Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 254: Yanmen

Thinking of Dongting Lake’s water to the south, yearning for Yanmen Pass to the north.

Both rice and millet are worth cherishing; flying away, then returning once more.

Silence in the peak of autumn, while the peaks of mountains stand solemn.[1]

Zhao Changhe arrived at Yanmen. As he gazed at the distant scenery, he suddenly felt that this poem suited the moment quite well. He was like the geese flying back and forth between the north and south, but in his case, it was not for the sake of rice and millet.

As for composing poetry about the scenery, he was stuck at the moment, not a single line coming to mind. It seemed that certain things required the right mood.

Yanmen was not just a mountain range with a pass; it was an entire prefecture, with several counties under its jurisdiction. The barbarians knocking on the gates of the pass were not just passing by, and it was not a one-off thing. It was a continuous and persistent harassment. The Great Wall stretched for tens of thousands of li, with countless battles, big and small, inside and outside.

Whenever it seemed like the enemy had completely withdrawn, they often abruptly returned and launched another attack. While this was an uncommon scenario when it came to wars in the Central Plains, to the barbarians, it was a fairly normal tactic.

Now that it was harvest season, the barbarians’ attacks only became more frequent. If they wanted to bring an end to the war, it would likely be soon. Zhao Changhe had been longing to come to Yanmen precisely to make it in time for the climax of the war.

When he reached the prefectural city of Yanmen, which was at the rear of Yanmen Pass, he found that although the city was not under direct attack from the barbarians, the entire city was under martial law. While there were no restrictions on entering the city, there were extremely few people entering, only one or two every now and then.

The inspections at the city gate were also very strict, even for those coming from the south. As Zhao Changhe approached on horseback, he could feel the fierce gazes of the soldiers and generals from a distance, their eyes glaring fiercely at his horse and saber, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

The discipline in Huangfu Yongxian’s army was evident.

Zhao Changhe wisely halted his horse at a distance safe from bowshot and said, “I am a martial artist from the Central Plains, heading north to fight the barbarians. On my way here, I have heard that I have many like-minded comrades who have formed a specialized camp. May I know how to proceed?”

The commanding general[2] gave him another scrutinizing look, then suddenly recalled someone, and his expression turned somewhat strange.

“There is indeed a camp of martial artists within the city, but we must first verify your travel permit before granting you entry.”

Zhao Changhe rubbed his temples in frustration. Damn, I forgot about this. I should have asked Tang Wanzhuang or Huangfu Qing to provide me with a travel permit when I was in the capital. I already suffered because of this when I went to the capital, and it seems I haven’t learned my lesson. If I had that, I could have quietly entered the capital to handle my affairs without attracting any attention, but instead, my identity ended up getting exposed. Am I going to be exposed again?

There are members of the Wang Clan who are high-ranking military officers in Yanmen. If my identity is exposed, won’t I have to face a lot of trouble again?

The commanding general saw his hesitation and seemed to be unsurprised. “Many of you martial artists of the jianghu don’t bother with travel permits because you don’t want to be restricted by rules... But can’t you at least follow some rules? Well, in any case, I don’t really find anything wrong with you guys; you fight on our side and you’re passionate about it. Here’s what we’ll do: name someone familiar, and we’ll send someone to fetch them to confirm your identity.”

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment and then said, “I heard that Situ Xiao headed north.”

“He did, but when he got here, he said he did not have the time to bother with the camp and went off to do his own thing.”

“What about Han Wubing?”

“I have not seen him.” The commanding general eyes held a hint of amusement. He thought to himself: Judging by the names this guy has called out, he must be Zhao Changhe.

Zhao Changhe felt helpless. “Those two worthless brats.... Forget it, I know someone who must be inside. Could you go and get Yue Hongling to come out and see me?”

The commanding general finally laughed out loud. “Heroine Yue is elusive as ever, where would I know to look for her? But considering the names you’ve been saying, why don’t I just bring the leader of the camp? I’d take it that you two are acquainted.”

“Who is it?”

“Cui Yuanyong.”

Uh...well, you’re not wrong, I do know him. Zhao Changhe suddenly felt that this was like the Yanmen version of the hidden dragon gathering.

I guess it isn’t that strange. With the winds rising on the frontier, hidden dragons would naturally head north. At the very least, it’s much more meaningful than the Langya Sword Conference. In just this matter alone, Wang Zhaoling is vastly outclassed by my brother-in-law.

Just as Zhao Changhe was about to ask for the commanding general to call Cui Yuanyong so that his identity could be verified, Cui Yuanyong emerged on his own, poking his head out from the city wall and looking over. “What the fuck, I was wondering who it was. You should have come earlier. Let him in, I vouch for that dumbass.”

Zhao Changhe couldn't care less about being called a dumbass. If anything, he was the one who was supposed to be lenient, given that he was hitting on the man’s sister.

If he wants to use that language, I don’t have a problem with it. It’s not like it isn’t allowed.

He led the horse into the city and casually remarked, “Have you been possessed? Is it appropriate for you to be using such foul language? Are you not afraid of getting beaten up by your father?”

“Is this the first time you’ve heard me curse?”

“No, I’ve heard you curse before. But even when you were being treated unjustly, you weren’t cursing like you are now.”

Cui Yuanyong came down and escorted him inside, sighing. “I finally understand why you used to curse so much back then. This thing is really contagious. After spending a few months with a bunch of martial artists from the jianghu, I now feel like I can’t say two fucking words without one of them being a curse. You were even staying in a mountain stronghold. Speaking of which, you seem to have improved a lot since then, eh?”

“I guess. After all, the people I’ve been in contact with have been much different.”

“Like Tang Wanzhuang?”

