The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 261 Judgment
"They chased them out of the mountains?" Zhong Ling exclaimed in surprise, her mouth agape.

Zhao Ti nodded: "That possibility cannot be ruled out, but there is a question."

"What question do you have?" Zhong Ling asked.

“If Wan’er didn’t go deeper into the mountains, but instead chased after her to the other side of the mountains, then… what kind of animal, or what kind of thing, could make Wanqing so persistent in her pursuit?” Zhao Ti asked, narrowing his eyes.

This is a difficult situation to explain. Even if Mu Wanqing did not run out of the mountains but went deeper into the mountains, the same puzzle remains. What exactly attracted her to keep pursuing it?

“Sister Wan’er…” Zhong Ling thought for a moment, “She’s not that kind of curious person. Even if she sees something new, she won’t be this persistent.”

Zhao Ti nodded. He knew Mu Wanqing well; she was definitely not the kind of person who was curious and lively. "If my guess is correct, what she saw must not be judged by common sense."

“Then what should it be?” Zhong Ling asked, blinking her bright eyes.

Zhao Ti put his hands behind his back and walked towards the path leading into the mountains, with the others following behind.

It was afternoon, and the mountain scenery was very serene. Everyone remained silent, looking around and thinking incessantly.

As they walked further and further away, the mountain dwellings and the Kufan ​​Temple could no longer be seen behind them, and some small animals began to appear sporadically.

Chu Wanli said, "The princess is skilled in martial arts, so she shouldn't be unable to catch up with any wild beasts. Moreover, this mountain is rich in resources, so it's unlikely that ordinary wild beasts would approach this area."

Zhao Ti said, "That's correct."

Chu Wanli continued, "So I really can't figure this out."

Zhao Ti stopped and looked up at the treetops on both sides. Birds were chirping and frolicking on the branches. He said slowly, "Beasts are easy to catch, but birds are more difficult, but it is still unlikely."

The group's expressions turned complicated. Apart from birds and beasts, there were no other large living creatures in the mountains. The fish in the streams wouldn't grow legs and run away, would they?

They continued walking, and after an unknown amount of time, as the sun began to set, Zhao Ti said, "Let's rest for a bit and then turn back."

The others agreed. Zhong Ling glanced at a tree nearby, where a branch was sticking out. Just as she was about to jump up and sit on it, she suddenly said, "Hey, there are so many blue mushrooms here."

Under the tree, there were more than a dozen clusters of enchanting, bright blue umbrella-shaped canopies growing on the trunk; these were the same 'Swallowing Year Green Mushrooms' that we had eaten at the Kufan ​​Temple.

"Pick them and ask Mother to cook them. Mother's cooking skills are far superior to those of the monks in the temple. She'll cook away the poison." Zhong Ling walked over, lifted her skirt, and began picking mushrooms.

"Your Highness, this humble servant, this humble servant has thought of a possibility..." Tong Guan suddenly shouted.

Zhong Ling was startled by his sudden voice. Her hand trembled, and the cap of a blue mushroom broke off, revealing bright blue sap flowing from the stem onto her small, spring-like hand.

"What's possible?" Zhao Ti looked at Tong Guan.

"Your Highness, this humble servant wonders... perhaps Miss Mu was hallucinating at the time, seeing some strange beast, one that doesn't exist in the mountains, like those mythical beasts and monsters from folk tales and plays, which is why she became curious and chased after it?"

"Hallucinations? Seeing mythical beasts and monsters that don't exist in the mountains..."

“Your Highness, that’s right. Anything can appear in hallucinations. I ate poisonous mushrooms in the Bitter Brahma Temple, and then the hallucinations started on the way. I even saw Black Rose coming and transforming into a dragon girl to kill me,” Tong Guan said with lingering fear.

“That is one possibility…” Zhao Ti pondered for a moment. He had actually thought of this possibility as well, but why would Mu Wanqing have hallucinations out of nowhere?
It couldn't have been from eating mushrooms, because although mushrooms are hallucinogenic, they can be neutralized by circulating internal energy. Mu Wanqing has lived in the mountains since she was a child, so she would know this. Even if she didn't know this, she could have neutralized it by using her internal energy after chasing after her.

