Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 419: If You Wish to Forge a Sword, Find Black Tortoise

After kicking Black Tortoise away, Vermillion Bird could not resist sneaking back to see her man.

Tang Wanzhuang was still tied up hosting the banquet. If she did not take advantage of this time to talk to her little man, when else would she get the chance?

It’s honestly quite amusing. She always acts so high and mighty, refusing to participate in any social gatherings, yet here she is, having to dutifully engage her guests like a good host. Heh...

This is why it’s much better to be in a demonic cult! We can act freely. Who cares if others call us rude? Why should we give them any face?

Feeling refreshed, Vermillion Bird quietly slipped into Zhao Changhe’s room. She observed from outside for a moment and saw Zhao Changhe painfully trying to heal himself with the Rejuvenation Art.

So pitiful, even his bandages were wrapped by Cui Wenjing...

Wait, pitiful? He even has a father-in-law doting on him.

With a blank expression, Vermillion Bird appeared inside the room. Zhao Changhe paused his recovery and also looked at her expressionlessly, “Venerable, done fighting?”

Vermillion Bird tossed a bottle of medicine over to him. “Ever since you shared the Rejuvenation Art with Venerable Black Tortoise, our holy cult’s medical knowledge has improved. This is a newly developed external wound medicine. Barring any unforeseen issues, it should be more effective than anything else currently available.”

Zhao Changhe caught the medicine, surprised. “You seem to be quite concerned about me.”

Vermillion Bird coldly replied, “Although you pushed for this battle largely for your own objectives, it was indeed quite meaningful for us as well. I even managed to grasp a trace of the White Lotus Flame, which is fairly different from what I am familiar with, so coming here was far from being a wasted effort. You have made contributions, so consider this your reward. Also, there are some matters that I need your assistance with.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Since I sent Qing’er to invite the two of you venerables, it’s only natural that you would stand to benefit from participating in the battle. Otherwise, she would only end up in trouble. So, venerable, feel free to state any requests you might have.”

Vermillion Bird’s mouth twitched. “First request: swallow that ‘Qing’er’ nonsense and keep it to yourself. If I hear it again, I’ll beat you to death!”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “Is there really any need to be like that, venerable? You’ve already agreed to our relationship, so why care about what we call each other? You’re acting like a doting mother-in-law who can’t bear to part with her daughter after you’ve already married her off.”

Vermillion Bird: “...”

“Hehe!” Lady Three’s laughter came from outside the door; she was nearly doubled over with laughter.

Every moment of watching Vermillion Bird trying to maintain her dignity while facing Zhao Changhe made her want to roll on the floor.

She discovered that this matchmaking business might just be the best decision she had made in her entire life. It was killing her with laughter—Vermillion Bird, who was always so fierce, had now been reduced to this!

Vermillion Bird clenched her fists, but she could not really lose her temper at the only person who knew her secret. Pretending not to notice Lady Three, she kept a stern face and said, “Second request: Tang Wanzhuang has imprisoned that ancient remnant soul. We won’t fight for ownership, but there are many ancient secrets we can learn from it. We must not be excluded from this process—we want to ask it questions too.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Since everyone contributed, of course everyone gets a share.”

Vermillion Bird coldly asked, “Are you sure that Tang Wanzhuang will listen to you? If she kicks us out, will you take responsibility?”

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment.

Actually, something similar did happen in the past, and it also involved Tang Wanzhuang.

Haah, Sisi... Speaking of which, there was a decent number of gu involved this time, but it doesn’t seem like the remnant soul used gu arts that much. I wonder if there was something else going on...

While he was in thought, Zhao Changhe subconsciously answered, “First Seat Tang would not do something like that. She’s actually more generous and broad-minded than anyone.”

Vermillion Bird’s fists clenched audibly.

She’s out there drinking, I’m here worrying about your injuries, and you’re praising her to the heavens in front of me?! What’s more irritating is that I have no reason to act jealous!

Vermillion Bird had no grounds to do anything about it, so she could only sneer, “Love-struck fool, as expected. I’ll just wait and see how Tang Wanzhuang slaps you in the face.”

After saying that, she realized that it was the perfect moment to leave with a flourish. She had no reason to stay here any longer.

This identity is too frustrating. What’s the point of it?!

Vermillion Bird wanted to turn and leave, but her feet felt rooted to the spot. After a while, she switched the topic, “The Fire Serpent of Yi reported to me about your token... You mentioned an unfinished sword, right?”

“Do you want it?”

“I don’t want it. Whoever it’s fated for, that’s who it belongs to. Forcing it would be pointless.”

“Heh...” Lady Three chuckled again.

If it were someone else who got the Night Emperor’s incomplete sword, would you say that there’s no point in forcing it? You’d probably have killed for it long ago, and their grave would already be covered in grass by now.

Vermillion Bird pretended not to hear and calmly said, “The reason I’m asking is to know if you plan to finish forging the sword. If you do, what do you require?”

Zhao Changhe said, “I’ve consulted some experts. They believe that the only material I lack is Night Flowing Sand, but that isn’t the most crucial part. The key to the completion of the sword is that I require a deeper understanding of the stars in the sky.”

Vermillion Bird stared at him for a while. “You still haven’t answered my main question. Do you intend to complete it?”

Zhao Changhe said, “I do.”

Vermillion Bird sighed lightly. “For you to seek the intent of the stars in the sky, it would have been appropriate to let you study our holy cult’s scriptures. Given that you’re already the Fire Pig of Shi, you do have some qualifications with regard to this... But after thinking it over, I’ve decided that it’s still inappropriate to do so.”

