Chaotic World Book
Chapter 95 - 93 The Man Tang Wanju Could Never Have

Chapter 95: Chapter 93 The Man Tang Wanju Could Never Have

Zhao Changhe knew that Tang Wanzhuang and other concerned people had essentially locked the suspicion of the prince onto him.

Initially, there were two survivors at Luo Family Manor, Xia Chichi was also a suspect, but since she was a woman, everyone had previously assumed the prince was male and hadn’t focused on her, opting to investigate Zhao Changhe first.

The more they didn’t investigate him, the more it seemed he might not be the one, as there were quite a few discrepancies. For starters, his age was wrong; Zhao Changhe claimed to be about twenty, while the prince should be around seventeen. Moreover, the Chaotic World Book confirmed he had only recently started learning martial arts, which the prince should not have been doing at this time. Cui Wenjing had initially thought he wasn’t the one and considered the matter closed upon his death.

But the more they investigated, the more he seemed to fit; inherently a scholar, he should not possess the cultural depth typical of a rural youth, which was indeed very suspicious. Additionally, the miraculous cultivation technique and his compatibility with the Dragon Sparrow were essentially irrefutable evidence; other flaws were irrelevant, as they didn’t know how much they had unconsciously explained away on his behalf.

For instance, his age was surely because he didn’t want to be the prince, using his mature appearance as a pretext to mislead others by three years; learning martial arts was likely because he initially intended to live an ordinary life until Zhao Mansion was massacred by Luo Zhenwu and Luo Family Manor was exterminated. Only then did he realize the importance of power in this chaotic world and decided to cultivate—these all ironically explained why such a genius could achieve such mastery in merely half a year with the best bloodline in the world, understandable.

This time, no one paid any attention to Xia Chichi anymore; Cui Wenjing directly called her a demoness from the Demon Sect, which was quite telling. Besides her age and surname, common coincidences found everywhere, none of her characteristics matched what would be expected of a prince. Her cultivation was full of Evil Techniques from the Demon Sect, which made her seem more like an early spy planted by the Four Symbols Sect in Luo Family Manor.

Zhao Changhe could roughly guess what they were thinking, and found it quite ironic. It was impossible to guess Xia Longyuan’s intentions; only Xia Longyuan himself knew, and the biggest evidence was probably Xia Chichi’s cultivation of her mother’s White Tiger Divine Skill... Yet he didn’t speak, and no one knew.

He always felt as if a pair of mocking eyes was watching him from afar, seemingly asking, "Hey, I know you are not my son, but shall I call you ’Dad’ anyway?"

Was he also part of this mocking observation of the drama of life from the clouds?

But Zhao Changhe was quite troubled.

He coveted Xia Longyuan’s Inner Strength.

Though his talents limited him from making it his main practice, he was well aware of the immense potential of this cultivation technique.

Even now, it was very beneficial to him, whether it was boosting his External Skill cultivation, transforming and amplifying his Qi and physical strength during battle, suppressing conditions when sick, or aiding in quick recovery afterward—it was almost a technique he couldn’t do without daily. Often fighting beyond his level, it seemed on the surface that it was the Blood Evil Skill at work, but inside, the credit due to this Inner Strength was half; otherwise, he couldn’t have risen "levels" at all, and any divine dissipation should have drained him.

Then he also coveted Xia’s Dragon Sparrow. As a swordsman, he was extremely fond of this blade and couldn’t let go. Initially, possessing Dragon Sparrow wasn’t easy, he knew it would provoke trouble but still found it hard to let go.

After all, he was not a cultivator, unable to achieve detachment from greed and delusion.

Since he coveted Xia Longyuan’s possessions, it was natural to face the consequences. Now it was difficult for him to defend himself convincingly about Inner Strength and Dragon Sparrow, and he couldn’t betray Xia Chichi either, especially since Xia Chichi truly hated Xia Longyuan and had no desire to be a princess.

When Tang Wanzhuang made this matter clear, he didn’t quite know how to dodge it.

Seeing Zhao Changhe remain silent for a long time, Tang Wanzhuang sighed and softly said, "Has it been these years... harboring hatred towards His Majesty?"

Zhao Changhe twitched the corner of his mouth, "You guessed it right, but that person is Chichi."

Tang Wanzhuang was silent for a long while, seemingly hesitant, and finally made up her mind, speaking softly, "Although it’s not obvious, His Majesty’s cultivation must have also gone awry; many have guessed it, hence the current undercurrents and instability... It’s not that he doesn’t care, but he probably can’t manage it."

