Chapter 70: Your Honey Trap Is a Bit Clumsy

Was her alcohol tolerance really that bad?

Otherwise, why would a dignified, steady noble lady call him Susu?

Under Su Mu's persistent stare, Murong Mengli's face seemed to flush even redder—though it might have been his imagination. "Could it be that you like..."

"That's right. I like Transcendent Potions. Preferably something like Heart of Steel that can enhance physical fitness."

Murong Mengli was speechless.

"Transcendent Potions are in extremely high demand and hard to find. I originally planned to pay you for this operation with an Artifact, but if you insist, Susu, I can send someone to ask around for news about a Transcendent Potion."

"I'd appreciate it." Although Su Mu was somewhat interested in Artifacts, he knew a Transcendent Potion suited him best. He only had a month left to live. Only by obtaining a body-strengthening Transcendent Potion and gaining abilities similar to Yang Dongqing's could he reliably extend his lifespan.

"Susu, from what I can tell, your Bronze Law must be related to the mind. A physical-type Transcendent Potion might not suit you..." She tilted her head slightly, gazing at him. Her slender fingers gently brushed a few stray strands of hair from her forehead, tucking them behind her ear. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips. The simple gesture carried endless charm.

"With all due respect, Miss Mengli, your honey trap is a bit clumsy."

Murong Mengli's hand froze by her ear. For a moment, she didn't know whether to lower it or keep it there.

The eyes hidden behind his Tinted Glasses seemed to possess the power to see straight through people. Looking at the frozen woman, he said mildly, "It seems the predicament you've found yourself in is even greater than I imagined. Otherwise, I can't find any reason to explain your behavior."

By now, Murong Mengli had withdrawn her hand, and the smile slowly faded from her face. Perhaps out of stubborn indignation, she asked, "Am I really that lacking in feminine charm?"

"No, Miss Mengli, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met in reality."

"Am I just not your type?"

"I like mature women with a girlish innocence, and young women with a mature allure. You happen to be the latter."

"Then why..."

"Because compared to women, I prefer Transcendent Potions," Su Mu said bluntly.

Murong Mengli stared blankly for a long time. Looking at Su Mu's earnest expression, she couldn't help but let out a laugh. This time, her smile shed all her defenses, carrying a bright, innocent charm unique to a young girl.

"Susu, you really are interesting."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Murong Mengli reined in her smile, turning much more serious. "You're a smart person. I can't control someone like you, but I do need an ally like you. Right now, all I can offer is sincerity and a promise—if you're still willing to listen."

"I'm all ears," Su Mu said with a faint smile.

"I'm sure you've noticed. Aside from a noble title and a bit of money, I have nothing. Even Bronze Coffin is just a startup, and under Han Yu's instigation, the employees have no respect for me."

Su Mu nodded without interrupting.

"I am an illegitimate daughter," Murong Mengli said, her expression growing distant, as if recounting a stranger's story.

"My mother used to be a slave. My father bought her, and later, she had me. I shouldn't have been born, really, because my identity brings shame to the entire Murong Family. But as fate would have it, I was born on my father's birthday. That, coupled with my mother's bitter pleading, allowed me to survive.

"After I came of age, I didn't receive the family's support to start my own ventures like my siblings did. Instead, I was confined to the manor, forbidden to leave.

"The reason I was finally supported to establish Bronze Coffin is because my father is dying. He is a Silver Stage 3 Transcendent. In his youth, he took too many Transcendent Potions and used taboo methods to advance, overdrawing his lifespan. Now, his only way to survive is to find the Eye of Gold, refine it into a Gold Grade Awakening Potion, and advance to Gold.

"That has also been his lifelong dream—to become a Gold powerhouse, restore the glory of our ancestors, and then return to the Imperial Capital to reclaim his place at the center of power.

"For the sake of his life and his dreams, he's lost his mind. Refusing to let go of a single shred of hope, he sent all his children out to search for the Eye of Gold. That was when I finally got my chance."

Su Mu frowned slightly—not out of pity for her tragic past, but because he sensed something amiss.

"What about Han Yu? He was sent by your father to help you, so why does he oppose you at every turn? That seems to run counter to your father's goals."

"Han Yu?" An icy glint entered Murong Mengli's smile. "Although he belongs to the Murong Family, he was bought off by my fiancé a long time ago."

"Your fiancé?"

"Yes, you might even have heard his name. Qian Zihao, the richest man in Star City—a wealthy fat man. Despite his money, he isn't a noble, though he has always craved the status. He frequently hovers around aristocratic circles, hoping to marry a noble lady.

"But true nobles look down on nouveau riche like him, and no noble woman would ever marry him. Except for me." Extreme disgust flashed in her eyes; it was clear she abhorred Qian Zihao.

"After hitting wall after wall, Qian Zihao recognized his place and realized that to the nobles, he was just a fool with too much money. So, he settled for the next best thing. He sought out my father and paid a hefty price to get him to agree to the marriage."

Su Mu nodded in understanding. To be able to sell off an unwanted illegitimate daughter for a massive sum—any patriarch would certainly be willing.

"I think I understand the gist of it, Miss Mengli. But why would Qian Zihao bribe Han Yu to go against you?"

The hatred in Murong Mengli's eyes intensified. "Because my father promised that whichever child finds the Eye of Gold will be named the family heir!

"If I become the heir, it naturally becomes impossible for me to marry Qian Zihao. The family would never allow their future head to marry a commoner, no matter how wealthy he is.

"In truth, among all his children, my strength is undoubtedly the weakest. I haven't awakened any talent in the Gold Bloodline, nor do I have many assets or personnel. Relatively speaking, I'm the one with the least hope of finding the Eye of Gold.

"But Qian Zihao is an extremely cautious man. He isn't willing to take the slightest risk. Even if there's only a sliver of a chance, he wants to strangle it in the cradle."

Su Mu glanced at the sheer hatred in Murong Mengli's eyes and finally understood why she had so easily let him buy into the company, and why she was laying all her cards on the table.

Because she had no other choice. After twenty years of oppression, she had finally seen a ray of hope and started her own company, only to be secretly sabotaged by her fiancé. Driven into a corner by the twin mountains of her family and her fiancé, she could only seek outside forces to break the deadlock.

And he was the outside force she had found.

At this thought, a strange feeling welled up in his heart. Perhaps making Han Yu kneel earlier had given Murong Mengli a certain misunderstanding, leading her to believe he possessed immense power and the ability to contend with the Empire's nobles and Star City's richest man.

This made Su Mu inwardly sigh, She really has a good eye for people!