So if we speculate in this direction, a new question arises: what caused Mu Wanqing's hallucination? "Your Highness, I think the general is right," Zhong Ling said. "Sister Wan'er may have been hallucinating and saw strange things that didn't exist before, which is why she was surprised and followed them all the way."

Zhao Ti nodded and slowly said, "But have you ever thought about why Wanqing would suddenly start hallucinating?"

Upon hearing this, the group fell silent. At that moment, the red and yellow afterglow of the setting sun shone through the gaps in the trees, casting patches of light on everyone.

Zhao Ti said, "Miss Zhong, please continue picking mushrooms. You can go back when you're done."

Zhong Ling nodded and hummed in agreement, then placed the blue mushroom inside her front pocket. After a moment, she stood up and said, "Your Highness, I've finished picking them."

Zhao Ti glanced at her; her face was flushed red in the setting sun, and her clothes were stained blue and purple with mushroom juice. He couldn't help but ask, "Where's your lightning ferret?"

Zhong Ling was stunned. She vaguely remembered that she had not shown the Lightning Sable before the other party left the Wuliang Sword Sect. How could she know that there was a sable?
“I’ve let the mink out; it will go back to Uncle Qin’s house tonight.”

Zhao Ti thought for a moment, then turned around and walked back the way he came. By the time he returned to the mountain dwelling, it was already completely dark.

Qin Hongmian prepared a large table of dishes, which were very sumptuous and consisted of delicacies from the mountains and wild game. After eating, they rested.

The next morning, after getting ready, I saw Zhong Ling playing with a little ferret in the courtyard.

This sable was grayish-white, very agile, and had bright, sparkling eyes. Originally, this sable was supposed to appear when Duan Yu encountered the Manggu Toad, and then be poisoned to death by the Manggu Toad. However, because of his appearance, many things changed, and this sable may have survived without encountering the Manggu Toad.

Zhao Ti waved to Xiao Diao, who glanced at him, then turned to look at Zhong Ling, seemingly somewhat afraid.

Zhong Ling asked in bewilderment, "Does Diao'er also know that His Highness is highly skilled in martial arts, and is he afraid of it...?"

Zhao Ti understood that the sable had sensed the aura of the Ice Silkworm on his body, which was why it had revealed this posture. The Ice Silkworm's cold poison was extremely potent, and once inhaled, one would be immune to all poisons. The little sable knew it was helpless and dared not approach.

"It does have some intelligence." Zhao Ti walked over and reached out to pet the mink.

The little sable tried to run away, but Zhao Ti caught it with lightning speed and then rubbed it hard a few times. The sable bared its white teeth in anger. Zhong Ling said, "If the sable is obedient, then Your Highness can pet it."

Zhao Ti fiddled with it for a while longer, and Gan Baobao went out to call the two of them to eat. After breakfast, Zhao Ti prepared to set off, and Zhong Ling looked at Gan Baobao and said, "Mother, I also want to go with His Highness to find Sister Wan'er."

Gan Baobao glanced at Zhao Ti: "Ling'er... you're usually so mischievous, how would you know how to search? Following His Highness will only cause trouble and delay important matters."

Zhong Ling said, "Mother, no, I have the Lightning Sable. The sable can help me when the time comes."

Gan Baobao frowned and looked at Zhao Ti, saying, "Your Highness, this..."

Zhao Ti glanced at the little sable in Zhong Ling's arms and said, "It's fine for him to go, but he can't run around on his own."

Zhong Ling said, "I won't run around. I'll stay with His Highness and the soldiers and won't go out on my own."

After saying that, she looked at Qin Hongmian and said, "Uncle Qin, don't worry, we will definitely be able to find Sister Wan'er this time."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongmian's eyes welled up with tears again. She said, "I hope so. Ling'er, remember to be careful and never stray too far from the crowd."

Zhong Ling responded and then said goodbye to Gan Baobao. The group set off, with Chu Wanli leading the way as they headed deep into the mountains.

(End of this chapter)