Chapter 304: Painting and Pendant

"I want to invite you back to the mansion while you think it through. Don't worry, if you really can't help us then I would understand too. However, just please consider it. I could promise you everything as long as it wouldn't harm my Chu Family."

These were the words left by Patriarch Chu before he bid them goodbye. Not long after, Shen Qui and Lyca decided to check out and agree to the old man's arrangement. This time, no one schemed against them and they were placed in another VIP room that was located near the master's bedroom. In fact, Butler Anthony made sure to tell them that this room has the same amenities and view as the master's bedroom.

"We only have two nights left before we leave for the Extreme North." Shen Qui was on his laptop while Lyca was laughing at some TV series that she was watching.

"This series was hilarious. The guy reincarnated into the body of the Queen." She said. "I honestly just want to stay in this mansion and finish this show before leaving." Of course, she knew that is impossible. She needed to go to the North to get the herbs. Or at least, hope that she could find it.

Lyca was aware that the possibility of finding this herb might be a little low, but she was still determined to try. This wasn't some heroic adventure, but something she felt she needed to do. She sighed. She could of course asked the Chu Family to help her out however, she wanted to keep this thing a secret as much as possible.

The slow knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Shen Qui immediately opened the door.

"The patriarch is inviting you both to his study," Anthony said while bowing.

"Alright," Lyca answered as she left the bed. Together, she and Shen Qui followed Anthony towards the Patriarch's office. Surprisingly, the patriarch wasn't alone. Aside from the patriarch, there are three older men and one woman that Lyca and Shen Qui didn't recognize sitting on the couch.

"Here they are…" Old Man Chu smiled as he gestured towards Lyca and Shen Qui. "Please take a seat. How are you doing? Are you recovering well?"

"Good," Lyca answered, her gaze was already on the man sitting next to the patriarch. Of course, she wasn't staring towards the man's face but at the necklace with a circular white stone pendant. "Is there anything?" she asked.

"Yes. Let me introduce you to everyone. These are the Elders of my Chu Family. Every time that we decide on something that could impact the family, the five of us would meet and discuss it. "Gentlemen and ladies, this is the woman that I told you about. She created the bullet that we are using right now. She also offered to work with us for some weapons that we can use to defend ourselves. Moreover, I also asked her to work with us for… Munan's condition."

Lyca was actually expecting one of these people to become hostile to her, maybe look down on her, and even mocked her. However, none of this happened. The four older people just nodded and smiled at Lyca, all of them have a calm expression on their faces.

"So… you are from the Huang?" The man with long white hair smiled.

"Yes," Lyca said, her eyes turned to meet the man's experienced eyes. Despite the man's all-white hair, he actually looked about fifty or perhaps in late forties. Among the elders here, the man looked the youngest. Lyca eyed the man's neatly combed long hair that should be longer than Lyca's hair. He tied it in a simple ponytail behind him. Interesting, Lyca thought.

"We already looked into your file… for both of you," this time, the woman spoke. Her gentle eyes landed towards Shen Qui, then on Lyca. "I hope we didn't offend the both of you by looking into your past. This is just… some precaution that we needed to do before we invite some people in our Chu Family."

"It's not a problem." Shen Qui answered. "I think we would turn suspicious if you claim that you know nothing about us."

"Clever words." Patriarch Chu smiled. "Now… let's get straight to the point. I actually called you here to ask about the business proposal that you wanted to have with our family. You don't have to worry, this will not affect my request about Munan. I just wanted to hear what kind of weapon can you provide us and if there is a possibility of producing this weapon for the market?"

"There are different types of weapon that I can offer. However, not everything can be mass-produced. Not everything can be shared with the public." A secret weapon would lose its value if people would expect it in a fight. Seeing the interest in everyone's eyes, Lyca started discussing the weapons and even showed them her bracelet that she made with her father.

"And you are planning to personally craft this weapon?"

"No, my father will." Lyca gave a gentle smile.

"Your father…."

"When I was nothing but a small child, I already have this weird interest in weapons. However, how could I create something with my small arms? I need the assistance of my father. I designed it while he creates them. This continued until I became an adult."

"I didn't know Huang Sheng Hong knew how to create poisonous weapons."

Lyca only smiled in response. She grew up like a princess. Her father and mother would never let her do something that could possibly harm her. How could they allow her to create sharp blades for the spears that she wanted to make? Huang Sheng Hong immediately disagreed and offered to give him the plans while he hired expert ironworkers for the project.

Because of this, Huang Sheng Hong was very familiar with the weapons that Lyca was using.

"Good… good! Now elders, as you can see — " The Old Patriarch started discussing with the elders. However, this conversation wasn't enough to remove Lyca's attention away from the painting hanging in front of them. It was an oil painting of scenery that shouldn't be in this world.

"I will help Chu Munan." Her words interrupted the conversation. "But I want to know everything about that painting and that stone." Lyca pointed at the white stone pendant hanging in one of the elder's neck.