As they cleaned up in his disciple's room, the slight melancholy he felt had long since vanished.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others watched Yuan Heng grab Yi Zhixie by the ear, while Yi Zhixie grimaced in pain, neither daring to resist.
"I say, you scoundrel, after not seeing you for so many years, what kind of nonsense have you learned? Where did you learn it all?"
"No wonder Mu Zhong has been so quiet this time, perhaps he was too heartbroken by you to speak?"
"Mu Zhong, rest assured, if this brat dares to bully you, I will definitely stand up for you."
As Yuan Heng's voice faded, Shen Xiaoyan and the others in the room could only hear Yi Zhixie's wails from outside.
Na Muzhong, on the other hand, was struggling to contain her laughter.
She hadn't spoken because she was the one who had taught him all of it!
After they had discussed their strategy, it was she who personally taught Yi Zhixie how to act with alluring charm!
She knew Yuan Heng's temperament very well; even if Yi Zhixie was trying to save him, he would still be disgusted by such a cringeworthy display.
To spare herself from physical pain, she could only feign silence.
Who would have thought that her silence would be so misinterpreted by Yuan Heng!
After Wang Dahong's matter was resolved, they decided to return to the Sun Heat Sect.
After all, Yin Susu was still waiting for Yuan Heng to save her life!
Both Yuan Heng and Song Yan, worried about their daughter, were unwilling to delay any further.
After spending another day settling and reprimanding the people in the valley, the two handed over the affairs of the Medicine Emperor Valley to Yuan Hao.
Although Yuan Hao also wanted to see his sister, he knew that someone had to guard the Medicine Emperor Valley, so he could only see them off.
Xi He naturally followed Shen Xiaoyan and the others to the Sun Heat Sect.
In her words, if she returned without Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming, she would surely be lectured by Zhen Lingrong, so she had to wait to go back with Shen Xiaoyan.
Shen Xiaoyan was too lazy to expose her.
Clearly, she simply couldn't leave!
Wouldn't Long Hao allow her to return to Changqiu Hall so easily?
Yan Rulie clearly hadn't expected them to return so quickly. Even after seeing them in the hall, he still looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Although Shen Xiaoyan didn't understand his plan before, seeing him like this, she knew it wouldn't have been anything good.
But whatever it was, it had now become a pipe dream.
No wonder he looked like he had seen a ghost upon seeing Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
Yan Rulie likely had something he was eager to ask Bai Ge'er and the other two, so he dismissed them after only a few words with Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
As for Yuan Heng and Song Yan, with their status, they would not go to the hall to see Yan Rulie on their own.
Even if Yan Rulie wanted to see them, it would depend on whether they were willing.
Yi Zhixie and the others were also too lazy to say much to Yan Rulie. Thus, it was only after Shen Xiaoyan and the others had left that Bai Ge'er had the opportunity to tell Yan Rulie that Yuan Heng and Song Yan had gone to see Yin Susu.
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Rulie suddenly stood up, his face pale, and stammered in panic, "What did you just say?"
Bai Ge'er was startled by Yan Rulie's demeanor, but he quickly recounted what had happened at the Medicine Emperor Valley.
After learning the whole story, Yan Rulie slowly sat down, his face full of deep thought.
He remained silent, and Bai Ge'er and the others dared not speak either.
For a while, the hall was silent. If not for the fact that they knew people were inside, those stationed outside would surely wonder where everyone in the room had gone.
After a long time, Yan Rulie took a deep breath and cursed himself inwardly for being useless.
He thought Wang Dahong was capable, but unfortunately, he hadn't succeeded in a hundred years.
He had gone to great lengths to find such a plausible excuse to send his people.
Not only did they bring nothing back, but they even caused Yi Zhixie to accidentally cure Yuan Heng.
The difference between the preceding and succeeding situations was indeed immense.
"What do Yuan Heng and Song Yan want this time?"
After a long pause, Bai Ge'er finally heard Yan Rulie speak.
From Yan Rulie's tone, one could tell that he was in a very bad mood. In such a situation, it was best to stay as far away as possible.
Unfortunately, he couldn't do as he pleased right now.
He first honestly answered the purpose of Yuan Heng and Song Yan's visit, then lowered his head, awaiting Yan Rulie's next question.
Who knew that Yan Rulie would then simply close his mouth and say nothing more.
The silence in the hall made Bai Ge'er feel somewhat afraid. Long Xuan and Long Hao, standing behind him, were both pretending to be dead.
This made Bai Ge'er almost die of exasperation.
Bai Ge'er felt the atmosphere in the hall becoming increasingly heavy, and he felt increasingly oppressed.
This was not a good sign. His mind raced, and suddenly, a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
He knew what matter he could use to break this stalemate.
Bai Ge'er took a small step forward. Although the sound was almost imperceptible, Yan Rulie still frowned and looked over.
Sensing Yan Rulie's displeasure, Bai Ge'er felt a little flustered but still stood his ground and said in an extremely respectful voice, "Disciple has something to report to the Sect Master."
Bai Ge'er spoke very solemnly. Although Yan Rulie was in a bad mood, he didn't become foolish because of it, so he easily understood that Bai Ge'er had something important to say.
