A man in the martial world, a reincarnated sword immortal.

Emperor Huizong's father was a sickly man who lived a long life!

Wow!

These words were spoken.

This immediately made Emperor Huizong's eyelids twitch, and his face turned pale with rage.

"You bastard!"

"How dare they impersonate the late emperor!"

"This is utterly outrageous!"

"Someone come here!"

"Take him down!"

Zhong Yuan was slightly taken aback, not expecting the gray-clad man to speak in such a way.

Isn't this just stabbing Emperor Huizong in the back?

Zhao Ji's father?

Are you kidding me?

Zhao Ji's father was the short-lived Emperor Shenzong of Song, Zhao Xu.

He died when he was three years old.

Emperor Huizong of Song probably doesn't even remember what his father looked like anymore.

That man in gray really dares to speak his mind.

As Zhao Ji finished speaking...

The imperial guards and the Imperial City Guards who were waiting outside the Imperial Garden all rushed in at once.

Two unfamiliar figures appeared in the Imperial Garden.

They immediately surrounded the man in gray and Zhong Yuan.

At this time.

Then the gray-clad man emerged from the shadows. He was very refined, with a face that was not particularly handsome, but he possessed an air of nobility.

Even dressed in gray, he couldn't hide his aura.

However, if he lowers his head and hides there, most people probably wouldn't be able to find him.

This person is an absolute master.

Zhong Yuan only needed a moment to realize that this person was extraordinary.

Since this person has appeared in this palace.

It seems that Yan Ying's death was related to this person.

Could it be that this was the person who injured Yan Ying three years ago at Mount Hua?

Zhong Yuan looked at the man and suddenly realized that the man's eyes were quite unusual; he had double pupils.

At this time.

The man in gray completely ignored the imperial guards and said to Zhong Yuan, "You can't kill this rebellious son."

"If you want to kill him, you'll have to get past me first."

Zhong Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Who said I was going to kill him?"

The man in gray said calmly, "If I don't kill you today, you'll have the chance to kill me another day."

"Those few of my good-for-nothing disciples of mine have all died at your hands."

Zhong Yuan's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

For some reason, Wu Yazi, Tianshan Tonglao, and Li Qiushui suddenly came to mind.

The man in gray had white hair but a youthful face; you couldn't tell his real age at all.

But he gave me a very unusual feeling.

Far above the Three Elders of Leisure.

Who exactly is this man in gray?

He wanted to protect Zhao Ji.

However, judging from Zhao Ji's appearance, he did not recognize him.

There were such figures in the Zhao Song court.

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) didn't know?

Zhong Yuan paused for a moment, then said, "In that case, shall we go somewhere else?"

The man in gray said calmly, "It's been a long time since I've seen such a capable junior as you."

"Alright."

"You have the right to ask me to go somewhere else."

huh~~~

next moment.

Zhong Yuan leaped into the air, riding the wind, and sped off towards the northeast.

After Zhao Ji ascended the throne.

An imperial edict was issued to collect flowers and stones from various regions and bring them to the capital, so that an artificial landscape garden could be built outside the palace.

at the moment.

This artificial landscape garden has not yet been built.

It's only in its initial stages.

But it is already surrounded by some rocks.

Zhong Yuan drifted away.

The man in gray swung his palm.

He sent those imperial guards flying and followed closely behind Zhong Yuan.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Ji...

He was furious.

This imperial palace is so vast that people can come and go as they please.

The palace guards and the guards of the Imperial City Guard were as fragile as paper in front of those two men.

They had absolutely no chance to fight back.

I can't even touch the hem of someone's clothes!

This was the first time he felt his safety was threatened.

This would be intolerable for any emperor.

Immediately.

He gave the order.

"Chase!"

"Quickly, chase after them!"

"These two assassins must be captured!"

Emperor Huizong was very angry.

Because that gray-clad man dared to impersonate his father!

This is practically like defecating and urinating on his head.

Even if he has a very good temper.

We can't let anyone else impersonate his father!

Shanshui Garden.

On that artificial hill.

Zhong Yuan landed his foot.

The man in gray followed closely behind, appearing even more ethereal.

The two faced each other from a distance.

Zhong Yuan slowly said, "Are you perhaps Xiaoyaozi?"

Just now, he secretly observed the light-footed movement technique that the gray-clad man used when he arrived.

Seeing the gray-clad man's incredibly graceful and free-flowing movements, full of poetic charm.

That ethereal, otherworldly feeling is something only the members of the Free and Unfettered Sect possess in the martial arts world today.

In addition, there was what the gray-clad man had just said.

That's when he made that guess.

The man in gray stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Xiaoyaozi?"

Ninety years ago, someone did indeed call me Xiaoyaozi.

"However, my name back then was Pan Lang."

Zhong Yuan frowned.

Pan Lang?

He really didn't know this person.

The man in gray seemed to be introducing something to Zhong Yuan, or perhaps reminiscing.

