It was obvious Miao Changsheng was the culprit behind what had happened. That matter completely went past his bottom line. However, Miao Xihe and his people were extraordinary enough that it was not a good idea to get on their bad side. Besides, he still needed them around.

Oh well!

He calmed only after pacing around the room for quite some time.

He decided to lay low with the matter for the moment, but he definitely would not let it all slide.

That night, everyone in He County was restless.

Miao Xihe and his people were all very alert. Just as how Miao Xihe put it, they were outside instead of being in the village. That meant they could not just throw their weight around. The consequences were dire if they did so.

Throughout the nights, sirens from patrol cars were heard.

The night passed peacefully despite the suspense.

The people from the village departed the moment daylight came. They returned to their village.

Are they gone? Guo Zhenghe asked.

Yes, Secretary Guo.

Noted. Carry on with what you were doing.

Yes, Sir.

Since most people were saved, the ruckus was put to rest for the time being, but the matter was still far from settled. The incident had already put those in the highest echelon on high alert. Lunar New Years Day was around the corner, yet that place repeatedly saw harrowing incidents. Now, even the government servants were hit. It was seen as a provocation like no other and would not be tolerated. However, given that the festivities were just around the corner, it was not the time to go all out. Otherwise, things would have turned out very differently.

Sis, how about you just stay here for the festivities? Guo Zhenghe felt uneasy when his sister insisted on leaving.

Im fine, Guo Sirou replied with a smile, despite her expression looking otherwise.

Alright, take care, Guo Zhenghe said. Call me when you got home and see a reliable doctor. Go and visit Wang Yao when the festivities are over, OK?

Yeah, will do. Take care of yourself out here as well!

Yeah, I know what to do.

Guo Zhenghe drove his sister to the nearest airport and watched her get on the plane.

Lets hope nothing else happens, Guo Zhenghe said.

In the Valley of Thousands of Medicine

Back at Miao Xihes residence

Miao Changsheng was stark naked. Bloody wounds were all over his body. They were the result of being whipped using rattan canes dipped in saline solution.

Father, Im sorry. Miao Changsheng knelt on the ground. His face was pale. He was shaking all over, seemingly thinking he was about to die.

Flush him.

A bucket of cold water was dumped onto his body.

Lift your head and look at me, Miao Xihe coldly said.

Miao Changsheng, who was wide awake after having a bucket of water poured on him, looked up at his biological father.

Do you know what youve done wrong?

I do, Father.

Youre in the wrong, but so am I, Miao Xihe said. Youre my son, but that doesnt mean Ill always side with and defend you. What you did last night put the safety of the entire village in grave danger. If the village, which has been around for hundreds of years, is destroyed because of what you did, not even your death will be good enough atonement. Do you get that?

I know, Father. Im sorry.

Take himself outside and deal with him according to the rules.

Chief, New Years Day is around the corner, couldnt you

New Year? Is that a reason for rules to be broken? Miao Xihe coldly asked.

Understood.

Miao Changsheng was carried away and tied to a huge tree in the middle of the village. His upper body was bare, revealing all his wounds.

What happened?

Isnt he the chiefs son, Miao Changsheng?

Umm, did he make a huge mistake?

Everyone in the village was shocked. It had been a very long time since that form of punishment had been used. No one had made such a grave mistake in a long time, so there was no need for such severe punishments to be carried out.

Man, the chief is very harsh!

So, what did he do wrong?

Miao Qingfeng, who had been injured but recovered enough to walk around, was surprised to see the young man tied to the tree. He asked those who ventured out with Miao Xihe about what happened.

He bugged someone.

Bugged someone? Outside the village?

Yeah.

Did anyone die?

Nope, the chief saved them.

Well, bugging is definitely against the rules, but no one died, right? Miao Qingfeng asked. Why was there a need to do this? Hes the chiefs son after all. Hell, who did he bug anyway?

The older sister of Secretary Guo of He County.

What! Miao Qingfeng was dumbfounded when he heard who had been bugged.

