Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 241: Commotion in the Capital

When Huangfu Shaozong finished coordinating an operation to hunt down He Lei with the Demon Suppression Bureau, it was already evening.

He had contemplated his sister’s suggestion to interact more with Zhao Changhe. In the end, although he was not too keen on it, since his sister had entrusted him with such a task, he decided to go along with it.

If he had to do it, then he might as well do it in style. Since he was inviting Zhao Changhe to stay at his house, he would at the same time separate him from Tang Wanzhuang in one go. His sister would surely be pleased to see Tang Wanzhuang lose face.

Those two have been at odds for over a decade now. I really don’t know why they’re so against each other, there isn’t even anything to gain from such conflict. I wonder when they’ll stop... or if.

Although Huangfu Shaozong thought it was childish for two grown women with distinguished statuses to continue bickering like little girls, since his older sister was involved, he felt obligated to lend a hand.

So, Huangfu Shaozong boldly approached the members of the Demon Suppression Bureau and arranged a banquet.

To his surprise, Tang Wanzhuang, who had been so combative against Huangfu Qing, did not object at all this time.

Since he has already come to the capital, he’ll either have to leave immediately or let the capital see more of him.

Tang Wanzhuang was confident that Zhao Changhe’s attendance at the banquet would lead to some kind of trouble.

There was no need for behind-the-scenes maneuvers from major forces; there would be countless provocations out in the open.

In this world, martial arts were at their peak. From the emperor to the heads of the aristocratic families, all of them were top-tier martial artists. This was quite different from the ancient history of Zhao Changhe’s world.

Back when Zhao Changhe was in Beimang and had just entered the Ranking of Hidden Dragons, he attracted a large group of challengers. This was not a special case, as nearly everyone on the ranking faced similar challenges. Those like Cui Yuanyang and Wan Dongliu, who relied on their family’s influence and power to avoid confrontations, were the exception, not the rule.

This was only natural; there are always people who can only be convinced by direct evidence. After all, if one was at the fourth layer and someone at the third layer was more renowned than them, they would often believe that there was no reason for them to look up to the other party just because they were on some ranking. No matter how many times the purpose of the Ranking of Hidden Dragons was explained to the masses, the inherent sense of injustice that some people felt just could not be erased.

As one continued to cultivate, reaching the sixth or seventh layer, while the swarm of challengers would begin to decrease, the number of battles with peers would increase.

Those on the sixth or seventh layer would be skeptical of the fact that someone else was a hidden dragon while they were not. There were always such people, whether it was those with low emotional intelligence simply asking why out of a sense of injustice, or those with sufficient emotional intelligence but simply seeking to understand the difference between them and those on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons.

This phenomenon occurred frequently in the jianghu and it was common even at the level of the Ranking of Man. This was one typical manifestation of chaos brought about by the Tome of Troubled Times.

Zhao Changhe had not encountered such challenges in a long time because he had been mingling with the Cao Gang, then hiding in the Tang Clan, and later joined in the martial art meet at Langya. His whereabouts were unpredictable, denying others the chance to provoke him. But this time, he had traveled to the capital without concealing himself. He was like a burning candle in the dark. Was this not tantamount to announcing that he was open to challenges?

Ever since Young Master Dai called out his name at the city gate, countless practitioners in the capital had been itching to make their move and have a match with him.

This included Huangfu Shaozong himself, as even he had been wanting to spar with Zhao Changhe. He was at the seventh level of the Profound Gate Entrance and Zhao Changhe was at the sixth layer, but their rankings were only two places apart. He naturally wanted to know why. Of course, it was inappropriate for him to be the one to make a move, and he knew this.

Regardless, being aware of the situation surrounding Zhao Changhe, rather than arranging the banquet at the Blissful Red Tower, he chose the restaurant opposite of it.

There were no private rooms in the restaurant he had chosen. It was a classic open-air pavilion, allowing for an open view. While it did indeed allow those inside to enjoy the scenery, it also allowed anyone to enter however they pleased.

