Open a Clinic to Cultivate Myself Chapter 351

The flea market closed at 12 midnight. Other than the business he did with the nun Cixin, Ning Tao also accepted three more deals and repaired three magic tools. He earned a heap of spiritual materials as well as 5 million. Among these spiritual materials, three were ingredients required for his Ancestor-seeking Elixir.

After exiting the flea market, Qing Zhui drew close to Ning Tao's ear and asked in a gentle whisper, “Brother Ning, there're so many magic tools. Why did you only close three deals?”

Ning Tao smiled and said, “How can there be so many magic tools in this world to repair? One mended means one less. We're showing off our best expertise, so I can only accept three deals. In the future, they have to outbid one another for my service. I'm the only person in this world who can repair magic tools, so of course I will price myself accordingly. I will not only mark up the price, I won't also do business with anyone I dislike.”

“Oh, I see.” Qing Zhui was smiling radiantly. Ning Tao had explained the business so plainly that she understood him immediately.

Ning Tao could not help but embrace her waist. He praised her. “Your performance today is very good, but you need to improve your skill in ripping off the customers.”

“Yes!” Qing Zhui nodded heavily. She leaned her body into Ning Tao's arms to better allow him to embrace her waist.

She would not allow another man to touch her hand, but Ning Tao could do anything he liked with her.

The flea market was now closed, but the practitioners and demons were still unwilling to leave. All of them were staring straight at Ning Tao. They had wanted Ning Tao to mend their magic tools and had been rejected. There were so many broken magic tools, yet Ning Tao had only chosen three to repair. This was far fewer than what the market demanded.

Under the gazing eyes of all, Ning Tao was too embarrassed to continue embracing Qing Zhui's waist. He released her slim waist and spoke up loudly, “Disperse, everyone. I will be here the next time flea market opens. All of you can go back and prepare yourselves. I need a lot of spiritual materials to repair your magic tools. Tonight, I only did three, because there were not enough spiritual materials. I am running a loss tonight. You can't make me lose money all the time, can you? The next time this market opens, I hope you people will understand my predicament when you ask for my service. Bring along more spiritual materials and cash. Don't let me go on losing money.”

“Doctor Ning, how about leaving behind your telephone number?” one practitioner asked.

Ning Tao shook his head. “That's not necessary. I will be here the next time the market opens. Everyone can find me here.”

“Doctor Ning, where do you live? Please let me know, so that I can visit you personally with my spiritual materials,” one of the demons said.

Ning Tao replied, “That's even more unnecessary. I like peace and quiet. If I let you know where I live, how can I cultivate if you visit me every day? So let it be. Disperse, everyone. See you again the next time.”

But a huge crowd of people was still reluctant to leave.

Qing Zhui drew near to Ning Tao's ear and whispered, “Brother Ning, start a WeChat group. Disclose to them what you need inadvertently, so that they can bring them to you.”

Ning Tao's eyes immediately brightened. He said, “Why don't we do this: let's start a WeChat group. You people can join in after scanning the QR code. We can then discuss what we need in the group.”

“Great. We can chat and know each other better.”

“Let's start now. I will scan the code right away.”

A chorus of assent. The atmosphere was lively.

Ning Tao pulled out his cell phone and started a group. Then, he released its QR code to the crowd of practitioners and demons. They all scanned it and acceptance tones kept beeping.

This practitioners' group was indeed a customers' group. Qing Zhui's idea was wonderful. Through this group, Ning Tao could pass on what he needed to the practitioners and demons, as well as obtain information about the cultivation world.

Tang Zixian also came to Ning Tao and scanned the QR code with her cell phone.

After a beep, Tang Zixian looked at the group name and smiled. “Practitioners' club? You really know how to give a name.”

A faint smile also appeared on Ning Tao's lips. “If you come to me for magic tool repair, I will give you a 50% discount.”

Tang Zixian glanced at Qing Zhui. “Aren't you afraid your girlfriend might misunderstand and be jealous?”

Ning Tao felt somewhat embarrassed and did not know how to respond.

But Qing Zhui replied, “Why don't you sleep with my Brother Ning for one night? See if I will be jealous. Would you dare?”

Tang Zixian was immediately startled. She probably had just wanted to tease Ning Tao and had not expected Qing Zhui's reaction. Qing Zhui was so brash that she beat a hasty retreat, turning away to go.

Qing Zhui gave a cold snort. “Luckily it's me. If it were someone else, she would immediately freeze you into an ice pop.”

She was referring to Jiang Hao. Since Jiang Hao was easily roused to jealousy, she might really do it.

A burly man also took out his cell phone to join the group. But Ning Tao could smell the odor of Tang Huaiyu from his phone. Ning Tao immediately snatched his phone.

The burly man asked in astonishment, “What are you doing? Can't I scan the code and join your group?”

Ning Tao said, “I decide who joins my group. If your mistress wishes to join, get her to join here herself.”

The man glanced back in a certain direction, but Tang Huaiyu was nowhere to be found. In this flea market, Tang Huaiyu was protected by the regulation of non-violence, but since the market was closing, she did not dare remain to provoke Ning Tao and Qing Zhui. In fact, the moment Qing Zhui ruined the Ground-burrowing Rodent Ma Song's looks with her saliva, the woman had hidden herself.

