Chaotic World Book
Chapter 196 - 192 Is this what you call fear?

Chapter 196: Chapter 192 Is this what you call fear?

The two maintained silence on their way and soon arrived at the base of the Four Symbols Sect in the city.

This was not a branch of the Four Symbols Sect but - just like in Sword Lake City - a temporary residence that occupied a large estate, mainly where Azure Dragon Guardian, Elder You, and others under Chichi’s command were stationed.

Seeing a woman wearing a Vermilion Bird Robe and a Winged Fire Snake Mask leading Zhao Changhe inside, the eyes of Elder You and the others almost bulged out.

Vermilion Bird shot them a glance, and they began to sweat profusely, bowing their heads, not daring to speak.

Vermilion Bird asked, "Protector You, are the Venerable and the Holy Daughter here?"

"..." Elder You wiped his sweat, "The Holy Daughter is out on official business. The Venerable... the Venerable should be in the inner courtyard, I guess?"

Vermilion Bird was quite satisfied with Elder You’s Spirit Awakening, and turned to Zhao Changhe, "You ask them about Cui Yuanyang’s whereabouts. I’ll go report to the Venerable in the inner courtyard to see if she has anything to say to you. Don’t just wander off on your own; that would be disrespectful. It won’t be pleasant if the Venerable gets angry."

Zhao Changhe said helplessly, "Do I look like someone who is that disrespectful? Go ahead then."

Under the wide-eyed watch of Elder You and the others, Vermilion Bird swiftly went off to the inner courtyard, changed into a Vermilion Bird Mask, and after a thought, picked out another magic robe with slightly different patterns to change into, then checked her reflection in a bronze mirror.

The Winged Fire Snake Mask covered the entire face, even the lips, leaving nothing visible.

Vermilion Bird’s own mask was half-faced, ending with the shape of a bird’s beak at the tip of the nose, with the lower part as if the lips were coated with rouge.

"Sexy lips... what a bizarre description," Vermilion Bird muttered to herself in a low voice: "What does that term even mean?"

No matter what it referred to, the implication was certainly complimentary, and one should speak more when they knew how to flatter.

After admiring herself for a while, she lazily sauntered out.

Upon entering the hall, she heard Zhao Changhe’s voice raised, "Chichi went to kill Yuan Yang?"

Elder You said, "Err, we’re also concerned about the Holy Daughter, and wanted to discuss with the Venerable about canceling this task. With Cui Yuanyang surrounded by experts, we’d have to go all out in a tough battle... which is unnecessary."

"And why is that?" Vermilion Bird coldly stepped out, her voice carrying its usual languid and bewitching charm, but laced with bone-chilling coldness, "Since when does it matter what you, Elder You, think is necessary?"

"We dare not!" Elder You and the others kneeled all at once: "We are worried for the Holy Daughter. Even if the mission is successful, her escape would be difficult. If the mission must proceed, we earnestly request that the Venerable go to cover the retreat."

Amidst a sea of kneeling figures, Zhao Changhe stood out conspicuously. Vermilion Bird’s gaze fell on him; she was somewhat surprised by his composure: "You have nothing to say?"

Zhao Changhe was initially startled, but soon calmed down.

How could Chichi actually make a move, and besides, this mission was bizarre. He suspected that Vermilion Bird wasn’t serious, and perhaps this was just another test of Chichi and his past relationship?

Hearing Vermilion Bird inquire, Zhao Changhe replied, "I believe your Sect wouldn’t want your own Holy Daughter to be a fool who knowingly walks to her death. Based on my understanding of Chichi, if the mission proves impossible, she will naturally abandon it; there’s no need for excessive worry. If I had something to say to the Venerable, it would be something else."

Vermilion Bird said coldly, "Speak."

"If it’s to test whether Chichi and I still hold onto past affections by sending your arduously nurtured Holy Daughter into danger to certain death, misjudging the importance of things so... then the Venerable’s vision truly disappoints me."

Vermilion Bird stared at him with an icy gaze, and Zhao Changhe met her look squarely.

Suddenly, Vermilion Bird felt the urge to circle behind him to check for sweat.

Do you feel your heart pounding?

You say you’re afraid of me... is this it?

You dare to rebuke the person you fear most in your heart, all for the safety of Chichi?

"I have my own considerations; don’t presume everything is about you, Mr. Self-Important," Vermilion Bird finally spoke nonchalantly: "Of course, just to be cautious, I shall go to provide support immediately. As for you..."

She paused: "Winged Fire Snake has told me some things; I have questions to ask you. You may come with me, we can talk on the way. Let’s go."

After saying this, she flung her sleeves and led the way out.

Despite the chilly demeanor, the outcome was still acceptable. Zhao Changhe indeed broke out in a cold sweat and honestly followed her out: "Where is Winged Fire Snake?"

"She completed her mission, naturally she went to do other things. Why do you ask about her?" Vermilion Bird dashed away, laughing coldly, "Could it be that you’ve taken a liking to her?"

