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

Chapter 451 Never Gets Drunk
Upon hearing this, the group fell silent. Indeed, if it wasn't Yang Jian and Yang Dian, how did the other party find their way to this apricot blossom alley on Spring Rain Street?

And most importantly, what was his purpose in coming here?
What is an outsider like this, who has mastered the Four Illuminations Divine Skill and is very likely not from the Yang family, doing here?
Instead of meeting with Zhao's parents, he ran to Zhao Ti's room, smashed the bed and broke the ceiling, and then left quickly without saying a word. Is he seriously ill?

It doesn't make sense! It doesn't make sense!
It has absolutely no basis or reason!
“This matter… is not right,” Yang Dian said thoughtfully.

"Sixth Brother, something's not right?" Yang Jian asked.

Yang Dian turned his head back and looked up at the setting sun slowly descending in the west: "Anyone who does something strange must have a purpose and motive that can be found. They would never do something without a reason. This person has a mysterious identity and acts differently. He came to Seventh Sister's house but did not find the owner. Instead, he went to his nephew's room and smashed it up before leaving. There must be some special intention behind this."

"Special intentions?" Yang Jian nodded: "Sixth Brother is absolutely right. There must be some ulterior motive, otherwise why would he act in this way?"

Father Zhao frowned and said, "This is getting more and more far-fetched. We're just a small, humble family in the city. What could they possibly want from us? Seventh Sister and I have been retired from the martial world for nearly twenty years. Before we retired, we had no enemies left in the martial world, except for your Yang family..."

"No, no, no!" Yang Dian still looked up at the sky and said slowly, "It may not be aimed at Seventh Sister and Brother-in-law."

"What do you mean? Isn't this directed at me and Seventh Sister?" Zhao's father asked, puzzled.

Yang Dian then turned his gaze to Zhao Ti.

Zhao Ti blinked and chuckled awkwardly, "Uncle..."

The others also turned to look, and Zhao Ti hurriedly kicked the greyhound: "Wangcai, why are you pulling my trouser leg?"

The greyhound looked up at him, its face full of innocence, and made a pitiful "ee-ee" sound.

"I understand," Yang Jian said. "Sixth Brother means that this person is targeting his nephew, not Seventh Sister or Brother-in-law."

“That’s exactly right!” Yang Dian nodded, his face showing an expression of complete understanding.

Upon hearing this, Zhao's mother and father exchanged glances and said in unison, "They're here for Ti'er? How could that be?"

“It must be that my nephew’s poems spread far and wide, making him famous. This person learned about them and came to look for him, which is why I only saw my nephew and not my seventh sister and brother-in-law,” Yang Jian pondered.

“But that still doesn’t make sense. This… is just a cause, not the purpose,” Zhao’s father said. “Then why did he smash the bed and break the roof? Did he go mad?”

"That's why I mentioned the matter of intentions." Yang Dian pondered, "I suspect that person is from the Sima family. That person once used the Sima family's core martial art, the Great Bright Sword Technique. This sword technique is not taught to anyone who is not a direct descendant of the Sima family."

"The Sima family? So what..." Zhao's father looked puzzled.

“I understand!” Yang Jian then chimed in: “The Sima family has produced a talented scholar in this generation, named Sima Xiangru. From the age of seven or eight, the Sima family has been promoting him, making his name known throughout the world. At the age of eleven or twelve, he entered Jinzhou Academy, one of the four great academies. At fifteen, he brought the ancient zither Jiao Wei to the capital and wrote the Zixu Fu, which shocked the capital. It seems that the Sima family must be vying for the title of the Four Great Talents for this young man. If the person who has mastered the Four Illuminations Divine Skill is from the Sima family, it would be reasonable for him to come to his nephew and threaten him.”

"Could it be someone from the Sima family?" Zhao's mother looked puzzled. "If that's the case, isn't the Sima family acting far too despicably?"

“Sima Xiangru…” Zhao Ti’s lips twitched. He knew this man. He had read his Zixu Fu more than once. He was indeed very talented. It was normal for him to want to compete for the title of one of the Four Great Talents. It was also very possible for him to want to be the top talent. After all, given his background and the fact that he had been famous since childhood, it was not a difficult thing for him.

"I think that's all nonsense!" Zhao's father sneered. "Just because someone knows a couple of sword techniques from the Sima family, does that make them a member of the Sima family? Then wouldn't it be a no-brainer that this person, who has mastered the Four Illuminations Divine Skill of the Yang family, must be from your Yang family?"

“This…” Yang Jian scratched his head upon hearing this and said, “What my brother-in-law said makes sense, but there is no such person in the Yang family. If someone had truly mastered the Four Illuminations Divine Skill, why would they be hiding it? They would have already stepped forward to intimidate everyone.”

"Hmph, with that old scoundrel Yang Yuncheng around, how could he tolerate anyone else? Once he finds out that someone's martial arts will surpass his, he will definitely try to harm them openly or secretly, and he won't stop until he's dead. He can only be the best in the family, and he can't tolerate anyone else surpassing him. I think this person knew about that old scoundrel's despicable personality long ago, which is why he has been hiding his strength. He only showed up now after breaking through to the Great Perfection stage, and his targeting of your Yang family must be because he is dissatisfied with that old scoundrel and just wants to establish his authority." Father Zhao sneered.

