Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 130: The Long River Rushes Onward Unstoppably

The kind of street challenge, where the challenger would call for a duel out in public, was the most upright and straightforward way to call for a challenge. In this scenario, it was basically impossible for either party to back out from the battle. Anyone who avoided fighting in such a situation might as well not stay in the jianghu anymore, as the gossip that would be directed at them for the rest of their lives would be even worse than the rumors that spread about Cult Leader Xue after he was beaten by Yue Hongling.

Although this was a really over-the-top way to issue a challenge, every martial artist was fond of it. For example, Yue Hongling always praised Cui Yuanyang highly for how he challenged her in Beimang.

However, the jianghu also involved social intricacies. Generally speaking, when two people were familiar with each other, they would not choose this way of issuing a challenge where neither party could retreat. When friends wanted to battle one another, they would usually privately invite each other for a duel. In this way, the duel would not damage either person’s reputation.

Wan Dongliu and Zhao Changhe were obviously quite familiar with each other. They had even faced the northern barbarians together. Moreover, the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, where Zhao Changhe was staying, was owned by the Cao Gang. During his entire stay, he had yet to pay a single penny and had been receiving the best fodder for his horse.

Not to mention the passers-by on the long street, even Xuanchong and Tang Buqi were scratching their heads at this moment, finding the situation quite incomprehensible.

Under the watchful gaze of the public, Wan Dongliu could not refuse. He jumped down from the tower with ease, cupping his fist and saying, “I did not think that you thought of me so highly. It would be impolite of me to refuse. Also, this little bro of yours would naturally not say no to a battle against a hero like yourself.”

Zhao Changhe greeted the other party in return and said with a smile, “Brother Wan, you’re twenty-three, so you’re older than me. If you call yourself my younger brother like that, it might shorten my lifespan.”

I’ve heard you call Yue Hongling big sister, but she never complained like that... Wan Dongliu murmured inwardly, feeling that Zhao Changhe’s attitude was at least not too bad. Regardless, he could not help but wonder what exactly his interlocutor was up to.

He said, “Brother Zhao, if you want to spar with me, you could have just invited me privately. Why go to such lengths?”

Zhao Changhe laughed. “Since I arrived in Yangzhou, it feels as if everything has been about the theatrics, both for others and for myself. It’s become rather tasteless, so I thought, why not just be straightforward?”

Wan Dongliu frowned. “Brother Zhao, I’m having some trouble understanding what you mean.”

“The Maitreya Cult is quite proficient at bewitching the masses, and the Cao Gang is mostly made up of laborers. This has made it incredibly difficult for the Cao Gang to resist their infiltration, so brother Wan, you must have found it quite a difficult problem to solve, right?”

Wan Dongliu replied lightly, “Indeed.”

“So, you feigned compliance, making it seem as if you believed in their endeavors yourself, but you were actually seeking an opportunity the entire time... For example, plotting to assassinate the magistrate, then framing it on the Maitreya Cult.

“Then, facing the thunderous retaliation from the imperial court, the control of the Maitreya Cult within a thousand li collapsed. You then took advantage of this situation to cleanse and reorganize the gang. By doing this, you also managed to make the imperial court feel that they can rely on your gang... However, I just must say that it really is quite hard to say who exactly Yangzhou will belong to in the future “

The passers-by were quite far away, so they could not hear much of the conversation between the two. However, the same could not be said for Xuan Chong and Tang Buqi, both of whom immediately had a change of expression when they heard what Zhao Changhe just said.

His speculations were reasonable. The true culprit clearly had their own agenda as it did not make sense to do so much work just to present the Demon Suppression Bureau with a gift. The one who seemed to benefit the most from what happened this time was the Cao Gang, and Wan Dongliu had a clear connection to it.

In fact, Wan Dongliu was more familiar with the magistrate’s routine and habits than others—after all, the Cao Gang had always had close dealings with the authorities in Yangzhou, and hadn’t the magistrate even attended the banquet that day?

However, accusations based solely on inference without evidence could not be relied upon, could they? Furthermore, the Cao Gang was not an organization that could just be casually slandered.

