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"If you have arrived here safely and received my message, it means that I have been controlled!"

Wei Gongzhan: "...."

What exactly... is going on?

"Time is critical, so I’ll keep this brief.

From the moment I sensed trouble at Daqing Mountain, I knew that to subdue those freed creatures, I could only lure them into the spectral realm.

Only there would I stand a chance of victory.

However, my lord’s Lyuzhou is the backbone of Jiangnan, with its academy and foundations here, there can be no mistakes. So, a contingency plan was necessary."

"And that contingency plan is you!"

"Me?" Wei Gongzhan was stunned, he had just intended to send the message out, never imagining he could play any role in a conflict with such high-level creatures, after all, he was just a minor figure...

"After the death of Murong Bingyun from the Northern Wolf Country, I realized that the creature causing turmoil in the Capital City must have a special obsession with that boy from the Murong Family.

Using him as bait, I am eighty percent confident that I can lure it into the spectral realm.

The creature would inevitably need the help of the Thousand-Faced Fox to enter the spectral realm, as controlling the staff there is the only way.

According to my plan, with the Thousand-Faced Fox present, Zi Yue will surely be there, and even Murong Yunji might follow. "

"Facing so many figures, even in the spectral realm, I may not be completely assured of success. But fortunately, once they all emerge from Daqing Mountain, I believe... with your character, you will definitely find an opportunity to escape!"

Wei Gongzhan was taken aback again. He had heard many stories about his legendary elder cousin.

At nine, the Patriarch Weichi took notice of him.

At fifteen, despite being a concubine’s son, he became the future head of the Weichi Clan’s right-hand man.

.. one day... he might very well become the deputy commander of the Imperial Army of the Capital City!

Even after becoming disabled due to an injury, upon coming to Chen Qing’s side, he still managed to rise again, becoming the first master of the spectral realm in Jiangnan, in control of the life and death of Lyuzhou.

He was someone utterly beyond Wei Gongzhan’s reach.

Although related by blood, Wei Gongzhan had never imagined his cousin understood him so well?

Because in his memory, he had hardly seen his elder cousin throughout their childhood...

Faced with such trust, he didn’t know what to say for a moment.

But... what could he do?

Since becoming the Daqing Mountain Immortal Farmer, he had given up the life of a warrior. Even if he took up a sword now, how could he be an opponent for those creatures?

Shouldn’t this kind of task be entrusted to his young master, Weichi Feihu, instead...?

"I know what you’re thinking..."

As Wei Gongzhan hesitated, Wei Gongcheng’s voice rang out again, snapping him back to reality.

"Weichi Feihu of Lyuzhou would suit better, but his power is insufficient... Given the current level of the Thousand-Faced Fox, Weichi Feihu would have his memory altered just by getting close, unless Xuu Hu could come over. But Xuu Hu needs to defend Jiangnan’s outer lines, and employing Xuu Hu would alert the enemy.

To take back Lyuzhou covertly, we can’t afford to tip off the opponent. "

"Take back Lyuzhou covertly?" Even though he knew it was just a message and the other party couldn’t respond, Wei Gongzhan couldn’t help but speak up.

"If I’m not mistaken, after they control me, Zi Yue and that creature from the Capital City, including Murong Yunji, will all head to the Dragon Palace.

After all, not only is my lord there, but the leaders of various powers will be present—Princess Royale, Elder Shen from the West Sea, the Duke of Wei from the north, and the Magician sent by the Aristocratic Faction of the Court.

They are among the top figures of this era.

Although Zi Yue is strong, to seize the item, she would surely concentrate all her forces. "

"Most likely... only the Thousand-Faced Fox will remain in Lyuzhou, and you... are the best candidate to break through the Thousand-Faced Fox’s defenses!"

"Me?"

"I know. In Daqing Mountain, Little Mink is closest to you, only you can persuade the little one."

"This..."

Wei Gongzhan looked back at the little one, who though small in size was not foolish, and immediately retreated far away.

"I won’t help you fight my mother!"

Wei Gongzhan: "....."

What is the adult thinking?

It was already commendable that Little Mink protected herself in the presence of those creatures, let alone persuading her to confront her mother?

