Master of Strange Dao

Sure, here is the translated text:

With regards to my physical body, although it had been divided, there still existed a connection. Now, at this moment, while my Devil Thought had been entirely eradicated, other parts remained contaminated by it.

As time passes, this place would continue to develop Devil Thoughts, which was unavoidable.

So, I wished to ask, my young friend, if I could reside next to those hungry ghosts."

"This..." Yu Ziqing had not expected that You Zhen wanted to discuss this matter.

In such a case, he naturally would agree, as the hungry ghosts would have regular meals and You Zhen could maintain his clarity of mind. It was a win-win situation, and there was plenty of space in Almsgiving Town.

However, following that, Yu Ziqing had other thoughts.

"Senior, please wait a moment."

His consciousness connected to the ring nurtured in the Blood Sea on the Seventh Floor. A strand of consciousness entered, beginning to contact Yang.

Yang quickly appeared.

"What is so urgent? I was about to contact you, fearing you were busy, thinking something had happened. Why did those hungry ghosts suddenly disappear?"

"Let's not worry about that for now. I have something that requires a discussion with you and the village chief."

Yu Ziqing briefly mentioned the matter about King Xiang's father.

"Here's the gist: Now, Old Emperor Zhen only had his right leg yet could regain consciousness.

He had some thoughts and wanted to conceal his identity, unwilling to return to Dazhen.

Even I knew that an emperor meeting an emperor, with two emperors coexisting, wouldn't be a good thing. How could Old Emperor Zhen not understand that?

He now wanted to become neighbors with the hungry ghosts to eliminate new Devil Thoughts whenever they arose.

So, I thought to let him go to Almsgiving Town, but with so many people there, he would eventually be exposed.

Instead, let's directly have him reside outside the Forbidden Land of Jinlan Mountain and be neighbors with the tree-bound hungry ghosts.

Since it's a favor, make it a significant favor.

Isn't it true we were always missing a Ninth Tier body cultivation powerhouse residing there?

While we didn't have one, a Ninth Tier's leg would do.

Now the question is whether it's suitable, and what kind of person Old Emperor Zhen is.

I'm not very sure, so I wanted to hear your opinion and let you discuss it with the village chief again."

Yu Ziqing rattled on, and as Yang digested this information, it caught him somewhat off guard.

After pondering briefly, Yang nodded.

"There is no real issue here. Although I haven't been in contact with Old Emperor Zhen, he was suppressed before I was born.

But even the Daqian's records, however they attempted to discredit him, didn't really tarnish his character.

He made many friends and was frank in his dealings, starting from his youth.

When he became Emperor Zhen, his nature did not change, maintaining good personal connections with many who were unwilling to engage with the Divine Dynasty.

If it weren't for these ties, so many formidable ones wouldn't have offered immediate assistance to Dazhen back then.

However, I still need to consult with the village chief regarding this significant matter."

Yang logged off temporarily to find the village chief.

The village chief swiftly seized the crucial point.

"You directly said that the man used to be a Ninth Tier body cultivator, and his character was exceedingly reliable. I can't understand all that unnecessary talk."

"..." Yang had wasted a lot of words, only to receive this in response: "So, what do you mean?"

"What other meaning could there be? The Wilderness doesn't belong to you, and he's not staying at your house. He's just becoming a neighbor, so he can come if he likes."

"…" Yang bared his teeth but said nothing, entering the Seventh Floor to relay the response to Yu Ziqing.

Upon receiving the reply, Yu Ziqing opened his eyes and regarded You Zhen and King Xiang.

"Here's the situation, Senior: I just consulted with my family's elder, and they all thought that since Senior wished to find a place to reside next to hungry ghosts, it would be better to go directly to the Wilderness. Though it's a bit cold, there wouldn't be any outsiders.

Furthermore, millions of hungry ghosts live there. My home is also over there, and we can all be neighbors.

In truth, I would like to invite Senior to stay directly at my house, but I am unsure of your preference..."

"Thank you, young friend, but staying at your house would not be suitable," You Zhen quickly declined, cupping his hands. "Being neighbors is already excellent; thank you, young friend."

"No trouble, no trouble..."

Yu Ziqing, in high spirits, began seeing King Xiang more amiably.

This fellow had gone to such lengths. It wasn't about saving his father but rather contributing to Jinlan Mountain.

With You Zhen living next door, they became neighbors. In case something happened, he could recline idly, cracking seeds, and watch the spectacle.

King Xiang remained silent, yet he was satisfied with the outcome.

Calming down, he knew that if his father returned to Dazhen just like that, chaos would ensue.

With his father's condition, as if he could relapse anytime, becoming neighbors with the best doctor was already the best outcome.

King Xiang knelt on the ground, bowing three times with a loud thud.

"Father, I will visit you often and quickly find the clues to the other parts."

"No rush—remember, there's no need to rush. You haven't saved me by coming this time." You Zhen warned once more before asking, "Have you thought about how to handle the matters ahead?"

"I understand, Father."

"You do not understand; remember not to involve Brother Qing in the following events, and catch those old rats. A man's word is as steadfast as being drawn by four horses; you must not let them threaten Brother Qing."

"Rest assured, Father." King Xiang nodded heavily.

Even without You Zhen saying so, he would have done it anyway—no one could stop him now.

Anyone standing in his way would face a relentless end.

Having witnessed Yu Ziqing cleaving away Devil Thoughts and devouring a Heavenly Demon firsthand,

to put it plainly, he wouldn't even be ashamed to call Yu Ziqing his father.

Anyone seeking to harm Yu Ziqing would have to step over his dead body first.

Because Yu Ziqing was now his father's only hope of revival.

Not the unreal, fleeting hope of the past that he dared not grasp.

But something tangible, a hope that could be seen and held in one's hand.

It had been fully two thousand years.