Open a Clinic to Cultivate Myself

Enshrouded in darkness, cold winds fluttered wildly along with the snowflakes. The contours of Holy Mountain in the distance could still be discerned, towering into the clouds. This place was prohibited to humans, yet many wanted to subdue it.

Four people and a dog appeared on the slope of a mountain, gazing down at Tingri’s camp at the base.

They were Ning Tao, Jiang Hao, Qing Zhui and Bai Jing. Yin Molan had wanted to come, but he was needed to protect Hu Xiaoji and had to stay at home.

Jiang Hao raised her sniper rifle, using its Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight with night vision to observe the situation at Tingri’s camp.

This sniper rifle was a new technological magic tool from that sniper Qing Zhui killed. Qing Zhui had given it to Jiang Hao since she did not like using rifles, but Jiang Hao did and was very adept at it. In other words, Qing Zhui was giving a heroine a treasured weapon.

Jiang Hao had given this sniper rifle a name— the Sun Chaser. Its length and build was similar to Barrett’s anti-material sniper rifles, but more technological and bigger in size. An expert could tell that it was a magic tool, but ordinary people would think it a prop weapon used for making sci-fi movies.

Unfortunately, the Sun Chaser had only a few special bullets left. Once she used them all, she would run out of ammunition. Ning Tao could have upgraded this sniper rifle and refined some bullets for it, but he obviously could not do that today.

“No one’s outside. It’s too cold here.” Jiang Hao’s observation soon bore fruit. She put away Sun Chaser, resting it on her shoulder.

Ning Tao’s state of looking would not work under such conditions too. The tents and the insides of these temporarily erected structures were all made up of thermal insulation materials. He could not see any innate aura through them, nor could he observe the camp using “lantern effects”.

“Celestial Howling, it’s your move,” Ning Tao said.

“Got it, Dad.” The Howling Celestial Dog raced down the mountain slope. It was so fast that it soon vanished into the night.

Bai Jing said, “I don’t believe Lin Qinghua will be in Tingri’s base camp. The Black Fire Company men reinforcing him are likely to be from Nepal.”

Jiang Hao raised her head and gazed at Everest in the distance. She mused. “We came through the convenient door, so Lin Qinghua cannot be faster than us. Judging from the time we took, Ge Ming is most likely still on the way here. We should formulate a tactical plan and wait for them.”

Of the three women, only Qing Zhui was somewhat naive. The other two, Bai Jing and Jiang Hao, were toughies. Bai Jing had experience and wits from past centuries, and was truly adept at deception, mischief-making and setting traps. Jiang Hao was an elite agent of the Bureau of Special Affairs. In combat, she was much more experienced and capable than most people. After becoming a new demon, her abilities had soared to “Nirvana level”.

Sure enough, before Ning Tao could tell them what he thought, Jiang Hao added, “I’ve an idea. We can make use of the height of Everest. I would like to find an ideal location up there and set up a sniper rifle to shoot our enemies. If possible, I would like to shoot Lin Qinghua dead.”

Bai Jing said, “My sister and I will lay an ambush near northern slope. We can cover you as well as assault them. Didn’t Lin Qinghua say you must come alone? Take the Howling Celestial Dog with you. It’s not human and its hearing could help you.”

Ning Tao immediately felt the pressure on himself to have eased. “You people have thought about everything and I have nothing to add. Just one more point. Your safety is the most important thing. No matter what happens to me over here, leave immediately if you two encounter any dangers. Don’t bother about me. I will open a convenient door and escape.”

Qing Zhui’s eyes were full of worry. “Brother Ning, you must be careful too.”

A faint smile appeared on Ning Tao’s lips and he nodded.

While the four of them were conversing, the Howling Celestial Dog had returned to the slope. “Dad, there are just two persons in that camp. They are in the tent and I could not see them, but I could hear them talk.”

“Only two?” Ning Tao asked. “What were those two people talking about?”

The Howling Celestial Dog shook its canine head. “They were blabbering away. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it was definitely not English.”

Bai Jing said, “You didn’t memorize the alphabet, so you can’t understand them even if they were speaking in English.”

“Woof, woof.” The Howling Celestial Dog barked twice at Bai Jing.

Snowflakes fluttered in the Whisperer. The Howling Celestial Dog’s voice surfaced in Ning Tao’s mind. “Silly white snake, lustful snake.”

Bai Jing looked at Ning Tao. “What did it say?”

Ning Tao answered, “It said, ‘Yes, yes.'”

Bai Jing glared at the Howling Celestial Dog. She did not seem to believe Ning Tao’s translation.

The Howling Celestial Dog cleverly avoided Bai Jing’s eyes.

Ning Tao said, “Okay, let’s proceed according to plan. Hao, go to the top of Everest. Sister Bai and Qing Zhui will lay an ambush on the northern slope. The Howling Celestial Dog and I will visit the camp and then the northern slope.”

Qing Zhui asked in surprise, “Brother Ning, aren’t you coming with us?”

Ning Tao said, “There won’t be any climbers in such weather. Not even tourists. One of the two persons there must be a spy. I must let him see me. I’m going into the camp, into their line of vision. Perhaps I can force those escorting Ge Ming to change their route. Then you two will have a chance to save him.”

