After a car ride that lasted nearly three hours, they finally arrived at Sun Yao's home.
It was an unassuming small house nestled in the rolling mountains, with various herbs displayed by its entrance.
However, a closer inspection of the interior revealed an abundance of cutting-edge scientific equipment.
The presence of such advanced research facilities in this remote location clearly indicated Sun Yao's considerable wealth, as the transportation costs alone would be prohibitive for most.
Su Wanran and Lu Ming exchanged a look before stepping into the courtyard.
The house seemed to be occupied by only one person: a short, disheveled old man squatting on the ground, tending to some herbs.
Could this be Sun Yao?
Su Wanran wasn't entirely sure. She cleared her throat deliberately and approached him, asking, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Sun Yao?"
The old man glanced up at Su Wanran, uttered no words, and continued his work with the herbs.
Such peculiar behavior could only belong to Sun Yao.
Su Wanran smiled and said, "Mr. Sun, I am the vice-chairman of the Origin Project. Our company is currently researching the latest synthetic gene cherry varieties, and you are an expert in this field. I would like to invite you to work with us. Whatever your conditions, I will meet them!"
The old man chuckled.
He scoffed, "For over a decade, Su Changhe has approached me countless times, and I've never agreed. Now that Su Changhe is dead, a junior like you comes along and expects me to come out of seclusion? Who do you think you are? Humph."
His words were rather inhospitable.
They had come with good intentions to invite him, and even if he wasn't going to accept, his temper was quite severe.
Fortunately, Su Wanran had been forewarned about Sun Yao's temperament and was prepared.
Just as Su Wanran was about to launch her next 'attack,' another group entered. It was her third uncle, Su Jianxiong, his third aunt, Han Yun, and their bodyguards.
Upon entering, Su Jianxiong sneered, "Mr. Sun is right. Wanran, you came empty-handed with no sincerity. Why should Mr. Sun go with you?"
With that, he snapped his fingers.
The bodyguards behind him stepped forward, opened a safe, and revealed a collection of rare herbs.
Su Jianxiong stated, "Mr. Sun, I know you enjoy collecting rare herbs, so I took the liberty of finding some exquisite specimens for you. I hope you like them."
Striking at the Achilles' heel, Su Jianxiong's tactic had indeed hit Sun Yao's weakness.
As expected.
Sun Yao's eyes lit up with excitement upon seeing the herbs.
"Ah, these are all top-tier medicines," Sun Yao admitted, unashamedly expressing his fondness for the herbs as he approached them, touching and caressing them.
A glint of victory appeared in Su Jianxiong's eyes.
He pressed his advantage, continuing, "These herbs are merely a token gift. If Mr. Sun can lend me his assistance in researching the Water Ripple Cherry, I have more and better herbs to offer. Furthermore, I have prepared a luxurious villa for Mr. Sun, along with a hundred million in research funding! As for your personal benefits, I have a contract here with all the details clearly written. Please review it, Mr. Sun."
Su Jianxiong had spared no expense to poach Sun Yao.
The salary offered was three million per month, and he had even reserved two top-tier university students, chosen for their looks and figures from the Water Pavilion nightclub, to assist Sun Yao!
As for fine wines and gourmet food, they were all readily available.
In essence, whether one was greedy for money or lustful, enjoyed food or drink, or even gambled obsessively, Su Jianxiong claimed he could satisfy it all.
As long as you were willing to come, he would meet all your desires!
Under such favorable terms, most people would be eager to sign the contract immediately.
However.
Sun Yao was no ordinary person.
If these conditions alone could sway him, then Old Master Su Changhe would have succeeded when he was alive, and there would be no need to wait until now.
Sun Yao let out a sinister smile and said provocatively, "The herbs are excellent, the money is abundant, and the beauties are charming, but these are not enough to move me. These are not what I cherish most."
Su Jianxiong asked, "Then what does Mr. Sun cherish most? Just name it, and I will fulfill it!"
Sun Yao raised a finger. "What I love most is one word: gambling."
That's it?
Heh.
Su Jianxiong chuckled, "Gambling? That's nothing. I know many casinos and can provide Mr. Sun with the finest services. All gambling stakes will be on me. If you win, you keep it; if you lose, it's my loss. How about that?"
Sun Yao, however, repeatedly shook his head.
He grinned mischievously and said, "I don't gamble with money, nor do I enjoy the vulgar pursuits of casinos."
Huh?
Su Jianxiong was taken aback and asked, "Then what does Mr. Sun like to gamble with?"
Sun Yao chuckled and uttered a single word: "Life!"
What Sun Yao loved most was to gamble with people's lives! While he was still at the research institute, his life-gambling had led to the death of his fellow disciples, earning him the label of 'bad character.'
This detestable hobby resulted in Sun Yao being expelled from the research institute and never being entrusted with important tasks throughout his life.
Everyone present was stunned.
Even Lu Ming frowned slightly, regarding the eccentric old man with a peculiar gaze.
Su Jianxiong took a deep breath and asked, "I didn't expect Mr. Sun to have such a peculiar hobby. May I ask how Mr. Sun gambles with lives?"
"It's very simple," Sun Yao straightened up. "Please wait a moment."
He walked into the inner room and emerged a moment later, holding a yellow briefcase. Upon opening it, a collection of bottles and jars were revealed.
Each bottle contained a liquid of a different color.
Sun Yao declared, "These are all toxins I've extracted from the herbs in these mountains. I've compounded and fused them to create a total of ten potent poisons!"
He surveyed the group and continued, "You want to invite me out of seclusion to help you research the Water Ripple Cherry? Very well, but only if you can win the gamble against me!"
Sun Yao pointed at the poisonous liquids. "If any of you can drink all ten potent poisons and guarantee that you will not die, remaining alive and kicking, then you win. What do you say?"
This... what was this?
Any single drop of these ten potent poisons would be fatal, let alone drinking all ten?
It was a guaranteed death sentence!
To drink ten poisonous liquids and survive was impossible unless one was an immortal being.
This wasn't a gamble of life; it was a suicide mission!
Su Jianxiong became enraged and roared at Sun Yao, "You old fool, are you toying with me? Drinking ten poisons would kill even an elephant, let alone a human? If you don't want to come out of seclusion, just say so. You don't need to play such tricks!"
Sun Yao was amused.
He looked at Su Jianxiong coldly and mocked, "So, why do you think I haven't come out of seclusion for so many years? When Su Changhe was alive, this was my requirement. Su Changhe lacked the courage and refused to drink it his entire life. If he wouldn't drink it, I wouldn't go with him. It was that simple. Now it's your turn. If you are as cowardly as Su Changhe and afraid to drink, then get out now and stop wasting my time with your nonsense!"