Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing had returned, so why bother asking why?

If there had been an opportunity and the danger had not been especially great, would Yu Ziqing have returned so decisively and neat?

It was laughable; he had heard of Yu Ziqing's impressive achievements.

Even a pond of water, if he could conveniently take it, he would absolutely not let it go.

Seeing a living person, he even thought about luring them home.

Would he so openly pass up a genuine Immortal Herb?

And feel not even a bit of regret?

You Zhen could only believe that even if the Immortal Herb matter was true, it was undoubtedly a deathtrap with no escape.

Aside from those powerful beings whose lives were nearing an end, who truly had no other choice but to cling to a slim hope and give it a try,

everyone else should just forget about it.

But these words, they couldn't very well be spoken in front of Yu Ziqing, could they?

Because with someone as savvy as you avoiding the issue, our best bet would also be to stay away.

Better not to ask why; I'll believe whatever you say.

Yu Ziqing did not ask further questions; he was unable to speak.

In case Emperor Zhen felt that things had been going well lately and he did not go himself but sent a strong warrior who then died there,

Emperor Zhen's forces would diminish, Dazhen might once again descend into internal chaos, and if Emperor Zhen were to be killed, You Zhen certainly wouldn't ignore it and would inevitably return to take charge of the situation.

Yu Ziqing never believed that it was impossible for Emperor Zhen to be killed.

You Zhen, back in his day, was even stronger than the present Emperor Zhen and yet he was still sabotaged by his own people.

The likelihood of such a scenario happening in Dazhen was not small at all.

After talking with You Zhen, Yu Ziqing entered Jinlan Mountain.

You Zhen immediately sent a message to King Xiang.

He had already resigned from the position of Emperor Zhen, regardless of whether Emperor Zhen liked it or not, he had to avoid suspicion.

Sending a direct message to Emperor Zhen was also not a problem, but that would seem like directly interfering in the affairs of Dazhen.

Emperor Zhen would certainly not mind, wishing he would come back soon.

He also had to make it clear, he was not going back to Dazhen.

Having received the message while lying low, King Xiang sighed, re-wrote a copy, handed it to Emperor Zhen, and then continued to lie low.

Over these twenty to thirty years, he had come to understand many things.

Since he was talented and diligent, he might as well focus on his cultivation.

First, to have enough strength to fall back on, should any issue arise.

Then think about other matters. He had now fully recognized his own capabilities; if he made decisions rashly and meddled carelessly, he would inevitably be played to death.

First reach the pinnacle of the Ninth Tier, then see if there was a hope to break through to the Tenth Tier.

Emperor Zhen received the message sent by King Xiang, pondered over it for a long while, and after waiting a moment, Li Xingchen arrived.

"How is King Qi's affair progressing?"

"Your Majesty, we only sent spies to track it and didn't invest much effort in this matter,

Moreover, we just received news that King Qi has already opened the entrance, and many people have entered.

Should I send some experts there?"

"No need. Just send a couple of spies to lurk in the first layer of the Abyss, gathering intel will suffice."

Emperor Zhen looked at Li Xingchen, emphasizing his words,

"Everything else, leave it be."

Li Xingchen nodded, bowing respectfully.

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Li Xingchen contained all of his questions.

There was no need to deliberately suppress the news; it couldn't be held back anyway.

Within Dazhen, those who needed to know would find out sooner or later.

So, let them be; whoever wants to go, can go.

If the princes are willing to go, then let them, but the large armies and the court's experts should not be moved.

His subordinates under Li Xingchen's command should especially avoid causing trouble.

Upon returning, Li Xingchen began ordering his spies to scatter throughout Dazhen, always monitoring the internal changes of Dazhen.

Ever since the former King Huai died, with today's King Qi's territory being seized, Emperor Zhen then retracted his hand, dedicating himself to handling the state affairs, and also placated the princes in the process.

The newly acquired territory of King Qi and half of the territories regained were also divided, awarding two or three cities to King Liang at the Southern Border.

A simple and effective method: strike one, ally with another.

When the princes saw the benefits, they could not join forces, and they all calmed down one by one.

But having followed Emperor Zhen for many years, Emperor Zhen trusted Li Xingchen immensely.

Although it had never been explicitly stated, he could feel that Emperor Zhen had long been discontent with the princes.

From a long time ago, the growth of the princes' territories had reached a point where they were impossible to tackle.

Emperor Zhen might have been considering for a while to gradually reclaim the increasingly large rights and territories of the princes.

Since the northern princes moved south,

Emperor Zhen, in order to maintain stability, conceded a step, fulfilled those princes' wishes by swapping their lands in the north covered with snow for smaller, but better territories in the south.

Li Xingchen had already sensed it then.

All the princes were concentrated in a quarter of the territory, with their lands adjacently bordered, the accumulation and escalation of conflicts, within just a few short years, far exceeded those of the past several thousand years.

If there were upheavals, just let them be.

If it escalated too much and couldn't be ignored, they would be forced to step in and take it as a chance to seize control.

Just like now, King Qi's territory being taken back, the title of the Sealed King being stripped away, and within the borders of Dazhen, there was no chaos; everything was quite peaceful.

Especially after the issues caused by King Qi were exposed, the other Sealed Kings who had followed him quieted down.

Additionally, with half the lost territories reclaimed, it was like snatching food from the tiger's mouth.

The court's power was greatly enhanced, and Emperor Zhen's prestige also began to rise.