The short man leading the way for Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan suddenly turned, offering them a chilling smile. "I strongly advise the two of you to cease any futile resistance."

This diminutive Japanese man had no idea who used to inhabit these ruins, nor the nature of the relationship between the former residents and the Yan family. Had he known, he might have understood the Elder Yan's desperate resolve. Yet, despite his ignorance, not a single word spoken softly by Elder Yan to Tang Xiaolan escaped his ears.

The short Japanese man was confident because another master, one whose cultivation was perfected—a special-grade Japanese ninja, the legendary and most formidable samurai of the Great Japanese Empire, Igasaki Dōjun!—was also present.

At the mere thought of this warrior renowned throughout Japan, the short man’s face contorted into an expression of fanatical reverence. After delivering his warning to Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan, he immediately dropped to his knees facing the ruins, then bowed low in a sudden motion, shouting, "Lord Igasaki! I have brought the two people you seek!"

Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan exchanged a glance. Hearing the name of the lord the man uttered, they realized their captor was, in fact, also Japanese.

Regardless of nationality, Elder Yan’s desire to die was absolute; she had only been waiting for an opening when her captor was distracted.

"Xiaolan!"

Elder Yan suddenly released Tang Xiaolan’s hand and shouted, then lunged violently toward a large nearby stone, intending to smash her head upon it!

Everything happened too quickly. The short Japanese man was still kneeling and couldn't possibly intervene in time!

The instant the Elder released her hand, Tang Xiaolan understood her intent. She hardened her resolve instantly, spotting a thick, sturdy tree nearby, and slammed her head against it with all her might!

They were lunging towards separate destinations almost simultaneously. Even if the short Japanese man had reacted, he could only save one; the other would certainly die instantly upon impact.

However, upon seeing the actions of Tang Xiaolan and Elder Yan, the short Japanese man merely sighed and shook his head, showing no fear that either would succeed in killing themselves.

Just as Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan were about to strike the stone and the tree, both were violently yanked back by an immense force. A lean Japanese man materialized beside them as if he were a clone, pulling them both back together.

"In my presence, even biting your tongue to end your life will prove impossible."

The one who intercepted Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan was, naturally, Igasaki Dōjun, whose cultivation had reached the Great Perfection stage.

Looking at Igasaki Dōjun, a profound sense of helplessness washed over Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan. His simple statement made them believe deep in their core that this man truly possessed the power to prevent even their suicides.

They had only felt such a sensation before in the presence of Zhang Yang. Yet, this man before them was intensely cold and grim, unlike Zhang Yang, who naturally evoked a sense of warmth.

"I have invited you here simply to keep you here for one day," Igasaki Dōjun said, offering the two a faint smile.

Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan looked at each other, and then their vision abruptly darkened; they both passed out.

Igasaki Dōjun smiled faintly and then addressed the short man still kneeling on the ground. "Take them downstairs. Do you know what to do next?"

"Yes, sir!"

The short man nodded fiercely again and continued, "I will certainly avoid the others and leak the situation regarding these two to Yan Liangfei, leading him here."

Igasaki Dōjun nodded and added, "Be very careful with your wording. Do not threaten Yan Liangfei excessively, or he will certainly tell Zhang Yang without regard for the consequences, which will ruin our plan. Remember, you must ensure that only Yan Liangfei comes to Yanming Mountain alone. Once I have captured Yan Liangfei, I will not fear being unable to lure Zhang Yang."

Hearing Igasaki Dōjun's instructions, the short Japanese man displayed a troubled expression. Igasaki Dōjun’s demand was undoubtedly difficult for him. He had initially assumed that after capturing Yan Liangfei's mother and grandmother, he could simply threaten Yan Liangfei into coming alone. However, following Lord Igasaki’s specifications, this direct approach could not be used.

But how exactly could he maneuver to ensure Yan Liangfei would come to Yanming Mountain by himself?

The short Japanese man stood up after regaining his composure and remained standing for a long time, racking his brain but failing to devise a viable method.

However, Igasaki Dōjun had no intention of offering his subordinate any hints. He cast a cold glance at the unconscious Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan on the ground, and with a bang, he vanished from the ruins entirely.

In the blink of an eye, only the short Japanese man remained.

He looked at the two figures on the ground and waved his hand.

Immediately, four other men entered from outside—the same four who had assisted Igasaki Dōjun in the capture earlier. They approached and carried Elder Yan and Tang Xiaolan away.

"Wait!"

The short Japanese man suddenly called out; a good idea had just struck him.

When the four men stopped, he walked over and noted a very old sachet tied to Tang Xiaolan’s waist. Having lived in China for a long time, he knew about certain folk customs, particularly how women's sachets were often quite personal.

