"Those intelligence agencies are very sharp, try not to get their attention, better safe than sorry; keeping yourself secure is the most important."

This statement, while sounding somewhat ungrateful—people just saved your son, and now you're saying this—feels a bit awkward...

But this is precisely the demonstration of a mature leader.

"Father is right, I understand," Qi Yun nodded in agreement, "I wasn't planning on getting involved again. This rescue was solely for Xiao Kai, and the subsequent matters will be handled by Salaman; I won't appear again."

"It's good that you understand, especially when it involves the battle for interests, you must think thrice before acting."

Ji Hongwei showed a satisfied smile, raising his hand to pat Qi Yun's arm, "You're still young, and your future is boundless."

"Come on, let's have some food."

...

The climate in Dongbei is quite similar to J Province in the north; it's just as dry and cold. Though fall has just begun, there's already a hint of chill in the morning and evening breeze.

Outside the L Province's first prison, the warden was already waiting at the gate and rushed forward to warmly greet Qi Yun as soon as he got out of the car.

"Advisor Qi, hello, hello!"

Qi Yun politely shook hands with the other party: "Warden Wang, thank you; sorry for the trouble."

He contacted the other party in advance using Guo An's special advisor identity, so this form of address was quite fitting.

"What trouble could there be? It's our duty to cooperate with your work. Please come in, please come in!" Warden Wang spoke with a thick regional accent, enthusiastic and hearty, very much in line with the characteristics of Dongbei people.

Qi Yun led Xiao Wu following the other party into the office, where it was heated and the temperature was quite comfortable.

Warden Wang instructed his subordinates to prepare to fetch the person, then invited Qi Yun to sit down and have some tea.

After taking off his coat, Qi Yun sat on the sofa and asked about the First Man Beyond the Pass: "Warden Wang, could you briefly introduce Yao Yuzhong's situation to me?"

"Of course, no problem!" Warden Wang wiped his mouth and leaned back, "This guy is quite the celebrity here; speaking of his story, it's quite long..."

"Back in the tomb-raiding circles, Yao Yuzhong was a legendary figure. He was known as 'Golden Eye' in the industry, never using modern tools, relying solely on ancestral methods: compass for locating, wooden stakes to probe the soil, always accurate..."

A famous name is never without substance. It seems this guy is indeed remarkable; no wonder he managed to discover the Lacquered Elder Tree treasure, which others couldn't find even after cracking their heads.

Qi Yun listened to the other's narration, contemplating internally.

Twenty minutes later, a prison officer came in to report that everything was ready.

"Okay, take Advisor Qi over," Warden Wang stood up and smiled at Qi Yun, "Advisor Qi, just follow him; I have work to attend to, so I won't accompany you."

"Hehe, okay." Qi Yun glanced at the other party, thinking this Warden Wang is quite a character.

The prison officer led Qi Yun through two heavy iron gates, finally pushing open a room at the end of the corridor.

"Advisor Qi, I'll be waiting outside; call if you need anything," the officer said before consciously closing the door and leaving.

Qi Yun's gaze swept around the room; the furnishings were simple, just an iron table, two chairs, and the man shackled in chains.

No recording equipment was found; it's unclear whether it was originally absent or deliberately arranged by the other party.

Qi Yun pulled out a chair and sat down, focusing his gaze on Yao Yuzhong.

The man appeared quite elderly, his frame so thin that he seemed just bones, hair gray, wrinkles etched into his face like carvings.

With this appearance, it's difficult to associate him with the title of "First Man Beyond the Pass."

In contrast, Yao Yuzhong showed no reaction to suddenly being taken out of his cell, staring upwards throughout, as if he'd experienced such situations many times.

"Let me introduce myself; I'm Qi Yun." Qi Yun was the first to break the silence.

Yao Yuzhong seemed not to hear, still looking up, the lean neck revealing blue veins.

Qi Yun wasn't annoyed, chuckling softly as he took out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one, then pushed both the cigarette and lighter towards him, "Fancy one?"

Yao Yuzhong blinked, finally shifting his gaze toward Qi Yun, staring for a few seconds before hoarsely speaking, "You're not one of the officials."

"Oh? How can you tell?" Qi Yun asked curiously.

Yao Yuzhong dragged the chains to pick up a cigarette, lighting it before slowly saying, "They wouldn't disregard protocol like this."

Qi Yun paused, realizing the other was referring to smoking in the interrogation room.

"Hehe." Qi Yun laughed lightly, not refuting, crossed his legs saying, "I'm here today to ask you about something."

"Hoo~" Yao Yuzhong took another deep drag, "In exchange for the cigarette, speak, but I won't guarantee a response."

"Alright," Qi Yun nodded, finding this person quite interesting.

"You should've heard of the Lacquered Elder Tree treasure?"

Lacquered Elder Tree!

At hearing these words, a hint of fluctuation flashed through Yao Yuzhong's eyes as if he was lost in some memories.

The cigarette burned halfway down between his fingers, ash falling onto the cold tabletop.

Yao Yuzhong didn't speak, only his fingers holding the cigarette trembled slightly, his murky eyes swirling with complex emotions: nostalgia, reluctance, and a touch of deep vigilance.

It was only when the cigarette nearly burned his fingers that he snapped back to reality.

Tossing the butt to the ground, he stamped it out, then sighed saying, "Sorry, I don't know why you're asking me about this; I don't know anything about the Lacquered Elder Tree treasure, can't answer you."

Qi Yun had been watching the other's reactions; from those subtle expressions, he could tell the person knew something, and the system intelligence had never been wrong.

But Yao Yuzhong's attitude clearly showed he didn't want to talk.

Before Qi Yun could speak again, Yao Yuzhong stood up, shouting towards the door, "Guard! I'm not feeling well!"

The prison officer outside entered upon hearing, frowning at him.

Yao Yuzhong repeated, "I'm not feeling well, request to return to my cell to rest."

"You..."

The officer was about to scold him when Qi Yun raised his hand, "Let him go back."

Seeing Qi Yun had no objection, the officer swallowed his words, "Alright then, Advisor Qi, please wait a moment; I'll have a colleague take you out."

With that, he stepped forward to unlock Yao Yuzhong's chains, escorting him out.

As Yao Yuzhong passed Qi Yun, he paused, swept his murky gaze over him, saying nothing, leaving only a faint scent of tobacco and the feeling of old age.

After the two left, Qi Yun sighed, setting his eyes on the cigarette butt Yao Yuzhong left behind.

From the brief conversation, he'd gleaned much information.

Initially, Yao Yuzhong's demeanor indicated he'd experienced similar scenarios numerous times, leading to a certain numbness.

Though sentenced and imprisoned, why do people repeatedly seek him out? The answer was clear.

What he held in his mind surpassed countless amounts of gold and jewels.

Additionally, the man possessed sharp observational skills. From the simple act of smoking, he'd deduced Qi Yun wasn't an official; his mind remained agile, far from the aged sluggishness he displayed.

The most crucial was his reaction to "Lacquered Elder Tree," the complex expression indicating deep-rooted memories tied to that place.

"Hoo~ seems another approach is needed..."

As for whether Yao Yuzhong would disclose today's purpose, Qi Yun wasn't overly concerned; his reluctance to talk implied divulging it would bring more trouble.

Just then, another prison officer arrived, guiding Qi Yun back to Warden Wang's office.

"How was it? Did it go smoothly?" Warden Wang asked, coming over.

Qi Yun shook his head, refraining from details, exchanging simple pleasantries, and indicating he might visit again, then took his leave.