Chapter 251
"“Besides the safety issue, there’s another problem that’s quite critical,” Tang Lingwu said, her voice steady. “The fluctuations in electromagnetic force—too frequent.”
“What do you mean?” Zheng Fa asked, his brow furrowing.
“Almost every talisman generates a certain magnetic field,” she explained.
Zheng Fa paused, realization dawning on him—nearly all energy changes produce a magnetic field…
If it were something like the heavenly tribulation thunder or the rain thunder, they could certainly dismiss some minor magnetic fluctuations.
But the spirit wood thunder was different…
The electromagnetic changes associated with it might be quite subtle.
That meant these hundreds of spirit talisman experiments probably couldn’t rule out any of them…
No wonder Tang Lingwu looked so frustrated.
…
As the group slowly exited the laboratory, they all felt a bit lost.
“Why don’t we just record each one?” the old man Bai suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea…” Zheng Fa said, his brow still furrowed, “but… it’s not very safe.”
He wasn’t worried about himself.
He was concerned for Tang Lingwu and the old couple, Bai and his wife.
Of course, he also thought about the retirement home that had taken so long to improve.
“Yes, if the noise is too loud, those down the mountain might catch on to something,” Bai said, frowning. “No one knows what might happen.”
Just as they were grappling with their thoughts, several trucks suddenly pulled up to the entrance of the retirement home.
“Did you buy something again?” Zheng Fa turned to Tang Lingwu.
“No, I didn’t,” she replied.
The old man Bai stroked his chin and suddenly asked Zheng Fa, “Do you know any other wealthy women?”
Tang Lingwu’s eyes narrowed instantly.
Zheng Fa felt a bit guilty—because he actually did know…
But wait, they weren’t in this world!
“Professor Bai!” called out the lead truck driver from outside. Seeing the spacious retirement home, he pulled out his phone to make a call.
“…It seems like it’s a wealthy woman you know,” Zheng Fa said after a moment of silence, glancing at Bai.
Beside them, Teacher Tian gripped her shovel tightly, as if her hands were itching.
“Must be a case of mistaken identity!” Bai quickly hung up the phone.
“I heard him clearly; he seemed to be calling you ‘old man.’ Oh, your phone is ringing again.”
Bai scratched his head, not daring to look at Teacher Tian. He dashed to the entrance of the retirement home, spoke a few words with the driver, and then returned.
When he came back, his face was filled with confusion.
“What’s going on? Who sent this?”
“That person I mentioned before, Tang Mudao,” Bai replied.
“Him?” Zheng Fa was taken aback. “What did he send?”
“He… sent some medical equipment over.”
“Hmm?”
Zheng Fa was stunned.
Bai seemed equally puzzled as he pulled out his phone to call. “Hello? Mudao?”
“Yes, yes, I received it!”
“This can’t be right; you shouldn’t have gone to such expense!”
“You didn’t charge us?”
“Oh, let me ask.”
Bai hung up the phone, his expression strange.
“What’s going on?”
“He said the medical equipment is free, just right for our retirement home.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback and asked, “How did he know we hadn’t bought this?”
To be honest, the retirement home didn’t rely on medical means, and Zheng Fa hadn’t really acquired much equipment.
“He doesn’t know,” Bai shook his head. “He just sent it.”
“…”
Zheng Fa looked over at the trucks.
It seemed that the equipment was being handled by someone specifically assigned to assist with the installation.
“What should we do?”
Zheng Fa thought for a moment and shook his head.
On one hand, the equipment was indeed of little use; it would just be for show.
On the other hand, he wasn’t familiar with Tang Mudao. Regardless of whether the equipment was free, it was undoubtedly valuable.
There was no need for it.
Bai understood Zheng Fa’s meaning and nodded, preparing to call back.
An SUV suddenly roared up to the entrance of the retirement home, and a somewhat plump man stepped out. After chatting with the drivers for a moment, he waved toward the retirement home.
“Alright, no need to discuss it over the phone; he’s here.”
Zheng Fa realized that this plump man was Tang Mudao.
