Han Yuan was left speechless for a long time after hearing Huang Xian’Er’s words.

’This Evil Demon Seed certainly sounds bizarre and terrifying.’

However, they had no way to confirm it at the moment. They would have to let Du Qiuxu investigate once they returned.

"Relax... even if that Yellow Springs Saint Mother really is an Evil Demon Seed, and even if our Cangshui County Observatory can’t handle her, there’s still the Jianghe Province Celestial Observation Bureau."

Huang Xian’Er said with a smile.

"You’re right... in any case, there’s still the Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau."

Han Yuan felt he was overthinking things as well.

And so, the two ended their conversation and returned to their respective rooms to sleep.

「The next day.」

Xu Feng continued his purge of the Wangling Sect’s remaining followers.

Han Yuan, meanwhile, was walking through the main streets of Wushan County.

The streets were far more somber than before. Many homes had hung white mourning banners, and the sound of weeping filled the air.

With the Wangling Sect’s true nature exposed, those afflicted with the plague fell deeper into despair. They sat by the roadside like living corpses, their eyes vacant.

Now that the Wangling Sect had been crushed by the Government Office, there was no more talismanic water for them to drink.

It seemed the only future awaiting them was rapid deterioration and, finally, a desperate death.

Han Yuan paid them no mind, walking to the front of a house in an alley and knocking gently.

"Coming."

Zhang Cang opened the door and was somewhat surprised to see Han Yuan.

He hadn’t expected Han Yuan to seek him out.

After inviting Han Yuan into the courtyard to sit down, Zhang Cang brewed him a pot of tea.

"I heard about what happened yesterday."

"To think the plague in Wushan County was all the Wangling Sect’s doing."

"What on earth were they trying to achieve...?"

Zhang Cang sighed.

"These people... may have been manipulated as well."

Han Yuan only hinted at it cryptically before changing the subject. "Right, I heard you were developing a prescription to treat the plague."

"Have you made any progress?"

At this, even with his placid nature, Zhang Cang grew excited. "As a matter of fact, I finished it yesterday. I just haven’t had a chance to test if the prescription works."

Upon hearing this, Han Yuan smiled. "Then let’s test it today."

With that, he took Zhang Cang back to the Wushan County Yamen.

Zhang Cang had already prepared the herbs and quickly brewed a bowl of medicinal broth.

Without wasting any time, Han Yuan brought in a middle-aged man from the street who was infected with the plague and had him drink a bowl of the broth.

After the man drank it, there was no initial reaction.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he suddenly began to tremble all over and then started to vomit violently.

"COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!"

The man violently spat out a mass of black, foul-smelling liquid.

Han Yuan looked closer and saw that the liquid was, in fact, teeming with tiny, dark-red worms.

The worms were still squirming, as if searching for a new host.

"This is the source of the plague. We’ll burn these worms in a moment."

As Zhang Cang gazed at the disgusting, bizarre worms, a flash of joy crossed his face.

He turned to the infected man and asked, "How are you feeling now?"

The man’s face lit up with ecstasy. He could feel a complete change in his body after expelling the worms. "I feel great!" he said. "That weak feeling is gone!"

"Daoist, thank you for saving my life."

With that, the man dropped to his knees before Zhang Cang and began to kowtow repeatedly.

"Get up, quickly."

Zhang Cang helped the man to his feet and took out a prescription.

"Take this prescription. You are to drink it once a day."

"In three days, you will be completely cured."

Zhang Cang instructed.

Huang Xian’Er was also in the County Yamen and came out to investigate the commotion.

Her expression was incredulous when she heard Zhang Cang’s words.

’A prescription that can cure the plague!’

’If it were sold, the price would be incalculable.’

’And it’s not just Wushan County with the plague; other parts of Cangshui County have it, too.’

Her expression flickered. She snatched the prescription from the man’s hand and said softly, "Daoist, I’ll buy this prescription for one hundred thousand taels of silver. What do you say?"

Her Huang Family was the largest medicinal herb merchant in Cangshui County Town.

’If I can just buy this prescription, the profit will be staggering.’

Zhang Cang shook his head gently. "This prescription can save many lives. How can one hundred thousand taels of silver compare?"

"One hundred fifty thousand taels," Huang Xian’Er raised her offer.

"Young lady, there’s no need to say more."

"I will give this prescription away freely to anyone who needs it."

"You won’t need to spend one hundred fifty thousand taels."

Zhang Cang said calmly.

"You..." Huang Xian’Er swore she had never met anyone like Zhang Cang in her life.

"He’s my friend."

Han Yuan narrowed his eyes, casting a look at Huang Xian’Er.

He had remained silent until now, wanting to let Zhang Cang make his own decision.

But since Zhang Cang’s stance was firm, he felt compelled to warn Huang Xian’Er.

Huang Xian’Er feared neither heaven nor earth, but she was genuinely afraid of Han Yuan. That single glance was enough to frighten her.

After a moment’s thought, she made one last attempt. "Daoist, are you sure you won’t reconsider?"

Zhang Cang smiled. "There’s nothing to consider."

Huang Xian’Er sighed in resignation and returned the prescription to Zhang Cang.

She knew that after today, the prescription would be known throughout all of Wushan County.

...

After the man left with the prescription, showering them with thanks.

Han Yuan thought for a moment, then took several government officials and visited every apothecary in Wushan County Town, buying up all the herbs required for Zhang Cang’s prescription.

He paid the market price for all of them.

This time, Han Yuan was the one paying.

"You stubborn fellow. You turned down one hundred fifty thousand taels of silver."

"And now I have to sink a few hundred taels into this."

Han Yuan joked.

Zhang Cang laughed. "Han Yuan, if I had taken that one hundred fifty thousand taels, would you still consider me worthy of being your friend?"

Han Yuan paused for a moment, then laughed. "Of course! If you had one hundred fifty thousand taels of silver, you could definitely be my friend."

Zhang Cang shook his head, smiling. "A pity, then."

"Anyway, let’s get back to the matter at hand."

"I should be returning to Cangshui County tomorrow."

"I’ll have Xu Feng assist you. With these herbs, the plague in Wushan County Town should clear up quickly."

Han Yuan said seriously.

"Mm... that would be for the best."

"Once I’m finished here in Wushan County Town, I’ll come find you in Cangshui County Town."

"Speaking of which, I’ve never been to the County Town before."

Zhang Cang nodded.

"Then it’s settled."

Han Yuan laughed.

After returning to the County Yamen with the herbs, they began brewing them in large cauldrons.

The County Yamen spread the news, and soon, townspeople were swarming the yamen with ceramic bowls, eager to receive the medicinal broth.

Fortunately, Han Yuan was there to maintain order, preventing the scene from descending into a riot.

「The next day.」

Han Yuan and Huang Xian’Er left Wushan County Town.

"That Daoist... he’s really something else."

Huang Xian’Er couldn’t help but remark as they traveled.

"It takes all kinds to make a world,"

Han Yuan replied with a small smile.

"But people like him are truly rare."

Huang Xian’Er shook her head.

"Let’s go."

"It’s not like your Huang Family is hurting for silver."

"Just think of it as accumulating good karma."

Han Yuan said.

Huang Xian’Er shrugged helplessly and flicked the reins. "Yah!"