Chapter 189: Ice Toad Paste

The two went to the deli as usual, bought some cooked food, stopped by a liquor shop to pick up two jars of yellow wine, and then returned to Yang Zhen's residence.

In truth, given Duan Rong's current financial standing, he could easily have treated Yang Zhen to a much better meal, but he felt that no matter how fine the food was, it could not compare to the way they were eating now.

It was just like eating roadside barbecue with classmates back in your student days; even if you struck it rich later and ate at five-star hotels or Michelin-starred restaurants, you would never be able to taste that original flavor again.

The two set the food on the small table, unsealed a jar of yellow wine, and began to eat and drink.

They chatted about trivial matters while they drank.

Duan Rong pinched a piece of pig ear and chewed it in his mouth. Watching Yang Zhen's weary expression, he asked casually, "What have you been busy with at the Ya Men lately? You're exhausted."

Yang Zhen poured a large gulp of yellow wine down his throat, let out a long sigh, and said, "Sigh... it's just all sorts of cases... trivial matters involving prisoners..."

Duan Rong's gaze flickered. Afterward, he used the conversation as a springboard to probe repeatedly, but Yang Zhen did not let slip a single word regarding the cases.

Duan Rong immediately understood; Xie Daohan must have instructed him not to speak to anyone about the cases.

Duan Rong sighed inwardly: Once you follow a Head Constable, your awareness really does change.

Since he couldn't get anything out of him, Duan Rong simply stopped asking and settled into reminiscing with Yang Zhen, choosing only to chat about amusing stories from their youth.

The two used the old days as a chaser for their wine, and before long, the two jars of yellow wine were drained...

The table was a mess of cups and plates, and Yang Zhen had already passed out drunk at the table.

Duan Rong was also slightly tipsy. He unsteadily hoisted Yang Zhen up, and the two of them lay down together on the bed in the Inner Room.

Waking up the next day, after eating breakfast, Yang Zhen went to the Ya Men, and Duan Rong returned to the Escort Agency.

Although Yang Zhen hadn't actually revealed anything, Duan Rong still managed to discern some clues.

He could almost conclude that there had been no progress in the case.

Because whenever he asked, Yang Zhen would just keep his mouth shut with a weary expression. He knew his childhood friend very well; if there had been any real progress in the case, even if he didn't say it, a flash of excitement would have crossed his eyes.

However, Duan Rong did not see that; he only saw decadence and exhaustion in Yang Zhen's eyes. This meant that despite the busyness of these past few months, the case had actually made no progress at all.

Having roughly grasped the situation of the case, Duan Rong was even more certain that neither Xie Daohan nor Fan Yuanhai could possibly lock their sights on him, as he had only been an Apprentice Escort at the time of the incident.

Once his heart was at ease, Duan Rong began to practice Standing Stake frantically within the Escort Agency; after all, the news of Tao Rong from the Weapon Shop breaking through to the Great Success Realm at the teahouse had given him quite a stimulus.

After Duan Rong practiced Standing Stake frantically in the Escort Agency for several days, he decided to go to Ximen Mansion to see Ximen Kankan early this morning after breakfast.

Last time, at Huaying Pavilion with Lan Ying, Ximen Kankan had already told Duan Rong that that old fellow Qin Zhong would be back in a few days, and by his reckoning, the time should be about right.

The medicinal ingredient for the third level of the Womb Treasury Sutra was Ice Toad Paste. He had long since entrusted Ximen Kankan to tell Lao Qin to get it for him.

After achieving the second level of the Womb Treasury Sutra, the Soul Technique that was unlocked—Divine Sense Projection—was so marvelous and mysterious that it had once left Duan Rong in awe.

Therefore, Duan Rong was quite expectant about the Soul Technique after achieving the third level of the Womb Treasury Sutra; this anticipation was even greater than his anticipation for the increase in his Mental Power.

Ximen Kankan had also been quite busy these past few days. Yuan Shouzhi had gone to the Prefecture City, and Ximen Yong had been injured, so Ximen Kankan had taken over the daily affairs of Ximen Mansion.

Treating the injured Guards, distributing funeral and pension expenses to the families of the deceased Guards, and comforting their relatives—he had never gone through such things before, and it suddenly left him overwhelmed.

