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

Chapter 353 The Cicada Sheds Its Shell (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The temple was dimly lit, the statues of gods were ferocious and terrifying, and the atmosphere was dark and gloomy, making one's spine tingle.

Walking through the temple is the shortest straight-line distance, and it's the fastest way to reach the cave on the cliff.

However, if they were to circle around the temple from the outside, the journey would be much longer and take too much time. Moreover, the shadowy figure was incredibly fast, and it was hard to say whether they would be caught up by it.

Zhao Ti could easily shake off the shadowy figure, and Kumārajīva could do the same, but it was hard to say about the others.

Just as they turned to face the statue, the shadows entered. Zhou Tong exclaimed, "So fast!"

Although his martial arts skills were good, his magical power was the lowest, so he couldn't use any spells to enhance his speed, and thus he fell behind.

Zhao Ti, holding A Zhu's hand, glanced back and paused slightly. Given Zhou Tong's current size, he would inevitably be caught up by the shadowy figure, but he couldn't abandon him.

"You all go first, I'll take Guangzu with me for a while," Zhao Ti said.

"Young master, I..." Zhou Tong had just begun to speak when he saw the dark figure already chasing after him, rushing to the side of the statue.

Zhao Ti frowned upon seeing this and was about to rush over to help when he suddenly noticed that the statue was emitting an earthy yellow light. This light was not very intense, and was even somewhat dim, but it still made the temple a bit brighter.

The several faceless puppets with closed eyes hanging in front of the statue suddenly trembled, and the crooked blood-red runes engraved on their bodies all lit up, twisting and turning in a strange way, exuding a terrifying aura.

At this moment, the shadowy figure had already run to the front of the statue and was about to grab Zhou Tong. Zhao Ti raised his arm to make a move, but then he saw the wooden puppets open their eyes in an instant, revealing blood-red pupils.

Huh? Zhao Ti raised an eyebrow and saw several puppets jump straight over, blocking the dark figure.

The puppet... The people behind it were taken aback. Then they saw the puppet reach out and grab the shadowy figures, then tear them apart with force. The shadowy figures were immediately torn into several pieces.

Then, on the faces of these dolls that originally had no mouth or nose, a huge mouth appeared out of nowhere, splitting all the way to the ears, and filled with triangular teeth like serrations.

They stuffed the fragments of the shadowy figure inside, chewing them with a "crunch, crunch" sound. The fragments emitted countless sharp screams, as if many insects were crying out in unison.

In the blink of an eye, the puppets devoured more than a dozen dark figures, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Zhao Ti raised his eyebrows and said, "Go and get some candles."

The generals took several candlesticks from the temple, and Lang Tianruo said, "The Mother Goddess has appeared; perhaps she can kill all these shadows."

As soon as he finished speaking, the situation in front of him suddenly changed. Although the puppet was able to suppress and devour the shadows, there were simply too many shadows. Countless more surged in from behind the temple, like a black ocean, and instantly submerged the puppet.

In just a few breaths, the puppets were all dismembered, covered by black shadows, and then strangely gathered together to form new black puppets.

Zhao Ti's lips twitched: "Let's go!"

The group rushed out of the temple and saw a dark figure chasing after them. Ahead were the new puppets, clearly being controlled by the dark figure as they moved forward.

They were not far from the cliff by now. Zhao Ti secretly estimated that he could climb up before the shadowy figure caught up with them.

Just as they were about to reach the edge of the steps, dark streams suddenly flowed down from the cliffs on both sides, and three shadows jumped down abruptly, blocking their path.

“Young master, it’s those three dark figures that were hiding on the wall before,” A’Zhu said softly.

Zhao Ti didn't stop moving: "Use magic first, then fire!"

The group nodded in agreement and unleashed their spells to bombard the target.

The three dark figures were immediately shattered into pieces, but they didn't die at all and tried to reassemble themselves in an instant.

The group immediately threw their torches to probe the shadows. The flames instantly burned the shadows, making crackling noises, and sharp screams echoed from within the firelight.

