Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 235: Naughty Little Serpent

Outside the Autumn Rain Pavilion, misty rain blanketed the world.

The Xingyi Gang was engaged in a fierce battle with the Pinghu Association. After Sha Seven’s people joined the fray, the Pinghu Association suffered a crushing defeat and fled in all directions.

Wei Zicai did not stay long.

It was unclear whether or not he thought of killing Zhao Changhe to silence him, but it seemed that when he saw Han Wubing, who was fiercely glaring at him from Zhao Changhe’s side, and the mysterious Fire Serpent of Yi, he ultimately did not dare to act rashly. He merely said softly, “When I return, I will plead guilty to the bureau chief and resign.”

Zhao Changhe did not say anything and let him leave.

“Ahem,” Sha Seven cleared his throat and walked over. “Well, Wei Zicai’s departure does not affect the deal we agreed on, right?”

“Yes,” Zhao Changhe replied indifferently without even looking at him. “Actually, there’s nothing else we need to do. If you can’t control Sword Lake City with the situation it is in right now, then you would be disappointing Ying Five, no?”

“This city is simple, but what about the lake? We’re not that interested in the city. Our main purpose for seizing control of the city is for the sake of the lake.”

“If we leave, you’ll be able to find it on your own. With sole control over Sword Lake City, can’t you find a place that can’t move?”

Sha Seven did not say anything in return. He inwardly concluded that it should not be too hard for him to find, and it would be better to not cause trouble at the moment.

He was somewhat wary of Zhao Changhe at the moment. Who knew what trouble he could stir up while he was together with the Fire Serpent of Yi and Han Wubing?

The Demon Suppression Bureau also still backed Zhao Changhe. While Wei Zicai might no longer be a concern, the other members of the Demon Suppression Bureau would still listen to their envoy. Moreover, at this moment, the members of the Xingyi Gang were very grateful to him. Theoretically speaking, Zhao Changhe could very well be considered the strongest force in Sword Lake City at this moment. If he were to turn against Kangle Gambling House, that would spell trouble for them.

If Zhao Changhe wanted to become the city lord for fun, there was a very good possibility of him being able to do so.

It’s quite remarkable to think about how this guy... is a prince...

Sha Seven did not know why he was thinking these things at the moment, and he hurriedly left without saying another word.

Zhao Changhe watched him leave before turning to Han Wubing and asking, “Do you want to continue staying there? If you want, we can fall out with Sha Seven.”

Han Wubing laughed and replied, “Why bother? It’s about time for me to leave this place as well. I’ve basically digested all of the sword intent from that place. It’s of no use to anyone else now. Leaving them with an empty sword chamber is good enough.”

“There is still some sword intent...” Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment before chuckling and saying, “But there’s indeed not much left. I guess we can just let them play with it if they want. They probably think that it’s some earth-shattering secret area, but after all that effort, all they’ll find is just a sword chamber the size of a courtyard. Hah, I wonder if they’ll feel like they’ve eaten a pile of shit.”

Han Wubing shook his head and chuckled.

Zhao Changhe continued, “But I don’t think that they necessarily need it for anything. It feels like some people are just collecting various lost spaces. After all, it is a kind of bridge.”

Han Wubing nodded and said, “Perhaps.”

“Well, it’s none of our concern. We haven’t even touched the Ranking of Man, so we’re still far from being able to decide on such high-level disputes.” Zhao Changhe changed the subject and asked, “What are your plans now?”

Han Wubing asked, “Is there anything you need me to do?”

Zhao Changhe smiled and said, “Oh, I forgot you’re a bounty hunter. How much does it cost to have someone killed?”

Han Wubing said with a serious face, “One hundred million.”

“Want me to throw several billion at your face?”

“?”

“Let’s go to the Grasslands. During this time when war has erupted at Yanmen, there will be plenty of opportunities for us to demonstrate our skills.”

Han Wubing nodded and said, “I had the same idea.”

Zhao Changhe waved his hand dismissively. “Hah, go on then. Do you really think that I want to go to the Grasslands with you? Go on your own.”

Han Wubing looked at the Fire Serpent of Yi next to Zhao Changhe speechlessly. After hesitating for a while, he finally could not hold back and asked, “Was the one with you last time the saintess of the Four Idols Cult?”

“Why?”

“Are you planning to conquer the Four Idols Cult with your manhood?”

Zhao Changhe kicked Han Wubing with no hesitation, sending him flying backward. As he was flung out of the Autumn Rain Pavilion, the latter made a gesture of farewell. He smiled and said, “I won’t say any more words of thanks for this time. I’ll see you at the Grasslands.”

His voice faded into the distance as he left.

“His movement art is quite impressive. If I knew that he had such skills, I wouldn’t have even worried about him being caught.”

Zhao Changhe clicked his tongue twice, walked to the edge of the building, and leaned against the railing to look down.

Outside, the misty rain continued, and the sounds of battle gradually faded away. Only the bloodstains on the ground remained, quietly flowing under the wash of gentle rain.

Vermillion Bird stood beside him with a stern face. She had been quietly watching Zhao Changhe wrap everything up and finally spoke, “You let Wei Zicai go just like that? Are you going to continue cooperating with Sha Seven?”

