Chaotic World Book
Chapter 417 - 406: Back to Jiangnan

Chapter 417: Chapter 406: Back to Jiangnan

The timing of this kidney dish is quite impeccable.

Zhao Changhe still cared a bit about his dignity, didn’t blatantly accompany Huangfu Qing to attend the grand farewell breakfast banquet, and hid in his own courtyard for breakfast, where the kidney dish was still hot.

Huangfu Qing couldn’t care less, attended the banquet in full dress as if nothing was the matter, chatted and laughed as usual, looking as if she was oblivious to what others were murmuring behind her back.

Yang Jingxiu also acted as if he had no idea what had happened, making overtures with flowery language, thanking the Imperial Concubine for attending the birthday banquet, filling the Yang Family with glory, expressing his tearful gratitude, talking incoherently... and also wishing Your Majesty a longevity that surpasses the southern mountains, full of thriving vitality.

Tang Wanju, citing ill health, did not come to eat either. Only Cui Yuanyang was sitting at the table, jabbing fiercely with her chopsticks at a birthday peach in the shape of a rabbit, almost penetrating the poor thing.

Seeing Huangfu Qing sitting there radiant and spirited was rather annoying...

It was originally mine, what are you so pleased about? Isn’t it just because you’re older, fearing your days are numbered?

Huangfu Qing glanced at her with a benevolent smile like that of a victor, "How about the Cui Family’s young mistress accompany this palace today?"

Cui Yuanyang jabbed, jabbed, jabbed: "Who wants to go with you..."

Huangfu Qing whispered, "Let you smell the scent along the way, to feel a bit involved."

Cui Yuanyang (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Huangfu Qing triumphed and led the group back to the Capital.

What a pity that the Tang family hadn’t dared to show their face until now, missing out on a few chances to mock; thus, the black-bellied little bitch of the Cui Family had to bear it on their behalf...

Although tasting the forbidden fruit for the first time was an experience to savor, Vermilion Bird was, after all, the Vermilion Bird; she wouldn’t indulge in the pleasures of an attendant by her side for long. She had her own affairs to attend to. She didn’t even want to say goodbye; too much sticky sentimentality was uninteresting.

Hmm, as long as you consider it as an attendant, many things become much more acceptable...

It was uncertain whether Wang Daozhong had indeed been kidnapped, but based on the Chaotic World Book’s lack of a reaction, at least nothing like Xia Longyuan killing Wang Daoning or Wang Daoning killing Qin Dingjiang had occurred. On the surface, everything seemed calm and peaceful.

Huangfu Qing was very interested in the twists and turns of this matter... The Wang Family, once thought to be a colossus, now seemed to be leaking in all directions, not even as solid as the Imperial authority. Their earlier cooperation with the rebels seemed to be led by the Wang Family, but now it was unclear who would rise or fall.

In fact, that little piggy attendant had just asked her to "convey to the Venerable" a hope that Vermilion Bird would participate in the campaign to encircle and suppress the Maitreya Sect. After weighing it, Huangfu Qing only said she would report back to the Venerable for her to decide, feeling somewhat hesitant inside.

Although the Four Symbols Sect and the Maitreya Sect were at odds due to their differing beliefs, to the point where Chichi from the Four Symbols had even killed the Buddhists of Jiangbei, getting involved now felt a bit different.

After all, in the grand scheme of things, they were all rebels, and to encircle and suppress Maitreya in such a scenario was tantamount to becoming the Tang Family’s hired thugs... Not to mention it would be too easy to eradicate Maitreya completely, which wouldn’t serve the rebels’ interests.

But there was one thing about this matter that did catch her attention, which Zhao Changhe also used to persuade her to "convey to the Venerable": that was the shadow of gods and buddhas behind Maitreya.

Those chasing the footsteps of Ancient Times were all interested in this, the higher one was on the Heavenly List, the more intriguing it was... Previously one could only find various relics and artifacts, but this seemed to be the first time coming face to face with a real person. How could Vermilion Bird not be tempted?

No other time would provide an opportunity to interact face to face with such "gods and buddhas," to experience their strength firsthand, or even to capture them for questioning... This might be the best chance. Could the Four Symbols Sect afford to fall behind? If Tang Wanju picked up everything, there would be nothing left for them...

From this perspective, not only should she herself go, but bringing that old Turtle along would be best... Can’t let a sister miss out on good things.

Truly a dilemma.

Well... regardless of going or not, calling that old Turtle to the Capital for a chat, and giving her a good thrashing seems fitting!

...

"If you get along well with her, can you influence Vermilion Bird’s decisions?" Tang Wanju sat calmly in the courtyard, knowing full well what she was asking.

The so-called "If you really defy the morals, I will be very disappointed," obviously did not exist.

Zhao Changhe sat upright like a primary school student, stealthily observing her for a while, unable to discern her mood, and honestly replied, "Whether she can influence Vermilion Bird’s decisions is not important, nor do I wish to leverage emotions... uh... anyway, the key is that Vermilion Bird is likely to be interested in the god or buddha behind Maitreya, and there’s a good chance she will take action. I even suspect Xuanwu might get involved. Their Sect prioritizes this much more than the Aristocratic Families or regular Sects."

Tang Wanju was unfazed as if she didn’t notice his hesitation, calmly saying, "Indeed, she can influence Vermilion Bird’s decisions."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Tang Wanju changed the topic: "Actually, judging by the one who previously repelled me with their strength, they are not so powerful as to warrant such caution from you in inviting heroes from all walks of life... at least they must be greatly limited. Do you know something else?"

"As you said, they must have some restrictions when they appear in this world, which is why they often seek proxies for many matters. But if we aim to root them out and invade their Secret Realm, their performance will certainly not be the same as on that day. It’s not that I am overly cautious; I even wish I could muster every available force. I’m even contemplating whether I should visit the Divine Brilliance Sect..."

