Zhang Yang looked up at him, then spoke slowly, “The Chéndú is a poison you suffered long ago. It’s slight, not causing major harm, but its toxicity is severe, allowing it to remain hidden. Can you recall if you’ve ever been afflicted by any potent poison in the past?” Zhang Yang couldn't identify the poison afflicting Zhang Keqin at the moment, so asking more questions would aid in his treatment.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Keqin revealed a flicker of bewilderment. “Ever since you were born, my work has been demanding, and I’ve been exposed to many things, but honestly, I don’t recall being poisoned by anything specific!”

“What about the period between twelve years ago and ten years ago—do those two years ring any bells?” Zhang Yang pressed again, as he could only surmise that Zhang Keqin’s Chéndú originated during those two years.

“No, not a single memory!” After a pause, Zhang Keqin shook his head. It had been over a decade ago; he could barely recall much from that time, let alone being poisoned. He truly had no recollection of a minor toxin.

“I understand. Please don't worry. I will quickly determine the poison you’ve contracted. Once the toxin is identified, a complete cure is possible!” Zhang Yang knew relying on Zhang Keqin’s memory to trace the Chéndú was fruitless, especially since it was a toxin that hadn't erupted before; people rarely paid attention to what caused no immediate sensation.

Zhang Keqin glanced at Zhang Yang and asked, “Will my condition affect my work?” Zhang Yang stared at him, slightly taken aback, and sighed internally. Knowing he was poisoned, Zhang Keqin’s first concern was his work—just like his old self. He always prioritized his duties, often neglecting his wife and son. This very behavior had left the former 'Zhang Yang' with poor impressions in his memory. Fortunately, the current Zhang Yang was not the past one and could understand this much better.

“Take one of these pills daily. Under normal working conditions, you’ll be fine as long as you avoid overexertion!” Zhang Yang produced a small bottle—a batch of detoxifying pills. For typical poisonings, one pill sufficed for a cure, as seen in the mass poisoning at the wedding banquet or the incident at Lianshan County People’s Hospital restaurant, where Zhang Yang had used these very pills to save lives. Zhang Keqin’s situation was different; it was an eruption of Chéndú. The quantity of poison was small, but its virulence was intense. Relying solely on the detoxifying pills wouldn’t cure him; at best, it would only suppress the symptoms.

Hearing Zhang Yang’s words, Zhang Keqin seemed somewhat relieved and nodded gently. Being able to continue working was a relief. In his position, he had endless tasks daily; if he couldn’t work, a huge backlog would accumulate, potentially causing significant disruption. After all, he was now the helmsman of an entire province. This incident also made Zhang Keqin appreciate the advantage of having a divine physician nearby once more. It was no wonder seniors like Old Qi and Old Qiao held Zhang Yang in such high regard—a true divine doctor like him could provide immense help in critical moments.

Leaving the study, Zhang Yang returned directly to his room. The Provincial Party Committee Number One Residence was vast; usually empty when Zhang Keqin lived alone, it offered plenty of space. Zhang Yang could easily stay here. Since Zhang Keqin's health was currently fragile, Zhang Yang intended to remain for a while. Long Feng and Zhui Feng stayed as well. Long Feng was manageable, but Zhang Yang wondered what people would think when they saw Zhui Feng tomorrow—it was rare to keep a horse in the city these days.

Back in his room, while Mi Xue was showering, Zhang Yang pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The call connected quickly, met by a hearty laugh from the other end: “Yang Yang, you haven't called me in ages!” “Uncle, I need your help with something!” Zhang Yang’s voice was low, imbued with a measure of seriousness, which made the person on the other end pause momentarily before asking, “What is it?” The call was placed to Zhang Yuan’an. Though Zhang Yuan’an lived in a small mountain village, he fortunately had a telephone connection, meaning he wasn’t entirely cut off from the outside world. It was a blessing he had a phone; otherwise, Zhang Yang would have had to make the trip in person.

Zhang Yang briefly explained Zhang Keqin’s situation. The line fell silent for a moment; clearly, Zhang Yuan’an hadn't expected Zhang Keqin to be so unlucky as to harbor a Chéndú that had lain dormant for so many years only to resurface now.

“Yang Yang, being able to discern Chéndú with Inner Force Level Four means your medical skill is no less than mine. Why do you still need my help?” After a while, a voice finally came through, laced with a hint of confusion. Beyond the fourth level of Inner Force, one could use their potent internal energy combined with the Zhang family's medical arts to probe and identify the exact toxin in the blood. Zhang Yang could normally accomplish this, but because he had used the Cì Xué technique, his strength was currently at its nadir, preventing him from doing so. He would fully recover his strength in about a month, but Zhang Keqin’s body might not last that long. Zhang Yang thus had no choice but to call upon his uncle for assistance.

“My situation is somewhat unique; you’ll understand when you get here. Oh, is Grandfather there? I have something very important to tell you both!” Zhang Yang managed a wry smile. This couldn't be explained over the phone; it was better to wait until Zhang Yuan’an arrived before elaborating. By asking for Zhang Daofeng, Zhang Yang intended to inform him about Chu Yuntian and the Yellow Family secret manual. Such major matters required their knowledge, especially since Zhang Yang still had lingering questions about the Blood Fox Pill. Zhang Daogan knew of the Blood Fox Pill’s existence; Zhang Yang wondered if Zhang Daofeng did too.