Zhao Changhe said, “Although they have their own interests in mind, they ultimately did not harm me. As for Wei Zicai’s betrayal... In fact, whether it’s the Four Idols Cult or the Demon Suppression Bureau, it is not uncommon for lower-ranking members to look out for themselves. This is especially the case for those of the Demon Suppression Bureau as the Great Xia appears to be starting to collapse. How many loyalists can there really be? If they’re not collaborating with the barbarians, that’s already good enough... I will write to First Seat Tang and just watch how she handles it.”

Vermillion Bird thought for a while and said calmly, “I don’t think she’ll even bother dealing with it as I doubt it’s worth her efforts at the moment. Regardless, she will probably reward you, right? Perhaps grant you a favor?”

Zhao Changhe turned to glance at her. Her words are sour...

Vermillion Bird suddenly changed the topic, “Anyway, what is this I hear of a conquest of the Four Idols Cult?”

Zhao Changhe coughed dryly, “Han Wubing is crazy. Pay him no mind.”

“Oh, then what about what you said about Venerable Vermillion Bird sending me to have an affair with you?”

“Zhao Changhe is crazy. Pay him no mind.”

“Hm?!” Vermillion Bird gritted her teeth and grabbed his collar. “Now the entire Sword Lake City has heard what you said. Did you do it on purpose?”

Zhao Changhe turned his head to admire the scenery, thinking of even whistling to add to his act.

Seeing how he was acting, Vermillion Bird ground her teeth, but surprisingly, she found no anger within herself. Instead, she felt like laughing.

Well, it doesn’t really matter. It’s the Fire Serpent of Yi’s reputation that’s tarnished, and he was also teasing the Fire Serpent of Yi. Sooner or later, I’ll find an opportunity to have this persona die off and that would be the end.

But I can’t reveal my face.

“Hah...” Vermillion Bird suddenly chuckled, her voice that rang out between ground teeth sounding somewhat charming as she whispered in his ear, “Do you want to see my true face now?”

Zhao Changhe coughed dryly and said, “Just admit that I helped you more. You hardly used your power, right? You only used your power to deal with a traitor to your own organization. Even when He Lei wanted to kill you, it was my arrangements that helped you deal with it.”

Vermillion Bird said charmingly, “Mm-hm~”

Zhao Changhe said carefully, “So...”

“Dream on! If you had not insisted on digging into the rumors for your own sake, I would not have been in any danger to begin with. Once I knew who the traitor was, I could have dealt with it quietly on my own. Why would I have faced the danger of being silenced in front of everyone? And why would He Lei want to attack me out of nowhere? All the danger I faced was caused by you. I was dragged into this mess by you. Yet, you have the nerve to say that you were helping me?! I even suspect that all these people are just actors you hired to play along with your schemes!”

“Huh?” Zhao Changhe touched his chin. “That actually does seem to have some sense to it.”

Vermillion Bird felt triumphant. “Right?!”

“Setting all of that aside, what about just me helping you expose a traitor? Did I not help you more in that regard?”

“Of course not, I did more. Without my intervention, Qin Ruhui would have killed you!”

“You’re being unfair!”

“What’s wrong with me being unfair? I’m a witch from a demonic cult!”

“Playing dumb really works wonders,” Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Alright, alright, we can just drop it since you really don’t want to show me your face. But I don’t want to see that serpent mask, switch it out for the pig mask.”

“Is there any problem with this mask?”

“No.” Zhao Changhe took out his own pig mask and put it on. “But if we both wear the pig mask, then we’ll look like a couple.”

“Who’s a couple with you?” Vermillion Bird said, but she could not help but smile when she saw his pig mask, finding it adorable every time she saw it.

He definitely thinks so too when I wear it myself.

Vermillion Bird’s eyes twinkled as she finally found a corner to switch masks. She turned to Zhao Change and said, “It’s not because we’re a couple. I’m just doing this as compensation for the bet!”

“If we’re to go by the wagers of the bet, I was supposed to get to see your true face. So are you saying that this pig face is your true face?”

“I really think you’re looking for death!” Vermillion Bird pounced on him, and Zhao Changhe ran away.

Two people wearing pig masks, one chasing and one fleeing, disappeared into the misty rain.

In the midst of the chaotic city, in the jianghu devoid of good people, under the depressing weather and the dull colors, all of it seemed to vanish as the coolness of the autumn rain seeped through the gaps in their masks. All their troubles seemed to disappear as it was replaced by the refreshing and soothing feeling brought by the rain. The beauty of the jianghu making an appearance.

They rushed into the inn, and finally, the man wearing a pig mask was caught by the woman wearing a pig mask and pressed against the wall. It looked like she was about to start beating him up.

But then, the man wearing a pig mask suddenly reached out and grabbed the woman’s wrist.

The two stared at each other, and for a moment, the atmosphere was serene.

In broad daylight with misty rain by the lake, the man and woman seemed to be in their own world, enveloped by an atmosphere different from their usual playful banter.

What am I doing? Vermillion Bird suddenly realized. How did I end up flirting with him... I’m not some Fire Serpent of Yi sent by the venerable to have an affair with him. I’m Vermillion Bird... What the hell am I doing...