Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 197: Goodbye, Fire Serpent of Yi

In fact, the birthday banquet that the Wang Clan was holding was not exactly in two days, but rather still a good couple days away.

However, with how the guards would kick over flower pots at the slightest hints of intimacy, the two of them could not continue with their inappropriate behavior with straight faces. Cui Yuanyang had just learned the taste of a kiss, yet she couldn’t do anything but pout angrily and hurry to Langya.

They were warmly welcomed by the Wang Clan, and they made a conspicuous display when they arrived, as if to tell the world, Look, I didn’t come with Zhao Changhe. I headed straight to the Wang Clan!

On this trip this time, she actually also bore the responsibility of discussing the wedding arrangements for the wedding between her brother and the young lady of the Wang Clan. Despite the fact that she seemed more impetuous than even a wild warrior, when it came to etiquette and important matters such as marriage, she knew how to act. Sadly, this wedding isn’t mine. Well, at least I get to see how it’s supposed to go with my brother going first.

As for Zhao Changhe, he returned to the Taiyi Sect, where he sparred with Xuan Chong to improve his own martial arts and broaden his knowledge by exposing himself to Daoist martial arts.

At the same time, he was trying to figure out how to break through to the fifth level of the Six Harmonies Art.

Although he could have attempted to break through to the sixth level of the Vicious Blood Art a long time ago, he had refrained from forcefully raising his cultivation. He was mainly doing this because his cultivation of the Six Harmonies Art was lagging behind. In the past, the two were around the same level, and he experienced the wonders of having both his internal and external cultivation at the same level. Anyway, he felt that his internal cultivation should ideally be at most one level lower than his external cultivation.

Unfortunately, due to the limitations of his meridians, his progress in cultivating his internal arts had been comparatively slower than his external arts. Now that he was in a Daoist sect, the orthodox lineage of internal cultivation, he wondered if there was anything he could learn or refer to while staying here.

Since he had a premonition that pivotal changes would be taking place at the Wang Clan’s banquet, he sincerely hoped to settle the matter regarding his internal cultivation in the next few days. He really wanted to improve his combat power, so that he could be prepared for any of the coming events.

When he sought guidance from Gui Chen, the old Daoist remarked, “Young friend, your internal cultivation is actually on the brink of a breakthrough. In fact, considering your circumstances, I truly cannot say that you were or are in a great position to be practicing internal arts. For you to have achieved the fourth layer of the Profound Gate the way you did might sound unimpressive, but it is honestly incredible. It is remarkable for you to have reached such a level in just half a year. Of course, it cannot be disregarded that the cultivation technique that you are practicing is a divine art. If it were someone else, someone who was more suitable to practice the technique, they would have likely already reached an even higher level of cultivation.”

“...If you’re trying to tell me that I’m squandering an exceptional cultivation technique, then you can just say it. I can take it.”

“Your meridians limit you significantly. It is simply not something that your talent or insights can change,” said Gui Chen. “It seems that you’ve received guidance from an expert, allowing you to achieve a calm and focus that’s very suitable for practicing this particular internal art. This has contributed largely to managing to progress through the fourth layer and reaching this critical juncture. If it had not been for that, it would have been highly unlikely for you to reach this point as fast as you did.”

Zhao Changhe was taken aback. He realized that Tang Wanzhuang’s efforts had also been for this.

“Since you are practicing a divine art, then you should theoretically not face too many barriers. However, a minor barrier or obstacle for others can become a major one when it comes to you. Once again, this is due to your circumstances and physique. In this situation, there is actually a very simple auxiliary method that you can use to overcome the obstacles and achieve a breakthrough.”

Zhao Changhe humbly asked for advice, “Please tell me.”

“In your situation, dual cultivation is extremely effective and can provide you with significant improvements.”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

“Of course, there are also some medicinal aids that you can use to hasten your breakthrough, but as Daoists, we believe in gentleness and avoid forcing things. With that said, I do have some pills here that are less aggressive and can offer you some assistance. You can try them, but don’t set your expectations too high, as even I have limited abilities.”

Zhao Changhe took the pills and thanked the old Daoist. “Thank you very much.”

“The union of Yin and Yang is the harmony of the two polarities, and this gives rise to the four symbols.[1] Although this might not be the main ideology of the Four Idols Cult, they have delved into it deeply. I noticed that you seemed to be on relatively good terms with the Fire Serpent of Yi. I suggest that you inquire about it when you meet her again, they might have unique insights on this matter.”

“...Alright.”

After receiving the medicine, Zhao Changhe felt that this round of questioning had been rather fruitful. He was not in a rush and spent some time practicing sword arts and other martial arts with Xuan Chong before leisurely returning to his accommodation to digest what he had learned.

Xuan Chong could not be underestimated. Zhao Changhe would not be able to defeat him without making a breakthrough.

Ranking tenth on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons and reaching the seventh layer of the Profound Gate were no easy feats. Everyone at the forefront of the Ranking of Hidden Dragons had potential, and when it came to the people among these top ranks, it was difficult for them to surpass another that was of similar ranking and cultivation.

However, Zhao Changhe was familiar with the principle of using softness to overcome hardness, such as Tang Wanzhuang’s Spring Water Sword Intent.

Ultimately, regardless of the school of martial arts, when one was at the Profound Gate, the fundamental principles remained the same.

