An unexpected encounter with the sleeping Little Dragon Girl leads to the annihilation of the Quanzh

"The entire Yan family was executed, and nine generations of their relatives were exterminated!"

The cold imperial decree echoed in the empty hall.

A powerful family that held sway over the court was wiped out in a mere hour because of a foolish test.

And all of this started simply because they disturbed the gods while they were cooking.

The wind in Lin'an changed overnight.

The once powerful Yan family, the Prefect of Lin'an, was reduced to a scene of carnage and bloodshed overnight. The ground at Caishikou was soaked in blood for three days and three nights, and the stench of blood could be carried by the wind for miles.

The entire officialdom of Lin'an was utterly silent.

No one expected that the government's methods would be so ruthless and merciless.

What sent chills down their spines even further was the charge the authorities leveled against the Yan family: "Offending the Emperor and disturbing the immortals."

This charge was unprecedented, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

From then on, the words "Immortal" became the biggest taboo in Lin'an. People didn't even dare to mention them in public, for fear that saying the wrong word would bring about their death.

The one in the palace was neither a marshal nor a meritorious official.

He is a god.

A capricious god who only requires your worship, not your understanding.

The current government is the only priest of this god on earth.

This perception, like an invisible shackle, is placed around everyone's neck.

……

In the south of the city, in a dilapidated earth god temple.

Dong Tianbao was so excited that his face was flushed, and he was gesturing wildly to Hong Qigong.

"Master, you didn't see it! Just like that, 'poof,' a grown man's head was gone! Easier than kneading tofu!"

"And that old emperor, he's as docile as a grandson. Not only does he not get angry, but he also has the entire family executed, exterminating nine generations of relatives! That's what you call powerful! That's true lawlessness!"

His eyes gleamed with an infinite longing and worship for that absolute power.

Hong Qigong leaned against the base of the statue, slowly drinking his wine, but a trace of worry flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"Kid, you only see the power of killing, but you don't see what's behind it."

"So what?" Dong Tianbao scoffed dismissively. "With that kind of ability, I can kill whoever I want, and who dares to stop me? In this world, isn't it all about who has the bigger fist?"

"We beggars get beaten and cursed every day, and we even have to beg for leftovers. Why? Isn't it because our fists aren't big enough? If I were Lin Ye, I'd kill every single bastard in the world who looks down on beggars!"

He spoke through gritted teeth, his face revealing a ferocity beyond his years.

Hong Qigong looked at him and remained silent.

His disciple is extremely talented and ambitious; he is a good candidate for martial arts training.

But this mindset... is too biased.

He recalled decades ago, atop Mount Hua, the Western Poison Ouyang Feng, who was equally gifted but only wanted to dominate the martial arts world.

"Tianbao," Hong Qigong put down his wine gourd, his tone becoming much more serious, "listen carefully. Martial arts are a double-edged sword. They can be used to save lives, or they can be used to harm them. I, this old beggar, have mastered martial arts, I've killed Jin soldiers and tyrants, but I've never killed an innocent person. Because I know that the greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people. With great power comes great responsibility."

"Nonsense about responsibility!" Dong Tianbao blurted out. He realized he had misspoke, but still stubbornly insisted, "Master, you're a hero. I don't want to be a hero; being a hero is too tiring. I just want to be someone superior, someone who will never be bullied again!"

"Like that Lin Ye! Does he need to care about any responsibility? He just needs to make everyone afraid of him! So afraid that they don't even dare to breathe loudly! That's enough!"

Hong Qigong looked at his stubborn face and sighed deeply.

He knew that some truths couldn't be conveyed simply by words.

"Do you believe that Lin Ye's path is your path?"

"Yes!" Dong Tianbao answered without hesitation.

"Alright," Hong Qigong stood up, dusted himself off, "then you go on your way. This old beggar should also go on his way."

"Master, where are you going?" Dong Tianbao asked, somewhat flustered.

