The Yang Family's apothecary was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, mingled with a faint trace of blood that made the heart tighten.
On a broad wooden couch, Yang Wushuang and Niu Yue sat cross-legged side by side, their bodies wrapped tightly in thick white bandages, leaving only their bloodless faces exposed.
Beside the couch, Yang Quji, Yang Xue, Niu Ying, Yang Chang'an, and Niu Wenchuan crowded around them. Anxiety filled every face as they stared unblinkingly at the two men, barely daring to breathe for fear of disturbing their recovery.
Time crept by. The apothecary was so quiet that only their faint breathing and the soft sounds of the two men regulating their breath could be heard.
After an unknown length of time, Yang Wushuang's and Niu Yue's eyelashes finally trembled. Then they slowly opened their eyes, the rise and fall of their chests much steadier than before.
Seeing them finally wake, Niu Ying was the first to lose her restraint. She hurried two steps forward to the couch, her voice brimming with irrepressible worry:
"Father, Uncle Yang, how are you feeling?"
Niu Yue slowly shook his head and moved his stiff neck. He first assessed his internal injuries, then immediately frowned and turned toward Yang Wushuang beside him, his voice full of concern:
"My injuries aren't too bad. I can bear them. But Wushuang..."
The Armored Giant Rhinoceros had unparalleled defense, but the Soul Breaking Spear was infamous for its high attack and low defense. And for some reason, Yang Wushuang had deliberately taken the brunt of the attacks.
That meant Yang Wushuang's injuries were undoubtedly far worse than they appeared. His very foundation might have been damaged.
Yang Wushuang's lips were utterly bloodless, and even his breathing was terribly weak, yet he forced himself to speak. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
He caught his breath and continued, "As long as that matter remains unresolved, Demon Bear won't dare kill me. At most, he'll severely injure me."
"I just need a few months of quiet rest to recover. My life isn't in danger."
With that, Yang Wushuang slowly turned his gaze toward Yang Quji and Yang Xue standing nearby and earnestly instructed them:
"But for the time being, I won't be able to handle the clan's affairs. Uncle, little sister, I'm sorry for the trouble, but I'll have to leave all our family matters, great and small, in your hands."
Hearing this, Yang Quji and Yang Xue immediately nodded firmly. Yang Quji stepped forward. "Rest assured, Wushuang. Leave all the clan's affairs to Xiao Xue and me. We'll see to everything properly. Nothing will go wrong."
"Don't think about anything else. Just lie here and focus on recovering. Your health matters most."
Seeing that Yang Wushuang's life truly was not in danger, Niu Yue finally let his heart settle and released a long breath of relief. He had a vague suspicion that the Yang Family had become entangled in some major scheme of Spirit Hall's.
After calming himself, Niu Yue turned his gaze to Yang Chang'an and Niu Wenchuan, the two children standing in the corner. His expression instantly grew grave, and he lowered his voice as he asked solemnly:
"By the way, what do you think about the Worship Hall?"
The moment he said this, the atmosphere in the apothecary, which had only just eased a little, tightened again. Everyone's heart clenched.
They had also learned that the Worship Hall intended to take the two little ones away. Once the boys went there, their fate would likely be uncertain.
Everyone's gaze settled on Yang Wushuang, hoping to hear what solution he might have.
Yang Wushuang gently shook his head, his face betraying little emotion as he said evenly, "Everyone, rest assured. The children will be fine. They'll actually be safer at the Worship Hall than they would be here."
His words stunned everyone present. They stared at Yang Wushuang in confusion, unable to understand why he would say such a thing. How could a dragon's pool and tiger's den like the Worship Hall possibly be safer than home?
Before anyone could question him, Yang Wushuang slowly explained, in full detail, how Yang Chang'an had already become acquainted with an important figure from Spirit Hall's Worship Hall.
After hearing this, Yang Quji, Yang Xue, and Niu Ying all widened their eyes and turned toward Yang Chang'an in disbelief, their gazes filled with astonishment. None of them could have imagined that this little fellow had quietly become acquainted with an important figure from the Worship Hall.
Under the elders' unwavering stares, Yang Chang'an immediately felt awkward. His cheeks warmed slightly, and he lowered his head as he said softly:
"I'm sorry. I never told you about this. That was wrong of me..."
