RETURNING FROM THE IMMORTAL WORLD

Chapter 381 - Chapter 390

Chapter 381: Fierce Guest Knocking at the Door

Looking up at Chi Nan, Tang Xiu lightly said, "Kang Xia, you don't need to listen to Chi Nan's nonsensical words! She and the others are accustomed to seeking the living from the heap of the dead. There's nothing but objectives and missions in their eyes. Thus, no one can snatch your job."

What?

Shocked by Tang Xiu's words, Kang Xia looked at the fashionable, gorgeous and beautiful Chi Nan. It was quite difficult for her to think that Chi Nan would have such an aspect. She had been abroad for many years. She was naturally aware of information that ordinary people didn't know.

These type of people could be called hitmen, and were also known as criminals. But people mostly called them mercenaries.

Could it be that... that was Chi Nan's background?

Chi Nan had a smile hanging on the corner of her mouth as she said, "Boss, you seem to really trust this female subordinate of yours! Nobody else knows my identity except the core members of the Everlasting Feast Hall. But you told her my identity?"

"She has gotten that opportunity." Tang Xiu calmly replied.

The smile on Chi Nan's face froze. Her eyes shifted to Kang Xia. She couldn't help but have a look of envy in her eyes. That "opportunity" was something she always dreamed of. But the internal rules of the Everlasting Feast Hall had decreed that, unless they made a great contribution to the restaurant, nobody would have a chance to be taught.

However, there were only seven people out of a hundred who managed the feat to this day. Beside the Little Boss—Gu Xiaoxue and the four business executive figures Tang Xiu entrusted with that, only two others got that opportunity, Light and Dark. But she also speculated that the two brothers, Mo Āwen and Mo Āwu, had probably gotten that opportunity as well.

Such being said, in the entire Everlasting Feast Hall, the number was only up to ten people aside from Big Boss Gu Yan'er and the mysterious Elder Ji.

But now there was actually another one.

While quietly observing Chi Nan's expression, Tang Xiu said, "So it is that whenever Heaven invests a person with great responsibilities, it first tries his resolve, exhausts his muscles and bones, starves his body, subjects him to extreme poverty, and confounds his every endeavor. In this way his patience and endurance are developed, and his deficiencies are overcome. This sentence from The Works of Mencius is the one I like the most."

Chi Nan looked thoughtful for a moment before she slowly nodded, "I understand what you mean, Boss."

Giving a slight nod in response, Tang Xiu then read the documents in his hands again.

Shanghai, Puning District.

Zhenfan Villa Complex, Villa B-12.

Li Haoran was dressed in pajamas as he quietly leaned on the sofa while reading a copy of documents. Lately, he had a very comfortable life ever since he gave most of the Li Group's businesses to his daughter, Li Dan. Furthermore, the company was also thriving and progressing day by day, making him feel very relaxed.

However, though his daughter was particularly competent, nevertheless, he must control the emerging issues of the overall situation in the province.

"Dad, you haven't slept yet?"

Li Zhen fiddled with his car keys as he walked in.

Li Haoran flipped his eyelids and felt a slight headache coming. He was filled with helplessness when it came to this son of his. His mother spoiled him since childhood. And now, he didn't study and did nothing with his life. He even treated all the reprimands he threw at him like waters off a duck's back.

"Little Zhen, come and sit."

Nevertheless, Li Haoran still wanted to have a good chat with his son. If things continued this way, he was afraid that his baby boy would be ruined.

Li Zhen sat at the opposite side of Li Haoran, lifted one leg atop the other and said, "What do you wanna talk about, Dad?"

"What I want to talk to you about is your work." Li Haoran said, "Our Li Family has a big enterprise and lots of assets, while your young and old uncles are vying for us! Though your sister is working hard, she is, after all, only a girl. So all of our family business will be handed over to you sooner or later."

"Dad..." Li Zhen opened his mouth.

Li Haoran waved his hand to interrupt him, "Little Zhen, I know what you want to say. But you can't always laze away all day, don't you think? I was thinking to give you an advertising company under our Li Group. I want you to manage this company. Regardless of how you manage it, the main thing is to temper you, so that you can become a useful talent in the future."

"Dad, back then I made that home appliance company you gave me to close down." Li Zhen forced a wry smile and said, "And now you want to give me an advertising company? Granted, our family enterprise is indeed very big, but I'm unable to handle it, then I would repeat it over and over again, don't you think? Besides, I'm aware of my own situation. I'm not someone suited to manage businesses at all."

A scowling expression appeared on Li Haoran's face as he growled, "You can ask if you don't know about something. Your big sister will help you in dealing with the big stuff, and you will personally experience the other small things. With your big sis helping you, I believe you'll be able to suceed."

"Okay, okay!" Li Zhen hesitated for a long time before he wryly smiled and said, "Since you want me to go to that whatever advertising company, then I'll go. But you must spend some time with me. I got into trouble and need to solve it for good."

"What trouble?" Li Haoran's brows raised.

"Actually, it's not a big deal. It was a Shanghai University's student. But his origin and identity are very mysterious." Li Zhen said, "I've sent some people to investigate him a few days ago, but I have yet to clearly know his true identity. Tonight I used some tricks to instigate Yu Zhi to probe that fellow. But at the end of the day, not only was that waste Yu Zhi unable to probe any deep details about him, he was even savagely beaten."

"You kids are just like us when we were juveniles. You can't stay still and behave quietly." Li Haoran shook his head and smiled, "All right, I'll tell Little Li to investigate that fellow tomorrow morning. I'll also help you settle this matter if possible."

"I'll handle this small stuff myself, Dad!" Li Zhen said with a smile, "Don't worry, I won't take it lightly! Besides, this shall be the time I prove my own ability, right?"

Li Haoran couldn't help laughing. When he was about to reply, his mobile phone suddenly rang.

"Hello? Why are you calling me so late, Old Gu?" Li Haoran spoke in an undertone voice after answering the phone. A smile appeared on his face as he said, "You also haven't rested yet, Brother Gu?"

"Brother Li, you have great wits, but you have a short memory! We, brothers, had an appointment to play mahjong, but you actually never came. You are not asleep yet, are you?"

"Oh my! You have to forgive me. I was quite nervous and in a hurry lately, so my brain isn't work well. All right, I'll go over right away."

"No, we'll go to your house! Get you chess room clean and prepare some tea for us."

"Okay!"

The call ended.

While looking at Li Zhen, Li Haoran said with a smile, "Your Uncle Gu and several others will be playing mahjong here. Go clean the chess room since the maids have already gone to rest! Also, take good tea leaves from my study room and make a pot of tea for us."

"No problem." Li Zhen replied with a smile.

He got up and walked toward the stairway. After a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and his pace came to halt. He then turned around and said, "Dad, I forgot to tell you about one thing. That fellow found out that I used Yu Zhi to fix him up. Thus, he sent me a text message."

"What did he say?" Li Haoran knitted his brows.

Li Zhen came before Li Haoran, took out his mobile and showed the text message. He then said, "This is his message."

After he finished reading it, Li Haoran let out a sneer and faintly said, "Since he wants to visit our home, then let him come! Call the complex's security guards and tell them... to let that fellow passes directly if he comes later."

"All right!"

Li Zhen obeyed and put his mobile phone away and then quickly walked toward the second floor.

While looking at Li Zhen's back as he departed, Li Zhen secretly shook his head. However, he paid no attention whatsoever to Tang Xiu's threat. In his eyes, Tang Xiu was only bluffing. If he dared to come to his Li Family, that fellow would find it difficult to leave this place safely.

Twenty minutes later, the complex's security guards, who already learned about Tang Xiu's identity, straightly allowed him to enter. The cars quickly arrived outside the B-12 Villa.

The car's door was opened by Chi Nan as Tang Xiu came out and took a glance at the surroundings and secretly nodded. This villa complex was indeed an upscale neighborhood. The surroundings were not only beautiful, but it also had surveillance cameras installed everywhere along with many patrolling security guards.

"Knock the door!" Tang Xiu calmly said.

After Chi Nan's instruction, a big man immediately went to the door and rang the bell.

A moment after, the electric gate to the villa's courtyard was opened. Two men in suits, one of whom was a stern-looking middle-aged man, came out. Seeing the parade outside, one of them slightly furrowed his brows and shouted, "Who are you people?"

Chi Nan coldly snorted and said, "Tell Li Haoran that our Boss is visiting."

That middle-aged man frowned and said, "Your Boss is surnamed Tang?"

"Yes!" Chi Nan said.

The middle-aged man directly moved and made way. He then said lightly, "Our boss has commanded us to let you inside directly if you come."

Tang Xiu shot him a glance. When he entered the courtyard, he saw four strong men inside maliciously staring at him. However, after seeing the people around Tang Xiu, those four strong men's complexion changed and turned solemn.

Striding forward, Tang Xiu instantly saw Li Haoran sitting in the living room's sofa. The old man had replaced his pajamas to casual wear.

"Boss Li is really refined! You even still have time to drink tea this late!"

After sizing up Tang Xiu, Li Haoran's brows furrowed when he saw Kang Xia and Chi Nan and the four big men in black suits who came along with him. While he was trying to figure out Tang Xiu's identity, he stood up and said, "I'm waiting for several friends of mine who will come later to play mahjong. Anyways, are you called Tang Xiu?"

Instead of hurrying to answer him, Tang Xiu stood in the hall while glancing around. After one or two minutes had passed his vision then returned to Li Haoran as he sighed, "What a good house! This place is not inferior compared to the place I live. Boss Li is a man with abilities, but it's rather unfortunate that you've given birth to a prodigal son."

Squinting his eyes, Li Haoran said with a cold and detached tone, "You have yet to answer my question."

Pointing his finger to himself, Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Me? What matter do you want me to answer to you?"

"You..."

Li Haoran was incensed. He never thought that Tang Xiu would be so arrogant.

Chapter 382: Perplexed

Looking at the incensed Li Haoran, Tang Xiu intentionally revealed a sudden understanding look. He then straightly sat on the sofa right in front of him and said with a smile, "I recall that you asked me whether or not I'm called Tang Xiu. You're right, I'm exactly called Tang Xiu, for I don't need to change my name nor my surname."

Li Haoran let out a cold smile and gestured to a big man standing behind him. The big man took a cup and poured another one for Tang Xiu.

"You're a guest. Please have a tea."

After glancing at the teacup, Tang Xiu raised his thumbs and exclaimed in praise, "Family Head Li truly has a good demeanor. I was so arrogant and domineering, yet you're actually willing to invite me to drink tea. It seems I have to interact more with Family Head Li later so I can learn your efforts at self-control!"

"Mr. Tang is kidding me." Li Haoran said lightly, "I don't deserve to call myself a Family Head. I'm nothing more than someone whose words only have some weight in the Li Family."

"You actually don't dare to hold the title of Family Head?" Tang Xiu said with amazement, "Is it because I looked too highly at you in your Li Family? As far as I know, all the genuine big families in the country have a family head."

"Mr. Tang, there is a good proverb that it's better to get rid of an enmity than keep it alive." Li Haoran sneered, "I know the purpose of your visit and I also learned about the contradiction between you and my son. I want to have a talk between gentlemen, so leave out the dripping acid and the sarcasm. If my son is in the wrong, I'll make him bow down to admit his mistakes. But if you were the one who bullied him, I won't let this matter go."

With a change in expression, Tang Xiu sat straight and sneered back, "I praised your demeanor just now, yet you turned into an angry lion in an instant? Let alone saying that this matter was caused by your son's mistake, even if I were the one who bullied him, what can you do to me?"

"You..." Li Haoran was furious.

"What's up with me? You think that just because your Li Family possesses a big enterprise and great assets you can condone your eldest son being arrogant, domineering, and let him bully others?" Tang Xiu sneered, "This time, the one he provoked was me. Had it been others, I'm afraid that your Li Family would be in a complete mess, don't you think?"

"Tang Xiu, don't be insolent!"

Li Zhen indignantly shouted as he walked down from the second floor and strode over.

While sizing up Li Zhen, Tang Xiu clicked his tongue and sighed, "Well, well. The main character has come, eh! Your big daddy is supporting you, so it's a given that I'm unhappy with it. Tell me, Li Zhen, was killing with borrowing a knife tonight interesting enough? If it does, I gotta learn it from you since I'm quite bored now!"

