(This chapter might be a bit shorter, missing several hundred words. However, if we don't publish it now, the timing would be late, and since breaking it into segments here fits perfectly, we'll leave it as is! Tomorrow, Wen Yu will make up for the missing content!) "Time? Place names?" Xie Tie牛 was momentarily startled upon hearing this, as he didn't seem to recall much. Yet seeing Han Li's serious demeanor, he realized this was crucial to his chance of making an impact, and thus lowered his head, concentrating deeply. After half an hour... "Got it!" Xie Tie牛 suddenly raised his head and shouted, his face bright with excitement. "I remember the goddess once mentioned that before attending the celestial assembly, the male deity had to accompany her to a place called Ta Nan Valley—seemingly there were other deities residing there as well." "Ta Nan Valley?" Han Li softly repeated the name twice, but found no mental image or memory of it. It appeared he had never heard of this place. Han Li then turned his gaze toward Sun Er-gou. If this place name were local, then as the established figure in the area, Sun should at least be familiar with it "Jiayuan City—there's no such place! If there truly were a valley like that, I'd remember it clearly," Sun Er-gou frowned, shaking his head back and forth. "Are you certain?" Han Li turned his gaze back to Xi Tie-niu, his tone now sharp and cold. "Absolutely certain. That woman even said that, if they pushed another day's journey, they'd meet her friend in Tai-nan Valley." Xi Tie-niu quickly swore to heaven. "One full day's journey! If they were walking, that would still be within the vicinity of Jiayuan City. But these two are riding flying birds—so the range is broader. Still, it shouldn't extend beyond the borders of Lanshou Province." Han Li thought to himself. "Do either of you know if there's any place in the entire Lanshou Province called Tai-nan Valley or simply Tai-nan?" Han Li's expression softened slightly as he asked the two. Sun Er-gou and Xi Tie-niu exchanged glances and almost simultaneously exclaimed, "Tai-nan Monastery!" "Tai-nan Mountain!" "Are there two places named Tai-nan?" Han Li was taken aback, feeling a bit headache. "Sir! No, it's just one!" Sun Er-gou quickly replied. "The Tainan Temple is built right on Tainan Mountain," Xi Tie-niu also stepped in with a determined voice. "Ah! That's wonderful. Then the Tainan Valley must be right here." Han Li said with ease. "But sir, we've never heard of a Tainan Valley near Tainan Mountain. Could we have made a mistake?" Sun Er-gou hesitantly reminded him. Upon hearing this, Han Li chuckled, "Hehe! No mistake—this is exactly it!" "You, as ordinary cultivators, wouldn't know about this place. It's likely that this area is a permanent residence for certain cultivators," Han Li thought with excitement. "Where exactly is Tainan Mountain located?" After his excitement settled, Han Li realized he still didn't know where this place was, and casually asked. "Sir, Tainan Mountain is in the southernmost part of Lanshou Province, just forty li west of Guanggui City." "Sun Er-gou said respectfully. "Southern Lánzhou?" Han Li furrowed his brow. The poisonous Dabu Manor he intended to assassinate was precisely north of Lánzhou—so far apart, it was a complete mismatch. It would clearly take him several more trips. "Sun Er-gou, upon your return, appoint Xi Tie-niu as deputy head of the Siping Clan. I know you're not particularly enthusiastic, but since I promised him, I must fulfill that commitment," Han Li instructed Sun Er-gou. "Never mind, sir—whatever you say, I will do it without a single word of complaint!" Sun Er-gou was startled upon hearing this, recalling the words Han Li had first spoken to him, and his face grew even paler. "Rest assured—I know whether you're loyal or not. This vial contains the detoxifying pills, which will completely eliminate the poison in your body, removing all your worries. This was something I promised you earlier, and I will treat you no differently—never deceiving you." Han Li produced a vial of pills and handed it to Sun Er-gou. At this, Sun Er-gou was overjoyed. The poison from the "Heart-Weakening Pills" that had been lingering in his body had always made his meals taste bland and his sleep restless. Now that it was finally completely eliminated, how could he not be thrilled? "Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir! I will serve you with my whole heart and soul, until my very last breath!" After receiving the vial, Sun Er-gou spoke sincerely and earnestly. Han Li merely nodded, showing no particular expression. He had decided to fully remove the poison from Sun Er-gou's body so quickly because, each month, providing him with a fresh dose of the remedy was proving to be a real hassle. Since he would be away from Jiayan City for some time, it made sense to resolve the issue once and for all. Of course, should either of them ever betray him in the future, Han Li would not hesitate to eliminate them immediately and replace them with someone else. Meanwhile, as he did not currently need the support of the Si-Ping Clan, he had already planned to use the Si-Ping Clan as one of his strategic fallback options—his "three burrows of a rabbit" strategy. Han Li understood well that loyalty and betrayal are never accidental, and that using force to control others, though the most immediately effective, is also the most inferior approach—always vulnerable to counterattack. Therefore, to secure enduring loyalty, a balanced strategy combining both benevolence and authority was best. Thus, by healing the opponent, Han Li could significantly strengthen Sun Er-gou's loyalty over a long period. At the same time, he could establish a strong, credible image of a leader who is decisive, rewards merit, and holds accountable those who falter—thereby enhancing his long-term influence over both Sun Er-gou and Xi Tie-niu. This was Han Li's carefully considered strategy. After watching Sun Er-gou take the antidote, Han Li suddenly spoke to him a remark that both surprised and delighted him. "I'll entrust the Spirit of the Melody to you for the long term, but under no circumstances will you use it to create trouble. You must understand that although the Spirit of the Melody is powerful, there are so many extraordinary people in this world that, if you do anything with it, you might even bring upon your own death. Make sure you remember this!" Han Li said solemnly. "Yes, sir, the servant remembers perfectly. The Spirit of the Melody will be taken good care of, and you may rest assured," Sun Er-Go, like a little chicken pecking at rice grains, nodded his head continuously. "Had it not been that the Spirit of the Melody is no longer needed for close protection, and that he himself is so conspicuous and hard to overlook, making it inconvenient for me to travel with him, I would never have entrusted him to this person!" Han Li sighed, shaking his head slightly, a touch of reluctance evident. "You both take care of yourselves. Go now. I won't need to see you for a while. I'm going on a journey for some time, and I'm not sure when I'll return." Han Li gently waved his hand, sending the two away. Sun Er-gou and Xi Tie-niu respectfully stepped out of the room upon hearing this, leaving Han Li alone inside, deep in thought. "What kind of cultivators exactly reside in this southern valley? If I visit them personally, will there be any inconvenience or danger?"