Heading to Ze Province I

"Your Grandmaster Uncle had a falling out with your grandmaster back then, and then went out to establish another branch. Now, he lives alone in Ze Province and is not very willing to come back."

Lao Yue smiled and said, "If you're capable, go and cheer up the old man. You might even get some benefits from that side by accident."

"Master." Zhang Rongfang narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and finally asked, "May I ask a question?"

"What? Ask away." Yue Dewen took out a towel and began wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Didn't you just say that the Flying Spirit Feather Talisman was very evil? Then why do you still carry it with you?"

Yue Dewen's hand froze. He looked at Zhang Rongfang and blinked.

"Actually, your master has always had a dream, which is, well, you know what I mean." He gave a knowing smile.

Zhang Rongfang was slightly disappointed, even though it seemed like an answer. But his master was actually deliberately being sarcastic, offering no direct response whatsoever.

"Oh, right, there's another question." He thought for a moment and changed the subject.

"During my time in Citong, I encountered many things, including those involving grandmasters of martial arts. For some inexplicable reason, several masters from the Western Sect have died in Citong."

"Don't worry, as long as you didn't kill them yourself, everything will be fine." Yue Dewen patted his shoulder nonchalantly.

"Then I can rest assured." Zhang Rongfang quickly made a gesture of relief.

There was something he didn't dare ask: 'What if he really did kill him?'

Immediately, the two master and apprentice stopped talking. Lao Yue took out a large bag of various braised meats from the drawer and began to eat them with wine in the sedan chair.

When they arrived at the Heavenly Treasure Palace, the ten catties of braised meat had been completely consumed by the two of them.

After getting off the sedan chair, Yue Dewen let out a satisfied burp and dragged Zhang Rongfang to the small building where they had lived before.

The small building remains the same as before, with black and white paintings and color paintings hanging on the walls like portraits of the deceased.

"Now that you're back, get to work for me. You did a great job in Citong, recruiting many talented and capable people."

"Since that's the case, why don't you give it a try and persuade your senior brother for me?" Yue Dewen said in a low voice before entering the building.

"What's wrong, senior brother?" Zhang Rongfang asked, taken aback.

"It's an old problem. There's no way to get it back! And..." Yue Dewen sighed, then hesitated to finish his sentence.

"I'm very busy right now, with many things to keep an eye on. You also have a new post and will be going to Ze Province soon, where you won't be staying for long, so hurry up!"

He yanked open the door, pushed Zhang Rongfang inside, closed the door, and turned to leave.

"You two haven't seen each other in a long time, have a good chat. I have something to take care of first."

When his voice drifted over, he was already far away.

I don't know if he went to deal with that Flying Spirit Feather Talisman or if he was just making an excuse to run away.

Upon entering.

Zhang Rongfang frowned.

The air on the first floor of the small building was filled with a strong smell of alcohol.

In a corner, on the ground, lay a human-shaped body that looked like a corpse.

Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Zhang Qingzhi!

This guy hadn't showered in ages; you could smell his sweaty stench even from over ten meters away.

Zhang Qingzhi lay on his side on the ground, snoring, his hair disheveled, his Daoist robe dirty and tattered, looking every bit the down-on-his-luck Jianghu priest.

It's only been a few years, how did this guy turn out like this?

Zhang Rongfang stepped forward, squatted down, and gently nudged Zhang Qingzhi.

"Senior brother?"

"Leave me alone! I want to drink more!" Zhang Qingzhi, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, pushed Zhang Rongfang's hand away.

Smack

He struck Zhang Rongfang's forearm with his palm, but it didn't budge, producing a dull thud like hitting a bronze pillar.

The difference in physique, strength, and martial arts skills between the two was too great, Zhang Qingzhi's small hands quickly turned red.

The distinct pain slowly brought him back to his senses.

Opening his eyes, Zhang Qingzhi looked at Zhang Rongfang was squatting to the side.

"Junior brother? Why are you back?"

"Senior brother, what happened?" Zhang Rongfang helped him up and sat him against the wall. "Are you alright? How did you get so drunk?"

"Heh," Zhang Qingzhi chuckled bitterly, "You've made a fool of yourself."

"What exactly happened? Tell me, and if I can help, I'll do it for you while I'm at it," Zhang Rongfang said seriously.

To be honest, Zhang Qingzhi was to his liking, and had helped him in some ways before.

So they should help each other out when they can, which can be considered as fellow disciples helping each other.

