Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 163: Slow Down

Sisi was very angry. Her story time had been interrupted. They had only gotten to the point where the maid who could disguise herself was introduced, and now her “brother immortal” had been snatched away by someone else.

What really frustrated her was that she could not even follow along, even with her identity as Zhao Changhe’s maid.

Her disguise as a maid of the Tang Clan had long been exposed. The real maid had already been rescued from the woodshed, where she had been starving for two days. If it was not for Zhao Changhe telling them about it, she might have actually starved to death. The main reason the Tang Clan did not give Sisi much trouble was that they knew that she had helped out in the crisis earlier. However, that did not mean that they would just let such a suspicious character eavesdrop on Tang Wanzhuang and Zhao Changhe when they were discussing important matters.

Fortunately, Zhao Changhe knew how to be tactful. Instead of going directly with Tang Wanzhuang, he first taught Sisi the Fox Spirit Saber Intent, so that she had something to do while he was gone.

The portion of the saber intent that Zhao Changhe knew really was just a small bit of it. However, after Sisi began practicing it, she could not understand how Zhao Changhe had comprehended it so quickly. Of course, she did have to admit that it was very suitable for her to use. It was a great complement to her martial arts and benefited her greatly.

Sisi suddenly thought that Zhao Changhe’s story was probably intended to advise her. Whether it was the Murong Clan or Jiumozhi, they both seemed to be on the path to becoming villains. And perhaps collecting martial arts from various schools was not really that meaningful. Only what suited oneself was best. In the future, she should not lurk around and steal things from everywhere... That seemed to be what he was hinting at.

Sisi sighed.

No matter how smart and capable Zhao Changhe was, he still seemed to have misunderstood some things.

But how could she explain it to him?

As she practiced, she subconsciously looked through the door and at the bedside. The bloodthirsty bead had been casually left there. She remembered Zhao Changhe’s casual attitude the night before. When it came to treasures, she could take them if she wanted, and if she did not want them, he would keep them. That was the basic rule that he had set.

However, it was exactly because the bead wasn’t suitable for just anyone that he could leave it like that.

The treasures in the Sword Emperor’s tomb might not be the same. There were simply some things that everyone would want. And even if he was willing to let her have it, the Demon Suppression Bureau might not necessarily agree. This was no longer a matter that was merely between the two of them.

*

Tang Wanzhuang’s waterside pavilion was like no other.

The maid who had been carrying the guqin stood there vigilantly, her eyes shifting up and down as she scrutinized Zhao Changhe, focusing on his scar. She then pursed her lips.

No matter how she looked at it, she felt that the young miss and this guy had nothing in common.

Although the man appeared slightly more restrained than when they first met in Sword Lake City, no longer seeming as reckless—perhaps due to having solved the cases in Yangzhou and Gusu—dense vicious qi still loomed around his body. Due to the vicious qi, he exuded an intense bloodthirsty aura. His confident strides gave the impression of a tiger that was about to pounce.

On the other hand, the young miss moved gracefully, walking lightly as if she was drifting on clouds. The contrast between the two of them as they walked side by side created a stark juxtaposition between movement and stillness. While the tiger roared fiercely, the mountain breeze blew gently, creating a strong feeling of incompatibility.

“Please, have a seat.” Tang Wanzhuang gestured, and the two sat opposite each other.

The dishes on the table were simple, even simpler than what Tang Buqi had served as a host. However, Zhao Changhe felt quite at ease and did not hesitate to start eating. He asked between bites, “What important matters do you want to discuss? The tomb of the Sword Emperor?”

“We’ll leave that for when you’ve fully recovered from your injuries. There’s no rush,” Tang Wanzhuang said with a smile. “You’ve been rushing around all this time, doing one thing after another. Don’t you ever feel the need to slow down and take a break?”

“I do. Wasn’t I just enjoying some storytelling and tea with my maid when you suddenly brought me away to discuss important matters? As for what those important matters are...”

“Not everything that constitutes an important matter requires you to head out...” Tang Wanzhuang said. “For example, have you thought about the bead from yesterday?”

“Yeah, it’s filled with impurities and various negative emotions that have gathered together. You’re right, it really is not suitable for me to use. It might be more suitable for practitioners of demonic arts who cultivate techniques that rely on negative emotions. What, do you have a method to filter out these impurities and extract only the vicious blood qi?”

“Yes, this is the important matter I was referring to,” Tang Wanzhuang said. “I could not come up with any ideas yesterday, but after thinking it over all night, I’ve come up with some methods.”

Zhao Changhe inwardly acknowledged that if the blind woman said Tang Wanzhuang wasn’t weak, then she probably did have some means. It’s quite impressive to be praised by the blind woman. That at least indicates that her understanding of martial arts should be beyond Maitreya’s. Perhaps the only thing holding her back is her injuries. If she recovers, would she be able to reach the Ranking of Heaven?

