Chaotic World Book
Chapter 195 - 191: First Encounter Then

Chapter 195: Chapter 191: First Encounter Then

Zhao Changhe was dumbstruck and after a long pause he finally managed to blurt out, "So your name is Wang Daozhong too..."

No sooner had he said this than Wang Daozhong, with his mouth half-open, and even the Taoists around turned their heads away, their shoulders quivering as they all tried to suppress their laughter, and some younger Taoists even couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Vermilion Bird hid behind Zhao Changhe, and even the face beneath the mask couldn’t help but twitch with suppressed laughter.

It was as if a wind had passed through the Daoist temple. Wang Daozhong originally had the intention to accuse Zhao using the title of Four Symbols Sect, but the atmosphere had rendered the Earth List’s Qi Field utterly useless, leaving even himself with a mixed feeling of wanting to cry and laugh, "So your name really is Wang Daozhong? Are you also from the Langya Wang family? Which branch? I don’t recall the Wang family having a branch in Zhao Mansion."

"Uh..." Zhao Changhe finally coughed twice, "That... cough, cough. It seems there has been a misunderstanding. Just now, our elder made a significant contribution in the fight against the Hu people. With your reputable name, without even making a move, you managed to scare off the Hu people. I greatly admire that!"

Wang Daozhong’s mouth twitched, his face expressionless.

Speaking of which, He Lei was indeed somewhat intimidated by his reputation, wasn’t he supposed to feel proud?

Those unaware of the situation would also think that Wang Daozhong had rescued his neighbors and repelled the Hu people; during this major battle, many might have looked at him with admiration, boasting about him across the Divine Continent.

But why did it feel so unpleasant? Should he also thank this Zhao Changhe?

The hatred from He Lei had fallen on him, and he wondered whether these rough Hu people would think twice once they got back, but in the short term, they would indeed regard the other Wang Daozhong— and by extension, the Wang family and Great Xia — as major enemies, unwittingly binding the Wang family even closer to Great Xia.

The Wang family was now in a bit of a hot mess.

Wang Daozhong wondered if this impostor had ever considered the repercussions— in any case, this anger was difficult to express publicly, and he didn’t even know if he should express it, as he couldn’t just say he didn’t want to fight the Hu people.

Zhao Changhe had obviously considered it, even being more nefarious, hoping that the Chaotic World Book could lend a hand, miraculously involving Gui Chen and Wang Daozhong surrounding and defeating He Lei, thus creating an indelible blemish on the Langya Wang family, unfortunately, the Chaotic World Book did not cooperate.

Damned book!

Both parties looked at each other, and eventually, Wang Daozhong chose to confront using the Four Symbols Sect, "If I am not mistaken, this mask, this red sacrificial robe, should belong to the Four Symbols Sect’s Winged Fire Snake? What do you mean by protecting her, Young Hero Zhao?"

Zhao Changhe sighed, "Elder, why do you behave like Xuan Chong, such a vulgar, judging by a mask and robe? These items aren’t something that one can’t just make for themselves. Let me be honest, I, Zhao, have no other hobbies; I just like this. Back in Beimang..."

Was he impersonating Yue Hongling then?

This thought conjured up in everyone’s minds, including Wang Daozhong’s.

Quite a peculiar hobby you have, right?

In reality, Wang Daozhong didn’t believe it, pondering whether to unmask this woman to see for himself... but Gui Chen was standing right beside him, watching closely, which made it inconvenient for him to act.

Besides, he also knew Zhao Changhe was just offering him a way out, which he might as well use.

Given the current situation, the Wang family indeed might not be willing to provoke the Four Symbols Sect without good reason, risking a senseless confrontation that might amuse onlookers. A family considering whether it should declare independence would indeed be making a strange move if without starting anything, it suddenly repelled foreign aggressors and eradicated the Demon Sect, acting more loyal to Great Xia than even Tang Wanju...

This situation was absurd...

Wang Daozhong glanced deeply at Zhao Changhe, notably eyeing the Dragon Sparrow on his back, meaningfully saying, "You indeed deserve to wield this sword; you’re even more impressive in person."

Zhao Changhe smiled warmly, "This is just a replica. However, the lady of the family that owns the real sword is currently on her way here. Aren’t you afraid the Taiyi Sect issue might happen to her as well? I suggest we go to meet her. If something goes wrong, it might make life difficult for the Wang family ladies in the future."

Wang Daozhong said nothing, staring at Zhao Changhe for a long time before suddenly vanishing.

Zhao Changhe exhaled deeply.

Standing behind him, Vermilion Bird keenly observed that the back of his garment was slightly damp.

It was unclear whether it was due to the pressure of aiming at He Lei earlier or the tension of confronting a character from the Earth List while shielding her.

Yet he had not moved an inch.

Gui Chen stepped forward, bowing, "The Taiyi Sect is grateful for the young hero and this... heroine’s help. If there’s ever anything we can assist with, just let us know."

Vermilion Bird shifted her gaze away from Zhao Changhe’s back, stepping aside to indicate that the thanks were unnecessary, "I didn’t really help at all; no need for such formalities."

