Chongming recounted Gu Han’s story.

“Using killing intent to control the sword?” Since it involved the sword dao, the old man’s interest was clearly piqued, and his spirits lifted considerably. “Marvelous! Truly marvelous! The senior who created the sword skill must have long since reached the ultimate realm of the sword dao!"

Chongming shook its head. “It’s a pity that the kid hasn’t grasped the proper method yet. Still, although he hasn’t truly glimpsed the doorway to the sword dao, his comprehension is good. With a little guidance, his future achievements will be limitless!”

The old man instantly saw through its intention. “What? Are you trying to give me something to do?”

Chongming said frankly, “Trying to make you happier. With you looking so miserable all day, even I find it hard to watch.”

The old man smiled. “You have a kind heart. It wouldn’t hurt to take some time to see him.”

Chongming sighed with emotion. “I hope that kid proves worthy of my divine essence.”

The old man seemed somewhat helpless. “Divine essence? Master Rooster, that thing doesn’t have much effect on you. Why did you even—”

Like Gu Han, he also thought Chongming had stolen the divine essence.

Chongming snapped. “Nonsense! What kind of chicken do you take me for! I snatched that divine essence from a little demon!”

“Demon?”

Chongming was a bit embarrassed. “Ahem... Don’t ask. Just as I was about to capture her, my old ailment acted up again, and she got away. It was so embarrassing!”

***

Outside the secret realm, hearing Gu Han mention this name, Murong Yan was stunned. “Zhi Xuan? Who’s that?"

Gu Han was taken aback. “You don’t know her?”

He still had a bit of an impression of Zhi Xuan and had asked without thinking, never expecting this answer.

Shen Xuan found it strange. “Brother Gu, are you remembering wrong?”

Murong Hai scratched his head. “Right, it’s always been just us few. Where did this Zhi Xuan come from?”

Gu Han instantly frowned. Something’s wrong! Something is very off!

Just then, Murong Yuan chimed in. “Zhi Xuan did exist! I remember very clearly. She was special. I noticed her back in the Yuqing Sect, and it was I who personally brought her out from the secret realm.”

Everyone looked at each other. Why can’t we recall her at all?

Gu Han’s eyes narrowed instantly. “I know. It’s her...”

The demoness! It has to be her!

Aside from the demoness with the Heavenly Demon physique, he couldn’t think of anyone else with the ability to easily erase several people’s memories.

After hearing his explanation, the others felt shivers down their spines. If the demoness had harbored ill intentions, they didn’t dare imagine the consequences.

Murong Yan’s expression turned odd. “Brother Gu, does this demoness have a thing for you? She seems to keep pestering you?”

Gu Han’s face darkened. “Next time I see her, I’ll cut her down with my sword!”

And I actually saved her in the secret realm? Twice? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He felt like slapping himself twice!

Zuo Yang patted his shoulder. “Junior Brother, take care!”

Gu Han rolled his eyes and walked straight over to where Yang Ying was.

He felt somewhat awkward. “Ahem... Are you alright?”

Strictly speaking, his father had killed Yang Ying’s father. By that reckoning, this was a patricide feud.

Yang Ying felt conflicted. “That was the first time he had ever acknowledged me as his son.”

Gu Han felt even more awkward.

Yang Ying shook his head. “Of course, I know he wasn’t sincere. Even at the cost of appearing unfilial, I knew that had he lived, none of us—my mother, my sister, or I—would have fared well.”

He then bowed toward Yang Xiong’s corpse.

Gu Han sighed. “If he could see this, he would surely regret how he treated you before.”

Yang Ying said nothing, then turned and bowed deeply to Gu Han. The bow to Yang Xiong was to fulfill the final duty between father and son. Meanwhile, the bow to Gu Han was a sincere expression of gratitude for his kindness.

Gu Han made a disgusted face and tossed a jade bottle to him. “Ugh, stop that. This is yours.”

Earlier, he had divided the liquid treasure into several portions. This one was left for Yang Ying.

