Corpse Retriever.

Chapter 350 Please vote for me!
Zhao Yi wasn't surprised at all that the person surnamed Li had arrived here before him.

Because Zhao Yi has never met anyone who understands the river better than the man surnamed Li.

The elites who travel along the river are already quite rare, able to swim on the waves, but the man surnamed Li has long been playing with digging canals to divert water.

Zhao Yi himself has also benefited greatly from this.

Moreover, what he received was only a stripped-down version; he still hasn't seen the real core internal reports.

Zhao Yi was also aware that he would tease and provoke Lin Shuyou in various ways, but he would only pry into her private life.

Even though he knew that if he put in a little more effort, he could get the real secrets out, Ah You was simple and honest by nature. Even the boy inside him was just a boy in front of someone like Zhao Yi who could see into people's hearts.

But he didn't do that. He didn't want to put Ah You in a difficult position. No matter how much benefit he sought, it couldn't compare to having someone who would risk their life to carry him out in a moment of crisis.

In short, in every wave, it was practically standard practice for the Li family to seize the initiative.

Admittedly, the man surnamed Li is not known for his generosity.

But this generosity is reflected in the allocation of resources among Li's opponents; he has never been stingy with his own people.

But to outsiders, he was truly poor, shockingly poor.

Others' looting might at most plunder the land three feet deep, or even if locusts swarmed through, they would only destroy your crops. But wherever the man surnamed Li went, he basically wiped out entire families.

therefore,

It is known that the person surnamed Li has been here for a long time, but this incredible opportunity is still still there.

That can only mean one thing.

This is not a great opportunity at all; it's poison coated in sugar!
Do not,
Not only that,

Given Li's personality and methods, he would actually dissect ordinary arsenic meticulously, tearing off the sweet outer coating and taking it away, leaving only the deadly poison.

The fact that the man surnamed Li didn't do that shows that he wouldn't dare touch this thing.

Zhao Yi turned around and looked at the three-story wooden house in the distance.

Among the people in my alliance this time, there are sects like the Four Mysteries Sect, which have profound skills and high status in the martial arts world; there are families whose strength is recognized as remarkable even though they have never produced a Dragon King; there are also quasi-Dragon King families like the Zhao family of Jiujiang, which have only produced one Dragon King; and there are those three... who come from legitimate Dragon King families.

Each family has an impressive background.

Considering the background of the man surnamed Li and the woman from the Chen family who is currently by his side...

There are those who prescribe the right medicine for the right illness, and there are those who poison the wrong person.

"Therefore, this poison does not only poison individuals, but may poison a large number of people behind them."

The person capable of setting up such a trap is no ordinary person. Those beasts in the Yu family have the power but lack the brains. The only one with brains, and who orchestrated the upheaval of the Yu family, is that...

Zhao Yi reached out and rubbed his temples vigorously.

"Memories?"

Zhao Yi already possessed more important information about the Yu family than the other eleven people.

But there are some things you'll never understand if you don't think about them that way.

Furthermore, when the gazes of those around you are intense, it becomes difficult to maintain your composure.

Most importantly, Zhao Yi had gone through several waves with Li Zhuiyuan, but he only saw things from his own perspective.

For example, he didn't know exactly how the man surnamed Li managed to suppress and kill that strange and evil spirit in the cave.

In his eyes, the evil spirit transformed into darkness and poured into the body of the man surnamed Li, and then... the evil spirit died.

Zhao Yi could only guess that something terrifying must still exist deep within the mind of the person surnamed Li.

Even so, when Li Zhuiyuan opened and closed the window, it was as if he had helped Zhao Yi determine the direction of his thinking.

Once you have the answer, it becomes simpler to deduce the conditions.

Zhao Yi quickly calmed himself down and breathed a sigh of relief.

I took a step, ready to walk back, but stopped as soon as my foot left the ground.

I turned my head and looked again at the window that was already tightly closed.

A smile appeared on Zhao Yi's lips.

Li, are you using drugs to kill someone?

"Okay, I'll help you see which one is suitable. I'll give you a push."

……

Aren't you going to go out and talk to him?

Chen Xiyuan stood in Li Zhuiyuan's room and witnessed the boy opening and closing the window.

After that group of people entered the village, she became more vigilant.

After all, the biggest loss she suffered since leaving the river was thanks to them.

If the boy hadn't come to her rescue, she would have died twice.

Therefore, upon realizing that someone had struck the wooden house's formation, she immediately flashed from upstairs into the boy's room, arriving even faster than Lin Shuyou.

The boy told her that the creature that had just rammed the door was a leopard.

A large leopard that makes cat-like sounds.

She raised her concerns, asking if this might be a test by the group.

If it were a one-on-one fight, Chen Xiyuan would not be afraid at all. Even if there were two of them, she would be confident of fighting them. But the other side simply had a large number of people.

She was already planning how to protect the boy and get him away safely if the situation got out of control.

Then, the boy taught her an idiom, "to startle the snake by beating the grass."

Chen Xiyuan then realized that she had been worrying in the wrong direction.

Having rarely been in danger, she truly lacked the ability to quickly assess the situation in such a perilous moment. She had been taught by her elders and read about it in the notes of her ancestors, but what she learned from books was ultimately superficial.

When Li Zhuiyuan opened the window, she saw Zhao Yi standing on the road outside.

Li Zhuiyuan explained to Chen Xiyuan that most of the things Zhao Yi was rumored to have done were actually to cover for him.

However, these explanations did little to improve Zhao Yi's image in Chen Xiyuan's mind.

On the contrary, Chen Xiyuan felt that it was despicable to use other people's deeds to make herself famous.

Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain. Chen Xiyuan didn't want to move this mountain onto the boy, so she could only let Zhao Yi continue to carry it.

Originally, Chen Xiyuan thought the boy would call Zhao Yi over to talk or send him a letter, but the boy did not do so.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Because he brought his brain."

Chen Xiyuan: "Little brother, do you think that I'm not very bright?"

After Li Zhuiyuan expressed his dislike for formal titles like "Brother Zhuiyuan" or "Elder Brother Zhuiyuan," Chen Xiyuan changed the way she addressed him back to her previous preferred form of address.

I used to call him "little brother" because I thought he was cute and handsome, but now I feel a strange kind of joy when I call myself "older sister" in front of him.

No one can resist this kind of pleasure, which is why Zhao Yi always goes to great lengths to take advantage of the young man.

Li Zhuiyuan glanced at Chen Xiyuan and replied, "A brain is a burden for you."

Chen Xiyuan: "Is this irony?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "This is a compliment."

If you can crush your opponents with your strength all the way, why would you want to go through all the trouble of scheming?
Chen Xiyuan: "I feel lucky to have met you and to be able to stay by your side for a period of time."

Li Zhuiyuan walked behind the desk and sat down.

Chen Xiyuan: "There are some things that I haven't experienced before, so I naively thought that everything would continue to develop at the same pace as before, although I know in my heart that this is unlikely."

Li Zhuiyuan placed the purple compass in front of him. The compass needle rotated steadily, supporting the smooth operation of the wooden house formation.

Chen Xiyuan: "I think I'm going to die."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You have already died."

In the early stages, you can easily overcome the challenges and competitors. However, as the competition intensifies, the challenges become increasingly difficult, and the competitors become stronger. When absolute strength can no longer create an overwhelming advantage, such people often die a quick and inexplicable death.

Even the person who killed her would be baffled and astonished that at this stage, there would still be such a person.
After killing her, he still had to search carefully, reflect cautiously, and be on guard at all times, suspecting that this was a grand conspiracy against him.

Li Zhuiyuan believed that the three Chen family dragon kings in history must have had the strength to crush their contemporaries, but Li Zhuiyuan did not think that the personalities of the three Chen family dragon kings would be like Chen Xiyuan's.

Chen Xiyuan: "It feels like you're teaching me how to do things."

Li Zhuiyuan: "No."

Chen Xiyuan: "I feel like I do."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Do you know why you feel this way?"

