"What did Master Zhao say in the letter?" Yang Zhan couldn’t help but ask after Kong Xiangdong put down the letter.
"Here, see for yourself!" Kong Xiangdong handed the letter over directly.
"Is this appropriate?" Yang Zhan hesitated a bit.
After all, this was a letter exchanged between Kong Xiangdong and Zhao Ya at a great cost, and it might contain very important information.
Even though he was an important ally of Kong Xiangdong, when it came to overly sensitive information, Yang Zhan was always careful to avoid suspicion.
"Just read it if I tell you to. Why so much nonsense?" Kong Xiangdong said lightly.
With a chuckle, Yang Zhan picked up the letter and started to read.
After reading for some time, Yang Zhan couldn’t help but let out a slight sigh.
"As expected of Master Zhao, he actually anticipated the current situation long ago."
Yang Zhan looked up at Kong Xiangdong, "So what do you mean?"
Zhao Ya clearly stated in the letter that if there were indeed cases of subordinates rebelling, then there should be no insistence, and a prompt retreat from the Northern Realm’s Snowfield should be made.
Unexpectedly, Kong Xiangdong shook his head.
"I don’t plan to leave for the time being."
This answer actually did not surprise Yang Zhan.
After all, to verify his suspicions, Kong Xiangdong had "endured humiliation" to the extent that he even spared the traitors, so would he easily leave?
"How much longer do you plan to wait then?" Yang Zhan asked.
Kong Xiangdong glanced at Yang Zhan and suddenly smiled, "If you have matters to attend to, feel free to leave. No need to stay here and suffer."
"You’re overthinking it." Yang Zhan also smiled, "What matters could I have? I just want to know when this farce will finally end!"
"Soon, no matter how abnormal the climate is, it has its limits. It’s already late autumn, and in a few days, winter will come. By then, the outcome should be clear." Kong Xiangdong replied.
"Alright, then I’ll stay with you until then and see exactly what the Wuyang Sea, acting so abnormal, intends to do." Yang Zhan said.
Seeing Yang Zhan’s serious expression, Kong Xiangdong was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Thank you."
"No need to be polite. But you can’t waive my tab for drinks during this time," Yang Zhan said half-jokingly.
Although they retreated to the Great Snow Mountain, Yang Zhan’s tavern remained open, just operating out of tents instead.
In fact, because so many Sea Gatherers were idle, his business was even better than when they were by the sea.
The daily consumption of alcohol alone was a significant expense.
Kong Xiangdong laughed heartily, "Of course, none of my people will freeload. I’ll add an extra 30% to my tab for you."
"You’ve said it now." Yang Zhan laughed.
"Nonsense, do you think I would cheat you out of a few drinks?"
"Alright, since you’re so straightforward, I happen to have a thirty-year-old aged liquor stored away. How about I bring it out and we drink it together?" Yang Zhan said with a smile.
Kong Xiangdong’s eyes lit up, "What are we waiting for then? Go get it! I knew you had good stuff; you’re just always complaining about being broke and won’t bring it out."
"Can’t help it. If I didn’t play broke, you would’ve drunk it all long ago. How would it have lasted till now?"
"Less talking, go get it!"
Soon, the liquor was brought over. As soon as the cork was opened, a rich aroma wafted through the air, making Kong Xiangdong sneeze several times.
Just from the scent, one could tell this liquor was extraordinary.
The two of them dropped the formalities and started drinking heartily.
Meanwhile, back at a snow hill a dozen miles away from the camp, Liu Shiyi, with half of his face swollen high, was directing people to build snow huts, speaking with slurred words.
These were the simplest and most accessible shelters in the Snowfield.
The raw materials were everywhere. With enough manpower, large sections of huts could quickly be built.
Once finished, this group of people finally had a place to settle.
They had dry rations and drinks packed with them, so there was no worry about food.
Yet, the group’s spirits were somewhat downcast.
After all, they were essentially forced out.
The mix of humiliation with regret, fear, and complex emotions left them all in a state of confusion.
Liu Shiyi was no exception, but he knew he had to muster his strength at this moment, or it would be even harder to recover everyone’s spirits.
He cleared his throat and then said sternly, "Alright, now that we have a safe place to stay, let’s rest for a day. Tomorrow, we head to the sea. Once we find enough sea products, I refuse to believe Kong Xiangdong’s men won’t be envious."
At this, a hint of malice flashed in Liu Shiyi’s eyes.
"Violence as a deterrent is always temporary. Only profit is eternal."
"Once we amass great wealth, that’ll be the day Kong Xiangdong’s men fall apart."
This speech seemed both like a rallying cry and a way to comfort himself.
But in any case, it gradually stabilized everyone’s emotions.
After all, their initial goal was to gain more wealth, and now that they were on the verge of achieving it, upon reflection, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.
This minor stir in the Wuyang Sea seemed to come to an end without mentioning how Liu Shiyi led people to the sea to gather sea products. Let’s focus instead on the Azure Dragon Temple thousands of miles away.
Today, Zhao Ya received two unexpected surprises.
The first was that through his tireless efforts, his mind’s unlocking progress had finally increased by one percent, reaching ninety-nine percent.