Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 107: Heroes Gather

Originally, Zhao Changhe had gone to Jiangnan with the intention of finding something to do. Basically...he had run out of enemies.

The Blood God Cult seemed to have changed its stance toward him. They temporarily halted their hunt for him, and they even suspended the bounty on his head. This was good news for Zhao Changhe. He really did not want to be their enemy deep down. He did not have any genuine enmity with them. Instructor Sun was his teacher, and Cult Leader Xue was... really entertaining.

After the bounty was suspended, the high rewards that had initially attracted assassins and placed a lot of pressure on Zhao Changhe disappeared. However, he still could not be certain what stance some of the assassins organizations would take. Would they seek revenge for their failed missions? Were they planning something big? In any case, they seemed to be laying low for the time being.

Due to his role in escorting Yangyang home, he had offended some of the local figures in Hebei. However, these people were not likely to pursue him across the country, and with the threat of Cui Wenjing looming, they were probably forced to worry more about their own safety.

On the same note, when he got involved in the internal affairs of the Cui Clan, his actions also led to him offending Cui Wenjue and those who supported him. This was why he had been attacked. However, this matter had been put to rest. After all, Cui Wenjing would not let such a situation continue for long. He would have taken care of it by now.

Also, the imperial warrant for my arrest is gone, and I’ve now become an agent working for the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Looking at his current situation, Zhao Changhe was surprised to find that he was no longer facing the pressure to survive that he had felt ever since he first arrived in this world. In fact, this was quite normal. Nobody lived in constant conflict and danger unless they were actively seeking it.

However, this situation made him feel uncomfortable. He was, in fact, the kind of person who was naturally inclined to a life of banditry, and he felt like he was losing the environment that pushed him to constantly improve his martial arts.

In addition, since neither Cui Wenjing nor Tang Wanzhuang could help him improve his meridians, he had to seek a solution himself.

And so, he headed south, thinking that in the vast jianghu, there had to be more excitement waiting for him.

However, he could not help but feel lost as he wandered the world without a clear goal. Even though he said that he would make dealing with the Maitreya Cult his goal, he did not know where to start. As a result, he felt disheartened during his travels, and he had no idea what to do. It was almost as if he was conducting some social research project on himself.

Unexpectedly, just as he arrived in Yangzhou, he encountered the inexplicably warm welcome of Wan Dongliu, who seemed to have some relations with the Maitreya Cult. Zhao Changhe was pleasantly surprised to find that all the uncertainty and dullness he had felt during his journey had been instantly wiped away. His excitement and adventurous spirit were rekindled, and his blood began rushing through his veins once again.

Zhao Changhe truly could not help but see himself as a true-born bandit.

As it turned out, Wan Dongliu did not stay at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and he didn’t take any of the women with him, either. He returned home alone.

After a short while, a figure approached him. It was one of the guards at the brothel.

“Young Master Wan, Zhao Changhe and Ruyan threw themselves onto the bed right away. Ruyan even scolded him for being too impatient.”

Wan Dongliu chuckled and said, “Well, he is a mountain bandit, after all. What did you expect? Did you really think that someone like him could appreciate the finer arts like music or painting? This is perfectly normal behavior for these people.”

The brothel guard also laughed. “That means he’ll probably be easy to win over.”

Wan Dongliu shook his head, “It’s said that he’s got quite the rebellious streak. He might be easy to win over at first, but he might also turn against you later on. These small things are unlikely to keep him loyal.”

The guard said, “That must be why those from the Maitreya Cult think that it’s better to control him instead. He does have good potential, so it isn’t strange for them to want to pull him into their cult.”

Wan Dongliu mused, “We should stop here for now. Ruyan is just an ordinary member of the Maitreya Cult who has never practiced any secret arts. There should not be any major problems. Whether we can win his heart or not, we should at least establish a good relationship with him. Ruyan is just a top courtesan of a brothel, we do not lose much by letting her take care of him. If we try to take control of him forcefully, we might only end up pissing him off, and no good would come out of that. Just remember what happened when the Blood God Cult tried to take control of him.”

The guard sneered. “Well, we’re definitely not like those weaklings from the Blood God Cult.”

Wan Dongliu smiled and said, “Of course not. The Maitreya’s vast divine powers and boundless teachings are in a league of their own. How can a mere bloodthirsty evil god compare to the Maitreya[1]? Alright, I won’t meddle in Zhao Changhe’s affairs any further. I only ran into him by chance.”

The guard said softly, “What about the matter you’re working on...”

Wan Dongliu shook his head. “This is not a suitable place to discuss that.”

The guard realized that they were still on the street, and while it was fine to talk about Zhao Changhe here, this was not a suitable place to discuss truly important matters. He whispered, “Alright, we’ll wait for your feedback.”

The guard hurriedly left, while Wan Dongliu strolled away leisurely. After taking a few steps, he suddenly sneered and swiftly disappeared, using his movement art.

Zhao Changhe, who was hiding on a distant rooftop, broke out in cold sweat and dared not follow any further.

He could not tell whether Wan Dongliu had been sneering at the guard, the Maitreya Cult, or him.

If it was the latter, then Wan Dongliu’s true strength was quite unpredictable. Due to his Back Eye, Zhao Changhe’s five senses far surpassed those of ordinary martial artists at the same level and even some of those with greater cultivation. This ability was the main reason he had been able to avoid so many assassination attempts and gain the upper hand multiple times in the past. But if Wan Dongliu’s five senses surpassed his own, even when he had the Back Eye, then just how strong really was that man?

However, if that was the case, why would Wan Dongliu sneer as a warning? Was he simply expressing the disdain of someone superior...

