The most important thing is, I still need Wen Yan's help.

If it works out, and I end up getting slapped, then I have it coming.

Because I didn't communicate with Fuyu Mountain ahead of time, and halfway there I just grabbed someone and put them on the boat.

Being able to take this slap means Fuyu Mountain is giving me a way out.

And even after getting slapped, I have to grin and bear it, not get offended, and give Fuyu Mountain a way out too.

Let everyone think we're just doing each other a favor, not making enemies.

Crack a joke and let it pass, that's already the best outcome.

"That's the best outcome?" Feng Yao understood what Cai Qidong meant, but he was still a bit shocked—was it really "fine" being hurt like this?

"There wasn't a crazed Great Zombie falling from the sky, crashing onto the Dharma Altar, accidentally squashing me to death.

It didn't pour rain with a bolt of lightning hitting me in the head, frying me dead by coincidence.

No big shot's Flying Sword, lost after decades of cultivation, happened to go astray and kill me by accident.

I didn't grab the wrong cup while drinking water and get corpse-poisoned to death either, turning into a corpse and getting even the body taken away afterward.

Nor did I fall asleep and have my soul just randomly leave my body, never to return.

I just got slapped. A month or so and I'll be fine. If that doesn't count as a good outcome, what is?"

Feng Yao listened on the side, breaking out in a cold sweat, thinking, there's no way, right?

Would they really dare kill a whole commandery's Scorching Sun Department Minister?

"Oh, for sure, very much so. If we'd failed this time and the backlash hit the wrong people, causing some serious trouble, do you believe the Headquarters Minister would sign the report of my 'accidental' death in person?"

Feng Yao didn't say another word, just quietly listened. Even an idiot could see now: the Minister was grooming him, giving him a shot, planning to pile more on him later.

"Headquarters wanted to promote me before, but I turned them down. I'm not the type to sit in the first row at meetings.

Stuff like the Soul Devouring Beast—if I think it's too dangerous, then nobody should mess with it.

That sort of thing is just the ambition of a select few. The past few days in the Nanwu County Scorching Sun Department, I've already sent several people packing because of it.

But this time, I saw a chance, and I wanted to grab it—no matter what, I have to lay this path down.

Once the road is paved for the first time, that's the start, and the rest will follow.

There's no telling how many fewer people might die in the future.

I know myself—I'm just not steady enough. So I'm better suited to actually doing things, not moving higher up.

The higher up you go, a single mistake costs ten times what it would down here.

Remember this: before you do anything, consider whether you can bear the price, and if you're willing to bear it.

If you want to take it on, and can handle it, then go for it.

Afterwards, if you paid the price, don't go blaming anyone else."

"I've learned a lot. I understand, Minister." Feng Yao nodded seriously.

"Good. The next few days, follow me and help out a bit.

When I deflected the blow, I forced it into an internal injury. It'll take at least a month to heal.

Still underestimated Qin Kun's power. How's this guy improving so fast?

It's only been a few days, and you can already feel he's clearly stronger again.

At least thirty percent up from a few months ago.

Seriously scary talent."

Feng Yao stayed silent, thinking: you took a full-force slap from Qin Kun head-on—didn't dodge or flinch. Afterward, you still managed to suppress the injury and, even more hurt, are still here talking to me. Who's hiding their strength now?

...

Virtue City Old Restaurant, Director He was here entertaining guests again.

After making a call outside, he came back in and apologized to an old man with white hair inside.

Said Wen Yan had to host his oldest senior brother and really couldn't make it over.

As soon as he heard that the oldest senior brother was Qin Kun, the white-haired old man didn't say another word.

He knew he didn't rate high enough to make Wen Yan skip meeting Qin Kun just to see a stranger like him.

"Come, try this. Don't be fooled by the place's shabby looks, the food is honestly just as good as the big restaurants in Yu State.

Especially these signature dishes—even in Yu State's best places, they'd make the menu."

He Jian warmly treated his old friend, even opening a bottle of aged liquor he'd brought himself.

Between drinks and toasts, the mood became very cheerful, but every time, He Jian would expertly steer the conversation away before the white-haired old man could get to his real point.

He thought of their decades-long friendship, of the pure camaraderie from their youth, untouched by self-interest all this time.

He didn't want, now that they were old, for that friendship to be tainted by anything else, to spoil its flavor.

He also didn't want, because of himself, for Wen Yan to get mixed up in certain matters.

So, he didn't want to hear at all why the other had come to Virtue City.

After the meal, after drinking to a pleasant buzz, the two middle-aged men, naturally, loved reminiscing about their youthful adventures—happy times, happy talks.

Afterwards, He Jian even called a car, taking his friend to the hotel himself before leaving.

The white-haired old man watched He Jian leave in the car, and finally let out a long sigh.

He'd really had a good time, but could tell that He Jian was dodging the issue all along. In the end, he just couldn't bring himself to ruin the rare happy moment, nor let their long friendship be contaminated by anything else.

Returning to his hotel room, he took out his phone.

"Director Liu, on my end, Director He's lead is useless. I didn't even get to meet him."

"Just rest for now. We'll talk in a few days. Don't go back these next few days." A woman's voice came from the phone.

The white-haired old man was a bit surprised—they weren't in a hurry? How did it suddenly become not urgent?

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