Where was Ling Yun heading at midnight? To treat Cui Lao, of course!
Cui Lao might be mysterious, but he had been very good to Ling Yun ever since they first met. Cui Lao was the kind that didn't expect anything in return. He had never rebutted Ling Yun and went ahead with whatever Ling Yun wanted.
Cui Lao had yet to reveal his identity, but Ling Yun could see that Cui Lao loved and protected him as though he were his own son. Ling Yun would only do his best for such a person.
It took Ling Yun twenty minutes to return to Mansion Number One from the Luxurious Hot Springs Manor.
"Oh… The gate is still open so late at night…"
Ling Yun knew both Cui Lao and Dugu Mo were partially-inducted Xiantian experts. It made no difference whether it was opened or closed, as it was a mere decoration.
Ling Yun drove directly into the garage, which saved him some trouble. Little White appeared at the doorway, waving its tail in anticipation.
Ling Yun exited the car with a giant smile and embraced Little White tightly. "Missed me?"
Little White stared at Ling Yun with its huge round eyes full of grievance. It settled in Ling Yun's embrace, unwilling to separate from him.
Ling Yun took the opportunity to ascertain Little White's progress and was delighted to find that it had achieved amazing speed. Little White would be able to transform in a matter of days, and he couldn't help but communicate telepathically with Little White. "Little White, you cannot go through your tribulation in the city. It will only bring unnecessary trouble. Therefore, slow down your cultivation speed a little. I'll bring you out to sea for your tribulation."
Little White was a nine-tailed celestial fox. It nodded, understanding Ling Yun's worries instantly. Its expressive brows fascinated.
Both Cui Lao and Dugu Mo came forth to welcome Ling Yun home. Cui Lao was particularly elated to see Ling Yun. "Young… young chap, my body is recovering at an amazing speed. You don't need to come over to treat me every day if you're busy…" Cui Lao couldn't help but want to address Ling Yun as 'Young Master' out of habit. Moreover, he harbored special feelings for Ling Yun.
Grandpa Ling was about to reach Qingshui, and Cui Lao couldn't help but wait eagerly. Ling Yun would be able to return to his rightful place soon. The scene of reunion would be really touching.
Ling Yun smiled politely. "Cui Lao, this is something I should do. Treatment should be done sooner rather than later…"
Dugu Mo gave a rare smile by the side. "Ling Yun, can I discuss something with you?"
That smile put Ling Yun on his guard. "What is it?"
Dugu Mo's handsome eyes had been on Ling Yun's left hand the whole time. "Ling Yun, can you lend me your sword?" he asked with expectation.
Ling Yun listened in shock. He knew that Dugu Mo had something up his sleeves. He actually wanted his Dragon Vein Sword! Ling Yun shook his head violently.
"No, definitely not! I only have this one sword…"
Dugu Mo loved swords as much as he loved his own life. His heart had been itching ever since he laid his eyes upon the Dragon Vein Sword. It hadn't been easy on Dugu Mo to keep it in until now. His face soured immediately upon Ling Yun's open refusal.
"Just lend it to me for two days, I'm not asking you for it…"
"You may just run away with my precious sword. I don't have any guarantee from you…" Ling Yun replied cheekily.
"Ling Yun, I swear that I won't run away with your sword. Please just lend it to me…" Dugu Mo swore to the heavens.
Ling Yun stood his ground while Dugu Mo tried all sorts of ways of begging.
"Kid, Dugu Mo is a renowned swordsman. Why don't you lend it to him until you leave?" Cui Lao chipped in, pitying Dugu Mo.
Ling Yun was just teasing Dugu Mo. He was certain Dugu Mo wouldn't run away. Ling Yun had the saliva of the dragon, which was infinitely more valuable than the sword. "Alright. I'll lend it to you since Cui Lao has spoken. However, you have to return it to me after two days. I have something important then!"
Dugu Mo was beside himself with happiness. "Okay, two days. hehe, give it here quick…"
"Where are your manners? You didn't even thank Cui Lao!" Ling Yun reproached him. He stretched out his left hand, and the shiny Dragon Vein Sword appeared in his hand.
