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

Chapter 408 Meeting (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Looking at the scene in the command tent ahead, Zhao Ti let out a soft breath. He was back.

His eyebrows rose slightly, and his expression turned solemn. His experiences on this journey to the Tribulation Realm had made him somewhat wary.

Something's not right. The succubus's hand is strange, the Feather Spirit's corpse is strange, Zhuge Qingqing is strange, and her parents over there are even stranger.

The world is the real world, and these people and things are very strange.

The Succubus's Hand is definitely not as simple as the Raven described. It's not some ancient, inanimate object that absorbs your life force and undergoes abnormal changes, can sense your thoughts or actions, and then extends to some outrageous behaviors.

That's all nonsense. The severed hand clearly still retained a trace of demonic nature, possessing independent thoughts and ideas. The self in that world had no awakening memories and couldn't see this clearly. Even the crow couldn't see it either.

"What an ignorant fool!" he thought, and couldn't help but snort.

This severed hand is a remnant of a succubus from the extraterrestrial demons. What exactly a succubus is is completely unknown. Crow doesn't know either, but the other party said that there is a Heavenly Demon Compendium in the demon race, which records everything in detail and contains information about these heavenly demons. He must find an opportunity to get his hands on it and take a look.

The succubus was strange, but the winged spirit's corpse was even more bizarre. Although it never revealed anything unusual, the severed hand dragged him out of bed and made him dig a hole in the corner.

Why dig the pit? Naturally, it's to bury the Feathered Demon, who is enshrined in the small crystal coffin.

The small crystal coffin was right next to the pit, which was about the same size as the small coffin. What else could it be but an attempt to bury this Feather Spirit Demon?

Why would a succubus bury this object after losing her hand? It couldn't be because they were both demons and she wanted to give each other a proper burial.

Driven by demonic nature, they would devour and consume their opponents when they died on the battlefield while they were still alive. How could they possibly be kind enough to bury them thousands of years later?
That's a human custom, not a demonic one.

Moreover, this is not a complete succubus, but only a succubus's left hand. Furthermore, although both belong to the Heavenly Demons, succubi and Feathered Spirits are not of the same race and are not the same thing at all.

Those of the same kind only know how to eat, let alone those who are not of the same kind.

If that's the case, why would the succubus bury the small crystal coffin with her severed hand?
There's only one explanation: fear!
It was afraid of the Feathered Demon, so after discovering the crystal coffin on its body, its demonic nature was passively activated. It risked exposure to drag itself out of bed and run to the corner to dig a hole.

Or perhaps they did something before digging the pit, but felt it wasn't safe enough, so they finally chose to bury the small coffin underground.

But Yu Lingtian Demon has been dead for countless years. Logically speaking, he should have become a material for refining weapons and magical artifacts long ago. So what is the severed hand afraid of?

Was it because Yu Ling, a celestial demon, had such a fearsome reputation among demons during her lifetime that the severed hand reacted with a stress response upon discovering the other party?

Something seems amiss. The severed hand is merely a remnant of demonic energy and shouldn't still retain that kind of memory. It's only possible that the corpse of this Feathered Demon poses a serious threat to it, potentially causing it some insurmountable harm, which is why it took such a action.

The panic caused by this threat even prevented it from opening the crystal coffin and damaging the other party's body. In its haste, it dragged itself out of bed and ran to the corner to dig a hole.

The Feathered Demon has been dead for thousands of years and was suppressed and worn down by the monks who built the Futu Palace when Feilai Temple was founded. What danger could it possibly pose now?

But the more unexpected the danger, the more terrifying it is. The succubus's severed hand reaction has already proven this point. Something is very wrong with the corpse of the Feathered Demon!

As for Zhuge Qingqing, it's not that there's anything wrong with Zhuge Qingqing as a person, but rather that there's something wrong with her attitude towards me.

Why are so-called wandering scholars and virtuous ladies, chivalrous women and scholars, so often found in extraordinary marriages? There is a reason for this.

It's probably because they were attracted to each other in a field that the other person didn't know, had no contact with, or understood, but was curious about. After a chance encounter, they fell in love at first sight and then went to each other's side.

But what is Zhuge Qingqing's background? How can she be described as a chivalrous woman?
The term "heroine of the martial arts world" sounds nice, but most of them haven't read many books, and it's not uncommon for some to not even know how to read.

Their expertise lies in martial arts, the world of outlaws, and geography. They are not knowledgeable about literature, painting, poetry, or literature. Most of them are curious about scholars and admire them.

However, Zhuge Qingqing was not some chivalrous heroine; she was the legitimate daughter of a noble family. From a young age, she had learned everything from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and flowers. She had read the Four Books and Five Classics, the Chu Ci and Han Fu. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she was well-read, after all, this was the most basic educational principle for children of noble families.