Jiang Hao went to Ning Tao and opened her arms.

Ning Tao also opened his, embracing Jiang Hao.

“You must be careful. Qing Zhui and I are awaiting your return,” Jiang Hao drew close to Ning Tao’s ear and said.

Crack, crack, crack…

A series of dense sounds. In the blink of an eye, Ning Tao’s body had turned into an ice sculpture. He did not even have time to bid Jiang Hao goodbye.

Jiang Hao hastily released Ning Tao, turned and left.

“You must be careful.” This was what she had said to Ning Tao, but while she was still uttering these words, she had frozen him into an ice sculpture.

Qing Zhui came over and embraced Ning Tao, whispering into his ear, “Don’t be rash. If anything untoward happens to you, I can’t live too.”

Ning Tao felt touched by their love. He had wanted to shatter the ice casing on his body and speak to Qing Zhui, but he soon found Bai Jing opening her arms at him too. He decided against it.

Bai Jing also gave Ning Tao a hug and smiled radiantly. “After this, you owe me two favors. I will record it on my ledger. Whenever you’re idle, think about how you can repay me.”

After saying this and ignoring Qing Zhui by their side, she drew close to Ning Tao’s frozen cheek and gave it a peck. Then she added, “Don’t think bad thoughts. I’m just saying goodbye with a kiss.”

Ning Tao’s heart was at sixes and sevens. Why hadn’t any man subdued this demon?

The three women went on their way.

Ning Tao shattered the ice encasing his body and smiled wryly. “Celestial Howling, let’s go.”

The Howling Celestial Dog followed closely behind Ning Tao, wagging its tail and saying, “Dad, I can tell that that silly white snake is trying to seduce you.”

Ning Tao said, “Don’t ever say that in front of her, or she’ll beat you. And she’s the sister of your Mama Qing. I can’t whack her, so you will get bashed instead. Another thing: don’t ever speak bad of anyone behind their backs. Be a righteous dog.”

The Howling Celestial Dog raised its neck. “Yes, I will be a righteous dog!”

After going down the slope, Ning Tao glanced back. He could no longer see Jiang Hao, Qing Zhui or Bai Jing.

After entering the camp, and guided by the Howling Celestial Dog, Ning Tao arrived at that tent with the two men.

“Anyone in there?” Ning Tao called out.

“Who’s that?” Someone inside responded.

There were footsteps and then the thick curtain of the tent was lifted, revealing a middle-aged Tibetan standing before Ning Tao. He had a brawny build and a swarthy face, his body swathed in heavy ethnic costume. There was an amiable smile on his face, making him look trustworthy.

But it was just a facade.

In Ning Tao’s eyes, his innate aura was very strong. This man was an exceptional martial artist.

Beside the fire pit in the tent was a young Tibetan, another martial artist with a powerful innate aura. His face quite resembled that of the middle-aged Tibetan. They looked like they were father and son, or uncle and nephew.

After observing them, Ning Tao retracted the state of looking in his eyes and said, “We’ve lost our way. Can we stay here for the night?”

“No problem of course. Come in. My son has cooked a pot of mutton. Come and have some to keep yourself warm.” The middle-aged Tibetan was very hospitable. He lifted the curtain completely to allow Ning Tao in.

Gongga sitting by the fire pit said, “Friend, your dog can come in too. It’s very cold outside.”

Ning Tao smiled and said, “Thank you.”

The Howling Celestial Dog entered the tent after Ning Tao, watching the two Tibetans warily.

After inviting Ning Tao to take a seat, the middle-aged Tibetan introduced himself. “My name is Tashi Dorje. We rented this camp a few days ago. But we met with a snowstorm and there was not even a guest here. Sigh, we’re surely going to lose money.”

Ning Tao merely listened without speaking.

Gongga fished out a lamb chop from the iron crock on the fire pit and handed it to Ning Tao. “Friend, have some meat. By the way, what’s your name? It’s so late. How did you and your dog lose your way?”

Ning Tao accepted the lamb chop but did not eat it. He had detected the odor of several drugs on the lamb chop, but he did not give himself away. He merely said blandly, “I’m sure you two know who I am already. Why ask me again?”

The two Tibetans exchanged glances and the expression in their eyes and on their faces changed instantly.

Ning Tao added, “And your lamb chop is spiked with drugs. So how can I eat it?”

Both Tashi Dorje and Gongga’s hands moved backwards.

Ning Tao pretended not to have seen. “You two are from the Genesis Biotech Company, I believe. I have a question. Who made you spike this lamb chop— Song Beikun or Song Chengpeng?”

Suddenly, there was whining in the mouth of the Howling Celestial Dog.

Snowflakes in the Whisperer fluttered. The voice of the Howling Celestial Dog surfaced in Ning Tao’s mind. “Dad, there’s someone outside.”

Ning Tao gave a slight nod but his eyes did not leave the two Tibetans. “The two of you, is my question too difficult to answer?”

“Young Master Song asked me to say hello to you!” Gongga suddenly drew out a Tibetan saber from his waist. His wrist trembled and he stabbed the saber in the direction of Ning Tao’s heart.

Zing!

There was a bizarre sound from outside the tent.

The cloth curtain of the tent shook suddenly. A vigorous energy sliced through the thick curtain in that instant and hurtled in.