Zhao Changhe could see Huangfu Shaozong’s intentions and smiled slightly, showing that he did not care.

“Brother Zhao, this is the famous Zhang Family Restaurant of the capital. The most renowned dish here is...”

“Is it the snow jade cake?”

Huangfu Shaozong was stunned. “Woah, brother Zhao, you actually know about the pastries in the capital?”

“I know a little girl who likes them.”

Huangfu Shaozong nearly choked. “...Cui Yuanyang, right? There’s no one here who will bring it to her for you. If you want to court someone from a distance, you better just give up on that.”

“Oh, you’re knowledgeable about this? Your big beard does not quite fit such character.”

“Likewise, your scarred face does not quite match your matters either,” Huangfu Shaozong said expressionlessly. “Anyway, I did not invite you here to taste some ladies’ pastry, but rather the lotus wine. Of course, if you prefer to eat the cake...”

“Not at all, thank you.” Zhao Changhe directly reached for the wine flagon on the table and poured some wine for Huangfu Shaozong as a guest.

Huangfu Shaozong felt that this might make him appear impolite. But just as he was about to say something, footsteps echoed from the stairs and someone loudly said, “Is it true that Bloodthirsty Asura Zhao Changhe is here?”

Zhao Changhe continued pouring the wine, giving Huangfu Shaozong a sly look. “Actually, brother Huangfu, you should have gone to Langya.”

As someone from the respected Marquis’ family supposedly treating a guest, who would believe that you would not have anyone stand guard by the stairs. It seems that you also want to test my mettle.

Huangfu Shaozong’s face flushed slightly, knowing that his intentions had been seen through. Instead of defending himself, he simply turned to the visitor and said, “I am treating a guest, are you trying to make me lose face by crashing the banquet I’ve arranged?”

The visitor cupped his fist and said, “It is a rare occasion for the Bloodthirsty Asura to visit the capital. If I do not take this opportunity to learn a thing or two, I doubt I will have the chance in the future. Please excuse my passion for martial arts.”

Huangfu Shaozong looked at Zhao Changhe and tried gauging his intentions, “Erm, brother Zhao, what do you think...”

Zhao Changhe finished pouring the wine and then started pouring some for himself. “I don’t mind.”

The visitor took a deep breath and slowly drew his sword. “I am the Mad Dragon of the capital, Chen—”

“I’m not interested in knowing your name, just use your sword.” Zhao Changhe did not even draw his saber. He continued pouring himself wine, not even sparing the other party a glance.

The visitor finally became angry. “It seems the Bloodthirsty Asura scorns those of us from the capital!”

“You do not represent everyone in the capital. I merely look down upon certain individuals.” Zhao Changhe put down the wine flagon helplessly. “Damn it, I was planning to pour myself a drink and fight at the same time, but your mouth yaps so much that I’m not going to get to do something so cool. Can’t you guys from the capital just get to the point?”

Huangfu Shaozong’s expression became quite colorful.

What the hell is going on in this guy’s head? He actually wanted to posture! I could learn a thing or two from this. No wonder this guy is so famous, so this is how he did it.

Mad Dragon stared blankly for a moment, then he finally erupted with rage. “You’re going too far!”

His sword lunged forward like a snake, aiming straight for Zhao Changhe’s face, seemingly intent on carving a symmetrical scar on the other side of his face as a lasting reminder.

Zhao Changhe raised the wine bowl with his left hand and gestured to Huangfu Shaozong. “Thank you for the hospitality. Cheers, brother Huangfu.”

Huangfu Shaozong clinked his bowl with Zhao Changhe’s with intrigue.

As their bowls collided, a sword had arrived right before Zhao Changhe’s face. Suddenly, Zhao Changhe’s right hand struck out.

In the eyes of the other party, Zhao Changhe, who had been casually sitting there with openings everywhere, seemed to have instantly turned impregnable as a mountain, overlooking everything like a god, all his vulnerabilities vanishing instantly.

Smack!

