At daybreak, a gentle drizzle began to fall on the mountain.

The small courtyard was shrouded in mist and water vapor. Looking out into the distance, everything appeared hazy and indistinct. The nearby trees, stripped bare save for a few scattered leaves, stretched their branches freely, resembling desolate ancient paintings with tentacles crawling across the sky.

Shen Jingshi glanced at Xue Yu’s small study, then asked Chao Nian, who stood nearby looking utterly bored, with a half-smile: “Your young lady is working on a mission, and you’re just standing here doing nothing?”

Chao Nian straightened his chest and spoke matter-of-factly: “Normally, of course not, but this time—” He pointed toward the tree trunk where Su You had leaned earlier, saying: “Su You came.”

“When he’s here, what the young lady says is completely beyond our understanding.” Chao Nian glanced sideways at Shen Jingshi, saying, “Earlier, when I asked you, didn’t you also say you had no ideas?”

Shen Jingshi shifted his weight from his left foot to his right, appearing indifferent to everything. But when he heard the name “Su You,” the smile on his face paused momentarily. As if confirming something, he repeated those two words: “Su You?”

Chao Nian corrected him: “Now he should be called Commander of the Palace Guards.”

“I think at his rate of advancement, after accompanying the young lady on a few more missions, in no more than two or three years, he’ll be promoted to Young Master.”

“Is this the same Su You from the Judgment Platform ten years ago?” Shen Jingshi ignored his string of words, focusing on the key point.

Chao Nian asked curiously in return: “What? You know him?”

Shen Jingshi’s well-proportioned fingers tapped against his brow and eyes. After a moment, he smiled: “No wonder.”

“No wonder what?”

Shen Jingshi raised an eyebrow: “Ten years ago, when we dozen or so entered Xihe Prison, I heard there was one among our group who was the most handsome and most ruthless in his actions. When asked his name, it was Su You.”

He couldn’t help but click his tongue, his fingertip tracing from his brow down to rest delicately on his chin, smiling brilliantly: “I wondered then how, with this face of mine that had been praised since childhood, I could still be overshadowed even when facing death. I regretted not meeting him to have a proper comparison.”

Chao Nian never imagined someone could harbor thoughts about another person for ten years for such a reason. He opened his mouth, and after a long pause, made a “you’re incredible” gesture to Shen Jingshi.

But Shen Jingshi acted as if he hadn’t seen the indescribable expression on his face. He looked at Chao Nian and said seriously, “Now that I’ve seen him in person, his appearance truly lives up to those four words ‘supremely beautiful.’ Yet there are countless types of beauty in this world. Today, you judge—who is more handsome and dashing?”

“Shen Jingshi.” Chao Nian used a tone that was difficult to describe, saying quietly: “Why must you do this to yourself?”

To be fair, Su You and Shen Jingshi had completely different types of looks. One was like a stroke of rich, concentrated ink painted to its extreme—that kind of appearance even carried a heart-stopping sense of aggression and attack. The other was like an unrestrained mountain breeze, like spring buds emerging from branches—lazy and carefree, clear and bright.

But if truly comparing appearance, features, and bearing, Shen Jingshi indeed fell short.

He added another sentence: “Aren’t you just asking for a blow to your confidence?”

The small courtyard was only so big, and as these two chatted with increasing lack of restraint, not bothering to use any minor techniques to prevent eavesdropping, their words fell into Xue Yu and Su You’s ears word by word.

Xue Yu set down the scroll in her hands. She leaned back slightly, her spine relaxing a bit, as if taking a break or suddenly becoming interested in listening to the back-and-forth conversation between those two outside.

Seeing this, Su You’s eyelashes lowered, and the brush in his hand paused repeatedly, unable to continue writing.

“Su You.” Xue Yu suddenly spoke. She tapped her fingertip against the back of her other hand, asking: “Have you finished reading the details of those cases?”