Chen Xiyuan: "Why?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Because you are a living person, with eyes that are not blind and ears that are not deaf, you can stand here and see and hear for yourself."

Chen Xiyuan frowned, quite dissatisfied, and said, "Why is it always like this? Every time you explain it, spiritual energy turns into earth energy."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Imagination that is out of touch with reality is not just highbrow and unpopular, but self-deception."

Chen Xiyuan breathed a sigh of relief, walked to the desk, and looked at Li Zhuiyuan.

As Li Zhuiyuan continued adjusting the compass, he said:
"Go and continue healing; that's your strength."

Chen Xiyuan: "Thank you."

Li Zhuiyuan looked up at her, then continued to focus on the task at hand.

Chen Xiyuan:
"Actually, at that banquet, you could have simply not stopped me and let Yu Dibei acknowledge me as the Dragon King and follow me across the river."

In that case, I will follow you in this wave, and Yu Dibei will also follow you. It is conceivable that after we enter the Yu family, you will gain great convenience and it will be easier for you to seize benefits.

Once the hidden dangers within Yu Dibei erupt, you can push me aside, leaving me and the Chen family behind me to bear the terrible karmic consequences, while you can easily distance yourself from the situation.

But you didn't do that.

A hint of pain appeared on Li Zhuiyuan's face.

The boy stopped fiddling with the compass, strained with his ten fingers until his knuckles turned white.

Even though his condition has improved compared to the past, the boy is still a long way from being fully recovered.

Irrational choices are bound to cause distress.

In fact, the reason the boy closed his eyes at the banquet was that he was trying his best to hide his instinctive rejection reaction.

But now, Chen Xiyuan has revealed it to his face.

She meant no harm; she was genuinely expressing her gratitude, even appreciation.

Because she knew she would inevitably fall into the trap. In fact, she had already said that if Li Zhuiyuan didn't want Yu Dibei, she would.

The boy doesn't even need to dig a pit for her; he only needs to stand by and watch without intervening, and she will naturally jump in on her own.

What she didn't know was that her expression of gratitude was tantamount to tearing the skin off the boy.

Chen Xiyuan: "Are you... not feeling well?"

Li Zhuiyuan took a deep breath and raised his head.

Chen Xiyuan noticed that the boy's eyes were filled with a kind of coldness.

"Because you said it yourself, in this wave, you are mine."

"Yes, I did."

"So you don't need to thank me, I'm just protecting my own private property."

"what?"

"I believe that with my abilities, even if you don't jump into this pit or help me, I can still get what I want. It may not be as much, and things may not go as smoothly, but I value long-term benefits more."

This is a deal.

"trade?"

"You're easy to deal with, you shouldn't die. After this wave ends, in the other waves, you can help me eliminate the other opponents."

If we meet again in the future, on some wave, and we are competitors who must decide the winner, I will have the advantage because I understand you better.

I can leave a psychological scar on you in this wave, so that when you confront me head-on, you will lack courage, waver, and expose more flaws.

It even makes you consider giving up, thinking that if all else fails, you can just light the lamp again and admit defeat.

call……

The boy gently placed his hands on the desk, and the pain on his face subsided.

These words, rather than being spoken to Chen Xiyuan, were more of Li Zhuiyuan's own way of comforting himself.

Because in this wave, the ideal situation is to sacrifice Chen Xiyuan, and even sacrifice the entire Chen family.

Chen Xiyuan smiled.

When you have a bias towards someone, double standards are inevitable. Zhao Yi did nothing wrong; he just said a few words of greeting, yet his impression of her kept declining.

Li Zhuiyuan's cold explanation of self-interest seemed to Chen Xiyuan like a stubborn young man unwilling to face human emotions, which made him appear more genuine.

A person's fortune is determined long ago. If Chen Xiyuan hadn't been interested in that "ordinary boy" at Wangjianglou Square that day, and hadn't taken the initiative to chat with him, leaving a deep impression on Li Zhuiyuan.

So, when they met at that soup restaurant, they were just strangers who were also diners.

Chen Xiyuan: "When I walked across the river with a lantern, my grandma told me that it was dangerous on the river and that if I got tired, I should go ashore and go home early."

My grandfather told me that since there aren't many Dragon Kings in the Chen family anyway, there's no need for another one like me.

If I succeed in crossing the river, the original altar was just right for three Dragon King tablets, but it would be too small for four, so a new, larger altar would have to be made.

The large altar is placed in the current ancestral hall, making the ancestral hall seem very small, so the ancestral hall needs to be rebuilt.

The ancestral hall is the core area of ​​the ancestral home's array formation and restrictions. If one part is moved, the whole thing will be affected, let alone rebuilding it. Therefore, the ancestral home still needs to be rebuilt and expanded.

Next to the ancestral home are the graves of my Chen family ancestors, as well as inscriptions written by martial arts figures who were invited to visit throughout the ages.

By the way, did you know that there's a big stele that my grandfather really liked, and I like it a lot too? It was inscribed by Su Shi himself.

When he was in Hainan, he would exchange his poems for oysters.

An ancestor of my Chen family lured him over with delicious food and treated him to fine wine and delicacies, and then asked him to write poems and lyrics.

As a result, these literati, having eaten too well and been too full, were unable to write anything.

The ancestors could only leave him in a wooden house on the mountain, starve him, and make him exchange his works for food and drink, which was truly prolific.

The huge stone tablet was filled with his writing, all of which were works that could not be found in Chinese textbooks.

Later, whenever the head of my Chen family invited senior figures and talented individuals from the martial arts world to our ancestral home to appreciate the "Listening to the Tide and Watching the Sea" calligraphy, he would first take the guests to admire Su Shi's stone tablet.

Unfortunately, the wine of my Chen family is somewhat special. Su Shi was just an ordinary person after all. He drank too much during that period, which caused his memory to become blurred, and he thought it was all a dream.

After leaving my Chen family, I forgot about this story.

My grandfather said that this could be considered a kind of parting ways.

"Look, if I really became the Dragon King, it would bring so much trouble to my Chen family."

The implication in Chen Xiyuan's words was quite obvious.

She was telling the boy that she wasn't so obsessed with competing for the Dragon King's throne, and that she wasn't so resistant to conceding defeat by lighting the lamp a second time.

This echoes what Li Zhuiyuan said earlier.

However, her grandparents' advice was probably not intended to relieve her stress, but rather to understand what kind of personality their granddaughter had.

The struggle for the Dragon King in each generation becomes increasingly fierce as it progresses. It is the final battle and contest of all factors, including strength, temperament, and luck, and it is also a stage in which outstanding individuals wither away in a frenzy.

My granddaughter... no matter how talented she is, she doesn't seem like the type to go all the way.

Rather than letting her go until the later stages and not even have a chance to admit defeat, it's better to quit earlier so she can at least come back alive.

No elderly person wouldn't truly cherish such a granddaughter.

Li Zhuiyuan looked at her.

The young woman in front of him always made the boy feel overwhelmed.

In the living room, Tan Wenbin, who was smoking, twitched his ears slightly, and then accidentally swallowed the mouthful of smoke.

"Cough cough..."

Lin Shuyou, who was standing next to him, immediately stood up and gently patted Bin Ge on the back.

"Brother Bin, what's wrong?"

Having recovered, Tan Wenbin sighed:
"The outer team is in danger."

……

"Pfft."

Chen Xiyuan opened a can of Jianlibao and started drinking it.

She still didn't like drinks that were too sweet, but opening and drinking them in front of the boy felt like stealing a little brother's snack.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Where did you come from?"

Chen Xiyuan: "Given to me by a fellow reader."

……

living room.

Tan Wenbin looked at Lin Shuyou: "Did you give away the Jianlibao you brought for Brother Xiaoyuan from your bag?"

There are no convenience stores in the village, so every can of this drink we drink is one less available.

Lin Shuyou scratched his head: "I lost a bet with her."

Tan Wenbin: "What kind of bet?"

