"Now, I definitely won't go in," Yu Ziqing said. "When the time comes, I'll just take whatever benefits I should."
"That's fine," Yang sighed in relief.
A month had passed, and Yu Ziqing once again headed to Almsgiving Town to collect the newly arrived filth bucket.
He planned that, once the procedure ran smoothly, he wouldn't come anymore and would let Wu Shuangge handle it.
This time, his main purpose was to see whether Su Li would come.
Not surprisingly, Su Li's subordinates had once again found an excuse not to come and escort the filth bucket. Su Li, this pathetic Shadow Envoy, could only personally undertake such simple tasks and meet Yu Ziqing openly.
"Brother Su, what's the result?"
"Brother Qing, there's something, I want to talk to you about." Su Li seemed troubled.
"Brother Su, there's no need for formality. Just speak freely."
"I didn't present those pieces of evidence to confront my teacher to see his reaction.
After interacting these past few days, I feel that my teacher was indeed framed.
And if I were to reveal these pieces of evidence and others found out, he would certainly have no way to survive."
"No worries. I trust Brother Su's judgment," said Yu Ziqing, smiling and shaking his head dismissively as he poured him a cup of tea.
Seeing Yu Ziqing's attitude, Su Li inwardly sighed in relief.
"Forgive me, Brother Qing, I feel I might have been a bit rash."
"Not at all. The association I have with Brother Su isn't based on such things," Yu Ziqing replied, smiling cheerfully, feeling good about Su Li's actions.
Honestly, if Su Li were cool-headed to a terrifying extent, ruthlessly achieving his goals, able to respectfully address his teacher and then turn around to betray Ji Bochang without batting an eyelid,
Yu Ziqing really wouldn't dare befriend him.
Such a person is too frightening.
Today he could betray his teacher; tomorrow, selling out a friend is just a small matter,
implied Yu Ziqing, following Su Li's tone.
"Let's set your teacher's matter aside for now. I have something I want to ask you.
Over a hundred years ago, the Shadow Department cooperated with the Lihuo Institute and the Crown Prince of Dazhen to explore a Grotto Heaven named Sorrow in the Hengduan Mountains.
At that time, the Shadow Department lost a Shadow Envoy and the then Chief Venerate."
"That's... impossible," Su Li blurted out, but after he finished, his brows knitted tightly together.
"I'm not aware of the details you're telling me, but about how the previous Chief Venerate died,
I just happened to have read the records."
The previous Chief Venerate did indeed go on a mission to Dazhen and returned severely injured.
Over twenty years later, he died from the unresolved injuries and ruined foundations.
Su Li slowly raised his head, hesitating for a moment before continuing.
"Also, it was around that time that a new Chief Venerate took office, and the teacher was promoted to Shadow Envoy."
"So, Ji Bochang also went on the mission that grievously injured the former Chief Venerate?"
"I'm not too clear on that, but he likely did because the current Chief Venerate, Ye Jiuyuan, was promoted from Shadow Envoy.
After his promotion, the position of Shadow Envoy that became vacant gave the teacher a chance to rise.
Moreover, a new Shadow Envoy was indeed promoted before then," Su Li continued.
The more he spoke, the more Su Li started to believe what Yu Ziqing was suggesting.
Slots in the upper echelons of the Shadow Department are typically very stable.
The vast majority of Shadow Department members, from their entry till death, seldom have a chance to retire peacefully and meet a good end.
In the past few hundred years, changes within the Shadow Department's high ranks have almost all occurred between one hundred to one hundred and twenty years ago.
During that period, the position of Shadow Envoy changed hands four times, and the position of Chief Venerate was replaced.
According to the hierarchy of the Shadow Department, beneath the Chief Venerate, there are the Chief and the Vice Chief, then come the Eight Shadow Envoys. And those serious Shadow Envoys who climbed up the ranks aren't like Su Li's ineffectiveness.
In twenty years, half of the Shadow Department's upper echelons changed.
Even if one could conceal the events at Sorrow Cave Heaven, they couldn't hide the turnover.
And those who stepped down all either vanished from sight or, perhaps, all died.
And this somewhat corroborates the widely spread rumor that there are no good ends within the Shadow Department.
Merely thinking of these things made Su Li feel as if he had glimpsed some formidable secrets.
"Brother Qing, I'm afraid I can't investigate this matter right now. As soon as I seek evidence, people will immediately know what I'm looking into."
"It's fine. I was just asking casually.
The Lei Clan wants me to assist in exploring Sorrow Cave Heaven using Wu Shuangge's abilities to slightly pry open a bit of protection.
I was just seeking more information, asking around, it has nothing to do with your Shadow Department.
Since it can't be investigated, Brother Su, just pretend you don't know about it."
"It's just that I can't investigate for now. You should understand my situation in the Shadow Department.
I'm not in a good position to dig into the secrets of the Shadow Department."
"I understand, no worries. This matter isn't urgent. Brother Su, just take it easy and establish a firm footing first.
Also, it's best not to tell anyone about our matters, understand?"
"I understand, Brother Qing. Rest assured," Su Li replied.
After their conversation, Su Li left with the empty Magical Treasure, while Yu Ziqing stood there with a deep gaze.
He was interested in uncovering secrets, but not in facing danger.
Therefore, he sent a message to Lei Yu.
"I'm quite busy lately. I can help break the protection, but let's forgo exploring together.
After you finish exploring, let me pick three items, and I don't need the rest."
No matter what Lei Yu or the Lei Clan intends to do, it doesn't matter.
Just assist in prying open a door, everything else I don't care about. You go explore whatever you want to explore, dig wherever you want to dig. I'll just sit back and watch."