Gui Chen glanced at her mask, smiled slightly, but said no more.

Taiyi Sect was an orthodox sect, and its conflicts with the Four Symbols Sect were not few. Although no blood-feud had arisen between them, Gui Chen understood the Four Symbols Sect better than anyone else.

This sacrificial robe wasn’t of a rank that belonged to the Twenty-Eight Constellations.

"Vermilion Bird Venerable, what are you doing?"

Zhao Changhe said, "No need for courtesy here. After being messed with by the barbarians, I’m very worried about Yangyang. Regardless of whether the Wang Family comes to meet us or not, I need some clarity. Daoist, you have many people here; could you spare some to help me check the Cui Family’s movements?"

"It is only right."

Vermilion Bird suddenly remembered, her heart skipping a beat. At this time, wasn’t it about time to meet Cui Yuanyang on the road? Could she really be planning to kill?

She became anxious and quickly said, "Investigating the Cui Family’s movements now could run cold by the time we find anything. Why don’t you come with me to the city? I’ll ask at my Holy Sect’s stationed point; they most likely know."

Zhao Changhe was delighted, "Then I’ll be in your debt."

The two sped down the mountain. As Zhao Changhe was flying, he thought of something, "You are a subordinate of Vermilion Bird Venerable. She sent you to question me, which means that Vermilion Bird Venerable is in the city now?"

Vermilion Bird said, "So what if she is? Since she asked you questions, she clearly wouldn’t kill you."

"What if my answers greatly dissatisfy her?"

"She just won’t recruit you into the sect, what else? As you said, aside from your involvement with the Holy Daughter, you have not offended our Holy Sect. No matter how others label us the Demon Sect, we don’t just kill people without reason."

"That’s true, but there is a considerable gap in rank, and seeing her always makes me nervous. If she doesn’t play by the rules..."

Vermilion Bird fell silent for a moment, puzzled, "He Lei and Wang Daozhong are both from the Earth List. You dared to strike at He Lei and confront Wang Daozhong. Although Vermilion Bird Venerable ranks higher than them, she’s not invincible. Why are you afraid of her?"

"But I was scared just now too, cold sweat and all."

"That’s just pressure. If the Mystical Gate Five Layer facing the Earth List doesn’t even feel pressure, are you even human? But that’s not real fear. Your attitude towards Vermilion Bird Venerable, it’s like you’re afraid to even meet her."

"Hmm... perhaps." Zhao Changhe thought for a moment and answered, "Some key images that were imprinted in my mind when I first entered the Worldly Society will probably be hard to erase for a long time."

"Which ones?"

"The valiant Yue Hongling fighting for justice, Tang Wanju dragging her sick body to support the Empire, and... the annihilation of the Tu Family, with Vermilion Bird’s demonic flames soaring to the sky. In a way, Vermilion Bird is synonymous with top-tier power in my mind, more tangible even than Xia Longyuan."

Under the Vermilion Bird Mask, the face showed a bizarre expression. After a long time, she said, "You’re actually that scared of her."

"Yes." Zhao Changhe did not deny, rather straightforwardly saying, "I am indeed very scared of her, the person I’m most scared of so far."

"Then why do you also think she’s very beautiful?" Vermilion Bird finally seized the chance to ask.

"Isn’t that a kind of beauty?" Zhao Changhe laughed somewhat self-deprecatingly, "Unrelated to the face under the mask... That overwhelming firelight, the demonic mask, the sensual lips, the head in her hand, the dripping blood... It’s another aspect of the Worldly Society’s scenery, demonic, cruel, powerful, terrifying yet undeniably beautiful. Maybe there’s something wrong with my brain."

Vermilion Bird thought to herself that he must have learned that from Tang Wanju, where else would a cultured person come from?

But then Zhao Changhe added, "You better not tell Vermilion Bird about this unless she asks you specifically. If she insists you reveal all our interactions, then go ahead, is that alright?"

"That’s not a big problem." Vermilion Bird said teasingly, "If you really said that, aren’t you afraid she’ll take it as a form of admiration?"

"Not likely." This time it was Zhao Changhe who looked at her strangely, shaking his head, "Vermilion Bird Venerable would not stoop to such vulgarity. These words have nothing to do with gender; she would naturally understand."

How high you hold Vermilion Bird in your heart... Vermilion Bird felt amused and asked, "Then why did you say it’s better not to tell her?"

"It’s embarrassing. Plus, if she thinks I’m afraid of her and easy to manipulate, it might cause trouble."

"..." Vermilion Bird found it both funny and frustrating, wishing to say there’s no need to overthink, even without these words, my true self would still manipulate you when I see you, a little brat of Mystical Gate Five Layer, you expect me to treat you as an equal?

Yet she saw Zhao Changhe laugh heartily, speeding up his pace, "But I think she’d probably manipulate me a bit anyway. She’s always been arrogant, so saying it or not won’t make much difference. I want to see, when she truly stands before me, if I still feel that same pounding in my heart."

"If you do? Will you kneel?"

"If I do, one day, I’ll break that feeling with my own hands!"