Old Man Sun was urgently supported back to his room by servants. After drinking half a bowl of diluted Death and Life Soup, he slowly caught his breath. Sun Huaijin pinched the blanket and was in a daze for a while, the back of his head covered in sweat, his mind still a bit numb.

He knew Shi Jingzhi's situation.

His great-grandson lost his birth mother at a young age and had always been in poor health, barely clinging to life in the palace. Seeing that he had little time left, Shi Jingzhi finally left the palace to seek treatment, a last-ditch effort.

Sun Huaijin had always cherished his bloodline. He had seen poor relatives show up at his door, but never imperial relatives turning to him. Shi Jingzhi made a special trip to acknowledge his ancestry, which deeply moved the old man.

Shi Jingzhi didn't even ask Sun Huaijin to pave the way for him, only leaving one request - to use Sun Huaijin's connections to help him fabricate a presentable background.

For Old Man Sun, this was just a small favor, more like a playful request than a plea.

For his pitiful great-grandson, even if the "Su Zhi" himself had shown up later, Sun Huaijin would have unhesitatingly lied. Su Zhi was suspicious and had always disliked the imperial family. If Shi Jingzhi's identity was exposed, Big Brother Zhi would definitely immediately withdraw.

It was better to make up a lie and let Big Brother stay by Shi Jingzhi's side, which could also ensure the safety of his great-grandson.

This had almost been guaranteed until his deathbed!

Sun Huaijin's mind was racing, never expecting to encounter such a thing. Back then, Su Zhi was pure-hearted and stayed away from women. After learning the secret of Big Brother Zhi's immortality, Sun Huaijin assumed this person had long severed all seven emotions and six desires, not suspecting anything else.

The old man lay on the soft bedding, feeling lost. He figured he would be sleepless tonight, so he could only get up with a sigh. Who knew that before he could even put on his boots, Yin Ci came over on his own.

Looking at his former big brother, Sun Huaijin almost passed out again. He grabbed his cane tightly, his whole body shaking like a leaf in the wind: "Big Brother, you, you..."

"I told him to go to sleep first, let's talk privately." Yin Ci pinched the bridge of his nose, "Don't worry, I'm not doing this on a whim or toying with him."

Sun Huaijin: "..."

Is that the point? Although Shi Jingzhi was not a clueless child, just looking at appearances, there seemed nothing wrong with these two. But Old Man Sun just felt that everything was off, his head buzzing involuntarily. He could only gasp for breath and drink more of the Death and Life Soup.

Fortunately, with Shi Jingzhi not present, Yin Ci was always in control. He waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, how about after this matter is settled, I send an eight-bearer sedan chair over?"

"Big Brother, don't make such jokes!" Sun Huaijin felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, his voice trembling. For a moment, he couldn't tell if the content of Yin Ci's joke was more terrifying, or the fact that "Su Zhi was joking" itself was more terrifying.

After being struck by Yin Ci, Sun Huaijin was in a daze for a good while before finally calming down: "Big Brother didn't just come tonight to reassure me, right?"

Yin Ci casually grunted in agreement.

The firelight was dim and moonlight poured in. Compared to the "Su Zhi" in Sun Huaijin's memory, Yin Ci had much more liveliness between his brows, his immortal bearing even more apparent. No wonder Shi Jingzhi, knowing this person's age, could still be moved by him.

"Since the Immortal Gathering is interested in Sun Wang, there must be a hidden reason. You and I have investigated Sun Wang in detail. Over the years, you've had contact with countless descendants of the Sun family and should have noticed something."

Sun Huaijin let out a long sigh: "Most of it is just trivial family matters."

Sun Wang, Marquis of Lie'an, was one of the two founding heroes. Sun Wang fought battles across the land, conquering a vast territory for the founding emperor. Unfortunately, the first emperor passed away too early, leaving only a young son surrounded by barbarians. Sun Wang took on the role of regent until the crown prince ascended the throne. Once the prince took power, he readily retired and returned to his hometown.

Sun Wang spent his life fighting for the country, with no interest in power or gain. He was a famously loyal minister and general in the history of Dayun.

At that time, the emperor and the National Teacher had not yet developed a rift, and Sun Wang also had a good relationship with the National Teacher's faction, often visiting the Immortal Gathering. After leaving the palace, his appearance remained youthful. On his hundredth birthday celebration, he "ascended to immortality", leaving only a ceremonial tomb.

