Chaotic World Book
Chapter 407 - 397: The Grand Play Begins

Chapter 407: Chapter 397: The Grand Play Begins

Zhao Changhe sat in the outer hall chiefly to avoid the tedious formalities and feared facing the pressure of the Chaotic Scene inside. However, there was another hidden purpose:

He didn’t want to directly stand in the eye of the storm, arguing whether healing someone was feasible or whose face it would slap. He waited for others to treat or debate the treatments first. After synthesizing others’ analyses from the sidelines, he would feel more confident. If cornered by people like Wang Daozhong inside, it would be hard to escape; better to observe from outside where the bystander sees clearly.

Wang Daozhong must have realized it, thinking Zhao Changhe wasn’t there just to celebrate a birthday. He probably intended to get involved in the aftermath, deliberately creating trouble so Zhao couldn’t remain hidden; he had to be in the thick of it.

Old Wang wasn’t foolish, but the cost could be high, something he probably hadn’t foreseen...

Watching the Thunder Sword standing before him, Zhao Changhe leisurely gnawed on a chicken leg and calmly said, "At another family’s banquet, challenging a guest before the host has spoken; I’m now acquainted with the Wang Family’s manners..."

Ding Ting laughed dismissively, "Aren’t you a bandit? Proudly so, why would you care about manners unless you’re scared?"

Finally setting down the gnawed-clean bone, wiping his hands, Zhao Changhe said, "I just think your ranking is a bit low, and the Chaotic World Book doesn’t lie—it wouldn’t be interesting to fight..."

Ding Ting, enraged, drew his sword, "Teach me then!"

"Swoosh!" A sword thrust at his face.

Ding Ting, known as the "Thunder Sword" for his fierce swordplay, didn’t display much speed in this move; it was meant to force someone out of their seat to draw a blade, more restrained in power.

But to others, it was already swift, almost as if the sword light reached his face the moment the draw sound was heard.

Zhao Changhe himself wasn’t impressed by the Human List, yet anyone who made it to the Heaven, Earth, and Human List was, in essence, a "Grandmaster," even if jesting, they were not someone who could be easily countered with half a move.

Countless guests in the outer hall sweated coldly, knowing they couldn’t dodge this sword slash!

Amid the crowds’ rapt attention, a slash of scarlet blade light shone.

No one knew where his blade had been prior.

No one knew how he had drawn it.

The bloody light flashed, and screams followed.

Ding Ting’s precious sword clanged to the ground; he retreated clutching his wrist, his expression uncertain if the tendons were severed.

Blood sprayed, like rain.

A small building endured the drizzle all night.

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes misted over, always finding this move beautiful, as if teasing her.

Too typical.

Elsewhere, Ding Ting, clutching his wrist, hastily retreated. Indeed, his tendons were severed, barely hanging by a thread. Fortunately, famous doctors were all around; with quick treatment, there might still be hope to save it, otherwise at another time and place, it surely would be ruined... Unable to threaten Zhao Changhe due to the pain, Ding Ting hurried back inside, "Master Cai, Master Cai..."

The hall fell deadly silent, even Yang Jingxiu and Wang Daozhong were stunned.

No one expected that Zhao Changhe, without even standing up, would dispatch the similarly ranked Thunder Sword with a single slash.

This was already Ding Ting reacting quickly—if he had been any slower, it wouldn’t just be a tendon severed, but his entire hand.

Zhao Changhe sighed and slowly drank his wine, "Really thought I was so easily manipulated... thinking each could take their turn?"

"..."

An awkward silence lingered for moments, Wang Daozhong suddenly slammed the table, "Zhao Changhe! This was merely a friendly exchange at a birthday celebration, Ding Ting was just testing sword moves, and you took the opportunity to be vicious! Have you no sense of martial honor?"

"Oh..." Zhao Changhe didn’t even lift his eyelids, "A nobody barking so fiercely, are you overstepping your bounds?"

Those unfamiliar with the reference were puzzled, but it nearly gave Wang Daozhong a heart attack.

To bring this up now! Who had ever seen such shameless audacity?

