Chapter Two: Returning to Bafang Town

Lei Yan did not let Rona go because of that tear, but because of those eyes—a gaze that begged to die by his own hand, a gaze in which love and hatred were inextricably intertwined. This look made it impossible for him to meet her eyes directly, so he chose to flee. He took a deep breath and steadied his emotions.

"Is this the strength of someone approaching the Mahayana stage?" Lei Yan's gaze swept across the great hall, taking in the mangled corpses and blood scattered everywhere. The casual ease with which the Golden Ghost had slaughtered them flashed through his mind, causing him to tremble. These so-called Nascent Soul masters had been so pathetic and helpless before the Golden Ghost.

Sensing Lei Yan's turbulent emotions, Qinghe knew this was a moment for counsel. He spoke slowly through a telepathic transmission: "Child, refine the Five Elements Pagoda as soon as possible. With only the Golden Ghost's strength, you still cannot survive an encounter with a Mahayana master. But if you possess all five ghosts, you will at least be able to survive when facing one such master."

Lei Yan nodded. Although he did not understand why Qinghe insisted on him refining the Five Elements Pagoda, his words were true. Facing a Mahayana master, if all five ghosts attacked simultaneously, he would definitely have a chance to survive. He had to admit that he needed the five ghosts. Of course, what he truly craved was strength he could wield with his own hands; after all, he was currently only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Covering the entire hall with his mental energy, Lei Yan searched it thoroughly before finally departing.

Just as Lei Yan left, the main hall of the Medicine Sect collapsed with a roar.

A red streak of light cut across the sky above Changchun Valley. Lei Yan’s mental sense detected that there were still many cultivators within the valley. He shook his head slightly and sped toward Bafang Town. Without a flying sword, he had to rely entirely on consuming his internal energy to fly. After only a short while, he felt a bit strained and slowly descended from the sky, switching to travel by foot.

By evening, Lei Yan reached Bafang Town. The town seemed unaffected by the cultivators' affairs; it was still bustling with people and the constant cries of vendors. Lei Yan did not pause, moving through the crowd in a few flashes until he arrived in front of a medicine shop.

The shop appeared unremarkable, with a plaque hanging above the main entrance reading "Hundred Herb Hall." However, in the bottom right corner of the sign, a single character—"Lei"—was inscribed. This character signified that the business belonged to the Lei family, and it was their only medicine shop in Bafang Town. Lei Yan should have arrived here years ago.

"What can I help you with, sir?" As soon as Lei Yan stepped through the door, a young man who looked like an apprentice walked over to greet him.

Lei Yan did not answer. He casually glanced around the shop, walked to a chair nearby, and sat down. "Who is your shopkeeper? Tell him to come see me."

"Sir, if you wish to see our shopkeeper, please come back tomorrow morning. The shopkeeper manages the business in person every morning," the apprentice said, his expression unchanged, wearing a smile that felt like a mask.

Lei Yan smiled inwardly. Others might not understand the ways of the Lei family, but how could he not? The Lei family's shopkeepers never left their posts unless there was a special circumstance.

"Who is looking for me?" A hoarse voice emerged from the back hall, and a middle-aged man walked out.

"I don't know him." Lei Yan was startled. He was familiar with almost all the Lei family's shopkeepers stationed abroad, but this man before him was a stranger—or rather, someone he had never seen before.

"Big... Young Master?" The middle-aged man muttered vaguely. The Lei Yan who had been forgotten for years had returned, and it left him feeling dazed.

"You actually recognize me?" Lei Yan asked, surprised. Although he had shed the appearance of Duan Hong, years had passed, and his own features had changed slightly. That the man had identified him at a glance was unexpected.

"No, that's impossible. The Big Young Master is dead. How could you be him?" the middle-aged man said, his face full of astonishment.

"Surely you recognize this, then?" Lei Yan produced a token from his magical storage item.

The middle-aged man took the token and examined it carefully for a moment, his hands trembling as he felt the surface, seemingly hoping to prove it was a forgery. But he failed; the token was genuine.

"Your subordinate, Xiao Lin, greets the Big Young Master," the man said, bowing slightly. The apprentice standing to the side was stunned, thinking to himself, "That Big Young Master has returned."

Lei Yan waved his hand dismissively. "Enough."

"Big Young Master, please follow me." Xiao Lin gestured with his right hand and led Lei Yan toward the back hall.

In a dim, secret room within the back hall of the Hundred Herb Hall, the flickering light of several oil lamps made Xiao Lin's face appear somewhat eerie.

As soon as Lei Yan sat down, Xiao Lin knelt on one knee and performed a formal salute. "Your subordinate, Xiao Lin, greets the Big Young Master." Lei Yan raised his hand, and a gentle force lifted Xiao Lin to his feet.

Feeling the immense power, Xiao Lin was shocked. "When did he become this strong?"

"Shopkeeper Xiao..." Lei Yan called out softly.

"Ah... Your subordinate is under orders from Commander Han to wait here for your return, Big Young Master. Please, wait a moment." With that, Xiao Lin left the secret room.

"Uncle Han?" Lei Yan stood up slowly, a hazy look in his eyes. Memories buried deep in his heart were stirred, and the bitter recollection made him feel a sense of oppression.

Just as Lei Yan was lost in his thoughts, the door to the secret room opened, and two figures stepped inside.

"Big Young Master, it truly is the Big Young Master."

"The Big Young Master has really returned."

As soon as the two figures entered the room, Lei Yan heard their voices.

"Your subordinate, Han Li, greets the Big Young Master."

"Your subordinate, Han Yi, greets the Big Young Master."

Han Li and Han Yi both knelt on one knee to salute him.

"Han Li and Han Yi, Uncle Han's two younger brothers." Lei Yan reached out to help them up. He remembered that when he left the Lei estate, these were the two men Han Yu had sent to protect him. It was only later, after meeting Jing Hui and Qing Ling on the road, that they had been forced to separate.

"Big Young Master, thank goodness you are alive." Han Li, who had been filled with self-reproach, believing his negligence had led to the Big Young Master's disappearance, was overcome with excitement.

Before Lei Yan could speak, Xiao Lin returned from outside. "Big Young Master, I have already sent word of your return to Commander Han. I believe he will arrive tomorrow."

Lei Yan frowned. It was understandable for Han Li and Han Yi to be at the Hundred Herb Hall, as they were following Han Yu's orders. But for Han Yu to travel from the Lei estate to this location would take at least two or three days. It was already evening, and for him to arrive tomorrow meant... was Han Yu already in the vicinity?

"Is Uncle Han nearby?" Lei Yan asked. For Han Yu to leave the Lei estate, it must have been for something important.

Xiao Lin nodded. "Commander Han arrived in Qing Province several months ago. He issued an order that if there was any news of you, it should be reported immediately. As for what the matter is, we do not know."