Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 389: Yang Clan of Hongnong

According to records of the Black Tortoise and the explanation of the blind woman, this was a personal token of the Night Emperor, similar to a personal seal.

It did not contain any special energy or legacy, nor could it issue any commands to any forces. It was only used for the forging of the sword. The token made it so that the other idols were to cooperate with the Black Tortoise in the forging of the sword, and the token itself could also be melted down to be used for the forging of the sword.

Perhaps in the eyes of the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger of the ancient times, this token did not hold significant meaning beyond matters related to the forging of the sword. It could neither command them nor truly represent the Night Emperor.

But for the believers in this era who were unaware of the context surrounding the token, it may carry more weight than an actual official seal!

A personal token! Doesn’t that token carry the meaning “act as if you were in the Night Emperor’s presence”?

Fortunately, Vermillion Bird did not really know what it represented.

However, the strong aura of the Night Emperor coming from the token, along with the carved patterns and constellations shared with the Four Idols Cult’s tokens, made Vermillion Bird immediately recognize that there was no way that this was a counterfeit. Such an item, in the shape of a token, could only mean one thing. It represented a serious identification.

The legacy of the Night Emperor! Their saint had descended!

If it were in the past, Vermillion Bird might have knelt down immediately, but since this happened to involve Zhao Changhe, she was a little reluctant to do so. After all, she had suspected this before, and later Lady Three said that it could not be the case. Although Shelly’s actions were not exactly reliable, Vermillion Bird still trusted her judgment.

She cautiously took two steps back and asked again, “Is this the Night Emperor’s token?”

Zhao Changhe said, “Yes, but I did not receive his legacy nor his inheritance. I’m not the saint. I won’t deceive you.”

Vermillion Bird rolled her eyes as she deliberately said in a harsh voice, “Yet you still dare take it out like this? Aren’t you afraid that I’ll kill you and take the token?”

Zhao Changhe said calmly, “For a cult built upon faith, what you should do is find out the truth behind this. Killing me won’t help and may just cut off your path to seeking the truth and getting closer to the divine.”

His words were bold yet reasonable.

It’s a pity that this boldness is being used against the antagonist, which is me.

Vermillion Bird did not know whether to be happy or angry and said expressionlessly, “Can I not simply capture and you study it slowly?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s voice finally came coldly, “Vermillion Bird, do you really think that you can show off in front of me just because you’ve made a breakthrough?”

Vermillion Bird clenched her fists and stared at Tang Wanzhuang coldly.

Tang Wanzhuang got off her horse and stood in front of Zhao Changhe.

Suddenly, both of them recalled the past... In the flames of the Luo Family Village, Tang Wanzhuang coldly watched Zhao Changhe while Vermillion Bird stood in front of him.

Both of them had strange expressions.

Wait a minute... I came here to deal with you, not Zhao Changhe. Why are you standing in front of him like you’re protecting him?

Zhao Changhe sighed and said, “Alright, venerable, for the sake of Chichi, Huangfu Qing, and Lady Three, there’s no need for you to capture me. When I have the time, I will naturally go to the Four Idols Cult and explain this matter to you. Could you please stop blocking our way and causing trouble?”

Vermillion Bird’s eyebrows beneath her mask almost stood up. “What does this have to do with Lady Three?”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

What is up with your priorities? Are you really Vermillion Bird?

Then, a more sinister voice came from behind him. “What’s going on between you and Huangfu Qing? How can you be involved with her?!”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Vermillion Bird viciously fixed her gaze on Tang Wanzhuang and suddenly laughed, “Well, I also don’t know what’s going on between him and Huangfu Qing, but why can’t he be with her? Let’s do this then. Mister Zhao’s words make sense. There is no point in forcing this matter. I will go back and have Huangfu Qing come over to take over the situation here and inquire about the Night Emperor’s token. Goodbye.”

Whoosh!

Vermillion Bird suddenly vanished.

This is perfect. This gives me a reason to appear in Hongnong as Huangfu Qing!

When she was Vermillion Bird, she had to pose as his enemy.

Now that I can switch identities, I’ll do my best to be annoying and mess with you, you pretentious bore!

Vermillion Bird’s mood suddenly improved.

With a change of identity, the sky seemed wider, and even the fact that he had the Night Emperor’s token became a good thing—is this the difference between feeling like an outsider has the Night Emperor’s token compared to my man having it?

Vermillion Bird almost did not want to be Vermillion Bird anymore. The identity had largely become useless besides for showing off, and even her showing off had been countered by him pulling out that token. She felt that moving around as Huangfu Qing was much better. As Huangfu Qing, she could have him answer all her questions and could even steal a kiss every now and then. Most importantly, she could annoy Tang Wanzhuang to death.

Throughout her entire way back, Vermillion Bird thought about how she would annoy Tang Wanzhuang when the time came... You’re so noble and refuse to marry into the imperial family, right? Hehe...