“Brother-in-law, what you said…” Yang Jian said with a wry smile, “I really don’t know how to explain it, but if what you said is true, then the purpose of this person coming here to destroy things in my nephew’s house is very unclear.”

“What’s there to be ashamed of? That old scoundrel dares to act like this, why would he be afraid of what people say? If it weren’t for Seventh Sister back then…” Zhao’s father’s expression changed at this point: “Oh no, the fish seems to be burnt, I’ll go check it out!”

Seeing him turn and run towards the kitchen, Yang Jian looked at Zhao's mother and shrugged. Zhao's mother said, "This is strange. Let's eat first and talk about it after we finish eating."

As they went inside, Zhao's mother went to the kitchen to help. Sitting at the table, Yang Dian looked at Zhao Ti and asked, "Nephew, don't you want to learn martial arts?"

Zhao Ti secretly glanced at Yang Jian, who kept his eyes down, his nose down, his mouth down, and his mind down, his face expressionless.

He shook his head and said, "Uncle, I don't even have enough time to study, how could I possibly find time to practice martial arts?"

Yang Dian said, "I see that you have excellent aptitude and your physique and bones are suitable for martial arts. It would be a real pity if you didn't learn it. How old are you this year?"

Zhao Ti said, "My nephew is sixteen this year."

"Sixteen..." Yang Dian nodded: "After this year, your body will grow more stable next year, and it will be more difficult to learn more. I think you might as well practice after you finish your studies. Your seventh sister and brother-in-law both have superb skills, so you don't need to look for any profound martial arts outside. For now, that's enough for you."

Both parents possess extraordinary martial arts skills? Zhao Ti showed a surprised expression. Although he knew that his parents' martial arts skills must be quite high, and they were probably great masters in the martial arts world back then, the words "extraordinary martial arts skills" were not easy to describe, and since they came from Yang Dian's mouth, they must be considered amazing skills.

"Okay, okay, I want to learn martial arts, I want to learn martial arts too!" Zhao Ling'er exclaimed from the side.

"Sixth Brother..." Yang Jian sighed and shook his head, "Haven't you figured it out yet? Seventh Sister and Brother-in-law have never taught their nephews and nieces martial arts since they were little because they didn't want them to learn martial arts. How could they possibly give them their divine skills on their own initiative?"

"Why is that?" Yang Dian asked curiously. "Learning martial arts isn't a bad thing. Even if you can't master it to a high level, it can still strengthen your body and help you defend yourself. Besides, it won't interfere with your studies, will it?"

"Who knows? Maybe they're just afraid it will interfere with their studies..." Yang Jian said.

"Father said he wants my eldest brother to pass the imperial examination with top honors, so he's not allowed to do anything else but study all the time," Zhao Ling'er said.

"Is that so? Then why didn't you teach Ling'er martial arts? Ling'er isn't going to take the imperial examination, is she?" Yang Dian said, patting the other's head.

Zhao Ling'er said angrily, "Father said that it's not ladylike or pretty for a girl to practice martial arts. It's better to learn needlework, embroidery, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting!"

“Oh…” A hint of resentment appeared on Yang Dian’s face: “This… Brother-in-law, how could you have such outdated and corrupt ideas? What’s wrong with practicing martial arts? I’ll talk to him about it later.” Yang Jian said from the side: “Sixth Brother, I think you’d better not say anything. Last time I said it, my brother-in-law almost got into a fight with me. Seventh Sister also had the same idea. It’s bound to be a waste of time to talk to him.”

“But…” Yang Dian looked at Zhao Ti, then at Zhao Ling’er: “My nephew has such talent, and so does my niece. Wouldn’t it be a waste if such fine talents didn’t learn martial arts?”

Yang Jian's eyes flickered upon hearing this, and after a long pause, he finally said, "Well, Sixth Brother, you should think of some other way..."

"Another method? What other method?" Yang Dian asked, startled.

"Dinner's ready, dinner's ready..." Zhao's mother said as she brought the dishes into the room.

"Okay, dinner's ready..." Zhao Ling'er immediately ran to take the plate of food from her mother's hands.

Following closely behind, Zhao's father also entered carrying a large basin. He interacted with Zhao's mother several times. The table was filled with steaming, fragrant dishes. Although they were not delicacies or rare specialties, they included chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as well as two jars of strong liquor.

Father Zhao raised his hand and broke the clay seal on a wine jar, handing it to Yang Dian. Yang Dian said, "Brother-in-law, you have excellent skills!"

Father Zhao was stunned for a moment, then said angrily, "What do you mean, Sixth Brother? You just opened a wine jar and you're saying I have good kung fu? Are you mocking me?"

Yang Dian said slowly, "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? My brother-in-law has amazing martial arts skills, it's a waste to use them to open wine jars."

