Master of Strange Dao

"""As long as you go, everyone in the Shadow Department would owe you a favor, whether you succeed or not. If it works, great. If not, you've done your best." "I understand the logic. I just really can't find a way to broach this subject." "I only consider your interests. How you decide is up to you." Ji Bochang smiled slightly, showing no forceful intent.

Several days later, people from the Shadow Department kept coming to secretly deliver gifts to Su Li. Under the pretense of celebrating a new move or a dust-clearing welcome, there were all sorts of excuses. These spies were excellent at spouting glib excuses.

After another two days, Ye Jiuyuan personally delivered a storage ring containing a large amount of Spirit Jade and various resources, indicating that he valued his reputation highly. His involvement might have a negative effect, so he asked Su Li to step in as a favor.

The day after that, the newly appointed Chief Venerate, Fu Xiao, while routinely commending Su Li for his accomplishments, also mentioned, "Our problems within the Shadow Department seem even more than outside."

From top to bottom, no one spoke harshly. All were courteously requesting, accompanied by gift-giving. Su Li simply couldn't resist and agreed to make a visit, but he couldn't guarantee success.

Several days later, a letter arrived at Jinlan Mountain. Yu Ziqing read the letter and laughed aloud.

In his letter, Su Li stated he could no longer withstand the courteous requests from his Shadow Department colleagues and the brother who saved his life, so he had no choice but to come and plead for assistance. He now wished to meet Yu Ziqing.

Yu Ziqing looked at Cece and couldn't help but laugh, "Really, I've lifted the ban for so long. Could it be that no one from the Shadow Department has tried?" "None." Cece laughed along and took out a jade bottle, shaking it, "Young Master, you may have overlooked the preciousness of the sweet rain. The first person who tried once failed, and without definite information, no one would waste sweet rain on such attempts."

Yu Ziqing felt both amused and exasperated. So, has the Old Chief Venerate not yet eradicated the Devil Thought? The old fellow sure was resilient. Or perhaps, he didn't have enough sweet rain to squander twice.

The sweet rain of Almsgiving, once used, was used. The hungry ghost would not accept it, and the sweet rain couldn't be retrieved for further use. The sweet rain he dispensed couldn't withstand such waste. Nobody would be willing to waste it like that.

"All right, I'll go see Su Li. It's a convenient excuse."

Several days later, in Almsgiving Town, Yu Ziqing and Su Li sat across from each other.

"Brother Su, this mission took quite a bit of time, didn't it? Was it smooth?" "Thank you for your concern, Brother Qing. It was thrilling but non-threatening." Su Li cupped his hands in thanks. Afterward, he took out a storage ring and two storage bags, placing them on the table.

"Brother Qing, I shouldn't have come. I didn't want to put you in a tough spot, yet I couldn't stand watching the brothers who lived and died with me left unaided. In the end, I had to thicken my skin and make the trip. These are gifts from others in the Shadow Department. I've checked each one carefully. All are fine. Please accept them. As for how Brother Qing handles things, I have no right to interfere."

Speaking still, Su Li stood up and made a deep bow.

"For others, I could remain indifferent. But there's one person I can't ignore. I ask Brother Qing to show mercy, even if it's just to spare one person. I'm willing to do anything in return."

Yu Ziqing patted Su Li on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Sit down, Brother Su. I'll take the gifts, and I can agree to the matter. Apart from Ye Jiuyuan in the Shadow Department, I won't implicate the others."

"Thank you for your generosity, Brother Qing." Su Li bowed again gratefully, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position, this..." "It's fine. I can agree to lift the ban on everyone, including Ye Jiuyuan. But I want the Shadow Department to investigate something for me."

"Brother Qing, please speak."

"One of my elders was abducted and has since fallen. I wish for the Shadow Department to help investigate who the two abductors were. Once their identities are confirmed, you don't need to act on it for me. Then, I shall lift the ban from everyone in the Shadow Department, including Ye Jiuyuan. I'm even willing to provide an additional hundred drops of Sweet Rain Original Liquid."

"Okay, I will relay this information for you, Brother Qing."

"All right, let's not talk about these matters. It's been a while since we've met. Let's have some tea."

Half a day later, after sending Su Li off, Yu Ziqing gazed at Su Li's distant silhouette. The Old Yang had "fallen," and no reaction would be unacceptable.

The last time, the Black Robed Man didn't hesitate to betray his comrade. Let's see if the newly appointed Chief Venerate would betray his comrades too. After all, he was newly appointed. Not only did he need sweet rain for protection, but he also needed to establish authority and gather support.

In Yu Ziqing's understanding of those people, they were not a united organization by any means. The organizational structure must have been rather loose. They only did things together for shared interests. It's possible that there was animosity among some of them.

With Dean Wu dead already, they wouldn't likely hesitate to sell each other out. Incidentally, they could even deflect trouble to the Langya Institute.

As for the other individual, it would depend on whether the new Chief Venerate was willing to sell them out.

Lifting the ban and adding another hundred drops of the original liquid. If that new Chief Venerate was willing to sell, it would prove the other individual had nothing to do with him. Selling a bit of information shouldn't be too difficult.

If he claimed it was difficult to trace, unwilling to betray that person, it would show that person had a close relationship with the new Chief Venerate.

When that time came, it would only take starting with the new Chief Venerate and investigating all the Ninth Tier cultivators he had contact with to determine who was involved. As for how to investigate this contact, it was simple. For a hundred drops of sweet rain, ask Song to investigate.

The price would be enough for Song to purchase information from some powerful individuals.

After all, Yu Ziqing's closest elder had indeed "fallen." Proactively doing somewhat irrational things that appeared like striking a stone with an egg didn't seem inappropriate.

As for how trustworthy the new Chief Venerate's betrayal would be, Yu Ziqing had a simple way to confirm. By asking the "fallen" Old Yang to witness personally, he would know if the person was indeed the one.