The clouds parted in the night sky, revealing six human silhouettes. Leading them was a middle-aged Daoist with broad bones and a hefty frame, his face as round as a full moon. His Daoist robe’s sleeves were as large as a bag’s opening, fluttering in the wind with a rustling sound, supported by a cloud beneath his feet. A faint evil qi surrounded him, clearly identifying him as a Hua Dan Cultivator.
From the adornments on their Daoist robes, it was evident that these individuals were from the Zhengqing Institute.
Zhang Yan’s expression remained unchanged, but Liu Yan Yi and Qiu Hanyue were both startled. Just after Wen An’s life-or-death situation, disciples of the Zhengqing Institute had arrived, clearly indicating malicious intent, which put both of them on guard.
Liu Yan Yi was even more worried. Knowing that one of them was a Hua Dan Cultivator, she couldn’t help but wonder if the master could withstand a confrontation if it ensued.
Wen An was a registered steward at Zhengqing Institute. Such individuals had a life lamp enshrined in the offering hall of the institute. If they died, the lamp would extinguish, and the guardians in the institute would be notified immediately.
The six people hurried here from Heavenly Prison Peak with serious expressions. To dare kill a Zhengqing Institute steward outside the Mingcang Sect’s mountain gate, no matter who did it, was not to be trifled with, likely leading to a fierce fight.
The middle-aged Daoist leading the group cast his gaze downward and spotted Zhang Yan first. He squinted slightly before a subtle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he leisurely brought his cloud down.
Surprisingly, he didn’t hurry to reprimand anyone but stepped forward and cupped his hands, laughing loudly, "Junior Brother Zhang, I heard you went out searching for medicine years ago. I couldn’t see you off at that time. It’s been over twenty years since we last met."
Seeing this person, Zhang Yan also smiled slightly and cupped his hands, "So it’s Vice Master Pan. It was a rushed goodbye at Zhengqing Institute back then, and I didn’t expect us to meet again today."
The disciples behind Vice Master Pan were prepared to act at his command, but seeing the two greet each other and seem quite familiar, they were momentarily stunned, exchanging confused glances.
Vice Master Pan took another careful look at Zhang Yan and said meaningfully, "It seems Junior Brother Zhang has had quite some fortuitous encounters over the years."
Zhang Yan’s cultivation level couldn’t be discerned by Liu Yan Yi and Qiu Hanyue due to their limited cultivation, but it was not hidden from Vice Master Pan, who was also a Hua Dan Cultivator.
Zhang Yan simply responded with a smile, saying nothing.
Vice Master Pan didn’t mind, chuckling as he pointed at Zhang Yan and said to the disciples behind him, "Aren’t you all very impressed by Brother Zhang who broke the Four Symbols Formation and fought a hundred enemies with one sword? There he is."
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This statement immediately drew gasps of surprise, and the disciples looked at Zhang Yan with newfound regard, with one even exclaiming, "So he is Brother Zhang."
Disciples of the Zhengqing Institute, mostly from teacher-student lineages, generally held admiration for Zhang Yan, who had dealt a severe blow to the noble family back then. Among them were those who idolized and admired him, and seeing him now, curiosity and respect sparked in their eyes.
Vice Master Pan exchanged a few more pleasantries with Zhang Yan and then casually mentioned, "I recently discovered that Steward Wen An’s essence has disappeared. Following the Jade Talisman he carried, I found my way here. Does Junior Brother Zhang know of his whereabouts?"
Zhang Yan gave a faint smile, seemingly indifferent as he said, "Wen An was rude and attempted to insult my disciple, so I killed him offhand."
He said this so nonchalantly, as if Wen An were nothing more than an insignificant roadside chicken or dog. Even those disciples who favored him showed slight changes in their expressions upon hearing this.
However, Vice Master Pan seemed unsurprised and instead laughed heartily, saying, "If that’s the case, then Junior Brother Zhang can’t be blamed."
Zhang Yan cast a deep look at him. Originally, this matter was not going to be resolved easily. Knowing that Zhuang Bufan was a Zhengqing Institute Deputy Director, if it had been him instead of Vice Master Pan here today, Zhang Yan was prepared for a conflict. Vice Master Pan had no significant relationship with him, merely an acquaintance at best, so why would he take such a clear stance in supporting him?
Among Mingcang Sect’s lineages, disciples who reached the Hua Dan Realm of cultivation were no simpletons, and for someone to become Vice Master at Zhengqing Institute was even more formidable, indicating deeper intentions in this gesture.
After they chatted like long-separated old friends for a while, they respectfully bid each other farewell. As Vice Master Pan was about to leave, he suddenly whispered, "Back then, it was thanks to you for the matter of Master Ge."