Myths Begin From Boys' Gong

Compared to before, Ning Baihe's visit this time was joyful, but his departure was hasty, and the relationship between the two sides is clearly declining.

Even though Ning Baihe valued and admired Meng Zhao, his stance determined his attitude, and the two were ultimately not on the same path.

After Ning Baihe left, Yan Congke asked, puzzled,

“Brother Zheng, why didn’t you accept such a good opportunity? The Hongmen is a top power in Hebei Province. Once this opportunity is gone, it will be gone forever.”

He knew exactly whose side he was on, and he didn't say those words while Ning Baihe was still in the room, otherwise Meng Zhao wouldn't have let him off the hook.

"Hmph, it's just that Cao Quan'an is old and not strong enough. He failed to capture Ren Tianxing this time, so he will have to be wary of Ren Tianxing's revenge in the future."

Moreover, he has a good-for-nothing son. Last time, Ren Tianxing only arrested him without harming him. Who knows if Ren Tianxing will let him go next time he is angered!

However, if they pull me into the Hongmen and promote me to the position Ren Tianxing once held in a short period of time, and then secretly spread the news that Cao Baoyu's rescue today was all on my shoulders, I would naturally become Ren Tianxing's target for revenge.

As for the so-called power and status I've gained, they aren't that essential to me.

If Meng Zhao had never enjoyed those powers and statuses, he might have been tempted, because any passionate young man would naturally yearn for such things. However, Meng Zhao had lived two lives, and his actions, thoughts, and ideas were very different from those of a novice just starting out.

Yan Congke shook his head speechlessly. He didn't know how Meng Zhao had developed such strong self-control. If it were him, even if he were used as a target, as long as he could get what he wanted, it wouldn't seem unacceptable.

Furthermore, he believed that Meng Zhao had no need to worry about any retaliation from that Ren Tianxing.

Since Cao Quan'an was able to force Ren Tianxing to flee in panic, Meng Zhao must be even more capable.

Upon hearing this, Duan Hong couldn't help but ask curiously,

"So what exactly does Brother Li intend to do? You are so young, yet you already possess such martial arts skills. If you were to obtain this so-called treasure, you would have immense wealth. Surely you wouldn't be content to live in seclusion in the mountains in the future?"

He was indeed very curious, feeling that there was a contradiction between Meng Zhao's actions and his own personality.

Meng Zhao is exceptionally talented. Despite his young age, he possesses extraordinary martial arts skills and wisdom. Such a person is unlikely to be content with mediocrity.

His involvement in the Hongmen's internal affairs this time seems to be for the sake of Kou Laoxi's treasure, or to put it more bluntly, for wealth.

With power comes wealth, so logically Meng Zhao should have accepted Cao Quan'an's offer of goodwill.

But now she's acting so indifferent; he's a little confused about Meng Zhao.

Confused, he naturally asked, wanting to know where Meng Zhao should strive in the future.
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao remained silent for a long time, a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind in an instant, before finally saying softly,
"All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning. I do not know whether this world is real or illusory."

But I think that throughout my life, whether in reality or in fantasy, I will strive towards the supreme path of martial arts.

Compared to martial arts, everything else is unimportant to me.

His words left the two people in the room completely bewildered.

The second sentence is actually understandable; it tells us what the first sentence meant.

Reality, falsehood—is this a bit of a madness?

After all, judging from Meng Zhao's words, the world they are in now is not real, but fake?
Otherwise, why would one have such feelings?
Duan Hong's face twitched, and he gave an awkward laugh.
"But martial arts have their limits. Tianyuan martial arts ultimately rely on secret medicines. Even a genius with a divine martial physique can hardly break through such limits. Throughout history, countless people have shared the same thoughts as you."

It's a pity that all of them failed. Does this mean you have no other ambitions besides martial arts?

Meng Zhao smiled.

"Of course there are, maybe two."

This piqued even Yan Congke's curiosity, and he asked,
"Tell us what your ambitions are, and maybe we can help you achieve them?"

Meng Zhao stretched out his palm and raised one finger.
"First, I must slay the dragon, slay the dragon in Xiaohan Mountain, and take its dragon pearl or dragon essence."

These words left the two men speechless, especially Yan Congke.

