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

The appearance of Huang Yaoshi was like throwing a strangely shaped stone into a still pond.

Unlike Hong Qigong, who came here only to eat and drink, or Dong Tianbao, whose mind was full of power and conquest.

He stood there, looking at the Go board on the stone table, his eyes filled with the pure bewilderment and inquiry of a top-notch genius.

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

He said this with utmost sincerity.

With his intelligence, he was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He was confident that he could see through even the most complex chess games in the world. But the one before him, with its clear distinction between black and white and ridiculously simple rules, seemed to him to contain something far more profound than any intricate chess game.

Because the person playing chess was Lin Ye.

Lin Ye glanced at him, then looked at Yang Guo behind him, whose eyes were vacant and who seemed to have lost his soul.

He smiled and said to the little dragon girl beside him, who was still sulking about losing the game, "Dragon Girl, look, two more people want to play games with us."

Little Dragon Girl snorted and turned her head away, but her ears perked up secretly.

Lin Ye ignored her childishness and simply waved to Huang Yaoshi.

"sit."

Huang Yaoshi hesitated for a moment, but still did as he was told and sat down on the stone bench. This action made Yang Guo, who was behind him, tremble. He seemed unable to believe that his unruly master, who never took anyone seriously, would be so obedient.

"What do you think this game of chess is?" Lin Ye asked.

Huang Yaoshi pondered for a moment, then cautiously replied, "It seems simple, but in reality it contains the principles of Yin and Yang, mutual generation and restraint, and the ever-changing nature of offense and defense. One wrong step, and the whole game is lost."

"That's too complicated," Lin Ye shook his head. "It's just a game."

He picked up a black piece and placed it on the chessboard.

"I want to win, so I need to connect my pieces in a line."

He picked up another white piece and placed it beside him.

"She wants to win too, so she wants to connect her own lines while blocking my path."

"It's that simple."

Lin-ye's tone was as calm as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

But these few plain words sounded like thunder to Huang Yaoshi.

Yes, it's that simple.

What is the purpose of dedicating one's entire life to studying martial arts, formations, and medicine? Isn't it to use one's own "pawns" to block others' paths while simultaneously forging one's own?

But I think too much and too complicated things. I always want to use the most ingenious moves and the most complex formations to win, and I forget that the most fundamental purpose is just to "win" itself.

Avenue to Jane.

He's getting stuck on a minor detail.

Huang Yaoshi's breathing became somewhat rapid. He felt that all the diverse knowledge he had acquired throughout his life was being forcibly sorted out by an invisible force, removing the dross and retaining only the most core and essential things.

This shocked him more than any breakthrough in internal energy cultivation techniques.

"This junior...has learned a lot." Huang Yaoshi stood up and bowed deeply to Lin Ye.

This time, it was out of genuine admiration.

In the courtyard, a few people, with different mindsets.

Hong Qigong stood at the kitchen doorway, scratching his head at the strangely shaped stove. He found this thing even more difficult to understand than the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms; how to light the fire, where the wind came from—it all seemed eerie.

Dong Tianbao knelt on the ground, his body motionless, but his eyes darted around. He looked at Huang Yaoshi, the legendary Eastern Heretic, who had actually been subdued by just a few words. He then looked at Lin Ye, the young man who still maintained a lazy demeanor, as if he had only uttered a few words of nonsense.

For the first time, his "domineering" spirit began to waver. He realized that true strength was not about making others kneel, but about making someone like Huang Yaoshi willingly lower his proud head.

Yang Guo remained standing there, like a puppet, but a barely perceptible ripple appeared in his empty eyes.

Lin Ye, however, was already feeling a bit bored.

These people are too serious. It's just a game, but they all act like they're meditating and seeking enlightenment. It's boring.

His gaze swept across the courtyard, finally settling on a discarded bamboo basket in the corner. It was left behind when Zhao Yun sent someone to deliver ingredients; inside was a roughly drawn map of the Song Dynasty's territory, used to wrap animal hides.

With a casual wave of his hand, the map floated onto the stone table.

Little Dragon Girl curiously came closer.

"Brother Lin, what is this?"

"Map." Lin Ye's finger traced across the map. From Lin'an to Xiangyang, and then to the Mongolian grasslands to the north.

His finger finally stopped in the southwest corner, in a country surrounded by mountains.

"Dali".

"Let's go take a look here," Lin Ye said.

"What are we going there for?" Little Dragon Girl blinked.

Lin Ye's answer was so simple that it made all the intelligent people present question their existence once again.

"The food here seems different from what I've had in Lin'an. Let's go try it."

In an instant, the entire courtyard became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Huang Yaoshi's newly established worldview of "the great way is simple" almost collapsed again. He thought the other party was about to utter some earth-shattering words about the future of the world, but it turned out... it was just to change things up for a meal?