"Oh, right..." Suddenly, as if Wei Gongcheng realized something, he continued: "If you’re alive, it’s most likely... the little one saved you."

"Little one... do you like Daqing Mountain?"

This question was obviously directed towards Little Ali, who together with Wei Gongzhan was startled. Wasn’t it supposed to be a message?

"Do you like the people of Daqing Mountain?"

Little Ali instantly pouted and fell silent.

Of course, she liked it...

These past two years, her mother had neglected her, and from her earliest memories, it was always the people of Daqing Mountain who kept her company.

They would eat the crops they grew, consume the fish they caught, and drink the wine they brewed for themselves.

They allowed their children to play with them and to indulge in their mischief.

Even if she transformed them into the strangest of beings, nobody would truly despise her, she could feel it: the people of Daqing Mountain liked her, and she... naturally liked the people of Daqing Mountain too.

"But did you know that your mother has been consuming the people of Daqing Mountain?"

"She hasn’t... She hasn’t!!" Little Mink became anxious instantly, "She eats people from outside, people from outside!!"

"Where are these outsiders coming from?" Wei Gongzhan chimed in quickly, "Those who were eaten were all connected to the residents of Daqing Mountain, either relatives or friends. If it became known..."

"It won’t become known!" Little Mink avoided the other’s gaze, "They can’t remember..."

"Will they forget forever?" Wei Gongzhan looked at her and said, "Or is it that, one day, if your mother eats everyone in Daqing Mountain, then no one will remember anymore?"

"That won’t happen!" Little Mink hurriedly said, "She wouldn’t do that?"

"She wouldn’t?" Wei Gongzhan looked at Little Mink seriously, "Little Mink, you should know that, I like Daqing Mountain, you like Daqing Mountain, but your mother does not!"

Little Mink: "....."

"Don’t say it anymore... Stop talking!!"

Wei Gongzhan couldn’t go on.

A two-year-old child, sobbing with her head in her hands, two grown men, even a ruler of the underworld, troubling a child...

It all seemed quite improper...

"I can decide..." Wei Gongcheng spoke as if he could actually see everything, "As long as the little one can help rescue Lyuzhou, I am willing to spare Thousand-Faced Fox’s life, capturing but not killing. Even when the master returns, I will plead on her behalf."

Upon hearing this, the little one stopped crying instantly, lifted her head, and looked towards the area where the runes were glowing. With her dirty, chubby face smeared with tears and snot, she looked hopeful, "Really?"

"My word is my bond..."

Wei Gongzhan watched everything with a complex expression. Was this a message left behind?

Was it a prearranged message left by his cousin here?

What if the little one doesn’t say what you were expecting her to say?

What if she says for you to eat shit... lalala?

Wouldn’t "my word is my bond" be quite awkward?

Wei Gongzhan didn’t know why his mind suddenly jumped to such thoughts; recently, his mind was filled with all sorts of nonsense...

"But even if Little Mink is willing to help me, how can we reclaim Lyuzhou?"

Being an Immortal Farmer, his combat power wasn’t even comparable to that of a level five fighter.

Although Thousand-Faced Fox didn’t have direct combat ability, she could very well be in control of the entire military affairs of Lyuzhou, and perhaps even Weichi Feihu was under her control.

If he and the little girl went to Lyuzhou, they would likely be delivering themselves up on a platter.

"If I’m not mistaken, Little Mink should have the ability to undo Thousand-Faced Fox’s memory manipulation, right?"

"Are you really leaving a message?"

"Focus on the response!"

Wei Gongzhan: "...."

"The number of times I can undo it is limited.

.." Little Mink spoke cautiously, "I can resist my mother’s strange abilities myself and can also help others to break free from my mother’s memory control, but helping others takes much more effort than freeing myself, and I can only use it once a day at most."

"Once a day? I see..." Wei Gongcheng nodded, "That’s why they didn’t take you seriously, because what you are able to do is actually very limited."

"So, what should we do?" Wei Gongzhan now fully understood that the voice before him was definitely not just a simple message.

"When you enter the city, you will likely have only one chance, and for that chance, it’s best to choose the most valuable person to turn the tide against all odds."

"Who?"