Saying so, she seemed to feel a bit like she was forcing a justification, after all, it had been over a decade, sending someone to fetch the mother and child wouldn’t require immense power in cultivation.

Then she slightly bowed her head, silently making tea without saying more.

Zhao Changhe simply said, "Regardless, I am not the one, discussing this with me is pointless."

If his previous denials were genuine, these now sounded like he was "talking out of anger." Tang Wanzhuang didn’t even bother to expose him and directly said, "Your Highness, if you don’t acknowledge it, will you just watch as Great Xia falter with no successors and Jiangshan collapse?"

Zhao Changhe replied, "That’s none of my business."

Tang Wanzhuang sighed, "Even if you are not, since you have taken on the Six Harmonies Divine Skill and the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow, shouldn’t you do something about it?"

Zhao Changhe’s first reaction was, I finally know the great reputation of Xia Ji’s Eight Trials. Six Harmonies Divine Skill... You might as well call it the Eight Desolate and Six Harmonies Only I Am Supreme Skill.

Then he sighed and said, "Indeed, having taken his things, I should give something in return, as long as you don’t drag me off to be a prince. Doing some tasks in exchange, I am willing."

Tang Wanju went silent again.

If you’re not going to be a prince, what do we need you to do, huh? Rely on you, a Mystical Gate Fourth Layer from the Worldly Society, to go out and fight?

Suddenly, Zhao Changhe said, "Hey, me not becoming a prince is for your benefit, right? If I did become one, wouldn’t that be awkward for you? We just apologized to each other—what’s next, arranging a marriage? I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet."

Tang Wanju was stunned for a moment, her always calm and elegant demeanor visibly blushing slightly.

Being compared to a courtesan, she wasn’t angry. Being told to clean up and wait for me, she wasn’t angry and even poked fun herself. But now that it was actually happening, her face turned red and annoyance was clear in her eyes, "Even if you are a prince, what does that have to do with me? Why should we discuss marriage! Don’t listen to nonsense from others. Who told you marriage discussions are transferable?!"

Zhao Changhe lowered his head to drink tea, "I know you’re anxious, don’t be in a hurry yet."

Those words, rather typical, made anyone hurry, leading Tang Wanju to gasp for breath, almost starting to cough.

Zhao Changhe said, "I’ve seen the rankings in the Chaotic World Book you’re organizing. You’re third on the Earth List?"

Tang Wanju gasped lightly and composed herself, somewhat weakly asking, "So what if I am?"

"Although it doesn’t state your age, I reckon from your level of cultivation and your position in the Imperial Court, you can’t be too young. Over thirty yet?"

"...Twenty-eight."

Zhao Changhe was startled for a moment, impressed internally.

I wonder if her being under twenty-five when on the Hidden Dragon List and then the Human List applies here. According to getting on the Human List at twenty-five, that means within three years... no, these rankings were from a year ago, so within two years she had moved from the end of the Human List to the top three of the Earth List? That’s pretty terrifying.

Such potential, such ability, no wonder she could hold a high position in the Imperial Court at such a young age.

Sickly strategist, glamourous elder sister, tsk.

Admiring her internally, he said, "So you’re twenty-eight, and I’m twenty... according to what you speculated the actual prince should be seventeen. That’s almost a whole cycle older, best not go after the young ones, behave."

Tang Wanju nearly gritted her teeth to pieces, "What I’m saying is, there’s no need for me to discuss marriage with you!"

Zhao Changhe scoffed, "You might think so, but your family might not agree. Otherwise, why push Yangyang towards Beimang? You must think I’m dumb."

Tang Wanju gasped lightly and unexpectedly fell silent.

"So there." Zhao Changhe poured himself another cup of tea, nonchalantly adding, "I don’t want to acknowledge a prince, and you don’t want a prince for marriage discussions—we’re natural allies, aren’t we? You just cover me by saying I’m not the one, then find me some tasks as repayment for the cultivation technique and Dragon Sparrow, and everyone’s happy, right?"

Tang Wanju’s face was expressionless.

Do you realize how naïve that proposal sounds?

But when you think about it... once he acknowledges it, not only could he inherit an empire, but he also has a great chance to directly win over Tang Wanju herself. Tang Wanzhuang wasn’t sure how many people in the world could resist such a temptation, but here was one right in front of her.

In her heart, she suddenly recalled a slew of Zhao Changhe’s brash statements, including this one: "The man Tang Wanju can never get..."

Perhaps that sentence was genuinely heartfelt?