Countless short, granular things darted about in clusters, trying to escape the intense heat of the flames, a sight that sent chills down one's spine.

“As expected, this thing is afraid of fire!” Kumārajīva said, “Miss A’Zhu is right.”

Azhu said, "But there are just too many behind. Even if we are afraid of fire, we don't have enough fire to fight back. In the end, we will become like those puppets, unable to defeat them and having our bodies controlled by them."

Zhao Ti said, "Stop thinking about it, use your lightness skills to get over here and hurry up to the top of the cliff!"

Upon hearing this, the group immediately leaped high into the air, landed on the steps above, and then ran up the steps to the top of the cliff.

Just as everyone reached the top of the cliff and breathed a sigh of relief, they saw a dark figure moving swiftly up the stone steps and chasing after them.

"Young master, this thing has actually come up!" Zhou Tong said.

"Young master, let's light torches and candles at the cliff's edge," Huang Tianbiao said, his heart pounding.

“Blocking the cliff entrance is useless. Look at the cliff walls on both sides. Blocking the entrance to the cave is better than blocking the cliff entrance,” Zhao Ti said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the group looked up. Although the mountain wall in front was not visible, the cliffs on both sides were faintly visible. Countless shadows were climbing up the stone walls, densely packed and dark, covering the entire mountainside.

"Go!" Zhao Ti ordered, frowning.

The group rushed towards the cave entrance. Once there, they took out all the flammable materials they had with them. Zhou Tong Jiumozhi even put his outer robe on top of it, and then set it ablaze.

Then they began to return into the cave. At this time, thick smoke billowed behind them, and flames soared into the sky, illuminating the path ahead in a bright red color.

After passing through the bronze gate, Zhao Ti ordered it to be closed tightly, leaving not even a crack. Only then did everyone relax and head out of the cave.

Back at the cave where they held their meeting, Lang Tianruo, panting, asked, "Your Majesty, those things shouldn't be able to get out, right?"

Zhao Ti pondered, “I see that the bronze door has hidden runes and incantations, and the material is very special, not ordinary bronze. It should be able to block monsters. Moreover, there may be some rules below, so monsters may not be able to get outside, and they may not be able to survive outside.”

Looking at his severed finger, Huang Tianbiao murmured, "What kind of monster is so terrifying? It's completely different from demons and monsters. Where did it come from?"

Zhao Ti said, "The reason why the wolf clan stopped worshiping back then was probably because of the proliferation of monsters. These things emerged from the eye of the earth vein. It is possible that something unusual happened to the existence beneath the grassland, which led to this. The shamanism should know about this, but back then, the spiritual energy was exhausted and the shamanism had no way to solve it, so it has been left unattended until today."

Wolf Heaven said, "What Your Majesty says is absolutely right, it must be so."

Zhao Ti said, "You two don't need to worry too much. The monster can't escape. The Earth Eye is now open, and the spiritual energy on the mountain is even more abundant. You two should cultivate well on the mountain. Huang Tianbiao, go and relocate the remaining clansmen here. Divide this mountain in two and cultivate separately. If anything happens, report to Wulahai City immediately."

The wolf and the rat nodded vigorously: "We will obey Your Majesty's orders."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment and said, "I will leave now. You two guard me carefully and do not let your guard down."

After saying this, he walked out of the cave, and the others followed. When they arrived at the outside of the valley, Lang Tianruo and Huang Tianbiao bowed. Zhao Ti waved his hand and led A Zhu, Zhou Tong, and Kumozhi down the mountain.

At this point, more than a month had passed since the group left Wulahai. They had spent nearly thirty days cultivating underground, which, measured in days, was equivalent to thirty years of arduous training outside.

Outside, spring had fully arrived, with grass and trees growing and everything lush and green. Eagles soared overhead, their cries echoing, while foxes and rabbits darted through the grass, creating a breathtaking and delightful scene.