"Let's go eat something delicious." Hong Qigong chuckled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "The palace has a new master, and I've heard that the food there is made by immortals. This old beggar has eaten everything in his life, but he's never tasted immortal food. If he doesn't go and try it, he won't be able to die in peace."

After saying that, he ignored Dong Tianbao, carried his wine gourd on his back, leaned on his green bamboo cane, and swayed as he headed towards the palace.

Dong Tianbao stared at his retreating figure, frozen in place, feeling both angry and anxious.

He knew his master was deliberately targeting him, but he just wouldn't accept it.

Why? Why should you heroes impose your ideas on me?

He clenched his fists and followed.

He wanted to see what kind of person Lin Ye really was. He also wanted to see if his master's principles of "the greatest heroes" would still be effective in the face of absolute power.

……

Zichen Palace.

The atmosphere at the morning court session was so oppressive it was almost palpable.

The civil and military officials bowed their heads, even their breathing was cautious.

Zhao Yun, seated on the dragon throne, was radiant and full of energy. Ever since drinking that soup, he felt twenty years younger, with inexhaustible energy every day.

His most important task every day is no longer dealing with state affairs, but thinking about how to make the "Immortal" happier.

Money, beautiful women, official positions—these are worldly things that even the immortals don't care about.

What else can we give as a gift?

Zhao Yun thought for a long time and finally came up with a brilliant idea.

"My beloved ministers," he cleared his throat, his voice booming, "the Immortal is a hermit who dislikes worldly affairs. However, our Great Song Dynasty has a vast territory and numerous affairs, and there are always some ignorant things that may disturb the Immortal. After much thought, I have decided to find one or two errand runners to relieve the Immortal's boredom."

"By imperial decree, post imperial edicts throughout Lin'an City. Anyone with a special skill, regardless of background or gender, may apply. Whether one is skilled in singing and dancing, proficient in divination and escape, a storyteller, or possesses rare treasures... whoever catches the eye of the immortal and brings him a smile will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold and granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the court.

This is absolutely insane!

Would you trade the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households for a smile from a deity?

Throughout history, titles and honors have been bestowed upon those who achieved military merit and served the nation. Who has ever been granted a title based on "playing around"?

This is simply treating the laws of the imperial court as a joke!

Immediately, an elderly censor with white hair and beard walked out shakily, knelt down on the ground, and wept bitterly.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! This action would be self-destructive, shaking the very foundation of the nation! Where would this leave the face of our Great Song Dynasty? This old minister... this old minister today will follow the example of the sages, spilling blood on the imperial palace to prove my loyalty with my death!"

As he spoke, he actually stood up and walked shakily toward the dragon pillar in the main hall.

This was the last vestige of integrity remaining in the imperial court.

All eyes were fixed on Zhao Yun's face. They wanted to see how the emperor would react to this loyal minister who was willing to die for his cause.

Zhao Yun's face was expressionless.

He simply watched the old censor quietly until he walked up to the pillar and raised his white-haired head.

Just when everyone thought a bloody incident was about to occur.

Zhao Yun spoke, his voice not loud, but it clearly carried throughout the entire hall.

"Minister Jia."

"Your subject is here." Jia Sidao bowed and stepped forward.

"Go and fetch my 'nutcracker'."

Jia Sidao trembled; he knew exactly what it was. He dared not delay and immediately accepted the order.

The old censor froze in place. He looked at the emperor with some confusion.

Soon, Jia Sidao returned quickly, carrying a tray covered with yellow silk.

Zhao Yun personally stepped down from the dragon throne and unveiled the yellow silk.

The gleaming, imposing "Heavenly Observation Mace" suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes.

Although it had been wiped clean, the officials could still seem to smell the lingering stench of blood on it.

Zhao Yun picked up the golden mace, weighed it in his hand, and then took out a... walnut from his sleeve.

Under the deathly silent gaze of the entire court.

Zhao Yun placed the walnuts on the armrest of the dragon throne, then raised his golden mace and tapped it lightly.