Zhao Changhe, following behind, was rather speechless, "I’m not sick, who’d fancy someone whose appearance they don’t even know, fancy a snake? I understand that senior members of your sect can’t easily engage in romance, and though there have been incidents that make one cautious for a long time, you don’t need to be tense about everything—it’s not necessary."

Vermilion Bird completely ignored what he was saying, with an attitude that you’re not qualified to advise me, and continued to ask, "She said Wang Daozhong was causing her trouble, and you stood in front of her to confront Wang Daozhong. Why was that?"

Zhao Changhe was very helpless, "She was just following orders to ask me a few questions, she didn’t do anything wrong. Why should there be shouting and killing? Because of her Four Symbols Sect affiliation? I don’t see anything wrong with that status. At least compared to the Wang Family, the Four Symbols Sect might not necessarily be the villains."

Finally, Vermilion Bird stopped talking. After soaring coldly for a while, she suddenly grew a bit impatient, "You’re too slow."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Suddenly, Vermilion Bird stretched out her hand and grabbed the back of his collar. Before Zhao Changhe even had the consciousness to resist, he was picked up, then like lightning, they vanished beyond the city.

A cold sneer from Vermilion Bird could be faintly heard in the wind, "So weak, what gives you the confidence to speak so boldly before me!"

Being carried by the nape of his neck, Zhao Changhe simply crossed his arms and didn’t struggle, nor did he retort.

Indeed, she was quite efficient. It’d be best to get there sooner to persuade them, and not to really let things happen. At this moment, he didn’t have the heart to worry about his own dignity.

The gap in cultivation was too vast. Although the Qinggong taught by Tang Wanju improved his weakness in this area by a great deal, facing Vermilion Bird, it was still almost like having no improvement at all.

Including her grasp and lift, he didn’t even have the consciousness to dodge; she was too fast.

She was indeed the person he considered the strongest and feared the most in his heart.

However, meeting her this time, unexpectedly, he didn’t feel as afraid as before. He didn’t know why... Even though her attitude was still very aloof, he somehow felt she wasn’t looking down on him as much. In the past, her glance was like seeing no difference between him and an ant. Now, at least he wasn’t an ant, more like a cat being picked up.

Her attitude seemed no different, just as disdainful. Was the difference within his own heart?

Could it be that he, by chance, was now considered famous? Or was it because he had become familiar with Tang Wanju? Ranked even higher than Vermilion Bird and sick to boot, once recovered, she should be quite a bit stronger than Vermilion Bird. Having become familiar with her, did he no longer have the previous sense of fear when looking up to high mountains?

But then he heard Vermilion Bird suddenly say, "If this Venerable invited you to join the sect to take a high seat, would you be willing?"

Zhao Changhe came back to his senses and asked curiously, "What kind of high seat?"

"There’s still a vacancy among the Twenty-Eight Constellations. If you occupy the corresponding Star Constellation, you can naturally learn its related Cultivation Technique. Moreover, the Twenty-Eight Constellations have significant authority within the sect."

For instance, the position of the Winged Fire Snake was vacant, even the mask had not been distributed.

What Zhao Changhe considered was Wan Dongliu’s sudden attack like a venomous snake beneath the water, as well as the final evasion akin to a slippery worm. In defense and offense, they seemed stronger than the Cao Gang techniques he knew well.

But still, he shook his head, "I appreciate the Venerable’s kind intention, but I won’t join the sect."

He could clearly feel the hand on the back of his neck tighten, and a tangible killing intent emanated from beside him, "Why? Do you look down on our Four Symbols Sect?"

"No, I’ve already told the Winged Fire Snake that I don’t hold any divine beliefs. Logically, the Venerable shouldn’t find me suitable to join the sect."

Vermilion Bird fell silent.

Regarding this point, he was indeed somewhat inappropriate, but his other comments were quite appropriate, especially his long-term goals, which could almost qualify him as a comrade in belief.

As for faith, it could be built up slowly, it wasn’t a big issue.

But since he had no faith, naturally he did not want to join the sect—why would a reputable hero of the Worldly Society want to carry the identity of the Demon Sect? That was very normal.

What attitude to use with him was a problem. Coercing him to join the sect was absolutely inappropriate, and luring him with benefits was also inappropriate, for someone lured by benefits was easy to betray and not a comrade in belief. The Four Symbols Sect normally didn’t engage in this.

Thus, the Four Symbols Sect preferred quality over quantity. The number of its core followers had always been few, quite fewer compared to the Maitreya Sect. It mainly used affiliates and non-official members, like the Blood God Sect did, to supplement the lack of manpower. The main reason for not casually integrating Zhao Changhe into the Four Symbols Sect was this, and it wasn’t solely out of contempt.

This matter needed further consideration.

As he pondered, a trail of dust appeared ahead.

The Cui Family’s caravan was right there, and from a distance, he could already see two young ladies, walking side by side, their laughter brimming.