Yi Mingcheng walked into the room and immediately spotted Wenren Yuxin.
The Treasure Hunting Pavilion Master was so respectful towards her; her status was clearly extraordinary.
Before he could speculate further, Ninety-Five respectfully invited him to sit, seating him right next to Chu Sheng—whether intentionally or not.
Yi Mingcheng felt overwhelmingly flattered; this was a level of treatment he would have never dared to dream of before.
Yi Mingcheng was delighted but didn't lose his head. He knew very well that the Pavilion Master's attitude was entirely because of the Rejuvenation Blood Pill he possessed.
Thinking of the Rejuvenation Blood Pill, Yi Mingcheng was filled with confidence. He picked up his tea and began sipping it unhurriedly.
He could remain calm, but Ninety-Five was getting antsy.
He didn't know the man before him, and in the past, he wouldn't have cared to.
But things were different now.
A Rejuvenation Blood Pill had appeared right here in War Dragon City, and he'd been completely in the dark.
Because of this oversight, a mere City Lord's son had dared to run his mouth in front of the Young Miss. If he didn't sort this out, he could forget about keeping his position as Pavilion Master.
With a light chuckle, Ninety-Five asked in the gentlest voice he could manage, "Sir, you have a Rejuvenation Blood Pill?"
"That's right, I do. But the pill isn't for sale. I want a fifty-percent equity stake!" Yi Mingcheng replied nonchalantly, setting down his teacup.
"Hahaha, did you get your head slammed in a door?! You want a fifty-percent stake in the Treasure Hunting Holy Hall just for a Rejuvenation Blood Pill?!" Before Ninety-Five could speak, Chu Sheng, who was sitting nearby, burst out laughing.
'Daring to cause trouble at the Treasure Hunting Pavilion... this guy must have a death wish.'
'Judging by his clothes, he's a housekeeper at best. If he angers the Treasure Hunting Holy Hall, he won't even know what killed him.'
Even Wenren Yuxin's pretty face showed a rare trace of anger. 'What does he take the Treasure Hunting Holy Hall for?'
Ninety-Five didn't speak. Instead, he cheerfully explained to Yi Mingcheng, "This young master is the son of the Red Beauty City Lord. Coincidentally, he also has a Rejuvenation Blood Pill. His appetite is much smaller than yours, sir. He only wants a ten-percent stake."
"Heh heh..." Yi Mingcheng understood. He then said slowly, "My Young Master said he has another condition. Not only does he want a fifty-percent stake, but if he needs any materials, the Treasure Hunting Pavilion must provide them free of charge."
"Insolent!" Ninety-Five exploded with rage.
The oppressive aura of an Elemental Realm expert erupted from him. The tea set on the table shattered into pieces with a sharp CRACK.
Yi Mingcheng felt as if his body was about to be torn apart. Only then did he recall the terrifying martial prowess of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion's Pavilion Master.
However, despite his pale face, the memory of Lin Hao's confident expression filled him with an inexplicable sense of conviction.
"Hahaha, the Treasure Hunting Pavilion is a big establishment that bullies its customers. I can't afford to offend you, so I'll take my leave!" Yi Mingcheng laughed heartily, stood up, and made to leave.
"Please stay, sir. Ninety-Five's words were unpleasant. Yuxin apologizes to you on his behalf." Wenren Yuxin's voice was tranquil and soothing to the ear.
Ninety-Five suddenly stiffened, his eyes wide in disbelief. He couldn't believe his own ears.
His Young Miss didn't have a habit of apologizing to anyone, even in the Cangnan Capital, because there were simply too few people who could make her apologize!
But now, in this small War Dragon City, she was apologizing to a mere housekeeper. He couldn't understand why.
However, he understood a moment later.
"If Yuxin is not mistaken, your young master not only possesses the Alchemy Hand Seal for the Rejuvenation Blood Pill, but his skills don't seem to end there. How about this: go back and tell your young master that I would like to meet him."
Yi Mingcheng's heart skipped a beat. 'This Wenren Yuxin is young, but she's far from simple.'
She hadn't shut the door on the deal and knew he wasn't the decision-maker. She wanted to meet his Young Master, undoubtedly to pursue even greater benefits.
"Well..." Yi Mingcheng was suddenly unsure.
"You don't need to answer right away. I'll be staying in War Dragon City for a few days. Ninety-Five, please escort this gentleman home." Wenren Yuxin was decisive, issuing an order to see him out.
After Yi Mingcheng left, escorted by Ninety-Five, Chu Sheng's eyes flickered, and he also made a hasty departure.
Although Wenren Yuxin's assertiveness had left Yi Mingcheng slightly displeased, standing at the entrance of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion with its Pavilion Master now, he felt an inexplicable sense of elation.
Regardless of whether Lin Hao agreed to the meeting, after today, Yi Mingcheng would be a legendary figure in War Dragon City!
The Treasure Hunting Pavilion had operated in War Dragon City for years. Who would dare to slap an attendant here?
He dared!
Who would dare to brazenly storm the auction hall and chase down an attendant?
He dared!
Who would dare to openly curse the Treasure Hunting Pavilion Master, calling him worthless?
He dared!
He didn't know that in this short time, news of his actions in the Treasure Hunting Pavilion had already spread throughout War Dragon City. Crowds were now loitering in front of the Pavilion.
Everyone had expected a corpse to be thrown out. But at this moment, seeing him emerge escorted by the Pavilion Master himself, they were all dumbfounded!
Not only was he unharmed after cursing the Pavilion Master, but the Pavilion Master was now respectfully seeing him out. Badass! So damn badass!
