Master of Strange Dao

"You're..."

Yu Ziqing didn't quite know what to say.

"Let's talk as we walk." Mu Shouchang waved to his subordinates and turned to lead Yu Ziqing towards Dinghai City.

"I am the county magistrate of Dinghai County, entrusted by His Majesty to govern this land. There were Devils rampaging through my jurisdiction, yet I never found their whereabouts.

I knew, without sealing them, the disaster they would bring would spread far and wide.

I felt remorseful and unwilling to abandon them, so I sealed myself together with the Devils.

Awaiting a day when the Divine Dynasty would find a way to eradicate the Devils.

I no longer knew how long I'd been here, yet I still hadn't found a solution.

Now, I've come to recognize everyone here, except for you, which is how I knew you were an outsider,

The Divine Dynasty finally found a way, never giving up on the hundreds of thousands of citizens in Dinghai City."

Yu Ziqing didn't know what to say.

Mu Shouchang, dedicated to his duty, sealed himself within the sealing, never giving up.

He didn't even know now that Dadui had long since perished, leaving scarcely any records behind.

But Yu Ziqing couldn't bring himself to say this.

After a brief pause, Yu Ziqing spoke.

"The disaster of the Devils does indeed have a solution now, and I can also remove those disease-causing Devils."

"Now it's just a matter of finding the Devils."

"For now, let's heal the sick and save lives before discussing other matters."

"Very good." Mu Shouchang showed a slight smile, seeming to relax a lot.

"When I sealed everyone in the entire city back then, I had already cast aside thoughts of life and death.

If I can save them now, it would at least justify the Big Seal in my hand.

I don't know how much time has passed outside, for I've forgotten the years in this place, yet I dare not forget who I am.

I'm just afraid that one day I'll forget the sealing, forget the Devils, and become complacent."

"You are dedicated to your duties, Admirable, I admit I couldn't achieve the same as you." Yu Ziqing cupped his hands.

"In one's position, seek one's governance, there's nothing admirable about it. Truthfully, it's due to my lack of ability.

If I had the ability, things wouldn't have developed to this point, and this would be the only outcome.

If this time can truly be resolved, they might hate me, I can accept that, just hope they don't entangle their hatred with my family.

It's already been unknown how long, their relatives and friends might have lived out their lives, finding no kin when looking around.

I actually no longer know how to face them..."

Mu Shouchang continued walking, constantly talking to Yu Ziqing.

It seemed it had been a long, long time since he talked about these things with anyone, mentioning his children brought a smile to his face.

Speaking of the city folks brought a smile too.

He also talked about some things regarding Dadui, offering both praise and critique.

Yu Ziqing just listened quietly, feeling a bit troubled inside.

He now somewhat understood Mu Shouchang's feelings.

Knowing many things but unable to speak them out, seeing the smile begin to appear on Mu Shouchang's face made him feel even worse.

Surely Mu Shouchang felt the same, seeing the peacefulness in Dinghai City probably made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

Upon entering Dinghai City, Mu Shouchang immediately ordered the city gates to be sealed, no one was allowed to leave, all shops had to close, and the necessary ones were taken over by officials from the county government office.

Mu Shouchang stationed himself in the county government office, mobilizing the city's manpower.

Meanwhile, Yu Ziqing began the slowest yet most effective method, a carpet sweep.

Dinghai City was large, the city, and the surrounding villages combined had hundreds of thousands of people.

Yu Ziqing, without sleep or rest, started from the east of the city, sweeping every movable thing throughout the city bit by bit.

Seven days later, Yu Ziqing left the city to start sweeping the nearby villages.

Over hundreds of miles, moving village by village, according to the household registry.

He removed quite a bit of disease Devil, at least thousands fell ill.

Yet the Devils themselves remained elusive.

Lou Huai followed Yu Ziqing, his eyes wide like a rabbit's, but found no trace of Devils.

After finishing outside the city, Yu Ziqing returned to Dinghai City, standing below the city walls, looking at those few words, he had a guess forming in his mind.

Returned to the county government office.

"It's all been purged, yet there was no sign of the Devils."

"Impossible, I'm very certain, I sealed the Devils with us inside. If the Devils weren't sealed, just sealing the people here, the Divine Dynasty wouldn't have left the seal unopened for so long." Mu Shouchang said very confidently.

"Then do you know why you're so sure you sealed the Devils with you?"

"Of course I..." His words halted, Mu Shouchang froze on the spot.

Yes, why was he so certain?

There was only one possibility, he personally sealed the Devils, perhaps even saw them.

Yet now, he was stuck. He couldn't remember what the Devils looked like, nor how the Devils were sealed.

Yu Ziqing had a slightly complicated expression as he looked at Mu Shouchang, speaking slowly.

"I personally confirmed, not one of Dinghai City's hundreds of thousands of citizens was missed, yet there is one more I did not personally confirm, does Lord Mu know who that person is?"

The confusion on Mu Shouchang's face slowly faded, he sat there, looked at himself, and suddenly laughed.

"It's me."

"Hahaha, it turns out it's me, no wonder I was so sure I sealed the Devils, it turns out I sealed it inside me."