"It was the Jiang family from the North Suburbs!" Haozi replied without hesitation. "They hired me to come to Changjing to take out Yan Liangfei, the only disciple of the Yan family!"

"The Jiang family of the North Suburbs?" Zhang Yang repeated, a note of confusion in his voice. The North Suburbs bordered the southeastern province, which was Yan Liangfei's hometown, the small city where the Yan family resided. As for this Jiang family, he had never even heard of them.

"Ah, the Jiang family has some minor influence in the North Suburbs, but they are just a declining, insignificant minor noble family. There aren't any truly capable people among them," Haozi quickly explained when he saw the confusion on Zhang Yang's face. "As far as I know, the Jiang family and the Yan family are sworn enemies."

"Sworn enemies of the Yan family?" Hearing this, Zhang Yang finally understood. It seemed this Jiang family was behind the trouble for the Yan family. If he dealt with the Jiang family, then the task of saving the Yan family would naturally be accomplished.

"Yes, the Jiang family of the North Suburbs," Haozi spilled everything out to Zhang Yang. "The Jiang family is the poison-using lineage of the North Suburbs. However, those enemies the Jiang family poisoned were all cured by the Yan family. Because of this, the Jiang family has long desired to eradicate the Yan family."

"I see," Zhang Yang now completely understood who was truly targeting the Yan family. He then continued his inquiry, "Then who are the current members of the Jiang family, and why did they send you to Changjing to deal with Yan Liangfei?"

"It's like this. Although the Jiang family calls themselves a poison-using lineage, their actual skills are quite limited. Other than the 'Yin Hua Poison' being slightly well-known, their other poisoning techniques are quite low-tier." Haozi spat enthusiastically, showing no sign of holding back as he answered Zhang Yang's questions, sharing everything he knew.

"Yin Hua Poison?" Zhang Yang was greatly startled. He hadn't expected to hear about the Yin Hua Poison here!

Zhang Yang had not forgotten that the poison Mi Xue had suffered from back then was the Yin Hua Poison. He had no leads on that matter and still didn't know the true origin of the Yin Hua Poison.

"Yes, in fact, only the people of the Jiang family in the entire Huaxia can wield the Yin Hua Poison with such mastery. Their Jiang family possesses specialized methods for extracting and producing poisons. The Yin Hua Poison they formulate not only allows the victim to notice absolutely no anomaly, but even if the poisoned person discovers their condition afterward, they can never trace who was responsible," Haozi noticed the change in Zhang Yang's expression and instantly knew he had hit on the right nerve, his interest immediately piqued. All his previous little thoughts had vanished. Faced with a legendary figure like Zhang Yang, Haozi had no thought of resistance; his only desire was to say something that would capture the man's interest, thus securing his own release.

"You mean, for the application of the Yin Hua Poison, even after the victim realizes they’ve been poisoned, they cannot trace the perpetrator? And only members of the Jiang family from the North Suburbs can achieve this?" Zhang Yang's face darkened, and he injected a trace of internal energy into his question, needing to ensure this man was truthful.

Haozi nodded vigorously. He didn't realize that Zhang Yang's internal energy had subtly infiltrated his body, controlling his mind. He nodded not of his own volition, but as a reflexive answer.

Seeing Haozi nod, Zhang Yang knew he wasn't being deceived. Regarding a despicable and vile substance like the Yin Hua Poison, the Demonic Sect members would naturally be more aware of it than other cultivators. This meant that the poison Mi Xue had suffered must also be inextricably linked to this Jiang family of the North Suburbs.

Zhang Yang couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, his anger slowly building. He never imagined he would obtain even a small clue about Mi Xue's poisoning right here.

Zhang Yang had initially intended to help Yan Liangfei overcome his family crisis because he valued Yan Liangfei's rare cultivation physique and considered taking him into the Doctor Martial Sect. Now, he absolutely had to make a trip to the North Suburbs. He wanted to see just who in a small, insignificant local faction had borrowed such immense gall to dare harm someone closest to him.

Mi Xue was undeniably Zhang Yang's reverse scale; anyone who touched it would die! As long as the Jiang family's involvement in Mi Xue's poisoning was confirmed, regardless of how many people they had in the Jiang family, Zhang Yang would not spare a single one!

There was no need for further questioning. Zhang Yang had already decided to personally escort Yan Liangfei back to the North Suburbs to meet the Jiang family.

Zhang Yang’s expression was exceedingly grim. Haozi dared not breathe too loudly, terrified that one wrong word might provoke the master beside him, who could end his life with a mere wave of his hand. Thus, he waited quietly and cautiously, anticipating whatever else Zhang Yang might ask.

But the longer Zhang Yang remained silent, the more uneasy Haozi became. Gradually, he shifted the burden of this anger onto the Jiang family member who had commissioned him to deal with Yan Liangfei in Changjing. No wonder those Jiang family members dared to act against Yan Liangfei's father and grandfather in the North Suburbs, but didn't dare to deal with a mere inexperienced youth like Yan Liangfei here in Changjing. They were setting me up!

