The atmosphere was now neither calm nor bustling, but rather, an unsettling stillness had settled. When Ying Xia returned to the other disciples, Jun Suan, Zao Yun, and the rest saw Ying Xia's face his eyes still wide with disbelief and surprise and that same shock and unease spread through the entire group. All the disciples simultaneously looked at their Master standing rooted in the distance, perhaps contemplating something.

  Then Jun Suan asked softly, his eyes and voice filled with concern, "Senior Brother, what..."

  But before Jun Suan could say anything, Ying Xia said with the same wide-eyed astonishment:

  "The Master wants us to search for Xiao Tang in the Yingtian Clan and the Hegong Clan, and we cannot return to him until he is found."

  Hearing this, the emotional shock that Ying Xia had felt now struck everyone else, because the same thought that Ying Xia had, was now shared by all the disciples. And this was no ordinary fear and worry.

  Their Master was facing the Han Clan. Potentially, he would go there, and if he killed Xiao Tang there, who knew what kind of tragedy would unfold.

  The blood of all the disciples ran cold. No one could say anything. Ying Xia himself was feeling a major emotional crisis. Then he told Jun Suan:

  "Second Disciple Brother Jun Suan, you go to the Hegong Clan with seven disciples, and I am going with Zao Yun and the remaining disciples towards the Yingtian Clan."

  As soon as he said this, the group immediately split into two, and both groups started walking in opposite directions. But everyone's gaze remained fixed on the statue-like figure of Han Wuang Shi. It was clear that everyone was frightened and worried about what the Master was going to do. Everyone knew and had seen the consequences that the Master never spared the one who uttered his name. So, undoubtedly, since Xiao Tang had taken his name a few days ago, how could the Master spare him? Everything was clear as water: the Master would kill Xiao Tang, but then what would happen?

  In no time, all the disciples left the spot. Everything seemed to quiet down; the air seemed to stop. Even the sound of footsteps that was there before was now silent.

  Han Wuang Shi understood that his disciples had left. He looked at the medicine pouch in his hand, and his heart felt crushed under a stone. His eyes welled up, and tears flowed, because this medicine was indeed for a deceased body. He had recognized Gu Zong at first sight with the help of his sword. But when a thought came to his mind and heart upon seeing this medicine, he could not bear it:

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  "If it is true that Gu Zong is using this medicine, it means he is currently in a deceased body...!!!"

  Thinking this, he stumbled and fell to the ground, but his eyes did not leave the pouch, nor did his wet eyes dry. He was already so profoundly emotionally wounded by his sacrifice and Gu Zong's absence. And now that he had found Gu Zong, but in such an extraordinary form, this was the third blow to his heart.

  He had always shown the world his strict and cruel face, but in reality, it was just a mask. A shield, so that he could keep himself alive for Gu Zong. Because Han Wuang Shi had died inside on the very day Gu Zong threw himself into the fierce flames in front of him. Han Wuang Shi's only reason to live and breathe was Gu Zong. And now he knew that what happened 45 years ago would undoubtedly lead to the Han Clan; there was no doubt about it.

  Han Wuang Shi composed himself, stood up, and started walking forward. Today, for the first time, he was walking with the pain that he had hidden from the world. Now, Han Wuang Shi's goal was clear and distinct: he knew what he had to do.

  A while later...

  Walking a little further, Han Wuang Shi noticed a small plant. He recognized this plant well; it was Gu Zong's favorite plant because wine was prepared from this plant in the Lianxiao Clan.

  Han Wuang Shi knelt down beside the plant. A faint smile appeared on his face because he remembered a promise upon seeing this plant.

  Flashback

  The academy carrying the greatest legacy of the Lianxiao Clan was the most famous and sacred Music Healing system academy, built in the far upper regions of the clan due to its importance. This academy, named the Shuye Sujue Academy, was almost half the size of the main clan. Following a competition held the previous day between the Han Clan and the Lianxiao Clan, in which Gu Zong had won, the entire academy was celebrating. However, due to strict laws and rules, bringing certain dishes and alcohol into the Shuye Sujue Academy was forbidden.

  So, sneaking out in the middle of the night, Han Wuang Shi left his room. He slightly opened the door, peered out from inside his room towards the entire academy, but there was no one outside. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he left the room and, going over the roof, exited the academy and reached the Lianxiao Clan market. He landed on the roof of a shop and sat there, waiting for someone.

  Han Wuang Shi was wearing light blue robes, the official uniform of the Shuye Sujue Academy, with a white lotus embroidered on the back. Today, Han Wuang Shi was smiling a lot; everything seemed very beautiful to him. His gaze was fixed only on the alley of the main market below, because he knew that the Gongyin Winery, whose roof he was sitting on, sold Gu Zong's favorite wine. He would definitely come here today, as he did every day.

  Han Wuang Shi was playing with a blade of grass, and then Gu Zong emerged from the crowd and went inside the Gongyin Winery. A smile came to Han Wuang Shi's face, and he climbed down and sat outside, waiting for Gu Zong.