The man who dismounted at the front had the same deep blue long hair and eyes as Lucian, but his features were colder and more chiseled. His build was taller and straighter than Lucian's. The same deep blue robe draped over him exuded an oppressive aura that made people instinctively afraid to approach. One glance, and it was obvious he was someone who had held power for a long time.
When the man saw Lucian, he looked him over carefully from head to toe. After confirming that he was unharmed, he frowned and said,
"Tell me every detail of what happened. Where are the bodies of the assassins?"
The man's tone and voice carried a habitual command and dominance, showing his high status in the Tiangong Pavilion. He was clearly used to speaking in a commanding way.
Elara remembered what the System had explained before about the ranks in the Tiangong Pavilion: one Pavilion Master, three Hall Masters, six Division Leaders, and twelve Academy Heads. Based on this, she figured that Lucian's older brother must at least be one of the six Division Leaders, a person who had never shown his face in public.
Lucian began to explain the events of the night to his older brother in full detail. He left nothing out, and when he reached the part where Elara and Uno rescued him, he told it just as it happened. He even honestly mentioned how Elara fed him a sacred pill from the Valley of Divine Healers when he was about to die from the poison. He spoke with the same tone he used to describe the rest of the events.
After listening to everything Lucian said, the man's slightly darker blue eyes finally turned to Elara.
"Miss Baili, it was fortunate that you happened to come to make a deal with my younger brother in the middle of the night. It helped him avoid this disaster."
His words didn't sound much like gratitude for saving his brother.
Lucian's older brother was testing her.
That was understandable. After all, it was because of her invitation that Lucian came out and got ambushed.
Even though those people would have tried to assassinate him sooner or later, she had unfortunately walked right into it.
If Lucian hadn't repeated several times that she saved him and helped him escape the courtyard, and even gave him medicine when he was dying, this man's attitude toward her definitely wouldn't have been so "polite." He might have even treated her as one of the attackers.
"I was surprised too. But I did invite Director Lucian out tonight, and though I was shocked by the assassination attempt, I could never just stand by. Luckily, I had some past connections with people from the Valley of Divine Healers and got a few sacred pills. By pure chance, I managed to neutralize the poison those attackers threw, allowing Director Lucian and me to survive."
When the man heard the words "Valley of Divine Healers," his gaze deepened as he looked at Elara.
Though the Valley was remote and had few people, and its power couldn't compare to the major forces, it was well known across the continent. After all, everyone experienced sickness and injury at some point. And when that happened, the place most people hoped could save them was the Valley of Divine Healers.
Lucian's older brother raised his hand slightly. Elara then noticed that he was wearing a pair of black leather gloves. His long, well-defined fingers were completely covered, fitting perfectly and giving off an oddly attractive aura.
"Take the young master down and examine his body thoroughly."
"Yes."
A few male attendants stepped forward from behind him and walked over to Lucian. They gave a slight bow and made a gesture to invite him along.
Lucian frowned slightly, looked back at Elara, then at his older brother, and suddenly said,
"Brother, my deal with her isn't finished yet. I still need to discuss the modification method of the 'Three-Line Cart' with her. I've already explained everything clearly. If you have more questions for her, just ask them now. I'll wait here. Once you're done asking, I'll go with you to get checked."
Lucian's older brother turned to look at him.
His younger brother had always been absorbed in the study of mechanical arts since childhood, rarely caring about or opposing his decisions unless it was something he truly cared about.
He glanced at Lucian, who showed no intention of leaving. Then his gaze returned to Elara, and his cold lips curved just slightly.
He took a few steps toward her. His taller frame cast a shadow over her as he stood even closer than Lucian had. His deep blue eyes lowered as he carefully examined the young woman he had only glanced at earlier.
"Miss Baili, is it? My younger brother owes you twice for saving him today. I will investigate the incident and those who dared to attempt the assassination. After saving him twice, do you have anything you want in return?"
Though he said words of thanks, his tone was indifferent and even faintly condescending.
But Elara didn't take his tone to heart at all.
Compared to his power and status, she had no need to fight for pride.
What she cared about was actual benefits that could help her grow stronger.
Lucian's brother still carried a tone of probing. If Elara had saved Lucian twice and asked for nothing in return, that would have been suspicious.
So Elara didn't refuse. She calmly met his gaze and said,
"In that case, I won't be polite. I originally arranged to meet Director Lucian tonight because I wanted to make a deal and obtain some benefits. Since you've now brought it up directly, I'll say it plainly."