Sparring with someone of a comparable level but slightly stronger was a highly valuable experience for Zhao Changhe. Zhao Changhe wanted to take out the page of the Heavenly Tome and review the spars, but he did not dare to bring it out.

He was currently staying in a guest house provided by the Taiyi Sect, and it would be troublesome if someone were to discover the Heavenly Tome. Besides, he always felt like the Fire Serpent of Yi might appear at any moment.

In the end, he refrained from taking out the Heavenly Tome.

The guest house that he was provided was equipped with a guqin and a chess set. He sat by the guqin and played it leisurely. It served as both practice and meditation.

According to Gui Chen, playing the guqin was a form of internal cultivation as well. Meditation was not necessarily the only way to increase one’s internal cultivation. No wonder Tang Wanzhuang, despite her young age, had so much time to practice both martial arts and the four arts. It turns out that when it comes to her system of cultivation, every activity contributes to her practice.

Under the bright moon, as a clear breeze blew through a Daoist temple, Zhao Changhe played the guqin. If Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang were to witness this scene, their jaws may have dropped.

Is this the Zhao Changhe that the world knows? Why does he seem less like a wild bandit and more like an old woman...

Vermillion Bird, wearing the mask of the Fire Serpent of Yi, stood silently on a nearby wall, watching Zhao Changhe playing the guqin. The red lips underneath her mask subtly curled.

His skill is average at best. But, how should I put it... He is carefreely and leisurely playing the guqin from his heart. He isn’t practicing the guqin out of compulsion, nor for someone else to hear. The music that comes from his hands feels free and at ease. This intent with which he’s playing the guqin can fill the gaps in his skills. This is difficult to come by in the mundane world.

Ding!

As he played one last note, Zhao Changhe stopped and calmly said, “If you are here to pay me a visit, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Vermillion Bird was slightly startled. She had not expected him to notice her presence.

She did not dwell on it, however, and said calmly, “With how leisurely the mood was, I did not want to interrupt.”

Zhao Changhe looked up at her mask with some surprise, “Does the Four Idols Cult also value elegance?”

“The saintess has been lonely since she was a child. Just because she lacks elegance does not mean that she isn’t able to appreciate it. Furthermore, it certainly does not mean that the others in the Four Idols Cult are ignorant of it,” Vermillion Bird said lightly. “The Four Idols Cult is not a clan and does not raise its members from childhood. There are all kinds of people in the cult, each with their own hobbies and identities. We are all simply gathered and united by one ideology.”

“Are you still trying to recruit me into your cult? Did Venerable Vermillion Bird assign you another mission to try and recruit me?”

“Yes.”

“I already refused Venerable Vermillion Bird, so what’s the point of even assigning you such a mission?”

“Your refusal was not a firm one. It merely stems from a lack of faith, which is entirely normal,” said Vermillion Bird. “If you join the cult, your faith can gradually be solidified and reinforced. It really is not a large problem.”

“But I don’t want to join.”

“That’s why I’m here. We can negotiate the conditions under which you would be willing to join the cult.”

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment, and then he chuckled and said, “No wonder Venerable Vermillion Bird did not personally come to discuss this matter with me. After all, she is used to being high and mighty, and she would likely not want to lower her status to negotiate with me. Am I right?”

Underneath the mask, Vermillion Bird’s face turned ugly. “That’s right.”

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment and said seriously, “If your cult can help me solve the problem with my meridians, I can join. Even if I might not be faithful, I will still do work. You can trust my word.”

Vermillion Bird sighed. “We understand your condition, but we are powerless in this regard. However, we can promise you that if we find any treasures of heaven and earth that can aid you, we will leave them for you.”

Zhao Changhe nodded and said, “Then let’s lower the stakes. I’d be fine with joining as long as Chichi and I can be together.”

“...We would rather find you treasures of heaven and earth.”

“Why must you make things so complicated? Chichi and I are in love with each other, and my situation is suitable for dual cultivation. As long as you allow us to dual cultivate, everything is settled.”

Vermillion Bird frowned slightly and said, “You plan to rely on dual cultivation? Did Gui Chen teach you that? I’ll slap his mouth if you say that nonsense again.”

Zhao Changhe looked at her strangely.

Vermillion Bird realized that her behavior did not match that of a mere Fire Serpent of Yi. She quickly tried covering it up and said, “While dual cultivation can be useful, forming a dependent mindset surrounding it is not beneficial. If you must consider doing such actions every time you want to break through, then just what kind of martial path even is that? Is that the path of the Maitreya Cult or the Harmonious Union Cult? If you ask what the Four Idols Cult’s opinion is on the matter, we believe that it would be best to abstain from such actions. In fact, abstaining from such actions would be beneficial to the blood and qi of your Vicious Blood Art.”

Zhao Changhe nodded and said, “I understand. I’m not saying that I will rely on it every time, I just want a partner I can cultivate with. Can the Four Idols Cult agree to that?”

1. The “symbol” here is the same word as the “idol” in the Four Idols Cult. It has been translated differently due to the contextual nuances, but the four divine beasts are representatives of the transformations in the Book of Changes: the Supreme Polarity (太極 Taiji) gives rise to the Two Modes (兩儀Liangyi), which give rise to the Four Images/Symbols/Phenomena (四象 Sixiang), which give rise to the Eight Trigrams (八卦Bagua). ☜