Chapter 27: Absolute Might

Heavenly Fragrances grew larger with each passing day. The name itself became familiar in the city’s middle-class households. The rapid development within such a short time was unusual, but Chen Ren had expected this would happen. What had started as whispers of an exotic yet affordable perfume soon became an uproar. Each happy customer seemed to pull another into its fold, and soon, Heavenly Fragrances was on every discerning lady's lips— quite literally, a scent too captivating to ignore.

The social circles of the middle-class women, notorious for their close-knit networks and strong influence, became a web for the perfume’s fame to flourish.

Something common with these sorts of circles was that they wouldn’t hype up just

any

product, and when they did— it became the talk of their gatherings, regaling each other with stories of compliments they received, and the sense of sophistication the perfume imparted.

The fragrance was no longer just a simple luxury; it was now a trend that every middle class woman should have.

So eager not to fall behind, more women found themselves splurging on the fragrant indulgence. Some spent more than they could comfortably afford, all for the allure of being part of this new trend.

A single bottle of Heavenly Fragrances had quickly become more than just a scent— it was a statement, a piece of prestige, and every woman who wore it felt just a little bit more enchanted.

A chain reaction had begun, and every purchase, every conversation, rippled outward, drawing in more and more. But Chen Ren didn’t sit back and let word of mouth do all the work.

He actively drove the demand, laying down the foundation for Heavenly Fragrances’ growing fame.

The initial wave of interest had come from his strategic pamphlets and the tea house promotion, where his marketing through his stories had paved the way.

Mei Lin's small crew had been hired to distribute the pamphlets around the city, especially near the residential streets where most of the middle class lived. Yet he knew that to sustain momentum, he would need more than just initial curiosity.

The tea shop promotion had a limited reach, with mostly upper-class ladies visiting regularly, and while they had shown some interest, the perfumes had yet to gain a strong foothold in elite circles.

This left Chen Ren considering his next steps. If the tea house had helped plant the seeds, then he would need other community hubs to see his idea fully bloom. So, he decided to take his marketing efforts further, focusing on areas where groups of women gathered together regularly.

***

Standing outside a small seamstress’s shop, Chen Ren crossed his arms and observed the scene inside. Through the open doors, he could see women gathered in clusters, their chatter filling the air as they waited for their clothes to be mended.

An elderly seamstress sat in the centre, her hands deftly weaving stitches into a worn robe. Yet, for once, the women’s eyes were not on the seamstress’s skillful hands. Instead, they were all focused on Tang Xiulan, who stood confidently in the middle of the room, her calm presence commanding their attention. She stood straight, her hands moving in the air every time she spoke— but her movements were graceful, well-rehearsed, if anything.

From his position, Chen Ren couldn’t make out every word, but he could see the spell she was weaving on her audience. Tang Xiulan held one of Heavenly Fragrances’ bottles in her hand, her fingers gliding gracefully over its simple yet elegant design. Her smile was warm and inviting as she tilted the bottle, and one of the ladies gasped softly, eyes widening with interest.

The ladies murmured excitedly among themselves, nudging one another with anticipation as they watched Tang Xiulan.

Chen Ren could see how carefully she controlled the moment, waiting until the woman's attention was thoroughly piqued before explaining the scent. Her natural charm was working wonders, and from the way the ladies hung on her every word, he could already imagine half of them purchasing a bottle by the end of the afternoon.

Chen Ren’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. He folded his arms and let out a low chuckle to himself. Heavenly Fragrances might have started as an experiment, but it was quickly turning into his strongest asset.

He watched patiently as Tang Xiulan charmed the small crowd in the shop, her words soft and compelling as she shared the tales behind Heavenly Fragrances' latest scent.

He noticed that even from a distance, a faint but captivating aroma surrounded her, lingering in the air and adding an effortless allure to her presence. In the end, she took out one of their newer scents— Swan’s Velvet.

The wooden bottle was filled with a scent that would make anyone take a second look at the wearer— sweet, floral, and enchanting. She muttered something and twisted the bottle for the ladies to see. Then, she extended it to arm’s length and sprinkled once, twice, and thrice.

The ladies around her gasped and clutched each other, some even closing their eyes and inhaling deeply.

The exaggerated reaction made Chen Ren smile. The newest perfume always had that effect on them, no matter where they went.

He turned around from looking inside the shop and waited for Tang Xiulan to come out. Soon, the floral scent filled his nostrils and looked back to see her petite figure.

“How did that go?” Chen Ren asked.