Father Zhao glared at him: "What nonsense are you talking about? When you're out and about, you need to use your skills to open the wine seals when you stop for a meal or drink. Do you really need to go through all that trouble to peel them open?"

Yang Dian laughed and said, "There are always people to serve us, why would we do it ourselves? We have learned martial arts, not to do such trivial things."

Father Zhao blinked and stared at Yang Dian for a few moments before saying, "Are you saying I should do something important?"

Yang Dian said, "Even if you yourself are unwilling to do it, you can't let your superb skills go to waste and be lost in the future. Why not pass them on to your nephew or niece?"

Father Zhao snorted, "What divine skill? Where would I get a divine skill? I'm just naturally strong. What's the big deal about losing it? As for Ti'er and Ling'er... it's been said since ancient times that all other professions are inferior, only studying is superior. Since they have the talent to be scholars, why should they get up before dawn and work until midnight, sweating profusely, wielding swords and spears, and becoming crude martial artists?"

"A crude and vulgar martial artist?" Yang Dian said unhappily, "Brother-in-law, are you insulting all martial artists in the world?"

Father Zhao chuckled and said, "How could I dare? I was just talking about myself. I haven't read many books. What else am I but a crude and uncouth brute?"

Zhao's mother quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Why talk about such unpleasant things? It's a rare occasion that both Sixth Brother and Thirteenth Brother are here today, so it's a family reunion. Let's drink, eat, and chat about everyday things. Let's not talk about martial arts or the world of martial arts, or any of that right and wrong."

Yang Dian said, "I'll listen to Seventh Sister. But when it comes to drinking, Thirteenth Brother is naturally no match for me. I'm just afraid that Brother-in-law... is no match for me either."

Zhao's father said angrily, "You, Yang Liu, let's not even talk about your martial arts skills. Just look at drinking. Back then, I could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, while you would be knocked out after just one cup. It's only been a few years, and you dare to boast like this to me?"

"Can't get drunk even after a thousand cups?" Yang Dian shook his head: "How come I didn't know my brother-in-law could drink a thousand cups even after a thousand cups? I remember once my brother-in-law was outside the back wall of my seventh sister's house, his face was red and he was acting crazy when he was drunk. He didn't seem like he wasn't drunk at all, and he probably didn't drink a thousand cups, right?"

“You…” Zhao’s father’s face darkened upon hearing this: “What kind of hero brings up the past? Today I will have a contest with you to see if you are bragging or if I am just talking big.”

“Alright, alright…” Yang Dian nodded and said, “Let’s not dwell on the past, let’s just look at the present. But these two jars of wine might not be enough…”

"This is the strongest, most potent liquor in the world, not the soft, mushy kind you young masters drink. Finish these two jars before you pass out," Zhao's father sneered.

"Let me fill the cups." Yang Jian took the wine jar from Yang Dian's hand, stood up with a smile, and poured wine for the two of them.

Zhao Ti glanced at the three of them, then served rice. After the three of them started drinking, he began to eat heartily.

A moment later, he finished eating, got up to say goodbye, and saw Zhao Ling'er following closely behind, grabbing a chicken leg: "Big pot, big pot, I'm going to see the gourd."

Zhao Ti nodded, took Zhao Ling'er's hand, and went back to his room.

Then he sat down at the table to read a book, while Zhao Ling'er went to look at the gourd. When the lamp was lit, the noise in the other room gradually subsided, and Zhao's mother called from outside, "Ling'er, come back and review your lessons."

Zhao Ling'er reluctantly agreed, turned and left, and Zhao Ti followed, closing the door and continuing to read.

When the moon was high in the sky, the stars were twinkling, and the night was hazy, Zhao Ti decided not to practice his martial arts tonight. After all, with Yang Jian and Yang Dian around, there were too many people around, and it wouldn't be good if they discovered him again.

After another hour or so, seeing that the lights in the rooms outside were all off, he got up and hung up the curtains. He had gotten used to blocking the windows these days, and even when he wasn't practicing, he wanted to have some privacy.

But after continuing to read for a while, he suddenly looked up, raised his eyebrows, and gazed at the window.

There was a rustling sound outside the window, and then the window quietly opened, and a person jumped in by lifting the curtain.

"Uncle, you..." Zhao Ti asked in surprise, looking at Yang Jian standing on the ground.

Yang Jian quickly made a shushing gesture, then turned around to close the window and draw the curtains, before whispering, "Nephew, was that you?"

Zhao Ti was stunned: "Uncle, what do you mean, is it me?"

Yang Jian said mysteriously, "Don't hide it from your uncle, isn't that person who has mastered the Four Illuminations Divine Skill my nephew?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti hurriedly shook his head: "Uncle, what are you saying? How could it be my nephew? Not to mention that I haven't learned martial arts, even if I had, it would be impossible for me to reach the great mastery that you mentioned. I heard you uncles talking before, and it seems that this great mastery is extremely difficult to achieve, and it seems to take a long time."

Yang Jian frowned: "That's right. Even a peerless genius couldn't have done it in such a short time. If it's not his nephew, then who could it be?"

(End of this chapter)