Hong Qigong peeked out from the kitchen doorway, his eyes lighting up instantly. Going to Dali for delicious food? That's great, that's wonderful!

Dong Tianbao was completely dumbfounded. He couldn't understand why someone with the power to overturn the world would still care about something as trivial as eating? Shouldn't he be sitting in the center, commanding the world, and making everyone grovel at his feet?

Lin Ye didn't care what they thought.

He stood up and took Xiaolongnu's hand.

"Let's go."

"Leave now?"

"Um."

The two of them simply walked towards the courtyard gate, as if they weren't going to a country a thousand miles away, but rather to buy a pound of cabbage from the next street corner.

Just then, deep within the palace, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhao Yun was holding a report that Meng Gong had just presented regarding the training progress of the Shence Guard. He was beaming with excitement as he read it.

"Excellent! Excellent! Focus on your duties, without distraction! These eight words are the cornerstone of our Great Song Dynasty!"

Just as he was getting excited, a little eunuch responsible for monitoring the movements of "Shangxianju" rushed in, his face pale and his words incoherent.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty! No...something terrible has happened!"

Zhao Yun's face instantly darkened: "What's the panic! You've disturbed the immortal, I'll take your head!"

"The...the immortal...he's leaving!" the little eunuch cried, his voice trembling with sobs. "He's holding a map, pointing to Dali, saying he's going there to eat!"

"What?!"

The report in Zhao Yun's hand floated to the ground.

He felt a buzzing sound in his mind, and his mind went completely blank.

Is the immortal leaving?

Why? Did I do something wrong to serve them? Did those idiots upset the immortal again? Or is it that the immortal... is tired of me?

An unprecedented panic gripped his heart in an instant.

He dared not imagine what the Song Dynasty would become without Lin Ye. The Mongols would return, the suppressed civil officials would immediately retaliate, and he, the emperor, would go from being a "priest of the gods" back to being a puppet controlled by powerful ministers!

No! Absolutely not!

"Quickly! Prepare the carriage!" Zhao Yun's voice was shrill with fear. "Prepare the carriage for the Immortal Abode! No! I'll run there myself!"

He lifted the hem of his dragon robe and, just like a madman, disregarded all imperial decorum and ran wildly towards the outside of the palace.

He has only one thought in mind right now.

No matter what, you must not let God leave you!

Zhao Yun ran wildly, his mind a complete mess.

He was like a dog abandoned by its owner, filled with fear and unease.

Why did the immortal leave?

Haven't I given you enough treasures? Haven't I killed enough people to satisfy you? Or is it that I, your servant, have lost all my usefulness?

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, and the faster he ran. The eunuchs and guards behind him were left far behind, and they chased after him in a frantic, chaotic manner, causing chaos throughout the entire palace.

When he arrived at the entrance of "Shangxianju" breathlessly, he witnessed the most despairing scene of his life.

Lin Ye was holding Xiaolongnu's hand as they walked out of the courtyard gate.

The way he strolled around so leisurely really made it seem like he was about to embark on a long journey.

Zhao Yun's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

He didn't even have time to catch his breath, and he scrambled over, landing with a thud in front of Lin Ye and hugging his legs.

"Immortal! Immortal, you can't leave!"

Zhao Yun was crying and sniffling, completely unlike an emperor.

"Tell me where this sinner has gone wrong, and I'll correct it immediately! If you find Lin'an too noisy, I'll move everyone away right away! If you find the palace uncomfortable, I'll build you a Forbidden City outside the city! Please, don't go, don't abandon us!"

He cried so bitterly that it broke the hearts of all who heard it.

Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong, who were following behind, were so shocked by what they saw that they were speechless.

An emperor, the supreme ruler of the world, has become so humble.

Huang Yaoshi looked at Zhao Yun, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. Although he respected Lin Ye's power, he was still a proud man at heart, and making him do such a thing was more painful than killing him.

Hong Qigong clicked his tongue, thinking to himself, "This old emperor is quite a character. To be able to bend and stretch to this extent, he's certainly someone to be reckoned with."

Lin Ye looked down at Zhao Yun, who was clinging to his leg and crying with snot and tears all over his face, and frowned slightly.

It's a bit dirty.

He didn't say anything, he just lifted his leg.

Zhao Yun immediately felt an irresistible force coming from him, and he uncontrollably let go of his hands and rolled to the side.

He felt a chill in his heart. Oh no, the immortal really despises me now.

Lin Ye ignored his inner monologue and simply said to the people in the courtyard, "You all, go about your business."

These words were spoken to Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong, and Dong Tianbao.

Then, he looked at Zhang Junbao, who was still standing in the courtyard.

"You stay here and watch the house. Keep peeling the potatoes, don't slack off."

Zhang Junbao paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Yes, Brother Lin!"

