A stone sculpture stands in the temple, though weathered by wind and sun, the sculpture has become quite rough. Of course, the blame cannot all be placed on the elements; the initial carving itself was rather coarse, not very meticulous.

Behind the sculpture, there is a Merit stone tablet.

The characters on it are mottled, but still faintly recognizable.

It mainly recounts the accomplishments of Zhao Jun, who, upon arriving here, helped the mountain people manage water and build canals, and expelled the monsters and Evil that plagued the mountains.

Li Zhiyuan frowned slightly; the contents of this Merit stone tablet were also very vague. It doesn't even clearly state Zhao Jun's name; Zhao Jun should be a title.

Expelling Evil?

So, did this Zhao Jun once deal with the Old Transgender?

Li Zhiyuan walked out of the dilapidated temple, looked back at the direction the sculpture faced, turned sideways, and according to the map memory in his brain, this direction was right toward the lake.

The young man suddenly realized this was a sub-shrine, or perhaps a supporting shrine.

The main shrine of Zhaojun Temple is not actually here.

But judging by the position of the sub-shrine, it shouldn't be positioned here, but should be a little bit further up.

Li Zhiyuan looked up toward Zhaojun Temple above; there were several large stones piled there.

"Brother Runsheng, try to pry open one of the stones."

"Alright!"

Runsheng inserted the Yellow River Shovel into the gap, applying force to pry.

Soon, the stone started to loosen, and one piece was pried open.

Inside, a stone tablet was revealed, soaked by time, its surface inscribed in blood, vigor and strength showing through.

Upon seeing the content on the stone tablet, Li Zhiyuan's gaze also froze.

"Miaojiang Saintess steps onto a deviant path, voluntarily degenerates, and plunders infants all around, filling her own belly, attempting to fashion her own body into a furnace to nurture the Gu Child.

Heaven's wrath and people's resentment, outrage as one.

Now, here I stand, to slay the Gu Child, to suppress the Saintess.

Eons stretch on, human strength has limits, should suppression fail, if this beast reappears.

On the day it resumes slaughter, my descendants will inherit my will, return to this place, and heavily suppress the Evil again!

—— Jiujiang Zhao Wuyang."

Jiujiang Zhao.

Zhao Yi's ancestor.

Zhao Wuyang was Zhao Jun; Li Zhiyuan speculated that this was most likely the historically renowned Dragon King of Jiujiang Zhao, the only Dragon King.

Logically, this should be Zhao Yi's opportunity, as he was also traversing the Jianghu.

This wave should rightfully belong to Zhao Yi.

However, it ended up divided with me.

Li Zhiyuan couldn't help but look at Xue Liangliang, who stood before him, also reading the stone tablet words.

At this moment, the first thought in the young man's mind was: This is a great opportunity to thwart Zhao Yi.

This was an instinctive reaction.

Because Zhao Yi deserves respect, he deserves to be killed.

But soon, this thought was erased by Li Zhiyuan from his mind, because doing so felt rather pointless.

If normally, both sides met, relying on their skills, digging pits for each other, burying the other in advance, then so be it.

Yet under the personal inscription of the Zhao Family Dragon King, plotting such a thing felt like a childish tantrum in front of adults, appearing trivial and naïve.

After all, no matter what, every Dragon King, deserves respect.

Li Zhiyuan stretched out his hand, gently pushing Xue Liangliang aside, stepping alone to the stone tablet, standing openly, and began:

"Sadly, your Jiujiang Zhao has, until now, only produced you as a Dragon King."

He carries the Dragon King lineage of two families, even if facing other family's Dragon King, at least the first word spoken cannot show cowardice, meaning cannot be too courteous.

Every family has its pride, each leading a generation.

Then, Li Zhiyuan bowed deeply to the stone tablet, and shortly afterwards, performed the ritual of the Qin and Liu Families.

This salute was not to Jiujiang Zhao, but to the predecessor who once suppressed the Evil of Jianghu.

After finishing the ritual, Li Zhiyuan straightened up, speaking again:

"I take up the task of your Zhao Family Dragon King, I, Dragon King Qin, Dragon King Liu!"

"Click!"

Right after the words fell, the stone tablet broke, splitting in half, in the center, a rusted copper coin sword.

Li Zhiyuan blinked.

He hadn't expected the Zhao Family Dragon King to be so generous.

The inscription said future descendants come to suppress; yet even descendants from other families, as long as willing to come here and suppress the beast, he would grant equipment, aiding them.

This must be the spirit of the Dragon King.

Li Zhiyuan extended his hand to grasp the copper coin sword, and upon touching, a cooling sensation flowed instantly through his palm, clearing his mind.

Good stuff indeed.

Li Zhiyuan drew the copper coin sword out, observing the precious copper rust on it while in his heart, he sighed:

"Sorry, Zhao Yi."

———

This is catching up on yesterday's word count, more to come tonight.

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