Shi Min remained quiet for a long moment, deep in thought. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the edge of the thick wooden desk, his sharp eyes distant. 'Otako is the head of the constabulary of the Hidden Valley as far as I remember,' he reminded himself—but he kept the information to himself.

Meanwhile, chaos indeed exploded across the Hidden Valley. The moment word spread of an evil cultivator kidnapping young virgin women, the families of the missing persons stormed the constabulary. The cries of grieving mothers and enraged fathers filled the air, their voices raw with fury and desperation.

The gruesome discovery of corpses only confirmed their worst fears—many now believed their love ones - daughters, sisters, and cousins were gone forever.

The constabulary was under siege.

Men and women barricaded the exits, refusing to let the officials move freely, demanding answers, demanding swift justice.

Fear gripped the valley, settling into every household like an unshakable curse. Families tightened their security, refusing to let their daughters wander unattended. Doors were locked at all hours, and guards doubled. The scent of incense filled homes as desperate prayers were whispered into the night.

Inside the constabulary office, the young officer currently in charge pressed his fingers against his temple, exhaustion weighing heavy on his frame.

'Why did I volunteer for this mess? I should have known better.'

He sighed heavily and bitterly, casting a weary glance toward the entrance, where chaos still reigned.

'I just hope Master returns soon and deals with this madness.'

Meanwhile, within the highly lit luxurious bedroom, Solaris gritted his teeth, his body convulsing as pain tore through him. The deep wounds burned like molten fire, his entire frame wracked with agony. His grip tightened against the wooden bed frame beneath him, his nails sinking into the lacquered surface. Sweat dripped from his temples, soaking the sheets beneath him.

Not only were the wounds deep, but the poison… 'The damned poison.' Solaris cursed silently.

Solaris clenched his jaw, fury crackling like lightning in his veins. 'Who on Lily's side is this powerful? He could actually hurt me.' The thought refused to leave his mind. He had seen everyone in that mansion—none seemed capable of producing such force. 'And who could be this powerful alchemist?'

He hissed under his breath, his expression grim. 'I must recover immediately. I must go back and see for myself.'

"Young Master," the Old Monk muttered hesitantly, wiping his sweat-covered brow. "I need to scrape the rotting flesh around your wounds. It has already spread. If I don't remove it, the poison will continue to eat away at your skin, and soon… I won't be able to stop it."

Solaris' nostrils flared in irritation. "Just do it."

The Old Monk swallowed hard. "Young Master… after scraping the wound, you won't be able to move. You need to rest for at least a month."

Solaris' eyes flashed with raw fury. "You know damned well that I need to participate in that ridiculous dance competition to secure my hold on Lily! And you're telling me to rest for a month?! Do you want to die?! I need to be back on my feet in three days!"

The Old Monk flinched. "Y-Young Master, I shall do my best," he stammered, though deep inside, he knew it was impossible.

Solaris narrowed his eyes. As if sensing the monk's reluctance, he growled, "What do you need to make me recover in three days?"

The Old Monk trembled as he replied, "A thousand-year-old ginseng… and a dragon marrow."

Solaris' rage burst like an untamed storm. "Isn't this the same as telling me to die?!" His voice boomed across the chamber, shaking the brightly lit chandelier.

Despite Solaris' wealth and his connections, these two items were nearly impossible to find. No one would part with such treasures—not even for mountains of gold.

The Old Monk said nothing and remained mum as he carefully continued treating the wounds, each scrape of the rotting flesh making Solaris twitch in agony.

"After you stabilize my wounds, take the three hundred gold bars in that box and find me those items," Solaris finally declared, his voice laced with fury.

The Old Monk paled slightly but nodded. "Yes, Young Master."

'Where in the world will I find those items?' The Old Monk thought bitterly. My life is truly pitiful.'

His mind drifted back to the night he met Solaris five years ago, on a bitterly cold winter evening. He had stumbled upon the unconscious boy, barely breathing, his body stiff with frost. Back then, Solaris had looked so innocent, so fragile. Pity had moved the monk's heart, and he had carried the boy back to the temple.

If only he had left him there to die.

His misery had begun the day he saved Solaris. The regret gnawed at him every second of every day. A sacred temple—and beneath it, an altar of evil. The thought alone made him grind his teeth.

The Old Monk worked tirelessly for hours, scraping the wounds and wrapping the bandages. He didn't even stop to drink water.

Before he could breathe, Solaris' cold voice cut through the silence. "Take the gold bars and find the items immediately."

The Old Monk stared at the heavy trunk in the corner of the room. "Young Master… I cannot carry all of them…"

Solaris ignored him, turning toward the door. "Someone! Come in."

The servant, who had been eavesdropping, directly pushed through the entrance. "Young Master," he bowed.

"Find someone to help carry the trunk and go with the Old Monk."

"Yes, Young Master."

After heading out, the young servant rushed to his quarters, hastily scribbling something onto a scrap of paper. He tucked it into his inner pocket, before seeking another male servant to assist with the trunk.

Once the two servants returned to Solaris' room, his voice was ice. "Leave immediately. Do not delay. Return in two days—with the items."

The servants hurried, carrying the trunk, following behind the Old Monk toward the waiting vehicle.

Just before stepping into the car, the young servant discreetly dropped his piece of paper onto the ground.

Goldie retrieved the fallen note, slipping it into his jacket as he returned to the shadows. 'Bribing the servant was worth it,' Goldie thought with a smile after reading the note.

Rockie immediately reported the information back to Shi Min.

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