Zhao Changhe said leisurely, "I was about to be polite, just asked earlier. At another family’s celebration, challenging a guest, is it appropriate? Since Mr. Wang and Mr. Ding think it unnecessary to maintain propriety, even saying I consider too much as a self-proclaimed bandit, isn’t that just fine? Acting the bandit is something I’m quite adept at; you might learn something."

Huangfu Qing and Tang Wanzhuang seemed speechless as if watching a drama but finally both cracked a smile.

Then, catching a glimpse of each other’s laugh, they exchanged glances and quickly reverted to poker faces.

Wang Daozhong was fuming, desperately turning to Tang Wanzhuang, "Chief Tang, how does the Demon Suppression Department view this brutal act?"

"Indeed not too favorable," Tang Wanzhuang said seriously, "Absolutely lawless!"

Wang Daozhong pleased, only to hear her continue, "Once this is settled, I will personally take him back for interrogation and custody."

Wang Daozhong, "?"

Settled? I fear you’re planning to kiss him instead? Can’t count on this chief.

Wang Daozhong, containing his anger, turned to Huangfu Qing, "Your Majesty..."

Huangfu Qing seemed to awaken from a dream with an exasperated "Huh?" and a frown that showed her distaste for this bandit, "Wang Family’s esteemed adviser is right, I must go report back to His Majesty, this man..."

"Never mind, Your Majesty." Highly likely His Majesty’s own son, who would dare accuse him in court?

Wang Daozhong finally calmed down, aware that trying to shake Zhao Changhe by conventional means was utterly impossible, swallowing the bitter fruit of his own challenge.

When had Zhao Changhe ever had such influence? Truly frightening.

He knew why Zhao Changhe had made such a ruthless move without observing the moral codes of martial arts. Once the Wang Family was confirmed as an enemy, any opportunity to weaken them even slightly was seized; who would extend courtesy in such times? However, he hadn’t anticipated that a simple act that forced Zhao Changhe from behind the scenes to the forefront would end up sacrificing the short-term combat capabilities of a capable subordinate—he could only say that Zhao Changhe’s ruthlessness was not fully understood by many who had not witnessed it themselves. They truly thought he was only capable of tender whispers amongst women...

However, no matter what, the initial purpose of sending someone to challenge had been achieved, forcing Zhao Changhe to stand openly in the limelight and preventing him from quietly doing anything behind the scenes.

At that moment, an elder had properly bandaged Ding Ting’s wrist and spoke in a stern voice, "It’s fortunate that the treatment was timely; the hand can still be saved. Mister Ding must not engage in combat with anyone for a month, otherwise not even the King of Heaven could save him."

Ding Ting, his head dripping with cold sweat, expressed his thanks, "Thank you, Mister Cai."

Cai Wenque, known as Yama’s enemy, ranked twenty-third on the Earth List.

The calamity of severed tendons was extremely difficult for anyone, yet he seemed to solve it quite effortlessly.

Previously, Zhao Changhe had mentioned seeking guidance in medical techniques from him, claiming he couldn’t find him; it was unknown where Yang Jingxiu had found him from.

Seeing that Cai Wenque had healed Ding Ting, Yang Jingxiu found the right moment to jump into the conversation, "Mister Cai truly possesses divine skills, admirable indeed."

Cai Wenque clasped his hands and replied, "You flatter me. I heard that Mister Yang has also been feeling unwell recently?"

"That’s correct," Yang Jingxiu said. "As it is widely known, the challenge of tackling the Third Secret Treasure is great. I made an attempt and felt my Spirit Platform grow dim and my spirits low. While it doesn’t affect my strength, I am concerned it may hinder future breakthroughs, therefore I invited renowned doctors to eliminate this hidden concern."

"May I take your pulse?" Cai Wenque asked.

Yang Jingxiu extended his hand generously, "Please do, doctor."

Cai Wenque stepped forward, placing his hand on Yang Jingxiu’s wrist, his expression gradually turning into one of astonishment.

The pulse was overwhelmingly vigorous, his strength unfathomably deep, certainly higher than his own cultivation, worthy of being in the top ten of the Earth List. People said the Yang Family had declined, but their accumulated depth was beyond ordinary comparison.

There’s no illness here?

