The Medicine Had Matured

Zhou Muyun left the martial hall directly and headed home.

As he walked, recalling Bai Yu and the others' behavior, a suspicion formed in his mind.

Li Buhui's attempt at reconciliation was probably not the ultimate goal.

Rather, his Junior Brother Bai had other intentions.

He was likely trying to use the role of peacemaker to win Zhou Muyun over.

After all, if someone had offended the children of prominent households and the relationship remained so strained, they would surely welcome any chance to ease things.

They might even feel deeply grateful to Bai Yu.

It was just that Bai Yu did not understand him. Though keeping a low profile in both conduct and action was Zhou Muyun's principle,

if someone bullied him, he would certainly return the favor!

He simply had not found an opportunity yet.

Lost in thought, Zhou Muyun returned home.

The moment he entered, Zhou Tong's adorable smiling face appeared before him.

Zhou Tong stepped forward and linked her arm through Zhou Muyun's sturdy arm, pointing happily into the room.

"Brother, you're finally back! Look!"

Zhou Muyun followed where she pointed.

The table at home was piled with all sorts of gifts, along with quite a bit of silver. Xu Rou was sorting through them.

"Yun'er, so many people came by today to deliver gifts.

The Song Household sent ten Blood Qi Pills, Hundred Herbs Pharmacy sent ten taels of silver, and this one is..."

Seeing Zhou Muyun return, she listed who had sent each gift and what they had given, as though reciting treasured possessions.

His mother's meticulousness always made Zhou Muyun feel especially at ease.

"Oh, right. The Leng Household sent thirty taels. I was wondering why, since they had already paid this month.

The person who brought the money said it was extra, specifically to express their gratitude. Yun'er, what happened?"

Upon hearing Xu Rou's words, Zhou Muyun immediately understood.

News of his victory over Long Qian had clearly spread throughout the entire city.

These people had all come to show him goodwill, perhaps even to recruit him.

Not many would fawn over someone in the Organ Refinement Realm, but an eighteen-year-old Organ Refinement martial artist who could defeat one of the top three at Soaring Cloud Martial Hall was another matter entirely.

Like the rising sun, it was the moment his radiance began to shine.

"Mother, I helped the Leng Household win their challenge match today, so of course they had to thank me.

As for the others, they probably want to befriend me," Zhou Muyun answered.

The moment she heard the words "challenge match," Xu Rou grew nervous. In just a few strides, she came before Zhou Muyun and felt him over from left to right.

"Thank goodness. It doesn't seem like you're hurt. Yun'er, why didn't you tell your mother about something so serious?"

"Brother, challenge matches are dangerous! You weren't hurt, were you?" Zhou Tong asked worriedly as well.

Though the two were women, challenge matches occurred often enough in the county town that they naturally knew about them.

As for why Zhou Muyun had not told them, it was naturally because he feared they would worry.

Now that he had already won and was unhurt, there was no need to keep hiding it.

"Mother, little sister, I'm fine. Look, I'm perfectly well. Otherwise, why would they be bringing me gifts?"

Zhou Muyun patted his chest, hopped twice, and casually threw a few punches.

Only when they saw how full of vigor Zhou Muyun was did the two finally relax.

"Yun'er, you must tell your mother about something like this next time. Your father passed away early. I only have you and Tong'er left."

Xu Rou spoke earnestly. She truly could not bear the pain of losing her children again.

"That's right, Brother. You have to tell us next time, or I'll get mad." Zhou Tong pouted her little lips, pretending to be angry.

Seeing the two of them like this, Zhou Muyun had no choice but to step forward and rub Zhou Tong's head, then move behind Xu Rou to massage her shoulders.

"All right, all right. Mother, don't worry. And little Tong, don't be angry. Tonight, I'll buy some good food and we'll celebrate!"

Xu Rou patted the hand massaging her shoulder. Her brows finally relaxed, and only then did she set her mind at ease.

When Zhou Tong heard there would be delicious food that night, she beamed with delight as well.

Zhou Muyun then went out and bought plenty of good dishes, along with some pastries.

The family sat around the table together in warm happiness.

Beneath the headquarters of the World-Saving Sect.

Han Shan sat cross-legged beside the blood pool, listening to the report from the white-robed man before him.

He nodded from time to time, clearly quite satisfied with the information the white-robed man had delivered.

"Have any of the medicine matured?"

Han Shan asked casually.

"Reporting to Lord Envoy, more than twenty doses have matured. Shall we harvest them?" the black-robed man replied.

Below the Blood Demon Sect's sect master were the branch altar masters. Beneath them were the various elders, followed by the envoys.

An envoy governed one or two counties, though that had only been during the Blood Demon Sect's former glory.

"Bring them over. It is time for this county's plan to move forward to the next stage."

"Yes, my lord."

After receiving his orders, the white-robed man immediately withdrew.

Before long, scattered footsteps sounded out. Several white-robed men entered with more than twenty World-Saving Sect followers dressed in plain white clothing.

Each of these followers walked with steady steps and ruddy complexions, looking around curiously.

When they approached the blood pool and caught a faint whiff of blood, some revealed frightened expressions.

The white-robed men hurriedly said something to them, and only then did the followers calm down.

Everyone stopped in front of the blood pool. The white-robed man from before returned to Han Shan and said respectfully, "Cult Master, the believers have all arrived."

Han Shan nodded, rose to his feet, and looked at the twenty-odd followers with a satisfied smile.

All those pills he had distributed had not been wasted after all.

"Saving the world and relieving suffering is a boundless merit."

"Saving the world and relieving suffering is a boundless merit..."

Those present echoed the words.

"You are all loyal believers of our World-Saving Sect, and our finest believers.

Now, the time has come for you to contribute to the Venerable One. Are you willing?"

Han Shan adopted a devout expression and spoke in a ringing voice.

"Cult Master, how are we to contribute? We have received the Venerable One's grace and are now strong and healthy, so naturally we are willing."

The man who appeared to be the leader among the followers spoke up.

Seeing this, the others nodded one after another, clearly sharing the same sentiment.

Quite devout. Then I'll choose you, Han Shan thought, beckoning to the leader.

"Come over, and I will explain it to you in detail. Since you spoke first, you shall be the first to make this contribution.

The Venerable One has said that those who are proactive and outstanding will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver."

"This humble one obeys!" The leading man's face filled with wild joy as he hurried toward Han Shan.

The other followers revealed envious looks, wishing they had been the ones to speak first.

"Come closer." Han Shan looked at the man before him with a smile.

"Yes, Cult Master." The man stepped closer once more.

Han Shan leaned toward his ear, an eerie smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He said lightly, "The contribution, of course, is your own life."

"My life?" the man asked in disbelief. "Cult Master, surely you are joking?"

"Joking? Do I look like I have time for that?" Han Shan's gaze turned icy as he kicked the man before him to his knees.

The man instantly understood that the Cult Master before him was absolutely not joking, and terror seized him.

Without even looking at him, Han Shan took a wooden flute from his robes and began to play.

As the flute's melody sounded, the blood pool before them began to churn and bubble.

In the man's terrified gaze, an insect the size of a cicada flew from the pool and shot toward him.