Returning to business, the man set down his ink brush, then nodded, his voice carrying the clarity of mountain wind: “I’ve read them all.”

“Good.” Xue Yu nodded, stood up, and said, “Come out with me.”

When the study door opened, the two outside immediately fell silent. Chao Nian saw the veils on both their faces and asked: “Young lady, are you going into the city?”

Xue Yu didn’t give him a chance to argue for joining them. She glanced at the gray, overcast sky above, saying: “If nothing unexpected happens, Shan Shu will return before tonight. You two stay in the courtyard and don’t let her wait in vain.”

Shen Jingshi raised an eyebrow, and he and Chao Nian agreed one after another.

With dark clouds heavy and rain intensifying, Xue Yu and Su You stepped onto the Shenyu Pavilion located in the very center of Luozhou City before the rain became heavy.

Shenyu Pavilion was built with six floors, each with flying eaves rising tier by tier. Set in the misty rain, it looked like a towering glazed immortal palace reaching into the clouds.

Shenyu Pavilion’s headquarters were built in the Imperial City, with branches later established in various state cities. Their wealth was so enormous that it left most of their competitors speechless.

The pavilion contained everything imaginable—both private rooms for discussing top-secret matters and treasure auction houses filled with precious items. From court Sacred Lands and family heads to merchants’ daughters and officials’ wives, all could find objects of their desire within.

“Shenyu Pavilion sets no threshold and doesn’t restrict based on status. As long as you fancy something and can afford the price, both parties can reach a mutually satisfying arrangement.” Xue Yu blinked away the water droplets from her eyelashes, gazing at the pavilion that seemed to float in the heavens, then glanced at the people coming and going, entering and leaving the building with eyes straight ahead: “The master of Shenyu Pavilion is a person of great vision and far-sight.”

“Has Young Lady come here to buy information about the Flying Heaven Map?” Su You followed her gaze, then withdrew it indifferently, his voice steady and deep.

Xue Yu was the first to step onto the stairs leading to the pavilion.

Today she wore a brilliant green long dress. When climbing the stairs, she lifted her skirt hem with her hand, making her finger joints appear delicate and well-proportioned. The dress hem opened and closed with splashing water droplets, like morning glory flowers blooming in the dawn, still adorned with dewdrops.

Su You followed behind that swaying flower, step by step.

“Information about the Flying Heaven Map is incidental.” Xue Yu said quickly: “Flying Cloud Peak—have you heard of it?”

Luohui existed to cultivate capable ministers for Yedu. As capable ministers, they needed to know current affairs and understand ancient and modern times. Therefore, for a period, Su You had been confined in a cramped space with only an oil lamp, memorizing general knowledge by rote.

His memory was excellent, nearly photographic, so when the three words “Flying Cloud Peak” were spoken, he quickly recalled related information.

The so-called “Flying Cloud Peak,” as its name suggested, was this world’s way of giving accomplished young people a chance to soar. It could be called a tremendous gift of opportunity without exaggeration. Though there were countless secret realms in this world, none had greater attraction than “Flying Cloud Peak.”

Originally, Xihe Sacred Land became the foremost Sacred Land because it possessed two true sacred objects within.

One was the Heavenly Secrets Book, the other the Fusang Tree.

One revealed all worldly affairs, the other was where the life force of all living beings converged.

This “Flying Cloud Peak” was the grand secret realm that the Fusang Tree released every five hundred years. The threshold to enter this secret realm was neither too high nor too low—it was based on the number and difficulty of Heavenly Secrets Book missions one had completed.

Like those great demons of the Demon Capital who had never completed a single mission, normally living carefree and powerful lives, they certainly couldn’t miss this opportunity and would participate. How would they participate?

By paying money.

From birth until now, every ignored mission would be tallied up, accumulating repeatedly—however much it was, not a cent less.

Either pay up or walk away with dignity.

