Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 333: Shameless Snake Spirit

They returned to the Earth Deer of Liu’s store. As the Earth Deer of Liu had taken Yang Qianyuan away, he was not there. At the moment, the place had been taken over by the saintess as her temporary residence.

“The two of you should go change your clothes first. You’re covered in blood. It smells awful and is really unsightly,” said Xia Chichi while pinching her nose theatrically, looking disgusted. “I can’t imagine how you managed to stay in there for so long. I heard there was someone who liked crawling into secret realms with smelly girls, and now it seems like that really was true. What a strange fetish.”

Zhao Changhe rolled his eyes.

That’s quite a leap you’re making there. Not to mention, if Yue Hongling were here, she’d probably beat you up.... No, forget it. She was worrying about me outside while I was inside messing around. I can’t really argue with her.

Zhao Changhe had no choice but to say, “Alright, we’ll go change.”

Huangfu Qing did not want to be left alone with Xia Chichi. She feared that she might just lose control and punch her, so she quickly followed.

But as soon as she took a step, Xia Chichi called out, “Hold on, are you planning on changing together? Do you intend to get intimate in there?”

Huangfu Qing gritted her teeth and reluctantly stopped.

Xia Chichi leaned back and said, “Judging by all that blood, it seems you went through a lot of danger. It must have been tough... So, what did you find? Is the fire beneficial to our cult?”

Just looking at her made Huangfu Qing angry. Unfortunately, she could not reveal her identity and had to put on a respectful and patient act. “Although it’s not the fire our holy cult needs, this special flame is still very valuable. Presenting it to the venerable should benefit all fire-attribute cultivators in our cult.”

Xia Chichi did not press further about the fire. She was not well-versed in flames in the first place, and this mission had been directly assigned to the Fire Serpent of Yi by Venerable Vermillion Bird, so it really was outside her jurisdiction. She nodded and said, “Since you’ve acquired it, report directly to the venerable. I won’t ask anything more about the flame. Anyway, how are your injuries? Have you recovered?”

At this moment, Xia Chichi was genuinely concerned for her fellow cult member. Personal grievances aside, they were still sisters of the same cult, and she had to show concern.

Huangfu Qing was relieved that Xia Chichi was not pressing about the heart flame.

But in her relief, she let her guard down and casually replied, “Thank you for your concern, Saintess, but I’m not injured.”

Xia Chichi was puzzled. “You aren’t injured? Then whose blood is on you?”

Huangfu Qing: “Uh... It’s the enemy’s blood.”

“Is that so?” Xia Chichi was not so easily fooled, and she examined the blood on her clothes suspiciously.

The stains did not look like blood splattered onto Huangfu Qing’s clothes. No... They looked more like something or someone bloody had pressed against her body, and the particularly deep stain on her chest suggested that blood had been in contact with that area for a long time. It had time to soak in and spread everywhere, with clear drips falling downward.

You have the absolute gall to tell me that the blood is from an enemy?!

Xia Chichi could almost visualize what had happened. She could guess that Zhao Changhe had probably gotten injured trying to help the Fire Serpent of Yi.

The jealousy in her heart drowned out any pretense of concern for her fellow cult sister.

Xia Chichi took a deep breath and asked, “Was he seriously injured? Did dual cultivation help?”

Huangfu Qing turned her head, refusing to speak.

This time, Xia Chichi really had an idea of what had happened. She stretched lazily, her gaze falling on the teacup next to Huangfu Qing. She then said, “I’m a little thirsty.”

Huangfu Qing did not react immediately. She stood there dumbfounded for a while before slowly blushing.

Is this her way of acting as the main wife hinting for the concubine to serve her tea?

Huangfu Qing ground her teeth in frustration. Any sense of guilt she felt dissipated instantly.

She had initially thought about quietly slipping away after dropping her disguise. But now, even if she was asked to leave, she would not.

She’s going too far!

Being the Fire Serpent of Yi meant facing some bullying, but it was not without its benefits—namely, she could openly compete for a man.

Does Chichi really think I don’t dare?!

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, Saintess...” Huangfu Qing finally forced a charming smile. “Are you perhaps hinting that you’re openly breaking the rules of the cult by taking a man?”

Xia Chichi’s eyes widened in shock.

Oops... I got so carried away with the power play that I forgot about this. I’m supposed to act as if I have no relationship with Zhao Changhe in front of the cult members...

Huangfu Qing leisurely took the teacup and drank half of the tea in it before pausing. “Saintess, do you know that Changhe has joined the cult? He has accepted the position of Fire Pig of Shi under Black Tortoise.”

