Watching Zhang Xiaoshan enter the Hundred Treasure Restaurant with Master Hei, Zhao Xiaoxiao panicked.

"Grandpa Hu, what should we do now?"

Zhao Xiaoxiao was usually lively and playful, but when it came to matters of life and death, she was genuinely fearful.

Hu Ming was equally anxious inside. After a moment's thought, he spoke.

"He's right. No matter what, the shopkeeper is still inside. We have to bring her out."

"Here's what we'll do. You find a place to hide, and I'll go take a look."

"No, I have to stand by my cousin."

Zhao Xiaoxiao was stubborn, and Hu Ming sighed.

"Very well, if Miracle Doctor Zhang can't handle the Zhu family, it won't matter where you hide in Ha City; they will find you anyway. It's better to stay with us. Let's go, whether we live or die, let's go take a look."

Hu Ming led Zhao Xiaoxiao into the Hundred Treasure Tea House.

At this moment, the auction was being held in the main hall on the first floor of the Hundred Treasure Tea House.

Ahead was a stage used for performances, now turned into an auction platform.

Below the stage were twenty or thirty Eight Immortals tables, with at least one notable figure from the Northeast region seated at each.

On the auction platform sat a golden lotus pod.

Several masters who were knowledgeable in herbal medicine gathered around with magnifying glasses, studying the golden lotus pod intently.

Although it was clearly the depths of winter, everyone in the hall felt a sensation as if basking in the spring sun, especially with a faint, refreshing fragrance in the air, calming the mind and body.

Just being there felt incredibly soothing.

"How enchanting, what exactly is the origin of this golden lotus pod?"

Many wealthy merchants curiously inquired.

Though wealthy, they lacked insight. Most importantly, such a golden lotus pod was indeed an unprecedented treasure.

Even some seasoned herbal specialists, with decades of experience, exchanged puzzled glances.

An elderly man in a white long gown, stroking his little goatee, exclaimed.

"I've been learning the ways of herbal medicine from my grandfather since the age of seven. It's been seventy years now, and I've seen countless herbs. I've even had the rare chance to see a humanoid Polygonum multiflorum. But this, I've truly never seen anything like it before, nor even heard of it."

"However, I can assert that this item's rarity surpasses even the eight-hundred-year-old humanoid Polygonum multiflorum I once encountered."

This speaker was the respected chairman of the Northeast Herbal Industry Association. Upon his words, the enthusiasm of the merchants and herbal shop owners lifted immediately.

"Since Chairman Li says so, what do we have to worry about?"

"Exactly, just offer money and buy with confidence."

In a corner of the hall, sitting beside an Eight Immortals table, was a beautiful noblewoman dressed in a black-gray mink coat, a tight-fitting skirt, and knee-high boots, holding a cup of tea, her gaze fixed intently on the golden lotus pod on stage.

The woman's aura was alluring, yet her presence felt cold and glamorous, like a mix of fire and ice.

An exquisite beauty desired by countless men.

Within her beautiful eyes, a faint white halo appeared.

Immediately, the stems and leaves of the golden lotus root on stage were magnified countless times, and a strand of golden qi was absorbed into her eyes.

"A golden spiritual energy fluctuation? Could it truly be an extraordinary spiritual medicine?"

The woman's eyes were filled with delight.

She was Lin Kerou, the shopkeeper of the Hundred Herbs Hall's Northeast district.

She was Lin Yanran's cousin in the clan, but their status was vastly different. Although Lin Yanran's father was unpopular, the status of the eldest son of the Lin family couldn't be changed. Lin Yanran was undoubtedly the first lady of the Lin family, while Lin Kerou was different.

Lin Kerou was born of a collateral branch as a concubine's daughter. Her mother died in childbirth, and after growing up, when she finally found a boyfriend, her fiancé died in an accident just before their wedding, marking her as an unlucky person; she was shunned by everyone in the family. Later, with Lin Yanran's help, she was transferred to the remote Northeast district, and through her extraordinary skills, she managed to turn the previously loss-making Hundred Herbs Hall's Northeast branch into a profitable one, becoming Lin's Pharmaceutical's largest regional manager in the Northeast.

"Lin's Pharmaceutical has now become White Dragon Pharmaceutical, and from breaking comes establishment. This is my chance to make achievements. If I perform well, I might have the opportunity to be transferred to the headquarters. I must win this thousand-year-old golden lotus pod today."

Lin Kerou murmured to herself, determination in her eyes.

At this moment, a man in a dark green down jacket with short hair sat beside her.

"I'm sorry, this seat is taken."

Lin Kerou spoke coldly, issuing an order to leave.

"Cousin, don't worry, he means no harm."

At this, Zhao Xiaoxiao appeared again from behind Lin Kerou, directly sitting next to her.

"Xiaoxiao, didn't I ask you and Master Hu to pick someone up at the train station?"

"Shopkeeper."

At this moment, Hu Ming, looking awkward, also stood before Lin Kerou.

"Master Hu?"

Seeing Hu Ming and Zhao Xiaoxiao suddenly appear here.

Lin Kerou became anxious immediately.

"Master Hu, Xiaoxiao, weren't you going to pick someone up? Why did you come here?"

"I can handle things here."

"The new Chairman passed by Ha City. Yanran personally called to ensure we treat them well. If you don't pick them up, what will the new Chairman think of us?"

"Shopkeeper, we've already picked them up."

Hu Ming subtly glanced at Zhang Xiaoshan, signaling Lin Kerou.

Lin Kerou's gaze settled on Zhang Xiaoshan, her eyes filled with a hint of surprise.

She had discreetly inquired about the new Chairman's situation, knowing he was a Martial Arts Master, a ruthless killer, and also knew he was young.

Though she had mentally prepared herself,

she never expected that the ruthless Martial Arts Master would look so kind, handsome, and sunny.

"What, Shopkeeper Kerou, do you doubt my identity? Should I call Lin Yanran to confirm?" Zhang Xiaoshan said calmly.

"No, no."

Lin Kerou was startled awake.

"Chairman, please forgive us..."

"We were negligent."

Lin Kerou was about to rise to pay respects, but Zhang Xiaoshan pressed gently on her shoulder.

Immediately, Lin Kerou couldn't move.

"No need for formalities, lest we alert the enemy."

"I'm not so particular as to require you to greet me personally. Let's first focus on this thousand-year-old golden lotus root, and leave the pleasantries for later."

"Yes."

Lin Kerou nodded hastily.