You Started the Joke

As though Meng Jinliang's words had reminded her, Ning Muchun's complexion recovered somewhat. Forcing a smile, she said, "Jinliang is right. It came at just the right time for Little Fa to become a family alchemist. After all, the family only has two Spirit Stabilizing Pills, and there will definitely be many people competing for them."

"Jinliang and I had originally planned to use Yi He to seek out the deputy hall master of Blazing Wind Hall and pull some strings. But now that Little Fa has joined the Alchemy Hall, if he can ask the Ninth Elder for help, the odds are far better than going to the deputy hall master of Blazing Wind Hall."

Though Ning Fa's maternal cousin, Ning Furong, still wore an ugly expression, his eyes lit up as well.

He was still unwilling to accept the fact that Ning Fa had become a family alchemist, but he was no fool. This concerned his advancement to Late Qi Condensation. Though he harbored jealousy and hatred, he did not dare show it again.

Meng Jinliang glanced at Ning Muchun and suddenly said, "Zheng Qian was right just now. The deed to that shop should be returned to Little Fa. Before, we were afraid that Little Fa was still too young and might be tricked out of that shop. Now that he has joined the Alchemy Hall, it shows that he is capable of managing the shop himself."

Ning Muchun was startled, and reluctance flashed through her eyes. Yet she was a decisive person, and she immediately nodded. "Mm. I only hope Little Fa can understand our good intentions."

Hearing this, the families of Ning Fa's eldest uncle and fourth uncle, who knew full well what was going on, inwardly cursed Ning Muchun and her husband for their shamelessness.

Ning Baiquan chuckled. "Time waits for no one. Let's hurry and find Little Fa. That child really is something—such a major matter, yet he didn't tell any of us uncles."

Ning Zifeng glanced at him, his gaze seeming to say, "Why Ning Fa didn't tell us—do you really not know the reason?"

Ning Baiquan pretended not to see it. He excitedly rose to his feet and left first.

Before long, the group arrived at Ning Fa's doorstep.

Ning Fa, who had been about to leave for the Alchemy Hall, saw the excited expressions on everyone's faces and naturally understood that they had learned he had become a family alchemist. A faintly amused smile appeared on his face.

"Eldest Uncle. Uncle Xilin."

Ning Fa only greeted Ning Zhengqian and Ning Xilin, treating the families of his fourth uncle Ning Baiquan and Ning Muchun as if they were air. Both families naturally looked awkward.

Uncle Xilin, meanwhile, was glowing with pride, his heart filled with excitement.

From the way Ning Fa addressed him, it was clear that Ning Fa remembered kindness. A month ago, he had offered help in the snow by giving Ning Fa thirty spirit stones, and Ning Fa had evidently remembered it in his heart.

"Little Fa, have you become a family alchemist?"

Eldest Uncle Ning Zhengqian asked eagerly.

Facing his eldest uncle, who had offered him help in the snow a month ago, Ning Fa smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good, very good!"

Ning Zhengqian laughed heartily and heavily patted Ning Fa's shoulder.

After hearing Ning Fa admit it himself, Ning Baiquan and Ning Muchun also ignored Ning Fa's cold expression and came forward with smiles to congratulate him.

Ning Fa showed no reaction. He merely looked at them with a faintly amused smile, the mocking curve of his lips utterly undisguised. He yawned and said, "Finished? If you're finished, go back."

Ning Baiquan, who had been about to say a few more words, instantly stiffened.

Ning Muchun gave a dry cough and forced a smile. "Little Fa, now that you've become a family alchemist, there happens to be something you can help with. This matter concerns our branch of the family..."

Before she could finish, Ning Fa impatiently cut her off. "Don't bother. I'm not interested in hearing it. When you were discussing things before, did you treat me as family from the same branch? Since you didn't, why should I meddle in your affairs?"

Anger rose in Ning Muchun's face, and she was about to flare up. But when she thought of Ning Fa's current status, she could only force it down.

At this moment, Ning Zhengqian tried to smooth things over. "Little Fa, we know you have grievances, and you have every right to. Elder Sister truly did fall short in some ways before, but this matter is indeed of great importance and requires your help. This is not the place to talk. Let us enter first."

Facing Eldest Uncle Ning Zhengqian, Ning Fa had to give him some face. He curled his lips but still led everyone into the house.

Before they had even taken their seats, Ning Muchun impatiently explained the matter, then urgently asked, "Little Fa, I heard that you have a very good relationship with the Ninth Elder now. Can you ask the Ninth Elder to help us obtain a Spirit Stabilizing Pill? It would be best to keep the price below two thousand spirit stones. If the Contribution Points can be reduced as well, that would be even better."

Hearing this, Ning Furong, who had been suppressing the anger in his heart over Ning Fa's rude attitude, could not help looking at Ning Fa with a face full of expectation.

Ning Fa first pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "That's no problem. I'll go speak to the Ninth Elder right away. And if there aren't enough spirit stones, isn't there still that shop on Jinchang Island? Sell that too. I agree."

Everyone was shocked. Ning Muchun looked at him in disbelief, then asked in delighted confirmation, "Little Fa, is that true? You aren't joking with us, are you?"

Ning Fa looked at her strangely. "Wasn't it you who started the joke?"

Realizing she had been played, Ning Muchun's face turned white with anger. She pointed at Ning Fa, unable to speak.

"You little thief! You've gone too far!"

Ning Furong finally could not endure it any longer. He shot to his feet and was about to strike.

Ning Fa looked at him without changing expression, his face full of mocking amusement. With a chuckle, he said, "Maternal Cousin Furong, this is the second time. If you still don't dare to make a move, you'll truly be a turtle bastard."

Ning Furong was mad with rage, but his father, Meng Jinliang, held him back tightly.

Although Ning Fa no longer had the Fifth Elder as a protective talisman, being a family alchemist was no weaker a protective talisman. If Ning Furong dared injure Ning Fa, he would definitely be unable to bear the consequences.

Meng Jinliang walked up to Ning Fa. Despite Ning Fa's repeated humiliation, he still showed no anger. Instead, he said with an apologetic expression, "Little Fa, perhaps you resent your eldest aunt, but in truth, we had our own difficulties as well."

As he spoke, white light flashed in his hand, and a dark yellow deed appeared. He handed it to Ning Fa and said, "For example, the deed to this shop. At the time, your aunt and I were afraid that you might become possessed by your alchemy and sell it too. Then you would have no means of livelihood in the future. That was why we kept it for you. Now that you have become a family alchemist, this deed should naturally be returned to you."

Looking at Meng Jinliang's sincere expression, even Ning Fa, who had lived two lives, was stunned by his thick skin.

He accepted the deed, inspected it for a moment, then held out his hand to Meng Jinliang again.

Meng Jinliang was somewhat baffled by Ning Fa's gesture.

Ning Fa said impatiently, "What about the rent from the shop these past few years?"

Ning Muchun was beside herself with anger and shouted, "Little Fa, don't go too far!"

Ning Fa sneered, showing no intention of withdrawing his outstretched hand.

Meng Jinliang stopped Ning Muchun, who still wanted to say more, and calmly said, "No problem. That is only proper."

He then actually took three hundred spirit stones from his Storage Bag and placed them on the table.