Song Yunxiang snapped back to his senses. He had been in a rush to prove himself to Gu An, as the next slot for visiting the Merak Sacred Land was in Gu An’s hands.
Gu An had been furious about the whole affair with Yang Chan, and Song Yunxiang worried he would be excluded from the next trip to the Merak Sacred Land.
That was why he had been so eager to drag Yang Chan over upon seeing him, only letting go after Yang Chan reminded him.
"It’s alright. Elder Song didn’t mean any harm."
"I’ve just been on edge the entire journey, so I’m completely exhausted right now."
"So, after reporting my safe return to the Sect Leader, I’d like to go back to my residence for some proper rest."
An even deeper look of exhaustion appeared on Yang Chan’s face.
An image formed in the minds of Gu An and Song Yunxiang: a Pharmacist with weak Combat Power, returning from the border, worried about encountering danger on his journey, and unable to rest properly the entire way.
It was a journey that crossed several provinces. He could have encountered experts from other Sects, and if they discovered his identity, they would have either abducted him to perform Alchemy for them or simply killed him to tie up loose ends.
The Major Sects were all known to make such moves in secret. Even Gu An himself would act if he came across a similar opportunity. Though the Major Sects were supposedly allies, none would pass up a chance to strike a blow against another.
After all, they were competitors to some degree, and Gu An certainly didn’t want other Sects to grow too powerful.
Killing him would be simple enough, but capturing him and forcing him to perform Alchemy for life was also an excellent option. For someone like Yang Chan, with his remarkable talent for Alchemy, they might even promise all sorts of benefits, then confine him to their Sect, forbid him from ever leaving, and give him a new name. After that, no one would ever know.
As this scene played out in his mind, Gu An shot a glance at Song Yunxiang.
’We should have spent more time searching back then. This whole embarrassing mess could have been avoided.’
Still, the final outcome was a good one. Yang Chan had returned safely, and that was better than anything.
"Right, right. You should go back and rest for a few days."
Hearing this, Gu An didn’t press him with any more questions.
An exhausted person needed rest above all else. Besides, Yang Chan was now safely back in the Cyan Yuan Sect. There would be plenty of time to ask questions later.
’The Great Zhou Imperial Family... it’s time they paid a price.’
’The Grand Ancestor of Great Zhou is about to perish. Even though the Old Emperor, Yang Yu, has broken through to the Martial Saint Realm, his actions—driven by the Imperial Dynasty’s fate—have caused our Sects to suffer grievous losses. They owe us an explanation!’
Gu An watched Yang Chan’s departing figure, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He had already joined forces with the other Sects to pressure the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. He certainly wouldn’t let the Great Zhou Imperial Family suppress them without a fight.
"The Great Zhou Imperial Family must really take everyone for a fool!"
"If it weren’t for the appearance of that Dragon Slayer, Ouyang Qingtian, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty would have two Martial Saint experts in power. Even if we knew the truth, we would have been forced to compromise," Song Yunxiang added.
The appearance of the Dragon Slayer, Ouyang Qingtian, was bad news for the Imperial Families of the two great Imperial Dynasties, but it didn’t have as much of an impact on the Major Sects.
This would hold true even if the dynasties were to change.
In fact, Ouyang Qingtian’s appearance at this juncture was, to a certain extent, a good thing for the Major Sects.
...
「Yuanqing Courtyard.」
"Pharmacist Yang, you’re back!"
Han Bingyu was waiting at the entrance, her eyes shining with excitement. She had clearly heard the news of his return.
After he had entered the Sect gates, he had gone to the Council Pavilion, stayed for a short while, and then had to travel some distance to get back here.
As someone who gathered intelligence, Han Bingyu had naturally received the news immediately, which was why she was waiting at the entrance.
"Yes, I’m back."
Yang Chan smiled and nodded.
Only upon returning to his own residence could he truly feel at ease.
Though his Cultivation was not weak, he had remained vigilant throughout his journey. After all, there were many powerful Martial Arts Cultivators out there.
Even with the Black Dragon as his trump card, it was always better to keep such assets hidden.
Returning to his residence now, he felt a renewed sense of peace.
"Pharmacist Yang, about..."
Han Bingyu started to tell Yang Chan about everything that had happened in recent days, but he cut her off.
"We can talk about it later. I’m exhausted from traveling these past few days. I need to get some real rest."
"First, have someone prepare hot water for a bath."
"And... you can scrub my back."
Yang Chan waved his hand dismissively. He was in no mood to listen to Han Bingyu’s report right now; he just wanted to relax completely.
Of course, he wasn’t the only one who needed to unwind.
"The hot water has already been arranged. It should be ready shortly," Han Bingyu said with a smile, not mentioning anything else as she followed Yang Chan into Yuanqing Courtyard.
She always acted in a way that pleased Yang Chan. Because she was so sensible, being with her was very comfortable.
The other maids along the way were overjoyed to see Yang Chan return alive. After all, when Elder Song and the others had returned to the Cyan Yuan Sect with the grim news of Yang Chan’s demise, every maid left in Yuanqing Courtyard had worried they would be sent down the mountain.
After all, if Yang Chan was gone, they would have no reason to stay.
Among the maids, Princess Lan Yue also heaved a long sigh of relief upon seeing Yang Chan return safely. When she had first heard the terrible news, she had found it hard to believe.
Of everyone there, she was the only one who knew just how deep Yang Chan’s secrets ran. After learning the full story of what had happened, she had a feeling he was likely still alive.
’After all, how could someone who hides his true self so deeply die so easily?’
Of course, she had still been worried. A battlefield where Martial Saint experts clashed was said to be an earth-shattering affair. Rumor had it the border city had been almost completely destroyed, and even nearby cities had been affected.
That level of Combat Power was simply terrifying.
If Yang Chan had truly died on that battlefield, her dream of going to the Merak Sacred Land would have been nothing but empty talk. At the same time, the Three Flower Insect Divine Pill in her body might have activated without an antidote.
After all, the supply of antidote Yang Chan had given her before he left would only last for a few months at most. If he had died, she would have no way of getting more.
As for forcefully resolving the issue herself, she would have to break through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm. Princess Lan Yue knew full well how difficult that was; it was basically impossible.
Her Cultivation speed was already extremely fast. She used a combination of various Cultivation Resources, pouring everything into advancing her Cultivation, and her progress far surpassed that of an ordinary person. But reaching the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm would still take an incredibly long time.
Princess Lan Yue watched as Yang Chan and Han Bingyu entered the bathing chamber one after the other, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
She had tried to get close to him many times, even being extremely forward, but she had never succeeded.
If she didn’t often see Han Bingyu staying in Yang Chan’s room, and occasionally hear those... pleasant sounds, she might have thought Yang Chan didn’t like women at all.
It seemed the proof was in: her own allure wasn’t enough to catch his eye, let alone stir the fires of desire in his heart. Otherwise, she would be the one following him inside right now.
Or at least, she would have been one of them.
Princess Lan Yue let out a faint sigh, then left with the others to continue her duties as a maid.