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

Chapter 432 Agreement
Mo Chou looked at Zhao Ti with a gentle smile and said, "I have heard that you, sir, have composed two poems, 'The Song of Luo Fu' and 'The Song of Green Green,' which are elegant, refined, and full of emotion. I am deeply impressed and admire you. Therefore, I would like to invite you to a gathering to discuss poetry and literature and to ask you for your guidance on lyrics and prose."

Zhao Ti blinked: "This..."

Mo Chou smiled and said, "Young Master Zhao, please don't refuse. It won't take up much of your time. If you didn't want to see me before, now that you have, refusing again would only make me feel sad."

Zhao Ti said awkwardly, "I have no intention of not wanting to see Miss Mochou. Miss Mochou is overthinking it."

Mo Chou smiled and said, "It is possible that I am overthinking things. Please don't take offense, young master. I sincerely invite you to a gathering. I hope you will do me the honor of attending."

Zhao Ti said, "I really have no talent or learning, and I still have to study..."

“Why be so modest, young master? If you have no talent, wouldn’t all of us be considered uncultured and vulgar?” Mo Chou said, “Young master wouldn’t want my daughter and brother to be given such a title, would he?”

“This…” Zhao Ti touched his nose. The young woman was really good at talking, her words flowing like lotus flowers, completely shutting down all his excuses and reasons.

If it were any other woman he didn't know, he wouldn't need to explain anything; he could simply apologize and say he couldn't go. But since she was Mo Xun's older sister, it would be too impolite to just walk away like that.

"Don't worry, young master, it's just tea and literature. It won't take up much of your time. Please grant my wish for my younger brother's sake and for my admiration..." Mo Chou looked pitiful, her eyes gazing at Zhao Ti with a misty haze that could easily move anyone who looked at her.

"This..." Zhao Ti sighed softly. If he hadn't met the other party, he definitely wouldn't have gone as promised. But now that he had been cornered and met by the other party, there was nothing he could do, and he no longer had any reservations. Since he had already met the other party, what else was there to say? So he decided to go.

“Young master, the state academy will be closed in three days. My younger brother will accompany you. I will wait for you at the Tea and Fragrance Pavilion in the east of the city,” Mochou said.

“I haven’t agreed yet,” Zhao Ti said.

"I know you will agree, young master..." Mo Chou smiled mischievously upon hearing this, her cheeks as radiant as peach blossoms, her beauty dazzling.

Zhao Ti glanced at her and said, "In that case, I'll take my leave."

"Young master, please take care. Don't forget our gathering at the Tea and Fragrance Pavilion three days from now at noon." Mo Chou said, stepping aside with her flowing robes, her beauty ethereal and graceful.

Zhao Ti nodded and continued walking home. After entering Xinghua Lane, a crow landed on his shoulder and said, "Brother, does this Miss Mochou really want to discuss poetry with you?"

Zhao Ti shrugged: "How would I know? Normally, I wrote two poems to steal her thunder, so I would feel awkward no matter what. How could I calmly discuss poetry? She probably wanted to make things difficult for me, which is why I told Mo Xun I wouldn't meet her. Who knew this woman would actually block my way home? She really had a plan."

The crow pondered and said, "The more this is the case, the more careful you should be, my brother. This scheme to invite you is probably meant to present you with some difficult questions. You should be prepared."

“That’s right, and there’s also that Young Master Fuyao…” Zhao Ti frowned: “He said he’s also coming to Yuzhou. I’m afraid he’ll show up then. I wonder what kind of person he is. If he’s narrow-minded, he’ll make an enemy of his family.”

“You humans are too meddlesome. Even nitpicking over words and composing poems and lyrics can make enemies.” The crow shook its head on Zhao Ti’s shoulder. “My demon race is different. We don’t have much literary talent. We’re just roughnecks. Our grudges, affections, and fights are mostly out in the open. We don’t have so many underhanded schemes.”

"The path of literature is the core of humanity, and it has been contested since ancient times. Every piece of writing, every sentence, every word has led to feuds between masters and disciples, and even family members turning against each other. It is no less dangerous than the stories of the martial arts world in folk tales. While swords clash and shadows flash in the martial arts world, the literary world is also turbulent and dangerous," Zhao Ti said.

"Can even family members turn against each other?" the crow asked in surprise.

“Of course I will…” Zhao Ti said, “In the previous dynasty, there was a young and talented poet who came up with the line, ‘The flowers are similar year after year, but the people are different year after year.’ However, my uncle coveted it. At that time, my uncle was a high-ranking official. When he could not get the line, he framed his own nephew and imprisoned him. In the end, he killed him, all in an attempt to possess the line.”

"So dangerous?" the crow exclaimed in surprise. "Killing your own nephew just for two lines of poetry?"

