Chapter 10: Saying One Thing, Meaning Another—Concubine Ya’s Shock
“Who?”
A flicker of confusion passed across Su Yun’s face, as if hearing the name Mittel Tengshan for the first time. If it had been anyone else, they might have thought Su Yun was playing a joke on him. But before Mittel Tengshan came over, he had already gathered some preliminary information about Su Yun and knew that this Dou Emperor truly had no idea who he was.
Mittel Tengshan spoke with neither arrogance nor servility: “Allow me to explain. In the Gamma Empire, aside from the royal family, the Yunlan Sect, and the Alchemists’ Guild—all of which have Dou Emperor-level powerhouses—there are also three great families. These three great families do not have Dou Emperors themselves, but they do have Dou Kings stationed within, making them first-class forces. The Mittel family is one of these three great families.”
Su Yun suddenly understood: “So you are the Dou King of the Mittel family.”
“Exactly.”
“What do you want from me?”
Mittel Tengshan cupped his hands respectfully: “You have just arrived in this world and likely have no place to stay yet. I have come to invite you to reside with the Mittel family for a while. Speaking of accommodations, in the Gamma Empire, apart from the royal family, no one can offer you a more comfortable place to live than us. Even the Yunlan Sect cannot compare!”
In this regard, Mittel Tengshan was quite confident. The Yunlan Sect was built on a mountain and demanded rigorous cultivation from its disciples; luxury and indulgence were simply out of the question, nowhere near the standard of the Mittel family.
“Oh?”
Su Yun seemed piqued with interest and turned to Xiao Yixian. “Xian’er, is what he says true?”
Xiao Yixian thought for a moment, then replied, “Yes, Teacher. The Mittel family is the wealthiest family in the Gamma Empire. They have established auction houses in every sizable city. Though I have always stayed in Qingshan Town, I’ve heard of the Mittel Auctions.”
Teacher!
Mittel Tengshan’s brow twitched. According to his intelligence, this white-clad Dou Emperor had been asleep for a thousand years. After enduring a millennium of changes, all his connections on the continent should have been severed; even his disciples should have long perished. Mittel Tengshan had assumed Xiao Yixian was a maid Su Yun picked up casually after awakening, someone to handle daily chores and bodily needs. He never expected she was actually a disciple.
Silently, Mittel Tengshan filed this piece of information away. To have awakened a powerhouse who had been dormant for a millennium and to have such a disciple already accepted into the fold—this woman must have qualities beyond her appearance.
“No work, no reward,” Su Yun said with a faint, ambiguous smile. “You invite me to your family’s home—what are your intentions?”
As Su Yun’s words fell, Mittel Tengshan felt an invisible pressure intensify, causing his spine to involuntarily bend.
“I dare not hope you would do anything for the Mittel family. Even during your stay, the entire Mittel family will obey your orders. Our business spans the entire empire. Whatever resources you desire—anything available in the Gamma Empire—I can procure it for you. Your presence here is the greatest favor you can grant us!” Mittel Tengshan wiped cold sweat from his brow.
Su Yun sneered coldly. “You’re more honest than that old fellow... In this backwater corner, a Dou Emperor is at the pinnacle. I defeated him just moments ago, and now I’m staying with your family. Even if I do nothing, the benefits alone should suffice you.”
“Nothing escapes Your Excellency,” Mittel Tengshan admitted.
“I despise being deceived above all else,” Su Yun’s eyes glinted coldly. “Only I get to deceive others!”
“Then, may I...” Mittel Tengshan probed cautiously.
“Lead the way.”
Mittel Tengshan rejoiced. “Right this way, Your Excellency!”
...
The Mittel family residence was indeed as Mittel Tengshan described: the finest abode in the imperial capital. The doors of the rooms were carved from sandalwood, exuding a faint fragrance. The velvet carpet was so soft it seemed to swallow one’s feet. The four-poster bed was draped with sheer, mist-like silk curtains, and the goose-down bedding puffed up as if it could lift the entire body.
Within the mansion, thirty maidservants dressed in uniform pale purple silk skirts attended their duties—sweeping the floors, presenting fruit platters, lighting incense… and discreetly ready to meet more private needs when necessary.
“Are you satisfied, Your Excellency?” Mittel Tengshan fretted, fearing Su Yun might find the hospitality lacking and leave without a word.
“It’s adequate. Suitable for lodging.” Su Yun’s expression was unreadable.
In truth, Su Yun had once been an ordinary man. He had never seen such grandeur before; the sheer opulence almost dazzled him.
[ Ding. ]
[ Your lie has convinced Mittel Tengshan, deemed as insincere speech, earning 100 Truth Points. ]
[ Remaining Truth Points: 110,804 ]
“Good to hear, Your Excellency.” Mittel Tengshan’s expression relaxed, knowing the matter was settled.
“By the way, I have arranged a steward for you.”
He clapped his hands, and a woman in a red dress, alluring and graceful, entered the mansion, bowing elegantly to Su Yun.
“Greetings, Your Excellency.”
“This is Yafei. Whatever you require, you may tell her; she will do her utmost to satisfy you.”
Yafei’s expression was complicated. She had earned outstanding profits for the family in Utan City and had recently been transferred back to the capital. She had not expected to receive this assignment.
“Very well.”
A flash of surprise and admiration flickered in Su Yun’s eyes before quickly fading.
Mittel Tengshan cupped his hands and took his leave, leaving Yafei alone with Su Yun.
Su Yun turned to Xiao Yixian, “Go pick a room.”
“Thank you, Teacher!” Xiao Yixian hugged the little purple crystal lion, running off joyfully. She had never seen such a beautiful house.
Naturally, the master bedroom belonged to Su Yun. There were many vacant rooms in the mansion, enough for her to choose from.
“You must be highly trusted by Mittel Tengshan?”
Su Yun’s tone was indifferent.
Yafei grew uneasy. “I will do my utmost as your steward and not disappoint the family head’s expectations.”
“Good. I have a task for you.”
Yafei composed herself. “Please instruct me, Your Excellency.”
Su Yun asked her to fetch paper and pen. On the blank sheet, he wrote a list and handed it to Yafei.
“Have the Mittel family procure these items for me.”
Su Yun clasped his hands behind his back, preparing to enjoy the luxurious mansion.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Yafei glanced at the list. Most items were poisons and toxic herbs, unsurprising given that this master was a poison-attribute Dou Emperor. However, there were also some precious medicinal materials, such as Nine-Core Flowers, Heavenly Red Lotus Leaves, and Jade Dragon Blood Ginseng.
“These names... I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere before.”
Yafei furrowed her brow deeply. Standing there, she pondered long and hard. Suddenly, a flash of insight exploded in her mind!
“Wait, this is...!”
Her pupils contracted, and her jade fingers instinctively covered her crimson lips.
“This matter must be reported to the family head first. It’s not for me to decide!”