If Wan Dongliu had instead been sneering at the Maitreya Cult and the guard... Does that mean that Wan Dongliu is only a member of the Maitreya Cult on the surface, and he actually has other plans? If that’s the case, then his friendliness toward me might have some other reason behind it...

Based on the conversation that Wan Dongliu had with the guard, it seemed that he did not harbor ill will toward Zhao Changhe. Well, it appeared that he did not hold Zhao Changhe in high regard, either.

On the other hand, the Xiaoxiang Pavilion was under the direct control of the Maitreya Cult. It was no wonder then that when he came on horseback, the madam of the brothel welcomed him so warmly... She was just like that madam of the Myriad Flowers Building in Sword Lake City. It was not that he was particularly handsome, but that their actions carried hidden intentions.

Damn it, they’re all fucking actors.

Zhao Changhe thought for a while, then quietly returned to the brothel and slipped back into bed, staying right beside Ruyan.

Originally, he had not intended to go back after knocking her out like that. But since Ruyan was an ordinary person, he felt that there wouldn’t be a big issue even if he did come back. How could ordinary people know just how inconsequential they were in the face of martial arts...

He lay quietly beside her and practiced the Six Harmonies Art. After circulating his qi for a while, he heard Ruyan wake up beside him.

Zhao Changhe wasn’t meditating very deeply, so he quickly opened his eyes and smiled. “You’re finally awake.”

Ruyan appeared somewhat frightened and shrank back into bed. From her perspective, it seemed as if the ruffian before her had been too rough on her and knocked her out. She had no idea where he might have hit her.

Such customers were difficult to serve. If they were to continue, she feared that he might just accidentally kill her.

In line with her thoughts, Zhao Changhe laughed and said, “You’re so delicate. You fainted from the slightest touch. I didn't even get to enjoy myself earlier. Shall we continue?”

Ruyan, scared to death, pleaded, “Please spare me, young master. I can use my mouth instead...”

“What’s the use of that?” Zhao Changhe’s eyes widened at her suggestion, and he retorted, “That’s like scratching an itch on your foot over your boots. I’d really rather not!”

Ruyan secretly thought that using her mouth would actually be more comfortable, but this rude man really did not seem to understand. However, she did not dare to argue with him and could only continue trembling in fear.

“Forget it.” Zhao Changhe got out of bed and took the flagon of wine from the table. “Accompany me for a few drinks. If you really want to use your mouth, I’d rather you use it to tell me stories. This is my first time in Jiangnan, and I’m pretty interested in what’s going on here. I don’t really find women all that exciting anymore.”

Ruyan was ecstatic when she heard what he said. Even uncultured ruffians have their good points every now and then! If he enjoys hearing stories, then I can chat with him all night if he wants!

She quickly filled Zhao Changhe’s cup, worried that he might change his mind, and asked, “What kind of story would you like to hear?”

“Is there a Twenty-Four Bridge in Yangzhou?”

Ruyan was stunned for a moment, cautiously eyeing Zhao Changhe with her beautiful eyes, wondering why he was asking about such poetic matters. He knows ancient poetry, is that why is he inquiring about the bridge? Oh, right, the meaning of the original poem has nothing to do with what he’s thinking. It’s just the poet feeling polluted by the worldly affairs in the midst of the bustling city. This guy definitely did not see it that way.

After gathering her thoughts, she replied, “Yes, it exists. However, I’m not sure if you are talking about that one bridge, as most people do, or if you are referring to the other meaning.”

Little did she know that Zhao Changhe was indeed curious about the bridge itself. He was not curious about its poetic symbolism, but rather, he simply wanted to know more about the local geography. “Oh, is the Twenty-Four Bridge truly a single bridge, and not twenty-four different bridges?”

“There is that saying, that it was the total number of bridges inside the city, but with so many bridges in the city these days, it’s impossible to know which twenty-four they are referring to.”

“Hmm...” Zhao Changhe sipped his wine and nodded. “I should make some time to go and see them myself.”

With the conversation flowing more smoothly now, Ruyan was no longer as frightened as earlier. “Do you understand poetry?”

“Not really, I just used to hear women at brothels recite poetry.”

“...”

Zhao Changhe then changed the topic. “By the way, the Tome of Troubled Times has not given any updates about brother Wan for a while now. He was ranked 70th when he was at the fifth layer of the Profound Gate. Is he still at the fifth layer right now?”

“I’m not sure. Young Master Wan has not really fought with others in the past two years. No one in Yangzhou dares to provoke the Cao Gang.”

“Have there not been foreign experts coming to visit? This place is a hub for canal transportation, so there should be plenty of outsiders, right?”

“There are indeed many outsiders, but nobody dares to be so audacious. In fact, aside from you, there are also other experts on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons in Yangzhou.”

Zhao Changhe was intrigued. “Oh? Who else is here? I’d like to meet them if I have the chance.”

Ruyan hesitated for a moment and her expression turned strange.

“What’s the matter? If you know who’s here, then just tell me!”

“There is Daoist Priest Xuan Chong from the Taiyi Sect, and Young Master Tang Buqi from the Tang Family of Gusu...”

“Oh?” Zhao Changhe took a sip of his wine and looked forward to it: “So it seems that I came at the right time. There is a gathering of heroes... What were you hesitating for? I have no grievances with them.”

Ruyan paused for a moment before continuing, her expression turning strange. “There’s also... Yue Hongling from Luoxia Mountain Village.”

“Pfft!” Zhao Changhe could not help but spew out his wine in surprise.

1. They are probably referring to the Maitreya Buddha here and not the cult leader, hence “the” Maitreya. ☜