Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

In handling any matter, it is essential to strike the right balance.

Zhou Qingfeng wanted to repay the old cripple's favor, but he couldn't risk his future or his life. Without risking his own life and within his capabilities, Zhou Qingfeng was willing to do his best to repay the favor and strengthen his friendship with the old cripple.

However, First Red Leaf's identity was too sensitive. Zhou Qingfeng did not know Old Cripple's true identity and background, nor did he know why Old Cripple was looking for First Red Leaf. All his previous guesses were just guesses until they were confirmed. If an unforeseen accident occurred, he would also be in big trouble.

Therefore, the best course of action would be to act as an intermediary and connect Old Cripple with First Red Leaf remotely. In this way, the favor would be repaid, and the uncertain situation would be kept under control.

If the situation exceeds one's ability to handle it, then withdrawing in time is a viable option.

Sometimes Zhou Qingfeng also hates himself for being so calculating, even when helping friends, he has to scheme, it's really tiring to live like this.

But he couldn't afford not to scheme. He had risen to a position second only to the emperor, and the blood and sins on his hands could never be washed away. Countless people were watching him with predatory eyes, hoping he would make a mistake, hoping he would die.

He walked this path of power with extreme caution, for beneath the ice lurked countless hungry wolves and tigers with bloodshot eyes. If he were to slip and fall through the ice, he would be surrounded and devoured.

But there's no other way. Since we've made this choice, we can only go all the way down this path until we reach the shore.

"Are you ready?" Zhou Qingfeng asked.

"Wait a minute, am I pretty now?" First Red Leaf asked nervously.

Zhou Qingfeng praised her earnestly, "Beauty is a curse, a beauty that could topple a country, a scourge to the nation, these are words tailor-made for Third Sister. Don't worry about whether the clothes look good or not, natural beauty is the most beautiful, confidence is the most beautiful. Clothes can only accentuate your beauty. Even if you are wearing tattered clothes, it is enough to make all men go crazy for you."

The first red leaf was overjoyed by the praise, but she still maintained a cold and aloof expression, though an unnatural smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, revealing her happiness and joy at that moment.

Sure enough, no woman can resist flattery.

Zhou Qingfeng stared speechlessly at the First Red Leaf. He didn't know how to coax women, but he knew how to coax his mother. When he was a student, he often told her sweet nothings when he tricked her out of pocket money.

First Red Leaf was afraid that Liao Huaizhen was the person she loved, so she was very concerned about whether she was pretty enough or ugly. She kept asking Zhou Qingfeng to fix her hair and clothes. If it weren't for the limited conditions, she really wanted to remove her shackles and chains, take a bath, put on makeup, and change into a beautiful outfit.

Ultimately, all she wanted was to stand before the man she loved in the most beautiful way.

"let's start."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly and channeled his magic power into the Thousand-Mile Mirror. A cyan light slowly appeared on the mirror's surface, and after flashing several times, it gradually became clearer. Then, an image appeared on the mirror's surface.

"Mr. Liao."

"Xiao Qingfeng, is something the matter?"

“Mr. Liao, look who this is.” Zhou Qingfeng smiled and moved the mirror toward the First Red Leaf.

First Red Leaf looked at the person in the mirror with hope and anticipation. When she saw the person's face, doubt appeared in her eyes, and then her bright eyes gradually dimmed.

"I am the First Red Leaf, and I heard you want to have a face-to-face meeting with me."

"As you can see, I'm not in a good position to meet with guests right now."

"Speak, what do you want to talk about?"

Upon hearing this, the old cripple looked calmly at First Red Leaf and said indifferently, "First Red Leaf, it's our first time meeting. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Liao Huaizhen, and I've come here specifically to see you."

First Red Leaf: "I don't know you, so why did you come looking for me?"

The old cripple said, "My savior is named Xu Xiaoqiu. I came here specifically to find you for him."

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf trembled, her eyes widened slightly, and her voice trembled uncontrollably: "He sent you... how is he now?"

The old cripple calmly said, "He's dead. I buried him."

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf was struck dumb, as if her heart had been ripped out. Her legs gave way, and she knelt on the ground, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes: "How could... how could he be dead..."

"You lied to me, you who disturbed my mind, deserve to die!!!" First Red Leaf slowly stood up, her eyes burning with scorching flames, her black hair dancing wildly, the demonic fire mark on her forehead suddenly spreading along the fine meridians, the red silk used to tie her hair rose in the wind and fluttered around First Red Leaf, her body surrounded by the world-destroying demonic fire that burns all things.

