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

Chapter 390 A Hundred Flowers Bloom, A Faded Trace of Smoke and Clouds

Zhao Ti looked at Zhao Ji, narrowing his eyes: "Is this a case of being arrogant at first and then obsequious? Sweet words but a dagger in the heart?"

Zhao Ji hurriedly replied, "No, no, my admiration for Brother Ba has always been like a surging river, endless and boundless, and like..."

"Alright," Zhao Ti interrupted him, "Want to leave?"

“I want to, I want to…” Zhao Ji choked out, “Eighth Brother, please let me out. Every moment I stay here is worse than death.”

Zhao Ti said, "No torture was used, so what's there to be upset about?"

Zhao Ji suddenly burst into tears: "Eighth Brother, the smell here is awful. I've never smelled anything like this in my life. It's suffocating me!"

"Can't stand even a little smell?" Zhao Ti stroked his chin.

"And another thing, there are all sorts of noises that are making me very upset. Last night, even the rats ran up to my feet and almost climbed up my pants and onto me..." Zhao Ji looked terrified.

"What are you afraid of, a Taoist practitioner?" Zhao Ti frowned.

“Eighth Brother, this, this has nothing to do with whether or not I cultivate Taoist arts. I, I’ve been afraid since I was a child…” Zhao Ji was in tears: “You’re not unaware of this. When I was a child studying in the palace, you even caught a mouse and stuffed it into my desk. I was so scared that I almost wet my pants.”

"Then tell me why I caught a mouse for you," Zhao Ti said coldly.

“I… I drew mandarin ducks in the myna bird’s books and smeared all of its homework…” Zhao Ji said, bowing his head.

"Mandarin ducks?" Zhao Ti said, "Didn't you draw ducks? Where did you get mandarin ducks from!"

“My drawing skills weren’t very good back then, so it looks like a duck, but it’s actually a mandarin duck. If my brother doesn’t believe me, let me go, and I’ll draw another one for him to see,” Zhao Ji said, sobbing.

Zhao Ti looked at him for a few moments and said, "If you can't even endure this little bit of hardship, how can you go to the battlefield?"

“Eighth Brother, this prison is worse than death…” Zhao Ji said, “I would rather go to the battlefield.”

"Once you get to the battlefield, you won't start thinking about the safety of prison again and start complaining in your heart," Zhao Ti said calmly.

"No, no, a true man should die on the battlefield; why should his bones be buried in his hometown?" Zhao Ji hurriedly replied.

"Alright," Zhao Ti said, "Stay put for now, we'll talk about it when we set off."

"Ah? Myth brother, are we going to keep you locked up here? Myth brother, please let me go..." Zhao Ji immediately let out a pig-like scream.

Zhao Ti glanced at Zhou Tong, who stepped forward and stuffed the rag back into Zhao Ji's mouth. Zhao Ji's eyes widened immediately, and he twisted his body violently like a fish turning white.

"Add a chain, so he won't break free." After saying this, Zhao Ti turned and walked out, leaving only Zhao Ji's continuous "woo-woo" sounds behind him.

After being released from prison, the soldiers left the city to inspect the troops. They had been training diligently these days, and now that the Western Route Army had also arrived, they were divided into two groups for a joint exercise.

As the sun set, Zhao Ti returned to the governor's mansion. After having dinner, he went to his room to practice his martial arts.

He is now on the path of sainthood, with no obstacles in his cultivation, a smooth and easy road ahead.

As midnight approached, he felt he had reached the edge of the seventh floor of the Twelve-Story Tower, and was on the verge of breaking through. He began to gradually stop his practice and then gently exhaled.

The seventh floor of the Twelve-Story Tower is called Xuanwu Armor, and the corresponding tribulation is the Fetal Transformation Tribulation, which means reshaping the bloodline.

Zhao Ti pondered for a while. In the past, he had always thought about these tribulations based on the records in the Taoist books he had read. Now that he had received Murong Longcheng's explanation of the Taoist teachings, he had gained a different understanding when he analyzed them.