Having settled his mind on taking Yan Liangfei to the North Suburbs, Zhang Yang didn't want to waste any more time. He immediately took out his phone and called Mi Xue. Mi Xue was out shopping at the time. Zhang Yang told her that he might need to travel with the three divine beasts—Lightning, Shadowless, and Chasing Wind—for a few days and wouldn't be home for the weekend.

Mi Xue was initially a little reluctant, but a few sweet words from Zhang Yang settled her objection. Mi Xue knew Zhang Yang wouldn't leave suddenly, and since he wasn't telling her now, he would surely explain when he returned after finishing his business. Not wanting to worry Zhang Yang, Mi Xue simply wished him safe travels with understanding before hanging up.

After ending the call, Zhang Yang suddenly remembered there was still one person in the emergency room.

"Ma-Master Zhang..." Haozi, seeing Zhang Yang finally had time for him, tentatively inquired, "Can I... can I go now?"

Zhang Yang nodded. Haozi’s face immediately lit up with joy. He bowed repeatedly, then retreated toward the emergency room door. Zhang Yang letting him go was already a blessing; if he didn't leave now, when would he?

Once outside the emergency room door, Haozi was immediately surrounded by a group of doctors. Guo Yong was clearly completely reassured by Zhang Yang's medical skills. Seeing the patient who had baffled everyone moments ago walking out of the emergency room perfectly fine, he was overjoyed.

"Uncle Haozi?" Yan Liangfei was thrilled to see Uncle Haozi unharmed and walked over intending to greet him.

But Haozi was in no mood to deal with Yan Liangfei now. He didn't want to stay here a second longer. What if Zhang Yang, still inside the emergency room, changed his mind? Wouldn't he be utterly ruined then? Ignoring Yan Liangfei, Haozi squeezed through the crowd and bolted toward the hospital entrance, disappearing from sight in a flash.

Only after running clear of Jinghe Hospital did Haozi finally let out a deep breath. The immense pressure Zhang Yang had placed on him finally began to ease.

"Jiang family... How dare you harm me! And you told me Yan Liangfei had only sought refuge with a distant relative in Changjing, surrounded by ordinary people. From this day forward, I am irreconcilable with your Jiang family!" Haozi muttered angrily, then sped away from the entrance of Jinghe Hospital. He needed to leave Changjing quickly; staying a second longer in the city felt like inviting another encounter with Zhang Yang. Haozi harbored no thoughts of retaliation against Zhang Yang, transferring all his rage onto the Jiang family of the North Suburbs.

Outside the emergency room, the doctors stared at each other in confusion. None of them could believe that what Zhang Yang had said moments before had actually come true. The man who looked moments away from death had actually walked out under his own power, vigorous and rosy-cheeked, looking nothing like someone who had just lost consciousness. Their admiration for Zhang Yang's medical skill grew even stronger.

"Uncle Haozi, why are you running so fast? Didn't even have time to stop and chat? I wanted to ask you about the situation with my mother and grandmother..." Yan Liangfei mumbled, utterly perplexed. He had finally found an acquaintance in Changjing, only to be completely ignored as the man fled.

It was at this moment that Zhang Yang emerged from the emergency room, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Yan Liangfei, go pack up. I'm taking you back to your hometown with me." Zhang Yang then looked at Guo Yong and added, "Next, I need to take Yan Liangfei to his hometown in the North Suburbs, Dean Guo. Yan Liangfei might need to request a few days leave."

"Is that so? Is something serious happening?" Guo Yong keenly sensed the tension in the air, realizing something significant might have occurred, and asked with concern.

"To the North Suburbs? My home? Has something happened at my home?" Yan Liangfei was first stunned, then anxiously grabbed Zhang Yang’s hand. "What did Uncle Haozi just say? What happened to my family?"

"I'll tell you on the way!" Zhang Yang pulled Yan Liangfei along without ceremony, heading straight for his Mercedes parked outside the hospital.

"Hey, hey!" Yan Liangfei tried to resist, but in Zhang Yang's grip, he felt like a ragdoll. Zhang Yang pulled him from upstairs to downstairs and stuffed him into the Mercedes; he didn't even have the strength to struggle. It was then that Yan Liangfei realized Zhang Yang's strength far surpassed his own. The matter was no longer just about his Yan family; it now involved Mi Xue, which was why Zhang Yang was in such a hurry.

Zhang Yang sped his Mercedes wildly, driving straight back to his villa.

When Lightning, Shadowless, and Chasing Wind saw the Mercedes pull into the villa grounds, they immediately gathered around. Yan Liangfei, sitting in the passenger seat, stared blankly as the three spiritual beasts approached. His mouth dropped open so wide it seemed it would never close again. At this moment, he had even forgotten how Zhang Yang had managed to stuff him into the car. These three spiritual beasts, radiating profound spiritual energy, were existences rarely seen in a thousand years—yet here he was, seeing three of them at once! (To be continued)