Feng Qingmo didn't even go inside. He kept his backpack on and went out with his parents to buy groceries.
Zuo Huifen had wanted him to leave his backpack at home, but it held two vials of Water of Life worth tens of billions each. Feng Qingmo couldn't bear to leave them in an empty house.
After receiving the Water of Life last night, he'd boarded a military aircraft bound for Jiangnan Base City in the middle of the night. That was how he'd made it home just as dawn broke.
He'd enjoyed a hearty meal cooked by Zuo Huifen herself. During the meal, Feng Qingmo told his parents about some of the less demanding things he'd done at the Training Camp.
When they learned Feng Qingmo was coming home today, Feng Jiansong and Zuo Huifen had already asked the martial arts school for leave. They didn't have to go in today.
After the meal, Feng Qingmo opened his backpack and carefully took out two boxes, setting them on the table. He gently lifted the lids. Inside lay two test tubes secured in flexible padding.
The liquid inside was transparent with a hint of pale green, giving it an exceptionally luxurious appearance.
"What's this?" Zuo Huifen picked up one of the boxes and held it up to examine it closely.
"Water of Life!"
Zuo Huifen's hand trembled, and the box nearly slipped from her grasp. Feng Qingmo hurriedly used his Spiritual Force to support it. Fortunately, Zuo Huifen quickly reacted and held it securely with both hands.
She and Feng Jiansong stared intently at Feng Qingmo.
"Mo'er!" Zuo Huifen's eyes reddened. "A single vial of Water of Life sells for at least thirty billion at auction. Two would be sixty billion. How much did you risk to get these...?"
Feng Jiansong didn't say anything, but his eyes conveyed the same meaning.
"Mom, Dad, it's not as expensive as you think," Feng Qingmo hurried to explain. "I completed several missions. One vial was a reward from the Military, and I bought the other at cost. In reality, they only cost a little over ten billion..."
He reached out and took one of his mother's hands and one of his father's. Looking at them, he said, "When I was little, you risked your lives hunting monsters to earn money for my eyes and take me to get them treated. Now that your son is grown up, of course I have to work hard and earn enough to buy you Water of Life..."
The mist in Zuo Huifen's eyes finally turned to tears, which trickled down her cheeks. Remembering the hardships of the past few years, Feng Jiansong's eyes grew moist, too.
"Since we're off today, why don't you drink the Water of Life now..." Feng Qingmo smiled at his father. "Dad, tomorrow you'll be able to hold a sword in your right hand again!"
Looking at Feng Qingmo's smiling face, Feng Jiansong finally burst into laughter. "With a son like you, what more could a man ask for?"
Zuo Huifen gazed through her tears at the two most important men in her life, smiling.
After spending two days at home, Feng Qingmo packed his things and left Jiangnan Base City, returning to Huashan Training Camp.
At six the next morning, Feng Qingmo arrived at the Training Camp gates to wait for the people coming to take him to the Science Division.
At six twenty-five, a military vehicle drove up and screeched to a stop outside the Training Camp.
Huo Haitian opened the door and jumped out of the driver's seat.
"Uncle Huo!" Feng Qingmo smiled and went to greet the nearly two-meter-tall giant, who had a scar across his face. "I didn't expect you to come pick me up..."
"Haha, I only made a special trip because I heard I'd be picking you up." Huo Haitian looked at Feng Qingmo's eyes and couldn't help smiling. "Looks like my niece was right. Your eyes really have recovered..."
He looked Feng Qingmo up and down. "I heard your strength has improved a lot. You're a War God now? You only passed the Martial Artist Combat Assessment six months ago..."
He studied Feng Qingmo closely and let out a quiet sigh. "Looking at you, I feel like I've wasted my whole life."
Feng Qingmo couldn't help laughing. "Uncle Huo, a dog wouldn't be as strong as you."
Huo Haitian glared down at him. "You brat, you're using your strength as an excuse to make fun of me now, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare..." Feng Qingmo knew what he was like and grinned. "Let's get going."
He opened the passenger-side door and climbed in first. Huo Haitian chuckled, calling him a little brat, then got in, made a U-turn, and sped off.
They chatted along the way and soon arrived at the Science Division. As before, they took the elevator deep underground. After the awkwardness of their last elevator ride, they exchanged a glance and tacitly fell silent.
At the Science Division, Huo Haitian took him to the changing room first.
"You can't go in wearing that Combat Suit," Huo Haitian said, taking a complete set of clothes from the locker. "These were chosen for your build. They contain no metal and prevent static, so you have to wear them to enter the lab."
Feng Qingmo swept the area with his Spiritual Force to make sure there were no cameras or anything like that. Then, moving at lightning speed, he took off his Combat Suit and changed into the clothes provided by the Science Division.
"Not bad!" Huo Haitian said, looking at Feng Qingmo in his uniform. "You look pretty valiant in your Combat Suit, but I didn't expect you to look so refined and scholarly in this."
"Oh, Uncle Huo, you're quite cultured," Feng Qingmo teased. "You used that idiom pretty well."
"Hmph!" Huo Haitian rolled his eyes and raised his chin. "I only missed getting into university by a few points, you know..."
He glanced at his watch. "It's about time. I'll take you to see Dr. Long. Just do as she says. Come on..."
He took out a beautiful card attached to a thin cord. "Put this on. It's your access card for the division. Without it, you won't be able to enter a lot of places..."
He handed the card to Feng Qingmo, then turned and led him to Dr. Long's office.
When they reached the office door, Huo Haitian lowered his voice. "Go in by yourself. I have other things to take care of, so I won't come in with you..."
With that, he turned and strode away.
Feng Qingmo raised his hand and knocked. A cool, melodious voice came from inside. "Come in."
He turned the handle and opened the door, stepping inside. Before he could look around, his gaze was drawn to the peerless beauty sitting behind the desk. That graceful figure surfaced involuntarily in his mind once again.
Forcing down the ripples in his heart, Feng Qingmo gave a light cough. "Hello, Dr. Long."
Dr. Long tilted her head slightly, making her ponytail sway gently. She looked away from the computer screen and turned her gaze toward Feng Qingmo.
"It's you?" Dr. Long looked at the tall, handsome young man in the doorway, and a glimmer of surprise appeared in her eyes. She gestured toward the chair opposite her. "Please sit. Give me a moment."
"Sure." Feng Qingmo walked over and sat in the chair across from her. He glanced around, trying not to disturb Dr. Long as she worked.
Still, he couldn't help recalling what Huo Haitian had said in the elevator back then. She really is breathtaking...
Before you continue