Du Feng, having received Lu Heng's affirmative reply, glanced at the bag in his hand.
There were about twenty thousand crystals inside, which was not a small amount.
However, the thought of these crystals disappearing from the Shenyuan Continent made him start to get a headache.
During this period, through the crystals, the Danyang Sect had gained quite a few disciples and followers.
Its reputation across the entire Shenyuan Continent had been greatly enhanced. If the crystals were to disappear in the future, the Danyang Sect would inevitably be affected.
"Then, as an interim decision, I will accept all these crystals on behalf of the Danyang Sect."
He planned to discuss with the elders of the sect to acquire these crystals, stop selling them to the public, and keep them as treasures of the Danyang Sect.
"That's fine, it's not like there won't be any more.
It's just that these crystals are difficult to obtain now. I still have some stock, and if you still want them, I can let you have some more."
"That's too kind of you, but I still need to report the situation to the Sect Master and the elders when I return to the sect."
After a few more pleasantries, Du Feng left in a hurry.
As he left, he also took the remaining crystals from the shop and instructed the disciples there to close the shop for a few days until his return.
Lu Heng and Du Feng's conversation in the tea room was not overheard by any of the Danyang Sect disciples; they had kept their distance. Therefore, they were unaware of the news that crystals would be out of stock in the Shenyuan Continent.
It was just that Du Feng's departure was too hasty, and his earlier amiable expression was gone, replaced by a stern one.
Those who didn't know the inside story might have thought he had a disagreement with Lu Heng, leading to an unpleasant parting.
Lu Heng finished the tea in his cup and stood up, patting the wrinkles on his clothes.
These ancient clothes, made from fabric that had not undergone any wrinkle-treatment, would crease every time he sat down.
"Since there's nothing else, I'll be going now. If anything comes up, leave a message for me at the shop, and I'll check it when I return next time."
"Farewell, Mr. Lu."
The disciples of the Danyang Sect gathered at the entrance to see Lu Heng off.
By this time, it was completely dark. However, the curfew in Jinyang City had been lifted, and many shops had hung lanterns.
The liveliness in various places was no less than during the day; in some areas, it was even more vibrant.
Lu Heng walked along the bustling crowd on the bluestone path, with people laughing and talking everywhere.
However, the etiquette here was similar to ancient times on Blue Star; women rarely walked on the streets at night.
Just as he approached a building adorned with red lanterns, Lu Heng heard a woman's enthusiastic greeting.
"Oh, young master, you look very familiar. Would you like to come in and relax?"
As soon as she spoke, Lu Heng's sleeve was tugged.
Lu Heng instinctively turned his head to look and saw a beautiful woman dressed in revealing clothing, holding a handkerchief and looking at him.
Lu Heng pointed to his nose, "You say you've seen me before?"
He rarely wandered around Jinyang City, and he hadn't been here in a long time.
He had no impression of the woman tugging at his sleeve, so how could she find him familiar?
"Yes, young master, have you forgotten this humble servant? Your portrait is hanging in our main hall. How can you say that? You'll make this humble servant sad..."
Lu Heng's eyes twitched. Even though this woman was exceptionally beautiful, her constant use of "this humble servant" and her somewhat affected demeanor were truly unappealing to him.
But what was this portrait she spoke of?
And hanging in the main hall?
Through mind-reading, Lu Heng confirmed that the woman was not lying.
He found it somewhat unbelievable and walked towards the small building adorned with red lanterns.
Before entering, he instinctively glanced up at the building's plaque.
【RED, LANTERN, DISTRICT】
The name perfectly matched the red lanterns hanging outside.
This was the thought that flashed through Lu Heng's mind as he stepped into the building.
Seeing Lu Heng enter, the woman hurried after him, chattering, "Young master, please wait for Chunlan! How can this humble servant keep up..."
Lu Heng paused, waiting for the woman to catch up, and then stepped aside.
"Where is the portrait you mentioned?"
"Hehehe, look how anxious you are. This humble servant will take you there. Let me help you over."
Chunlan reached out to grab Lu Heng, but he instinctively withdrew his sleeve and put his hands behind his back.
"Just lead the way."
"Oh, this humble servant will lead you there now."
Chunlan's smiling face remained, showing no displeasure at Lu Heng's impatience.
After passing a screen, Lu Heng was led into a spacious hall.
The hall was even more lively at this moment, with the sounds of laughter and banter between women and men.
However, it was not as disreputable as Lu Heng had imagined; no one was doing anything too outrageous in public.
Chunlan extended her arm and pointed to a high wall not far away. Indeed, a portrait was hanging on the wooden wall.
And the person in the painting was none other than Lu Heng.
In the portrait, Lu Heng was wearing a light blue scholar's robe, his long hair tied up, with a white jade hairpin in his hair, making him appear refined and composed.
Yet, such a portrait was hanging in this place.
Lu Heng frowned and looked at Chunlan, "Who hung this up?"
He had no idea he had commissioned such a portrait, and he didn't know many people in Jinyang City. Someone unfamiliar wouldn't have been able to capture his likeness so vividly.
Cough...
"Our proprietor hung it up personally and said that if you came, it would be on the house."
Chunlan said, leaning towards Lu Heng charmingly again. Lu Heng frowned and avoided her again.
It wasn't that he disliked women, but his portrait appearing here was too strange.
Even if he were to do something, he wanted to understand it first.
Lu Heng caught a word in Chunlan's speech, "on the house," which was not a term that should exist in this world.
He had only sold items not belonging to this world in the Shenyuan Continent; he had not changed or interfered with other cultural matters.
So, who was the proprietor of this place?
Lu Heng voiced his question, but Chunlan smiled and said to him, "Oh, young master, let's talk in a room. My feet are getting sore standing like this..."
Lu Heng instinctively glanced at Chunlan's feet, but the women's skirts here were long, and outsiders couldn't see their shoes or socks.
Pulled by Chunlan, Lu Heng was led to a private room.
A small sign was hung at the door of the room, with two small characters written on it: 【Gou Lan】.
Upon entering the room, it was much quieter than outside. Although the soundproofing here was not very good, it still blocked out a lot of noise.
Except for the occasional loud shouts from a few men, it was relatively quiet here.
Sitting at the table, Lu Heng looked at Chunlan, who had returned after arranging for food.
"Tell me, who is your proprietor, and why is my portrait hanging in the main hall?"