Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 234: Not a Single Good Person

Vermillion Bird, who had originally been watching Zhao Changhe’s performance with intrigue, turned quite cold toward the latter part.

Zhao Changhe was all over the place, accusing someone of adultery one moment, then accusing another of colluding with the barbarians the next. His actions led everyone astray as if it did not matter who the real culprit was anymore. Even Yan Lianping could not help but relax a bit, feeling as though it did not matter if his identity as the real culprit was exposed.

However, everyone had forgotten something: Zhao Changhe’s real goal was to find out who had spread the rumors about him.

Determining the real culprit was only meaningful to him as it would help him find out who had spread the rumors.

Yan Lianping’s momentary failure to deny being the culprit undoubtedly confirmed to Zhao Changhe that he was the one who had spread the rumors.

The point of spreading rumors that Zhao Changhe was a barbarian was to add complications to his legal affairs in the future. The prime suspect for such an action would be none other than the Wang Clan. Sword Lake City was not far from Langya, and it was likely that when Zhao Changhe clearly stated his refusal to cooperate with the Wang Clan during the conference that they held, they had already begun planning to erase his status as a prince and spread malicious rumors about him in the surrounding area.

Whoever spread the rumor was thus likely to be a member of the Wang Clan.

The Four Idols Cult had only recently allied themselves with the Wang Clan, and the news of this alliance had not even reached all of its members yet. Thus, if Yan Lianping had been spreading rumors about him, then it would not be because of an alliance with the Wang Clan, but rather due to him obeying their orders.

This easily outed Yan Lianping as a traitor.

Vermillion Bird understood all of this, and she actually found herself somewhat amused.

Before this, she had not thought that this matter would pose any harm to her as the Fire Serpent of Yi. From her point of view, the struggle between the different factions was quite petty, and whoever spread the rumors about Zhao Changhe probably had nothing to do with the Four Idols Cult. No matter how messy the situation was, she believed it to have nothing to do with her. Even if Yan Lianping was a traitor, there was no need for him to target the Fire Serpent of Yi out of nowhere. That would just be picking a fight for no reason, right? Everything would have been over in two days, right? What could possibly happen to her?

So, she did not even bother to think about the matters of Sword Lake City that much and simply watched how Zhao Changhe would handle the situation.

But at this moment, she realized that she might actually be in trouble.

She was fine at first, but Zhao Changhe’s deductions had brought trouble. Yan Lianping had been exposed right in front of her, and he would definitely fear that Venerable Vermillion Bird would find out. So, of course, he would have to silence the Fire Serpent of Yi!

The Fire Serpent of Yi was now in danger!

Thinking of this, Vermillion Bird could not help but feel both amused and exasperated.

Just as she was thinking this, a sword light came from outside the building, heading straight for Zhao Changhe’s throat.

Vermillion Bird suddenly stretched out her hand, lightly deflecting the assassin’s sword. The sword’s trajectory veered off course, narrowly missing Zhao Changhe.

The assassin was shocked.

He was Qin Ruhui, seventy-first on the Ranking of Man. Despite that, he nearly lost control of his sword from the mere flick of a finger from the other party! He was absolutely shocked and immediately became wary of the Fire Serpent of Yi’s strength.

Vermillion Bird thought to herself that controlling her power really was quite exhausting. If she did not need to hold back, this assassin would have been dead by now.

Just as she was thinking this, a sharp wind rushed toward her waist. It was Yan Lianping, holding a short blade. He had silently launched a sneak attack on her. “You really are in cahoots with Zhao Changhe. I’ll capture you and let the venerable decide your fate!”

“What are you still acting for?!” Zhao Changhe shouted as he drew his saber and pointed it at Qin Ruhui. He sneered as he said, “That little serpent was sent by Venerable Vermillion Bird to have an affair with me. What could a traitor like you possibly know?”

Clang!

Qin Ruhui deflected Zhao Changhe’s saber with his sword. Sword lights flashed from the left and right as the two elders brought by Sha Seven suddenly made their move.

Qin Ruhui, unable to pursue Zhao Changhe, quickly parried the two swords and shouted, “Sha Seven, are you really going to meddle in the Wang Clan’s affairs? Is this what Ying Five wants you to do?”