Wan Dongliu’s expression remained unchanged as he shook his head and said, “Brother Zhao, if you have any other thoughts, feel free to share them with me. I’m also quite curious to hear an outsider’s perspective.”

Zhao Changhe replied, “It makes no sense for the northern barbarians to come and cause trouble without reason. When Chi Li asked Miss Yue for her name, it was clear that he had no idea that she would be present. In other words, originally, his challenge was specifically directed at us, dozens of us. But then what’s the point of him doing that? He’s the First Hidden Dragon, he’s not stupid enough to think that winning against lower-ranked people would prove his superiority.

“Besides, Chi Li has killed quite a few people along the way, so he should have been acting much more covertly. Being number one on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons isn’t the same as being number one on the Ranking of Heaven. So, why would he act so high-profile? Was he seeking death? That can’t be it, so the only reasonable explanation is that he was lured here.”

Wan Dongliu nodded in agreement and said, “That makes sense.”

“They knew that Xuanchong, Tang Buqi, and I would be present, but they did not know about Yue Hongling. This shows that someone leaked the guest list to the northern barbarians in advance. There’s a great possibility that along with leaking the list, they also issued a challenge or provoked the other party. For example, they could have sent a message that the hidden dragons of the Central Plains believed that Chi Li was unworthy of his reputation.

“Chi Li, having his own pride, would naturally come to prove his worth. In that case, Chi Li coming here to fight a bunch of people ranked below him would be much more understandable. Otherwise, why would he even bother looking for us?”

Wan Dongliu looked somewhat amazed. “This is interesting. Brother Zhao, please continue.”

“The magistrate would not have been so bored as to specifically come here just to smear the reputation of the hidden dragons of the Central Plains for the northern barbarians... He must have been invited and came at just the right moment.”

“Oh? Why would he do that?”

“Wel, Brother Wan, you put on this show in order to let everyone, especially the Tang Clan, see the collusion between the magistrate and the northern barbarians. If Miss Yue had not been present, we would have all been trampled on, and we would have felt extremely resentful toward them. At that time, Tang Buqi would be more than happy to slander them when he got the chance. I used to think that it was utterly unreasonable for you to not invite Yue Hongling to such a banquet, but now that I look back at it, it makes perfect sense...”

Tang Buqi: “...”

On the rooftop in the distance, Yue Hongling sat on the eaves, tilting her head back to sip her wine, her beautiful eyes twinkling with amusement as she looked over.

Zhao Changhe concluded, “Although the enmity against Chi Li was not as intense as you may have initially expected it to become due to Miss Yue’s intervention, it was close enough. That made it the perfect time to assassinate the magistrate. If you’d waited a few more days, he would’ve already been dead, and you would not have been able to achieve the desired effect. The events that night proceeded as planned, and in the end, your scheme went quite smoothly.”

Wan Dongliu clapped his hands together and laughed, “It’s a very interesting conjecture. However, I can’t help but think about how even if your suspicions are correct, it does not seem to affect you. After all, don’t these things fit your own plans as well? So how come you’re being so aggressive to me?”

“It’s true that it doesn’t affect me much. I just hate being treated as a chess piece, used and then discarded without knowing whose agenda I’m serving.” Zhao Changhe paused and then said, “Besides, it’s not entirely unrelated to me. On the way to the banquet, I was attacked by an assassin with a bow and arrow—they should be the same person who killed the magistrate. How many people knew I was coming to the banquet? How many could have laid an ambush on my route? If you were to really consider who the possible suspects might be, there really aren’t that many.”

Wan Dongliu chuckled and said, “That’s unfair. At that time, I was busy entertaining guests. How could I be in two places at once?”

“Some idiot told me that everyone had gone to relieve themselves at least once. The time it takes to brew a cup of tea, with your movement art, should be quite enough.”

Tang Buqi: “...”

“The assassin was someone adept at using the bow and arrow, which easily leads one to think of the northern barbarians of the Grasslands. Few people consider that those of the Cao Gang are accustomed to water travel, and may I ask what is the most useful weapon in naval warfare?” Zhao Changhe chuckled. “I’ve fought some battles on water myself, and personally speaking, I find the bow to be the most useful weapon on water.”

