Long Cheng was pacing anxiously outside. Seeing Zhang Yang emerge, he immediately rushed over, his face etched with worry.

At that moment, his concern was entirely focused on Long Feng. It was just like his initial worry for Zhang Yang; now, Long Cheng found himself anxious about either of them—he truly didn't know what state of mind he was in.

“How this person is dealt with is up to you; I need to step out for a bit!” Zhang Yang told Long Cheng before leaving the room immediately. Long Feng was hardly deserving of death, and Zhang Yang had no intention of taking his life. How to dispose of him was indeed a headache for Zhang Yang, so handing it over to Long Cheng seemed best. Even if Long Cheng let him go, it wouldn't matter; it would count as utilizing a resource, which might even be helpful to Long Cheng.

After Zhang Yang departed, only a worried Long Cheng remained. Today's events had clearly shocked him, but since the situation was beyond his control, all he could do now was leave it to fate.

Not long after Zhang Yang left, Long Feng awoke.

Long Cheng dared not show Long Feng any disrespect, treating him well. No matter what Long Feng asked, Long Cheng answered truthfully. Formed by years of upbringing, he possessed no inclination to resist the inner disciples of the Long family. With Zhang Yang absent, he had no choice but to follow Long Feng’s lead in everything. Fortunately, Long Feng did not make things difficult for him. After obtaining the answers he sought, he quietly left alone.

Shanghai, Hua Tuo Residence. In the large room at the back of the courtyard, over twenty direct descendants of the Zhang family were still waiting.

Each person had a water cup before them, the tea having been replaced several times. After the Xuanyuan family members departed, they had all remained here, awaiting news. It was already evening, and they had eaten dinner. Even their dinner had been a quick, simple meal eaten collectively right there. Now, no one had the heart to be anywhere else. They all understood the gravity of the current situation for them. Until there was news, none of them could possibly leave.

“It’s been ten hours already. I wonder how it’s going!” Zhang Song, who was in charge of the pharmacy, was the first to speak. Zhang Yang was the one he had first discovered and subsequently reported to his Third Grand-Uncle.

Zhang Ji was a man full of ambition, his temperament mirroring that of his Third Grand-Uncle, Zhang Huanqian. They were usually the closest pair, and Zhang Huanqian had even remarked that Zhang Song was the most suitable person to take charge of the family in the future. Without such connections, Zhang Song would not have been able to preside over the pharmacy. This pharmacy was a crucial location for their Zhang family. While others in the Zhang family worked in the consultation rooms, any medicine prescribed during a visit had to be collected from the pharmacy, and all their prescriptions passed under Zhang Song’s scrutiny.

“Xiao Song, you are usually the steadiest; what’s gotten into you now?” Zhang Huanqian spoke first. More than ten hours had passed; he was anxious too, just hadn't voiced it. Sensing his tone was slightly harsh, Zhang Huanqian added, “As long as the Xuanyuan family members intervened, there won’t be any problems. Even if that kid has internal energy (Neijin), he is too young; he simply cannot be a match for the Xuanyuan family experts. The people sent this time are the elite of the Xuanyuan family’s younger generation!”

“I apologize, Third Grand-Uncle, I was too hasty!” Zhang Song quickly nodded. Zhang Huanqian smiled with satisfaction. “Rest assured, with the Xuanyuan family involved, there will definitely be no issues!”

“Perhaps that kid has already been captured by the Xuanyuan family and is being sent over now!” “I will also participate in the interrogation later. We will squeeze out everything about this kid. Why should what belongs to our Zhang family remain in his hands!” Many others also chimed in with smiles. Such discussions had happened before.

While waiting, the most frequent topic of conversation among these people was how to deal with Zhang Yang. They had even formulated a plan.

First was the handling of the secret formulas. These formulas must be shared among all members of the Zhang family, but they stipulated that these secrets would only be passed to males, never females, and no one was allowed to leak them externally. To prevent this, they temporarily established an Elder Council, mimicking the Xuanyuan Clan. This so-called Elder Council consisted of only three elders—the three most senior members of the Zhang family currently. These three would manage all the secret formulas, meaning only they would know the contents of these secrets. However, these formulas would not be entirely secret. Every family member could know one formula and be responsible for preparing the corresponding medicine; whoever prepared this medicine would then control it. Regardless of who prepared it, the family would offer full support; of course, the distribution rights for the prepared medicine would be handed over to the family, with individuals allowed a maximum of three pills for personal use.