Yi Mingcheng's identity was no longer a secret. Seeing this scene, everyone had the same thought: the Lin family, having now established a connection with the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, was about to soar to new heights in War Dragon City.
"Housekeeper Yi, you must visit my residence when you have time."
"Brother Yi, do you remember me? We shared a drink five years ago."
He had barely left the Treasure Hunting Pavilion before he was surrounded by a crowd.
Outside the crowd, a handsome young master glared at him with venomous eyes for a moment before quickly departing.
...
After finally shaking off the persistent crowd, Yi Mingcheng made his way back to the Lin Mansion.
The ground was clearly made of hard stone slabs, yet Yi Mingcheng felt as if he were walking on air.
At this moment, he held not a shred of resentment towards Lin Hao. If he had known a day this awesome was coming, he wouldn't just have taken poison—he would've eaten shit if asked.
Overwhelmed with joy, Yi Mingcheng excitedly ran toward his master's room. He knew full well that all the glory he'd received was thanks to Lin Hao.
All of this originally belonged to Lin Hao, and he was eager to share the news with his Young Master.
Standing at the door, Yi Mingcheng first made sure it was safe, then straightened his appearance. He knocked and announced respectfully, "Young Master, Mingcheng requests an audience."
"Didn't you take the antidote? What are you doing back here?" Lin Hao asked, opening the door with a frown.
He had been thinking about creating his own bloodline ever since Yi Mingcheng left. He had just started making some headway when he was interrupted, so Lin Hao was naturally displeased.
"Ah? Young Master, didn't you send me to the Treasure Hunting Pavilion... to handle business?" Lin Hao's question snapped Yi Mingcheng back to reality. He realized he'd gotten so carried away that he'd forgotten the original purpose of his visit to the Pavilion.
"Treasure Hunting Pavilion? Oh, that. You can handle it. I'm a bit busy," Lin Hao said dismissively.
He was indeed very busy. To him, creating his own bloodline was a hundred times more important than a mere Tier One pill.
But Yi Mingcheng's body trembled, and he nearly collapsed.
'So the matter I was so proud of is considered nothing in the Young Master's eyes.'
However, this gave Yi Mingcheng a bit more confidence regarding the matter Wenren Yuxin had proposed.
"Ordinarily, I wouldn't have disturbed you, Young Master, but the people at the Treasure Hunting Pavilion said they want to meet with you in person."
"Oh?" Lin Hao's eyebrow twitched with interest. "It seems I underestimated the Treasure Hunting Pavilion Master."
Lin Hao had never actually expected Yi Mingcheng's negotiation to succeed. He was just testing the waters. The Treasure Hunting Pavilion's response was quite surprising.
They wanted to meet him, and it certainly wasn't just for a single Rejuvenation Blood Pill. They were looking to dig up something deeper and more valuable.
"Young Master, it wasn't the Pavilion Master who made the decision, but a young lady." Yi Mingcheng had already learned Wenren Yuxin's identity from Ninety-Five, and his earlier displeasure with her had long since vanished.
For the young miss of one of the Empire's four great families to treat him that way was already giving him immense face.
"Her name is Wenren Yuxin. She's the young miss of the Wenren family, one of the four great families of the Empire, and she's from Imperial City."
Lin Hao's body shook. He lowered his head and murmured, "Imperial City... the four great families..."
A moment later, Lin Hao looked up, his eyes shining brightly. "Go tell her I agree. We'll meet tomorrow at noon in the pavilion at Ten-Mile Slope, outside the city."
"Yes, Young Master!" Yi Mingcheng was overjoyed. For Lin Hao to say this meant he was completely confident. Forging a connection with the Treasure Hunting Pavilion was now a sure thing.
'At that point, even the Pavilion Master will probably have to suck up to me.'
Thinking of this, Yi Mingcheng couldn't contain himself. "Young Master, do you have any other orders? If not..."
"Go on. Just remember to be back by evening. I need you to go somewhere with me tonight," Lin Hao said with a wave of his hand.
As Yi Mingcheng respectfully exited the room, over at the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, Ninety-Five was giving a respectful report to Wenren Yuxin.
"Miss, I've found it. His name is Yi Mingcheng, from the Lin family of War Dragon City. He used to be in charge of personnel transfers. He joined the Lin family thirty years ago with no background to speak of. Two days ago, he suddenly produced a high-grade Body Forging Blood Coagulation Pill, and the Lin family subsequently put him in charge of procuring medicinal pills."
"What's strange is that his adopted son, whom he took in ten years ago, died suddenly today. He buried him with his own hands."
One had to admit, the Treasure Hunting Pavilion's network was astonishingly powerful. In just a short while, they had investigated Yi Mingcheng's entire history, down to his ancestors eighteen generations back.
"It seems this Lin family is not simple. I remember over a decade ago, that woman who drove the entire continent wild married into the Lin family. Then, two years ago, the astonishingly talented Lin Wu suddenly appeared. He's currently unrivaled in Imperial City."
Wenren Yuxin's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a complex emotion flickering in her beautiful eyes.
"Speaking of Lin Wu, he's even stranger. I've seen him a few times, and he was like a sickly weakling. Logically, he should have been destined for a life of mediocrity. On the other hand, there was a young fellow named Lin Hao whose vital energy was so vigorous it was shocking. But the final outcome was completely unexpected."
"Lin Hao?"
"Yes. He's that woman's son. After an incident three years ago, he's now a fool," Ninety-Five said with a glint in his eye, sighing with emotion.
Outside, someone suddenly reported, "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, Housekeeper Yi from the Lin Mansion is here again..."
"It seems this Lin family..." A thoughtful look appeared in Wenren Yuxin's beautiful eyes.