A chilling dread had gripped the magnificent festivities of the Yingtian Clan, for in every corner, every alley, and every market, only one topic was being discussed.

  "Did you hear? Last night, Xian Yong Ming did that despicable deed again. He killed several officials and tried to take the life of a poor boy, and murdered a shopkeeper too."

  Just then, in the group of people standing in the middle of the market discussing these matters, another man spoke up.

  "You are right. I just can't understand how Patriarch Tao Zhen allowed an individual like Xian Yong Ming to achieve the title of Immortality. He can discern the inherent evil within any person, can’t he? Then how could he have made a mistake in recognizing Xian Yong Ming?"

  These conversations were still ongoing when Hei Shu Yi entered from behind. The bells on her attire jingled softly as she walked. Upon entering the group, she spoke in a sharp, stern voice, directly addressing the man who had just finished speaking.

  "Keep your words to yourself, you fool. What do you even know about Patriarch Tao Zhen? How dare you speak such things? He never makes a mistake. Understand? Keep your mouth shut."

  With that, she walked inside, where she had come to check on the patients. Among them was Gu Zong, who had been brought there by the people last night.

  She went inside, and everyone respectfully greeted her as a physician. Every patient was happily with their family members and friends, but from one room, terrible shrieks and screams were coming. When she entered that room, the sight made her laugh uncontrollably. Gu Zong was lying on the bed, and Qing Yu and Mei Gui were scolding him severely. Qing Yu was even pulling his hair, and poor Gu Zong felt trapped between the two of them. Mei Gui was yelling at Xiao Tang:

  "Has your mind gone to graze, you idiot? What was the need for you to take that cursed name, huh? If people hadn't saved you, Master Xian Yong Ming would have taken your life!"

  Saying this, she pouted and sat down.

  "Now, I don't know what he will think. We have been buying lotus seeds from him for such a long time. Apart from him, no one else cultivates lotus. What will we do now?"

  Just then, a smiling Hei Shu Yi entered. Seeing her, Mei Gui and Qing Yu sat up straight, like well-behaved children. Both of them were very happy to see Hei Shu Yi. Mei Gui spoke with great affection and respect, a faint smile on her face.

  "Thank you very much once again for saving our friend’s life."

  Qing Yu then signaled to Mei Gui, suggesting, "We should leave now. Physician Hei Shu Yi needs to examine Xiao Tang. We will wait for you outside. You may proceed with your examination."

  Saying this, they left. Throughout this entire time, Gu Zong lay silent, as if he were dead. Hei Shu Yi could not understand what his pain truly was, but she did realize that whatever had happened in the past, the picture had completely reversed today. The room was filled with a dreadful silence. For a while, not even the sound of breathing could be heard, as both were lost in deep thoughts.

  "Master Gu Zong, this medicine will make you feel better."

  Saying this, she started to leave, as she had nothing more to say. She had heard and seen that there had been a fight between Gu Zong and Han Wu Ang Shi last night. And every child in this realm knew that they fought for only one reason: when someone took their name. Since Gu Zong had only just become aware of this terrible reality, he must have mistakenly taken Han Wu Ang Shi's name or tried to search for information about him.

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  But just as she got up to leave, Gu Zong called out from behind, asking in a heavy, burdened voice:

  "What happened forty-five years ago, after I left?"

  But before she could turn around and reply, Han Lao Fang, his disciples, and officials suddenly entered. Their presence immediately changed the atmosphere of the room. Their footsteps echoed everywhere. Frightened, Mei Gui and Qing Yu rushed back into the room from behind. The fear on their faces clearly indicated that the situation was about to escalate.

  Seeing Han Lao Fang suddenly, Gu Zong rose up in surprise and looked towards everyone. Han Lao Fang held Master Han Huan Hao's sword in his hand, and the chief's crown on his head. His royal clothes all spoke the same fact: that he was now the Chief. His eyes were filled with an unquenchable rage.

  Han Lao Fang had come to interrogate Xiao Tang. He spoke with confidence in a cold, heavy, thundering voice.

  "Merchant Xiao Tang, that's your name, isn't it?"

  He went and sat down beside him, taking a long breath, and looking directly into Xiao Tang's eyes, he said, "So, regarding the damage that occurred last night because of you, do you have anything to say, or will you directly answer for it in the High Assembly? Why did you take Xian Yong Ming's cursed name last night, even though you know very well that this name is strictly forbidden in this Yingtian Clan? Why did you take the name?"

  Hei Shu Yi, behind whom Mei Gui and Qing Yu stood holding their breath, just stared at Xiao Tang, wondering what would happen now. Master Han Lao Fang had directly implied that he could be taken to the High Assembly, and if there was one place crueler than any other, it was the High Assembly. Sweat started to form on Hei Shu Yi's forehead.

  Just then, Gu Zong glanced sideways at Hei Shu Yi. Seizing the opportunity, Hei Shu Yi softly released a small spell into the air. With her two fingers, she formed a hand seal in the air, and a small, almost invisible thread-like spiritual energy emerged from it, which drifted invisibly in the air and dissolved into Gu Zong's other hand without anyone noticing. The hidden message in the words of Hei Shu Yi’s spell was heard in Gu Zong's ears:

  "Master. There is a narcotic medicine kept next to you. You can lie that you were intoxicated last night because of taking this medicine, which is why the forbidden name of Xian Yong Ming slipped from your mouth. I will handle the rest."

  Gu Zong reluctantly followed her advice, because at this moment, he was surrounded on all sides. If he made a mistake, it could be very, very bad for him, as his body was still experiencing weakness. Just as Hei Shu Yi had suggested, Gu Zong did exactly that. He acted and said:

  "Forgive me, Chief. Last night, instead of my usual medicine, I accidentally took a narcotic drug, and it overpowered my mind. I had no intention of uttering that name. Please forgive me."

  He held the pouch in his hand and placed it before Han Lao Fang. Han Lao Fang picked it up and handed it to his officials for examination. The officials asked everyone, "Is there any physician here who can tell us what this medicine is?"

  Then Mei Gui raised her hand and pointed towards Hei Shu Yi. Mei Gui just wanted this matter to be resolved quickly, as their breaths were held, wondering what would happen next.

  Hei Shu Yi stepped forward, took the pouch from the man, and started examining it by sniffing. She spoke naturally:

  "This medicine is for those who suffer from insomnia. It has a very deep effect, but excessive use can lead to madness. This drug affects a specific part of the brain, causing a person to start doing everything they fear."

  Hearing this, Han Lao Fang got up and left without a word. Everyone else also left the room. As they went out, an official said, "Chief, I don't think that man is lying. His condition seems quite good; he doesn't look like an addict. Perhaps he is telling the truth. We should not worry about this anymore, as you have to oversee the Path of Cultivation event organized this year for the new generation. Our focus should be on that."

  Han Lao Fang remained silent. The wrinkles on his forehead indicated that he was thinking about something, trying to understand something. But then, letting out a deep sigh, he walked away.

  Han Lao Fang had left, but the silence and unease caused by his presence still lingered in the room. Gu Zong was completely stunned. Hei Shu Yi looked at him once and walked away. Mei Gui also followed her out, leaving Qing Yu alone there.

  By now, everything Gu Zong had seen made him certain that something very terrible had happened in the past after he left, but what it was, he would have to find out for himself.