In a short while, Ying Xia and the other disciples arrived at Jun Suan's location. Hei Shu Yi was compelled to travel with them, as she had no other choice. She too had hoped that Xiao Tang would be in the Yingtian Clan, as he always was. But soon, all her hopes were to be dashed. Jun Suan and the others ran up to Ying Xia and the rest when they saw them arriving. Mei Gui and Qing Yu were very happy to see Hei Shu Yi. Jun Suan and everyone paid their respects to Hei Shu Yi.

  After some time, everyone gathered in a single room in the small inn. The atmosphere in the room was crowded because many people were present, yet a silence prevailed. No one knew which topic to start with, as too much was happening everywhere.

  Finally, Ying Xia asked Jun Suan: "Second Disciple Brother Jun Suan. Did you search thoroughly? Is Xiao Tang truly not found here?"

  Jun Suan replied, "Senior Disciple Ying Xia, we have searched every area of the Yingtian Clan, but we did not find Xiao Tang anywhere."

  Ying Xia became serious. Everyone’s eyes were on him, wondering what would happen now. Since Xiao Tang was not found, they could not return to their Master. Not only Ying Xia, but all the disciples were caught in this dilemma, as Ying Xia’s answer was that they hadn't found Xiao Tang in the Hegong Clan either.

  Amidst all this, Hei Shu Yi completely understood that Xiao Tang was in the Han Clan, and Xian Yong Ming was there as well. Hei Shu Yi was still thinking this when Jun Suan spoke, drawing the attention of everyone, including Hei Shu Yi.

  "Senior Disciple, today we heard a very strange thing in the market. We heard that Prince Han Zao Shi has been made the Clan Head. Clan Head Han Lao Fang has abdicated his position. But I don't find this right; how can a half-brother become the head of a clan that is not rightfully his?"

  Zao Yun, who had been listening to all this for a long time, replied to Jun Suan: "You are right, Second Disciple Brother. This is against the rules. We also heard this announcement. And as far as we have learned, the High Assembly can never violate this rule. It has never happened until today. So how did this happen? How did the High Assembly permit Han Zao Shi to be made the Clan Head? They could have taken responsibility for the clan themselves. They could have handed the clan over to a Grandmaster. In my opinion, the High Assembly had thousands of options besides this one. There must be something hidden, Brother, that is not coming to light."

  Mei Gui and Hei Shu Yi were already wrapped up in webs of suspicion. Mei Gui’s suspicion was growing continuously regarding Xiao Tang. And Hei Shu Yi was now trying to understand Han Zao Shi. Her suspicion was turning into certainty that Han Lao Fang must have hidden something, otherwise, he would not have agreed to step down from the Clan Head position so easily.

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  Then Ying Xia made a decision, taking a long breath. He had been pondering it for a long time. He spoke, and all eyes fixed on him: "We must go. My heart tells me that we should go there. We have to stop Master under any circumstances. Because now Han Zao Shi is involved. Even if Master expels us, we will certainly help him. Prepare to leave."

  Hearing Ying Xia's words, everyone stood up. Qing Yu was overjoyed that they were now going to save Xiao Tang. But suspicion was deeply rooted in Mei Gui's mind. She was not overly happy. She only showed a comforting smile to Qing Yu. And on the other side, Hei Shu Yi was also completely vigilant. Because even though the conspiracy was not visible yet, this unusual peace indicated that a storm was approaching. Everyone set off toward the Han Clan, where destiny was gathering everyone to reveal a truth, to expose a hidden conspiracy.

  Slowly moving upwards, Han Wuang Shi was continuously advancing. And with every step, he was moving further away from Gu Zong. And Gu Zong he too was now moving forward because this news had made him restless. One path. One destination. Yet still separate. The destination for everyone was the Han Clan.

  But not every destination is beautiful. The Han Clan had been completely transformed. Everything that reminded them of the old Han Clan had been changed. Han Zao Shi sat completely transformed on his throne, with complete satisfaction. The entire hall was empty. Though peaceful, nothing was truly calm. The curtains of the hall swayed with a light breeze. Everything seemed fine.

  Han Zao Shi was the only one in the whole hall. But he was not alone; Lao Xuan stood behind his throne. His face was covered, as always. As always, the iron stick spun in his fingers. His black robes were like his dark intentions. Then he spoke. His slow but weighty voice forced even Han Zao Shi to listen seriously:

  "How does it feel, Han Zao Shi? To be the Clan Head?"

  Then, caressing his throne, he spoke, with a cunning and cruel expression. He was like a beautiful, delicate flower that had suddenly turned into a poisonous fruit.

  He replied, "Master. How can I explain what I feel? The dream that Father showed me since childhood today it has been fulfilled. But the only regret is that he will not be able to see me sitting on this throne now."

  Lao Xuan bent down and, pouring poison into his ear, said, "But your father's killer is still walking free, isn't he? So doesn't your blood boil seeing him? That he killed your father? Don't you want revenge, Han Zao Shi? Tell me."

  Hearing this, his eyes flared with rage. He stood up instantly. His fist clenched tightly in fierce anger. He spoke, agreeing completely with Lao Xuan's words: "Master. How could you even think that I don't want revenge? What all did he not do? Because of him, Mother never loved me. Whatever was given, Xian Yong Ming and Han Lao Fang got it first. I got it last. So how could you think I wouldn't take revenge, Master! I was waiting for this very day. And now...!"

  He hesitated for a moment, but then Lao Xuan spoke from behind, "And now...? What happened, Han Zao Shi? Are you afraid? Or do you lack courage? Now you have authority. You have the right to start the Cultivation Path. People will also stand with you now. So what are you waiting for, Zao Shi?"

  Annoyed slightly by this, Han Zao Shi said, "No, Master. It won't be that easy to start the Cultivation Path. Because it requires the presence of the Zhengwu Pillars. They alone knew the rules, regulations, and paths of this Cultivation Path. Besides them, only Grandmaster Tao Zhen can start this Cultivation Path. And the path to reach him is the Cultivation Path itself. So I don't understand how to start it."

  Then a smile appeared on Lao Xuan's face. He said, "There is a way."