He had imagined the image of this Qi Gong enthusiast as someone eccentric, perhaps even dressed like a Taoist priest.
He never expected the man to have a round face, a smile at the corners of his mouth, and an overall—somewhat slick demeanor.
Upon entering, the man first nodded at Bai, then greeted Teacher Tian.
Turning around, he earnestly shook hands with Zheng Fa, and of course, didn’t overlook Tang Lingwu.
His smile was warm and welcoming, yet devoid of any offense.
Zheng Fa felt even more certain—this man was neither a scholar nor a Taoist; he resembled a shrewd businessman.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 236: Muda
Zheng Fa had to admit that he was somewhat judgmental based on appearances.
From the first moment he saw Tang Mudao, he didn’t feel much—this had nothing to do with looks, as Bai’s appearance was far from handsome.
Zheng Fa simply preferred to be around simpler people.
As for Tang Mudao…
This man always wore a smile, and when he locked eyes with Zheng Fa, he struck the perfect balance—neither dismissing Zheng Fa’s youth nor displaying curiosity by looking around.
This wasn’t a bad thing; it just didn’t fit the image of a scholar that Zheng Fa had in mind.
“Muda, what’s the deal with these trucks of equipment?” Zheng Fa asked.
“Old Bai, you know I’m the president of a Taoist association abroad,” Tang Mudao explained. “I have some collaborations with companies that deal with this kind of equipment…”
He gestured toward the retirement home outside.
“Indeed, they didn’t charge us.”
“Why not?”
Tang Mudao shrugged. “Our association has some influence abroad, especially regarding traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. They mainly want to advertise and promote… to put it bluntly, giving it for free is just a way to make more money.”
“Then why send it to our retirement home?”
“I’m just…” Tang Mudao smiled sheepishly, “asking for a favor.”
Bai and Zheng Fa exchanged glances.
Tang Mudao looked at the two of them, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
“What’s the favor?” Bai asked.
“Old brother…” Tang Mudao’s words seemed directed at Bai, but his gaze was on Zheng Fa. “You know, I’ve been in that barbaric land abroad for a long time, and I might be a bit presumptuous.”
“…”
“You… must have received some true teachings, right?”
“…”
Bai fell silent.
Then Tang Mudao continued, “I won’t hide it from you, old brother. After we parted last time, I visited Jingcheng University.”
“Jingcheng University?”
“I went to visit your former colleagues… and I even saw your old photos.”
“You…”
Bai pointed at Tang Mudao.
“Old brother, I know I shouldn’t have, and I truly apologize!” Tang Mudao quickly said, “But you know, I just had this thought…”
Bai snorted, shaking his head, but he didn’t know what else to say.
This matter clearly had a hint of prying into privacy.
However, Bai had some status in the circle, and many of his old photos were online—after all, it was hard to define them as private.
“Old brother, with your muscles, you can say they’re from training,” Tang Mudao pointed at Bai’s face. “But this face looks twenty years younger…”
“…”
Such things were indeed hard to hide from the observant.
Clearly, Tang Mudao was one of those.
“So you want…”
Thud!
Zheng Fa didn’t expect Tang Mudao to kneel right in front of him.
This man prostrated himself, saying, “Since my youth, I have been devoted to seeking the Dao, hoping for the immortal’s grace!”
Zheng Fa hurriedly helped him up.
“Uh… Professor Tang, how can you be so sure that we have any immortal here…”
“I… have inquired,” Tang Mudao said, looking a bit embarrassed.
“What did you find out?”
“In the past six months, the Hongshan Niangniang has manifested twice…”
“…”
“But those two manifestations actually started when you all came to Hongshan.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but shake his head.
Still, the point remained—while the retirement home’s various activities hadn’t been publicized, they hadn’t been deliberately concealed either.
If it were someone else, merely based on these two pieces of evidence, they probably couldn’t be certain and might even have other speculations.
But for someone like Tang Mudao, who was obsessed with seeking deities and worshipping Buddha…
He really did guess right.
Seeing him and Bai in silence, the atmosphere thickened."
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