Those people had no idea what kind of background that secretary had, but he did. He also knew what the chiefs only son was like. For the most part, Miao Changsheng was a decent man. He had one glaring flaw, which was a fondness for pretty women. He made the same mistake back in the village and had been incarcerated for half a year by the chief. Miao Changqing thought the young man would have become a better person, but the young man still went out and caused such massive trouble instead. If they got on the Guo familys bad side and the family retaliated, things would likely be catastrophic.

Its no wonder the chief got so angry, he said with a sigh.

Miao Changsheng was tied to the tree for one whole day and night. He was only allowed to drink water. He was given any food.

Huff, puff.

When the sun rose the next day, he was still tied to the tree.

The young man was tied to the tree for three consecutive days.

Three days later, it was New Years Day.

He was finally released. The village was once again lively. People were carrying out traditions that had been passed down for hundreds of years. It made the place seem incredibly busy.

In Jing, thousands of miles away

The day seemed rather solemn for the Guo family.

The father and son were spending the duration of the festival out of town and were unable to come home. Only the mother and daughter remained in the house. It made the place quiet and look empty.

Come on, Sirou, eat more.

Yeah.

Guo Sirou never truly looked well after coming back from He County in southern Yunnan. She looked rather pale, which worried her mother.

How about paying Wang Yao a visit when the New Year festivities are over?

Yeah, sure, Guo Sirou said.

In Wang Yaos village, couplets were hung, firecrackers were lit, and all kinds of food were on the table. It made the festival lively.

Wang Yaos mother cooked up a table full of dishes. She practically made a feast. Wang Yao drank with his father and brought some meat that his mother cooked to the mountain. He fed the dog, eagle, and snake.

Come on, eat more. Happy Lunar New Year, San Xian, Daxia, and Xiaohei.

Woof! Woof! The dog barked happily.

I wont be up here in the mountain tonight. Ill probably be away for days. Take care of the place for me.

Woof! Woof!

Jia Zizai and Hu Mei had been busy for days, getting buns and pastries ready. Both of them had been busy since the 26th day of the past month of the lunar calendar. Zhong Liuchuan and Zhong Anxin were both very busy as well. This was their first New Years Day in the village, and they were all very happy.

How about we celebrate the day together? Jia Zizai asked.

Umm Zhong Liuchuan was rather startled by the suggestion.

I dont see any problem with that, Hu Mei said with a smile.

After all, they were neighbors and disciples of the same master.

The more the merrier!

How about you, Anxin?

Sure, Zhong Anxin happily said.

Well, that settles it. Reunion dinner at my place!

The two families ate dinner and welcomed the Lunar New Years Day together. Hu Mei had been busy getting the dishes on the table ready.

All of them gathered around and watched television throughout the night, waiting for the day to come.

The phone in Wang Yaos house kept ringing until past 10 p.m. Some called to wish him and his family Happy Lunar New Year while some called his elders and relatives instead.

The next day was the Lunar New Years Day. People visited each other in the village. They visited the graveyard on the second day to pay respects to the dead. Wang Yao left the village in the afternoon. He took a flight to Jing to visit Su Xiaoxues family before bringing her back to his village.

Before paying a visit to his second aunt, Wang Yao first met up with Xiaoxues mother. They did not go back to their hometown during festivals, and they had few relatives in the city. As such, they were very happy to see Wang Yao and insisted on having him over for lunch. It had taken Wang Yao quite a while to refuse the offer. He next paid a visit to Chen Ying and Chen Zhou at the cottage.

It took him quite a while to finish the visits. Finally, he and Xiaoxue took a flight back home. The two returned to the village that night.

Wang Yaos parents had been waiting for them back home. Furthermore, his sister and brother-in-law were staying in the house as well. The family gathered around. Things were rowdy.

Wang Rus belly was becoming obvious from her pregnancy. She was about a month away from her due date.

Wang Yao was still visiting people the next day. He drove to visit with some of his main relatives at their places. Su Xiaoxue accompanied him.

Are you tired? he asked.

Not quite, Su Xiaoxue replied with a smile.

Things will settle down after today, Wang Yao said. Oh, right, how about we head to Jia Zizais place for dinner instead of eating at home when were done?

Sure, have it your way, Su Xiaoxue replied.

Since he came to Wang Yaos place on the first day of Lunar New Year, Jia Zizai had been inviting him to visit his place. It was an invitation he was unable to refuse.