Chaotic World Book -
Chapter 333 - 326: Heartflame
Chapter 333: Chapter 326: Heartflame
Zhao Changhe kissed with immense satisfaction.
He knew the women of the Four Symbols Sect, although they claimed to be part of the Demon Sect and called themselves demonesses, were actually not even as open-minded as Sisi, let alone compare with the Maitreya Sect.
On the surface, they seemed bewitching, not caring about public opinion or looks, but in reality, each of them was incredibly proud deep down, with a rigid and conservative mindset shaped by their sect. Vermilion Bird and Xuanwu might appear to have different temperaments, one cruel and the other a pure pleaser, but essentially, they shared a common trait, which was called "divinity"—an aloof perspective, emotions sealed within the sect, invested in the ethereal pursuit of the heavens’ Four Symbols and the quest for the divine.
For a woman like Chichi, if not acquainted from insignificance, it would be harder than ascending to the heavens to win her heart if they were only to meet now.
Huangfu Qing was the same, a formidable sect-bred lady of noble birth, who had contended with Tang Wanzhuang for over a decade. Just for the sake of facing off against Tang Wanzhuang, she wouldn’t deign to seek out a man for face alone. Becoming an Imperial Concubine was a political transaction, sacrificing personal reputation and even life for the sect’s benefit. Forget the fake Xia Longyuan, even if the real deal showed up, her preparedness was to flee or even die. Who could obtain her?
Just moments ago, she had slaughtered dozens of Kunlun experts, killing until the blood flowed like rivers.
But at this moment, she was in his embrace, dazedly being kissed, looking bewildered, her lips soft.
That sense of psychological accomplishment pressed down any sense of physical pain or weakness, making him feel as if he could take on Vermilion Bird herself if she stood in his way.
However, joy often turns to sorrow; before long, Huangfu Qing’s weakness began to fade, and her strength started to return slightly.
What just happened wasn’t genuine "coyness," but a lack of strength to resist, only finding an excuse to stop him from overstepping. A Room Fire Pig mask had plugged the excuse, leaving her so bewildered she didn’t know what to do...
When her strength returned, where would Huangfu Qing tolerate continuing to be dishonored like a weak woman?
Hey, where are you reaching with your hand?
Zhao Changhe was thoroughly enjoying himself when suddenly the world seemed to spin, and he was flung into the air, making a large arc before "thud" landing into the black mud, letting out a scream of pain.
Huangfu Qing, her face flushed with anger, stood up indignantly to fix her clothes, "You incorrigible thing!"
Looking down at her disheveled attire, she could see it was soaked in fresh blood—his blood.
Huangfu Qing pursed her lips, knowing she truly harbored no intent to kill.
Being disrespected, she felt annoyed, but surprisingly, there was no intent to kill...
Seeing Zhao Changhe convulsing in the mud, clearly in pain from his injuries, Huangfu Qing sighed, walked over, and pulled him up, "On a normal day, you don’t seem like a lecherous man. Why then, from the very beginning, are you so fixated on me... It’s so infuriating..."
Yes, Huangfu Qing had always seen that Zhao Changhe’s interest in her was mostly driven by lust; there wasn’t much deep emotion between them, just mutual teasing, a game of men and women. Yet she now doubted her own judgment—just a game of men and women, who would so fearlessly rush headlong into danger?
She must admit that moment had stirred her emotions, even the Heart Fire of demonic possession was pushed back.
Just feelings.
Was it because she was powerless to resist that she unwillingly kissed back?
Perhaps not... Huangfu Qing’s feelings were in turmoil; she didn’t know herself.
In any case, it was a kiss of resignation! It was not her willing desire!
Tragically pulled up by Huangfu Qing, Zhao Changhe sat on the ground with his hands on his knees, a look of wounded innocence on his face, "Sister, don’t you know how tempting you are..."
Huangfu Qing’s face showed no emotion, "So, you really just wanted to mess around with me."
Zhao Changhe scratched his head. It was sometimes hard for men to differentiate in these matters; her unmatched beauty was indeed stunning, and how many men could resist that? But was it really just because of lust? Zhao Changhe felt it was both yes and no.
Who the hell would be willing to risk his life for mere lust? That would be madness.
Running through the misty rain of Sword Lake City hand in hand, she was happy, and so was he. Traveling north for over a month, side by side, sharing the same horse—had no feelings truly grown? In the heavy rain within the Capital, removing her mask as the Imperial Concubine, the moment he saw her true face, his heart skipped a beat—was that really just lust?
He wouldn’t deny the allure, but there was something else.
If a word had to be chosen, it should be—
"Heartache," Zhao Changhe said softly. "The sacrifice you’ve made for your sect is too great."
Huangfu Qing’s eyes flickered, and she scoffed, "Go pity Tang Wanzhuang, to whom your heart is tender. What do I need to be pitied for?"
"You may act differently from Wanzhuang, but your spirits are similar," Zhao Changhe said. "The you who laughs heartily behind the pig mask, that’s the real you... Neither the stern face constrained by the sect nor the pawn sent by the sect leaders to entrap men with your words, nor should you be tasked with dishonoring your name and dignity for the sect’s schemes as some esteemed Imperial Concubine. Not even Wanzhuang’s jests can you tolerate, let alone the perilous and life-threatening Imperial Palace. Wanzhuang cannot be herself for the Empire, and you for the sect, why can’t I feel heartache?"
