Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 249: Particularly Kind

Zhao Changhe found it rather difficult to believe this was just a chance encounter. However, if it was not, meaning that the old man was specifically waiting for him here, then that might be even more surprising and impressive.

Before dispersing together with the different body doubles, he himself had not even known which gate he would be leaving the capital from. He had chosen it completely at random. So, had this old man been able to predict his movements? Or had he simply followed him and just arrived at the breakfast stall before him, meaning that he was able to move even faster than Snow-Treading Crow?

Unable to figure it out for the moment, Zhao Changhe simply decided to treat it as an ordinary encounter. He sat down across from the old man and said, “Although I also enjoy a drink or two, it’s not good to drink on an empty stomach in the morning.”

“Who said I’m drinking on an empty stomach? Look, there are some peanuts here.” The old man pushed the peanuts toward Zhao Changhe. “Want some?”

Zhao Changhe snapped his fingers at the waiter and said, “Bring some steamed buns over here.”

Soon, steaming hot steamed buns were served, and Zhao Changhe pushed some toward the old man. “Have some to properly fill your stomach.”

Not bothering with any politeness, Zhao Changhe grabbed a steamed bun and took a few bites. Then, he leisurely poured himself a cup of wine to wash down the bun.

The old man also took a steamed bun and ate slowly. As he watched Zhao Changhe devour his food without pause, amusement glinted in his eyes.

It was not until Zhao Changhe finished one bun that the old man said, “You’ve got a good appetite. A powerful-looking person with a powerful-looking saber.”

Zhao Changhe picked up another steamed bun and looked at the old man. “Do you recognize the saber?”

“A unique saber such as this? Even if I did not recognize it or see it before, I would still take a second look.”

“Are you a high-ranking official?”

“Sort of.” The old man sipped his wine and asked, “Do I not look like one?”

“Not quite; at least, I’ve never seen a high-ranking official without any attendants.”

“In that case, little brother, what do you think of this kind of official?”

Zhao Changhe squinted his eyes and looked at him for some time before slowly replying, “Whether an official is good or not, you can’t tell from a place like this.”

“Then how can you tell?”

Zhao Changhe pointed to a sleeping beggar curled up in a corner near the postal station. “We’re quite close to the capital, meaning that we’re right under the emperor’s feet. Don’t you find such people quite unsightly?”

The old man said, “I mean, if you find him to be unsightly, then why not kill him?”

Zhao Changhe’s gaze turned sharp, but the old man acted as if nothing happened, continuing to pour and drink his wine.

Zhao Changhe laughed and said, “I find the barbarians more unsightly. Why don’t you kill some of them?”

The old man smiled and said, “Indeed, that can be done.”

“What if I find you disagreeable? Shall I slit your throat myself?”

“In that case, little brother, please go ahead and do it yourself.”

“Is there anyone or anything that can’t be killed?”

“It’s all about perspective. For example, if you want to eradicate beggars, first you need others to listen to your thoughts. If you can only ask others, you’ll only get their thoughts. Even if you disagree, it won’t matter because you have no authority.”

Zhao Changhe nodded slightly. “True.”

“Where are you headed after leaving the capital, little brother?”

“Yanmen.”

“The beggars can only be dealt with in the capital.”

“The barbarians can only be dealt with at Yanmen.”

“Is that so?” The old man chuckled. “Just like killing some beggars won’t make them disappear, killing some barbarians won’t make them disappear. To solve the root of the problem with the barbarians, you’ll have to be in the capital, not Yanmen.”

Zhao Changhe was silent for a moment, then said slowly, “As you said, even if I express my thoughts in the capital, it won’t matter since I have no authority.”

“Were you intending to intervene?”

Zhao Changhe squinted at him, absentmindedly nibbling on the steamed bun as if trying to fill himself up and be ready to face any unexpected circumstances.

The old man chuckled softly and changed the subject, “Little brother, last night at the Zhang Family Restaurant, you drank wine and beat people up. When the jar of wine was emptied, everyone was in awe. Why did you leave in such haste before dawn? It seems like you still had some unfinished business, no? Well, since we’ve chanced upon each other, may I inquire about the reason? “

Zhao Changhe said cautiously, “I just came to the capital to have some fun, and when I felt there was nothing left to do, I left. What would be the point of staying any longer?”

The old man smiled and said, “Such an abrupt departure. Are you not leaving with regrets having left some matters unfinished?”

Zhao Changhe simply asked, “Did you come here and wait for me to help me finish this unfinished business?”

“You can see it that way.”

Zhao Changhe almost choked on the steamed bun.

What was his unfinished business?

It was to meet Xia Longyuan with his own eyes.

Both Tang Wanzhuang and Huangfu Qing had seen through the fact that he had made all that commotion at the restaurant just to attract Xia Longyuan’s attention and get an audience with him... Given that he had inherited Xia Longyuan’s Six Harmonies Art and Dragon Bird, it was impossible for Xia Longyuan to be unaware of his intentions. Zhao Changhe thus believed that he could get an audience with Xia Longyuan and converse with him.

