"What did you say?"
Long Yunhui thought he had misheard, his eyes widening slightly.
But he watched as the shopkeeper stepped forward and placed the Muscle-Softening Powder on the wooden table beside him.
The shopkeeper then walked up, patted him on the shoulder with a chuckle, and said, "Whether you can obtain this Purple Mansion Spirit Ginseng depends entirely on your sincerity, young master."
With those words, the shopkeeper turned and walked out of the room.
Inside the room, Long Yunhui stood rooted to the spot, taking a long time to digest this information before he suddenly snapped back to reality.
What did the master of this Wanbao Pavilion take him for?
That kind of person?
Gritting his teeth in anger, Long Yunhui let out a heavy, cold snort and slammed the door behind him as he stormed out!
...
Three days later.
The shopkeeper of the Wanbao Pavilion saw Long Yunhui in the pavilion's reception hall once again.
Unlike the anger of his previous abrupt departure, this time, Long Yunhui's face was flushed with embarrassment and humiliation.
But he had no choice but to come!
Mu Fengyun was dying. His face was deathly pale and his skin had turned a bruised purple—the reaction of a soul detaching from the body after suffering severe trauma.
If a way to treat him wasn't found soon, he would truly die!
Unfortunately, the Purple Mansion Spirit Ginseng was incredibly rare. He had asked around everywhere, but couldn't find a second stalk!
Only this Wanbao Pavilion had one!
Left with no other options, he could only come knocking on their door.
When the shopkeeper saw him, he was as jovial as ever, his shrewd little eyes revealing an "I knew it" expression.
His master truly had divine foresight, knowing that Long Yunhui would definitely return, and had specially instructed them to prepare everything in advance.
"Rest assured, Young Master Long. The master has said that no harm will come to you. Tonight, I believe you will have a... very enjoyable time!"
Long Yunhui was speechless.
Although the ambiguous words from last time had already raised suspicions in his heart, actually hearing it stated so plainly now still made his heart clench.
Just what kind of entity was the master of this Wanbao Pavilion? Why would they use such a condition in exchange for such a precious Purple Mansion Spirit Ginseng?
Filled with countless doubts, Long Yunhui could only cup his hands in a polite salute when faced with the shopkeeper's smiling face.
"Please lead the way, shopkeeper."
The shopkeeper smiled faintly. "There is no rush, young master. Before that, please follow the servant to bathe and change your clothes."
As the shopkeeper spoke, he waved his hand, signaling the servant behind him to lead Long Yunhui to the washroom.
After being soaked and scrubbed from the strands of his hair down to his toenails in fragrant floral water, Long Yunhui stared at the revealing outfit the servant presented to him, nearly losing his composure.
"This thing..."
He reached out and picked up the skirt-like garment from the tray, which consisted of only two thin pieces of fabric to cover his backside.
No, calling it a skirt was an exaggeration.
The fabric of this outfit was actually translucent!
Could this thing... even be worn?
Guessing what Long Yunhui was about to ask, the servant quickly spoke up, "This is the master's order. Please change your clothes, young master."
Long Yunhui held himself back again and again, finally suppressing the urge to throw the clothes away.
Taking a deep breath, he slipped the outfit on and, guided by the servant, arrived at the top floor of the Wanbao Pavilion's backyard.
"Young master, drink the Muscle-Softening Powder. Once tonight is over, the Purple Mansion Spirit Ginseng will be yours."
The servant offered a cup of drugged floral nectar.
Long Yunhui took a deep breath, picked it up, and downed it in one gulp.
A moment later, the drug took effect.
A physician waiting nearby personally checked Long Yunhui's pulse, confirming that his spiritual power was sealed and his entire body was left completely powerless.
Only then did he wave his hand, having someone send Long Yunhui into the room.
Red bed curtains, red drapes, red candlelight, and colorful flower petals scattered across the floor.
It was obvious that the room had been meticulously decorated.
Long Yunhui fell silent for a moment. Could the master of the Wanbao Pavilion... be treating him like a bridegroom on his wedding night?
