Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 336: The Moon of the Mortal Realm

With Ye Wuzong being willing to help him by passing a message to Daoist Yuxu, there was nothing else for Zhao Changhe to do but wait for Daoist Yuxu’s response.

The young couple took their leave, taking the gourd and the jade token with them as they left.

Looking back at the Yukun Gang’s headquarters, Zhao Changhe said softly, “A true person of the Dao. Regardless of what one’s Dao is, someone who reaches such a level always possesses a bearing different from ordinary people.”

Xia Chichi nodded. Ye Wuzong was a true thief who had transcended petty interests. His retreat to Kunlun was not just out of fear of Xia Longyuan. In fact, it implied something deeper—he was waiting for the perfect moment to carry out a decisive theft from Xia Longyuan.

Such an ideal was probably something that ordinary people would find amusing, but in Ye Wuzong’s mind, it may have already become something sacred.

Although what he did was stealing, it was actually a man’s pursuit of his own Dao.

Zhao Changhe did not know if Ye Wuzong had sensed the golden foil. Perhaps due to it being sealed, it did not emit any aura, or maybe Ye Wuzong had indeed sensed it, but might just not be interested in the treasure itself. To him, the key probably lay in who possessed the treasure.

He suddenly thought that Ye Wuzong might have already broken through to the third layer of the Profound Mysteries. Such a mindset and demeanor did not seem like it belonged to someone on the Ranking of Earth; it was at least an entire level higher compared to someone like He Lei. Even Wang Daoning, who was ranked tenth on the Ranking of Heaven, did not seem as lofty in comparison.

If it was not for Cui Wenjing being his father-in-law, he would not hesitate to criticize him as well. As it currently stood, Cui Wenjing’s martial spirit left much to be desired from Zhao Changhe’s perspective.

The Tome of Troubled Times only ranked people based on their achievements, so the rankings were always supposed to be taken with a grain of salt... Perhaps both Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise had already broken through, and the world was simply unaware.

If Vermillion Bird has truly broken through, things will be getting even more complicated in the future... Would she acknowledge or accept my relationship with Huangfu Qing?

Just as he was thinking this, Huangfu Qing appeared before him, adopting a subservient demeanor to report to Xia Chichi, “There are no unusual activities in the vicinity.”

Xia Chichi said, “We misjudged the thief saint. His character is much different than we originally thought... Hmm, the sun is setting. Let’s go back and rest. We’ll see what Daoist Yuxu says.”

“It’s always good to be cautious,” Huangfu Qing instinctively lectured them. “Saintess, your previous thoughts were correct. Being in Kunlun, we must never let our guard down.”

Xia Chichi gave her a strange look. Are you lecturing me now...? Do you think this is the palace, and I’m one of your maidservants?

Realizing her mistake, Huangfu Qing cleared her throat and said, “I just meant that we should not judge Daoist Yuxu by Ye Wuzong’s behavior... Actually, our holy cult has no dealings with the Yuxu Temple, so I would suggest not meeting with him.”

Xia Chichi replied, “I don’t necessarily need to meet him... We’ll see what his response is tomorrow.”

Thinking that Huangfu Qing was looking for an excuse to leave, Xia Chichi added, “The thief saint has agreed to let us copy the Classic of Materia Toxica. Since the Earth Deer of Liu isn’t here, can you copy it for the cult? It isn’t that thick, so you can probably finish it tonight.”

Zhao Changhe raised his hand, “Hey, wait...”

Xia Chichi, expressionless, said, “It’s just copying a scripture, why are you so protective of her? Can’t I assign my own subordinate to do some work?”

Zhao Changhe’s eye twitched.

Huangfu Qing’s fingers made a cracking sound as she clenched them. You’re really enjoying ordering me around, aren’t you?

She didn’t really think Xia Chichi was keeping her at work just for the sake of it. Rather, she felt that Xia Chichi was just employing a deliberate ploy to send her away so she could have fun with her man.

This made her even angrier.

But no matter how angry she was, there was nothing she could do. Playing the role of the Fire Serpent of Yi, she could not openly defy the saintess and refuse the task. If she did, not only would Xia Chichi become suspicious of her, but even Zhao Changhe might start doubting her identity, especially seeing how concerned he was about stopping her from even doing the task.

So, she had to keep up the act.

Huangfu Qing lowered her head, making herself look pitiful, as if she was being bullied, and softly said, “Changhe, there’s no need to say anything more... As a subordinate, this is my duty. The saintess is also doing this for the cult...”

Xia Chichi got goosebumps and quickly pulled Zhao Changhe away, feeling that the cunning of the bitch from the imperial palace was unbearable.

As long as she stays here for a bit longer, then all is good.

Zhao Changhe felt a bit helpless. “You’re deliberately making her work, aren’t you? Why go to such lengths...”

“You’ll understand in time. Besides, isn’t doing some work to be expected for her?” replied Xia Chichi. She then directly changed the subject and urged, “Enough about her. Quickly, switch out your gourd and let me see if it looks good?”

Zhao Changhe replaced his old wine gourd, and the two of them exchanged a smile.

Xia Chichi’s brow relaxed again. Amidst the wind, snow, and rain of the jianghu, he had been injured countless times, yet the gourd remained intact. This was no longer something that could be attributed to luck. It showed that he consciously protected the gourd, preferring to get hurt himself rather than let the gourd be damaged. This sentiment made everything worth it to Xia Chichi.

The new gourd, an ancient treasure used for storing medicinal elixirs, was durable and could even serve as protective gear. The act of replacing the old gourd with the new one seemed to symbolize their journey going from the uncertainty in their early days to the strength and stability they now had.

