In the back room of the Myriad Things Come shop, Yang Ning lay curled up on a soft, king-sized bed, wrapped tightly in a blanket. Though his constitution had already improved to 15 points, the excruciating abdominal pain when the poison flared had drained much of his strength and energy. And after all the soaking and rain, he had ended up with a slight fever.
Back at his place, he hurriedly took a hot shower, swallowed a capsule of ibuprofen, and collapsed onto the bed, planning to get some rest early. Before long, the room was filled with his steady snores.
In his dream, those familiar red eyes appeared once more...
["May I ask what brings you to Black Wind Ridge, miss?"
An Han cast Yang Ning a cool glance. "What business is it of yours?"
Yang Ning shrugged. "That sandstorm outside won't let up anytime soon. Why not sit down and chat?"
An Han gazed at the distant blowing sand and sighed inwardly. In the end, she sat down.
After the two had sat in silence for a long while, An Han suddenly turned to Yang Ning. "Have you heard of the Star Sea Flower?"
Yang Ning recalled the books he had read at the camp. "Yes. I've heard it can bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones."
An Han stared at Yang Ning. "You seem quite capable. When the sandstorm suddenly struck earlier, you must have unleashed your Bloodline Power to enter this cave. Help me pick a Star Sea Flower, and name your price."
"The Star Sea Flower grows at the bottom of Black Wind Cliff, and the Starlight River flowing below can corrode human bones. You've really got this all figured out. Even if I wanted to name a price, I might not live long enough to enjoy it." Yang Ning shook his head with a wry smile.
An Han fell silent at his words. Her mother was gravely injured and on the brink of death. Her father hadn't even looked for anyone to treat her; instead, he had started making funeral arrangements.
Within the Demon Cult, her aunts were now scrambling to seize power, while those so-called half-brothers of hers watched the position like a pack of wolves.
As the Demon Cult's heiress, An Han had heard that the Star Sea Flower on Black Wind Ridge could bring the dead back to life and save her mother. That was why she had risked coming alone.
"Unless... you agree to two conditions..." Yang Ning suddenly said.
An Han's body stirred slightly...]
Just then, Yang Ning felt someone shaking him. He managed to crack one eye open, and Qiao Bin's round face came into view.
"You son of a—!"
Yang Ning raised a hand to hit him, but Qiao Bin hurriedly grabbed his wrist.
"Heh heh, Brother Ning, I'm really sorry," Qiao Bin said with an ingratiating smile. "Our Hall Master would like you to come over."
"Get lost, get lost, I'm not going!" Yang Ning pulled the blanket tighter and rolled over.
"Brother Ning, you're the Advisor of our Law Enforcement Hall..."
Yang Ning angrily kicked at the blanket and cursed at the three with his back to them. "I'm not going, and that's that! Do you know what time it is? It's still raining outside.
You people have no sense of boundaries or manners. When the older one got me to dig up information, she didn't even say thank you—and she nearly used her pressure on me, too.
And the younger ones are even worse. I'd already locked the door to my shop, and you still dared to pick the lock and come in, disturbing someone's sleep.
The fish rots from the head down. Do you really think I owe you people something? Or do you think I'm a disciple of your Law Enforcement Hall?
You've got some nerve!"
Qiao Bin gave an awkward smile, then turned to the two disciples and put on a stern face. "Not a word of what you just heard is to leave this room. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens!"
The two disciples were trusted subordinates of Qiao Bin's, and they hurriedly agreed. "Don't worry, don't worry. Senior Disciple Brother, we didn't hear a thing."
Qiao Bin turned back and continued smiling ingratiatingly. "Brother Ning, the rain had already stopped when we set out. The air outside is lovely now."
Yang Ning ignored him and kicked the blanket again.
Qiao Bin was at a loss. He didn't dare keep Yun Zishan waiting, so he gave the two disciples a meaningful look. They understood and stepped forward, each taking one side as they lifted Yang Ning off the bed.
"Qiao Bin, fuck your mother!" Yang Ning struggled and twisted between them. "Put me down! Put me down!"
Qiao Bin hurriedly clasped his hands and apologized again and again. "Brother Ning, once we've seen the Hall Master, I'll personally make it up to you!" As he spoke, he directed the two disciples, "There's a reclining chair outside. Put Lord Advisor on it, and we'll head straight back to the hall!"
"Understood, Senior Disciple Brother!"
On the way up the mountain, Yang Ning lay in a comfortable reclining chair, carried steadily by one disciple in front and another behind. Qiao Bin jogged alongside him, pulled a pack of Lanzhou cigarettes from his waist, took one out, and respectfully offered it to Yang Ning with both hands.
"Brother Ning, please..."
Yang Ning glanced at the cigarette. Feeling that his forehead was still hot, he waved it away. "I'm not smoking."
With an ingratiating grin, Qiao Bin stuffed the whole pack into Yang Ning's hand. "Don't worry, Brother Ning. After you've seen our Hall Master, I'll personally carry you right back."
The rain at the Sword Sect had indeed stopped, replaced by gusts of chilly night wind. Yang Ning wore only a thin undershirt beneath his robe, and couldn't help pulling his collar tighter.
Yang Ning looked at Qiao Bin and could tell how hard this was for him, too. He couldn't exactly strike someone who was smiling and trying to make amends.
"Looks like I'll have to talk to your Hall Master. If you call me out in the middle of the night, you've got to pay me overtime!"
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