Wan Dongliu’s expression finally turned serious, but he still waved his hand and said with a smile, “You’re speculating too much.”

Zhao Changhe suddenly changed the topic and asked a question that seemed completely unrelated. “Brother Wan, when you and I first met, I helped you catch a thief called Ji Chengkong. Where is he now?”

Wan Dongliu said, “He’s still detained in my private cell... You’ve shown interest in him twice now. If you really want to plead for him, I can let him go on your account. What’s the big deal?”

“I’m just afraid that you may not be that willing to let him go. After all, that man had learned of some of your secrets, and it may end up leading to trouble should those secrets be revealed,” Zhao Changhe said with a smile. “Ji Chengkong did not have any large bags on him back then. That means that whatever he stole must be a small object, something he could easily stuff into his pocket, perhaps?”

Wan Dongliu narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, “Indeed.”

Zhao Changhe softened his voice so much that even Xuan Chong and Tang Buqi upstairs could not hear what he said next, “For example... a mask with a rather special meaning?”

Although he spoke very softly, his words resounded like the tolling of a giant bell in Wan Dongliu’s ears. His heart jumped wildly, and his expression finally changed drastically.

“You wanted to frame the northern barbarians for my death, didn’t you? Although it did not end up going as you planned... I can’t just bear this insult lying down,” Zhao Changhe said with a long laugh. Right after he said that, he drew Dragon Bird in one swift motion and swung it fiercely. “If you won’t come to me, then I’ll come to you!”

Wan Dongliu was well-prepared and drew his saber as well.

Clang!

As their blades clashed, the surrounding sand and gravel flew outward wildly, flags fluttered in the wind, and the force of their clash made the nearby doors creak.

The onlookers were all moved by the spectacle. They could not help but wonder to themselves...was this really a battle between hidden dragons ranked among the 70th to 90th places?

Wan Dongliu’s expression grew serious. “You’ve actually reached the fifth layer of the Profound Gate.”

“I could say the same for you,” Zhao Changhe grinned. “You’ve already touched upon the sixth layer, haven’t you?”

Tang Buqi silently took out a copy of the Ranking of Hidden Dragons from his pocket and tore it to pieces.

Of course he did. It was only good for misleading people.

With their skills, you should already be among the top fifty or even the top forty. Is it fun to hide your abilities like that?

Beside him, Xuan Chong’s expression grew solemn and he suddenly said softly, “What a fast saber!”

Tang Buqi leaned over to watch and what he saw was a dazzling flash of the saber in Wan Dongliu’s hand. The saber left an afterimage where it originally had been, but it had actually already reached Zhao Changhe.

“...”

Tang Buqi knew that if he were in Zhao Changhe’s place, he would be looking up from the ground at his headless body.

Too fast, too strong...

It felt as if even a raging river could be cut off by this saber, and even the waves that surged could be repelled!

The Cao Gang’s Blue Wave Saber Art, Ten Wave-Cleaving Slashes!

Clang!

The saber that Tang Buqi believed to be unstoppable was effortlessly deflected by Zhao Changhe with a flick of his wrist. His Dragon Bird easily pushed Wan Dongliu’s saber aside. It was as if the stormy waves rushing toward him had met an even greater wave crashing down on them, sending them back

Immediately after the two sides clashed, crisp sounds akin to pearls falling on a jade plate rang out one after another. It was as if raging waves were constantly colliding. The passers-by could hardly follow the movements of their blades!

Tang Buqi stood up in shock: “How can he be so fast too?”

Xuan Chong murmured to himself, “Why am I getting the same feeling from his saber as Chi Li’s Fox Spirit Saber Art?”

The two looked at each other in extreme shock. It seemed like they were not merely seeing things, Zhao Changhe’s saber really did have a hint of Chi Li’s style...

Chi Li used a scimitar. Whenever he swung his weapon, it formed a circle, with its endpoint being its starting point. How was Zhao Changhe able to copy him when he has such a massive saber?

This kind of swift and nimble exchange should not be what Zhao Changhe was good at at all... But there he was, demonstrating his skill in this aspect perfectly, matching Wan Dongliu in their duel. Moreover, it even seemed as if he was coming out slightly on top.

