Master of Strange Dao

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In the northwest of the Wilderness, the dark clouds shrouded the sky, blocking out the sunlight. Coupled with the howling blizzard, everything between heaven and earth was obscured, resembling a night without moon or stars.

Amidst the howling, a spark of light flickered, and a black Langya Flying Boat descended from the sky.

Mu Zhiqiu stood in mid-air, eyes like a hawk, surveying the surroundings. After confirming there were no unexpected situations, he slightly bowed towards the ship's cabin.

"Mr. Chu Ye, we have arrived."

Moments later, the Langya banner at the prow of the Flying Boat fluttered in the wind. A halo spread out like a bubble slowly swelling, pushing back the snowstorm, silencing the howling, and enveloping the entire Flying Boat.

In the cabin, an old man wearing a leather hat and a fur cloak emerged and came to the deck.

The old man appeared to be of quite advanced age, his steps somewhat faltering, his back slightly hunched. The age spots on his face were particularly pronounced, yet his eyes remained bright and piercing.

He walked to the bow of the boat, looking around for a long while, silent.

Mu Zhiqiu couldn't help but speak.

"Sir, forgive Zhiqiu's boldness, but you really didn't need to come in person. The cold here is intense. Even with isolation, it will permeate the body. You haven't yet Entered Dao. If this cold invades you, it may leave repercussions."

Chu Ye shook his head, letting out a long sigh.

"I must come in person. I don't believe what they said, that the soul lamp has been extinguished.

Though it is said that death is certain once the light goes out, that applies to others. Langya Institute has conducted research over the years. The soul lamp is not infallible.

My old friend had unparalleled talent and knowledge as deep as the ocean. Even though he hadn't Entered Dao till now, I believe if he wanted to deceive the soul lamp from afar, he could do so with ease.

I need to personally go to the Land of the Fallen to have a look and confirm it myself."

The old man waved his large sleeve, and before him appeared an incense stand, on which sat a three-legged, two-eared Exotic Beast Tripod, flanked by soul banners and a Coiling Dragon Candle. In front of the incense stand was a stack of Golden Paper, containing immense power.

Chu Ye waved at Mu Zhiqiu.

"Come, you practice body refinement and internal martial arts. Your Yang energy fends off all evil. I need to borrow your Yang energy, for safety's sake."

Mu Zhiqiu knelt on one knee, nodding slightly. Chu Ye formed a Seal with one hand and flicked his fingers with the other. Instantly, sparks flew from Mu Zhiqiu's shoulders, igniting the two Coiling Dragon Candles, while a ball of fiery flame appeared above his head, igniting the stack of Golden Paper on the table.

Chu Ye held the burning Golden Paper, took out a stick of incense, lit it, and placed it into the incense burner. He then took a folding fan and tossed it into the flame.

Wisps of smoke, carrying paper ashes, swirled above the incense stand. As the Golden Paper enveloping the folding fan burned, leaving the incense halfway burned as well, those swirling wisps of smoke and ash slowly transformed into a twisted human face, crying out in agony.

The hazy face took shape amidst the swirling smoke, gradually forming into a human figure, which vaguely resembled a hunched old man.

Chu Ye's expression grew tense, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"I knew he couldn't have Fallen so easily..."

But the next moment, the Golden Paper and incense burned rapidly, nearly turning to ashes in an instant. The smoke and ash accumulated to their limit, and the increasingly clear apparition of the old man slowly collapsed to the ground. Supporting himself with his hands, he let out a final pained wail before falling with a crash, motionless.

At that moment, the flame went out, and all the smoke dispersed.

The last flicker of hope in Chu Ye's eyes dimmed.

"He's really gone. How could this be? How could he just be gone like that..."

Chu Ye's body trembled, greatly shaken. Mu Zhiqiu quickly supported him, helping him into the cabin.

...

At the entrance of Jinlan Village, a person dressed in fitted clothing, wearing a conspicuous Vermilion Cloak, walked out of the mist, holding a book.

Putting away the book, he glanced back, a hint of gravity in his eyes.

"What on earth happened in the Wilderness? Even Jinlan Mine has experienced such upheaval. If it weren't for the Pen and Ink Handwritten Book bestowed upon me by my lord, it would have cost me greatly just to enter."

He looked around, felt the pervasive Alien power, and took out a Jade Talisman, hanging it around his neck. The talisman's power flowed like a living thing, gradually sinking into the skin of his chest, emitting a sizzling sound.

When the phenomenon ceased, he was completely isolated from the outside world.

The advantage was that he wouldn't be eroded, but the downside was that he couldn't conduct daily cultivation here, unable to replenish spent power.

Soon, someone discovered him and immediately reported to the village chief.

Seeing the village chief being supported by Er Han, walking slowly towards him, he quickly put on a slight smile, taking quick steps forward, bowing in greeting.

"Junior An Yue greets the village chief. It's been a year, yet you're as spirited as ever, just like the old days."

