A group followed the tracking butterflies, searching the entire valley but failing to find Mo Sigui.

They stopped, and one person said, “Doctor Ning, could there be a problem with the tracking butterflies?”

“Impossible!”

Before Ning Yanli could finish speaking, a large man beside her cried out in pain, his body swaying.

“What’s happening?” Ning Yanli pulled out a jade bottle containing a piece of luminous stone, instantly illuminating the surroundings. They saw blood seeping from the man’s entire body as if he had been skinned alive!

“Ah!” Someone standing next to Ning Yanli screamed, grabbing her clothes before falling. “Doctor Ning, save me!”

Others began experiencing similar symptoms. Ning Yanli felt a painful itching on her soles as if millions of ants were gnawing at them. Looking down, she saw blood seeping from her shoes, forming a circle on the ground. The pain spread to her legs, feeling like sharp blades slicing through. At first, she only felt a rush of heat, but gradually the wounds became more painful, causing her legs to tremble.

The surrounding tracking butterflies suddenly burned to ash, scattering in the air.

“Long time no see.” Mo Sigui’s amused voice suddenly appeared behind her.

Ning Yanli whirled around.

In the faint glow of the luminous stone, Mo Sigui wore a jade-colored robe, his black hair half-bound. His peach blossom eyes held a smile as he lightly tapped a half-open dark purple folding fan against his palm. “I’ve specially prepared this ‘Sleepless Lover’s Night’ for Doctor Ning, also known as Flesh-Melting Powder. Please, enlighten me with your expertise.”

Ning Yanli’s face turned pale as she took out a pill, about to swallow it. Mo Sigui laughed, “Doctor Ning, please don’t take medicine recklessly. Many drugs can enhance its potency, you know!”

Mo Sigui didn’t seize the opportunity to silence them; he wanted to see the true extent of Ning Yanli’s medical skills.

Originally, he had prepared a different drug. Later, while rebuilding An Jiu’s body, he had a sudden inspiration and concocted this poison that could turn living flesh into a rotting mess. However, the Flesh-Melting Powder only had the “melting” effect, lacking the tissue regeneration capability of the rebuilding potion. Once contaminated, the skin and flesh would continuously decay. Without an antidote within three months, only a skeleton would remain, with the suffering persisting until death.

“To think the revered divine doctor of the Great Song would be so ruthless. Very well!” Ning Yanli gritted her teeth.

“You flatter me.” Mo Sigui smiled faintly, bowing slightly. “Until we meet again.”

Ning Yanli clutched the jade bottle tightly until it shattered under the pressure. The luminous stone inside broke into tiny pieces, falling from her fingertips like shooting stars into the grass.

The surrounding light suddenly dimmed.

Two Crane Control Army assassins carrying medicine baskets, trembling with fear, witnessed everything. Seeing Mo Sigui’s approach, they immediately bowed their heads respectfully, their attitude markedly different.

“Head back,” Mo Sigui said.

One cautiously asked, “Divine Doctor, why didn’t you…”

Mo Sigui interrupted, “Those large men have extremely high martial arts. The Flesh-Melting Powder won’t take them three months. Unless Ning Yanli can concoct an antidote within half a month. If she can do that, I’ll write my name backward.”

The more one used internal energy to resist, the more potent the Flesh-Melting Powder became. Even if Ning Yanli realized this, it would be useless. When people suffer, they naturally resist, unable to control themselves – unless they were freaks with formidable mental power like An Jiu.

The moon hung high.

On the dock town, a silent storm of blood and violence had begun.

Under Chu Dingjiang’s leadership, they successfully assassinated thirteen people. Although some were only fourth-rank martial artists, successfully assassinating even one person within Piaomiao Mountain Villa was significant.

After these thirteen battles, everyone gradually gained confidence and a fighting spirit, tackling each mission with vigor.

The Piaomiao Mountain Villa members never imagined that merely twenty-some people would dare come here to kill. They had focused most of their attention on inspecting large merchant groups of over a hundred people and dealing with the Yu clan’s provocations. Even in Yangzhou, the Yu clan dared to challenge them. Without teaching them a lesson, people might think Piaomiao Mountain Villa was easy to bully.

Meanwhile, after each assassination, Chu Dingjiang closed all doors and windows to prevent the spread of bloodshed.

However, as the north wind raged and more people died, the smell gradually became uncontainable. Carried by the wind to the dock, several figures rushed over in the night.

At this moment, a passenger ship docked.

Only two people sat on the ship: a pale, beardless scholar and a beautiful girl in red.

The whip-wielding foreman was shouting orders when he suddenly noticed the scholar. His expression changed, and he hurriedly bowed, “Second Villa Master, Miss Ruhuo.”

Mei Ruhuo ignored him, lowering her eyes as she opened a large cloak to drape over Wei Yuzhi.

The black fox fur made Wei Yuzhi’s face appear even cleaner, his scholarly air subtly revealing the authority of a superior. “Was it you who sent a large group of assassins to hunt down Yu Pianfei?” he asked mildly.

“Yes.” In the cold winter, a bead of sweat slowly slid down the man’s temple.

“Did you kill him?” Wei Yuzhi’s tone remained gentle, showing no anger.

But the man’s fingers began to tremble uncontrollably from fear, his tongue stiffening.

The whip in his hand suddenly lashed out on its own, tightly coiling around his neck. Its barbs pierced his skin, causing bright red blood to spurt onto the wooden planks at his feet.

Wei Yuzhi pulled his robe closer, saying calmly, “Answer me.”

“Yes… I was wrong!” The man’s face turned deathly pale, his voice hoarse as he stuttered, “Please… Second Villa Master… spare my life…”

The whip loosened. Wei Yuzhi caught the scent of blood in the wind that didn’t belong there. His eyes sharpened as he quickly pieced together recent intel: someone investigating the dock, the Yu clan suddenly transferring goods, Sang Nu’s disappearance, the Yu clan’s unprovoked provocation, the Crane Control Army in Bianjing suddenly acting up…

The Yu clan had existed in Yangzhou for many years, always at peace with Piaomiao Mountain Villa. They wouldn’t make such moves without reason. The Crane Control Army must have discovered Piaomiao Mountain Villa’s main location and wanted to capture everyone at once. But given Piaomiao Mountain Villa’s long-standing presence in Yangzhou, they couldn’t act rashly. So they chose to ally with a local power!

As for Sang Nu…

Wei Yuzhi couldn’t guess where he had gone, but for the Crane Control Army to dare act, besides the Yu clan, they must have another trump card. This trump card… was likely Sang Nu betraying the villa in anger after discovering the truth!

“Cease operations here and return to the main villa!” Wei Yuzhi’s handsome face darkened slightly as he coldly regarded the foreman clutching his neck. “I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Recall the assassins hunting Yu Pianfei immediately!”

“Yes!” The man accepted the order and hurried away, still holding his neck.