Ning Tao said, “She doesn't even dare to face me, so how can she fight me? Bring her my word. It's acceptable for Heaven to commit evil but not humans. You will not live long if you do evil. If she thinks her life too long, she can look me up. I can help send her to the underworld.”

The man did not dare to answer, and turned to go.

Almost everyone had joined the group and they dispersed in twos and threes. Ning Tao browsed through the group members, and discovered their names to be completely different from a normal person's. Their monikers included: “Bai Shengsheng, the White Hare Spirit,” “Zhang Chengdong, the imperial Qing physician,” “Wolf from the Northwest,” “Lei Zhenzi from Lingxiao Sect,” “Independent Practitioner Wu Taichao,” “Sure-to-be-Immortal Liu Qiangzhong.”

A man attired in Manchu costume came to Ning Tao and said respectfully, “Mr. Ning, Master Shiba asks for your presence.”

“Okay, please lead the way.” Ning Tao responded mildly.

The man in Manchu costume led the way in the front. They went out of the hall and returned to the courtyard behind the building with a centric square. Then, he brought Ning Tao and Qing Zhui to a subsidiary courtyard, and finally into a study.

The study was large and spacious, full of antique charms. Hai Dongfang and Reverend Qingsong were already waiting with Liu Shiba there.

Liu Shiba chuckled. “Congratulations, Mr. Ning. You are the biggest winner in our flea market tonight.”

Ning Tao smiled. “Artisans are just here to make a living. Sorry to have amused you, Old Master Liu.”

Reverend Qingsong said, “Mr. Ning, I have a horsetail whisk I need you to mend. I wonder if you could do me this favor?”

Ning Tao answered, “Of course, but… ”

Reverend Qingsong said, “Tell me what spiritual materials or how much money you need. Just speak up and I will do my best to fulfill them.”

Ning Tao said, “I think the three of you are close friends, so you must all know my intention in coming here. I can indeed repair your horsetail whisk. I don't want any spiritual materials or money. I just need a piece of information.”

Reverend Qingsong shifted his eyes to Liu Shiba.

“Hoho…” Liu Shiba chuckled. “Mr. Ning, you are indeed a wonderful businessman. Two plain elixirs and your craftsmanship have put me in a difficult position.”

Ning Tao said, “Old Mr. Liu, you won't lose out in this deal. All I need is a few words from you. I need to expend spiritual materials and energy to mend the magic tool.”

Liu Shiba came to the front of the desk and pulled out a drawer. Then, he took out a brocade box from it. He opened the box and pulled out an animal hide about the size of a palm. He beckoned Ning Tao. “Mr. Ning, come here and take a look.”

Ning Tao walked over, staring at the animal hide in Liu Shiba's hands. He was instantly flabbergasted.

There was an elixir prescription recorded on the hide. It was written in small seal script from the ancient Qin Dynasty. From the age and color of the hide, as well as the form of the script, one could tell it was a prescription from the Qin Dynasty. But what stunned Ning Tao was neither the age of this hide nor its well-preserved state, but its name—the Immortality Elixir.

“Is, is this the immortality elixir that Qin Shihuang was searching for?” Ning Tao asked curiously.

Liu Shiba nodded. “Thirty years ago, I visited Japan eight times. I managed in the end to locate Xu Fu's grave and found this elixir prescription in it. It had been processed and has been kept in good condition over the years. For three decades, I invited many practitioner friends to refine this elixir, but all of them failed. Tonight, Mr. Ning has dazzled my eyes. If you can refine this Immortality Elixir for me, I will tell you the secret you wish to know.”

Ning Tao smiled. “Old Mr. Liu says I'm a good businessman, but you must be the best businessman in the world. For a useless secret, I would have to repair Reverend Qingsong's magic tool and help you refine an elixir. Even if your secret is studded with gems and gold, it's still a bit too much, isn't it?”

Liu Shiba drew close to Ning Tao's ear. “Isn't the elixir prescription worth the price? Don't be too greedy. I spent my entire life and a few billion finding it. You wouldn't forget the prescription after refining it, would you?”

Ning Tao replied blandly, “It is you, not I, who need such an elixir. You are asking for a custom-made elixir, yet would like to have it without spending a single cent. Do you think such an easy deal exists in this world?”

Faint fury could be detected in Liu Shiba's voice. “Concerning that secret you wish to know… I will need to hide a lifetime if I disclose it to you. What else do you want?”

Ning Tao was silent for a moment. “Very well, I'll just treat it as a gift to a friend. Let me have the elixir prescription. I need to see the spiritual materials and medicinal herbs you have collected. I don't have enough to refine this elixir for free. Don't tell me that you haven't accumulated spiritual materials and herbs after starting this flea market?”

“Hoho, I like you more and more. I know you will raise this issue. I have already made preparations. Come with me.” Liu Shiba slammed the opened drawer shut.

Bam!

A crisp sound.

The wall next to the desk suddenly opened, revealing a secret passageway.

Ning Tao glanced at Qing Zhui calmly.

Qing Zhui nodded tacitly. She had already prepared a large sack. She wouldn't tell Liu Shiba the secret, would she?

Chapter end