Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 161: Exchange

This conversation with the blind woman might have been the longest that he had had with her, and a lot of things were no longer as vague as before. He had finally gotten an idea of some of the more particular details.

Zhao Changhe was not surprised. It made no sense for this woman to bring people from the modern world all the way here just to watch the show. She must have had a purpose in mind. As long as he showed enough value, she would continue to reveal more and more vital information, slowly unveiling her ultimate goal.

In theory, the Back Eye was his greatest cheat, as it seemed to be harboring the potential to transform into something like clairvoyance. However, Zhao Changhe had never deliberately honed this skill, content with just sneaking a peek at others while bathing. The main reason he had not been honing it was because he saw it as something given by the blind woman, and he felt that if he relied on it too much, he would be in a heap of trouble if it was just suddenly taken away.

She knew every single one of his actions. However, was it because of the Tome of Troubled Times overlooking the world, or was it because of some other means?

Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine.

In any case, he still harbored a strong wariness toward the blind woman, and there was no way she didn’t know that. Does she really not care? Does she really believe that the future will go the way she wants? Who knows? Only time will tell!

Zhao Changhe stretched lazily, feeling that the injuries on his body were no longer as painful as they had been the day before.

This ointment that was used even by the imperial family was truly impressive, it was much better than the Cui Clan’s. The sword qi wounds that riddled his entire body no longer seemed as serious after they were treated with ointment and allowed to recover overnight. By contrast, when Yue Hongling injured her shoulder, it continued to affect her combat prowess even after several days.

His situation seemed to be far better...at least, as long as he did not engage in the playful game of who would apply the medicine between his maid and the head of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Zhao Changhe sighed and glanced outside. He saw Sisi standing quietly by a cluster of flowering trees, gazing at the flowers.

Whether it was as the fake Yue Hongling, the fake maid, or her true appearance that she had revealed yesterday, they were all very lively and charming types. But right now, as she stood alone and admired the flowers, she exuded a serene and graceful aura, tinged with a sense of desolation. The contrast between her persona before and now was striking, even more apparent than when she changed disguises.

Zhao Changhe looked at her still-exposed waist, pursed his lips, and decided not to comment on it. He approached her and asked, “Why are you standing here alone admiring the flowers?”

Sisi sighed, “Other than you, who else can I talk to here? You’re the only one I am somewhat familiar with, and that says something. It’s pretty good that they don’t bother me about the fact that I disguised myself as a maid... Anyway, I’m fine being alone.”

“Uh... Where did you sleep last night? You didn’t have anywhere to sleep before, you just leaned against the wall and dozed off.”

Sisi finally turned to look at him and smirked mockingly. “What a surprise. You even care about where your maid sleeps.”

Feeling a bit apologetic, Zhao Changhe said, “I was just too tired last night, with all the injuries and my mind was foggy... I should have mentioned it to the Tang Clan...”

Sisi’s gaze swept over him, recalling his appearance yesterday covered in blood and with hardly a piece of good flesh left. She decided not to be petty with him, considering his condition, and said, “When you’re away from home, there’s not much you should be fussing about... I was originally thinking of sleeping on your bed, but then you’d accuse me of being flirtatious again, so never mind that.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Changhe suddenly said, “Then I’ll be frank with you.”

Sisi: “?”

“Don’t expose your waist anymore, okay?”

Sisi suddenly smiled and said charmingly, “Do you think I dress like this to please you?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “No...”

“It’s true,” said Sisi. She then came up to his ear and whispered softly, “Master, does it look good?”

This time, it was Zhao Changhe’s turn to be stunned.

“Want to touch?”

“...”

“Hmph, so you’re just a lecherous man, after all. Why bother acting all proper all day long?” Sisi’s expression suddenly changed. “I show off my waist to whoever I want to. Who do you think you are? Do you really think you’re my master?”

Zhao Changhe said helplessly, “If you’re so concerned about me perceiving you as flirtatious, why aren’t you concerned about others’ opinions? To others, forget about flirtatious, you might even seem like a demonic witch, but you don’t seem to care.”