“Uh...”

Cui Yuanyong squinted at him. “The man that Tang Wanzhuang can never have. I wonder which idiot said that?”

Zhao Changhe looked up at the sky. “Well, it’s not like I’m hers now, am I?”

No wonder this guy spoke so insolently before. Forget it, I won’t argue with him.

“Hmph,” Cui Yuanyong harrumphed. “She was the one who practically tricked my little sister into going to Beimang. Now she’s reaping what she sowed. I don’t have the time to go to the capital. Otherwise, I’d ask her if she regrets it. Damn it, she could have acted herself from the beginning. Didn’t she just set up a trap for my little sister?”

Zhao Changhe secretly thought to himself: Actually, if you were to ask Tang Wanzhuang, she still believes that it would be most beneficial for the empire if I were to marry Yangyang. She herself doesn’t want to get married. It’s just unclear whether she really means it when she says that now.

Anyway, after talking to Xia Longyuan, all these things do seem much more tasteless. Those above simply treat everything as entertainment, and that goes for Wanzhuang racking her brains as well.

He sighed. “Let’s not talk about that. So, what’s the deal with this martial artist camp? What can I do there?”

“Why don’t you just go to the Grassland by yourself like Yue Hongling and Situ Xiao?”

“Want me to tell you the truth?”

“Go ahead, I won’t laugh at you.”

“Because I’ve never been outside the border, so I’m blind as a bat. If I were to head out like them, would I really be heading out to roam around or to starve myself to death? I’d rather join an organization, at least I’ll have a better idea of what I can do.”

Cui Yuanyong burst into laughter, and then sighed. “This is what sets you apart from ordinary martial artists of the jianghu.”

“Hm?”

“They all think incredibly highly of themselves. They feel that they’re strong enough that they don’t have to care about rules and cooperation. They don’t want to be restrained or be placed under someone else’s management. They would much rather head out on their own and end up dying outside like dumbasses,” Cui Yuanyong said helplessly. “They’re all hot-blooded and passionate. It’s indeed a pity when they die, but what can we do? They all think they’re like Yue Hongling... You’re much stronger than them, but you’re still self-aware, clear-headed, and know your limits. Or from another perspective...”

“Yeah?”

“Could you actually just be more used to being a part of a group? Although you prefer to act alone, you’re not exactly a lone wolf. You’re completely different from Yue Hongling and Han Wubing. You’re more like Tang Wanzhuang.”

Zhao Changhe was stunned for a moment, then chuckled and said, “That’s because you see me in a certain light, so you’re inclined to think of me in that way.”

“Perhaps.” Cui Yuanyong stopped and pointed to a nearby restaurant. “Let me treat you to a meal first. We can talk while we eat. There really are things I need done here and I feel like it would be a pretty good idea to leave it to you to handle.”

Just as Zhao Changhe was about to reply, a golden light suddenly appeared in the sky.

Both of them looked up in surprise.

In the eighth month, during the Autumnal Equinox, Vermillion Bird of the Four Idols Cult killed Mad Lion He Lei in Beimang.

A master on the Ranking of Earth falls and those below him are promoted.

The former Rank 8 on the Ranking of Earth, Sword Hut’s Shi Wuding, is promoted to Rank 7.

The former Rank 1 on the Ranking of Man, Vulture Beak, is granted Rank 36 on the Ranking of Earth.

Xue Canghai of the Blood God Cult is granted Rank 72 on the Ranking of Man.

Looking at the long list of promotions, Cui Yuanyong’s mouth hung half-open, feeling a tremor in his heart.

The seventh on the Ranking of Earth... had fallen.

Not only was Cui Yuanyong shaken, but the entire world was shaken! How many years had it been since someone on the Ranking of Earth had fallen? Now, the barbarians were likely to be in turmoil, their morale and confidence severely impacted, and there could even be power struggles within the tribes.

Vermillion Bird of the Four Idols Cult... Why would she suddenly kill He Lei and offer them such assistance? General Huangfu must be laughing out loud at this moment.

Compared to others, Zhao Changhe was much less shaken. He was not at all surprised about Vermillion Bird killing He Lei. After all, He Lei had tried to kill the Fire Serpent of Yi first, and the Four Idols Cult had used all manpower available to track him down. Having Huangfu Shaozong and the Demon Suppression Bureau encircle him seemed much less efficient compared to the methods of the Four Idols Cult. With Vermillion Bird personally taking action, there was no way He Lei could escape.

He had actually entertained some suspicions about whether Huangfu Qing could be Vermillion Bird, but now, those thoughts were gone. With Huangfu Qing having said she would not leave the capital with him, and Vermillion Bird killing He Lei not too long after he left the capital, it seemed highly likely that they were the same person.

His thoughts were not solely focused on the death of the seventh on the Ranking of Earth as much of the world was. After all, that was something he had already anticipated. Instead, his gaze lingered on the name at the bottom of the Ranking of Man, his expression turning somewhat strange.

Long time no see, Cult Leader Xue, it seems like you’re making great progress, huh?

Back then, Cult Leader Xue was said to be at the ninth layer of the Profound Gate, but in reality, he was easily defeated by someone at the eighth layer. That signified that he was far from the level of those on the Ranking of Man. But now, it seems that he has improved drastically, even making it to the bottom of the Ranking of Man. It might be a bit more difficult for me to obtain cultivation techniques from the Blood God Cult now.

1. This is a poem titled “Praising Wild Geese at Chang’an” (于长安咏雁诗) by Zhou Hongzheng (周弘正). ☜

2. The word used here is Shoujiang (守将). It specifically refers to the commanding general in charge of the defense of a city or strategic point. ☜