Chaotic World Book
Chapter 81 - 79: Dust Settles (Subscription and Monthly Ticket Requests)

Chapter 81: Chapter 79: Dust Settles (Subscription and Monthly Ticket Requests)

At this very moment, many members of the Cui Family finally realized that on the surface, the duel seemed to be an impromptu farce created by the reckless and impulsive bandit Zhao Changhe, and a farce indulged by Cui Wenjing, who spoiled his daughter....

However, from the moment Zhao Changhe spoke, his hidden intent was to use the intimidating nature of his Saber Technique to frighten a weak-willed son of the Aristocratic Family like Cui Yuanteng into confessing on his own.

Isn’t this the missing critical evidence we needed!

This was not simply an act of a brainless bandit; the tough and reckless image he created was highly deceptive. Especially that scar, you could even believe someone if they told you now that he had drawn it on purpose.

People observed the expressions of Cui Wenjing and Zhao Changhe smiling at each other and thought to themselves, "Damn, an old fox and a young fox, no need for father and son-in-law, just be together already. Look at Yuan Yang standing by their side, clueless about what’s happening, as if he’s an outsider."

But why Cui Wenjue?

For the position of Family Head?

Even for that, there’s no need to strike at Yuan Yang from the start, even if he really killed Yuan Yang and managed to pin it securely on Cui Yuanyong and Cui Yuancheng, it would not stagger Cui Wenjing! Besides, the Cui Family has the Qinghe Sword, which could easily break such cases. What are you really thinking?

Cui Wenjing leisurely inquired, "Second brother, what are you thinking? On closer examination, it seems like a fool’s errand."

"Heh." Now that the truth was unveiled, Cui Wenjue bluntly stated, "You lost the Qinghe Sword, how can you still have the face to sit in the position of Family Head?"

Zhao Changhe thought to himself, this guy had indeed targeted the Qinghe Sword from the beginning... deliberately setting up a case of fratricide without any leads. For the people of the Cui Family, the first reaction would be to request the Qinghe Sword, through which he could ascertain the true nature of the Qinghe Sword.

He must have been certain that there was some issue with the Qinghe Sword... Once he exposed the problem with the Qinghe Sword in front of everyone, Cui Wenjing would inevitably have to step down, no matter his ranking in Heavenly List, for the Aristocratic Family had its own rules.

He even made multiple plans, first setting the tone and pinning the suspicion on brothers Cui Yuanyong and Cui Yuancheng. If Cui Wenjing stubbornly protected them and dragged this affair on, it might not shake him personally, but it’d provide ammunition during the selection of the next Family Head...

If Cui Wenjing saw through it and expanded the suspicion to everyone, then they couldn’t avoid involving the Qinghe Sword anymore. They would need to use the capabilities of the Qinghe Sword to investigate the suspicions against everyone, and thus the problem with the Qinghe Sword would be revealed.

Cui Wenjing handled it textbook-style from the start by not protecting his son and immediately imprisoning him, while observing coldly during the process to see who was stirring things up the most. He already knew. What about the sword-touching story... Cui Wenjue could almost assert that even if his son really did touch the sword, Cui Wenjing would manage to ensure his hands were clean! To trap a little brat with a rank nine in Heavenly List, how hard could it be?

Without Zhao Changhe, Cui Wenjing could still have settled this matter; it just lacked critical evidence and might stir continuous internal strife between two parties.

But now, there’s nothing left to tear apart.

Cui Wenjing laughed "hehe": "The Qinghe Sword is lost? What nonsense are you spouting?"

Saying that, he casually waved his hand.

The sword flew out of his hand, streamed back to the Divine Hall as if supported by an invisible hand from below, and landed precisely and stably back on the sword rack in the hall. Even more miraculous, as the sword flew back to the Divine Hall, it seemed as if the sky was being pulled open by the Divine Sword, and clouds parted to reveal the moon, brightening the calm Jiang River with moonlight.

Many elder clansmen trembled with emotion, "If this isn’t the Divine Sword, then what is? Wenjue, you’re blinded by greed, defaming your older brother and conspiring against the Divine Sword, truly deserving death!"

Cui Wenjue "heh" scoffed, giving up on arguing further.

Cui Wenjing was merely conjuring tricks; that was his own strength ranking ninth under the heavens, not the brilliance of the Divine Sword. But now, with "conclusive evidence," he no longer had the right to ask Cui Wenjing to display another unique feature of the Divine Sword for everyone to see. Cui Wenjing could perfectly take the minimum required stance, refusing by saying the Divine Sword was not for performing tricks for them, are you worthy?

The matter had passed.

He simply stated calmly to Cui Wenjing, "Big brother, you know some things very well."