Zhao Changhe was puzzled. “Why?”

“You’ve never studied the techniques of the four idols, yet your will is already aligned with the stars... I believe that you should walk your own path. If, at some point, you find yourself unable to progress further, then you can have a look at the techniques of the four idols. It might offer you some inspiration. But if you start with it now, it might form a preconceived notion and hinder your own development.”

Zhao Changhe was moved. “Venerable, you...”

Vermillion Bird crossed her arms. “How’s my magnanimity compared to Tang Wanzhuang’s?”

Zhao Changhe sincerely said, “It’s truly surprising. You have the magnanimity of a true master.”

Vermillion Bird was pleased in her heart but remained calm on the surface. “As long as you’re still our Fire Pig of Shi, of course we’ll look out for you as one of our own... It all depends on how much you truly identify with the Fire Pig of Shi.”

Zhao Changhe did not respond. From Huangfu Qing to Vermillion Bird, they were always concerned about his low level of connection with the Fire Pig of Shi identity. It made sense, though—he had no commitment to the cult, much less real faith, and could not offer any promises in that regard.

Vermillion Bird continued, “Do you know how to forge a divine sword? Forging a divine sword such as this is not the same as ordinary blacksmithing. There are special forging techniques involved.”

Zhao Changhe realized that he really had no idea when it came to this. There was no complete sword-forging technique passed down in Black Tortoise’s records. “Where should I seek this knowledge? As far as I know, only Old Xia has such expertise...”

Vermillion Bird smiled slightly. “Our cult’s Venerable Black Tortoise once received the complete inheritance from the ancient Black Tortoise, which included sword-forging techniques. You should get closer to her and seek her guidance.”

Lady Three: “?”

Zhao Changhe was overjoyed. This was originally Black Tortoise’s domain, and the sword-forging techniques passed down from the Black Tortoise would be the perfect answer. There was simply nobody more suitable.

Vermillion Bird’s mood suddenly improved. She leisurely turned to leave and said, “Our holy cult has all sorts of expertise. As long as you’re loyal, benefits abound...”

She finally left the room content, but as soon as she turned the corner, she grabbed Lady Three by the collar. “Still laughing?”

Lady Three responded in kind and grabbed her collar as well. “You want him to come to me for guidance? I don’t have time for that!”

“It’s time for you to do something for the cult, my dear Venerable Black Tortoise~” Vermillion Bird smiled as she pried Lady Three’s hands off her collar. “You can hand your messy affairs beyond the borders off for now. The situation has changed, the next battlefield is the Central Plains.”

Lady Three’s eyes darted around craftily. “I’ll be teaching him how to forge a sword, spending days together. Aren’t you worried? What if your little man falls for me?”

“You?” Vermillion Bird looked Lady Three up and down, then scoffed. “He’s not blind.”

Lady Three fumed. “Huangfu Qing, you...”

“Shh!” Vermillion Bird grabbed her and flew away swiftly. “Let another word slip, and I’ll tear you apart!”

“Qing’er, hehe~”

“Shut up!” Vermillion Bird gritted her teeth. “You’re close with Ying Five, so keep an eye out for whatever that night flowing sand is...”

“Oh, what a devoted wife, using all her power to help her man forge a sword, eh...”

“Is that really for my man? That’s the Night Emperor’s sword, a great endeavor for the cult! Black Tortoise, do you have no sense of duty to the cult?”

“And that’s why I keep thinking how amusing it would be to see you utterly conquered by your man. It’s really not my fault for imagining it.”

“...You really want that?” Vermillion Bird raised her voice.

Once again, the two venerables began fighting, clashing fiercely as they flew further and further away.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe, physically and mentally exhausted from his injuries, did not notice that Lady Three had been eavesdropping outside. Even the brief conversation with Vermillion Bird had left him utterly depleted of energy.

He opened the medicinal bottle Vermillion Bird had given him, applied a bit of the ointment to his chest wound, and realized that Vermillion Bird had not been exaggerating. This medicine was indeed more effective than anything he had used before, and paired with the Rejuvenation Art, its effect was even better. Upon close inspection, he could even see his flesh regenerating.

It now made sense to him why Vermillion Bird’s attitude toward him had improved. After all, he had truly contributed significantly to the Four Idols Cult’s development.

Still, he hesitated earlier. He now felt that he should have asked her about Chichi’s current situation. It had been a long time since he’d heard anything about her, and he wondered what she was up to now. But right after talking about Huangfu Qing, it felt awkward to immediately ask about Chi Chi. He was afraid Vermillion Bird would explode in anger.

At the end of the day, the Four Idols Cult was not some brothel.

He sighed.

The cool sensation from the ointment soothed his wounds, and as Zhao Changhe closed his eyes, he slowly drifted into sleep.

In his hazy dreams, the blind woman seemed to appear before him again. Even though her eyes were gently shut, he could not shake the feeling that she was staring directly at him.

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face? Oh, right, the finest of all flowers, did you write that?”

The blind woman pursed her lips, and after a long pause, she finally said, “Look at yourself, so ignorant and fearless. Still caught up in such trivial things... It really makes me want to slap you across the face.”

“What did I do now?”

“Since the beginning of this era, no ancient soul has ever revealed itself to the world. And now one has, and it fell to your chaotic attacks... Do you even realize how many waves your little stone has stirred up?”

Zhao Changhe quieted down, then suddenly smiled. “So what? It’s not like I made it come out. What’s meant to happen will happen. Go on, tell me what changes to expect. And while you’re at it, explain why they didn’t appear before. What were the limitations? I’m listening.”