Soon, news of Lin Xiao Tian becoming a physician spread to every corner of Black Rock City.
Although Lin Xiao Tian was a physician of the lowest tier, even such physicians were a scarce resource in a small place like Black Rock City.
Liu Yue found it hard to believe, but the government had already confirmed it, so she dared not doubt it.
However, the addition of another physician would inevitably have a slight impact on her business.
A slight impact, but not too significant, she thought.
She had not expected that Lin Xiao Tian's subsequent actions would be so ruthless!
The government authorized Lin Xiao Tian's clinic that very day, and after the authorization was complete, he immediately began operations.
His first move upon opening was a grand promotional event!
"Fellow villagers, our clinic is newly opened. For good luck, Physician Xu announces that from now on, there will be no registration fee for forest hunts. We will not take any share of the income from the forest; for medicinal powders, we will only charge a portion for the production cost. We hope for your strong support!"
Outside the clinic, Zhu Kai waved his arms, shouting with all his might.
In the past, no one would have paid attention to someone like him.
But today, all eyes were fixed on him.
What?
Free?
Had they misheard?
Everyone began to disbelieve their ears!
They hadn't expected the new physician to be so generous. This pricing method was unheard of. The main source of profit for clinics was not the cost of producing medicinal powders but the revenue-sharing system.
Most clinics would unconditionally charge three to five tenths of the hunting spoils, some even seven tenths.
There was also the registration fee, which was quite obnoxious. Sometimes, even with no harvest from the mountains, one had to pay a considerable registration fee to the clinic.
What Lin Xiao Tian was doing was unprecedented in the history of Black Rock City!
Soon, as soon as the information was released, it attracted many hunting teams.
At first, they were merely observing.
After all, the cheapest things were often the most expensive!
Who knew if Lin Xiao Tian had some hidden agenda?
But the appearance of Wan Hao dispelled their concerns.
Wan Hao had a good reputation among hunting teams and was also very tactful. With just a few words, he gained the trust of other hunting teams.
Within three days of the clinic's opening, the entrance of Zhu's Clinic became a bustling scene.
In contrast, Liu Yue's clinic presented a different picture.
"Physician Liu, our clinic has not had a single customer today!" a handyman from the clinic said to Liu Yue.
The clinic was now deserted, something that was unimaginable before.
Liu Yue appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly she was seething. Yet, she feigned confusion and asked,
"Do you know why the clinic's business has been declining recently?"
The handsome handyman immediately explained with excitement, "Physician Liu, I heard a new clinic opened, charging pitifully low prices. All the hunting teams have gone there. Do you know? The physician at that clinic is Xu Hao, the deaf-mute from Wan Hao's team..."
The handyman became more and more agitated as he spoke. Because of Lin Xiao Tian's clinic, their clinic had not earned any income for several days. Without income, layoffs were not far off, and if this continued, his job would be at risk.
"It's normal for people to prefer cheaper options. It shows that they were dissatisfied with our previous charges. Notify everyone in the clinic that from now on, our clinic's charges will always be lower than theirs!" Liu Yue said calmly.
A price war?
With her resources, she was not afraid of a price war with Lin Xiao Tian and his associates.
Lin Xiao Tian aimed for high volume with low profit; the ultimate goal was still profit. But what if there was no profit?
Liu Yue could afford it, but Lin Xiao Tian and his group lacked the foundation!
Soon, news of Liu Yue's clinic offering low prices spread throughout Black Rock City.
Lin Xiao Tian's clinic only charged a portion of the handling fee and the cost of medicinal ingredients, but Liu Yue's clinic charged only half of Lin Xiao Tian's rate. For a moment, the hunting teams who had intended to go to Lin Xiao Tian's clinic began to hesitate.
Even though they knew Liu Yue was waging a price war with Lin Xiao Tian, even though they knew Liu Yue was not sincere, the price was too tempting.
Furthermore, Liu Yue hired actors to deliberately find fault with Lin Xiao Tian's clinic and spread rumors that Lin Xiao Tian was unprofessional. In just a day or two, the clinic, which had been bustling with customers, became desolate.
In the room, Zhu Kai slammed the table fiercely.
"This is too much! This scoundrel is not only waging a price war but also maliciously slandering us. Now, those new teams are afraid to come to us. Even the hunting teams that previously cooperated with us are starting to hesitate!"
"Liu Yue has been operating in Black Rock City for many years and has deep resources! It's not that simple to bring her down. For now, we should focus on maintaining our existing customers who are willing to stay with us." Wan Hao, standing beside him, also looked dejected. Over the past day or two, he had spent countless efforts just to persuade the old customers who had already paid to stay.
Of course, this would not last long.
Seeing their low spirits, Lin Xiao Tian remained calm.
"Liu Yue's price war won't last long. She will eventually have to raise her prices," Lin Xiao Tian signed.
"Alas! My dear brother, the problem now is that we can't withstand her reckless actions! If this continues, our clinic will have to close down!" Zhu Kai spread his hands.
Lin Xiao Tian patted his shoulder.
"Then let it close!"
"What?"
Both of them looked at Lin Xiao Tian as if he were an idiot.
The clinic they had painstakingly built up was to be closed down just like that, and he said it so lightly!
Didn't Lin Xiao Tian himself say he wanted to open this clinic in the first place?
But looking at the determined expression on Lin Xiao Tian's face, he didn't seem like he was lying.
"Xu Hao, are you serious?" Wan Hao asked tentatively.
Lin Xiao Tian nodded earnestly.
"Brother, I admit it's difficult right now, but it hasn't reached the point of despair. We can't just surrender to her so easily. Don't forget, she almost killed us!" Zhu Kai's emotions were somewhat agitated.
Wan Hao, at this moment, patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down.
"Xu Hao, what are your thoughts?"
Lin Xiao Tian smiled slightly.
A moment later, the previously dejected expressions on their faces brightened.
That's right!
What was there to be anxious about?
It was Liu Yue who should be anxious!
Did their clinic need to make a fortune?
Anyway, the house belonged to Zhu Kai, so there was no rent to pay. The cost of daily living could be covered by Lin Xiao Tian as long as he practiced medicine normally.
They didn't need to support as many people as Liu Yue, and their daily expenses were not high. Why should they be afraid of Liu Yue?