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

Chapter 264 Back then
Zhao Ti looked at these people; they wore tall hats and wooden clogs, wide-sleeved robes, and belts, their attire clearly different from that of outsiders.

Looking at their faces, they all had red lips and white teeth, smooth skin without a single wrinkle, and even the one with a long beard looked to be no more than thirty years old.

A look of confusion crossed Zhao Ti's face as he asked, "We got lost in the mountains and ended up here. May I ask where this place is?"

The group of people ahead looked at each other in confusion. The long-bearded man asked with a hint of doubt, "Lost in the mountains? Where are you from? How did you end up in this valley?"

Zhao Ti said, “We are from Dali. A friend of ours got lost while chasing wild animals in the mountains. We searched everywhere for him, but we couldn’t get out of the mountains, so we came here.”

The long-bearded man said unhappily, "This valley hasn't seen any outsiders for decades. You two should leave now."

Zhao Ti shook his head: "We're looking for our companions. Didn't she come into this valley?"

The long-bearded man said, "I've already said that no outsiders have entered this valley for decades. You should leave now; this is not a place for you to stay."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti glanced at Zhong Ling, who understood immediately and said, "We've traveled countless miles and crossed countless mountains. We're hungry and thirsty, and we've finally seen signs of human habitation. How can we possibly walk back?"

The long-bearded man frowned immediately, while a pale-faced, round-faced man next to him laughed and said, "Why should Pang Mei Weng hide it from them? Even if they turn around, how can they just leave Changchun Valley as they please?"

Another man with his hair in a high bun said, "It's difficult to get into Changchun Valley, but it's even more difficult to get out. These two may be able to get in, but they may not be able to get out."

The long-bearded man, called Pang Meiweng, asked, "What do you suggest we do?"

The pale-faced, round-faced man said, "Of course, we'll take him to the town for the deputy valley master to decide."

Pang Meiweng snorted: "Outsiders... Seeing outsiders reminds me of that scoundrel Xiaoyaozi. What happened back then is too infuriating."

The woman with the high bun nodded in agreement, saying, "Xiaoyaozi is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He pretends to be close to everyone, but in reality, he harbors treacherous intentions. He not only stole the divine book, but also took away Chunniang's heart."

Upon hearing this, Pang Meiweng was filled with indignation: "If I were to encounter that scoundrel again, I would skin him alive and show him no mercy!"

"Pfft," another short man with a large head chuckled, "I won't let him off easily. Do you think you can beat him? If he weren't a master of martial arts, how could Chunniang have ever taken a liking to him?"

"Who said I can't beat him?" Pang Meiweng said angrily, "Zhou Wangsun, what do you mean by that?"

The short, big-headed man chuckled and said, "If you can't beat him, you can't beat him. What's the point of saying that? Don't forget that he beat up all the juniors in the valley back then. Who among them could stand against him? Even the generation before him, there were very few who could defeat him."

Pang Meiweng said angrily, "That's because I didn't make a move."

Zhou Wangsun laughed again, "You were afraid of being no match for Chunniang, so you didn't challenge her to a fight, right?"

Pang Meiweng said, "I only believed him because I was secretly misled and deceived by this villain..."

Zhou Wangsun interrupted him, saying, "How many people have been sent to the valley and Kunlun over the years, and how many have captured him? Putting aside everything else, who has ever comprehended that divine book? Did you, Pang Mei Weng, comprehend it, or did I, Zhou Wangsun, learn it?"

Pang Meiweng's face darkened upon hearing this: "I don't believe he has comprehended it all. That book involves the most profound secrets of martial arts. No matter how talented he is, it's impossible for him to have learned it all."

Zhou Wangsun chuckled and said, "Never mind how much he learns, at least he can leave the valley after drinking the water from Changchun Spring. You are so capable, why don't you dare to leave the valley?"

Pang Meiweng rolled his eyes in anger, glaring at Zhou Wangsun: "You, you..."

