Chaotic World Book
Chapter 224 - 219: A Drink and a Peck, Surely Predestined

Chapter 224: Chapter 219: A Drink and a Peck, Surely Predestined

Above the canal, Tang Wanju sat inside the cabin reading a book, when she suddenly raised her head to look at the golden characters in the sky, her expression unconsciously shifting from tranquility to a complex mixture of emotions.

The so-called reading was actually her looking at a piece of report paper sprawled with yesterday’s discussion from her subordinate—the Langya debating swords report.

The report turned out to be much more complete and detailed than what her subordinate had verbally conveyed, covering the process of Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang’s battle, accompanied by analysis: "Suspected to be fighting over treasures for Zhao Changhe", "Suspected jealousy over reputations", and comments like: "Both are talents of once in a century, no less than Yue Hongling."

It also didn’t omit Zhao Changhe’s remark, "It is worth it if it means some people could cough a little less."

Of course, no one dared to boldly add any analysis or comments to that particular line.

Tang Wanju’s cheeks reddened slightly as she pouted, but her gaze still lingered on that line for a long time without moving.

He did it... in order to let some cough less, he defied nobility, and cleaved through the Human List. Previously having eased into a rhythm with no survival pressure, now, overnight, he had stirred trouble with major forces from both the North and the South—facing even more alarming dangers than when he first left Beimang.

But Tang Wanju knew he didn’t care, rather he might be reveling with drinks and songs, filled with satisfaction.

She knew even better, whether it was the Yangzhou upheaval, the Gusu plan, the execution of Fa Sheng before the fort, or the punishment of Fa Qing by the Wang family—if one claims that the immense force of Maitreya Sect was thrown into utter chaos by Zhao Changhe alone, although it seemed exaggerated, it wasn’t without reason.

Fa Qing was a top-notch combat force, and the loss of even one person ranked in the Human List badly wounded the vitality of Maitreya Sect. But these still counted as lesser issues. Yangzhou was the Jiangbei bridgehead, Gusu was Tang family’s strategic location, and Fa Sheng was a General with strategical knowledge; losing any of them was crucial, each enough to be elevated to strategic levels, all gone now.

Originally, the uprisings of Maitreya echoed historical records of the Yellow Turbans from the epoch’s annals. If it had swept across Jiangnan and the Imperial could not control, they would have had to rely on local gentries to suppress rebellions forcefully, sort of like how the Tang family appeared now, suggesting the regional heroes could rise and command their own troops soon.

If one were to say that Maitreya was just a precursor to kingship by fate, then Zhao Changhe’s acts had accelerated their failure substantially. Regional military forces hadn’t even had the chance to rise before Maitreya Sect could be suppressed prematurely; the chaos of the late Han might not even shape up at all.

He claimed he had no interest in the world, but his actions were clearly heading in that direction.

Whether for the common folk or for... her, Tang Wanju.

"Summon someone!" she suddenly spoke.

Bao Qin, holding a guqin, stood timidly beside her, "Miss, I’m here."

"Pass my secret order through all the major states, wherever Zhao Changhe goes, follow his commands, protect his safety at all costs."

"This..."

"What? You think he likes it?" Tang Wanju suddenly chuckled, "He probably prefers the thrill and tension now, galloping through the dust, commanding the world, maybe even accompanied by... beauties. Why would he want us meddling?"

Bao Qin grumbled, "Then should we still bother when we’re not welcomed? Especially the so-called beauties, miss, you..."

"It’s not for him, but for the world. Go now."

Bao Qin pouted and left the cabin to pass on the orders, and Tang Wanju stood up and walked to the window, quietly watching the river flow, speechless for a long while.

Gaze at the ferry point where sands are sifted, crossing how many people in this mortal life.

...

"Whoosh!" Sword light sprung from the side of the road, thrusting forward.

Less than ten li after leaving the Wang Family, the assassination was already upon him.

This style was unmistakably from an old friend, Listening Snow Tower.

It was apparent that the Wang family had been making contacts with Listening Snow Tower just two or three days prior, intending to ambush Zhao Changhe as soon as he left. Now, it had just coincidentally worked out.

Even Cui Yuanyang knew that when Zhao Changhe left, he should follow her convoy, yet the change occurred so suddenly that he could only ride out of the city, thus his tracks were exposed, making the journey inevitably fraught with thorns.

But Zhao Changhe was not alarmed but rather pleased, and he laughed heartily, "I don’t know why, but I actually miss you guys."

Swordsman: "..."

"Clang!" Dragon Sparrow was unsheathed, chopping at the sword light, diverting its force slightly.

The swordsman brushed past, rocked off course by the immense force and tumbled on the ground, suddenly breaking into a cold sweat.

Chaotic World Book was unclear and chaotic in describing the fighting—it involved both encircling and ambush attacks, and they didn’t really consider the "slaughtering of the Human List" as Zhao Changhe being very strong. Because according to the information handed to them by the Wang family, Zhao Changhe was at Mystical Gate Fifth Layer...

Fifth Layer my ass!

Clearly, it was External Sixth Layer, Internal Fifth Layer! And even this Internal Fifth Layer felt nearly at the Sixth Layer, catching up once again with the time he practiced Dual Cultivation intensively. With Zhao Changhe’s level in practical combats and Martial Arts understanding, unless he met peers from the Hidden Dragon List, challenging someone of a higher level like the Seventh Layer wouldn’t be a problem—it might even dare to touch the Eighth Layer.

No wonder he could slaughter through the Human List—those at the tail of the Human List were essentially at Mystical Gate Ninth Layer, with no crushing dominance anymore.

This guy had been dangling under your nose at the Wang family for so long, and you still fed us outdated information!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!" Several figures in black clothes appeared from left and right sides of the road, their expressions grave as they blocked Zhao Changhe’s path.