Upon reaching the edge of the grassland, they saw a troop of soldiers moving about. Zhe Yanzhi, who was in front, looked anxious and shaded his eyes with his hand. When he saw Zhao Ti and the others, his eyes lit up with surprise. "Your Highness, you've finally returned." Zhe Yanzhi led his soldiers forward to greet them. "If you hadn't returned soon, Father would have sent a large army."

Before leaving, Zhao Ti gave Zhe Keshi an order: even if there was no news within forty days, no troops should be sent to disturb him; if he did not return after forty days, then the army should attack the mountain directly.

"Has anything important happened during this time?" Zhao Ti nodded and asked.

“There’s nothing major happening here at the military headquarters. The imperial guards from Hedong and Hebei have already crossed the border and are heading straight for the seven prefectures in front of the mountains. It seems they intend to forcibly seize those prefectures,” Zhe Yanzhi said.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are divided into seven prefectures in front of the mountains and nine prefectures behind the mountains, totaling sixteen.

However, not all sixteen prefectures were in the hands of the Liao Dynasty. The Liao Dynasty actually only occupied fourteen prefectures, while Yingzhou and Mozhou remained in the hands of the Song Dynasty.

In the third year of Tianfu of the Later Jin Dynasty, Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Khitan. However, Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, Chai Rong, once led a northern expedition and recovered Mozhou and Yingzhou.

After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, these two prefectures continued to belong to the Song. When the Song and Liao signed the Treaty of Chanyuan, the Baigou River was also used as the boundary, and the two prefectures still belonged to the Song.

So at this moment, the actual goal is to recover the five prefectures in front of the mountain: Jizhou, Zhuozhou, Tanzhou, Shunzhou, and Youzhou.

Youzhou was Yanjing, the Nanjing Xijin Prefecture of the Liao Dynasty.

The name Youzhou was originally used during the Tang and Five Dynasties periods. When Emperor Taizong of Liao designated it as Nanjing in the first year of the Huitong era, it was initially named Nanjing Youdu Prefecture. In the thirtieth year of the Tonghe era of Emperor Shengzong of Liao, it was changed to Nanjing Xijin Prefecture. It was also known as Yanjing. All three names essentially refer to the same region.

Zhao Ti said, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition. You have long intended to recover the old lands in front of and behind the mountains. This time, you will surely defeat the Khitan and achieve success in one fell swoop."

Zhe Yanzhi agreed, and Zhao Ti then asked, "Is there anything else?"

Zhe Yanzhi pondered and said, "By the way, Your Highness, a letter has arrived from Xingzhou, but it is not a military report, so Father did not dare to open it."

"Not a military report?" Zhao Ti asked. "Where did it come from, Xingzhou?"

Zhe Yanzhi said, "They came from the Xingzhou Palace."

Zhao Ti looked at A'Zhu: "Did Wanqing come?"

Azhu smiled and said, "It should be a letter from Sister Wan'er."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment and said, "If it's not a military report... then I wonder what Wanqing has to say to Wulahai?"

A'Zhu's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled and said, "It must be Sister Wan'er who misses Your Highness and sent this letter to inquire after you."

Zhao Ti glanced at her again, saw A Zhu's mischievous expression, and shook his head. He knew Mu Wanqing's personality well; it was unlikely that she would write letters to him and be all lovey-dovey.

He said, "Let's talk about it when we get back to the city."

Then soldiers led over horses, and the group mounted and headed straight for Wulahai, arriving before sunset.

Without resting, they immediately convened a meeting to discuss military and political matters. After everything was settled, they began to plan how to launch a surprise attack on several major cities in the northwest of the Liao Kingdom.

Those large cities are isolated on the grassland. Apart from Qatun, the others do not have many garrisons. Although it is said that every Khitan is a soldier, the ethnic groups here are mixed and have lived a nomadic life for many years without fighting. In reality, they have little to do with soldiers.

The Tatars are numerous, even as many as the Khitans. While they outwardly obey the Khitans' orders, they secretly engage in many underhanded activities. If it were to be conscripted, half of them would likely desert.

