Chaotic World Book
Chapter 343 - 336: The Human World’s Moon

Chapter 343: Chapter 336: The Human World’s Moon

With Ye Wuzong’s assistance in passing the message, there was nothing else to do but wait for a response from the real person of Yuxu Sect about whether they would meet or not.

The couple then took their leave with the gourd and the Moyu Token. Looking back at the Yukun Gang’s quarters, Zhao Changhe said softly, "Those who follow the ’Dao’, whatever that Dao may be, always have a different temperament from ordinary people."

Xia Chichi nodded. Ye Wuzong was a thief who had transcended lowly interests. His professed reason for secluding himself in Kunlun—to avoid Xia Longyuan—carried a very obvious implication: he would definitely take the opportunity to steal something crucial from Xia Longyuan.

How should one describe this ideal... Ordinary people might find it laughable or tragic, but in Ye Wuzong’s heart, it might be a sacred task.

To call it theft was, in fact, a martial artist’s pursuit and challenge of their own path.

Zhao Changhe didn’t know if Ye Wuzong had picked up on the presence of his own gold leaf. It might be because it was sealed and emitted little Qi, or perhaps Ye Wuzong had already noticed, but what he wanted might not be the treasures themselves... The key was who possessed the treasures.

Suddenly, he felt that Ye Wuzong might have also broken through the Third Secret Treasure. This way of thinking wasn’t like that of those on the Earth List; it was at least an entire dimension removed from the likes of He Lei. Even Wang Daoning, so-called tenth on the Heavenly List, seemed much lower in comparison...

Cui Wenjing was not his father-in-law, otherwise he would have felt uncomfortable speaking ill of him, but when it came to the dedication to martial arts, Cui Wenjing also had little to boast about.

The Chaotic World Book judged only by one’s achievements in combat, and the rankings were taken lightly... The Vermilion Bird and Xuanwu might have already broken through by now, but no one in the world would know.

Speaking of which, if the Vermilion Bird had truly broken through, things would become even more troublesome in the future... With his current relationship with Huangfu Qing, would the Vermilion Bird acknowledge it?

As he was pondering this, Huangfu Qing appeared before them, putting on the full act of a subordinate and reported to Xia Chichi, "There are no special situations in the vicinity."

Xia Chichi said, "We thought too poorly of the Thief Saint. He has a different standard, so there’s no need to think too much about it... The sun has set. Let’s go back and rest and see what the real person of Yuxu says tomorrow."

"One must never be without caution," Huangfu Qing subconsciously gave advice, "What the Holy Daughter thought previously was correct. Being in Kunlun, you must not let your guard down."

Xia Chichi gave her a strange look; are you lecturing me now... As if you’re in the Imperial Palace scolding maids?

Huangfu Qing coughed awkwardly and said, "What I mean is, the real person of Yuxu might not be moved by Ye Wuzong’s behavior... In fact, the Holy Sect has no connections with the Yuxu Palace. I suggest not meeting."

Xia Chichi said, "I might not necessarily want to meet... Let’s see the reply tomorrow."

Feeling that Huangfu Qing was looking for an excuse to leave and didn’t want to stay, Xia Chichi added, "The Thief Saint has an agreement with us. You could go and transcribe the Hundred Herbs Poison Scripture. Since Liu Tuzhang is not here now, could you trouble yourself to do it? It’s not a thick volume; you could finish copying it by tonight."

Zhao Changhe raised his hand, "Hey, don’t..."

Xia Chichi, with an expressionless face, said, "Just copying a scripture and you’re already heartbroken, can’t I assign tasks to my own subordinate?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Huangfu Qing’s fingers cracked loudly, do you enjoy bossing me around that much?

She hadn’t thought that Xia Chichi was deliberately keeping her for another night; instead, she felt she was being deliberately sent away so she could sneak off with a man.

Even more infuriating.

But as angry as she was, there was nothing she could do. She was posing as the Winged Fire Snake. To openly defy the Holy Daughter and refuse the task would not only raise Xia Chichi’s suspicions but also risk Zhao Changhe doubting whether her identity was flawed, given how he seemed to care enough to try and stop it.

Never mind, she still had to play along. Huangfu Qing put on a meek and pitiable act, and said softly, "Changhe, don’t say anything... As a subordinate, this is my duty, and the Holy Daughter is doing this for the sake of the sect..."

Xia Chichi found her hackles raising and quickly whisked Zhao Changhe away. She couldn’t bear the b*tchiness of the Imperial Palace level.

As long as she stayed, that was enough.

Zhao Changhe felt somewhat helpless too, "You’re deliberately making her work, why bother..."

"You’ll understand in time. Besides, isn’t it right to do some work?" Xia Chichi promptly changed the subject and urged, "Let’s not talk about her. Hurry and change the gourd; show me if it’s good-looking or not?"

Zhao Changhe took off the old gourd, and as they made eye contact, they both smiled.

Xia Chichi’s eyes softened again. The hardships they’d faced in the Worldly Society through winds and storms were countless, and he had been injured too many times to count, yet the gourd remained intact. This couldn’t be chalked up to mere luck; it was proof that he had been intentionally protecting the gourd, preferring to take injuries himself rather than letting the gourd be damaged. With such sentiments, Xia Chichi truly felt everything was worth it.

The new gourd now was an ancient artifact used to store elixirs, sturdy and not easily damaged. Perhaps it could even serve as a protective charm to block attacks... It was as though a symbol of the couple’s once fragile and wandering beginnings had become a force to reckon with in the world, and the uncertain emotions of the time had solidified as securely as metal and stone.

"It looks very nice," Xia Chichi touched his waist where the new gourd was and, feeling its cool metal texture, happily hugged his neck and cooed, "Take me back... I did send her away on purpose, so what? I just want to be affectionate with my man, who has patience for a big snake-shaped lantern by their side?"

