Chaotic World Book
Chapter 199 - 195: I’ve Turned Bad

Chapter 199: Chapter 195: I’ve Turned Bad

"They’ve really taken up residence in Taishan City?"

Qinghe’s route to Langya did indeed pass through Taishan, though it was uncertain whether Cui Yuanyang initially planned to travel this way or to stop for a rest here. In any case, after encountering Zhao Changhe, Cui Yuanyang lost all interest in hurrying on his journey, hastily settling down in the city ahead, clinging to his ’big brother’ Zhao and refusing to let go.

Because on the road, in front of a group of Cui Family members, Zhao Changhe stubbornly refused to converse with her in whispers inside the carriage, preferring to walk alongside it instead, the young lady was eager to find a place to rest.

Vermilion Bird, also residing in the city, listened to the reports of her subordinates in stunned disbelief.

They must be here to slap our faces, right? They really think the Four Symbols Sect is a joke? Knowing full well we’re here, they dare to settle down right next door!

Xia Chichi, punished by kneeling on the side with her hands over her head, saw Vermilion Bird’s angry demeanor and offered a conciliatory smile: "The little girl knows what’s in her mind; she knows we won’t go all out to kill her. There’s no need, right?"

Vermilion Bird didn’t know where her anger was coming from as she snatched a feather duster and started hitting Xia Chichi’s bottom: "I told you to seize the opportunity to assassinate, and you go chuckling with her. Now they treat the White Tiger as a kitten and to her, am I turned into a small bird?"

Xia Chichi wailed, "Although I had the chance to kill, I couldn’t escape. Do you really want me to trade my life for hers, a worthless girl like that..."

Vermilion Bird knew there was truth in that. She didn’t know why she was angry—if there was a scene that particularly infuriated her, it was probably the moment Zhao Changhe tightly protected the young girl in his arms, seeing her as a formidable enemy.

Just a moment ago, I was speaking kindly, trying to recruit you into the sect, and the next moment, you guard against me rigorously. Who wouldn’t be upset?

And you say you’re afraid of me.

I should have imprinted a palm on your back at that time, making you cough blood for ten days as a lesson!

What Vermilion Bird had forgotten was that during the initial recruitment into the sect, her words weren’t exactly kind—she was arrogant and aloof, displaying her demonic might. It was only natural for others to be wary of her, not like the Winged Fire Snake; it was actually a show of genuine fear.

Nevertheless, Vermilion Bird felt her good intentions were being treated like lungs of a donkey—utterly unappreciated. Seeing Xia Chichi’s expression of "I did nothing wrong and would dare again," aggravated her even more, almost snapping the feather duster with her derisive sneer, "Never mind Cui Yuanyang for now, with your performance, claiming you have no lingering feelings, do you take me for a fool?"

Xia Chichi’s eyes spun, knowing she was in a tricky position to argue. Although she could technically explain it away, Vermilion Bird wasn’t stupid.

She simply admitted a part of it honestly: "Well, it’s been just over half a year, and to say I’ve completely lost affection... I don’t think even the Venerable would trust someone heartless like that, right? I admit, there’s still a little old feeling left, just a little. It’ll fad over time..."

Vermilion Bird glanced at Xia Chichi’s pitiful kneeling figure with hands over her head, feeling genuinely annoyed but also a tinge of sigh: "As you said before, he’s unclear with other women; if you have old feelings, shouldn’t you hate him even more? Yet you’re softened by his other women. Women... That’s why we must not get attached, otherwise, it only brings heartache."

Xia Chichi pursed her lips and thought to herself, isn’t this all your fault? If the Holy Sect didn’t have those stupid rules, I’d be freely with him, soaring side by side. Which woman would dare come near him then? I’d fight her to the death, do you really think I’m scared to tear apart that cutesy little bitch?

But now? I’ve lost my confidence. I was the one who couldn’t stay with him. Why should I expect him to wait for me?

I’m the one who’s suffering...

