C70 Was This Considered as a Form of Protection?

Upon awakening, Chu Yan was greeted by a refreshing fragrance that invigorated his senses. He felt a surge of energy coursing through every muscle, tendon, and bone in his body, leaving no trace of fatigue. He was the picture of vitality, bursting with life and strength.

"You're awake?" came a voice.

Chu Yan looked in the direction of the sound and saw the middle-aged man who had earlier welcomed him. The man was sitting nearby, eyeing Chu Yan with a peculiar look.

"Now that you're up, come with me. The Sixth Madame, our Langya Pavilion's mistress, has requested your presence," the middle-aged man informed him.

"Alright," Chu Yan replied after a brief contemplation.

No matter the reason for this summons, Chu Yan's primary concern was still to acquire the blood essence. He also intended to seize the opportunity to learn more about the identity of the white-clothed youth with the full lips.

The strength of someone at the fifth level of the Genuine Force Stage was beyond Chu Yan's expectations—how could they be so formidable?

As they left the room, the middle-aged man, seemingly unable to contain his curiosity any longer, questioned Chu Yan, "Brother, did you really withstand that person for thirty breaths?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" Chu Yan inquired, intrigued.

"You're incredible!" exclaimed the middle-aged man, giving Chu Yan an approving thumbs-up. "Just so you know, nearly twenty others have tried before, and the one who lasted the longest only managed four breaths before passing out. It took them a whole seven days to come to, and by then, they had all slimmed down considerably."

Noticing Chu Yan's keen interest, the middle-aged man leaned in and whispered, "I'll let you in on a secret. The Sixth Madame's request to see you is certainly not for any unpleasant reasons. After all, I've never heard of anyone being fed six bottles of blood essence before someone had a score to settle with them."

"I consumed six bottles of blood essence?" Chu Yan was astounded.

"Yes," the middle-aged man confirmed with a nod. "While you were out, every last drop of those six bottles was poured into you."

In that instant, Chu Yan realized why he felt so spirited and robust upon waking—it was the potent effect of the Blood Marrow!

However, it was precisely because of this that Chu Yan's suspicions about Sixth Madame's intentions grew stronger.

"Is she planning to use these six bottles of blood essence to settle a debt of thirty-five thousand Spirit Money?" A possibility suddenly struck him, and Chu Yan's brow furrowed in disbelief, "That's out of the question!"

There wasn't much time for him to speculate wildly.

The middle-aged man had led him down the corridor and stopped in front of a room. After three knocks, a woman's voice invited them inside, "Come in."

Upon entering, Chu Yan was met with the gaze of a middle-aged woman whose sallow complexion suggested she was unwell.

After the middle-aged man paid his respects and left, Chu Yan found himself alone with the woman.

"You can address me as Sixth Madame," she said with a nod. "There has been an oversight on Langya Pavilion's part today, and I hope you can overlook it. If there's anything you require by way of compensation, we're prepared to accommodate, within reason."

"As for compensation, I haven't quite made up my mind," Chu Yan replied with a wry smile. "Actually, I was here to purchase blood essence in the first place."

"Blood essence?" The woman looked at him curiously. "Who informed you that we had blood essence here?"

"Acting!" Chu Yan thought to himself with a silent snort, though he responded aloud, "Old Xia sent me."

"Ah, referred by Old Xia," she said, her expression easing. "How much are you looking to buy?"

"Old Xia quoted six hundred Spirit Money per bottle. I have a little over seven thousand on me, so I'll start with ten bottles, keeping some funds in reserve just in case."

Chu Yan was fairly certain that his belongings had been searched while he was unconscious, so he openly disclosed his financial situation.

He also felt a sense of relief at his own foresight. His silver scale spear, Inscription Pen, and other identity-revealing items had all been safely stowed in his echo loop, well beyond anyone else's discovery.

"Ten bottles is acceptable," the woman agreed with a nod. "However, I have an even better proposition for you. Would you be interested?"

"Does it involve that individual?" Chu Yan quickly surmised.

"Yes," the woman said with a slight smile. "I'll be frank; that was her stipulation."

"Go on," Chu Yan encouraged with a nod.

"It's straightforward. From now on, visit Langya Pavilion every day at this time to spar with her for thirty breaths. Each visit will earn you five thousand Spirit Money for your services. Plus, you'll get a discount on blood essence purchases here—five hundred and fifty Spirit Money per bottle." After speaking, the woman watched Chu Yan intently, awaiting his response.

Chu Yan's gaze flickered thoughtfully before he let out a sigh.

The woman's heart sank a little, interpreting his body language as a prelude to refusal.

At that moment, Chu Yan looked up, his expression earnest. "Tell me, does this qualify as patronage?"

The woman was speechless.

After a tense pause, she gritted her teeth and conceded to Chu Yan's term, "Yes, it does."

"In that case—" Chu Yan's eyes twinkled with sincerity, "the six bottles of blood essence you administered while I was unconscious—are they on the house?"

The woman took a deep breath, reminding herself that Chu Yan was invaluable to Lin Miaoran's progress. She had to overlook the small irritations for the greater strategy. Six bottles of blood essence were trivial in the grand scheme.

If she didn't keep repeating this to herself, she might have been tempted to eject him on the spot.

How shameless could one be, to dismiss a debt of over three thousand Spirit Money just like that?

"Yes, it's on the house—a gift! Now that we've agreed, please sign here," the woman said, sliding a paper across to him. "Remember, you're expected back here tomorrow."

"No problem." Chu Yan quickly reviewed the contract, found it satisfactory, and stamped his handprint.

Then came the issue of the ten bottles of blood essence he had planned to purchase.

"Sixth Madame, since you're essentially providing for me, about those ten bottles of blood essence—"

"Not a chance they're free!" Sixth Madame's forehead veins throbbed as she vehemently denied, "And for the record, I am not the one keeping you!"

"I'm not asking for a handout here. Let's just settle on the agreed price of five hundred and fifty Spirit Money," Chu Yan said, a twinge of disappointment in his voice upon realizing there would be no freebies.

"Fine! Just make your purchase and get out of here! And be back tomorrow—on time!" Sixth Madame, watching Chu Yan's exaggerated sighs as if he had been dealt a great injustice, was itching to shoo him away that very moment.

How can someone be so utterly shameless?

In her time overseeing the old town ruins, Sixth Madame had encountered all sorts, but she had never come across anyone quite like Chu Yan, who went to such lengths to snag a deal.

As Chu Yan departed, visibly elated with his haul, Sixth Madame found herself oscillating between annoyance and amusement. She couldn't help but let out a snort before turning to address the room. "Miaoran, are you absolutely certain that what this fellow will enhance for you is not his own thick skin, but your spiritual realm?"