C6 The Sudden Throbbing of His Heart(2)

Young Master Su waved his hand, prompting the knife-wielding guard to his left to step forward. With a swift motion, he flung two gleaming ingots of gold onto the table next to Sunn Cheng.

True to the reputation of nobility from Ping Mountain City, his generosity was evident. Ten taels of gold, the equivalent of a thousand taels of silver, set Sunn Cheng's eyes ablaze with desire, yet he remained visibly uncertain.

"A poor butcher like you could labor for over ten years and not earn this much. Are you really going to pass this up, or do you think it's too little?" Lin Xi couldn't help but chide, frowning deeply. Lin Zheng, too, subtly glanced at Sunn Cheng over his teacup, his eyes heavy with unspoken warnings.

Young Master Su, with a smile on his face, waited patiently for Sunn Cheng's response as the two guards fixed their icy stares on him.

Sunn Cheng's expression turned serious as he pondered the offer, scratching his head before speaking, "I'm certainly tempted by the gold, but I have a small request before I can accept. I'd like to see Young Master Su's personal travel permit."

The travel permit was an official document from Great Qin, granting the bearer passage throughout the land. Without it, one could be mistaken for a bandit, a vagrant, or a spy, making travel across Great Qin's territories virtually impossible.

Everyone was taken aback by Sunn Cheng's unexpected yet sensible request. Young Master Su paused briefly, then regained his composure and, after a moment's thought, gestured for the saber-bearing guard to hand over the travel permit to Sunn Cheng.

The permit was a sheet of fine, light blue paper, neatly folded and stored in an elegant box, exuding a faint herbal aroma. It detailed Young Master Su's name, age, residence, and physical features, and was stamped with the seal of the Central Capital Prefecture.

Unfazed, Young Master Su offered a light chuckle and explained, "Mr. Sunn may not be aware, but my family hails from the Central Capital. I spend most of my time traveling, hence my permit is issued by the Central Capital Prefecture. If you wish, you can also inspect my guards' permits..."

Sunn Cheng smiled, shook his head, and with care, returned Young Master Su's permit to the guard. Taking a deep breath, he said calmly, "No need. I believe I've come to a decision..."

After a brief pause, Sunn Cheng lowered his eyelids, keenly aware that all eyes were on him, anticipating his final decision.

"My choice... I'm afraid it's going to disappoint Young Master Su! I apologize, but as a humble butcher, I doubt I can indulge in the luxury of ten taels of gold..."

"What?! The audacity!" As expected, the moment Sunn Cheng's words fell, Lin Xi unsheathed her green jade sword and pointed its chilling blade at him, her voice sharp with anger.

Lin Zheng's grip on the chair's armrest tightened, his hand shaking ever so slightly as his expression grew stormy, his gaze fixed on Sunn Cheng.

Even Young Master Su's smile slowly disappeared. He leisurely lifted his teacup, sipping thoughtfully, as if pondering his next move.

The two guards behind him subtly widened their stance, their formidable presences merging with two weaker ones, converging in an oppressive force around Sunn Cheng.

The black-bearded guard at the entrance of the main hall burst in, sword drawn, pressing the blade to Sunn Cheng's neck with a ruthless grin. This young man had crossed a noble – his chances of survival seemed slim.

Unfazed by becoming the center of hostility, Sunn Cheng managed a wry smile and sighed, "Young Master Su was the one who asked me to choose, and this is my decision... However, if Young Master Su prefers to persuade me in this manner, then for the sake of my own life, I might reconsider and accept the ten taels of gold..."

Young Master Su set down his teacup, his bright eyes calmly surveying Sunn Cheng.

With no further indication from Young Master Su, Lin Zheng and his daughter were at a loss. Qianfeng stepped forward and coldly commanded the black-bearded man, "Leave!"

Confused by the turn of events, the black-bearded man hesitated, his earlier eagerness to impress the noble now causing him displeasure.

In his anxiety, he approached Young Master Su, forcing a sycophantic smile, "Young Master... I am..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the previously motionless guard, with sleeves hanging past his knees, flashed to Blackbeard's side and delivered a swift palm strike to his chest. What looked like a gentle tap sent Blackbeard hurtling out of the main hall, tumbling down the steps and coughing up blood.

The abrupt turn of events left Lin Zheng and his daughter stunned. They quickly rose and bowed deeply, their bodies shaking as they pleaded, "Young Master Su, we beg your forgiveness! Our servant has acted out of turn and disturbed you, a grave error on our part!"

Young Master Su offered a slight smile and a reassuring wave of his hand before turning his attention back to Sunn Cheng.

Sunn Cheng forced a smile and chuckled nervously, his eyes darting to the cloaked guard. He was inwardly shaken by the guard's lightning-fast reflexes, which he could barely track with his eyes.

After a moment, Young Master Su spoke up, "Qianfeng, hand the Spirit Pill to Miss Lin."

Qianfeng, the sword-carrying guard, glanced at Young Master Su, released his grip on the hilt, and pulled a small porcelain bottle from his chest to present to Lin Xi.

Sensing the tension in the room dissipate, Sunn Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Lin Xi, whose face was alight with joy, and muttered under his breath. It all made sense now—why Lin Xi had humbly sought him out at the garrison, insisting he comply with Young Master Su's wishes, fearing to offend someone of such high status. It was all for this Spirit Pill, the nature of which he was still curious about.

"The Spirit Pill you see here was crafted by the esteemed Mr. Yao of the Hundred Herb Garden. Its quality is unparalleled, and its potency is profound. Of the mere hundred in existence, I was fortunate to acquire a few in the Central Capital. The Spirit Pill can enhance the meridians and fortify the bones, offering remarkable benefits to cultivators below the Soul Union Stage. Miss Lin, under Sir Lin's guardianship, you should take this pill. I am confident that it will enable you to advance to the third or even fourth level of Qi Drawing..."

Upon hearing Young Master Su's explanation, Lin Xi and her father, Lin Zheng, were overcome with excitement. The fact that Mr. Yao himself had produced the Spirit Pill only added to its immeasurable worth.

"Is it really that remarkable?" Sunn Cheng, equally intrigued, glanced over at Lin Zheng and Lin Xi, who were delicately cradling the porcelain bottle together. Lin Xi carefully lifted the lid, and in a flash, the scent of medicine permeated the entire hall, instantly invigorating everyone present.

However, Sunn Cheng, enraptured by the aroma, experienced a sudden shift in his demeanor. He straightened up slowly, his gaze fixed on the porcelain bottle in Lin Xi's hands, unable to look away. An involuntary hand went to his chest as he distinctly felt the dark green jade bracelet that hung there beginning to heat up rapidly.

For the first time in over a decade, the bracelet responded to the medicinal scent of the Spirit Pill. Sunn Cheng was overwhelmed with shock and an inexplicable joy. He quickly reined in his tumultuous emotions, but his pale lips and the slight redness in his moist eyes betrayed the turmoil within.