"That’s about right..." Tang Wanzhuang said, "More people doesn’t always mean better... As with your once greenwood alliances, if a big venture leads to a division of spoils, it could result in internal conflict. Currently, Ying Wu needs the Secret Realm, the Yang Family owes you a favor and needs your medical skills, the Cui Family needs your help for the son-in-law, and the Four Symbols Sect perhaps wants to glimpse the secrets of gods and buddhas. There seems to be no conflicts among them; if handled well, everyone can be satisfied. Once you involve Li Shentong, you don’t know what he wants, and it might be inappropriate. In future alliances, you should take this into consideration."

Zhao Changhe was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "I’ve learned my lesson."

"I am your master, after all," Tang Wanju raised her teacup and took a sip with elegance.

Zhao Changhe looked at her again, wanting to say something but hesitated.

Tang Wanju put down her teacup and sighed, "What a pity that a certain daughter-in-law has no sense of propriety, not even knowing to offer a cup of tea to her master before leaving."

Bao Qin too seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

It’s better if you don’t see her, Miss; who knows how she would infuriate you—just let it be.

Tang Wanju looked left and right, the expressions of both were vexing; the force with which she set down the teacup increased, producing a "clang" sound.

Zhao Changhe sat up straight, attentive to his conduct.

Tang Wanju said sternly, "What I said last night, only a fool wouldn’t realize that I was deliberately provoking her to help you succeed. It’s laughable that someone actually thought she had taken a great advantage... Why does everyone seem to think I am not pleased? Do you want me to give you a good beating before you are satisfied?"

Zhao Changhe hastily replied with an apologetic smile, "No, no..."

Tang Wanju, as if she hadn’t heard him, nodded to herself, "Since that’s what you’re asking for, I’ll reluctantly indulge you."

Zhao Changhe was puzzled, "?"

"Clang!" The next moment he was flipped over miserably, and Tang Wanju fiercely gave him a beating before striding away.

"Let’s go, to Jiangnan!"

...

When they headed north to Hongnong, Jiangnan was in the midst of vigorously purging the Maitreya Sect.

The rise and fall of Maitreya was very similar to the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Han Dynasty; it started with great momentum, seemingly sweeping all before it, but after being targeted critically a few times, its power visibly diminished.

At first, by colluding with the Alien Clan, it indeed caused some effect; the Imperial forces and finances were stretched thin, lacking the capacity to organize a large-scale deployment to the south.

However, the resistance of the Jiangnan Aristocratic Family alone mired the Maitreya Sect in a quagmire, making their progression minimal.

Their alliance with the Wang Family was disrupted by Zhao Changhe, which was a minor issue, as the beheading of the Envoy at the gate was not a key obstacle to their collusion. The real crux was Wang Daoning’s disdain for the Maitreya Sect; the contempt that the Aristocratic Families held for such grassroot Cults was deep-seated, including the resistance from the great families of the south.

It was for this reason, that when the Maitreya Sect had the upper hand in the early stages, the slaughtering and extermination of entire cities and clans were seen as a desperate measure—they could not cooperate with local Aristocratic Families and not killing them would only cause chaos in the rear, potentially stabbing them in the back at any moment.

But as such actions continued, it led to a vicious cycle and an increasingly narrowing path.

When the barbarians were repelled, and the Imperial forces could spare some resources to support the south, Maitreya found it increasingly difficult to fight. When Tang Buqi decisively defeated the Maitreya’s eastern main force at Tai Lake, it was a sign that the countdown to Maitreya’s defeat had begun.

Placing their last hopes on the Xiangyang front, where there was even a chance to assassinate Tang Wanju, it was ruined by the inexplicably emerging Zhao Changhe leading the Blood God Sect. The entire affair was thrown into complete disarray, with even Maitreya himself returning severely injured.

From that point onwards, Tang Buqi rallied the heroes of the south and launched a major counteroffensive against Maitreya. Within a mere few months, lost territories were recovered, and the battlefront reached the Maitreya Sect’s headquarters in Huiji.

According to many historical analyses, this is called being the vanguard for kingship. Among the various forces that grew in the process of resisting Maitreya, a new round of competition was possible. For instance, Lv Shiheng, who had previously emerged, was one of them. And the commander-in-chief who led the unified forces to defeat Maitreya could potentially become the new overlord.

Great Xia’s luck lay in that this commander was a product of the Tang family, and even luckier was that he did not have the final say—above him was an aunt.

On his journey southward, Zhao Changhe felt very strange; he had never imagined that even Tang Buqi might have had the opportunity to contend for the world... Was there something wrong with the world...

Had it not been for Tang Wanju’s prestige and her dispatching capable officers from the Demon Suppression Department to assist, in the early stages, no one would have paid attention to Tang Buqi, and he wouldn’t even have had the chance to grow...

What puzzled Zhao Changhe the most was that it was said that an era of chaos would arise, but it was clear that every Aristocratic Family was still waiting for an opportunity even now. And from where did Maitreya derive the confidence to be the first to raise the banner a year ago when it was obvious that the time was not yet ripe?

Was it because he was uncultured, uneducated in history, and failed to understand the situation?

Or was it because the plots in Yangzhou and Gusu were foiled, forcing an early move?

Perhaps it was overconfidence in his alliance with the barbarians, and underestimation of the power of the southern Aristocratic Families?

Or maybe it was due to being pressured by the God Demon forces behind him, leaving no alternative? What were they thinking?

Zhao Changhe was very interested... Not to mention that both Vermilion Bird and Xuanwu were interested in the God Demon; the person who was truly the most curious was none other than he, Zhao Changhe. And this was also the first time, aside from the blind man, he had directly faced the God Demon.