Xia Chichi’s eyes widened even more.

“The Fire Serpent of Yi, being together with the Fire Pig of Shi is something the cult would welcome. Actually, Venerable Vermillion Bird herself instructed me to approach him with this intention, openly and honestly.” The Fire Serpent of Yi sighed. “Actually, I’m pretty sure that there’s no need for the venerable to keep reminding you about it, I’m pretty sure that you know yourself that it’s really inappropriate for you to be together with anyone right now. There’s no need to worry about having shared this with me, I won’t tell anyone. Just make sure that no other cult members find out...”

Xia Chichi was stunned.

Previously, Vermillion Bird had laid out various reasons and justifications as to why she could not truly be together with Zhao Changhe. Other things could be ignored, but the rules of the cult were undeniable. Even Vermillion Bird adhered to these rules. It was not just about whether Vermillion Bird would object or not. If Xia Chichi still cared about the cult, she was supposed to know that she could not openly flaunt a relationship in front of the cult members, as it would shake their faith.

That is, of course, unless she truly wanted to rebel. Yet she could not possibly do that—the Four Idols Cult had been very good to her, with Vermillion Bird providing her with meticulous guidance, ample resources, any cultivation technique she desired, and everything she needed. It was thanks to all this assistance and support that she had been able to catch up to Yue Hongling in just one year despite her delayed cultivation.

Just a month or so after joining the cult, her status had already risen above tens of thousands, with so many old members bowing to her. There were even already plans to support her in becoming the cult leader in the future. The cult had truly given her its all. Would she rebel just for the sake of romance?

She could not find it in herself to do it. That was also why she had never truly defied Vermillion Bird.

As Xia Chichi thought of this, so did Huangfu Qing. Suddenly, she felt justified in snatching the man. Huangfu Qing felt that it was only right for her to snatch him!

Just as she was savoring a sense of victory, Xia Chichi sighed softly. “Maybe it really isn’t appropriate... But big sister Fire Serpent of Yi, have you forgotten that you’re technically his stepmother?”

Huangfu Qing choked on her tea, almost coughing it out despite being a powerful expert at the third layer of the Profound Mysteries.

Xia Chichi leaned forward with a smirk, resting her chin on her hand. “If we talk about inappropriateness or unsuitability, is there anyone less suitable than your imperial self? Even if I’m unsuitable, I seem to still be a little bit more suitable than you.”

Huangfu Qing opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

Xia Chichi held her chin and continued, “I know you took on this identity for the sake of the cult. You see, I did the same... also for the cult. Since we’re both doing things for the benefit of the cult, can we just set aside matters related to the cult and our identities?”

Huangfu Qing said angrily, “This is how you’re twisting it?”

Xia Chichi smirked. “Well, shall we continue talking about how you’re his stepmother then?”

“...Never mind.”

“Alright then, if we don’t talk about the cult or our positions, how about we talk about who came first?” Xia Chichi leaned back in her seat again. “I’m still thirsty.”

Huangfu Qing held her half-empty teacup, unsure whether to be grateful for the cunning little vixen’s brain or angry at herself for being bullied again.

If you manage the cult in the future half as well as you handled this little scuffle, I’ll be reassured...

Just as the situation grew awkward, Zhao Changhe finally returned to the main hall, much cleaner this time. “Huh... Why are you still wearing those bloody clothes? Go change. Chichi’s questions about the Fiery Kun Ridge can wait.”

The hall seemed to come back to life, as if time had unfrozen.

Huangfu Qing, with a sweet smile, stood up, holding her half-drunken tea, and swayed over to Zhao Changhe’s side, softly asking, “Are you thirsty? Want a drink?”

Zhao Changhe, thinking nothing of it, took the cup and said, “Thanks.”

Xia Chichi’s voice sounded like it was squeezed through her teeth, “Just you try drinking that!”

Zhao Changhe, holding the teacup, was puzzled, but Huangfu Qing, with a smile, leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t drink the tea. I can quench your thirst in other ways...”

Xia Chichi sprang to her feet. “You shameless snake!”

In his daze, Zhao Changhe felt like he had heard similar words before.

That’s right, it was when Chichi tied up Yuanyang and kissed me in front of her.

However, whether it was now or then, Zhao Changhe had absolutely no idea what to do.

I can’t just push Huangfu Qing away, right?

He really was a pitiful warrior. He would always have majestic displays outside, but when it came to this battlefield, he was utterly at a loss on what to do.

Can a senior come and teach me? Otherwise, I really don’t know how I’m supposed to live my life...