However, the biggest trouble with Guiyuan Dan is not this, but that the medicinal primer it requires is extremely difficult to obtain. It needs the hot blood of a creature called the long-eared tiger, to be taken as water together with the pill. One must take five pills in succession, immediately circulate qi, and only then will it be effective.

There are long-eared tigers on Hong Song Mountain nearby, but...

Henry Clark felt a bit uneasy. The long-eared tiger is a genuine tiger, and it is said that very few people have ever seen one. Its temperament is extremely cunning, and legend has it that its hearing is especially keen.

"The Lantern Festival is in a few days. Maybe I can go back and ask if my family has any way to help. I can also take the opportunity to buy all the necessary herbs." He thought about how his current body belonged to a member of a prominent local family, so perhaps there would be a way.

In his previous life, he was especially fascinated by things like internal martial arts. Now that he had this opportunity, it would truly be a waste not to make the most of it.

...

Three days later...

Hong Song City.

Outside the city, people bustled about. On the busy road leading to the city gate, three black, square carriages slowly made their way toward the entrance. Amid the somewhat crowded traffic, the carriage drivers waved their whips as if to strike, immediately scaring away the children who had gathered around to sell things.

As the carriages gradually approached the city gate of Hong Song City, a group of people soon came out from inside the city to greet them. They wore black vests, and the man in the lead wore a black round cap and had a beaming smile. He quickly led the three carriages into the city.

Following the branching streets, the three carriages traveled for about another ten minutes before finally arriving at the entrance of a grand residence with a red-lacquered gate.

The gate was already open, with a gatekeeper standing at the entrance, bowing and smiling as he watched the carriages come to a stop.

"Welcome home, Second Miss, Third Master, and Fourth Master!" the gatekeeper shouted respectfully.

A young man and woman each stepped down from the carriages—two men and one woman. Both men were handsome, one with a darker complexion, the other with a faint air of authority.

The woman was adorned in pearls and jade, wearing a light yellow silk dress, with pearl and jade necklaces on her hands and neck. Her face was delicate and beautiful, her figure slightly plump, which only made her appear more mature and charming.

Inside the gate, James Clark, dressed in a white, loose robe, led several women out, laughing heartily. He exchanged a few quiet words with his three children—whatever he said made him burst out laughing.

At the side of the gate, in front of a stall selling grilled skewers at the entrance of an alley,

Two young people, a man and a woman, were looking toward the main gate from across the stall.

The man wore a black Daoist robe, his hair tied up in a topknot, about twenty years old, with a long sword on his back and a handsome face, somewhat resembling the two men who had just gotten off the carriages. This was Henry Clark, who had just come down from the mountain.

Beside him was Yvonne Harris, still in her white dress, though her white boots had been dirtied by mud, which did little to affect her aura. She still looked every bit the heroic young woman.

"This is my home..." Henry Clark said softly, taking a skewer from the vendor and handing half to Yvonne Harris.

"So beautiful..." Yvonne Harris said as she took the skewer and began to eat, her eyes fixed on the Lin family residence, observing it carefully.

From the outside, one could only see the wide expanse behind the white walls, with glimpses of gardens and the sounds of servants coming and going. It was clearly the home of a wealthy family.

"Let's go." Henry Clark finished his food in a few bites and headed toward the Lin residence.

Yvonne Harris quickly followed, lowering her head to avoid a few newly hung red lanterns for the Lantern Festival, trailing closely behind Henry Clark.

When they reached the gate, the carriages had just been led away, and the gatekeeper was about to close the door when he saw Henry Clark approaching.

"Oh, young master is back!" The gatekeeper immediately broke into a smile and came forward to greet him. Two servants behind him hurried inside to inform the others.

Henry Clark responded casually.

"Was that my second sister and the third and fourth brothers who just arrived?"

"Yes, Second Miss, Third Master, and Fourth Master just got here."

Henry Clark didn't bother with the gatekeeper any further and strode into the house with Yvonne Harris, followed closely by a servant.

Inside the gate was a rock garden with flowing water and lush greenery, arranged with great taste. Directly opposite the main gate was a stone arch bridge leading straight to the main hall at the back. There, one could vaguely see people coming out to look in their direction.

Crossing the small bridge, James Clark had already come forward and gave him a big hug.

"So you still remember to come down the mountain? I thought you weren't planning to come back!"

Henry Clark was tightly hugged by this middle-aged man, feeling a bit awkward. Having to recognize someone else's father as his own was indeed a little hard to get used to.

"And this must be Yvonne Harris?" Letting go of Henry Clark, James Clark's gaze immediately fell on Yvonne Harris. Seeing her shy demeanor, dressed in a white gown with a heroic bearing and a good figure, he was quite impressed.

"Alright, you two go rest for a bit. We'll all gather together in a while. There are also guests from the Shu family this time, so don't forget your manners when you meet them." James Clark reminded them, though as a country landlord, he actually didn't know much about etiquette himself.

Henry Clark had already been feeling out of place, so this was a perfect excuse to leave. He quickly agreed and, with Yvonne Harris, followed a servant to their rooms.

Crossing another stone bridge to the other courtyards, they happened to meet a group of young men and women coming toward them on the bridge.

"Eldest brother! As soon as we heard you were back, we came out to see you."