On the other side.
After sending away the Fourth Prince and the patrolling Eagle Soaring Guards, Xiao Yang dug up the Sun-Shooting Bow he had hidden and returned to the mansion.
His trip to Hundred Herbs Hall had been enormously rewarding.
First, he had refined a Kirin Divine Pill, which could greatly increase his cultivation.
Even Xiao Junlin couldn't get his hands on an Emperor Grade Spirit Pill like that.
Second, he had killed the Medicine King Valley's young master, Ye Chen, and the Great Elder, dealing the valley a devastating blow—like cutting off one of its arms.
Third, he had helped Sun Yi become the master of Hundred Herbs Hall. From now on, she would be completely loyal to him and gather precious natural treasures on his behalf.
"Young Master, you're back!"
As soon as he stepped into the mansion, Huangli hurried over to greet him.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Suddenly, a dark figure came rushing over too.
"Who are you?"
Xiao Yang jumped in alarm.
"Your Highness, it's me, Ma Wencai!" the dark, stout man called out.
Xiao Yang froze.
At the Lanting Poetry Gathering, Ma Wencai hadn't exactly been graceful, but he'd been fair and plump, clearly the son of a wealthy family.
But the dark, stout man before him had skin so sunburned it was peeling in places. He looked haggard and weather-beaten.
Who would have thought he could change so much in just a few days?
"Ma Wencai, what have you been doing?"
Xiao Yang even wondered if he'd been sold off to a brick kiln.
"Your Highness, I was there on the day of your engagement. Xiao Junlin was absolutely despicable, daring to covet Miss Ning!"
"I also heard he'd even ordered that no spirit pills be sold in the Four Prefectures of the Northern