Chapter 554: I, Da Meng, am invincible under heaven!

Alright, being a count is a good start; for the next while, stay steady and don't take any more risks.

After finishing talking about matters concerning Ke Li Si Ting, Ji Ming then told her some things about himself.

But when he spoke of alchemical knowledge, Ke Li Si Ting still didn't understand, so this part of the story is brief, even simple enough to be summed up in three words.

—I, Ji Ming, am awesome!

But even though he just casually said a few things, time had already reached late night, the banquet was about to end, and they could no longer loaf around here.

Let's go.

But before dispelling the shadow barrier, Ji Ming, for safety, again placed a curse and a magical warning on Ke Li Si Ting.

Of course, this brand-new curse appears to still be triggerable normally by the caster, but it has lost the effect of tugging at Ke Li Si Ting's bloodline.

Instead, after being activated it enters a counter‑tracking mode, letting Ke Li Si Ting sense the caster's exact location, and then she can make another decision.

And the warning magic covering the divine sense, while being fully restored by Ji Ming, also duplicated itself exactly inside the magic crystal.

And he cleaned up all traces of the operations, ensuring that the possible Lionheart King caster would notice nothing.

But even with preparations as thorough as a clever rabbit's three burrows, careful Ji Ming still wasn't satisfied.

For safety's sake, he also disguised and encrypted Ke Li Si Ting's memories, so that outsiders trying to investigate her experiences that night would only learn……

"Er, what do you want them to know? … No, impossible! Forget I asked, baa! Impossible is impossible!"

After covering that memory with an extremely warm old‑friend reunion scene, Ji Ming and Ke Li Si Ting returned to the banquet one after another.

The Xiguang Duke naturally noticed Ji Ming's reappearance at the venue at some point, but he said nothing, instead giving Ji Ming a meaningful smile.

If one were to force a translation, the meaning would be roughly——"You're awesome, after all this time, you truly are the first radiant horseman knight, eh!"

Ji Ming couldn't be bothered to explain, and simply responded with a smile, the meaning roughly——"What if I were the first horseman mount?"

Old man:???

Although the matter had become quite a big deal, according to the arrangement, the Deep Forest delegation would also only stay in Qixia City for three days, truly a case of tight schedule and heavy workload.

So anyway, having already been there, Ji Ming did not attend the morning amusement fair on the second day, but instead rode his horse overnight and flew up to Holy Mountain.

He greeted His Holiness the Pope, temporarily opened a back door, and let him see the Little Lion whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

One can only say that as the eternal emperor of Yangyue Star, even after becoming a weird creature, his emotions remain extremely stable.

Thus the Little Lion, under house arrest, having been well‑behaved, has gained more personal freedom and can even walk about freely on that mountain peak.

Therefore, when Ji Ming saw him, he was lying quietly reading a book under the rare midday sun of winter.

……

Holy shit, no wonder Deep Forest can become the biggest state of Yangyue, its ancestral tomb actively spewing green smoke—would you believe it!?

"Huh?"

Although being baked by the sunlight, the Little Lion's divine sense was still sharp, immediately detecting the presence of an outsider amidst the swirling smoke.

Only after realizing it was Ji Ming did he relax, yawn, then raise his flaming arm to greet him.

Ji Ming: "Er."

Seeing his strange expression, the Little Lion then realized, sat up, and explained with an embarrassed laugh.

"Well, there's nothing I can do—this death‑knight body is too cold, so I thought I'd bask in the sun to warm up."

The Little Lion still cared about face; after inviting Ji Ming inside and letting him pour himself a drink, he slipped into his own bedroom.

"Just a moment, I'm changing clothes."

"Okay."

Sitting on the spacious sofa, Ji Ming didn't rush to pour himself water, but first took a look at the décor.

One can only say that some things ingrained in the bloodline won't change even with amnesia, so this living room is very obviously a modern technological civilization style.

Moreover, from the strange tree roots and stones displayed on the wooden rack, even modern people's odd collecting habits have been left behind.

"Ha."

Unable to hold back a laugh, Ji Ming lifted the teapot lid on the table and peered inside using the sunlight.

Indeed, what was steeping here was neither the pharmacist's herbs nor the witch's maggots, but tea leaves.