Zhao Changhe’s palm struck the side of the sword, and though it seemed unremarkable at first, upon contact, it erupted with terrifying power, causing the sword to bend. The thrusting motion was directly deflected, and the sword was forced to merely graze past Zhao Changhe.

At the same time, Mad Dragon found that his feet were being tripped by something, and the momentum of the strike carried him forward all the way into a pillar. He slowly slid down, dizzy and limp.

As if nothing had happened, Zhao Changhe raised his bowl and drank all the wine in one go. “Good wine!”

Huangfu Shaozong’s eyes shone with intrigue. “The Divine Brilliance’s Wind and Lightning Palm...”

“Good eyes. I’m not very proficient with it yet. Do forgive me for any of my shortcomings with it.”

Just as their conversation ended, several more people came up the stairs. One of them drew their sword and charged straight at Zhao Changhe. “Young Master Huang of the capital’s Huang Clan seeks guidance from the Bloodthirsty Asura!”

“There’s no need for you guys to announce your name next time. I’ll only be interested in knowing your name if you can make me draw my saber.” Zhao Changhe extended his finger and lightly flicked away Young Master Huang’s sword.

“Azure Waves Clear Ripples...” started Huangfu Shaozong.

“Good eyes.” In the next moment, a fist smashed into Young Master Huang’s face. “Brother Huangfu, care to tell me the name of this punch?”

“...I can’t tell. Isn’t it just a random punch?”

“Is my Vicious Blood Fist from my Vicious Blood Saber Art so lacking in face?”

“...”

Bang!

Young Master Huang crashed into another pillar by the side and fainted.

“I’m from the capital’s Xie Clan...”

“I said, no need to announce your name.” Zhao Changhe swiftly reached out and grabbed the other person’s wrist, effortlessly throwing him to the ground.

“I’m from the capital’s Zhao...”

“Hey, same family name, too bad your skill is not up to par.”

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Huangfu Shaozong watched as one after another, people were sent into pillars and fell unconscious, his expression changing drastically.

All of these people had cultivations ranging from the fifth to seventh layer of the Profound Gate. This meant that some of them had even higher attainments in cultivation than Zhao Changhe.

Even then, none of them has been able to force Zhao Changhe to make a second move. Not only has he not had to draw his saber, he hasn’t even had to move his ass from the goddamn seat.

No, he has only been using a single hand. Meanwhile, his other hand has been busy pouring and drinking wine. With each person knocked out, he had a bowl of wine, so...I guess that’s his tenth bowl.

The gap was so vast that it did not even resemble a fight between equals. Instead, it was much like an adult dealing with infants.

Huangfu Shaozong himself has the seventh layer of the Profound Gate, and he was the eleventh hidden dragon. He was theoretically stronger than Zhao Changhe, but even he had to admit that while he would indeed be able to easily defeat those who had come, he would not be able to make it look as effortless as his companion did.

Using his eyes that had been honed by countless battles, he could see that Zhao Changhe was using the most direct and effective use of his strength to decimate his challengers. Those who had not licked blood from the edge of a blade in the jianghu would simply be unable to understand. Even the seemingly ordinary Vicious Blood Fist was being used like a high-level ultimate technique in Zhao Changhe’s hands.

Moreover, Huangfu Shaozong could also see that as the battle progressed, Zhao Changhe became more proficient with his hands...well, hand. He had indeed seemed somewhat unfamiliar with the Wind and Lightning Palm of the Divine Brilliance Sect at the beginning, but soon enough, he had truly managed to achieve the immovable sturdiness that it was supposed to produce. No one could approach at a closer distance than his palm could reach.

Bang!

Zhao Changhe once again punched a person in the face, then refilled his bowl. The wine flagon was now empty.

Zhao Changhe laughed heartily. “Too many people. not enough wine. Are those of the capital so stingy when hosting guests? More wine!”

The restaurant fell completely silent, and even Huangfu Shaozong was momentarily stunned.

It seemed like everyone had willingly walked into a trap, allowing this man to become famous in the capital through a single banquet.