As the hour grew late, Zhang Yang instructed Qu Meilan to arrange a guest room for Uncle Qiao Yihong and his nephew to stay in for the night. Qiao Hu's poisoning by the Ci Xiong Cao was no issue whatsoever with Wuying present.

However, before Qiao Yihong departed, Zhang Yang pulled him aside for a lengthy, private conversation.

No one overheard what Zhang Yang said to Qiao Yihong, only watching as the older man nodded repeatedly throughout the discourse. Once Zhang Yang finished, Qiao Yihong followed Qu Meilan out.

Following that, Zhang Yang told Yan Liangfei to also turn in early, as he had work at the hospital the next day. Neither he nor Qu Meilan possessed the ability to maintain peak energy levels like Zhang Yang without needing sleep. Even the two little ones, Wuying and Shandian, were sent off to bed by Zhang Yang.

Once everyone had left, Zhang Yang led the Old Man down to the basement that had been converted into an alchemy chamber.

On the way, the Old Man looked at Zhang Yang and casually asked, "Yangyang, you killed those Japanese and Koreans; they certainly won't let this rest. They will undoubtedly scheme to seek revenge in Changjing in the future. Have you thought about how you plan to deal with these petty rats?"

"That Qiao Yihong from earlier, Old Man, did you perceive his cultivation level?"

Without directly answering the Old Man's question, Zhang Yang posed a question back with a hint of mystery. The Old Man paused, then looked puzzled. "Isn't he just an ordinary person? What, does he have some special quality?"

Seeing that the Old Man registered Qiao Yihong as merely common folk, Zhang Yang felt a secret delight, though he dared not show any expression.

"Old Man, that Qiao Yihong is a third-layer Inner Force cultivator!"

"What? That's impossible! If he were a third-layer Inner Force cultivator, how could he have evaded my sight!" The Old Man’s shock was evident; he clearly did not believe Zhang Yang's assertion.

"The technique Qiao Yihong practices is the ancestral mental art of the Qiao family. Their internal cultivation method does not primarily focus on boosting combat ability, but rather on perfectly concealing one's aura so that others cannot detect it. If he hadn't briefly let his guard down, even I wouldn't have realized he had been tracking me for nearly an entire day!"

"What? You didn't notice he tracked you for a whole day? Is he truly a third-layer Inner Force cultivator?"

Hearing this, the Old Man was shocked once more, quickly pressing for confirmation.

"Yes. Not only that, Qiao Yihong possesses an exquisite art of disguise. Unless he deliberately reveals himself, he will never be discovered."

Zhang Yang chuckled, then continued, "Old Man, look, with a person like this secretly keeping tabs on the foreigners who come to Huaxia, do I need to worry about failing to find those coming here with ill intent toward Huaxia?"

"So that's it!"

The Old Man realized the truth after hearing Zhang Yang’s explanation. Having someone capable of hiding so effectively that even a Great Perfection expert couldn't easily detect him lurking in the shadows meant that no matter how surreptitiously those foreigners behaved, they were unlikely to remain hidden.

With his mind at ease, Old Man Zhang Pinglu dropped the matter.

Upon reaching the alchemy chamber, Zhang Yang took out the Demonic Blade Muramasa he had confiscated from the dark shinobi. He had brought the Old Man here to discuss how to handle this wicked blade.

Although the Demonic Blade Muramasa currently appeared indistinguishable from an ordinary Japanese sword, this was solely because Zhang Yang had completely suppressed it. It was evident that Zhang Yang held considerable interest in this demonic blade capable of boosting one's Inner Force cultivation.

"The Demonic Blade Muramasa is truly a national treasure of Japan. Yangyang, I think you need to investigate the identity of that Ishino Kotaro. I believe his status is far from ordinary," the Old Man instructed after glancing at the blade.

"I know. That’s why I specifically cautioned Qiao Yihong earlier to investigate Ishino Kotaro thoroughly." Zhang Yang nodded. He placed the Demonic Blade Muramasa on the table and withdrew his suppression over it.

As Zhang Yang lifted his restraint, the unremarkable blade suddenly emitted a blood-red glow, faintly showing signs of reawakening. Because the dark shinobi who controlled it was dead, the demonic blade was now effectively masterless. The bloodthirsty, malevolent energy it carried, released from Zhang Yang's suppression, was completely unrestrained.

"Yangyang, are you planning to keep this blade for yourself?"

Seeing Zhang Yang’s action, the Old Man assumed he intended to claim the demonic blade. He frowned slightly, speaking with a hint of worry, "The Demonic Blade Muramasa is considered an evil blade even in Japan. Although you, Yangyang, have grasped the Way of Nature and won't suffer Qi deviation from external influences, keeping such a blade nearby, even if it doesn't affect you, could easily influence those around you."

"Old Man, you misunderstand. The Japanese side absolutely will not allow this demonic blade to remain in my hands. I plan to use this blade as bait to deal with those Japanese masters first!"

