Of course, Hong Yu had no idea what Hongyan was thinking.
He was currently at the Hong Family's medicine shop, holding the Nourishing Essence Pill. "Uncle Liuu, this is the Nourishing Essence Pill!"
Uncle Liuu was the Shopkeeper hired by the Hong Family's medicine shop, a middle-aged man in his forties.
He glanced at Hong Yu and said, "Hong Yu, you're at a crucial age for development. Your body and Primordial Vein both need a massive supply of energy. Without this Nourishing Essence Pill, your cultivation progress will slow down considerably... If you ask me, you should take this pill back home and use it yourself."
Uncle Liuu watched Hong Yu with a kind gaze, his eyes filled with gentle concern.
Hong Yu had been dealing with the medicine shop for a long time now to care for the sister he depended on. Uncle Liuu was quite fond of the handsome, filial, and sensible young man.
Hong Yu shook his head. "There's no need, Uncle Liuu. A single Nourishing Essence Pill won't turn me into a top expert overnight. Please, just exchange it for the medicinal herbs I need."
"Sigh... all right, then."
Uncle Liuu knew he couldn't persuade the stubborn young man, so he nodded. "This is your sister's medicine, and these two packets are the Yin-Yang Flowers you requested. You must be careful with them. The Yin-Yang Flower is extremely toxic—a single drop in the bloodstream is fatal!"
"I know."
A short while later, Hong Yu rushed home, excitedly carrying several packets of herbs.
"Brother, you're back!"
The moment the door opened, a lively figure bounded over to Hong Yu.
She was a beautiful and lovely young woman. Her face, as if carved from fine jade, had a girlish purity and sweetness, exuding an elegant air as captivating as a Cyan Lotus in the water. A pale yellow dress enveloped her gradually maturing, delicate figure, bestowing her with a unique charm.
The young woman tilted her head, a cute little dimple appearing on her left cheek.
The young woman's name was Yun Mengyao. She was the adopted daughter Hong Yu's parents had taken in ten years ago.
However, Hong Yu's parents had vanished without a trace eight years ago, leaving the siblings to fend for themselves. Before Hong Yu transmigrated, the body's original owner had been mediocre in talent and weak in character, relying entirely on Yun Mengyao's care.
Caring for the original owner for five whole years without ever leaving his side had caused Yun Mengyao to develop a chronic illness. On the night of every full moon, her body would turn ice-cold and she would convulse as if plunged into an ice cellar. She could only suppress the cold poison with medicine that had fiery, sun-like properties.
In his past life, Hong Yu had been an only child and had always longed for a little sister. Since Yun Mengyao was so sensible and well-behaved, Hong Yu doted on her completely and was constantly striving for her sake.
Hong Yu affectionately tapped Yun Mengyao on the bridge of her delicate nose and asked with a smile, "Little rascal, no embroidery lessons today?"
Yun Mengyao's constitution was too frail to practice the Martial Dao, so Hong Yu had arranged for her to learn embroidery from the artisans in their clan, a craft she rather enjoyed.
"Ugh, don't even talk about it. It's a long, sad story," Yun Mengyao sighed, cupping her cheeks with her small, delicate hands. Her exquisite face scrunched up in a pout.
The aggrieved, helpless expression on her face was just too adorable!
"You silly girl, what happened?"
Hong Yu was at a loss for words. He really didn't know what to do with his precious little sister.
"I've already learned everything those artisan ladies taught me, but they refuse to believe it! They even said I'm getting ahead of myself. It's so frustrating!"
As she spoke, Yun Mengyao handed a cup of chilled tea to Hong Yu. "You must be exhausted, Brother. Here, drink this to quench your thirst!"
"Wow, your tea-making skills are getting more and more refined!"
Hong Yu chugged it down and gave her a thumbs-up.
The smile on Yun Mengyao's face grew even brighter.
"Little rascal, take these medicines now," Hong Yu instructed.
"Brother, haven't I told you to stop trading your Nourishing Essence Pills for my medicine? My illness is fine. I just have to endure it and it'll pass. But without the Nourishing Essence Pills, your cultivation..."
Yun Mengyao's eyes were filled with defiance. Biting her lip, she refused to take the medicine.
Seeing the stubborn look on Yun Mengyao's face, Hong Yu couldn't help but recall fragments of the past five years.
He vaguely recalled a time when the immense cultural shock between his two lives and the overwhelming pressure had nearly driven him mad. In his confusion, he had fallen into an icy well.
Without a second thought, Yun Mengyao had jumped in right after him. That night, at the bottom of the freezing well, she had used her own frail, slender body to support him, keeping him from touching the icy water.
For an entire night, Yun Mengyao remained submerged in the frigid water, while Hong Yu didn't get a single drop on him.
And that was the very day her chronic illness took root.
From that day forward, Hong Yu gradually came to accept his new reality. Curing Yun Mengyao's illness became his driving goal, the very motivation that allowed him to persevere through one life-threatening situation after another.
'Yaoyao, just give me a little more time. Once I'm strong enough, I'll be able to hire a Spiritual Craftsman to cure you. And once you're well, I'll take you to find Mom and Dad!' Looking at the spirited Yun Mengyao, Hong Yu made a silent vow.
