"The Third Elder of the Long family, what grudge does he truly hold against the Long family that he seeks to utterly destroy them!"

Zhang Yang let out a soft sigh. If the Long family could have kept the secret and actually obtained the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach, allowing another Great Perfection master to emerge, the Long family's glory would slowly return.

Last time, the Long family suffered devastating losses precisely because the Third Elder, Long Jiang, betrayed them, causing the great protective array to suddenly fail at the final moments of the great battle. Yet, the Long family's foundation remained; all they lacked was a Great Perfection expert.

Now that the news has leaked—that such a treasure exists—the other prominent families wouldn't give the Long family another chance. Never mind them; even Zhang Pinglu held an intense craving for such an object. The allure of this treasure was simply too immense for anyone at the Great Perfection level.

“That, I truly don’t know. Perhaps he intends to fish in troubled waters, or perhaps… he simply wishes to annihilate the Long family.”

Zhang Yuan'an continued to shake his head; the actions of the Long family's Third Elder were beyond his comprehension as well.

“Yangyang, this news has already spread. As far as I know, all the major established families and sects are heading towards Kunlun Mountain with their clan members and disciples, hoping to seize this opportunity to profit from the chaos. Therefore, I hope you will take the disciples of our Medical Saint Martial Sect to Kunlun Mountain. Firstly, to see if we can acquire this Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach; secondly, to give our Medical Saint Martial Sect members some real experience; and thirdly, we can use this chance to promote the name of our Medical Saint Martial Sect.”

The Old Master stared at Zhang Yang and spoke slowly.

Mentioning Zhang Yang, many in the cultivation world knew him, but as for the Medical Saint Martial Sect, currently only top-tier major families and sects like the Long family and Shaolin were aware of it. Smaller sects and families likely hadn't even heard the name.

Zhang Yang nodded. The Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach held immense attraction not just for the Old Master; even Zhang Yang found it difficult to resist. If the Old Master hadn't mentioned it, Zhang Yang would still have gone to Kunlun Mountain just to see what the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach looked like.

“Yuan'an, you should go with Zhang Yang. Quite a few people from the major sects and families are going this time; one more person means one more measure of strength. Furthermore, based on the current information, this emerging Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach still has about three months before it fully matures. Let this time serve as an excellent opportunity to train the disciples under our Medical Saint Martial Sect banner.”

The Old Master turned his gaze toward Zhang Yuan'an and continued speaking.

Zhang Yuan'an nodded, then looked at the Old Master with confusion and asked, “Then what about you, Old Master?”

“I won’t be accompanying you for now. But rest assured, before the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach matures, both Dao Feng and I will certainly arrive at Kunlun to meet you.”

The Old Master shook his head. He didn't plan to travel with Zhang Yang and the others because he needed to return to the Long family plains first. He and Zhang Daofeng needed to investigate exactly why the Long family's Third Elder, Long Jiang, would spread news that brought only harm and no benefit to himself.

“Understood. Then Uncle and I will pack up and set off for Kunlun Mountain with the disciples of our Medical Saint Martial Sect tomorrow.”

Zhang Yang readily agreed. Since the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach was still far from maturity, he would take this chance to let Qu Meilan and the others travel a bit.

Moreover, since getting engaged to Mi Xue, Zhang Yang hadn't taken her out for proper recreation even once. This was a good opportunity to mend that regret.

“Not tomorrow, Yangyang. Have Mi Xue pack up; leave with the people today.”

The Old Master frowned slightly and stated his command to Zhang Yang with finality.

“Does it need to be that urgent?”

Surprisingly, it was Zhang Yuan'an who questioned the rush.

The Old Master nodded and then explained, “Heavenly materials and earthly treasures go to those fated to find them. Even with our great strength, we must make thorough preparations and cannot afford any carelessness. Moreover, taking our Medical Saint Martial Sect disciples out is for their training; too short a time will yield no results.”

“Alright, I’ll have Mi Xue start preparing immediately.”

Zhang Yang agreed. It seemed the promise he made yesterday to Director Guo of Jinghe Hospital couldn't be kept. However, it wasn't a major issue. Guo Yong wanted him to visit Jinghe Hospital today mainly to publicize yesterday's surgery and introduce Zhang Yang to various media outlets, which would serve as incredibly effective free advertising for Jinghe Hospital.

As for such empty fame, Zhang Yang had long since stopped caring. The surgical results spoke for themselves—both car accident victims were now out of the critical danger period. That was the best evidence; whether he was there or not was unimportant.

Thinking this, Zhang Yang immediately called Guo Yong, informing him that he had an urgent matter and would be unable to go to Jinghe Hospital.

