Xia Yun explained to her, "Exactly! The clan's various businesses have flourished over the years, and medical treatment affairs involving medicinal herb cultivation and healing standards have advanced by leaps and bounds. To keep pace with that growth, the clan's administrative structure has been refined and upgraded as well."
"Now we have established the Medical Department, with the matriarch personally at its helm, serving concurrently as its minister. It is one of the clan's Twelve Great Departments, and widely acknowledged as the most sought-after department."
"The matriarch?!" Ye Sirong blurted out in surprise. The image that sprang to mind was that imposing, formidable matriarch renowned for her prowess in battle. She certainly did not remember her knowing anything about medicine.
Xia Yun immediately understood Ye Sirong's confusion. "Oh, it's Xiuxin. Clan Chief Chen Xun is in charge now."
Even the clan chief has changed? I hadn't heard.
After so many years away, the feeling that familiar places remained while their people had changed came surging over Ye Sirong. For a moment, she felt as though blue seas had turned into mulberry fields.
Just then, Zhu Shiyuan picked up the conversation at the perfect moment, his eagerness unmistakable. "Sirong, there's something I'd like to discuss with you.
"You know Five Mountains Academy back home. The clan is now pouring tremendous effort into developing it, with the aim of making it a sacred land for wood-type and plant-type soul masters.
"I'm working at the academy now, mainly overseeing instruction in healing. Uncle Yun is its sea-calming pillar, steering its affairs as a whole."
He glanced at Xia Shuyao, who was chatting and laughing quietly with Dou Congtong in a corner. "Shu Yao is Five Mountains Academy's student leader and team captain."
He continued, "I heard little Tong was studying at Heaven