“It looks great,” said Xia Chichi, touching the new gourd at his waist and feeling its cool metallic texture. She hugged his neck with joy and whispered, “Take me back... Yes, I did intentionally send her away, but so what? I just want to be close to my man without a snake-like mistress nearby.”

Meanwhile, Huangfu Qing entered the estate of the Yukun Gang with a stern expression under her serpent mask. Ye Wuzong had not left. He was quietly sitting there, drinking tea, as if waiting for her.

On Fiery Kun Ridge, the flames that could burn bones to ashes were not something that the Fire Serpent of Yi could ever control. The old man did not need to think much to know who she really was. Although the young couple thought that he was magnanimous, his patience was not infinite. It was Vermillion Bird’s presence that made him consider many things.

The Fire Serpent of Yi sat down opposite him and said calmly, “The saintess sent me to copy the Classic of Materia Toxica.”

Ye Wuzong turned his head and looked at her. He really could not understand it, but at the same time, he felt very happy. Nevertheless, it took him a lot of effort not to laugh out loud.

Venerable Vermillion Bird, you don’t have to act so hard. Those who can guess your true identity would not be willing to expose you, and it isn’t a question of whether we’re afraid of offending you...

The Heavenly Dao is dead, and there is no justice in this world. Might makes right in this brutal world of martial arts. In these bloody troubled times, filled with the foul stench of selfish desires, who does not long to see a smile in this world that feels like a prison, a smile akin to a flower blooming on the edge of a cliff amidst the wind and snow of Kunlun?

Strong men seek the path of gods and demons, and in the process, they slowly abandon their own humanity.

The fierce flames that burned Kun Ridge are still alight, the blood in her hands still fresh—the aloof Vermillion Bird, exalted and divine, is not human. But when the flames turn into the passionate fire of love, and bloody hands are washed clean to prepare a meal, the Vermillion Bird, whose demonic flames once scorched the sky, gradually takes on a hint of humanity.

Ye Wuzong looked at her quietly copying the scripture. She had clearly embarked on the path of gods and demons, yet she had now fallen back to the mortal realm.

This is good, better than Xia Longyuan, and even better than Yuxu... That old Daoist is too pretentious. He thinks he is above the world, yet he simply strays away from being human.

*

Huangfu Qing’s heart was far from the serene blooming flower that Ye Wuzong imagined. All she wanted at the moment was to finish copying the scripture and quickly head back.

The longer she played the role of the Fire Serpent of Yi, the harder it became to maintain, mainly because it was damaging her reputation as Vermillion Bird.

Even though everything that the Four Idols Cult wanted to be done in Kunlun was already accomplished, Xia Chichi insisted on staying here, and Huangfu Qing could not understand why. She could only assume that the little bitch wanted to cling to her man and did not want to go back yet.

She herself did not have such a desire to cling to a man. She had wanted to leave a long time ago. If it was not for the fact that Vermillion Bird had already left and it would be strange for her to reappear, she would have switched back to that identity long ago and dragged the little bitch away by her ear.

She had also thought about leaving and letting the little bitch stay here and play, but Xia Chichi just refused to let her go, using various reasons to keep her around... Is she keeping me here to spite me for kissing her man in front of her? Such childish behavior.

But her childish behavior has indeed resulted in some benefits to the cult. Her proposal of cooperation with the Thieves Guild was commendable, and even copying this scripture is beneficial to the cult. From Vermillion Bird’s standpoint, her actions are gratifying. I’ll just properly finish this first before considering leaving.

Huangfu Qing held back her temper and finally finished copying the Classic of Materia Toxica. When she left the Yukun Gang, it was already dark.

In a foul mood, Huangfu Qing returned to Earth Deer of Liu’s store. The main room was brightly lit. Preparing herself for an unpleasant sight, she peeked in and saw that Zhao Changhe was not there. Only Xia Chichi was inside, writing a report alone. Huangfu Qing knew this report would eventually end up on her desk in the future.

Hm? This little fox is actually serious about her work.

Huangfu Qing composed herself and knocked on the door. “Saintess, I’ve finished copying the Classic of Materia Toxica.”

“Oh, just leave it there,” Xia Chichi said without raising her head. “You’ve worked hard today. Go take a bath and rest. I’ve already instructed the staff to prepare your room.”

Huangfu Qing said helplessly, “I really should head back, saintess.”

Xia Chichi sighed. “Stay with me here one more day. We’ll head back together tomorrow, sister serpent. Although we argue, we both know how it feels to like a man and want to spend more time with him. This rare opportunity may not come again soon, and who knows when we’ll be able to see him again once we’re back at the cult.”

Huangfu Qing was silent for a moment, then asked, “Where is he?”

“He’s in his room. He seems to be thinking about martial arts,” said Xia Chichi. She raised her head warily and added, “Don’t think you can sneak over and steal him away while I’m writing my report!”

Who wants to steal from you? You can keep him to yourself!

Huangfu Qing turned away angrily. “Fine, I’m going to rest.”

Watching Huangfu Qing leave, Xia Chichi discreetly adjusted her clothes, but she was still unable to hide the lingering passion in her eyes. The “battle” she had just now was intense. She hoped that Huangfu Qing had not noticed... Fortunately, she seemed preoccupied, so probably didn’t notice...

A servant led Huangfu Qing to the guest room, where hot water had already been prepared. Fresh flowers floated in the tub, releasing a pleasant fragrance, and the steaming hot water created an inviting atmosphere.

Huangfu Qing could not resist the temptation. She had only changed clothes earlier and had not gotten to take a proper bath. Now with the perfect conditions, how could she resist a good bath?

She gently closed the door, walked to the bathtub, and undid her fur coat, letting it drop to the ground.

She moved gracefully toward the tub, her white skin shining like moonlight breaking through the clouds, emanating a sacred and gentle glow. She looked ethereal, as if she were straight out of a beautiful dream.