Playing the fool, Li Zhen replied, "Hell if I know what you're talking about!"

"Do you know why I didn't call you out when I beat Yu Zhi?" Tang Xiu's said lightly, "It was because I wanted to visit and have a look at your family and your big daddy. I wanna know what great figure he is since he can actually give birth to such a stupid son."

"You..." Li Zhen was furious.

Raising his hand to interrupt him, Li Haoran's eyes glared at Tang Xiu and deeply said, "Mr. Tang, do speak with prudence. Don't think you can act arrogantly in my house just because you brought a few people here. I only heard part of the truth from my son about the enmity between you and him. Then tell me, what was it that caused your resentment?"

From Tang Xiu's words just now, he heard something that made him secretly scared!

Eldest son?

There were only five people in this world who knew that he had two sons. He couldn't figure out how did Tang Xiu found out about it!

"Li Haoran, right? Don't pretend you know nothing in front of me." Tang Xiu waved his hand and said, "You clearly know everything your son has done. This time I came here to demand an explanation. If you can't satisfy me, humph..."

"What can you do to me, even if I don't make you satisfied, huh?" Li Haoran sneered.

"Who is so bold to run up and cause trouble in the Li Family's residence this late at night?" A voice came from the front door. Shortly after, three middle-aged men entered the living room with five or six bodyguards around them.

Li Haoran slightly furrowed his brows. He looked a bit embarrassed and angry. His old friends came to play mahjong and they ultimately saw him facing someone that came to find trouble with him. This made him lose face.

"Brother Gu, Brother Chen, Brother Gao; I didn't expect that you would come so soon. It's just a trivial matter. I'll dispatch them shortly after. You can just go to the chess room and play, or do you want to wait for me first in the chess room?" Li Haoran got up and greeted them.

The three middle-aged men's eyes landed on Tang Xiu at the same time.

At the moment, one of the middle-aged man's expression changed. He was as though unable to hear Li Haoran's words as he strode over toward Tang Xiu. With a smile on his face, he stretched out his hand and said, "I never thought that I would actually meet Brother Tang in Brother Li's place today. No wonder the Magpies have been calling out all day!"

Tang Xiu slightly knitted his brows. He hadn't thought that he would unexpectedly meet an acquaintance here. It was Gu Changmin, the Dingshen Media's boss who ordered the Gods Nectar in advance though he didn't even know about the wine.

After standing up, Tang Xiu shook hands with Gu Changmin. He lightly chuckled, "I'm also a bit surprised. I didn't expect that Brother Gu would actually visit the Li Family's residence to play mahjong this late at night either. What a good spirit!"

"Well, I've had nothing to do recently. I have a bit of money in my hands, but I don't know what to do with it." Gu Changmin laughed and said, "Brother Tang, how about you bring me along and let me make a bit of money?"

"Brother Gu is joking with me. You own a big business, how can my small business enter your eyes?" Tang Xiu said.

"You're too modest, Brother Tang. Brother Miao told me a lot about you." Gu Changmin sonorously said, "Only few people can make me admire them. But you, I genuinely admire you! Needless to say about anything else, just that big project in Star City is something that I can't catch up with."

Tang Xiu gave out a faint smile. Nonetheless, he knew a bit about Miao Wentang's character. He believed the man wouldn't say anything about his identity as a cultivator.

"Old Brother Gu is overpraising me. Since you're going to play mahjong here, please go to the chess room to wait for this Li Haoran! I promise he'll be safe tonight."

Gu Changmin's expression changed slightly. He turned around to look at Li Haoran. His complexion turned more solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Li Haoran, what is going on exactly? Brother Tang is an easygoing man. For him to personally come to you means that someone in your Li Family has caused trouble. What are you stunned for? Apologize to Brother Tang!"

Shocked, Li Haoran could hardly believe his ears. His old friend wanted him to apologize to a kid who had yet to grow his hair?

Furthermore, what did he mean by winking at him?

Suddenly, he recalled what his son had said before. His son had yet to clearly investigate Tang Xiu's identity until now. Could it be that... his background was really not simple?

As he thought up to there, he turned around and fiercely glared at his son, Li Zhen. A very ugly smile appeared on his face as he said, "Mr. Tang, I really didn't know that you and Brother Gu knew each other. More so that I've offended you just now. So I hope you can be magnanimous enough to forgive me. Additionally, even without you telling me, I actually know that my son is a nuisance who stirs up troubles. But you can rest assured, I will teach him a good lesson. Li Zhen, what are you dazing for? Come here and apologize to Mr. Tang!"

"Dad, why must we be afraid of him?" Li Zhen indignantly said, "I really don't believe he can do anything to me!"

Upon discovering the changes in Tang Xiu's expression, Gu Changmin immediately called out trash inwardly. Almost in an instant, he rushed before Li Zhen and raised his big hand to slap him and sternly yelled, "SHUT THE HELL UP! Your elder wants you to apologize! Regardless of how Li Haoran doted and taught you, that is your family's issue. But you, as his son, must never court disaster for him. APOLOGIZE!"

Li Zhen covered his cheek. He seemed unable to believe what happened. Furthermore, the one who hit him was not his father, but Gu Changmin.

He wanted to act crazily. However, Gu Changmin's identity deterred him, thus he didn't dare to open his mouth. So his eyes shifted to his father.

Li Haoran's expression turned a bit unsightly. He never expected that Gu Changmin would hit his son. Nonetheless, today's situation had turned into such a situation. It wasn't proper for him to get furious at Gu Changmin on the spot. He could only suppress the vexed feeling inside as he imposingly shouted, "Apologize!"

Shifting his eyes to look at his father and Gu Changmin, Li Zhen eventually faced Tang Xiu and said with an unwilling look, "Tang Xiu, I apologize for what I did before. I'm really sorry for having a malicious intent in tonight's matter. I'll adhere to our previous agreement to avoid you when I see you later."

Avoid.

He said this word with a very heavy tone and expression.

After coldly glanced at Li Haoran and Li Zhen, Tang Xiu turned to Gu Changmin and lightly said, "I'll let this matter go since Brother Gu acted. However, should anyone from the Li Family provoke me again, don't blame me for losing all decorum and turn ruthless when the time comes."

Accompanying him with a smile, Gu Changmin said, "Yes, yes, yes. Thank you for your magnanimity, Brother Tang. Anyways, do you have time tomorrow? I want to invite you to a feast."

"Let's forget about it." Tang Xiu said, "I still have some trivial matters I need to deal with, so I'll take my leave first."

Gu Changmin hastily turned around and winked at Li Haoran. Only then did he reply with a smile, "All right, let me send you off."

A few minutes later, after the three cars departed, Li Haoran stood in front of the courtyard with a grim expression as his eyes fixated on Gu Changmin. While repressing his anger, he said, "My dear Brother Gu, I want you to give me an explanation."

Gu Changmin himself looked a bit unhappy. He fully realized the meaning behind Tang Xiu's words. Previously, he made a big order for the wine produced by Tang Xiu's winery despite knowing nothing about it. It was because he wanted to establish a friendship with him. That situation could be said as selling his face.

However, when he happily looked for Li Haoran to play mahjong today, he had actually used up that favor. Hence, he felt a bit vexed upon thinking about this matter.

"Do you want me to explain to you here?" Gu Changmin replied with a cold tone and expression.

Li Haoran furrowed his brows deeper, but still, he said, "Inside, please!"

The other two middle-aged men exchanged looks. They all saw what happened. However, inwardly, they sighed for Gu Changmin since he meddled in another's business. He even forced Li Haoran to apologize inside the Li Family's residence while also personally hitting Li Zhen.

It was... too excessive!

Chapter 383: Untouchable

In the villa's living room, Gu Changmin shook his head and said, "Let's go to your study room! It would be very troublesome if some things were to be disclosed without caution. I just wasted a favor for you, so I don't want to complicate matters anymore."

"But Brother Chen and Brother Gao are not outsiders. I think it will be fine for them to hear it, right?" Li Haoran said lightly, "I, Li Haoran, lost face today. It happened right in front of them. If this matter were to be disclosed in the future, I would have no place to show this face of mine."

Gu Changmin's face turned cold. He glared angrily at Li Haoran for a while before he turned around and walked outside.

"Hey, hey, hey. Brother Gu, Brother Gu! What are you doing?!" A middle-aged man caught up with Gu Changmin and grabbed his arm, "Brother Li just wanted to keep his face, so that's why... All right, Old Gao and I will go to the chess room while you two talk."

With a slight change in expression, Li Haoran felt a bit incredulous after seeing Gu Changming's unusual behaviour. One must know that he and Gu Changmin had been friends for decades, yet it was his first time seeing him act so strange.

Could it be that... the problem was because of his attitude?

He... did he really help him?

Li Haoran's mind suddenly turned faster. The anger inside his heart diminished a lot. He walked a few steps toward Gu Changmin, forced out a smile and said, "Brother Gu, in fact, I really didn't have other intentions. We've been friends for decades so you should know my temper. Someone just picked a quarrel on my house. What is more, I had to bow my head and admit my mistake. So you can see that I was choked with anger inside! But I hope you can forgive me if I offended you."

"Brother Gu, just tell us what is going on! We are not outsiders, to begin with." The middle-aged man Gao echoed, "I also can't fathom why you behaved like that... like you were scared of that kid. In any case, I'm afraid I would also act just like Brother Li if such a thing happened to me."

Gu Changmin took a deep breath as he looked at the three curious looking men. When he saw the shame and anger on Li Zhen's face, he sighed softly before returning and sitting in the sofa.

"Tell all of them to leave!"

Li Haoran immediately waved his hand, and all bodyguards left the hall.

"Everyone, you all should know Haiqing Province's Miao Group, yes?" Gu Changmin slowly said, "You should also know about its Boss, Miao Wentang, who is my old friend."

"I know him!"

"I've heard about him!"

"Yeah!"

The three men nodded and looked a bit puzzled.

"Between the women beside Tang Xiu, the one who slightly older, I believe you should also have seen her, yes?" Gu Changmin sighed.

The middle-aged man Gao said, "Yes, I have seen her. She left a deep impression on me. She's the Everlasting Feast Hall's Manager. She's smooth and slick in establishing networks and a very competent businesswoman."

"That's right, that is exactly the Everlasting Feast Hall." Gu Changmin nodded and said, "I don't know about you but, how much do you know about the Everlasting Feast Hall?"

"Brother Gu, the Everlasting Feast Hall is just an upscale restaurant!" Li Haoran's brows furrowed as he said, "What kind of status do we have? Why should we know about this restaurant, to begin with?"

"If the Everlasting Feast Hall were just an upscale restaurant, I naturally wouldn't have looked afraid in front of Tang Xiu. I wouldn't even sell my face to keep on good terms with him." Gu Changmin shook his head and said, "As a matter of fact, it was very fortunate that I was here today. Didn't you see how obvious I was when I flattered him before? If that Old Jin... that Jin Xingkui was also here, I can say with certainty that he wouldn't merely want to be on good terms. He would, instead, nakedly fawn upon him."

"Brother Gu, do tell us about this Everlasting Feast Hall." Li Haoran's face slightly changed.

"A few days ago, ever since Brother Miao told me about the Everlasting Feast Hall's inside story, as well as learning that Tang Xiu is its owner, I sent some people to investigate it." Gu Changmin slowly said, "Although I didn't dare to do an in-depth investigation, the bits of information I got was enough to make me shocked.

"The Everlasting Feast Hall's HQ had been established decades ago in Jingmen Island. This restaurant has branches in four big cities: Jingmen Island, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. Outside of running the restaurant franchise, they also have gold, silver, jewel, real estate, and luxury jewelry business under its flag...

"With my limited ability, I dared not investigate the Everlasting Feast Hall at a great scale, hence, I only got these kinds of information. I don't know the specific details of how many businesses the Everlasting Feast Hall has."

"Brother Gu, just because the Everlasting Feast Hall possesses big enterprises, you..." Li Haoran asked.

"Li Haoran, to tell you the truth, I really shouldn't have involved myself in your business." Gu Changmin waved his hand to interrupt him and said lightly, "I regret it now."

"Brother Gu..." Li Haoran opened his mouth.