However, it lasted only a moment before the terrifying power was suppressed back into the body by the old shackles she was wearing. Suddenly, a large number of golden runes appeared in the cage well. The golden runes spiraled and twisted, turning into whips that lashed at First Red Leaf's body, leaving bloody marks on her skin.

"Ah~~~" First Red Leaf rolled on the ground in anger, desperately trying to break free of her old shackles by unleashing her power.

Whenever she attempts to break free from the shackles of the past or tries to escape the Dragon Prison Well, the array within the well automatically generates whips that lash her until she is covered in wounds and dares not act recklessly again.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng quickly hid far away and shouted loudly, "Third sister, stop making trouble! If you keep making trouble, you'll attract Mother's attention. Although your husband is dead, don't you want to know how he died? Don't you want to avenge him? Calm down and stop making trouble!"

Upon hearing Zhou Qingfeng's call, First Red Leaf's angry mind gradually calmed down, and she stopped struggling. The formation within the Dragon Prison Well gradually subsided. First Red Leaf's left forehead, arm, and inner thigh were all ripped open and bloodied. She gasped as she got up, enduring the excruciating pain as she looked at Zhou Qingfeng.

"Who killed Xu Xiaoqiu? How did he die? And what is your relationship with him?" First Red Leaf's eyes were bloodshot, tears welled up in her eyes, and her scarlet eyes looked like they were about to bleed. Killing intent and hatred filled her beautiful face.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng frowned slightly. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Fortunately, the situation was still under control, so he raised his telescope again and moved it toward the First Red Leaf.

The old cripple leaned on his cane and said calmly, "Back then, I was injured and collapsed outside Forget-Worry Town. When I was on the verge of death, only he took me into his home and took care of me. If it weren't for his care, I might have died in the wilderness."

"Speaking of which, he was my savior, but unfortunately he's a fool."

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf coldly retorted, "Liar! Xu Xiaoqiu isn't stupid. He's a fighter with lofty ideals. His wisdom, strategy, and ambition surpass mine. How could he be a fool? You're the fool!"

Xu Xiaoqiu is a fool, and he even mocks himself for being a fool, but he once said something that First Red Leaf still remembers: only a fool can save this shitty world.

The old cripple said, "That's the Xu Xiaoqiu you know. The Xu Xiaoqiu I know is definitely a fool."

"He told me that he was beaten in the head because he went to help a group of children. He was knocked unconscious in an alley and robbed of all his belongings. He almost lost his life because of it."

"When he woke up, he had lost all his past memories, and his brain was left with a brain disease. Whenever he thought, he would have a splitting headache, and after a while, he stopped thinking altogether."

"I have received kindness from others, and I will certainly repay it."

"So I asked him what he needed my help with, and he said I should help him find someone."

“He said, I have lost all my memories, but every autumn when I see the red maple leaves, I think of a name called First Red Leaf. Maybe she is very important to me. I should love her. I want to see her.”

"I agreed to his request, but I never expected that he would suffer a brain attack the next day and die in his sleep. I was really powerless to help him, because at that time I was on the verge of death, and I had lost all my magic power and supernatural abilities. I even had to rely on others for food and drink."

"Later, I buried him under his favorite maple tree."

"After recuperating at his home for some time, I set off on my journey to find you."

"I've found you today to tell you that he's dead, and before he died, he wanted to see you."

"If you still love him, go to his grave and let him see you; then I will have repaid this debt of karma."

First Red Leaf said coldly, "One-sided statements are not credible. However, I will be going to Forget-Worry Town, and you must come with me. If it is true, I will reward you handsomely. If I find that what you said is false, I will kill you with my own hands."

"Just what I wanted." The old cripple looked at her calmly, then disconnected the call.

The image projected by the telescope disappeared instantly.

First Red Leaf sat cross-legged on the ground, her back to Zhou Qingfeng, her head bowed and tears streaming down her face. She tried to suppress her sobs, her voice trembling, and she kept everyone at arm's length: "Go, I'm tired."

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands and said, "Third Sister, take care of yourself. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, Zhou Qingfeng turned around and leaped out of the Dragon-Prison Well, landing on the lotus platform outside. He then turned his head to look into the well and could only see the First Red Leaf's trembling shoulders as she wept silently.

"Alas... Love has always brought only regret, and this regret will last forever." Zhou Qingfeng sighed, turned around and strode towards the First Scripture Pavilion. It seemed there was no need to continue with the task his mother had entrusted to him.

The person is already dead, so what's the point of admitting mistakes?

Soon, the first red leaf will be released from her confinement. However, while it is easy for her to physically leave the cage, it is uncertain whether she can escape the cage in her heart.

