Yan Yefei and Li Juan stood there, yet their eyes constantly scanned the surroundings. Both were somewhat tense; Yan Yefei’s decision was daring, perhaps extremely so.

Succeed or perish—if they failed, both might be utterly ruined. But to avoid a life like puppets, to escape being servants forever, this was the only path he could take.

“They’re here!” Suddenly, someone shouted, and all the standing people unnaturally straightened up, craning their necks to look inside. Accompanied personally by Li Jianyi, Zhang Yang, Zhang Pinglu, and Master Shi Ming walked out.

Trailing behind Zhang Yang was a magnificent white horse, pacing leisurely. This was the spirit beast, the Heavenly Steed.

Since Zhang Yang gained fame, even Zhuifeng had become widely renowned. Everyone was eager to see what the spirit beast, the fastest on land, truly looked like.

“So many people?” Zhang Yang chuckled lightly. Flanking the entrance to the Li family residence, hundreds of Li family disciples and servants had gathered, standing in rows on both sides.

“If Brother Zhang dislikes it, I will dismiss them immediately!” Li Jianyi’s brow twitched. He usually didn't concern himself with such matters, but he hadn't expected such a large assembly to see Zhang Yang off.

This was definitely not his arrangement, and he worried Zhang Yang might take offense. “There’s nothing I dislike; let it be this way!” Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head; he had merely made a casual remark, meaning nothing by it.

Li Jianyi nodded and said no more. To them, this was a trivial matter.

However, Li Wenruo, standing behind them, noted these details, intending to reorganize the Li family's discipline later. Li Wenruo had lost an arm on the Long Family Plain, which would significantly impact his future cultivation.

Still, having already reached the late stage of the Third Layer and having held the position of Clan Head for so long, his advancement was not the primary concern. His most crucial duty was maintaining the stability of the entire Li family.

The group slowly advanced outward, with nearly every eye fixed upon Zhang Yang, countless looks of envy aimed directly at him. Initially, Zhang Yang felt slightly unaccustomed to it, but he quickly settled into composure.

He had encountered such scrutiny before. Ever since achieving outstanding results in his previous life, his colleagues often regarded him with those same looks, making him habituated to the attention.

“Here they come!” Yan Yefei’s heart suddenly tightened. Zhang Yang and the others had already walked ahead of them, and he was near the back of the crowd, only tens of meters from Zhang Yang.

His mission was to call out to Zhang Yang and implore him to take them away. He refused to live out his years confined within the Li family.

Once inside the Li gates, he had no prospect of leaving. This was not the secular world; this was strict, family-based management where the clan held absolute power over life and death for everyone within.

Furthermore, this was Mount Shu; even contacting the outside world was impossible for him. Zhang Yang’s visit to the Li family was his only chance, perhaps even his last.

No one knew when Zhang Yang might return. “Mr.

Z-Zhang!” As Zhang Yang and his party approached their section, Yan Yefei suddenly shouted, recklessly pulling Li Juan forward. Two figures flashed past, immediately blocking their path.

The Li family had many experts accompanying them. Regardless of who they were, they could not be allowed to rush before honored guests.

If not for the important guests present, Yan Yefei’s previous action would have warranted immediate execution by the Li family members. This behavior was a severe violation of clan rules.

“Mr. Zhang, it’s me, Yan Yefei!

Do you still remember me?” Though intercepted, Yan Yefei could still speak, shouting desperately, drawing the gaze of many onlookers. Zhang Yang turned his head, looking at the pair with some surprise.

He had a deep impression of Yan Yefei; this was precisely the person he had most wanted to recruit into the Medical Saint Martial Sect, so he naturally remembered him. Both possessed special constitutions, and even Zhang Pinglu had a vague recollection of them.

He hadn't expected to encounter them within the Li family. “Brother Zhang, I apologize.

These lower servants are ignorant and have disturbed you. I will have them removed at once!” Li Wenruo rushed forward.

He didn't recognize Yan Yefei, but he recognized their attire—they were family servants. When Yan Yefei and Li Juan first entered the Li family, he, as Clan Head, hadn't personally received them; he only knew the matter had occurred.

Accepting two servants hardly warranted his personal attention. “No, these two are my friends!” Zhang Yang gently shook his head, turning back and walking toward Yan Yefei and Li Juan.

Upon hearing this, Li Wenruo was stunned. He had never imagined his own clan housed friends of Zhang Yang, much less that this friend would be a mere servant.

“Mr. Yan, what are you two doing here?” Zhang Yang walked over, and the men blocking Yan Yefei immediately cleared the way without hesitation, allowing Zhang Yang to step directly before them.

“This… it’s a long story. Could I speak with you privately for a moment?” Yan Yefei glanced at the surrounding Li family members and then spoke urgently.