Lin Shuyou: "Arm wrestling."

Tan Wenbin: "Ha, once their domain is opened, what are you even comparing yourself to?"

Lin Shuyou: "Yeah, so I lost."

……

"Pfft."

Chen Xiyuan opened another can of Jianlibao and placed it in front of Li Zhuiyuan, saying:
"Here, have a drink."

……

Tan Wenbin looked at Lin Shuyou in disbelief and asked:

"Are you stupid? You argued with her twice and lost two bottles?"

Lin Shuyou: "The first time she opened her domain, I lost. She said that the second time, she wouldn't open her domain, it would just be a pure arm wrestling match, a test of physical strength."

Tan Wenbin: "And then..."

Lin Shuyou: "I lost again."

Tan Wenbin's expression immediately turned serious, and he subconsciously called out:
"grass!"

It should be noted that he had already estimated Chen Xiyuan's strength to be at an extremely high level.

In their previous interactions, every time she "made a foolish mistake," Tan Wenbin's evaluation of her abilities would rise by one point.

Because Chen Xiyuan's naivety and kindness are directly proportional to her strength.

Even so, in Tan Wenbin's mind, Chen Xiyuan's greatest strength was her domain.

When her domain expands, it becomes almost unsolvable, leaving everyone on the defensive.

Now, he learned an even more astonishing piece of news: even without the domain, relying solely on physical attributes, that is, kung fu, she could still overpower Lin Shuyou.
The main reason was that Tan Wenbin was busy acting opposite Xu Ming and Chen Jing at the museum that day, and even when Xiao Yuan made the grid transparent, he didn't have time to look at it much.

Therefore, he did not witness firsthand the scene of Chen Xiyuan being surrounded and attacked by a group of people that day.

You should know that any one of the people in Zhao Yi's alliance is no ordinary person.

This wave involves the Dragon King's faction and is of extremely high status. In the past, when it was a wave involving multiple teams, any one of them could have their team in a dominant position in the competition with other teams.

Just like Yu Miaomiao and the ape beside her back then, even when their plans completely failed, they were still able to grab a piece of broken jade in their hands before the final deadline by fighting hard.

Tan Wenbin took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled:

"It's a good thing this girl has this kind of personality; if only she were more normal in that area..."

Tan Wenbin threw the cigarette in his hand on the ground and stomped it out with the sole of his shoe.

"No, the reason she has this kind of personality is because she is too strong."

……

Li Zhuiyuan picked up a bottle of Jianlibao and took a sip.

Chen Xiyuan asked with a smile, "By the way, little brother, which company are you planning to target?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "My old lady has conflicts with some top forces in the martial arts world. Why are you so excited?"

Chen Xiyuan: "My grandfather would definitely be willing to lend a hand regarding your old lady's matter."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Won't your grandma have any objections?"

Chen Xiyuan:
"The more generous my grandmother was, the more guilty my grandfather felt towards her, and the more he listened to her."

Because my grandfather had no intention of getting married, he didn't even want the position of head of the family, he planned to remain single and wander the world.

Li Zhuiyuan: "The ends of the earth seem to be right at your doorstep."

Chen Xiyuan: "Yes, that's the gist of it. My grandma took a liking to my grandpa first. Back then, my grandma was the close friend of the eldest daughter of the Liu family and even helped my grandpa with some advice."

Li Zhuiyuan: "How did you find out about these things?"

Even if the current head of the household and his wife wanted to talk about their past private affairs, they wouldn't do so in public; it could only be discussed quietly among their elders of the same generation.

Chen Xiyuan: "When I was a child, I practiced running with my domain. In order to test the effect, I would go around in circles in the private courtyards of various elders to see if they could detect or sense my presence."

Then, I overheard them whispering to each other.

"By the way, you haven't said which one you're planning to choose."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I don't need to choose, Zhao Yi will choose for me."

Chen Xiyuan: "Hmm, you can convey so much information just by opening and closing a window?"

Li Zhuiyuan looked at Chen Xiyuan's forehead.

Chen Xiyuan immediately covered her forehead with one hand and pointed at the boy with the other:

"Little brother, don't you dare say I'm brainless again!"

……

In the orchard at the village entrance, Zhao Yi took an apple from a squirrel's bag as it passed by and started eating it.

It's sweet and delicious, and really quite tasty.

The little squirrel noticed its bag was lighter and immediately turned around, glaring angrily at Zhao Yi.

Other squirrels nearby also gathered around, some of them already picking up pebbles from the ground.

"Haha, I'm a guest, I can eat." After explaining with a smile, Zhao Yi waved his hand, "Go, go, go, you guys go ahead and do your work."

The squirrels in front of them really listened to the explanation, then all turned around, lined up, and walked in unison into the depths of the orchard to continue collecting fruit.

This scene stunned Zhao Yi for a moment.

"Who on earth is so childish and bored as to give these squirrels military training here?"

At that moment, footsteps sounded from behind Zhao Yi.

The newcomer was young, dressed in an ordinary Taoist robe, yet exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

His name is Li Jun, and he is a successor of the Bixia School, which worships the Three Pure Ones.

"Brother Zhao, you have quite the refined taste. While everyone else is busy offering terms to that member of the Yu family, you're here training squirrels."

Zhao Yi didn't explain, but simply acquiesced, saying, "Anyway, I'm just killing time."

Li Jun: "Brother Zhao, aren't you worried at all?"

Zhao Yi: "Master Li is joking. What good will it do me to be anxious? I'm the last one in line."

Li Jun: "But Brother Zhao was the only one who exchanged identities with that member of the Yu family. He must be grateful to him. I'm afraid he's just going through the motions with everyone else and is deliberately waiting for you."

Zhao Yi: "Master Li seems to be underestimating people. It's just a sentence, nothing serious."

Li Jun: "A kind word warms the heart for three winter months. Sometimes great opportunities are hidden in a moment of good fortune. In the end, it is because my cultivation is not deep enough. Although I feel that I have done my best to respect people and not look down on them because of the Yu family's current situation, in fact, having this unwillingness to look down on them is already a form of looking down on them."

All their efforts, including mine, in getting busy and showing goodwill, are merely paving the way for Brother Zhao.

Zhao Yi: "Master Li is too kind. Who would be willing to follow me, someone who has ruined his family?"

Li Jun: "Next, isn't what Yu Dibei is going to do also to break down the Yu family's gate? It just so happens that you have experience in this area, Brother Zhao."

Zhao Yi: "Oh, really. But experience can't fill an empty stomach. Let alone the fact that my Jiujiang Zhao family no longer exists, even if it did, it probably wouldn't be as deep a foundation as the families and sects behind you. People have to live in reality, not in dreams."

Li Jun pointed around: "Brother Zhao, do you think this paradise is reality?"

Zhao Yi remained silent.

Li Jun continued, "This place is nothing more than another dream, and that Yu Dibei has never left this place since he can remember. He has always lived in a dream and is a dream person."

See? Isn't this a perfect match for you, Brother Zhao?

Zhao Yi: "Master Li must have studied in the incense hall of a Taoist temple under the Bixia Sect. These few words have really made me feel elated and full of hope for the future."

Li Jun: "Whether it is or not, Brother Zhao actually knows the answer in his heart."

Zhao Yi: "What is the meaning of Master Li seeking me out alone at this time?"

Li Jun: "This humble Taoist would like to ask Brother Zhao to reluctantly part with his beloved possession."

Zhao Yi: "That's as if Yu Dibei is already one of my people. Even if I don't want him to worship me, he can choose to worship someone else."

Li Jun: "But Brother Zhao has the ability to influence him."

Zhao Yi looked up at the sky.

Li Jun: "I think it's better to negotiate with Brother Zhao here than to go to Yu Dibei to negotiate terms. Indeed, you and I both know how generous this opportunity is. If we really want to be honest, even I wouldn't dare say that I can make up for it for Brother Zhao."

However, great opportunities often come with great risks. Given the risk discount, I and the Bixia Sect behind me should be able to bear it.

