Ye Liuyun followed Qinyan into the Red Mansion.

Upon stepping into the main hall, he was greeted by another maid before he could say anything.

"Madam Scarlet invites Mr. Ye to the top floor!"

The maid gestured politely as she invited and led the way for Ye Liuyun.

Another maid stopped Qingyan from advancing. "Wait here!"

"Yes!" Qingyan responded and humbly stepped aside.

Ye Liuyun was guided by the maid straight up to the third floor.

He found himself wondering. "I didn’t notice Qingyan sending out any messages. How did they know my name?"

Qingyan also secretly pondered. "Perhaps he is the son of some major power. Otherwise, why would Madam Scarlet personally send someone to invite him?"

With a curious frown, Ye Liuyun followed the maid to the third floor and was led to a massive folding screen. Behind it, stood the lady in red he saw earlier. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Madam Scarlet is on the other side of the screen. If Mr. Ye has any issues, feel free to communicate with Madam Scarlet directly." The maid uttered softly before she stepped aside to serve Ye Liuyun tea and fruits.

To his surprise, the Madam Scarlet was a woman of young age.

He glanced up to observe the lady clad in a crimson veil. Her face was vaguely outlined behind the veil, but his Golden Phantom Eyes could see through the veil. She had smooth, fair skin, and refined facial features. A genuinely rare beauty.

"Mr. Ye, do you find me beautiful?" Her voice was crisp and sweet as she voiced her question to Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun averted his gaze awkwardly and apologised. "I apologize for overstepping! It’s my first time at the Scarlet Cardinal House. If I have done anything inappropriate, I ask for your forgiveness!"

Behind the screen emitted two soft chortles, followed by a pleasing voice saying, "No worries! I was only joking with Mr. Ye!"

Ye Liuyun was well aware that the woman behind the screen could sense where his gaze was. He would most have lost his head if he recklessly looked around.

"How should I address you? And how did you know my surname is Ye?" Ye Liuyun quickly changed the topic, at the same time, he stopped using his Golden Phantom Eyes to peek at her.

"My surname is Feng. Mr. Ye’s Golden Phantom Eyes are quite noticeable. Also, you’ve gained quite the popularity lately. Word has it that there is a leader of a mercenary troop with Golden Phantom Eyes on the border battlefield and he’s currently conflicting with the Great Expert of the Eastern Royal Management. This is no secret!"

Madam Scarlet explained to Ye Liuyun.

"I am honored," Ye Liuyun replied politely.

To him, it seemed probable that an organisation dedicated to assassination was aware of these details. If not, they wouldn’t be able to charge their client a high price for their services.

"May I ask what business Mr. Ye seeks to collaborate with us?" Madam Scarlet asked straightforwardly.

"I heard the Scarlet Cardinal House accepts protection assignments. Thus, I wish to hire the Scarlet Cardinal House to guarantee my safety!" Ye Liuyun stated his purpose directly.

"Indeed, we do accept such assignments. However, Mr. Ye, your opponents are not limited to the Great Expert! You also need to consider the powers and highly skilled professionals he controls! This won’t be cheap!" Madam Scarlet leisurely responded.

"I am aware of that. Thus, I intend to hire a professional of the eighth level or above to ensure my safety." Ye Liuyun firmly stated.

"Eighth level? They are quite rare in this border battlefield zone!" Madam Scarlet continued leisurely.

"My opponents aren’t only from the border battlefield zone alone. Since I seek protection service, it’s only reasonable for me to hire a professional with a high level? Lower levels won’t serve much purpose, and one won’t suffice!" Ye Liuyun explained.

"Hmm..." Madam Scarlet hesitated for a moment before she replied, "I can agree to your request, but you have to pay twenty trillion lower-grade Spirit Crystal. Can Mr. Ye accept this price?"

"Twenty trillion iflower-grade Spirit Crystal?" Ye Liuyun was slightly taken aback. The price quoted was much higher than he expected.

However, instead of negotiating, he followed up with a question, "What about the time limit?"

"Until the death of the Great Expert. How is it?" Madam Scarlet posed another question.

Ye Liuyun was taken aback by her reply. "How powerful is the Scarlet Cardinal House that it doesn’t even consider the Eastern Royal Management’s power? Or do they have some grudge against the Great Expert? And they seemed to be willing to kill him for me."

The service to protect him was no different than killing the Great Expert.

"Of course, I agree to it!"

He would be a fool to reject the offer!

"However, I’m just a little confused..."

Before Ye Liuyun could ask his question, a delicate laughter sounded again from the other side of the screen. "Because I root for you! Hence the buy one, get one free offer!"

Ye Liuyun did not believe her reason at all. But since she was not keen to explain, there’s no reason for him to ask. He should prioritise finalising the deal.

"Do we need to sign a contract?" He asked.

"Of course!"

With a wave of her hand, the screen separating them was moved to the side, opening access for him. The screen could block any Divine Sense probing.

Immediately after, she signed a Divine Soul contract with Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun immediately withdrew thirty per cent of the down payment and handed it to the maid standing next to him for confirmation.

After the amount was confirmed, Madam Scarlet suggested that Ye Liuyun stay the night at the Scarlet Cardinal House, allowing her enough time to arrange her manpower.

"For safety purposes, how about Mr. Ye rest at our Scarlet Cardinal House for the night? The guard I arranged for you needed to prepare. You may leave any time tomorrow!"

"I will follow Madam Scarlet’s order!"

Ye Liuyun agreed and bid her farewell.

Downstairs, Qingyan was still waiting. Ye Liuyun was led downstairs by the maid, who then ordered Qingyan to arrange for Ye Liuyun to stay the night.

Qingyan agreed and walked out of the Red Mansion with Ye Liuyun.

Upon exiting the formation of the Red Mansion, Qingyan relaxed a little and politely asked Ye Liuyun, "I wonder where Mr. Ye would like to stay, and whether you need me to organise anything?"

She was afraid to probe Ye Liuyun’s affairs too deeply. All she knew was that Ye Liuyun was an esteemed guest who needed to be treated with utmost respect.

"Just arrange for a quiet villa for me to stay for one night," Ye Liuyun replied casually.

"All right!"

Qingyan agreed and led Ye Liuyun to the villa area. She arranged for his accommodation and then handed him over to the care of the villa’s maid.

The villa chosen for him was protected by a formation. Once inside, no noise from the outside was audible, and nobody from outside could probe what was going on inside.

In addition to chambers for resting and cultivation, the courtyard had a spiritual spring and was well-stocked with food and drinks.

Ye Liuyun was pleased with the environment. He gave some Spirit Crystals as tips to Qingyan and sent her away.

He was not in a hurry to cultivate. Instead, he had the servants make him a pot of tea before he dismissed them. He then lounged in the spiritual spring as he thought back on his earlier negotiation with Madam Scarlet.

"What does she mean by saying ’buy one get one free’?" He did not believe that an assassin organization would gratuitously grant him favours.

At the same time, Qingyan had been brought back to Madam Scarlet.

Madam Scarlet began to probe her, "Qingyan, how have I treated you?"

"Madam Scarlet never made me serve men. Instead, you provided cultivation resources to nurture me. I am utterly grateful for your kindness!" Qingyan answered.