In the pavilion, as the monk Huixin recited Buddhist scriptures with his head bowed, a faint golden radiance appeared on his body, exuding an aura of solemnity and reverence.
With each chant of the Sanskrit verses, the hearts of those present grew calm and peaceful, as if their day's weariness had been alleviated.
In just a moment, a dark light emerged from Zhao Yuebai’s body, moving ceaselessly within him, sometimes merging into his meridians, and at other times into his internal organs.
If this malevolent energy were left unchecked, allowed to take root within the young master of the Zhao family, it was feared that within a few days, the solid and profound foundation the boy had cultivated since childhood would be completely eroded, leaving not a trace.
Even worse, Zhao Yuebai might ultimately become a puppet for the malevolent entity causing this disturbance.
Fortunately, the discovery of this malevolent energy was timely. Under the Buddhist scriptures chanted by Huixin, it had already begun to gradually collapse, shrinking by nearly half its original size, which was initially as thick as an infant’s forearm.
It was estimated that with another half an hour or so, this malevolent energy could be almost entirely expelled.
Suddenly, Ji Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, and his gaze towards the malevolent energy within Zhao Yuebai subtly shifted.
The purpose of this malevolent energy was to constantly erode the boy's robust vital energy, thereby strengthening itself. Once the opportune moment arrived, it would be devoured by the malevolent entity causing the disturbance, thus increasing its own cultivation.
It was precisely because of this malevolent energy's presence that Zhao Yuebai's consciousness became chaotic, his pulse erratic, giving an illusion of extreme weakness.
However, anyone with several years of medical study could see through this superficial deception at a glance, let alone the renowned physicians hired by the Zhao family, each with twenty to thirty years of experience.
Given this, how could they all have prescribed remedies that used tonics to forcefully replenish Zhao Yuebai’s vital energy?
"Those itinerant doctors are problematic!"
Ji Yuan suddenly turned, then said in a deep voice, "That malevolent entity is likely hidden among those itinerant doctors, using them to infiltrate the Zhao family, employing sinister means to bewitch people, and causing those doctors to use tonics to forcefully enhance the young master's vital energy!"
The opponent's actions clearly indicated they had realized their plan had been exposed. They intended to forcefully boost Zhao Yuebai's vital energy, then quickly devour it, no longer willing to wait for the slow process of gradual erosion.
Old Master Zhao, as expected of an old hand, did not hesitate upon hearing this. He immediately summoned the old family servant standing nearby.
With several commands issued, figures began to appear throughout the Zhao manor. Numerous martial artists hidden in the shadows emerged, leading the majority of the Zhao family guards. Carrying torches, they dispersed into the city.
Their sole directive was to invite all doctors and physicians who had entered or exited the Zhao residence back to the manor. Anyone who refused to cooperate would be forcibly apprehended.
As for whether such actions would violate the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, at least in this place, Qianyu City, even the county yamen officials would pretend not to see.
At most, they would step forward to inquire. As long as no major issues arose, it would not even be reported to the county magistrate.
"Be careful of luring the tiger away from its mountain."
Seeing that most of the manor's martial strength had dispersed, Ji Yuan, though aware that Old Master Zhao had his own plans, still offered a reminder.
Hearing this, Old Master Zhao nodded, signaling with his eyes that Ji Yuan need not worry.
As the old man subtly raised his hand, faint auras emanated from concealed corners in all directions. Then, as his palm fell, they vanished completely from everyone's perception.
If Ji Yuan's guess was correct, these fleeting auras represented the true strength of the Zhao family. Although their numbers were only about a dozen, each person's aura was at least at the mid-Enlightenment stage.
According to the classification of martial cultivators, they were all at the mid-stage of the Flesh and Bone realm, with two or three even reaching the late stage of this realm.
Unlike cultivators, martial cultivators followed entirely different cultivation systems. The former did not begin with enlightenment through scriptures but rather by tempering their own flesh and bones to generate abundant vital energy.
If their flesh and bones were sufficiently tempered, upon reaching the second realm, they would not cultivate magical power but rather forge a formidable Qi into a substantial essence through the arduous refinement of their tendons and bones.
With over a dozen mid-stage Flesh and Bone realm masters, and two or three late-stage grandmasters holding the fort, the Zhao family was now akin to an impregnable fortress, if not quite a bronze wall and iron rampart.
It was likely that even if the county yamen's soldiers and constables were to march out in full force, they might not be able to break in successfully.
Furthermore, Ji Yuan was certain that the talismans he had sold to Old Master Zhao earlier were now in the hands of those late-stage Flesh and Bone realm martial cultivators.
With their martial prowess, combined with talismans specifically designed to counter malevolent spirits and ghosts, a late-Enlightenment stage malevolent entity, should it dare to show itself, would likely not be able to leave this manor tonight.
Yet, for some inexplicable reason, despite there appearing to be no flaws or loopholes, a sense of unease still arose in Ji Yuan's heart.
At the same time, as the city gates were about to close, a party of three hurried forth, entering the county city just in the nick of time.
This trio was led by a young woman, whose face was beautiful, with a teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. Even in the darkness, she held a varnished paper umbrella, and her slightly ill-fitting long dress accentuated her graceful figure.
Behind the young woman followed a young man and a young woman. Unlike the radiant woman in front, their faces were pale, almost devoid of blood, and a faint scent of blood emanated from them.
Even the clothes they wore were torn in several places and bore traces of yellow and black mud.
If Ji Yuan were present, he would undoubtedly recognize these two youths as Li Mufeng's junior fellow disciples.
As for the young woman leading them into the city, her identity was self-evident: she was none other than the Rouge Skeleton from the mass grave!
"Three hundred years have passed in a blink of an eye. Qianyu City has become this way."
As the young woman walked along the sparsely populated streets, her face was filled with recollection and emotion.
Behind her, the two youths looked dazed, like two walking corpses, devoid of any vitality.
Suddenly, a clamor erupted on the quiet street. Disordered footsteps could be heard from the street corner, and soon, martial artists exuding a strong vital energy could be seen forcefully entering several pharmacies, dragging away middle-aged physicians.
These burly men, though crude, possessed some etiquette. Towards the older doctors, they exhibited considerable patience, their actions remarkably considerate, leaving no room for criticism.
Seeing this, the young woman could not help but show curiosity. They were clearly a group of villains, yet they displayed two entirely different demeanors. Towards able-bodied middle-aged men, their actions were quite rough.
But towards elderly people, they acted as if they were carrying them on a palanquin, lifting them steadily.
After observing for a while, and seeing a group of martial artists and strong men escorting several doctors away from this street, the young woman withdrew her gaze, tinged with curiosity, and continued forward with the two behind her.
Before long, she stopped in front of a building adorned with red lanterns. Her beautiful eyes looked up, her gaze falling upon the plaque hanging high above the building.
The plaque, illuminated by the red lanterns, was inscribed with three elegant characters: "Bai Hua Lou."