In southern Longxing City, Tang Feng and Dugu Bo stopped before an enormous estate.
The estate covered a vast area. Tang Feng had spotted its perimeter wall long ago, yet they had still walked for ages before reaching the main gate.
A metal plaque hung high above the gatehouse, bearing the single character "Breaking," its strokes like iron paintings and silver hooks. The brushwork was sharp as a spear, as though it would pierce the heavens. It seemed they had found the right place.
"Sorry to disturb you, brothers," Tang Feng stepped forward and politely cupped his hands toward the two guards standing ramrod straight at the gate. "Is this the Breaking Clan's estate?"
The guards caught sight of Dugu Bo standing behind Tang Feng with his hands clasped behind his back. His bearing, as profound as a still pool and imposing as a mountain, tightened their hearts, and they grew somewhat wary. "It is. What brings you here?"
"I've come specifically to pay my respects to your clan leader. Sorry for the trouble, brother, but please announce me. Tell him my surname is Tang."
"Tang!" the other guard exclaimed under his breath. The two exchanged a glance, complicated emotions flashing through their eyes: wariness, disgust, and a trace of indescribable tension.
"Do you have a visiting card or a token?"
Tang Feng understood perfectly well. Because of the Clear Sky Sect, the Breaking Clan had extended its anger to others and had always been sensitive to the surname Tang. He took out the dragon-patterned pendant his grandfather had left him and handed it over. "This once belonged to your clan leader. Sorry for the trouble of announcing us."
The guard accepted the pendant. The warm, smooth jade against his fingers and the familiar dragon pattern made his pupils contract sharply. He dared not delay any longer. "Please wait here!" With that, he shot like an arrow straight toward the inner courtyard.
After rounding several corners, he reached a quiet chamber and said respectfully, "Clan Leader, someone has come to see you. He says his surname is Tang. Here is the token he gave me."
At the guard's words, the tightly shut door immediately opened, and a tall, thin old man emerged with surprise on his face. It was Yang Wudi, leader of the Breaking Clan.
"His surname is Tang?"
Yang Wudi took the pendant from the guard, examined it briefly, then ran excitedly toward the main gate.
Reaching the estate's entrance, Yang Wudi abruptly stopped. His gaze swept across the scene and quickly found Tang Feng and Dugu Bo.
When Yang Wudi clearly saw the boy who bore a seventy- or eighty-percent resemblance to his daughter, his Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his lips twitched as he forced out a name. "Feng'er..."
At the sight of him, something stirred in Tang Feng's heart, and his eyes instantly reddened. "Grandfather! It's me!"
Those calloused hands trembled as they settled on Tang Feng's shoulders. Yang Wudi's eyes reddened, his voice hoarse. "Ten years... ten whole years! I thought I would never see you again!"
"Grandfather, I'm all right." Tang Feng tightly embraced the old man, who had stood straight as a spear but was now slightly stooped. "It's all thanks to Senior Dugu. He escorted me here the entire way."
Only then did Yang Wudi notice Dugu Bo. He immediately bowed deeply in thanks. "I am Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan. Thank you, Your Eminence, for escorting my grandson! I will remember this tremendous kindness until my dying day!"
"No need for such courtesy, Clan Leader Yang." Dugu Bo raised a hand to support him without touching him. "This Little Monster and I hit it off. It was on my way, that's all."
"Your Eminence, please come inside for tea!" Yang Wudi stepped aside to lead the way, stroking Tang Feng's head as they walked and murmuring with emotion, "Good boy. To think you've already grown so tall..."
Yang Wudi led them into the main hall and immediately instructed the attendants to prepare guest rooms and fine food for them. Then he began asking after Tang Feng's well-being.
Tang Feng concealed nothing, recounting everything he had experienced over those ten years.
When Yang Wudi heard that Tang Feng had nearly died at Spirit Hall's hands and had been saved by Dugu Bo, he showered Dugu Bo with thanks once again.
Before long, the food was ready, and the two, who had been hungry for quite some time, began feasting heartily.
After three rounds of wine, Dugu Bo asked Yang Wudi, "I heard Little Monster mention before that you're highly accomplished in pharmacology and the art of poison, Clan Leader Yang. I've wanted to seek your guidance for some time."
Yang Wudi's eyes lit up. "You flatter me, Your Eminence. Refining pills and making medicines have always been how our Breaking Clan earns its living. I merely know a little. Are you interested in this field as well?"
Yang Wudi's question was like a spark falling into a barrel of oil. The two masters talked from the art of poison to the art of pill refinement, their words flowing endlessly like a surging river, spittle flying.
Tang Feng poured wine and served dishes at the side, occasionally interjecting a remark.
Unexpectedly, once they began, it was as though the floodgates of conversation had opened. Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi felt like old friends at their first meeting. Sharing the same interests, they could not help regretting that they had not met sooner.
