Master of Strange Dao

Chapter 1825: Chapter 496: Nothing But Selling My Life, Expansion of Consciousness (5k)

He’s here this time to show his hand.

After the matter is concluded, he leaves on his own.

As Yu Ziqing departs, many of the spectators in Jiachen City have mixed feelings.

The emissaries from other Divine Dynasties are completely certain now; Emperor Dui is indeed Qing Ziyu of Jinlan Mountain, and in this unexpected incident, Emperor Dui bore the entire burden alone, at the cost of being blinded.

Many here can see with their own eyes that Yu Ziqing’s eyes have turned ashen and hollow, devoid of spirit.

With such a major event taking place, they all need to report back quickly.

In a small building in Jiachen City, Song Chengyue sits at the window, gazing distantly with a complex expression, the tea in front of him already cold, as he continues to ponder.

With his identity as Jia Shiwu, he ought to have appeared in such a venue like the enthronement ceremony.

However, as his identity is sensitive, wearing a mask in such occasions is considered disrespectful.

Thus, Jia Shisi was sent out, while he himself quietly watched from the sidelines.

He had no intention of appearing, yet was particularly eager to meet the legendary Emperor Dui.

But once he did meet, he was left stunned, blankly staring at the Heavenly Tribulation, at Yu Ziqing’s blinded eyes, and at Yu Ziqing leaving...

Many past memories surged into his mind.

Why did that unseen Emperor Dui trust him so much?

Why does Yu Ziqing have such influence, capable of swaying some matters in Dadui?

Why is he, a former Jinyiwei Commander, once a notorious minion of Daqian, receiving such a welcome and trust in Dadui from both Jia Shisi and the Cabinet?

All the work experience he accumulated in Daqian, the ways of dealing with courtiers and colleagues, are of no use here.

He always believed that even with the amiable atmosphere in Dadui, they couldn’t all trust him so much, right?

This was beyond trust or distrust; it was a matter of protocol and capability.

Now, he truly understands.

Because Yu Ziqing is Emperor Dui; personally nominated, personally went through great efforts to rescue him—of course, it’s different.

Everything suddenly has an explanation, and everything can be logically explained, leaving Song Chengyue with complex feelings.

Thinking back on his days of uncertainty, constantly fearing execution, to Yu Ziqing personally rescuing his children, to Emperor Qian not executing him, to the new Emperor Qian not executing him either, to the new Emperor Qian personally releasing him, allowing him to leave Jinyiwei unscathed, and now with a full family.

All this was due to Yu Ziqing working behind the scenes.

If it were just an unfamiliar Emperor Dui willing to trust him, he could say it was due to Emperor Dui’s boldness, and working hard would be his repayment.

But with all this overlapping and falling on Yu Ziqing, Song only has one thought left: what did he, Song Chengyue, do to deserve this?

In the end, after Yu Ziqing has gone far, Song Chengyue retracts his gaze, lifts the cold tea on the table, and raises his cup towards the direction Yu Ziqing left.

He murmurs with heartfelt admiration.

"To Your Excellency, to Emperor Dui."

This life is completely devoted to Yu Ziqing, and he has no regrets, having owed too much to repay with one life alone.

He now understands why Emperor Dui never met him, to avoid giving him too much psychological pressure.

They just want him to play the role of Jia Shiwu well, taking breaks to go home and tease his great-grandchildren.

He spent his life in the dark cesspool that was Jinyiwei, too afraid to even acknowledge his children, always keeping a certain level of vigilance with everyone.

Now he truly surrenders himself completely; the gap between people can be immense, and the gap between emperors, sometimes even greater than that between humans and dogs.

His experiences of blood and tears in Daqian are indeed no longer applicable.

Song puts down the teacup, settles his bill, and leaves, listening to the seemingly excited people in the teahouse still discussing what just happened.

He follows with a smile, bows, and echoes a saying.

"May Dadui prosper for generations, may His Majesty be blessed by fortune."

The teahouse bustles with noise, and Song joins in just like any ordinary resident of Jiachen City.

It’s not about intentions but actions; what Yu Ziqing thinks doesn’t matter, it’s about what he does and the results.

The people of Dadui only see the results, and they fill in the reasons themselves.

Just like when Yu Ziqing took over Dadui, the first issue targeted was hunger, integrating those humanoid "diggers" into the productivity sector.

The reason behind this was simply because Yu Ziqing didn’t want any more hungry ghosts, having himself starved to death once.

But the citizens of Dadui only see the results, understanding the reasons differently from Yu Ziqing’s own thoughts—and they adopt their perception as the standard.

What Yu Ziqing thinks doesn’t matter.

Just like at this moment with Song Chengyue, he too feels that what Yu Ziqing thinks doesn’t matter, what matters is Yu Ziqing genuinely pulling him out of the mire, fulfilling his obsession, and granting him utmost trust.

What else could he say? To sell his life to Yu Ziqing, he is willing.

...

Yu Ziqing didn’t go to his residence in Dadui, but instead returned directly to Jinlan Mountain.

He quietly returned to Jinlan Mountain, quietly went to the southwest corner, and sat in front of the juice, took out the "Drunken Life and Dream Death," and took a long swig, leaving a single remark before falling into a deep sleep.

"I’ll sleep for a while."

Only here can he feel absolute security.