Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 263: A Storm is Brewing

Zhao Changhe looked into the distance where dust rose from the barbarian army’s horses and determined that it was time they left. “Let’s go. We should split up into three groups as we leave this place. We can meet back up at the Rooms Available Inn at Huangsha Market.”

Situ Xiao, who was carrying the unconscious young man from the Qiao Clan, replied, “I’m not going to drag this burden to Huangsha Market. I’m going to go and find Cui Yuanyong to exchange this piece of scum for some alcohol.”

After saying that, he took the lead in running off. He actually left first, mainly because his movement art was the worst among them, and he feared that he might not be able to outrun the army while carrying someone, and that would end up embarrassing him.

Moreover, Situ Xiao actually really wanted to challenge Yue Hongling. He had felt that he was almost ready before and was just waiting for the right moment, but judging from the current situation, it seemed like she might become his friend’s wife in the future, making it hard for him to challenge her anymore.

Damn it, why does it feel like every woman is connected to this guy? I can’t keep a friend like him. I should break off our friendship sometime in the future.

“Eh, hey...” Han Wubing wanted to grab Situ Xiao but was a step too slow. He could only watch as Situ Xiao ran off faster than a rabbit.

He glanced helplessly at Zhao Changhe, then at Yue Hongling. “I guess I should go as well...”

Why the hell does it feel like every woman is connected to this guy? I can’t keep a friend like him. I should break off our friendship sometime in the future.

Yue Hongling crossed her arms and said, “What are you guys even thinking? I’m the one who has to go.”

Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing looked at her with raised eyebrows.

Yue Hongling said angrily, “Don’t you know that the barbarians have been looking for me? I don’t dare enter Huangsha Market”

Zhao Changhe reached into his pocket and rubbed something, then he attempted to smear a yellow substance onto Yue Hongling’s face.

Yue Hongling drew her sword, ready to cut off his head.

Zhao Changhe flinched and cried out in exasperation, “Hey, let me help you disguise yourself!”

“It’s useless. Women are thoroughly checked, haven’t you noticed that nobody dares to bring any women inside? Under the pretext of them searching for me, several incidents have taken place where others’ family members were forcibly taken away and brought to the beast ring to be sold.”

“Just how much trouble have you caused for the barbarians to treat you so seriously?”

“Is that any of your concern?” Yue Hongling turned away irritably and entered the camp. “I’ll go look for some food to take with me before I go. You guys do whatever you want. I’ll find a way to contact you later.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Why don’t we arrange to meet somewhere else?”

“Further northwest, there’s a place called Rocky Mountain[1] I’ll stay there for a while. If you can, can you bring some things for me?” Yue Hongling’s tone held a hint of anticipation that she herself was not aware of.

Han Wubing glanced at the two in silence. Zhao Changhe replied cheerfully, “Sure.”

“Then goodbye for now.” Yue Hongling entered the camp to search for some supplies in a good mood.

Having someone to support her felt good. She had some plans in mind, but she felt that they might be difficult to carry out alone, especially with the issues she was facing these days. But with trustworthy helpers like Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing, certain things become much more feasible.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing looked at each other. Han Wubing said, “I’ll be staying at Barbarian Merchant Inn near the beast ring. If you need me, you should be able to find me there. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Alright, I’m staying at Lady Three’s Rooms Available Inn. You can find me there if you need me. I go by the name Wang Daozhong when I’m there.”

Han Wubing: “...”

Turning their heads, they saw that Ubalu’s garrison was already within bowshot.

Without further words, the two dispersed and ran in different directions.

Unlike ordinary martial artists or soldiers, they used movement arts that were among the best in the world. It would be really difficult for ordinary riders to catch up with them. Even Situ Xiao, who was comparatively weaker in terms of movement arts, could simply make use of his cultivation at the eighth layer of the Profound Gate to run so fast that almost no horse could catch up to him.

In order to surround such people, one would need to deploy even stronger experts or set up ambushes in advance to ensure that they could not escape.

This was also the main reason why Yue Hongling and the others had been able to wander around the northern frontier for so long without facing much danger. This was also why Cui Yuanyong believed that none of the teams he had sent out should be rendered unable to escape.

For them, horses were mainly used for efficient travel, helping them spare more energy. They generally did not use their horses in battle. Well, it was not like they could do without horses either. Traveling on foot across the vast grasslands and deserts would tire them out quickly. Yue Hongling’s horse was hidden near Rocky Mountain, where she was currently staying.

Anyway, this was why they were able to remain so calm and composed despite such a large army approaching them, only starting to run when the enemy had drawn near. Even with that, they vanished without a trace shortly after, disappearing into the night, leaving no trail to follow.

The barbarian general leading the army did not dwell on it. He simply waved his hand and said, “Don’t bother to chase them. Confiscate the goods of that caravan and capture everyone here as slaves.”

Such was the law of the jungle.

Those of the caravan who were smarter had already left early, escaping after just taking a few things. On the other hand, those who remained, blinded by greed, simply had a miserable fate awaiting them.

The deputy general asked, “The woman we saw just now should be Yue Hongling... According to Commander Ubalu’s orders, we must capture her at all costs.”