Therefore, every time before “Flying Cloud Peak” opened, the expressions on those great demons’ faces in the Demon Capital were always particularly spectacular and amusing.

Seeing that he understood, Xue Yu rotated the handle of her round fan in her hand, speaking of another matter related to Yedu: “The entrance to Flying Cloud Peak opens in Yedu.”

By rights, this Flying Cloud Peak should open in Xihe.

But as they say, you get what you give. When the Six Sacred Lands discussed the mess that the Demon Capital wouldn’t manage, they all looked toward the Lord of Yedu at the time. Though they didn’t say it outright, the meaning in their eyes was nothing more than: managing ghosts is managing, managing demons is also managing. Other places indeed have their difficulties, so perhaps Yedu should take on this matter.

The Lord of Yedu at the time narrowed his eyes coldly, his face stern. Without a word, he produced several account ledgers, distributing one to each person, saying: “Look for yourselves—every month, every year, how many minor demons commit crimes in the mortal realm. Look first, then speak so lightly.”

Everyone looked and indeed found the numbers staggering—so many that even the Kunlun Sect Master, who had initially exchanged glances, began awkwardly stroking his nose bridge with squinted eyes. After a long while, he honestly said, “It’s not that we’re being unreasonable, but the other Sacred Lands truly aren’t suitable. Xihe has the Fusang Tree growing there. If those demons commit crimes and one or two escape, it would be an unimaginable disaster for both the mortal world and us. As for Kunlun, Kunlun is a nurturing ground with many disciples, most of whom are still naive newcomers to the path. How could they grow up among a pack of demons?”

The current Buddhist Mistress of the Northern Wastes was a woman with a gentle and serene temperament. After long contemplation, she also shook her head: “The Northern Wastes cultivate the Buddhist path and prefer tranquility. Such acts of killing would affect mental cultivation. The Northern Wastes are indeed unsuitable for this matter.”

Those present then looked toward Chi Shui and Tai Hua, who had remained silent.

The ruler of Chi Shui had held the position for tens of thousands of years. Upon hearing the words “demons who committed crimes,” he immediately frowned and snorted coldly: “What’s there to discuss about this? Since they dare commit crimes, they should pay the price for their actions. In my opinion, we should just deal with them all—”

“Enough.” The Buddhist Mistress interrupted him, looking toward the Tai Hua ruler: “What about Tai Hua? Can you spare the effort to manage this matter?”

Upon hearing this, the Tai Hua ruler lifted his eyelids and replied irritably: “Can’t spare the effort. Tai Hua manages all the various ‘qi’ of the mortal realm—resentful qi, death qi, murderous qi—we’re already overwhelmed and chaotic. Instead of helping, you’re looking to give Tai Hua even more work? If you have such a concern, why not send more spiritual veins and treasures to Tai Hua instead?”

When he finished speaking, everyone present averted their gazes.

In the end, the matter still fell to Yedu. The Xihe ruler first made a solemn bow to the Lord of Yedu, saying: “Since we were born in Sacred Lands and shoulder great responsibilities, there are always times when we have no choice. The contributions Yedu has made to the world, we keep in our hearts and will never forget.”

The Lord of Yedu was about to speak when he heard the Xihe ruler say: “This is also the will of the Fusang Tree and the Heavenly Secrets Book.”

The Lord of Yedu had nothing more to say. He made a “you’re all amazing” gesture to the Xihe ruler and slumped back in his chair, face tense, remaining silent.

The Xihe ruler then continued: “Each year, we five families will each provide a spiritual vein.”

The Lord of Yedu’s expression softened somewhat.

The Xihe ruler smiled and added, “The Fusang Tree says that from now on, Flying Cloud Peak will always open in Yedu.”

Flying Cloud Peak’s opening in Yedu meant that each time, the most mysterious Abyss of Secrets within Flying Cloud Peak would give Yedu two additional slots.

That place wasn’t somewhere just anyone could enter.