A strange sense of peace settled over him. The fact that Brother Lin had asked him to peel potatoes meant things weren't as bad as they seemed.

Huang Yaoshi bowed again to Lin Ye's retreating figure, then turned and left with the still dejected Yang Guo. He had been overwhelmed by the day's events and needed to find a place to calm down. He felt as if he had touched upon a new world, a world he couldn't yet comprehend.

Hong Qigong chuckled, asked no further questions, and turned to disappear back into the kitchen. The immortal was just going to Dali for a meal; he wasn't going away for good. Perfect timing! While he was away, he could figure out this magical stove, and when the immortal returned, he could show off his fire-starting skills and maybe even get a bowl of divine soup.

Only Dong Tianbao remained kneeling there, stunned.

Lin Ye didn't look at him once from beginning to end, as if he were just a wisp of air.

This complete disregard made him feel worse than any scolding or punishment.

"Is my path... really wrong?" He stared blankly at his hands.

At the courtyard gate, Lin Ye stopped in his tracks after Zhao Yun's outburst.

He looked at Zhao Yun, who was kneeling on the ground with a look of despair on his face, and finally spoke his second sentence.

"It's so noisy."

These three simple words, like heavenly music, entered Zhao Yun's ears.

The immortal spoke to me! He didn't leave immediately! There's still a chance for things to turn around!

Zhao Yun instantly recovered and leaped to his feet, his face immediately plastered with the most humble and devout smile.

"Yes, yes, yes, this sinner deserves to die. This sinner was too noisy." He said, wiping his tears and snot from his face with his sleeve, trying to make himself look cleaner.

"Immortal, are you... are you going to Dali to observe the people's conditions and inspect your territory?" Zhao Yun carefully chose his words, trying to understand Lin Ye's intentions.

Lin Ye didn't answer his question, but instead asked, "How do I get to Dali?"

Zhao Yun was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

I'm asking for directions! A celestial being is asking me for directions!

This means he wasn't going to abandon me; he just... really was going to Dali!

"Reporting to the Immortal! Head southwest, cross Jinghu Road, and then climb over several mountains to reach your destination! The journey is long and the mountain paths are rugged; it would take an ordinary person several months to complete!"

Zhao Yun quickly replied, then immediately added, "But rest assured! This humble subject has prepared the most comfortable imperial carriage for you, and selected eight hundred strong imperial guards to carry it, ensuring a smooth journey without the slightest bump! I have also ordered the prefectures along the way to clear the roads and make all the necessary preparations! You will absolutely not suffer the slightest injustice!"

He felt that his plan was absolutely flawless.

However, Lin Ye only glanced at him before taking a step forward.

Instead of heading towards the extravagantly luxurious imperial carriage that had been prepared not far away, he simply walked along the palace's bluestone path towards the outside.

Little Dragon Girl skipped and hopped along beside him, looking around curiously.

Zhao Yun was dumbfounded.

Immortal... do you want to leave on your own?

He was stunned for three seconds, then immediately realized what was happening.

This is a divine being enlightening me!

Immortals are gods, and gods walk among mortals. How can they ride in a mortal's sedan chair? That would be blasphemy against the gods!

God should measure his own land with his own two feet!

"I...understand!"

Zhao Yun shouted excitedly, then quickly straightened his dragon robe and hurried after him.

He didn't dare walk alongside Lin Ye, but instead lagged three steps behind, bowing slightly like a most obedient servant.

Closely following behind him were Jia Sidao and Meng Gong, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Jia Sidao watched this bizarre scene with a pounding heart.

Meng Gong, on the other hand, wore a solemn expression, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism. In his view, this was what a god should be like. Ignoring all mortal rules and etiquette, doing as one pleases, and all they mortals could do was follow.

Thus, the people of Lin'an witnessed a scene they would never forget.

A young man in black and a young woman in white strolled leisurely along the main street of the imperial city.

Behind them stood the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the Grand Tutor of the court, the Grand Marshal who commanded an army of 800,000, and the civil and military officials who arrived later, forming a large procession. They all followed behind in silence, heads bowed, taking small, respectful steps.

The entire group fell silent.

The only sound was the uniform, countless footsteps landing on the ground.

This team, without ceremonial guards, flags, or slogans, inspires more awe and suffocation than any other army.

God is walking.

The emperor was accompanied by his entourage.

This strange procession slowly made its way through the entire city of Lin'an.

On both sides of the street, all the shops were closed, and all the people knelt on the ground with their heads bowed, not daring to even breathe.

They didn't know what was happening, but they saw the emperor.

The emperor was walking, and he was following behind someone else.

This is enough.

Everyone understood that the two people walking at the very front were people they absolutely could not look up at, or even think about.

Lin Ye remained indifferent to all of this.

He just felt that the road was much quieter and cleaner than usual today.

Walking like this is quite comfortable.