Today we can finalize the contract. Once it is done, when you and I go down the river and land, everything will be fulfilled.

My Bixia Sect is even willing to help Brother Zhao rebuild Jiujiang Zhao.

Brother Zhao, you can trust the reputation of my Bixia School.

Zhao Yi pointed to the sky: "Families and sects are like the clouds, drifting and gathering. Not to mention the distant past, in the past sixty years, the number of dragons who have fallen is far more than just the Yu family."

"The Dragon Kings Qin and Liu were once so powerful and influential, yet they too declined in power."

Li Jun: "The affairs of the Qin and Liu families are truly a great regret in the martial arts world. Although I have never met any of the surviving members of these two families, I still admire and respect them."

Zhao Yi: "So, rebuilding Jiujiang Zhao is no longer my obsession."

Li Jun: "Brother Zhao, if you have any other thoughts, please feel free to bring them up."

Zhao Yi: "Master Li has misunderstood. One should only eat what one can handle. In this storm, I, Zhao, am in the eye of the storm, and if I want to survive, I will have to rely on your help."

Zhao couldn't eat the cake, and he dared not eat it.

Mr. Zhao is of sound mind. Please rest assured, Master Li, Mr. Zhao will not argue this time.

"He from the north of Yu will never bow to me, Zhao Yi."

Li Jun: "What about the second half?"

Zhao Yi: "Master Li, please don't make things difficult for me. It's not just you I can't afford to offend, but I also dare not offend anyone else."

Li Jun: "Thank you, Brother Zhao. I wish you a speedy recovery from this calamity."

Zhao Yi: "May the Taoist priest attain Buddhahood soon."

Li Jun smiled slightly, not angry, performed a Taoist salute, and turned to leave.

Zhao Yi didn't linger in the orchard for long before sitting down by the river.

The river water is crystal clear, and beneath the surface, life thrives even more.

He deliberately lingered outside the village, giving the brightest among the brightest of the bright to have a chance to speak with him in detail.

Next, two more people came looking for Zhao Yi.

Clearly, they, like Li Jun, had also noticed something amiss.

Zhao Yi's approach to dealing with them was the same: he would pretend not to compete or fight, and not to offend anyone. In his conversations, he would always indulge in a melancholy tone, using his own Zhao family from Jiujiang as a starting point to bring up the Yu family, and then casually mention the Qin and Liu families from back then.

The Qin and Liu families were once very prestigious, and although they have declined, they are still different from the Yu family in front of them. Even when the old lady of the Liu family mentions the plaque, people still express their admiration and respect.

After dealing with them, no one came looking for him for a long time.

This surprised Zhao Yi. Among his group, the three with the highest status were undoubtedly from the orthodox Dragon King family, but they seemed completely unaware and ignored him.

In comparison, although the forces behind those two were also extraordinary, in terms of overall foundation and style, they still couldn't compare to the true Dragon King's family.

Zhao Yi didn't know which family the man surnamed Li intended to poison, and he was worried about what would happen if the poison was given to the wrong family. Therefore, the most reasonable way was to give the poison to the three largest families, that is, to the Dragon King's family.

Perhaps only a true dragon king's clan is worth Li starting to plan and target now.

A crocodile emerged from the river and stared at Zhao Yi, who was sitting on the riverbank.

A moment later, the crocodile dived down, and soon a plump fish was thrown out.

Zhao Yi clasped his hands in thanks to the water: "Thank you, Brother Crocodile, but I, Zhao, do not like to eat raw fish."

"I love to eat."

Ming Yuwan appeared behind Zhao Yi like a ghost.

She picked up the fish from the ground and tossed it into the air, whereupon the fan opened, its surface shimmering like flower shadows.

In a very short time, the fish was first tailed, then its blood was drained, the black membrane was removed, and the bones were removed to take its meat.

When it landed on the stone surface in front of the two, there were thin, tender fish slices neatly stacked like flowers on the left, and fish fritters with a different texture on the right.

"Brother Zhao, please have some."

Zhao Yi: "I wouldn't dare eat that."

Ming Yuwan: "Brother Zhao, are you worried that my unsolicited kindness is either a scheme or a theft?"

Zhao Yi shook his head: "I'm afraid of parasites."

Ming Yuwan: "Brother Zhao, with your black dragon skin, would you be worried about such a thing?"

Zhao Yi: "Different eating habits."

Ming Yuwan: "Really, ever since we became friends, I've always wanted to get closer to Brother Zhao, but he always avoids me. Am I really that scary-looking?"

Zhao Yi: "Miss Ming is very beautiful. It's just that I already have two betrothed wives, otherwise..."

Ming Yuwan: "Or what else?"

Zhao Yi: "I'm no toad trying to get my hands on swan meat. I'll pursue Miss Ming and make you my mistress."

Ming Yuwan: "Hehehehe!"

The woman reached out, picked up a slice of fish, put it in her mouth, chewed, and after swallowing, looked at Zhao Yi and said:

"Although we form our own alliance, I can sense that while everyone comes from distinguished backgrounds, there is a degree of caution in your presence when facing me and those two. But you, Brother Zhao, are different..."

Zhao Yi: "I'm terrified to the core."

"This fear is actually a lack of fear. Brother Zhao seems to have a deeper understanding of the legitimate Dragon King family."

Zhao Yi: "You guys are all acting strangely today."

"Brother Zhao, I want this land north of Yu. Please help me."

"Miss Ming, please understand my predicament..."

Ming Yuwan lowered her gaze, a smile playing on her lips.

Zhao Yi felt the pain of peeling and cleaning skin return.

“I have already discussed this with Yu Dibei.”

"That should be a sure thing."

"He's become numb from talking to the people in front of him. I can tell he's waiting for the person behind him."

"Miss Ming, you must have confidence in your own charm, and even more so, confidence in the Ming family."

"However, I have even more confidence in Brother Zhao."

As she spoke, Ming Yuwan extended a finger and pointed to her brow.

"Brother Zhao once publicly exposed the evil deeds of the Zhao family ancestors in Jiujiang, which I deeply admire. The Zhao family's Dragon King was also someone I admired and respected. After his fall, his remains were subjected to such humiliation, which is truly outrageous."

However, given Brother Zhao's talent, he must be very interested in this style and has probably already started studying it.

Brother Zhao, please take a look.

Ming Yuwan flicked her fingertip outward, and a ball of milky white flame immediately rose up, then underwent various transformations with great dexterity.

Zhao Yi's eyes widened immediately.

With the blessing of the Zhao family's original technique, he had already learned the "Lighting the Sky Lantern" method, but compared to what Ming Yuwan was using, it was as worthless as a child's toy. The two were not even on the same level.

More importantly, she was able to offer such a condition, unlike others who would propose "rebuilding Jiujiang Zhao".

"How are you feeling, Brother Zhao?"

"mysterious."

This moment truly reveals the difference in resources and foundation between the Dragon King's faction and other forces in the martial arts world.

Ming Yuwan: "This is the secret technique of my Ming family, the Soul-Burning and Heart-Cleansing Technique. As long as Brother Zhao is willing to help Yu Dibei pay homage to me, I will give this secret technique to Brother Zhao."

Zhao Yi swallowed hard.

He wanted this secret technique; he wanted to swindle this woman.

How about we choose the one surnamed Li?

Those two dragon kings aren't taking the bait, so I can't exactly go over and offer to help them, can I?

"Brother Zhao, those two won't be coming to see you. I've already spoken to them."

"They...agreed?"

"It's definitely easier to talk in the Dragon King's court."

"Yeah, I understand."

"Brother Zhao possesses the skin of a black dragon, and with this secret technique, he can reshape his soul fire and unleash even more profound mysteries."

"What a pity. If the spirit of that black dragon were still here, it could be used as a wick for the lamp. Then the effect of this secret technique could definitely be brought out even better. I can't even predict how much it could have been achieved." Zhao Yi's face showed regret and remorse.