"No more explanations." Gu Changmin shook his head and said, "Didn't you want to know why my actions were so unusual? I might as well tell you straightly. Your Li Family would have been finished if I hadn't stood up for you tonight. Tomorrow would perhaps become the death anniversary for you, father and son. From another perspective, your Li Family perhaps would have already faced a bloodbath and perished if the three of us didn't happen to want to play mahjong here tonight."

Li Haoran abruptly stood up. He glared at Gu Changmin and said, "Brother Gu, did you say that to scare us? In the present society, with the legal system, even for those rich and powerful people, they can only solve one or two individuals. But slaughtering and exterminating a big family, are you kidding me?"

Gu Changmin stared at him coldly, and scornfully said, "You're ignorant. If you don't believe me, I'll show it to you."

Having said it, he took out his mobile phone, dialed a cell number, and directly pressed the loudspeaker feature. After the other party answered the call, he said, "Old Jin, this is Gu Changmin."

"Brother Gu, you haven't rested yet?" Jin Xingkui's cheerful voice was transmitted from the phone.

"Old Jin, not only have I not slept yet, I also made a loss just now." Gu Changmin said.

"What's the matter? Tell me about it." Jin Xingkui was puzzled and said, "Do you want my help?"

"My dear Old Jin, I'm with Li Haoran now." Gu Changmin forced out a smile and said, "Anyways, I'll ask you a few questions, and you only need to reply. That would be a great help to me, so as to avoid losing all decorum with everyone else since I just used up the favor from Tang Xiu."

"All right! Then tell me... ... Wait, wait! What did you just say?" Jin Xingkui's screamed out of the phone, "You've just used up the favor from Tang Xiu? The favor we obtained with great difficulties after merrily keeping him company in the Everlasting Feast Hall?"

"Yeah!" Gu Changmin replied with a bitter tone and expression.

Jin Xingkui was silent for a moment before he slowly said, "Brother Gu, although I don't know anything about what happened between you and Tang Xiu, as well as anything else related to it, I can tell you one thing. Unless our family encounters a critical life-and-death situation, using up that favor is out of the question. All right. Now tell me! What happened?"

"Well, I just happened to visit the Li Family's residence tonight and came across Tang Xiu. He came to the Li Family to demand an explanation since Li Zhen had provoked him. Furthermore, the enmity seemed to be quite deep as well." Gu Changmin said, "I believe you also know about Li Haoran's disposition as a father who always doted on his son. He had probably also annoyed Tang Xiu, thus making him discontented. After that, I came forward to plea in his instead."

Jin Xingkui was silent for a moment before he lightly said, "For having avoided a bloodbath, his Li Family is really in luck. In my opinion, the Li Family would still be able to save their assets if they used their wealth to buy their lives even if you didn't come forward tonight. That Tang Xiu... ...Hehehe. You can provoke anyone in this world, but you must never provoke that demonic star!"

Li Haoran couldn't sit still. He had never thought that Jin Xingkui would say such words. He hastily said, "Brother Jin, this is Li Haoran. Can you tell me who Tang Xiu really is? Does he have someone powerful behind him?"

"A backer? Hehehe... he doesn't need any backers whatsoever." Jin Xingkui sneered, "Merely his identity as the Everlasting Feast Hall's Boss is enough to easily exterminate your Li Family. Let alone your family, even if my Jin Family and Brother Gu's family joined forces with you, I'm afraid we still couldn't do anything to the Everlasting Feast Hall. I even dare say that there's a 99% chance our three families would all be erased."

Panicked and shocked, Li Haoran cried, "Brother Jin, you're not trying to scare me, are you?"

"Scare you?" Jin Xingkui said, "Hehe... do you think I'm someone who bluffs just to scare people?"

"This..." Li Haoran's face faintly blanched.

"Li Haoran, I must tell you the truth. You really owe Brother Gu a huge favor." Jin Xingkui said, "A favor so massive that it's not excessive to say that you can only repay him by using all of your Li Family's power. All right! I have said everything I must say. You put your best into it."

The phone call ended.

"Now you understand why I made you apologize to Tang Xiu? Why did an outsider personally hit your son just to get you out of a predicament?" Gu Changmin said lightly, "He'd undoubtedly die tonight if I didn't beat him. Now, do you dare to intervene? Your Li Family will be completely exterminated if you do. As for how terrifying the Everlasting Feast Hall is, neither you and I know about it. But Miao Wentang, my old buddy, knows perfectly well about it. So does Jin Xingkui."

Li Haoran suddenly got up. He then strode toward the shocked Li Zhen and fiercely slapped his face a few times. He then furiously roared, "Get your ass to my study room and kneel there! See for yourself how I will fix you up!"

Frightened and scared, Li Zhen covered his face as he half-ran toward the study room. He would have opposed his father if it were in the past. But after tonight's bitter experience, as well as seeing several Shanghai's big shots afraid of Tang Xiu, it made him realize that he had provoked a terrifying existence.

Li Haoran returned to the sofa, but he didn't sit down. Instead, he deeply looked at Gu Changmin and said, "Brother Gu, I'll always remember the grace and favor you showed me today. I have fully witnessed your magnanimity. As long as you need anything in the future, please do tell me freely. I absolutely won't balk if I can do it."

Gu Changmin's expression eased a lot this time. He sighed, "Brother Li, if not for the sake of our decades of friendship, I would have never said anything tonight. If it were others, I would just add insult to their injury for the sake of showing goodwill toward Tang Xiu. We are among old friends here. If I didn't speak out, coming to your place tonight would have me regretting it."

Chapter 384: A Knot in the Heart

After a period of stammering Li Haoran sat back on the sofa. There was an awkward expression on his face. He then bitterly smiled, "Who would have thought that Tang Xiu would unexpectedly be this terrifying despite his young age?"

"Look, our position may look lofty compared with ordinary people. But in the eyes of some others, whether it is our status or wealth, what we have is nothing but a joke." Gu Changmin said, "Those with inheritances spanning over a hundred years, for instance, or those several hundred years old families. They don't fall and decline during the periods of great turmoil. They conceal their abilities and power, bidding for time, while silently developing their own forces. With so many years of accumulation, who knows to what kind of terrifying extent they would develop to?"

Li Haoran deeply pondered before he nodded and said, "You're right. I was arrogant this time."

"As a matter of fact, the root cause is still your son, to begin with." Gu Changmin sighed, "Li Zhen was always spoiled since childhood. That shaped his character into an arrogant and domineering personality. I helped you in solving today's matter, but what about next time? Once he provokes another big figure, how will your Li Family solve the problem then? Wouldn't you be easily exterminated?"

Li Haoran looked a bit cold as he nodded, "Brother Gu, rest assured! I'll put a leash on him later. I won't hesitate even if I have to make him suffer."

Gu Changmin nodded in a response.

Yet, there was a tinge of concern in Li Haoran's eyes as he asked, "Brother Gu, what do you think about today's matter? Is it really over like this? If Tang Xiu is a narrow-minded person..."

After a moment of silence, Gu Changmin slowly said, "If I were you, I would immediately inquire about his address, and then send compensation right away. There were some powerful families on par with your Li family that finally almost lost their families' fortune paying compensation. It was all because they provoked Tang Xiu."

Hiss... Li Haoran eyes turned saucer, and he couldn't help inhaling cold air.

Immediately after, he dialed a number. He then asked in a deep voice, "How much liquid cash is available in our company right now? Hmmm... I got it. Transfer 600 million to me. I need it now."

After ending the call, he shifted his vision to the middle-aged men surnamed Li and Gao. While looking at the horrified expression on their faces, he forced a bitter smile, "Two old friends, my Li Group can only transfer up to 600 million funds, while I myself am holding 200 million. Can you two lend me 200 million? I'll return the money to you immediately once I get back my cash flow."

The middle-aged man Li curiously asked, "You're thinking of giving 1 billion to Tang Xiu as a token of apology?"

While looking at Gu Changmin, Li Haoran nodded and sighed, "I believe that Brother Gu and Jin Xingkui won't lie to me. Yeah, I'm going to put forward 1 billion. Just consider it as a financial losses as to avoid calamity!"

The middle-aged men surnamed Li and Gao exchanged looks.

"We'll take out 100 million each! If it's not enough, do tell us." The middle-aged man Li sighed.

Li Haoran looked at the two men with a grateful expression, "Three old friends, I'm afraid I can't accompany you all to play mahjong tonight. Since I already owe you all a big favor, I must thicken my face to help me inquire about Tang Xiu's residence. I'll personally visit him."

"No problem!"

"All right!"

The three men nodded simultaneously.

Bluestar Villa Complex.

Tang Xiu brought Kang Xia back here. In fact, it was Kang Xia who requested to come back here. Chi Nan and the Everlasting Feast Hall's members directly returned to the restaurant when they were on the road.

"Boss, is this the place you're living? What a impressive, stylish villa!" Kang Xia didn't much interest in the villa. However, that was regarding someone else's villa, and not the place Tang Xiu lived, for which she looked around to her heart's content.

"My aunt gave me this villa!" Tang Xiu let out a pale smile and said, "I will probably stay on campus after Shanghai University's new term formally starts. I'll stay here whenever I can, though."

"I really doubt you can live in a campus, eh?" Kang Xia laughed.

Laughing involuntarily, Tang Xiu replied, "Don't underestimate me. I have been through hard times, yet I managed to cross them over. Let alone the university dorm, I can live well even if you give me a shed."

Kang Xia let out a charming laugh. Winding her arms around his waist, she then said in a low voice, "A man I fancy is truly a dragon among men. Do you know that I have never been in love before? I didn't know how it felt like falling in love with a man. But since... after 'that', I'm always missing you every day; pondering about what you're doing; wondering whether you ate or not; wondering whether you slept... Now, I finally realize that loving someone will make me worry and want to see them."

Tang Xiu was silent for a moment, before secretly sighing inside. He reached out his hand to caress her elegant long hair and softly said, "You should understand that I can't you give you a marriage. Neither can I completely, fully love you."

Kang Xia looked up, her pair of bright eyes fixated on Tang Xiu. She asked, "Can you tell me why is that? Did you had... any emotional traumas before?"

Tang Xiu avoided Kang Xia's eyes. He gently pushed her away, and slowly walked to the second floor. After entering his room, he took out a bottle of wine from the wine cooler, poured it into two cups and handed one to Kang Xia, who had followed behind him. He then turned to the balcony, watching the dim lights outside, and the dancing shadows of the trees. Only then did he speak in a low voice, "I used to be someone who was never good at expressing my feelings. But when one is in love with someone, that person will be subjected to genuine affection. There's one thing I don't wish to understand. For that, too, I don't want to think over about feelings between lovers. In the future, perhaps I will also give my heart to someone. But it's not now..."

Kang Xia understood what Tang Xiu meant. She gently held his arm and said, "According to you what you said when you taught me that cultivation technique, I could really live for a very long time. If so, I'm confident that I'll be able to pry open your closed heart, and truly get to your heart."

Tang Xiu shook his head and sighed, "There are many outstanding men in the world. Why do you..."

With all seriousness, Kang Xia interrupted him, "There are indeed a lot of outstanding men in the world, but no one is better than you. You're my first man, and you will be my last."

"But I can't give you a family in the future." Tang Xiu sighed.

"I've thought it over. I don't need a family." Kang Xia said without hesitation, "You just have to give me a baby."

A baby?

Tang Xiu blanked out for a moment. He then shook his head and forced a smile.

At this moment, he suddenly realized something. In his last life, he and she had been together for so many years. But it seemed that she had never conceived his child from the beginning to the end. Even if those super powerful Supremes in the Immortal World couldn't make their women pregnant, but it had been many years, after all. Could there be no accident, at least once?

Could it be that... she was using a special means, and she was intentionally not wanted to give him a child?

That's right! Maybe her feelings for him were fake. If so, how could she possibly give birth to his child?

A desolate and dejected light flashed from Tang Xiu's eyes. He gently raised his chin to gaze at the distant stars in the sky. His eyes were as though looking through the vault of the sky. It was as if his gaze had pierced through innumerable worlds. Arriving at the Immortal World to see a figure that he had once been enamored of.

Han Qingwu?

Han Qingwu's suddenly name emerged inside Tang Xiu's mind, along with another's image that was very much like her. Could she be... her?

Although...

...although they had so many similarities, but... it may be just a coincidence!

After all, Han Qingwu was only an ordinary person. They were two separate persons. One was in the Immortal World, while the other was on Earth. Even if she did get reincarnated, or her soul was transmigrated, there was only one-billionth probability she could get reincarnated on Earth.