"It's nothing major. My Baili clan once acquired a rare technique from our ancestors. This method can be used to build something called a 'loom.'"
As she spoke, Elara took out a piece of silk from her sleeve. It had a simple diagram showing the structure and design of the loom. She handed it to Lucian's older brother.
"This kind of 'loom' can weave fabric quickly. Its efficiency is much higher than traditional hand weaving, and the cloth it produces is much stronger, smoother, and flatter. The fabric, whether used for underwear, curtains, or bedding, will feel incredibly soft and comfortable."
When Frederic saw the simple blueprint of the "loom" that Elara handed over, his brows furrowed slightly.
His deep blue eyes carefully examined the structure of the "loom." Although he could tell at a glance that this was just a rough framework without detailed core components, it still required a solid understanding of machinery to draw even this much.
As one of the highest-ranking members of the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion, Frederic had seen countless mechanical devices. His talent for machinery even surpassed that of Lucian.
So after a brief glance, he knew the young woman standing in front of him indeed had a fair understanding of mechanical design. At least half of what she said was likely true.
And with such mechanical knowledge, her claim of meeting Lucian tonight to exchange information using the "Three-Wheeled Carriage" wasn't entirely false.
Lucian, who had been watching nearby, quickly walked over when he saw the blueprint.
When he saw the mechanical structure of the "loom" in Frederic's hand, his blue eyes lit up. He glanced at Elara and couldn't help but reach out to take the blueprint from Frederic for a closer look.
Frederic looked back at Elara again, his voice no longer as cold as before after examining the blueprint.
"So, Miss Baili, what do you want?"
Elara smiled at him. "It's nothing major. I believe you both can see that once this loom is completed, the cloth it produces will be noticeably different from anything currently on the market. I plan to use it to build my fortune.
But unfortunately, I'm just a wandering merchant with no backing. If my unique fabric catches the attention of rival merchants or forces, they may trace it back to the loom and try to steal it from me. I wouldn't be able to resist them."
"That's why I arranged to meet Lucian tonight. I wanted to exchange the Three-Wheeled Carriage blueprint for the title of a Heavenly Crafts Pavilion merchant. With that title, I could travel in the southwestern region of the continent under the Pavilion's name.
It would not only help me avoid many hassles but also protect me from being targeted when the loom is revealed."
"I came all this way to find the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion because I believe a powerful force like yours wouldn't deceive me over a small piece of mechanical technology."
"Please rest assured. If I can gain the Pavilion's merchant title, I will strictly discipline my trade convoy and never do anything to harm the Pavilion's name.
Otherwise, facing a top-tier force like yours that spans across the world, I'd just be digging my own grave. You could come after me in the southwestern region at any time. As a lone merchant, I would have no way to resist."
After she finished speaking, Elara raised her eyes to look at Frederic.
Frederic also looked at her silently.
They seemed calm on the surface, but both were carefully judging each other's tone and the truth in their words.
Lucian, who was still studying the blueprint, looked up when he heard this. He glanced at Elara and Frederic, then reached into his sleeve to take something out and walked toward Elara.
Frederic suddenly stopped him.
"Brother?" Lucian turned to him in confusion.
This Miss Baili had saved him several times today. Now she only wanted the title of a Heavenly Crafts Pavilion merchant. He saw no reason to deny her.
But just as he finished speaking, Frederic raised his hand and slowly removed the black leather glove from his left hand, revealing a fair and slender hand.
He reached to his waist and took out a delicate jade token inlaid with gold threads on a white jade base.
Frederic held the jade token, which was almost as white as his hand, between his fingers and handed it to Elara.
"With this token, Miss Baili's convoy will officially be a merchant convoy of the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion.
Any force that sees this token should recognize it as the Pavilion's mark. It should achieve the effect you're looking for, helping you avoid most troubles and unwanted attention."
Elara looked at the token handed over by Frederic, then glanced at Lucian's surprised but non-interfering expression. She reached out and accepted the token.
This had been her goal all along to form a connection with the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion.
She had originally thought she'd have to get the token from Lucian. She didn't expect the other man to give it to her first.
Seeing her accept the token, Frederic's face showed a clear smile.
He slowly pulled the black leather glove back onto his exposed hand and continued in his calm voice.
"Miss Baili saved my younger brother.
This token alone is not enough to repay that favor."
As he finished speaking, Frederic raised the hand that now wore the glove again.
The attendants of the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion, who were carrying various complex and powerful mechanical devices, stepped forward and bowed to them.