"Click."

The crisp sound echoed through the hall, like a death knell striking the hearts of everyone present.

Zhao Yun cracked open a walnut, put the kernel in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

He walked up to the old censor who was standing there dumbfounded, and offered him the other half of the nut with a gentle yet eerie smile on his face.

"Lord Wang, have a taste. I peeled it for you myself."

The old censor looked at the half-eaten walnut kernel, then at the golden mace in the emperor's hand, and his legs went weak. With a thud, he collapsed to the ground.

It was as if he wasn't seeing walnuts.

It's your own head.

Zhao Yun smiled.

He surveyed the pale faces below, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"I know you are not convinced. You think I am absurd and that I have disgraced our ancestors."

"But do you know that in the eyes of the gods, you, I, and even the entire Song Dynasty combined are not as interesting as this walnut?"

"Gods don't need to save face. All they need is to not be bored."

"And I, the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, now have only one thing to do: to keep the gods from being bored."

"This is my way. And it is your only way to survive."

"Does anyone else have any objections?"

The entire Zichen Palace was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

No one dared to say a word against it anymore.

Because they all understood.

Their emperor has found the ultimate weapon to rule the country.

That was neither imperial power nor an army.

Instead, it's a "nutcracker" that can crack their heads open like walnuts at any time.

The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout Lin'an.

"To make the gods laugh is to be granted a title of Marquis with ten thousand households!"

This news is even more explosive than the surrender of Mongolia.

In an instant, people from all walks of life, from the most humble professions to the most skilled, flocked to the registration area at the palace gate like madmen.

There are tough guys who can break rocks with their chests, acrobats who can swallow swords and breathe fire, blind Taoist priests who claim to be able to predict the future and know the past and the future, and wealthy merchants who carry priceless antiques and paintings and claim to be offering them as treasures.

Even the most famous brothel in Lin'an, "Zui Xian Ge," sent its top courtesan to set up a stage outside the registration area to play the zither and sing, hoping to attract the attention of the "immortal."

The entire city of Lin'an was transformed into a bizarre and fantastical stage, where an absurd human comedy unfolded.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun, the director of this comedy, was standing on the highest corner tower of the imperial city, looking down at the bustling crowd below with satisfaction.

"Minister Jia, look, in this world, those who know how to adapt to the times are the heroes," he said with a smile to Jia Sidao beside him.

Jia Sidao bowed, a smile plastered on his face, but his heart was pounding.

He always felt that if the government acted this way, something bad was bound to happen sooner or later.

That immortal prefers quiet to noise; you've turned this place into a bustling market. What if you upset him...?

He dared not think any further.

……

Inside "Shangxianju", however, there is a tranquil place that is isolated from the world.

Lin Ye had absolutely no interest in the farce unfolding outside.

He's recently become obsessed with developing a new game for Little Dragon Girl.

A few days ago, he carved a set of mahjong tiles out of meteorite iron. Little Dragon Girl loved the "clattering" sound of the tiles being shuffled, but she could never remember the complicated hand patterns, and would pout and be unhappy whenever she lost.

So, Lin Ye used the warm jade from the top of Kunlun Mountain to create a chess set. Little Dragon Girl could read the characters, but she played chess entirely on a whim, often sending her "general" into the opponent's territory to attack, arguing, "Brother Lin, the general should be the strongest!"

Lin Ye was both amused and exasperated by her.

Today, he decided to teach her to play the simplest game.

He lightly traced a line with his finger on the stone table in the courtyard, and a standard chessboard appeared on it. Then, he casually grabbed two handfuls of black and white pebbles from the pond in the courtyard to use as chess pieces.

"This is called Gomoku." Lin Ye placed a black piece on the center of the board. "The rules are simple: whoever gets all five of their pieces in a line first wins."

"That simple?" Little Dragon Girl's eyes lit up. She picked up a white piece and placed it next to a black piece without thinking.

Lin Ye smiled and then placed a piece.

