Above the mage

Chapter 59 Hostile Takeover

"Alright, I will convey your message to Master Seda when he returns."

Gao De was naturally unwilling to sell the herb garden, especially since Master Seda was no longer around.

However, given the situation, he couldn't think of a solution for the time being and could only resort to stalling tactics.

"He mentioned before he left that he was going away because his research on the potion formula had not yielded any results, so he decided to take a break and go back to his hometown to visit his family. He didn't know when he would be able to return."

Oliver's expression changed when he heard Gao De say that.

Gao De noticed the subtle change in the other person's expression, and while his heart tightened slightly, he continued as if nothing was wrong: "I have mastered all of Master Seda's knowledge of potions, which is why he temporarily entrusted the herb garden to me until he returns."

Oliver's eyes lit up when he heard God's words, but a hint of doubt lingered: "Are you saying that you have mastered all of Seddar's potion-making knowledge?"

It's clear that he had reservations about this statement and was somewhat skeptical.

After all, Gaode Maps still looks too young.

Gao De nodded firmly, "Master Seda has taught me both the basic Spider Venom Potion and the basic Endurance Potion, and I have mastered them completely."

"If that's the case, we'd be happy to hire you as our potion maker," Oliver said with a smile.

"Also, if Master Seda does not return for a long time, it is not unreasonable for you to make some decisions."

Oliver glanced at the herb garden with feigned interest, then held up two fingers of his right hand, indicating, "200 gold coins. I'm willing to pay 200 gold coins to buy your herb garden."

Upon hearing the price, Gaode couldn't help but grit his teeth in resentment.

Putting aside everything else, when Master Seda acquired this herb garden, it cost more than two hundred gold coins, not to mention the various renovations and constructions that followed.

With the addition of four carefully cultivated, stable-yielding medicinal fields, doubling the 200 gold coins wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"The Master only asked me to temporarily manage the herb garden. How could I dare to make such a decision on my own? This matter should be decided after Master Seda returns."

Although he was furious inside, Gao De still smiled and said it outwardly.

"That's true," Oliver said dismissively, "but opportunities have time limits. I'm in a great hurry and can't give you much time. You should think it over carefully."

"I think even if Master Seda returns by then, he will understand your decision. After all, being able to join our Phil's Potions Shop is a great blessing."

After chuckling down those words, Oliver waved his hand, boarded the carriage parked under a nearby tree, and leisurely drove away.

After "The Smiling Tiger" saw Oliver and his group off, Gao De cursed inwardly.

He had just clearly sensed Oliver's malicious intent for a moment, which is why he took the initiative to reveal that he had inherited all of Seddar's potion-making knowledge.

It's both a way of showing off one's own value and a way of keeping the other party calm.

Only by having value can you make the other party think twice before acting.

However, it's hard to say how long this period of careful consideration will last or how effective it will be.

"Gao De, what should we do?" Amy, who had witnessed the whole thing, couldn't be as calm as Gao De. She was already panicking, but she was putting on a brave face in front of others.

Now that Oliver and his group had left, he could no longer hold back and blurted out, "Master Seda is already..."

"Don't tell anyone else about this yet. Let me think about it." Knowing what Amy meant, Gao De could only give her this instruction.

Phil's Potion Shop, second floor.

A long table made of mahogany divides the room into two spaces.

Behind the long table stood a man exuding authority.

His eyes were deep-set, his brow bones were slightly raised, and his beard was neatly trimmed.

He wore a custom-made robe made of a deep purple, high-quality fabric, with an enigmatic emblem embroidered on the chest.

Clearly, this is a person of extremely high status.

Oliver, the owner of the potions shop, was standing respectfully in front of the long table.

He showed none of the smugness he had displayed during the day at the Seda Medicinal Herb Garden.

"Your Excellency, today I went to the Seda Herb Garden and the Iberan Herb Garden on the outskirts of the city. The Iberan Herb Garden has agreed to cede the herb garden to me, but the situation at the Seda Herb Garden is more complicated."

"How so?" the man called Baron asked.

"When I went there, I did not see their leader, Master Seda. According to the apprentices in the herb garden, Master Seda had gone back to his hometown to visit relatives."

"But I suspect that the monk Seda was not actually visiting his hometown, but had already died of old age, and the apprentices in the herb garden kept the news from him."

"The monk Sedda was already quite old. The last time he came to the shop to pick up the spiritual bone powder, I was the one who served him."

"At that time, his complexion was extremely pale and he looked like he was about to die."

"In addition, this mage Seda has been researching his high-level potions for the past ten years, spending an unknown amount of money and energy. He has gone mad and will not give up until he achieves his goal."

"Why would someone like that suddenly stop their research and choose to return to their hometown to visit relatives?"

"Besides, it's uncertain whether an old monk who has lived in seclusion for ten years still has any relatives alive. Who would believe he's returning home to visit family?"

"Moreover, although he said he was visiting relatives, I sent people to the post station in the city to inquire, but there was no record of that monk Seda renting horses from the post station or the carriage company."

"That old monk is so old, how could he possibly travel such a long distance without renting a horse or carriage and instead walk on his own? Is he even able to walk?"

"It's highly likely that, just as I said, he has already died of old age in the herb garden. It's just that these apprentices are incredibly audacious and have wild ideas, trying to create the illusion that the old master is still alive so that they can continue to manage the old master's herb garden."

"I must say, if you hadn't signaled me to start acquiring the city's medicinal herb gardens, I wouldn't have even noticed the Seda Medicinal Herb Garden. They almost managed to get it done."

"I went there today to find out what was going on. If I can confirm that the old master is no longer alive, I'll just fabricate a crime against these apprentices, throw them in jail for a while, and take over the unclaimed herb garden."

"A bunch of apprentices who were born beggars are no match for me."

"Then why didn't you take action?" The imposing man sitting behind the long table finally asked after listening for a long time.

"There was an unexpected incident. There was an apprentice in the herb garden who claimed to have inherited all of the old mage's knowledge of potions."

"That apprentice looks very young, probably only thirteen or fourteen. If what he said is true, I think he has great potential for development, so I've decided to put my mind at ease for now and wait and see."

"This kind of talent should be allowed to join Phil's Potions Shop to make medicine for us."

"Given his age and talent in potion-making, who knows how much money he'll make for us in the future."

"Sending him to jail for a small amount of money would be shortsighted, so I'm thinking of acquiring their medicinal herb garden in a more peaceful way."

"That's true," the authoritative man said, tapping his knuckles lightly on the table. "Get this done quickly and without mistakes, otherwise..."

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will handle this matter perfectly."

"It won't be long before he agrees to hand over the herb garden to me and become the potion master of this shop."

(End of this chapter)