Master of Strange Dao

When Yu Ziqing emerged, he saw the rune on the stone wall slowly dim, as if it had lost its power.

It was clear that An History Book had voluntarily closed the passage.

Yu Ziqing mused to himself how he seemed to be regressing, now resorting to misleading a book...

But he had no choice but to deceive it, as he was genuinely afraid of what tricks that An History Book might play.

Once he confirmed that nothing had changed and that the darkness in the depths of the pit remained unresponsive, Yu Ziqing left in relief.

He borrowed a path through the Abyss, exiting from another Abyssal Rift.

...

On the peninsula in the eastern part of Dazhen, near an Abyssal Rift, quite a few people had already set up camp.

Among them were King Xiang's followers, experts from the Feng Family, and many Yin Family members still poisoned.

At this moment, a member of the Yin Family was staring at Wu Shuangge.

"Our Family Head has already fallen, and you still refuse to help us detoxify?"

"Without the young master's orders, I won't do anything." Wu Shuangge was stubborn, determined enough to defy even Yu Ziqing, let alone any outsiders.

No matter what others said, no amount of persuasion or sweet talk sufficed; Wu Shuangge only repeated what Yu Ziqing had instructed before leaving, adhering to his orders unwaveringly.

Among the members of the Yin Family, a few had become restless and anxious.

The news of Yin Busan's soul lamp extinguishing spread among all Yin Family members immediately.

Feelings of restlessness and negative emotions began to build.

About this time, someone unknown told those Yin Family members that Wu Shuangge could help them detoxify, which made them even more restless and anxious.

As these emotions began to spread and cause unrest, an elder of the Yin Family couldn't resist and sought out Yin Busi.

"Busi, the Family Head has fallen, and you must take on the role of the backbone. Can you persuade Brother Wu to detoxify us first?"

"Me? Have you forgotten that it's impossible for me to assume the position of Family Head? You want me to be the backbone?"

Though he spoke in such a manner, Yin Busi still went to find Wu Shuangge.

Upon meeting, he spoke just one sentence.

"Brother Wu, remember all who come to you. If anyone dares to compel you, kill them outright, no matter who they are. You need not worry, I will bear all the blame."

After returning, Yin Busi lay down in a position of resignation.

"You don't need to come to me; that fellow is very stubborn, and my words won't have any effect. But if any of you have the skills, go ahead; why are you so anxious? Brother Wu is so unresponsive, the people of Jinlan Mountain surely are still alive. Just wait for Brother Qing to return."

Yin Busi hid in the background, coldly observing his family's ugliness, noting all those daring individuals with jumping and agitating actions.

After night fell, a person emerged from among the Yin Family. He entered Yin Busi's room, quietly drawing a sharp knife.

Everyone was poisoned, rendering their cultivation useless, and now they resembled mere mortals, just barely able to move.

The person raised the sharp knife, with a silence talisman affixed to him, and silently slashed toward the sleeping Yin Busi on the bed.

In the next moment, a delicate jade hand materialized out of thin air, grasping the sharp knife. With a slight exertion of the fingertips, the sharp knife shattered abruptly, falling to the ground with a clattering noise.

The bed curtains were drawn back, and Yin Busi sat there with a calm expression.

He stepped down and respectfully saluted Cece.

"Many thanks to Miss Cece for the rescue."

"No need for thanks, my young master instructed that before he returns, no Yin Family member should die at the hands of others."

After Cece spoke, she casually slapped the would-be assassin into unconsciousness, hoisting him out of Yin Busi's room and politely closing the door behind her.

Looking at the young man she held, Cece silently shook her head.

What a fool he was...

Among those camped nearby were even Eighth Tier experts.

For these people, who currently resembled mortals, to be incited to attempt to assassinate Yin Busi was sheer folly.

Even if Cece hadn't acted, he would have been doomed to fail.

She didn't concern herself with the affairs of the Yin Family; she only needed to complete Yu Ziqing's instructions.

The Yin Family members could perish, but only by their hands; no one else would be allowed to kill them.

Any suspicious individuals that could be kept alive should be kept alive.

The following day, King Xiang and those two Yin Family experts returned.

The anxiety of the Yin Family eased slightly.

King Xiang held the fort, listening to his subordinates discuss recent events.

Indeed, there were attempts to usurp the Yin Family members, but they were repelled. Yet, these days, there were quite a few restless elements within the Yin Family, stirring up the atmosphere and emotions.

Yin Busi, the one most capable of making decisions within the Yin Family, had become entirely disheartened due to the assassination attempt by a family member and paid no heed to affairs.

King Xiang considered the Jade Scroll Yu Ziqing gave him; it had outlined everything.

If either of the returning Yin Family experts attempted to approach Wu Shuangge, their intentions, regardless of what they said, warrant immediate execution.

If a traitor, kill them.

If not a traitor, choosing to approach Wu Shuangge in Yu Ziqing's absence was sheer stupidity; such incompetence could be more destructive than a traitor, hence execution was justified.

Should it transpire, they would even owe him gratitude.

For days after their return, the Yin Family expert did nothing, merely restraining the family members.

Incidentally, they apprehended all the problematic and inciting elements during this period.

Those two men went to Yin Busi's room, finding him with eyes closed, resting, ignoring them completely.

"There's no need to seek me out. My name is Busi, which inherently means not assuming the Family Head position, and I am unaware of whether either of you has betrayed the Yin Family."

The two exchanged glances, revealing wry smiles. They had been suspicious of each other while journeying back.

"With the Family Head gone, someone has to step up and take charge."

"The elders in the family remain, and according to Yin Family's rules, they should assume the Family Head's duties during this period."

Unable to persuade Yin Busi, they had no choice but to leave.

Over the past couple of days, voices had emerged within the family urging them to appeal to Jinlan Mountain's assistance for detoxification.

But they knew that Yu Ziqing was also about to return, so there was no urgency.

Presently, the sole action they could take was to wait and maintain order within the Yin Family.

Meanwhile, they needed to secretly investigate who initially spread those rumors within the Yin Family and where they originated.

A few days later, Feng Buju and Yu Ziqing returned.

Everything here seemed quite calm.

The Yin Family had dwindled by several dozen members, who had all been detained.

Yu Ziqing was in no rush, as he awaited the drama to unfold. He anticipated those "snitches" would not be content to sit idly by, so he let them stir up trouble.

Without power, what outcome could they possibly produce?

If anyone managed their own detoxification, all the better; they could be apprehended first.

After arriving, upon hearing Cece's recount of events during those days, Yu Ziqing was greatly disappointed; there had been chaos, yet no one had regained their power?

No wonder those snitches were anxious; they realized they had been abandoned.

"Yin Family Patriarch, do you want to resolve this quickly, or would you prefer to continue fishing?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's simple. Have them swear a Heart Devil Oath. Whether those guys are foolish or malicious, I have my means to discern."

"Thank you."

Yin Busan's expression grew complex; he didn't question Yu Ziqing's method of discernment.

He never imagined the Yin Family would end up like this; after this incident concluded, he intended to retire, realizing he was unsuited to be the Family Head, or rather, his approach wasn't suitable for the current Yin Family.