She immediately wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead, exhaling a small sigh as she looked up at Chen Ren. “Young master, please tell me that was the last shop. I think I’ve talked about perfumes enough for an entire month— I’m exhausted.”

Chen Ren smiled, nodding approvingly. “You did an amazing job, Xiulan. And yes, that was the last one for today. I believe that should be more than enough to keep the word spreading for now.” His gaze shifted back toward the women now buzzing amongst themselves. “The way they were looking at you, I could practically see the envy in their eyes. It’s clear they noticed how nice you smelled.” ꭆ𝘼𝐍ổꞖĘṨ

She chuckled and nodded. “They were. And when I mentioned how things between me and my husband had been going so well since I started using it, they looked like they’d make a beeline to Heavenly Fragrances the second they left here.” She gave a small laugh, then sighed. “I suppose I’m getting better at lying or as you call it— Stretching the truth.”

Chen Ren’s grin widened as he nodded knowingly. “It’s all part of business. Besides, we’re not lying about the quality of the product itself. It’s just good storytelling.” He paused, glancing at the street beyond the shop. “Let’s head back. I think you’ve more than earned a break today.”

She raised an eyebrow, looking slightly concerned. “What about the stall? I closed it before coming here, but won’t we miss the evening wave?”

Chen Ren shrugged. “It’s just one evening. We’ll manage without it, and you’ve been working hard lately. You should get some rest.”

Tang Xiulan seemed to relax a bit, her usual brisk frontier softened. “Well… thank you, Young Master. I’ll be ready to start again right where I left off tomorrow.”

She nodded at her own words, and they continued down the bustling street toward the store.

As they walked, Chen Ren glanced at her, a slight guilt tightening his chest. Yes, he wanted money— plenty of it, in fact—but he understood that the true lifeblood of a successful business lay in the well-being of its people.

The health, both physical and mental, of everyone working alongside him mattered far more than the allure of quick profits. He could see the toll the long hours were taking on Tang Xiulan; she had been managing the stall on her own far too often, juggling the demands of customers and the intricacies of the business without a moment’s rest.

Today, allowing her a break felt like a small, yet significant step toward easing his conscience.

It was a chance for her to recharge, to step back from the relentless pace they had set, and it felt right.

He knew that a content and well-rested employee was far more valuable than a few extra coins in the till. As he watched her wipe the sweat from her brow, he felt a swell of determination; if he was to build something lasting and meaningful, he needed to ensure that the people who helped him achieve that were supported and cared for, not just as workers, but as individuals with their own lives and needs.

They continued to walk. Although a silence threatened to come between them, Tang Xiulan broke it by talking about the recent developments.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“The Bai Hu Trade Association has been awfully quiet for the last two days. Do you think they’re letting this go?” she said, a touch of concern in her voice.

Chen Ren shook his head thoughtfully. “No, I doubt it. They’re definitely up to something; we just don’t know what yet. They’re probably trying to gather information— figuring out if any sect is backing us and getting a feel for our resources. We use such a different method from what they know that it’s bound to raise questions. But sooner or later, they’ll make their move.”

She nodded, smiling slightly. “You’re good at coming up with possible theories of what might happen.”

He chuckled. “I just try to consider every possible angle. It’s a habit I picked up in school.”

Xiulan tilted her head curiously. “School?”

Oh well.

For a brief moment, Chen Ren hesitated, he spoke too soon. Schools weren't common in this world and only the wealthier clans or scholar households knew how to read and write, and passed it to their children through private lessons. But the feeling soon turned to a pang of homesickness. “Yeah… there was one in the city I was born in,” he said vaguely, glancing ahead as the storefront came into view. “But anyway, let’s see how the store is doing today.”

Good save,

he mentally patted himself in the back and entered Heavenly Fragrances.

The shop still had a few customers, checking over the perfumes with the staff gently explaining everything about them, but rather than them, his eyes focused more on Tang Yuqiu at the counter, her brow furrowed in concentration as she spoke with an older man.

He knew who the man was— Elder Qiu, the leader of the gathering community they were using to procure herbs.

Elder Qiu had his arms crossed in front of him as he spoke in a very low tone— his voice just enough for only the pair to hear. His expression matched Tang Yuqiu’s serious expression, and the two appeared deep in conversation, exchanging words that seemed to weigh heavily between them.

Chen Ren’s heart sank as he observed the intensity of their discussion. One look at their serious expressions told him everything he needed to know: something had gone wrong.

