356: Chapter 136, Volume Three, The End!

Soon, Qin Hongmian packed her belongings, met up with Gan Baobao and Zhong Ling who had also gathered their possessions, and then set off for Suzhou together with Meng Li, Mu Wanqing, and Wang Yuyan.

The group traveled in silence and arrived in Suzhou without incident.

Afterwards, Qin Hongmian did not go to Canhe Village. Instead, she settled in a small courtyard near Swallow Dock.

Gan Baobao and Zhong Ling used the assets they brought from Wanjian Valley to purchase a courtyard not far away to settle down.

After they were settled, Meng Li, Mu Wanqing, and Wang Yuyan returned to Canhe Village.

As soon as the three entered the gate, A Zhu, A Bi, A Zi, Mei Jian, and Zhu Jian came forward to greet them.

"Young Master Master."

A Zi called out, flew into Meng Li's embrace, and rubbed her face against his chest. Only after she had her fill of rubbing did she finally get down.

Afterwards, Meng Li went to bathe and wash away the dust of the journey.

In the bathing pool, he encountered the great mermaid who hadn't appeared earlier. Surprisingly, it wasn't one, but two.

Ruan Xingzhu and Li Qingluo.

Perhaps due to complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, or because of similar circumstances, or simply being close in age, ever since they met at the arena where Meng Li fought one against nine, Li Qingluo and Ruan Xingzhu—former rivals who had only heard of each other but never met—had actually turned hostility into friendship and become close.

On ordinary days, the two often arranged to chat, cruise the lake, admire flowers, play cards, and play chess together.

When facing Meng Li, they also often confronted him as a duo. Their coordination, in many instances, was no less than that of A Zhu and A Zi, just like now.

However, their raw strength was far inferior to Meng Li's.

Therefore, even though the combined effect of the two was greater than the sum of its parts, they could only end in defeat.

By nightfall, Meng Li redoubled his efforts and successfully completed a one-against-seven.

After a period of wild abandon, Meng Li, having no reason to go out, gradually settled into a life similar to the Late Stage of his previous two lifetimes—peaceful and fulfilling. His daily routine consisted of studying Martial Arts, managing his businesses, and romantic dalliances. Occasionally, he would receive news through Lingjiu Palace to see if there was anything of interest, or to hear about some familiar people or events.

And indeed, he heard quite a few things:

For example, regarding the rumors about Duan Yu's parentage and the love-hate entanglement among Duan Zhengchun, Duan Yanqing, and Dao Baifeng, the Dali Duan Clan chose a policy of benign neglect: as long as the subjects did not publicly broadcast the matter and only discussed it behind closed doors, the officials would not investigate if the people did not bring it forward. Conversely, if it was publicly spread, they would follow normal procedures and charge the gossiper with the crime of disrespect.

After some time, the heat around this matter died down.

However, according to hearsay, shortly after the rumors broke out, two outsider monks appeared at Tianlong Temple.

One was ordinary and unremarkable, while the other was physically disabled, suspected to be Duan Yanqing.

Upon learning this news, Meng Li immediately thought of what Tan Qing had previously said: 'Duan Yanqing took Xu Zhu away, whereabouts unknown.' He guessed that the two extra outsider monks at Tianlong Temple were likely Duan Yanqing and Xu Zhu.

As for whether this was truly the case, since it wasn't of great concern, he did not investigate further.

Not long after the impact of the rumor incident faded, a foreign monk challenged Tianlong Temple, claiming his divine skill was perfected and he had come specifically to seek a contest.

Surprisingly, that foreign monk could actually use the Dali Duan Clan's supreme, peerless technique, the Six Veins Divine Sword. However, the Sword Qi he unleashed was fiery red, completely different from the invisible, colorless orthodox Six Veins Sword Qi. The man's mind also seemed somewhat abnormal, as if he had suffered a Qi Deviation from practicing Martial Arts.

At the critical moment, Duan Yu, the ruler of the Dali Kingdom, arrived to lend assistance.

In the end, that foreign monk was severely injured, fled, and his whereabouts became unknown.

Tianlong Temple also suffered heavy losses.

The most senior Great Master, Kurong, and a senior monk with the Dharma name Benyuan passed away on the spot.

The abbot, Benyin, was seriously injured.

The other monks of the 'Ben' generation were also injured.

Tianlong Temple had no choice but to close its gates and refuse visitors.

Hearing this news, Meng Li calculated. That foreign monk should be Jiumozhi, and the previously unheard-of monk Benyuan was, unsurprisingly, Duan Yanqing.

After the impact of this event subsided and Duan Yu's mourning period ended, he married Gao Mei, the daughter of the Dali Prime Minister Gao Shengtai, brought her into the palace, and established her as Empress.

Not long after Duan Yu's wedding, the former consort of the Town South King of Dali, now effectively the Dowager Empress of Dali, Dao Baifeng, passed away.

