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

"Soon after, the northern cities, seeing that the land of fish and rice was unclaimed and fighting amongst themselves, took the opportunity to launch a brazen invasion. I gathered all my troops to fight them on the border, but the enemy was too strong and our army too weak. We were defeated in one battle and our army collapsed like a house of cards. We could only flee back into the country to regroup."

Cai Guozhong calmly recounted what happened, as if he were talking about someone else's experience, perhaps he had long been numb: "During the retreat, my wife and I got separated, and I only managed to protect my son. In that situation, I knew better than anyone what getting separated meant, and I could only assume that he was dead."

"Later, I fought alone with my son and my soldiers, suffering defeat after defeat, fighting again and again, countless times. At first, I just wanted to try to turn the tide, regroup, defend our territory of Yumi City, protect the people under our rule, and resist the external invaders. Later..."

At this point, Cai Guozhong shook his head and smiled bitterly: "There's nothing I can do. One hand cannot clap, and one tree cannot support the whole. Those surviving nobles of Yumi City are either only concerned with fighting for power and profit, or they are fighting for territory, or they have simply surrendered to the northern cities. What can I do? What can I do?"

“At that time, someone from the Sword Tower approached me, offering to provide me with money, food, and supplies. How could I not know that I was being used as a puppet? I’m not afraid to tell you, at that time I was with my son and had reached a dead end. When you’re poor, you think of change. For my son and for myself, I decided to change my way of life.”

“The resistance fighters call me a traitor for betraying the Lord of Yumi City, but the Lord of Yumi City is already gone. The powerful and wealthy are all selfish and self-serving, some fighting for territory, others looking for a way out. Not one of them wants to save Yumi City, this sinking ship. So my loyalty to the end is meaningless.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and listened quietly to what was to come. He could tell that Cai Guozhong was not seeking the approval of others, nor was he complaining to others, but rather he was trying to convince himself and brainwash himself, so that he could continue to be a dog of the Sword Tower and continue to be his local tyrant with a clear conscience.

If Cai Guozhong were truly as loyal as he claimed, he would have died on the battlefield long ago. Even if he hadn't, he would have taken a roundabout approach to save the surviving bloodline of the Lord of Yumi City, leading troops to support a new ruler, instead of secretly joining the Sword Tower, seizing military power, and becoming a local tyrant.

That's normal, though. The city lord is dead, and the civil and military officials have no one to serve, so they naturally go their separate ways.

Cai Guozhong sighed, tilted his head back and took another big gulp of wine, wiping the wine stains from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve: "These years I have been walking on thin ice. The allied forces of the northern cities are pressing in from the front, and the Sword Tower is watching me like a tiger from behind. Even those resistance forces are causing me trouble. Alas, the hardships I have endured are beyond what outsiders can understand."

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Even if you did understand, you wouldn’t be able to empathize. My greatest hope in this life is to obtain a title and establish a legacy to pass on to my son.”

“But that brat is disobedient. Yesterday, my son Cai Nianxiong ran away from me to look for his mother, leaving me only a farewell letter.”

“Nianxiong believed that his mother was still alive and would call for help to him in his dreams every night, so he was determined to rescue her.”

“But his mother is already dead, how could he still be alive? I have already dispatched hundreds of soldiers to search for his whereabouts, but there has been no news so far. I need you to find him for me and bring him back. He has a crescent-shaped birthmark on his wrist.”

Zhou Qingfeng said, "If someone is away from home for a day, they shouldn't have gone far and should be easy to find."

Cai Guozhong said in a deep voice, "Mr. Jiang, if you can accomplish all three things, I will tell you the whereabouts of that swordsman."

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "The matter can be handled, but I need manpower to assist."

Cai Guozhong put down the wine pot, stood up and said, "I will not provide any help, Mr. Jiang. I heard you say that you are so powerful, so let me see how capable you really are. If you can't do these three things well, then I will think that you are deceiving me. Don't blame me for putting you in jail."

Zhou Qingfeng frowned slightly, as if Cai Guozhong was deliberately making things difficult for him, but why was he making things difficult for him?

The lack of information creates a mystery and leaves one puzzled.

Cai Guozhong waved his hand: "Let's go. I will announce to the whole city that from now on, you can freely enter and leave the castle. Next time you come to see me, don't go through the well again."

"Farewell, Your Excellency." Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in farewell and led Jin Wei out of the Baron's mansion as if no one else was there.

After leaving the Baron's mansion, Jin Wei said with a puzzled look, "Young Master, since he is the puppet leader supported by our Sword Tower, we only need to state our identities. Why go through all this trouble? If you give the word, how dare he not tell the truth?"

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "Jin Wei, things are not that simple. Using status and position to exert pressure can work sometimes, but not always. It also depends on who you're dealing with. For some low-level people without power, using status and position to exert pressure is often the most direct and effective. But you can't play that game with high-level people. It's too crude."

"Firstly, Cai Guozhong has been a long-term supporter of our Sword Tower, with a significant investment of resources and time. Even if he is a puppet of Sword Tower, we will not easily give him up in order to maintain control over the No Man's Land. Therefore, even if I reveal my identity, I cannot guarantee that Cai Guozhong will cooperate immediately out of fear."

"Secondly, Cai Guozhong has already established considerable power in the No Man's Land, possessing military power and territory, and even proclaiming himself 'Hellboy.' He has a strong voice and control in the area, and is not someone who can be easily replaced. Even when facing the higher-ups of the Sword Tower, he may have some bargaining power."

"Thirdly, although Cai Guozhong is ostensibly a puppet of the Sword Tower, he also has some independent room to maneuver and even his own secret plans. If I reveal my identity too early, it may alert Cai Guozhong, which would be detrimental to obtaining the information I want."

"Fourth, directly revealing my identity may trigger unnecessary conflict or hostility. Without knowing Cai Guozhong's specific attitude, keeping a low profile can help me better assess the situation and adjust my strategy when necessary, and also leave myself a way out when necessary."

Jin Wei was greatly shocked upon hearing this, as he had not expected it to be so profound. He was not good at strategic maneuvering; his greatest strengths lay in making money and currying favor with superiors.

At most, they might add some social skills and the ability to investigate and solve cases.

Jin Wei clasped his hands and bowed, showering him with compliments: "Young Master is wise and brave, far-sighted and meticulous. Jin Wei is completely convinced."

Zhou Qingfeng walked forward with his hands behind his back, glanced at him sideways, and said with a smile, "Jin Wei, which of these three things do you think we should start with?"