The first thing that puzzled Zhang Yang was that he had never seen this medicinal formula in his previous life.

This seemed utterly illogical. In his past life, Zhang Daoqian had not died in battle; he had lived for a long time. If he had hand-copied such a potent medicinal formula and survived, it surely would have been passed down. With such a legacy, the Zhang Yang of the previous life must have encountered it.

One must remember that the Zhang family guarded its medicinal formulas with the utmost severity.

These formulas were practically the core secret of the Zhang family. While not every formula was exclusive to them, very few outsiders possessed them. Compared to other internal energy practitioners, the Zhang family boasted the largest and most comprehensive collection, including several proprietary secret recipes.

These formulas were the very foundation of the Zhang family, bringing in substantial profits over a thousand years just from compounding medicines for other internal energy practitioners.

Items of such critical importance were always prioritized in inheritance. They not only had to be memorized perfectly but also recorded meticulously by the designated formula scribe. Documentation was non-negotiable.

The fact that Zhang Yang had never seen this particular formula before was the source of his greatest confusion now.

If Zhang Daoqian did not die in battle in the previous life, and there was no imminent danger, he would never entrust the formula to an outsider. Even if he did hand it over, he could easily rewrite a copy upon his return. Since Zhang Yang never saw it, it was highly probable that Zhang Daoqian didn't possess this formula in that lifetime either.

This was the first point. The second was that Zhang Daoqian had no logical reason to hand the formula over so casually to Old Master Xie.

Old Master Xie, after all, was merely someone Zhang Daoqian had rescued. Even knowing he was in peril, he should have instructed Old Master Xie to deliver the item to another member of the Zhang family or secure it in a specific location.

Zhang Daoqian didn't do this; he simply gave it to Old Master Xie. This constituted Zhang Yang's second major point of bewilderment.

These two mysteries were things Zhang Yang could not reconcile.

Regrettably, he couldn't question anyone now. Zhang Daoqian truly had long since ceased to exist in this world. He could only ask Zhang Yun'an about it if the opportunity arose later.

Unable to solve the puzzle, he stopped thinking about it and soon drifted into deep sleep.

The very next morning, Zhang Yang took Long Feng to Qingya Mountain, with Zhuifeng and Shandian following closely behind.

Qingya Mountain was the only uninhabited peak near Lieshan, making it the ideal location for practice.

Zhang Yang had already reached the fourth level. In sparring matches, he could now face Long Feng, Shandian, Wuying, and Zhuifeng simultaneously. In his previous life, Zhang Yang, along with the three spirit beasts, could contend against opponents at the fourth level, even mid-fourth level. But Long Feng could not.

Long Feng was still only at the initial stage of the third level, a significant gap away from the late third level Zhang Yang had been in his past life. Furthermore, the three spirit beasts couldn't fight with full, life-and-death intensity.

After sparring for a while and thoroughly disciplining those fellows, Zhang Yang felt much better.

The fourth level of internal energy truly made a difference; the control over his internal energy was far more fluid. Coupled with the enhancements from the Sacred Hand System—strength, defense, speed, and hearing—he possessed power surpassing that of a typical early fourth-level master.

Returning from practice, Long Feng was visibly dejected and immediately retreated to his room to continue cultivating.

Even Zhuifeng and Shandian refrained from playing in the courtyard; they were all training in their own ways, the little creatures having sworn to grow quickly and exact revenge on Zhang Yang.

“Zhang Yang, you’re back!”

Zhang Yang hadn't eaten breakfast yet when he returned and ran into Mi Zhiguo, who had just finished washing up. Mi Zhiguo greeted him cheerfully.

“Uncle Mi, how did that last matter turn out?”

Zhang Yang asked with a smile, referring to the hospital incident.

Mi Zhiguo sighed, “It’s settled, thankfully. The deceased’s family accepted thirteen thousand yuan in compensation, and the other poisoned individuals received between five to ten thousand each. Zhicheng is completely bankrupt this time!”

His own brother was ruined, which didn't sit well with Mi Zhiguo.

But there was no alternative. The incident occurred at the restaurant he owned, so he had to bear the responsibility.

The compensation wasn't excessively high, but it wasn't trivial either. In this era, unlike later times, over a hundred thousand was quite a sum. However, no amount of money could bring back a life. Given the choice, no one would prefer a fatality.

The chef who administered the poison had been criminally detained. His crime was severe; he would likely face a minimum of life imprisonment. A momentary lapse in judgment led to a wrong deed, for which he would ultimately have to answer.

Beyond that, there was Director Wu from the hospital.

Mi Zhiguo hadn't inquired personally, but the Director of the Health Bureau and the Hospital President were shrewd. The day after the incident, the hospital used an excuse to transfer him to an underutilized department.

Subsequently, the Health Bureau moved him again, sending him to a remote township health center to serve as deputy director.

A remote health center, one barely managing to sustain itself, and being sent there as the deputy director—everyone understood he had crossed Vice County Mayor Mi. Life there would hardly be pleasant.

However, Mi Zhiguo hadn't told Zhang Yang about Director Wu's fate; Wu Fenglan recounted it later.

“Stop lingering in the courtyard, it’s time to eat. Zhang Yang, go call Long Feng for breakfast!”

Wu Fenglan emerged from the living room. They didn’t have a dedicated dining room; the living room was used for receiving guests and for meals.

Zhang Yang chuckled and replied immediately, “No need to call him; he definitely won't come now. Let’s eat without him!”