He turned to Tang Xiulan, “Looks like one of the scenarios I thought of has already come knocking.”

***

Chen Ren, Tang Yuqiu, and Elder Qiu stepped back a bit, allowing the extremely lively store’s noise to fade as they moved into a quieter corner, inside their storage room. Chen Ren observed Elder Qiu’s worried expression and waited, letting the older man gather his words.

“I’m assuming another group of gatherers has started taking all the herbs we need,” Chen Ren said, prompting him.

Elder Qiu gave a heavy nod, his expression darkening as he leaned closer. “Yes, Young Master, they turned up just yesterday, but they’re relentless— practically stripping the area of every useful herb. As it stands, no permit is needed for these common plants, so by law, they have every right to gather them… but they’ve taken it further. They’ve positioned themselves in all our regular gathering spots, intercepting us and making it clear that any attempt to collect there will be met with consequences.” He hesitated, a glint of frustration in his eyes. “They don’t just imply retribution; they threaten it outright if any of us so much as set foot nearby.”

Tang Yuqiu’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Have you gone to the city guards about it?”

“We have, but they refused to help,” Elder Qiu replied, frustration seeping into his voice. “They claim their duty ends at the city limits and won’t risk venturing into the forest to interfere. All they know, the men haven’t broken any laws.”

Tang Yuqiu scowled, her brow furrowing deeply. “Perhaps we could send the Tang Clan guards with you?”

Elder Qiu considered her offer, nodding slowly. “It would help, Miss Yuqiu… but I worry it might just escalate things into a full confrontation. Their numbers are significant— about three dozen, quite a few of them are heavily armed. If we can’t access our usual areas, we’d have to go deeper into the forest, and that would bring the risk of higher-tier beasts.”

Chen Ren nodded at Elder Qiu, understanding where he was coming from. If they sent guards with him, a conflict was surely going to start and the gathering community would be caught pretty badly in it.

He didn't want such a thing.

“For now, stay clear of them. Focus on identifying who they are and report back,” Chen Ren said. “We’ll give you further instructions once we know what we’re dealing with.”

With a respectful nod, Elder Qiu departed, leaving Chen Ren and Tang Yuqiu in a thoughtful silence. Chen Ren’s gaze hardened as he turned to her. “Looks like I was right. They’re targeting our supply lines.”

She nodded, looking troubled. “I could still send our guards, but three dozen is no small number. A confrontation might not end well for us.”

Chen Ren smiled faintly. “Seems the Bai Hu Trade Association isn’t underestimating us anymore. But that’s exactly why we secured several months’ worth of supplies in advance. They’ll find it harder than they think to hurt us.”

Tang Yuqiu’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of admiration and relief as she nodded, her confidence in him visibly reinforced.

Her lips curved into a nod of approval as Chen Ren opened the hefty container that was in the back of them. Inside, tightly packed heaps of dried herbs filled the space, their subtle, earthy scents mixing in the air. Chen Ren smirked, tapping the side of the container before gesturing around the room, where similar crates were stacked nearly to the ceiling, filled with months’ worth of essential supplies.

“If the Bai Hu Trade Association thinks they can stop us by cutting off our supplies,” he said with a glint of confidence in his eye, “they’re in for a surprise.”

As he inspected the crates, he turned back to Tang Yuqiu. “So, how’s the planting coming along?”

A hint of pride sparkled in her eyes. “Better than expected, actually. We’ve successfully planted common herb varieties around our rice fields. They’re taking well to the soil, growing strong on the northern side of the city where we’ve fortified our lands. It’s safe from Bai Hu Trade association’s reach, too.”

Chen Ren’s grin widened, satisfaction blooming across his face. They’d planned this well.

From the start, he’d anticipated the possibility of trouble with supply chains, especially from a competitor as large and well-established as the Bai Hu Trade Association. It was why he’d pressed Tang Yuqiu to invest in a significant stockpile, securing enough herbs to meet production demands for several months. It had been a large investment, one that had initially seemed excessive, but he’d insisted, confident that preparation would give them an upper hand.

And he hadn't just left it at that. There had been a second plan which was the plantation.

By redirecting resources to plant common herbs within the Tang Clan’s rice farms, they’d established a long-term, self-sustaining source of supply. In a few months, by the time their stored herbs ran low, those plants would be ready for harvest. Their supply would be safe, secure, and best of all— untouchable by their competition.