As a native of Kaiyan County, he naturally knew about Xiaohan Mountain and had long heard of the legends of the dragon in Xiaohan Mountain.

However, those were extraordinary beings that transcended martial arts, possessing formidable strength that was far beyond human capabilities.

Slaying a dragon? He thinks that's more like courting death.

Duan Hong became even more curious and asked,

"Why is it the dragon in Xiaohan Mountain, and not some other dragon? As far as I know, there are many famous mountains and rivers in the world where dragons are said to roam."

Meng Zhao explained,
"This is an obsession of mine. It arose naturally in my heart. It seems that if I don't do it, I will be wrong and I will definitely regret it. So, I have to do it. Once I do it, I won't regret it."

As for where his obsession came from, Meng Zhao didn't say, but he had a feeling about it in his heart.

"And what is your second ambition?"

"The second ambition is one that is achievable or not."

If I achieve my first goal—slaying the dragon in the mountain and resolving my doubts—then naturally I will not undertake the second.

Even after slaying the dragon in the mountain, I was still puzzled, which is why I proceeded to the second task.

As for what I'll do, it's a bit outrageous, so I won't say.

Yan Congke became even more curious and egged them on.

"Haha, Zheng-ge, what are you afraid of? There are only the three of us in the room. Since we are all family, there is nothing we can't say."

And haven't we done enough things that defy public opinion?

Yan Congke naturally included Duan Hong in his and Meng Zhao's camp.

However, after spending time with Duan Hong these past few days, he still admired him greatly.

This person is extremely skilled in martial arts, but has a calm and simple personality, and is not a difficult person to get along with.

If even someone like Duan Hong is difficult to get along with or befriend, then you should examine whether it's your own problem.

Duan Hong also advised,

"Brother Li, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell us what your ambitions are, and maybe we can lend you a hand!"

For example, if you say you want to slay a dragon, in the future, Brother Yan and I might even be your right-hand men, helping you out.”

Meng Zhao pondered for a moment, then said,

"If slaying the dragon cannot resolve my doubts, then I will become a dragon myself and see if that can resolve my doubts."

Jackie Chan?

How to become one, and what kind of dragon to become?

These words were still cryptic, but Yan Congke and Duan Hong's faces turned pale with fear.

The look in his eyes as he looked at Meng Zhao unconsciously carried a hint of confusion.

In this world, there is no such thing as a human transforming into a dragon.

The most common definition of Jackie Chan is simply "talented." However, for someone of Meng Zhao's age, with his martial arts skills and achievements, his definition of Jackie Chan is certainly more than just "talented."

"Brother Li, you...you mean to become the Son of Heaven?"

Meng Zhao nodded, seemingly at ease.

"Of course, but it should be a long process, and I may not be able to do it. Ability, personality, opportunity, and luck are all indispensable."

Yan Congke gasped. Good heavens, he never expected that this little brother he had taken in would have such ambition and wildness.

While I was shocked and my scalp tingled, a feeling of excitement welled up inside me.

This is too exciting.

Is there any greater cause than rebellion?
If so, then the rebellion must have succeeded.

Meng Zhao was not entirely without logic, of course.

In a prosperous dynasty, where the people live in peace and contentment, it would be extremely difficult for him to successfully rebel unless he used a deceptive tactic or switched the roles.

Only now, with chaos already apparent, people everywhere restless, and ambitious individuals emerging in droves, does he have his chance.

Similar opportunities are unfolding across China, and now they are happening in Tianyuan as well.

Duan Hong and Yan Congke both felt that Meng Zhao seemed very mysterious and abnormal.

Slaying dragons, seizing dragon essence, rebelling, and becoming the true emperor are all things that will cost you your head, and the chances of success are not high.

What doubts did Meng Zhao harbor?

The two were puzzled, and Meng Zhao was equally puzzled.

This confusion was initially quite subtle, so subtle that Meng Zhao gradually forgot his past and instead integrated into this world and this era.

This process is hidden and gradual.

Hidden within, Meng Zhao seemed certain from the beginning that he had died inside the Tower of Ascension. It was only because of the protection of the Heavenly Mirror that he was able to travel through time a second time, live a third life, and come to the world where the Tianyuan Kingdom is located.

He had his doubts, that he was in some kind of illusion, or that he was caught in some kind of trial.

