Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Zhao Dong waved his hand. "Proprietor Huo, you're too polite. Although you have a policy of tenfold compensation for fakes, we didn't actually buy any counterfeits from you.

"I am unworthy of these."

"No, no, you deserve them," Huo Hongyan said with a bitter smile. "You're the one who made me aware of the internal problems at the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion.

"Otherwise, if these counterfeits had reached the market, not even ten thousand Red Training Grasses could have restored our reputation.

"If you don't accept these, my heart won't be at ease!"

With her sincere demeanor and enchanting, soul-stirring eyes pleading intently, Huo Hongyan made it impossible for Zhao Dong to refuse.

"Alright, then I shall respectfully comply," he conceded, signaling for Qing Yu to take the items.

Seeing this, Huo Hongyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. The reputation of the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion was preserved. From now on, even if the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion sold fakes again, customers would know it truly honored its policy of tenfold compensation. In fact, rather than being deterred by past incidents, people might even hope to find a counterfeit to claim the hefty reward. Paradoxically, this would actually boost the Pavilion's business!

Afterward, Huo Hongyan produced another medicinal herb and handed it to Zhao Dong with a smile. "Mr. Zhao, the previous items were for the compensation policy. This, however, is a meeting gift from me. I hope you will accept it!"

"That's really not necessary," Zhao Dong said, trying to refuse. He had already received a great deal, and it seemed unreasonable to take more.

Huo Hongyan said earnestly, "Mr. Zhao, your discerning eye is exceptional. This medicinal herb is simply a gift from me in the hopes of forging a friendship.

"I only hope that if the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion encounters anything dubious in the future, we might ask you to help us appraise it..."

Zhao Dong felt a surge of goodwill toward Huo Hongyan. The woman was not only stunningly beautiful but also flawless in her conduct. She had offended him only moments ago, yet with a few words, she had not only smoothed things over but was now paving the way for a friendship.

This woman is truly remarkable!

Zhao Dong had no reason to refuse friendship with someone like her. He accepted the medicinal box with a laugh. "Miss Huo, you jest. It is my honor to become your friend."

As he spoke, he opened the box. Inside lay a withered tiger claw, emanating distinct fluctuations of Spiritual Energy.

"This... could this be a Blood Tiger Claw!?"

Zhao Dong's heart trembled as a flash of excitement lit up his eyes.

The Blood Tiger Claw was the claw of a century-old tiger king, making it exceedingly rare. This was because tigers that lived to be a hundred years old developed a hint of spiritual intelligence. It would not be an exaggeration to call them spiritual beasts. Otherwise, a normal tiger's lifespan would never be so long.

Moreover, a Blood Tiger Claw had to come from a tiger king that died abruptly in combat. The claw needed to be imbued with the enemy's blood energy and the tiger's own resentment to form. Due to these multiple conditions, the Blood Tiger Claw was an extremely rare Spiritual Medicine. If concocted with Red Training Grass to create a Fire Spirit Pill, the effects could be increased by more than tenfold. This Spiritual Medicine was exactly what Zhao Dong desperately needed right now.

Seeing such sincerity from Huo Hongyan, Zhao Dong's opinion of her improved once again.

When she saw he was pleased, Huo Hongyan's smile blossomed like a flower. "Mr. Zhao, you are extraordinarily capable yet humble, something I, Huo Hongyan, deeply admire. If you are ever free, I warmly welcome you to be a guest at the Huo Family estate."

"Of course," Zhao Dong agreed with a smile. He willingly accepted her kind gesture.

The two exchanged contact information and chatted for a while longer before parting ways. After Zhao Dong had left, an imposing man in black emerged from the crowd and approached Huo Hongyan.

"Miss," he whispered, "should we investigate him?"

Huo Hongyan watched Zhao Dong's receding figure, her eyes narrowing as a sharp glint flashed within them. "There's no need. For someone so young to possess such insight and presence, he must have a significant background. He is someone the Huo Family should befriend.

"If we investigated him rashly and angered him, it would not be good for our family."

"Aren't you overestimating him, Miss?" the man in black asked dismissively. "At his age, even if he has some discernment, that's probably all there is to it."

"You're wrong," Huo Hongyan said, shaking her head with a wry smile. "I felt powerful fluctuations of Spiritual Energy from within him.

"Among the younger generation of Provincial City, I have rarely encountered anyone with such dense Spiritual Energy..."

The man in black's eyes widened in shock.

This Zhao Dong... actually received such high praise from the Miss!?

「Meanwhile.」

Zhao Dong and Qing Yu had left the medicinal herb market. Both were in high spirits, having made satisfying gains. Qing Yu cradled the ten herbs, hopping with excitement.

"Senior! You were so cool back there! You made all those old men feel inferior all by yourself. You're my idol!"

Her eyes shone with adoration, and she looked as if she wanted to throw herself into his arms.

Zhao Dong remained nonchalant, smiling without a word. To him, what had happened was of little consequence. The only thing that truly excited him was the Blood Tiger Claw.

"Senior!" Qing Yu suddenly grabbed his hand, her expression eager. "Do you have any other plans today?

"How about I take you to the Blood Sect and introduce you to my master? He'll definitely be thrilled to meet you!"

Visit the Blood Sect!?

Zhao Dong was tempted, but he knew his connections to the Blood Sect ran deep. Showing up rashly could lead to significant trouble.

Thus, he chuckled and said, "I'd be interested in visiting the Blood Sect, but..."

"But what?" Qing Yu asked nervously, afraid he would refuse.

Zhao Dong smiled. "I'm not a fan of overly formal situations. How about we hold off on the introductions for now? Just let me stroll around casually and get a feel for the place first."

"Of course, that's fine!" Qing Yu patted her chest in relief. "I was so worried you didn't want to go!

"Then let's head out now!"

Unable to wait, she pulled Zhao Dong toward a white Audi parked nearby.

「The Blood Sect.」

As the Third Elder's personal disciple, Qing Yu held a high-ranking and influential position within the Blood Sect. With her leading the way, Zhao Dong was finally able to enter its grounds without hindrance. When they arrived at the plaza he had visited before, a group of disciples was in the middle of practicing their martial techniques.

Zhao Dong remarked, "I never expected to see a scene like this in this day and age.

"Do they just practice on the mountain all day? Do they never go down?"

Qing Yu shook her head. "That's not the case. We're in the age of the internet now, so being completely cut off from the world is nearly impossible. These disciples are just here for their daily cultivation. Otherwise, they have cell phones and go online. They even head down the mountain to have fun in their free time. No one restricts their freedom."

"Is that so?" Zhao Dong asked, surprised. He had assumed the Blood Sect would be managed like a military unit.

Qing Yu smiled. "You needn't be surprised, Senior. Modern technology is just too advanced. Truly isolated sects are very rare these days."