Long Feng had just been thoroughly beaten and was currently channeling that frustration into intense practice. There was no way he would come for a meal.

Hearing this, Wu Fenglan didn't press the issue. She found Long Feng a strange individual and hadn't spoken much to him over the past couple of days.

Mi Xue also came out, clearly just waking up, appearing somewhat languid but possessing a distinct, intoxicating charm.

Her appearance stirred something restless within Zhang Yang.

“Uncle Mi, Aunt Wu, actually, the reason we came back this time is to discuss the engagement matters!”

While eating breakfast, Zhang Yang suddenly brought up the main topic after being back for several days.

Mi Zhiguo and Wu Fenglan froze, quickly setting down their bowls to look at Zhang Yang. In Mi Zhiguo’s eyes, there was undisguised elation.

He had been against the match previously, but ever since learning that Zhang Yang’s father was Zhang Keqin, he couldn't have been more pleased with the marriage.

Becoming in-laws with the Provincial Party Secretary—the thought itself thrilled him.

It wasn't entirely wrong to call him pragmatic. People nowadays were like this. Mi Zhiguo wasn't a saint; underneath it all, he possessed a touch of small-town calculation, which explained why he had initially considered marrying into the Yu family.

This slight calculation didn't impede him unduly, as long as he could clearly distinguish between priorities and was willing to work hard.

Of course, this small-scale thinking would inevitably affect his promotions, but fortunately, he never aspired to reach the very top; being able to advance one more step would be more than satisfactory.

As soon as Zhang Yang mentioned it, Mi Xue’s face flushed instantly, but she didn't lower her gaze. Instead, she spoke with spirit, “Dad, Mom, Zhang Yang and I wish to finalize the engagement soon, and then marry after graduation. What do you think?”

Concerning her lifelong happiness, Mi Xue would certainly fight for what she wanted.

“Yes, of course, how could it not be alright!”

Wu Fenglan exclaimed happily first. An engagement meant the marriage was practically settled. As a mother, she could finally relax a bit. Ever since learning Zhang Yang’s background, she often felt the situation was too unreal.

The gap between them was vast, and she worried for her daughter. Fortunately, Zhang Yang held genuine affection for Mi Xue, and now the engagement was being proposed, which finally put her mind at ease.

“That’s fine. When are you planning to get engaged?”

Mi Zhiguo suppressed his excitement and asked softly. He certainly wouldn't object to an engagement; he was eager for it.

Seeing that both parents agreed, Mi Xue lowered her head again, her face rosy, and said no more.

“If possible, we’d like to set the engagement for a date soon, before the New Year!”

Zhang Yang said quietly. With only a couple of weeks left until the New Year, the timing felt a bit rushed.

However, since it was only an engagement, and in this culture, engagements were not as heavily emphasized as weddings—where every detail must be perfect—this timeline was manageable.

“Before the New Year, no problem. We’ll finalize your engagement before then!”

Mi Zhiguo thought for a moment and immediately made the decision. An engagement before the New Year would allow at least seven or eight days for preparations, which was ample time.

Having gained their consent, Mi Xue’s face turned even redder. Unable to endure it any longer, she left proactively before finishing her breakfast.

Mi Zhiguo went to work after finishing his breakfast, a smile lingering on his face as he left.

Once Mi Zhiguo was gone, Wu Fenglan pulled Zhang Yang aside to discuss the engagement details. The location wasn't critical; it could be in Changjing, but according to local customs, the bride's side would need to bring some relatives and friends along.

The number of guests depended on the family’s standing.

Families in better circumstances would bring more, but even those less fortunate usually brought seven or eight people. For a family like the Mis, with the father being a Vice County Mayor, bringing twenty guests wouldn't be considered excessive; thirty would be normal.

These were minor details, but they were details that could not be ignored.

Zhang Yang cheerfully agreed to all of it. Never mind twenty guests; he could host two hundred. Mi Xue’s family restaurant could handle the hospitality for that many.

After discussing the guest numbers, they moved on to the trivialities of the engagement ceremony.

Wu Fenglan was utterly satisfied hearing how Zhang Yang had considered every small requirement, praising him repeatedly until Zhang Yang became somewhat embarrassed.

Mi Zhiguo only worked for half a day before rushing back home.

The matter of Mi Xue’s engagement completely occupied his mind, making it impossible to focus on work. This was a major event for him, concerning not only his daughter’s happiness but also his future prospects.

The approximate date for the engagement was set, and the location was provisionally decided, but the exact timing remained fluid.

Zhang Yang explained that the date would have to wait until Zhang Keqin arrived. Zhang Keqin had previously requested this: the date would be set only after he arrived, as the father, he had that right.

Upon hearing that his future in-law, the Provincial Party Secretary, would personally attend, Mi Zhiguo’s speech became noticeably halting with excitement.

With the engagement matters settled, Zhang Yang’s primary objective for this trip was achieved. Wu Fenglan, impatient with anticipation, had already begun sending out notices to relatives and friends regarding Mi Xue’s engagement—fortunately, Mi Zhiguo had strictly instructed her not to reveal the identity of the in-laws.

Mi Zhiguo was shrewd enough to know that even with such an important connection, one couldn't carelessly broadcast the news; knowing it himself was enough.

News traveled fast in the county seat. Within a single day, these relatives and friends learned about the event, and the news that County Mayor Mi’s daughter was getting engaged quickly spread around.

Note: The plot requires the engagement to take place in the twelfth lunar month (Làyuè). Friends, please overlook the custom of 'no engagements in the twelfth month'; this is purely fiction.