Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 199: Yellow Springs Drunkard

Vermillion Bird had traversed the world for so many years. She had become a big shot feared by the masses, and she was truly knowledgeable and composed.

Before this, she even thought that she would not be shaken to her core even if Mount Tai were to collapse right before her.

However, her mind was truly blank at this moment.

In this situation, if it were instead a newcomer to the Four Idols Cult that was here before Zhao Changhe, such as Xia Chichi, the shock that they would feel would not be as severe as the one that Vermillion Bird was experiencing. This was because they were likely to simply think that this was just the result of the inheritance of the Night Emperor, and they would simply bow and worship.

However, with how knowledgeable Vermillion Bird was, her understanding of this situation was much different from theirs.

Vermillion Bird was a true master and one of the world’s top martial artists. There were very few who could match her understanding of martial arts. This was especially so for when it came to martial arts related to the Four Idols Cult, as even Black Tortoise would not dare claim to surpass her in this regard.

Vermillion Bird had never even considered such a situation being a possibility.

Even if Xia Longyuan’s inheritance had the grandeur of encompassing all things under the stars, it would not be able to so easily call upon the power of the stars. Each star represented a different type of martial arts, and in this world, few could achieve this feat. As far as Vermillion Bird knew, only the Night Emperor had been able to do so.

If he could truly accomplish this, Xia Longyuan could simply declare himself the leader of the Four Idols Cult and everyone would kneel to him in reverence, no questions asked. Having the members of the Four Idols Cult follow him would be as simple as snapping his fingers. In such a situation, there would be no need for things to have become as complicated as they have today.

At most, Xia Longyuan had the likeness of the Azure Dragon, and that was probably what led Chichi’s mother to think that he could represent the Azure Dragon. But even if that was the case, he would not be able to achieve such a feat.

But if it were instead the inheritance of the Night Emperor, achieving such a feat would indeed be possible. However, according to Vermillion Bird’s understanding, even if it were the Night Emperor, he would not be able to do so just half a year after first stepping into the world of martial arts and while merely at the fourth layer of the Profound Gate.

In just half a year of practicing martial arts, how many martial arts has he encountered? And even if he has seen all the martial arts in the world, how much could he truly have comprehended with his cultivation that’s only at the fourth layer of the Profound Gate?

Just how is he able to do this? I can’t wrap my head around it at all.

If.... What if he truly is the inheritor and successor of the Night Emperor, or perhaps even the reincarnation of the Night Emperor? What then? Am I supposed to kneel before him or what?

Fortunately, her face was hidden under the mask. Zhao Changhe could not see Vermillion Bird’s expression clearly. He could only sense her profound astonishment. He never would have expected her to be so shocked to the point where she was stunned silent. Seeing that she had been silent for quite some time, he said, “It seems that you’re quite unsure about my situation?”

“Uh... Mm-hm,” Vermillion Bird uttered absentmindedly.

Zhao Changhe said, “I don’t think you need to dwell on it too much. Your intention was simple from the start: to give me some benefits, allow me to see the advantages of joining the cult, and to see if I’m compatible with the Four Idols Cult’s cultivation techniques. This was all so that it would be easier to discern what position I might hold if I were to join, right?”

“Mm-hm...” Vermillion Bird was still absent-minded.

“It’s hard to say whether I am suitable to join the cult right now, but at least I know the benefits of joining,” Zhao Changhe stood up and bowed. “Thank you for your guidance, Venerable. The method you have shown me will greatly assist me in overcoming the difficulties I come across in my internal cultivation. Regardless of whether I join the cult or not in the end, I will always be grateful for this and owe you a favor.”

Vermillion Bird finally began to come to her senses. She thought about how if he was not compatible with the technique, then she would have to take it back. After all, how could they just allow such a valuable method to spread so easily for nothing?

As for how she was going to take it back? By killing, of course. Demonic cults never hesitated to act ruthlessly.

Zhao Changhe never would have thought that Vermillion Bird, who had been negotiating with him just moments ago, had actually been considering killing him on the spot.

But at this moment, those thoughts had all disappeared.