Sha Seven grinned from behind the elders. “What Ying Five wants is Sword Lake City and the ancient sword space. With this deal in place, let alone a lackey like you, even if Wang Daoning were to come in person, Ying Five would still proceed!”

Just as Qin Ruhui was about to retort, a saber light flashed from his side as Zhao Changhe’s saber swept toward him once more.

Qin Ruhui recognized this move. Fa Qing had died under the superimposed power of this move.

Underworld River Surges!

He had no time to waste on arguing. He focused on facing the attack.

Meanwhile, Yan Lianping found himself in the most challenging nightmare he had ever faced.

His sneak attack seemed to have caught the Fire Serpent of Yi off guard, but she swiftly dodged his strike, twisting her hips to avoid it. At the same time, she struck out at his eyes with lightning speed.

Her strength was indeed impressive, surpassing his expectations. Regardless, he had believed that as someone on the Ranking of Man, he would have the upper hand. But as the fight went on, he found himself inexplicably struggling more and more. He could not understand how this situation had come about.

The look of sinister mockery coming from the other party only added to Yan Lianping’s sense of foreboding.

Suddenly, he roared in anger, “What are you all standing around for? Attack!”

The bewildered members of the Pinghu Association snapped out of their daze at the sudden turn of events and rushed to join the fray.

But then they heard Zhao Changhe sigh as he swung his saber. “I must apologize to everyone, especially to the late Clan Leader Ji.”

The bystanders, who had by now taken out the watermelon seeds to munch on while listening to more of the drama unravel, subconsciously halted and turned to look at Zhao Changhe.

“Earlier, I intentionally portrayed Clan Leader Ji as a lackey of the barbarians. I did that just to make President Yan lower his guard and not conceal his true identity as the culprit. But in reality, Clan Leader Ji did not collude with the barbarians.”

This time, even the eyes of Sha Seven widened in surprise. “But what about what the Ji Clan’s steward said?”

“Indeed, Clan Leader Ji was initially involved in trade with the barbarians. The products they sold on Taiping Street were indeed sourced from the Grasslands. However, ever since the barbarians came to invade, Gang Leader Ji wanted to cut off this connection with them. When He Lei came here injured, Gang Leader Ji even refused to shelter him, so He Lei found another collaborator. He Lei, harboring resentment, then instructed his new collaborator to kill Gang Leader Ji,” Zhao Changhe said slowly. “This is the truth of the matter. The notions of assimilating the Xingyi Gang were just secondary.”

Yan Lianping said angrily, “You’re spouting bullshit!”

Zhao Changhe said calmly, “The information about He Lei staying at your place came from the Demon Suppression Bureau, not from me.”

With the endorsement of the Demon Suppression Bureau, Zhao Changhe’s words became highly trusted by onlookers. Yan Lianping’s words, on the other hand, had lost all credibility.

The former members of the Xingyi Gang rose up indignantly, immediately engaging in a brawl with the members of the Pinghu Association. “Traitors! Give us back our gang leader’s life!”

Yan Lianping had hoped to leverage his numerical advantage, but now, with one side lacking in momentum and the other ablaze with anger, the outcome became uncertain.

Yan Lianping could not comprehend how the situation had spiraled out of control like this. Zhao Changhe’s words, which clearly seemed fabricated, went unquestioned, and what baffled him even more was that He Lei actually showed up!

Just as the situation had reached a stalemate, a wounded lion from the Grasslands, who should not have appeared under any circumstances, actually showed up! It was as if He Lei wanted to cement the accusation against Yan Lianping of colluding with the barbarians—as if, after being exposed, there was no need to hide anymore.

Taking advantage of the stalemate in the battle, He Lei raised his broad saber and then swung it... at the Fire Serpent of Yi.

Even Vermillion Bird was momentarily stunned, but she soon realized why He Lei wanted to kill the supposed Fire Serpent of Yi.

Given the current tense atmosphere, if he managed to kill the Fire Serpent of Yi, Yan Lianping would only be able to follow them all the way to their side. For the barbarians to gain a core member of the Four Idols Cult was evidently advantageous. At this moment, with all sides in a deadlock, no one had the spare energy to stop He Lei.