Back then, Yin Ci had investigated Sun Wang following this legend. Unfortunately, after three hundred years, all kinds of details had been embellished to the point of fantasy, with even nonsense like three hundred celestial soldiers descending to escort him being spread. Yin Ci found nothing and had to give up on this lead.

"I'm ashamed to say, I knew very little back then and couldn't help Big Brother. Although I've heard all sorts of rumors since then... In the end, Sun Wang was a celebrity, and those legends sound quite far-fetched, with several versions being spread around."

Old Man Sun's face twitched.

"But if we're talking about something 'not so divine', I did hear about one thing... It just so happens it was told by the descendant who gave me that small statue."

Yin Ci slightly furrowed his brows: "Not so divine?"

"Yes, according to legend, General Sun loved his wife dearly and doted on his children. But in the years when the founding emperor was ill, Sun Wang seemed to change into a different person - a dignified nine-foot man, curled up and shedding tears all day, even learning to read and write like a scholar. After the founding emperor passed away, he no longer cared about his family and spent years fighting battles outside. Even after returning home later, he was extremely cold to his loved ones."

Yin Ci's expression shifted between dark and light, but in the end, he didn't make a sound. His features were buried in heavy shadows. Sun Huaijin's old eyes were blurry and didn't notice anything, still continuing to speak.

"Madam Sun couldn't bear this change, so she prayed to deities and copied scriptures to make statues. That clay statue was the only one she made, crooked and ugly. But that person's words were a bit interesting, so I remembered them. As for other strange events or objects, I still haven't found any in these past few decades."

"Perhaps Sun Wang got lost in his old age or died in an unsightly manner, so the Sun family covered it up with the story of his 'ascension'. He left few personal belongings to begin with, and the Immortal Gathering's search wasn't that urgent, so maybe it was just..."

But Yin Ci's thoughts had already drifted far away.

[Isn't this stone really pretty? So clear and bright! When we get back, I'll have someone polish it into a round shape and give it to Cuicui.]

A fragment emerged from the depths of his memory. In the memory, the tall, sturdy man was grinning from ear to ear, a semi-transparent stone resting in his palm. That person had deep, chiseled features that could be called handsome. It's just that the silly smile paired with a mouthful of white teeth completely ruined the aura.

Just looking at those eyes and brows, there was indeed some resemblance to the Door God depicted in folk art.

At that time, the yellow sand hissed underfoot, laughter echoed all around, and horses neighed one after another. How did he respond back then...?

Forget it, it was just one of his most painful fantasies.

Yin Ci suddenly shook his head, suppressing that vague memory. He had already checked - whether in official histories or unofficial records, no matter which legend, none of them contained his own figure.

"Any additional clues would be good." Yin Ci composed himself and said, "Your friend...?"

"Long gone, and all his belongings were donated to the Red Hook Sect. That item was in poor condition, it must still be in the sect's warehouse."

As Sun Huaijin spoke, he continued to gaze at Yin Ci with his eyes.

"I originally wanted to inform only Big Brother about the Red Hook turmoil. Big Brother would definitely have a way to protect Red Hook, and the Sun family's clay figurine could be conveniently investigated as well... But Jingzhi he..."

Old Man Sun uncharacteristically stammered. This old fox probably didn't want Shi Jingzhi to be in danger, so he specially chose the middle of the night to visit and inform only Yin Ci.

"Huaijin, that kid is not a sickly, soft persimmon." Yin Ci smiled slightly, "You should just wait for the grand wedding palanquin in peace."

Sun Huaijin: "..." Okay, his vision started spinning again.

At this moment, another person was also seeing stars.

"What does the ruckus on the Red Hook side have to do with you guys? Aren't the righteous and evil sects incompatible?" Prince Rong, Xu Jingming's face turned pale. He rapidly fanned the folding fan in his hand, as if doing so could make the sweat on his hands disappear. "It wasn't easy to finally get our hands on the Ling Sect's treasure map and Buddha beads. Just as the Shi Rou is within reach, you guys pull this stunt at the critical juncture?"

Across the stone table, Qu Duanyun said in a gentle tone: "The Red Hook Sect has suddenly encountered misfortune. Now that the young sect leader has just returned, he only has the Sweeping Bone Sword Technique as proof of identity. According to the rules of the jianghu, I, as the leader of Taiheng Sect, must go bear witness - this matter should have been handled by someone from Jianchen Temple, but the situation is special."