“No... It’s not just Chi Li’s style, but also mine,” Yue Hongling muttered softly as she watched the battle from afar, lost in thought. “My style is even more apparent. It’s not only my sword intent, but also... my cultivation technique.”

The fleeting flush on her face resembled the rosy hues of dawn just breaking on the horizon.

This was because his qi truly did contain the essence of her cultivation technique, which he had acquired through their dual cultivation just this morning.

“He truly is a genius,” Xuan Chong murmured to himself. “When it comes to either sword or saber intent, if a normal person spends even a month dissecting one single move thoroughly, they would still not be able to grasp it. Yet, how long has it been for him... And he is just using this battle as practice. He’s using Wan Dongliu as a whetstone. The more he fights, the more he integrates and comprehends.”

Tang Buqi also noticed this. Zhao Changhe was becoming increasingly adept at making use of his abilities as the fight went on, while Wan Dongliu seemed to falter a bit.

Moreover, he definitely displayed hints of the Spring Water Sword Intent as he fought, and it was becoming more evident with each exchange!

Zhao Changhe was indeed sharpening his abilities. The more he fought, the smoother his movements became. As for Wan Dongliu’s performance, it was not due to any other reason but the last sentence that Zhao Changhe uttered earlier, which had a significant impact on him. With their momentums waxing and waning, who would emerge victorious?

What exactly was it that Zhao Changhe said that affected him so deeply?

Clang!

The two sabers violently clashed once again. A tempestuous whirlwind stirred, and roaring waves echoed, causing even the signboard of the Bright Moon Tower to tilt to one side with a crisp cracking sound.

Zhao Changhe took three steps back to counteract the violent impact. All of the blood in his body began to boil after that clash, and he surged with an even more intense fighting spirit.

Wan Dongliu, on the other hand, staggered back five or six steps, his expression extremely solemn.

“Brother Wan! Your saber is weak!” Zhao Changhe laughed loudly, leaping into the air with his saber poised, ready to strike down fiercely!

Wan Dongliu lifted his head, squinting slightly.

The morning sun seemed to be obscured by Zhao Changhe, dimming the sky slightly. A faint halo of the morning sun shone around Zhao Changhe, creating an illusion of a blood-colored backdrop.

Amidst the crimson hue, dark demonic shadows descended from above. It was as if all gods and buddhas in the sky would vanish with this strike!!

Scattering the Gods and Buddhas!

Zhao Changhe had very few ultimate skills in his arsenal. This was his ace in the hole. A smirk flickered in Wan Dongliu’s eyes. He had been deliberately giving his opponent an impression of vulnerability and weakness, waiting for this exact moment.

You have too few ultimate skills. Everyone saw this move time and time again, its weaknesses are no longer a secret!

All of its power was concentrated in one point. It relied too much on absolute strength. It capitalized on the user’s aura of bloodlust and relied on that split second where the opponent’s mental state was affected to cover its flaws. For that reason, it couldn’t be used lightly. It had to be used when the opponent’s mental state was at its weakest.

However, if the opponent was merely pretending to be weak... then with prior preparation, as long as they counterattacked while aiming directly at the user’s weak points, then it was the user who would meet their demise!

Whoosh!

A sharp whistling sound echoed as Wan Dongliu’s previously ferocious saber suddenly moved less like a saber and more like a swift sword, stabbing at Zhao Changhe’s Danzhong acupoint[1]while he was in mid-air!

It was not just his saber, there was also saber aura! The saber aura extended the length of his attack by a full chi, and he would surely be able to pierce Zhao Changhe’s chest before Dragon Bird could hit him!

Yue Hongling tightly gripped the hilt of her sword.

This is not the martial art of the Cao Gang. What is it?

This sharp killing intent was like a swordfish cutting through the waves in the vast sea, or like an earthworm burrowing through thick soil!

Wan Dongliu was just too good at concealing things, not only when it came to his strategic planning, but even his martial arts.

Splurt!

The saber aura penetrated flesh, and blood spurted out.

Yue Hongling suddenly stood up. Then, she smiled slightly and slowly sat back down.

Wan Dongliu’s eyes were filled with ecstasy, but he suddenly felt that something was wrong.

