Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 332: Why Aren't You Paying Your Respects to the Saintess?

Zhao Changhe’s gaze also fell on her hand.

Her hand was so gentle and soft...

Huangfu Qing felt his gaze and glared back expressionlessly.

Zhao Changhe adopted a defensive stance and took half a step back.

Huangfu Qing said seductively, “What, do you want more?”

Zhao Changhe swallowed and replied righteously, “Is that all you think I care about?”

“Is it not?”

“...Even if it was, I’d rather us enjoy ourselves in a much more pleasant place.”

Huangfu Qing swung at him, and Zhao Changhe covered his head.

In the end, she did not actually punch him. They looked into each other’s eyes, and in the flicker of their eyes, they both saw that it was time to leave.

While there might be numerous secret realms across Kunlun, most of them were small fragments. It was the presence of numerous treasures, each of which was able to sustain such fragments, that led to this circumstance. However, this also meant that there was not much room for exploration within these dimensional fragments.

There were no living necessities available in the secret realm they were in, so how much longer could they really stay? With them having accomplished what they had come here for, obtaining treasures and making breakthroughs, it was time to leave.

Huangfu Qing suddenly felt a bit reluctant, feeling that the time they had spent here was too short.

Hidden in this small space, they could forget about many things from the outside world, even if it was only for some time. It was as if there were only the two of them between heaven and earth. They could be tender and loving, support each other, and she could nestle in his arms, feeling his care and affection.

She could express emotions that she could not outside. She could kiss him whenever she wanted, and hold onto him tightly. There was no one around to see, so she could do whatever she pleased.

But would this still be possible after they went out?

She could only act like this as the Fire Serpent of Yi occasionally. Most of the time, she would have to spend her time as Vermillion Bird, with all her thoughts hidden behind a mask, presenting herself as a cold and powerful figure to the world.

That damn turtle. She doesn’t help with anything! Does she know how many things I have to take care of? Does she know how tired I am?!

Well, maybe she did help with one thing: telling him that I liked him. But does that even count as help? I didn’t even like him back then! It was his later actions that touched my heart...

But without him thinking I liked him, would he have ever carried out those actions? I honestly don’t know...

But developing these feelings might not be a good thing. What about Xia Chichi... and Tang Wanzhuang? Am I really going to fight them over a man of all things? This is ridiculous.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Damn turtle, you just wait!

Zhao Changhe asked, “Are you going back to the capital after this?”

Huangfu Qing, still feeling annoyed, replied sulkily, “Why should I go back to the capital? Are you tired of me already?”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I’d love it if you could stay a few more days.”

Little did he know that Huangfu Qing regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. Why would I stay here? Chichi is still around! Am I, as the Fire Serpent of Yi, supposed to report my findings to her?

Had Xia Chichi ever seen Vermillion Bird’s true face? Huangfu Qing thought about this for a moment and realized that she had always met Chichi while wearing the Vermillion Bird mask. That’s good...

Wait, even if Xia Chichi might not be an expert in fire, she’s fairly knowledgeable. What if she realized that the heart flame isn’t something that could have been subdued by the Fire Serpent of Yi?

No, I must leave no matter what. If I get exposed, that would be truly humiliating. I should cut ties with him and find an excuse to make the Fire Serpent of Yi disappear. I can’t keep up this game forever.

While she was lost in thought, the spatial barrier above them suddenly shook.

Both of them looked up in alarm, and Xia Chichi’s voice came through, “I finally found the way in. The volcano crater was really misleading. I thought the secret realm had to be somewhere down the volcano, so I went up and down the volcano looking for the entrance. But it turns out the entrance really was just at the volcano crater, hidden in plain sight.”

“Hey! Zhao Changhe! Are you dead? How do I break this barrier? Do you need help? Say something!”

Zhao Changhe responded, “We’re here. The barrier was already broken before, we just patched it up. Don’t worry, we’ll be coming out soon.”

Huangfu Qing gritted her teeth in frustration.

You really aren’t afraid of bringing your new girl to meet Chichi, huh? What is it? Do you feel like you’ve got a lot of experience in situations like this after Cui Yuanyang?

Wait, why am I the new girl? You two aren’t even officially together!

Well, at this point, hiding is useless. We’re going to have to go out regardless. What’s there to be afraid of?

With a crash, the spatial barrier shattered, and the two leaped out from within the volcano.

Xia Chichi stood at the edge of the volcano crater, her arms crossed, sizing up the enchanting woman who came out with Zhao Changhe from head to toe.