This was equivalent to Yedu gaining two pillars of talent every five hundred years. If time passed for a thousand years, ten thousand years…

The Lord of Yedu calculated the benefits, then stood up and formally returned the bow to the Xihe ruler, speaking with grand rhetoric: “Being able to contribute to all living beings, Yedu will not shirk its duty.”

Xue Yu paused her story halfway through and stepped into the Shenyu Pavilion first.

She and Su You possessed unparalleled grace and noble bearing. The door attendant naturally guided them inside, about to speak when he saw Xue Yu flash a token before their eyes, saying: “Heaven-grade private room, lead the way.”

The attendant’s expression immediately became respectful. He quickly led them down a path with the fewest people, speaking deferentially: “This is the direct route to the fifth floor. I’ll guide you there, Miss and Young Master.”

The Heaven-grade private room was much larger than the others. Or rather, the entire Shenyu Pavilion contained hidden dimensions within—everything was ingenious and spacious, even the carpet underfoot was threaded with gold, truly treating money like dirt.

Because it was often used for business discussions, the room was divided into inner and outer chambers. Between these two sections was only a water mirror enhanced with special techniques. Those in the inner chamber could sit and observe everything in the outer chamber, a setup specially prepared for important figures who found it inconvenient to appear in person but still wanted to witness the proceedings.

When Xue Yu arrived, the room was still empty. She entered and sat in the inner chamber’s chair, looking up at Su You, whose every word and gesture was impeccable, then continued her earlier story: “Flying Cloud Peak opens in Yedu, and once the entrance opens, it remains for ten years. During this period, various factions flowed in like clouds. To support their family’s children and sect disciples, many won’t leave but instead build high towers from the ground up near Yedu, guarding the entrance.”

After all, such a grand occasion—if one could gain some fortune within Flying Cloud Peak, it would be a great matter that could benefit entire families and sects. Even Sacred Lands couldn’t maintain indifference, let alone others.

“So Shenyu Pavilion wants to make a deal with Yedu.” Xue Yu lifted the corner of her mouth: “Shenyu Pavilion’s master wants to build a branch pavilion outside Yedu’s entrance.”

Once she explained, Su You understood.

First, those who could go to Flying Cloud Peak and receive Heavenly Secrets Book missions were all outstanding young talents. Behind these young talents stood nearly eighty percent of the world’s cultivation families and sects. As soon as Flying Cloud Peak opened, whether ancient families that had been in seclusion for years or the normally mysterious Demon Capital, all would emerge.

These establishments were neither short of money nor lacking in wealth.

They spent money like water, not considering riches important.

Anyone would be tempted by such an opportunity, but the problem was that the entrance was in Yedu.

As one of the Sacred Lands, Yedu might not be as rigid and serious as Xihe, but building a structure at the entrance still required considerable boldness.

“Young Lady, can this building be constructed?” Su You asked.

“I’ve discussed this matter with Father. Whether it succeeds depends entirely on their sincerity and what conditions they can offer.” Xue Yu said, gently placing her round fan on the small table before her: “Since this matter is uncertain, I won’t appear to negotiate. You’ll go shortly.”

Su You’s lips pressed into a straight, cold line. He sometimes felt that Xue Yu’s personality was too disadvantageous to her.

With his keen intuition, he could naturally sense the subtle changes in her attitude beneath her impartial treatment. From the day he used the demon-luring array trying to draw out Jiu Feng, to when he rashly intruded into Prince Zhao’s mansion, her treatment of him had been this kind of unreserved cultivation.

She was giving him the best training opportunities.

Whenever someone showed genuine feelings toward her, once she perceived it, she wouldn’t say anything with her mouth or show it on her face, but her actions would respond with complete sincerity everywhere.

This sincerity hidden beneath frost was moving, but it was also easily betrayed by others.