He was thinking that once he got his hands on this secret technique, he could trade it with the man surnamed Li for something.

After exchanging the items, we can also check with the man surnamed Li to see just how much this secret technique can improve our abilities.

Zhao Yi: "Miss Ming, I'm very curious about something..."

"Brother Zhao, may I ask if we can be completely open and honest with each other?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Ming Yuwan waved her folding fan, and Zhao Yi's shirt split open from the middle, revealing his strong and well-proportioned chest and the black peach blossom at his heart.

Ming Yuwan licked her lips: "The skin of the black dragon is indeed of superior quality. If one could lie down and sleep on such a chest in the summer, I wonder how pleasant it would be. The fragrance of the flowers that grow from the crack of the gate of life and death can also help people calm their minds."

Brother Zhao, why don't you send those two away and make them my male concubines instead?

"Miss Ming, please don't make such a joke."

"Brother Zhao, do you think I'm inferior to those two?"

"The joy of twins is beyond your imagination, Miss Ming."

"Hahahahaha!"

Zhao Yi: "Miss Ming, I can see that this is a great opportunity, but Miss Ming has already paid a huge price to appease those two who are not competitive, and now you are using such a secret method to make a deal with me..."

Zhao asked curiously, "Miss Ming, is what you're doing really worthwhile?"

Ming Yuwan picked up a piece of fish maw, put it in her mouth, and chewed it, making a crisp sound.

"Brother Zhao, do you think I'm normal?"

"Miss Ming is a beauty of unparalleled grace, intelligent and talented, like..."

Please tell the truth.

"It seems like he's sick."

"Indeed, I am sick."

"Can it be cured?"

"It cannot be cured, it is not allowed to be cured, and it is even more incurable."

"That does sound like a pretty tricky situation."

"Brother Zhao must have heard that it is very difficult for members of the Ming family to control their emotions, and the older they get, the harder it is for them to restrain themselves."

"This is a kind of honesty and straightforwardness."

"This is the shortcoming of my Ming family's martial arts. My Ming family has prospered because of this, and it is also the reason for our decline."

"It seems to be related to the soul...?"

"Rumors in the martial arts world are bound to be distorted. It's not about the soul, but it's true that my Ming family has to perform soul cutting and sealing at every stage."

"Isn't it painful?"

"Once you get used to it, you don't feel any pain. On the contrary... hehe, you can't imagine the joy it brings, Brother Zhao."

"I guess I'm just not at a high level. I'm still only at the stage of peeling away the skin, and I can't reach the spiritual height of Miss Ming."

“When I was cultivating in the past, I relied on my good talent and was greedy for quick results. Originally, this was not a big problem, but in the last wave, I encountered a predicament and made a wrong decision.”

Instead of using conventional methods to gradually wear down the situation and break through, he impulsively forced himself to improve and break through this technique.

This meant that I had to divide and seal the soul into seven segments in succession, with each segment having a chance of failure, leading to terrible consequences.

Relying solely on the protection of my ancestors is no longer enough, and even ordinary acts of merit would be insufficient here. Only this great opportunity gives me the confidence to complete this remedy.

Is it merely a remedy?

"There is opportunity in crisis. Brother Zhao, you can also think of this as a high-stakes gamble, betting on my own transformation."

"I understand."

"Brother Zhao, does this mean you've agreed?"

“No deal is ever settled in one go. Even if the price Miss Ming offers meets Mr. Zhao’s expectations, or even exceeds them, Mr. Zhao will definitely want to ask for more, just to feel comfortable taking advantage of the situation.”

"Brother Zhao, please feel free to ask."

"I want a set of Feng Shui-related secret manuals from the Ming family. As Miss Ming knows, many of the martial arts techniques of my Jiujiang Zhao clan were collected from the martial arts world. We eat from many sources, so we have a lot but no expertise."

Recently, Zhao has been pondering the principles of feng shui, trying to combine the special properties of the black dragon's skin with the power of feng shui to see if he can figure out the effect of feng shui dragon movement.

That's why I got so close to Brother Lu from the Four Mysteries Sect recently—I wanted to build a good relationship with him in advance so that I could do business with him later.

In fact, Brother Lu did agree.

But who would have thought that Brother Lu would disappear?

"Brother Zhao, you can speak frankly. This Lu Xuan is most likely dead."

"This is bad luck."

"Dying in the waves is such a normal thing."

"Alas, my feng shui secrets..."

"My Ming family has a set of 'Diagrams for Promoting Wind and Rain,' which, although not a written book, contains profound principles of feng shui and can be used for study and understanding."

It's quite a coincidence, perhaps it's true that Brother Zhao and I are destined to meet. This painting was given to me by my family when we divided the inheritance during the Lantern Festival, and it's now in the hands of my maid.

"Once we get past this village, I can give it to you."

"Miss Ming, please forgive my impertinence, but may I ask one more question: how does this picture compare to the Liu family's 'Liu Family's Aura Observation Techniques'?"

Ming Yuwan was silent for a moment, then shook her head:

"Looking at the entire world of feng shui, who can compare to the Liu family?"

Zhao Yi: "But I think Miss Ming's 'Summoning Wind and Rain' painting is enough for me to use."

Ming Yuwan: "Perhaps, it won't be long before Brother Zhao's vision is realized?"

"What does Miss Ming mean by this?"

As he asked this question, the black peach blossom on Zhao Yi's chest swayed slightly.

Previously, it was Ming Yuwan who took the initiative to cut open Zhao Yi's clothes with her fan.

Since she wanted to see his pectoral muscles and smell the fragrance of the flowers at the gate of life and death, Zhao Yi would generously let her see and smell them.

He has secretly increased the dosage to exert a harmless effect.

Ming Yuwan's mental state was already prone to problems, and with Zhao Yi's subtle provocations, this sense of loss of control would become even more pronounced.

If it were during a battle, she would definitely be able to detect it instantly, but now that she has just gotten what she wanted, she is happy and at the same time letting her guard down.

Even if she notices his actions, she will probably just think that he is responding to her previous actions and flirting with her.

In short, at this moment, Ming Yuwan's emotions broke down, and she said something inappropriate.

"It's a miracle that the two families have managed to survive until now without falling into ruin. The previous generation of the Qin family's servant failed in his attempt to cross the river and was forced to admit defeat by lighting a lamp, which completely extinguished his hopes."

Before long, this widow and her child will fall apart, or lose their hearts.

Then the ancestral homes of the Qin and Liu families will suffer the same fate as the Yu family now, waiting for a destined person in the martial arts world to acquire them!
That old lady deserved this fate...

Ming Yuwan suddenly turned her head and looked at Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi gently touched the black peach blossom on his chest with his fingertips, a smile playing on his lips:

“Miss Ming, it seems we are truly destined to be enemies. You probably can’t stand the smell of this Flower of Life and Death.”

The anger in Ming Yuwan's eyes vanished in an instant, and she smiled instead: "Being together is all about pursuing excitement and madness, isn't it? In my opinion, this is precisely proof that Brother Zhao and I are compatible."

“Did any members of the Qin family cross the river in the previous generation? Why don’t I know about this? Although my Zhao family of Jiujiang is useless and all show and no substance, we are still well-informed.”

"This matter is not a secret within the orthodox Dragon King sect, but everyone tacitly agrees to cover it up for the old lady, fearing it would put even more pressure on her."

The troubles that happened to the Qin and Liu families back then were not without reason. None of us wanted to see the Qin and Liu families end up like the Yu family is now.

May Heaven open its eyes, disregard conventions, and bestow upon us talented individuals.

My grandmother always says that it's been so lonely and boring these past few decades, with no news of the Qin and Liu families in the martial arts world.

Zhao Yi sneered inwardly.

I am the walking source of information for both the Qin and Liu families!
At the same time, Zhao Yi also realized that there were indeed deep inside stories behind Uncle Qin's failure to cross the river back then. Many top forces were working behind the scenes to cut off the possibility of the Qin and Liu families rising again.