Meanwhile, Tang Wanzhuang looked at Zhao Changhe fiercely and asked repeatedly, “What’s going on with you and Huangfu Qing?”

Zhao Changhe hung his head, unable to answer.

I scared off Vermillion Bird with a single token, and you barely reacted, why is it this that you’re reacting so strongly to?

Tang Wanzhuang grabbed his collar fiercely and said, “Huangfu Qing is the imperial noble consort!”

Zhao Changhe replied helplessly, “If she were not the imperial noble consort, would you agree?”

“If she weren’t the imperial noble consort, I wouldn’t care who... No!” Tang Wanzhuang was furious. “You can find anyone but Huangfu Qing!”

“Whimper...” Baoqin awoke groggily, and seeing that she was in Tang Wanzhuang’s arms, she breathed a sigh of relief and then started to cry loudly. “Young miss, Vermillion Bird was so fierce. She even took my horse. Help me get revenge, waah...”

“Be good, Baoqin.” Tang Wanzhuang hurriedly comforted her. “The demonic cults are destined for a bad end. When the imperial court destroys the Four Idols Cult, I will capture Vermillion Bird and bring her to you. You can beat her up however you want, okay?”

Zhao Changhe did not want to comment on the likelihood of such an outcome coming true and silently gave Baoqin a thumbs-up in his mind.

Thank goodness you changed the topic; otherwise, I might be dead by now...

* * *

On the way to Hongnong, Tang Wanzhuang rode together with Baoqin, sharing a horse with her. She did not speak a single word to Zhao Changhe again until they reached Hongnong. She kept a stern face even during meals and when they stayed overnight on the road.

Zhao Changhe did not dare to provoke her further with any more cheesy lines.

Just how fierce was your conflict with Huangfu Qing in the past? You seem to hold more respect for the Vermillion Bird, who’s the leader of a demonic cult and the imperial court’s enemy, than for Huangfu Qing. Actually, you seem to hate Huangfu Qing ten times more than Vermillion Bird.

In fact, this was all because, in Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes, Vermillion Bird had no relation to him. Therefore, they stood on the same side, fighting against the same enemy. With that being the case, why would she have to care about his relation to her?

But what’s going on with you and Huangfu Qing? How dare you have a relationship with her?!

With such varying thoughts, they finally reached Hongnong

After all, there was only about eight hundred li between Xiangyang and Hongnong. With flat roads throughout, it would naturally not take them long to arrive.

In fact, the day they were stopped by Vermillion Bird, they had already reached the outskirts of the Yang Clan’s territory. The power of cross-state and regional aristocratic families was simply that outrageous. When they arrived in Hongnong, they were met with the highest level of reception, with Yang Jingxiu personally greeting them ten li outside the city, bowing and cupping his hand in salute, “For First Seat Tang and Young Master Zhao to come from afar for my birthday, it is an immense honor for me.”

Although he said “First Seat Tang” before “Young Master Zhao,” Yang Jingxiu’s gaze was mainly focused on Zhao Changhe, his meaning obvious.

This was the prince, and it was for him that he came to greet them ten li outside the city.

Otherwise, Tang Wanzhuang alone might not have received such treatment, even though her official rank was quite high.

Tang Wanzhuang did not feel any jealousy from this; instead, she felt it was perfectly natural. Seeing Yang Jingxiu willing to acknowledge Zhao Changhe as the prince made her very happy. As Yang Jingxiu saluted them, she even slightly stepped aside to show that she did not accept the salute.

A loyal official who has truly dedicated herself to the empire, the best crown princess, and a virtuous wife... This evaluation flashed through Yang Jingxiu’s mind. Just as he was about to say something, a servant hurriedly approached from afar, “Master! Master!”

Yang Jingxiu frowned. “Why are you in such a hurry? Where are your manners?!”

“The, the imperial noble consort is arriving. It’s said that she is here on behalf of His Majesty to congratulate you on your birthday. She’s almost at the north of the city now...”

Yang Jingxiu’s pupils slightly constricted, and the ceremonial guards who came to welcome Tang Wanzhuang and Zhao Changhe began to waver.

It had yet to be officially announced as to whether Zhao Changhe was a genuine prince or not.

However, the imperial noble consort was very much genuine, and never before had she traveled such a distance to visit a vassal’s home for a birthday banquet. What did this entail then?

Yang Jingxiu bowed to Zhao Changhe apologetically and said, “Apologies, Young Master Zhao, but with the imperial noble consort arriving, I must go to greet her...”

Zhao Changhe’s lips twitched. “Please don’t mind me, just go ahead.”

Watching the Yang Clan rush to the north of the city, Tang Wanzhuang clenched her fists. Although she remained silent, his chest heaved with emotions that were ready to erupt—specifically, an intense, fiery rage.