Return to the Lu Family, Yearning for Strength!

Seeing this, the Second Head sheathed his short sword and walked over, stepping directly across the corpses on the ground.

"These trash really are useless. They couldn't even handle such a trivial matter."

"Second Brother is right. These trash are nowhere near as good as the brothers we had back in Black Wind Stronghold."

"Ah! Third Brother, if only our Black Wind Stronghold still existed. Then we wouldn't have had to follow our master all these years, constantly hiding here and there."

The Third Head's words seemed to remind the Second Head of the past, and a look of melancholy appeared on his face.

"Second Brother, it seems we can't stay here much longer either. Master said we need to withdraw as soon as possible."

Some time ago, they had occupied these mountains, robbing and plundering passersby.

Their lawless behavior had naturally caught the attention of the Azure Cloud County authorities.

The County Magistrate of Azure Cloud County had sent several hundred soldiers to patrol the mountains and suppress the bandits, while also dispatching Chief Constable Chen Shi of the County Office to lead them.

At first, neither of them had taken the Azure Cloud County authorities' mountain patrol and bandit suppression seriously.

Both of them were Bone Refining Realm masters at the greater success stage, and they had sent people to investigate the strength of the Azure Cloud County Office's Chief Constable.

A Bone Refining Realm Completion martial artist—given their coordination and strength, the two of them had been more than capable of standing against him.

Yet what they had not expected was that the Chief Constable had concealed his true strength. In the end, they discovered that he was actually a Marrow Refining martial artist.

The two of them were caught completely off guard and nearly died at his hands.

In the end, it was their master who intervened in time and forced him back.

The Second Head nodded, agreeing with the Third Head.

"Unfortunately, Master was severely wounded because of what happened back then. Otherwise, how could a mere Marrow Refining martial artist possibly have returned alive?"

Although their master had forced the other party back, it also meant that their location had been exposed.

They had repelled the Azure Cloud County authorities this time, but the other side would surely report it to the Prefecture. When that happened, those people would take notice.

Those people had been hunting them all along, forcing them to scurry about like rats crossing the street, hiding here and there for many years.

"Blackbird Guard!"

The moment that name was spoken, the Second Head and Third Head unconsciously clenched their fists.

Whether it was anger or fear—or perhaps both!

Azure Cloud County City!

The city gates were as bustling as ever, packed with crowds and teeming with people. Along the passage inside stretched an unbroken line of common street vendors.

Not far outside the city gates, several men dressed in the uniforms of County Yamen Runners were riding hard toward the gates, dusty and travel-worn.

A carriage followed closely behind them, rolling along at an unhurried pace.

It was Lu Xuan and the others.

"Young Master, we've reached the city gates."

At this moment, Li San, seated beside the carriage, suddenly spoke softly to the person inside.

Liang Cheng, at the front, looked at the familiar city gates and let out a sigh of relief. Even his utterly exhausted body seemed to feel much lighter.

"I finally made it back alive!"

Liang Cheng was filled with emotion. This journey had been fraught with hardship, and it had utterly overturned his understanding of the world.

Who could have imagined that what had originally been nothing more than an investigation into a murder case would turn out to be so perilous?

Not only had they encountered those terrifying, sinister Filthy Things in Willow Ditch Village, they had also fought a life-and-death battle with those vicious bandits.

Liang Cheng felt that he was merely a lowly Yamen Runner. He truly could not bear such a heavy burden.

If he had not happened to run into his cousin Lu Xuan, his little life would have been left behind in that sinister village of Willow Ditch Village long ago.

With Liang Cheng and the others clearing the way, Lu Xuan soon arrived at the Lu Family Residence.

"Xuan-ge, I won't go in. I need to hurry back to the County Office and report to County Magistrate Sir. Please give my regards to Uncle for me."

After escorting Lu Xuan to the gates of the Lu Family Residence, Liang Cheng said a few words to him, then hurried off with the other Yamen Runners.

"Li San, tell the Master that I'll be in seclusion for the next few days. Tell him not to worry."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Lu Xuan spoke to Li San beside him. After saying that, he strode straight through the gates of the Lu Family and headed inside.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

Along the way, every servant who saw Lu Xuan greeted him.

As for his father, Lu Jiahe?

Lu Xuan did not even need to think about it. His father would never remain in the residence during the day. Instead, he would be at the Lu Family Pharmacy, seeing patients and treating the sick.

That was also why his father, Lu Jiahe, was so deeply respected by the people of the city.

Hanging the pot to aid the world, virtuous and highly esteemed, bringing the dying back to life with marvelous hands—these were all praises the city's people used for Lu Jiahe.

After returning to the Lu Family, Lu Xuan had no intention of resting. He was preparing to enter seclusion for several days.

Lu Xuan's heart was already growing impatient, filled with yearning for great strength.

He strode swiftly along until he reached a heavily guarded courtyard.

This courtyard was not far from the one where Lu Xuan lived. It was one of the most important places in the Lu Family.

It was where the Lu Family Pharmacy stored vast quantities of medicinal herbs—the Lu Family Pharmacy's herb storehouse!

Four tall, powerfully built guards stood watch at the entrance to the courtyard.

The instant Lu Xuan appeared, all four of them noticed him. They immediately reacted and hurriedly greeted him.

"Young Master!"

Lu Xuan calmly nodded at their response, then slowly spoke.

"Mhm."

"Open the gate. I need to go in and get something."

The Lu Family Storehouse was one of the Lu Family's most important places. Anyone who entered needed the permission of the Lu Family Old Master, Lu Jiahe.

Naturally, Lu Xuan was not subject to that restriction.

Lu Xuan had long since received Lu Jiahe's permission to enter and leave freely, taking medicinal herbs and nourishing treasures as he pleased.

"Yes, Young Master!"

After the storehouse gates were opened, an empty courtyard lay inside, with three more guards standing within and scanning their surroundings.

As before, when the three saw Lu Xuan, they hurriedly greeted him.

Lu Xuan waved a hand and walked forward quickly with steady steps.

He arrived at the room in the very center of the courtyard, where the Lu Family Pharmacy's medicinal herbs and supplements were kept.

Creak!

Lu Xuan raised a hand and gently pushed open the tightly shut door, then stepped inside.

A powerful scent of medicinal herbs rushed over him—a tangled blend of rich fragrances, sharp pungency, and bitter notes.

Several large cabinets made of fine Sandalwood stood in the room. Their surfaces were divided into many small compartments, each holding medicinal herbs and nourishing treasures.

"Young Master, you've come."

A large table stood between the several massive wooden cabinets. A somewhat weathered middle-aged man sat in a chair beside it.

The instant he saw Lu Xuan enter, the middle-aged man immediately rose to his feet.