The major tribes of the Khitan did not live in the city, but built fortified villages in scenic areas, which were not close to the city.

Therefore, raiding those cities is not actually difficult, especially if one does not intend to occupy them but only wants to take advantage of the situation.

As the moon rose above the willow branches, the generals came up with a rough plan. Zhao Ti told Zhe Keshi and the others to continue refining it, as there was no rush. Then he called A Zhu to go out for a meal.

Holding the letter from Xingzhou in her hand, A'Zhu said as she walked, "Your Highness, I haven't read Sister Wan'er's letter yet."

Zhao Ti said, "Let's look at it while we eat."

Upon arriving at the dining hall, the cook brought out the food. Zhao Ti ate a few bites, then held out his hand and said, "Give me the letter."

A'Zhu said, "I'll read it to Your Highness."

Zhao Ti nodded: "Alright, it'll just delay our meal."

Azhu smiled and said, "It's alright, I wasn't that hungry anyway."

She carefully opened the double-carp envelope, took out the letter, and began to read it. But the more she read, the softer her voice became, and she kept glancing at Zhao Ti.

Zhao Ti's expression changed, and he suddenly slammed his hand on the table: "Outrageous! What kind of logic is this? He doesn't raise his own daughter, but he actually wants to send her here to be disciplined by me?"

A'Zhu said weakly, "Your Highness, Your Highness, please don't be angry..."

Zhao Ti frowned and said, "This Prince of Zhennan is really playing a clever game. Azi caused a huge disturbance at Xiaojing Lake, turning the world upside down. He couldn't control her there, so he actually started plotting against me?"

Azhu lowered her head and said, "Perhaps there really is no other way..."

"No way?" Zhao Ti looked at A'Zhu: "I think this is a clever trick, a way of shifting the blame. I sent him my daughter, and now he wants to send her back to me? And he even has the audacity to ask me to help discipline her? How can I discipline his daughter? I'm not A'Zi's father!"

Azhu's voice was weak and barely audible: "Perhaps, perhaps she thinks that her two older sisters are in Xingzhou, following Your Highness, and she is Your Highness's sister-in-law, so she wants to ask Your Highness to lend a hand..."

Zhao Ti laughed in anger upon hearing this: "Isn't he afraid that I'll be angered by A Zi and, without any mercy, slap him to death?"

A'Zhu stepped forward, tugged at Zhao Ti's sleeve, and gently shook it, her voice growing softer as she said, "Your Highness..."

Zhao Ti glanced at A'Zhu and asked, "What do you think we should do?"

Azhu said, "This servant doesn't know, how dare this servant give Your Highness any advice? As long as Your Highness isn't angry or upset, that's fine..."

Zhao Ti frowned and asked, "What about A Zi?"

A'Zhu said, "Sister, it's naturally best for you not to get hurt either."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti narrowed his eyes, looked at the letter in A Zhu's hand, and fell into deep thought.

The letter was written by Mu Wanqing, but it relayed a letter from Duan Zhengchun. Duan Zhengchun went to Xiaojing Lake to look for Azi, but Azi made a scene at Xiaojing Lake and refused to return to Dali with him or stay with Ruan Xingzhu. Duan Zhengchun had no choice but to write to the Northwest for help, wanting to send Azi over to stay with his two older sisters, Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling, for a while and asking them to help discipline her.

But how should we discipline Azi? Hang her up and beat her eight times a day? Lock her in with a big iron chain? Confine her in a dog cage and forbid her from going out? Pour water on her and scald her with wax? Imprison her in a secret cell? Otherwise, as long as she is outside, who knows what terrible trouble she will cause.

After a long pause, Zhao Ti said expressionlessly, "Now that spring is in full bloom and the scenery in the Central Plains is quite beautiful, we might as well go and take a look."

A'Zhu's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she exclaimed in delight, "Your Highness, you..."

(End of this chapter)