Yet Ximen Yong acted like a hands-off Manager, leaving everything entirely to him to handle.

Regarding the news that Huang Gaozu, a top expert stationed at Huaying Pavilion, had participated in this matter, Ximen Yong had written a special letter to inform Hu Huanhuan. He had not wanted to pursue this matter deeply to begin with; after all, his Ximen Family also held shares in Huaying Pavilion.

However, Hu Huanhuan still provided a substantial sum for funeral and pension expenses for the Guards who had died for the Ximen Family.

Ximen Kankan distributed all of this money to the families of the deceased Guards and explained the source. The families of these deceased Guards effectively received two sums of money, and they were naturally filled with gratitude.

When Ximen Yong heard this, he highly praised him for handling the matter well.

"There is no wall that doesn't let the wind through. If our Ximen Family had intercepted this money, the families of those deceased Guards would have found out sooner or later. One must never lose the hearts of the people for the sake of a little money."

Ximen Kankan had been busy for several days in a row and finally finished handling everything.

This day, Ximen Kankan was at the table in Xueyan Residence, looking at the accounts for the Raw Medicine Shop from last month that Ximen Yong had sent over, when Shi Kang led Duan Rong in.

Duan Rong flipped through the account book in front of Ximen Kankan and said, "Oh... the prodigal has returned; not looking at Spring Palace Paintings, but at account books..."

Ximen Kankan pulled a long face and pouted, "Don't mention it. I don't understand what my father is thinking either. He's even started handing the reconciliation of accounts over to me?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong's heart stirred. It seemed the disaster at Heihu Gang had indeed left an impression on Ximen Yong's heart. He was likely pondering whether, if he had truly died at Heihu Gang, Ximen Kankan would be able to take over the Ximen Family's business in a rush.

Although his mind was racing, Duan Rong remained calm on the surface and smiled, "Isn't that great! It means your Ximen Family's business has a successor!"

As he spoke, Duan Rong sat down brazenly on a grand armchair not far away.

After Shi Kang led Duan Rong in, he quietly retreated and walked quickly toward the main courtyard. A few days ago, Ximen Yong had specifically instructed him that if Escort Duan came to the mansion again, he was to be notified immediately.

Duan Rong said, "Last time you said at Huaying Pavilion that Lao Qin would be back soon. Did you get the Ice Toad Paste?"

"Oh, right." Ximen Kankan slapped his forehead and said, "Do you know what this Ice Toad Paste is?"

Duan Rong shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Ximen Kankan wore a knowing expression and said, "I knew you wouldn't know. This thing is only available in early spring."

Duan Rong was confused, and Ximen Kankan explained, "It is the white sweat secreted from the brow of a type of ice toad in the Far North during its hibernation. This stuff is quite in demand; it's bought up as soon as it hits the market in early spring. It's already summer now, so there's none left on the market. To get that Ice Toad Paste, we can only wait until next spring."

Duan Rong sighed, feeling somewhat depressed. This thing was actually the white sweat secreted from the brow of a type of ice toad in the Far North during its hibernation.

It seemed that the further one went in the cultivation of the Womb Treasury Sutra, the more rare and difficult to obtain the medicinal ingredients would likely become.

As the two were chatting, Ximen Yong's personal maid, Meiqin, suddenly walked in slowly, carrying a tray.

On the tray was a layer of ice, and on the ice were slices of emerald-green melon fruit that looked like jade.

Meiqin carried the tray straight to Duan Rong, curtsied slightly, and said in a soft, beautiful voice, "This is an Ice-Vein Melon from the Western Regions. The Master cut one himself and chilled it with ice. Please have some, Escort Duan, to dispel the summer heat."

Duan Rong was slightly stunned. "Cut one himself?"

Ximen Kankan turned his head, looked at Meiqin, and asked, "What Ice-Vein Melon? I've been overwhelmed with work these past few days, why haven't I seen anyone bring me one to dispel the summer heat?"

Meiqin was just about to reply when a voice suddenly sounded at the door.

"You're in the mansion every day, what haven't you eaten? This is what I cut for Escort Duan!"

Ximen Yong was already standing at the door. He was wearing a loose scholar's robe, his eyes fixed intently on Duan Rong, as if he were examining some peerless treasure.

(End of chapter)