Pan Lang, courtesy name Mengkong, sobriquet Xiaoyaozi.

"As a young man, he studied under the Taoist master Chen Tuan and opened a pharmacy in Lecture Hall Lane in Bianjing in his early years."

"In the seventh year of the Taiping Xingguo era, when Lu Duoxun was prime minister, he plotted to install Prince Zhao Tingmei of Qin as emperor, and Pan Lang participated in his plot."

"After Lu Duoxun and the King of Qin failed, Pan Lang was implicated and pursued."

"In the first year of the Zhidao era, Pan Lang was summoned by Emperor Taizong of Song on the recommendation of the eunuch Wang Ji'en. He was granted the title of Jinshi and appointed as an assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy."

"Because of his excessive arrogance, the imperial edict was soon returned."

"Before Emperor Taizong passed away, Pan Lang, along with Wang Ji'en, Li Changling (Vice Chancellor), Zhao Rong (Privy Councilor), and Hu Dan (Drafter of Imperial Edicts), plotted to install Weiji, the grandson of Emperor Taizu, as emperor."

"After the failure, Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne and exiled Wang Ji'en and others. Pan Lang fled to Qianshan Temple in Shuzhou."

"Later, he traveled all over the country, enjoying the beauty of lakes and mountains."

"However, that was just who I used to be."

"I am no longer Pan Lang."

Speaking of it.

The man in gray looked at Zhong Yuan as if he were looking at a novel treasure.

"That year, when you fought Xiaoyun at Lingjiu Mountain, the last sword strike you used was quite impressive."

"So many years have passed."

"You did indeed take this step."

"Since the late Tang Dynasty, no more than a handful of people have been able to reach this level in martial arts."

"You are one of them."

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

Zhong Yuan found the gray-clad man very strange; when he introduced Pan Lang, it was as if he were recounting someone else's life.

But he himself said that he was called Pan Lang ninety years ago.

However, judging from his words, this person is indeed Xiaoyaozi of the Xiaoyao Sect.

He was there back then, on Lingjiu Mountain!

Could it be that the Heavenly Child Granny went to Mount Lingjiu back then to see this Xiaoyaozi?

However, since Xiaoyaozi was also at Lingjiu Mountain back then.

Why didn't he step in and help Tianshan Tonglao out of this predicament!

Zhong Yuan looked at Xiaoyaozi with some doubt, feeling that there were many unresolved questions.

"The senior's achievements are truly remarkable and admirable."

"Back then, I was still very young and didn't realize you were there."

"But who exactly are you, senior?"

"You are Xiaoyaozi, you are Pan Lang."

"But it's not the person you are now."

"Senior was hiding in the Song Dynasty court, protecting Zhao Ji, yet he personally killed Yan Ying."

"This is truly baffling to me."

"I would be grateful if you could offer your guidance, senior."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoyaozi remained calm and spoke slowly.

"I have roamed the martial world for over a hundred years."

"Sixty years ago, with a single, breathtaking sword strike, I became the Kunlun Sword Immortal!"

"Ninety years ago, dressed in simple clothes, I traveled the world under the name Xiaoyaozi—that was me!"

"An immortal touched my head, and I was granted eternal life."

"I have lived for over 150 years."

Wow!

These words were spoken.

Zhong Yuan's eyelids twitched a few times unintentionally.

Sixty years ago, a single, breathtaking sword strike from Kunlun Sword Immortal.

This title only briefly appeared in the Western Regions.

Ninety years ago, he roamed the martial arts world as Xiaoyaozi.

But none of these identities are his original identity.

It turns out that his true identity was Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

No wonder he has such amazing skills.

An immortal touched my head, and I was granted eternal life.

The immortal he was referring to should be Chen Tuan.

"Senior, you are truly extraordinary."

Zhong Yuan was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

Xiaoyaozi said calmly, "It's not exactly a remarkable skill."

"I just live a little longer than others."

"You are calmer than I expected."

"If others heard about my experience, they would probably lose their composure in an instant."

"My three rebellious disciples are not as good as you."

"No wonder you killed him."

When Xiaoyaozi said these words, it was as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

It seems that they don't care at all that Zhong Yuan killed Tianshan Tonglao and the other two.

Zhong Yuan looked at Xiaoyaozi and slowly said, "Senior, you flatter me."

"I was just lucky."

Xiaoyaozi said, "Many things in this world may be accidental once, but twice or three times, they are definitely not accidental."

"You are a formidable figure unlike any other in the history of the Ming Cult."

"If you and I were to fight, it would be very difficult to determine a winner."

"I'm too old to make a big fuss."

"You are different from Yan Ying. If Yan Ying hadn't died, I wouldn't have been able to enter the palace."

"I still admire the doctrines of the Ming Cult."

"I don't want to kill you."

"As long as you don't touch Zhao Ji, you can come and go freely in this city of Dongjing from now on."