In the following days, he discussed military matters with his generals, intensified military drills, and prepared to march north to Yanjing.

With 400,000 troops in Zhuozhou and over 300,000 in Yanjing, neither side has any advantage in retaking this city.

The Song Dynasty was struggling to secure reinforcements. According to Zhao Ti's estimate, at most, they could only send another 200,000 troops, which would be almost the entire nation's strength.

The number of 800,000 Imperial Guards is true, but in reality, it was impossible to muster that many men for the expedition. After all, they had to stay behind to guard various places, and the local militia and garrison troops lacked combat effectiveness. Even if they were added to the ranks, they would not be of any real use in the war.

But the Liao Dynasty was different. The entire Liao population was soldiers, and the strong herdsmen filled the army, making them much more effective than the local militia and garrison troops on the Song Dynasty's side.

Even though the Liao dynasty has become corrupt in recent years and its regular army is weak, the grassland people, who herd livestock and ride horses, migrate with the water and grass. Although their fighting strength is not as good as the Song dynasty's imperial guards, it is still far superior to that of the local militia and garrison troops.

Therefore, if we want to take Yanjing, we must act quickly and decisively, and not let the war drag on for too long, generally speaking, no more than a month.

Once more than a month has passed, things will become unfavorable. The enemy will gather more troops and have a steady supply of supplies. At that point, let alone attacking the city, the enemy will inevitably launch a preemptive strike, engaging in battle and raiding enemy camps.

On the afternoon before the expedition, Zhao Ti went to see Zhao Ji again. By this time, the rag had been removed from Zhao Ji's mouth. Upon seeing Zhao Ti, Zhao Ji hurriedly asked, "Did Eighth Brother come to let me leave?"

Zhao Ti glanced at him and said calmly, "We will set out for Youzhou tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji was overjoyed: "Eighth Brother told me to stay put and we'd talk about it when we set off for the expedition. Now that we're about to march north, he must be going to let me go."

Zhao Ti stroked his chin without speaking. Zhao Ji's expression changed, and he stammered, "Eighth...Eighth Brother, you're not here to kill me to silence me, are you?"

Zhao Ti remained silent, while sweat beaded on Zhao Ji's forehead: "Eighth Brother..."

Zhao Ti then spoke leisurely: "I've noticed you've gotten used to staying here these past few days, and you look quite well. You probably don't really want to go out..."

"Ah? My brother scared me to death." Zhao Ji breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought my brother was coming to kill me. I, I want to get out. If I don't get out, I'm afraid I'll suffocate in this prison."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment: "Tomorrow I will accompany the army to Yanjing. Is there a chance I can be ordered to perform meritorious service?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji's face immediately lit up with joy: "Yes, yes, don't worry, Eighth Brother. I possess magical skills and am full of strategic acumen. If I don't make contributions, who will?"

As he said this, his tone suddenly lowered, and he hesitated, saying, "Brother Ba wouldn't take credit for my work, would he?"

Zhao Ti said calmly, "You should establish your merit first. If you make a serious mistake before you've achieved anything, you'll be executed without mercy."

"Don't worry, Brother Ba, don't worry. If I don't perform any merits and instead make mistakes, I will accept any punishment." Zhao Ji nodded immediately, like a chicken pecking at rice.

Zhao Ti glanced at him a few more times, then turned around and said as he walked out of the prison, "Untie him. He'll be going to war with the army tomorrow."

Killing Zhao Ji was pointless. If he were imprisoned in Zhuozhou, there would be trouble if he left with his troops. It would be better to take him to Yanjing. Since he had learned magic, he could be of some use.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji exclaimed joyfully from behind, "Thank you, Eighth Brother! Thank you, Eighth Brother!"

After leaving the prison, Zhao Ti returned to the governor's mansion and saw Wang Yuyan standing blankly in front of the flower garden. He asked, "What are you doing, Yan'er?" Wang Yuyan turned around and said, "Your Highness, I'm thinking about the magic that makes all the flowers bloom."

