The Foggy Town's Looming Danger

"Have you truly made up your mind?"

Yang Fan gazed at the haggard man before him, who was now coughing after a mouthful of wine. Deep disappointment gnawed at him. Lin Zhong, a man in whom he had placed such high hopes, had made a choice that was difficult to accept.

Standing quietly by his side, Yang Hui Xin wore a puzzled expression. She had intended to step away, to give her brother and Lin Zhong some privacy, but seeing Yang Fan's uncharacteristic look, curiosity kept her rooted in place.

*Cough, cough.*

Lin Zhong, his face filled with regret, nonetheless had a determined glint in his eyes. "Master, I've finally made my decision, and I will follow your guidance. Yet... doing this, I feel as though I've betrayed Manxiang... *cough*..."

As he spoke, sorrow and guilt clouded his eyes.

"What?" Yang Fan blinked in sudden realization. Then, a faint smile of approval crept onto his face. "You've finally chosen to sever your emotional ties…"

"Yes, tomorrow, after the medical contest, I'll explain everything to Manxiang. What a shame that our vows made under the mountains and stars... *cough*... are all in vain."

Lin Zhong took another swig, his constant coughing and worn face betraying the inner turmoil that had plagued him for days. 

Yang Fan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sympathy. He understood all too well the cost of such a decision. To sever ties with someone you hold dear, to say goodbye forever to the one you love, requires immense fortitude. Such a choice demanded a heart forged in steel, a resilience few could ever muster.

For the first time, Yang Fan regarded Lin Zhong with newfound admiration.

In the world of immortals, those who seek the path of eternal life, who rise beyond the mundane to soar like celestial beings, are all individuals of extraordinary willpower and opportunity. If one could possess these qualities—unyielding determination and boundless fortune—then even without exceptional talent, one could still ascend to heights that others could only dream of.

"Brother Lin Zhong… why would you want to break up with Sister Manxiang?" 

Yang Hui Xin, unable to contain her curiosity, finally blurted out the question that had been troubling her. Her youthful face was filled with confusion.

Lin Zhong said nothing and simply took another gulp of wine.

Yang Fan sighed softly and said, "Bring another jar of wine, sister. I'll keep him company."

Reluctantly, Yang Hui Xin fetched more wine, her brows furrowed with concern. "Are you sure drinking this much won't cause problems? You do know you've got the medical competition tomorrow, right, brother?"

"No need to worry. He's a cultivator, one of those beings we call immortals. What's a bit of wine to him?"

Yang Fan was indifferent to the competition, as though it were merely an afterthought. He poured Lin Zhong another drink, and together they drank until the jars were emptied and Lin Zhong lay slumped over the table, drunk and motionless.

Though a little tipsy, Yang Fan activated his life essence technique, and the mild haze in his mind dissipated almost immediately. After tidying up, he glanced at the unconscious Lin Zhong. 

"What should we do with him, brother?" asked Yang Hui Xin, concern evident in her voice.

"I'll take him to his room," Yang Fan replied casually, stepping toward Lin Zhong.

But just as he reached out, Lin Zhong suddenly stood up, his eyes clear and sharp, all signs of drunkenness gone in an instant.

With a sharp exhale, Lin Zhong expelled a cloud of potent alcohol from his mouth, filling the room with the heady scent of liquor. 

In the blink of an eye, he seemed rejuvenated, brimming with energy once more.

Yang Fan's eyes sparkled with appreciation as he said to his sister, "Go to bed, Hui Xin. I have other matters to tend to tonight."

Though a little reluctant, Yang Hui Xin yawned, nodding in agreement. "Alright, take care, both of you."

She retreated to her room, unable to tolerate the overwhelming smell of alcohol any longer.

Lin Zhong stretched, his spirits seemingly lifted. "Master, I'll be leaving now. Tomorrow morning, I'll head to the mayor's residence. Though honestly, the outcome of this medical contest is already clear."