“Good work, Yuqiu,” he said, his tone approving. “Once those herbs are ready, we’ll be nearly untouchable. They’ll have wasted all their efforts, and we’ll still be growing.” Chen Ren smirked, a glint of mischief in his eye as he crossed his arms. “Let’s see how they react once they realise choking our supply chain doesn’t even make a dent.”

***

In a spacious room, Bai Shen sat in a high-backed chair, surrounded by crates stacked with bundles of fresh herbs. Their earthy and potent scents filled the air, mingling into a thick, pungent aroma that only deepened his irritation. He rubbed his forehead, his fingers pressing hard against his temple as if willing his thoughts to untangle. Instead, the smell seemed to cling to him, amplifying the tense atmosphere in the room.

His narrowed gaze shifted to the staff member standing stiffly before him, the man visibly uneasy under Bai Shen’s scrutinising stare. Shadows from the sparse candlelight cast across the staff member’s face, catching the nervous flicker in his eyes as he waited for Bai Shen to speak.

“Speak now, can you? I don’t pay you to stay mute.” Bai Shen sighed loudly.

“Sir,” the staff began, his voice filled with uneasiness as he looked at him. “Today, around fifty customers bought items from Heavenly Fragrances. It seems that much of the middle class is now aware of them, and there’s been a rush as people are eager to get their perfumes. The sales are high, and we’re expecting the momentum might slow down and stabilise— but for some reason, their products are practically flying off the shelves.”

Bai Shen clenched his fists on the armrest, a dark look settling over his face. “A week has passed since we took over their supply chain, stopping the gatherers from accessing the herbs they need. How are they still producing so much?” He paused, his frustration evident as he mulled over the problem. “Did they start out with a year’s stockpile?”

The staff’s face remained neutral, but the tension was clear as he continued, “We haven’t been able to confirm that, sir. So far, any attempts to find out have led us nowhere.”

Of course, it hasn’t.

His jaw clenched at the outcome of his plan. “What about their employees? Have you had any success convincing someone to switch sides?”

The staff looked hesitant, but he cleared his throat and said, “We’ve reached out to three of them so far, but none have shown any willingness to switch loyalties or reveal the formula, no matter how much we offer. It seems all of them are longstanding Tang family employees, and they’re well-compensated. Even when we attempted… additional encouragement— they refused to say a word.”

Bai Shen’s frown deepened, his irritation growing. “They were that loyal?”

The staff hesitated, then nodded. “We suspect they’ve been bound by a qi oath, sir. Breaking that oath would have severe repercussions, possibly even death. They’re steadfast in their silence.”

For a moment, Bai Shen’s fingers drummed against the wooden armrest, the taps echoing in the quiet room.

Bai Shen’s eyes narrowed, his lips pulling into a sneer. “Then offer them a price worth forfeiting their lives for. We need that formula,” he hissed, fingers tapping irritably against the arm of his chair. “Heavenly Fragrances is eating into the middle-class market share that we were never able to tap before, and that needs to stop.”

The staff member, who had already been shifting uncomfortably, looked down, exhaling quietly before speaking. “It’s… no longer possible, sir,” he admitted cautiously. “After the threats we issued, they’re practically impossible to approach. They have guards hanging around them now.”

Bai Shen’s irritation boiled over. “Useless, all of you!” In a swift motion, he grabbed a handful of herbs from a nearby crate and hurled them toward the staff member. Leaves and stems scattered through the air, and the man barely managed to dodge, stumbling back against the crates lining the wall. “Every move I make is thwarted— everything is falling apart! I can’t work like this!”

The staff quickly collected himself, swallowing as he ventured, “Young Master Shen, it’s known that the cultivator Chen Ren carries quite a few debts. Perhaps we could acquire them and gain leverage over the business through that?”

Bai Shen’s cold gaze flicked to the staff, who flinched slightly under the intensity of it. “You think I haven’t considered that?” His voice was icy. “I already reached out to every creditor holding Chen Ren’s debts. But those cowards refused, saying they didn’t want to involve themselves. And I have no doubt it’s that old fox Tang Jihao pulling the strings behind the scenes, making sure no one dares cross his daughter’s business.”

“Then… what now, sir?” the staff asked, eyes downcast.

Bai Shen rose to his feet in slow motion, adjusting his sleeves. He pursed his lips and stood taller. “Since I can’t sever their supply line or buy out their employees, and leverage from debts is beyond reach, I’ll resort to the one thing that can silence any opposition.” His gaze hardened, a dark light glinting in his eyes as he spoke with deadly finality. “Absolute might.”

***

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