"If I become the Green Emperor one day, I will make all the flowers bloom at the same time," Zhao Ti nodded. Wang Yuyan had told him about this spell.

This method is neither offensive nor defensive; it's merely for showing off in front of others, so he didn't practice it.

After a moment's thought, without chanting any incantations, he channeled his magical power and pointed into the flowerbed. A shimmering green and white light began to swirl around the flowerbed.

A few breaths later, the light seemed to penetrate into the flower bushes and disappear, while the buds that were about to bloom trembled gently and gradually unfolded, finally blossoming into fragrant and vibrant flowers.

Meanwhile, some flowers that were not yet in season and had not yet formed buds slowly developed buds and eventually bloomed, displaying their brilliance.

Wang Yuyan exclaimed with delight, "Your Highness, you have actually mastered it! Please teach me!"

Zhao Ti said, "I haven't mastered it completely; the speed is still a bit slow, but it's usable."

Wang Yuyan said, "I have some doubts about the key points, especially regarding the generation of destiny..."

Zhao Ti nodded and began to speak. A moment later, Wang Yuyan raised her hand and cast a spell, which indeed caused many more flowers to bloom. The spell was now complete.

"Your Highness, so this is how it's used!" Wang Yuyan exclaimed with delight.

"Practice makes perfect," Zhao Ti smiled. Then the two of them began to use the Hundred Flowers Blooming Technique continuously. By evening, the flowers had bloomed all over the courtyard, and their fragrance had drifted far and wide.

The two then went to the canteen for dinner. Zhao Ti said, "Tomorrow we'll be marching, so Yan'er should stay in Zhuozhou."

Wang Yuyan shook her head: "I said I would not leave Your Highness again, so I will go with Your Highness."

Zhao Ti said, "How can you say you've left? Yan'er hasn't gone anywhere else. She'll wait for my return."

Wang Yuyan said, "I will go to the front lines to help Your Highness."

Zhao Ti thought for a moment: "The army is indeed lacking in magic experts, but it's not good to leave Zhuozhou City empty. You can stay here for now and wait for the imperial reinforcements to arrive before going to the front line. By the way, Yan'er said earlier that Xiaoyaozi was coming?"

Wang Yuyan said, "When I left, I told my great-grandfather that he could come to find me later, so he probably... will come?"

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment and said, "If Senior Xiaoyaozi arrives, take him directly to the front."

Wang Yuyan asked in confusion, "Does Your Highness wish to see your great-grandfather?"

Zhao Ti nodded. Some things are bound to be revealed sooner or later, so it's better to reveal them sooner rather than later.

Murong Longcheng happened to be nearby at that moment, so he called Xiaoyaozi over as well. Both of them had dreamt of their past lives, so he asked them to compare their dreams and see if Lin Lingsu was indeed Tongtian. If she was, then the three of them could sit down and talk to see what major event had led to the reincarnation of a saint.

Wang Yuyan said, "I wonder when my great-grandfather will come. He is cultivating deep in the Qingliang Mountains, and letters cannot be sent. Otherwise, I would write a letter to urge him to come..."

Zhao Ti said, "It's alright. If we can't deliver it, so be it. If the war in Yanyun ends and it still hasn't arrived, we'll find another way to search for it in Qingliang Mountain."

Wang Yuyan said, "I will follow Your Highness's arrangements."

After the two finished their meal, they returned to their respective rooms. By then, it was already getting dark. Zhao Ti suddenly felt a surge of inspiration and ordered someone to guard the door before going to bed to cultivate.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the surging magical power rushed into the Xuanwu Armor on the seventh floor of the Twelve-Story Tower, wandering endlessly and running around everywhere, with an astonishing momentum like a hurricane and a tsunami.