As it happened, Vermilion Bird could also see Xia Chichi’s state of mind and paced back and forth, feeling somewhat conflicted.

After some interaction, Vermilion Bird admired Zhao Changhe’s philosophy, combat skills, and character. Considering his unique position, she truly had the intention to sincerely develop his allegiance to the sect. Yet, Zhao Changhe was missing a point—it’s not that joining the sect meant turning a blind eye to his relationship with Xia Chichi, on the contrary, having old feelings made it even less suitable for them to be under the same roof; otherwise, it would indeed desecrate the altar.

So, it was not as Zhao Changhe imagined that she might actually hope for some fortunate occurrence or use Xia Chichi to seduce him into the sect.

Yet, it was undeniable that since she admired him, she would not think of killing someone with past feelings like before. Now the option of murder was practically tossed out of the question. Vermilion Bird’s headache was how to achieve the best of both worlds.

Then she realized, the best approach was exactly what Xia Chichi herself thought.

Let him find other women, and naturally, the feelings here would end. Only then could it truly be the best of both worlds.

However, given Cui Yuanyang’s age and Cui Wenjing’s three-year declaration already made public, even if he regretted it now, he couldn’t go back on his word before everyone. Did they expect to wait three years of ambiguous relations?

Two-and-a-half years remain... Are they joking?

Xia Chichi, observing Vermilion Bird’s expressions, asked, "Does the Venerable intend to recruit Zhao Changhe?"

Vermilion Bird said sternly, "Don’t talk about you trying to seduce him or anything of the sort, not happening. Even if I don’t want Zhao Changhe, I can’t let our Holy Daughter flaunt herself. Just drop that fantasy."

Xia Chichi’s joy stiffened inside her, almost starting to whimper.

Such old-fashioned doctrines!

"The Holy Daughter is a servant of God; if you continue like this, my punishment will be more than just a feather duster. Don’t get too smug now."

"..."

Vermilion Bird paced back and forth, murmuring to herself: "Apart from the Holy Daughter, others might be worth a try. It seems I can choose someone to test the waters..."

Xia Chichi murmured, "Did the Venerable mention the Winged Fire Snake earlier, a new arrival? I remember our Winged Fire Snake position being vacant..."

"Not bad, newcomer, how do you feel about it?"

"How does she look? I think we can let her try." Xia Chichi said, "Since she’s of the serpent kind, I guess she’s flirtatious enough to be given to a newcomer for free... Ow..."

Xia Chichi didn’t know why she had to be beaten again when her proposal was already quite self-deprecating. In the future, she would even have to prepare to tear apart a new little wretch, which was her own suggestion...

Even this gets her beaten, the Venerable is really unpredictable.

...

While Xia Chichi was being beaten, in another corner of the city, Cui Yuanyang was happily nestled in Zhao Changhe’s embrace, the two sitting in the courtyard admiring the flowers.

This little affection was quite common back at the Cui Family’s horse fields by the riverside. Cui Yuanyang has always found it comfortable to lean on Zhao Changhe’s broad, human-chair-like embrace, and nothing, not even the most luxurious lounge chairs, could compare to its custom-made feel.

It proved that Big Brother Zhao’s arms were crafted by heaven itself for Yangyang to repose in.

It’s a pity that back then Big Brother Zhao was always in a hurry, learning horse riding with the intent to run away. But at this reunion, it seemed that Big Brother Zhao had changed a little, becoming more silent. He was less talkative but didn’t make one feel eager to leave; he was gentler and more tranquil.

Girls are quite sensitive to these things.

"Big Brother Zhao," Cui Yuanyang murmured while snuggling in his embrace, "why are you so quiet? Is it because you just met Sister Xia?"

"Uh," Zhao Changhe snapped out of his reverie.

This time it was indeed not because of seeing Chichi. Chichi had been repeatedly saying to let go of the past, and if he kept dwelling on it, she would think him affected.

