A ray of morning light shone into Crane Rain Medicine Manor.

Bai Hehuan pushed open her door and walked out stretching. Standing in the courtyard, breathing in the autumn morning air, she suddenly felt fantastic and began practicing martial arts.

Xiao Chaoyan heard the commotion and came out, watching in confusion. “Master, what are you doing?”

“First the tiger, second the deer, third the bear, fourth the ape, fifth the bird. This is the Five Animal Play passed down from Medicine King Valley,” Bai Hehuan explained while continuing her movements. “Watch carefully. Regular practice strengthens the body and extends life by a hundred years.”

Xiao Chaoyan scratched her head. “But the movements look a bit silly.”

“It’s meant to imitate five animals—did you think it was dancing?” Bai Hehuan pretended to be angry.

Just then, the side door opened, and Su Muyu and the others emerged, already dressed for travel. The paper umbrella that Su Muyu had set aside for so long was once again strapped to his back.

“You’re leaving then,” Bai Hehuan stopped her practice.

Su Muyu nodded. “We’re leaving.”

Su Changhe smiled. “This trip is for negotiations, not fighting. We won’t be gone long. Please don’t worry, Little Divine Physician.”

“Go on then. I hope you’ll settle down there, and I’ll receive Sister Mu’s invitation to your wedding feast,” Bai Hehuan replied.

Mu Yumu lightly jumped to Bai Hehuan’s side and ruffled her hair. “I’ll take that blessing!” Then she leaped over the wall and departed.

Su Changhe smiled. “Farewell, Little Divine Physician, though I know you’d rather not see me.” With that, he quickly followed.

“Take care on your journey,” Bai Hehuan said to Su Muyu, who stood alone.

“Take care of yourself in Nan’an City as well, Divine Physician.” Su Muyu nodded slightly.

“Mm.” Bai Hehuan replied softly.

Su Muyu said nothing more and leaped away.

The jingling of golden rings sounded as Su Zhe stood beside Bai Hehuan. “Another farewell.”

“Yet they never ask if I want to go along when they leave. It seems in their hearts, that I was never part of their group,” Bai Hehuan’s voice carried a hint of loss.

“Silly child, you were never part of their group. They are Dark River,” Su Zhe sighed softly. “Though in your hearts, you’ve all become friends. But they are still Dark River, and Dark River remains an existence that cannot coexist with this world.”

Bai Hehuan lowered her head in silence.

“It’s not that they don’t consider you a friend. They just don’t want danger to spread to you when it falls upon them. So don’t be sad,” Su Zhe consoled.

The group traveled swiftly along the road.

Su Muyu asked, “Yesterday you carried the scent of blood. Are there enemies in Nan’an City?”

“Yes, followers of the Flying Tiger General. Since we left Si Huai City, they’ve been tracking us. I killed them yesterday and led the trail elsewhere. Nan’an City is safe for now. Besides, with Uncle Zhe there, they won’t gain any advantage,” Su Changhe replied.

“What about the Tang Manor?” Su Muyu asked. “Have people been sent ahead?”

“Qingyang and Xuewei went first,” Su Changhe replied. “By now, they should be nearly there.”

“Who did you choose as our connection in the Tang Manor?” Su Muyu asked.

“Tang Linghuang,” Su Changhe smiled.

“Tang Linghuang?” Su Muyu frowned slightly.

“He was once as renowned as Wen Hujiu of the Wen family, but while Wen Hujiu has succeeded as family head, Old Master Tang shows no sign of stepping down. Tang Linghuang’s position in the Tang Manor is quite awkward now,” Su Changhe touched the ring on his hand. “So he’s quite willing to have Dark River as an ally.”

Meanwhile, on a mountaintop outside Jin City, a man in Taoist robes lazily rode a donkey to the cliff edge. Looking down at the magnificent city below, he smiled. “Jin City, not a bad place.”

“Mount Qing is nearby. Don’t you want to visit that Taoist you admire?” A girl wrapped in purple made to slap the donkey’s rear.

“Don’t slap it! If it rushes forward, I’ll fall!” the robed man cried in alarm.

These two were none other than the current Mu family head, Mu Qingyang, and the poison expert Mu Xuewei. Xuewei withdrew her hand. “I’m joking. If I slapped it, it would drop dead foaming at the mouth. How could it rush forward with you?”

“I’m the family head now. Couldn’t you show me some respect?” Mu Qingyang complained.

“Well? Are you going to Mount Qing or not? Once we start our real business, you won’t have the chance,” Mu Xuewei asked.

Mu Qingyang considered, then shook his head. “Better not. The Mu family head visiting Mount Qing sounds rather alarming.”

“The Mu family head is so young?” A black-clad masked figure appeared behind them.

Mu Qingyang toyed with a peach blossom coin, not turning around. “Seems Mount Qing is out of the question—our Tang Manor friends have arrived.”

Mu Xuewei turned. “We’re not friends yet.”

The masked figure waved his sleeve. “Who knows?” With the wave, a golden card flew out toward Mu Xuewei. She stared wide-eyed, momentarily stunned. A peach wood sword flashed past her, shattering the card.

“The King of Hell’s Card—is this how the Tang Manor welcomes guests?” Mu Qingyang said gravely.

The masked figure waved his hand, and over a dozen people emerged from the woods, all wearing face coverings.

Mu Xuewei spoke sternly: “This is Tang Manor territory. Does the Tang Manor need to hide behind masks rather than show their true faces to visitors?”

Mu Qingyang’s finger traced his peach wood sword. “Where is Tang Linghuang?”

“Why do you think I’m not Tang Linghuang?” the masked figure laughed.

Mu Qingyang snorted. “If you were Tang Linghuang, this peach wood sword in my hand would have turned to dust by now.”

“Are you saying I’m inferior to him?” the masked figure said softly.

“Xuewei!” Mu Qingyang called out sharply.

Mu Xuewei waved her sleeve, scattering powder that instantly became mist, enveloping everyone before them.

“Using poison before the Tang Manor—how laughable,” the masked figure scoffed, but as he spoke, people began collapsing around him.

“Laughable?” Mu Qingyang took out a yellow talisman and lightly drew it across his peach wood sword, setting the entire blade ablaze. “My Mu family has studied the arcane arts for years. When it comes to poison, we’re no less skilled than your Tang Manor!”