Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 301: Fire Pig of Shi

Who was she?

She was the renowned Black Tortoise!

Not only was her cultivation among the best in the world, but her understanding of the four idols was only rivaled by Vermillion Bird’s. Even she could barely deduce the nature of the engraved spell; fully deciphering it would have required her years of painstaking research. Yet, Zhao Changhe actually just touched it a few times and understood it just like that?

His understanding of the Azure Dragon even surpassed hers?!

Seeing her dazed expression, Zhao Changhe did not dare continue taking advantage of her. He cautiously withdrew his hand and waved it in front of her. “Hey...”

“Ah...” Lady Three, still somewhat stunned, unexpectedly blurted out, “So fast?”

Zhao Changhe was confused. “?”

Lady Three suddenly came back to her senses, her eyes darting around before she giggled. “Pretty good, ten seconds is quite impressive.”

Zhao Changhe was even more confused now.

Lady Three nudged him, “Hey, how did it feel?”

Zhao Changhe replied in annoyance, “What do you want me to say?”

It was nice to touch, do you want me to say that?

Lady Three also realized that her words were a bit ambiguous and cleared her throat, “I mean, how did you do it? Didn’t your head ache? How’s the consumption?”

“Yeah, comprehending this power gave me a splitting headache, it felt like having a spike driven into my soul. I nearly couldn’t bear it. As for the consumption, it isn’t too bad, probably because your wound was so minor.”

Lady Three looked down at her arm. The wound had indeed just been a superficial cut, and there had barely even been any bleeding. The wound would have healed on its own in a few days. But after his treatment, it was smooth and unscarred. There was not a trace of the wound having even existed.

Even if it was just a paper cut, a technique that could heal it like this could be considered a divine technique. This technique alone could convince a crowd to kneel in awe and in a much easier and effective manner than Maitreya’s tricks.

Lady Three hesitated.

This was the Azure Dragon’s forbidden technique, one of the Four Idol Cult’s core pursuits. She wondered if he would be willing to share it with them.

But then she heard Zhao Changhe say, “Let’s go to the stronghold. I’ll write down my insights for you... though I’m not sure how useful they’ll be. It’s simply too mysterious and difficult to put into words. Regardless, I’ll do my best.”

After saying that, he headed back toward the passage and said, “If you want to take this coffin away, I can get the guys in the stronghold to help. There’s still strength in numbers.”

Lady Three stared blankly at his back.

He’s going to give it to us just like that?

This was no longer just about him gifting them something valuable; of greater concern was the naturalness of it all, as if he was merely doing something he was supposed to.

Lady Three looked down, seeing herself still wearing his coat.

This guy really is quite a gentleman. He didn’t take advantage of the situation at all.

All of this left her unable to vent her embarrassment at being seen. All she could do was pretend as if nothing had happened.

And it really did feel like nothing had happened now.

Lady Three pouted and followed him out. “Hey, why are you in such a hurry? Wait for me!”

Fwhoosh!

The two of them emerged from the cave behind the waterfall. They sealed the entrance, and walked out of the pool.

By the pool, a group of bandits were about to strip their clothes to go into the water. Just as their hands were on their belts, they stared wide-eyed at the man and woman emerging from the waterfall.

Zhao Changhe was also stunned. “What are you guys doing here?”

The bandits stammered, “W-we, we’re taking a bath, boss. W-what are you doing here?”

We were just about to take a bath, we aren’t even undressed yet. You suddenly came out wearing just your underwear, and now you’re asking us what we’re doing??

The air was still for a moment, and then all their eyes fell on Lady Three.

Zhao Changhe’s coat wrapped around Lady Three’s graceful figure, hiding all her curves.

The bandits’ gazes gradually turned to ones of understanding, but at the same time, indignation and heartache.

Yep, the boss just isn’t human. It is what it is. He truly is just something else.

*

Lady Three did not stay overnight.

That same day, back at the stronghold, Zhao Changhe wrote a set of abstract formulas that might or might not help others learn the technique. While he did that, Lady Three wrote a letter introducing the bandits of the mountain stronghold to the Blood God Cult.

They exchanged letters without a word, like schoolchildren passing notes to each other in class.

After exchanging letters, Zhao Changhe called over one of the bandits. “Liuzi! Come here!”

The bandit scurried over, sneaking a glance at Lady Three’s stern face before whispering, “What do you need, boss?”

“It’s too cold here in winter. This place isn’t suitable to live in. I’ll be leaving soon, and no one will be here to guide you all on your martial arts. You guys shouldn’t waste your prime years. I’ll be giving you some money. Bring everyone south to Wushan and look for Cult Leader Xue to join the Blood God Cult. Take this letter. As long as you give him this letter, they will take you in and even give you some good positions.”