Aside from medicinal ingredients and formulas, the most critical aspect was the cultivation method for internal energy (Neijin). This matter had also been debated within the family and required strict control. Everyone present was certainly eligible to cultivate, as they were core members of the family, all male. In the future, among family members, all girls would be barred from learning internal energy—passed to sons, not taught to disciples. This principle—passed to sons, not taught to apprentices—also applied here. Before even securing the assets, they had already divided them up. It had to be said that these people were truly extraordinary in their greed. However, this also indirectly reflected their absolute confidence in the Xuanyuan family.

“I bet that within an hour at most, that kid will be delivered by the Xuanyuan family!” “I say it won’t even take ten minutes before the person is brought here!” “Haha, after this kid spills out everything we need, I’m going to turn his ten fingers into specimens for a souvenir!” Many people burst into laughter again. They did this almost every few hours, partly to pass the time and partly to mask their inner unease. Regarding how to deal with Zhang Yang, they truly had reached a consensus. In any case, Zhang Yang would not be allowed to leave alive. Once they obtained what they needed, they would cripple Zhang Yang’s limbs and keep him under soft house arrest temporarily. The reason they wouldn't kill him immediately was to verify if what he said was true, ensuring complete certainty.

“That’s a great idea of yours; I can leave the specimens for you!” A sinister voice suddenly materialized. The crowd sitting around the table, who had been laughing, instantly fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances. The voice was strange, sending a shiver down their spines.

“Who said that just now?” The Third Elder, Zhang Huanqian, shouted urgently, quickly glancing at every face present. He was the one who had just spoken about making specimens, and hearing that voice immediately after, it was no wonder he reacted that way. Everyone looked bewildered, subconsciously shaking their heads. That statement definitely did not come from them; none of them recognized that voice—it was completely foreign. Everyone instinctively looked behind them, their heartbeats accelerating sharply. This room was a conference room, surrounded by solid walls; there was no one there, yet every person couldn't help but look back.

“Third Grand-Uncle, this voice… I find it somewhat familiar!” Zhang Song suddenly cried out in shock, his eyes showing a touch of terror. He wasn't mistaken; he did find the voice somewhat familiar. It was Zhang Yang’s voice. He had spoken with Zhang Yang the most and had the deepest impression of him, so he naturally recognized the voice the quickest. He recalled it instantly. They had all been gathered here, jointly plotting how to capture Zhang Yang, then grill and fry him to extract what they wanted from his mouth. Hearing this person’s voice suddenly when they were all feeling guilty naturally brought fear.

“Xiao Song, tell me clearly, who is it?” Zhang Huanqian asked loudly. In truth, he also felt the voice was familiar, but he hadn't allowed himself to dwell on it, or perhaps he refused to.

“Zhang Yang!” Swallowing hard, Zhang Song slowly uttered the two words. Zhang Yang—this name was not unfamiliar to any of them. They had discussed him constantly over the past few days, and today they had discussed him all day long. This many people gathered here were waiting for the Xuanyuan family to capture this person; many were eager to see what he looked like. No one expected Zhang Song to name that person.

Zhang Huanqian’s face had already changed. With Zhang Song’s confirmation, even if his heart resisted, he had to admit that the voice strongly resembled Zhang Yang’s. They had spoken and negotiated before; he remembered Zhang Yang’s voice very clearly.

“Who is causing trouble? Come out now!” Zhang Huanqian suddenly stood up, glaring fiercely at everyone seated at the table. He refused to believe the speaker was Zhang Yang; he would rather believe it was a deliberate prank by someone in the room. But he failed to consider that the only two people present who had actually met Zhang Yang were him and Zhang Song. Even assuming someone was impersonating him was impossible.

“Ask him. Ask him properly and see if you can find out who it is!” The ethereal voice sounded again, seeming to emanate from all directions. This time, everyone heard it more clearly; it was absolutely not spoken by anyone sitting there. These people became overwhelmingly terrified, looking around wildly.

“Who is it? What kind of scoundrel dares to stand forth!” Zhang Huanqian roared, fear creeping into his expression. This time, he heard clearly; the voice was definitely not coming from within their group. This left him no room for self-deception.

