Tome of Troubled Times
Chapter 869 (2): Records of the Monster Saber

Chapter 869 (2): Records of the Monster Saber

Indeed, Dragon Bird had taken Ling Ruoyu into the underwater sword chamber.

The sword chamber had long since been emptied. Shuanghua’s remains had been retrieved years ago by the Four Idols Cult and given an honorable burial in the capital. The ancient blades that once adorned the walls had been collected by Xia Chichi for the imperial treasury. Even the various remnants of sword intent that Han Wubing once studied here had long faded into nothingness.

All that remained was a single old meditation cushion, the same one that had once concealed the golden foil. It was as if someone had left it there to commemorate the past.

Exhausted and wounded, Ling Ruoyu slumped onto the cushion and set Dragon Bird aside. She fumbled for her medicine pouch, swallowed a pill, and then cautiously asked, “You... really are the holy saber Dragon Bird?”

Dragon Bird puffed out her nonexistent chest, thoroughly enjoying the respectful tone of her adorable junior sister. “Relax, little sis—so long as I’m here, those small fry won’t lay a finger on you!”

Ling Ruoyu said nothing. If you weren’t here, I would’ve been halfway to the city already. None of this would’ve happened. And with you here, things don’t exactly feel safe either... These people came to hunt you down, and they came fully prepared. Plus, your mental—ugh, never mind. Are you even sober yet?

Now trapped in this sealed, inescapable sword chamber beneath a lake, she saw little hope of survival.

But she said none of this aloud. She only sighed. “Let me recover for a moment. Once I regain some strength, I’ll break out and lure Li Huangquan away. You escape in the other direction. With your power, as long as you don’t fall into a trap, no one here can match you.”

Dragon Bird paused. “What are you saying? You’re going to lure them away? Are you trying to die?”

Ling Ruoyu smiled faintly. “You are King Zhao’s saber. You must not fall into the hands of evil demons. Once you escape, head straight to the capital and report this. I don’t believe the Heavenly Demon Society is acting alone. There’s something more behind this, something bigger. They’re not just petty opportunists. Also, if you can, go to Tianshan and deliver a message to my master. Her name is Yue—”

“No need for introductions,” Dragon Bird cut her off, tilting her hilt as if rolling her eyes. “I know who your master is.”

She looked at the young girl in front of her like she was a little idiot.

But aside from being a bit green... she really is just like her master, and a little like that damned Zhao guy too.

Is this the jianghu they believe in? A place where life and righteousness cannot always coexist, and choosing one over the other is treated as nothing more than routine. She really is just like her master and her master’s husband.

A single glance between them sparked a bond that endured through fate’s cruel hand. Even knowing it was predestined, they never regretted that meeting.

Clang!

A heavy impact shook the sword chamber. Outside, someone was attacking the spatial barrier.

This kind of minor independent space was never built to withstand a prepared siege.

Ling Ruoyu gripped her sword’s hilt, her voice low and calm. “Get ready. I’ll go right—”

Dragon Bird folded its arms within the saber and said smugly, “Do you know about superimposed spaces? What looks like a single space might actually contain another layer further. My master called it a nesting doll.”

Ling Ruoyu blinked. “So... this sword chamber is actually superimposed over another secret realm?”

“Yes, once they breach the spatial barrier, the secret realm will be exposed.” Dragon Bird grinned slyly. “That’s when things will get really chaotic, and we’ll slip out.”

Ling Ruoyu murmured, “So the world has long deemed the bottom of Ancient Sword Lake to be a dead end... and yet there’s actually another secret realm beneath? Could there be an ancient demon god sealed within?”

“More or less,” Dragon Bird replied, though a bit sheepishly. The memory of a certain someone being mistaken for an ancient demon god and caught mid-tryst still lingered awkwardly. Whether he was up for a repeat of that humiliation was questionable.

None of Xia Chichi’s crew knew why Dragon Bird had run away from home. And mischievous as the little spirit was, nobody questioned it either. What they all forgot, however, was that a weapon spirit bound to its master shared a spiritual link. When Zhao Changhe was unconscious, Dragon Bird had no sense of his whereabouts. But once he awakened, she knew instantly, and she charged off to find him.

It had not been a rebellious tantrum, but homing instinct.

So Dragon Bird showing up here could only mean one thing—Zhao Changhe was near. Not that the evil cultivators pursuing Dragon Bird had figured that out yet.

To the uninformed, this ancient, quiet lake seemed serene. In truth, it was one of the most perilous places under heaven. Its danger rivaled that of the Night Palace and the Abyss of Jiuyou.

Is it too early for the secret realm to be exposed like this? Maybe. But theoretically, he should be awake by now. At worst, he’s just sleeping in. Breaking out ten or fifteen days ahead of schedule shouldn’t be a problem. After all, he wouldn’t blame us. This is his beloved wife’s disciple, and I’m his beloved saber spirit. If he doesn’t show up to save us, is he just going to keep on sitting still?

Don’t make me cut your ass so badly that you’ll never be able to sit again!

Ling Ruoyu, meanwhile, was growing increasingly anxious. “You’re a treasure with a spirit. If that ancient demon god takes a liking to you, what then?”

Dragon Bird: “...”

How could he possibly have evil designs on me? What is he going to do, molest a young saber?

Boom!

