Zhang Yang had no idea that as he left, a distant skyscraper was observing him through a pair of binoculars.

Meanwhile, inside a non-public building behind Huatuo Residence, more than twenty people were seated around a large table. Among them were Zhang Song, who managed the Huatuo Residence pharmacy, and his third grand-uncle.

These twenty-odd individuals were all core descendants of the Zhang clan of Huatuo Residence—the progeny of that original apothecary’s boy from years ago.

The eldest among them was a white-haired elder in his seventies, seated at the head position. He was the eldest son and eldest grandson of the apothecary boy, currently the most senior member of the Zhang lineage in the Huatuo Bureau.

After Zhang Yang departed that day, Zhang Song and his third grand-uncle immediately summoned the entire clan and recounted everything that had transpired.

The news that the lineage of Zhang Zhongjing still had descendants alive shocked everyone.

As a branch of the Medical Sage Zhang family, they were acutely aware of how profoundly significant the inheritances Zhang Yang possessed were—or rather, what tremendous meaning these possessions held for them.

That very day, all direct members of the family commenced discussions.

The Zhang family of Huatuo Residence had many inheritors, but they lacked the unity of the Xie family. Regarding the secret formulas Zhang Yang controlled, the Huatuo Zhang family split into two factions.

One faction insisted on reclaiming these secret formulas. With them, they could completely supplant the Zhang family branch of Zhang Zhongjing and forge their own glory.

They clearly understood the difference between themselves and the Medical Sage Zhang family: it was these secret formulas and the inner strength techniques. The apothecary boy, after all, remained just an apothecary boy and could never have obtained this core inheritance.

This faction was led by Zhang Song’s third grand-uncle, named Zhang Huanqian, who held considerable status within the Huatuo Residence clan.

The other faction was the conciliatory group; they disagreed with using coercive methods to seize these items back.

Their idea was negotiation—to subtly retrieve the secret formulas through dialogue, resorting to other measures only if necessary. However, within a few days, quite a few members of this group changed their minds, defecting to the enforcement faction.

Regardless of faction, everyone agreed that these secret formulas had to be recovered from Zhang Yang; they were too vital to them.

Ultimately, the majority of the clan members approved the compulsory decision: they would leverage a long-nurtured personal favor to request outside help in dealing with Zhang Yang.

They were fully aware that Zhang Yang possessed inner strength, making him untouchable by ordinary people. To counter him, they needed to hire someone even more formidable.

“The Xuanyuan family has been dispatched. As for the exact outcome, all we can do is wait here!”

The white-haired elder seated at the head sighed softly. He hadn't actually approved of the forceful approach, but as the most senior member by lineage, his actual authority was rather limited.

Since everyone else had agreed, he could only acquiesce.

“Elder Brother, rest assured. The Xuanyuan family is the top martial arts lineage in our country. With them stepping in, it’s a sure thing!”

Third Uncle Zhang Huanqian chuckled, his face radiating immense confidence.

The mere mention of the Xuanyuan family instilled considerable faith in the others. As inheritors tracing back to the Medical Sage Zhang’s apothecary boy, they were naturally not unfamiliar with martial arts and understood the formidable nature of experts wielding inner strength.

Years ago, they had saved a key member of the Xuanyuan family by chance, thereby earning a favor.

They had diligently maintained this favor, keenly aware of the Xuanyuan family’s power. If it hadn't been for that crucial member being severely wounded by coincidence, they never would have secured this obligation.

The Xuanyuan family’s medical skills were certainly not inferior to their own.

Now, the time had finally come to cash in that favor. No one in the clan objected to using it now; they all understood the gravity of this situation.

If they succeeded in acquiring the secret formulas and the inner strength cultivation methods of the Zhang Zhongjing lineage, they could leapfrog to become the most important family.

Many of the Zhang Zhongjing lineage's secret formulas possessed crucial complementary applications.

With these resources, they had the hope of becoming a hidden lineage, much like the Xuanyuan family, perhaps even lasting a thousand years and wielding immense influence.

For something this critical, cashing in the favor was deemed necessary, cost be damned.

The white-haired elder sitting at the head nodded silently, offering no further comment. Everyone else remained seated, waiting for news now that the Xuanyuan family had mobilized.

For this purpose, the Huatuo Residence had closed its business for the day—a rare occurrence.

The one observing Zhang Yang through the binoculars on the high-rise building was Xuanyuan Feng, a core member of the Xuanyuan family sent to repay the favor. He also went by the name Long Feng.

The Long family was, in fact, a branch of the Xuanyuan family. The main Xuanyuan household remained secluded in the mountains, their true location unknown to anyone.

The man adjusting the binoculars looked up, revealing a rather handsome face, perhaps twenty-five or twenty-six years old, comparable in age to Wang Chen and Li Ya, and not much older than Zhang Yang and Su Zhantao.

After watching Zhang Yang board the bus, he turned and departed… He left carrying only a small satchel, nothing else.