"Here!" Ling Yun tossed the sword to Dugu Mo.
Dugu Mo grabbed the hilt as he thanked Cui Lao. He then proceeded to run his hand all over it lovingly. Dugu Mo looked up suddenly with realization. "Where is the scabbard? Give me the scabbard as well…"
"No scabbard. This sword is for killing. A scabbard would be in the way…" Ling Yun grinned.
He paid no further attention to Dugu Mo and directed his attention to Cui Lao. "Cui Lao, let's leave him alone with the sword. Let's go in, I'll start your treatment."
Ling Yun had no lack of spiritual energy now that he attained Physique Tempering Stage Six. It only took him half an hour to complete his treatment.
"Cui Lao, you are about eighty percent cured. If we follow this schedule, I believe you will be fully recovered by the month's end. You will be able to reach the Xiantian Realm then."
Ling Yun spoke with a smile as he removed the nine golden needles.
Cui Lao nodded with satisfaction, his thoughts on the Ling Family in Beijing. There was hope for Ling Lie, Ling Xiao, and the rest who couldn't advance in their martial arts all these years because of their old injuries!
"Kid, we've known each other for three days, don't you want to know my background?" Cui Lao asked testily.
"Of course I'm interested to know your background. However, I'm going to wait until you're willing to share. I don't see the point of asking if you aren't ready," Ling Yun replied with gusto.
Cui Lao shook his head in disbelief. "Sigh… you're so mature. That's fine. It's too late now, I'll tell you in two days!"
Cui Lao swallowed his impulse. Grandpa Ling would arrive in two days. The meeting between them would be worth so much more than Cui Lao's words.
Ling Yun smiled and said goodbye to Cui Lao respectfully, then played with Dugu Mo before driving back to the Luxurious Hot Springs Manor.
Ling Yun knew that Tie Xiaohu must be buried in his work since he didn't go back to Mansion Number One.
Ling Yun naturally didn't let Lin Menghan off the hook when he reached her place. They made mad love, tossing and turning in bed until four in the morning when Lin Menghan asked for mercy.
Ling Yun got up early the next morning and started cultivating his Stellar Condensation Technique.
After, he drove out to meet Tang Meng when it was nearly noon.
Tang Meng was about to brief Ling Yun of his grand plan but was stopped by Ling Yun.
"Put aside your grand plans for now. Settle my business today," Ling Yun said lightly.
"What other matters do you have, Big Brother Yun?" Tang Meng asked, taken aback.
"First, you have to arrange two villas as soon as possible. One for Sister Rou, and another for Big Sister Liu…"
"Big Brother Yun, I can understand why you're getting a villa for Sister Rou, but you've done enough for Big Sister Liu. Why do we need to buy a villa for her family?" Tang Meng wondered.
"You don't understand. Just buy it per my instructions. Do this as soon as possible, and pick a good one amongst those that are already furnished and ready to move in. Understood?"
The Liu Family owed a great debt to Ling Yun; likewise, Ling Yun owned a great debt to them.
Ling Yun continued, "I gave some thought to the loan. Just proceed according to your thoughts, you don't need to ask me for approval."
"I have another two matters of paramount importance, everything else can be discussed at a later stage."
Tang Meng conceded. "Big Brother Yun, please go ahead, I'm all ears."
"First, get me a good ship within three days. I will sail from Qingshui Wharf to Turtle Island this Friday.
"Secondly, you have to use all your connections in Qingshui City to create Little White's identity in secret!
"This is of great importance, understood?"
Tang Meng nodded without any questions, but he was stunned when Ling Yun mentioned the second matter.
"Big Brother Yun… who… Little White?" a bewildered Tang Meng asked. Why did a fox need an identity?
"Yes, Little White!" Ling Yun smirked.
"Big Brother Yun, isn't Little White a fox? Why do we need to create an identity for a fox…?" Tang Meng rubbed his head, still in a state of confusion.
Ling Yun gave Tang Meng a hard knock. "Idiot, of course a fox doesn't need an identity, but Little White will soon become a human!"
"What!"
Little White, a human? Tang Meng couldn't quite wrap his head around it!