Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 236: Go North

Zhao Changhe could not understand why the young lady, who moments ago was basking in the romantic atmosphere with him, suddenly lashed out.

The air between them had been so tender that it seemed like they would touch their snouts at any moment.

But then, she covered the snout of her pig mask and began giving him a good beating.

Zhao Changhe held his head in an aggrieved manner and crouched defensively, “Why are you suddenly hitting me out of nowhere...”

Vermillion Bird did not know how to explain her sudden outburst, so she just acted unreasonably. “You have a problem with that? If you’re capable, then fight back. But you’re so pathetically weak that you can only be bullied.”

Zhao Changhe stole a glance at her while holding his head. “Are you suggesting that if I can defeat you, then you’ll be fine with our pig snouts touching?”

“Hah!” Vermillion Bird scoffed, crossing her arms. “If you can defeat me, then I’ll even take off my mask and kiss you. Do you have what it takes?”

“I don’t trust your bets.”

“Up to you!” Vermillion Bird grabbed his ears angrily and pulled him up. “Stop pretending to be pitiful. We should leave. How long do you plan to stay in this shabby inn?”

“Um...” Zhao Changhe thought to himself: Well, if it weren’t for your sudden outburst, we could have enjoyed another sweet night here.

But I guess it is time to leave.

He had come to Sword Lake City mainly to see if the Heavenly Tome could analyze some ancient remnants in the sword chamber. But now, it seemed that there was nothing there. At least he had gotten it to analyze quite a bit of the remaining sword intent, though he had yet to find the opportunity to delve into it any further. Anyway, it was not like he needed to make use of it at the moment. He could simply study it in his spare time.

His original purpose for coming to Sword Lake City was unfulfilled, but unexpectedly, he had managed to dispel some rumors and expose a traitor in the Four Idols Cult. Overall, it could be considered a fruitful journey. Now, it was indeed time to leave. There was no point in staying here any longer. It was not like he actually had any intention of fighting for the position of city lord with Sha Seven.

Staying any longer would only expose him to more danger...

Vermillion Bird also said, “Our sudden entry into the city went unnoticed by the Wang Clan or those from the Snow-Listening Pavilion. Even with Yan Lianping’s covert notification, only Qin Ruhui managed to make it here in time. Stronger enemies are likely on their way, perhaps including even Wang Daozhong himself. Continuing to stay here would be dangerous.”

She paused for a moment before snorting coldly and adding, “If it weren’t for the fact that I’m by your side, Yan Lianping would have moved to kill you right away. Clearly, I protected you, yet you say that you’re the one who helped me...”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Zhao Changhe said helplessly. He then held her hand and said, “Dear big sister, please continue to protect me.”

After he said that, both of them paused and simultaneously looked down at their intertwined hands.

Vermillion Bird suddenly realized that she had not even considered pulling away until he had already held her hand.

Is it because it felt so natural?

Zhao Changhe also realized that this seemed to be the first time he had held this young lady’s hand. He could not help but wonder why it felt so natural.

He could not help but think that in fantasy worlds like this, having internal energy was quite advantageous. In the modern world, if a girl was skilled in martial arts, her hands would definitely be rough, but in this world, whether it was the Fire Serpent of Yi or any of the other girls he had gotten close to, their hands were soft and delicate, smooth as silk.

Thud!

While he was still in thought, Vermillion Bird finally reacted and viciously threw him over her shoulder once more. “Pervert, go to hell!”

“Fuck...” Zhao Changhe rubbed his sore waist. “It’s just holding hands. Aren’t you of the jianghu, or are you going to use the excuse that you’re a witch again...”

“Which witch would want to give you their hand?” Vermillion Bird squatted down and whispered. “Then should I just go out and hold hands with others?”

“Would you?”

Bang!

A stack of books, which had been on the table, slammed down on Zhao Changhe’s head. “You call me a witch, but another a saintess, huh? Go to hell!”

Zhao Changhe twitched a couple of times, then lay still.

“Quit playing dead. We should leave before nightfall!” Vermillion Bird lifted him up. “The venerable tasked me with ensuring your safety, not to flirt with you!”

“Give me a moment.” Zhao Changhe sighed and got up. “I need to write a letter to First Seat Tang first.”

Vermillion Bird’s expression soured instantly as she glanced at him. “Just to send a report about Wei Zicai? You really are a diligent and conscientious spy.”

“No, it’s about the rumors. They’re likely spreading beyond this area, and the court should have ample experience and resources to handle such situations. I need to inform her so that she can take appropriate action. That’s the most important gain I’ve gotten from coming to Sword Lake City...”

Vermillion Bird fell silent. Although she felt unhappy seeing him write a letter to Tang Wanzhuang, she understood the importance of the matter.

