"Here's a 3,000 tael silver note for you. The pill is mine now!" Second Uncle Su Hong said happily, pulling out a 3,000 tael note from his pocket and tossing it to Su Hao.
"Brother, I'll take this pill back to study. By analyzing its patterns and combining it with the properties of the Black Blood Poison, I should be able to create an antidote," Su Hong said solemnly, tucking the pill away. "Once I've made it, I'll release it through black market channels. Third Brother, you can then obtain the antidote from the black market to cure the young lord."
"Good. This will reduce the risk to our Su family," Su Ming nodded, agreeing that the black market route was the safest.
"I'll go back and start working on the pill now. I should have it ready tonight!" Su Hong said eagerly before rushing off, excited about the potential to improve his skills as an alchemist.
Meanwhile, Su Hao stood there with a smile, holding the 3,000 tael note. Although he already had 2,000 taels in his inventory, who wouldn't want more money?
"Well done, Hao!" Su Wu praised, impressed that Su Hao had managed to resolve the Su family's crisis so easily.
"Dad, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now," Su Hao said, planning to take a stroll to the Moon Shadow Tower.
"It's a bit chaotic outside. Stay home and behave yourself," Su Ming warned, seeming to know Su Hao's intentions.
But Su Hao ignored his father's command and left the study.
Just then, Butler Han returned, his face beaming with excitement.
"Master, Alchemist Tong says that the Dragon Spirit Ginseng young master obtained is several times better than ordinary ones," Han reported. "When he refined it, he produced twice as many Dragon Ginseng Pills, a total of 18!"
"That many?" Su Ming's eyes lit up with joy. Normally, one Dragon Spirit Ginseng would yield at most 9 pills, but Su Hao's ginseng had produced 18.
"Dragon Ginseng Pills?" Su Wu looked puzzled. His brother had recently asked him to search for Dragon Spirit Ginseng, but now they suddenly had pills ready?
Su Ming explained that Su Hao had obtained a Dragon Spirit Ginseng, which Alchemist Tong had verified and used to make the pills. He instructed Su Wu to take six pills for his son Ming, who would need them to break through to the Earth Realm.
After Han left to prepare the pills, Su Wu asked about how Su Hao had obtained such a rare ingredient.
"A beggar gave it to him. I'm not sure of the details, but I guess it's just the boy's luck," Su Ming said, recounting what Su Hao had told him.
"That's incredible. Hao does have good fortune," Su Wu remarked, thinking back to the detoxification pill as well.
"Brother, perhaps Hao's luck is beyond our understanding. Maybe we should let him be," Su Wu suggested.
"As if I could control him now anyway," Su Ming sighed.
The two brothers, relieved that the young lord's situation was resolved, decided to go for a drink.
Despite the day's turmoil in Fu City, the night remained as bustling as ever. Su Hao sat in a carriage, heading to the Emerald Delight Tower. Although he had eaten earlier, cultivating the Brahma Fierce Flame Technique had depleted much of his energy, so he planned to eat again.
The Emerald Delight Tower was Fu City's finest restaurant, owned by the family of Su Hao's friend, Fat Gu. Knowing Fat Gu, Su Hao was sure he'd find him there, indulging in food and drink.
Inside the brightly lit restaurant, patrons discussed the day's events in Fu City. Some spoke of Han Lu being revealed as a member of the Blood Moon Cult, while others debated the strength of various factions in the Northwest Prefecture.
As Su Hao entered, he overheard people mocking his appointment as deputy chief of the constabulary. "Everyone seems to be having a good laugh," he said coldly, silencing the room.
Ignoring the chastened patrons, Su Hao headed to his usual private room on the second floor. There, he found Fat Gu surrounded by a feast of food and wine.
"Brother Hao! I knew you'd come. I've prepared everything to celebrate your new position. Quick, pour the young master some wine!" Fat Gu called to a serving girl.
"Where's your cousin, Gu Xier?" Su Hao asked, helping himself to food and drink.
Fat Gu grinned mischievously. "Brother Hao, you're free to do as you please for a while. My cousin won't be going anywhere!"
"Oh? Is she under house arrest?" Su Hao inquired.
"House arrest? No, it's just that when she came back today, a large chunk of her hair had been burned off somehow. She's hiding at home, too embarrassed to show her face!" Fat Gu whispered.
"What? A large chunk of her hair was burned off?" Su Hao exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't noticed Gu Xier's condition during the earlier chaos.
Inwardly, he felt a twinge of regret. Gu Xier's long, silky hair had perfectly complemented her slender figure, making her a true beauty. Now, thanks to his bomb, her appearance had been marred. What a shame, he thought to himself.