Such a high-level arrangement meant that the Zhao family of Jiujiang at that time was not qualified to be seated at the table.

Although justice prevails, not everyone has to follow the rules; it all depends on whether you are willing to pay the price.

Besides, if the Heavenly Dao were truly all-powerful and supreme, why would there be so many immortal old beings still existing in the world?

In retrospect, it was indeed a wise move for Li to quietly leave the river; he was very prescient, given the precedent set before him.

But Zhao Yi also felt that Li's actions were not simply to avoid being attacked by underhanded forces from the underworld.

"Brother Zhao, is our deal settled?"

"Of course, it's settled."

I was simply making one last attempt, following the same method as before.

Unexpectedly, they actually caught a fish. This Ming family clearly harbors a peculiar negative sentiment towards the Liu family.

It's common for top powers to suppress each other and take advantage of each other's weaknesses; even the Dragon King's faction is no exception.

But Ming Yuwan's reaction went beyond this scope.

Zhao Yi didn't believe that Ming Yuwan's grandmother's words meant she felt bored and lonely; he suspected it was a sign of happiness and joy.

If there's a grudge, then things become easier to discuss.

Li, I fed her the poison not because I desperately wanted the "Burning Soul and Purifying Heart Technique," but to avenge your old lady!
If there's a chance in this wave, I'll risk everything to cooperate with you and save Ming Yuwan's life.

When the time comes, take this fan from her hand and go back with her to see that old lady. She will surely be very happy, right?
Ming Yuwan reached out and placed her hand on Zhao Yi's chest: "Brother Zhao, since the Zhao family of Jiujiang is gone anyway, why not consider marrying into my Ming family after you come ashore?"

"But I've already decided to marry into the Liang family."

"What Liang family? Can they compare to my Ming family?"

"But the Liang family can take my surname."

"Tsk."

Ming Yuwan teased the petals with her fingertips, and her emotions were on the verge of spiraling out of control again.

He released his fingers, took a deep breath, and suppressed his emotions with all his might, his gaze returning to clarity.

Zhao Yi's life-or-death gap is simply my natural enemy. After Yu Dibei acknowledges me as the Dragon King, I will have to find a suitable opportunity in the remaining time of this wave to save Zhao Yi's life.

Zhao Jialongwang came from humble beginnings, and Zhao Yi is now clearly replicating the path his ancestors took. We cannot allow him to continue growing like this.

If I leave him until the end, he will inevitably become a hidden danger for me.

The two, who had just reached an agreement, each showed a warm smile, while in their hearts, they silently wished each other well.

As dusk fell, the interviews concluded one by one, and finally it was Zhao Yi's turn.

Zhao Yi entered the house and went up to the third floor.

To avoid suspicion, Grandpa wasn't here at the moment.

Yu Dibei, who had been sitting upright, relaxed noticeably when he saw that it was Zhao Yi who came up this time, and even his posture became more casual than before.

"Brother Zhao, you must be a little older than me, so shall I call you Brother Zhao?"

This bias is all too obvious; they've even started calling him "brother."

But when Zhao Yi heard the name "Brother Zhao," it startled him so much that he jumped out of his skin.

The other party called him "brother," but he dared not respond with "younger brother." If he did, he would have to pay with his life. Moreover, at this moment, no one from the Zhao family of Jiujiang could share the burden for him. The core members of the Zhao family were all busy making achievements in the underworld.

“Brother Yu, since you are determined to worship the Dragon King and travel the river, I will teach you one thing first: on the river, do not easily trust any friendship.”

Those who are kind to you at the beginning are often the ones who will take your life in the end.

Yu Dibei nodded, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I have learned much."

Brother Zhao is indeed different from them.

Everything went exactly as Zhao Yi had predicted.

No matter how good the treatment or how high the conditions, after eating eleven greasy flatbreads in one go, you'll definitely want to find a scallion to bite into and cleanse your palate.

The way Yu Dibei looked at Zhao Yi reminded Zhao Yi of how Chen Jing had looked at the man surnamed Li.

Back then, as long as someone surnamed Li beckoned to him, Chen Jing would follow his brother Yuanzi without hesitation.

In other words, the person surnamed Li didn't want to take on any more people, which is why I got this good deal.

But this one,
He's someone even people with the surname Li wouldn't dare touch.

Zhao Yi sat down in front of Yu Dibei.

He had already made up his mind about the existence of this village, and even had some guesses about Yu Dibei's true identity.

It's hard to imagine that the seemingly honest and kind young man in front of you is actually that old dog.

Yu Dibei: "I don't know why, but when I first saw you, Brother Zhao, I felt a sense of familiarity."

This kind of opening remark was not made when the previous eleven people were sitting here.

Fortunately, there was a barrier here, and the people outside maintained a tacit understanding and did not break it.

Zhao Yi's gaze slowly moved down from Yu Dibei's face, past his neck, chest, and stomach, and then down to his groin.

You can't help but feel a special connection with me, right?
We have a deep, intimate bond.

The old dog's two foals, which he himself offered as a sacrifice, should still be on the Emperor's altar.

Oh, my dear brother, you lazy bum, you really made my life miserable back then.

"Brother Zhao?"

Seeing that Zhao Yi remained silent, Yu Dibei took the initiative to speak up and remind him.

"Hmm?" Zhao Yi snapped out of his daze, looked away, and rubbed his eyes. "I'm getting sleepy from waiting too long."

Yu Dibei turned his head to look at the darkening sky outside and nodded, saying, "Yes, I've been sitting here waiting for a long time too."

Zhao Yi: "The conditions they offered you were quite good, weren't they?"

Yu Dibei: "Well, although I don't understand many of the conditions, I can feel that they are very enthusiastic and eager for me. Brother Zhao, am I really that valuable?"

Zhao Yi: "You need to be more confident. Yours is really big, extremely big."

Yu Dibei: "But I don't want much. Although my grandfather, Lion, and Leopard have all told me since I was little that they hope I can bring glory to the Yu family in the future."

But what I really hope for, what I want, is for this village to be connected with the outside world.

The children in the village no longer have to lose their parents at a young age.

They and I can both confidently go out and see what the real blue sky and real white clouds really look like.

Yu Dibei spoke in a very gentle tone.

He did not experience the Yu family's glory days; by the time he was born, the Yu family had already undergone several decades of upheaval.

Although they would perform the Yu family ceremony and acknowledge themselves as members of the Yu family, they would also shout slogans to restore the Yu family in front of others.

But he had no feelings for the Yu family, nor did he have that unbreakable attachment to them.

His eyes were only on this village.

If this were a business negotiation, Yu Dibei would have already been strongly indicating his intention to cooperate.

Because he was in a "scarce" situation, he actually took the initiative to cut the price, as if he knew that Zhao Yi was not in good condition and was afraid that he would become a burden to Brother Zhao.

Zhao Yi: "I used to value my family a lot and took it as my responsibility to revitalize it, but you would never have imagined what happened next."

Yu Dibei: "Brother Zhao personally wiped out his own family?"

Zhao Yi: Damn it, I never thought that these guys, who are all of extraordinary status, would do such a tasteless thing as talking badly about others behind their backs.

Moreover, the guy who speaks ill of others is only incidentally slandering himself; his main purpose is to lower the image of others.

Zhao Yi: "Yeah, see? I'm such a beast, aren't I?"

Yu Dibei: "I believe Brother Zhao must have his own reasons."

Zhao Yi: "Ha, we've only met for the first time today. Before I went upstairs, we only exchanged one sentence. What makes you think that?"

Yu Dibei: "Because they all say they are good people, so since they are with you, Brother Zhao, then you must be a good person too."

Zhao Yi: "I'm not a good person."

Yu Dibei: "Then they..."

Zhao Yi: "Didn't I say that there are no absolutely good people on the river..."

Hey, that's not right.

The image of Chen Xiyuan appeared in Zhao Yi's mind. She... seemed to be a good person in the traditional sense.

