Old Yang confirmed repeatedly, giving Yu Ziqing a lot of ideas.
Yu Ziqing personally reviewed the classics again. Where he didn't understand, he asked Old Yang and personally learned the method of curse transfer.
After clarifying everything, Yu Ziqing left Old Yang behind and quietly left Dali, not giving Zhang Quli and his men a chance to intercept him.
Last time, his meddlesomeness, after going through a pile of documents, set the tone.
Many difficult decisions were then left to Yu Ziqing.
Because the Jade Tablet was widely popular in Dali, the relationship with the subjects was pretty good, and in every place, each day, an important entertainment activity would certainly involve listening to the Jade Tablet.
Ever since last time, when Yu Ziqing dismissively critiqued a contentious issue with the phrase "utter nonsense," it was turned into a story and spread far and wide.
Then, it's unclear what Zhang Quli and his men did.
Now among the people, it's turned into: through the Jade Tablet, I've heard the policy proclaimed by Emperor Dui is indeed good policy, just that you incompetent slackers aren't executing it well.
Suddenly, instead of blaming the old emperor for everything wrong, it became a trend to directly criticize the local junior officer and county magistrate for any problems.
To some extent, this helped establish a positive image for Yu Ziqing, while also urging the officials below not to mess things up.
Zhang Quli was steadfast in acknowledging Yu Ziqing as Emperor Dui, more dedicated to it than Yu Ziqing himself.
As Yu Ziqing quietly left, Zhang Quli just came over with a jar of supposedly a few hundred years old vintage wine to find Old Yang.
"He just left, you're late," Old Yang murmured without turning his head.
Zhang Quli smiled cheerfully, holding the wine jar.
"I know, I've been waiting outside for a while, just waiting for His Majesty to leave, then I came.
I know His Majesty dislikes those complicated matters; if it's unnecessary, I also won't bother him.
I'm just here to have a drink with you, Old Brother."
"..." Old Yang sighed, putting down the book in his hand: "Your wine, I really can't dare to drink anymore. It's always the last jar every day, but who would think you have every variety imaginable?"
"This time I'm really here to drink with you, Old Brother, absolutely nothing else."
Zhang Quli said confidently, but Old Yang snorted dismissively, not believing a word.
This old fellow, catching a mosquito, could pull off several legs.
Would he really waste time just to drink?
Having a drink would surely be about resolving issues that drinking a hundred rounds wouldn't solve.
If spending the time equivalent to ninety-nine rounds of drinking could solve a problem, this old fellow definitely wouldn't waste time coming over.
Having clashed with Zhang Quli so many times, he could tell what Zhang was planning just by his posture.
This time, being so friendly likely means it's not just a hundred-round drinking issue, maybe more like three hundred rounds.
"Speak your mind, release what's in your gut, state your business quickly."
"A little problem, Old Brother, have a drink first, and with just a few casual pointers, the issue can be resolved."
The two men went outside the library and sat uncharacteristically at the doorstep drinking.
On the other side, Yu Ziqing just left Dali and a call came through from the Seventh Floor ring.
Upon entering, it was Song reaching out to him.
"The new Mother River God decreed by His Majesty is entering the Mother River today."
"Finally, the action is starting?"
"The Mother River God will take control over the Mother River, which requires time; initial control will take at least seven days.
After seven days, a large military force will enter the Earth Deity Divine Country left by the former Mother River God.
Dig out those Faceless Men."
"Then you should know that catching all of them is nearly impossible, right?"
"I know, but I don't care, since I'm not the one leading it. At most, I'm providing support."
Yu Ziqing laughed aloud.
No wonder Song seemed so relaxed, turns out he's not afraid of taking the blame.
"Alright then, I know. It's best for you to be careful. There's an expert within who is extremely good at making poisons.
If you get poisoned, there will be a delay and buildup, which might be manageable, but if it's a potent poison, I'm afraid you won't last until detoxification."
"Understood, this time it's not much related to me anyway because people from the Langya Institute will join in.
Moreover, from the north, Dali will cooperate on this matter as well.
Even if those people can't be caught all at once, wiping them out cleanly can greatly weaken their vitality.
In the short term, it'll be hard for them to rise again."
"Alright, just don't get caught off guard yourself."
Song sent the message, and Yu Ziqing knew, given the White Water Egg organization's infiltration over the years.
They'll likely get wind of this intel quickly.
Seven days is short in the eyes of a cultivator, indeed negligible with normal efficiency.
But even such a short time is sufficient for the White Water Egg organization to catch their breath.
That very day, Yu Ziqing contacted No.4.
No.4 directly came around the Abyssal Rift this time, where Yu Ziqing met him.
"Let's talk about the bad news first. Action will be taken south; at most seven days from now, the army will charge in.
Under the Heaven and Earth Net, there will certainly be heavy losses.
As you said, you might be left behind."
No.4 White Water Egg was very calm, knowing such a day would come.
"What's the good news?"
"The good news is I found a way to dissolve the curse.
The person you want to protect, you better protect yourself, I don't really like being entrusted with others' safety."
No.4 was slightly shocked, lifted his head, and looked at Yu Ziqing.
"What's the cost of dissolving the curse?"
"I will transfer the curse onto myself, and it won't cost anything. I can handle it easily."
No.4 stared at Yu Ziqing, his voice hoarse.