Furthermore, although her cultivation was not as high as his back then, there were probably only a few people who were stronger than her in the Immortal World. Who was it that could kill her? Who could force her to have no alternative but to reincarnate or transmigrate her soul?

Inside his heart, Tang Xiu agonized as the two extremely similar faces churned out inside his mind. As He turned around to look at Kang Xia, the latter was in a daze and looked to be lost in in thought.

"What are you thinking?"

Kang Xia came back from her reverie and looked a bit ashamed as she replied, "I was wondering about the child we will have in the future. Would the child be a boy or a girl? If it's a boy, he must be like you. But if it's a girl, she certainly must look like me!"

"Don't let your mind wander in wild imaginations!" Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Now is not a suitable time for us to have a child. Just wait, we'll speak about it again later."

Kang Xia nodded silently, looking shy.

"I'm sleepy!" Kang Xia suddenly said.

Tang Xiu's eyes landed on her white neck, and then swept over her sensual clavicle. A flame was lit inside his heart as he reached out his hand to hold her fragrant shoulder. Walking her toward the room, he laughed, "Although we're not in a hurry to have a child, still, the taste of having sex is important to enjoy..."

"That's disgusting..."

That night, despite Tang Xiu himself being a cultivator, his accumulated fatigue was not light, while Kang Xia herself was also tired and unwilling to have his fingers touch and move around. At the end of the day, Tang Xiu only hugged her clean body and embraced her to sleep.

The next morning.

A ray of sunshine passed through the slit between the window curtain. It fell on Tang Xiu's sleeping body that was lying on the bed. As his eyelashes fluttered, he woke up from his sleep and discovered that Kang Xia's figure was not at his side.

"You've woken up, Boss?"

Kang Xia came inside through the bedroom door. She immediately smiled sweetly when she saw that Tang Xiu had cleaned himself up and had gotten dressed.

"Mmm, I just woke up." Tang Xiu said, "How did you get up so early? Are you going to the Wine Tasting Conference?"

"Yeah, there's still time." Kang Xia nodded and smiled, "I wanted to make breakfast for you, but I couldn't find anything in the fridge. Hence, I went outside to buy it. Ah, that's right. There's someone waiting for you outside the villa. He seems to have been waiting for you overnight."

Tang Xiu stared blankly for a moment. He looked confused and then said, "Except for you and Chi Nan, I think there is no one else who knows where I live in Shanghai. Besides, Chi Nan herself only knows that I live in this villa complex, but she has never been here."

"It's Li Haoran!" Kang Xia said.

"What does he want?" Tang Xiu frowned, "Wasn't the matter already settled last night?"

"I don't know either." Kang Xia shook her head.

Tang Xiu was silent for a short while, as he then walked toward the outside, "Let's go! Let's see what he wants. If he still wants to quarrel, I might as well wipe out his Li Family and be done with it."

Chapter 385: Compensation

Outside the villa's courtyard.

Going out of the courtyard once again Kang Xia watched as Li Haoran leaned on the car's front, smoking. She then walked over and said, "Boss has woken up and is calling you inside."

Li Haoran quickly put out the cigarette and nodded. He then faced two bodyguards and said in a deep voice, "Wait for me here."

Having said that, he followed Kang Xia inside the villa.

In the first floor hall.

Sitting on the sofa, Tang Xiu calmly looked as Li Haoran walked in. He didn't get up, looking indifferent.

Li Haoran came in front of Tang Xiu and forced out a smile, "Mr. Tang, it was indeed my mistake last night. I didn't have enough time to apologize since it was too fast."

"The reason you came here is just for telling me this?" Tang Xiu asked lightly.

Taking out a bank card from his pocket, Li Haoran placed it on the tea table in front of Tang Xiu and respectfully said, "Mr. Tang, please accept this card as a token of apology. The PIN is written on the back."

"I accept. Let the enmity between us be written off." Tang Xiu glanced at the bank card and said lightly, "But do remember, don't let your son appear in front of me ever again. I might take his life if I were in bad mood."

With a subservient look, Li Haoran hastily said, "I still have a little business in Beijing. Tomorrow... no no, today. I'll send him to work in Beijing today. Also, I will never allow him to take even half a step into Shanghai unless it's a holiday."

"Actually, I'm someone who's afraid of troublesome matters." Tang Xiu sighed, "I never feel like acting against anyone if not for them wanting my life. I believe you are also well aware of your son's conduct. Control him well! The matter between us is settled, but if in the future he accidentally provokes someone your Li Family can't afford to annoy, I'm afraid you will be less fortunate by then."

"Don't worry. I will certainly discipline him." Li Haoran forced a smile, "Even if I must resort to special means."

"From the looks of your poor spirit you shouldn't have gotten a wink!" Tang Xiu stood up and said, "You can go back and rest earlier!"

"Yes yes yes!"

Li Haoran nodded repeatedly as Tang Xiu sent him out. He quickly strode out of the courtyard and hastily left with his two bodyguards. After leaving the villa complex he was secretly relieved.

Standing beside Tang Xiu, Kang Xia saw that he didn't take the bank card from the beginning until now. She immediately smiled, "Boss, this token of apology should be quite a lot, right? I guess there should be a million yuan or more inside."

A million?

Tang Xiu couldn't help but roll his eyes. If it was only a million, that meant Li Haoran was really looking down him. Back then in Hong Kong, the compensation paid by those several families was a hundred times more.

"Check the card to see how much money is inside. Use it to develop our Magnificent Tang Corp! Although I'm quite poor right now, it's still money."

"You're poor? If you're poor then I'm a beggar." Kang Xia couldn't help laughing, "Anyhow, you keep it! Our Magnificent Tang Corp doesn't lack such a little amount."

"Haven't you checked the amount of money in there yet?" Tang Xiu said with a smile.

Hesitating for a moment, Kang Xia then nodded, "All right, I'll check it."

Two minutes later, Kang Xia looked at the number displayed on her mobile's banking system. As she slowly and carefully checked it twice, a shocked expression appeared on her stunningly beautiful face, her hands covering her mouth!

"What's wrong? How much money is there, to even scare you like this?" Tang Xiu smiled.

As she loosened her hands, Kang Xia's lips quivered a few times, as she then murmured, "1 billion! I just counted that string of zeros twice, so I'm absolutely not mistaken. It's definitely 1 billion. Did Li Haoran unexpectedly give 1 billion as compensation?"

"He sure is capable!" Tang Xiu nodded, "Take the money. The more financial resources our company have, the better our development. I heard that our company group is spread out all over the country. But does it count for anything? When we're able to enter the international market, only then can it be counted as a large corporation."

While suppressing her shocked expression, a dazzling smile appeared on Kang Xia's stunningly beautiful face. She then sat next to Tang Xiu, held his neck, and passionately kiss his face. After that, she let out an enchanting smile as she raised the bank card and said, "I originally had a plan, but I had no means to truly implement it due to the lack of funds. But now I'm sure that I can start the preparatory work for the big plan. When our wine, cosmetics, and the healthcare products have officially hit the market, we will have a steady cash flow credited to the account when the time comes. I believe it won't be a problem to complete this big plan of mine."

While stroking his cheek, Tang Xiu let out a smile and asked, "What's this big plan? Care to share it with me?"

"It's property speculation!" Kang Xia blinked her eyes and happily said.

"Property speculation? When did our company have such a business?" Asked Tang Xiu, puzzled.

"We don't have it yet. But we will, later." Kang Xia happily smiled, "I've already sent people to investigate. The joint project in Star City is about to begin. The housing prices will probably skyrocket. Hence, when the time comes, I need to prepare a large number of funds to take over a large number of properties directly. After saving it for a period of time, I believe the housing price will surely skyrocket all of a sudden, and we'll be able to make a big profit by that time."

"Isn't this malicious practice?" Tang Xiu was surprised.

"Nope. This doesn't count as malicious practice." Kang Xia shook her head and said, "We are one of the developers, to begin with. If we place an internal order, not only will it be cheaper than an external auction, but it will also become our fixed assets. I've sent people to investigate this matter. Whether it is the Long Group, or the two parties from Beijing -- Miao Wentang and Shao Mingzhen -- they can't spend many funds for internal purchases once the project is finished. The Jingmen Island's Ouyang Family, however, maybe can take over some. But I believe it won't be a lot."

"We just set up the Magnificent Tang Corp." Tang Xiu couldn't help but chuckle, "Even if all of our products have hit the market, I'm afraid we can't amass that much money in such a short time, no? Even with this 1 billion, we'll only have a few billions in funds. Not to mention what you said about the housing prices skyrocketing."

"Boss, even if it's only a few billion, but after saving it for some time, we can multiply it several times over." Kang Xia said with a smile, "Isn't this business plan quite cost-effective?"

Several times?

Tang Xiu was startled inwardly, as a light burst out from his eyes.

After contemplating it for a short while, he then said in a deep voice, "Then start this big plan of yours. But do remember to notify me in advance. I'll try my best to get a large sum of funds for your operation."

"Affirmative!" Kang Xia nodded with a smile.

Suddenly, as if recalling something, she curiously asked, "Boss, Li Haoran is a shrewd and astute businessman. How could he compensate us with so much money? That was 1 billion! Even if his Li Group does have a big enterprise and lots of assets, but to take out a billion all of a sudden is probably enough to choke them up, don't you think?"

"Do you think that a billion is a lot?" Tang Xiu smiled lightly, "About one or two months ago, I had a conflict with some parties in Hong Kong. They are big and well-respected families there. The total added compensation I got from them, was more than 10 billion. I forgot the specific amount, though. But I think it was quite a lot."

10 billion?!

Kang Xia shivered inwardly, as a look of disbelief was revealed on her beautiful face. She suddenly exclaimed out loud, rushing to Tang Xiu's side. She grabbed his arm with both of her hands and quickly asked, "Boss, since you got so much, what about the money? Our Magnificent Tang Corp is exactly short of it!"

"Your money-mad appearance is looks great too." Tang Xiu couldn't help burst into laughter, "Anyhow, you can forget about it. I have a use for it."

Kang Xia was stunned. An embarrassed look appeared on her face. But still, she asked, "What did you use it for? To take over the Everlasting Feast Hall?"

"Nope. The Everlasting Feast Hall has always been mine. There was no need to purchase it." Tang Xiu shook his head, "Haven't I told you about it?! I used it in the Nine Dragons Island..."

Kang Xia suddenly sobered up. She patted her head and charmingly smiled, "Look at me, I actually forgot about this matter. Anyhow, Boss, I'm really curious. You bought an island. Why do you have to spend so much to reconstruct it?"

"The Nine Dragons Island will become our supreme headquarters in the future." Tang Xiu said.

Supreme headquarters?

"Will it also count as the supreme headquarters of the Everlasting Feast Hall?" Kang Xia hesitantly asked.

Tang Xiu inhaled deeply and said, "When I find some time, I'll take you to the Everlasting Feast Hall's HQ. When you get there, you'll know what kind of existence the Everlasting Feast Hall is."

"All right!" Kang Xia nodded quietly.

After having the breakfast, Tang Xiu didn't go to the Wine Tasting Conference with Kang Xia. Instead, he went to the campus. Though neither the classes or the military training had started, he still decided to go there. He would seize the time while everyone was attending military training to craft interspatial rings.

By now everything was ready to start crafting. He only needed to wait for the east wind [1].

And the right time... was exactly now.

While strolling around campus, watching the young men and women radiating youthful auras as they came and went, Tang Xiu was as though infected by them, his mood turned obviously great.

Di, di...

A car's horn sounded from behind. Tang Xiu turned his head and saw Yue Yang's BMW slowly following behind him.

"Eldest Brother Tang, you're back! We were just talking about you. We were about to report to the police station that you were missing if you had not appeared." Yue Kai opened the car's window and smilingly said.

Inside the car, aside from Yue Kai who was driving, there was also Hu Qingsong on the front seat. However, both fellow's eyes were red. They apparently didn't slept well last night.

"Hey, you two. What the hell did you do last night? Look at your appearance, you didn't have a good rest, right?" Tang Xiu drilled into the back seat and smilingly asked.

With a fully thick northeastern accent, Hu Qingsong laughed, "It ain't only Yue Kai. This kid dragged me to go clubbing! But hey, that was great. That two paper girls last night were pretty good."