So what the crow said was both right and wrong. There are indeed many stories of wandering scholars and gentlemen, chivalrous women and scholars, but they don't apply to Zhuge Qingqing. She was not some kind of outlaw heroine or a rough-and-tumble heroine.

Why would she like me? Just because of a song called "Qingqing"? Or was it stolen from me?

Or perhaps he himself is handsome and dashing? But are women from prominent families rarely seen like this? They're probably as common as carp crossing a river, a regular sight in the halls of mansions.

He and the other person were strangers, had only met twice, and had barely exchanged a few words, yet he had already fallen for them? And they weren't even angry at his frivolous and rude behavior, but instead offered him advice and even offered to help him find a solution to his severed hand?

Most importantly, he discovered a sense of familiarity in Zhuge Qingqing. His counterpart in the other world had not awakened and therefore had not sensed it, but his counterpart here was aware of it.

He even felt a slight sense of familiarity from Luo Fu, which was quite inexplicable and left him puzzled.

There is something weird everywhere.

The same goes for the parents over there. The self in that world hasn't realized it yet, or perhaps the person involved is too close to see it. But once they return to this world, with just a little thought, they will know that the parents in that other world must be extraordinary.

First of all, he must possess unparalleled martial arts skills and be no ordinary person. He lives in seclusion in the bustling city for reasons unknown.

The father of Zhao is actually called Zhao Da. Which Zhao Da is this? Is it the Zhao Da of the founding emperor, or Zhao Gongming, the Zhao Da who was enshrined in the Investiture of the Gods?

The mother's identity raises further suspicions, as she actually has a cousin named Yang Jian.

Which Yang, and which Jian?

Among the eight great families of the Great Qian Dynasty, there is one called the Yang family. Judging from his appearance, Yang Jian is definitely not from a humble family, nor could he be the son-in-law of a wealthy family that Zhao's father mentioned. Although he is carefree and frivolous, he exudes a strong aura that is that of a noble family.

If others can't see it, can't you see it yourself? Yang Jian must come from a prominent family, so what about Zhao's mother? Was she a daughter of a prominent family?

Thinking of this, Zhao Ti raised his eyebrows. If that's the case, then this is what the crow meant by a playboy and a lady, right?

Moreover, Yang Jian asked several times why his parents didn't teach him martial arts. This proves that Zhao's parents did indeed know martial arts, but it also raises another question: why didn't they teach them?
Although he hadn't yet looked at the two manuals Yang Jian had taken out, judging from his description of their power, they must be peerless techniques. The Four Illuminations Divine Skill might even be the core martial art of the Yang family, one of the eight great families! But another question arose: he wasn't a member of the Yang family, so why was Yang Jian giving him this technique?
According to Yang Jian, the martial arts skills could not be passed on to anyone who was not a direct descendant of the Yang family, or to any elite member of that family. How could he, an outsider, risk such a humiliation by giving him this martial art?

What secrets lie behind this? How did Zhao's mother leave the Yang family? What was Zhao's father's identity back then? So many mysteries, so many strange things.

So, nothing is right, not a single thing is right. Although they are all based on real people and events, none of them are right.

Zhao Ti closed his eyes slightly. The only way to break the deadlock was for his own memories in that world to awaken, or rather, for his own soul to awaken. Only in this way could he focus on the overall situation and unravel all the mysteries little by little.

However, when I was in the grove with Zhuge Qingqing, I had a moment of clarity in my mind. So it seems that it's not that I won't awaken, but that I need time or some conditions to be triggered to realize myself. Although I don't know how long it will take, there is always hope.

If one has to settle for second best, one must still learn martial arts. The dangers of that world are ten or even a hundred times greater than here. Without martial arts, it is difficult to protect oneself, and damage to one's soul would be a regrettable mistake.

Fortunately, before leaving, his counterpart in that other world relaxed his mind, found the manual to study, and might start practicing next, which made him breathe a slight sigh of relief.

As Zhao Ti was pondering, the Illusory Yin True Qi suddenly stirred, shooting upwards from the eighth floor of the Twelve-Story Tower and entering the Ninth Floor, the Gate of Life and Death.

He quickly focused his mind and began to organize his true energy. The Illusory Yin True Energy didn't care about the magic power entrenched in the ninth layer at all, but went straight to the top of the Gate of Life and Death, eager to try its luck at the tenth layer, Gouchen Prison.

Zhao Ti frowned upon seeing this, feeling it was best to hold off for now. After all, it was almost dawn, and if he broke through to the tenth level now, he might very well enter another world again, which might delay the camp's discussions and the military situation on the front lines.

He got up and asked the guards outside to boil a pot of tea, which he drank until dawn.

Then he prepared for dinner, summoned his generals to listen to the reports from the scouts, and then mustered tens of thousands of troops to continue to watch the Zhuxian Sword Formation in front of Yanjing City.

Three days passed in this manner, with the same routine every day. On the morning of the fourth day, just after returning from the Zhuxian Formation, a soldier suddenly reported that Wang Yuyan had arrived and was outside the South Camp Gate.