Forget about killing him—Vermillion Bird was even contemplating whether or not she should kneel down. And if she did kneel, she believed that she would have to confess and repent for having harbored murderous intentions earlier.

No, I must discuss this with Black Tortoise as soon as possible. I can no longer make decisions involving him on my own. But before I contact Black Tortoise, I need to continue observing and figure out what is really going on!

Vermillion Bird took a deep breath and said calmly, “I trust that you remember favors. But ultimately, this method is not a fundamental and permanent solution. It would still be best for you to find a way to expand your meridians.”

“I understand.”

“In that case, let us not mention the condition of finding a partner for you for now. Let’s leave things like this for now. Your situation is quite peculiar. I need to think about it some more.”

After Vermillion Bird finished speaking, she practically fled as if her life depended on it.

If she did not leave to calm herself down, she was afraid that she would eventually not even dare to make eye contact with him anymore.

Zhao Changhe did not expect that Vermillion Bird to be so eccentric and unreasonable. At this moment, he was equally puzzled about the situation.

Unfortunately, her method of imparting knowledge and techniques directly to the spiritual platform is too advanced. I have no idea how to manifest it so that the Heavenly Tome can analyze it. I don’t even know how to begin to describe it.

As he contemplated, he realized that his situation, which even Vermillion Bird could not understand, might have something to do with his long-term association with the Heavenly Tome.

After all, the page of the Heavenly Tome that he had was originally meant for the Night Emperor. It was normal for it to have inextricable connections with the Four Idols Cult. There was even a possibility that it was the source of the Four Idols Cult’s techniques. His long-term exposure to the Heavenly Tome’s macroscopic view of martial arts might have corresponded to the stars in that sky.

From this perspective, it would not be unreasonable for him to be considered to have inherited the Night Emperor’s legacy. Of course, Zhao Changhe did not dare to say such a thing out loud. He was not even sure if this was actually the reason behind what had happened. Moreover, the probability of him being killed for having the treasure meant for the Night Emperor far outweighed the probability of being respected and revered.

In this case, it seemed that he should pay the Ancient Sword Lake a visit again to see if there were more treasures to be found in the sword chamber, and also to meet some old friends.

Exploring the secrets of the era and unraveling the mysteries of the Heavenly Tome were far more important to Zhao Changhe than any trouble the Wang Clan might be planning. If it was not for Chichi and Yangyang being here, he would not even bother with whatever tricks the Wang Clan was up to.

Zhao Changhe stood still for a moment. The fifth-layer true qi that resulted from his breakthrough just now gathered and merged with the blood and qi in his body, then transformed into vicious qi.

The Six Harmonies Art continued to support and enhance the Vicious Blood Art.

One might wonder why he suddenly wanted to break through when he had been in no hurry for so long.

The main reason was that Wang Daozhong had just seen that he was a martial artist with internal cultivation and external cultivation at the fourth layer and the fifth layer, respectively. Yet in the blink of an eye, he had advanced, and he believed that nobody would have been able to predict that.

At this moment, he also reached the sixth layer of the Vicious Blood Art.

*

Time passed swiftly, and the day of the birthday banquet of the Wang Clan’s young master, Wang Zhaoling, finally arrived.

The banquet had been causing quite a stir lately. The Wang Clan sent people everywhere to invite those on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons. Even though they were arrogant and domineering in their invitations, what had really caused an uproar was that even after receiving the invitation, one had to undergo an assessment to qualify for attendance. Public opinion was in an uproar, and people across the lands were watching them closely.

Especially under the premise of the invasion of barbarians and the rebellion of the Maitreya Cult. Bandits were roaming everywhere, and the entire nation was in chaos. If things went wrong, the barbarians would be able to enter the pass tomorrow and Maitreya would move north the day after. For the Wang Clan to still be displaying such leisure and luxury truly disappointed those with insight.

Some people thought that the aristocratic families were just arrogant and brainless and that this was nothing special.

Others, like Gui Chen, believed that the Wang Clan was testing the hearts of the people.

But regardless of whether they were insensitive or angry, no one dared to say no to the Wang Clan.