Cui Wenjing lightly responded, "What I know is that no matter what you think happened to the Divine Sword, if it were for the family, you wouldn’t have employed this method. So why say more?"

Cui Wenjue nodded, "Brother, you are right."

Cui Wenjing slowly declared, "Cui Wenjue and Cui Yuanteng have wrought havoc within the clan, scheming against family and coveting the position of the Family Head. According to the family law, all their positions are stripped, first confined to the heavenly prison, awaiting the family’s decision on their punishment. The branch of Cui Wenjue is hereby expelled and exiled to the Northern Border effective immediately. The role of Prefectural Governor of Qinghe County, I shall select another capable individual and report to Your Majesty."

Cui Wenjue sighed in despair, remaining silent.

Zhao Changhe: "..."

A prefecture’s governor, a Sealing Boundary Official, you say dismiss and replace whoever you want without even the Emperor’s agreement?

Is Qinghe yours?

"Our family isn’t actually too afraid of the Emperor."

Zhao Changhe truly recognized for the first time the terror of a top Aristocratic Family. In prosperous times it’s hard to say, but in true chaotic times, such a family is totally a local hegemon that can always partake in the scramble for power—who needs to look at the Emperor’s face?

Given that, the meaning of leaving the Dragon Sparrow here in Great Xia...

Cui Wenjing glanced at him, smiling, "It seems you’ve embarrassed us in front of our guest, Yangyang."

Cui Yuanyang had been daydreaming the whole time, and at this moment, he came out of his reverie with an "ah."

"Take the guest to your father’s study. I’ll deal with some remnants here and join you soon; I have some things to discuss with our guest."

Cui Yuanyang’s heart thumped wildly.

This was no longer the attitude towards a potential "son-in-law" whose future was uncertain. Was Cui Wenjing’s study something just anyone could enter?

Who was the last external guest to enter?

It was Wang Daoning, the head of the Langya Wang Family!

She almost wanted to run back and drag those chatty servants to take a look. You thought this bandit-like person couldn’t enter my boudoir, now look where he’s entering!

...

Cui Wenjing’s study was actually not much different from a typical scholar’s study, as Zhao Changhe couldn’t recognize how precious the various utensils were anyway; as long as it looked elegant and dignified, it was fine.

The biggest difference was that in this place, Cui Yuanyang seemed to acquire an aura of her own. Gone was her simple and naïve cute appearance, now sitting quietly brewing tea, her movements smooth and gentle like a demure maiden, much to the amusement of Zhao Changhe.

"What are you looking at?" Cui Yuanyang didn’t dare to speak loudly, whispering reproachfully, "This is the courtesy for a guest. Did you really think Yangyang lacks all manners? I’ve practiced this!"

"Yes, yes, Yangyang has practiced," Zhao Changhe almost laughed out loud. "What’s the special thing about this tea?"

"Biluochun."

... Every time he heard these things that were the same as his own world, Zhao Changhe felt completely out of place.

And this was already a Gongfu tea; the modern money-making schemes of frying tea were long gone.

But Zhao Changhe knew the unveiling was not far off. Wasn’t the reason for coming to the study precisely to discuss these matters?

"It’s really unexpected; it must be the uncle." Cui Yuanyang sighed. "Uncle is really important to the family—his position alone is not something anyone can replace, and his power is immense; this must be giving father a real headache."

Zhao Changhe said, "You should have been prepared. It wouldn’t be some minor concubine or illegitimate child stirring up the struggle for position if it wasn’t at this level. You thought others just followed along so easily, focusing only on your brother, because their status isn’t high enough to make any real trouble."

Cui Yuanyang murmured, "But I still don’t understand what they’re ultimately after..."

Zhao Changhe said, "If I’m not wrong, your father is actually a true royalist, part of the Emperor’s faction. Your uncle might have been misled by some rebel, and their ultimate target is not the Cui Family, but Great Xia."

Laughter came from outside the door, "I’m somewhat hesitant now. It feels like you’re born to be a man of the Worldly Society, living a life of bold adventures; yet, you also seem to have quite a bit of political potential to mingle in the royal court."

Zhao Changhe, without turning his head, responded, "Better not. With my bit of ability, if I really got involved in court affairs, I would soon be devoured by you old foxes to the bone."

Cui Wenjing sat across from him, enjoying a cup of tea his daughter handed over, leisurely saying, "So you’re set on the Worldly Society, avoiding all speculations about your identity? But you should face it now."

Zhao Changhe asked, "Face what?"

Cui Wenjing sipped his tea leisurely, "The Dragon Sparrow of Great Xia—do you want it?"

A gleam suddenly flashed in Zhao Changhe’s eyes.

Could he really take it away?

————

PS: Third update, going to sleep now, more at noon. Seeking a monthly ticket~