"It's not impossible for us to become friends despite our age difference."

Zhong Yuan was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"Senior seems to care a lot about that Zhao Ji."

Xiaoyaozi said softly, "Of course, because he really is my son."

Zhong Yuan was stunned.

"Are you joking, senior?"

Xiaoyaozi said, "It won't hurt to tell you."

"Back then, my Li Tang lineage was destroyed by the Zhao Song dynasty. The humiliation my lineage suffered is something I do not want to recall even today."

"Over the years, I have changed identities, as if I have lived one lifetime after another."

"But I can never forget my true self."

"I thought that time would make me forget everything and let go of the hatred."

"But what people cling to is truly difficult to let go of."

"When I was Pan Lang, I stirred up the political turmoil in the Song court several times, trying to prevent Zhao Er from getting what he wanted."

"Unfortunately, in the end, we were still one step behind."

"Later, I figured it out. Since I couldn't install a new emperor in the court and cause chaos in the Song Dynasty, I decided to..."

"It would be better to simply change the bloodline of the Zhao Song dynasty and let my offspring ascend the throne."

"So, back then, I had a child with the woman surnamed Chen, whom Zhao Xu had slept with."

After Zhao Xu's death, Zhao Xu succeeded him to the throne.

"Zhao Xu has no sons. Once Zhao Xu dies, Zhao Ji will be the best choice."

"Therefore, I must kill Yan Ying first before I can send Zhao Xu to his death."

"My rebellious son was born just like me."

"He was pampered from childhood and became frivolous and dissolute."

He was proficient in calligraphy, painting, horseback riding, archery, and cuju (ancient Chinese football).

"Back then, Zhao Xu once said that when Zhao Ji was born, he dreamed that Emperor Li came to visit him, so his literary talent and elegance surpassed that of Emperor Li a hundred times."

"But little did he know, I was in control of everything."

"Now, my wish has come true."

"Naturally, I must ensure that the Zhao Song throne is passed down through my bloodline."

"In this way, I can say that I have finally put an end to that obsession of mine."

Zhong Yuan was taken aback when he heard this.

He didn't find the matter absurd; on the contrary, he felt it must be true.

Zhao Ji was the son of Li Yu.

Li Yu lived for over 150 years.

His thoughts were already quite different from those of ordinary people.

It's truly remarkable that he could do something like replacing the bloodline of the Song Dynasty with his own.

Zhong Yuan glanced at Xiaoyaozi, then slowly said, "How much longer do you intend to guard Zhao Ji, senior?"

"Do you, senior, consider Zhao Ji a wise and benevolent ruler?"

"You were once the ruler of a country."

"It should be known how much damage a tyrannical ruler can do to a country."

"The elders have lived too long, and may have long forgotten how many people suffer in this world, all of which are caused from top to bottom, and how a single hair can affect the whole body."

"The Song Dynasty was already weak, and now the Liao and Xia are eyeing it covetously. If things continue like this, the Song Dynasty will probably be destroyed by foreign tribes in a few years."

Xiaoyaozi said calmly, "Of course I know what kind of role a tyrant plays."

"It is precisely because Zhao Ji was mediocre that he was able to sit on the throne."

"Only such mediocre people could have caused the complete demise of the Song Dynasty."

"A hundred years from now, history books will only record that the Zhao Song imperial family was enslaved by foreign tribes."

"I want to ensure that the Song Dynasty is forever nailed to the pillar of historical shame."

"Only in this way can we completely erase the past."

When Xiaoyaozi said this, his tone was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Zhong Yuan paused for a moment before saying, "So, senior, you've already thought of Zhao Ji's fate."

"In order to forever nail the Zhao Song imperial family to the pillar of shame, they did not hesitate to let him be enslaved by foreign tribes."

Xiaoyaozi said, "Isn't this the best possible ending?"

Zhong Yuan said, "But he is also your bloodline."

Xiaoyaozi said very seriously, "It is precisely because he is my bloodline that he should fulfill the mission I have given him."

Looking at Xiaoyaozi's serious expression, Zhong Yuan knew that he had completely entered a morbid state.

He is willing to sacrifice everyone for his predetermined goals.

This man has lived too long and has long regarded everyone in the world as his pawns.

Let him fiddle with it.

Zhong Yuan knew that if Xiaoyaozi followed this plan, it would take another twenty years.

When the Jin dynasty moves south, the Song dynasty will inevitably be nailed to the pillar of historical shame.

He could have waited patiently, allowing his Ming Cult followers to recuperate and build up their strength, waiting for the opportune moment to destroy the Song Dynasty and save the day.

But—if that's the case.

Countless people will die under the iron heel of the Jurchens.

That kind of ending.

This is the ending that Xiaoyaozi wanted.

But that wasn't the ending he wanted.

He looked at Xiaoyaozi and said softly, "I don't accept your scheme."

>