Chaotic World Book
Chapter 94 - 92 Tang Wanju

Chapter 94: Chapter 92 Tang Wanju

Fortunately, entering wasn’t through the main entrance of the brothel; otherwise, if someone were to see and go back to whisper to Xia Chichi, "Zhao Changhe went into a brothel," Zhao Changhe really wouldn’t know how he’d die.

Taking the back entrance, one couldn’t tell it was a brothel. Behind lay a small bamboo forest with a glimpse of a bamboo tower revealed, fragrant and pleasant, secluded and tranquil. Occasionally, the sound of insects and birds resonated with a stream of music from inside the bamboo tower, clearly the dwelling of a high official from the Imperial court, yet filled with a hermit’s charm.

Strong men in plain clothes were hidden throughout the bamboo forest, watching Zhao Changhe enter with fierce and watchful eyes.

Without giving them a glance, Zhao Changhe strode up the stairs.

As his footsteps tapped on the floorboards, and he arrived at the door, the music stopped.

Zhao Changhe stood outside the door, looking at the woman inside. For some reason, the high-ranking individuals he knew who received guests didn’t like using servants; at that time Cui Wenjing was alone waiting for him in the pavilion, and now Tang Wanzhuang also sat alone, quietly in the bamboo tower.

She was no longer in the thick mink fur coat he had first seen her in, but in a simple dress with long hair cascading to her waist, a vision of ethereal elegance. Yet her face was still pale, a worried brow remained, unclear if she was still recovering from illness or weighed down by cares, but appearing only more graceful.

With her delicate hands having stopped playing the zither, Tang Wanzhuang turned her head upon seeing Zhao Changhe standing at the door and smiled lightly, "Please come in."

That smile was like a delicate plum blossom blossoming amidst the snow, warming the spring breeze and causing flowers to bloom everywhere.

Zhao Changhe, who thought himself to be tough as iron, couldn’t help but skip a beat at heart, thinking this woman was indeed beautiful—so beautiful it was impossible to associate her with the position of the head of the Demon Suppression Department, and that frail beauty made it hard to imagine the power she had shown standing before the Vermilion Bird Venerable that made him dread her.

However, he had seen it with his own eyes, and at that time he was actually afraid she would slay him, the "traitor".

Half a year later, it was already as if worlds apart.

Zhao Changhe entered the room, and Tang Wanzhuang moved to sit beside the tea table, her hands skillfully brewing tea.

Sitting quietly opposite her, the fragrance of the tea wafted through the air, steam rising, with Tang Wanzhuang’s figure behind the mist appearing even more ethereal, like a fairy in the clouds, elusive.

Zhao Changhe had a belly full of words he wanted to say, but couldn’t speak a word, a belly full of poetic imagery, yet no culture to conjure a poem—only silence remained. It seemed that in the presence of such a woman, even the restless flavor of the Worldly Society would settle, and so the roaring rivers would calm, dwindling quietly eastward in the sunset.

Tang Wanzhuang was also looking at him. The once immature but defiant youth now sat opposite her with a long blade, the defiance still present while the immaturity had faded, his presence as formidable as a crouching tiger.

She offered him the teacup and laughed, "Why is Mr. Zhao not speaking? Could it be you are holding a grudge against Wanzhuang for the manhunt before?"

Zhao Changhe clicked his tongue, "With someone like you... in this kind of atmosphere, it just doesn’t allow a person to speak loudly."

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled, "A true Worldly Society rogue would just say how pretty this woman looks and ’clean up and wait for me’, where would they bother about creating the right atmosphere to speak softly?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

"Mr. Zhao has read books, and that’s why you can appreciate the ambiance of the bamboo forest and the sunset by the river," Tang Wanzhuang said. "Maybe you have a poem in your belly too, just unwilling to express it."

Zhao Changhe bluntly said, "Actually, I do have a poem... but speaking it might not be much different from telling you to clean up and wait."

Tang Wanzhuang didn’t take offense and asked with a hint of curiosity, "I would love to hear the details."

"If I were to say, ’I dare not speak aloud, lest I startle the celestial beings above,’ would you think I was flattering you?" Zhao Changhe said irritably. "But I myself am annoyed because I really felt that way just now. I can only say, being beautiful is really like cheating. I was sort of angry at you, and now I can’t bring out that anger—instead, I feel somewhat weaker, and that really pisses me off."

Tang Wanzhuang ignored his last few words and softly repeated the line of poetry, a look of surprise in her eyes.

Zhao Changhe asked curiously, "Isn’t that line from the classics? Why the surprise?"

Tang Wanzhuang smiled without replying.

It was one thing to find it in the vast ocean of classics—a complete other thing to have it memorized; to then apply that memorized verse to one’s own feelings, that was yet another matter.

This person’s "scholarly" aura was completely revealed with just one sentence, unable to be masked by any amount of Worldly Society’s ruffian air. If one were to say that they only started reading seriously as an adult and managed to cultivate such an aura within half a year, it would be even more difficult than reaching Level 88 of the Hidden Dragon after half a year of martial arts training.

