After leaving the Merchant Guild, Li Tian's mind was stuck on something else.
During the meeting, he had seen ledger scrolls, calculations, profit sharing—
everything.
And he noticed something—
The numbers in this world… were crude.
Addition and subtraction were based on rough estimates.
The concept of percentages was almost nonexistent.
Profit margins were calculated by intuition, not data.
"That's why the Guild is powerful," Li Tian thought,
"but not perfect."
---
From Observation to Offer
At the next meeting, while Mu Zhengyuan was reviewing daily reports,
Li Tian casually asked a question—
"How does the Guild calculate its exact monthly profit growth rate?"
Mu Zhengyuan paused slightly.
"By comparison. By experience."
Li Tian nodded.
"Approximation."
The hall grew quiet.
Mu Qinglan looked at Li Tian—
he was about to introduce something new again.
---
Proposal: Perfect Arithmetic
Li Tian placed a sealed booklet on the table.
He revealed only the first page.
Precise multiplication tables
Fractions
Ratios
Percentages
Compound calculations
Statistical comparisons
"What is this?" Mu Zhengyuan asked.
"Perfect Arithmetic," Li Tian said calmly.
"Modern logic.
With this, not even a single coin of profit or loss will be misplaced."
Mu Zhengyuan's eyes sharpened.
"The price?"
Li Tian answered directly—
"20 gold coins.
One-time deal.
Exclusive to the Merchant Guild."
A soft gasp echoed through the hall.
20 gold coins—
400 silver.
---
Value Greater Than Price
Mu Zhengyuan flipped through a few pages.
Every formula was simple, yet lethally accurate.
"What will this change?" he asked.
Li Tian said just one line—
"The Guild will stop guessing…
and start calculating."
Silence.
Then Mu Zhengyuan closed the scroll.
"Deal," he said.
Mu Qinglan looked at Li Tian—
now there was respect mixed with her curiosity.
---
End Panel
Twenty gold coins dropped into Li Tian's pouch.
Clink.
Li Tian thought to himself—
"In the Murim world, swords take lives.
But numbers… rule the entire world."
Caption:
"The one who wins calculation
has already written the future."
Next Chapter: The Merchant Guild's silent evolution begins.