Yang Ying shook his head. “You know my situation. I have no use for these. Giving them to me is just a waste—”

“Enough!” Gu Han couldn’t be bothered with his nonsense. He handed over the incantation given by the shadow. “Study this secret art well. Although it can’t solve your problem, at least you won’t have to endure that pain anymore.”

Yang Ying was greatly shaken. “T-this secret art is actually very miraculous...”

For the issue of the Marrow-Draining Pill, he held no hope at all. On the contrary, being able to alleviate the increasingly frequent pain was what he needed most urgently.

Gu Han rubbed his nose, not telling him the truth. “By the way, I’ve already spoken with Senior Murong. Who knows how desperate people can become when facing their downfall. Just to be safe, he will personally fetch your mother later. She’ll stay temporarily at the Murong family estate—”

Seeing Yang Ying about to bow again, Gu Han curled his lip. “Brother Yang, I actually think you’d be quite suitable as the Yang Family Head.”

Yang Ying shook his head. “I want no further connection with them. Without the old ancestor and the family head, they definitely won’t end well.”

Gu Han deeply agreed. Just seeing how many people still remembered Fu Fatty’s kindness even now made it clear how detested the two families were.

Upon seeing matters here concluded, everyone prepared to return to their respective homes. Of course, before leaving, Murong Yan didn’t forget to hand over the collection of tainted spirit herbs to Gu Han. For him, the value of these items was comparable to divine essence.

***

With Zuo Yang leading the way, it didn’t take long for Gu Han to return to the Fengwu Court.

Ah Sha’s eyes reddened as she threw herself into his arms. “Young Master, you’re finally back!!! I was so worried!”

Yu Miao wore a helpless expression. “This little girl has been waiting for you outside the mountain gate every day, practically wearing her eyes out watching.”

Warmth spread in Gu Han’s heart as he affectionately ruffled Ah Sha’s hair. “Silly girl. I’m fine, see!”

Having not seen her for over a month, he missed Ah Sha very much. He comforted her properly, sharing some of his experiences in the secret realm, finally making her smile again. Of course, he didn’t dare mention a single word about the demoness. Otherwise, Ah Sha would surely start talking about ’big’ and ’small’ and such words again.

At that moment, Zuo Yang took out two spirit herbs from his storage ring. “Junior Brother.”

They were herbs that nourished the soul. Although they were nowhere near the Seven-Leaf Soul Nourishing Grass, their effect was far greater than the Fallen Nether Fruit.

Gu Han was deeply moved. He now realized that Zuo Yang had been gone for over a month just to find these.

Ah Sha also obediently thanked him. “Senior Brother, thank you!”

Zuo Yang said dismissively, “Don’t worry, it’s just a small matter. I picked them along the way. It didn’t take much effort!”

What he didn’t tell them was that he had been chased by several fully transformed great demons for thousands of li because of it.

Yu Miao’s smile remained gentle, though a hint of murderous intent flickered in her eyes. “When Senior Sister returns, we’ll settle accounts with them properly.”

A thought struck Gu Han. “Senior Sister Yu Miao, Senior Brother said he is a Holy Son. Does that make you a Holy Maiden?”

Glancing at Zuo Yang, who was fiddling with his big black pot, Yu Miao chuckled. “No. Don’t listen to his nonsense. How could there be so many Holy Sons and Holy Maidens in the world?”

Somehow, Gu Han felt slightly relieved. Otherwise, a tiny Fengwu Court hiding one Holy Son and one Holy Maiden would have put quite a bit of pressure on him too.

After thinking for a moment, Yu Miao added, “Strictly speaking, I should be the Young Sect Master?”

Gu Han turned and walked away. This is impossible! The pressure is too great! Seclusion! Cultivation! Breakthrough! In the future, I must also get myself some title like Holy Son!

***

At that very moment, Chu Kuang and Yuan Gang walked forward, neither speaking a word in the wilderness. Compared to usual, Chu Kuang’s confident and composed airs had vanished, replaced by a trace of gloom.

Yuan Gang finally broke the silence. “Junior Brother, where are we going?”

Chu Kuang suddenly stopped. “Senior Brother, have you ever heard of the Dao Bell?”