Chapter 386: A Father with a Child

While sitting comfortably in the back seat, Tang Xiu listened to Hu Qingsong's proud and self-satisfied laughter. He rolled his eyes and gave him a contemptuous look.

Excessive!

It was nothing if Hu Qingsong only hooked up with a paper girl. But he went so far as to have a threesome with two paper girls! That was absolutely excessive. Tang Xiu was simply unable to bear this kind of behavior.

"The military training starts tomorrow, right?" Tang Xiu smilingly said.

While driving, Yue Kai nodded, "Yeah! The army is kinda a melting pot if you ask me. They will devastate the flower buds of our motherland. Pity that this place is not my old man's company, but the famous Shanghai University. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to attend the military training and do that sinful crime. You tell me, should I deliberately break my legs and then ask for a leave or something?"

"That's okay by me. I think your idea is great." Hu Qingsong smilingly said, "Guess what? I heard that the military training is mixed. So that will be a hella best time to pick up girls. If anyone were to give up this godsend opportunity, hehehe... don't stare at us with envious looks afterward."

"Hell no, getting injured hurts. All right, I decided to attend the military training as well."

This time, Yue Kai was poker-faced with all seriousness. But in the eyes of others, it was just akin to shamelessness.

Soon, the car stopped at the dorm. During which, they talked about some school matters, as well as Xue Chao who was still hospitalized. After entering his room, Tang Xiu took a glance at his own bed. He then squatted in front of the desk, looked underneath, and grabbed a few textbooks. He casually flipped it over for a short while and then decided to bring it back. There was still free time, so there was still good time to review.

A mountain of books. There is no royal road to size, and there is no end to learning and work.

Learning! Making money! Cultivating!

This was the road he had set for himself. Wasting time was akin to wasting life for him.

Suddenly, Hu Qingsong turned around to Tang Xiu and asked, "Our campus' major societies are currently recruiting fresh blood. Eldest Brother Tang, which society are you going to join?"

Society?

Slightly startled for a moment, Tang Xiu then shook his head and said, "I'm not interested in joining any society. I might as well learn more things if I have the time."

"Eldest Brother Tang, are you still a youngster?" Hu Qingsong grinningly said, "We, youngsters, must be passionate and full of spirit to try new things. Anyhow, I've decided to join the Basketball Club and the Breakdance Society. How about you join me?"

"Old Hu, do you really want to make Eldest Brother Tang join you in entering the Breakdance Society?" Yue Kai turned around, faintly smiling, "With his girl-flirting technique, if he were to join the Breakdance Society, I'm afraid the flower girls there wouldn't ever spare you an eye again, no? Maybe the chicks will even throw themselves to Eldest Brother Tang's lap when he casts his sheepish eyes at them."

Hu Qingsong froze. Suddenly sobered, he waved his hand and said, "Eldest Brother Tang, count it as if I didn't say anything just now, okay?"

Tang Xiu didn't know whether he had to laugh or cry, "Can you not foolishly blabber about? What is this casting sheepish eyes at chicks? What the hell is with throwing themselves at me? You are mentally sick."

"Eldest Brother Tang, we are indeed sick in the mind. But you are sick in both mind and body!" Yue Kai laughed, "So to say, with so many beautiful ladies taking a like at you, can this small physique of yours still be able to hold the fort?"

Rolling white eyes at him, Tang Xiu was really too lazy to bother about them.

"Anyhow, Eldest Brother Tang, we gotta reach an agreement here!" Yue Kai chuckled and smilingly said, "First, you can join any society you like, but don't join the Music Society. Those pretty chicks in the Music Society are just fine to have me save them."

Tang Xiu stood up. He could now tell that these dorm buddies were all akin to Casanova reincarnations. They came to college not to study, but instead, they were looking for a wife. They should've gone to a marriage agency should they have the time!

He shook his head as he took a few books and prepared to leave, "Well, be diligent in chasing and seducing those girls! Anyways, I'm not going to attend the military training. If there's nothing else on campus in the near future, I won't come back to school again. Gimme a call if anything happens."

"Not attending the military training?"

Yue Kai and Hu Qingsong were dumbfounded. They watched as Tang Xiu left the dormitory. Then, Hu Qingsong dashed out. As he saw Tang Xiu in the corridor, he called out loudly, "Eldest Brother Tang, did the campus approve of you not attending the military training?"

"Yup. They approved it!"

Tang Xiu didn't turn his head. He just waved his hand and continued walking.

Standing in front of the dorm's door, Hu Qingsong then turned around to look at Yue Kai. His lips quivered twice and sighed, "Damn, he's worthy as the Eldest Brother! This kind of ability..."

When Tang Xiu left the campus, he called Miao Wentang and learned that he had contacted Dao Master Ziyi. As of now, Dao Master Ziyi was bringing his disciple to Shanghai. The news made him secretly relieved.

He had been hoping to craft an interspatial ring earlier. Once he had refined it, he wouldn't have to worry about carrying his belongings. Additionally, another good thing was that, after he obtained it, he need not worry about losing it. Of course, he also had another idea in mind. After he refined the interspatial ring, there should be a lot of precious materials remaining. Hence, he could craft weapons while convenient.

He had been through several fights and killings!

Although the Mitsubishi army knife was sharp enough, it was inconvenient for him, let alone bringing it along with him.

Let's head to the hospital!

After leaving campus, Tang Xiu caught a cab outside, and then rushed straight to Shanghai First Public Hospital.

****

Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center.

At the moment, counter #0246 in the conference venue was surrounded by a crowd. Those who were eligible to attend this Wine Tasting Conference had all heard about Gods Nectar. They even knew that the seven judges had given it sky-high praises. Therefore, countless people wanted to taste Gods Nectar, while nearly all liquor wholesalers wanted to bulk purchase it if possible.

Prior to this, no one showed any interest in counter #0246. It was simply deserted.

But now, people boiled over, and countless more were coming.

The stark contrast strengthened Kang Xia's self-confidence and delighted Sun Quan and the several other employees.

"Attention, attention. All wine wholesalers please wait outside. Factory staffs, please wait in your counters. To all friends from the media, prepare to record, since the Wine Tasting Competition will open immediately." A broadcast spread out in the conference venue.

Immediately, dozens of security guards arrived at the venue and quickly escorted all the wine wholesalers to wait outside, as well as supervised dozens of reporters from the media, preventing them from disturbing the interview.

A broadcast once again came out from the sound system:

"Dear friends, there are a total of 260 traders participating in this Wine Tasting Competition. Afterward, the seven judges will taste each wine produced by the various manufacturers. However, due to the quantity that must be tasted, the judges are to be divided into seven groups. After that, they will assess and evaluate five winners, which will be tasted by the seven judges for the final result."

****

Shanghai's First Public Hospital.

Tang Xiu went to Xue Chao's ward. As he looked inside, there were three sickbeds, yet only two were occupied. He let out a smile as he looked at Xue Chao, woh was sat on the bed head, wearing a distressed expression.

"Something wrong? Why are you looking like this?"

Walking over, Tang Xiu smilingly asked.

Xue Chao looked up. He was as if seeing a savior as he looked at Tang Xiu. However, he hesitated as he was about to open his mouth. Eventually, he lowered his head again and shook his head silently.

Tang Xiu then put the fruits he brought to the side. Taking a seat on the empty bed, he smilingly said, "Xue Chao, we're classmates. Furthermore, you're also my dorm mate. Tell me if you have any problems. I'll never refuse if I can help."

Xue Chao's lips quivered a few times. With an hesitating expression, he looked at Tang Xiu and probed, "Do you have some money?"

"A bit." Tang Xiu smilingly replied.

"Then, could you... lend me some money?" Xue Chao hastily said, "Tang Xiu, please don't misunderstand me. I know this is only the second time we meet, and it's not proper for me to borrow money from you. But... but I'm out of options. If I can't borrow money, my... my wife and child won't be able to eat."

"Your wife and child?" Tang Xiu blinked, and then said in a strange tone, "You mean, you not only have a wife, you also have a child?"

"Yeah! My wife is my high school's classmate." Xue Chao nodded and forced a wry smile, "We had our wedding right after we graduated from high school. Although we have yet to certificate our marriage, my son is almost a year and a half now. Originally, with my family's conditions, I wouldn't be able to come to Shanghai to study. But my wife forced me to. Moreover, she told me that if I'm not successful at university, she... she will take my son to a faraway place, never to see me ever again."

"Xue Chao, I know you come from the mountains." Tang Xiu said, "Are your wife and kid still in the mountains now?"

"If they were still there, I wouldn't have to worry about them starving." Xue Chao forced a wry smile, "They could fill their stomach if they go to the mountains and pick up some wild herbs and vegetables. But two days ago she came to Shanghai to find me. They have been in the hospital for the last two days."

"How about their well-being?" Tang Xiu asked.

"I only have 60 yuan left with me. That is also for them to buy some food to eat." Xue Chao sighed, "Even if 60 yuan can last today, or until tomorrow, but what about the day after tomorrow? And the days after?"

"I see. Anyways, don't worry about the money matter." Tang Xiu said, "Since your wife and son have come to Shanghai, then you must take care of them. However, they should also know about your situation, so why did they came to Shanghai? What about your parents ..."

"Ah, forget it. I'll just tell you!" Xue Chao sighed, "It's because my family is too poor, so my wife's family dislikes me, and they didn't approve our marriage. But my wife went against them, so we eventually had our wedding. However, she didn't have any means to get any help from her maternal family, while my family only has my mother. We have no other relatives. As a matter of fact, my son got ill after I came to Shanghai. Although he has taken medications, he hasn't gotten better until now. But if I can't get money, after three or four days, I'm afraid that he won't be able to make it."

Chapter 387: Do Good Deeds to the End

Without saying more, Tang Xiu took out his wallet, took out more than 3000 yuan, and stuffed it into Xue Chao's hand, saying, "I only have this much cash on me. Take it first. I'll see you again two days later, and I'll bring some extra cash for you then."

With a grateful look, Xue Chao looked at Tang Xiu and said, "It's enough. This much is enough. Tang... Eldest Brother Tang, I can't thank you enough for this great benevolence. But I'll remember this favor. I'll look for work after I have recovered from my injury, a part-time one, and I'll pay you back as fast as possible."

"There's no hurry." Tang Xiu shook his head and said, "A few thousand yuan is nothing for me. Supporting your family and studying are your priority now. So, just recover from your injury, I'll help introduce you to a job! You can earn money by working on Saturdays and Sundays."

"Do you have an acquaintance? Is the payment good?" Xue Chao was pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah, it's an acquaintance of mine." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "I'll introduce you later. Looking at my face, you'll definitely earn more money compared to other places."

"Eldest Brother Tang, thanks." Xue Chao hastily nodded and gratefully said.

"Let's leave out the courtesy." Tang Xiu smiled while shaking his head, "But don't say anything to Yue Kai and the others, about me lending you money and helping you finding a job."

"Why?" Xue Chao was puzzled.

"No whys. Shortly put, just don't mention this matter in front of them." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Additionally, I think you're an honest and upright man. I hope you can keep your heart pure after spending more time here. Don't get lost by the myriad temptations of this dazzling metropolis."

"I won't. My mom said that rivers and mountains may change, but it's hard to alter one's nature." Xue Chao scratched his head and laughed, "My character has been set in stone, while I myself have to support my family. How could I lose myself in the dazzling mundane world with its myriad temptations? In actuality, I understand what you mean. Yue Kai and the others seem to come from families with good financial situations. You don't want me to unrealistically compare myself with them, right?"

Tang Xiu let out a faint smile. Just as he was about to speak, a woman appearing to be 22 or 23 years-old, with pale skin and a slim figure, entered the ward. There was a 1 or 2 years old child in her arms, and she wore a concerned and worried expression on her delicate face.

"Little Juan, come here quickly. Let me introduce you to my classmate. This is Tang Xiu, the other classmates in the dorm call him Eldest Brother Tang. Eldest Tang Brother, this my wife—Little Juan, and that's my son in her arms." Xue Chao put down the money as he said with a smile.

"Hello. That's a very adorable little fellow you have there!" Tang Xiu greeted her with a smile.

Du Juan was a bit anxious upon seeing Tang Xiu. Nevertheless, she hurriedly replied, "Hello, thanks!"

