Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 203: Then It's Worth It

The ordinary practitioners of the jianghu might not notice anything problematic regarding this proposition. In fact, they might even be quite excited about it. Organizing such martial arts meets would indeed help scratch the itch of many martial artists as there was a genuine demand for it.

Just one look at Situ Xiao, the drunkard who had been so unruly just now, would confirm that his eyes were now shimmering with excitement and he was clearly somewhat tempted by the idea.

At most, people might think that the Wang Clan’s approach was a bit presumptuous, as they seemed to want to assume the role of the leader of the martial arts world. However, since they were only targeting the youth, it would not be as conspicuous, and with the Wang Clan’s status, conducting such martial arts meets for the younger generation could still be justified.

However, Situ Xiao’s background was also rather formidable. He came from the top sect in the divine land, the Divine Brilliance Sect. It was said to have inherited a remarkably complete ancient system. The cultivation of this sect was quite similar to Zhao Changhe’s; namely, they leaned toward external arts as the main focus. They regarded the tempering of their body as their primary practice while supplementing it with internal arts.

The Divine Brilliance Sect had produced many outstanding experts. In fact, their master was actually ranked fifth on the Ranking of Heaven: Li Shentong. In comparison, Wang Daoning, the head of the Wang Clan, was ranked tenth, the last on the Ranking of Heaven. Naturally, if they started talking about qualifications, the Divine Brilliance Sect was also capable of organizing such events.

In fact, organizing such martial arts meets was not difficult, so why had no aristocratic families or large sects done so in many years? At most, regional sects would conduct small-scale competitions or tournaments for their disciples.

The main reason for this was that the imperial government already had a similar system called the Martial Examination. It had a broader scope and, besides sparring, it also served as a clear selection mechanism. Those who performed well in the Martial Examination could join the military or organizations such as the Demon Suppression Bureau and the Imperial Guard. This was an important part of the national talent system.

However, few people from major clans or sects were willing to participate in the Martial Examination, and even fewer individuals on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons were willing to do so.

On the surface, a national-level examination would seem different from this small-scale martial arts meet between a few dozens of people. But no matter how one might try to brush it aside, they were essentially similar, and this kind of assembly they were having simply served as a demonstration of organizational status.

Therefore, the Divine Brilliance Sect had never truly considered organizing such martial arts meets, and neither had clans like the Cui Clan.

The Wang Clan’s move was obviously probing the imperial court. The current assembly might not hold the significance of a selection, but what about in the future? Especially since they even seemed to plan to call it the Langya Grand Assembly...

Right now, it was just the young hidden dragons, but in the future, what if it involved the experts of the various forces at the eighth or ninth layer of the Profound Gate? And in the distant future, what if it involved those on the Ranking of Man?

Even Xia Longyuan did not do such things!

“What do you think about this?” Zhao Changhe asked Xia Chichi through voice transmission.

Xia Chichi said indifferently, “What does this have to do with me? I’m not here to compare myself against others or compete in martial arts. The Wang Clan of Langya can do whatever they want. It benefits the Four Idols Cult if they stir up even more chaos. I thought that their grand invitation was something special, but if this is all that it amounts to, then I shouldn’t have bothered coming. It’s just a waste of my time.”

Zhao Changhe nodded and sent a voice transmission to Cui Yuanyang, “Yangyang, what do you think about this?”

As soon as he sent out the voice transmission, he secretly cursed himself for being an idiot again. Wait, Yangyang still shouldn’t be able to use voice transmission with her current level of strength.

To his surprise, Cui Yuanyang responded to him as if nothing were out of the ordinary, “My father told me to only bring my eyes and ears. Apart from discussing my brother’s wedding, I’m not supposed to take any stance on anything else. I was told to just let the Wang Clan do whatever they want, and to neither support nor oppose them.”

Zhao Changhe was shocked and said, “You can transmit your voice too?!”

Cui Yuanyang muttered, “Big brother Zhao, it seems you’re underestimating my family’s Qinghe Purple Qi Art. Although the color of mine seems to be somewhat off since it’s green, the power seems to be about right.”

Zhao Changhe: “...Fair enough. But if Wang Clan rebels, will your clan still go through with the marriage alliance?”

Cui Yuanyang replied calmly, “This is the way of aristocratic families, big brother Zhao. If the Wang Clan gains power, we will benefit. If Wang Clan fails, whether my brother will divorce the young lady of the Wang Clan or send her to the cold palace[1] depends on him.”

Zhao Changhe was surprised. “But aren’t you loyalists?”

“That is my father’s decision, and it has nothing to do with the survival of our clan.”

Zhao Changhe fell completely silent.

Xia Chichi, who had been in fact eavesdropping on their conversation, sighed.

And you dared say that the Cui Clan did not teach you how to meddle in domestic disputes! But then again, with the kind of education this little bitch got in that aristocratic family, it seems that she really doesn’t care how many women he has. She only really cares about her place. No wonder she’s most worried about Tang Wanzhuang.

While the three of them were conversing amongst themselves, others were also engaged in private conversations to varying degrees. The hall became a bit noisy for a while, but it soon quietened down.

After all, there really was not much to discuss. The matter was quite simple.