Just like when she had taken him on four-and-a-half-star missions—if he had made mistakes, she would have failed to complete those missions. Later, when entering Luohui, she never said a word about how rare the Luohui opportunity was, how even she needed to consult the Lord of Yedu and discuss with subordinates. If he couldn’t defeat the guardian in two hundred years, she would also bear criticism for poor judgment in trusting a demon ghost.

Like this time, if he rashly agreed to one or two of the other party’s demands, Yedu would suffer losses.

She wouldn’t let Yedu bear such mistakes; she would only compensate with her own money and resources.

But she wouldn’t say these things, and if outsiders weren’t perceptive enough, they might not know, truly believing she could cover the sky with one hand and that everything was easy for her.

Su You paused, not immediately agreeing. After a moment, he looked into Xue Yu’s eyes and said seriously: “This is a major matter. I fear making mistakes and disappointing Young Lady.”

“Su You.” Xue Yu called his name: “The matters around me are all like this. In the future, things will be even more dangerous, facing countless life-and-death situations with no retreat.”

Look.

If someone else heard these words, they might think she was deliberately warning him, being unreasonably demanding. But Su You—he lowered his eyes, thinking that even so, she still wouldn’t speak the plain truth.

If ten years ago when he was still weak, Xue Yu’s treatment of him was appreciation, affirmation, and guidance, then now that his strength had emerged and his wings had grown full, her treatment of him was training and tempering.

This was Xue Yu’s method of cultivating people.

It was the fastest way to carve someone into fine jade, and also the method most likely to breed resentment.

Since that was the case.

Su You said, “I accept the command.”

He thought, since that was the case, he would temper himself into the sharpest blade at her side.

He didn’t have such a good heart, didn’t have such great tolerance for others. All those ungrateful people who tried to repay kindness with enmity shouldn’t expect any good endings.

Xue Yu supported her chin with her hand, the corner of her eye lifting slightly, curving into a rare hint of a smile: “You are the Commander of the Palace Guards, backed by Yedu. Say what should be said, do what should be done.”

“Right now, they’re the ones asking something of us. When even they aren’t panicking, what are you afraid of?”

“Go.”

Su You’s dark eyes lingered on that hint of smile at the corner of her eye that seemed about to fall but didn’t, then he turned and stepped into the outer chamber.

He asked himself what he was afraid of.

The answer was:

—He still felt himself as lowly as dust, afraid of disappointing her, receiving her cold treatment, and being despised by her.

That emotion grew deeper and heavier the longer he stayed by her side, constantly churning, never ceasing for a moment. He was forced into a corner with no retreat, pretending to be a refined gentleman while constantly maintaining a precarious thread of rationality.

Su You felt absurdly ridiculous as he closed his eyes briefly, feeling he had fallen into some kind of absurd and grand obsession.

The door was pushed open from the outside. The man who entered was about forty years old, short in stature, with smiling, squinting eyes that made him appear very smooth and benevolent. He seemed to have received advance notice. After entering, he first cupped his hands toward Su You, then bowed toward the inner chamber before introducing himself: “Greetings to both immortal masters. This humble one is the master of Shenyu Pavilion. I’ve come today as invited to discuss the branch pavilion matter. I wonder which great master has come to negotiate today?”

Su You almost without any delay collected his thoughts. He smiled and returned the bow, then naturally sat in the chair opposite the Shenyu Pavilion master, his posture graceful and unhurried: “Commander of Yedu’s Palace Guards, Su You.”

Shenyu Pavilion had branches everywhere and conducted all kinds of business, including information gathering. Upon hearing “Palace Guards,” the pavilion master immediately knew who was sitting inside.

The master, who originally held little hope, suddenly became energetic. After brief consideration, he understood what this meant.

He sat up straight, rubbing his hands and chuckling twice, while observing the young man before him and saying, “Having both great masters come today and consider our previous proposal truly brings great joy to all of Shenyu Pavilion.”