The two played back and forth, and soon the chessboard was filled with pieces.

At first, Xiaolongnu found it fun, but after a few rounds, she realized she couldn't win no matter what. Every time she was about to get five in a row, Brother Lin would always manage to block her path at just the right moment.

"I'm not playing anymore! I'm not playing anymore!" she said angrily, throwing down the white pieces in her hand. "Brother Lin, you're bullying me!"

Lin Ye laughed heartily and reached out to gently scratch her little nose.

"It's your own fault for not looking where you're going. You only think about connecting yourself and never about blocking me."

"I don't care, you're the one who bullied me!" Little Dragon Girl threw a tantrum.

Just as Lin Ye was about to coax her, Zhang Junbao's hesitant voice came from the courtyard gate.

"Brother Lin... Brother Lin."

"What is it?"

"Outside...outside there is a senior figure who claims to be the leader of the Beggars' Sect, named Hong Qigong, who says...says he wants to see you." Zhang Junbao's voice was tinged with nervousness.

Hong Qigong?

Lin Ye paused for a moment.

He remembered the name. One of the Five Greats of the Mount Hua Sword Tournament back in the day, a rather interesting old geezer.

Before he could speak, another voice came from behind Zhang Junbao, carrying a defiant spirit.

"Me too! My name is Dong Tianbao! I want to see you too!"

Lin Ye's gaze passed through the courtyard gate and landed on the chubby-faced boy.

He saw in the boy's eyes an undisguised ambition and desire, like a burning flame.

interesting.

An old beggar who wants to walk the path of chivalry, and a hothead who wants to walk the path of tyranny.

"Let them in," Lin Ye said calmly.

The courtyard gate opened, and Hong Qigong and Dong Tianbao walked in.

When they saw the young man in black playing chess with the stunningly beautiful girl in the courtyard, they were all stunned.

Hong Qigong was astonished by the other person's youth and his serene demeanor, as if he were one with the entire world. He had lived for nearly a hundred years and had never seen anyone like him.

Dong Tianbao, on the other hand, was stunned by Xiaolongnu's otherworldly beauty. He had never imagined that such a beautiful woman existed in the world.

"Ahem," Hong Qigong coughed twice, rousing Dong Tianbao from his reverie. He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lin Ye, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

"Old beggar Hong Qi greets Mr. Lin."

He didn't address him as "Immortal" or "Marshal," but instead used the term "Sir," a respectful title reserved for equals, which was the highest respect he could offer.

Lin Ye didn't look at him; his gaze remained fixed on the chessboard.

"What's up?"

"I'm just an old beggar here to ask for a bite to eat," Hong Qigong chuckled, pointing to his stomach. "I've heard that the food here is divinely made. I've only ever loved good food, and I'd die regretting not trying it."

Dong Tianbao, who was behind him, knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

"I don't want to eat! I want to learn martial arts! I want to become as strong as you! Please take me as your disciple!"

His voice was loud and firm, full of longing.

Hong Qigong's expression changed, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately he didn't speak.

Lin Ye finally raised his head.

His gaze first swept over the composed Hong Qigong, and then landed on Dong Tianbao, who was kneeling on the ground.

"Want to become stronger?" Lin Ye's tone was unreadable. "Why?"

"Because I don't want to be bullied anymore! I don't want to have to put up with other people's attitudes anymore! I want to trample all those who look down on me under my feet! I want the whole world to listen to me!" Dong Tianbao almost shouted.

His words caused Zhang Junbao, who was standing next to him, to change his expression.

"Tianbao, how could you think like that?"

Dong Tianbao ignored him and just stared intently at Lin Ye, waiting for his answer.

Lin Ye smiled.

He reached out his hand, and a black chess piece floated to Dong Tianbao's front.

"What do you think power is?"

Dong Tianbao was taken aback, then answered without hesitation, "Strength is a fist! It's what lets you do whatever you want!"

"wrong."

Lin Ye shook his head.

