C7 Two Reasons to Reject Him

Lin Zheng and his daughter treated the small porcelain bottle containing the Spirit Pill with the utmost care, as if it were a rare treasure. Even the stoic faces of the two guards behind Young Master Su couldn't hide their astonishment, silently commending Mr. Yao of the Hundred Herb Garden for living up to his reputation as the Great Qin's esteemed healer. The fact that he could refine such a common Spirit Pill into a product of such exceptional quality, with Spiritual Force and medicinal properties that might surpass even the most elusive pills, was truly remarkable.

The Spirit Pill captured everyone's attention, but Young Master Su alone noticed the dramatic change in Sunn Cheng's expression. Following his gaze, which was tinged with bewilderment, Young Master Su's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Lord Lin, Miss Lin," Young Master Su began in a gentle yet firm voice, "I would like a moment to speak privately with Mr. Sunn. Would you mind excusing us?"

Lin Zheng, taken aback for a moment, looked at the composed Young Master Su and rose to his feet, offering a respectful bow. "I understand! Please, make yourself comfortable. I will go and prepare the banquet."

Lin Xi, having no objections and satisfied with securing the Spirit Pill, was indifferent to the affairs between Young Master Su and the young man of lesser means. She curtly bowed to Young Master Su and hurriedly left, clutching the bottle of medicine.

The hall was left with only Young Master Su, his attendant, and a now composed Sunn Cheng, as the scent of the medicine slowly faded away.

Young Master Su, hands resting on the arms of his chair, exuded an air of confidence and dignity. He smiled lightly and said, "I've always preferred not to coerce anyone. I understand that Mr. Sunn had his reservations earlier. Now, I'm offering you another opportunity to reconsider your choice."

After a short pause, Young Master Su's gaze fixed on Sunn Cheng, and he continued with a smile, "Mr. Sunn, you're currently at the third level of Body Tempering, 'Blood Refinement.' As cultivators, our greatest desire is to pursue the ultimate in cultivation and power. I believe you, too, aspire to take your abilities to the next level. I have another Spirit Pill here. If you're willing, I would be happy to give it to you."

After speaking, Young Master Su gestured to Qianfeng. Qianfeng exchanged a glance with another stoic guard, seemingly hesitant about their master's decision to give a Spirit Pill to a seemingly inconsequential person like Sunn Cheng.

With a furrowed brow, Qianfeng shot Sunn Cheng a glance, then nodded and produced another small porcelain bottle. He cracked open the lid, and the same medicinal scent filled the air once more.

Sunn Cheng's eyes widened as he felt the jade bracelet on his chest grow hot again. He swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the porcelain bottle in Qianfeng's hand with evident yearning.

Qianfeng was displeased by Sunn Cheng's provincial demeanor. With a dismissive snort, he quickly sealed the bottle and tucked it away. To him, using the precious pill—crafted by Mr. Yao's own hands—on such a destitute youth was a sheer waste.

As expected, once the scent of the medicine faded, the jade bracelet rapidly cooled, remaining as icy as ever.

Sunn Cheng's blatant craving for the Spirit Pill convinced Young Master Su that he had pinpointed Sunn Cheng's vulnerability. A self-assured smirk played at the corner of his lips. In his mind, there was no deal that couldn't be struck—it all hinged on whether the stakes were enticing enough.

Young Master Su's assumption wasn't entirely accurate, but it wasn't far off either. Sunn Cheng had never intended to rely on pills to advance his cultivation. He was acutely aware that unlocking the secret of the jade bracelet would naturally enhance his abilities. Besides, without solving the bracelet's mystery, even the finest Spirit Pill would likely be of no use.

The fact that the Spirit Pill could elicit a response from the jade bracelet was no small feat, and it gave Sunn Cheng a sliver of hope. It was a pivotal decision that could determine the extent of his progress on the path of cultivation.

"This..." Sunn Cheng hesitated, rubbing his hands together. He had initially declined because he sensed that what Young Master Su had in mind was fraught with danger, and he wasn't sure he could cope. If something went wrong, what would become of his grandmother and sister?

To Sunn Cheng, death itself wasn't frightening. What truly terrified him was the thought of dying with unresolved attachments—agonies far greater than the fear of death itself.