Gently ruffling Yun Mengyao's hair, Hong Yu smiled. "Silly girl, even without Nourishing Essence Pills, my cultivation won't be any worse than anyone else's. Besides, didn't you say you wanted to see me become the family's top genius and bring honor to our name? If you don't take your medicine, how can I focus on pursuing the Martial Dao?"
"But... can you really do it without Nourishing Essence Pills, Brother?" Yun Mengyao's eyes, rimmed with red, widened.
Hong Yu smiled and nodded, his voice firm and sincere. "Don't underestimate your brother's talent!"
Gazing into Hong Yu's determined eyes, Yun Mengyao finally nodded and took the bags of medicine. She blinked and asked, "Brother, are you going out again?"
For the past two years, Hong Yu had often left around this time. He would be gone for long stretches, sometimes not returning for several days.
Although Yun Mengyao didn't know where he went, she was observant and had noticed that whenever he returned, his clothes were always stained with blood, which worried her.
But Yun Mengyao had always been sensible, and she trusted Hong Yu completely. So even though she was curious, she never asked any questions.
"I won't be out long this time. I'll be back by the day after tomorrow at the latest. You have to take good care of yourself, and remember to take your medicine on time!" Hong Yu said with a smile, ruffling her hair.
"I know. You can go without worrying, Brother!"
Yun Mengyao nodded with a sweet smile.
...
Hong Yu left the Hong Mansion, wound his way through streets and alleys, and arrived at the back door of a large compound.
KNOCK... KNOCK-KNOCK... KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!
After the rhythmic knock, the door opened, and a furtive figure peeked out. The person glanced at Hong Yu, then looked around. After confirming no one was there, he opened the door just enough to let Hong Yu slip inside.
Hong Yu took a black mask from his robes and put it on before following the furtive figure into the compound's woodshed.
CLICK! CLACK! CLACK!
With his back to Hong Yu, the furtive figure activated a mechanism inside the woodshed. With a harsh grinding sound, a section of the floor opened up, revealing a dimly lit passage. Unsurprised, Hong Yu gave the figure a slight nod and walked straight in. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the cold, silent darkness of the passage as he expertly navigated his way to the end.
A blindingly bright light flared, revealing a massive underground marketplace before him!
"Well now, if it isn't Luoo!"
A stunning woman in a form-fitting cheongsam sashayed over, teasing him with a playful lack of restraint.
"Sister Qin, long time no see," Hong Yu said.
The fiery beauty, Sister Qin, giggled, her movements alluring. "Still so serious!"
"Haha."
Hong Yu shook his head in resignation, admitting defeat. He cut straight to the chase, "Sister Qin, are there any new missions today?"
"There is."
Hearing it was business, Sister Qin stopped her teasing.
"Oh? I'm listening." Hong Yu's eyes lit up.
Sister Qin shot him a look with her captivating eyes, biting her lower lip as she hesitated. "Well, there's a mission that fits your profile... But I'd advise you not to take it."
"Why not?"
"This mission was posted personally by the Tier One Spiritual Craftsman, Lord Xue. It requires you to go to the Chaotic Soul Mountain Range and retrieve a Restoring Yin Grass. You should know what that implies. It grows in the lair of a Tier One Advanced Wild Beast—the Red Yin Poison Scorpion. Even a Ninth-level Essence Element Powerhouse has to be cautious around a Red Yin Poison Scorpion. You, on the other hand..." Sister Qin looked at Hong Yu with concern.
"A Spiritual Craftsman?"
Hong Yu's brow furrowed, an idea sparking in his mind. 'The clan healers once said Meng Yao's condition was caused by cold poison entering her body from overexertion during the night. They said it couldn't be permanently cured unless a Spiritual Craftsman used the Pill Fire Technique to refine the poison. This Lord Xue is a Tier One Spiritual Craftsman... If I could get him to help...'
At this thought, Hong Yu pressed on, "Sister Qin, what are the reward and time limit for the mission?"
"I knew you'd ask..."
Sister Qin rolled her eyes helplessly, her expression full of flirtatious charm. "You have one month from the time you accept the mission. But take note, this isn't an exclusive contract. Anyone can take it, and only the first person to obtain the Restoring Yin Grass and bring it back will get the reward. As for the reward itself... it's a personal favor from the Tier One Spiritual Craftsman, Xue Butong!"
'If I complete this mission, I can ask Master Xue to treat Meng Yao. I'm sure he wouldn't refuse a favor he owes me!'
Hong Yu's eyes lit up fiercely.
Ever since he'd transmigrated, Hong Yu's greatest wish had been to restore Yun Mengyao to health.
It was this thought alone that had sustained him, pushing him to overcome countless difficulties and improve his cultivation. It was why he had even joined the Underground Alliance, accepting one incredibly dangerous mission after another.
But Spiritual Craftsmen were incredibly prestigious. Even an Apprentice Craftsman was a lofty figure, to say nothing of a Tier One Spiritual Craftsman who stood at the very pinnacle of Shishui City's society.
Even after more than two years of struggle had made him the youngest Silver Hunter in the Shishui City Underground Alliance, he still had no way of approaching such a person.
But now, an opportunity was right in front of him.
Hong Yu took a deep breath. "Sister Qin, please accept this mission for me. In one month, I will return with the Restoring Yin Grass!"
"Sigh... I knew I couldn't talk you out of it."
Sister Qin let out a soft sigh and wrote down the name that represented Hong Yu's status and power in the Underground Alliance...
Luoo!