The imperial court was silent and the various clans were calm. Tang Wanzhuang, who was fighting against Maitreya in Jinling, shook her head and remained silent when asked about it. Other than those who could not be found, such as Han Wubing, and those who could not leave their posts due to important matters, such as Tang Buqi and Wan Dongliu, all the other hidden dragons who were invited came to attend the banquet.

Well, that was what the Wang Clan said. As for the ones who did not come...whether they had not been found or simply refused to come, no one really knew.

Outside the Wang Residence, countless spectators from all over crowded around, mainly to guess who would come. Some even set up betting stalls for the occasion.

Judging from this lively scene, no one would have imagined that this was a nation in turmoil, facing both internal and external troubles.

“They’re coming, they’re coming!” murmurs spread throughout the streets.

A young Daoist and a man carrying a broad saber entered the city side by side, talking and laughing as they walked. When they saw the crowds parting to give them respectful gazes, both of their expressions froze for a moment.

What’s with this reception?

But then they heard someone say, “That’s Daoist Priest Xuan Chong of Mount Tai. I’ve had the fortune of meeting him before.”

“The Tenth Hidden Dragon!”

“Of course he’d come, Mount Tai is just in the neighboring county.”

“Then that guy next to him... What’s with his saber? He can’t be someone who’s just learning, right?”

“Nonsense. This is a banquet to host hidden dragons, and he’s accompanying Xuan Chong! Who else could he be but the Bloodthirsty Asura?”

As soon as those two words came out, the atmosphere momentarily chilled, and some people even showed signs of fear.

Zhao Changhe was speechless. Is my reputation really that terrifying?

Xuan Chong was also speechless, “Everyone, you’re all neighbors from the same hometown. Stop crowding around, what’s there to see?”

A man of the jianghu who had met him once said with a smile, “Daoist priest, we did not come all this way just to see who is attending the banquet.”

“Huh? Then why?”

The man pointed to the gate of Wang Residence at the end of the road. “Do you see that? The gate is closed. With such a heavy solid wooden gate, it would be quite awkward to force it open or chop it down. It seems like the Wang Clan is having the attendees of the banquet showcase their movement arts. We’re all here to witness the movement arts of the hidden dragons.”

Xuan Chong’s expression turned ugly.

Is the Wang Clan not going too far? Are they treating the hidden dragons like monkeys?

He turned to look at Zhao Changhe and saw that he had already gripped the hilt of his saber. It looked like he was going to hack the gate open.

As everyone was showing signs of anticipation, a ragged drunkard stumbled over behind them, almost crashing into Xuan Chong.

Xuan Chong kindly helped him up and said, “Mister, you’re incredibly drunk. You should drink less next time.”

The drunkard was still holding a wine gourd in his hand at this time. After hearing what Xuan Chong said, he took another gulp and continued stumbling forward, mumbling incoherently, “A life with wine~ So why not be drunk and merry~ No longer a drop to enjoy in the Nine Springs...”

Seeing him unable to even walk straight, it seemed like he might actually end up in the Nine Springs if he drank any more.

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” A passerby kindly tried to pull him away. “Mister, ahead of you is the gate of the Wang Clan’s residence. It’s closed. It’s closed. Hey! Hey!”

The man lunged forward, dodging the kind passerby’s attempt to pull him away, but he only became even more unsteady. His foot caught on the steps and he fell forward. His head was going to hit the gate.

The people around could not bear to watch

Bam!

The man’s head made solid contact with the gate as expected.

However, instead of the expected blood and injury, the latch behind the gate directly broke and the gate swung open.

The drunk man rubbed his head and continued to stagger inside, “So this really is someone’s home... I thought this place was a prison or something, with how they’re blocking people from entering...”

The guards of the Wang Clan inside looked at each other in disbelief. They did not stop him. Instead, someone quickly ran inside to ask about what to do now. Why bother stopping anyone when the gate broke right away.

The streets fell silent.

Someone quietly asked, “Who was that?”

“Who else could it be? That guy can only be the former fourth hidden dragon. He should now be the Second Hidden Dragon, Yellow Springs Drunkard Situ Xiao.”

Zhao Changhe let go of the hilt of his saber and smiled brightly. “Just this scene alone makes this trip worthwhile!”