Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 322: Diversion to the East

Most people did not anticipate Xia Chichi’s sudden rise.

Although it was known that she was a genius cherished by Vermillion Bird and being nurtured to be the next cult leader, her rapid ascent was still astonishing. Zhao Changhe, who was the first hidden dragon, could not make it onto the Ranking of Man, yet she, who was ranked third on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons, shot up directly to fifty-eighth on the Ranking of Man. In fact, it was even beyond that, as Tian Lingzi, who had been fifty-second, had been removed. With the subsequent shift in ranking, Xia Chichi was now fifty-seventh.

Her ranking surpassed that of Yue Hongling, who had long been recognized as the representative of the younger generation!

Yue Hongling was originally ranked sixty-eighth on the Ranking of Man, but she moved up to sixty-seventh after He Lei’s death. Although she made a breakthrough into the Profound Mysteries earlier than Xia Chichi, her only significant achievement after breaking through was defeating Chi Li and taking his spot at sixty-fifth. With Hu Lie being removed, she had advanced to sixty-fourth.

This gradual ascension appeared much more reasonable to everyone.

But out of nowhere, Xia Chichi now suddenly surpassed Yue Hongling. This upset many fans of Yue Hongling. They felt that it was unfair. In the end, however, they could only wonder how Yue Hongling felt about this sudden turn of events. They wondered if she would go and challenge someone of even higher rank out of spite for some excitement.

When thinking about it now, Xia Chichi and Zhao Changhe were actually quite similar. They were both unknown in the first half of their lives, only rising abruptly over the last year.

Xia Chichi received the full support of the Four Idols Cult, and her foundation was much more solid than that of Zhao Changhe. In this sense, it seemed that Zhao Changhe’s rise was faster and made even less sense. However, the speed at which one broke through the layers of the Profound Gate did not matter much. Many people were fast to break through Profound Gates yet got stuck at the door of the Profound Mysteries for their entire lives, failing to make it through. Xia Chichi unlocking the first Profound Mystery at such a young age was simply outrageous.

Regardless of what others were thinking, Xia Chichi herself did not care much about making it onto the Ranking of Man. She was, however, extremely pleased to be ranked above Yue Hongling.

You always overshadowed me and flirted with him, you frivolous woman! Now I’m ranked higher than you, so you better call me big sister, hahaha!

Oh, wait... There’s still that woman surnamed Tang who’s ranked even higher. Hmm, we probably shouldn’t decide superiority based on ranking. Actually, never mind, why bother comparing myself with an old woman like her? When she stands in front of me, I can just mock her until she won’t even dare to speak!

Xia Chichi hummed a tune as she returned to the city, humming along as she entered the base of the Jinqian Gang.

*

At the moment, Yang Qianyuan had reached the peak of his life at the headquarters of the Jinqian Gang.

He had personally witnessed Gang Leader Qian and a large number of the top-tier members of the gang be deceived and killed by Tian Lingzi. And as he was escaping, he even saw Ye Wuzong drag Tarantula into the secret realm. After witnessing that, he knew that there was a high probability that Tian Lingzi would not be able to return, and he knew that the thief saint had no interest in taking over a gang like theirs.

Doesn’t this mean that the rest of the gang is completely leaderless now? Isn’t this the perfect time to step up and take over?

Although Yang Qianyuan had not been here for long and his status was not that high, that did not mean that his martial prowess was lacking! Coming from a prominent clan, he had a much better background than the rest of the gang members.

So, with a long sword, he challenged and defeated all of the higher-ranking members of the Jinqian Gang at the headquarters, effortlessly suppressing all of them. After successfully displaying his might, he pridefully and arrogantly declared, “Does anyone still dare challenge me?”

“We’re willing to serve you as our leader!”

“Besides Gang Leader Yang, who else is deserving?”

“Exactly, Gang Leader Yang even has Mister Wang Daozhong supporting him!”

Yang Qianyuan’s face froze. He very much suspected that the yellow-faced man was not actually Wang Daozhong. However, he felt that it did not matter anymore. He had seen how the couple had also been poisoned and were curled up on the ground inside the stone chamber. He was fairly certain that they were dead.

At that moment, a flash of golden light lit up the sky.