While speaking these pleasantries, the man sitting across from him with an extraordinary bearing didn’t respond. He smiled with the corners of his eyes, but the warmth in his pupils was cool, even carrying a cold, detached indifference when observed closely.

The pavilion master, having read countless people in his lifetime, felt pressure from intuition alone shortly after sitting down.

“Sacred Lands are great establishments. Though my Shenyu Pavilion hasn’t made much of a name, we’ve done business for over a thousand years and still have some credibility. Today’s discussion will certainly be conducted with sincerity to make this matter succeed.” After speaking, the pavilion master boldly pulled over a sheet of paper, wrote several lines, then handed it to Su You: “Please take a look, Master. This is the price Shenyu Pavilion is willing to offer.”

Su You only glanced once—merely once—before his knuckles pressed against the paper, and he looked away with a half-smile.

His spine rested against the chair back, his shoulder line flowing smoothly—an almost relaxed posture.

But with things just beginning and him already relaxing, the Shenyu Pavilion master’s eyes sharpened, almost hearing him say: this isn’t even worth discussing, there’s nothing to talk about.

Indeed, Su You meant exactly that, but he expressed it properly, only leaning forward slightly with his palm supporting him, slowly pushing the paper back to the pavilion master’s side, his voice even carrying a smile: “Master, by sitting here today, I represent Yedu’s sincerity.”

“Correspondingly, Shenyu Pavilion should also show a genuine attitude.”

The Shenyu Pavilion master quietly drew a breath, looking at that face so close yet flawless, thinking: this is what they mean by hiding a knife behind a smile, steel wrapped in silk.

Complaints aside, being rejected on the first offer was perfectly normal. The Shenyu Pavilion master squinted and said nothing, instead taking up his brush to add several more lines after the previous text, pushing it to Su You again with a serious expression: “Commander, please look again. This price, honestly speaking, isn’t low anymore.”

Su You’s smile seemed to deepen at the corners of his eyes. His articulated fingers fell on the black characters on white paper. When he looked down, his eyelashes swept lightly, his posture leisurely, yet naturally carrying an indescribable sense of pressure.

After a long while, he tapped the table edge twice with his fingertip, as if he’d lost patience for maneuvering. He lifted his eyelids and curved his lips: “Master, Shenyu Pavilion wants to build a branch pavilion at Yedu’s entrance.”

Each word fell neither light nor heavy, naturally carrying a reminder, though the implication wasn’t profound. This attitude seemed to say that Yedu didn’t lack money—success would please everyone, but failure wouldn’t matter much either.

But for Shenyu Pavilion, this opportunity was rare and important, worth going all-out to fight for.

The Shenyu Pavilion master found it difficult. He gritted his teeth, no longer looking at the paper, but stared at the dazzling, almost searing eyes of the young man across from him. After hesitating for a long while, he held up five fingers and waved them: “On top of what’s already there, add another fifty million spirit stones.”

After finishing, he smiled bitterly: “At this price, you won’t find a second buyer anywhere.”

This time, Su You finally restrained his smile. He weighed the paper in his hand: “Master, you and I both know it would be very difficult to find a second Sacred Land willing to let outsiders build a structure at their front door.”

How could he respond to that?

The Shenyu Pavilion master chuckled twice, his eyes squinting into mere slits: “What does the Commander think?”

“Master, I’ll speak frankly.” Su You lifted his lips: “It’s still not quite enough.”

The Shenyu Pavilion master’s chest rose and fell repeatedly, whether from nervousness or anger.

He knew negotiating with a Sacred Land would be very difficult, but he hadn’t expected it to be this difficult.

This Commander had no prominent reputation, unlike those two female Commanders who had been famous for some time. According to records, he was only about two hundred years old, quite favored by Yedu’s heir, and always kept close for training. At first sight, one might think he achieved a high position through looks and physique, but after just a few exchanges today, it was clear he relied on real ability.

He could make the false seem true, the white seem black. Most difficult to fathom was his attitude—completely inscrutable.