After a lengthy conversation with that old fox Guo Yong, Zhang Yang, needing to soothe Guo Yong’s bruised ego, reluctantly agreed to at least leave Yan Liangfei at Jinghe Hospital. Yan Liangfei had served as Zhang Yang's assistant during yesterday’s operation, and having him represent Zhang Yang was the only way Guo Yong could reluctantly accept the situation.

Of course, Zhang Yang also remembered the request made by the elder of the Yan family at Yanming Mountain. Zhang Yang understood the Yan elder's hopes for Yan Liangfei, which led him to make this final decision: letting Yan Liangfei forgo this journey of exploration to stay behind and guard the main base.

Once everything was settled, the Old Master left the villa, and Zhang Yang walked downstairs with Zhang Yuan'an.

“Uncle! Uncle!”

Seeing Uncle Zhang Yuan'an walking down from upstairs with Zhang Yang, Mi Xue was startled.

“Mi Xue, you're getting more beautiful!”

Zhang Yuan'an greeted Mi Xue with a smile, paying her a compliment.

“Mi Xue, Uncle came to tell me something—he’s arranging for me to go on a trip,” Zhang Yang said with a slight smile. She now possessed the strength of the mid-stage Inner Force Second Layer, making her even more formidable than Qu Meilan, so Zhang Yang felt quite secure taking her along.

“A trip? Where are we going?”

Mi Xue blinked, then asked excitedly.

“First to Changzhou, I’ll show you the Leshan Giant Buddha, then we’ll visit Long Feng’s family for a bit, and finally, we’ll see Kunlun Mountain before heading home. How does that sound?”

Zhang Yang had already planned the itinerary and told Mi Xue.

“That’s wonderful! When do we leave!”

Mi Xue cheered, then turned to Uncle Zhang Yuan'an and immediately asked, “Is Uncle coming too? Should we bring Qu Meilan and Yan Liangfei along?”

In Mi Xue's view, the more people on a trip, the merrier.

Zhang Yang nodded and replied, “Since Yan Liangfei has to work at the hospital, we won’t bring him this time. But Qu Meilan, Yan Yefei, and Li Juan will all be going with us.”

Zhang Yuan'an smiled at Mi Xue and added, “That’s right, Mi Xue. Go pack up quickly now; we are departing today.”

“Departing today?”

Mi Xue was momentarily stunned, but both Zhang Yuan'an and Zhang Yang nodded simultaneously.

“Okay, I’ll ask Qu Meilan to help me pack!”

Although Mi Xue found it strange, she didn't overthink it and immediately skipped off to find Qu Meilan.

Watching Mi Xue’s delight, Zhang Yang and Zhang Yuan'an exchanged a look and burst into laughter.

A short while later, Yan Yefei and Li Juan also arrived at Zhang Yang’s home. Upon learning they would be accompanying Zhang Yang on the trip, they happily joined Qu Meilan and Mi Xue in packing.

“Brother Zhang, are you home?”

A strange, almost mechanical voice called from outside the door. However, Zhang Yang was not unfamiliar with this particular eerie tone; it was the same mechanical voice Huang Longshi had used outside the northern suburbs previously.

In fact, even before hearing the voice, Zhang Yang had sensed Huang Longshi's arrival, so as the sound resonated, he had already opened the villa's main gate for him.

“Is that… a Great Perfection expert?”

Zhang Yuan'an tensed up instantly upon sensing the power of the person outside. He had been away from Changjing recently and was unaware of the situation with Huang Longshi. Suddenly detecting the aura of a Great Perfection cultivator at the gate, especially at this critical juncture concerning the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach, naturally made him tense.

“Uncle, allow me to introduce you. This is Huang Longshi from State Security, my friend. And this gentleman is also my friend, Qiao Yihong.”

Zhang Yang had already pulled the door open, ushering Huang Longshi and Qiao Yihong, who was trailing behind him, inside, and introduced them to his Uncle Zhang Yuan'an.

Hearing Zhang Yang refer to them as friends, Zhang Yuan'an relaxed his guard. He looked at Huang Longshi, then turned to Qiao Yihong, recognizing him at that moment as a late-stage Inner Force Third Layer cultivator.

“Brother Huang, what brings you to visit me today?”

Zhang Yang looked at Huang Longshi, knowing he had been incredibly busy dealing with foreign cultivators recently and hadn't visited in a long time. He was surprised Huang Longshi had the free time to bring Qiao Yihong along now.

Moreover, Qiao Yihong was clearly being restrained by internal energy, unable to speak or move. Could there be some conflict between him and Huang Longshi?

“Brother Zhang, I came to confirm one matter with you.”

