Trust

Huo Yuhao was strolling through the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City.

His mind was preoccupied with how he would convince his mother to stay home and rest instead of going out to toil for work once he returned.

After much deliberation, Huo Yuhao decided to first visit a pharmacy to pick up some herbs for nourishing the blood and fortifying the foundation.

This would not only better regulate his mother's health but also give her a reason to temporarily abandon the idea of seeking employment.

With this in mind, Huo Yuhao asked a passerby for the location of the largest pharmacy in Heaven Dou City.

After confirming the direction, he headed straight toward the pharmacy.

As he neared the medical clinic, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of the scene inside through the window.

He saw Jiang Nannan standing there, her face filled with anxiety.

Standing opposite her was a youth he did not recognize.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao's expression shifted slightly, lost in thought.

Inside the clinic.

"Chen Wen, is what you said true?"

Jiang Nannan's voice carried a hint of trembling, but even more so, an undisguisable urgency.

"Do you really have a way to save my mother?"

Chen Wen looked at the young girl before him, who, despite her simple attire, could not hide her refined and ethereal beauty.

He secretly marveled at his young master's good taste; it was worth the effort of asking Uncle Xu Sheng to use that Basalt Divine Pill as a bargaining chip.

If not for this, he feared it would be difficult to complete this "good deed" for the Second Young Master.

"That goes without saying. Would I, Chen Wen, ever lie to you?"

A smile spread across Chen Wen's face, his tone tinged with a touch of smugness.

"As long as you agree to sell yourself to our sect, we will not only provide you with a large sum of Gold Soul Coin as compensation, but we will also give you a Basalt Divine Pill, unique to our sect."

He paused, then continued:

"You know as well as anyone that the Basalt Divine Pill is a treasure exclusive to our Black Tortoise Sect; it doesn't circulate in the outside world at all.

Your mother's heart condition is so severe that without the medicinal power of the Basalt Divine Pill, I fear she will hardly be able to hold on."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nannan's face turned as pale as paper.

As a resident of Heaven Dou City, she had naturally heard of the Black Tortoise Sect's Basalt Divine Pill, and she had also heard rumors of the Black Tortoise Sect secretly scouring for beautiful, innocent young girls.

But when she thought of the physician telling her earlier that her mother's condition was critical and that she likely didn't have much time left, a wave of desolation washed over Jiang Nannan's heart.

For the sake of her mother's survival, what did it matter if she sold herself to the Black Tortoise Sect?

Seeing that Jiang Nannan seemed to be wavering, Chen Wen felt a secret thrill of joy.

He had once been Xu Sanshi's personal attendant. Because his family had served the Black Tortoise Sect for at least five generations, his status within the sect was not low, even though he lacked innate soul power after awakening his martial soul.

However, ever since Xu Sanshi's cultivation improved and he entered Shrek Academy, the connection between them had gradually faded.

It was precisely for this reason that he had taken the initiative to find Xu Sheng and accept this errand.

He did it all to help Xu Sanshi fulfill his wish and bridge the distance between them once more.

Before Jiang Nannan could respond, Chen Wen saw a black-haired youth with delicate features walk in.

"Sister Nannan, you've run into trouble—why didn't you tell me?"

The youth's tone was gentle, carrying a hint of concern.

Jiang Nannan looked at the suddenly appearing Huo Yuhao, her expression shifting slightly as she spoke subconsciously:

"Yuhao, why are you here?"

Immediately after, as if remembering something, she hurriedly added:

"Yuhao, it's not what you think."

Jiang Nannan wasn't even sure why she was in such a rush to explain herself to Huo Yuhao.

Perhaps it was because, during those few days with the caravan, she had seen reflections of herself and her mother in Huo Yuhao and his mother, fostering an inexplicable sense of closeness toward him.

Thus, she did not want him to see her in such a distressed and wretched state.

Chen Wen looked at the Huo Yuhao who had barged in halfway, his expression turning rather unsightly.

Had this youth not appeared so suddenly, Jiang Nannan would likely have already agreed to his terms.

However, thinking of Xu Sheng's instructions, he could only suppress the irritation in his heart and speak in as calm a tone as possible:

"Little brother, you don't understand. Her mother suffers from a severe heart disease; aside from the Basalt Divine Pill I brought, I fear there is no other way to treat her."

Jiang Nannan's mother was merely an ordinary person without soul power. Aside from relying on the mild medicinal effects of the Basalt Divine Pill, if she were to rely on a specialized healing-type soul master, it might actually prove counterproductive.

Most healing-type soul masters achieved their results by stimulating the life force within a soul master's body.

Since Jiang Nannan's mother already lacked vitality, a rash attempt at treatment would likely cost her her life.

Furthermore, looking at the youth's plain attire, aside from those exceptionally vivid blue eyes, Chen Wen truly couldn't imagine what possible way he could have to intervene in this matter.

Jiang Nannan's expression dimmed.

Although Huo Yuhao's grilled fish had left a deep impression on her, and he had helped bandage the wounds of the carriage drivers after the caravan was attacked by soul beasts, suggesting he might know some medical theory, she still did not believe that a ten-year-old Huo Yuhao could have any way to resolve her mother's illness.

However, before Jiang Nannan could speak, Huo Yuhao had already stepped forward and gently took her hand.

"Sister Nannan, please trust me."

Huo Yuhao's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally firm.

Jiang Nannan suddenly felt an extremely pure and gentle life force flowing from Huo Yuhao's hand.

This life force surged into her body, making her somewhat exhausted frame feel a wave of relief.

Looking down into Huo Yuhao's earnest and clear eyes, she was slightly startled, and as if possessed, she spoke:

"Alright, Yuhao, then Sister Nannan will trust you."

Chen Wen watched this sudden scene unfold, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

He truly could not understand why Jiang Nannan would suddenly change her mind and choose to believe in a child of only about ten years old.

Could there be something wrong with Jiang Nannan's brain?

Is she joking with her own mother's life!

It was clear that as long as she agreed to sell herself to the Black Tortoise Sect, she could save her mother's life.

Yet now, she insisted on trusting a ten-year-old child?

Chen Wen took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the displeasure in his heart, and said in a deep voice:

"Jiang Nannan, if this little brother cannot cure your mother's illness, you can come find me at any time before tonight."

Chen Wen was still unwilling to give up on Jiang Nannan easily. After all, she was the person Xu Sanshi had been pursuing at Shrek Academy; she must surely be more to Xu Sanshi's liking than the other candidates in Xu Sheng's hands.

After saying this, Chen Wen turned and walked out. However, he did not go far, remaining in another part of the medical clinic, clearly still waiting for Jiang Nannan to change her mind.