Chapter 2748 — Kang Jingming Returns

"So that's why you approached me and tried to win me over, isn't it?" Xiaotaohong was no fool. After hearing Kang Jingming's words, she asked warily, "You don't really like me. You're doing all this because you want to wring information about the young sect master out of me, right?"

"Xiaotaohong, you're overthinking it!" Kang Jingming waved his hand. "I'll admit that when I called you pretty before, I was laying it on a bit thick. But you're exactly the type I like, and most importantly, we're a match in status! You're the young sect master's maidservant, and I'm an elder. In the whole Xuan Dan Sect, you're the only one of suitable age who could be my wife. Even if some of the serving girls and menials are better looking than you, could I marry one of them? How demeaning would that be? I'm an elder! Besides, my tastes are a little particular. When I was young, I saw too many beauties, and I'd grown a bit numb to them. Then I laid eyes on you, Xiaotaohong, and suddenly everything lit up. It was as if fate had marked you as my one true love!"

"Brother Zhaoming, is everything you're saying true?" Xiaotaohong's eyes were brimming with stars.

"Of course it is!" Kang Jingming had spun a pile of utter nonsense, yet he had successfully captured Xiaotaohong. It was precisely this blend of truth and lies that made his words so devastating. He was not even worried that Xiaotaohong would go home and overthink things, because he had come right out and admitted his purpose.

"Brother Zhaoming, go carry out your mission without worry. I'll put in a good word for you here at the Xuan Dan Sect. As for what the young sect master likes, I'll tell you when you get back," Xiaotaohong said.

"Good. Xiaotaohong, by helping me you're helping yourself too. If the young sect master has a good impression of me, then I can go ask for your hand. Otherwise, he'd never agree to betroth you to me!" Kang Jingming said.

"Mm..." Xiaotaohong's cheeks bloomed like peach blossoms, a rosy flush spreading across them.

"Phew..." Watching Xiaotaohong's receding figure, Kang Jingming let out a long breath, his eyes full of excitement. Success—the first step had actually succeeded. It had gone so smoothly. He was simply a master at wooing women!

When Kang Jinglong learned that Kang Jingming had set out, he was overjoyed. He had finally waited for a time when Wang Xinyan was not asleep and was awake for lunch, and he came over to where Wei Zhao and Wang Xinyan were sitting and took a seat in front of them.

"Xinyan, don't worry. I've already sent for my younger brother, the Eighth Elder of the Xuan Dan Sect. Once he arrives, I'm sure your health problems will be resolved. He's a Heaven-rank expert and a third-grade alchemist—far better than certain half-baked Earth-rank types who aren't even alchemists." Here Kang Jinglong shot a provocative glance at Wei Zhao. He had held it in for far too long, and at last he had an outlet.

To Kang Jinglong's words, Wei Zhao was noncommittal: "We'll talk about it once it's actually solved."

"Hey, if your medical skills are no good, then don't spout so much useless talk." This time Kang Jinglong had pinned all his hopes on Kang Jingming—or more precisely, on the Xuan Dan Sect! When the time came, Kang Jingming would use Wang Xinyan's illness to negotiate terms with the Xuan Dan Sect, as a bargaining chip to obtain Wei Zhao's pill

formulas. That way, with the Xuan Dan Sect backing him, Wang Xinyan's illness ought to be cured—and this was precisely why Kang Jinglong dared to boast so boldly.

Otherwise, even though Kang Jingming was a Heaven-rank expert and a third-grade alchemist, he was no master physician; how could he possibly treat Wang Xinyan?

"Oh..." Before Kang Jingming arrived, Wei Zhao did not want to argue. For Wang Xinyan's sake, he endured it for the time being. But if Kang Jingming failed to cure Wang Xinyan's illness, then there would be no need for courtesy.

Seeing that neither Wang Xinyan nor Wei Zhao showed any reaction, Kang Jinglong suddenly felt as though he were playing the lute to a cow. He grew dejected and slunk away...

In Teacher Bai's office at Donghai City Engineering University sat Wei Zhao, Wang Xinyan, Kang Jinglong, and Kang Jingming, who had just arrived in Donghai City.

Wei Zhao felt considerable antipathy toward Kang Jingming, but because Kang Jingming had brought Wang Xinyan so many precious medicinal ingredients, Wei Zhao tolerated him for the time being.

In truth, Wei Zhao's own view was that these ingredients could easily have been procured through Wang Xinyan's father, Wang Xuben. If he could get his hands on something as advanced as the Tianyuan Barrier-Breaking Fruit, then the few herbs that Chief Bai had prescribed should be no problem either.

But Wang Xinyan had not wanted to tell her parents about her health problems, so for the moment Wei Zhao had no other way and could only extort them from Kang Jinglong. Fortunately, Wei Zhao did not feel he owed Kang Jingming anything for it—if anything, it was Kang Jingming who truly owed him.

"Haha, isn't this Wei Zhao? Long time no see! I hear you've already become a late-stage Earth-rank expert? Not bad, not bad—you'll catch up to me soon enough. I'm only a mid-stage Heaven-rank expert, after all!" Kang Jingming said with a laugh.

"Oh, so you've been leveling up pretty fast. How many Qi-Gathering Pills did you take?" Wei Zhao asked.

"Only three." Kang Jingming spoke casually. "The Xuan Dan Sect values me quite highly. These days I'm working exclusively for the young sect master, Tian Canbian. You could say I'm one of his trusted retainers!"

Wei Zhao frowned slightly. Kang Jingming valued by the young sect master of the Xuan Dan Sect? Could it really be only because he could refine the Marrow-Washing Bone-Cleansing Pill? That made no sense. By all rights, once a piece of trash had been put to use, it should have been tossed aside. How could he still be held in such regard?

"Cut the nonsense. Since you're so impressive, take a look at Wang Xinyan's condition. Your brother says you can definitely cure her!" Wei Zhao wasted no more words on Kang Jingming and spoke directly.

"Hold on!" Kang Jingming raised a hand. "My house calls are not made casually. There are conditions!"

"What conditions?" Wei Zhao asked, forcing himself to be patient.

"The conditions are simple. I can certainly make a house call to diagnose and treat Wang Xinyan, but as a condition of the exchange, you must give something in return!" Kang Jingming turned to look at Wei Zhao.

"What a joke. Wang Xinyan is your Kang family's fiancée. You're treating her and yet you demand a bargaining chip from me? Is something wrong with your head?" Wei Zhao looked at Kang Jingming as though at a brain-dead fool. "Or are you saying that you're the one in charge now, and Wang Xinyan has nothing to do with your Kang family anymore?"

"That..." Kang Jingming was startled into remembering—yes, although Wei Zhao and Wang Xinyan had an ambiguous relationship, when it came down to it, Wang Xinyan was his elder brother's fiancée. Demanding a bargaining chip from Wei Zhao was neither justified nor proper!