Provocation from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group!

After recuperating at Myriad Medicine House for seven or eight days, thanks to Xiao Yi Xian's superb medical skills and Xiao Yan's own Dou Shi recovery ability,

Most of the external wounds on his body had scabbed over, and the Scorpion Poison in his leg had been completely removed. The swelling had subsided, though walking was still somewhat inconvenient.

The most troublesome meridian damage had also shown faint signs of improvement under the treatment of mild medicines, but he was still far from fully recovered, and his Dou Qi remained extremely unstable.

That day, Xiao Yan felt that he was largely fine and bid farewell to Xiao Yi Xian.

He did not have a single coin to his name, and Xiao Yi Xian had even paid for his treatment, which left him rather embarrassed.

"Miss Xiao Yi Xian, thank you for taking care of me these past days. Xiao Yan will remember it always. I will surely repay the medicine fees I owe you tenfold in the future."

Xiao Yan solemnly cupped his hands toward Xiao Yi Xian, who was sorting medicinal herbs.

Xiao Yi Xian turned around, wiped the fine sweat from her brow, and smiled gently.

"You need not be so polite, Young Master Xiao Yan. Healing the sick and saving lives is simply my duty. Your meridian injuries are far from ordinary, so you must recuperate properly. Do not fight anyone again, or all your efforts will be wasted."

She paused, then took a small bundle from behind the counter and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"There are some medicinal herbs inside to nourish your meridians. Take them with you for the journey. Qingshan Town is full of all sorts of people. Since your injuries have not yet healed, you must be extra careful."

Xiao Yan accepted the bundle, warmth welling up in his heart.

In this world, there were truly not many women as kind as her.

He thanked her once more and was about to turn and leave Myriad Medicine House.

Just then, the light at the entrance dimmed as several burly men swaggered in, blocking the doorway.

The man at their head had a vicious scar across his face, fierce eyes, and a rather formidable aura. He was unmistakably a Five-star Dou Disciple.

The men behind him also possessed the strength of Dou Disciples.

They were members of one of Qingshan Town's local tyrants, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group!

The scar-faced man in the lead was a minor leader within the group, named He Meng.

As soon as He Meng entered, his triangular eyes greedily swept over Xiao Yi Xian's graceful figure before settling on Xiao Yan, who was preparing to leave. He laughed roughly.

"Well, well, Xiao Yi Xian, where did this pretty boy come from? He's been staying here for days, and now that his wounds have healed, he wants to slip away?"

Xiao Yi Xian's brows furrowed slightly. The gentle smile on her face faded, and her tone cooled.

"Captain He Meng, this young master is my patient. Now that his injuries have improved, he may naturally leave. Please clear the way."

"Leave? Sure!" He Meng said with his arms folded, his smile not reaching his eyes.

However, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group recently lost several brothers in the Monster Mountain Range. The losses were considerable.

You know as well as anyone, Xiao Yi Xian, that we make our living with our lives on the line. When our brothers get hurt, they all depend on the medicine here.

Don't you think... you ought to show some consideration?"

The threat in his words could not have been more obvious. He was here to extort her.

Xiao Yi Xian's expression darkened slightly. "Captain He Meng, Myriad Medicine House conducts business openly and fairly. Your leader has never been shorted on the protection fees due to him. If you intend to rob us by force, then I cannot comply."

"Hehe, Xiao Yi Xian, don't make it sound so ugly." He Meng licked his lips, his gaze becoming even more brazen.

Our leader hasn't been shorted, but what can that little money do? The brothers have all been thinking fondly of you!

How about this? Come back to the group with us and stay a few days. Give the brothers a proper 'checkup,' and from then on, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group will look after your Myriad Medicine House in Qingshan Town. What do you say?

The mercenaries behind him also let out lewd laughter, their gazes lingering over Xiao Yi Xian's body.

Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face turned pale with anger, and she bit her lip tightly. She knew these mercenaries were lawless and capable of anything.

Although Myriad Medicine House had some reputation, it was ultimately too weak to contend with these local tyrants.

Standing to the side, Xiao Yan watched everything unfold, his fists clenching unconsciously.

Xiao Yi Xian had saved his life. How could he simply stand by?

But his condition was terrible. His Dou Qi was unstable, his meridians throbbed with pain, and if he truly fought, he would likely struggle even against an ordinary Dou Disciple. Moreover, the other side had superior numbers, including a Five-star Dou Disciple.

"Kid, what are you staring at? This has nothing to do with you. Get lost!"

Noticing Xiao Yan's gaze, He Meng glared viciously at him, the pressure of a Five-star Dou Disciple faintly bearing down on him.