"I," Zhang Qingzhi sighed, his face slightly flushed.

The thought of that incident made him feel uneasy, weak, in pain, desperate, sad, and ashamed.

That kind of thing is the greatest punishment a man can suffer!

Zhang Rongfang wasn't in a hurry. He slowly chatted with him in low voices to calm him down and talk about other unrelated trivial matters.

He knew very well that Zhang Qingzhi's current state was very likely related to Lin Qianhe.

Lin Qianhe is a direct descendant of a high-ranking official in the Heavenly Treasure Palace. This woman is promiscuous and has had relationships with many people.

Judging from Zhang Qingzhi's expression, he must have discovered the extremely sensitive truth behind this matter. Naturally, Zhang Rongfang wouldn't bring up something so sensitive that would be difficult to discuss.

He deliberately changed the subject, pulled Zhang Qingzhi to sit down at the table, and they drank some hangover tea together.

Of course, Zhang Qingzhi himself was unwilling to drink, saying that he wanted to immerse himself in a slightly tipsy state and didn't want to come out.

He tried to struggle along the way, but he was powerless to resist and could only accept his fate.

Seeing that his condition had improved slightly, Zhang Rongfang still didn't Lin Qianhe's matter. Instead, he inquired about news from Ze Province from Zhang Qingzhi.

"Speaking of which, senior brother, you may not know this. Although I have just returned, I will soon be going to take up a post in Ze Province. If nothing unexpected happens, I will be serving as the Magistrate the Prefectural City there."

I heard that my senior brother and master had spent some years in Ze Province. I wonder if they could tell me about the situation there?

My master mentioned that there's a Grandmaster Uncle of our Great Dao Sect in Ze Province? How come I've never heard of him before?

Lin Qianhe aside, Zhang Qingzhi was still a very upright person. After being forced by Zhang Rongfang to wipe his face and tidy his hair, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Grandmaster Uncle?"

He was taken aback when he first heard that title.

Then, as if he remembered something, his expression immediately changed.

This is not an ordinary transformation.

Normally, a person's complexion doesn't change too quickly or abruptly, but at this moment, Zhang Qingzhi's face truly displayed an exaggerated, distorted expression that he couldn't bear to look back on.

"You're actually going to Ze Province?! To see your Grandmaster Uncle?!" He stood up abruptly, sweat beading on his forehead and his face flushed. The drunkenness seemed to have been completely sobered up by those words.

"Uh..." Zhang Rongfang was puzzled and taken aback by the other party's huge reaction.

He didn't know what Zhang Qingzhi had encountered in Ze Province, but now, after so many years, he reacted so strongly upon hearing about the combination of Ze Province and his Grandmaster Uncle.

Judging from the distorted look on his face, Zhang Qingzhi had probably experienced something extremely terrifying over there. "Junior brother." Zhang Qingzhi left his seat and paced back and forth with hurried steps.

He walked back and forth with his head down, his steps hurried, as if he was considering how to persuade Zhang Rongfang to give up the idea.

"Junior brother, do you know that although my Heavenly Treasure Palace is the Great Dao Sect Ancestral Court, its true origin was not here. The true foundation of my Great Dao Sect is not in Great Capital either."

After stopping, Zhang Qingzhi looked at Zhang Rongfang seriously and said in a deep voice.

"Is that really the case?" Zhang Rongfang frowned slightly.

"There are some things that can't be said openly, but in reality, that's just how it is." Zhang Qingzhi said seriously, "This Ze Province is actually the true origin and foundation of our Great Dao Sect. You could say that it is our sect's true headquarters."

"What do you mean? Please enlighten me, senior brother?" Zhang Rongfang became solemn and clasped his hands slightly.

"I don't know much either, but the Ze Province is where most of the foundation and power of my Great Dao Sect are gathered." Zhang Qingzhi thought for a moment and recalled, "Let me tell you some of what I can say here."

"Our Great Dao Sect is the second largest sect of the Daoist Sect, but we have many Dao Palace in various places, and we have never seen many masters appear."

"Junior brother, are you wondering why, with so few experts, our Great Dao Sect can still maintain its position as the second largest sect in the Daoist Sect?"

"I did have that question," Zhang Rongfang nodded.

"That's because of Ze Province," Zhang Qingzhi said seriously. "Compared to other places, Ze Province has almost half of our strength. It is under the command and jurisdiction of Master's grand-uncle, who is also our Grandmaster Uncle."