According to rumors, before her passing, Dao Baifeng left a final decree, stating that she had long wished to follow Duan Zhengchun in death, but had delayed until now only because Duan Yu had not yet started a family.

In short, Dao Baifeng's death was a delayed act of following her love in death.

Whether this story was true or false could not be verified.

After learning of it, Meng Li felt it was most likely true.

Because in the original story, after Duan Zhengchun's death, Dao Baifeng also chose to follow him in death.

However, this matter had little to do with him.

On the other hand, Qin Hongmian was somewhat affected. After all, she had been intent on seeking revenge against Dao Baifeng, but before her Martial Arts reached Major Achievement, her enemy was gone first. This made her feel that life had lost its purpose. She was confused for a while, and only after being counseled by Mu Wanqing and Gan Baobao did she recover, becoming more settled afterwards.

Apart from Dali, a piece of news from the Liao Kingdom also caught Meng Li's attention.

A rebellion broke out in the Liao Kingdom. The reigning emperor, Yelü Hongji, nearly lost his life, but was fortunately rescued by a mighty warrior strong enough to wrestle a bear, thus narrowly escaping disaster.

That mighty warrior was named Xiao Feng.

After being rescued, Yelü Hongji eradicated the rebels. Grateful for Xiao Feng's life-saving grace and formidable strength, he wished to appoint him as a great general to jointly pursue grand ambitions.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Feng resolutely refused, saying he only wished to herd cattle and sheep on the frontier with his wife.

Yelü Hongji had no choice but to let it go.

Hearing this news initially, Meng Li was somewhat surprised.

Xiao Feng was undoubtedly Qiao Feng. What surprised Meng Li was that Yelü Hongji was actually willing to let Qiao Feng go so easily.

In the original story, Yelü Hongji had imprisoned him and even intended to kill him.

Thinking it over carefully, Meng Li understood: In the original story, Qiao Feng not only saved Yelü Hongji but also helped him suppress the rebellion, for which he was granted the title of Prince of the Southern Court. Later, when Yelü Hongji intended to attack the Song Dynasty, Qiao Feng even held military power.

As a result, they disagreed on the matter of attacking Song.

Qiao Feng defied him, held military power, and was exceptionally brave and mighty himself.

This is what angered and made Yelü Hongji wary of him, leading to murderous intent.

Now, Qiao Feng had only saved Yelü Hongji. Though he was still brave and mighty and had refused the offer, the crucial factor of military power was absent. At most, it left Yelü Hongji somewhat regretful and displeased, not wary enough to develop murderous intent.

Compared to the original story, Qiao Feng's tale lacked grandeur, but being able to herd livestock on the frontier with his unknown wife was also a good ending.

Regarding this, Meng Li felt a wave of emotion in his heart, then turned to take care of the children.

He had become a father again, and not just to one child.

Wang Yuyan gave birth first, to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl.

Then, in order, came Mu Wanqing, A Bi, A Zhu, A Zi, Mei Jian, and Zhu Jian.

Mu Wanqing, A Zhu, and A Zi each gave birth to a daughter.

A Bi, Mei Jian, and Zhu Jian all gave birth to sons.

By the time the group of children had grown up, Meng Li received news that Duan Yu had abdicated and become a monk.

This was part of the old tradition of the Dali Duan Clan. He didn't pay it much mind. Instead, he divided the family business, became a hands-off manager, and took Wang Yuyan, Mu Wanqing, and the others on travels to visit old acquaintances.

Because, barring accidents, he was about to begin witnessing old acquaintances and familiar people pass away one by one.

The first to pass were Wu Ya Zi and Murong Bo.

Next were the Old Woman of Tian Shan and Li Qiu Shui.

Then the Sweeping Monk.

Followed by Duan Yu, Xu Zhu, and Qiao Feng.

Later came Gan Baobao, Qin Hongmian, and Zhong Ling.

A hundred years later, Ruan Xingzhu, Li Qingluo, Mu Wanqing, Zhu Jian, Mei Jian, A Zhu, A Bi, A Zi, and Wang Yuyan passed away one after another.

Although Meng Li had not reached his natural lifespan limit, he felt he had lived enough and had no more attachments to this world.

Therefore, he arranged all affairs, found an auspicious day, and attempted a Breakthrough at the Lingjiu Palace on Tian Shan.

As the Qi aura from his Qi Control realm, charging towards the Foundation Forging realm, uncontrollably leaked out, Meng Li instantly felt a sense of rejection envelop him, accompanied by an unprecedented, intense sense of crisis.

In an instant, the heavens and earth changed color, dark clouds gathered, and a great terror brewed within them.

Moments later, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed.

Meng Li immediately perceived that he was locked on.

The next second, the Lightning Tribulation descended with a thunderous crash...