But why am I feeling more and more unhappy and irritated?

Back then, when he stabbed Luo Zhenwu, he and Tang Wanzhuang came to be on opposing sides despite them initially being on the same side.

“Forget it.” Vermillion Bird pouted. “I’ll also write to the venerable. The Four Idols Cult will help you handle the rumors. Our influence stretches far and wide. Don’t think that Tang Wanzhuang is your only option!”

Zhao Changhe was taken aback. “Who will you find to deliver the letter to the venerable? Those in the Pinghu Association can’t be trusted anymore.”

The venerable has already received the letter, all right? Vermillion Bird retorted stubbornly, “Mind your own business. Given the unreliability of the other members of the Demon Suppression Bureau here, who will you find to deliver the letter? Oh, wait...”

She suddenly thought of the perfect excuse for a sudden trip to the capital, “I reckon Tang Wanzhuang won’t stay in the south for long. She has probably already returned to the capital at this point. Since you’re heading north anyway, why not detour to the capital and meet her in person?”

Zhao Changhe would not have thought that this suggestion stemmed from her wanting some time as her true identity. But hearing it, he found it to have some merit, “That makes sense. Since we’re heading north anyway, it makes sense to visit the capital first.”

Vermillion Bird, who had been the one to suggest this plan, now felt a bit hesitant upon hearing his agreement. “Is it really... suitable for you to go? Won’t you have to disguise yourself?”

Zhao Changhe smiled and said, “I’m just passing by to do some errands. If such actions can provoke reactions from various parties, then they’re being overly dramatic. Honestly, I don’t like disguises. They’re just convenient for specific tasks like investigations. I don’t use them to live under a false identity. My parents gave me this face, and there’s no reason to hide it.”

Vermillion Bird felt as if she had been kicked in the shin, with her masked personas, but she did not argue.

Given the chance, who would not want to be open and honest?

In the afternoon, the two rode Snow-Treading Crow out of Sword Lake City and sped north.

Less than half an hour after their departure, a white-clad swordsman appeared in the courtyard they had been in like a ghost. He frowned slightly at the empty scene and disappeared with a flicker in the next moment.

Moments later, at Kangle Gambling House.

“Zhao Changhe? Of course, he’s gone. Do you think he’s stupid?” Sha Seven leaned back in his chair leisurely. “You guys from the Snow-Listening Pavilion came too late this time.”

The white-clad swordsman asked, “We had a last-minute change of personnel, which took some time. As usual, we’re here to buy information. Where did he go?”

Sha Seven smiled and said, “Sure thing, as per the usual, one thousand taels.”

The white-robed swordsman frowned. “Since when does information about figures at the fifth or sixth layer of the Profound Gate cost so much?”

“Why don’t you ask yourselves? Since when do you guys need to resort to using those ranked within the top fifty of the Ranking of Man to deal with someone at the fifth to sixth layer of the Profound Gate? You’ve already unlocked a Profound Mystery, so why are you picking on someone that far below you? Have you no shame?”

After a moment of silence, the swordsman handed over a banknote. “Fine, one thousand taels.”

“See, it’s easy to do business, ain’t it?” Sha Seven smiled and narrowed his eyes. “He headed south.”

The swordsman was stunned for a moment. “Why would he head south again? Didn’t he just leave from there?”

“This is the art of deception, my friend. Would you have guessed him to have gone in that direction? Anyway, I don’t know the specifics, but all I know is that he headed south again, likely to Hangzhou. I’m guessing he’s planning to do something at the Maitreya Cult’s headquarters?”

The swordsman nodded, seemingly trusting the credibility of a long-term collaborator, and disappeared without saying another word.

Finally, someone next to Sha Seven could not hold back and asked, “Young master, you...”

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid that we will lose credibility? The south is vast. If he can’t find anyone, that’s his own incompetence. What does it have to do with us?”

The subordinate could not help but think: Wasn’t that still a bit too much... It’s find to deceive others, but you’re deceiving yourself as well. If Zhao Changhe stirs up trouble in the north in a few days, it would be obvious that we deceived them.

The subordinate had no choice but to ask tactfully, “Young master, why sacrifice our allies to protect Zhao Changhe?”

Sha Seven said, “Because I want to watch a show.”

“Hm?”

“They are heading north. Whether they go to the capital or to Yanmen, isn’t there going to be a big show? If we let the Snow-Listening Pavilion take him down along the way, where am I supposed to enjoy another wonderful spectacle like that?”

The subordinate was silent for a moment, then said, “Young master, he almost choked you to death.”

Sha Seven paused, then suddenly jumped up. “Where’s that Ying Shuang now? Tell him to go north! I forgot!”

However, with the speed of an assassin on the Ranking of Man, who could possibly still find him now?