And the so-called Divine Soul, too... huh?

As he thought this, he suddenly felt as if Yang Jingxiu’s Divine Soul had vanished, his own Perception as if trapped in some pitch-black space, a complete void, endlessly obscure.

To say he was dead seemed inaccurate, yet he seemed to exist, possibly in a deep slumber?

Yet if it was a slumber, he couldn’t locate where.

This was baffling... what was this?

Cai Wenque looked up at Yang Jingxiu, who was slightly smiling, showing no sign of a lost Divine Soul.

—This was Yang using his powerful skills to connect his body’s Lianshan Sword directly with himself. Others inspecting it would seem to be probing his Divine Soul, but in reality, they were examining the condition of the Lianshan Sword’s Sword Spirit.

Huangfu Qing faintly sensed this and was secretly astonished.

Yang Jingxiu wasn’t showing off, but this move was formidable. Perhaps his ranking of tenth on the Earth List was a bit low; even the former seventh-ranked He Lei likely didn’t match this level... Comparable to his own level before his breakthrough, he wasn’t certain of a victory without having achieved his breakthrough.

The Chaotic World List really could only be a reference; they hadn’t engaged in combat for a long time, making their rankings unreliable.

Elsewhere, Tang Wanzhuang was also paying attention, harboring some expectations.

If this Cai Wenque could solve the Lianshan Sword Spirit’s issue, could it possibly help her situation as well?

Amidst the anticipation of the crowd, Cai Wenque slowly began, "Based on my observation, the problem with the Family Head might be..."

"Hold on," Wang Daozhong interrupted. "Medical analysis can be discussed privately with Brother Yang, or after other doctors have examined you. We can all discuss together then. For instance, that bandit-like brother, would you like to take a look?"

Zhao Changhe clenched his teeth.

Everyone doesn’t trust me to cure the disease, so why are you staring at me?

What made him angry was that the surveillance was right on point; his thoughts of eavesdropping were instantly strangled.

Zhao Changhe wished he could strangle Wang Daozhong right there, but he stood up and walked briskly towards the main hall, "Treating Elder Yang’s illness should gather wisdom from all. Everyone should present beneficial ideas and consult each other, and perhaps gain insights. In some people’s eyes, is this a private endeavor to gain fame? What kind of narrow-minded village woman talks like that?"

I’m narrow-minded; why do you have to use my name, then?

Wang Daozhong couldn’t be bothered with him and coldly said, "Then let’s see Zhao Young Brother throw the first brick to attract jade, how about gathering wisdom broadly?"

Zhao Changhe felt utterly helpless, stretching out his hand to ask Yang Jingxiu, "Elder, may I have a look too?"

At this moment, Yang Jingxiu was actually quite irritated, not at Zhao Changhe but at Wang Daozhong. What the hell are you up to, old man? I’m here to get treated, and you’re messing around; screw you!

Old Yang swore internally, but it wasn’t good to confront him directly, yet his words started to carry a bit of a sarcastic tone, "Your thoughtful intention is good, nephew. In learning, there’s no distinction between seniors and juniors, the accomplished ones are the masters. Sharing wisdom broadly can lead to progress. The path of medicine, like martial arts, has seen some people repeatedly underestimated by the younger generation; perhaps their shortcomings lie therein."

Wang Daozhong acted as if he didn’t understand, his gaze fixed piercingly on Zhao Changhe, just waiting for him to say it was impossible, and then he would excuse him from the game first.

This was a struggle for power, extremely important; it wasn’t because he was being petty. For the sake of the Wang Family’s grand business, it wasn’t easy for him...

Zhao Changhe’s hand was placed on Yang Jingxiu.

Tang Wanzhuang and Huangfu Qing simultaneously leaned forward subconsciously, staring intensely at every change.

Then they looked at each other again and leaned back.

At that moment, Cui Yuanyang’s voice transmission arrived in Tang Wanzhuang’s ear, "The head asked me to observe the Wang Family’s abnormalities... This Doctor Cai, he entered the Wang Family yesterday and had a deep conversation with Wang Daozhong for at least half an hour."

Tang Wanzhuang narrowed her eyes.