After leaving the hospital, Ning Tao rode on the G.o.d's Will electric motorbike with Jiang Hao back to the rental courtyard house.

Yin Molan had already returned. Although he appeared to be unscathed, he seemed to be in a bad mental state, completely exhausted.

Jiang Hao made two cups of tea for Ning Tao and Yin Molan, then sat beside Ning Tao and listened to Yin Molan's recount of his experience.

“I found the Genesis Biotech Company and realized that the people there are not simple at all. Even an ordinary bodyguard is an exceptional martial artist. I was afraid of exposing my ident.i.ty during the day, so I made my infiltration attempt during the night.”

“That night, I climbed the exterior of Genesis Tower up to the fifth floor and entered the building through an open window. It was only a normal lounge. I changed into a security guard uniform I found to pose as one of them, then I started to look for clues in the building…”

“After that, I found an underground lab in the Genesis Tower so I sneaked into it. It turns out that it wasn't an underground lab at all, but an elixir refinement room. The room stored many spiritual materials and tripods of all sized used for refining elixirs…”

“I found a few Ancestor-seeking Elixirs inside the elixir refining room, but their quality was clearly inferior to the ones you make. The prescription is also likely wrong. I thought, since there was such a place to refine Ancestor-seeking Elixirs then there had to be an elixir prescription. I turned the place upside down in search for one, but an old man and a lady appeared before I found any…”

Ning Tao's heart skipped a beat. He interrupted Yin Molan, “Did that old man have white hair, a youthful appearance, and is also blind? And that young lady, was she wearing a navy blue qipao and her weapon was a white jade flute?”

Yin Molan nodded. “Yes, it's those two. That old man is called Sun Pingchuan who has been around since the era of the founding emperor. He even accompanied the emperor on a crusade against the Yuan. Then he resigned from his military post and returned to his hometown. I met him when I started practicing cultivation and we've talked a few times too, so I recognized him right away. That woman is his granddaughter, named Sun Lanxiang, born during the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty. She is also very impressive. She was still in her teens, beautiful and graceful, the last time I met Sun Pingchuan…”

Jiang Hao coughed.

Yin Molan smiled sheepishly. “Heh, I've gone off topic. Let me continue. That Sun Pingchuan and Sun Lanxiang appeared, and I thought they wouldn't do anything to me since we knew each other. But little did I expect that the grandfather and granddaughter instantly made a move on me. Sun Pingchuan's power is superior to mine and he even had an a.s.sistant, as well as magic tools. I wasn't his match, so I was captured by them and they took me to the prison behind the elixir room and locked me there…”

“I asked Sun Pingchuan why he wanted to serve others, who they were and why had they captured me, but he refused to utter a single word. There was a formation around the prison so I couldn't escape. It was only until today that Sun Pingchuan went to the prison and told me that I could leave. I asked about the situation and why he was releasing me; only then did he tell me that you had saved me. But other than that, he had kept completely silent, refusing to say anything to me. After that, Sun Lanxiang blindfolded me and brought me out. They also returned my bike to me so I rode it back here.”

After listening to Yin Molan, Ning Tao fell into a moment of silence before saying, “Hao and I met the two of them today at the hospital. We nearly fought.”

Yin Molan said, “That Sun Pingchuan's magical erhu is very powerful. A single chord played can effortlessly slice through anything as tough as metal. His granddaughter Sun Lanxiang's jade flute not simple at all, either. Its melody can be like a net, entrapping anyone to immobility. One of them captures and the other attacks. Their impact is multiplied when they work together. I'm afraid you wouldn't have lived if they intended to kill.”

Ning Tao's expression was solemn. “Given that such incredible pract.i.tioners have lowered themselves to obey a.s.sa.s.sins, how powerful is the power behind Genesis Biotech Company? I seem to have underestimated them.”

“Are we going to continue investigating?” Yin Molan asked.

Ning Tao said, “No, since the other party released you, they must have raised their guard. It would be even more dangerous if we continue.”

Jiang Hao spoke up, “They clearly knew we were in charge of the ancestor seeking project. Given their power, they would have already intervened if they intended to. But why have they not made any moves?”

Ning Tao forced a smile. “Isn't that simple? The master cultivating powers behind the Genesis Biotech Company must have the same intentions as Nicholas Conway. Since the Ancestor-seeking Elixir prescription is not complete and I'm skillful at elixir refinement, then why not let me continue looking for the elixir prescription and refine elixirs? They would come back for me once I finished piecing together the prescription or made a complete Ancestor-seeking Elixir.”

Jiang Hao's expression suddenly turned solemn. “Then, does it mean that we have strong enemies in both the East and the West?”

Ning Tao said, “I go with the ways of Heaven and uphold justice. All the evil sinners in this world are my enemies. Are you scared?”

Jiang Hao rolled her eyes at Ning Tao. That was her response.

“Hehe, sister-in-law is genuine and understanding. How would she be afraid? Brother Ning, you're overthinking,” Said Yin Molan with a smile.

Ning Tao smiled again awkwardly.

Jiang Hao was very pleased with the “sister-in-law” term. She said, “Regardless of Nicholas Conway or the Eastern cultivation powers behind the Genesis Biotech Company, they all represent a fatal threat to us. If they don't act now, they're simply waiting for the right timing. I think that taking initiative is better than being pa.s.sive. We'll find out the masterminds and attempt to eliminate them!”