The saber aura pierced Zhao Changhe’s chest. It was a strike that should have resulted in either death or injury, but Zhao Changhe showed no reaction! The devastating strike continued unabated, with no weakening of force, landing square on Wan Dongliu’s shoulder!

At this moment, Wan Dongliu employed some kind of mysterious technique, and his upper body twisted and turned in an extremely peculiar manner. Dragon Bird failed to cleave him in two, instead viciously slashing down his chest. The strike almost disemboweled him and left him in an extremely miserable state.

“Young Leader!”

“Young Leader!”

Countless members of the Cao Gang who had been watching nearby were shocked by the sudden turn of events. They thought Wan Dongliu was going to win, but instead of claiming victory, Wan Dongliu found himself nearly split in half!

Immediately, some rushed to aid Wan Dongliu while others charged toward Zhao Changhe.

A red shadow flashed by as Yue Hongling stepped forward, sword in hand, blocking their path to Zhao Changhe. She said calmly, “This was a fair challenge. Are you really going to swarm him now that he won?”

The members of the Cao Gang were stunned.

Zhao Changhe alone was already enough of a pain, but now there’s Yue Hongling too? Are they actually a couple? Should we report this to the gang leader first?

“Don’t be stupid, I’m not dead.” Wan Dongliu leaned weakly against one of his subordinates, allowing them to stop his bleeding and dress his wounds.

The hearts of everyone in the Cao Gang fell back down from their throats.

Wan Tianxiong only had one son. If he died, the consequences would be no better to them than if the emperor’s son died.

As long as he was not dead, all was good.

Wan Dongliu took another pill. He struggled to adjust his breath for a while before saying in a low voice, “He only struck my shoulder instead of my neck, which means he anticipated everything and he just wanted to teach me a lesson, not kill me.”

After a short pause, he said weakly, “Thank you for showing me mercy, brother Zhao. I accept defeat.”

Zhao Changhe cupped his fist and said, “Don’t mention it. You did not attack with all your power either. Otherwise, I would have been pierced through instead of just getting a minor injury. That was part of the reason why I only chopped your shoulder. It’s a matter of returning the favor.”

Wan Dongliu looked at the blood flowing from Zhao Changhe’s shoulder and found it quite unbelievable. “I know I just stabbed you a little, but hitting the acupoint there should still have caused serious injury. Why does it seem like it was no different from stabbing whatever other spot on your body? I can’t believe that my attack had no effect at all.”

Zhao Changhe smiled faintly and replied, “That’s a secret. See, I’m aware that Scattering the Gods and Buddhas isn’t absolute. Did you seriously think I would be unprepared? I’m not an idiot.”

Wan Dongliu fell silent for a moment and shook his head. “I was too smart for my own good.”

“Brother Wan, I have some advice for you.”

“Pray tell.”

“Your saber art is the strongest among the opponents I have encountered so far. If you hadn't been planning to lure me into a trap and weakened your own momentum as a consequence, then I really don’t know which one of us would’ve come out on top. You are truly meticulous in planning, but...don’t you feel that you’ve forgotten the heart of a martial artist?” Zhao Changhe sheathed his saber and turned to leave. “I also find myself in such situations sometimes. Let’s learn from each other.”

Wan Dongliu remained silent for a long time before slowly cupping his fist. “Thank you for the lesson.”

Zhao Changhe halted his steps and looked toward the rising sun in the sky.

Yue Hongling naturally walked beside him, and when he stopped, she looked up to the sky as well.

Under the morning sun, a golden light emerged.

On the fifth day of the fifth month, after half a year on the path of martial arts, Zhao Changhe reached the fifth layer of the Profound Gate, integrating the essence of various schools and creating his own style. During the hour of the rabbit[2], he defeated Wan Dongliu at Bright Moon Tower.

Wan Dongliu, hidden among blue waves, sixth layer of the Profound Gate.

The Ranking of Hidden Dragons has changed. Rank 55: Wan Dongliu. Rank 38: Zhao Changhe.

The long river[3] rushes onward unstoppable.

1. This acupoint is at the center of the sternum.☜

2. 5 AM to 7 AM ☜

3. Just a note once again that Changhe’s name also literally means long river. ☜