Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 424: Under the Bird's Gaze

Zhao Changhe was speaking the truth. Ever since the ancient Black Tortoise’s Atlas of Mountains and Rivers mentioned that the Heavenly Blood Jade he needed for his physique was in the Ancient Spirit Tribe, Zhao Changhe knew that he would have to make a trip there sooner or later.

Now, it seemed that all the clues pointed in that direction—whether it was the third page of the Heavenly Tome, the Solaris Nimbus Leaves, or the exploration of the bridge between the current and previous eras.

He had encountered many secret realms before, but they were all small-scale. A place where a large tribe lived was clearly a different scenario, essentially its own world. If he wanted to trace the previous era, visiting such a place was inevitable.

Because of this, Zhao Changhe had been hesitant—not because of Sisi, but because he knew that this journey would take a long time, much longer than his trip to places like Kunlun.

In gaming terms, this would be considered a large-scale raid or dungeon, requiring a team to raid for a month. If a wife had a baby and needed nursing, the whole raid group would fall apart. It was fundamentally different from the solo dungeons he had tackled before. Now, who had the patience to raid large dungeons? The thought of it made him reluctant to go.

With the world in such turmoil, was it even wise to leave for so long?

Moreover, it was truly dangerous. His previous strength would have been far from sufficient to dare venture into such a secret realm, and even now... he might still not be strong enough. Even Tang Wanzhuang believed that such a mission would require someone at the level of the Marquis of Wuping, Qin Dingjiang. Nobody knew the exact situation inside the secret realm; it was all guesswork. They would not know what was actually in there without seeing it firsthand.

Either way, now seemed like the time for him to go.

Tang Wanzhuang’s gaze grew distant. To her, it was clear that Zhao Changhe was going there solely to find a Solaris Nimbus Leaf that could save her life. Everything else seemed like an excuse or side objective to her.

Nestled in Zhao Changhe’s arms, Tang Wanzhuang remained silent for a long time before quietly saying, “It would be better to let the Marquis of Wuping go. You should return to the capital with me to help manage things...”

Zhao Changhe looked at her with exasperation. “Is the Marquis of Wuping supposed to acquire the Blood Asura Body for me?”

Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips and avoided his gaze, clearly thinking that he was just making excuses.

“Come on, I’m not like a certain pampered noble. I really need to go,” Zhao Changhe said, scratching her chin like she was a cat. “Besides, I’m not going right away. My injuries haven’t even healed yet; I still need time to recover. If you’re so worried, why don’t you help me prepare for the trip?”

Tang Wanzhuang squirmed from the ticklish sensation. Then, she angrily grabbed his hand. “I don’t need you to tell me what to do... You’re always so handsy now! Do I need to throw you into a pond?”

“Do you know what I’d worry about most if I left?”

She had not thought about it before, but as soon as he asked, she naturally realized what he was referring to.

What he would worry about most was her illness. If he were gone for too long, something might go wrong, and no one would be able to treat her.

Back in Xiangyang, they had only suppressed the aftereffects of her briefly unlocking the third layer of the Profound Mysteries. The underlying illness remained unchanged, with no real improvement. They did not continue treatment afterward either. There was no medicine, and his Rejuvenation Art was still not at a high enough level. He had not deliberately prolonged the treatment just to steal a kiss.

Based on her previous assessment, she probably only had two or three years left to live. Another year had already passed, so unless something unexpected happened, she had about a year left...

And if something went wrong during this time—like if she engaged in an intense battle or got injured—her remaining time could be shortened drastically. The possibility of dying suddenly at any moment was always there.

He was worried.

“I, I have medicine now...” Tang Wanzhuang lowered her head, speaking softly. “With the Transformative Lotus and the Bodhi Fruit, I’ve already prepared a remedy for myself. It should help repair my damaged meridians, and I won’t cough as much anymore... A-and... This medicine can also help you recover from your injuries...”

“But there’s only enough for one dose, right? That’s why you’ve been holding off on taking it, isn’t it?”

“Mm-hm...” Tang Wanzhuang’s heart grew increasingly uneasy as she spoke, knowing where this was heading.

In fact, when she was preparing the medicine, she had already realized what needed to be done, which was she had not taken it herself yet. She had just been avoiding thinking about it.

Dual cultivation would allow the two of them to share the medicinal energy, making the most efficient use of the items.

But for such dual cultivation, those teasing little kisses they had exchanged would no longer be enough. The medicinal energy needed to permeate every part of their bodies and meridians. Kissing alone could no longer accomplish what they needed.

Obviously, something more substantial would be required.

But is this really the right reason to take that step? Tang Wanzhuang’s feelings were complicated. To say she was unwilling was not entirely true, but to say she was ready felt hasty.

This isn’t how it should be.

This was why she did not want to bring it up herself. But now that Zhao Changhe had mentioned it, she knew that she had to face it.

He definitely wants it, right? Knowing him, he’s probably already thinking of telling me to go wash up and wait.

Of course, Zhao Changhe’s injuries did not absolutely require this medicine to heal, but given the atmosphere, who would want to pass up such a perfect excuse? It could heal his wounds and fulfill a long-held desire—two birds with one stone.

Zhao Changhe said, “Let me see the medicine. I’m your primary doctor, after all. Don’t go taking things without my approval.”

Tang Wanzhuang pouted. Fine, keep pretending.

Still, she obediently took out the medicine. The two herbs had already been made into pills, each about the size of a fingertip, as clear and lustrous as pearls or jade.

A vast Buddhist life force emanated from the pills. Just the smell they gave off made one feel a sense of rejuvenation and comfort. They were clearly powerful treasures for healing. Zhao Changhe smiled and gently pushed one of the pills into Tang Wanzhuang’s lips. She held the pill in her mouth, staring straight at him.