Was he really born in the rural Zhao Mansion?

She thought for a moment and simply asked, "So why do you now dare to speak out, and even more bluntly at that?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Once the box of words has been opened, the ambiance is broken, and it doesn’t matter anymore. Hence, I suggest that from now on, you’d better play dumb and just play the lute, as for things like the Vermilion Bird and White Tiger, they might turn their heads and walk away at the sight of you... Oh, no, that won’t work, they’re all women, they probably won’t fall for it; the likelihood of them wanting to tear off your face is even greater."

At this point, his heart felt a pang of distress. Now that White Tiger was Chichi, if she found out that he had privately met such a beautiful woman, the likelihood of her wanting to tear her apart was indeed great—or maybe even tear him apart.

This woman was genuinely fucking beautiful, and Zhao Changhe wondered if the Chaotic World Book had a ranking for supreme beauties; this one might just top the list! Unfortunately, the Chaotic World Book wasn’t really a book born out of chaotic times; it was just a page of the Heavenly Book that recorded worldly martial affairs. If someone really intended to create chaos, it felt like having a beauty ranking would make things even more chaotic.

A thought flashed through his mind as Tang Wanju was saying, "So, Young Master Zhao does actually hold a grudge against Wanzhuang, because of the wanted order."

"Not really, I was psychologically prepared for the issuance of the wanted order. To kill someone in front of the Imperial Court’s top official and not be wanted would be the real shock. This is the path I chose; what reason would I have to blame you? If you’re willing to retract the wanted order, I should be the one thanking you. By the way, you made a good sketch of me."

Tang Wanju’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she watched Zhao Changhe, finding his demeanor rather amusing.

Zhao Changhe finally took a sip of his tea, then puckered his lips as if scalded: "I just don’t want to be like a piece on a chessboard, overlooked by higher beings who occasionally drop a new piece from above, watching the chessboard change as if watching a series of amusing monkey plays. The same goes for you, and there’s another one too. She was much worse than you, so my resentment is directed at her; although I do have some grievances against you, and often make irreverent comments, I wouldn’t really say I hate you."

Tang Wanju didn’t ask who the other person was, nor did she defend her previous actions of observation, but simply raised her cup in a toast: "If that’s the case, Wanzhuang offers an apology to Young Master Zhao."

Zhao Changhe, even if offended, couldn’t show it, and dully raised his cup in return: "I’ve said some nonsense to you several times, and for that, I apologize. Please don’t take offense at my rough manners."

Before they met, he thought he might die without understanding why, but in reality, it was quite simple. When the other party has the bearing and lofty ambitions, they wouldn’t pester you over trivial banter like the ordinary village maidens. She was the first to apologize. A man who can’t handle being treated gently and firmly alike naturally offered an apology in return, and the matter was settled.

Their cups clinked with a "ding," as if to announce that all past grievances between them had ended, and it was time to speak of the future.

Tang Wanju drained her cup of tea, and as she set it down, she suddenly leaned forward, covering her mouth as she coughed violently, her previously graceful demeanor crumbling in an instant, looking as frail as if she might fall over with a simple gust of wind.

Poor Zhao Changhe, as straightforward as an iron man, had never seen such a scene and stood there holding his cup, utterly at a loss. Could it be that a master like you could be choked by tea? No... that’s it—she has unhealed internal injuries! What to do?

It obviously wouldn’t be appropriate to go up and pat her on the back, but what should he do? Just stand there and watch?

It took him a while to remember he still had some injury medicine from the Cui Family in his pocket, including some for internal injuries, though he wasn’t sure if it was appropriate, he still handed her a pill: "This, it’s quite useful for soothing internal injuries, I ate one when I got kicked in the Dantian and had no problems afterward..."

Tang Wanju coughed painfully, gasping for breath in a soft voice, and gently waved her hand, whispering, "It’s no use... I rushed my breakthrough back then and injured my lung meridian, even His Majesty has no solution..."

"Damn, the top of the Heavenly List is just this?" Zhao Changhe cursed without holding back: "Sometimes I think he’s awe-inspiring, but other times, he just seems like a fool! And you, a distinguished lady who seems so composed; what’s the urgent need for a breakthrough, would Great Xia die if you go up one more level?"

Tang Wanju looked at him bewildered and agitated, whispering, "One must not be disrespectful to His Majesty."

"I’m just a bandit; if I’m disrespectful, it’s to him. What’s he gonna do, bite me?"

"...Especially you."

Zhao Changhe was momentarily silenced and then defiantly said, "No, I’m not!"

"Really?" Tang Wanju asked, looking at the Dragon Sparrow on his back: "Then... why does the Dragon Sparrow rejoice at your presence?"

————

PS: Wish everyone a happy Lantern Festival~

Today is also my 40th birthday, and I won’t be adding more Chapters tonight as I spend a good birthday and Lantern Festival with my family. Please understand. I will add more tomorrow.

Yeah, I’m still asking for those monthly tickets.