Xu Jingming stopped fanning: "I originally thought that with you, kid, becoming the sect leader, Taiheng would be more agreeable... Don't forget who has been supporting your large sect! Although you are searching for this Shi Rou for me, it's ultimately for my imperial brother. Are the Son of Heaven's affairs not more important than the jianghu code?"

Qu Duanyun patiently said: "This matter is also a 'Son of Heaven affair'. Your Highness, the borders are unstable right now, and that Luojiu's 'Divine Descent Sage' has caused so much trouble for His Majesty. If the northwest falls further into chaos, it will only distress His Majesty more. Stabilizing the Red Hook Sect as soon as possible is also for His Majesty's sake."

Xu Jingming grumbled and waved his fan for a long time before speaking: "I can't argue with you. Whatever you say goes then. But you absolutely must be the first to find this Shi Rou. I heard rumors that Shi Jingzhi seems to have obtained the Shi Rou's 'key'. Be careful that your reckless meddling here capsizes your boat in a ditch."

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I will make haste to resolve the Red Hook matter as soon as possible."

"...Mm, that's more like it."

Xu Jingming stretched lazily and stood up. Whether it was the poor weather or the chill of spring, his whole body felt out of sorts. Xu Jingming had a vague premonition that his carefree life of idling and waiting for death had a hint of instability.

The new king of Luojiu, self-proclaimed as the "Divine Descent Sage", was truly formidable. Although the Dayun had a solid foundation, that fellow couldn't win with inferior numbers, but he could indeed fight evenly with them. No matter how wise his emperor brother was, he couldn't make up for the border generals being useless - they hadn't lost many battles, but a lot of men had died. They were merely relying on manpower and granaries to forcefully fill the front lines. Collapse was only a matter of time.

The borders being broken was equivalent to a person being stabbed. It hurt but wasn't fatal. However, as Qu Duanyun said, if the Red Hook Sect fell into chaos and the northwestern barbarians also took the opportunity to muddy the waters, things would turn ugly.

Not to mention that Emperor Xu Jingxing's complexion hadn't been looking too good recently, seeming to be slightly ill from overwork...

Thinking of the already chaotic jianghu, Xu Jingming shuddered. Regardless of whether it was for the sake of his brother's health, he had to obtain the Shi Rou as soon as possible. If... if the situation took a turn for the worse and bandits rose up in the country, even the jianghu people protecting the common folk would be gone, and things would only snowball and get worse.

Why did they release that calamity Shi Jingzhi in the first place? Before his release, the Dayun's jianghu was prosperous and the borders stable without any issues at all.

Xu Jingming watched Qu Duanyun leave. Amidst his anxiety, a thought suddenly popped into his head -

In any case, he couldn't eat or sleep well, and would just be idling anyway. Why not go with them to the Red Hook Sect to take a look? He could use his status as prince to pressure people and stabilize the situation. With his noble righteous energy, maybe he could even dispel some evil energy.

With this in mind, he hollered at the servant beside him: "Go, prepare the magic palanquin for me!"

Outside the Prince Rong's Manor.

Hearing the clamor inside the walls, Qu Duanyun smiled wryly. Fortune and misfortune were intertwined, and misfortune couldn't be avoided. Things were about as he had guessed.

Prince Xu Jingming truly had sincere intentions toward the current emperor - since Prince Rong dared to follow into the Ghost Tomb to "establish merit" back then, it wasn't strange for him to go to the Red Hook Sect now. Xu Jingming's guts outweighed his brains by a few taels. For him to be so fearful, Shi Jingzhi indeed had some ability.

Forget it, if he wanted to tag along then so be it. He was originally going to "bear witness" anyway.

...Bear witness to how the Red Hook Sect would transform from a sect spanning both righteous and evil living in stability, to a second overbearing orthodox demonic sect.

He had just been about to take a step when a wisp of aura brushed past behind him. Qu Duanyun frowned and immediately shouted: "Who goes there, petty thief?"

The person behind him had decent skills and didn't reveal more of their aura from his provocation, seeming to have already run far. Qu Duanyun hesitated for a moment, then turned in a different direction, walking toward the inn where he was staying.

It seemed he shouldn't go to the National Teacher's Manor tonight.

Qu Duanyun touched the thin mask in his bosom and sighed lightly - tonight's communication would have to rely on the "Word Cloth".