Li Muzhan stepped forward three paces, arriving before the coffin, examining Wang Yuanxin within. There was no breath, no heartbeat, yet he appeared merely asleep.

Li Muzhan coughed lightly. Wang Yuanchu flinched at the sound, his eyes clearing instantly, looking toward him with confusion.

Li Muzhan asked slowly, "Eldest Young Master, did the Fifth Young Master die from poison?"

Wang Yuanchu nodded. "Yes. The Gongsun family's skill with poison is unmatched in the world. Gongsun Qingyun was too despicable—using poison against someone with his martial arts!... My fifth brother was struck by Shenji San; even an immortal couldn't save him."

"Shenji San..." Li Muzhan pondered, turning the name over in his mind. He didn't recall hearing of this specific poison, but clearly, it was something exceptionally peculiar.

Wang Yuanchu quickly asked, "Brother Li, what's wrong? Is there something strange?"

His eyes gleamed, his expression subtly agitated, as if sensing something, and he stared intently at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan paused in thought for a moment. "Can you help move the Fifth Young Master out?"

Wang Yuanchu burst out, "Fifth Brother isn't dead?!"

His eyes shone brightly, light erupting, his voice involuntarily rising, startling Wang Shuangfeng outside.

Wang Shuangfeng had been waiting outside the main hall, having not entered with Li Muzhan. Hearing Wang Yuanchu's voice, she floated in swiftly. "Father, what is it? Uncle Wu he...?"

Li Muzhan turned, glanced at her, and said gently, "Feng'er, guard the outside. Do not allow anyone to enter."

"This... Yes!" Wang Shuangfeng hesitated for a moment, met Li Muzhan's gaze, agreed, and turned to leave.

"Brother Li, is Fifth Brother truly not dead?" Wang Yuanchu pressed eagerly.

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. "My intuition tells me so.... This is a Zhaohua Pill. I only have one. Help him swallow it, and I will try to help disperse the medicinal power."

As he spoke, he took out a small jade vial from his robes, the size of a thumb, exquisitely delicate and shimmering with light—it was immediately clear that the jade was no ordinary material.

Wang Yuanchu took the vial, nodding repeatedly. "Good, good! If there is even a thread of hope, we must save him!"

He had harbored such hope himself, always feeling his fifth brother wasn't dead, merely sleeping deeply. But there was no breath, no heartbeat, and his body wasn't stiff—unfortunately, all this was due to the Shenji San.

He knew the Zhaohua Pill; it was a unique, secret medicine of Canghai Mountain, capable of reviving the dead and mending bone—truly a supreme elixir. The prescription was rumored to be lost, with only five left in the world.

He uncorked the vial, glanced back at Li Muzhan, and said solemnly, "Brother Li, I, Wang Yuanchu, will remember this kindness!"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Eldest Young Master, this is merely an attempt. Help the Fifth Young Master up; I must perform the technique."

"...Very well!" Wang Yuanchu slowly nodded.

Death is a solemn matter; one must not disturb the deceased casually—this was a rule centuries old. But now, his blood boiled, and he paid no mind to formalities. Following Li Muzhan's instructions, he jumped into the coffin and gently lifted Wang Yuanxin out, placing him softly on the carpet.

Then, he poured a strange pill from the jade vial—half white, half black, resembling a Taiji diagram, encased in beeswax, emitting a faint glow.

When he cracked the beeswax, a delicate fragrance instantly wafted out, dense and unwavering, overpowering the heavy scent of sandalwood.

Wang Yuanchu felt instantly revitalized. Every part of his body felt active, as if he had just woken from a good sleep—refreshed and brimming with energy.

"Truly worthy of the Zhaohua Pill!" he exclaimed, pressing the pill into Wang Yuanxin's mouth.

Wang Yuanxin’s mouth was clamped shut, his jaws tightly locked. He couldn't push the pill in. He pried at the jaws with effort, but they remained sealed. He quickly tried stimulating his Jiao Chi acupoint, but still, there was no movement.

Li Muzhan approached and murmured, "Let me."

He curved his five fingers into the shape of a crane's beak and pecked several times at the side of Wang Yuanxin's neck. Wang Yuanxin’s mouth instantly opened, and Wang Yuanchu quickly shoved the Zhaohua Pill in.

Li Muzhan, with his crane-beak fingers, tapped a few more times, and Wang Yuanxin’s mouth closed. Following this, Li Muzhan formed a hand seal before his chest, closing his eyes. After a moment, he replicated the crane-beak gesture with his fingers and tapped several times more.

Li Muzhan's outer garments billowed slightly, and his face grew paler and paler. After these final taps, his face and arms turned as white and lustrous as jade, as if he were carved from a single piece of white jade.

After these exertions, Li Muzhan let out a long breath and sat down cross-legged on the floor, motionless, meditating to regulate his breathing, his whole body radiating weakness.

"...Kong He Tian You Shu (Crane Control Oil-Adding Technique)?" Wang Yuanchu whispered softly.

As the direct descendant of a noble house, his knowledge was broad, and he recognized the esoteric technique Li Muzhan had performed.

Li Muzhan opened his eyes and shook his head. "No, not that one.... I ask that whatever happened today remains confidential, Eldest Young Master."

"Understood!" Wang Yuanchu nodded quickly.

He turned to look at Wang Yuanxin, placing one hand on his heart and the other on his neck, remaining utterly still. After a moment, he suddenly gasped, "There's movement!"

Li Muzhan kept his eyes closed and said softly, "The Fifth Young Master’s life has been salvaged... but it’s best to consult with Senior Wang first; don't rush to announce it."