“That’s true,” Zhao Ti said. “However, when the truth came out, the two lines of poetry still belonged to the young poet. The uncle’s efforts were all for naught; he harmed his nephew for nothing and gained nothing in return.”

"Then... what punishment did Uncle receive for killing someone and stealing his poem?" Crow asked, his crimson eyes flashing.

"At that time, the court was corrupt and policies were difficult to implement. He held a high position and was not punished for it. Although everyone knew he was responsible, no one could do anything about it." Zhao Ti pondered, "In the end, it was because of his factionalism and failed political opportunism that the emperor demoted him again and again, and finally ordered his execution. But this had nothing to do with the murder of his nephew or the theft of the poem..."

As they approached the courtyard gate, Zhao Ti pushed it open and entered, only to see Zhao Ling'er holding a rope, chasing a small dog around the apricot tree.

The greyhound was fast, and Zhao Ling'er couldn't catch up. Panting, she shouted, "Wangcai, Wangcai, don't run! I have some meat and bones here. Stop and I'll feed you."

Upon hearing this, the greyhound turned around and looked at Zhao Ling'er's hand. There was no bone there, only the rope that was meant to ensnare it. It immediately showed an angry, anthropomorphic expression and ran even faster.

"Ling'er, what are you doing?" Zhao Ti frowned upon seeing this.

“I…I want to tie Wangcai up…” Zhao Ling’er stopped and said, her eyes darting around.

"Why are you tying it up? What did it do to you?" Zhao Ti asked, puzzled. He had told the greyhound not to provoke the other party before. The greyhound was intelligent and should understand, so it wouldn't provoke his sister. Why did he want to tie it up now?
“It, it…” Zhao Ling’er fiddled with the rope in her hand, her big eyes wide as she said, “I want to take it out for a walk. Wangcai looks different from the neighbor’s big black dog and two yellow dogs. I want to take it over and see which one is more powerful…”

"You..." Zhao Ti's lips twitched upon hearing this. You're trying to figure out which one is stronger? You clearly want to have a dogfight.

"Stop chasing him, and don't bother leashing him. Wangcai is a mountain-searching dog, just like the ones described in the book, so naturally he's more capable than a domestic dog," Zhao Ti said.

"Really, Big Brother?" Zhao Ling'er immediately showed a happy expression, her eyes seemed to be shining, staring intently at the little dog. The little dog trembled in fright, tucked its tail between its legs and ran to the back of the house.

"Dinner's ready!" Zhao's mother called out as she came out, then looked at Zhao Ti and asked in surprise, "Ti'er, why are you so late today?"

Zhao Ti dared not say that he had met another woman from a prominent family. He stammered a few words, then returned the book box to his room and went to the main room for dinner.

After eating, he went back to study. After his parents fell asleep, he began practicing his martial arts, and the night passed in the blink of an eye. The next morning, everything was settled, and he went to the state school. As soon as he entered the school, he saw Mo Xun staring at him with a strange expression.

He pretended not to know, walked to his desk and sat down, taking out his brush, ink, paper and inkstone. He then heard Mo Xun say in a slightly mocking tone, "Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao, you're really something."

Zhao Ti coughed and said, "Brother Mo, why are you being so sarcastic? What's wrong with me?"

"What's wrong?" Mo Xun said indignantly, "Yesterday I tried my best to persuade Brother Zhao to meet with my sister and discuss poetry and literature. But Brother Zhao refused decisively. No matter how much I said, he was unmoved. He would rather suffer the same fate as my sister, leaving me speechless in front of her. Isn't that right?"

Zhao Ti remained silent, opened the inkwell, stirred the pre-mixed ink inside, and then began to turn the pages of the book again.

"But who knew that after Brother Zhao parted ways with me by the river, he met my elder sister, and after a few words from her, Brother Zhao agreed to keep our appointment in three days, isn't that right?"

Zhao Ti remained silent, picked up a small sheep's hair brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote the character "静" (quiet) on the paper.

"Why did Brother Zhao completely ignore my persuasion, while he agreed to my sister's words in just a few breaths? I can't help but think that Brother Zhao was captivated by my sister's beauty and had completely forgotten about Miss Luofu and what he had said before. He was blinded by lust and agreed to it. Is that not so?"

“Alright, three yeses and nos, Brother Mo, please be careful with your words.” Zhao Ti slowly put down his pen and looked at Mo Xun, saying, “Brother Mo, please don’t joke about my own sister. I’m not the kind of person who’s lustful. After all this time, don’t you know my character?”

"Hmph, Brother Zhao, you won't let people talk about it?" Mo Xun said with a dark face, "Brother Zhao is extremely hypocritical. What else could he be but a lecher? What else could he be but someone who changed his mind because of my sister's beauty? Otherwise, why would Brother Zhao be so determined not to go after I told him so many times, but immediately want to go after seeing my sister?"