But now, an opportunity to unlock the secret of the jade bracelets lay before him—an opportunity Sunn Cheng was willing to risk his life for. He couldn't let it slip away!

Taking a deep breath, Sunn Cheng chuckled at himself and rose to his feet. He clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Young Master Su is correct. I truly desire to enhance my cultivation. The Spirit Pill... I really want it!"

Admitting this openly, Sunn Cheng felt a weight lift off his shoulders. His posture, once rigid, now relaxed as he laughed, "So, let's settle it. I retract my earlier refusal. I agree to accompany Young Master Su to Soul Breaking Cliff! My fee will be... twenty gold taels and a Spirit Pill of equivalent quality!"

Laughing heartily, Young Master Su shook his head and replied, "You're quite the greedy one, but that's fine. It reassures me that you've actually been to Soul Breaking Cliff! Take the gold now, and I'll give you the Spirit Pill once we arrive there."

Nodding in agreement, Sunn Cheng grinned as he pocketed the two gold ingots from the table and accepted two more from Qianfeng. The substantial weight of twenty gold taels felt satisfying in his hands.

The deal was struck, and they arranged to meet outside Azure Sun County the following day. They would take a northeastern mountain path into the Myriad Beast Mountain Range.

As Young Master Su took a sip of his tea, he smiled and inquired, "There's something else I'm curious about. Why did Mr. Sunn initially refuse after seeing my guide? What's the story behind that decision?"

Not only Young Master Su but also the two stoic guards turned their attention to Sunn Cheng, eager to hear his explanation.

Sunn Cheng touched his nose, hesitated, then decided to clarify, "There are two reasons... The first is that I've heard the Great Qin Imperial Family, high-ranking court officials, and most of the nobility favor a special kind of paper. It's crafted from Snow Cloud Bamboo found on Thousand Azure Peak in the southeast.

The legend goes that Thousand Azure Peak is exceptionally cold, yet its vegetation remains evergreen throughout the year. The winds are razor-sharp, the snowflakes as fine as goose down, melting upon contact with the ground. The Snow Cloud Bamboo thrives there, brimming with Spiritual Force. Combined with seventeen different herbs and the expertise of Hundred Herb Garden's renowned Mr. Yao, the resulting paper is impervious to fire and water, nearly indestructible. Moreover, its medicinal fragrance is enduring, believed to have the remarkable ability to brighten the eyes, clear the mind, and rejuvenate the spirit."

Sunn Cheng hesitated briefly before raising his eyes to Young Master Su, who appeared contemplative. He spread his hands with a chuckle and said, "Such a marvelous item, priceless and hard to come by, I doubt even the Emperor himself would be so indulgent as to use it for such a menial task as wiping his behind. It's surely meant for more significant purposes..."

"How dare you!" The crude remark, though not without merit, still irked the guard Qianfeng, particularly because the young man had the audacity to jest about the Emperor. Regardless of whether the Emperor was indeed an elder, such irreverent banter from a rough fellow was not to be tolerated.

Young Master Su's brows knitted together briefly before smoothing out. He gestured to Qianfeng, signaling him not to interrupt Sunn Cheng.

Sunn Cheng offered an apologetic grin and went on, "Phoenix Soaring County is the southwestern gateway of Great Qin, and Ping Mountain City is the largest city in that region. Yet, throughout the vast expanse of Phoenix Soaring County, there are probably no more than a handful of people who can afford and acquire such a treasure. Young Master Su, you must be one of them."

"Even though your travel permit was issued by Central Capital Prefecture, I can't imagine that you, Young Master Su, are merely a commoner in Ping Mountain City. You might even hold a significant office... Therefore, my guess is that the matters you handle are far from trivial. I'm not ready to die just yet, so naturally, I have no intention of throwing my life away recklessly..."

The scene in the hall was somewhat amusing. A fair-skinned young man in a sleeveless, coarse linen shirt stood with his hands clasped behind him, his dusty black shoes dangling from his feet. He spoke confidently to three individuals who surpassed him in status, age, and cultivation. Sunlight streamed through the entrance, illuminating the young man, whose unruly black hair danced in the light. His smile, though seemingly irreverent, was not off-putting.