He didn't say much, merely gave a faint "en."
Bai Ge'er suppressed his unease and told him about Long Hao's matter.
Long Hao had absolutely no idea that Bai Ge'er would bring this up at this occasion.
He was still thinking that even if Bai Ge'er disliked him, shouldn't such a matter be whispered in private when no one else was around, if one were to complain?
At this moment, in the hall, not only was Yan Rulie present, but almost all the elders were there, except for Yin Sudu, the couple, and Fujiwara Shifei.
Bai Ge'er brought up his scandalous topic in front of so many people, and all eyes instantly fell on him.
Long Hao felt a cold sweat break out on his back.
The gazes of these people seemed to transform into a tangible mountain pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe.
What Long Hao didn't know was that because he kept his head down, he didn't see Long Ting's terrifying gaze at him.
A gaze as if he were looking at a dead man.
Long Hao didn't see it, but Long Xuan, being Long Ting's favorite, naturally understood Long Hao.
After sensing Long Ting's killing intent towards Long Hao, Long Xuan's mood improved.
Thinking that he wouldn't have to look at Long Hai's deathly pale face anymore, she felt extremely happy.
The other elders, apart from Long Ting, looked at Long Hao with interest.
This matter had little to do with them. Even if the Sun Heat Sect was affected, it wouldn't be a major issue.
To them, seeing Long Ting embarrassed was a more meaningful event.
Long Hao waited anxiously for a long time before Yan Rulie finally spoke.
"Where is Xi He?"
He didn't ask about Long Hao's offense or even acknowledge him; he directly asked about Xi He.
Long Hao felt a little uncertain. Would Yan Rulie discuss it with Xi He and then kill him directly?
He knew that that old hag Xi He would wish for someone to kill him right now.
Seeing that Yan Rulie wasn't scolding him, Bai Ge'er was relieved and quickly replied, "Xi He is with Shen Xiaoyan and the others."
Yan Rulie nodded upon hearing this. He had already learned Shen Xiaoyan's identity, so he wasn't surprised that Xi He was with Shen Xiaoyan.
"Then, later, send Long Hao to her. After all, he is her male favorite! We in the Sun Heat Sect do not lack one more disciple, do you agree, Great Elder?"
The last sentence was spoken by Yan Rulie to Long Ting.
Long Ting's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but he finally nodded and said, "Sect Master is right. Our Sun Heat Sect does not lack such a shameless disciple. Let him go with his master."
Upon hearing Yan Rulie and Long Ting's decision, Long Hao felt both relieved and extremely humiliated.
These two people, even at this moment, didn't forget to trample on him.
When he returned one day, he would make these people pay.
Yan Rulie didn't want to say anything more to them. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the three of them from the hall, and instructed Bai Ge'er to send Long Hao directly to Xi He without any delay.
Although Bai Ge'er was puzzled as to why Yan Rulie was in such a hurry, it didn't matter; it was just a trip.
Long Xuan, however, was unwilling to go. She just wanted to go back and rest well.
More than that, she didn't want to see Shen Xiaoyan.
Although her outburst that day was uncontrollable, she was still afraid of seeing Shen Xiaoyan and being held accountable.
When Xi He saw Long Hao, who was sent by Bai Ge'er, her expression was very calm, as if she had expected such an outcome.
Bai Ge'er had no good feelings for such a woman, who was like a white lotus on the outside but an old monster on the inside. Thus, he left after delivering her.
Xi He lived next door to the courtyard where Shen Xiaoyan and the others were staying.
This was her own request.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't care. She could live there if she wanted, as long as she didn't get in the way.
To Shen Xiaoyan, Xi He was now like a persistent fly.
If it weren't for her physical condition, she might have gradually followed her everywhere.
Thinking of this, Shen Xiaoyan actually hoped that Long Hao would torment her properly, so that she would have no energy to torment others.
When Shen Xiaoyan and the others returned to Yin Sudu's small courtyard, they heard laughter and joy from within.
No need to guess, it must be that a solution had been found for Yin Susu's蠱毒, otherwise, they wouldn't be laughing so happily.
Indeed, when they walked in, they saw that although Yin Susu was still leaning on the bed, she looked radiant, a far cry from the Yin Susu they had left behind.
Seeing them enter, Yin Susu was clearly very happy.
After greeting everyone, Yin Susu beckoned Shen Xiaoyan to sit beside her.
Yin Susu held Shen Xiaoyan's hand, her gaze towards Shen Xiaoyan infinitely tender.
"Yan'er, you are truly like a lucky star. Ever since you appeared, all the problems in our family have been resolved. Tell me, how should we thank you? Just name it, and we will do our utmost to fulfill it."
Shen Xiaoyan felt a little speechless upon hearing this, as if she had only helped them in order to make requests.
However, she also knew that Yin Susu didn't mean it that way.
Shen Xiaoyan pretended to think for a while, then smiled and said, "I don't really need anything right now, but Aunt Yuan, rest assured, if I need anything in the future, I will speak up even if you don't ask. You must not refuse."
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's words, Yin Susu feigned anger and said, "This impudent girl, how dare you tease me."
As she spoke, everyone in the room burst into laughter.