Zhao Ti shook his head and said, "Your sister is the eldest daughter of a noble family, one of the ten most famous beauties in the world, and has been praised by Young Master Fuyao with the song 'Mo Chou Qu'. Anyone would know that she must be a rare beauty. If I were lustful, would I have waited until I saw her to change my mind? I would probably have agreed as soon as I heard your name. Why would I refuse her with words?"

"This..." Mo Xun looked thoughtful upon hearing this, and after a moment said, "Then why is it? I said a thousand or ten thousand words and it was no use, but Brother Zhao agreed after just a few words from you, sister?"

Zhao Ti sighed softly, “Isn’t it because we met? Miss Mochou anticipated that I wouldn’t agree to the appointment, just in case we were both awkward and uncomfortable. But that was before we met. Once we met, those things no longer apply. Besides, Miss Mochou mentioned Brother Mo several times. Since we’ve met in person, mentioning Brother Mo again is different from Brother Mo talking to me alone. We can be straightforward with each other, but how can I offend Brother Mo’s feelings in front of Miss Mochou?”

"I see..." Mo Xun looked enlightened, but then looked Zhao Ti up and down and hesitated, "No, no, Brother Zhao, don't beat around the bush. You said that my sister had foreseen this, but you don't think that way. I think you're just afraid that Miss Luofu will be jealous. You're very guilty. You wanted to see her, but you hesitated because of this. In the end, when you actually saw my sister, you forgot everything and agreed immediately."

"Brother Mo... what nonsense are you talking about?" Zhao Ti rubbed his forehead: "Why are you bringing up Miss Luofu again?"

"Brother Zhao, where did your jade pendant go?" Mo Xun's gaze fell on Zhao Ti's waist, and he said in surprise, "Why did you take off your jade pendant? You met my sister once, and you actually took off the jade pendant that Miss Luofu gave you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti's face darkened. He took a deep breath, glanced at him, and asked, "What jade pendant?"

Mo Xun asked in bewilderment, "The jade pendant that Miss Luofu gave to Brother Zhao."

Zhao Ti remained expressionless, picked up his brush again, and wrote the character "静" (quiet).

"Where's the jade pendant? Where did it go?" Mo Xun asked anxiously, as if he had lost his own possession.

"Brother Mo, did you see Miss Luofu give me the jade pendant?" Zhao Ti asked.

“I didn’t see this…” Mo Xun blinked: “But I heard…”

"What do you mean by 'hearing'? Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. Since Brother Mo didn't see Miss Luofu give me the jade pendant, there's no need to say anything more. It's all just a vague and unfounded rumor," Zhao Ti said seriously.

"Fine, fine, Brother Zhao, you're actually playing the 'I'm hiding something here' trick with me. Fine, I won't ask you that. I'll ask you, Brother Zhao, why did you take off that mutton fat jade pendant you've been wearing lately?" Mo Xun said angrily.

"What mutton fat jade pendant?" Zhao Ti wrote the character "静" again: "I am of commoner origin and have an ordinary family background. Where would I get any jade pendant to wear, let alone mutton fat jade?"

"You, Brother Zhao, you..." Mo Xun stared in disbelief: "Brother Zhao, you actually don't even acknowledge this? Good, good, Brother Zhao, only today do I understand you, you..."

"Brother Mo, stop talking. The bell has rung, and the teacher will be here soon," Zhao Ti said at this moment. The school bell rang, and footsteps came from afar.

Mo Xun pursed her lips and shut her mouth, but her eyes were filled with anger as she stared at Zhao Ti.

The day passed quickly. When it was time to leave school, Zhao Ti packed his things and was about to ask Mo Xun to leave with him when he saw Mo Xun angrily carrying his schoolbag and heading out on his own.

Zhao Ti couldn't help but shake his head. Sigh, he's such a grown man, yet he's still like a child. He's not even as sensible as Ling'er...

A moment later, he left the state school gate. Mo Xun had already disappeared, and he walked home alone along the Yujiang River.

When he got home, there was nothing to do. The little dog was lying next to the doghouse that Zhao's father had built. When it saw him enter the yard, it wagged its tail and trotted over. He petted it a couple of times and was about to go inside when he saw Zhao Ling'er bringing over a goose with a rope.

The normally fierce goose panicked after being tied up, running around wildly and carrying Zhao Ling'er on a run. Zhao Ling'er was so happy that she was almost out of breath.

Seeing this, Zhao Ti shook his head, too lazy to care. After returning the book box to his room, he ate and then went back to his room to review his lessons.

As the lights in Zhao's parents' room went out, he began to draw the curtains and practice his martial arts.

At this moment, his Four Illuminations Divine Skill was already extremely profound. When he practiced it, four-colored light flashed around his body. It was estimated that he would reach the Great Perfection realm soon.

(End of this chapter)