Yin Chanzi, appearing frantic and desperate, shouted: "Elder Gong, why did I come from Jinling to Quanzhou, and why did those three barrels of spiritual spring water end up with Master Huang, don't you know?"

"Elder Gong, you..."

Gush!

Before Yin Chanzi could finish speaking, he suddenly spat blood, and his voice was abruptly cut off.

He looked at Gong Cheng in disbelief: "You, you had already poisoned me with..."

His head tilted, and he died.

Gong Cheng, face sullen, gently placed Yin Chanzi on the ground, and with an apologetic look, said to Zhang Chonglou: "Master Zhang, he tried to slander our Medicine King Valley even in his dying moments. What do you think should be done about this matter?"

Anyone with a brain could see there was an issue with Gong Cheng.

But now that Yin Chanzi was dead, and without more evidence to prove that Medicine King Valley was at fault, Zhang Chonglou naturally wouldn't do the dirty work.

"Elder Gong, since it's a false accusation, let's leave it as it is!" Zhang Chonglou waved his hand: "If there's nothing else, please, Elder Gong."

But Gong Cheng had no intention of leaving and continued: "Master Zhang, those three barrels of spiritual spring water were stolen by this ingrate, Yin Chanzi. I've heard they are now in your Heavenly Master Tao, and I hope Master Zhang can return them."

Zhang Chonglou squinted: "They ended up in our Heavenly Master Tao? Has anyone seen them?"

"This..." Gong Cheng hesitated for a moment: "No, they haven't, but since Yin Chanzi appeared here, and I heard Master Huang also disappeared, all this points to your Heavenly Master Tao and a young chap named Ye Guichen. If they're really lost, even if I were to sacrifice my life, the Valley Master might not forgive me. I hope Master Zhang can retrieve those three barrels of spiritual spring water."

Gong Cheng appeared sincere, but his words carried a hint of coercion: "It's unfortunate that our Medicine King Valley produced a renegade like Yin Chanzi, but over the years, we've managed quite well, helping many noble families to survive, and even the hidden elite in the Capital City have connections with us. These three barrels can brew a life-saving medicine. If we cannot obtain them, there might be trouble."

Zhang Chonglou dismissed it: "Heh, Elder Gong, I haven't seen any spiritual spring water. If you say the water's disappearance is related to that Ye Guichen, then go find him. By the way, Ye Guichen is currently visiting us at Heavenly Master Tao."

Then, he said to Zhang Chongchen: "Lao Qi, take Elder Gong to confront Ye Guichen face-to-face; this matter has nothing to do with our sect."

Zhang Chongchen did not expect Zhang Chonglou to push Ye Guichen directly into the spotlight and worriedly said: "Master..."

Zhang Chonglou responded indifferently: "What, do I need to repeat myself?"

"No, I wouldn't dare." Zhang Chongchen immediately lowered his head and gestured towards Gong Cheng: "Elder Gong, please."

"Thank you, Master Zhang." Gong Cheng smirked, glanced at Yin Chanzi's corpse, and followed Zhang Chongchen out.

Once Gong Cheng left, the other members of the sect began to speak out.

"Master Zhang, something is obviously wrong with Medicine King Valley."

"Indeed, they didn't come early or late, but right after Senior Ye's arrival. Who wouldn't find that suspicious?"

"By pushing Gong Cheng to Senior Ye, won't Senior Ye blame us?"

Zhang Chonglou laughed heartily: "The Senior Ye you speak of is as tightfisted as they come. If Gong Cheng can get anything out of him, I'll write my own name backward."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly felt at ease.

More convinced than ever that Ye Guichen is a precursor of a hidden elite family.

Otherwise, who would dare to stand up to a Medicine King Valley elder?

Meanwhile, in Ye Guichen's room, various dishes were spread out, along with several jars of white wine.

Ye Guichen and Luo Huasheng were merrily drinking.

Usually, Heavenly Master Tao forbade drinking, and any disciple found drinking would surely be punished.

Which is why, on the mountain, there was typically no alcohol.

However, today Zhang Chonglou personally decreed that there would be no taboo on meat or drink, and anything Ye Guichen wanted to eat or drink would be readily provided.

Ye Guichen didn't stand on ceremony with Zhang Chonglou and consumed heartily.

Outside, the young Taoists were whispering.

"Senior Brother, who exactly are those two inside? The Sect Leader personally ordered us to bring them wine. Look at that table, full of fish and meat."

"Heh heh, I know that bald guy. He's from the Buddhist sect, here to discuss matters with the Sect Leader. But the other guy, called Ye Guichen, I don't know exactly who he is."

"Do Buddhist folks eat meat and drink too?"

"Shows what you know. Buddhism says, 'Meat and drink pass through the intestines, but leave Buddha in the heart.' Heh heh, there are quite a few meat-eating monks in this world."

"Then why doesn't our Sect Leader let us drink and eat meat? I don't even know what it tastes like."

"You don't get it. Different cultivation methods, our Sect Leader does it for our good. However, that Ye Guichen guy seems to call our Sect Leader 'Old Man Zhang.'

"What?" The young Taoist was dumbstruck: "Senior Brother, did you hear that right?"

"Of course, I did. So, heh heh, maybe he's the Sect Leader's illegitimate son."

The young Taoist gasped, his eyes nearly popping out: "Senior Brother, you wouldn't..."

"What are you talking about!"

Suddenly, a stern voice interrupted.

The two young Taoists turned and immediately broke into a cold sweat: "Junior Master Zhang."

Zhang Chongchen overheard the young Taoists' conversation from afar. Though he somewhat agreed, if rumors really spread, it could damage Heavenly Master Tao's reputation?

He quickly approached the two Taoists: "I don't want to hear what you just said again, understand? Also, Brother Ye has extraordinary talent in cultivation and can now draw mid-grade talismans. He's not much older than you. If you can also draw mid-grade talismans at his age, our Sect Leader will view you differently."

"What?"

"How is that possible!"

"He actually managed to draw a mid-grade talisman?"

"Heavens, I can't even draw a low-grade talisman yet."

The two young Taoists exclaimed repeatedly.

"Hurry back and reflect on your actions! You won't need to serve here!" Zhang Chongchen glared at the two young Taoists, then lightly knocked on the door twice: "Brother Ye, do you have time?"

"Brother Zhang, come in, come in."

Ye Guichen immediately recognized Zhang Chongchen's voice and warmly invited him.

The door opened.

Zhang Chongchen entered first.

Gong Cheng followed closely behind.

The entire room was filled with the smell of alcohol.

Before Zhang Chongchen could speak, Gong Cheng instantly spotted the two barrels of spiritual spring water in the corner.

"Spiritual spring water!" Gong Cheng took a quick step forward, excitedly staring at the two barrels, "It's here, it's really here!"

He quickly turned his head to look at Ye Guichen: "These two barrels of spiritual spring water, were they stolen by you?"