The village chief had a kind and approachable face, his expression almost identical to Er Han's by his side.

"General An, it's been a year. How have you been? Why have you come so early this year?"

"I happened to be on official business. I thought taking a detour here wasn't too far, so I came first. Otherwise, I feared the business would end, and it would delay the trade, leaving me untrustworthy to you, village chief. That would be bad."

"Oh, I see. It's just that the goods are a bit short. Will General An wait a few days or take them now? If you take them now, the short part will be made up to General An next year."

"Then I'll wait a few days. A few days' time isn't much." An Yue responded casually.

"So be it, General An, wait a few days. Our conditions are humble, so we hope you won't mind." The village chief glanced at Er Han: "Go, arrange the best resting place for General An."

Er Han nodded with a simple smile.

"Don't worry, grandpa."

Shortly after, Er Han brought An Yue to a pit house at the foot of the mountain, his face beaming with a simple smile.

"General An, please rest here. The hay inside is the driest and thickest, very comfortable. I wanted it, but grandpa wouldn't let me have it."

"..."

An Yue wanted to speak but stopped, remaining silent. Seeing Er Han's envious yet courteous look, he could only nod slightly in thanks.

After settling An Yue, Er Han returned to report, unable to hold it in any longer.

"Grandpa, haven't we already mined enough Jinlan Ore?"

"You know nothing." The village chief impatiently gave Er Han a light smack. "What date did we set? That's the date, not a day sooner or later. We've never been off, yet this year, he's come before we've eaten the Yellow Rice Cake."

"Uh..." Er Han was puzzled.

"That boy didn't come here with good intentions. He said he was on official business, afraid of wasting time, yet he's going to waste a few days here. Does he really think I don't know how strict their laws are? Does he dare waste time like this? Besides, don't you know what's going on outside the village? How did he get in?

He doesn't have any official business here. His business place is right here with us!

Remember, don't say anything unnecessary when he's around. If you can't speak, pretend you're mute."

Er Han nodded gravely.

"Don't worry, grandpa. I guarantee I won't say a single word. If I have anything to say, I'll hold it in."

Before meal time, Er Han didn't come out at all. He didn't even interact with An Yue, so there was no worry about saying the wrong thing, but he still had to eat.

Meanwhile, An Yue stayed outside, never entering the pit house to rest. Coming from the bustling Daqian, he thought he could endure quite well, but upon entering the pit house, he found it was not only low, making it hard to straighten his back, but the supposedly dry hay wasn't clean at all. There were even sheep droppings in it...

He couldn't stand the muddled air mixed with the fermented sheep dung, preferring to sit outside.

When it was mealtime in the village, An Yue looked at the food of the villagers. His eyes flashed, and without changing his expression or heart rate, he joined the line, even bringing a clean ceramic bowl himself.

Some were curious but only watched without anyone asking questions.

Soon, he received a bowl of thick soup made from Jinlan Mushrooms. Upon taking a sip, his eyes changed slightly.

Jinlan Mushrooms were treasure; fresh ones were rare, even in Daqian. Only a select few occasionally tasted them, and he wouldn't miss the chance to have some.

But this time, the method differed significantly from his last visit. The taste was immensely improved, and upon some feeling, it seemed more absorbable and beneficial.

He raised his head, looking towards Yu Ziqing, who was standing behind the large pot. He hadn't seen him last time, and amidst those robust women, the slender Yu Ziqing stood out.

An Yue held his bowl, sipping the thick soup, occasionally glancing at the villagers.

He also saw Yu Ziqing, after serving everyone, returning with a wooden bowl to his own pit house, but he did not pay much attention, continuing to observe others.

...

Yu Ziqing returned to the pit house, placing the wooden bowl before old Yang.

"Aren't you going to eat?" old Yang asked casually.

Usually, Yu Ziqing brought the food back, and the two ate together in the pit house.

"Someone's come from outside, trading Jinlan Ore, from Daqian. I asked Er Han; he came a few days earlier than the scheduled day. You eat first, I'll go back to the kitchen later and eat. There must be leftovers."

In a few words, old Yang understood why Yu Ziqing had only brought one bowl back today.

"All right, I won't go out these days."

Upon seeing that person, Yu Ziqing knew he'd be noticed. The food changes, the new cook, an unfamiliar face, many of the village changes were related to him, not a secret.

Bringing back two bowls at this time would surely attract more attention. He wouldn't gamble that the other wouldn't think there were two mouths needing food in the pit house.

Though it wasn't a secret in the village, those knowing the truth wouldn't speak out. It was a village rule.

A few days were limited. As long as they weren't pursued deeply, fooling them was fairly likely.

The premise was to hide clues that might be pursued as best as possible, and to delay discovery when concealment wasn't an option.

He didn't know if that An Yue was sent by old Yang's enemy.

But caution was paramount, assuming he was.

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