Open a Clinic to Cultivate Myself - Chapter 440

Chapter 440 A Heart Turned Cold

The blizzard had stopped. A setting sun appeared on the westerly horizon, fiery like fire. The sky was being engulfed by darkness, turning murky blue. Stars sparkled in the same sky, the view majestic and mysterious.

If a heavenly realm really existed in this universe, where would it be?

Ning Tao sat on a rock, gazing at a star in the depths of the heavens. His imagination was fired by an endless train of thoughts. When he took over Sky Clinic, he was just hoping to survive. Right now, he had a further goal. He wanted to visit the heavenly realm and see that world, even roaming in it.

The Howling Celestial Dog was crouching by Ning Tao’s side, pricking its ears to listen to all sounds within the radius of several thousand meters. It stared in the direction of Nepal, appearing very focused. This was because Dad had said men from the Black Fire Company might cross the Nepalese border to do the transaction.

“Celestial Howling, do you really think a heavenly realm exists in this world?” Ning Tao broke the silence between man and dog.

The Howling Celestial Dog answered, “Yes, I do. I’ve heard Senior Yin and Miss Moron Bai… errr, Senior Bai say that the heavenly realm does exist. But we can’t reach it. Since ancient times, countless practitioners and demons have died during the trial.”

“Cultivation is battling against heaven. It’s very difficult for someone to remove earthly restrictions and reach the heavenly realm,” Ning Tao said. He suddenly remembered something and started to smile. “Celestial Howling, do you think there are fairies in the heavenly realm?”

A sunflower-like smile appeared on the Howling Celestial Dog’s canine face. “I do. Does Dad want a fairy as your wife?”

Ning Tao fondled its canine head. “We can just talk about it here. Don’t let Mama Jiang hear you. She will get jealous.”

The Howling Celestial Dog nodded. “Okay, got it. Dad, I would like to visit the heavenly realm with you. I want to see that world.”

Ning Tao answered with a smile, “Then practice hard. When we get back, I will ask other practitioners for a cultivation method you can use. I will also weave you a Heavenly Gem Magic Garment. Your denim suit isn’t bulletproof. Nowadays, everyone uses guns. You will be in serious danger.”

The Howling Celestial Dog shifted its eyes to stare at Ning Tao helplessly. “Dad, um, if I wear the Heavenly Gem Magic Garment, can I show my dick?”

Ning Tao was speechless.

A helicopter suddenly flew across the sky, heading towards Nepal.

Ning Tao locked his eyes intently on that helicopter, but it was too far away and he could not see anyone on it. He could only tell it was a civil helicopter.

The Howling Celestial Dog’s ears trembled and its face became solemn. “Dad, someone’s here.”

Ning Tao rose and gazed into the distance. A company of men was advancing towards this mountain slope.

This mountain slope was where Zhu Hongyu had been murdered. It was precipitous with jagged rocks jutting out, covered with snow. But these men were like goats advancing without any difficulties, moving exceptionally fast.

The company of men came nearer and Ning Tao could see them more clearly. There were white as well as black men, all very muscular and carrying rifles, grenade launchers and hand grenades. They were armed to the teeth. It was not difficult to guess their identities. These were all elite mercenaries of the Black Fire Company.

But Lin Qinghua was not in their company.

Ning Tao suddenly remembered something and raised his head to gaze at the helicopter flying past him.

The helicopter flew past a mountain peak and disappeared. From the sky came faint roars of the helicopter engine. It became fainter and fainter. It seemed only to be passing by, heading for inland Nepal.

The mercenaries from the Black Fire Company advanced to just 200 meters away from Ning Tao and the Howling Celestial Dog. Then they dispersed, surrounding them in a fan shape.

“Dad, what should we do?” The Howling Celestial Dog suddenly became nervous.

Ning Tao answered, “Don’t panic. They must have a Personnel Network Radio with them. Is anyone speaking through it? If so, report the conversation to me.”

The Howling Celestial Dog pricked up its canine ears, but there was an embarrassed expression on its face. “Dad, they’re indeed talking, but… I can’t understand them.”

Ning Tao said, “This was why I made you learn English. But you only play games on your cell phone. Now you know how important learning is, don’t you?”

The Howling Celestial Dog lowered its head.

Ring ring, ring ring…

An incoming call suddenly rang out on Ning Tao’s cell phone. He felt quite surprised, since there would not be a signal in such a place. But although he was surprised, he still took out his phone. He saw the signal as well as a familiar phone number.

The call was from Lin Qinghua. The signal on the cell phone was clearly related to him.

Ning Tao swiped up the reception panel. “I’m here. I came alone.”

Lin Qinghua’s voice rang out from the phone. “With your dog.”

Ning Tao suppressed the raging anger in his heart. “Enough of such nonsense! I’ve already brought what you want. Where is Ge Ming?”

Lin Qinghua’s voice came, “I’ve also brought your man. I want to check the authenticity of your elixir prescription. Once I verify it’s real, I will release Ge Ming.”

Ning Tao let out a cold snort through his nostrils. “How do you want to test it?”