But thinking about it, what kind of establishment was a Sacred Land? How could anyone serving as Commander there be mediocre?

The Shenyu Pavilion master licked his lips, his voice slightly strained: “Commander, Shenyu Pavilion means no offense to the Sacred Land. The building will be constructed outside the Sacred Land, and those deployed to help will all be people with sense and propriety. This will have no impact whatsoever on normal entry, exit, and life within and around Yedu.”

Su You nodded noncommittally with a smile, lowered his eyes to sip hot tea, then said: “Master, business isn’t conducted this way.”

“Not to mention whether it affects Yedu or not, think about it—if this succeeds, during Flying Cloud Peak’s ten years, how much could Shenyu Pavilion earn?”

“Or rather, borrowing the Sacred Land’s name, could Shenyu Pavilion’s reputation be thoroughly established throughout the world?”

These two sentences, every word carrying irresistible temptation. The Shenyu Pavilion master took a deep breath, turned his palms over: “Commander, speak directly. When you say ‘not quite enough,’ how much more do you mean?”

He stared intently at Su You’s expression, discovering that even at such a crucial moment, his face showed no real emotion or fluctuation, as if from beginning to end, only he was excited and nervous.

“Add another fifty million.”

Simply outrageous demands.

The Shenyu Pavilion master completely lost his composure: “Commander, this price is too high. I’m afraid we cannot bear it.”

“Yes.” Su You readily admitted, deliberately lowering his voice when speaking, giving it a thought-provoking quality: “But this building won’t exist for just ten years. Flying Cloud Peak won’t open only once.”

“Shenyu Pavilion has many branches and inevitably encounters competitors they can’t defeat. But the one at Flying Cloud Peak—just that one—would be enough to ensure Shenyu Pavilion’s long-term prosperity, generation after generation.”

Hearing this, the Shenyu Pavilion master had to admit that this person before him was truly indifferent when he didn’t care, but when he was determined to persuade someone, every sentence, every word, even every low breath, was forcing compliance.

“I’ve said all I can. The rest is for you to consider, Master.”

The Shenyu Pavilion master’s expression shifted uncertainly. Finally, after reciting several heart-clearing sutras, just as he was about to grit his teeth and squeeze out a “yes” from between his teeth, he saw Su You gesture with his palm in the air: “There’s one more thing.”

Seeing the pavilion master’s expression as if facing a great enemy, he couldn’t help but say: “It’s a small matter. We need information on the Flying Heaven Map.”

Compared to money flowing out like water, this was indeed a small matter. The Shenyu Pavilion master felt relieved: “Agreed.”

He grabbed the paper, took up his brush to write all conditions on it, then solemnly handed it to Su You: “Please see if there’s anything else that needs to be added, Commander.”

Su You scanned through word by word. After a moment, he smiled brilliantly, his tone becoming completely gentle: “Congratulations, Shenyu Pavilion has achieved its wish.”

Throughout this process, Xue Yu remained seated in the inner chamber. She observed his expression, watching him remain composed and unhurried from beginning to end, step by step guiding an old fox who roamed the commercial world into his whirlpool.

He had methods, boldness, and very good calculating ability. It could be said he precisely stepped on Shenyu Pavilion’s final price bottom line, even slightly crossing the boundary, then managed to pull it back with just a few sentences.

That was an extremely powerful ability to control.

It wasn’t until the pavilion master left that Su You withdrew his smile and stepped into the inner chamber with the paper.

Looking at the man who appeared before her the next moment, Xue Yu couldn’t help but think of those joking words Chao Nian had said before they left.

“Young Lady.” Su You handed the paper to Xue Yu: “This is Shenyu Pavilion’s final offer.”

Xue Yu casually glanced through it twice, her gaze returning to his face. Without saying whether she was satisfied or not, she simply said: “I think Chao Nian was right.”

“Shen Jingshi.”

“Is asking for a blow to his confidence.”