Chapter 353: A Daoist Comes Knocking

As soon as I said that, the enthusiasm on Huang Boyuan's face faded a little. "This will take some careful consideration."

I understood his predicament. Ganding Pharmaceuticals wasn't like Jiangjin Real Estate; real power didn't rest in Huang Boyuan's hands alone.

"All I want is a clear stance. The Jiang family nearly killed me, and once they catch their breath, there's even less chance they'll let me go. If I want to live comfortably, my only choice is to fight Jiang Detao to the bitter end. Join forces with me, and I won't just supply you with extremely rare medicinal formulas—I'll also step in to deal with the hidden sect backing the Jiang family. All you have to do is shield me from pressure from above." Ganding Pharmaceuticals couldn't have grown this large without a backer of its own. What I needed was for them to keep Jiangjin Real Estate in check. My own identity was too sensitive, and I was hiding too many secrets to stand up to an investigation.

"An all-out business war with Jiangjin Real Estate takes a lot of preparation. It can't be decided overnight—I need time," Huang Boyuan said cautiously. "How about this? I'll give you a hundred thousand first as an advance on the Foundation-Solidifying and Origin-Cultivating Pill formula, and we can discuss the specifics of the dividend contract tomorrow."

"A hundred thousand? Leaving aside what this formula is actually worth, Director Huang, you should think carefully. What I have in my hands can take Ganding Pharmaceuticals to the next level—or build up a brand-new company armed with exclusive traditional pill formulas! I showed these to you first because we're partners. If you don't agree, I'll find someone with more nerve to work with." The corners of my mouth curved up, and I let out a soft laugh. "Child Immortal Wine and the Foundation-Solidifying and Origin-Cultivating Pill are just entry-level. I only held back the real treasures because I didn't want to bring out anything too earth-shattering. Besides, think about it another way. Once the Jiang family weathers this crisis, I'm just one man—at worst, I can hide out in another city. It's different for you."

"Alright, I understand what you mean." Huang Boyuan waved a hand with a wry smile. "Gao Jian, being a private investigator is a waste of your talents. You should go be a lobbyist instead."

"I was just analyzing how things stand in Jiangcheng for you." I handed the other pill formula to Huang Boyuan. "This is only the beginning of our partnership. Once you're the top dog in Jiangcheng, I can attend to my own business with peace of mind."

"Handing over two formulas just like that... you've got far more nerve than I did back in my day." Huang Boyuan stared at the formula, shock spreading across his face. "Medicinal ingredients have a price, but formulas are hard to come by. This is far too precious."

"Hold off on marveling just yet. I have a few other requests. First, once the pills are refined, I want ten of each. Second, my current place is no longer safe. I don't mind for myself, but it's different for this child."

Huang Boyuan nodded in agreement. "None of that is a problem. I'll have Secretary Zhang take you over to the Jingying Sanatorium shortly. It's Huang Family property—just pick any place you like and stay there for now."

"That's generous of you, Director Huang. Lastly, I have one small request. This child has congenital autism, and I'd like your help finding a professional psychologist to treat him. He's still young, so there should be a chance of a cure."

"I actually know quite a few experts in that field. Huang Xue is also at the Jingying Sanatorium. The medical facilities there are excellent, so you don't need to worry."

"That's wonderful. I won't take up any more of your time." Giving up two formulas to tie Ganding Pharmaceuticals to myself was, to my mind, well worth the price.

Director Huang dismissed me with a wave, no longer hiding the ambition in his eyes. "Huang Lan, summon the group's other directors at once. I'm calling a shareholders' meeting! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we absolutely cannot let it slip!"

I hadn't even made it out the door when I heard Director Huang's resolute words. I froze for a moment, feeling that something wasn't quite right.

"What are you just standing there in a daze for?" A fragrant breeze brushed past my face as Huang Lan patted my shoulder.

"Nothing, it's just... from what Director Huang said just now, it sounds like you've been preparing for an all-out business war with the Jiangjin Group for a while already?"

Huang Lan pressed her lips together in a smile, looking as if she were struggling to hold back a laugh. Instead of answering me, she crouched down and stroked Wang Yu's little cheek. "You're so good to this kid. Don't tell me he's your illegitimate child?"

She looked like a fox when she smiled, with a slyness that bore a distinct resemblance to her old man, Huang Boyuan.