However, the taut, thick flesh and blood, the vibrant life of nature, and the scheming and plotting of people were all too real, so real that even someone like Meng Zhao couldn't see the slightest flaw.

The gradual process lies in the fact that, in the process of creating the Three-Part Returning to Origin Qi, Meng Zhao has been constantly using the martial arts realm and wisdom he has cultivated on the land of China, constantly inspiring, sprouting, and constantly recalling and tracing back, and finally, it has produced ripples.

Meng Zhao had a question: Was the world she lived in real?

Do the people and things I come into contact with really exist?
Falling into such doubts, coupled with Meng Zhao's vague sense that something was amiss, his constant cultivation of his spiritual will, and the possible subtle influence of the Heavenly Mirror, gradually brought him to his senses.

Especially the dragon in the mountain, he had been quite strange before, so it was natural for him to want to slay the dragon. Although his own nature played a part, such a dangerous thing, along with the bursting obsession, was not something that could be easily explained.

Meng Zhao thus had an idea: to complete the dragon-slaying feat and then see what changes would occur.

That obsession comes from the test itself; only by completing the test can one break free from this trial and return to the land of China.

Or was it the Heavenly Mirror that influenced him?
He was told that he must slay a dragon in order to see through the illusions of this world.

Even after slaying the dragon, the answer will still not be found.

He would then turn to Jackie Chan.

The inheritance left by the peerless expert inside the Tower of Ascension, since it is an imperial secret technique, should also be related to the test.

Meng Zhao refused to believe that he, having achieved the status of a true dragon of humanity and established a dynasty, could not pass the test of imperial arts.

If that's the case, he'll accept it.

However, humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?

Meng Zhao did not spend a long time in Tianyuan, but he briefly integrated into it, and all his thoughts and emotions were genuine.

Therefore, despite her suspicions that everything was an illusion, Meng Zhao maintained her composure and did not reveal her true feelings.

In fact, Meng Zhao had another speculation.

On that day, as he stepped into the Tower of Ascension, perhaps a mysterious force carried a wisp of his primordial spirit through numerous spatial barriers, bringing him to this entirely new and real world.

The world is real, and so am I. However, what I perceive as three lifetimes is nothing more than the reincarnation of a wisp of my primordial spirit.

As for the true body and primordial spirit, they are still inside the Tower of Ascension, but are suppressed by a force and are in a deep sleep.

If Meng Zhao fails to pass the trials and tests, his final fate will be death.

Once the trials and tribulations are overcome, spring will arrive.

According to Hong Gu, many people were once entrusted with high hopes by her and brought into the Tower of Ascension to undergo trials and try to obtain the inheritance.

However, those people, despite their extraordinary talent, never succeeded.

Meng Zhao had a question: how exactly did those people fail?
Was it influenced by the invisible power within the Tower of Ascension, unknowingly and completely integrated into this Tianyuan land, or did it fail in the struggle for supremacy?

There are many guesses and many possibilities. No matter what, Meng Zhao wants to find out the truth.

This trip was specifically for Kou Laoxi's treasure, but it was also a way for him to accumulate capital for a future uprising.

In the land of China, Tu Xiu's treasure was his first pot of gold; similarly, in the Tianyuan Kingdom, Kou Laoxi's treasure will also become his first pot of gold.

Suppressing the various thoughts in his mind, Meng Zhao continued...
"You two rest. I'm going to Kou Laoxi's treasure site to open it. What do you two think? Would you like to come with me?"

Previously, Yan Congke and Duan Hong did not understand why Meng Zhao was so enthusiastic about a treasure.

Now that they know Meng Zhao might rebel, they feel a different way when they look at the treasure.

This was the initial capital for starting a business and raising an army.

With an army, one can expand one's power, generate internal capital, and thus create a virtuous cycle that promotes development.

The first pot of gold is still very important.

Yan Congke was certainly willing, and it was something he absolutely had to do.

As for Duan Hong, after a moment of silence, he also agreed to go along.

His identity is somewhat questionable, but he is far from the Duan family's sphere of influence, and his past grievances and entanglements are not currently involved here.

In addition, Meng Zhao's unique qualities made him quite willing to lend a helping hand.

They might even help Meng Zhao slay the dragon and rebel in the future.

Who knows what the future holds? (End of Chapter)