He had risked everything on this desperate gamble, hoping to stop Zhang Yang and persuade him to take them away. Yet, he was acutely aware of the Li family’s might and doubted whether Zhang Yang could truly intervene.

“Tell me, I guarantee no one here will hear a word,” Zhang Yang said, and a faint, pale white sphere of energy suddenly materialized around them, enveloping him and Yan Yefei. Inside this field, no sound could escape.

“Mr. Zhang, please save us!

I beg you, save us!” Glancing with some astonishment at the pale white energy field surrounding them, Yan Yefei immediately grabbed Zhang Yang’s arm and spoke rapidly. Li Juan, standing nearby, began to weep, looking at Zhang Yang with intense anxiety.

Slowly, Yan Yefei recounted everything he had experienced, including his regrets. He did not want to end his days in the Li family, nor did he wish to serve as a servant his entire life.

That was worse than returning to the secular world to be his own boss, where at least he wouldn't have to live in constant fear serving others. He spoke quickly, and it didn't take long for Zhang Yang to grasp the entire situation.

Zhang Yang was somewhat surprised by the misfortunes the two had endured in such a short time, culminating in them ending up at the Li family estate. The instructions Zhang Yang had given them previously only included contacts for sect cultivators, not those from established aristocratic families.

Zhang Yang knew well that established families would never take them in. He couldn't fathom how they learned the location of the Shu Mountain Li family and sought them out, even becoming servants.

This entirely exceeded Zhang Yang’s expectations. Had Yan Yefei not confessed, he would never have guessed their experiences had been so eventful.

“I understand. Wait here for a moment!” After Yan Yefei finished speaking, Zhang Yang nodded slowly.

Yan Yefei opened his mouth but ultimately stood still obediently, anxiously awaiting his fate. “Brother Li, I have an impertinent request, and I hope you will grant it!” Zhang Yang turned, addressing Li Jianyi quietly.

With his current status as a Great Perfection expert, he spoke to Li Jianyi, who was also at that level, rather than directly addressing Li Wenruo. “Brother Zhang, please speak,” Li Jianyi glanced faintly at Yan Yefei and Li Juan, then spoke with a slight smile.

He did not know the couple and had no impression of them; he barely recognized the multitude of servants in his vast clan. To a Great Perfection master, only core disciples truly mattered; the lives or deaths of servants were irrelevant to him.

“I wish to ask for two people from your care!” Zhang Yang murmured. Li Jianyi looked again at Yan Yefei and Li Juan.

He was unaware of their relationship with Zhang Yang and felt curiosity at that moment, yet he knew this was not the time to inquire. “For our Li family, anyone Brother Zhang desires, you may take at any time!” Li Jianyi stated generously.

In his magnanimity, he had already grasped the other's intent. If Zhang Yang wanted two people, they were naturally these acquaintances.

Li Jianyi didn't know what they had discussed, but he could discern the general situation. Forget two servants; even if Zhang Yang requested two non-essential core disciples at this juncture, he would comply.

Zhang Yang now commanded the strength of three Great Perfection experts. If they truly became enraged, they could shake the entire Mount Shu, a catastrophe he certainly could not risk.

“The ones I want are them!” Zhang Yang smiled slightly, gesturing with his index finger toward Yan Yefei and Li Juan. Regardless of the circumstances, they were now members of the Li family, and he needed to formally ask permission to take them away.

“No problem. Wenruo, go fetch some items.

We will send these two off with Brother Zhang!” Li Jianyi laughed heartily. Li Wenruo immediately nodded, sending someone to retrieve provisions and inquire about the pair's official status.

He himself was unclear about the specific identities of these two. Many people surrounding the Li residence stared at Yan Yefei and Li Juan in astonishment, some even whispering in discussion.

Especially the young man who had loudly recounted many details about Zhang Yang earlier—he now stared with wide, disbelieving eyes at the couple. He never imagined that this unremarkable, older couple knew Zhang Yang.

Not only did they know him, but they could leave with him—their relationship clearly wasn't ordinary. A surge of sour jealousy filled him.

A short while later, someone returned with a small, exquisite box. Li Wenruo personally handed this box to Yan Yefei.

After all, Yan Yefei and Li Juan were still registered members of the Li family, and if Zhang Yang was taking them, it was proper protocol to send them off with some gifts. It was akin to providing a dowry when a daughter is married off.

Li Wenruo’s gesture left the couple overwhelmed with flattered shock. Yan Yefei’s hands shook uncontrollably; he didn't know what to say.

Zhang Yang didn't stand on ceremony with the Li family. Once the farewell formalities were complete, he led Yan Yefei and Li Juan away.

As they departed, the couple continually looked back at Mount Shu, their expressions complex. This place had once offered them great hope, yet it became a source of despair, ultimately proving to be their inescapable cage.

Now, they were finally free of that prison.