"You really think this happened?"

"What do you think?"

"..."

Wen Yan was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say for a moment.

He suddenly felt the immense pressure of the Guanzhong commandery branch, especially if they encountered uneducated leadership, who might directly assign two individuals with mortal hatred in their past to the same unit to work.

Wouldn’t that just intensify the conflict?

Like the situation at Mount Li, keeping that Bronze Chariot in Guanzhong commandery, if some guy got heated and decided to drive the Emperor Qin’s Bronze Carriage near Mount Li for a spin, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Wen Yan somewhat understood why those ancient relics found it hard to adapt to modern times. He was barely able to keep up with the changes of the era and couldn’t immediately think of how to handle the hidden conflicts of this new age.

Following his current train of thought, he searched casually and discovered that there were no artifacts related to Xiang Yu in Guanzhong commandery; they were all in Xiao Xiang commandery, which doesn’t border Guanzhong.

Searched a bit more about famous things in various commanderies and the issues became quite apparent.

Some hadn’t shown any anomalous signs yet, but the Scorching Sun Department was already preparing, separating them beforehand, out of sight, out of mind.

Wen Yan looked at Nanwu commandery again, he found it had nothing worth seeing; it was a mess, everything was there, but nothing was top-notch, both suitable and unsuitable things were thrown in there, fully utilizing its deep background, not fearing inexplicable big trouble.

No wonder he had been to the warehouse in Nanwu commandery and didn’t feel there was a problem.

"How did your interrogation go?"

"Proceeding step by step, those guys started biting each other, progress has been quite rapid.

Unexpectedly, most of those guys are facing the death penalty.

The cases that were implicated numbered in the hundreds.

Busy months ahead until the end of the year."

"Alright, arrange a car and send some wine to Taibao commandery, I’m going to have a chat with the Water Monarch."

"Okay."

Wen Yan wasn’t in a hurry to use his selected opportunity, first he needed to chat with the expert.

From ancient times, the earliest relic he was able to find was the Water Monarch.

A large truck, carrying a load of fake wine, headed towards Taibao commandery, it wasn’t until the third day that Wen Yan ventured down the Nether Path.

Re-entering the Nether Path, the widening of the entrance was becoming more apparent, the faint sound of water was increasingly distinct, the crossroads were transforming from three forks to a crossroads.

Hearing this water sound, Wen Yan inexplicably recalled Huo Yong’s warning.

"Do not cast Huo Yong into the Styx River."

To be honest, if it weren’t for this warning, Wen Yan would have really tried to cast Huo Yong into the Styx River to see if it could extinguish the flames on him.

And now, he inexplicably felt an impulse to try.

He stood at the crossroads, looking at the road stretching ahead, after a long time, he turned and left.

Arriving at Taibao commandery, Wen Yan and his companions threw jars of fake wine into the water, and he also plunged in, sinking along the water, soon reaching a deep, silent water zone where it seemed the water didn’t even move.

At the dark shadowed edge, the Water Monarch’s massive body was resting there, all that could be seen was a blurry silhouette, seemingly asleep.

This was the first time Wen Yan had seen the Water Monarch so tranquil, in previous encounters, even when speaking normally, there was an undeniable wild aura emanating all around.

Wen Yan sat at the bottom of the water, motionless, quietly waiting.

After a long wait, the Water Monarch stirred, in the darkness two golden lights seemed to emerge, the Water Monarch opened his eyes.

The Water Monarch gazed at Wen Yan sitting at the water’s bottom, after a long silence, he spoke.

"I just dreamt about Yu, and he seemed very peaceful, not like himself at all—I’m guessing it’s your arrival."

"Just finished something, got a few days to rest, happened to have a batch of wine, so I brought it to you quickly, have a taste." Wen Yan didn’t ask much, he pushed a sealed jar, letting it drift towards the Water Monarch.

The current rolled a big wine jar into the Water Monarch’s mouth, and he chewed it along with the jar, after gulping seven or eight jars, he hesitated to drink more.

He stacked the remaining ones aside, later he could savor them slowly.

He previously didn’t realize just how precious the wine Wen Yan spoke of was, until later the Scorching Sun Department sent other wine, and others tossed wine into the river.

Those clear small bottles, appearing as good-looking wine, once tasted, turned out to be very ordinary.

No wine was as good as what Wen Yan sent.

The one sent by Wen Yan packed enough punch to actually feel like drinking.

Even the wine jars, Wen Yan’s had a chewiness, the crispness was perfect.

Wen Yan watched the Water Monarch drink happily, he too grinned, as long as he liked it. To be honest, finding genuine wine wasn’t difficult.

Finding fake wine that was just as convincingly fake like what he had, now that was harder than actual wine.

He said nothing, just watched the Water Monarch drink, waiting until the Water Monarch had sipped seven or eight jars, then the Water Monarch spoke voluntarily.

"You came all the way, surely not just to bring me some fine wine?"

"Nothing escapes your notice, Water Monarch, there’s something I’d like to seek your advice about."

"Speak." The Water Monarch was in a good mood and agreed casually.

"A few days ago, I encountered an unsealed Huo Yong, hoping to gain some insight from you."

"Huo Yong? You encountered Huo Yong and survived?" The Water Monarch examined Wen Yan, quite amazed.

"Now with the Spiritual Qi Resurgence, Huo Yong was just unsealed."

"No wonder, quite lucky indeed." The Water Monarch rested there, recalled a bit, and spoke with some emotion.