"What kind of person is that Grandmaster Uncle? Is he dangerous?" Zhang Rongfang frowned.

Judging from Zhang Qingzhi's expression, there seemed to be many hidden secrets.

"In a sense, it's very dangerous. Once you go to Ze Province, it's best not to have too much contact with them. In fact, when Master unified the forces of both sides, it wasn't through force, but through persuasion," Zhang Qingzhi solemnly reminded him.

"Could you give me a brief overview of the situation over there?" Seeing his senior brother's strong reaction, Zhang Rongfang also became curious.

"I can't really go into details. I was young back then and don't remember much. So many years have passed, things have definitely changed a lot. I won't mislead you here. But junior brother, you must remember, don't get too involved!" Zhang Qingzhi breathed heavily and gripped Zhang Rongfang's hand tightly.

"Understood!" Zhang Rongfang nodded seriously.

He immediately dropped the matter and chatted casually with Zhang Qingzhi about miscellaneous topics such as Civilian Skill cultivation and medicinal herb identification.

"By the way, a few years ago, Startling Goose Daoist, One of Ming Mountain Five Sons, went to Ze Province to take over all affairs."

"Junior brother, when you go over there, be careful of this person," Zhang Qingzhi warned.

"Why is that? Isn't it said that True One is currently fighting against the Western Sect?" Zhang Rongfang asked in return.

"The Western Sect has been completely suppressed. I heard that the situation there is terrible. The head monk of True Buddha Temple is cursing every day and doesn't even feel like performing the Heavenly Demon Dance," Zhang Qingzhi said in a low voice.

"Thank you for the reminder, senior brother." Zhang Rongfang nodded.

"It's good that you know what's going on. Sigh," Zhang Qingzhi sighed.

"Senior brother, are you feeling better now? Can you tell me why you got so drunk just now?" Seeing that he was in better condition, Zhang Rongfang finally brought up the topic again.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qingzhi shuddered and his expression turned dejected.

He sighed deeply, sat down listlessly, and slumped in his seat with his head drooping.

He took several minutes to calm down before slowly opening his mouth.

"It's my Xiao He," Zhang Qingzhi shook his head. "How ridiculous, I was so foolish, so naive. I actually believed she was as pure as Sunny Flower. What a pity."

He lowered his head and covered his face.

"Do you know what? I caught her red-handed! I caught her with three other people."

Tears slowly streamed from between his fingers—the tears of a man groveling in despair. Zhang Rongfang felt an urge to laugh for some reason, but seeing the other man's deep sorrow, he knew that if he laughed out loud now, it would truly mean severing all ties.

He thought for a moment and then said.

"It's better to see things clearly now, before things get serious, than after the wedding."

After wiping away a few tears, Zhang Qingzhi raised his head.

"I may never believe in love again for the rest of my life."

"Finding solace in nature is also a good choice," Zhang Rongfang comforted.

"Well, in the end, Xiao He said that she still truly loves me. I think she's telling the truth," Zhang Qingzhi said earnestly.

Zhang Rongfang's mouth opened slightly, unsure how to respond.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this. From now on, Xiao He and I will live a good life together. Everyone makes mistakes in life. Since Xiao He is willing to change, I'm willing to give her that chance." Zhang Qingzhi wiped away his tears and continued.

Zhang Rongfang was at a loss for words. He could only change the subject and talk about other miscellaneous matters.

That night, the two talked by candlelight all night long.

This can be considered a significant step closer to the relationship between the two brothers. During this time, Zhang Rongfang tried several times to persuade his senior brother, but unfortunately, the next morning, Zhang Rongfang received an imperial edict from the palace's Fire Messenger.

He was instructed to prepare to take up his post in Ze Province within half a month.

Without hesitation, Zhang Rongfang quickly packed his belongings, left letters and messages for Zhang Yunqi and others who were still on their way, and then, with the help of the team arranged by the Heavenly Treasure Palace, headed to Ze Province to take up his post.

He was unwilling to stay in Great Capital for long, as there were too many experts and undercurrents there. If he wanted to do something in secret, he would easily be discovered.

It's more liberating to be away from home. You don't have to worry too much about what you want to do.

The outside world is vast and sparsely populated, making it much easier to collect Blood Flesh Completion.

After preparing all the necessary supplies.

This time, Zhang Rongfang planned to set off with a convoy. Not only did he need to go to Ze Province, but he was also accompanied by a group of people arranged by the Heavenly Treasure Palace.