Chapter 3

Zhang Hailou and Zhang Haixia had been poring over documents all night when Zhang Haiqi approached them. "What are you two doing?" Zhang Haiqi asked. Seeing the dark circles under their eyes, Zhang Haiqi realized it couldn't have been just one night; they must have been at it for at least a week.

"Shifu, you're here." Zhang Haixia said. Zhang Haiqi nodded. "Shifu, Xiazai met the person who saved him, but that person didn't remember Xiazai. Why is that?" Zhang Hailou asked. Zhang Haiqi fell silent. "There is a top-secret, classified document in the Archives. Only the head of the Archives is permitted to open it." Zhang Haiqi said.

"In that case, Xiazai, let's go." Zhang Hailou said. "You're the head of the Archives now, so you go. I still have to deal with this mountain of paperwork." Zhang Haixia said with a sigh. The documents were easy enough to understand, but piecing the information together was complex; in a week of work, they had only managed to open two suitcases.

"I'll be back soon." Zhang Hailou said as he left. In front of Zhang Haixia, he remained the younger brother who was always pampered, but around others, he was a madman ruthless and showing no mercy to anyone. Time changes people, and Zhang Haixia was no exception, even though he carried the heavy burden of his own past.

"Haixia" Zhang Haiqi said suddenly. "Yes, Shifu?" Zhang Haixia asked, puzzled. "Why do you think A Yuan doesn't remember you?" Zhang Haiqi asked. "I don't know." Zhang Haixia replied. "There is a possibility that, like the Patriarch, he possesses Tianshou." Zhang Haiqi said, leaving Zhang Haixia speechless.

If what Zhang Haiqi said was true, then Zhang Qingyuan would forget everyone when the time came. "That makes it highly likely that she was from the main branch before she lost her memory. I heard she uses the 'two-finger skill' to break bones and reset them" Zhang Haiqi said. Zhang Haixia nodded. "The 'two-fingered skill' is primarily destructive, yet it allows one to both shatter and reassemble things. The archives mention only one person capable of this, someone known as Fenghuang's Man." Zhang Haiqi said. Zhang Haixia fell silent.

°The Archives°

Zhang Hailou quickly made his way inside, navigating past various deadly traps. Upon entering, Zhang Hailou found A Yuan holding documents belonging to herself and Zhang Haixia, along with other necessary classified files. Zhang Qingyuan ran while dodging lethal traps, with Zhang Hailou following close behind at a different pace.

Zhang Qingyuan glanced at Zhang Hailou, who had arrived behind her. Before Zhang Hailou could make a move, Zhang Qingyuan said, "You show the way." Zhang Hailou paused briefly before leading her to their new home in Beijing.

°Zhang Hailou and Zhang Haixia's Home°

Zhang Haixia was startled to see Zhang Hailou bring Zhang Qingyuan along. "Why are you still here?" Zhang Hailou asked Zhang Haiqi. "Your two disciples sent a message: bring back a shiniang. No shiniang, no return." Zhang Haiqi said with a delighted smirk. Zhang Hailou nearly choked on the water he was drinking.

"Those two brats!" Zhang Hailou exclaimed in annoyance. "Is it really that hard? Just find them one." Zhang Qingyuan said, sitting in a chair without permission and opening the files belonging to Hailou and Zhang Haixia that were on the table. He silently scanned the data in both files and returned them to their envelopes in just five minutes.

"How was it so fast?" Zhang Hailou asked in disbelief. Zhang Haixia silently watched Zhang Qingyuan. "It's done." Zhang Qingyuan said, neatly setting aside their files before opening his own. Zhang Haixia, Zhang Hailou, and Zhang Haiqi gathered around.

The file simply stated that she bore a Fenghuang tattoo and that her blood attracted insects and ancient tomb creatures. It also noted that her blood possessed the ability to regenerate damaged cells and limbs. Reviving someone comes with long-term side effects, such as memory loss facts Zhang Qingyuan was already aware of.

