Huangfu Shiyue led Ye Chu down into the basement.
The chamber below was spacious and silent—perfect for refining medicine.
"Shiyue-jie, you two wait upstairs," Ye Chu instructed.
Closing the door behind him, he set down the rice cooker, carefully sorted the herbs he had purchased, and began his alchemy.
One by one he cast the ingredients inside, and with a flick of his finger, a thread of true fire sprang forth, enveloping the cooker and melting the herbs within.
Before long, an intoxicating fragrance of medicine filled the air.
Upstairs, both women caught the scent.
"What a rich, potent aroma…" Huangfu Shiyue's eyes shone with anticipation.
The afternoon slipped by swiftly.
When night had fully descended, Ye Chu finally emerged from the basement.
Exhaustion lingered between his brows—alchemy was no easy endeavor.
In his arms, he carried the blackened rice cooker, within which lay a mound of pills.
"Little brother, you've worked hard. Come, dinner is ready."
Huangfu Shiyue greeted him warmly, having prepared the meal with her own hands.
Famished after an entire afternoon of refining, Ye Chu wasted no time and devoured the dishes without restraint.
Instead of disdain, Huangfu Shiyue smiled, gently adding food to his bowl.
"Don't rush, eat slowly."
"Shiyue-jie, I can manage myself," Ye Chu replied, a touch embarrassed.
He pushed the cooker toward her. "The yellow pills are for breakthroughs—take a few. The green ones are detoxification pills; you may have some of those as well."
As Huangfu Shiyue accepted the cooker, the medicinal fragrance grew stronger.
Inside lay dozens of pills, two-thirds of them green, with roughly ten yellow ones scattered among them.
Unable to resist, she quickly swallowed one. At once, a surge of pure medicinal force coursed through her veins.
Not daring to be careless, she sat cross-legged, channeling her energy to refine the power.
Moments later, a formidable aura surged forth. With the aid of the elixir, Huangfu Shiyue broke through to the Vein-Opening Realm.
"Miss, congratulations!" Dongmei's face brimmed with joy.
Rising to her feet, Huangfu Shiyue felt the surging power within, her eyes alight with excitement.
"Little brother, thank you," she said with heartfelt gratitude.
"It was nothing worth mentioning." Ye Chu waved dismissively, then teased with a smile, "Sister, more importantly, you should take a bath first."
Lowering her gaze, she realized her body was coated in grime, a foul stench rising with it. The impurities within her had been expelled during the breakthrough.
Her delicate face flushed crimson. Without another word, she darted toward the bathroom.
Ye Chu chuckled at the sight.
Dongmei hesitated, then asked timidly, "Um… could I also have a pill?"
Ye Chu turned, amusement glinting in his eyes at her bashfulness. He put on a stern expression.
"No. A True Essence Pill is too precious to be wasted on you."
"You—!" Dongmei's cheeks flushed scarlet with anger. "You're bullying me! I'll tell Miss!"
Seeing the usually proud bodyguard acting like a wronged little wife, Ye Chu nearly laughed aloud. Abruptly, he changed his tone.
"Unless… you beg me."
"You…" Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
Ye Chu assumed she would refuse, yet to his surprise, Dongmei said softly, "I want to become stronger too. Please… give me one."
Startled for a moment, Ye Chu burst into laughter.
"One pill won't do—you'll need at least two."
Delight lit her face, and all her anger dissipated in an instant. She hurriedly seized two pills, as though afraid he might regret his words.
Without hesitation, she swallowed one, and soon a powerful aura erupted within the villa once more.
With the True Essence Pill, Dongmei broke through to the peak of Body Tempering.
Ecstatic, she cried out, "I did it—I've broken through!"
As for the remaining pill, she chose not to consume it immediately, saving it for the day she was ready to ascend into the Vein-Opening Realm.
Ye Chu wrinkled his nose.
"You reek. Go take a bath at once."
Startled, she glanced down to see her own body smeared with filth. Though less severe than Huangfu Shiyue's, it still emitted an unpleasant odor.
Her face burned with shame, and she bolted toward the bathroom.
Over half an hour later, the two women finally reemerged, freshly bathed.
Yet Huangfu Shiyue avoided Ye Chu's gaze, still embarrassed by the earlier scene.
"Shiyue-jie, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving," Ye Chu offered, hoping to dispel the awkwardness.
She quickly stopped him.
"Don't go yet, little brother. I want to take you somewhere."
Ye Chu raised a brow. "Where to?"
"You'll know soon enough."
Half an hour later, the three arrived at a private manor.
The grounds were sumptuous—artificial mountains, flowing streams, elegant pavilions.
At the heart of the estate stood a grand exhibition hall, resplendent in its décor. In its center, a round platform gleamed beneath the lights, surrounded by neat rows of seats.
It was unmistakably an auction venue.
Puzzlement deepened in Ye Chu's eyes.
"Shiyue-jie, what is this place?"
Smiling, Huangfu Shiyue explained,
"This is Jiangdu's largest underground auction, held once every six months. Treasures of all kinds appear here. You lack a cauldron, don't you? I thought we might find one tonight."
Ye Chu's eyes brightened with interest, expectation flickering within.
"Not only can you buy here," she added with a smile, "you may also sell."
Ye Chu blinked, then retrieved the pills he had refined earlier that day.
"Then, Shiyue-jie, help me sell these."
She frowned in surprise.
"Little brother, these pills are priceless. Isn't it a waste to sell them?"
"It's no waste. If they're gone, I'll simply refine more," Ye Chu replied with a calm smile. "Besides, I've kept some aside."
Convinced, Huangfu Shiyue nodded and took the pills.
"I'll speak with the organizers. Wait here."
Leaving with Dongmei, she departed the hall, while Ye Chu wandered idly.
Already, many guests had arrived, most dressed in finery, their bearing noble and proud. Clearly, none who attended were of ordinary status. Among them, Ye Chu noted, were not a few martial artists.
As time passed, the number of guests swelled further.
While Ye Chu strolled casually, a sharp voice cut across the room.
"Well, well… what is this useless wretch doing here?"
Ye Chu turned, his brows knitting.
The speaker was a tall young woman—none other than Jiang Junlan, youngest daughter of the Jiang family's main branch. Beside her stood a tall, imposing man, his manner betraying his distinguished origins.
The young man frowned.
"Junlan, could this boy be…?"
Jiang Junlan smirked.
"Yes, Zihai-ge, you're right. This is the Ye family's bastard son, forced into marriage with my second uncle's household."
Her voice was loud enough for half the hall to hear.
The infamous Jiang family's son-in-law—many present had heard the tale.
Eyes turned toward Ye Chu, filled with curiosity, envy, disdain, and scorn.
The man—Wang Zihao—regarded him with mocking amusement.
"So, you're that fortunate boy?"
Ye Chu scowled.
"What business is it of yours?"
Jiang Junlan flared in anger.
"Wretch! How dare you address Zihao-ge in such a manner!"
Ye Chu's gaze slanted with contempt.
"I said it. What can you do about it?"
"You—!"
Wang Zihao raised a hand, stopping her. His gaze swept Ye Chu with arrogant disdain.
"Trash. You are unworthy of Miss Jiang. Be sensible—divorce her willingly. Otherwise, when my elder brother returns, your regret will come too late."