Zhang Yang quickly shook his head, explaining his intent. "Therefore, I will keep this blade near me for a significant period. To prevent its malevolent, sinister energy from affecting those around me, I hope to find a way to eliminate its dark aura."

Zhang Pinglu stepped forward, grasped the hilt, and lifted the Demonic Blade Muramasa, then closed his eyes in deep thought.

Once held by the Old Man, the Demonic Blade Muramasa let out another mournful cry, and the blood-red light on its surface quickly dimmed again. In the presence of a Great Perfection cultivator, the Demonic Blade Muramasa had no room to exert itself; it was held tightly in check.

Suddenly, Old Man Zhang Ping opened his eyes and spoke to Zhang Yang with a serious expression, "Yangyang, this demonic blade has a lineage spanning over a hundred years. The malevolent energy it contains should not be underestimated. The only current method that can suppress the sinister aura it harbors is the Demon-Subduing Formation of Shaolin. Furthermore, given enough time, it might even be possible to completely eradicate the malevolent energy it holds."

Saying this, the Old Man placed the Demonic Blade Muramasa back on the table. The moment it left his hand, the blood-red glow on the blade began to resurface.

Looking at the strangely compelling demonic blade, the Old Man continued, "The reason the Demonic Blade Muramasa can drastically increase the Inner Force cultivation of its user is entirely due to the sinister, malevolent energy stored within the blade itself. If the century-long dark aura accumulated within the Demonic Blade Muramasa is completely purged, then this blade will be nothing more than an ancient artifact, certainly not a divine weapon."

Zhang Yang frowned. He understood the Old Man's meaning, but the Demonic Blade Muramasa was lost in Huaxia, meaning the Japanese would certainly rush to Changjing faster than anyone else. However, if the Old Man took the blade to Shaolin, it wouldn't be returned anytime soon, which would disrupt Zhang Yang's plan. Moreover, if news of the blade being at Shaolin leaked, it would surely drag Shaolin into trouble?

Zhang Yang preferred to find a way to keep the Demonic Blade Muramasa by his side, as it served as a crucial lure for his subsequent plans.

"Hmm, what is that smell?"

Old Man Zhang Pinglu suddenly frowned, sniffing the air deeply.

"What is it?"

Zhang Yang looked at the Old Man curiously, not understanding what had captured his attention. This was Zhang Yang's alchemy chamber; the Old Man was familiar with most of the spiritual herbs kept here. What could possibly draw his notice?

"No, how can this be here?"

Zhang Pinglu’s brow furrowed deeper. He rose and walked a few steps toward the source of the scent that had snagged his attention. Seeing the direction the Old Man was moving, Zhang Yang suddenly understood what had piqued his interest.

When the Old Man walked over, he saw the medicine casket Zhang Yang had set aside separately.

"This is White Flame Demonic Ginseng!"

Upon opening it, even the Old Man couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Zhang Yang chuckled, walked over, and said to the Old Man, "Old Man, didn't I tell you before? I found this in the villa within Yanming Mountain after I helped Yan Liangfei avenge his family’s deep-seated hatred."

"Oh, right, besides the White Flame Demonic Ginseng, I also obtained a Spirit Beast Core."

When Zhang Yang finished speaking, the Old Man's eyes nearly popped out. "What? You mean a Spirit Beast Core?"

"Yes. I even used a small portion of it to refine several Inheritance Pills." Zhang Yang also informed the Old Man about his success in refining the Inheritance Pills.

The Old Man let out a long breath, unsure what to say. Zhang Yang's luck was so extraordinary that he felt a touch of envy and jealousy.

After a long pause, the Old Man finally spoke, "A Spirit Beast Core is something gained by the destined. Since you obtained it, Yangyang, you must decide how to use it wisely. After all, no matter how long a Spirit Beast Core is preserved, it loses not a bit of its spiritual energy."

Saying this, the Old Man walked over, picked up the Demonic Blade Muramasa, and handed it to Zhang Yang.

"What is it, Old Man? Could it be..." Zhang Yang looked at the Demonic Blade Muramasa in his hand, then at the Old Man, a sudden idea flashing in his mind.

"Yes!"

Seeing Zhang Yang's expression, the Old Man knew Zhang Yang had guessed what he was about to say.

"What I need to tell you concerns the relationship between this White Flame Demonic Ginseng and the Demonic Blade Muramasa."

"The White Flame Demonic Ginseng is a natural nemesis to cultivators—but that statement isn't entirely accurate. More precisely, the White Flame Demonic Ginseng is the nemesis of Heaven and Earth Energy. And the malevolent aura contained within the Demonic Blade Muramasa is essentially just a form of Heaven and Earth Energy, only it has been excessively defiled by blood, turning it into a sinister, evil energy."

Zhang Yang’s eyes lit up. This meant there was a way to keep the Demonic Blade Muramasa by his side!