In the Tang Clan’s secret chamber.

Mu Xuwei was bound thereby with heavy chains. Night Raven, wearing a black cloak, stood before her, running his hand across her cheek. “Truly rare in this world. Such a perfect poison person—I’ve only read about one like this in the Medical King Valley’s archives.”

Mu Xuwei gritted her teeth. “You dare touch my face!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare?” Night Raven withdrew his hand and tilted his head back, revealing a cold smile. “Oh right, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Night Raven.”

“Ghost Physician Night Raven.” Mu Xuwei was stunned.

“Indeed. Though your body is filled with poison, I am called the Ghost Physician after all—these poisons don’t frighten me.” Night Raven spoke softly.

“Bringing someone from the Dark River into the Tang Clan is a dangerous matter,” a black-robed figure appeared silently behind Night Raven.

“You don’t understand their significance.” Night Raven waved his hand lightly, and two medicine men emerged from the corners, attacking the black-robed figure.

The black-robed figure swiftly retreated, then leaped up, kicking both men back with a single move. He landed beside Night Raven and grabbed his shoulder. “Mr. Night Raven, what is the meaning of this?”

“Just now, you exchanged moves with my two medicine men,” Night Raven said slowly.

“And?” The black-robed figure frowned.

“If these medicine men had contained deadly poison, that single kick of yours would have been enough to take your life.” Night Raven slightly raised his shoulder, breaking free from the black-robed figure’s grip, then turned back to look at Mu Xuwei. “There is only one Poison Flower. But there are many medicine men ready to die at any moment. If I could transfer the poison from her body to these people, do you know what you’d gain?”

The black-robed figure fell silent for a moment before finally saying, “An army?”

“An immortal army that can bring death at any moment.” Night Raven laughed loudly. “The person behind you should come to see me now.”

“Very well.” The black-robed figure stepped back, his form instantly vanishing.

In Sky Opening City, at the Hall of All-Knowing.

Ji Ruofeng looked at the Iron-Masked Official before him and pondered, “No response to the letters sent to the Tang Clan?”

The Iron-Masked Official shook his head. “No response at all, like a stone sinking into the sea.”

Ji Ruofeng adjusted his ghost mask. “What about our people sent to Brocade City?”

The Iron-Masked Official spoke gravely, “All contact has been lost. Among the many cities of North Leave, each with our disciples stationed there, only in Brocade City have all our disciples disappeared recently. Therefore, we believe something major is about to happen in Brocade City.”

“If something major happens in Brocade City, it must be within the Tang Clan.” Ji Ruofeng sighed lightly. “The Tang Clan’s affairs are jianghu matters, normally of little concern to our Hall of All-Knowing. But within the Tang Clan is my good brother, the Black Tortoise Envoy. For someone of such strong principles, why would he stay away from Sky Opening City for so long without reporting back?”

The Iron-Masked Official spoke solemnly, “If the Tang Clan changes, the jianghu will change. When the jianghu changes, the world changes—this is no small matter.”

“Looks like a trip to Brocade City is needed.” Ji Ruofeng scratched his temple.

The Iron-Masked Official asked in confusion, “Hall Master, are you going personally?”

“How could that be possible? I’m too lazy,” Ji Ruofeng said softly. “I’ve asked someone who’s both more capable and more diligent than me to go.”

“Who?” the Iron-Masked Official asked.

“My sister,” Ji Ruofeng answered frankly.

A sword wind swept through, and a woman in plain clothes appeared beside the Iron-Masked Official.

Though the woman’s features could no longer be called young, she was still strikingly beautiful, with a heroic air about her brow, unlike ordinary women.

“Sister Xinyue.” Ji Ruofeng quickly stood up and bowed.

Li Xinyue of the Heart Sword Moon, the current Heart Sword inheritor of the Sword Heart Tomb, and Azure Dragon, first of Sky Opening’s Four Guardians.

“No contact with Lianyue?” Li Xinyue asked.

Ji Ruofeng spread his hands. “No contact. Even my Hall of All-Knowing can’t manage it. I was thinking of taking action personally, but my martial arts are mediocre, so at the Tang Clan, I’m afraid…”

“Useless.” Li Xinyue left these two words and turned to leave.

“Haha,” Ji Ruofeng helplessly said to the Iron-Masked Official beside him, “Our sister is just like this—tough on the outside but soft-hearted, with exceptional martial arts. She’s quite reliable.”

The Iron-Masked Official snorted coldly. “So that’s why when Ye Dingzhi attacked Sky Opening back then, you let your good sister stand in front?”

“Those are all rumors. I drew down heavenly lightning and got myself killed too,” Ji Ruofeng shook his head.

In Brocade City.

Mu Yumo sat in the Silent Thoughts Teahouse but couldn’t find any peace. After pacing restlessly for a long while, she couldn’t help but want to leave several times. “I must go take a look.”

“Don’t rush.” Su Changhe sighed deeply. “Why are you so impatient?”

Su Muyu consoled her, “We really can’t be hasty now.”

Just then, Proprietor Mu walked in quickly. He strode to the tea table, picked up the teapot, and poured the water into his mouth, finally exhaling deeply. “Ah~ refreshing!”

“Did you learn any important news?” Su Muyu asked.

“Yes.” Proprietor Mu put down the teapot. “There’s indeed an opportunity coming up for us to enter the Tang Clan.”

“What opportunity?” Mu Yumo asked.

“Second Master Tang’s funeral procession is about to leave the Tang Clan!” Proprietor Mu said in a low voice.

Su Muyu was stunned. “Second Master Tang? He’s been dead for so long, why only now have a funeral?”

Proprietor Mu nodded. “Second Master Tang’s body was kept in an ice coffin all this time, only recently being transported back to the Tang Clan, so his funeral will be held soon. However, the Tang Clan seems to want to keep it low-key, only inviting some affiliated families to attend the funeral. And we can use this opportunity to enter the Tang Clan.”

Su Muyu and Su Changhe exchanged glances, and Su Muyu smiled bitterly. “This matter seems problematic from any angle.”

Proprietor Mu pondered. “But it’s the only opportunity available recently.”

“Don’t worry, the Dark River has never feared danger. As long as there’s an opportunity, we never let it pass,” Su Changhe stroked his small mustache.

“Why haven’t we heard any news about Old Master Tang since entering Brocade City?” Su Muyu suddenly asked.

“That’s another piece of news.” Proprietor Mu deliberately lowered his voice again. “Old Master Tang seems to have been seriously injured. He hasn’t made any appearances for a long time either.”

Su Changhe lightly tapped the table. “Tell me, did we come at the right time or not? The Tang Clan now faces storms ahead.”

“You must be thinking it’s a good thing,” Su Muyu said helplessly.

“Just as you say!” Su Changhe then looked at Mu Yumo. “Don’t worry, that young man you’re concerned about is very capable. He’ll be fine.”