Initially, Qin Hanchu was not certain if the elder before him was a member of the Qin clan.
His intention in revealing his identity was precisely to verify the elder's status.
Even if the elder belonged to the Dragon Gate sect, Qin Hanchu harbored no fear.
For he possessed absolute confidence in his ability to kill the elder, ensuring he could not divulge the secret.
Now, however, the elder's ability to locate the Qin clan's affluent members indicated he was indeed of the Qin clan.
From his previous words, it was evident that his father was indeed a member of the Qin clan, and moreover, the young clan leader.
"Do you know any news about my mother and the others?"
"Are they still alive?" Qin Hanchu inquired.
"The young madam and her companions are imprisoned in the Dragon Alliance's jail, and they are still alive," the elder replied.
Upon hearing this news, Qin Hanchu offered a slight smile.
"By the way, do you know of someone named Jiu Feng?" Qin Hanchu asked.
"I am not aware," the elder shook his head.
Qin Hanchu furrowed his brow. He had initially assumed Jiu Feng was also a member of the Qin clan.
Yet, he never expected that the Qin clan's Grandmaster would be unaware of her.
Could it be that Jiu Feng had no connection to the Qin clan?
Why did she take Jin Hailu and the others? And why did she offer them protection?
After rescuing his mother and the others, he would need to find Jiu Feng.
He needed to confirm that this person bore him no ill will.
"Senior, can you take me into the Valley of the Wicked?" Qin Hanchu asked.
The Qin clan's Grandmaster nodded, "Naturally. The Great Elder and the others will be overjoyed to know you have returned."
Led by the elder, Qin Hanchu continued his journey.
Soon, they arrived at the Poisonous Mist Forest.
"This is an antidote pill, it will protect you from the miasma."
"The miasma in this area is extremely potent; even the qi flow of a Grandmaster can only resist it for a limited time."
"If it exceeds an hour, the toxic mist can even penetrate qi flow," the elder stated.
Qin Hanchu accepted the antidote pill, subtly sniffed its aroma, and then ingested it.
Having taken the antidote, Qin Hanchu then followed the elder into the Poisonous Mist Forest.
In the darkness, the Poisonous Mist Forest was exceedingly chilling.
Mists permeated the trees in billowing clouds.
Without the antidote, this poisonous miasma would induce hallucinations and cause breathing difficulties.
The Poisonous Mist Forest spanned a vast area. Qin Hanchu and the elder walked for over an hour before finally traversing the region.
Throughout their journey, Qin Hanchu sensed numerous hidden sentries.
Had it not been for the elder's guidance, Qin Hanchu would surely have been attacked by these sentries.
After exiting the Poisonous Mist Forest, they walked for another half hour before entering a valley.
The valley was dotted with numerous wooden houses, housing at least a thousand inhabitants.
It was already night, so the valley was very quiet.
As the two walked, a figure emerged from the darkness ahead.
This person was also an elder, stooped in posture, holding a darkwood walking stick.
"Elder Wumu!" Upon seeing this person, the elder beside Qin Hanchu greeted him respectfully.
Qin Hanchu could sense that Elder Wumu was at least at the late stage of the Grandmaster realm.
"Who is this?" Elder Wumu asked, his gaze fixed coldly on Qin Hanchu.
"Elder Wumu, this is the son of Young Clan Leader Qin Feng."
Upon hearing this, Elder Wumu's eyes widened in surprise, "You are Qin Feng's son? What proof do you have?"
Qin Hanchu presented the ring, "This is all I have."
Elder Wumu took it and examined it, also noticing the runes within the ring.
Returning the ring to Qin Hanchu, he said gravely, "To my knowledge, Qin Feng had only one daughter who evaded the Dragon Gate's pursuit. His son is currently in the Dragon Alliance's prison."
Qin Hanchu replied, "When I was young, my father entrusted me to the care of the divine physician Hu Qingshan, which is why very few people knew of my existence."
"Did your father leave you anything else?" Elder Wumu inquired.
Qin Hanchu knew very well that Elder Wumu was referring to the Medical Scripture.
Although these people were from the Qin clan, Qin Hanchu could not be certain they were benevolent.
What if they also coveted the Medical Scripture?
If they learned he had mastered its contents, he might very well be placed under house arrest.
Therefore, Qin Hanchu had to feign ignorance.
"No, he only left me this ring," Qin Hanchu stated.
Elder Wumu's brow furrowed, "How did you find your way here?"
Qin Hanchu recounted his experiences, "selectively."
"I was not certain my father was of the Qin clan before. It was only after meeting this senior that I became certain."
"You are quite audacious, to dare infiltrate the Dragon Gate."
"Weren't you afraid of being captured by them?" Elder Wumu asked.
"To rescue my loved ones, even if I knew it was a dead end, I had to try," Qin Hanchu replied.
Elder Wumu nodded and said to the elder beside Qin Hanchu, "Take him to rest first. Bring him to see the Great Elder at daybreak."
"Understood," the elder nodded, then led Qin Hanchu into the village.
Elder Wumu watched Qin Hanchu's retreating back, his gaze inscrutable.
A moment later, Elder Wumu arrived outside a wooden house.
He knocked on the door, and a one-eyed elder opened it from within.
"It's so late, what is it?" The one-eyed elder was also a Qin clan elder, and moreover, a peak Grandmaster realm expert.
"Qin Feng's son has arrived," Elder Wumu stated.
The one-eyed elder exclaimed in surprise, "How did he escape?"
"He is Qin Feng's son who was fostered outside, not the son in the Dragon Alliance's prison."
"Is the Medical Scripture on him?" the one-eyed elder asked urgently.
Elder Wumu shook his head, "He doesn't seem to know anything about the Medical Scripture."
"If he knows nothing about the Medical Scripture, then he holds no value."
"The current Clan Leader is my son. Even if he returns, he will no longer be the son of the Young Clan Leader."
"As for the position of Clan Leader, it is certainly not his turn," the one-eyed elder said coldly.
"Indeed. Tomorrow, I will inform the Great Elder about his affairs."
"I shall take my leave now."
With that, Elder Wumu turned and departed.
He awoke the next day.
Qin Hanchu stepped out of the wooden house and saw many youths practicing martial arts on the grass.
The women were preparing breakfast.
Just then, Elder Wumu approached, "Let's go. I will take you to see the Great Elder."
Qin Hanchu responded with an affirmation and followed Elder Wumu forward.
Whether it was his attire or his demeanor, Qin Hanchu was a stark contrast to his surroundings.
Along the way, members of the Qin clan regarded Qin Hanchu with curious glances.
From a distance, Qin Hanchu spotted a grand and imposing wooden structure.
Following Elder Wumu into the main hall, he saw eight elders seated on either side.
These eight elders, both male and female, were all at the late Grandmaster realm or higher.
"Qin Hanchu pays his respects to all seniors."
Although unsure of the Qin clan's attitude towards him, Qin Hanchu felt it necessary to bow and greet them first.
"Hmm!" The one-eyed elder, seated at the head of the left side, responded indifferently.
"This child bears a strong resemblance to Qin Feng when he was young."
The speaker was an elderly woman, seated opposite the one-eyed elder, who smiled gently.