There was also a high probability that Xia Longyuan was well aware of everything between him and Xia Chichi. Since he was already at the capital, Zhao Changhe felt it was better to meet directly rather than hide or conceal himself.

But then, when he went to the gambling den to gather information, he was frightened. If Xia Longyuan had really killed his own son, then it was possible that he had some mental problems. The consequences of meeting him had thus become unpredictable. Combined with the information he received from Huangfu Qing, it was unlikely he would even get to meet the real Xia Longyuan. Most likely, he would encounter the fake, which would be worthless. The fake might even be more inclined to kill him, if anything.

Tang Wanzhuang knew this, and this was why she was afraid of what the emperor might do.

The situation was not as he had expected, so it was best for him to leave. This was why the trip had ended in disappointment, with him having to sneak away in the dead of night. He had completely abandoned the thought of meeting Xia Longyuan.

But now, this person in front of him claimed to be here to help him complete his unfinished business.

Fuck! Don’t tell me this is Xia Longyuan!

Not only is it Xia Longyuan, he’s probably even the real one! And even if he isn’t, he must be someone sent here by the real Xia Longyuan.

However, Zhao Changhe felt that there was little significance in sending someone in such a situation. Finding a subordinate more loyal than even Tang Wanzhuang was not easy. She would have been the best mouthpiece, and there would have been no need to send anyone else. Therefore, if Xia Longyuan was willing to come and meet him, then it would probably be him in person.

Even though Zhao Changhe had considered countless possible identities that the old man might assume, he never thought that he would encounter Xia Longyuan in such a situation, sitting here by the side of the road, chatting like an ordinary old man with a smile on his face. He was completely unprepared.

If this guy wanted to kill him, he might as well finish his wine and then off himself. There was no point in trying to resist.

Hoping for a stroke of luck, Zhao Changhe cautiously probed, “After talking so much, I still have not even gotten to ask you for your name.”

The old man smiled ambiguously, “Whoever you think I am, that I am.”

Fuck.

Zhao Changhe decided to be straightforward and said, “Someone as capable as you, why bother pretending to be some high-ranking old man and play these games? Does it serve any purpose? It’s just lowering your standards for no reason.”

Xia Longyuan said calmly, “It does. For many, many years, nobody has treated me differently because of who I appear to be. They just see an old man; they would advise me not to drink on an empty stomach, tell me to eat something, and even buy me steamed buns to eat.”

Zhao Changhe: “Is this how experts like you like to test people?”

Xia Longyuan: “...”

“I don’t believe that someone like you would judge others based on such trivial matters. In your eyes, this should all be irrelevant. From your perspective, everyone is quantified based on their strengths, weaknesses, and uses.”

“Is this how you see Xia Longyuan?”

“Is that not the case? When I pointed out the beggar, your reaction was to kill him.”

After a moment of contemplation, Xia Longyuan suddenly chuckled. “Perhaps you’re right. Well, at least I wouldn’t kill you because of the kind gesture you’ve shown me by buying me a steamed bun.”

“So you haven’t killed me, but why really is that?”

“Don’t you think I’m already being particularly kind to you?”

“What?”

“Look, I know you’re here with regrets, so I came here specifically to fulfill your desires for coming to the capital, to ensure your trip is a success and not in vain. Don’t you think I’m treating you really well?”

Zhao Changhe replied slowly, “That’s true.”

Xia Longyuan sipped his wine leisurely and continued, “My martial arts and techniques, my daughter, my most loyal subject, and my imperial noble consort—they’re all yours. Have I ever caused you trouble? If I’m not good to you, then who in this entire world is good to you? The blind woman?”

Zhao Changhe felt his heart skip a beat.

This Xia Longyuan was really different from what he imagined... Of course, that was because they had not delved into deeper topics yet. The big shot was still just teasing him at the moment.

But no matter how much he teased, Zhao Changhe finally encountered the only person in the world who could casually converse with him about the blind woman.

He had originally thought that coming to the capital was a mistake, and it had been a meaningless trip, so he had left.

But unexpectedly, the purpose of his trip awaited him here.

“You should have come earlier. They’re like a bunch of little kids, making wild guesses, frightening themselves. It’s laughable. Who would have the patience to deal with a bunch of little ants who think too highly of themselves?”

Zhao Changhe did not reply.

Xia Longyuan emptied his cup, stood up, and said, “Autumn is perfect, and even just the morning sun puts one in a positive mood. Care to accompany your father for a walk?”

Zhao Changhe’s jaw dropped.

Wait, just a moment ago, you mentioned your daughter, meaning that you know about everything. How can you just suddenly refer to yourself as my father?!

While the martial prowess of the world’s strongest might not be visible at the moment, Zhao Changhe had to admit that the man’s wit was certainly right up there. He thus took a deep breath and hurried to catch up, saying, “I never acknowledged that, so don’t casually claim yourself as my father.”

“Isn’t your father-in-law still your father? Suit yourself, don’t call me that if you’ve got what it takes.”

The world’s number one was indeed the world’s number one. Just one sentence and it was a one-shot kill.