Ah-you is a good person, but he doesn't travel the river on his own. Without Li's guidance and planning, if Ah-you were to travel the river by himself, he would probably be tricked and sold to evil spirits after only a couple of waves.

But that woman from the Chen family has been a good person and has come this far all by herself.

Zhao Yi didn't think she was pretending, because he could tell that night that even someone surnamed Li could be speechless with her.

Yu Dibei finally got straight to the point: "Brother Zhao, I want to follow you!"

Zhao Yi shivered involuntarily.

Are you following me?
When your memories return and you find me standing beside you, I can't even imagine how you will punish and torment me to avenge the theft of my egg.

In the past, when eunuchs had their private parts cut off, they would carefully seal them away and put them in their coffins to be buried with them after they died, so that they would at least have something to remember them by.

The old dog's testicles were offered up in the underworld by himself. No matter how arrogant the old dog was, he would never dare to go to Fengdu to ask the Great Emperor for his testicles back.

Zhao Yi: "I have no connections anymore, and I have no family left."

Yu Dibei chuckled and said, "Before Brother Zhao and you came, I had never met any outsiders. I didn't know how to deal with them. There are many sects and families there, and I really didn't know how to get along with so many people."

So I think it's better here with you, Brother Zhao; I don't have to worry about complicated interpersonal relationships."

"Knock knock knock!" Zhao Yi banged on the table. "Hey, wake up! You're looking for a powerful figure to curry favor with, not a young woman looking for a man to marry. What are you worried about regarding mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships?"

"I've never seen a marriage ceremony before, nor have I ever witnessed a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. Could Brother Zhao explain this to me?"

Zhao Yi: "You'll understand later. There are many only children nowadays. In short, it's best not to marry someone with a younger brother, and it's best not to marry someone with many brothers."

"Pah, what am I even talking about?"

Yu Dibei smiled.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I don't know, but I feel it should be very funny."

"Sigh, Brother Yu, to be honest with you, I can't accept you."

"Why, Brother Zhao? Shouldn't I be... somewhat useful?"

Yu Dibei comes with a great opportunity; whoever gets him will reap huge rewards in this wave.

Most importantly, he is quite capable and won't be a liability to the team. Moreover, he is honest and kind-hearted, with no ulterior motives.

This is something that the seasoned veterans on the river can easily see.

Zhao Yi raised his hand and kept rubbing his chin.

Old dog, old dog, how did you manage to turn your reserve body into this?
That look, that expression, that thought...

Even though Zhao Yiming knew Yu Dibei's true identity, he still felt sorry for the young man.

After all, theoretically speaking, he is not yet an old dog; he is Yu Dibei.

A child who grew up here, read books here, practiced cultivation here, and liked to stand on the slope at the entrance of the formation, imagining the outside world.

At this moment, if a solution to his problem were presented to him, Zhao Yi would indeed be willing to help him and save him.

“A few days ago, a boy came to your village.”

Yu Dibei was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

“I know everything, there’s no point in hiding it. Of course, you mustn’t tell anyone else about this.”

"Yes, there is a young man."

"Has he had any other contact with you, such as asking you for something?"

“He asked me for the books in the ancestral hall, and I gave them to him.”

Zhao Yi looked expectant and asked, "Did he say anything? Did he say nothing at all?"

"He gave me a lot of books in return the next day."

Sigh, it's over, there's nothing I can do.

Zhao Yi knew that, according to Li's habits, if he accepted your benefits but didn't reciprocate in any way, it meant that he would most likely help you settle this score later.

Since the man surnamed Li wrote a book overnight to send as a return gift, it shows that he was completely unwilling to get involved in this karma.

That means there's nothing we can do.

Some people, though they may look young now, are actually terminally ill and beyond saving.

In fact, Zhao Yi himself knew that there was no effective way to deal with this situation where the memories had been sealed away long ago.

Yu Dibei: "Those books are so profound. Even with very detailed annotations, I still find them very difficult to read and understand."

Zhao Yi: "I heard from your grandfather that you learned the Yu family's martial arts techniques by reading books on your own?"

Yu Dibei: "Yes, the books in the ancestral hall are easy to understand. Grandpa and the others said they were very difficult, but in my eyes they are very easy. No matter how difficult the part is, if you read it for a few days and think about it for a few days, you can understand it."

Zhao Yi: That's because you retain memories of the Yu family.

That old dog, being able to become the Dragon King's companion beast, and even learn and master the evil spirit's supernatural powers, naturally had a deep understanding of the Yu family's cultivation techniques and secret manuals. It was in a completely different league from those simple-minded, physically strong beasts.

Yu Dibei: "Brother Zhao, can't I really go with you?"

Zhao Yi: "No. Because someone saw that you wanted to be with me, and she gave me an offer that I couldn't refuse. I accepted her bribe, so not only can I not have you, but I also have to persuade you to choose her."

Yu Dibei: "..."

Zhao Yi smiled and shook his head.

He was being honest.

But Zhao Yi also knew that if he used this trick on the young man in front of him, he would not only not be angry, but would be even more willing to help him.

But doing this would make Zhao Yi feel better.

This place in the north of Yu gave him the feeling of meeting a second Lin Shuyou.

He just didn't have Ah You's good fortune to meet someone surnamed Li.

Yu Dibei: "Hehe, I know, Brother Zhao, who is he? I choose him."

Zhao Yi took out a pipe, which was already filled with shredded herbs, which Old Tian had sent to him from Nantong a while ago.

Although Lao Tiantou was helping the Li family grow medicinal herbs in Nantong, he could also benefit from it, which could be considered as Lao Tiantou contributing his technical expertise.

Yu Dibei picked up the candle on the table and lit Zhao Yi's pipe.

“Brother Zhao, I think the person who is willing to pay a high price to ‘buy’ me must value me more. Following him will definitely give me a better future.”

A bitter smile appeared on Zhao Yi's lips.

Yu Dibei: "Really, Brother Zhao, I think the future is more important. Recreating the glory of the Dragon King's family is my mission."

Zhao Yi: "Brother."

Yu Dibei: "Hmm!"

Zhao Yi: "No matter what happens in the future, no matter how big the storm will be, I promise you one thing: I will do my best to protect this village and help it integrate with the outside world in the future."

"Brother, thank you."

Zhao Yi: "Let me make it clear beforehand that I mean to do my best, not to risk my life for it. I'm very afraid of dying and I'm also afraid of pain. I never peel apples before eating them, just in case I accidentally cut my hand."

"elder brother."

Yu Dibei stood up and went to an open space next to him, where he solemnly performed the Yu family salute to Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi looked at Yu Dibei,
Heart Road:

When that old dog comes out, I will definitely kill it and avenge you.

……

After a total of twelve rounds of interviews, Yu Dibei chose to become the Dragon King under the name of Ming Yuwan and follow her on her journey down the river.

The whole village immediately went into a state of celebration, with villagers and animals busily setting up decorations and arranging for the next two ceremonies.

One of them is the Qili ceremony in the northern part of Yudi. This is a ritual that every core member of the Yu family used to go through, where they form a contract with the monster they choose and make it their companion monster.

The second event was the ceremony to worship the Dragon King.

Inside the wooden house.

Chen Xiyuan had just finished playing a piece of music. She didn't deliberately control the volume because the formation set up by the boy was very solid. As long as the doors and windows were not opened, the noise inside the house would not be transmitted to the outside, but the sounds outside could be heard very clearly inside.

Li Zhuiyuan finished his nap and opened his eyes.

Beside him, Tan Wenbin was rubbing his eyes, trying hard to stay awake, while on the other side, Runsheng and Lin Shuyou were already snoring and had fallen into a deep sleep.

Chen Xiyuan: "What exactly is the purpose of Qili? Is it merely to unilaterally control the life and death of demonic beasts?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "More than that. Qili is the core of the Yu family's cultivation method. After Qili, people can obtain some of the innate abilities and blood essence of demonic beasts, and demonic beasts can also gain human wisdom and become more intelligent."

It's a kind of complement, but in effect, one plus one is greater than two.

