My disciple, you are now invincible. Go down the mountain and wreak havoc on the world!

Ye Xunhuan gripped the silk cloth between his fingers, his eyes instantly turning cold.

The "Winter Plum Heart Method" is the core cultivation technique of Medicine King Valley, and only direct disciples can practice it.

Of the three masters' lineage, only he and Shen Monong have ever practiced it.

When I was little, I heard my master say that among those who practiced the Cold Plum Heart Method was my eldest master, Uncle Mo Xuan, who had betrayed the valley twenty years ago.

"Is it that old bastard Mo Xuan?"

Ye Xunhuan narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a chilling edge.

"Back then, he stole the forbidden formula from the 'Medicine King's Scripture,' and the Valley Master broke his left leg and expelled him from the sect. I thought he was long dead outside. So he's been hiding for twenty years, and now he's back to ambush my master?"

"It wasn't just him." Shen Monong bit her lip. "The hidden compartment deepest in the library has been opened, and half of the 'Medicine King Scripture' is missing."

"The other party knows the location of the mechanisms and hidden compartments on the mountain like the back of their hand, and even pinpointed the flaws in the mountain protection formation."

Ye Xunhuan didn't speak, and slowly chewed the lollipop in his mouth.

Medicine King Valley was destroyed twenty years ago and has been sealed off.

Now, apart from their master and fellow disciples, the rest are just some outer sect stewards and medicine boys.

Yao Chen is the head of the outer sect stewards, loyal and utterly devoted, and would never betray them.

As for the rest... it's really hard to say.

"There's something even more important," Shen Monong said in a low voice.

"I investigated for half a month and found that when Medicine King Valley was wiped out, it wasn't just Youge who was responsible."

The Ye family of the capital city—

"It was your biological father's family who provided Youge with a map of the valley and a diagram of the defensive mechanisms. Only through this coordinated attack from within and without was the valley's protective array broken."

"The Ye family?"

Ye Xunhuan sneered, his eyes full of disdain.

His biological father was Ye Zhenghong, the second son of the Ye family. He abandoned his mother, Yao Ningshuang, and returned to the Ye family to inherit the family property.

Shortly thereafter, the Pavilion Master of Youge led all of Youge's forces in a surprise attack on Medicine King Valley.

My mother disappeared during that battle; she was never seen alive or dead. My master searched for twenty years without finding a clue.

Shortly afterward, her father also disappeared.

Ye Xunhuan frowned.

The old story from twenty years ago is becoming increasingly shrouded in mystery.

But no matter how you try to get around it, you can't get around the core figure, Mo Xuan.

Ye Xunhuan narrowed his long, narrow eyes. "That's good. All the old and new grudges have piled up together, saving me the trouble of making trips back and forth."

"Don't be impulsive," Shen Monong said, pressing down on his arm.

"Now it seems that both Mo Chen and the Ye family have been operating for decades and have deep roots."

"Besides, the Ghostly Council from overseas is backing the Ghostly Pavilion, so it's not easy to deal with them."

As she spoke, the third senior sister reached into her bosom and pulled out an old sandalwood box from her chest. "Master asked me to bring you something."

Ye Xunhuan opened the box, inside which was an antique dragon-patterned waist tag, half a yellowed sheepskin scroll, and a crumpled note.

The note was written in the handwriting of the Third Master, the strokes trembling, clearly written while he was injured and struggling to write:

"Seeking pleasure, seeing this letter is like seeing the person in person."

"Your eldest uncle, Mo Xuan, betrayed the sect. He is the true Silver-Masked Pavilion Master of Youge Pavilion. He has been colluding with the traitor within the Ye family for twenty years, searching for the complete 'Medicine King Scripture' and the Medicine King's Secret Treasury."

"Now the other half of the map is in his hands, and the complete scripture is hidden in an ice cave beneath the headquarters of the Ghost Council outside the country."

"My disciple, your medical skills and cultivation have long surpassed those of your masters. Be careful in everything after you go down the mountain. Protect your senior sisters and your fiancées, and find out the truth about your mother's disappearance back then."

"Master is alright, and don't go up the mountain to look for him. Don't worry about him..."

Ye Xunhuan held the note tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.

It really was Mo Xuan.