"Right, right." Wang Yuanchu nodded eagerly, staring fixedly at Wang Yuanxin's face.

Li Muzhan said nothing more, focusing on circulating his internal energy to recover. Wisps of white vapor steamed from his head, escaping his hat and drifting upward.

After about fifteen minutes, Li Muzhan opened his eyes, meeting Wang Yuanchu's look of profound gratitude.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Eldest Young Master, how is he?"

Wang Yuanchu exclaimed excitedly, "Fifth Brother has truly come back to life!... There is breath, there is a heartbeat! When will he wake up?"

"It will require about half a day," Li Muzhan replied.

He slowly stood up. "That is all I could do. The rest depends on the Fifth Young Master's own fate. Eldest Young Master, I must take my leave now."

Wang Yuanchu asked, "Brother Li, where are you going?"

"Saint Snow Peak," Li Muzhan stated.

Wang Yuanchu countered, "There are still over two months; why the rush?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Starting earlier allows for a more composed journey, avoiding any delays.... Eldest Young Master, you should take time to clean up properly."

Wang Yuanchu chuckled. "Ha ha, you only have the leisure for washing now... Brother Li, you are truly our benefactor. Your journey to Saint Snow Peak will surely be a triumphant success!"

"Let us hope so. Eldest Young Master, farewell!" Li Muzhan smiled, cupped his fists, and departed.

Li Muzhan and Wang Shuangfeng left the Wang Residence and walked directly westward. They spoke not a word for over ten li until Wang Shuangfeng finally couldn't contain herself.

She asked, "Martial Uncle, how did you save Fifth Uncle?"

She was utterly astonished. Fifth Uncle had been dead for a full day, yet Martial Uncle had managed to revive him. She had previously believed that the concept of bringing the dead back to life was merely an exaggeration. But here, resurrection had materialized, leaving her both excited and amazed.

At this time, the sun was setting, twilight spreading across the land. Birds tiredly sought their nests, and the wilderness was vast and quiet.

Li Muzhan quickened his pace, faster and faster, like a swift breeze skimming the ground, his voice clearly reaching Wang Shuangfeng's ears: "Let's move quickly. We'll spend the night in the small town ahead."

Wang Shuangfeng hurried to match him, her feet barely touching the ground, moving as if riding the wind. Displaying exceptional Qinggong, she stayed closely behind Li Muzhan without falling behind.

Li Muzhan nodded secretly; her lightness skill was indeed impressive.

"Martial Uncle, what exactly happened?" Wang Shuangfeng asked again.

She was usually a woman of few words, but this time her curiosity was overwhelming; she had to understand clearly.

Li Muzhan replied calmly, "It's nothing major. The Fifth Young Master living is simply because his destiny was not yet complete.... Although the Shenji San poison is potent, it possesses a strange quality that preserves a sliver of vitality in the body.... The Zhaohua Pill inherently possesses the power to bring the near-dead back to life."

"Oh, I see," Wang Shuangfeng acknowledged.

Li Muzhan instructed, "Feng'er, exert your Qinggong to its limit; I want to see how fast you are."

Wang Shuangfeng pursed her lips into a slight smile. "Alright, Martial Uncle, be careful not to be left behind!"

Her figure flickered, transforming into a trail of light smoke, suddenly shooting far ahead with astonishing speed. Li Muzhan quickly activated his internal cultivation methods, lest he genuinely be outpaced by her.

The evening wind roared past, whipping against his face. The slender figure two zhang ahead moved with grace and elegance, yet with incredible velocity.

The two ran, one leading and one following, covering dozens of li in moments, arriving at a small town.

Though not large, the town was quite prosperous. Lanterns were beginning to illuminate the eaves of every house, and the streets were lined with hanging lanterns, pushing back the twilight, creating an atmosphere of distinct liveliness.

They found the best inn, secured a small courtyard residence, and then ventured out into the town to wander, sharing a large bowl of hot noodle soup from a roadside stall.

Afterward, they strolled leisurely, circling the entire town before returning to their courtyard near midnight.

Upon entering, over ten lanterns hung beneath the eaves, illuminating the courtyard brightly.

Li Muzhan and Wang Shuangfeng sat in the pavilion at the center of the courtyard, which was lit by the lanterns until it rivaled daylight.

Each held a box of game pieces, and soon dozens of black and white tokens lay scattered across the board; both played fast chess.

Li Muzhan placed a black piece, then raised his teacup for a light sip. He set the cup down leisurely and smiled, "Feng'er, if we encounter Gongsun Qingyun, what do you think we should do?"

Wang Shuangfeng held a chess piece suspended in the air, frowned in thought, then looked up hesitantly. "...Run—?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "The novice can be taught!"

Wang Shuangfeng smiled faintly, curling her lips. "Martial Uncle, how many years older are you than me?"

"Two years older," Li Muzhan replied, smiling. "If we meet Gongsun Qingyun, we run. Knowing you have good Qinggong puts my mind at ease."

Wang Shuangfeng shook her head. "It's a pity, Gongsun Qingyun's Qinggong is also excellent; I cannot match him."

Li Muzhan asked, "You don't know the She Shen Da Fa (Self-Sacrifice Great Method)?"

Wang Shuangfeng placed a white piece down and chuckled. "...That’s why the Ancestors dared to let me come along. If I use the She Shen Da Fa, escaping won't be an issue."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Right. If Gongsun Qingyun appears, you run south. Once you reach a city or a town, find the largest inn."

Wang Shuangfeng nodded. "Martial Uncle, can you truly not deal with Gongsun Qingyun?"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. "You overestimate me. Gongsun Qingyun possesses profound inner strength; I am far inferior."