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"Master Yang, please take a seat. I’ve been wanting to visit you these past few days, but I couldn’t find you anywhere, and I’m truly sorry for that."

In the Government Office hall, Chen Qing personally poured tea for the elder with all due respect. Assured that the opening ceremony of the academy was set for tomorrow, Chen Qing naturally wouldn’t let this mysteriously appeared old fellow leave.

Old Master Yang, as always, looked at Chen Qing with a gaze filled with gratification yet maintaining the distance between common folk and officials.

He stood up and took the tea with both hands in a most sincere manner, with an expert sense of propriety, very much like an old man whose worldly wisdom was at its peak.

The only thing missing was that playful look in the eyes of Mister Hua Pi and the Paper Folding Master that seemed to toy with the ways of the world.

Chen Qing furrowed his brows, deciding to take the initiative to ask, "Where have you been these past few days, Master? The situation outside is chaotic, and I’ve been worried that something happened to you. If you didn’t show up, I was planning to order a city-wide search."

The words carried both a probing tone and a threat...

"I’ve caused you concern," Master Yang said with a guilt-ridden face. "I really don’t know what happened, I only remember wandering dazedly in North Street that day, my head was filled with some strange voices."

"Strange voices?" Chen Qing frowned and leaned closer. If it wasn’t his real body, he wouldn’t be killed outright, but if one of his avatars were destroyed, the cost would be substantial.

At least for the short term, it wouldn’t be possible to create a second one directly, which would be extremely disadvantageous given the current situation that required operating on two fronts.

"Ah..." Old Master Yang nodded. "Some very strange voices, and some very strange visions, I can’t explain them clearly myself. Anyway, I was in that confused state until I opened my eyes today. When I ran out to the streets, everywhere there were Tiger Guard Army duels. When I asked about the date, over a month had passed; I also find it incredibly strange. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would hardly dare to believe it. "

Chen Qing was stunned. What did this mean? Was he playing dumb?

Or feigning amnesia?

Was it not a bit too cliché?

A serious expression came over Chen Qing as he said, "Master, I don’t mean to pressure you, but on the day you disappeared, not far from your location, a murder occurred. You were at the scene on that day. Do you remember anything?"

"Murder?" Old Master Yang was startled, suddenly standing up: "Could it be a man in black clothes, with a sullen look and always dark circles under his eyes?"

Chen Qing looked at him amazed, not expecting the other party to go along with his story.

Suppressing his confusion, he nodded, "That’s right."

"It wasn’t at my place..." Old Master Yang covered his head and shook it. "It was on the next street..."

A glint appeared in Chen Qing’s eyes as he put down the teacup in his hand. "It seems Master indeed has something to do with the matter. Could you tell me what exactly happened that day?"

"What happened?" Old Master Yang’s look towards Chen Qing turned peculiar, and for a moment, he seemed unsure how to begin explaining.

Chen Qing, seeing the look in his eyes, felt increasingly puzzled. He directly asked, "Please speak freely, Master."

"I saw you, sir, at the scene."

"Me?" Chen Qing never expected this response.

He laughed in his heart, "And then?"

"After you spoke with that middle-aged man, you left. And in just a few moments’ time, that man started exuding black qi all over his body, and he became as horrifying as a dried-up corpse!"

Chen Qing: "...."

What did this mean? Was he trying to pin the blame on him?

What was the point?

"Are you certain of what you remember, Master?" Chen Qing frowned. "Are you sure it was me?"

Old Master Yang examined Chen Qing carefully, and after a long while, he shook his head and said, "It wasn’t you..."

"What exactly are you trying to say, Master?" Chen Qing’s patience was very good, but he couldn’t keep up with the other party’s vague remarks.

"I don’t know either, my head is so confused... Chen Qing... my head is so confused."

Chen Qing furrowed his brows, no longer probing but instead stepping back. He asked directly, "How long do you intend to keep up this act? Mister Five Poison!"

The moment the last four words came out, Old Master Yang’s body stiffened, then like a puppet, he turned his head stiffly to look at Chen Qing.

In that instant, Chen Qing’s hair stood on end.

The other’s gaze had changed, becoming sinister and dreadful, carrying the same look as the other two masters before him.

The look of a Reincarnating Demon viewing mere mortals!

Chen Qing took a step back, his mind alert.

He knew very well that Mister Five Poison could be considered powerful yet fragile at the same time.

His own avatar was a divine force, which in theory, should be invulnerable to harm from Mister Five Poison.

Moreover, he had arranged for Xuu Hu and others to ambush outside.

While Mister Five Poison was formidable with poisons, his direct strength was only comparable to a mid-level living corpse, which made him relatively easy to capture.

But for some reason, he felt like facing a natural enemy the moment the other’s gaze swept over him. Instantly he knew the other could harm him!

"Yes... I am... Mister Five Poison," the other replied with a creepy smile on his face. "And who might you be? Young chap, you... look quite familiar!"

Chen Qing: "...."

"Why have you occupied the body destined for the King of Qin’s reincarnation?"

"What did you say?" Chen Qing’s eyes widened as he immediately moved closer to grab the other, "What did you say I’ve occupied?"

But in the instant he grabbed the other, Chen Qing saw, Old Master Yang’s body, a soul suddenly leaving it. It was a figure all too familiar, so much so that Chen Qing felt it unbelievable.