He was beaten and had his leg broken for stealing forbidden medicine years ago, and has held a grudge for twenty years. Now he has colluded with foreign enemies and come up the mountain to take revenge.

"Is the Ghost Council an overseas organization of the Ghost Pavilion?"

"He's practically a part-owner of Youge."

Shen Monong continued, "The Ghost Council is a mysterious overseas organization that controls most of the global gray pharmaceutical and arms trade."

"Mo Xuan has been working for them all these years. He searched for the Medicine King Scripture in order to refine gene-enhancing drugs and train assassins."

Ye Xunhuan folded the map and stuffed it into his pocket. "They're quite savvy, even doing international business."

"After I deal with that old cripple Mo Xuan, I'll go for a stroll overseas and wipe out their hideout."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from the entrance of the auction house.

A middle-aged man in a gray long gown strode in.

Yao Chen looked anxious. When he saw Shen Monong, he was taken aback at first, then bowed respectfully before the two of them, "Young Master! Miss Shen!"

"Youge sent a letter, specifically addressed to the young master!"

Ye Xunhuan raised an eyebrow and took the envelope.

The paper has a matte black background, with a dark red spider lily printed on the seal, exuding a cold and deathly aura.

"Oh, so you're going to do these fancy things."

Ye Xunhuan scoffed and casually tore it open.

The letter consisted of only one sheet of paper, with a line of blood-red writing that stung the eyes:

"Three days later, an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city."

"If you want to know the whereabouts of your mother, Yao Ningshuang, come alone."

The signature is an image of a silver mask.

The air froze instantly.

Shen Monong's expression suddenly changed: "An abandoned pharmaceutical factory on the outskirts of the city? Isn't that... the place where your father disappeared?!"

Ye Xunhuan's fingers tightened slowly as he held the letter, the thin paper turning into tiny scraps that fluttered down to his feet.

The lollipop in his mouth was still slowly spinning, but the murderous intent in his eyes was almost tangible.

An abandoned pharmaceutical factory on the outskirts of the city.

For twenty years, his father and mother have been missing one after another.

His master had investigated for twenty years without any clues. Now that Mo Xuan had set up this place, it was clear that he was using his parents as bait to force him to go to the appointment.

"That old geezer, he really dares to bring that up." Ye Xunhuan chuckled softly.

"We can't go to Xunhuan!" Shen Monong quickly grabbed his wrist. "That place is remote and desolate, surrounded by abandoned factories. It's easy to defend and difficult to attack; they've definitely laid a trap! We need to plan this carefully and gather more people before going!"

"What are you planning?" Ye Xunhuan shrugged, his tone casual yet undeniably resolute.

"He only invited me, so what's the big deal about mobilizing troops?"

"That old bastard came to us on his own initiative. Perfect. We can settle all the old scores from twenty years ago, my master's injuries, and my mother's whereabouts at the same time."

He paused, then patted Shen Monong's arm: "But Second Senior Sister, you have to come with me."

Shen Monong was taken aback: "Didn't you say you were going alone?"

"I have a terrible sense of direction," Ye Xunhuan said matter-of-factly. "The outskirts of the city are so remote, with all these twists and turns, I'm afraid I'll get lost. You lead the way, I'll fight, clear division of labor."

Shen Monong: "..."

She almost forgot that this living Yama, while possessing unparalleled martial arts and medical skills, was utterly directionally challenged.

Even after living in the mountains for twenty years, I can still get lost while picking herbs in the back hills, let alone the winding roads in the city.

"Okay, I'll go with you." Shen Monong sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Just don't run around."

Yao Chen, who was listening nearby, was terrified and quickly said, "Young Master! How about I gather the hidden forces in the valley and join forces with the Ye family to surround the medicine factory?"

"The Silver-Masked Pavilion Master is treacherous and cunning; it's too dangerous for you to take only the Second Miss!"

"No need," Ye Xunhuan scoffed. "It's not worth making a big fuss over a cripple who betrayed his master and ancestors."

"One of my candy sticks is enough for him to drink a whole pot."

As he spoke, he turned and walked out, still wearing that nonchalant smile on his face, the lollipop in his mouth bulging.

But only those who know him well know that the more casually he smiles, the more ruthless he is when he strikes.

Three days later.

An abandoned pharmaceutical factory on the outskirts of the city.