After thinking for a short while, Tang Xiu then turned to Xue Chao and said, "How about leaving the hospital earlier? I'll arrange you a place to stay. The place is off the campus, so your son doesn't need to stay in the hospital. You also know the amount of bacterias that gather in hospitals. It could be harmful to the child's health and growth."

"Eldest Brother Tang, this... is not quite proper, don't you think? You've already helped me so much." Xue Chao was hesitant.

"It's all right." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Like the common saying goes, do good deeds to the end and send Buddha to the West. You just admitted to owing me a favor, then you can just admit owing me more!"

Xue Chao was silent for a short while. He then nodded and said, "All right! You... where will you arrange us to stay?"

"Actually, I have a place outside campus, you can move there and stay with me!" Tang Xiu said with a smile, "We can take good care of each other in this case."

"But... your place... can we also stay?" Xue Chao asked.

"Don't worry!" Tang Xiu laughed, "A few more people living there is no problem."

"That's great. I'll tell Little Juan to deal with the discharge procedures." Xue Chao said.

Tang Xiu smiled and took Xue Chao's child. The child was not shy of strangers, instead, he smiled at Tang Xiu. However, his body was a bit hot, which made Tang Xiu's expression slightly change.

"Xue Chao, wait here for a while. I'll see a doctor to check his body temperature. We have to take good care of this child's illness before we leave."

Having said that, Tang Xiu hugged the child and left the ward. Outside, he called a nurse to help examine the boy's body temperature. It turned out that he only had a low fever and the nurse suggested to lower it with external cooling. In fact, Tang Xiu himself understood medicine and knew perfectly well about the child's condition. He just did this to make Xue Chao relieved.

Half an hour later, Tang Xiu carried two big baggage in one hand while his other hand propped up Xue Chao, leading Du Juan and their son leaving the hospital. He then intercepted a taxi outside and quickly went to Bluestar Villa Complex.

As for the reason why he brought Xue Chao's family to stay with him together in Bluestar Villa Complex. Firstly, it was because he wanted to help them. Secondly, he also wanted them to help take care of the villa. At the very least, there would be someone to do every day's cleaning, keeping everything in order, or buying some groceries.

It's said that children who come from poor backgrounds manage their households from an early age. He believed that either Xue Chao or Du Juan were also able to cook. Additionally, he actually had thought it over. Even if he was studying at Shanghai University, he'd probably leave often and keep busy with some other things, leaving the villa unoccupied.

However, it was also easy to expose that he was rich in this case.

At the Bluestar Villa Complex's entrance.

After paying the taxi fare, Tang Xiu helped Xue Chao out. After that, he picked up the baggage in the trunk and then waved to a security guard.

"Hello, can you give us a ride?" Tang Xiu asked.

The security guard was surprised as he saw Xue Chao's family of three. He then said with a smile, "No problem. Please wait a bit, Mr. Tang. I'll immediately call the patrol over."

"Thank you!"

Tang Xiu took out a cigarette pack. As he found that he had yet to open its seal, he straightly stuffed it into the security guard's hand.

At the moment, Xue Chao was a bit startled. He retrieved his eyes from the villa complex's entrance and looked at Tang Xiu, asking, "Do you live here, Eldest Brother Tang?"

"Yeah!" Tang Xiu replied with a smile.

Despite opening his mouth, Xue Chao didn't say anything.

"Xue Chao, this is nothing but a material thing. Don't care about it so much." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Besides, I think you misunderstood something. You should have guessed that I'm a second generation nouveau-riche, right? Actually, I'm not. All the things I have, were mostly gained with my own hands."

"I got it!" Xue Chao nodded.

The patrol car quickly stopped in front of them. After two security guards carefully supported Xue Chao inside, they then motioned for Tang Xiu and Du Juan to board. Without too many effort, they arrived at the villa's front gate where Tang Xiu was living.

After thanking them, Tang Xiu watched as patrol car left and then opened the front gate. He then led Xue Chao's family of three into the villa's courtyard.

"Holy mother, this is truly impressive and stylish!"

Du Juan looked faintly excited. She had never seen such a stylish, impressive villa!

"It's just like on TV. It's really big and impressive." Xue Chao nodded and said, "I really never thought that I, Xue Chao, can also live in such an impressive house."

"We are still young. As long as you work hard and diligently make money, I believe you'll also have your chance in the future." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "When that time comes, you can buy a more luxurious villa for your wife and children."

"Yeah!" Xue Chao nodded heavily.

After entering the villa, despite already having imagined how luxurious it was, Xue Chao and Du Juan were still flabbergasted after seeing the decoration inside. They couldn't utter any words for a long while.

"Xue Chao, you're still injured. Thus, you'll stay on the first floor! There are several guest rooms on this first floor. Discuss with your wife and pick one of them." After helping Xue Chao sit on the sofa, Tang Xiu spoke to him with a smile.

"All right, we'll pick one." Xue Chao nodded and said, "Ah, that's, can I take a bath? I've been in the hospital for five or six days. I didn't have a chance to take a bath."

"Yup, there's a bathroom on the first floor. Stroll around and you'll find it." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "That's right. Since you're older than me, I'll call your wife big sis-in-law! Big sis-in-law, can you cook? If you can, then we can do grocery shopping and cook food to eat at home."

"Yes, I can, so can Xue Chao." Du Juan quickly replied.

"That's great." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "I'll give this great and honorable work of preparing food for you. Anyhow, I'll give you a spare key later."

Half an hour later, Xue Chao and Du Juan had selected a good room. The couple hugged their child and had a chat in the room.

"Little Juan, take this. It's several thousand yuan."

Du Juan stared blankly for a moment, and then asked in astonishment, "Hubby, where did you get the money from?"

"I borrowed it from Tang Xiu." Xue Chao said.

"We have no money, and we now borrowed from him." Du Juan hesitated before she received the money and said, "We must work hard in the future and pay him back. Not to mention that he's letting us live in his house. We must remember this favor. We must repay him in the future."

"I know. Tang Xiu is a good man and has done us good." Xue Chao nodded and said, "We'll be good to him later."

"All right!"

Inside the study room on the second floor.

Tang Xiu took two keys, one of which was the key to the villa he gave to the couple, and the other one was the key to his other villa in Shanghai.

It was because he had to have a place to treat Dao Master Ziyi's disciple. It wasn't a problem before Xue Chao and his wife came to live in this place. But since there were outsiders now, he could only pick elsewhere.

After packing up, Tang Xiu then dialed a cell number Ji Chimei had once given him. He agreed to meet her at the Everlasting Feast Hall. After saying hello to Xue Chao and Du Juan, Tang Xiu then left the house directly.

There were a lot of magical spells and divine abilities he had been unable to use due to his limited cultivation. Furthermore, he was also clueless about the specific situation Dao Master Ziyi's disciple was in. Hence, he called Ji Chimei over for safety's sake.

"I'll just wait. When the time comes, I can use a lot of magical spells as long as my cultivation is high enough. Although I can't cast a few spells since the Star Force within me is unable to support it, it's still better than nothing!"

Chapter 388: Heart-Brain Gu Poison

Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center.

Media reporters followed the seven judges who stopped in front of the counter, tasting a variety of wine brands. Regardless, due to quantity of wines, they just sipped the wine as not to get drunk and then gave their evaluations.

Time fleeted by.

Surrounded by the crowd, Du Kun came before the #0246 counter. He looked at Kang Xia, who opened the bottle cap of Gods Nectar and poured a cup. The smile on his face immediately got thicker.

After drinking up, Du Kun spoke to the recorder in his hand, smiling, "My appraisal is the same as before. This wine should only be found in heaven, and only a few people can taste it in the human world. If the price of this Gods Nectar wasn't tagged with such a high price, I would be very worried about the other wine businesses in China. If anything, I want to tell everyone that this wine is truly a good drink, yet, you must get it after looking at your pockets. If you don't have the money, even if this wine is a world's delicacy, you shouldn't be over too fond of drinking it."

Having said that, he turned to Kang Xia and said with a smile, "Chief Kang, I love this Gods Nectar and am very optimistic about it. If later you have any problem in this area, you can find me. I'll help you solve it."

"Thank you!" Kang Xia slightly bowed and replied with a smile.

The media reporters were ignited by Du Kun's statements. This time, they recounted Du Kun's words without missing even a word with excited expressions and relayed it back to their headquarters as quickly as they could.

Outside the venue, seven big screens above broadcasted this scene. A large number of liquor wholesalers saw it, and many people recorded the scene using their mobile phones. To witness and memorize the success of Gods Nectar today.

Many people now began to inquire the details of the Magnificent Tang Corp, hoping that they could be cognizant of the company's executives and win them over by throwing money, striving to buy a great quantity of Gods Nectar to make a fortune from it.

Shanghai, Southfield Villa Complex.

Following the address, Tang Xiu came over by car. There were four cars in the garage, and he let Kang Xia drive one. Yet, it was his first time using one.

After reporting to the main gate, he arrived at the villa. After entering, he found that, although this villa was a bit shabier compared to the ville in the Bluestar Villa Complex, it was also an upscale and luxurious villa.

After parking the car, Tang Xiu took out a black leather suitcase from the trunk. He put the precious ores to craft interspatial ring inside, some of which were main materials - Void Crack Stone, Wintertide Fluorite, and Star Fragment Stone - while Tang Xiu had also bought some batches of other additional materials. However, there were too many things to carry, and he didn't bring all of them over from Star City. But since they easy to buy, he decided to buy a few more before he began crafting the interspatial ring.

Soon, Ji Chimei caught up. After greeting Tang Xiu, she then learned the reason he called her over.

"Venerable Lord, I don't know much about the Gu Poison on Earth. But I believe there's no Gu Poison in this world that I can't govern. So you can rest assured that I'll do my best." Ji Chimei respectfully said.

"I believe in you." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "I estimate that they should be arriving in half a day. You can wait here!"

"Understood!" Ji Chimei said.

As noon approached, Tang Xiu received a phone call from Miao Wentang, informing him that he had brought Dao Master Ziyi and his disciple to Southfield Villa Complex's entrance. Immediately, Tang Xiu called the complex's main gate and said to allow them to enter.

"Brother Tang, I didn't let you down. I've brought Dao Master Ziyi and his disciple. Whether or not you can get the thing you want, it will depend on your ability." Miao Wentang cupped his fists over as he smiled.

Nodding with a smile in a response, Tang Xiu then looked at Dao Master Ziyi and said with a smile, "Dao Master Ziyi, we meet again. From your dispirited look, you seem to not have rested, right?"

"As long as I can cure this disciple of mine, I'm willing to endure." Dao Master Ziyi forced a smile and said, "Benefactor Tang, let's not waste time! You can rest assured, I'll immediately give you my cauldron furnace as long as you can eliminate the Gu Poison in my disciple's body."

Having said that, he walked to the car's rear door. With utmost care, he pulled out a person dressed in a yellow robe, and an object wrapped in a large bundle of yellow cloth, and then put it down in front of Tang Xiu.

Tang Xiu didn't open the wrapped object. Instead, he looked at the youth who wore the same Daoist robe as Dao Master Ziyi. The youth had a handsome look, but his complexion was pale, with faintly purple lips. There was also a black-colored vertical line on the center of his brows.

"Please, come inside!" Tang Xiu said coolly.

Miao Wentang and Dao Master Ziyi shot Ji Chimei curious looks, who looked focused and still behind Tang Xiu. They didn't intend to ignore her, but, since Tang Xiu didn't introduce her, they could only hold back their doubt as they followed Tang Xiu inside.

"Dao Master Ziyi, you and Brother Miao can wait outside. We'll go inside to check his condition." Tang Xiu didn't want to waste time. He wanted to get the cauldron furnace as fast as possible.

"All right!" Dao Master Ziyi nodded.

A minute after, Tang Xiu and Ji Chimei had brought the youth into the room.

After Tang Xiu nodded, she then immediately said, "Take off your clothes and lie on the bed."

The youth obeyed Ji Chimei's instruction. After stripping off his clothes, he obediently lied on the bed.

Ji Chimei raised her hand and pressed the youth's Great Spirit point, Great Pivot point, and Life Gate point, these three big acupoints. As her fingers moved, an amazed expression could be seen on her old face.

"Raise!"

Ji Chimei turned her hands. The youth's body levitated midair. In a flash, Ji Chimei's figure drifted up. with her feet floating in the air, her hands constantly flapped the youth's back and abdomen. After more than a minute, she then floated down.