Liuzi skeptically took the sealed letter. “Boss, since when has your face carried such sway with Cult Leader Xue?”[1]

Zhao Changhe sternly replied, “Are you saying that my face doesn’t carry enough weight now?”

Liuzi did believe that Zhao Changhe, who was now famous throughout the world, did have some face. He also believed that Cult Leader Xue would be happy to accept their group that already had a close relationship with the Blood God Cult. As for the supposed good positions Zhao Changhe said they would be given, Liuzi assumed that his boss was just exaggerating.

Liuzi sheepishly took the letter and asked, “So where are you going in this freezing winter, boss?”

“Anywhere under the sky can be my home.”

“Boss, it’s one thing to fool your brothers, but don’t fool yourself. We brothers know you quite a bit now. You’re getting dumped by your new mistress again...”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Lady Three: “...”

Zhao Changhe, with a darkened expression, said, “Before you go, pick four dark-skinned guys to help you with a task.”

“What do we need to do?”

“Carry a coffin.”

No one understood why carrying a coffin required dark-skinned guys, not even Lady Three. As a confused Liuzi went to pick the men, Lady Three sighed and said, “I finally understand why Vermillion Bird is always thinking about killing you.”

Zhao Changhe rubbed his forehead and said, “If you have something to say, then say nice things. You really shouldn’t take from that fierce woman.”

Lady Three said lazily, “I’m naturally lazy and not that violent. Anyway, don’t use that tone with Vermillion Bird. She spared you before because of your star chart, but now, who knows? If she’s in a bad mood, she might just take your head. Save your jokes for the Fire Serpent of Yi. Don’t mess with Vermillion Bird.”

Zhao Changhe did find Lady Three to be quite tepid. There were several times when he expected her to get angry, but nothing happened. It seemed that it was not that she was not annoyed or angry with him, just that she was too lazy to do anything. She was not exactly placid. It was just that by the time she felt like getting mad, the moment had already passed.

She really is a tortoise.

Although he had seen her erupt in violence during their first meeting at Huangsha Market, that was likely necessary for intimidation and maintaining her persona. Otherwise, given her laziness, it seemed like she would procrastinate on severing the neck of a barbarian commander even when it was placed right in front of her.

Lady Three complemented Vermillion Bird really well. Vermillion Bird managed personnel and warfare, while Lady Three handled the finances, rituals, and other things. She often shirked responsibilities by hiding in Huangsha Market under the pretense of searching for the Black Tortoise Secret Realm. Vermillion Bird probably got a headache every time she wanted to discuss something with her sister.

Zhao Changhe even wondered if Vermillion Bird’s fierce temperament was the result of the behavior of this laid-back sister of hers. It was possible that she had not always been so fierce and brutal.

Lady Three then asked, “Do you know what benefits this final breakthrough of the Azure Dragon Secret Realm will bring to me and Vermillion Bird?”

Zhao Changhe said, “It lets you recover what the Four Idols Cult lost?”

“It’s more than just that,” replied Lady Three. She then explained slowly, “The five elements counteract and complement each other. The four idols aren’t completely separate in nature; they often intertwine. For example, the Dipper Mansion of Black Tortoise, also known as the Six Stars of the Southern Dipper, governs life. This is similar to the Rejuvenation Art you just deciphered, and they can validate each other. Likewise, Vermillion Bird is primarily related to death, but it is reborn through fire, symbolizing life as well. Your discovery benefits both of us. If I can step into the third layer of the Profound Mysteries, you will have played a significant role in it.”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head, not quite sure why Lady Three was explaining this to him.

Lady Three then took out a fire-red pig-faced mask. “This is the mask for the Fire Pig of Shi[2]. Don’t think that everything with the attribute of fire is under Vermillion Bird. This one is under my direct subordinate.”

Zhao Changhe was puzzled.

Lady Three placed the mask in his hands. “You don’t have to join the cult if you don’t want to, but I’m giving you this identity for you to use whenever and wherever you wish. You don’t need to take orders from anyone and you will have certain conveniences. If you get in trouble and you’re in a situation where it’s useless to disguise yourself, use this identity and the Four Idols Cult will back you up.”

She winked. “If you want to pursue the Fire Serpent of Yi, this identity will make it easier to approach her, right?”

With that, she regained her playful demeanor. She placed her hands behind her back and sauntered away. “I heard that you two wore pig masks in Sword Lake City, so this can be considered fate, hehe.”

1. Just a note that this does not literally refer to Zhao Changhe’s face but rather his reputation and influence. ☜

2. The mansion of Shi, also known as the Encampment mansion, is one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. It is also one of the northern mansions of the Black Tortoise. ☜