"Stupid files," Zhang Qingyuan muttered, gazing up at the ceiling. "What are you looking for?" Zhang Haixia asked curiously. "Trying to recover your memories?" Zhang Haiqi asked. Zhang Qingyuan looked at Zhang Haiqi and nodded. "Why do you want to get your memories back?" Zhang Haiqi asked. "I feel like I lost something in the past, so I need to find it." Zhang Qingyuan replied.

"A person?" Zhang Hailou asked teasingly. Zhang Qingyuan shook her head. "An object. Anyway, keep up the good work for the Patriarch." Zhang Qingyuan said, patting Zhang Hailou on the shoulder.

"Are you heading down to the ancient tomb now?" Zhang Haixia asked, looking at Zhang Qingyuan. "No, I need to go out and catch some bugs." Zhang Qingyuan said as she stepped outside. A crowd had already gathered there. Zhang Haixia, Zhang Hailou, and Zhang Haiqi watched from the window.

Chains restrained Zhang Qingyuan's movements. "Should we help her?" Zhang Hailou asked. "Wait" Zhang Haiqi said. "Is this the extent of the Wang family's abilities? You disappoint me." Zhang Qingyuan said with a smirk. She manipulated the chains with her hands.

"How is this possible? You shouldn't be able to move!" one of the men exclaimed. The chains clashed together, knocking the men holding chain unconscious. Someone emerged from behind a wall. Zhang Qingyuan's arm was bleeding from the chains.

Creatures began to gather, drawn by the scent of Zhang Qingyuan's blood. "Before we uncover the Zhang family's secret to immortality, capturing you to serve as a supplement for us would be excellent." the man said. "Wang Yu" Zhang Qingyuan said, smirking.

The man was startled; his name was indeed Wang Yu. "How do you know that?" Wang Yu asked in shock. "If you can plant spies within the Mystic Nine, I can certainly plant spies within the Wang family." Zhang Qingyuan said with a wink.

Wang Yu attacked Zhang Qingyuan, but the blow was parried and followed by a counterattack. Wang Yu's arm snapped, and his scream was blood-curdling. "Tell your leader: don't make me angry. If I ever find your headquarters, I will wipe every last one of you out." Zhang Qingyuan said before turning back inside. Wang Yu roused his men and fled quickly.

°Zhang Hailou and Zhang Haixia's Home°

At the doorway, Zhang Qingyuan looked at Zhang Haixia, Zhang Hailou, and Zhang Haiqi, who were still standing by the window. "Have you seen enough? If you're done, pack up your things and move to my place. It’s not safe here anymore." Zhang Qingyuan said coldly.

Zhang Haixia and Zhang Hailou complied. "What about your wounds?" Zhang Haiqi asked with concern. "They've healed," Zhang Qingyuan said, looking at the wounds that were no longer bleeding. "If you're planning to go down into that ancient tomb, I'm coming with you." Zhang Haiqi said.

"I know, you want to return the favor because I once saved Zhang Haixia. I don't think it's necessary; even though I've lost my memory, I wouldn't help someone without a reason. I must have helped him to repay a debt myself." Zhang Qingyuan said casually. "Repay a debt?" Zhang Haixia asked, carrying his suitcase. Zhang Qingyuan nodded. "Why don't we remember that?" Zhang Hailou asked.

°Zhang Qingyuan's Residence°

"Pick your own rooms." Zhang Qingyuan said, heading to the kitchen after setting down three suitcases filled with files. Zhang Hailou pulled Zhang Haixia along to choose rooms on the second floor. "Where should I stay?" Zhang Haiqi asked. "Pick one yourself." Zhang Qingyuan said, drinking bottled water from the fridge. "Did you meet Fo Ye and Wu Lao Gou?" Zhang Haiqi asked. "I met them briefly. They both looked old. Still the same, yet different." Zhang Qingyuan said with a smile.

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