As a result, after drinking three cups in a row and waiting a while, it was probably the Little Lion who had taken a bath who came out from the inner room.

And the charred, brittle corpse that had just been burned turned back into a death knight, albeit dry and withered, but still somewhat human‑like.

The Little Lion, somewhat scorched, raised his hand and habitually smoothed his already thinning long hair.

"Honored guest has come calling; you must have official business to see me, right?"

"Of course."

But Ji Ming didn't recklessly stir up shadows in the Holy See's precincts; instead, after confirming no one was watching, he asked.

"How's it been, has any memory returned lately?"

"It's improved a bit; I've recovered some fragmentary bits—some are images, others are disjointed processes."

"Sounds still awful—don't you have any more complete segments?"

"Yes!"

The Little Lion furrowed his brow.

"So I can now be certain—I absolutely died in a murder!"

Although everyone knows the First Lionheart King died suddenly, the exact manner of his death is akin to the candle‑shadow axe sound of the Song dynasty—a topic one dare not touch.

Thus even to this day, historians have given no clear answer, allowing this eternal emperor of Yangyue Star to have at least an imperfect period.

Moreover, with all the mysteries and suspicions swirling above the Deep Forest royal family, Ji Ming, who was already investigating this matter, naturally took great interest in the Little Lion's words and immediately leaned forward.

"Tell me in detail!"

All he got in return was a sigh from the Little Lion.

"The point is right here—I only remember that someone harmed me, but I can't recall exactly how they did it or what the process was!"

Ah this.

Although regrettable, Ji Ming, well-versed in the tropes, had already guessed that would be the answer, so he wasn't too disappointed; instead he comforted him.

It's fine; matters concerning you are indeed complicated, and the mystery can't be solved overnight, but we can still take our time.

But then the conversation took a turn.

However, because I also care about this matter, I've been paying attention to it all along.

This time I finally have some substantive progress and clues, so I hurried over to share them with you.

But Little Lion, upon hearing that, didn't rush to ask further; instead he waved his hand.

Don't rush; actually, besides thinking about this matter, I'm also curious about another thing.

After a brief pause, he gave a light cough.

Forgive my boldness, Holy Light Chosen JiMiYin, your background has nothing to do with Shen Lin Wang Guo, and I have no impression of you.

I, a person who has lost my memory and doesn't even know who I am, relying on others to tell me, a dead person—what virtue or capability do I have that would make someone as great as you willingly help me?

Given Little Lion's intelligence, this is a question that will come sooner or later.

So Ji Ming, who was mentally prepared, didn't rush to explain; instead he gave a faint smile.

The reason I'll help you is simple—because we can actually be considered fellow countrymen.

Fellow countrymen?

Little Lion's already furrowed face completely scrunched up into a ball.

After thinking for a long time, he still ventured to say.

You also come from that……place that's completely different from here, right?

Yo, what a coincidence!

Ji Ming immediately perked up, but before that phrase on his lips could come out, he couldn't help but laugh.

Because the phrase he was about to say is classic——

Odd changes, even stays the same!

Little Lion: "Ah?"

?

Alright, maybe his memory hasn't recovered to high school level yet.

No problem, let's change our approach.

Ji Ming sank his qi into his dantian.

Imperial court jade liquid wine!

Little Lion: "Ah??"

??

Could it be……that Little Lion is actually a compatriot from across the sea?

But Ji Ming truly doesn't know what the password is over there; after racking his brains, he can only squeeze out a phrase.

I want a cup……qqㄋㄟㄋㄟ good to drink to meow pu tea?

Little Lion: "Ah???"

???

Damn it, where are the promised descendants of Yan and Huang in this parallel universe?

Could it be that the era is different?

Or perhaps he's actually from farther away, an overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia or across the ocean?

Um, do you think fortune cookies are tasty? Was General Tso's chicken invented by an idiot?

What different views do you have on fish and chips and the British Underground?

Kidneys! Kidneys!

Little Lion: "Stop stop stop, what are you saying? Are you going crazy?"

Ji Ming: I'm getting heated.

Little boss, where exactly did you drag him from?

【I don't know!】

You!... Eh? Right, I have a plan!

Thinking of this, Ji Ming quickly pressed his hand, signaling Little Lion to be quiet, then spoke softly.

Transmigrator, system!

Hey!