Qianfeng and another stern-faced guard exchanged glances, both detecting a hint of astonishment in the other's eyes. Only Young Master Su remained composed, his smile serene, betraying no sign of surprise.

After Sunn Cheng finished, Young Master Su did not comment on his explanation but instead pressed on, "And what about the other reason?"

"Regarding the other reason..." Sunn Cheng hesitated as he broached the second reason, stealing a glance at Young Master Su. He scratched his head with evident discomfort and said, "Perhaps it's best to leave the second reason unsaid, to avoid angering Young Master Su. If he were to become enraged, wouldn't I be in a world of trouble right here?"

Sunn Cheng, always earnest and never one to gamble with his life, genuinely feared provoking the ire of someone of such high status.

Yet, Young Master Su's curiosity was piqued by Sunn Cheng's reluctance. He laughed softly and encouraged him, "No worries! Speak freely. As your employer, I am quite interested in hearing why you've turned me down!"

After blinking thoughtfully and sighing in resignation, Sunn Cheng finally spoke with a grave tone, "Truth be told, I've always fancied beautiful women! But upon meeting Young Master Su, I've come to realize that I'm also drawn to handsome men! Ah... Such indecision is truly troublesome. It's like an illness that needs treatment! I fear that spending too much time with Young Master Su might make this 'illness' incurable..."

Although it sounded absurd, these were Sunn Cheng's genuine inner musings, and his face conveyed a mix of confusion, distress, and concern. Even Young Master Su was taken aback.

The two guards' eyes bulged in disbelief, having never before heard anyone dare to utter such bizarre words in front of their master.

"What rubbish are you spouting, boy!?" Qianfeng advanced abruptly, his saber gleaming as he drew it halfway from its scabbard, the blade radiating a chilling intent.

The other guard's cloak billowed as if caught in an unseen wind, his voluminous sleeves fluttering to reveal skeletal hands as eerie as those of Guishou.

"Hahaha..." Young Master Su, recovering from his initial astonishment, burst into uncontrollable laughter. His voice, no longer deep, carried a subtle finesse, reminiscent of a gentle stream. A slight blush tinged his cheeks, and charming dimples briefly adorned the corners of his smile.

"Hehe!" Confronted with two formidable cultivators whose power was immeasurable, Sunn Cheng could only offer a sheepish grin, signaling his harmless embarrassment, with little else at his disposal.

Fortunately, Young Master Su timely raised his hand to halt the two guards. His gaze, laden with an enigmatic expression, turned to Sunn Cheng and he chuckled softly, "For now, I'll take your words as a rather unique compliment... Hmm... Quite novel... and amusing... Hehe..."

Sunn Cheng laughed and breathed a sigh of relief. Young Master Su was indeed enlightened, not quick to anger like those two, who were anything but congenial.

Shaking his head with a smile, Young Master Su rose and stood with his hands clasped behind him, declaring, "I'll provisionally accept your two reasons. You're free to go, but don't forget our appointment the day after tomorrow!"

Feeling as though he had been pardoned, Sunn Cheng quickly bowed with folded hands, patted his chest to ensure the twenty taels of gold were secure, and then scurried out of the garrison. While the garrison's attention was elsewhere, he even managed to lead away a sturdy green horse and headed for Mouth Connecting Town.

Qianfeng watched Young Master Su, who stood motionless before the hall, his brow furrowed in thought. Unable to resist, he approached and murmured, "Young Master, that rascal's words are slicker than oil and full of nonsense. You needn't take them to heart! Should he continue to speak so recklessly in the future, I'll make sure to discipline him properly!"

With a serene smile, Young Master Su shook his head and spoke in a hushed tone, rich with implication, "You're mistaken. The lad was deliberate in his speech. He likely guessed my identity but couldn't state it openly, opting instead for a veiled approach... Truly, he is a fascinating young man!"

After a brief silence, Young Master Su's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he mused aloud, "Had we not disclosed our identities, even Lin Zheng would remain oblivious. It's astonishing that a youth from such a remote town possesses such insight, and it's even more remarkable how well he understands the dynamics of the Great Qin Dynasty and the state of affairs in Ping Mountain City! Were it not for his modest level of cultivation, I might suspect him to be a noble scion in hiding! This young man... what could his origins be?"