Zhao Changhe didn’t dismount and shook his head with a wry smile, "Exactly as expected, thinking I was at the Fifth Layer, they sent a group of Sixth and Seventh Layers. That’s why I really miss you guys, always lagging behind in updates, what great punching bags, it would be a pity without you. Go back and tell your master, next time send an Eighth Layer to have fun haha..."

The assassins remained expressionless. Of course, isn’t this how missions are assigned? Would you send someone from the Human List for killing someone at the Mystical Gate Third or Fourth Layer? Then what are the other hands for? Aren’t the Human List experts without tasks to do? Usually, picking targets one or two levels higher and sending multiple men in disguise for hunting is normal; almost always the mission completion rate is 100%, but how many freaks like you could there be!

Zhao Changhe chuckled, "Hey, I’ve been meaning to chat with you guys. After the failed assassination attempt that ended in so many deaths, how does your assassin organization deal with this? Will you seek revenge, or just accept the loss and move on?"

The leader of the assassins paused, then slowly said, "Mission failure means no harboring of grudges. If assassin organizations become mired in endless hatred, they deteriorate and might even collapse."

"No wonder," Zhao Changhe clicked his tongue twice, "But you shouldn’t have told me that. What if I feel no pressure in killing you guys now?"

A trace of anger appeared on the leader’s face as he coldly said, "Talk after you’ve managed to kill us."

"Of course, I’m only confident in making a breakout. Killing all of you by myself? Certainly not possible, but I’m not alone either."

Before he could finish, a flash of golden light appeared from behind and Yuan Xing rushed over, "Hold on, Young Master Zhao."

The leader of the assassins: "..."

Turning to look back, Zhao Changhe smiled, "Shouldn’t the master be having tea at the Wang family’s place?"

Yuan Xing shook his head, "The behavior of the Wang family... is not suitable for us. Young Master Zhao, you have done great favors for us at Huayan Temple. I specifically came here to express our gratitude and to escort you."

The leader of the assassins said succinctly, "Retreat."

A group of assassins clad in black vanished without a trace instantly.

Who in their right mind would challenge someone of the Mystical Gate Ninth Layer status? We are assassins, not a suicide squad.

Better report back to the leader, and see if they really intend to send a top-tier assassin... Sending ordinary ones for this Zhao doesn’t seem feasible.

Zhao Changhe rested his hand on a pergola, looking into the distance, "They have excellent Qinggong skills. If not for mastering Water Stepping, I’d actually like to learn from them."

Saying this, he got off his horse and performed a bow, "Thank you for your help, Master."

"It seems you were not afraid of them at all, benefactor. Rather, it was I who meddled excessively."

"Not at all, I was actually waiting for the master," Zhao Changhe thought to himself that he was actually waiting for Vermilion Bird... but the fact that you didn’t care about the Wang family chasing after us does raise my respect—so the normal sects of Buddhism are actually alright?

"Before I came out, I had a brief talk with Benefactor Situ," Yuan Xing continued, "He mentioned that Young Master Zhao was looking for a method of Body Refining or a Qi Wall technique?"

Zhao Changhe’s eyes lit up, "Yes, indeed. That Golden Bell Shield of yours..."

"The Golden Bell Shield must not be shared, but I do have some information you might find useful," Yuan Xing mentioned.

"Oh?"

"You must have recently used some magical object on yourself, as its aura hasn’t completely dissipated yet. I’ve encountered a similar aura before and wanted to explore it, but had other commitments then."

Zhao Changhe was momentarily stunned, then his face brightened with excitement.

So, the Sea Mud indeed exists somewhere on land too! Maybe there’s even a chance to find something more core?

Whether or not it continues to help the meridians, refining the body is definitely correct!

Indeed, doing good always pays off. Zhao Changhe bowed his thanks, "Without hiding anything from the master, I indeed need this thing very much. Please guide me on how to find it."

Yuan Xing sighed, "It used to be simpler, but now it’s complicated. It’s hidden within a mountain peak in the snow-covered mountains north of the grasslands, which I stumbled upon during my travels years ago. But with the ongoing wars, you must not be hasty, Young Master. Wait for the battle to subside before you go."

With that, he handed over a piece of his monk’s robe hem as a map, "I kept this from that time; now I give it to you, Young Master."

Zhao Changhe bowed again, "Thank you, Master."

Yuan Xing brought his hands together in a salute, "Benefactor has great compassion, like a true Buddha. You are always welcome to visit Huayan Temple, to come closer."

After finishing, he signaled to the monks behind him and left without further ado.

Zhao Changhe watched the monks leave and suddenly asked, "If Yuan Xing hadn’t arrived in time just now, would the Venerable have intervened?"

Silence surrounded him; there was no response from Vermilion Bird.

Zhao Changhe was puzzled—had Vermilion Bird stopped following him?

Little did he know that less than three miles away in the forest, Wang Daozhong, his head covered in bumps, was making a swift retreat: "Vermilion Bird Venerable, our families have formed an alliance, the past should stay in the past, why beat me again?"

In a lazy tone, Vermilion Bird replied, "Seeing you reminds me of the demon who once cursed me for being vengeful, asking me to wait... I can’t help but feel a bit itchy in my hands... This is our private matter and should not affect our partnership, right?"

Wang Daozhong almost spewed blood out and swore never to reason with a woman again.

————

PS: Please forgive me for promoting a book in the main text today. The author of "Redoing Police Path 1993" from Red Dust Tea House passed away last month. Upon hearing this news, the author of "Police Order," serving at the ends of the earth, decided to finish the book for him.

No need to question or praise, in my view, this event will go down in the annals of online literature history. Isn’t this like enjoying the final glow of sunset—such is the twilight of the Worldly Society. The work’s link is in the author’s commentary.