The pale-faced, round-faced man advised, "Forget it, forget it, what's the point of arguing? It's all old news. The world is changing, and maybe we'll have a chance to go out and explore in the future. Let's see how to settle these two outsiders first."

The man with the high-bun hairstyle said, "I think we should take him to the deputy valley master and let him decide." Zhou Wangsun said, "The deputy valley masters are all in seclusion; how can we disturb them?"

The pale-faced, round-faced man said, "Then take him to Chunniang and let her make the decision."

Pang Meiweng snorted upon hearing this: "Chunniang will definitely favor these outsiders."

The pale-faced, round-faced man laughed and said, "This is not something we should worry about. The Valley Master has not shown his face for many years, and he has left the affairs to the Deputy Valley Master and Chunniang. It has nothing to do with us."

He looked at Zhao Ti and Zhong Ling and said, "It is fate that you two entered Changchun Valley. Come with me, I will take you to see the person who can make the decisions and see how to arrange things for you."

Zhao Ti narrowed his eyes. He had heard everything the other party had said. It seemed that Xiaoyaozi had made quite a name for himself in this valley back then, but in the end he stole the divine book and left. He also had a relationship with that girl named Chunniang, which made many people in the valley jealous.

He said, "Thank you, sir, but we still have a friend..."

The pale-faced, round-faced man shook his head and said, "As I just said, no outsiders have entered the valley for decades. This is the first time in recent years. Your friend may have gone somewhere else."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti frowned slightly, a troubled expression on his face: "This..."

Seeing this, the pale-faced man said, "Do you think this valley is easy to enter? Ordinary people can't even find the entrance without great luck. As for those with profound martial arts skills who can find it... judging from your age, that's impossible. Hurry up and come with me; this is a good thing for you."

Zhao Ti glanced at Zhong Ling, whose face also showed disappointment: "Sister Wan'er..."

Zhao Ti said, "Let's go with this gentleman and talk about it later."

The pale-faced, round-faced man said to the others, "You all go and check on the rice and wheat. I'll take them to see Chunniang."

After saying that, he turned and led the way toward the town. Zhao Ti gave Zhong Ling a subtle wink and then followed.

As Zhao Ti walked, he said, "Sir, may I ask your esteemed name?"

The plump man said, “My name is Ximen Yan. The one with the long beard is Pang Mei Weng, the short one is Zhu Wangsun, and the one with the high bun is Nangong Song. The four of us have a title in the valley, called the Four Friends of Dongli.”

Zhao Ti said, "I see. I am Zhao Ti, and this is my friend Zhong Ling."

Ximen Yan glanced at the two of them and said, "It's probably impossible for you to leave the valley. Even if no one stops you, you won't be able to get out. Besides, there's a huge benefit to coming into the valley. Even if you knew about it, you might not be willing to leave."

Zhao Ti pondered upon hearing this. The benefit the other party mentioned was most likely the Changchun Spring. However, judging from the conversation of the four people, not all of them had drunk from the spring. The reason why Xiaoyaozi was able to leave Changchun Valley after drinking the spring was that he had comprehended the martial arts in the divine book.

A moment later, they arrived at the front of the town. Ximen Yan said, "The people in the valley all live in the town. The Valley Master and the Deputy Valley Master are currently in seclusion. Chunniang is the Valley Master's daughter, and she is in charge of the affairs in the valley at the moment."

Zhao Ti nodded and then entered the town. He saw that the buildings varied in size, some with blue tiles and bricks and others with wooden houses, but all of them were antique and mostly in the style of the ancient Spring and Autumn Period.

There was a bluestone road in the middle of the town, with some shops on both sides. People were walking around, and both of them looked at Zhao Ti with surprise.

As you approach the town center, you'll see a small wooden building with a long courtyard with green walls behind it.

Upon arriving at the small building, Ximen Yan said, "Chunniang lives here. You two, come inside with me."

(End of this chapter)