Huangfu Qing’s face was stern as she entered the Yukun Gang. Ye Wuzong, indeed, hadn’t left; he sat quietly drinking tea, as if waiting for her.

Outside Kun Gang, the flame power that could burn even bones to ashes was certainly not something the Winged Fire Snake could achieve. The old man didn’t need to think to know who was behind it. In fact, the couple thought he had an impressive bearing, but such bearing wasn’t unlimited. The existence of the Vermilion Bird Venerable could make even the Thief Saint weigh many things.

Huangfu Qing, wearing a snake face, sat opposite him and said indifferently, "The Holy Daughter sent me to copy the Poison Scripture."

Ye Wuzong turned to look at her, genuinely unable to comprehend, yet finding it amusing at the same time, struggling to hold back his laughter.

Rest assured, Vermilion Bird Venerable, you don’t need to perform so strenuously. Those who could guess probably wouldn’t want to expose this matter, and it’s not about whether they fear offending you or not...

The Heavenly Dao is dead, there is no justice in this human world; might is right. The cruelty of Martial Arts, the bloodiness of chaotic times, the stench of private desires... Who doesn’t want to see a carefree laugh in this hellish world, like seeing flowers bloom on cliffs while trudging through the snowstorms of Kunlun?

The strong ones seek the path of God Demons, one by one they no longer seem human.

When raging fires incinerated Kun Gang, blood still fresh in hand, the high and mighty Vermilion Bird was divine; she was not human. Yet, when the raging fire turned into flames of passion and bloody hands cleaned to make soup, the Vermilion Bird with her Demon Flames Burning Sky gradually began to take on a human scent.

Look at that quiet figure, copying scriptures... Although she had clearly embarked on the path of God Demons, she had somehow fallen back to the human world.

Quite good, better than Xia Longyuan, even better than Yuxu... Old ox-nose is too pretentious, thinking himself beyond worldly matters, yet he is also inhuman.

...

Huangfu Qing’s heart was far from the serene tranquility that Ye Wuzong felt, like a flower... Right now, all she wanted was to quickly finish copying the scripture and return.

This Winged Fire Snake act was getting more and more untenable, mainly because the Vermilion Bird’s face could no longer hang in there.

Everything that the Four Symbols Sect should have done was already completed. She didn’t understand why Xia Chichi insisted on lingering here; Huangfu Qing could only interpret it as the little wretch wanting to stick with her man and not wanting to return.

She herself had no desire to stick with a man; she wasn’t that attached and had wanted to leave a while ago. If it hadn’t been for the weirdness of the "already departed Vermilion Bird" suddenly reappearing, she would have wanted to revert to the Vermilion Bird and drag the little wretch away by the ear.

She thought about just letting the wretch entertain herself here and leaving first, but she was refused. Chichi used various reasons to make her stay... You stick with your man and keep me here for what, just to retaliate because I kissed him in front of you?

That’s quite a childish temperament.

But this child is now handling sect matters rather well; the cooperation agreement with the Thief Sect is commendable, including the current transcription of the Poison Scripture, which is highly beneficial for the sect. From the standpoint of the Vermilion Bird, it was comforting indeed, and it was necessary to finish these matters first.

With much self-control, Huangfu Qing finally finished copying the Poison Scripture and left the Yukun Gang, only to see that it had already grown dark.

Annoyed, Huangfu Qing returned to Liu Tuzhang’s textile house, where the main house was brightly lit. Bracing herself for an eye-sore, she peeked inside and to her surprise, Zhao Changhe wasn’t there, only Xia Chichi was alone, engrossed in writing a report. Huangfu Qing knew that this report would eventually land on her own desk.

The little wretch was serious about her work.

Huangfu Qing composed herself and knocked on the door, "Holy Daughter, the transcription of the Poison Scripture is complete."

"Oh, just put it there." Xia Chichi didn’t even look up, "You’ve had a hard day as well; go take a bath and rest first. I’ve already ordered the servants of the textile house to prepare your room."

Huangfu Qing said helplessly, "I really should be going back, Holy Daughter."

Xia Chichi sighed, "Come back with me tomorrow... Sister Snake, even though we’re at odds, it’s all the more reason to understand that when we women like a man, we always want to spend more time with him. This chance is rare, and once we’re back in the sect, who knows how long it will be before we can see each other again."

Huangfu Qing remained silent for a moment, not saying much in response, and then asked, "Where is he?"

"He’s also in his own room, seems to be pondering something about Martial Arts." Xia Chichi looked up cautiously, "You better not sneak over there while I’m writing the report, and steal him away!"

Who’s sneaking around with you, you can treat him as your treasure!

Huangfu Qing turned and left, irritated, "Then I’ll go rest."

Watching Huangfu Qing leave, Xia Chichi quietly straightened her clothes, unable to conceal the springtime in her eyes. The recent skirmish had been intense; she wondered if the other woman had noticed... luckily, considering she seemed preoccupied, probably not...

The servant of the textile house led Huangfu Qing to the guest room, where hot water had indeed been prepared as promised. Fresh flowers floated in the tub, emitting a pleasant fragrance. The steam rose from the water, itching at the heartstrings.

Huangfu Qing couldn’t help but be moved; she had only changed her clothes during the day and hadn’t had the chance for a proper bath. Now that the conditions allowed, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of a good bath?

She gently closed the door, walking towards the tub while loosening the furs from her body, which dropped carelessly to the floor.

Her pale figure moved lithely towards the steaming bath, revealing itself in the dark room as if moonlight peering through the clouds, surrounded by a sacred and gentle halo, beautiful as a dream.