Chapter 38

Abi looked at the bodies of Wang He and the steward, feeling very sad. Who could have killed them?

Azhu, standing beside Abi, said, "Abi, Brother Wang Shan was highly skilled in martial arts. There are very few people in the world who could defeat him. The person who killed him must be on the same level as Wang Yue. The coroner said they died three days ago. Abi, don't be too upset. Let's bury them. When Wang Yue returns, he will surely find out who the murderer is."

Abi nodded and said, "Sister Azhu, don't worry, I'm fine. I just didn't expect that someone would attack Wang Family Village and the National Martial Arts Hall. I think they killed the steward and Brother Wang Shan for the soy sauce and five-spice seasoning recipes. This grudge must be avenged, no matter who it is!"

...

Yan Longyuan brought the recipes to the Liao Dynasty, intending to build his workshop there.

"Master, it's truly a cause for celebration to obtain these recipes," the black-clothed man behind him said happily.

Yan Longyuan was also in a good mood and smiled, saying, "With these recipes, we will have immense wealth. Then, it will be easy to buy off officials and generals from both the Liao and Song Dynasties. Once the Liao and Song are in chaos, the Western Xia will not be far behind. At that time, I can rise up and the restoration of the Great Yan will be within reach."

The black-clothed man laughed, "Indeed, Master, with your strategic planning, you will surely succeed. Young Master has some influence in the Western Xia and will surely play a significant role in the future."

Yan Longyuan suddenly thought of Wang Yue and said, "What I'm worried about now is Wang Yue. This boy is no ordinary person. I killed the steward and Wang Shan in Wang Family Village, and he will surely suspect me. However, I have been foresighted and used the false name Yan Longyuan. Ha ha, even if Wang Yue is incredibly powerful, he will never find me, because from now on, there will be no more Yan Longyuan in this world."

...

In a cave, Wang Yue sat with his eyes closed, practicing the mental cultivation technique written on the animal skin.

After more than ten days of study, Wang Yue finally understood a small section of the technique.

Mental power is very mysterious and elusive, with no offensive capabilities. However, Wang Yue knew that mental power was extremely important. With mental power, wisdom would increase exponentially, and one could even control the body with the mind, reaching the Danjin level.

Wang Yue's mind sank into a state of tranquility, visualizing his entire body. Slowly, he seemed to be able to "see" his muscles, bones, even blood vessels and meridians.

"Internal vision," Wang Yue said joyfully. "Although mental power has not yet appeared, being able to use internal vision is the first step in mental power cultivation. I feel my strength and realm are increasing again."

Wang Yue could clearly feel the growth of his qi and blood energy.

This immersion in the growth of strength was indeed intoxicating.

This time, cultivating mental power, the impurities in Wang Yue's mind seemed to be cleared away, leaving only clarity and peace.

"Late-stage Huajin." Wang Yue's mental realm improved, and his strength increased by more than thirty percent, reaching over 50,000 pounds, the late-stage Huajin level of internal martial arts.

Wang Yue opened his eyes and immediately felt that the surrounding environment was different, more layered.

"Mental power cultivation is extremely difficult and cannot be achieved in a short time. However, I have taken the first step, and I believe mental power will soon appear. Now, I will find Xue Muhua to treat my father."

Wang Yue left the cave and headed for Xue Muhua's town.

...

Half a month later, Wang Yue arrived in front of a small medical hall.

"Is this Xue Muhua's medical hall? It's so ordinary, who would have thought that the famous divine doctor Xue Muhua would be hiding in such a small place?"

Wang Yue walked in directly and saw a young boy picking medicine, asking, "Is your master here?"

The boy asked cautiously, "Who are you? What do you want with my master?"

Wang Yue smiled, "Wang Yue from Suzhou, here to pay respects to Divine Doctor Xue. Please inform him."

The boy was surprised and asked, "You are that village chief Wang Yue? I didn't expect you to really come. Follow me, my master said that if you come, I should take you to see him directly."

Wang Yue followed the boy to the back yard, where he saw Xue Muhua tending to herbs.

"Divine Doctor Xue, this is Wang Yue, here to pay respects," Wang Yue said with a bow and a smile.

Xue Muhua was surprised, "Young Hero Wang Yue, you really found the Purple Yang Bamboo? I thought you wouldn't be able to find such a rare herb, but I didn't expect you to actually find it. It's truly incredible."

Xue Muhua thought Wang Yue wouldn't be able to find the Purple Yang Bamboo, and he was about to move in a few days. But he didn't expect Wang Yue to show up at this time.

Wang Yue said, "Yes, I was also desperate, but I didn't expect to find it in the end. I guess it's just my luck. Divine Doctor Xue, now that I have the Purple Yang Bamboo and the Eight-Angled Blood Centipede, please treat my father."

Wang Yue took out a jade box and the Divine Wood King Cauldron. The jade box contained the Purple Yang Bamboo, and the Divine Wood King Cauldron contained the Eight-Angled Blood Centipede.