The ground quaked violently. Cracks began to form in the fabric of the space, and a distant voice echoed through, “There’s nowhere left to hide. We’ve surrounded the area. Hand over Dragon Bird, and perhaps we’ll consider sparing you. Join us, and we may even put your talents to use.”

“Let’s go! I’d rather not provoke that ancient demon god,” said Ling Ruoyu, abandoning her earlier plan to split up. She grabbed Dragon Bird and bolted.

“Why are you panicking? Who said it’s an ancient demon god? Couldn’t it just be a modern martial artist who stumbled in? Haven’t you done the same before?”

“...”

Boom!

Another blast of energy shattered the space. The entire barrier collapsed with a thunderous crack.

Ling Ruoyu’s steps faltered.

Li Huangquan and the others rushed in only to halt in stunned silence.

This was not the sword chamber they had expected, but a place of endless shadow and gloom.

Yet within that darkness, there was light.

A quiet pool shimmered faintly in the darkness. A withered lotus platform floated upon its surface, the fading trace of life hinting at its past vitality. Atop one such platform sat a large man, cross-legged, dressed plainly in the garb of a martial artist. He bore no aura of power, no presence of might.

Everything about him seemed utterly ordinary except for his eyes.

His brilliant eyes crackled with unspoken lightning, illuminating the void.

Dragon Bird peeked forward.

His scar is gone... Goddamn it.

Still, even without the scar, he looked terrifying. His face was unreadable, but those piercing eyes made everyone present, even Dragon Bird, feel like prey caught in a predator’s gaze.

The weight of slaughter and conquest emanated from him.

His gaze settled on Ling Ruoyu, then shifted to Dragon Bird. A flicker of confusion passed through his otherwise placid face.

Little Bird... actually allowed someone else to wield her? I just took a little nap, and now I come back to find the whole world’s been turned upside down?

Sensing his gaze, Ling Ruoyu instinctively tucked the saber behind her back and raised her sword in a guarded stance. “Senior, we meant no offense... We didn’t realize this place was your domain...”

Li Huangquan and company could not sense the man’s power, but the overwhelming pressure in the air was real. It was clear to them that this was not someone they could afford to provoke lightly. Yet his presence did not feel evil either. Who is this? Is he really some ancient demon god?

Li Huangquan quickly cut in. “Senior, this woman is a witch. She wields an evil saber and has slaughtered countless innocents. The lakeshore is strewn with corpses. We were merely pursuing her and happened to intrude upon your rest. Please allow us to carry out justice.”

Zhao Changhe’s expression remained neutral. “You’re saying... this is an evil saber?”

“Indeed! Its aura reeks of bloodlust and slaughter. Surely, you can sense it. It has drunk the blood of thousands.”

“That’s not true!” Ling Ruoyu cried. “This saber belonged to a revered hero. It’s only ever slain the wicked!”

Zhao Changhe repeated slowly, “A revered hero, huh?”

“Yes! Aside from my master, he’s the one I admire most in this world!”

“Utter nonsense!” Li Huangquan barked. “That man was a depraved, lecherous scoundrel who ruined the lives of countless women!”

Zhao Changhe’s face twitched.

Motherf— I’ve been asleep, not dead. This is how they speak of me now? Is this the blind woman’s fault?

Li Huangquan, though unable to see through the man’s cultivation, guessed he could not be much stronger than Dragon Bird. He believed that once he had the saber in hand, there would be no need for him to fear this groggy relic of a figure who had only just awakened. With that, he barked, “The witch is still tending to her wounds in secret. We’ll seize her first and explain later!”

He lunged mid-sentence, sword flashing toward Ling Ruoyu’s throat.

Zhao Changhe flicked a finger, the motion so subtle it was nearly imperceptible.

Ling Ruoyu had just begun to raise her sword in defense when she felt Dragon Bird stir in her grip, twisting sharply from an unnatural angle. But Dragon Bird did not erupt with its usual ferocity—instead, it rose with quiet grace, its blade flickering once, as silent and fluid as drifting nightfall.

A thin line appeared across Li Huangquan’s neck. He staggered back, clutching at his throat with a gurgling rasp before collapsing flat on his back, eyes staring skyward in disbelief.

Listening to the Spring Rain in a Little Pavilion at Night.

Even Ling Ruoyu did not know what had just happened.

Before she could react, the saber flickered again.

The surrounding void churned like a blood-red tide. A heartbeat later, every black-clad intruder who had entered with Li Huangquan convulsed and burst open, their blood erupting in geysers. The floor was soon slick with gore and scattered with corpses.

Bloodied Mountains and Rivers.

Ling Ruoyu stood frozen, staring blankly at the hellscape around her. Her mind reeled. It’s over. Dragon Bird seems to have sobered up, and it’s suddenly moving on its own... It really doesn’t look like a righteous saber anymore. If anything, it looked like a monster saber[1]. What’s this ancient demon god going to make of it?

Then, the ancient figure spoke, his voice warm and sincere, “This saber exudes righteous might and unparalleled force. It truly is a revered hero’s blade. To awaken after an era of sleep and find such a weapon in the world... Remarkable. Truly remarkable.”

If Dragon Bird had a stomach, she would have vomited on the spot.

So much for awakening with newfound wisdom. He’s still the same shameless bastard.

1. The word for monster used here is 妖 (yao), which can refer to just all sorts of creatures and spirits born out of items. It can also refer to beasts or plants that have gained sentience. It’s a really annoying and difficult term to translate or explain. ☜