He flicked his finger, and the black chess piece instantly transformed into a streak of light, shooting out of the courtyard.

The next second, outside Lin'an City, in the newly built suburban camp where 800,000 Shence Guards were stationed, a deafening roar came from.

In the very center of the camp, the banner of "Focus," made of fine steel and ten zhang high, symbolizing the spirit of the Shence Guard, broke in half and collapsed with a crash.

The entire city of Lin'an felt the violent tremor.

In the courtyard, Dong Tianbao and Hong Qigong were already horrified.

They couldn't imagine how such a light and fragile chess piece could cause such horrific destruction.

Lin Ye's voice rang out again, still calm.

"Power is not for you to do whatever you want."

"Power is what makes you so that once you set the rules, no one dares to bargain with you."

"You don't even understand what the rules are, yet you want to embrace power. You won't become strong; you'll only become a slave to power and eventually be devoured by it."

He looked at Dong Tianbao as if he were looking at an ignorant child.

"Your path is too narrow."

Having said that, he ignored Dong Tianbao and turned to Hong Qigong, saying, "You can eat if you want. But I don't keep idle people here. The kitchen needs someone to tend the fire, are you interested?"

Hong Qigong was stunned.

He, the leader of the Five Greats and the leader of the Beggars' Clan, is actually going to work as a cook.

He glanced at the unfinished game of chess on the stone table, then at Lin Ye's indifferent face, and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Go for it! Why wouldn't I do it! Being able to tend the fire for the gods—that's something I, an old beggar, can brag about for the rest of my life!"

He actually walked to the kitchen door and began to peer around, examining the stove that Lin Ye had modified.

Only Dong Tianbao was left, kneeling on the spot, utterly dejected.

"My path... is too narrow?"

He pondered those words repeatedly, feeling as if his worldview had been completely overturned at that moment.

He had always believed that the ultimate goal of power was to be like Lin Ye, lawless and doing whatever he pleased.

But now he realizes that people aren't doing whatever they want at all.

They're just playing.

They manipulate this world, and they manipulate all the self-righteous mortals.

Just then, another uninvited guest appeared at the gate of the courtyard.

The newcomer was dressed in a blue robe and wore a bronze mask. Although his face was not visible, his wicked yet righteous, arrogant and unruly temperament could not be concealed.

Behind him followed an old man in yellow robes with a worried expression.

"Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic, along with his unworthy disciple Yang Guo, requests an audience with Master Lin." Huang Yaoshi's voice was slightly hoarse. "Not for the Dao, not for food, but only... to resolve my doubts."

His gaze fell on the Go board.

"I...cannot understand your chess moves, sir."

Lin Ye glanced at him, then looked at Yang Guo behind him, whose eyes were vacant and who looked lost and dejected.

He smiled and said to the still angry Little Dragon Girl beside him.

"Long'er, look, two more people want to come and play games with us."

Xiaolongnu perked up at the news, her eyes sparkling. "Great! More people can play together!" Lin Ye looked at Huang Yaoshi and Yang Guo, pointing to the empty seats beside the stone table. "Since you're here to find answers, sit down and take a look at this chess game." Huang Yaoshi led Yang Guo to a seat, his gaze fixed intently on the chessboard, trying to find its secrets. Although Yang Guo was distraught, he forced himself to observe.

Hong Qigong peeked out from the kitchen, curiously peering into the game, eager to see the profound chess puzzle. Dong Tianbao slowly stood up, the confusion in his eyes lessening, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He walked to the side and listened quietly. Lin Ye began explaining the game, his words revealing profound insights into power and rules. Some frowned in deep thought, while others suddenly understood. As Huang Yaoshi listened, he couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration, and Yang Guo's eyes gradually brightened.

The flame of Dao within Dong Tianbao's heart seemed to be rekindled at this moment, yet it also gained a touch of composure. The courtyard was silent, save for Lin Ye's echoing voice, as if opening a door to a completely new realm for everyone.