Time flew like a shuttle. Amid such harmony, five days passed in the blink of an eye. Tang Feng felt that these five days were the most carefree time he had spent since coming to this world.
The three drank wine and ate meat, chatted about everything under the sun, and exchanged insights into medicines and poisons, living freely and happily.
But every gathering had to end. Early on the sixth morning, Dugu Bo solemnly took his leave. "Little Monster, Clan Leader Yang, I can't delay any longer."
"You're leaving, Old Monster? For Spirit City?" A trace of reluctance appeared on Tang Feng's face.
Dugu Bo nodded, a cold glint flashing through his eyes. "To settle an old score."
Then his expression softened, and he continued, "After that, I'll return to Heaven Dou City. That girl Yanyan is all alone. I simply can't stop worrying about her."
"Then take care on your journey. Once I've made something of my cultivation, I'll come find you in Heaven Dou City." Tang Feng bade him farewell solemnly.
"Hahaha!" Dugu Bo laughed loudly. "It's a promise! I'll be waiting for you in Heaven Dou City!"
Before his words had faded, Dugu Bo had turned into a streak of emerald light and shot into the sky, flying toward Spirit City.
After the evening meal, grandfather and grandson sat alone facing each other in the Breaking Clan's secret chamber.
"Feng'er... what exactly is all this secrecy about?" Yang Wudi gently stroked his long, graying beard, a trace of puzzlement flashing through his eyes.
Tang Feng's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "Be patient, Grandfather. I've prepared a magnificent gift for you on this visit!"
Before his words had faded, Tang Feng lightly brushed his palm over the Hundred Treasure Purse at his waist, and a soft pink light suddenly blossomed.
In an instant, an extraordinary flower as wide as the mouth of a bowl appeared out of thin air. Its translucent petals overlapped in layers like rosy clouds and brocade. A river of stars seemed to swirl within its stamens, radiating a hazy, dreamlike glow.
Most miraculous of all, its fragrance did not rush toward them in a concentrated wave. Instead, it seeped into the heart and lungs like a gentle stream. A single breath of it left every meridian feeling clear, as though even the soul had been washed clean.
Yang Wudi sprang to his feet, actually staggering slightly. His weathered hands reached out, trembling, and his voice was so hoarse it was barely steady. "This... could this be... the legendary... aromatic silk beauty?!"
"You have a keen eye, Grandfather." Tang Feng presented the immortal herb with both hands. "You've devoted your life to refining medicines and often handle highly poisonous substances. This flower is a king among immortal medicinal herbs. Its fragrance can neutralize all the poisons beneath heaven and even purify impurities in pills. Keeping it with you is like gaining an undying golden body."
"You little brat, you don't have to tell me! This is a treasure I've dreamed of my entire life!"
Yang Wudi accepted the immortal herb with both hands, as though cradling a fragile, peerless treasure. His fingertips touched its petals with utmost care. Their warm yet cool, jade-like feel instantly brought tears to his eyes.
"Hahahaha!" Yang Wudi suddenly threw back his head and laughed, a hint of choking sobs in his laughter. "To think I would truly see this immortal herb in this lifetime! I've searched for it all my life, all my life..."
Yang Wudi took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked at Tang Feng and asked, "Feng'er, how did you obtain such a treasure?"
"It's all thanks to that catalog of immortal herbs you left me, Grandfather. Otherwise, even if I'd encountered it, I wouldn't have recognized it!" Tang Feng's expression was grateful.
"Hahahaha!" At that, Yang Wudi burst into another fit of wild laughter.
As he laughed, this indomitable old man in his seventies suddenly pulled Tang Feng tightly into his arms. Tears rolled down onto his grandson's shoulder. "Good boy... my good grandson..."
The embrace left Tang Feng a little short of breath, but warmth filled his heart. "Grandfather, don't get so excited yet. I have another gift for you."
"Another?!" Yang Wudi abruptly released him, his eyes bursting with a childlike brilliance.
Looking composed, Tang Feng reached into the purse again. This time, he took out a length of dark bamboo a little over three feet long.
The bamboo was pitch-black all over, like dark iron, yet a warm, smooth, green-jade luster flowed across it beneath the candlelight. Every node bore what looked like naturally formed dragon-scale patterns. A dark haze could faintly be seen flowing slowly within the bamboo, as though a black dragon lay sealed inside, ready to choose someone to devour.
When the ink jade divine bamboo was fully exposed to the air, the temperature throughout the secret chamber plummeted. An ancient, murderous presence spread outward, and even the dark-iron stone walls gave a faint hum.
"Grandfather, I imagine you're familiar with this immortal herb as well." Tang Feng held the dark bamboo horizontally before his chest.