Huang Longshi was quite solemn, adopting a strictly professional demeanor. He pointed at Qiao Yihong and asked Zhang Yang, “You know this man, don’t you, Brother Zhang?”

Glancing at Qiao Yihong, Zhang Yang frowned slightly and replied, “Yes, I do. What’s wrong? Is there a problem with him?”

Hearing Zhang Yang’s confirmation, the sternness on Huang Longshi’s face eased slightly. He immediately turned and lightly patted Qiao Yihong a few times, releasing the restriction on him.

“Hah!”

Once the restraint was lifted, Qiao Yihong let out a deep breath, stretched his limbs, and then, with a pained expression, said to Huang Longshi, “See? I told you long ago that I knew Mr. Zhang, and that I was tracking the Koreans under Mr. Zhang’s orders.”

“I apologize sincerely; it was all a misunderstanding.”

Huang Longshi’s tone toward Qiao Yihong was far less cordial than toward Zhang Yang. After offering a brief explanation, he turned back to Zhang Yang, forcing a wry smile, “No wonder you knew about Park Seung-eun’s movements even before we did. It turns out you had such a powerful Third Layer cultivator keeping an eye out for you…”

“You mean, you thought Qiao Yihong was an intelligence operative planted by the Koreans inside China?”

Zhang Yang looked at Qiao Yihong. After listening to their exchange, he had mostly figured out what had happened.

It seemed Qiao Yihong was still stationed outside the Jingyang Sihua Hotel, monitoring the remaining South Korean representatives like Park Ae-young. He was subsequently discovered by Huang Longshi’s forces, who were currently cracking down hard on Japanese and Korean cultivators.

Huang Longshi’s subordinates had followed the leads, uncovering evidence of Qiao Yihong’s prior intelligence contact with the deceased Kim Hyun-shin, which led Huang Longshi to order his arrest.

When Huang Longshi’s agents encountered Qiao Yihong, they realized they had severely underestimated him. He had completely concealed his late-stage Inner Force Third Layer strength, and the Silver Robe agents sent out couldn't capture him. Furthermore, Qiao Yihong’s masterful disguise techniques caused immense trouble for his pursuers.

Ultimately, Huang Longshi had to intervene personally, taking great effort to finally apprehend Qiao Yihong.

However, after capturing him, Qiao Yihong stubbornly insisted he was only a spy sent by Zhang Yang. As a precaution, Huang Longshi brought Qiao Yihong directly to Zhang Yang’s home for confirmation. This led to the scene unfolding this morning.

Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Huang Longshi learned that Qiao Yihong had met Zhang Yang, reformed, and was no longer providing intelligence to the Koreans.

“Brother Zhang, are you preparing to leave on a long journey?”

Huang Longshi asked doubtfully when he noticed Mi Xue and Qu Meilan packing luggage.

Zhang Yang nodded and replied, “Yes, a long trip. I probably won't be staying in Changjing for a while.”

“Oh… going to Kunlun for tourism, perhaps?”

Huang Longshi narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly inquired.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan'an’s relaxed posture immediately became taut again; this Huang Longshi’s words carried hidden meaning.

Zhang Yang laughed heartily and gave no direct answer. Huang Longshi didn't press further, instead giving Zhang Yang a meaningful look before leaving Qiao Yihong behind and waving farewell.

However, just before departing, Huang Longshi transmitted a phrase to Zhang Yang using vocal projection directly into his ear:

“If you need anything, remember to contact me. Don’t forget, that person still owes you a favor.”

“Yangyang, it seems this person also knows about that news,” Zhang Yuan'an murmured, standing beside Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang smiled faintly, then shook his head, signaling to his uncle not to worry; Huang Longshi’s parting words seemed to indicate his stance.

When Zhang Yang welcomed Qiao Yihong inside, Qu Meilan, Yan Yefei, and the others had nearly finished packing.

“Mr. Zhang, are you preparing to go out?” Qiao Yihong asked with envy, looking at Yan Yefei and the others.

“Mm-hmm.”

Zhang Yang nodded and told Qiao Yihong, “I am taking the disciples of our Medical Saint Martial Sect out this time for travel and practical experience, to broaden everyone’s horizons.”

“Then, Mr. Zhang, could you possibly take me along?”

Qiao Yihong’s eyes lit up. He had heard Qu Meilan mention the establishment of the Medical Saint Martial Sect and knew that both Qu Meilan and Yan Liangfei were its disciples.

Thump!

He suddenly knelt down, looking at Zhang Yang with desperate expectation, begging, “Mr. Zhang, I am also willing to join the Medical Saint Martial Sect. Please accept me!”