“Creak!” The large conference room door suddenly swung open. The door was substantial, as fitting a meeting hall. A person walked in from outside the room—a very young man, holding a white pet marten in his arms, smiling as he surveyed everyone inside.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the faces of Zhang Song and Zhang Huanqian turned instantly ashen.

“Zhang Yang!” After a pause, Zhang Huanqian managed to choke out a few words. The person they were waiting for had finally arrived, but unfortunately, it wasn't in the manner they expected—bound and captured—but walking in on his own accord. Hearing Zhang Huanqian utter that name, everyone’s expression shifted. They were currently sending people to capture Zhang Yang, and now Zhang Yang suddenly appeared before them. Everyone understood exactly what that implied.

“Thump, thump!” Zhang Yang suddenly took two steps forward. His steps were not heavy, but they struck the hearts of the gathered crowd like a heavy hammer, causing everyone to instinctively tense up. The conference room door closed naturally behind him. Now, there was only one extra person in the room, and that person was standing.

“Zhang Yang, what are you doing here? This is private property; you are trespassing!” Zhang Song forced himself to be bold and questioned loudly. At this moment, all he could think of was the police, even reaching into his pocket, intending to grab his phone to call for assistance. At this critical juncture, perhaps only calling the police could offer him a semblance of peace of mind.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak!” Lightning suddenly leaped out, darting around the arms of two individuals. Two cell phones immediately dropped to the floor. With a sweep of its small paws, it knocked both phones toward the wall before returning lazily to Zhang Yang’s embrace, as if it hadn't done anything just moments ago. Its movements were incredibly fast. By the time these people reacted, it was already nestled back in Zhang Yang’s arms, looking as if the prior action was beneath its notice. Zhang Song slowly retracted the hand reaching for his pocket. He understood that Zhang Yang would absolutely not allow him to call the police.

“Let me introduce you to a friend, this is Lightning. Since you are a branch lineage of my Zhang family, you must all know about the Record of Strange Artifacts (Qiwuzhi). The Record of Strange Artifacts contains an entry on the Fox-tailed Marten. Lightning is precisely a Spirit Beast Fox-tailed Marten!” Zhang Yang gently stroked Lightning’s fur and spoke with a smile. As soon as he finished speaking, the three oldest individuals gasped, and the faces of the others changed dramatically.

The Zhang family kept only their secret medicinal formulas and ancestral Qigong guarded from outsiders; other classical texts, including treatment notes, were accessible. The medicinal boy in those days had seen many books, and Record of Strange Artifacts had even been transcribed by him. It was precisely because they knew this that everyone reacted so strongly. The Fox-tailed Marten was a Heavenly and Earthly Spirit Beast, one of the Ten Great Poisons. This small marten alone could annihilate all of them. At this moment, they did not doubt Lightning's identity. Such acute speed could only be achieved by a Spirit Beast, and Lightning’s appearance perfectly matched the legendary Fox-tailed Marten.

“Zhang Yang, may I ask the purpose of your late-night visit?” Zhang Huanqian forced his violently beating heart to slow down and asked in a low voice.

“Weren’t you all waiting for me? And thinking about turning my ten fingers into specimens? If I didn't come, how could I grant your wishes?” Zhang Yang chuckled lightly, his tone exceedingly gentle, as if chatting with old friends. Unfortunately, his words made every face change color again, especially Zhang Huanqian, whose expression was the most unsightly. He was the one who had just proposed turning Zhang Yang's ten fingers into specimens.

“Zhang Yang, I think you might have misunderstood. We are all descendants of the Sage of Medicine lineage; speaking of which, we are still family!” Zhang Huanqian forced a smile, but it appeared incredibly rigid, even bordering on a grimace.

“That’s right, we are family!” Zhang Yang nodded with a smile. Zhang Huanqian’s expression subtly relaxed, but before he could speak, his face changed again. Zhang Yang’s next sentence struck directly at his heart—and not just his, but everyone else's heart.

Zhang Yang said: “Precisely because we are family, I have come here. Zhang Yang, the eighty-ninth generation disciple of the Sage of Medicine lineage, has specially returned to clean house!” As he spoke these words, Zhang Yang’s demeanor appeared incredibly solemn. (To be continued)

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