Miter Auction House

Because Gu He used Dou Qi to hold his clothes and hair ornaments in place, they remained perfectly neat despite his high-speed flight. After landing, Gu He headed straight for the city gate. The guards saw the cloud-and-silver-sword emblem embroidered on his robe cuffs and the alchemist badge affixed to his chest. On the ancient Medicine Cauldron carved into the badge were five mercury-like ripples, twisting faintly as if alive.

With such obvious features, how could they not recognize the renowned Pill King Gu He? They let him pass directly through the gate, not daring to mention the entrance fee, much less approach him to greet him.

After entering the city, Gu He followed his memories to the Miter Auction House. Along the way, anyone who saw the emblem on his clothes looked at him with reverence and respectfully moved aside. Whenever he encountered someone at the Da Dou Shi level or above, they would stop of their own accord, respectfully call out, "Master Gu He," and bow slightly to show their respect.

Only then did Gu He truly understand what the title Pill King meant. It was a title that placed one above tens of thousands—not through martial strength, but through alchemy, making others need his help and thus seek to curry favor with him. Yet these were all external forces. When faced with true power, such external forces would be of little use. Only one's own strength could be relied upon. Gu He silently reminded himself not to become lost in such hollow honor.

The Miter Auction House was not far from the Imperial Capital's gates. Moreover, even in the crowded Imperial Capital, pedestrians had forcibly squeezed out a passage wide enough for two people to walk abreast beneath the name of Pill King Gu He.

The Miter Auction House had long received news that Pill King Gu He was coming. Mittel Teng Shan, the highest-ranking member of the Mite'er Family after Ice Emperor Hai Bodong's fate became unknown, had personally waited at the entrance.

While Gu He was still some distance from the gates, he saw Mittel Teng Shan stride quickly toward him. With a broad smile, Teng Shan said, "Old He, what wind blew you over to Mittel? Your presence truly brings glory to this humble place! Business here will surely improve greatly from now on."

When he reached Gu He, he gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder and walked beside him toward Mittel's entrance.

"Brother Teng Shan, I'm short on a few things. You were the first person I thought of, so I came straight to your door. Don't find me troublesome now," Gu He said with an equally amused smile.

"Haha, Old He, who knows how many people in the entire Jia Ma Empire would beg for the chance to do something for you. Since you came to me, I couldn't be more pleased. How could I possibly find it troublesome?"

"Come, come. Let's not stand here talking. I had your favorite Jade Dew Tea prepared inside. Go in and have a taste."

"Haha, Brother Teng Shan, you're as impatient as ever. But since you've already arranged everything, I'll gladly accept."

As he spoke, Gu He entered first. After passing through the gates, Mittel Teng Shan personally led Gu He into a quiet little courtyard, where two exceptionally beautiful young women were brewing tea. Gu He and Teng Shan arrived just as they were dividing the tea. Once Teng Shan and Gu He had taken their respective seats as host and guest, the two young women presented the prepared tea to them.

Suppressing his urge to speak, Gu He picked up his tea. The tea liquor was clear and entirely jade-green, truly worthy of the name Jade Dew. At the same time, waves of delicate fragrance rose from the cup with the steam. The scent alone made his mouth water. Gu He smiled and gave the girl who served the tea a slight nod, then lifted the cup and took a light sip. It felt fresh and invigorating, leaving a crisp, refreshing sensation in his mouth. He then finished the cup in three more sips.

To Teng Shan, who had also finished his tea, he said, "Jade Dew Tea is truly the finest of teas. The tea masters here are also exceptionally skilled. Being able to taste it once is my good fortune."

"If you like them, Old He, you can take both of them with you. Wouldn't that mean you could enjoy fine tea every day?" Teng Shan said as if joking, but the seriousness in his eyes showed that if Gu He truly wished it, he would give the two young women in the bloom of youth to him.

"A gentleman does not take what another cherishes. Besides, beautiful things are precious because they are rare. If they become too common, people will no longer treasure them. As long as Brother Teng Shan serves me a cup of equally fragrant Jade Dew Tea whenever I visit in the future, I will be endlessly grateful." Looking at the girls' faces and figures, Gu He did feel a fleeting urge to possess them. But when Yun Yun's image and her tragic future came to mind, he swiftly drove the inappropriate thoughts from his head and answered Teng Shan solemnly.

Teng Shan was not at all surprised by Gu He's direct refusal. Gu He had kept himself clean for more than a decade since becoming famous, and there had never been any rumor of him being involved with any woman. Many people even suspected that something was wrong with him physically, or that he was gay. Teng Shan naturally knew those were merely rumors. It was highly likely that this genius alchemist had fallen for the current Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun. As the decision-maker of a family, Teng Shan did not wish to see such a thing happen. It would make the Misty Cloud Sect's dominance over the Jia Ma Empire even more stable, which would not benefit the family's interests. But as a friend, he felt the two were quite well matched. For that reason, Teng Shan had never investigated Gu He's private affairs. What he had done just now was merely a test. It would have been good if it succeeded, but it did not matter if it failed.

Teng Shan dismissed the two tea masters and got straight to the point. "Old He, now that there are only the two of us here, tell me. What do you need me to do?"

"Brother Teng Shan, I hope you can help me obtain an Ice Silkworm Mask. It is made from the ice silkworm thread spun by an Ice Mountain Snow Silkworm, then carefully carved by a master craftsman into the shape of a human face. Once it is placed over one's face, it can conceal one's original appearance. I need one of those. I already have everything else, so I don't need anything more." Since Teng Shan had already brought it up, Gu He directly stated his request.

"I'm not very familiar with the auction house inventory. I'll have someone brought here. She is very familiar with figures and management. Ask her, and we'll know whether the Miter Auction House currently has what you need. But even if we do not, please wait a little while. With the Mite'er Family's sales channels spread throughout the country, it will be very quick to find that item for you." Teng Shan suddenly called out loudly, "Kyle, go bring Ya Fei here."

"Yes, Great Elder." A figure instantly appeared at the entrance, dropped to one knee, and replied to Teng Shan.

"Go quickly and return quickly. Do not delay the Pill King's time." Teng Shan waved at the kneeling man.

Kyle nodded, bowed, and backed out of the two men's sight.