Chaotic World Book
Chapter 397 - 388 The Abbot and the Venerable

Chapter 397: Chapter 388 The Abbot and the Venerable

The next morning, Tang Wanzhuang greeted the newly appointed Imperial Governor and, too lazy to even attend a lunch banquet, set off with Bao Qin and Zhao Changhe to head north directly for Hongnong.

"You didn’t leave any face for the new Governor, is that really okay?" Zhao Changhe couldn’t help asking on the way.

Tang Wanzhuang remained expressionless and unresponsive.

Heaving sighs and murmured affirmation just last night, and now she was playing this act again, Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but smile through his tears. Fine, let her play if she wants, it’s quite adorable...

Then Bao Qin whispered from the side, "Idiot. Miss has always been cold and reserved in front of others, never attending any social engagements. Everyone is used to it, do you think she behaves the same as she does in front of you?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Tang Wanzhuang secretly ground her teeth: "Bao Qin."

"Ah, Miss..."

"Hurry ahead at top speed to scout for any inns."

"..." In broad daylight, why search for inns? And they all knew the way so well. Bao Qin dared not debunk her but sped on his horse forward, not carrying the lantern.

Hoping that this dreary life would soon be over and the Miss would let go of that mouth hard as over-salted duck, making everyone more comfortable...

Zhao Changhe could somewhat understand Tang Wanzhuang’s feelings... Before that forceful kiss of his, there had only been mutual affection between them, far from talking of love. Initially content to see the Prince he had nurtured ascend the throne, feeling he could die with a smile, Tang Wanzhuang certainly hadn’t considered romantic love before that moment.

So, what must she have felt when he confessed his love, making it clear that everything he did, he did for her, and that if she died, he would stop too?

No matter how you thought about it, it was too complex to put into words.

Seizing the excuse of treating an illness to steal a kiss, she had not reacted at the moment, and the subsequent embarrassment was unbearable. Wanting to strike but reluctant to harm, what could she do?

Resorting to domestic violence was the only option...

Now, it seemed she had gotten used to it, but in truth, Tang Wanzhuang internally never understood whether her feelings were of love, only appearing to be stubborn... But in fact, it wasn’t stubbornness; she truly felt she hadn’t thought that way.

That’s why she insisted on playing the role of a master, trying to suppress the nature of their relationship.

Zhao Changhe felt that in this aspect, he was now nearly touching the Heavenly List... Look at these days, accompanying her, playing music, reading books, secretive meetings in the garden.

Doing everything a couple in love should do, over the course of a dozen days, slowly giving her the feeling of being in love.

There was no need for Tang Wanzhuang to go to Hongnong, she would have been better off resting in Xiangyang. So why did he still invite her along? It was nothing but a desire to spend more time with her, to have shared experiences of traveling and handling affairs—together outside of home.

This level was not the Heavenly List, but was there a place on the Earth List?

He sighed. When it comes to progress in such matters, the rapid advancement of men is the real deal.

Speaking of which, he had never seen Tang Wanzhuang ride a horse before, it was always qinggong and ethereal clothes fluttering. This time, each riding a horse, there was a sudden rush of charisma, a youthful vitality that made her even more beautiful.

"What are you staring at? You, how can you keep staring at someone even on horseback! Watch the road!"

"I have eyes in every direction, ears alert to all sides, no need to watch the road."

"You still mustn’t look at me!"

"But you are my road."

"Ugh..."

If there were no feelings, upon hearing such a cheesy love line one would only think it nonsense and the man was really reaching; but if she liked him, no matter how cheesy the love line, it would make her happy inside, regardless of her outward desire to retch, that flustered and embarrassed gaze would give everything away.

The prerequisite was to face Bao Qin’s bear-like stare head-on, something she genuinely wanted to retch at.

Luckily, this time Bao Qin had been sent ahead to scout... Eh, why hasn’t she come back yet?

Suddenly dust rose up ahead, and Tang Wanzhuang’s expression subtly changed as she pulled back on the reins.

Zhao Changhe also pulled back on his horse and looked, his heart skipping a beat.

Among the dust, a figure clad in red, as vivid as fire, with a firebird mask, was swiftly approaching. In just a blink, she arrived before them. Bao Qin was gripped in her hand, flailing in the wind like a salted fish.

The Vermilion Bird Venerable.

Tang Wanzhuang took a deep breath and said indifferently, "Vermilion Bird, since when did you start demeaning yourself, picking fights with a mere maid?"

Vermilion Bird looked her up and down, emotions swirling in her eyes, so complex they were indescribable.

"What’s so strange about me being at odds with this girl? When you and I were tearing into each other, how long have I wanted to slap her when she was shooting her sharp-tongued remarks?"

"Too bad right now Zhao Changhe and Tang Wanzhuang are both worried about Bao Qin and didn’t properly analyze these expressive eyes. Zhao Changhe also cupped his fists respectfully: "Venerable, I’m not sure how this girl has offended you, please don’t take it to heart."

I don’t give a damn about her; it’s you I want to take to task!

Huangfu Qing could hardly contain his anger just from hearing his voice; what did you think I was here for?

I knew you would come to Hognong to attend Yang Jingxiu’s birthday banquet. I was so looking forward to waiting for you on the road and going with you!

And then you bring Tang Wanzhuang with you?