Even the reasons for the assessment for those who were invited and the closing of the gate beforehand were quite obvious—they were all to test their character. Who would be intimidated by the Wang Clan, who would go with the flow, and who would be rebellious? By now, the Wang Clan had a pretty good understanding of everyone’s stance, and they must have done their fair share of public relations, persuasion, and maybe even coercion in private.

That was why Wang Zhaoling regarded Zhao Changhe as a “protagonist.” Given Zhao Changhe’s sensitive identity, his attitude would be crucial.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Wang Zhaoling smiled slightly, “My Wang Clan is not planning to organize such grand events just for show. For all those who participate in the sword testing, my Wang Clan will naturally present them with gifts. And for the one who outshines everyone else this time, they will naturally be granted a treasure as a reward.”

Someone said, “With Cui Yuanyong absent, brother Situ Xiao ranking second, and you, brother Wang, ranking third, all of you being at the eighth layer of the Profound Gate.... Although the Ranking of Hidden Dragons really may not represent one’s actual strength, at this level, for those of us who are still at the seventh or even fifth or sixth layer, it’s impossible to surpass you two. Isn’t that so-called reward already guaranteed to end up in either of your hands?”

Wang Zhaoling laughed and said, “I certainly won’t be taking such a reward for myself, and I can see that brother Situ has no interest in it either.”

Situ Xiao raised his head and downed a large bowl of wine. Then, he laughed heartily and said, “I don’t care what your Wang Clan is thinking, and I don’t want any treasures. Being able to fight against other heroes is what I desire. As for the consequences afterward, those are not my problem. Don’t expect me to stand up for you.”

Wang Zhaoling cupped his hand and said, “That’s sufficient.”

He paused and his gaze shifted to Zhao Changhe, but he continued to address everyone, “The actual reward we prepared is for those at the sixth or seventh layer. I wonder if anyone is confident in becoming the champion?”

Zhao Changhe leisurely sipped his wine and casually asked, “What is the reward?”

Wang Zhaoling smiled slightly and said, “A rare treasure from the sea. When consumed, it can slightly expand one’s meridians.”

Zhao Changhe’s motion of sipping wine froze, and both Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang subconsciously held their breaths.

As expected, the Wang Clan had come prepared, nailing his weak spot in one shot.

Wang Zhaoling chuckled and asked, “So, brother Zhao, are you interested?”

After a brief silence, Zhao Changhe suddenly smiled and said, “I... won’t be participating. I’ll just watch everyone perform. I’m here to celebrate brother Wang’s birthday. That is fine with you, right?”

Wang Zhaoling, who had been carrying a confident smile all along, suddenly stiffened, his warm smile freezing on his face.

Whether others recognized this martial arts meet or not was actually of little importance. Of course, Situ Xiao recognizing it, and dozens of hidden dragons participating in it would grant it some prestige.

However, whether Zhao Changhe participated or not carried a significant meaning that others might not understand or know of.

In the eyes of forces like the Cui, Wang, and Tang Clans, Zhao Change’s identity as the “prince” had basically been confirmed. The current consensus was that he resented his father’s abandonment, refused to return to the capital, and was roaming the jianghu. This happened to fit the template of the true prince, Xia Chichi, by about 99%.

It did not really matter if outsiders did not know of the identity of this so-called idler of the jianghu. However, as long as he acknowledged and personally participated in the martial arts meet, the message conveyed to those who were well-informed and were paying attention was extremely valuable. Firstly, it proved that the prince had no intention of inheriting the throne, and secondly, it proved that this “rare commodity” did not oppose the Wang Clan representing the Xia, even though he may not openly support them.

One could not underestimate the significance of this. Once many people recognized the underlying meanings, this would make their future actions much easier. This was why, on the bow of the Cao Gang’s boat, the Wang Clan’s subordinates had given no face to Xuan Chong but were practically begging Zhao Changhe to attend the banquet.

The Wang Clan knew that coercion would have the opposite effect on Zhao Changhe, and it might even provoke a falling out with the Cui Clan. Thus, they could only resort to temptation.

Treasures that expanded the meridians were also extremely rare for them. They had gone to great lengths to obtain one, believing that it would undoubtedly attract Zhao Changhe, who had long suffered in this regard. They must have thought that as long as Zhao Changhe was not stupid, he would know that this item was reserved for him and he would definitely participate.

Unexpectedly, he refused!

He actually refused!

Not to mention Wang Zhaoling, who was doubting his own life decisions at this moment, even Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang were somewhat shocked by Zhao Changhe’s decision.

Could it be that while he appeared to be roaming the jianghu, he actually had a tacit understanding with Xia Longyuan?

Zhao Changhe seemed to know what they were thinking. He took another sip of wine and said softly, “Some people sweat blood to protect this land, while others take advantage of chaos for personal gain. I may be a rough character, a bandit if you must, but I also know who and what is truly deserving of respect.”

By saying that he was a rough character and a bandit, he was essentially telling them that he was not aiming to seize power; he simply looked down on the Wang Clan’s actions rather than having a conflict of interests.

Wang Zhaoling understood, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he calmly remarked, “Brother Zhao, do you know what you might be missing out on? It’s possible that you will never find such a great opportunity again in your lifetime! Are you really not going to participate just because of that?”

Zhao Changhe finished his wine in one gulp, then smiled knowingly. “If it means that some people can cough less, then it’s worth it.”

1. This is a place where empresses, queens, and concubines fallen out of favor were banished during ancient times. ☜