As Zhou Qingfeng walked toward the First Scripture Pavilion, he was still thinking about Xu Xiaoqiu, First Red Leaf, and Old Cripple. Each of these three people was a mystery, and each one was more mysterious than the last.

If he has nothing better to do or has the opportunity, he will definitely try to learn more about it.

But Zhou Qingfeng has something more important to do now, which is to strengthen his own power.

The Sutra Repository is built inside the mountain wall. The double gate is 170 feet high and 30 feet wide. It is forged entirely from an unknown metal and has two five-clawed golden dragons carved on the walls. The gate alone is filled with an aura of majesty.

Suddenly, the two five-clawed golden dragons on the wall carving opened their eyes and came to life. They poked out their heads and glanced at Zhou Qingfeng before transforming into two old men dressed in yellow robes.

"Fourth Young Master, we meet again." First Ni Qing and First Ni Ming stood on either side, smiling and bowing with clasped hands. Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately returned the greeting, not taking advantage of his status to look down on the senior.

"Senior Ni Qing, Senior Ni Ming, I have come here to retrieve the secret manual."

"Fourth Young Master, the Madam has already given the order. Please come in." The two elders of Qingming each placed their hands on the double doors, and the 170-foot-tall gate of the Scripture Pavilion slowly opened, allowing a passage for two people to pass through.

The two elders of Qingming were the first to enter. Zhou Qingfeng, having been there before, stepped inside and was greeted by a magnificent palace floating in the air, surrounded by tens of thousands of stone figures.

With a light step, Zhou Qingfeng and the two elders of Qingming flew through the air to the front door of the main hall and landed on the ground. The two elders of Qingming continued to lead the way, guiding Zhou Qingfeng into the Sutra Repository and directly up to the third floor.

First, Ni Qing smiled and said, "The third floor contains the secret manuals studied by cultivators in the Devouring Fiend Realm. I won't go into too much detail. Just be careful not to go to the fourth floor, as that is a place only cultivators in the Devouring Poison Realm can set foot in."

First Reverse Underworld added, "If you force your way up, the small formation will instantly reduce you to ashes."

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Understood, thank you for your instructions, seniors. I will remember them."

First Ni Ming and First Ni Qing stroked their beards and smiled. They had a good impression of Zhou Qingfeng. He didn't put on any airs of a young master in front of them, but instead acted like a junior, which showed that he was very sensible.

Zhou Qingfeng turned around to select a cultivation manual for the Food Demon Realm.

First Reverse Darkness and First Reverse Green exchanged a glance and communicated telepathically using a secret technique.

"Ni Ming, how about we take a gamble?"

"Another bet? Okay, I accept. What do you want to bet?"

"I bet he'll choose the number one secret technique just like last time."

"I also bet he'll choose the number one secret technique."

"Damn it, you can't choose the same thing as me, otherwise how are we supposed to bet?"

"I don't care what you say, when gambling, you should always choose the one with the higher probability."

The two old men, expressionless and oblivious to everyone else, started a private chat.

Zhou Qingfeng quietly wandered among the countless bookshelves, quickly selecting the number one Food Fiend Realm technique and Food Fiend Realm body technique, then turned around and came back, while the two elders of Qingming had not yet decided on their bet.

"You've already made your choice? So fast?" Zhou Qingfeng's speed has even surprised the Qingming Elders.

"Yes, I've made my choice." Zhou Qingfeng nodded in affirmation. He had come here to fill the Zhou family's manual library with the number one technique and secret manual in the Food Fiend Realm, and had no intention of using it for cultivation.

The technique has been decided to cultivate the ancient secret technique of "False Words Transform into True Form." All that is missing is the "Word Demon Spirit" to complete the cultivation. Previously, the Dream Fulfillment Organization secretly contacted Zhou Qingfeng, saying that a Dream Fulfillment Master had apparently found the traces of the Word Demon Spirit, and accurate information would be sent back soon. Zhou Qingfeng was asked to wait patiently.

The physical techniques of the Devouring Thief Great Sage are inherently highly adaptable, growing stronger as one ascends to higher realms. They are already powerful enough to protect oneself, so there is no need to cultivate another physical technique, which would be a waste of time and energy. When one reaches the Poison-Eating Realm, one will be cleansed by the rules of the Dao of Authority anyway, and the Devouring Thief Great Sage's supernatural power, which is more in line with the characteristics of the Dao of Eating, will be washed away.

The two elders of Qingming looked bewildered: "No, aren't you going to take a closer look? Are you being so hasty?"

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, "No need, I still need to go to the Treasure Pavilion later."