He smiled bitterly, yet there was newfound steel in his voice. Without hesitation, he stepped out into the cold night breeze, his movements steady and firm.

"I'll walk with you," Yang Fan said, smiling faintly.

"Thank you, Master."

The two men walked side by side through the fog-shrouded streets of Willow Town. The moonlight bathed the world in a soft glow, adding an air of mystery to the quiet night.

After a few steps, Yang Fan's eyes gleamed as he sensed something out of place. Activating his life essence mist, he merged with the surroundings, expanding his awareness to encompass an area of over two hundred yards.

As expected, hidden eyes were watching them, and they weren't alone.

"You should be careful once you return home," Yang Fan whispered under his breath. "Even though I've lost most of my powers, there are still those who keep a close watch on me."

Lin Zhong nodded solemnly and whispered back, "Master, even though you've only recently regained some strength, it's hardly earth-shattering. Why would the Yang family still monitor you so closely?"

A bitter smile tugged at Yang Fan's lips. "The Yang family's surveillance is a minor concern. The elders have long since dismissed me as a failure. But there are still one or two petty clowns in the family. Not worth mentioning."

"Even so, be cautious," Lin Zhong warned, a hint of wariness creeping into his voice.

"Heh, what threat could a simple apothecary like me pose to anyone? Go on, head home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lin Zhong gave a brief nod, though the unease in his heart lingered. Yang Fan was far from ordinary, he was sure of it. And the decision to open a medical clinic seemed even more puzzling now. Why would a man destined for cultivation waste his precious time on such trivial matters? 

"This clinic… is it truly his first step toward something greater?" Lin Zhong thought to himself as he walked away, still lost in the swirling fog of questions.

Meanwhile, Yang Fan turned and strolled leisurely back toward his home.

Yet he kept one secret hidden from Lin Zhong: it wasn't just the local Yang family watching him. A much greater power, the Yang family from the capital, had also set its gaze upon him.

---

In a shadowy corner of an alley, two black-clad figures crouched, their faces obscured, eyes glinting beneath the cover of darkness.

"What's the situation?" one of them whispered.

"That boy Yang Fan just saw Lin Zhong off. The two are becoming suspiciously close, whispering secrets," the other responded.

"Continue to watch his every move. Starting tomorrow, include Lin Zhong on the surveillance list. There's something strange about him. Just a few days ago, he was gravely injured, and since Yang Fan returned, not only has he healed, but he's broken through to the mid-stage of the Qi Refining Realm."

Suddenly, a cold, imperious voice cut through the night air behind them. "Who sent you to spy on him?"

Both men gasped in alarm. Someone had gotten close—dangerously close—without them even noticing. They spun around, but it was too late.

Two pale hands swiftly grasped their throats, cutting off their ability to channel any spiritual power.

"Who… who are you?" one of them stammered, terror written across his face.

"Who am I? Heh…"

Through the darkness, they could just make out the silhouette of a man—handsome, dressed in dark robes, his expression cold and mocking. His eyes glinted with cruel amusement.

"Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is that you've overstayed your welcome. And even if you don't say a word, I already know. You were sent by Yang Guang and that fat fool Li."

Hearing this, the two men's faces drained of color. One of them, his eyes wide with realization, tried to speak.

"You… you're Y—"

*Crack. Crack.*

With a single twist, the man crushed their throats, silencing them forever. He retrieved a small vial, letting two drops of milky liquid fall onto their corpses.

*Sizzle.*

The bodies began to smoke, melting away at an alarming rate, until nothing remained but faint wisps of vapor.

"Hmph, fools courting death."

The shadowy figure melted back into the night, heading directly toward Yang Fan's residence.

He vaulted over the wall and slipped into the courtyard without a sound. But just as he neared the house, he noticed a soft glow of light emanating from within.

Sitting at the table, waiting, was Yang Fan.

Their eyes met.

"You're here already," Yang Fan sighed softly, careful not to wake his sleeping mother and sister. "Why not come in for a chat?"