Looking at the pair side by side, almost oozing sickening sweetness from the corners of their eyes...tsk.

I could have used Huangfu Qing’s identity, but now I dare not. Zhao Changhe might not be so sensitive, but Tang Wanzhuang definitely knows that Huangfu Qing’s identity would not attend Yang Jingxiu’s birthday party in person. If Huangfu Qing can’t show up, it must be the Vermilion Bird.

To be the Vermilion Bird means to just watch, eyes wide open, as he and Tang Wanzhuang ’stand shoulder to shoulder against the enemy’, with me being that enemy.

There’s no way to describe how that feels.

She carried Bao Qin casually, her other hand touching here, pinching there, then fiercely slapped Bao Qin’s butt with a resounding smack, "The girl is young, but she’s starting to get it."

Tang Wanzhuang: "?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Vermilion Bird stared into Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes, her gaze sharp: "I wonder if Tang Sect Leader has guessed, it was I who invited Yang Jingxiu to send troops to Xiangyang."

Tang Wanzhuang said: "That’s correct, Xiangyang couldn’t withstand Maitreya, and the Wang Family’s influence can’t reach that far, so they invited the Yang Family to come down south to defend...using the favor of capturing Yang Qianyuan. Venerable’s action to help resist Maitreya is indeed a great merit."

Vermilion Bird was so angry she could explode, ’my great merit my ass!’

If we’re really talking about merit, this move was actually to help the Wang Family, since the Four Symbols Sect is still an alliance formed against the Wang Family. Zhao Changhe had interfered with the Wang Family’s actions several times before due to his business and even beat Wang Daozhong, causing rifts in the alliance relationship. This was also an opportunity to make reparations and repair ties. Moreover, the subsequent plans would shake the land and bloom in multiple places, with Xiangyang being a key part. Naturally, it couldn’t fall into the hands of Maitreya.

I originally planned to go south myself to beat Maitreya, but then the Wang Family planned to use Maitreya to kill Tang Wanzhuang first...

Killing Tang Wanzhuang, Vermilion Bird would actually be delighted to see that happen, but there was one thing: I refuse to gang up on Tang Wanzhuang with others. Even if she’s killed, it would seem like I’m weaker than her. She wishes!

So there was the declaration: "The battle between me and Tang Wanzhuang will not be won with the help of the rabble," and she didn’t participate in the entire Xiangyang affair.

But then she heard that Zhao Changhe rode into the city alone, rescued a secret agent, assisted Tang Wanzhuang, and afterward executed Yu Cixiu right in front of Wang Daozhong, killed Lv Shiheng, and turned Xiangyang upside down; it was now under the name of Zhao.

Vermilion Bird was both reassured and troubled when she heard the news; reassured that her judgment was indeed not wrong, and troubled that this young man seemed to be supporting the imperial cause. With their stances now opposed, what to do in the future?

Right, he was a prince after all.

And the Blood God Sect even listens to him; it’s just bizarre... Of course, this doesn’t prove that the Blood God Sect has betrayed yet, since she didn’t issue any commands to the Blood God Sect regarding this matter. The sect has the autonomy to manage its own affairs, and it’s entirely normal for them to welcome the Saint Heir and change their doctrines. But essentially, this proves that betrayal is just one step away.

I... I already helped you with that and now you’re going behind my back?

Only now do I realize that, whether it’s defending the emperor or stealing my followers, it’s all because Tang Wanzhuang personally intervened with her charm!

"I certainly don’t have any merit to speak of, nor would I use it on Tang Sect Leader...could it be that the Sect Leader doesn’t know that Xiangyang is what I desire?" Vermilion Bird’s voice was squeezed out through clenched teeth: "They tried to plot against the Sect Leader, and I did not participate, as I did not wish to lower myself. To think that the Sect Leader would come out of Xiangyang alone, do you really think I wouldn’t kill?"

Zhao Changhe raised his hand.

Vermilion Bird glanced sideways: "Are you trying to say your presence means it’s not alone? I’ll settle the score with you in a bit, choose between being skinned or having your tendons plucked."

She had reached the Third Layer of the Secret Treasure... Zhao Changhe indeed couldn’t interfere with her battles.

Tang Wanzhuang’s expression was grave, and she thought to herself that it was quite normal for Vermilion Bird to come to assassinate her. Thankfully, she went out with Zhao Changhe; had he been intercepted alone by Vermilion Bird, that would have been a real disaster.

She took a deep breath and said slowly: "Since the Venerable still recognizes the importance of not lowering one’s stature, then please let the girl go first. If you wish to instruct Wanzhuang afterward...I shall accompany you!"

Vermilion Bird flung Bao Qin towards Tang Wanzhuang.

Tang Wanzhuang caught her, and the next moment Vermilion Bird soared into the sky like a phoenix, fierce flames diving straight down.

Just as battle was about to commence, a voice suddenly came from next to them, Zhao Changhe’s voice: "Venerable Vermilion Bird, let me show you something."

Vermilion Bird took a brief glance.

A plain, black token, seemingly unremarkable at first glance.

But Vermilion Bird’s Qi Force retracted sharply, veering to the roadside before clashing with Tang Wanzhuang, with a "boom" trees alongside the road broke and dust filled the air.

Vermilion Bird stood in shock, unbelieving: "Where did you get Emperor Ye’s Token!"