Su Xuan Zhu (Seeking Recommendations)

“Why are you staring at me?”
After leaving Mr. Huang’s house, Yang Siqing fixed his gaze unblinkingly on Zhong Yun, making him feel uneasy all over until he couldn’t help but ask.
“I was wondering if you’ve grown three heads.”
Yang Siqing clicked his tongue twice, shook his head, and sighed.
Zhong Yun decided not to respond.
The nearest parking station was some distance away. After a dozen steps, Zhong Yun found himself scanning his surroundings.
“Could there be another assassin?” The thought crossed his mind; the recent attempt on his life still left him shaken.
When he climbed into the taxi, he wondered if the driver might be another killer sent after him. Anxiety gnawed at him. He glanced at Yang Siqing, who sat with his eyes closed, seemingly undisturbed.
I really can’t keep my composure, Zhong Yun thought with self-mockery. He imitated Yang Siqing, closed his eyes, and began practicing the breathing technique of Kalan. Soon, his heart calmed.
With the unique rhythm of his breath, his whole body relaxed. The vital force within stirred, gathering and spreading with each inhale and exhale, slowly growing stronger.
Suddenly, Yang Siqing opened his eyes. He watched Zhong Yun, who was immersed in his mind, sensing the unusual movement of vital force within him, and a flash of wonder crossed his gaze.
“Why did you go ahead by yourself? Can’t keep up?” Tianhai called out, seeing Zhong Yun coming from afar.
“Can’t keep up? I’ll give you a five hundred meter head start. Let’s see who wins,” Zhong Yun retorted disdainfully.
“Bring it on. I’m not afraid.”
Just then, Tianhai noticed the shabby, unkempt old man following closely behind Zhong Yun and asked, “Who is he?”
“Let me introduce you,” Zhong Yun replied, already prepared with an explanation. “This is Uncle Qing, my savior.”
“Savior?” Tianhai and Chen Wen exchanged looks, both puzzled.
Zhong Yun recounted the recent assassination attempt.
“You’re all right?” Tianhai’s face changed dramatically, his voice anxious at hearing Zhong Yun had nearly been killed.
“If I weren’t, I’d already be in the hospital. Do you think I’d be standing here talking to you?” Zhong Yun joked, deliberately easing the tense atmosphere.

“This time, it’s thanks to Uncle Qing. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here with you.” Zhong Yun looked at Yang Siqing with gratitude.
Tianhai’s gaze toward Yang Siqing changed; he spoke solemnly, “Thank you for saving Xiao Yun.”
Yang Siqing smiled faintly in response. To Tianhai, it was the demeanor of a true master—anyone who could rescue Zhong Yun from an assassin’s hands must be extraordinary.
Tianhai, obsessed with games and movies, longed to meet legendary masters with extraordinary powers and dreamed of one day apprenticing himself to such a person.
If not for the fact that Uncle Qing was Zhong Yun’s savior, he would have pestered him to accept him as a disciple already.
Chen Wen stood aside, deep in thought, pondering who could have sent someone to assassinate Zhong Yun. His first suspect was Niu Shunjin, who had the greatest motive—his only son had been injured by Zhong Yun, and being notorious for revenge, it seemed logical he’d send killers after Zhong Yun.
But the involvement of Liu Yunqi made things complicated. Zhong Yun had injured Niu Ben on Liu Yunqi’s behalf. If Niu Shunjin retaliated, it would imply dissatisfaction with the Yang family.
To challenge the Yang family would be madness; he’d never dare such a thing. The pride of the aristocratic families was inviolable. If Niu Shunjin attempted it, by dawn the Niu family would be wiped out.
Niu Shunjin had built his empire from nothing with bare hands—a shrewd and patient man who knew how to weigh the circumstances.
He’d learned that his son had offended the Yang family’s princess and immediately went to the Yang family to apologize, waiting outside their door for five days and nights until forgiven, on the condition that his son never appeared on Dal Star again.
With such restraint, how could he suddenly send assassins after Zhong Yun and provoke the Yang family?
So, Niu Shunjin was actually the least likely suspect.
Who, then, was behind this? Considering Zhong Yun’s background, perhaps it was an enemy of his family—a much greater possibility.
The three had originally planned to go elsewhere, but after such an incident, none felt up to it and all headed home.
Back home, Zhong Yun settled Yang Siqing in a guest room downstairs, then went upstairs and connected to the virtual network.
“Zero, Zero.”
After two calls, the pitch-black Zero appeared. “What do you need?”
“I was nearly killed in an assassination attempt today,” Zhong Yun stated bluntly; there was no point in pleasantries with the perpetually cold Zero.
Unexpectedly, Zero was silent for a moment. “It seems combat training needs to be moved up the schedule.”
Was it his imagination, or did he detect a trace of helplessness in Zero’s icy tone?

“When will it start?”
The near-fatal experience had deeply shaken Zhong Yun. He was eager to grow stronger and escape the threat of death.
You want to kill me? I’ll make you pay dearly.
Zhong Yun clenched his fists tightly, as if declaring war against the hidden hands in the shadows.
“Tonight,” Zero replied, as decisive as ever.
“You bought more than twenty pots of black mandrake. Are you planning to make Pure Mystic Pearls?” Zero suddenly asked.
“You know about that?” Zhong Yun was surprised. Then his expression changed. “Don’t tell me you want to take those as well? No way. I need those Pure Mystic Pearls to make the ‘Rejuvenation Elixir.’ There’s no room for negotiation.” His tone was firm and brooked no argument.
Pure Mystic Pearls were actually the seeds of the black mandrake. These plants lived for over two hundred years, but only those older than one hundred could bear seeds.
Naturally produced seeds had no medicinal properties; only when the mature plants were refined with a special secret method could the resulting seeds possess potent medicinal effects.
The method was found in Kalan’s database. He’d noticed that many advanced formulas required this ingredient, searched out of curiosity, and discovered it was made from this rare plant.
He’d later learned about a study tour to Fenghua City, researched information online, and stumbled upon a report listing the ten rarest flowers in the sea of blossoms—black mandrake ranked second.
That was when Zhong Yun realized these plants existed on Dal Star, and his heart raced. If they were essential to so many advanced formulas, they must be valuable.
So, when he visited the sea of blossoms, he cleared out all black mandrakes over a hundred years old, intending to harvest their seeds.
He was particularly invested for another reason—a formula among many that captivated him: the “Rejuvenation Elixir.” Much of his motivation to make Pure Mystic Pearls was to prepare this potion.
As its name suggests, the Rejuvenation Elixir’s effect is to restore youth, returning an elderly body to its prime.
It was an utterly miraculous potion.

ps: There’ll be another chapter tomorrow morning. Please recommend.