Sure enough, Zhao Changhe leaned in to kiss her the next moment.

Tang Wanzhuang sighed inwardly and closed her eyes.

I knew it... There’s no escaping this, is there?

But it all feels too rushed. Should the first time really be like this?

Just as she thought this, she felt Zhao Changhe’s tongue push the pill deeper into her mouth. Meanwhile, his hands moved as if to untie her waistband.

She instinctively tried to push him away, not wanting to continue.

But in the next moment, she felt a numbness in her chest—he had already sealed her acupoints.

Her eyes widened in shock. You’re afraid I’d resist, so you did this?

Zhao Changhe leaned close to her ear and whispered, “You... You were holding onto the medicine because you wanted to give it to me, didn’t you? You’ve never cared about your own life... Were you planning to slip the medicine into me during the kiss? Nice try.”

Tang Wanzhuang: “?”

His lips sealed hers once again, forcefully prying open her teeth and pushing the pill deep into her throat.

With a soft gulp, the pill went down completely.

Zhao Changhe smirked triumphantly, “Now you can’t spit it out, can you?”

He pressed his fingers on the center of her chest, activating the Rejuvenation Art. In an instant, the pill dissolved, its healing energy flowing into her damaged meridians.

Tang Wanzhuang could only stare at him in a daze. The stiffness from the acupoint strike began to fade, and she allowed his hand to trace along her lung meridian before finally resting on her chest.

Wait, what?

Zhao Changhe’s expression grew peculiar. So soft...

Tang Wanzhuang’s cheeks flushed with a deep red, and she turned her head slightly.

Wait, she can still move her head? Were her acupoints unsealed?

If her acupoints are unsealed, why isn’t she struggling, and why is she just turning her head?

Without saying a word, Zhao Changhe slid his hand under her clothes. “I need direct contact to channel my energy directly to your lungs, or you might suffer Qi deviation... Uh... Everyone knows that...”

Tang Wanzhuang felt a mix of anger and amusement, but whatever she wanted to say was caught in her throat, unable to come out.

Considering how much he cared about her well-being, these minor, playful actions seemed trivial in comparison. She decided to let him have his way this time...

As her clothes loosened, her snow-white shoulders were exposed beneath the moonlight, skin as smooth as jade.

Soft breaths filled the air under the moon, and even the moon seemed to retreat shyly behind the clouds—whether from embarrassment or a sense of inferiority, who knew?

In the distance, as the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, a bird mask and a tortoise mask peeked out over a courtyard wall.

The bird mask, belonging to a bird fiery by nature, appeared even more ablaze at that moment. It was as if it could set the sky ablaze and turn the morning light into a sea of red.

Meanwhile, the eyes beneath the tortoise mask blinked with amusement.

“Listen to those sultry sounds...” Vermillion Bird’s voice sounded as if it was squeezed through clenched teeth. “That cold, noble facade—who was she putting that on for all this time?”

Lady Three could not help but think, You’re one to talk, with your proud and fierce attitude. Maybe don’t be so quick to judge others next time...

Their presence and conversation had not gone unnoticed, and with them speaking, there was no way that Tang Wanzhuang would not realize they were there. Embarrassed, she tried to push Zhao Changhe away, but found her limbs weak and unable to muster the strength.

Frustrated, she hissed, “Still touching me? What happened to your martial vigilance? Someone’s here!”

Zhao Changhe was startled, but before he could react, a fragrant breeze swept by, and Vermillion Bird’s voice chimed in, “Go on, continue. Weren’t you going to do it in front of me? I’m thoroughly enjoying the show.”

Tang Wanzhuang was utterly mortified, but she refused to let her old rival see her back down. Her eyes flickered with defiance, and instead of covering up, she wrapped her jade-like arms around Zhao Changhe’s neck and, in a sultry tone, whispered, “We’re enjoying ourselves. What does it have to do with you? You forbid your saintess from being with him, and now you want to forbid me too? You’re overstepping your authority.”

Vermillion Bird was fuming, nearly exploding with rage.

For the first time in her life, Tang Wanzhuang took the initiative and pressed her lips to Zhao Changhe’s, kissing him loudly.

Take that. With your mask on, you can only stare. Hope you’re enjoying the show.

Venerable Vermillion Bird was anything but happy, while Venerable Black Tortoise almost rolled on the ground in glee.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe, the man at the center of it all, could not bear it any longer and awkwardly pulled away slightly. “Come on now... Isn’t doing this quite awkward with the two venerables watching? And speaking of that... Why exactly are you two here?”

“No particular reason.” Vermillion Bird crossed her arms. “I just wanted to see you go all the way. You’ve only gotten halfway. Come on, get on with it.”

Tang Wanzhuang used the moment to rise lazily, adjusting her clothes with deliberate elegance before settling back down to make tea as if nothing had happened at all. “If you’re so eager to watch, perhaps you should go see your own subordinate, the Fire Serpent of Yi. I won’t be providing any further entertainment. If you’ve finished watching, and there’s nothing else, then kindly take your leave.”

Vermillion Bird was at a loss for words, unsure how to feel.

This experience of being taunted right to her face without being able to retaliate was maddening. The mighty Vermillion Bird, at this moment, felt utterly useless.

Yet, at the same time, there was something different about Tang Wanzhuang. The normally restrained elegance she had was now replaced by an uninhibited display of femininity that seemed to bloom from deep within her. It was as if the quiet orchid that had hidden in the valley for years had suddenly transformed into a radiant peony, blossoming in full.