“Are you leaving just like that? Won’t you even say thank you?” Tang Zixian said.

Ning Tao halted his steps, turning around to look at her. “Thank you. Anything else?”

Tang Zixian said, “This isn’t my first visit. Don’t you remember our pact?”

Ning Tao had showed his displeasure with a lukewarm attitude. He had wanted her to leave quickly, but now that she suddenly mentioned their pact, he remembered. “Do you mean… the Authentic Ambergris?”

“Of course. But I’m not that busy nowadays. I got the Authentic Ambergris from a friend in Hokkaido,” Tang Zixian said.

Ning Tao watched her, thinking she would take it out. But she did not.

Tang Zixian said, “If you want it, let me have an Ancestor-seeking Elixir and see its prescription.”

Ning Tao’s heart trembled and he summoned his state of smelling in his nose. In an instant, he detected numerous odors, all gushing into his nostrils.

Tang Zixian had a nice, fresh scent. Her odor was like a quiet orchid blossoming by spring in a desolate valley. She also smelled quite feminine. He had never had a woman before, but he was close to Jiang Hao and Qing Zhui, so he knew how they smelled…

Yet he could not detect the odor of the Authentic Ambergris at all.

Was it all a bluff?

Ning Tao was thinking that, but he gave her a smile instead. “Let me see your Authentic Ambergris first.”

Tang Zixian stared intently at Ning Tao. “Does this mean you have agreed?”

Ning Tao’s eyes shifted to Tang Zixian’s waist and started to move down inch by inch. He wondered to himself, “Did she hide it in…”

He should not have thought that. It was a bad thought, but he could not help himself. Obviously, he was affected by that little incident between him and Qing Zhui. In a nutshell, everything seemed to be fated.

As Ning Tao reacted strangely, Tang Zixian started to furrow her willow-like brows. “What are you staring at?”

Ning Tao adjusted his eyes. “My condition remains the same. Let me have the Authentic Ambergris and I will refine an Ancestor-seeking Elixir for you. If you want the elixir prescription, sorry, I can’t let you see it at the moment.”

“So you don’t really want the Authentic Ambergris,” Tang Zixian said.

Ning Tao said blandly, “Your asking price is too high. I need lots of spiritual materials to refine an Ancestor-seeking Elixir. You’re only giving me a little Authentic Ambergris in exchange for my Ancestor-seeking Elixir. You’re too greedy. And you want to see the elixir prescription too?”

“Rare commodities fetch high prices. Don’t you understand?”

“Then keep your ambergris. I will find a way to have one myself.” Ning Tao turned and left.

Tang Zixian said, “Why not this: since we will meet again soon, you may reconsider my offer carefully. Tell me your decision the next time we meet.”

Ning Tao nodded but wasn’t convinced in his heart.

Tang Zixian sent Ning Tao off with her eyes. A barely perceptible smile arose on her lips. She only left after Ning Tao reached the door of his courtyard house.

After entering, Ning Tao shut the door. His family members and dog all advanced to him.

“Mediate? Is she and that bald ass serious?” Bai Jing’s first words broached the subject directly.

Ning Tao was rather surprised. “You have all overheard us?”

The Howling Celestial Dog raised its paw. “Dad, it’s me… I heard it and told them.”

Ning Tao was not angry. He merely said, “Never mind if you did. I am about to discuss it with you people too. Tang Zixian said Master Fakong wanted to mediate between me and Wu Yue. What are your opinions on that?”

Jiang Hao said, “I feel that woman’s hiding something right from the start. She has ulterior motives. I never believed her anyway.”

Qing Zhui said, “Nor I. She doesn’t look like a kind woman.”

Yin Molan was silent for a while before speaking. “It’s 50-50 with me. She helped us get rid of Bai Sheng. Bai Sheng was clearly Wu Yue’s subordinate. In other words, she isn’t a spy from Wu Yue. As for whether she has any ulterior motives, we can’t say for now. You will have to investigate, Brother Ning.”

His analysis and opinion were objective without involving personal emotions. It sounded professional, as befitting a secret agent from the Ming Dynasty.

Ning Tao looked at Bai Jing. “Sister Bai, what do you think?”

Bai Jing crossed her arms over her bosom, then raised one hand to hold her chin. “I feel… that you should ensnare her with your charms, brother-in-law. Seduce her and let her fall for you. Then you will not only get the Authentic Ambergris, you will also know her secrets. Isn’t this a good way to settle all our problems?”

Ning Tao was speechless.

Qing Zhui and Jiang Hao stared at Bai Jing with odd expressions in their eyes. You’re a flirt and we can bear with it. How can you encourage your brother-in-law to seduce that Tang girl to know her motives? You’re simply too much!

But Bai Jing completely ignored Qing Zhui and Jiang Hao’s feelings and reactions. She continued to encourage Ning Tao. “Brother-in-law, that Tang girl is quite powerful. If you manage to make her fall head over heels for you, you will have another helper, won’t you?”

Ning Tao could not stand it anymore. “Enough. Let’s end the discussion. I have a plan. We will move temporarily to Gangde to hide from the trouble.”

Yin Molan was surprised. “Move to Gangde? What about Xiaoji’s school? It will be Monday the day after tomorrow. And it’s not very helpful to hide for only two days.”

Ning Tao said, “We can ask for some days off. You know very well who she is. She’s just attending school for fun. We will visit Gangde and take the opportunity to collect spiritual materials. Then I will refine new Ancestor-seeking Elixirs for all of you. You can take this time to bathe yourselves with the Body Cleanse Elixir. With my new Ancestor-seeking Elixirs, I believe you people can break through your current bottlenecks. Moreover, there’s a war there. You can save many refugees and earn merits of good intention through Shenzhou Charity Company.”