Xue Muhua glanced at the Divine Wood King Cauldron and was shocked, "The Divine Wood King Cauldron! Young Hero Wang Yue, where did you find this treasure? Could it be from the old monster Ding Chunqiu?"

The Divine Wood King Cauldron was a treasure of the Free and Easy School, used for medical studies, but it was stolen by Ding Chunqiu and used to practice the evil Huagong Dafa.

Xue Muhua believed that with the Divine Wood King Cauldron, his medical skills would improve even further.

Wang Yue shook his head, "Not from Ding Chunqiu, but borrowed from a little girl named Azhi. She is Ding Chunqiu's junior disciple."

Wang Yue opened the jade box and the Divine Wood King Cauldron, pointing to the two herbs, and smiled, "Divine Doctor Xue, are these the right ones?"

Xue Muhua examined them carefully and nodded, "Yes, these are the right herbs."

Wang Yue urged, "Since that's the case, can Divine Doctor Xue set out immediately? The sooner we get to Wang Family Village, the sooner my father can recover. Saving a life is like putting out a fire."

Xue Muhua nodded, "Alright, let's go now. However, Young Hero Wang Yue, can the Divine Wood King Cauldron be returned to the school after use?"

The Divine Wood King Cauldron was a treasure, and Xue Muhua was very envious of it.

Wang Yue thought for a moment and shook his head, "I'm afraid not. Divine Doctor Xue, I borrowed the Divine Wood King Cauldron, and I need to return it to Azhi after use. I promised her and her sister."

Xue Muhua sighed, "Alright then. It seems I am not destined to have the Divine Wood King Cauldron."

...

Wang Yue and Xue Muhua returned to Wang Family Village and saw white cloth hanging in front of every house, indicating a funeral.

Wang Yue's face changed, "Something happened in the village?"

Back at home, Wang Yue grabbed a servant and asked loudly, "What happened?"

The servant was startled and, upon seeing Wang Yue, came to his senses and said sorrowfully, "Village Chief, you're back. The steward of our workshop and Deputy Director Wang Shan of the National Martial Arts Hall were murdered. Village Chief, you must catch the murderer."

Wang Yue was shocked, "Brother Shan is in trouble? Brother Shan's cultivation is already at the mid-stage of Dark Strength. Who could have killed him?"

Abi came to Wang Yue's side, her eyes red and tearful, and said sorrowfully, "Brother Wang Yue, please accept my condolences. The murderer took the recipe, killed the steward, and Brother Wang Shan. We will find the murderer and avenge Brother Wang Shan and the others."

Wang Yue thought for a moment and guessed the sequence of events.

The murderer must have targeted the steward to get the recipe. Although the steward managed the workshop and had great power, he did not know the most critical part of the recipe. Only three people knew the most critical part: Wang Yue, Abi, and Wang Shan.

Wang Yue went to Miaojiang, and his martial arts were among the best in the world. The enemy would have no confidence in capturing him. Abi lived in Wang Family Village and rarely went out, and the village had many protectors. An attack in Wang Family Village would cause a huge commotion and be difficult to clean up. To avoid alarming the enemy, the best target was Wang Shan.

"Yan Longyuan."

For some reason, Wang Yue suddenly thought of the great merchant Yan Longyuan.

Yan Longyuan was a master-level expert, and killing Wang Shan would not be a problem. Although many forces were interested in the Wang Family Village recipe, the most suspicious person now was Yan Longyuan.

"Whether it's Yan Longyuan or not, I will find the real murderer. No one can escape from me."

In the past, Wang Yue might have been wary of Yan Longyuan, as his martial arts were also profound. But now, with the cultivation of mental power, his martial arts had advanced rapidly, reaching the late-stage Huajin level. Even facing two master-level experts, he was not afraid.

Wang Yue took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said calmly, "Abi, have the people below keep an eye out. See if any other forces are interested in Wang Family Village's soy sauce and five-spice seasoning. Whoever did this, I will make them pay, even if it's the emperor himself. Hmph."

The murderer would produce soy sauce and five-spice seasoning once they had the recipe. As long as they dared to sell it, they could be traced.

Following the trail, they would be caught eventually.

"Alright. I'll give the orders right away."

...

Wang Yue and Xue Muhua came to his father Wang Danhe's room.

"Father, I've brought Divine Doctor Xue to treat you. I've found the necessary herbs. Don't worry, you will recover this time," Wang Yue said softly to his father.

Wang Danhe nodded, "Yue'er, you've been searching for herbs all these years. It's been hard on you. If you had come back earlier, perhaps Brother Wang Shan wouldn't have met his end. Take some time to visit Brother Wang Shan's father, his wife, and his children. You are the village chief now, and these matters are your responsibility."

Thinking of Wang Shan's death, Wang Danhe felt a deep sadness.

Wang Yue nodded, "Father, don't worry, I will visit them. I will also find the murderer and give Brother Shan and his family a proper answer. Divine Doctor Xue, it's all up to you now."

Xue Muhua nodded, "Young Hero Wang Yue, rest assured, I will do my best to treat him."