“The old man isn't here, but I can reach him. Wait for us in Changjing; I’ll set off tomorrow!” Zhang Yuan’an asked no further questions. Since Zhang Yang called the situation unique, there must be other matters; he would know once he arrived. After confirming arrangements with Zhang Yuan’an, Zhang Yang hung up.

Mi Xue had finished her shower and come out by then. They hadn't seen each other for several days; it felt like a small reunion after a brief separation. However, Zhang Keqin’s poisoning had dampened their mood, and they both went to sleep early that night.

Zhang Keqin indeed was a man who couldn't sit idle. After breakfast the next morning, he headed to work. Zhang Yang knew his condition best; working posed no major issue, provided he didn't overexert himself. This ‘overexertion’ primarily referred to physical strain. Given Zhang Keqin’s job, it was difficult for him to engage in strenuous manual labor anyway.

To Zhang Yang’s surprise, Zhang Yuan’an arrived in Changjing that very evening. He had flown directly, understanding the seriousness of an erupting Chéndú and traveling with maximum speed. Zhang Yang drove directly to the airport to pick him up. Having Zhang Yuan’an arrive earlier was beneficial; the sooner he could ascertain exactly what poison afflicted Zhang Keqin.

“Uncle!” From a distance, Zhang Yang waved towards Zhang Yuan’an. He wore a white jacket, making him look like an intellectual with an air of refinement. In reality, every generation of the Zhang family possessed a high level of education; practicing medicine required a profound cultural foundation, not just basic literacy. Zhang Yuan’an had spent considerable time navigating the secular world and was already a Level Four expert, making it easy for him to cultivate such an aura.

Zhang Yuan’an looked up and smiled when he saw Zhang Yang. The Zhang family was fortunate. After both his sons met accidental deaths, a descendant of the Zhang bloodline, Zhang Yang, emerged—and a peerless genius at that. Although it was through the maternal line, Zhang Yuan’an was deeply gratified; at least the legacy of the Zhang family continued, and it was poised for increasing glory.

“Yang Yang, you’ve put on a little weight after the engagement!” Zhang Yuan’an said, playfully slapping Zhang Yang on the shoulder. Mi Xue beside them immediately lowered her head, her cheeks blushing. His comment was easily misinterpreted.

With that pat, Zhang Yuan’an’s expression suddenly changed. He felt Zhang Yang’s Inner Force was extremely unstable and very weak; his current Inner Force strength was only at Level Two. “Yang Yang?” Frowning, he suddenly recalled something and blurted out, “Did you use the Cì Xué method?” Zhang Yuan’an was familiar with the Zhang family’s method of stimulating potential, and Zhang Yang’s condition was identical to the post-potential-stimulation exhaustion, prompting his question. Zhang Yang nodded lightly. Zhang Yuan’an glanced at Mi Xue beside them and restrained himself from asking more. To delve further would involve discussing matters concerning Inner Force cultivators, and Mi Xue was a normal person; it was best she didn't know for the time being. Fortunately, Mi Xue was preoccupied with blushing and paid no attention to what they were saying.

After collecting Zhang Yuan’an, Zhang Yang drove him straight back to the Provincial Party Committee family compound. Given Zhang Keqin’s situation, Zhang Yang needed him to stay there first.

“Yang Yang, what exactly happened? With your strength, why would you resort to that?” In the car, Zhang Yuan’an used Chuán Yīn Rù Mì (Secret Sound Transmission) to question Zhang Yang. Chuán Yīn Rù Mì was a technique exclusive to Level Four experts. Zhang Yang, lacking Level Four Inner Force, couldn't use it now.

“Uncle, I’ll explain in detail when we get home!” With Mi Xue present, discussing such matters was inconvenient. Since Zhang Yang couldn't transmit secrets, Zhang Yuan’an could only nod for now. Before long, the car arrived home. Zhang Keqin, knowing his brother-in-law was coming, had prepared a lavish dinner. His mood was good; he wasn't despondent over the poisoning, nor was he panicking like other patients learning they had an unknown toxin. Everything was as usual.

“Mi Xue, go inside first; I need to grab something!” Once they stopped the car at the residence, Zhang Yuan’an suddenly spoke to Mi Xue. He was currently most concerned about Zhang Yang’s condition and couldn't wait until they were inside to inquire.

“Okay, Uncle. You two hurry up!” Mi Xue seemed slightly surprised but obediently got out of the car and entered the house. As soon as Mi Xue left, Zhang Yuan’an grabbed Zhang Yang’s arm, clamping down on his pulse point, and asked sternly, “Yang Yang, tell me quickly, what is going on?” From the pulse, Zhang Yuan’an could discern more: Zhang Yang had indeed used the Cì Xué method, and only within the last few days. For a Level Four Inner Force expert to use such a method to stimulate potential, it meant they must have encountered a far more formidable enemy.

“It’s like this, I encountered a demon in Hangzhou…” Zhang Yang spoke with a touch of helplessness, briefly recounting the matter concerning Chu Yuntian, mentioning only that a demon was wreaking havoc in Hangzhou, omitting the Yellow Family for the time being. Zhang Keqin and Mi Xue were still waiting at home; time was short, and the car wasn't the place for such explanations. Even so, upon hearing that Zhang Yang had eliminated a demon at the mid-stage of Level Four in Hangzhou, Zhang Yuan’an was stunned, sitting motionless for a long time.