The discharge papers required a signature, along with ID registration; back then, Zhang Yunan had forcefully discharged the patient before they were fully cured, necessitating identification records and the patient's own signed consent.

Fortunately, the ID was registered; otherwise, finding him with just a name would have been difficult.

With the ID, address information became available.

Zhang Yunan's registered address was in Shaanxi Southern Province, not excessively far from Antian City—a distance of just over five hundred kilometers.

Five hundred kilometers; even without expressways, it was a day's drive, but departure was impossible today; they would have to wait until tomorrow.

Carrying copies of these documents, Zhang Yang left the hospital. Li Wei was also called back after being notified by phone. Since Gu Fang had found what Zhang Yang needed, there was no reason for them to continue searching there.

Returning to the hotel, Zhang Yang gathered all the materials, reorganizing and analyzing them.

He could now confirm several things. First, his father, Zhang Keqin, had been in Antian and stayed with his mother, even advising her to go to the capital for treatment; ultimately, his mother insisted on staying, leading to her passing in Antian.

The second point was that his mother's death was due to poisoning—a mysterious toxin that Doctor Liu admitted he had never encountered. However, such a poison likely wasn't from a snake; most snake venoms were recognizable, and while technology wasn't as advanced then as it is now, identifying a specific snake venom should still have been possible. If not snake venom, it had to be from another source, though Zhang Yang didn't know the specifics.

The third point was that during the period of his memory blackout, he had not been with his mother. This was also highly significant. In Zhang Yang's memories, his mother had adored him immensely when he was little; he was her entire world, and he, in turn, was extremely dependent on and fond of her. It was impossible for him to have left while she was hospitalized and poisoned. Since he wasn't there, there must have been another reason.

What frustrated Zhang Yang the most was this gap in his memory. Yet, if this memory were intact, he wouldn't have needed to make this trip specifically.

With these three points confirmed, the only way to find the real answers now was to question this uncle he had never met. Zhang Yang hoped his uncle was still at home, so he could get answers as early as tomorrow.

The next morning, Zhang Yang and Long Feng returned to the park. Wherever they went, their cultivation practices never ceased. They were supposed to take the Essence and Blood Pills over these two days, but since they were traveling, they postponed the long cultivation sessions required. Lightning and Shadow, however, each consumed one pill, and both were now soundly asleep. Zhang Yang had never been stingy with them. Without them, Zhang Yang wouldn't have acquired so many valuable resources. Furthermore, any increase in Lightning's strength was an increase in his own combat capability.

After their morning cultivation session, the two showered and headed to the restaurant, where Mi Xue, Gu Fang, and the others were already seated.

"Zhang Yang, I contacted a comrade-in-arms from Weizhou. He’s very familiar with that area and knows where Qingfeng Township is. He can lead the way for us!" Li Wei said with a smile, looking at Zhang Yang. Weizhou was where Zhang Yang's uncle was located, a prefecture-level city in the northeastern part of Shaanxi Southern Province, just like Antian.

Zhang Yang nodded slightly. "Thank you, Brother Li. I’ve kept you all busy running around these past two days. I’ll properly thank you all when we return!"

"Why be so polite with us? Don't forget, we owe you a huge favor. Compared to the help you provided us, this is utterly insignificant!" Gu Fang laughed heartily, shaking his head repeatedly.

Zhang Yang said no more. Gu Fang was referring to the incident where Zhang Yang cured Elder Qiao. In that matter, Zhang Yang had indeed done Gu Fang a massive favor, and Zhang Yang didn't object to Gu Fang's gratitude.

For doctors, it was highly taboo to constantly be indebted to others; owing too great a debt could turn into enmity. Although this possibility was slim, it was best to eliminate any such potential. Whether in his past life or this one, Zhang Yang never refused thanks owed to him. It was what he deserved and brought peace of mind to those he had treated. However, Zhang Yang always kept in mind any help others offered him.

After breakfast, the six of them set off, still using the rental car company's vehicles. Driving themselves was much better; at least Gu Fang wasn't suffering from motion sickness anymore, and rented cars were always more comfortable than taxis.

From Antian to Weizhou, there was only one stretch of expressway; the rest consisted of national and provincial roads. In this era, there were no navigation systems flying everywhere like in later times; long-distance travel relied on maps and asking for directions. Fortunately, Zhang Yang and his companions were seasoned travelers and were already familiar with all of this.

The journey proceeded smoothly, and they arrived in Weizhou by two in the afternoon. Li Wei's comrade-in-arms was waiting for them in a green military Jeep. Li Wei’s comrade was named Gao Jie, a young man over 1.8 meters tall and very solidly built.

Gao Jie was extremely hospitable, insisting they eat before continuing their journey. According to him, Qingfeng Township was remote and far, and they certainly wouldn't reach it until evening, so they couldn't set off without a proper meal. As Gao Jie spoke, Li Wei kept watching Zhang Yang; Zhang Yang’s opinion was the most crucial, as Li Wei was most aware of Zhang Yang's background.