Keeping something so important from his elders was indeed a failure on his part as a junior, and he could not help feeling guilty.
Niu Yue, however, paid no attention to such details. Even knowing that Yang Chang'an had a connection to the Worship Hall, his heart remained full of worry.
"Wushuang, tell me, can that person... really be trusted?"
If Yang Wushuang could deduce that the important figure was Light Feather Douluo, then naturally, so could he. There were plenty of powerful people who maintained youthful appearances, but only one was so unconventional.
But Light Feather Douluo was one of Spirit Hall's strongest experts and held an extremely high position. The higher someone stood, the harder their thoughts were to fathom. No one could guarantee that he would sincerely protect the two children.
At this, a bitter smile curled Yang Wushuang's lips. He asked in return, "Old brother, do we still have the right to refuse?"
The moment those words left his mouth, a deathly silence fell over the apothecary. Everyone closed their mouths, their faces filled with helplessness.
Indeed, the Yang Family and the Niu Family were merely two surrendered clans. If the Worship Hall wanted to take the children away, then even if they were unwilling ten thousand times over, what power did they have to resist?
Resistance would only leave them crushed into bloody pulp.
After a long silence, Niu Yue finally spoke slowly, beckoning to Niu Wenchuan nearby. "Wenchuan, come here."
Niu Wenchuan immediately hurried to the couch and stood ramrod straight, looking at his grandfather.
Niu Yue raised his hand and gently patted his grandson's shoulder. His gaze was solemn as he instructed him in a low voice:
"Child, you'll be going to the Worship Hall with Chang'an. Remember, no matter what happens, you must stay close to him. Don't stray even a single step from his side. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Grandpa!" Niu Wenchuan nodded emphatically, his little face filled with resolve as he clenched his fists.
"Grandpa, Grandpa Yang, don't worry! As long as I'm there, even if it costs me my life, I won't let anyone harm a single hair on Chang'an's head!"
Yang Chang'an also quickly stepped forward and looked at Niu Yue, saying earnestly, "Grandpa Niu, rest assured. Wenchuan and I will come back to see you safe and sound."
Seeing how sensible the two children were, the elders felt both comforted and heartsick. They could only nod slightly, unable to say anything more.
Afterward, Yang Wushuang forced himself to stay alert and gave everyone instructions concerning various minor clan matters and precautions, urging them to remain cautious and not provoke anyone from Spirit Hall lightly.
Before long, Niu Yue left the Yang Family with Niu Ying and Niu Wenchuan to make preparations.
Only Yang Chang'an, Yang Quji, Yang Xue, and Yang Wushuang on the couch remained in the apothecary.
Seeing his grandfather covered in bandages and so terribly weak, Yang Chang'an felt as though a knife were cutting into his heart. He said softly:
"Grandpa, take your time recovering and don't worry too much. I'll leave now so I don't disturb your healing."
He knew his grandfather was seriously injured and needed absolute peace and quiet to recover, so he did not dare stay any longer.
Yang Wushuang slowly nodded. Looking at his most beloved grandson, a trace of tenderness appeared in his eyes as he gently reassured him:
"Chang'an, don't overthink things or let them weigh on your mind. Once you get to the Worship Hall, don't concern yourself with anything else. Just focus on cultivating in peace."
Having just witnessed Demon Bear Douluo's oppressive might firsthand, he worried that Yang Chang'an, still so young, might be left with a shadow over his heart.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't." Yang Chang'an gently shook his head. Though he spoke reassuring words, a lingering darkness lay hidden deep in his eyes. To see someone beat his dearest family member black and blue in public, yet be forced to watch helplessly, without any power to resist-such humiliation and pain were not things anyone could easily accept.
Yang Chang'an said nothing more. He bowed to Yang Wushuang, then quietly left the apothecary with Yang Quji and Yang Xue, leaving Yang Wushuang the peace he needed to recover.
Once everyone had left, an exceedingly strange smile slowly appeared on Yang Wushuang's pale face.
He slowly turned his head toward the direction in which Demon Bear Douluo had departed. His lips moved slightly as he murmured to himself:
"Today, I unleashed my first spear strike. There will surely be a second, and a third!"
"The next time we meet, it will never be like today."
As his words faded, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.