"How is it?" After seeing the youth's body back to bed again, Tang Xiu quickly asked.

"Venerable Lord, I know what kind of Gu Poison is in his body." Ji Chimei respectfully replied after knocking out the youth with her hand, "I had once fought an old Demon Ancestor called Black Heart in the Immortal World. He was an expert in all kinds of Gu Poison. Originally, he had harmed a lot of people, poisoning some of them with this type of Gu Poison."

"What is it, exactly?" Tang Xiu curiously asked.

"It's the Heart-Brain Gu, an extremely vicious Gu Poison." Ji Chime replied with all seriousness, "This type of Gu Poison can discharge beyond removing someone's root of life and star destiny thread together and link up his brain area and heart. Once this root of star thread is broken, the victim implanted with it will die instantly. Additionally, this kind of Gu Poison releases its poison from time to time and will erode the person's blood essence, corroding his bone marrows. However, the person who used this Gu Poison has poor ability. His low cultivation resulted in the Brain Heart Gu not being up to much, thus, this youth can still live until now."

"Can you cure him?" Tang Xiu asked the issue he was most concerned about.

"I can. But I need some things." Ji Chimei nodded.

"What kind of things?" Tang Xiu asked.

"Crepe Myrtle Kindle Symbol."

"Have you considered whether I can make this ancient symbol?" Tang Xiu knitted his brows and forced a smile.

"In those days, Venerable Lord was able to move unhindered in the Immortal World and had innumerable divine abilities." Ji Chimei said with a smile, "This subordinate only had a meager status at that time. Even though this one did hear Venerable Lord's glorious deeds, this one never knew that you could craft this Crepe Myrtle Kindle Symbol."

"I'm indeed able to craft this Crepe Myrtle Kindle Symbol. But my current cultivation is limited." Tang Xiu smiled and said, "Even if I exhaust all my strength, I'm afraid I can only produce one in a day. Furthermore, the effect is also much worse. I don't know whether it would still have an effect."

"It won't be a problem!" Ji Chimei nodded. Having said that, there was a look as if she wanted to say more, but was hesitant in doing so.

"What else do you want to say?" Tang Xiu asked when he noticed it.

There was a surprised flash in Ji Chimei's eyes as she said, "Boss, I suspect that there are some inextricably link between Earth and the Immortal World. After all, this Gu Poison is extremely rare even in the Immortal World. Furthermore, ever since I arrived on Earth, I found many things which can be considered as peerless treasures in the Immortal World."

Tang Xiu himself had long been aware of the special connection between Earth and the Immortal World. Therefore, he nodded and said, "In fact, I have also noticed some of the things you said. However, there are only a handful of cultivators at present. Those few in the cultivation world that I know of don't know many secrets either. Hence, even if we want to investigate it, I'm afraid we can't find out anything. Some people on Earth probably have some connections with the Immortal World. That, or some cultivators from Earth who had ascended to the Immortal World are using some divine ability to transport some things from there to Earth. In short, there are all kinds of possibilities."

"Do you want me to secretly investigate it?" Ji Chimei asked, "Perhaps we'll have unexpected discoveries."

"Not for the time being." Tang Xiu shook his head and said, "Your most important duty is to protect Yan'er and refine medicinal pills. As for other matters, wait until I have thoroughly cured Yan'er. It won't be too late to conduct further investigations later."

"I understand!" Ji Chimei respectfully said.

"Go buy the things needed to inscribe the symbol!" Tang Xiu said, "After you buy them, I'll immediately craft the Crepe Myrtle Kindle Symbol."

"Affirmative!"

After Ji Chimei departed, Tang Xiu didn't awake the youth, instead, he went to the living room. Dao Master Ziyi and Miao Wentang stood up upon seeing him, as Tang Xiu then said, "We can save your disciple, but we need a special ancient symbol. I've ordered Ji Chimei to buy the materials needed. After I craft the symbol, she then can start the treatment."

"You can really treat it?" Dao Master Ziyi was pleasantly surprised.

"Well, I'm someone who attaches importance to promises." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Naturally, if I don't have the cure, I won't say anything that slaps my own face just to look imposing. Rest assured and wait!"

"I've been waiting for a long time, it's not a problem to wait for a while more!" Dao Master Ziyi nodded, and then said with a smile, "Benefactor Tang, don't tell me you don't want to have a look at the cauldron furnace."

Tang Xiu looked at the wrapped furnace on the tea table. He then walked over gently unwrapped it.

Hiss...

When Tang Xiu looked at the golden yellow quadruped cauldron furnace, his eyes were wide like saucers. He couldn't help but inhale a cold breath.

Chapter 389: Refining the Divine Cauldron, Progressing in Cultivation

Tang Xiu had never seen Dao Master Ziyi's cauldron. He did fantasize that Dao Master Ziyi had a very good cauldron, but never did he think it'd be this good.

In the days when he was in the Immortal World he also possessed a top-notch immortal cauldron. He used that cauldron to craft weapons and concoct pills, which were regarded as top-notch immortal tools and immortal pills.

However, merely from it's outward appearance, as well as the tidal glittering golden glow that was hard to catch by naked eye, he appraised that this cauldron was not much inferior to the top-notch immortal cauldron he had once used.

"Benefactor Tang, is this cauldron good? In the past, I risked my life to break into a mystical place. Aside from a manual, there was only this quadruped cauldron. It's a pity that this cauldron is a bit small, otherwise, I could have refined several good pills." As Dao Master Ziyi was thought about how this treasure he had used for decades would soon become someone else's, he couldn't help but ache inside.

"It really is a good cauldron." Tang Xiu sighed in praise.

"I won't renege on my promise. Provided that you can cure my disciple, this quadruped cauldron is yours." Dao Master Ziyi said with a smile, "If you can't cure him, I won't give it to you."

While stretching his hand to gently touch the quadruped cauldron, Tang Xiu slowly released his star force into the cauldron. Suddenly, a band of golden light burst out and stabbed everyone's eyes in an instant. Even Tang Xiu himself closed his eyes at this moment, as he could feel his eyes turning hot and aching.

Puff...

As Tang Xiu held the cauldron, suddenly, two wind blades cut through his palms, and blood crazily gushed out from them, while the golden light from the quadruped cauldron became even more intense.

Every nook and corner of the villa's hall was inundated with golden light.

At the same time, a suffocating, terrifying aura exuded out from the quadruped cauldron. The aura brought along a very strong pressure. Despite Dao Master Ziyi and Miao Wentang's cultivation being several folds stronger than Tang Xiu's, they were still forced to constantly step backwards by the oppressive aura. After they were forced out of the villa and entered the courtyard, only then did the duo's footsteps cease retreating. Their complexions were ghastly pale.

"What's going on? I've used that cauldron for decades, how come this kind of matter has never happened?" Dao Master Ziyi said with an unsightly expression.

"Dao Master, you ask me, but whom do I ask?" Miao Wentang forced a smile and said, "Besides, cauldrons were never my thing, to begin with. But this aura is way too terrifying. I feel like if it suddenly explodes, I'm pretty sure I'd be blasted into smithereens."

"I also have this feeling." Dao Master Ziyi said, "But, Tang Xiu, he..."

Inside the villa's hall, Tang Xiu's body turned incomparably rigid. He felt horrified as he lost control of his own body. His blood was crazily being sucked from the wounds in his hands. Within just a few seconds, two-thirds of the blood in his body was sucked away.

Shortly after, a gentle golden light entered Tang Xiu's body through his wounds. Under the supervision of Tang Xiu's spiritual sense, he could see that, after his blood fused with the golden light, it went through special qualitative changes, and the blood flowing in his blood vessels gradually turned into golden-red color.

This golden light is transforming my body!

Tang Xiu's perception shifted away from his blood. He suddenly discovered something more flabbergasting. While his shock was not yet over, a special medicinal efficacy suddenly came out from the cauldron and torrentially inundated into his hands, went through his arms, and entered his body.

Heavens! How come there's so much medicinal efficacy from it?

If Tang Xiu were not able to speak, he would be roaring now. He found that the two medicinal efficacy forces were extremely powerful. The energy was huge to the point that his body was unable to bear it. He even began to worry that his body would explode as he withstood it.

However, his concern didn't come true. The two medicinal efficacies burst into his body, and then stampeded inside his Dantian at a lightning speed. The stars inside his Dantian was as though being hit by a radiant storm, with the sparks splashing. The stars exploded, forming a more horrifying storm.

Bam, bam...

Tang Xiu could only see darkness as he directly fainted. However, his body remained standing with his hands still pressed on the quadruped cauldron as before. At this moment, the golden light released from the quadruped cauldron slowly dissipated, but the same oppressive aura hadn't vanished yet. From the top of the cauldron, a stream of quaint ancient gold runes was continuously fusing into the center of Tang Xiu's brows one by one.

Time went by as eight hours passed in an instant.

Bluestar Villa Complex.

After participating in the Wine Tasting Conference, Kang Xia led the company's staff to attend the evening banquet organized by the Wine Industry Association. She then sent Su Quan and the others back to Star City, and enthusiastically drove back here. However, she had never thought that she would unexpectedly meet three guests inside.

"You mean that... Tang Xiu brought you to live here? And you're also Tang Xiu's classmate?" Kang Xia asked as she looked at the family of three in front of her.

"That's right, I'm Tang Xiu's classmate! I suppose I'm also his dorm mate." Xue Chao nodded and said, "But since I got injured, he wanted me to move from the hospital to recuperate here. Anyways, she's my wife, and that's my son in her arms."

Kang Xia took her mobile to call Tang Xiu's cell number, but her phone call didn't get through. Her black-dyed eyebrows knitted slightly. She then put her mobile away, nodded and said, "Hello, I'm Kang Xia, Tang Xiu's... subordinate. Anyhow, since I can't connect with him, I'll go rest first. I have yet to rest until now."

"You want to rest here?" Xue Chao quickly asked.

"Is there a problem?" Kang Xia showed a trace of a smile and asked, "I stayed here last night."

Xue Chao quickly shook his head. With a simple and honest smile, he said, "What you said is kinda interesting. What subordinate?! You should be Tang Xiu's girlfriend, right? Since our family of three is living here, there will be many disturbing things later, so I ask for your forgiveness."

The smile on Kang Xia's turned a bit brighter. She was quite happy after hearing Xue Chao's words. She then laughed and said, "It's all right. Since Tang Xiu wants you to live here, just stay here! Besides, I only come to Shanghai occasionally. After seeing him, I'll return to Star City."

Immediately, she turned around and went to the staircase.

While gazing at Kang Xia's enchanting back, Xue Chao secretly gulped down his saliva. He then turned to his wife, Du Juan, and said in a low voice, "Wife, Boss Tang is really amazing! His girlfriend is so beautiful, she's even prettier than those pretty female celebs on TV."

Du Juan raised her brows. While hugging her son with one hand, her other hand pulled and twisted his ear, saying with discontent, "Yea, yea... Miss Kang is really beautiful, eh. But I wanna know something. Am I more beautiful, or is she more beautiful in your eyes, huh?"

With an embarrassed expression, Xue Chao said with a smile, "Wife, you're beautiful. My wife is the most beautiful in my heart!"

A glimmer of satisfaction on her face, Du Juan then loosened Xue Chao's ear and harrumphed, "Hmph, if you dare say that other women are more beautiful, things won't end well for you. Nevertheless, Miss Kang is indeed beautiful. I'm afraid that guys like you who are able to find such fairy-like bonne amie, surely must have your ancestral graves to emit green-blue vapor, no?" [1]

"I think so too! Nonetheless, Boss Tang is a kind and good person. If it was someone else who found such a girlfriend, I'd think the woman was blind. But I feel it's normal for Boss Tang to find such a great girlfriend." Xue Chao said with all seriousness.

"Yeah, mom taught me when I was small that good people would have good rewards." Du Juan nodded.

When Kang Xia went to Tang Xiu's bedroom on the second floor, she looked at the empty room, a look of being at a loss flashing in her eyes. She planned to return back to Star City tomorrow and wanted Tang Xiu to accompany her tonight. But now with him not here, she was a bit disappointed.

However, she didn't worry about Tang Xiu's safety at all. Because she knew how powerful he was. Whoever dared to bully him should wait to be bullied back by him!

"Where did that fella run up to anyway?"