“Because others are others, and you are you,” Sisi replied briefly. However, realizing that her words might have come off weird, she quickly turned to look at the flowers again. “Okay, since you said so, I’ll change into a different outfit later. But I still feel...”

“What?”

“I feel like you just don’t want others to see me like this and you found an excuse to make me change.”

Zhao Changhe remained silent.

With a mischievous smile, Sisi said, “Actually, according to the standards of the Central Plains, I am indeed quite flirtatious. Master, if you work harder, you might just be able to play with your maid tonight.”

Zhao Changhe said with a straight face, “I’ve seen more waists than you can imagine, and kissed more lips than you’ve seen. They all appeared to be innocent goddesses. Your behavior is nothing compared to them.”

Sisi asked curiously, “You’ve seen many like me?”

“Mm-hm,” responded Zhao Changhe. “But that’s not the point.”

“Then what is the point?”

“The main problem between us is that you tried to control me. That’s why I am acting like this toward you.”

Sisi opened her mouth, and then she lowered her head as if just realizing that she really was the one who had started things.

The two of them suddenly fell silent and awkwardly looked at the flowers together.

After a long while, Zhao Changhe spoke up, “Alright, I’ll overlook those things because you tried to block Maitreya’s attack. We’re friends now.”

Sisi said, “Then tell me about Dragon Bird. I’ve already fulfilled the condition you gave me to show you my true appearance.”

“Is this really your true appearance?”

“Yes.”

“Dragon Bird is the founding saber that the emperor used to establish the empire. It contains his imperial dominance and martial spirit. It is also something that commands respect. If you speak to it politely and flatteringly, it will cooperate with you, and it won’t easily turn hostile. As for why I was able to learn so many different kinds of intent, this really has nothing to do with it. Also, I’ve already given up on most of them now.”

“The founding saber...” Sisi murmured to herself. “The emperor truly is remarkable. He has already stepped into the realm of gods and demons. With such an emperor, why has the empire become so chaotic...”

Zhao Changhe said, “Do you have a deep understanding of the realm of gods and demons?”

Sisi glanced at him, but she did not answer, nor did she continue to ask questions. Would flattering words be enough to make Dragon Bird let itself be wielded? Perhaps it would let me hold it, but getting it to unleash its power through such means is impossible.

After all this time, both sides still concealed their true intentions.

Sisi sighed, suddenly feeling disinterested, both with herself and with Zhao Changhe.

Zhao Changhe suddenly said, “By the way... You want to learn the martial arts of the Central Plains, and I also want to learn something from you. Shall we carry out an exchange?”

Sisi asked curiously, “What do you want?”

“Your movement and disguise arts.”

Sisi smiled faintly, “You seem to know a lot, but at the moment, I’m only interested in the Spring Water Sword Intent and the Fox Spirit Saber Intent. Do you dare exchange the Spring Water Sword Intent with me?”

“No, but I can exchange the Fox Spirit Saber Intent.”

“Well, we can do one for one. You can choose between the movement arts and the disguise arts.”

Zhao Changhe did not hesitate and said directly, “The disguise arts.”

Sisi was a little surprised. “I thought you would choose the movement arts. Isn’t it more important than disguise arts?”

“There are many sources from which I can learn movement arts, but your incredible disguise arts are unique. Besides, the movement arts are the foundational technique of the Thieves Guild. Even though the Thief Saint is generous to you, that does not mean he’ll just allow such a valuable technique to be spread around. As for the disguise arts, they’re not as important,” explained Zhao Changhe with a smile. “Actually, if I had to give you another reason, there is one.”

“What is it?”

“The bit of the Fox Spirit Saber Intent I know is just superficial. Exchanging it for the movement arts would not be fair. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“If we’re talking fairness, then the bit of the Fox Spirit Saber Intent that you know isn’t enough to exchange for the disguise arts either,” Sisi said. “Can you add something else?”

Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly and asked, “What else do you want?”

“You mentioned something about someone named Murong, as well as the maid who can disguise herself, quite a few times. I want you to tell me that story.”