Yet Ning Tao did not respond. He thought that Jiang Hao had oversimplified the matter. There would be no turning back for some things once they started. To start a war brashly was definitely not a wise choice.

But just as he was deep in thought, a young and tender voice was heard near the entrance. “Papa, I agree with Mama Jiang. Kill them!”

Three pairs of eyes in the living room were looking towards the door.

Hu Xiaoji walked in through the door. She was dressed like an elementary school student, with a red scarf tied around her neck. Her jet black hair was tied into two braids. With a pretty face and a pair of black eyes, she looked like she was the campus belle of a certain elementary school.

Yin Molan was shocked. “Xiaoji, you…”

Hu Xiaoji had “grown up” during the time he was imprisoned. He remembered that Hu Xiaoji was just a little one who was just learning to walk. She had suddenly turned into an elementary school student; it was no wonder he was that shocked.

Jiang Hao was also shocked because it was Hu Xiaoji's first time calling her “Mama Jiang.”

Ning Tao's feelings were comparable to Jiang Hao and Yin Molan's, but it wasn't because of Hu Xiaoji's growth spurt or her elementary school outfit which came from nowhere, but it was her words. In a brief sentence, not only did she express herself very clearly, she had even called Jiang Hao “mama,” which meant that her emotional intelligence had increased!

Her emotional intelligence had increased but had she recovered her memory?

Under the three people's surprised gazes, Hu Xiaoji crossed the raised entrance threshold. She stood firmly, raising her right arm and politely saluted the three adults, “Hi Papa. Hi Mama Jiang. Hi Grandpa Yin.”

“Um…” Yin Molan had yet to recover from the shock of Hu Xiaoji's sudden growth.

Ning Tao smiled wryly. “I don't know, either. Just take it that… children grow up really quickly.”

Hu Xiaoji seemed to have been reminded of something; he winked at Ning Tao and then patted his own head.

Ning Tao caught his hint and responded calmly, “Yeap, no rush.”

Hu Xiaoji walked over and sat on Ning Tao's lap. She reached out her arms and wrapped them around Ning Tao's neck. “Papa, tell me who wants to harm you, I'll go kill him!”

Ning Tao made a stern face. “You're just a kid. Why are you talking about killing people? Don't talk about killing people ever again, you got that?”

Hu Xiaoji pouted then leaped off from Ning Tao and sat on Jiang Hao's lap. She huffed and said, “You don't love me. Mama Jiang is the best. She never scolds me.”

Jiang Hao carried Hu Xiaoji and appeared to be somewhat uneasy but did not push Hu Xiaoji away.

Ning Tao didn't chide her, yet she asked, “Xiaoji, where is Howling Celestial Dog?”

At that moment, Howling Celestial Dog's voice was heard outside, “That's all for today's Doggo Speaks English. Please like and subscribe.”

Ning Tao: “…”

Howling Celestial Dog walked in with a cell phone in its mouth and wagged its tail at Ning Tao. “Hi Dad. Hi Mother. Hi Uncle Yin.”

Ning Tao reached out his hand. “Hi my foot. Give me the phone.”

“Dad…” Howling Celestial Dog's expression was as miserable as if mourning for its kin.

Ning Tao said, “Give it to me. You'll definitely create trouble at this rate. I'll return it to you once you've calmed down.”

If it were only a few videos of a dog doing a livestream, the audience might think it could be the owner's doing but specially edited. But as time went, there would definitely be people who would suspect that the dog had become sentient.

Howling Celestial Dog could only give up the phone in tears.

Ning Tao said, “Celestial Howling, you should move around during this time and observe the people in the vicinity. If you see anyone suspicious, remember their appearance and smell and then tell me.”

A idea came to Howling Celestial Dog and it said, “I won't be able to describe accurately, but the phone's camera function would be able to solve this issue. Dad… I won't play with Tiktok anymore, all right? Give me back my phone, I swear I won't play with it anymore.”

Ning Tao sighed and returned the phone to Howling Celestial Dog.

“Oh yeah!” Howling Celestial Dog shouted excitedly. Both of its front paws grabbed the phone and then repeatedly bowed to Ning Tao. “Thanks Dad! Thanks Dad!”

Ning Tao couldn't be bothered with it and said to Yin Molan. “Senior Yin, you may return to your room to have a shower and rest. Let's celebrate your return tonight.”

Yin Molan said, “We're family, you don't have to be so cordial. It would be enough to simply have a few dishes and some drinks together.”

Jiang Hao said, “Alright then, I'll go see what food we have in the kitchen.” He then said to Hu Xiaoji, “Xiaoji, how about you help Mama Jiang clean the vegetables?”

“Okie. I want ice cream, Mama Jiang can you make some for me?” Hu Xiaoji stared intently at Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao carried Hu Xiaoji to the kitchen. “We can't make ice cream at home, we can only buy it at the supermarket.”

“Then, let's go!” Hu Xiaoji appeared to be very excited.

Jiang Hao glanced at Ning Tao, appearing to look helpless.

Ning Tao shook his head with a wry smile. The family consisted of a canine Tiktok user and a reincarnation of a fox spirit. There would be no way for anything to be normal.

Ning Tao accompanied Yin Molan out and urged, “Senior Yin, do be cautious for now. Let's see how those two parties are going to act first.”

Yin Molan nodded.

Ning Tao looked up into the sky. It was windless and cloudless, yet it felt like there was an impending storm.