Kang Xia spoke to herself in a low voice. She then walked to the cloakroom, picked a brand-new man's white shirt from the inside, and then casually walked toward the bathroom.

****

At this time, Tang Xiu had just awakened from his stupor. He then sat cross-legged on the sofa while staring blankly at the quadruped cauldron. No, not right. This cauldron should no longer be called as a quadruped cauldron. Instead, it must be called - Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron.

He found a lot of things inside his sea of mind after he woke up. He learned that this Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron was the most valuable treasure that once belonged to the super powerful Supreme Devil—Jia Luoye in the God Realm. He also learned that this Jia Luoye was once born and existed countless of eons ago on Earth. At that time, the past Earth was not the same as the present Earth. He even knew that Earth was once thousands of times larger than it was today, whereby myriads of immortal cultivator powerhouses existed therein.

Unfortunately, a great war at a later time led to the destruction of Earth. Countless great gods perished in the war while some departed, leaving only some weak ones. Gradually, they declined in the perpetual river of time.

He was not clear about the events afterward. Because soon after, Jia Luoye made a breakthrough. He became a Demon God and straightly entered his second life in the God and Demon Realms. However, in the tens of billions of years later, Jia Luoye was harmed in a trap prepared by his enemies and ultimately came to his end. As for how this Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron ended up on Earth, Tang Xiu didn't get any information whatsoever.

Furthermore, although the Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron was once the most valuable Divine Artifact, it was unknown to him for what reason its spirit disappeared without a trace. Hence, the artifact was only comparable to a ordinary Immortal Tool at the most now. Only after this Demon God Spirit Devourer produced Spiritual Tools again would it gradually recover its formidability.

After taking a long breath, Tang Xiu let out a sigh of relief. With the vibration of his wrist, the Demon God Soul Devourer Cauldron instantly disappeared. With his spiritual sense, Tang Xiu found that this cauldron had appeared on the left side of his body, inside his chest.

"My cultivation has... been promoted by a full level, reaching the peak level of Bone Transformation Stage. I only need another step to achieve the Marrow Transformation Stage. This time, the benefits are really too great. If Ji Chimei can't completely cure Dao Master Ziyi's disciple, I won't able to explain and pay back this account."

[1] Ancestral Tomb that emits green-blue smoke/vapor is considered to be a very lucky Feng Shui portent.

Chapter 390: Removing the Gu Poison

 Tang Xiu swept his Dantian with his perception. The stars inside had disappeared and were replaced by a black hole vortex exuding a terrifying aura. Tang Xiu was aware of what was behind the black hole whirlpool.

It's the feeling of power!

Tang Xiu clenched his fists. He felt like he could blow a house to smithereens. Furthermore, the moment he circulated the star force in accordance with the Heavenly Art of Cosmic Genesis's circulation route, the black hole inside his Dantian released a steady stream of Star Force. It was as though the black hole vortex was connected with the countless stars in the vast universe.

"Benefactor Tang!"

The Dao Master Ziyi and Miao Wentang rushed in from the outside. When they saw Tang Xiu sitting on the sofa, Dao Master Ziyi couldn't help calling out to him.

"Boss Tang, are you okay?" Miao Wentang urgently asked, "What happened before? That aura was too horrifying."

Letting out a faint smile, Tang Xiu then shifted his vision from the two men toward Ji Chimei, whose expression was ever changing. She was holding some things and had come behind the duo.

"I'm fine! However, due to cultivating a special cultivation technique, it turned out to have a special connection with this Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron. Thus, it has been refined by me. Dao Master Ziyi, if my subordinate is unable to heal your disciple, I would have no means to give the Demon God Soul Devourer Cauldron back to you. At the most, I can only use other ways to compensate you." Tang Xiu said with a helpless look.

Dao Master Ziyi furrowed his brows. He observed Tang Xiu's expression and could tell that it was unlikely that Tang Xiu was joking. He then slowly asked, "Benefactor Tang, I've used this cauldron for dozens of years to concoct various pills. But this kind of matter has never happened to me before. I want to know something. You said this cauldron is called the Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron, what kind of existence is it exactly?"

Tang Xiu chose to conceal it previously because, despite the breakthrough in his cultivation, he was still not Dao Master Ziyi's opponent. In case that Dao Master Ziyi knew that this Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron was a Divine Artifact and he acted without caring for the consequences, he would perhaps have to face a dead end.

However, he suppressed the thought after thinking about it again. Because this time, he had Ji Chimei here. If Dao Master Ziyi really dared to act against him, Ji Chimei would directly send him to death's door.

Nevertheless, I should opt to conceal it! So as to avoid leaving a knot in his heart!

After his mind revolved, Tang Xiu slowly said, "This cauldron is called Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron. It had once housed a sentient spirit, except that the cauldron spirit has long vanished. What is left now is only a cauldron suitable for crafting tools and concocting pills. You have also seen the images left back then. It was imprints left by the spirit before it disappeared. It was triggered by my power, so it activated. So to speak, it brought me a lot of benefits. At the very least, it helped me improve my cultivation."

Dao Master Ziyi felt quite bitter inside. However, comparing his disciple and the Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron, he realized what was more important.

"Benefactor Tang, since this Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron has chosen you, this is your good fortune. This poor Daoist only hopes that you can fully cure my disciple. Like I said before, this Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron is yours; provided that you can treat and heal my disciple."

Tang Xiu slowly nodded. He then looked at Ji Chimei and asked, "Is everything I need prepared?"

"Yes, everything's ready!" Ji Chimei said, "You can begin at any time."

Tang Xiu stood and took everything from her hands, saying, "You all wait for me here. I'll go upstairs to craft a symbol. Once I finish manufacturing it, I'll begin treating your disciple."

"All right!" Dao Master Ziyi complied.

After three hours passed by, Tang Xiu finally succeeded in crafting the Crepe Myrtle Kindle Symbol. When he came downstairs, he handed it over to Ji Chimei and solemnly said, "It's your turn now. Don't let me down!"

"Rest assured!" Ji Chimei nodded as she took the Crepe Myrtle Kindle Symbol and walked into the room.

"Benefactor Tang, you're not following her?" Dao Master Ziyi was startled.

"It doesn't matter if I go or not." Tang Xiu shook his head and said, "She will be the one removing the Gu Poison, not me!"

"May I ask something first, Benefactor Tang? Who is she..." Dao Master Ziyi curiously said.

"She's my subordinate!" Tang Xiu said.

Dread could be seen on Dao Master Ziyi's expression. He could feel a dangerous vibe from Ji Chimei the first moment he saw her. The most puzzling thing to him was that Ji Chimei seemed to be just an ordinary old woman. There was not the slightest sign of cultivation from her.

"Brother Tang, this subordinate of yours is really powerful." Miao Wentang said, "If my guess is not mistaken, her cultivation must be far beyond mine and Dao Master Ziyi's. I'm afraid it has reached the point that is enough to make us look up to her, am I right?"

"She's indeed very powerful." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "She can easily break through the Thousand Revolutions Array with her strength alone."

"What?" Miao Wentang exclaimed, flabbergasted.

Even Dao Master Ziyi had his expression drastically changed.

They both knew the Thousand Revolutions Array's might. The reason why Tang Xiu had been able to break through so many layers before was because he was very proficient in arrays. But Tang Xiu said that this old woman could easily break through the entirety of the Thousand Revolution Array by virtue of her strength only.

So to say, that old woman's strength was at least ten times stronger than them; or even hundreds of times.

Tang Xiu revealed a faint smile, as he turned around to sit on the sofa. He no longer accompanied Dao Master Ziyi and Miao Wentang to chat. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the sofa and silently sensed the Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron's situation inside his body. At the same time, he also circulated the star force inside his meridians to stabilize his own cultivation stage.

Although he had now reached the peak of the Bone Transformation Stage, and the toughness of his skeletal bones had increased by over ten times, he achieved this stage too suddenly. His foundation was not solid, and it was in an unstable state.

Ten minutes later, Ji Chimei came out of the room and looked tranquil. Behind her, Dao Master Ziyi's disciple followed her out. There was a faint red color on his complexion now.

"Jingyi, how are you now?"

Dao Master Ziyi came before his disciple and urgently asked.

The youth called Jingyi revealed a faint smile and said, "Master, thank you for sparing no efforts for this disciple. You didn't even hesitate to let such a precious treasure go, only to help me get rid of this Gu Poison. The Gu Poison in my body is gone."

"Good, good, good!" Dao Master Ziyi's eyes shined. Excitement painted his whole face as he said, "You... you must never easily provoke others ever again! There are numerous skilled people in the world. If you encounter the same situation once more, this master of yours doesn't know if he can save you again."

"This disciple will obediently follow Respected Master's instructions." Jingyi respectfully said, "This one certainly won't dare to repeat the same mistake in the future!"

Nodding in satisfaction, Dao Master Ziyi suddenly felt enlightened. Perhaps his disciple had just gone through the best tempering, though the cost was rather big.

The profane world does have a common saying that a lesson is learned once one pay for it.

He sighed to himself inwardly. After that, he turned to look at Tang Xiu.

Tang Xiu opened his eyes. A smile hung on his face as he said, "Dao Master Ziyi, since the Gu Poison in your disciple's body has been removed, this should explain that the Demon God Spirit Devourer Cauldron is mine."

"Yeah. It's yours." Dao Master Ziyi nodded.

Tang Xiu laughed. He then looked at Ji Chimei and said, "You did a good job! Rest well, or you can go back to Jingmen Island!"

"Then, this subordinate will take her leave first." Ji Chimei respectfully said, "Please do call me if you have any other commands later."

Having said that, without glancing at Dao Master Ziyi or Miao Wentang, she turned around and left.

It was said that people get in high spirits when they were involved in happy events. Tang Xiu's mood was particularly great at this time. He gestured for Dao Master Ziyi and his disciple, as well as Miao Wentang, to sit down. He then said with a smile, "Two friends, it should soon be morning, so you should rest here if you're tired! I myself rarely come here. You can also stay here if you are in Shanghai in the future."

"This poor Daoist came in a hurry. There are also a lot of things to manage in this Daoist's temple." Dao Master Ziyi shook his head and said, "Thus, this one will bring this young disciple of mine to leave after the sky is bright."

"Brother Tang, I won't be staying either." Miao Wentang said with a smile, "I've already accomplished the matter you wanted me to help. If you want to thank me, it's fine for me if you sell me more Gods Nectar later! I don't know whether you're already aware or not, but your Gods Nectar is truly hot now. The major media, many judges from the Wine Industry Association, as well as many wine lovers can't wait to buy Gods Nectar!"

"I personally made the recipe for the Gods Nectar." Tang Xiu smiled and said, "I would have no face to see anyone if the taste was not good. Brother Miao, if you would like, I'll sell the wine at the previous selling price I mentioned to you."

"The price you sold to me before was already a loss for you!" Miao Wentang grinned and said, "To my knowledge, the Gods Nectar's price for each bottle is more expensive than 10,000 yuan per bottle you told me before. Let alone myself, the others have also probably made profits."

"It was an unexpected mistake from my part." Tang Xiu said with a smile, "I forgot that the Gods Nectar's price had been re-tagged by the top executives in my company. However, there's no harm. With our relationship, I don't care about the money."

With curiosity on his face, Dao Master Ziyi asked, "Does this Gods Nectar taste that good? How about... selling it to me as well? That said... this one has to say something first. This Poor Daoist is very poor!"

Today, Tang Xiu took huge benefits from Dao Master Ziyi for a cheap price. He suddenly waved his hand spiritedly and said, "Dao Master Ziyi, with our friendship, must we mention money? So to say, if you pass by Star City, you can stop over for a while. I'll order some people to prepare hundreds of bottles of Gods Nectar for you."

"Benefactor Tang, I don't need that much." Dao Master Ziyi forced a smile and said, "We, master and disciple, are living deep in the mountains, so we won't be able to take carry too many bottles. You only need to give me eight to ten bottles. It's enough."

"No problem." Tang Xiu laughed, "Later, when you need more, just directly contact the person in charge of the winery. It's fine this way as well."

"Such being the case, this Poor Daoist gives many thanks." Dao Master Ziyi got up, gave a bow and said, "By the way, since this young disciple of mine had the Gu Poison in his body removed, we'll be taking our leave first."

"I'm also leaving!" Miao Wentang also got up.