"Okay, let's not talk about that, just these days, the changes that have appeared, I feel something's not quite right, and you should be clearer about it than I am."
"We are indeed looking for various records related to Dadui.
But recently, the records we've been able to find about Dadui are increasing in number.
It's even gotten to the point where it's not just mentions of Dadui in other records but entire records focused on certain places during the Dadui period."
"Our tampering with Dadui has caused shocks, but it shouldn't have such a wide-ranging impact, and certainly not this fast."
"What kind of impact? For example?"
"For example, in the southwest of Daqian, the ancestral tablets of the Fu family have fractured.
In a place in the west of Daqian, someone dug up Spirit Jade from the Dadui era.
Even a county chronicle from the Dadui period was found in a library somewhere."
"That's it?" the person in the corner scoffed.
"There are many things you seem unaware of. These trivial effects are what would normally appear first after the shock caused by meddling with Dadui.
On the contrary, the signs of life returning near the Silver Lake Forbidden Land, this sort of widespread impact, that's what's abnormal.
If you want to investigate, this would be a good place to start.
I have important matters to attend to, so I'm leaving now. Don't look for me unless it's absolutely necessary."
The person in the corner vanished like a wisp of smoke.
The Mist Man stood there alone, snorting coldly.
"You really are arrogant. No wonder you don't get along with others."
Although the Mist Man said this, he still reached out, took out a booklet, and flipped to one page.
It recorded the anomalies at Silver Lake Forbidden Land.
The next page detailed the anomalies in the Southern Sea.
He gazed at the page about Silver Lake Forbidden Land and fell into deep thought.
The Black Robed Man had once been seriously injured at Silver Lake Forbidden Land and had narrowly avoided death."
Three months later, a team entered the Abyssal Rift and arrived at the Mountain Abyss.
One of them, holding a token, clutched a person who was barely breathing and approached the edge of a cave.
Someone behind reminded him,
"Remember, if we enter the wrong place, execute immediately."
In the Void, the An History Book flipped continuously, its light flashing frequently.
Then, the An History Book cast the two newcomers into two different sealings.
Outside, someone held a soul lamp, silently watching its flame burn.
After waiting for the duration of one incense stick, with no sign of the lamp extinguishing, the large group entered the sealing, relying on the token in hand.
The An History Book glowed, and a faint chuckle seemed to emerge from it.
In Dali Imperial City,
dusty and with scars on his face, Su Li appeared at the city gate.
His clothes were torn, his hair a mess, his face covered in dust, but his eyes were unusually bright.
"Let's go, we enter the city. Thanks to everyone's help, we have successfully completed the mission this time. I will personally commend you to Chief Venerate," he declared.
"It's your merit, my lord. If not for your keen insight and resolute action, we would have had a hard time coming back alive," a spy behind him complimented cheerfully.
After a tough mission, by following Su Li, everyone had seen clearly whether Su Li was capable.
Apart from being a little low on strength, he lived up to the name of Shadow Envoy in other respects.
Several days later, Su Li sat in Ji Bochang's house, eating home-cooked food and drinking wine.
"Teacher, I've only been away for a few years, right? Why does it feel like it's been hundreds, with so many things happening? Chief Venerate has fallen, Fu Xiao has succeeded, and Lord Ye offended Brother Qing, this..."
Su Li sipped his wine, his smile bitter.
"There were people looking for you soon after you returned, right?"
"Some did come to me."
"Was it Chief Venerate or Lord Ye?"
Neither, other Shadow Envoys, and even some subordinates wanted me, and there's also a brother who went through life and death with me this time, that's why I feel even more troubled."
"In the Shadow Department, it's no secret that you have ties with Qing Ziyu of Jinlan Mountain.
They would like someone else to plead on their behalf, but unfortunately, no one wants to take on such an unrewarding task.
They can't ask the Crown Prince for help, and Duke Lin has made clear he won't see anyone from the Shadow Department, saying it's necessary to avoid conflict.
Now that you're back, naturally, they come to you.
Perhaps with you, the outcome might be better, and your words would have more weight."
"But how can I plead for them, even if I'm willing to have thick skin and go, but, but..." Su Li sighed, continuing to drink.
He had not expected so many things to have happened, and to be immediately faced with a difficult situation upon his return.
Many in the Shadow Department wanted him to plead with Qing Ziyu.
The other requests could be dealt with, but this time, a brother who had been on a mission with him, who had even taken a blow for him and saved his life, also asked for help, making it even harder for him.
In fact, he himself felt that what Qing Ziyu had done was justified, targeting only the Shadow Department.
Since his return, in just a few days, he had heard more than once or twice of people secretly cheering for Qing Ziyu of Jinlan Mountain.
"Teacher, what do you think I should do?"
"Whether you go or not is your own decision, but whether they will do you a favor, that's not for you to decide.
If you've just got your footing in the Shadow Department and start ignoring the well-being of your subordinates, that indeed wouldn't look good."