Then, he slowly withdrew his energy after nine cycles, and began to introspectively examine his meridians and inner world. Just then, his body suddenly trembled, and the light and shadow before his eyes shifted and changed, the scene had changed...

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, the stars twinkle, and the river below ripples with waves—a truly astonishing sight.

"Ah..." Zhao Ti cried out as he was about to fall into the Jade River.

A small, snow-white hand gently tugged at him from the side, and with a force he seemed to draw from nowhere, his body momentarily froze. Then, bamboo strips flew out and landed on the Jade River.

“Miss Zhuge, you…” Zhao Ti was covered in cold sweat and turned to look at Zhuge Qingqing beside him.

At this moment, his body was suspended on the river surface, with Zhuge Qingqing holding him beside him. They were stepping on a bamboo strip and flying towards another bamboo strip in front of them.

"Don't speak, run! Luo Fu is coming..." Zhuge Qingqing giggled, her voice extremely pleasant to hear.

Zhao Ti dared not say a word while in her grasp. He stole a glance at the painted boat behind him and saw a white, cold light burst from the top of the boat, shooting straight toward him.

"Zhuge Qingqing, hurry up and put down Young Master Zhao!" Luo Fu's voice was cold and clear, coming from the cold light, which was actually an amazing sword light that was chasing after them at an incredible speed.

"Luofu, don't chase after me anymore. Qingqing Song was written for me by Young Master Zhao. I will take Young Master Zhao to write the poem by hand right now. Don't even think about it anymore." Zhuge Qingqing laughed sweetly, her figure as ethereal as a phantom, almost teleporting, and after a few swaying movements on the river, she reached the shore.

Zhao Ti thought to himself, "So she wanted me to write that poem for the beautiful woman by hand, which is why she kidnapped me. Yes, yes, as long as I write the three words 'Qingqing Ge' in my own hand and add the words 'To Miss Zhuge Qingqing' at the end, then this poem will naturally be considered to have been written for her."

But is this poem really that important? It's just a ranking of the ten most famous flowers; is it worth such animosity and attack?

But then he thought that he was just an ordinary student after all, and he knew nothing about the struggles and rivalries between aristocratic families or the grudges and affections in the martial arts world. He didn't even know the true significance of the names of the Ten Famous Beauties, so his current speculation might not be correct.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ti couldn't help but sigh. He realized that he was still a bit young and arrogant, and had become carried away with his pride. It would have been fine to write a poem about Luo Fu, but why did he have to write that poem about a beautiful woman? Even if he couldn't refuse, he could have just written a mediocre poem. Why did he have to write a poem about a woman who could topple cities and countries, which resulted in such a troublesome situation?

This is precisely because I was too sharp-tongued and spoke carelessly. I didn't know how to conceal my abilities. I don't know where Zhuge Qingqing is going to take me. If I can get away unharmed, I will definitely learn from this and think twice before acting. I shouldn't be so complacent and invite trouble again.

At this moment, Zhuge Qingqing leaped onto the riverbank, holding Zhao Ti in her hand, running like the wind, each leap covering several feet.

Han Guang, who had just come ashore, quickly caught up. Luo Fu's voice was full of anger: "Zhuge Qingqing, why don't you stop right now? If you keep running, do you think you can even get out of Yuzhou City!"

Zhuge Qingqing laughed and said, "Why should I run away? Yuzhou is so big, where can't I go? And how could you catch up with me?"

As she spoke, she suddenly raised her hand behind her, and a cloud of black smoke instantly bloomed, obscuring the path behind her in complete darkness. Then, she swayed and dodged to the side.

From the other side of the black smoke came Luo Fu's shrill cry: "Zhuge Qingqing, you actually used the Smoke-Breaking Technique! You, you can't..."

Zhao Ti heard Luo Fu's voice growing fainter and fainter, knowing that she might not be able to catch up, and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Zhuge, where are you taking me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Qingqing's eyes narrowed into crescent moons: "Young master, please don't be impatient. I will take you to a good place soon..."

(End of this chapter)