“Good, we will visit Gangde then.” The moment Yin Molan heard about the new Ancestor-seeking Elixirs, he no longer cared about Hu Xiaoji’s school.

Qing Zhui, Jiang Hao and Bai Jing also agreed.

“Then good, let’s pack up first. I’ll see if our neighbor Teacher Fang is back. I must get her to take leave for Hu Xiaoji.” Ning Tao turned and walked to the door.

This was certainly not an impromptu plan he had just thought. In fact, he had been pondering this move since beating off Wu Yue. He had wanted to visit Ruitian at first, but realized that it was in Northern Europe. The Black Fire Company would have men there, so he gave up this plan. Then he thought about Gangde. It was a primitive settlement, with hardly any contact with the outside world. He only needed to deal with Chieftain Male Eagle who alone had overseas experience.

Another advantage in visiting Gangde was that Chen Pingdao was there. Although that man was a coward, he was at least the former owner of Sky Clinic. Under those circumstances, he could not just sit back and watch. And that phantom bats lair was also hiding something. Ning Tao could take his time to explore it.

Fang Min and Huang Donglin’s door were tightly shut. There was no sound from inside their house.

“They must be out. After all, they had brought Huang Xiaopeng to the Underwater World. They won’t be back so soon.” Although Ning Tao thought this, his hand still reached out to knock at their door. He called out, “Teacher Fang, are you at home?”

There was no response from the house, but surprisingly, there was a little noise inside.

Ning Tao’s heart trembled and he summoned the states of looking and smelling in his eyes and nose. In that brief instant, he detected colorful auras streaming out through the door gap. His nose also caught the odors of Fang Min, Huang Donglin and Huang Xiaopeng.

The whole family was in, so why wasn’t anyone responding?

Ning Tao’s hand reached out to push the door. But it was locked from the inside. He took out from his small medicine chest an erroneous plucking talisman and pasted it on the door lock. He activated his spiritual power and pulled the talisman outwards.

The door unlocked.

Ning Tao pushed the door open and entered.

Behind the door was the living room. Its decor was simple, with some rubbish scattered on the floor, as well as toilet paper and food bags strewn all around. The whole place looked messy. Fang Min and Huang Donglin were sitting on a sofa, their backs facing the door. They had not detected Ning Tao’s entrance, merely sitting there upright. Huang Xiaopeng was bending over on the tea table, sleeping. There was a workbook before him, and a pencil with an eraser in his hand.

“Teacher Fang? Mr. Huang?” Ning Tao called out to them again.

Neither Huang Donglin nor Fang Min responded. The fingers of Huang Xiaopeng resting on the tea table trembled a little. He seemed to be awaking.

Ning Tao was astonished and curious. It was deep in winter, not summer. They could not be taking an afternoon nap so early in the day, right? And it was not even time for lunch.

Ning Tao had always felt a strange feeling concerning Fang Min and Huang Donglin. Right now, this strange feeling intensified exponentially.

Ning Tao came to the sofa, and suddenly froze after taking a glance.

The eyes of Fang Min and Huang Donglin were shut, but they were sitting in an upward position. Ning Tao was standing right before them, yet they had not the least bit of reaction. Under his state of looking, both the innate auras of Huang Donglin and Fang Min were normal.

There was a sudden gust from the door.

Ning Tao turned back and looked but saw nothing.

“Oh! Doctor Ning…” Fang Min suddenly woke, looking at Ning Tao. She said in surprise, “Doctor Ning, why are you here?”

Ning Tao said, “I’m here to take leave for Xiaoji. No one answered the door, but it was open. I’m afraid your house might be burgled, so I came in. I didn’t expect both of you to be at home. I’m so sorry.”

At this time, Huang Donglin also opened his eyes. He yawned. “So it’s Doctor Ning. So sorry. Please take a seat.”

Ning Tao said, “I’m not staying. I’m just here to take leave for Xiaoji. I’m going back.”

As he spoke, he observed Huang Donglin and Fang Min’s innate aura all this while. He also studied their faces, but the couple seemed completely at ease no matter how he looked.

“Since you’re here, please sit and have a cup of tea. I will make it now.” Huang Donglin rose and walked towards the water dispenser. As he walked, he said, “Doctor Ning, don’t laugh at us. Our family takes afternoon naps every day. Just now we had breakfast outside and took our naps after returning home. Look, Xiaopeng is still asleep.”

Ning Tao merely watched and listened to him.

As he walked past Huang Xiaopeng, Huang Donglin reached out and patted the back of the boy’s head. “Hey, Xiaopeng, wake up. Uncle Ning’s here.”

Huang Xiaopeng grunted and tilted his head to the other side. He continued to sleep.

Fang Min also stood up, looking embarrassed. “So sorry, Doctor Ning, our house is in a mess. Please don’t laugh at us… by the way, why is Xiaoji taking leave?”

Ning Tao said, “Her grandfather is seriously ill. He would like to see the child, so we’re taking her back to our hometown.”

“I see. Well, I’ll have to write a leave application for her. How many days would she be gone?” Fang Min asked.

Ning Tao said, “Make it a 10-day leave. We might be back early, or a couple of days late. Well, that’s all. I have to go.”

“Doctor Ning, why don’t you have some tea before you go?” Huang Donglin said.

Ning Tao waved his hand. As he walked away, he said, “No, thank you. Let’s chat some other time.”

After exiting Fang Min and Huang Donglin’s house, Ning Tao carefully recalled the incident just now. The perplexity in his heart increased.