He humbly asked for advice, “I did come to Gusu mainly for this item that I believed would help me nurture vicious qi. If I want to progress in my Vicious Blood Art in any significant way, I can’t do it without such items. Since Maitreya pretty much handed it right over to me, it’s quite disappointing that I can’t use it. What are your ideas, First Seat Tang?”

Tang Wanzhuang asked, “Do you remember when I mentioned that if you were willing to learn to play the guqin and paint, it would benefit you?”

“Um...”

“You’re powerful and aggressive in battle, like a fierce tiger, which is advantageous in combat but detrimental to cultivation. At present, your cultivation seems unstoppable, and you appear to be the fastest cultivator in the world. However, the result is that there are hidden dangers in your foundation, and it’s not as stable as it should be. Despite that, you are still eager to continue nurturing vicious blood qi, pushing forward blindly. Forgive my bluntness, but if you continue like this, you will inevitably hit a painful obstacle at the eighth or ninth layer because you lack both depth and accumulation. This accumulation is not merely referring to cultivation itself, but also other techniques.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Changhe sighed and said, “Actually, deep down, I also know that I’ve been too hasty and I lack depth. But many things were pushed forward and came one after the other, so I did not have the time to settle down and consolidate myself.”

Tang Wanzhuang slowly sipped on a bowl of lotus seed soup. “After the incident in Sword Lake City, you could have stayed longer to cultivate. Han Wubing is your good friend, and you could have sharpened yourselves together, mutually bringing each other to new heights. Why did you leave in such a hurry?”

Zhao Changhe paused for a moment and scratched his head.

He had forgotten why he had left in such a hurry back then. It seemed like he had felt the need to leave as soon as possible, as if something was nipping at his heels...

Or perhaps he had simply been avoiding Tang Wanzhuang, not wanting to see her more than necessary?

Oh, it was probably because he had just acquired the golden foil and did not want to linger in such a troublesome place for much longer?

Regardless, he had now forgotten what he was thinking at that time. In any case, he had left in haste, as if something was biting at his backside.

Perhaps it could be said that it was just because of his restless mentality, which made him unable to stay in one place for too long.

Tang Wanzhuang said leisurely, “If I had not mentioned it this time, would you have hurried away again after exploring the Sword Emperor’s tomb?”

Zhao Changhe could only say, “I don’t remember what I was thinking at that time. Besides, wasn’t it you who gave me the mission to move around?”

He’s actually passing the blame to me... Tang Wanzhuang could not help but laugh, “You actually listen to my instructions? Then this time, I’ll give you a task. Regardless of the outcome of the Sword Emperor’s tomb, you must stay here for an extra ten days. What do you think?”

Zhao Changhe asked curiously, “Stay here? Why? Do you want to become more familiar with me? What are you thinking? Shouldn’t we just sever ties?”

Tang Wanzhuang sighed helplessly, “Personal reputation is nothing compared to official matters. No matter how you view it, in my eyes, you’re just an official matter.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Changhe asked, “So why are you keeping me here?”

“To learn the guqin, go, painting, and poetry with me.” Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly. “Although...maybe you don’t need to learn poetry and the classics anymore, you are already quite eloquent, after all. I’d like to continue hearing your stories as well. It’s a pity to see someone so knowledgeable appear so crude.”

Zhao Changhe felt helpless. “What’s the point of me learning these things? Even if I were truly a prince, I wouldn’t necessarily need to learn them. Learning these won’t be useful. Haven’t you heard about Zhao Ji[1] and Li Yu[2]?”

Tang Wanzhuang said earnestly, “Your spirit needs rest, and these things can help you do that. Concentrate your mind, cultivate your sentiments, dispel restlessness.”

Zhao Changhe really was not keen on learning these things, so he said, “You mentioned having ideas for the bead, is this it?”

“This is just one of the methods I thought of. Why do you think negative emotions like hatred, resentment, and hostility can affect your temperaments or thoughts? It’s because your mind is not at peace at all. I want to teach you the essence of the Tang Clan, so that no matter how the winds blow or the waters flow, it will only cause a ripple. At that time, your mind will be self-contained, clear as water, bright as the moon, free from inner demons.”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes widened. “I sneakily learned a bit of your sword intent, and your nephew already went and picked a few fights with me. Are you really going to teach me the essence of the Tang Clan? If, at that time, he calls me Uncle, it’s on y—”

“Listen, are you willing to learn or not?”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head. “Do I need to become your disciple?”

Tang Wanzhuang lowered her head, delicately stirring the soup with a small spoon. After a while, she said, “If you’re willing to do so, then that would be best.”

On this summer afternoon, it was hot and windless, and even the surrounding waterside pavilions seemed scorching hot, without any hint of coolness.

But as she lowered her head and gently stirred, it was as if the coolness of the lotus seeds in the bowl seeped out, bringing a refreshing chill to the summer afternoon, like the blossoming of water lotuses.

His mind and heart calmed down.

1. Emperor Huizong of Song, best remembered a both a patron of the arts and as a painter and calligrapher. ☜

2. Chinese poet and last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty. ☜

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