Simon entered the room to face Wizard Archie's inquiries, while Charlie pulled Carl aside.

"Let's just drop the matter," Charlie spoke softly. "You'll still need Simon's support while working at the pharmacy, so don't let your relationship get too strained."

"Senior Brother," Carl frowned, "he was the one who caused this issue. I'm willing to coexist peacefully, but I'm afraid some may not want that."

"..." Charlie stroked his beard and sighed helplessly. "Simon has been following the tutor since he was very young. After thirty years, naturally, some affection has developed. We're leaving in a year, and the tutor definitely doesn't want the shop to be in disarray during this time."

Carl shook his head.

Thirty years! He still hadn't managed to become an apprentice. It seemed Wizard Archie wasn't too satisfied with Simon, at least not in terms of his cultivation. He probably only saw him as a business assistant, but now they were too deeply entangled, making it very difficult to separate. Driving Simon away wasn't actually too difficult. But what then? The shop's operation required many suppliers, prices would need to be renegotiated, and various trivial matters would need to be handled. The key issue was that Wizard Archie and Charlie were leaving in a year. They didn't have the inclination to find new suppliers and manage the shop, since these things couldn't be taken with them. As long as the shop remained trouble-free and operated smoothly for this year, it would be enough.

CREAK...

The door pushed open, and Simon came out with a gloomy expression.

"Senior Brother Charlie." He glanced at Carl and said coldly, "You know me. I've poured my heart and soul into this shop; I won't let anyone ruin it. Someone is intentionally framing me for this!"

"Simon," Charlie sighed, "let's end the matter here. I've already informed the other pharmacies not to accept Harold's potions. We can't let the reputation of our pharmacy continue to be damaged."

The few pharmacies in the market all communicated secretly, which helped prevent malicious price wars and allowed them to unify prices, making it easier to profit. Harold, by passing off inferior goods as superior ones, would definitely be boycotted by the other pharmacies and would be forced to sell privately from now on.

Charlie's meaning was clear: regardless of the truth, the business must not be affected.

"You two should talk more." Patting Carl's shoulder, Charlie smiled, "I have other things to attend to, so I'll get going."

He clearly intended to give them time alone, perhaps hoping they could reconcile.

"Humph!" Watching Charlie's retreating figure, Simon snorted, "Carl, I've followed Wizard Archie for thirty years. Do you think such petty tricks can drive me away? I advise you to stop wasting your time on these schemes!"

Carl looked at him, astonished. If he weren't so certain of his own innocence, he might have actually believed he had wronged the man.

"Simon," shaking his head gently, he spoke slowly, "next time you look for an accomplice, find someone tight-lipped. A person like Harold won't keep your secrets."

"Also..." He smiled faintly, "The pharmacy is the business of the Six Rings Tower. Ultimately, you're just an outsider, so you must clearly understand your position."

With that, he ignored Simon's flushed face and strolled out the door.

「...」

BANG!

In a private room on the second floor of the tavern.

Simon slammed his wine glass onto the ground, his eyes bloodshot as anger surged through him.

"Drink!" The burly Fela grinned and handed him another glass of wine. "Keep drinking! As long as it helps you vent that fire in your heart, smash all the glasses you want. Today's expenses are on me."

"Fela," Simon's cheek muscles twitched as he gritted his teeth, saying, "Don't you know a group of assassins outside the market? Contact them for me. I want to kill that Carl!"

"Don't be rash! Absolutely don't be rash!" Fela's expression changed. "He's a disciple of the Six Rings Tower! Besides, if something happens to him now, you'll definitely be the prime suspect. It's not worth it!"

"..." Simon clenched his jaw tightly. "Are we just going to let it go like this?"

"Not necessarily." Fela's eyes glinted. "Actually, Simon, I know very well what you're capable of. If you hadn't wanted to become Wizard Archie's apprentice, why would you have endured such humiliation? But the situation is clear now. Wizard Archie is leaving in a year. He won't take you as his disciple, nor will he take you to the Kaliem Continent. Decades of hard work haven't earned you his genuine regard."

Simon's expression froze. A mix of unwillingness, shame, and anger flickered in his eyes before he raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.

Thirty years! How many thirty-year periods does a person get in a lifetime? He had slaved away at the shop for thirty years, all to become a disciple of the Six Rings Tower and journey to the legendary Kaliem Continent. Now, it was all over! From this perspective, Simon's attempt to cause trouble for Carl could also be seen as him venting his dissatisfaction with Wizard Archie.

"My friend," Fela refilled his glass and said in a low voice, "have you ever thought about going solo?"

"Go solo?" Simon was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"You can find suppliers for all the dozens of Potions sold in the pharmacy. Without you, Wizard Archie's pharmacy can't operate," Fela smiled and said. "That's also why, even if you make a mistake, Wizard Archie wouldn't dare to easily kick you out. Right?"

Simon nodded slowly.

It was precisely because he had this leverage that he dared to instruct Harold to tamper with the Healing Potions. Of course, he hadn't expected Carl to actually uncover it.

"Since you can prop up the pharmacy's business, why work for someone else instead of for yourself?" Fela said. "You'd earn far more money that way."

"You think I haven't considered that?" Simon snorted coldly.

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