Huangfu Qing: "...Fine, I know you pity Tang Wanzhuang."
Zhao Changhe didn’t take the bait, and went straight to the point, "What’s so great about the Four Symbols Sect? Why should Vermilion Bird command you like this? Is sect brainwashing really that impressive?"
Huangfu Qing’s mouth twitched, "Don’t speak ill of the Venerable."
"I want to curse her! She doesn’t treat her subordinates like people!"
Huangfu Qing turned her head away, unsure whether to be angry or to laugh, "I respect the Venerable. When you insult her, you insult me."
"Idiot," Zhao Changhe said helplessly. "You were on par with Tang Wanju, and in the eyes of the world, Tang Wanju is on the same level as the Vermilion Bird. In other words, you were never inferior to the Vermilion Bird to begin with, so why demean yourself like this? Sister, can’t you live for yourself just once? There’s no one else here, no need for a mask."
Huangfu Qing scoffed, "Living for myself means I have to act shamelessly with you?"
"Isn’t it?" Zhao Changhe confidently retorted. "You’ve already admitted to the Xuanwu Venerable that you like me. Why care so much about the Sect’s rules?"
I’m... so frustrated... Huangfu Qing held back her anger, finding herself unable to refute this self-contained logic.
He wholeheartedly believed she liked him, so of course, being affectionate was reasonable... You damn turtle, just you wait...
But apart from this foolish thought, everything else seemed to have struck a chord deep within her heart.
Why did she indulge more after disguising herself as the Winged Fire Snake? Why did she act like a young girl behind a pig mask?
Who didn’t have their youthful moments, who didn’t want to chase butterflies by the misty lakesides, carefree like other boys and girls? But as the Vermilion Bird, it was not permissible. Only when wearing a mask could she cast off the burden, for no one knew who she was anyway.
Being the Vermilion Bird in this life meant inciting terror in the multitudes, making followers bow in reverence. There never was anyone who showed her "sympathy," let alone said they wished she could live for herself...
Apart from him, who else cared?
Even her younger brother was somewhat resentful, and even her father thought her entering the palace was a good thing...
Similar in essence to Tang Wanju... So that’s how it was. No one had ever made such a comparison before...
Huangfu Qing sighed softly, choosing not to continue this topic with him. She was afraid that if he kept speaking, he might hold her again, and she didn’t know whether she would have the urge to push him away.
She turned and walked towards the undying flames, trying to divert her thoughts with serious matters.
Previously, San Niang had brought back a piece of Xuanwu Stone. After contemplating it for a while, she felt she was just one step away from breaking through to the Third Layer Secret Treasure, but that final step required an opportunity.
She wasn’t after any treasure; she was seeking an understanding of the essence of flames.
Like the fire before her eyes... it wasn’t burning based on any treasure or fuel. The existence of the flame was the treasure itself, the Undying Heart Flame from the previous epoch.
If fire has no sustenance, it will eventually extinguish... It is called undying because it is Heart Fire.
As long as the rage in the human heart persists, the Heart Fire will not die.
The so-called "to be consumed by one’s inner demons" actually refers to this. When the "fire" manifests externally, it becomes this flame; when it manifests internally, it’s the people who were just driven mad, and herself.
Could the existence of the Undying Heart Flame here be related to the Evil of Kunlun?
Perhaps the phrase "Fiery Kunlun" doesn’t refer to the eruption of volcanoes. After all, there are many places with volcanic eruptions, so why is there a legend here... More likely, many people have had their inner demons triggered here and have burned themselves to death.
Why didn’t the real Yuxu remove this object, allowing it to lead people’s hearts astray?
Huangfu Qing’s understanding of physical flames was already peerless in the world. The reason she was stuck at the Second Layer Secret Treasure and hadn’t broken through was that she had yet to penetrate this layer of Heart Fire. If she forced it, it was very easy to be consumed by one’s inner demons, as she had just experienced.
Now that the Heart Fire manifested externally, if she could comprehend it thoroughly, it would be the Third Layer Secret Treasure, without a doubt.
But how to comprehend it?
Before, just being contaminated by an aura caused rapid demonization, yet now, standing in front of it, she felt no reaction at all.
As she was deep in thought, her waist suddenly tightened as Zhao Changhe held her from behind, "What are you looking at?"
"I’m contemplating the Heart Fire, stop bothering me," Huangfu Qing responded instinctively.
Only after speaking did she shockingly realize how calm and natural she felt about him holding her and speaking to her.
To quell the inner flames and transform them into the gentleness of water, it’s all about emotion.
Trying to divert emotional thoughts with serious matters, she ultimately found that this was the serious matter.
——————
PS: One of the pioneers of Korean entertainment novels, the author of "Exclusive Starlight" and "Star Media Captain," known for having an ’empty head,’ became a vegetable due to a cerebral infarction, and was declared brain dead yesterday. His organs were donated to save 6 people.
You were the best writer in Korean entertainment, my trailblazer; without Han Weiyi, there would be no Li Yunlin.
Wishing you a peaceful journey.
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