It was difficult for Zhang Yang to refuse such genuine goodwill. Besides, while he could endure, Mi Xue and Gu Fang were ordinary people whose stomachs were already growling. A meal wouldn't delay them by much time.

Seeing Zhang Yang agree, Gao Jie looked somewhat surprised. He now clearly perceived that his comrade Li Wei and the others deferred to this younger man; Zhang Yang was the one who could truly make decisions among them. Gao Jie was well aware of Li Wei's background; for such a young master to defer to another, even younger man could only mean this young man was far more formidable and important. Moreover, significantly more so.

Recalling Li Wei’s background sent a chill down his spine; he could hardly imagine the status of someone Li Wei held in such high regard. This realization made him even more respectful toward Zhang Yang, solidifying his resolve to handle this matter well. Even if he wasn't thanked, making a good impression and establishing a favorable connection would suffice.

Zhang Yang was unaware of his thoughts at the moment; if he knew, he would only laugh. In terms of background and status, Zhang Yang was not lacking, but he couldn't compare to Li Wei. Not to mention Li Wei was a military officer himself, and his family’s influence surpassed Zhang Yang's. Zhang Yang only had a father he refused to acknowledge, a father who built his fortune from scratch, lacking the deep foundations of established families like Li Wei's. Li Wei respected him so much because he knew his true identity, but that identity was not what Gao Jie imagined; it was merely a beautiful misunderstanding. It was a misunderstanding known to no one.

After driving for two hours, they soon entered rugged mountain roads. The paths here were treacherous; before long, the Ford sedan they were driving could no longer proceed. Its low chassis risked scraping and getting stuck frequently.

Eventually, the three vehicles consolidated into two. The Ford was left outside, and Zhang Yang and the others transferred to Gao Jie's military Jeep. Only off-road vehicles like this could handle the terrain here.

"Mr. Zhang, once we cross the next mountain, it will be Qingfeng Township. We should arrive in about an hour!" Gao Jie said to Zhang Yang, glancing at the sky. Darkness was already falling; reaching Qingfeng Township would certainly be after nightfall.

"As long as we can get there is fine. Thank you for your hard work today!" Zhang Yang smiled and nodded. His mind had calmed again; he was contemplating how to face this uncle he never knew existed. Having an uncle—the fact his mother never mentioned him in childhood seemed very strange. He even suspected this might be someone unrelated, someone his mother mentioned only to facilitate her discharge. The truth would be revealed once he met this person.

Gao Jie glanced at Zhang Yang and continued, "Mr. Zhang, we can reach Qingfeng Township tonight, but we can't enter Liu Family Village; we must stay the night in the township!"

"Why?" Zhang Yang turned, asking with slight surprise, his brow twitching slightly. Liu Family Village was the hamlet where Zhang Yunan lived; Zhang Yunan's ID stated his address as Liu Family Village, Qingfeng Township, Sangcheng County, Weizhou City. Normally, reaching the township meant reaching the village was close, as townships weren't usually very large, and a short walk would suffice.

"Mr. Zhang, since this is your first time here, you wouldn't know. Liu Family Village is deep in the mountains. To get from the township to the village, we have to cross another mountain. Our vehicles definitely can't make it, and walking would take at least two hours. It’s too late; mountain paths at night are too dangerous, so it’s best we go tomorrow!" Gao Jie explained slowly, glancing back at Mi Xue in the backseat. "Besides, there's no place to stay up in the mountains. Qingfeng Township has some lodging options, and while we men can rough it, it wouldn't do for the two young ladies!"

Gao Jie offered these reasons, but he withheld one crucial point. Arriving in the mountains so late, the locals kept early hours; trying to find someone at that time would not only be troublesome but might also earn their reproach.

"Then we'll stay one night in Qingfeng Township and head into the mountains first thing tomorrow morning!" Zhang Yang smiled faintly and said softly. Having reached the vicinity, Zhang Yang wasn't in a hurry anymore, and Gao Jie’s logic was sound—it truly wasn't suitable for mountain travel at night. Qu Meilan, a girl raised in the mountains with internal energy, wouldn't fear the mountains, but Mi Xue would; she climbed mountains often but certainly never at midnight. To take care of Mi Xue, they had to wait for daylight.

"Fine, I will arrange lodging shortly. Qingfeng Township has an inn; the conditions won't compare to the city, but it’s better than imposing on others!" Gao Jie said cheerfully. He was familiar with Qingfeng Township, having been there before.

As they spoke, the sky had completely darkened. An hour later, the group finally arrived at the township. Qingfeng Township was indeed small, with only one main road. The inn Gao Jie mentioned was located at the innermost end of this main thoroughfare.

The inn had few rooms; usually, only small-time merchants trading mountain goods stayed there. With sparse clientele, there weren't many rooms available. Here, Zhang Yang and the others couldn't each have their own room and had to share, two to a room. Although the inn was small, the furnishings were reasonably clean, and Zhang Yang didn't dwell on such matters while traveling.

………… Chapter hundred bonus update, Chapter Fifty-Four, more to come, next update around six o’clock. (To be continued…) .RT

For more novels, visit storyread.net.