This time Little Lion finally reacted, he pointed at Ji Ming, his eyes even glowing.

I remember these two terms! Yes, I seem to be recalling some things!

After a brief pause, he drew a deep breath as if still alive, his voice trembling.

You too……are a savior?

Yes, yes! Of course! Otherwise? Otherwise why would I go out of my way to help you!

Good good good!

Although Little Lion also can't recall exactly what the savior pertains to, he remembers that this is his duty!

Moreover, since the other party is also a savior, judging by his appearance he could even be the newest generation, so he must definitely be on our side!

Thus a pleasant atmosphere spread, like when an international student in a foreign land's café meets another equally clueless overseas student.

To be frank, I come from a country called Huaxia in a high-dimensional world, which is an upper-to-lower parallel universe with your Yan-Huang, so we can indeed be considered fellow countrymen.

Oh my, that's great!

Little Lion laughed foolishly for a while.

"Ah! Then, does that mean you also... you know... celebrate the New Year over there?"

"Yeah, it's the Spring Festival."

"Eat tangyuan?"

"No, I'm from the north; we usually eat dumplings there."

"Oh right, right, right, that sounds about right... then what? Do you watch the Spring Festival Gala?"

"I used to watch it, but lately I haven't been watching much."

"Haha, same here. Oh dear, then next up we should be listening to the Emperor's New Year's poetic ode, right? I remember last year... uh, you guys don't listen to it?"

Ji Ming's face turned shocked.

"No way, bro, what Emperor?"

Then Little Lion was confused again.

"The Emperor... the Emperor! Could you be an overseas compatriot?"

"Damn, it's my turn to be suspected, huh!"

"How could that be! I'm from Zheng City in Qingzhou, a native Huaxia person!"

In return, he got Little Lion's puzzled head-scratching.

"Huh? Isn't Qingzhou an ancient place name? Where's Zheng City?"

"So where are you from then?"

"Pingdong Prefecture under the Provincial Administration of Dahe—don't you have that place over there?"

???

"What... what... Dahe!?"

Ji Ming pondered briefly, and in a flash actually grasped a clue.

"Guigu, you couldn't be referring to that long, fragmented island three pieces across the sea to the east of my home, could you!?"

"Uh, my home is that half of the island to the east... well, it's pretty much the same, anyway my home is the provincial capital, which in ancient times was apparently called... Jiang... Jianghu?"

………………

"Haha."

Ji Ming had been so shocked he couldn't speak, and only after laughing intermittently twice did he regain his ability to talk.

"Then may I ask, what exactly is your Emperor over there..."

Little Lion habitually sat upright with proper posture and spoke in a low voice.

"Naturally, he is the forty-third emperor of our Great Ming dynasty, era name Datong, the sun versed in both civil and military affairs, His Majesty Zhu Shengtian!"

"Haha! I feel like my vision just went black!"

Ji Ming gave a dry laugh twice, then felt dizzy from this absurdly appearing dog emperor and slumped on the sofa.

"Forget it, think positive—since Edo never got renamed Tokyo and thus disappeared, then wouldn't it be..."

"Damn, I'm starting to get curious about your world's history—did the Southern Ming's northern expedition succeed? Let the Paradox players have a go, right!"

Little Lion spread his hands.

"You're curious, I'm curious too! What exactly has happened to the Yan-Huang in your world?"

Saying this, he also patted the armrest.

"How unreasonable! Aren't EastJapan, the peninsula, the southeastern provinces, and the northern frozen wastes inherent territories of our Yan-Huang!"

"Damn, you guys too... sigh, forget it, let's not talk about this now, let's get down to business."

"Since we're either fellow villagers or colleagues, Ji Ming also couldn't be bothered to keep playing riddles."

He directly handed over all the gathered information concerning the remnants of Dark Yan, the elf remnants, and the royal court intrigues—those old mysteries—along with the warning magic he had fully copied, to Little Lion.

"The magic emperor... General Aslan... oh my goodness, the collapsed royal family's emotions and harmony!"

"According to the usual pattern, what can trigger an amnesiac's memory must be the experience that made him suffer and engrave it deeply."

"What other experience could be more painful than pouring one's whole life into relentless struggle, taking pride in a great undertaking, only for it to come to nothing, and even end up making wedding clothes for others?"