Little Dragon Girl was curious. She tugged at Lin Ye's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Lin, why are they all kneeling? Did we step on them?"

"No," Lin Ye replied calmly. "They just feel that kneeling is more comfortable than standing."

Little Dragon Girl nodded as if she understood but not quite.

Behind her, Zhao Yun heard these words clearly, and his heart was once again filled with turmoil.

The immortal is right!

Kneeling before God is the most comfortable and safest posture!

This is another enlightenment for me!

His reverence for Lin Ye deepened even further. He felt that his "Dao" had improved considerably in just half a day.

As he walked, he whispered orders to Jia Sidao and Meng Gong beside him.

"By imperial decree, from this moment forward, all roads the Immortal will travel along, within a ten-mile radius, must be cleared! All people must remain at home and are forbidden to leave their homes!"

"Furthermore, select 100,000 of the most elite and loyal soldiers from the Divine Strategy Guard to advance ahead of the Immortal and clear the way for him!"

Meng Gong immediately accepted the order: "Your subject obeys! However... I wonder what exactly this 'clearing the way' refers to?"

A hint of madness flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes.

"It's not war, it's cleaning!" He lowered his voice, but his tone was resolute. "I want every inch of land the immortal has walked on to be cleaner than my dragon bed! Every pebble on the road must be washed three times with water! I want the immortal's shoes to travel from Lin'an to Dali without a single speck of dust on them!"

Jia Sidao and Meng Gong felt their scalps tingle.

Sending 100,000 elite troops to sweep the streets?

If this gets out, it will probably become the biggest joke in the world.

But looking into Zhao Yun's unwavering gaze, they knew that the Emperor was serious.

Moreover, they felt that this seemed... not wrong at all.

To clear the way for the gods is the highest honor for this army.

Meng Gong immediately went to make arrangements. He decided to personally lead this "Shence Guard Cleaning Team." He wanted to treat this matter as the most important battle.

The procession slowly walked out of Lin'an City.

The roads outside the city were dirt roads, far less smooth than the bluestone roads inside the city.

Zhao Yun's heart immediately jumped.

He was about to suggest again that the immortal ride in the dragon carriage, but he saw that Lin Ye's steps did not stop at all, and he continued to walk at a leisurely pace.

Strangely, the bumpy dirt road would automatically become smooth and solid just before Lin Ye's foot was about to land, as if an invisible hand was smoothing out the road ahead for him.

After he passed by, the road returned to its original state.

Zhao Yun and the others following behind still had to walk with uneven steps.

Looking at Lin Ye's black cloth shoes, which seemed to never get dirty, Zhao Yun felt an overwhelming surge of admiration once again.

miracle!

This is another miracle!

The path that God walks is naturally the path of God! Mortals can only follow behind and walk the path of mortals!

He increasingly felt how wise his decision to follow on foot had been.

The group continued walking silently.

If he got hungry, a fast horse would bring him warm food prepared by the imperial kitchen at the fastest speed. But they dared not serve it to Lin Ye; they simply placed it by the roadside so that Lin Ye could take it whenever he wanted.

If you are thirsty, someone will prepare the purest mountain spring water for you.

As darkness fell, Zhao Yun assumed the immortal would need to rest. He had already ordered his men to set up a luxurious tent, comparable to a palace, ahead of them.

However, Lin Ye showed no sign of stopping.

He seemed tireless; the frequency of his steps remained unchanged from beginning to end.

Under the moonlight, his shadow was stretched long, carrying a loneliness that seemed otherworldly.

Zhao Yun and the others could only grit their teeth and continue following.

These pampered officials, both civil and military, had never endured such hardship. After a day of walking, everyone suffered from aches and pains, and blisters formed on their feet.

But no one dared to complain.

Because even the emperor, who was walking at the very front, was walking in the same way.

The being they all followed hadn't even changed his breathing.

Gradually, a strange feeling began to develop in their hearts.

This doesn't feel like a long journey; it's more like a... pilgrimage.

A long and arduous journey of measuring one's faith with one's own two feet.

They didn't know how long they had been walking, whether it was a day or two.

Until, a turbulent river blocked their way.

The river was wide and the current was swift, with no bridges at all. There were only a few small ferry crossings along the riverbank, with a few dilapidated ferry boats moored there.

The line finally came to a stop.

Looking at the mighty river before him, Zhao Yun's heart sank to the bottom.

Trouble is brewing.

He was about to roar, ordering the Ministry of Works to find a way immediately, even if it meant sacrificing lives, to build a pontoon bridge in the shortest possible time.

But before he could speak, he saw Lin Ye had already walked to the riverbank.

He didn't stop.

His right foot simply and normally stepped down.

I didn't step into the water.

Instead, they stepped onto the water.

It was as if the surging river water, at that moment, had turned into an incomparably hard piece of glass.