How could it be?

The next second, a giant hand tore through the air, grabbing the departing soul, and like stuffing dough, pushed the soul of Old Master Yang back into the old man’s body.

Old Master Yang’s eyes were like those of a robot with its power cut off the moment his soul left, lifeless. Once the soul re-entered, they regained their depth but became utterly bewildered.

Once again, Old Master Yang, having regained his senses, looked around perplexed and murmured to himself, "How did I end up here?"

Chen Qing watched him blankly, but this time he had no doubt the other was not lying.

"My lord!"

In just a few moments, as the atmosphere in the hall hadn’t yet settled, a familiar voice rang out.

Chen Qing didn’t even turn his head, already knowing who the comer was.

"Wei Gongcheng?"

"My lord!" Wei Gongcheng quickly responded, "What did you just do? Why did the entire netherworld stop operating just now?"

"Because the Great Reincarnation has begun..." Chen Qing replied, "Your Yama Court only occupies the territory of Lyuzhou, the small reincarnation circle has not yet been established, so naturally, it is still subject to the influence of the laws of the Path of Yin and Yang."

"The Great Reincarnation?" Wei Gongcheng was taken aback, "My lord, what does that mean?"

"You don’t need to know for now." Chen Qing shook his head, but he quickened his pace, "Listen to a few important things I’m about to say, remember them and convey them word for word to me when I return, and before I come back, remember not to touch Master Yang, nor continue seeking Mister Shen’s soul. "

Wei Gongcheng was momentarily stunned, why did he need to convey the message himself? Shouldn’t his lord’s clone be able to share memories and information once the original person returned?

A bad premonition suddenly rose to his mind, could it be...

"My lord, you..."

"Don’t come closer!" Chen Qing shouted harshly, and only then did Wei Gongcheng clearly see that Chen Qing’s body was becoming transparent...

"There’s not much time, listen to me..."

"Please speak, my lord!" Wei Gongcheng no longer pressed for answers, at that moment the nature of military obedience took over, causing him to suppress his many doubts and fears.

No matter what serious event was unfolding, he believed that since his lord had spoken, there must be a strategy in place!

"First, tell Chen Qing when he returns that under no circumstances should he mention the name that Ali spoke of in front of Master Yang."

The name from Ali’s mouth?

Wei Gongcheng felt baffled but still committed it to memory, "Yes!"

"Second, tell Chen Qing that Mister Shen was not killed by anyone!"

Mister Shen of the Shen Family wasn’t killed by anyone?

"Yes!"

"Third, tell Chen Qing that the most terrifying enemy... is one of our own!"

One of our own?

Wei Gongcheng’s sense of caution surged, who could it be? Chen Ying? That shouldn’t be, she didn’t have that capability, could it be Murong Yunji?

"Have you remembered all that?"

"Your servant has remembered it all!" Wei Gongcheng, looking at Chen Qing who was already nearly invisible due to his transparency, although filled with doubts, could only suppress them and reverently saluted in reply, "My lord rest assured, I will convey everything without omission!"

"Good..." Chen Qing turned, nodding with a smile, "Continue to build the Yama Court properly, follow the plans, and don’t get scared while I’m gone. Everything... can be solved once I return!"

"Yes!"

"Go now..."

Wei Gongcheng nodded, turned into a shadow, and disappeared from the hall.

Shortly after his departure, a sneering laugh suddenly emanated from beside Master Yang.

"He returns, and then all problems can be solved... quite the bold claim!"

Chen Qing, now a blur, glared coldly in the direction of Master Yang’s side.

In that place, a light cast the silhouette of a figure, shockingly unbelievable.

Just like himself!

Unexpected indeed...

Chen Qing sighed, "Never had I thought it would be you... that I would prosper from the divine path stream because of your calculations?"

"What do you think?" the other laughed, "You should know that in this world, I... am the person who understands you best!"

"Is that so?" Chen Qing laughed, "Conversely... I’m actually the same."

The other paused at his words, then laughed, "Then let’s put it to the test!"

"Let’s do that!"

-----------------------------------

In Yangzhou City, Chishui County...

Chen Qing, who had settled there for three days, was quite satisfied with the current developments.

In just these few days, through the word of mouth of scavenging villagers, thousands of people had gradually come to the county town.

It had to be said, in a post-apocalyptic world, gaining the belief of the common folk was indeed quite simple.

A relatively safe environment and a promise of food and clothing could quickly gather a mass of people behind you, much easier to manage than in times of great prosperity.

But today, before night fell, Chen Qing felt an unprecedented pressure.

His clone... in Lyuzhou, had disappeared!

Before departing, he had prepared a contingency plan; should anything go wrong, whether it was Xuu Hu, Wei Gongcheng, or his own clone, they could all withdraw instantaneously to the location of Daqing Mountain, the best retreat and defense derived from the Daqing Mountain Spirit’s reach into Lyuzhou upon elevation to Yellow Rank.

Chen Qing had granted all the deities the authority for instant relocation; with but a thought, any deity could retreat to Daqing Mountain, and in today’s world, logically no one should be able to break the Azure Dragon Barrier.

Yet his clone had still encountered trouble.

What kind of entity could, even with such safeguarding in place, take down his clone?