Yang Qianyuan looked up at the sky in a daze. “So it was them...”

He could not help but feel a little frustrated. He was already over twenty-five. The Ranking of Hidden Dragons had never really had anything to do with him. He failed to make it onto even the Ranking of Hidden Dragons back then, let alone the Ranking of Man. On the other hand, the two, despite being so young, were world-renowned and incredibly influential.

He could not help but be affected by these thoughts. He steadied himself, thinking that his rise to fame would start from this point. He had not offended the couple and had even treated them well. Whether or not they did manage to make it out of the stone chamber, he believed that they would not cause him trouble.

Just as he was thinking this, the door to the main hall was kicked open, and Xia Chichi walked in leisurely with her hand behind her back

Yang Qianyuan’s heart sank. He jogged over to Zhao Changhe and shouted, “Mister Daozhong... You’re back?”

Zhao Changhe smiled and said, “Little Yang! You look quite spirited. Have you become the gang leader now?”

Yang Qianyuan smiled awkwardly and said, “It’s all thanks to your support!”

“Oh... Since you’ve become the gang leader, then you should have control over the gang’s resources now, right? I’d like to borrow some things from you. Would you be fine with that?”

Yang Qianyuan had a sinking feeling but forced a smile and said, “Just tell me what you want, and it’s yours.”

Zhao Changhe said very kindly, “My wife wants your head.”

Before he finished speaking, Yang Qianyuan was already fleeing. But he stopped abruptly, discovering that Xia Chichi was suddenly blocking his way.

Yang Qianyuan said angrily, “I always treated you well! When did I ever offend you?”

Zhao Changhe said calmly, “Your brothers and your sister-in-law never offended you either. You used them for your advancement, and it just so happens that we have some use for you as well. Doesn’t this reasoning seem quite sound to you?”

Yang Qianyuan shouted in a panic, “You’re just a shameless bastard pretending to be Wang Daozhong! You’re not Wang Daozhong at all! I know you’re Zhao Changhe! He’s only at the eighth layer of the Profound Gate! Everyone, attack him together! We might be able to win against him if we attack him together!”

However, no one in the entire hall listened to him.

Who was he to them? Why did they have to risk their lives for him, whether the other party was Wang Daozhong or Zhao Changhe?

Yang Qianyuan yelled, “If we had not believed Wang Daozhong was backing us, Gang Leader Qian would not have been so rash and fallen for Tian Lingzi’s trap. This guy who pretended to be Wang Daozhong got our gang leader killed! Don’t you want to take revenge for him?”

Still, no one responded.

Xia Chichi seemed to be enjoying his performance, waiting until he finished his little act before she suddenly took action with a smile.

Yang Qianyuan despairingly realized that he could not even block this one move and instantly lost consciousness.

So this is the power of the fifty-seventh on the Ranking of Man...

Xia Chichi grabbed Yang Qianyuan and whispered to Zhao Changhe, “I’ll take this guy out through the east gate, and you try to go in the direction of Fiery Kun Ridge... Do you think Old Man Ye will think that I’d take the sword pellet if we split up and I pretend to take Yang Qianyuan back?”

Zhao Changhe’s mind raced. “If he really thinks that and comes after you, only to find nothing, what if he takes out his frustration on you?”

Xia Chichi smiled and said, “Do you really think that the venerable would leave just because she said she would?”

Zhao Changhe suddenly realized. Of course, Vermillion Bird should still be around. Even if her ranking is slightly lower than Ye Wuzong’s, she’s not someone who’s easily bullied. And if the sword pellet isn’t on Chichi, it’s not like Ye Wuzong would insist on fighting her. He’d most likely turn around to go after me, but I should have already entered a secret realm by then.

It’s not a bad plan. Is this how we’re going to secure the sword pellet?

Without further ado, Xia Chichi grabbed Yang Qianyuan and swiftly moved toward the Earth Deer of Liu, where a caravan transporting cloth was already prepared.

Xia Chichi stuffed Yang Qianyuan into the carriage and led the group out of the city at high speed.

Sure enough, not long after, Ye Wuzong appeared beside the caravan, coldly staring at Xia Chichi, who was riding alongside the carriage. He stood there silently, staring intently at Xia Chichi.

