Chuan: “Are you selling or not?”
With his confidence restored, Shang Chuan’s tone became firmer.
Sherlock: “I’m selling. I can even give you a discount on the price, but you need to help me get in touch with the Witch of the Tower.”
Because Lan Qingyou rarely added friends—and even treated deleting friends as a daily pastime—Sherlock had no way to contact her, even though he knew he had been merged into the same region as the 'Witch'.
In reality, for Lan Qingyou, having a merchant to help with sales, a chef she could order from at any time, and a thug like Li Huai was enough.
She had no use for anyone else and naturally wouldn't add more people.
Shang Chuan: “Fine. But whether she agrees or not isn't up to me. We'll trade the materials directly through the shop.”
Shang Chuan thought about it and agreed.
Sherlock smiled: “No problem, but I’ll need you to provide screenshots of the conversation.”
Shang Chuan: “Deal.”
Knowing Sherlock was worried he’d take the benefits without doing the work, Shang Chuan didn't hesitate and immediately messaged Lan Qingyou.
Lan Qingyou had just finished her bath and was about to go to sleep when the friend notification chimed from her magic desk.
Shang Chuan: “A man named Sherlock Cloudley has a large amount of mental-type monster materials.”
Lan Qingyou was stunned when she saw it.
Mental-type?
When had she ever said she wanted mental-type materials?
After all, the talent ascension potion couldn't be used as a flagship product due to its limitations; it wasn't even possible to mass-produce it.
However, since they were materials, there was no reason for her to refuse them.
It was just that the man's name made Lan Qingyou feel a bit uncomfortable.
A slaver who held one-fifth of the region's population—she doubted many people would like such a person.
Lan Qingyou: “What's the catch?”
Shang Chuan: “He's willing to give a discount, but he wants to get in touch with you.”
Lan Qingyou: “Then forget it. See which region they merged from. If he has that many mental-type materials, there should be plenty in their original area. I can just buy them from someone else.”
Shang Chuan: “Haha, I thought so too.”
Shang Chuan smiled.
Actually, he hadn't thought of that layer at all—or rather, he hadn't had the time to think about it.
For him, the materials were secondary; the main point was to tell Lan Qingyou about this so she would remember his good deed. That would count as paying back part of the favor.
So, in high spirits, he turned around and rejected Sherlock's proposal.
And he was very blunt about it.
He didn't even provide the screenshots Sherlock wanted.
Shang Chuan: “Regrettably, the Witch has no intention of meeting with you.”
Sherlock: “Oh?”
Shang Chuan: “Exactly what I said. The Witch is busy and doesn't have time. If you have any potion-related needs in the future, you can order through me at any time.”
Sherlock: “Very well.”
Even though he didn't see any screenshots, Sherlock chose to believe Shang Chuan’s nonsense.
He even went ahead with the material trade.
Sherlock: “Since the Witch is busy, then deliver these mental-type materials to her for me. Tell her that old Sherlock just wants to be her friend.”
Shang Chuan: “That shouldn't be a problem.”
And so, the two of them completed their 'pleasant' transaction.
Rate on N.U.