At his peak, Xiao Yan naturally would not have cared about a mere Five-star Dou Disciple. But now, the pressure made his chest feel tight, and his injuries seemed on the verge of flaring up again.

His expression shifted, but his feet did not move.

"Captain He Meng, this young master has nothing to do with this matter. Let him leave."

Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward and stood in front of Xiao Yan. Though she was afraid, her tone remained firm.

"Nothing to do with it?" He Meng sneered. "I think he has quite a close relationship with you! Kid, if you know what's good for you, get lost now. Otherwise, I'll deal with you too!"

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in his body as he said in a low voice, "The Wolf Head Mercenary Group is at least a recognized force in Qingshan Town. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed for bullying a defenseless woman like this?"

"Ridiculed?" He Meng laughed loudly as though he had heard the greatest joke.

"In Qingshan Town, the bigger fist is reason! Kid, you want to play the hero and save the beauty? Why don't you first weigh your own worth!

Look at you. Your wounds haven't healed yet, have they? Believe it or not, I can crush you to death with one finger!"

Before his words had even faded, he suddenly stepped forward and threw a punch straight at Xiao Yan's face!

Dou Qi wrapped around his fist, stirring up a fierce gust of wind. He clearly intended to teach this ignorant brat a painful lesson.

"Watch out!" Xiao Yi Xian cried out.

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Though he was in terrible condition, his battle instincts remained.

His feet shifted, and he narrowly twisted aside to avoid the fist's wind. At the same time, his left hand instinctively moved to use Suction Palm while his right reached for the Black Heavy Ruler on his back.

However, the instant he mobilized his Dou Qi, needle-like pain shot through his meridians. His movements stalled, and his breathing immediately fell into disarray.

"Hmph, trash!"

Seeing how weak he was, He Meng became even more smug. He changed his fist into a claw and reached directly for Xiao Yan's throat!

Just as Xiao Yan was about to be seized, Xiao Yi Xian grabbed a medicine jar from the counter in desperation and hurled it at He Meng!

With a casual slap, He Meng shattered the medicine jar, scattering medicinal powder all over himself.

He flew into a rage. "Bitch, you don't know when you're being shown mercy! Brothers, cripple this kid and take this woman away!"

Several mercenaries closed in with sinister grins.

Xiao Yan's heart tightened. Enduring the pain in his meridians, he prepared to risk his life.

Even if he died, he could not drag Xiao Yi Xian down with him!

At that critical moment, a cold voice suddenly came from the rear courtyard of the medicine house.

"Wolf Head Mercenary Group, what impressive authority."

The voice was not loud, yet it carried an invisible pressure that made everyone present freeze.

An elderly man in a gray robe, with an ordinary face, slowly walked out from the rear courtyard.

He appeared entirely unremarkable, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. When his gaze swept over He Meng and the others, they could not help but shudder.

This old man was the true master of Myriad Medicine House, an Alchemist living here in seclusion.

Although his rank was not high, his connections and strength were far beyond what a small fry like He Meng could compare to.

He Meng's expression changed, and his arrogant bearing immediately diminished. He forced out an ugly smile.

"So it's Mr. Yao. We were only joking with Xiao Yi Xian. We'll leave now, we'll leave now."

He shot Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian a vicious glare, then led his men out of Myriad Medicine House in disgrace.

The crisis was temporarily resolved. Xiao Yan let out a breath, but his entire body felt weak, and he nearly lost his balance.

Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly supported him, her eyes full of worry and lingering fear.

Mr. Yao glanced at Xiao Yan, his gaze resting briefly on Xiao Yan's unstable aura. He then said calmly to Xiao Yi Xian, "Xian'er, avoid provoking this kind of trouble in the future."

After saying that, he turned and returned to the rear courtyard.

Supporting Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi Xian said apologetically, "Young Master Xiao Yan, I've dragged you into this."

Xiao Yan shook his head and smiled bitterly. "It is I who have dragged you into this. It seems I cannot remain in Qingshan Town for long."

The Wolf Head Mercenary Group held grudges over the smallest slights. They would never let today's matter rest.

If he remained here, he would only bring even greater trouble to Xiao Yi Xian and Myriad Medicine House.

Xiao Yi Xian understood this as well. After a moment of silence, she said softly, "I'll send you out through the back door. Take these medicinal herbs and be careful on the road."

Looking into Xiao Yi Xian's clear yet worried eyes, Xiao Yan felt a tumult of emotions.

He nodded, accepted the medicinal herbs, and under Xiao Yi Xian's guidance, quietly left through the back door of Myriad Medicine House, once again blending into the bustling crowd of Qingshan Town.