Chapter 17 I Won’t Sell!

The shop assistant, upon seeing the young woman, immediately adopted a respectful posture.

“Miss Cao, is something the matter?”

Cao Yanling strode quickly to the counter and said, “Doctor Qi just prescribed a life-saving remedy for my father. It requires Dragon Saliva Grass. Therefore, I need this plant.”

“Of course, take it quickly. Saving Director Cao comes first.”

Without hesitation, the assistant handed the Dragon Saliva Grass to Cao Yanling.

Lin Yang frowned and reached out to press his hand on the medicine box.

“Remove your hand,” Cao Yanling said coldly, casting Lin Yang a commanding glance.

“I have already paid. This Dragon Saliva Grass belongs to me now. She has no right to give it to you.”

The Dragon Saliva Grass was especially important to him—it was unlikely a second specimen could be found in all of Luocheng any time soon.

Lin Yang had no intention of simply surrendering it.

“Do you know who I am?” Cao Yanling’s voice was icy.

“No, and I don’t care to know.”

The shop assistant hurriedly interjected, “Miss Cao Yanling is the daughter of Director Cao, head of Luocheng’s Finance Department. You can’t afford to offend her. Best hand over the Dragon Saliva Grass.”

Lin Yang laughed coldly. Cao Yanling’s status was indeed formidable.

According to the administrative structure of the Dragon Nation, the highest official in a city was the City Lord, who oversaw everything.

Beneath the City Lord were three departments and nineteen bureaus, with each department governing several bureaus.

The Finance Department was one of the three main departments, wielding considerable power.

“And what if I refuse to yield?”

Though Cao Yanling’s background was powerful and her influence vast, it was insufficient to make Lin Yang bow and obey at this point in his life.

“You—!”

Cao Yanling glared at him furiously.

“You what? I paid for it. The Dragon Saliva Grass is mine now. Why should I hand it over just because you say so? Trying to bully me with your position? Perhaps we should let everyone here judge what’s right.”

Lin Yang’s stance was firm, his expression fearless.

There were many people in the store purchasing medicine or seeking treatment, and soon a crowd gathered to watch. Most sided with Lin Yang.

Cao Yanling’s expression grew grim. With her status, she could not risk inciting public anger.

“Fine, if the Dragon Saliva Grass is yours, I’ll pay for it. Is that acceptable?”

---

Cao Yanling spoke through clenched teeth, suppressing her anger.

“I won’t sell it,” Lin Yang replied bluntly.

“I’ll pay more. Whatever you paid, I’ll offer double.”

“I—will—not—sell!” Lin Yang enunciated each word, making his stance unmistakably clear.

Cao Yanling’s eyes twitched with rage, cold light flashing in her gaze as she clenched her fists in secret.

“Sir, Director Cao is gravely ill and urgently needs the Dragon Saliva Grass. It’s a matter of life and death. Miss Cao is offering double the price—you’d make over four million in an instant. Why not accept? Do you need it to save your life as well?” the shop assistant pleaded.

Cao Yanling was clever. Inspired, she turned to the crowd, appealing, “Fellow townsfolk, I ask you to judge.”

“My father is critically ill and depends on this medicine for survival. I was anxious earlier, so my manner was harsh.”

“But this is about saving a life. I’m willing to pay double—surely that’s reasonable?”

“He’d earn over four million by simply handing it over, yet refuses to sell. Clearly, he’s exploiting my urgency to extort more. Is that fair?”

Lin Yang smiled faintly. The girl was shrewd, mimicking his approach and taking the moral high ground to exert pressure.

As expected, the crowd’s emotions were quickly stirred by her words. Some felt envy.

After all, four million was a sum many would never earn in a lifetime.

“That’s right! Young man, you’re being greedy. Four million is plenty!”

“When a life is at stake, don’t let money blind you. Sell it to Miss Cao.”

“Such greed! Four million and still not enough? Truly insatiable.”

The tide shifted instantly. Lin Yang became the target of public scorn, branded as a greedy villain.

Cao Yanling was quite pleased, casting a provocative glance at Lin Yang.

She believed that, under such circumstances, Lin Yang had lost and would have to sell her the Dragon Saliva Grass.

But she had underestimated him.

Lin Yang cared little about others’ opinions or condemnation, and was immune to moral coercion.

“What does saving lives have to do with me? In any case, I won’t sell. Not for any price.”

“That’s outrageous!”

“How can you be so heartless?”

The crowd erupted in renewed criticism, outraged by Lin Yang’s refusal.

---

At that moment, Qi Tianming, son of Qi Yixin, emerged from the back.

“Miss Cao, what’s happening?”

The shop assistant quickly explained the situation to Qi Tianming.

“I thought it was something serious. Don’t worry, Miss Cao—I’ll handle this.”

Qi Tianming was secretly delighted. This was a perfect chance to ingratiate himself with Cao Yanling and show off.

He glanced at Lin Yang and said to the assistant, “Refund his money and take back the medicine. We won’t sell.”

“Sir, I’ll process your refund now. Please return the Dragon Saliva Grass.”

With Qi Tianming’s orders, the assistant was emboldened and spoke with no courtesy.

“Isn’t Yixin Hall renowned for honesty? Once something is sold, can you just take it back as you please?”

“If you want it returned, then take down your golden signboard and close the shop for good. I’ll return the medicine on the spot.”

Qi Tianming’s brow furrowed, anger rising.

“Are you here to cause trouble? You’ve come to the wrong place! This is not somewhere you can act out.”

Qi Yixin was the most famous physician in Luocheng, highly respected and well-connected.

All the city’s prominent figures showed him deference, for no one wished to offend a master healer.

“Think whatever you like. If you want to renege and reclaim the medicine, then take down your sign.”

Qi Tianming dismissed Lin Yang, but Lin Yang dismissed him in turn.

“If you won’t drink the wine offered in courtesy, you’ll drink the wine of punishment! Clearly, you’re asking for a beating!”

Without another word, Qi Tianming threw a punch at Lin Yang.

Lin Yang, holding the medicine box in one hand, calmly blocked the attack.

Qi Tianming was considered a top talent among Luocheng’s younger generation, already at the sixth rank. He didn’t take Lin Yang seriously.

But after three consecutive moves, Lin Yang easily parried them, displaying effortless skill.

This infuriated Qi Tianming, who had hoped to impress Cao Yanling.

“So you’re trained as well—no wonder you dared cause trouble. But I only used a fraction of my strength. Now I’ll show you the consequences of acting out in Yixin Hall.”

Qi Tianming growled, unleashing his full power. The onlookers were startled by his aura and quickly backed away.

With his hands forming claws, Qi Tianming launched a capture technique, aiming to subdue Lin Yang in one decisive move and flaunt his prowess before Cao Yanling.