The short Japanese man speculated that if this sachet was extremely important to Tang Xiaolan, Yan Liangfei would surely be familiar with it. Using this sachet as bait, he might just lure Yan Liangfei in!

"Go now," he instructed.

Clutching the sachet in his hand, the short Japanese man then turned and headed out of the mountain.

After leaving Yanming Mountain, the short Japanese man drove directly to Changjing overnight.

In Changjing, they also maintained an intelligence network. Upon arrival, he handed the sachet over to them, leaving the headache of how to lure Yan Liangfei alone to Yanming Mountain to their local operators.

After all, Lord Igasaki had only one objective: capture Yan Liangfei, then force Zhang Yang to come alone. If the timing of this process was handled correctly, Zhang Yang would have no time to call for backup!

Changjing settled into another quiet night, where nothing seemed to happen.

"Ring! Ring! Ring!"

The very next morning, Zhang Yang’s phone suddenly rang.

Picking it up, Zhang Yang saw it was Guo Yong, the director of Jinghe Hospital. Since Zhang Yang began his internship at Jinghe, Guo Yong rarely called him when he wasn't working, indicating that this must be a matter of great importance.

"Hello, Director Guo?"

"Zhang Yang, is that you? Are you really there?" Guo Yong’s voice on the other end was extremely anxious; clearly, a major incident had occurred.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Yang asked, puzzled.

"Hurry to the hospital! We had a traffic accident here. A truck driver, likely due to fatigue, nearly collided with a sedan right at our hospital entrance. Both vehicles ended up crashing into the roadside wall. The injuries sustained by both drivers will almost certainly require immediate craniotomy surgery, but the risk involved is immense. Many doctors at our hospital are stumped. Please come quickly and see if there is any other way to reduce the surgical risk!"

It was indeed an emergency for Guo Yong to be this frantic. A craniotomy is no ordinary procedure; the surgeon must possess supreme medical skill and nerve, lest a single misstep result in the patient dying on the operating table. Jinghe Hospital was merely an ordinary private facility; its medical equipment and the overall skill level of its doctors were not exceptionally high, making it difficult to handle such a high-level surgery independently. However, two severely injured patients were right outside the doors, and transferring them to a larger hospital nearby would take far too long.

Guo Yong was truly out of options and could only call Zhang Yang for help, hoping this young man who repeatedly delivered miracles could find a solution, at least ensuring these two wouldn't die here.

It was a desperate gamble, but from Zhang Yang's villa to Jinghe Hospital, if speed was prioritized, he could arrive in time—certainly much faster than transporting the critically injured to a major hospital.

Zhang Yang did not hesitate. Hanging up the phone, he slung his canvas bag over his shoulder, grabbed some prepared pills, and immediately called Yan Liangfei, who had just woken up, instructing them to rush to Jinghe Hospital immediately!

At this moment, Yan Liangfei had only just gotten out of bed and hadn't eaten breakfast, but seeing Zhang Yang's expression, he knew something was wrong and dared not waste time, following closely behind Zhang Yang.

This time, Zhang Yang didn't even take his Mercedes; instead, he and Yan Liangfei mounted Zhuifeng (Wind Chaser) and sped toward Jinghe Hospital!

At Zhuifeng's speed, arriving at Jinghe Hospital was a matter of moments, ensuring Zhang Yang reached his destination in the shortest possible time.

A healer prioritizes the patient. At this moment, Zhang Yang could no longer worry about how to explain Zhuifeng's appearance if it was discovered. Fortunately, besides the entrance to Jinghe Hospital, the early morning streets were sparsely populated. After reaching the vicinity of Jinghe Hospital, Zhang Yang dismounted from Zhuifeng in advance and strode through the hospital gates with Yan Liangfei.

Director Guo Yong had been waiting at the entrance. Seeing Zhang Yang arrive so swiftly, he had no time to marvel at his speed before grabbing Zhang Yang and running toward the operating room, with Yan Liangfei close behind.

The two quickly changed their clothes and followed Guo Yong into the operating theater.

Meanwhile, outside Zhang Yang's villa, several shadowy figures were lurking, keeping watch.

"Yan Liangfei usually leaves for Jinghe Hospital around this time. We can wait for him here."

"Are the things prepared?"

"Don't worry, everything is ready!"

"Say, what exactly do those Japanese people want? I heard the people in this villa are quite formidable. Did they offend those Japanese?"

"Stop gossiping and just do our job. We'll get paid afterward. These matters between the rich have nothing to do with us!"