Master of Strange Dao

The red veil ignored him, he had already been blacklisted.

Not many people paid attention to Che Lun either, because before the Matchstick Man had stabilized into the third stage, he had ruthlessly criticized Che Lun.

Even now, he's still occasionally criticizing Che Lun...

...

On the other side, Yu Ziqing returned from the Abyss. Besides some seemingly malnourished White Soil, he discovered a dangerous place in the Abyss, but gained little otherwise.

After leaving, he headed straight for Dazhen.

King Xiang sent back a message, the guide had been found.

Upon returning to Dazhen, Yu Ziqing distinctly felt that the atmosphere of panic and unease from decades ago seemed to have largely dissipated.

The southeastern part of Dazhen had become more populous, but due to Emperor Zhen taking the opportunity to deal with a couple of the Sealed Kings, and reclaiming territories from two sensible Sealed Kings, the internal conflicts in Dazhen had largely eased.

Now within Dazhen, the remaining Sealed Kings were either playing dead or voluntarily submitting petitions requesting the return of their land, content to be nominal Sealed Kings.

The First Generation of Sealed Kings were not like they are now, just inheriting without end, resting with the nation, gradually annexing, and with continuous rewards, would inevitably develop into what they are now if given enough time.

In a vast area, the best lands might all belong to a single Sealed King.

If the situation was favorable, naturally everyone would benefit, and even Emperor Zhen would not dare go too far.

But now was the time to test the Sealed Kings, and for those who were disobedient, it was time to dig up old accounts.

These old accounts wouldn't amount to much if left alone, but if dredged up, a special archive room would have to be set aside for the files.

Along the way, Yu Ziqing observed and noted that he saw no one with complaints against Emperor Zhen, the Sealed Kings with complaints had already restarted.

Gu Shitou came to greet Yu Ziqing, this guy having become so enamored with the area that he had no wish to return to Jinlan Mountain, and Yu Ziqing didn't want this disliked fellow back there either.

Seeing King Xiang again, he looked much the same as before, except his aura seemed stronger.

King Xiang brought out several boxes, filled with jade scrolls, golden books, and various texts.

"Almost all records concerning the Extremely Cold Forbidden Land are here.

Even the court's people wouldn't venture to that treacherous place.

My father once said whoever could open a safe passage to the west and find a place suitable for long-term living would be granted it as a fief.

Unfortunately, west of the mountains, even near the Extremely Cold Forbidden Land, has always been barren and uninhabitable.

Very few have ventured into the Extremely Cold Forbidden Land, and even fewer have returned alive.

The scattered information is all here."

"That place is too dangerous, are you sure you want to go?"

"Yes, I must go, but how things unfold will dictate my actions, if it's unfeasible I'll turn back immediately."

Seeing his determination, King Xiang knew Yu Ziqing must have ample reason.

"The guide is an elder, in his youth he had followed some seniors into the Extremely Cold Forbidden Land.

However, they encountered an extreme cold storm, and only two survived and returned.

The other senior has since passed away, now only this elder remains.

He later went back three more times, hoping to retrieve the remains of his kin, and the family legacy and treasures left there.

This time, even if you hadn't come, he intended it to be his last trip.

I went to persuade him, he didn't want to take anyone along, but upon hearing it was you, he agreed to make a deal.

You can negotiate directly with him."

"Sweet rain?"

"Yes, that's it, he needs it himself, as his obsession runs deep, and he wants to prepare some for his descendants, possibly also as a gesture of goodwill."

"Alright."

Yu Ziqing had always controlled the external distribution of Sweet Rain, and unexpectedly, this opened the door this time.

Several days later, a spirited, sharp-eyed, white-haired old man arrived at King Xiang's Mansion, accompanied by a middle-aged and a young person.

Yu Ziqing immediately stepped forward to greet him.

"Junior Qing Ziyu, pays respects to senior."

As he spoke, Yu Ziqing presented a box.

"I trouble senior with this task, so please accept this small token."

The elder eagerly accepted the box, and upon opening it to find a bottle of Sweet Rain Original Liquid, he immediately felt more favorable towards Yu Ziqing.

Originally, he had proposed the transaction for fear Yu Ziqing wouldn't agree.

Unexpectedly, upon first meeting, Yu Ziqing was so courteous, presenting the Sweet Rain as a gift, not mentioning the transaction at all.