C16 Meeting Dugu Binglan Again

"We've arrived. Deacon Wu, this young master is here to purchase medicinal herbs for pill refinement. Please assist him." The burly guide navigated through several long counters before introducing Lu Shaoyou to an elderly man, about fifty years old. With that, he departed.

"What medicinal herbs are you looking to purchase, Young Master?" Deacon Wu, clad in a flowing robe, eyed Lu Shaoyou with a discerning gaze and inquired.

"I'll take two of each herb you have here," Lu Shaoyou stated. His initial intention was to buy just one set, but with fifty gold coins in his possession, he could afford a second. He had specific plans for the surplus herbs.

"Very well, please give me a moment to prepare the ingredients for you," Deacon Wu responded, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Assuming Lu Shaoyou was a Spiritual Cultivator, given his interest in pill-making herbs, Deacon Wu treated him with increased courtesy.

"Alright," Lu Shaoyou acknowledged, leaning casually against a counter and taking in the scene at Heavenly Treasure Sect.

"Young Master, why do you need herbs for pill refinement? And where did you get the gold coins? I've heard these herbs can be quite pricey," Lu Xiaobai whispered nervously to Lu Shaoyou.

"Why worry? You're not the one paying," Lu Shaoyou reassured him, glancing aside. Suddenly, he caught sight of Dugu Binglan and her maidservant Cuiyu, whom he had encountered the previous day in the Lu family's garden.

"Hello," greeted the two ladies as they approached. The Heavenly Treasure Sect staff bowed respectfully. Their attention then turned to Lu Shaoyou.

Seeing Miss Dugu again, Lu Shaoyou couldn't help but take a longer look. Her beauty was undeniable, and her demeanor radiated intelligence and vivacity. He nodded to her politely before shifting his gaze, though his eyes lingered on Cuiyu for a moment longer.

Both women appeared taken aback, then exchanged whispers.

"Young Master Lu, I'm surprised to find you at Heavenly Treasure Sect," Dugu Binglan said after a short pause, her delicate fragrance wafting towards him. The onlookers were intrigued to see the familiarity between Lu Shaoyou and Miss Dugu.

Behind Lu Shaoyou, Lu Xiaobai trembled with nervousness upon Miss Dugu's entrance. He was astonished by her familiarity with Lu Shaoyou—how could this be when he knew nothing of it? It explained why Lu Shaoyou had shown no interest when he suggested visiting Miss Dugu yesterday—they were already acquainted.

"Miss Dugu, greetings. I needed some herbs for pill refinement and found myself here. Seeing you is an unexpected pleasure," Lu Shaoyou said with a light tone.

"How curious. Young Master Lu, why not collect the herbs from your family's store?" Miss Dugu asked with a gentle smile, her beauty enhanced by the gesture.

"Are you implying you wouldn't sell them to me?" Lu Shaoyou asked, his smile concealing his thoughts.

"Of course not. I'm very pleased to have you," Miss Dugu replied with an apologetic smile, then added, "You're purchasing herbs for pill refinement—does that mean you're a Spiritual Cultivator?"

"Your herbs are ready, Young Master," Deacon Wu announced, presenting two bags of herbs to Lu Shaoyou.

"Good day, Miss," he greeted, bowing upon seeing Dugu Binglan.

"I'd like to settle the bill," said Lu Shaoyou, passing the herbs to Lu Xiaobai.

"You owe thirty-eight gold coins, Young Master," Deacon Wu informed him.

"Deacon Wu, let's offer Young Master Lu a discount of 20%. He's to be considered a VIP from now on; please ensure he's treated as such," Dugu Binglan interjected softly.

"Certainly, Miss," Deacon Wu responded with respect. Turning to Lu Shaoyou, he added, "Since you're a friend of Miss Dugu, thirty gold coins will suffice."

"Thank you, Miss Dugu," Lu Shaoyou acknowledged with a nod and a smile, extracting thirty gold coins from his purse and handing them to Deacon Wu. Money was tight, and he had no intention of being shy about it.

"Young Master Lu, this is the VIP card for Heavenly Treasure Sect. Keep it with you. Should you need anything in the future, present this card at our establishment. We'll prioritize your requests, offer you better prices, and share any useful information we have. Should you wish to sell any pills or similar items, we'll purchase them at premium rates," Dugu Binglan explained, handing him a white jade plate engraved with 'Heavenly Treasure Sect.'

"Thanks once again," Lu Shaoyou said, accepting the jade slip without hesitation. He wasn't one to turn down a favor. Though he wondered about Dugu Binglan's motives, he didn't dwell on them.

An old adage came to mind: if someone is inexplicably kind to you, they're either up to no good or they're a thief. Yet, he had nothing Miss Dugu could possibly want to steal. Unconcerned, he allowed himself a sly grin.

"I must be going," he said, nodding to Cuiyu as he passed by and then making his exit.

"Where did you get those gold coins? And how do you know Miss Dugu?" Lu Xiaobai inquired once they were outside the Heavenly Treasure Sect.

"Why the interrogation? Just head back. And remember, don't breathe a word of this herb business to anyone," Lu Shaoyou instructed.

"Miss, who is he really? He doesn't seem particularly noteworthy. Are you sure he's worth this attention?" Deacon Wu asked Dugu Binglan, a sharp glint in his eyes, after Lu Shaoyou had departed.

"He's more than he appears. Have someone look into his background, and make sure we treat him well," Dugu Binglan commanded before she and Cuiyu left the Heavenly Treasure Sect.

Lu Shaoyou and Lu Xiaobai slipped through the streets and quietly entered the Lu family's back door, unnoticed. Their morning excursion remained a secret; the Lu family paid them little mind.

"He's certainly resourceful," the old servant mused, eyeing the two packets in Lu Xiaobai's possession at the back entrance.

Later that afternoon, Lu Shaoyou and Lu Xiaobai made a brief appearance at the Lu residence before retreating once more. With winter upon them, there was little else to attend to.

As night descended, Lu Shaoyou was ready. He made his way to the secret chamber in the woodshed, where Uncle Nan was already waiting.

"Uncle Nan, I've got all the herbs you asked for," Lu Shaoyou said with a triumphant grin upon meeting Uncle Nan.

"Why two sets?" Uncle Nan inquired, examining the herbs he had unpacked before Lu Shaoyou.

"I thought it'd be wise to have a backup in case of a mishap. If you nail it, then I've got an extra pill," Lu Shaoyou explained. Pills must be worth a lot more than the herbs. He could make a tidy sum by selling them later on.

"If you can't manage to refine a first-grade pill with me around, I might as well bang my head against the wall," Uncle Nan said, fixing his gaze on Lu Shaoyou. "You've been working on the Mountain Splitting Palm for a few days now. Let's see your progress."

"Understood," Lu Shaoyou responded, his smile fading. He had been diligently practicing the Mountain Splitting Palm and felt he had made some headway. Taking a moment to regulate his breath and recite the incantation, he could sense a subtle ripple of air between his palms.

With a forceful strike, Lu Shaoyou's palm met the stone wall of the secret chamber. The wall quivered, and a shower of dust cascaded down.

Lu Shaoyou was taken aback by the sheer force of his attack, far more potent than he had anticipated.