Zhao Ti narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. He had instructed Wang Yuyan to help guard Zhuozhou, and she was intelligent and kind-hearted, so she would not abandon her post without permission, unless... Xiaoyaozi came!
The thought of Xiaoyaozi coming over caused his expression to change slightly. What was meant to happen would happen eventually. The three of them, Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, would eventually reunite. Was this fate? What was meant to be avoided could not be avoided, and what was meant to be met would be met sooner or later.

However, it was just in time for the enemy to arrive, otherwise the four people needed to break the Immortal Slaughtering Formation would not have been able to be gathered. Now, there is hope of breaking the formation.

He ordered a soldier to call Murong Longcheng and Lin Lingsu, and when the two came over, he smiled and said, "Second Senior Brother has come to the camp."

Lin Lingsu was taken aback upon hearing this, and Murong Longcheng asked, "Your Highness, is it that Xiaoyaozi who has arrived?"

Zhao Ti glanced at him. Murong Longcheng had been awake in the Tokyo prison for a long time, but his memories had not returned. He wondered if seeing Xiaoyaozi would awaken his memories.

He smiled slightly and said, "Senior Brother, if you remember anything when you see Second Brother later, please don't be angry."

Murong Longcheng took a deep breath: "Your Highness, I get angry as soon as I hear this name. I may have had a grudge against him before and fought with him. However, now that I have awakened my past life and know my true identity and that he is my second junior brother, I can just laugh off the things in this life and won't take them to heart."

Zhao Ti said, "It's good that you think this way, Senior Brother. After all, we are brothers and fellow disciples. What can't we sit down and talk about? The bond between fellow disciples is more important than anything else. The past life was the true body, and this life is just a trial. Senior Brother doesn't need to take the things of this life to heart."

Murong Longcheng said, "Your Highness is right. The bond between fellow disciples is more important than anything else. This life is just a trial in the world. Everything will pass by like fleeting clouds. I will not take it to heart."

Zhao Ti raised the corners of his mouth and said meaningfully, "This is what Senior Brother said, so remember it."

Murong Longcheng said, "Your Highness is overthinking it. How could I go back on my word? Besides, my third junior brother is here to witness. I would never hold a grudge against Xiaoyaozi over past events."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "That's excellent."

He then left the tent and headed straight for the south gate of the camp, arriving shortly afterward.

Just then, a bright and beautiful young girl stood in the distance outside the camp. She had an exquisite face, a fairy-like appearance, and could be both happy and angry. She wore a pale yellow dress and carried a small floral bag. It was Wang Yuyan.

Just three zhang behind Wang Yuyan, a scholar in blue robes stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless, looking up at the sky.

Wang Yuyan looked over at that moment, and upon seeing Zhao Ti, she exclaimed with delight, "Your Highness..."

Zhao Ti nodded, then ordered the soldiers to open the camp gate and commanded the officers to lead the two in, since there were various firearms and traps in front of the camp that needed to be avoided.

A few dozen breaths later, the two entered the stronghold. Wang Yuyan rushed over and nestled in Zhao Ti's arms, whispering, "Your Highness, Yan'er will never leave Your Highness again."

Upon seeing this, Xiaoyaozi let out a heavy snort, then his gaze fell on Murong Longcheng.

Murong Longcheng's tiger-like eyes widened as he looked Xiaoyaozi up and down. The more he looked, the angrier he became, but his expression also became more and more bewildered.

Xiaoyaozi scoffed, "What are you doing here?"

Murong Longcheng was already displeased with him, and now seeing his rude words and arrogant expression, he became even more annoyed. However, remembering Zhao Ti's words earlier, he just kept a gloomy face and didn't speak, thinking that he would reveal his identity and talk to him after returning to the camp.

Seeing that he remained silent, Xiaoyaozi said calmly, "A defeated opponent!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Longcheng could no longer contain himself and frowned, asking, "What do you mean, 'defeated opponent'?"

Xiaoyaozi said, "Mantuo Manor has been fighting me for half a year, suffering defeat after defeat. Aren't they still my defeated opponents?"

Murong Longcheng's face showed a hint of confusion. He said, "Mantuo Manor... has been defeated by you time and time again? What kind of place is Mantuo Manor...?"

Xiaoyaozi looked him up and down, his tone somewhat strange, and said, "Is this amnesia? Or are you pretending to forget? You don't even know about Mantuo Manor? What about your Murong family's Canhe Manor? Do you not remember it either?"

"The Murong family's... Canhe Manor?" Upon hearing this, Murong Longcheng's expression gradually changed, and finally, his expression changed abruptly, with his beard and hair standing on end even without wind.

Seeing this, Zhao Ti touched his chin and coughed lightly.

At this moment, Murong Longcheng turned his head, looked at him, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, Junior Brother, you..."

(End of this chapter)