The general waved his hand dismissively. “And what makes you think you can capture her, even if you pay every price? She can soar into the sky like an eagle; even with an army of a hundred thousand, we might not be able to catch her. Commander Ubalu has already sent a request to the khagan to send over some actual powerful experts. She has been wandering in our lands for very long, so she has probably grown accustomed to the strength of ordinary soldiers. When the time comes, we might be able to catch her off guard.”

“So the reason why we’ve been restricting her ways to get supplies was all to narrow down her possible range of movement?”

“Exactly. If I’m not mistaken, since she still came here, it’s very likely that she’s staying near Rocky Mountain in the northwest, where there’s water under the rocks.” The general stretched out his hand and clenched his fist. “If she really is staying there, she won’t be able to escape. When the time comes, maybe everyone can even have some fun once rewards are being handed out.”

*

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe took a large detour. He disguised himself and returned to the inn in high spirits.

Instead of heading through the front door of the inn, he entered through the back and headed straight to bed to sleep until dawn.

This night was wonderful. I got to save some heroes, kill traitors, and meet up with friends.

The gloominess that had accumulated since leaving Yanmen was all swept away. He even felt like bursting into song.

This is how it’s supposed to be when venturing beyond the border! If I have the chance in the future, I should lead a team to ride across the Grasslands, charging through enemy lines and leaving them in disarray. That sounds like it would be a lot of fun.

Zhao Changhe’s mind was filled with spirited thoughts.

He woke up at dawn, casually washed up, and leisurely strolled out into the inn’s bar. It was filled with a morning crowd, and it seemed like the bar was not just a place for drinking, but also a good place to get breakfast. Various specialty pastries of the Western Regions were being served.

Breakfast here today was particularly lively, with all the customers discussing the surprising events that occurred outside the market the night before. “Damn, those warriors of the Central Plains are ruthless. I heard that there were only four of them, and they were likely elites from their army. Just the four of them raided a camp of a thousand men, slaughtering them like sheep, and setting the entire place ablaze, turning half the sky red.”

“Aren’t you exaggerating a bit? I heard that they only set fire to the front and back of the camp to rescue some people.”

“Then how come everyone from that caravan disappeared? All of their goods are gone too. I heard that the Bloodthirsty Asura was holding a severed head and yelling something. Those from the caravans nearby heard him.”

“...Maybe.”

“Listen to your nonsense! If the warriors of the Central Plains are all so strong, why bother fighting this war? With a few hundred Yue Honglings and Zhao Changhes from the Central Plains, wouldn’t they be able to flatten an army of ten thousand?”

“...Because the Central Plains doesn’t only have people like Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe, but also people like Qiao Er.”

As soon as these words were said, the heat of the discussion subsided a bit.

Zhao Changhe walked in leisurely, sat directly at the counter, and gestured with his hand. “Lady Three, bring me some of your specialty pastries. I don’t want the ones from Jiangnan, by the way, I’d like to try some of the local ones. The more unique they are, the better.”

Lady Three scrutinized him for a while. “Did you do something big last night?”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t have anything to do with that mess.” Zhao Changhe retorted. “I just went out for a stroll and came back... If I actually raided that caravan, why would I come back to buy pastries from you?”

Lady Three handed him a plate of pastries, still looking somewhat puzzled.

She knew that Zhao Changhe had come back in the middle of the night, but he had really not brought back anything. He definitely did not seem like someone who had just gotten back from a nice round of looting.

Did he really not go there? But how could there be such a coincidence? As soon as I told him that Qiao Er might have slaves with him, the slaves were rescued. Could it really just be a coincidence?

Zhao Changhe enjoyed the pastries as he spoke, “Was it really just four people who did all that?”

“Mm-hm, there should really have only been four people.”

“That Bloodthirsty Asura Zhao Changhe sure is awesome!”

“Yeah, four people against a thousand, that’s at least 250 for each of them. The ranking that the Tome of Troubled Times gave him makes a lot more sense now.”

Zhao Changhe almost choked on a pastry in his throat. “Lady Three, do you have a problem with him?”

Lady Three casually replied, “Of course I’ve got a problem with him. Yue Hongling, Situ Xiao, and Han Wubing have all come to my establishment, but Zhao Changhe has not. Does he not see me, Third Lady Yuan, as someone from the Central Plains?”

Zhao Changhe silently passed a piece of silver.

Lady Three raised an eyebrow. “What’s this for?”

“I’d like some supplies and water. I’m heading out.”

“Are you going on a long journey?” Lady Three looked at him meaningfully. “You’ve come all this way to Huangsha Market, and there are still so many interesting places you haven’t visited, yet you already want to leave?”

Zhao Changhe said, “Like the beast ring? Honestly, I’m not that interested in it. I would just find myself frustrated if I were to see injustices from afar and not be able to do anything about it.”

Lady Three said, “You’re really a strange one. Others come to this market hoping to find treasures that aren’t available elsewhere or take in sights they can’t find anywhere else. On the other hand, there’s you... What did you even come here for?”

Zhao Changhe was left speechless.

Lady Three sighed. “I bet that even if Zhao Changhe were here, he would have to defer his rank to you. You seem like a true hidden dragon.”

1. This might be a reference to the Rocky Mountain (乱石山) in Journey to the West. ☜