Lin Qinghua’s voice came again, “I will send a man over. Hand the elixir prescription to him and he will bring it to me. After verifying it, I will release Ge Ming.”

Ning Tao was so angry that he started to laugh. “Lin Qinghua, are you kidding me?”

Lin Qinghua answered, “You’re wrong. I’m absolutely serious about this. You’re likely to deceive me with a false elixir prescription. I need to verify it. If I were to meet you, you might very possibly kill me. I have to incur double risks and you none at all. I will not benefit at all from Ge Ming’s death.”

By now, the mercenaries from the Black Fire Company had stopped advancing. They were only less than 100 meters away from Ning Tao and the Howling Celestial Dog. There were 21 of them, all besieging Ning Tao and his dog in a fan-shaped semi-circle. Many were armed with assault rifles. If there was a showdown, Ning Tao and the Howling Celestial Dog would be bombarded by ammunition and could not hide.

A white man left the team and walked towards Ning Tao and his dog. His hands had left his rifle, lifting high up above his head. He indicated that he had come in peace. He was obviously the man Lin Qinghua had appointed to take the elixir prescription.

Lin Qinghua’s said, “Give him the elixir prescription and wait for me to release your man.”

Ning Tao said coldly, “What if I won’t?”

From the phone came Ge Ming’s hideous scream. “Ahhhh—Don’t—”

The whirrs of the helicopter…

That helicopter which had gone, now flew back from that peak and hovered in the air.

Lin Qinghua was in that helicopter, but Ning Tao could not see him at all.

Lin Qinghua’s voice came from the phone, “If you won’t agree to this, it means you aren’t sincere. You’re here not for the transaction but to kill me. I have nothing to say. I will kill Ge Ming and plan my next move. I will succeed sooner or later and you will have to give me your elixir prescription.”

If these words had come out of Sun Pingchuan or Sun Lanxiang’s mouth, Ning Tao would at most feel enraged and nothing else. But coming out of Lin Qinghua, he felt his heart turn cold. He had saved Lin Qinghua and cured him of his fatal demonic illness, yet the man was treating him this way!

“I will give you three minutes to consider.” Lin Qinghua hung up the phone.

Since his heart had turned cold, he no longer harbored any hope. Ning Tao watched the helicopter hovering in the sky and his eyes seemed to be burning.

The man who had come to take the elixir prescription was walking towards him. He had already put down his hands, but did not lift that assault rifle hanging on his neck. He was chewing a chewing gum, looking relaxed and not tense.

Should he give this man the elixir prescription?

Ning Tao was pondering this dilemma. He had found four skull fragments and the elixir prescription he now had was the most complete. But the real elixir prescription was stored in his brain. The elixir prescription he had brought along was fake. If he handed it to Lin Qinghua through this man, would Lin Qinghua know it was fake?

In order to ascertain the elixir prescription’s authenticity, one must be highly knowledgeable about elixir refining. Ning Tao would not be worried if it was someone else. But he wasn’t sure about Lin Qinghua. After all, Lin Qinghua was a genius in the biopharmaceutical field. He managed to refine the first, incomplete version of the Ancestor-seeking Elixir without any knowledge of alchemy. Although he was infected and became a new demon. There would be many uncertain elements if he was to verify the elixir prescription.

The white mercenary coming to collect the elixir prescription advanced nearer.

Three minutes had passed, but Ning Tao had not come to a decision. The situation before him was totally unexpected. Lin Qinghua was in the sky avoiding him, while Ge Ming was not earthbound either. His plan to grab the man the moment he saw him would not work now.

But at this moment, the Howling Celestial Dog suddenly let out whining in its mouth.

Snowflakes fluttered on the Whisperer.

The voice of the Howling Celestial Dog surfaced in Ning Tao’s mind. “Dad, more people are coming behind us. A huge company!”

Ning Tao did not turn back to look. He could guess who they were. Thanks to this reminder from the Howling Celestial Dog, an inspiration flashed across his mind.

Ning Tao said, “Stay here and keep monitoring.”

The Howling Celestial Dog nodded, its ears trembling.

Ring ring, ring ring…

An incoming call rang out on his cell phone again.

Ning Tao swiped up the reception panel. There was a woman’s voice at the other end. “Hello, is this Mr. Ning?”

Ning Tao started a little. “Who is this?”

“Hello, Mr. Ning. I am the customer service manager of Tianma Securities Company. May I know how your stock returns are doing?”

Ning Tao was speechless.

“Mr. Ning, our company is launching a stock investment package, led by experts…”

Amidst the wild gales, Ning Tao put down his cell phone, stabbing the End Call button.

He could even receive such trash calls here. Should he buy a lottery ticket and try his luck?

Ring ring, ring ring…

This time, Ning Tao saw the incoming number before swiping up the reception panel.

From the phone came Lin Qinghua’s voice. “Your three minutes is up. Have you made up your mind?”

Ning Tao answered, “I will give your man my elixir prescription, but you must show your sincerity too. After giving it to him, you must let Ge Ming down. Once you verify its authenticity, you can release him to me.”

Lin Qinghua went silent for a while before consenting. “Okay.”

Ning Tao took out the elixir prescription he had long prepared and walked towards that white man.