Xia Chichi smiled sweetly. “Senior, why the long face?”

Ye Wuzong had a look on his face that made it seem as if he had eaten something unpleasant. “You really don’t have the sword pellet, do you?”

Xia Chichi smiled and said, “How do you know?”

“I placed a hidden marker on the sword pellet. If it was close, I would naturally be able to sense its presence,” said Ye Wuzong with a stern face. “Otherwise, you could just bury it in a random hole and I’d never find it.”

Xia Chichi smiled and said. “You really are impressive, senior.”

“Impressive my ass!”

Ye Wuzong’s face was extremely sour.

He had anticipated them splitting up, and with his overwhelming movement art, he could easily backtrack if he chased after the wrong one. Logically, it made sense to chase Xia Chichi first, as she was more likely to have the sword pellet. And if she made it out of the city with Vermillion Bird’s help, it would be difficult to get the sword pellet back then.

Following Zhao Changhe into the mountains seemed pointless. After all, how well could he possibly know the area? Hence, Ye Wuzong was confident that he could easily catch Zhao Changhe if the sword pellet really was with him instead. Additionally, the other reason why he believed that the sword pellet was with Xia Chichi was because of the risk that Zhao Changhe might keep it for himself.

Logically, Xia Chichi was the more reasonable target, but it turned out that she did not have it.

There isn’t even an expert from the Four Idols Cult on standby to assist her! Are they not afraid that I’d get angry and just kill her?

Feeling embarrassed by his misjudgment, Ye Wuzong scowled, “You actually left the sword pellet with him? Aren’t you afraid that he’d just keep it for himself?”

Xia Chichi smiled and said, “That wouldn’t be like him. He wants to win this game just so that he can give me the sword pellet. Otherwise, he would not have even spared it a glance. There’s no way he’d keep it for himself.”

Ye Wuzong asked, “What if you’re wrong?”

Xia Chichi chuckled. “Do you want to bet on that, senior?”

“...Forget it,” said Ye Wuzong. “Where’s Venerable Vermillion Bird? With her not here, are you really not afraid of me harming you? Or, did you assume that she’s here when she isn’t?”

Xia Chichi shrugged. “Actually, I’m not sure whether she’s here or not, but it’s worth the risk.”

Ye Wuzong was puzzled. “So you knew that she might not be here, yet you still dared to risk your life?”

“It’s something I want for myself, so how could I not take some risks? Am I supposed to just solely rely on a man?” Xia Chichi smiled. “Besides... While I’m not sure if the venerable is here or not, neither are you. You’re here to steal the sword pellet, not to make enemies. Since the sword pellet isn’t with me, why not chase after Changhe instead of making a move against me and making an enemy?”

“Tsk!” Ye Wuzong nodded in admiration. “You’ve got guts, girl. With someone like you in the Four Idols Cult, whether or not your cult succeeds in that rebellion, it’s certain that it will at least soon become one of the most powerful forces in the Central Plains.”

Xia Chichi cupped her fist and said, “I deeply admire your grace, senior. The Four Idols Cult sincerely wishes to cooperate with the Thieves Guild. I don’t intend to merely curry favor.”

Ye Wuzong stroked his beard, giving Xia Chichi a sidelong glance before saying, “You trust your man so much. Do you want to know who taught him disguise arts?”

Xia Chichi’s expression froze.

Ye Wuzong could tell from her expression that he had hit the mark.

Hah, you think you’re the only ones who can play tricks on me? I can cause you some trouble too!

Ye Wuzong’s figure disappeared, but his voice lingered in the air, “It was my willful disciple named Sisi who taught him disguise arts. She’s prettier than you and more flirtatious. If you recall, he vouched for her back in the secret realm. What kind of relationship do you think they have?”

Xia Chichi’s face hardened. She then instructed the Earth Deer of Liu, “Take Yang Qianyuan back to the headquarters and settle him there first. We’ll deal with the Yang Clan later.”

The Earth Deer of Liu was terrified when he saw her expression. “What about you, saintess?”

“Of course, I’m going to go look for that asshole! Do you think I’d just let him leave me and hide in a secret realm for three days? Who knows which shameless bitch he might hook up with again?!”