"No. Someone entrusted him to me—or rather, a ghost did, to be more precise." I gave a wry smile, helplessness in my voice. "I don't know how to raise a kid either, and I'm worried the Adult Shop will be a bad influence on him growing up. That's why I asked Director Huang for a new place. This child has been through enough misery already, and he'll probably only suffer more if he stays with me. If possible, I want to find him a happy family."

Huang Lan's expression turned a little odd, as if she had read another meaning into my words. She gave me a serious once-over, then suddenly broke into a bright smile and poked a finger against my shoulder. "I wouldn't mind being his new mom, though it's a shame you're a bit too young. Still, if you've got other special bonus points, I might consider it."

With that, she clicked away in her high heels, her stunning figure and sharp, capable air drawing stares from the male employees on either side.

"Tch. Even if you wanted to be Wang Yu's new mom, I wouldn't have it. An ordinary, everyday family will do just fine. Living safe and sound is happiness enough."

I took Bai Qi and Wang Yu back to Ting Tang Road. Pressed for time, I contacted Secretary Zhang and Blind Liu right after lunch to get ready for the move.

Honestly, calling it a move was a stretch, since there wasn't much to bring. Huang Boyuan had already arranged everything over at the Jingying Sanatorium. The place was fully furnished and lacked nothing.

I had only called Blind Liu and the others over to discuss our next steps. After we busied ourselves for over an hour, only a single piece of "furniture" sat inside the moving truck—the Lacquered Wooden Coffin.

"A coffin?" Secretary Zhang's face darkened when he saw what I was bringing. Since he couldn't very well refuse me, he ended up paying the movers triple the rate before they agreed to haul it.

Once everyone met up at the Jingying Sanatorium, Blind Liu and I picked out a house bordered by the river on two sides.

"Fine water in front and high ground behind—this is a blessed spot," Blind Liu said. Naturally, I had no objections. Once we moved in, I had him locate the spot inside the house with the heaviest Yin energy and placed the Lacquered Wooden Coffin there. Then I gathered the materials for Yin Gathering Talismans and drew them myself to set up a Yin Gathering Array.

Between practicing the Yin-Yang Ghost Art and housing the slumbering Rakshasa Ghost Infant inside my body, I needed a massive amount of Yin energy.

Serving as the array core, the Lacquered Wooden Coffin would draw in pure Yin energy from all directions and hold it suppressed inside, ready for me to tap into and absorb whenever I needed it.

While Blind Liu was here, I also brought out the full set of talismans for the Two Dragons Emerging from Water Array and laid out the grand array using the two banks along the great river as its foundation. The array was worth as much as an Upper Vehicle Talisman, and in sheer power, it far surpassed the Seven-Star Labyrinth Array that Lu Xing had set up. However, the conditions for deploying it were extremely demanding. For the array to run on its own, it needed a rare treasure capable of balancing both the Yang of the dragon and the Yin of the water.

Although I didn't have a treasure like that, I cultivated both martial arts and the Ghost Dao, so my body held both Yin and Yang energy. Given time, I could simply sit at the array core myself and control everything.

Once everything was settled, I didn't stay there myself. I left Bai Qi behind to keep Wang Yu company, set aside a room for Mr. Gu, and let him know that Wang Yu's mother was a Ghost Mother so he would stay alert.

Since a nutritionist at the sanatorium delivered three meals a day and there was no need to cook or clean, Mr. Gu was more than happy to take it easy.

After checking with Secretary Zhang and learning that the psychologist would arrive tomorrow, I felt at ease about Wang Yu and headed back to Ting Tang Road with Blind Liu.

On the way, I told him about the Crushing Fist and the pill formulas. Blind Liu didn't object, though he turned down my offer to give him a share of the pills. He was old-fashioned when it came to cultivation, convinced that relying on any external aid would compromise his Dao heart.

When we got back to Ting Tang Road, I spotted someone standing outside the Adult Shop from a long way off. Dressed in Daoist robes, he carried a frigid air that warned strangers to keep their distance.

'A Daoist at my front door? Did the Three Yin Sect come knocking?' I thought. Just as I started to walk over, Blind Liu suddenly grabbed my arm. "His realm is higher than mine—I can't gauge his depth. He likely has quite a background, so be careful not to offend him."

I nodded and walked up to the Daoist. "Can I help you with something, Daoist brother? My humble shop carries a full range of items for both men and women. Due to poor management, we're going out of business soon, so everything is twenty percent off."

Both Blind Liu and the Daoist froze for a second at my words. Then the man flicked his sleeve and snorted coldly. "Are you the one who killed Lu Xing?"