After arriving in Jiangnan and being quite straightforward in his pursuit of Yue Hongling, and also taking an interest in Tang Wanzhuang, though he hadn’t spoken it aloud, he should’ve known that this was no longer just bravado... The once naive Zhao Changhe was long gone, he had deteriorated, and now embracing Yangyang no longer gave him that feeling of awkwardness. Instead, there was a bit of joy, the young lady hadn’t forgotten about me...

The actual reason for his silence was because of Yangyang herself. He had always thought Yangyang’s feelings were impulsive, not true love, but seeing her this time, the emotions were still as intense, even fiercer due to the long parting, which gave him much to ponder.

Where could you find such a good girl?

"Yangyang, you haven’t changed at all, and it’s unavoidable that I’d feel a little unfamiliar at first sight. Don’t you feel any estrangement seeing me? My appearance and aura have changed quite a bit from before."

"There’s a little," Cui Yuanyang said with a smile, "mainly because your hair used to be neither long nor short, messy, like a lion’s mane. Now your hair has grown a lot, and tied back, you look rather scholarly. At first glance, I barely dared to recognize you. But very quickly, I felt that this is the Zhao Changhe of Yangyang’s heart. He was never truly a gangster. Especially when..."

She paused, then whispered, "Especially when in front of the Vermilion Bird, you held me close to your embrace. I felt then... all the unease of these past months vanished. That was the reunion I had been longing for, even happier than expected."

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but laugh, "How many kinds of reunion scenes did you anticipate?"

"You can’t laugh at me if I tell you."

"I’ve been through professional training. No matter how funny, I promise not to laugh."

"Then I’ll tell you." Cui Yuanyang hesitated, "The Wang Family wanted to challenge Hidden Dragon, right? I was thinking... they challenge you, and I kick the door open from outside and say, ’What kind of riffraff are challenging my Big Brother Zhao? Beat me, Cui Yuanyang, first!’ Then Big Brother Zhao glances back and sees the valiant Yangyang, his eyes sparkling in admiration, ’Ah, is that the Yangyang I’ve not seen for so long? She’s so dashing now!’ And then he begins to adore me."

"Pfft..." If not for that last comment, it would be a typical fantasy scene of a young girl’s imagination. That last part almost made Zhao Changhe burst into laughter, "No wonder your brother said you never admired Tang’s leader’s temperament; you wanted to emulate Yue Hongling."

"I said no laughing!"

"Alright, alright, I won’t laugh," Zhao Changhe coaxed her like a child, "You don’t need that kind of scenario. Big Brother Zhao has always adored Yangyang."

Cui Yuanyang whispered, "But... I know that in Big Brother Zhao’s heart... the one he truly admires has always been Yue Hongling..."

Zhao Changhe was taken aback, unable to laugh anymore.

He lowered his head to look at the girl’s flushed face, and she too was looking up at him, her eyes shimmering with complex emotions, "Otherwise why does Big Brother Zhao hold Yangyang as if holding his own sister... In Big Brother Zhao’s heart, he never really saw Yangyang as a woman, did he..."

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath and suddenly said in a low voice, "Little girl, do you know what I’ve been worried about recently?"

"Eh?" Cui Yuanyang blinked, puzzled.

"I regret not having staked a claim sooner." Zhao Changhe slowly lowered his head and moved in, "Little girl, you haven’t changed, but I’ve turned for the worse... Back then, I was afraid your innocence would lead to regrets, but now I just want to take advantage of your innocence so that you’ll never have a chance to regret."

Cui Yuanyang’s heart skipped a beat.

But her mind suddenly went blank as she watched him lift her in his arms, lower his head, and fiercely kiss her tender lips.

Cui Yuanyang instinctively clung to his arm, her eyes wide open, completely unaware of what she was thinking.

---

PS: I’ve slept all day, taken some medicine, and I’m feeling a lot better, so I managed to get this update out. I’ll try to post an extra update tomorrow.