Vermillion Bird found herself in a dilemma.

If she revealed her true strength, then she could easily kill He Lei... but should she reveal herself?

Before she could make a decision, just as she was about to deflect He Lei’s strike, a sword light flashed as Han Wubing’s calm voice rang out, “I called for you earlier to come out and face your death.”

The onlookers were stunned. Wasn’t Han Wubing supposed to have kidnapped Madam Ji at the Ji Clan? How is he suddenly here?

Does this mean that Han Wubing was never at the Ji Clan in the first place? Was that messenger lying to us? Wait, in that case, who was the messenger?!

All eyes turned to the messenger who had been ignored by others, only to see him suddenly make a move, revealing strength even greater than that of Han Wubing as he joined forces with him in attacking He Lei. “I, Wei Zicai of the Demon Suppression Bureau, have come. Barbarian, face your death!”

Following those words, numerous powerful bows and crossbows appeared out of nowhere outside the building and they all aimed at He Lei.

He Lei’s jaw dropped, and so did everyone else’s.

Still, an expert on the Ranking of Earth was an expert on the Ranking of Earth; even if he was injured, he was not someone who could easily be killed by an ambush like this. He Lei swept his saber wildly through the air, and an immensely thick wall of qi surged out from him, deflecting all of the arrows that came flying at him. Then, he swung his saber at Wei Zicai’s sword, deflecting it as he retreated.

Unfortunately, he failed to guard against Han Wubing’s attack from behind, and his shoulder blade was pierced, staining his clothes with blood. He had been nursing his injuries for so many days, yet not only had he lost all his progress right now, but his injuries had worsened.

His roar could be heard in the distance. “People of the Central Plains are truly insidious! Zhao Changhe, I will remember you!”

Taking advantage of the chaos caused by He Lei, Qin Ruhui also feinted with his sword and swiftly retreated. If an expert on the Ranking of Man insisted on leaving, nobody could stop him.

Of course, if he insisted on staying, he would undoubtedly die here! Besides, he had been inexplicably splattered with dirt. Yan Lianping was considered to be a member of the Wang Clan. However, Yan Lianping had actually colluded with the barbarians. What would happen to the reputation of the Wang Clan if this were spread?

Qin Ruhui could not make sense of what had happened.

Even more bewildered was Yan Lianping himself. He also wanted to retreat, but who was his opponent?

How could he retreat?

Just as Qin Ruhui was retreating, Vermillion Bird’s hand had already grabbed Yan Lianping’s neck, and her voice was as cold, “Thanks to you, I really need his help even more now.”

Yan Lianping did not even know what she was talking about. He felt like the world had lost its color, murmuring to himself, “I really didn’t collude with the barbarians....”

“I know.” Zhao Changhe did not pursue Qin Ruhui. Instead, he slowly came to Yan Lianping’s side and said softly, “That last part I said earlier was pure nonsense. How would I know about Ji Yinan’s past dealings with the barbarians and his recent change of heart? It’s not like I ever interviewed him. I said that purely to get the members of the Xingyi Gang to come forward. It was unexpected, even for me, that He Lei would actually come out at that time.”

Yan Lianping’s eyes bulged.

Zhao Changhe slowly turned around and looked at Wei Zicai. “So Mister Wei, can you tell me why you told me that He Lei was staying at the Pinghu Association when he was clearly staying at the Ji Clan?”

Wei Zicai smiled apologetically and said, “Of course, it was just to remind you to pay more attention to Yan Lianping. Yan Lianping’s matter is bigger. Ji Yinan is already dead after all. There is no point in worrying about whether or not he colluded with He Lei.”

“Essentially, you’re just helping Sha Seven deal with the Pinghu Association. From the moment you hesitated when I asked you about the background of Kangle Gambling House, I already realized that you may have betrayed the bureau chief and become one of Ying Five’s people. “Zhao Changhe sighed. “The temple is small, but evil winds heavy; the pond is shallow, yet wicked sharks too many. It’s honestly quite impressive how there isn’t a single good person here in this mere Sword Lake City.”

Vermillion Bird suddenly remembered what Zhao Changhe had said before about all of them lying.

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