So, you’re the one who shamelessly stayed with my boyfriend in the volcano for three days, huh?

Well, she’s indeed beautiful. It’s really strange, how the hell does he have so much luck with women? Every woman he gets together with is an absolute beauty. And her aura...

Oh, you dare glare at me?

Xia Chichi’s curiosity was instantly ignited by the other party’s glare, and she jumped up in anger. “Zhao Changhe! You were supposed to find the secret realm at Fiery Kun Ridge, so how did you end up entangled with a woman? Who is she?!”

“Uh...” Zhao Changhe hurriedly explained, “This is the Fire Serpent of Yi from your cult. She came here on the orders of Vermillion Bird to investigate Fiery Kun Ridge, and we just happened to meet...”

Xia Chichi paused for a moment, recalling that Vermillion Bird had indeed mentioned sending the Fire Serpent of Yi here. She also remembered that this Fire Serpent of Yi had some history with Zhao Changhe, seemingly under Vermillion Bird’s instructions. So, this isn’t some random woman appearing out of nowhere. She’s got a clear history. No wonder she has such beauty and grace. She’s the imperial noble consort, after all.

Wait, the imperial noble consort... Did Zhao Changhe just forget about his own identity?

Xia Chichi’s expression turned even stranger.

Wait a minute, why is she glaring at me? Who’s the real mistress here?

Xia Chichi crossed her arms and said coldly, “Oh, so it’s one of our cult’s Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Fire Serpent of Yi... Why are you so rude then? Did Vermillion Bird teach you to glare at the saintess like that? Why aren’t you paying your respects?”

Zhao Changhe quickly tugged at her sleeve. “Chichi...”

“Stand aside, this is an internal matter of the cult!”

Zhao Changhe clamped his mouth shut.

Huangfu Qing held back her expression for a long time before saying, “I only answer to Venerable Vermillion Bird. The branches of Azure Dragon and White Tiger are none of my concern.”

Xia Chichi replied, “Did I ask you to report to me or something? I was just referring to your etiquette! What kind of attitude is this? Do you want me to go to the venerable about this?”

Huangfu Qing’s mouth twitched, and she finally lowered her glaring eyes and whispered, “Greetings, Saintess.”

You little wench, I’ll remember this. Next time you meet with me as the venerable, I’ll make sure you perform the grandest of courtesies. Hmph!

Xia Chichi had yet to realize the trouble awaiting her. Seeing the Fire Serpent of Yi’s obedient demeanor now made her feel as if she had just sipped a mouthful of ice-cold plum juice at the edge of the volcano, and her whole body relaxed. She broke out into a smile, and she spoke with an air of authority, “So, what were your findings at the Fiery Kun Ridge?”

Huangfu Qing ground her teeth but could only respond humbly, “This is not the place to discuss it. It would be much better to return before discussing it in detail”

“Fine.” Xia Chichi declared her victory, turning around with her head held high. She then shot another glare at Zhao Changhe. “I’ll deal with you later!”

“But...” Zhao Changhe stammered. “Hey, why are you only focused on bullying people? What about Ye Wuzong and the three-day deal...”

“Three-day deal?! It’s already the fourth day! Were you so busy with your woman in there that you lost track of time?” raged Xia Chichi.

“What?” Zhao Changhe was stunned. I only slept for a while and then meditated for a bit, and it’s already the fourth day? Meditation truly is unscientific...

Wait, so, according to the agreement, the sword pellet is ours now?

Thinking of this, Zhao Changhe hurriedly pulled out the sword pellet and handed it to Xia Chichi, saying, “Well then, this is for you... We should head back now. If Ye Wuzong changes his mind, it won’t do us any good staying here.”

Xia Chichi took the sword pellet, shot him a side-eye, and noticed that his clothes were covered in dried blood. The same was true for the Fire Serpent of Yi, whose luxurious fur coat seemed to have been used to wipe a butchered pig.

She did not know what had happened, but it was evident that they had been through a fierce battle.

In the end, he had faced so many dangers in Kunlun for this sword pellet.

Him meeting the Fire Serpent of Yi was just a coincidence, it was not something that was prearranged... Maybe nothing happened between them?

Even though she knew she was basically lying to herself, Xia Chichi’s anger dissipated a lot and she said in a muffled voice, “Ye Wuzong was never really interested in the sword pellet itself, so it shouldn’t be a big problem... Anyway, we can talk more later.”