Moments later, an inconspicuous minivan downstairs started up and began following Zhang Yang’s bus from a distance.

“Wang Chen, maybe now you can finally behave yourself for a while!”

On the bus, several seats had been removed to create a comfortable bed for Wang Chen. His family had originally intended to bring an RV to transport him, but he had refused.

He insisted on leaving with everyone else, leading to this makeshift arrangement.

“You’re happy if I’m well-behaved? Don’t forget who’s been showing you around all these days!”

Wang Chen was swathed in bandages, barely able to move, but luckily he could still talk. He was currently complaining to Li Ya.

He loved to have fun, and he dragged Li Ya out frequently. Recently, he’d been chasing women at the auto show, and Li Ya was no different; he’d even lined up many of those women for Li Ya. Hearing Li Ya say that, he naturally felt aggrieved.

Li Ya immediately retorted, “I was just keeping you company, pitying you for being out on your own!”

“If you pity me, then stop helping me find people!”

Wang Chen blurted out, observing that even in their current states, these two couldn't stop bickering.

“Both of you, quiet down! If you want to play, go ahead and play to your heart’s content; no one will care if you play yourselves to death. But Li Ya, you can’t go. You took our money, so you have to do your job properly!”

Long Cheng snapped, and the two immediately fell silent. Long Cheng commanded considerable respect in their eyes.

Listening to their squabbling made the journey less dull. On the other side, Su Zhantao and Yang Ling were enjoying their own private world, chatting softly and sweetly.

Their words were inaudible to others, yet Zhang Yang heard every syllable with perfect clarity.

Following the system upgrade, all his physical attributes had improved significantly, including his hearing, allowing him to discern many subtle sounds now.

But this was something he didn't wish to hear; he was passively overloaded with it.

Su Zhantao had apparently picked up some nauseatingly saccharine phrases from somewhere, giving Zhang Yang goosebumps.

The bus maintained a steady speed. After several hours on the highway, they neared Changjing. No one noticed the unremarkable minivan tailing them all the way.

This vehicle maintained a skillful distance, neither too close nor too far, and its nondescript appearance made it very difficult to attract attention.

The bus drove directly to Changjing Third Hospital, where Wang Chen’s family had already made arrangements for him to recuperate.

The few of them disembarked there. Since they weren't a large group, they didn't need the bus to ferry them one by one; they could simply call a car back later.

With Zhang Yang making the introductions, Wang Chen’s arrangements proceeded without a hitch.

Despite Zhang Yang rarely visiting the hospital previously, he had become something of a legend at the Third Hospital. The previous interns had left, replaced by a new batch. These new interns spoke about Zhang Yang the most.

Countless people were curious about him, but since Zhang Yang hadn't been around for days, they could only gossip and speculate about when the Third Hospital’s most formidable intern would return.

Consequently, when Zhang Yang appeared at the hospital that day, over a hundred people secretly flocked over just to observe him. Eventually, hospital leadership had to intervene to ensure everyone returned to their posts.

“Zhang Yang, you’re famous here? So many young women rushed over just to sneak a look at you!”

After settling Wang Chen in, Long Cheng teased Zhang Yang. Indeed, quite a few female nurses had intentionally drifted near, just to catch a glimpse of him.

“Exactly! So many pretty girls, can you handle them all by yourself?”

Su Zhantao chimed in sourly. He considered himself quite handsome, yet those new female interns hadn’t spared him a second glance, focusing all their curiosity on Zhang Yang.

“He can’t handle them all. Why don’t you help him out?” As soon as Su Zhantao finished speaking, someone shot back at him.

Su Zhantao instinctively nodded and boomed, “Sure! No problem at all! For a friend, I’d gladly take a knife in the ribs—I am…”

At this point, his voice dropped significantly, and he turned his head away.

He saw Yang Ling glaring furiously at him. That sentence had come from her.

“Fine, you go take a knife in the ribs. I’m leaving now!”

Yang Ling snapped angrily, then promptly said her goodbyes to Zhang Yang and the others before walking right out of the hospital.

Young Master Su frantically chased after her, continually apologizing and swearing that Yang Ling was the only one in his heart, and he had only been teasing Zhang Yang to see his reaction.

The scoundrel had shamelessly used Zhang Yang as a shield.

“Wang Chen, Brother Cheng, I should be heading off too. Someone is waiting for me at home; I’ll be back tomorrow!”

Su Zhantao and the others didn't return after leaving. Zhang Yang smiled at Wang Chen and rose to say goodbye.

He needed to return to cover his shifts; coming back tomorrow was fine.

“I’ll go too; I can give you a ride!”

Long Cheng stood up as well. Wang Chen had his family there, and his hospital arrangements were settled; there was no need for them to stay.

Long Cheng and Zhang Yang left the hospital together. As they exited, quite a few intern doctors and nurses in white coats were still pointing and whispering. Even though Zhang Yang had experienced such attention before, he felt a touch of embarrassment now.