Just then, two people walked side by side on the road outside, talking normally without any attempt to hide their conversation.

"Brother Tao, can you tell me how many benefits Ming Yuwan promised you?"

“Brother, all I can say is a lot.”

"Hehe, me too. But I still feel that these benefits alone are not enough to buy us off. I'm very curious, Brother Tao, what exactly made you give up?"

"The Yu family was once the orthodox Dragon King lineage. Yu Dibei is now the only talented member of the Yu family outside. I already had some concerns about accepting a descendant of the orthodox Dragon King lineage to worship me in Jiangzuo."

Of course, I am not a person without desires either. This great opportunity is tempting, but since Ming Yuwan is willing to make amends, I might as well go with the flow. Brother, what about you?"

“I don’t have as many formalities as you do, Brother Tao. Before entering the village, I dropped a bead from my abacus and took the number ten.”

"Ten deaths with no chance of survival?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's perfect?"

They both laughed.

As they walked, the two suddenly stopped.

Tao Zhuming: "I really like this place. It's a pity I was born too late to have the chance to visit the real Yu family."

Ling Wuxing said, "I will try my best to protect this place. In the future, if we get tired while walking on the river, we can come back here to rest."

Tao Zhuming: "Then we'll have to build two new buildings."

Ling Wuxing said, "Then let's build two houses, and you and I can share one."

Tao Zhuming: "The ceremony is about to begin, and I'm going to attend."

Command the Five Elements: "Go together."

inside the house.

Chen Xiyuan: "Those two really have quite the refined tastes."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's not just a casual thing to do; they came here on purpose to tell me that they've noticed my presence."

Chen Xiyuan: "Your formation has been discovered?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "There are many ways to investigate in the world, and it is impossible to defend against them all."

For example, back then at "Wangjianglou Square," I kept changing my appearance, but you still came over to chat with me.

"Wang! Wang! Wang!"

Three barks echoed through the village.

The ceremony has begun.

Inside the spacious ancestral hall, Yu Dibei stood in the center of the crowd, his joints cracking as if he were enduring immense pain.

The little yellow dog beside me kept shedding its fur, and the liveliness in its eyes became clearer and clearer.

After the ceremony, Yu Dibei was covered in blood, almost a blood-soaked figure, while the little yellow dog kept scanning its surroundings, not just memorizing scents, but now able to remember much more.

Grandpa: "Dibei, hurry up and go downstairs to get ready to worship the Dragon King."

Yu Dibei: "Yes, Grandpa."

Ming Yuwan sat in a grand chair.

After washing his body and changing his clothes, Yu Dibei returned here, facing Ming Yuwan, and knelt down on one knee.

"I, from the North of Yu, pay my respects today..."

Ming Yuwan initially tried her best to control herself, but eventually lost control and a smug smile appeared on her face.

Among the eleven people in the crowd, some looked on with envy, some with resentment, and some with admiration...

When the two men knelt down in the north of Yu, they turned around. As members of the Dragon King's family, seeing this scene, they couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.

Another person walked straight out of the ancestral hall.

Zhao Yi stood on the steps of the ancestral hall, the pipe in his mouth glowing intermittently in the night.

Look up and gaze at the sky.

Outside of reality, shooting stars streak across the sky.

Many people looked up and saw it, and some photography enthusiasts lamented that the local weather station hadn't issued a notice in advance.

The sight of these meteors over the village resembled streaks of silver light, draping the village, which was already in the night, in a silver cloak, exquisite and radiant.

The villagers wept with joy, as if they could see a brighter future for the village. The animals couldn't understand what the future meant, but seeing the people around them so happy, they jumped and danced along with them.

At this moment, the vulture that had been standing next to Grandpa suddenly flew up as if it had gone mad, circling rapidly in the air while emitting a piercing screech.

Its feathers kept falling off, stained with blood, drifting down, and its body kept splitting open, with chunks of flesh and blood splattering downwards.

This horrifying scene silenced the villagers, and the animals that had been so lively before all lay prostrate on the ground, trembling with fear.

This vulture might not be considered a big deal among demonic beasts, but among animals like this that only have a little basic spirituality, it is considered an extremely high-level existence.

Grandpa looked at his partner of decades, and anxiously reached out, releasing strands of white silk, wanting to catch the vulture and examine it for treatment.

Ming Yuwan raised her fan, and all the silk threads on Grandpa's fan snapped.

Yu Dibei wanted to take a running start and jump up to grab the vulture circling above, but just as he jumped, Ming Yuwan's figure appeared behind him.

With his shoulder grabbed, Yu Dibei quickly retreated, sliding a distance before regaining his balance.

Ming Yuwan: "If you want it to have a chance of survival, don't interfere now."

After circling for a while, the vulture suddenly fell vertically.

Ming Yuwan reached out, and the vulture was pulled toward her as it fell.

Though on the verge of death, he was still alive.

The remaining eleven people all gathered around Ming Yuwan, including Zhao Yi, who had just gone out for some fresh air.

"Miss Ming, shall we begin?"

"Miss Ming, quickly check if its intelligence has faded."

"It is a mixed bloodline, of impure quality. It relies on its blood relatives to sustain its basic level as a demon beast. The fact that it is in trouble now means that there is a problem with its blood relatives."

Ming Yuwan reached out and gently stroked the vulture's eyes, checking for the information she wanted, before tossing it to her grandfather standing behind her.

After catching the vulture, the grandfather immediately bit his finger, then put his finger into the vulture's mouth and fed it his blood to help stabilize it.

But the brilliance in the vulture's eyes was slowly fading; what was disappearing was not its vitality, but its intelligence.

Next, it will become unable to understand human speech and will be even less capable than a squirrel picking fruit in the forest.

Yu Dibei walked to his grandfather's side and anxiously checked on the vulture's condition.

But as he watched, he fell into a kind of confusion, as if something else was appearing in his mind.

As the light in the vulture's eyes dimmed, the confusion in Yu Dibei's eyes intensified.

In the corner, the little yellow dog sat alone, its eyes shining brighter and brighter, revealing a depth that is usually only seen in human eyes.

Seemingly having reached some kind of critical point, it suddenly stood up, spun around quickly a few times, and then tried to call out softly.

"Wang~wang~"

Immediately afterwards, it looked up at Yu Dibei over there and wagged its tail excitedly!
Ming Yuwan said, "Its intelligence has faded. It must be because General Huang died, which caused its bloodline to be downgraded."

Grandpa was stunned and said, "General Huang is dead? How could General Huang be dead? General Huang is one of our men. Esteemed guests, didn't I tell you that it was General Huang who helped us establish this place?"

Ming Yuwan glanced at Yu Dibei, who was standing there blankly with his back to her, and patiently began to explain:

“Sometimes, sacrifice is inevitable. I think General Huang must have sacrificed himself voluntarily in cooperation with the enemy. What we need to do next is to make sure that General Huang’s sacrifice is not in vain.”

Ladies and gentlemen, we must not violate ethical principles, we must not deceive the righteous path of the martial world, and we must not humiliate the Dragon King's clan.

under,

"It's up to us to restore the Yu family!"

……

Li Zhuiyuan: "They've rested enough, Brother Binbin, wake them up."

Tan Wenbin patted Lin Shuyou and Runsheng's faces: "Hey, wake up, brothers, time to get to work, dinner's ready, time for a midnight snack!"

Lin Shuyou stretched and said, "I slept so well, Brother Bin. Can you record that song with your ears? I can listen to it when I have insomnia later."

Tan Wenbin: "When have I ever seen you suffer from insomnia?"

Lin Shuyou: "That's true."

Chen Xiyuan looked at the boy: "The commotion of that vulture just now, does it mean something happened at the Yu family's place?"

Li Zhuiyuan nodded.
replied:
"No matter which side General Huang was on, his death means that the elders of each family have now attacked the Yu family."

This wave,
现在
That's when it officially begins.

---

Asking for a monthly ticket!
(End of this chapter)