Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 443: Collaborating from Afar

The southwest region was vast, with Erhai being just a tiny dot within it. Most of the tribes actually lived scattered across various mountains. Around Erhai alone, there were several market towns like Xizhou, and even more populated and lively settlements further south near Cangshan.

Zhao Changhe had never expected to find any clues about Yue Hongling at the first town he visited. He thought he would have to search far and wide, using this place merely as a starting point.

But unexpectedly, upon arrival, he was immediately drawn into the thick of things!

Strange...

If she had been hiding deep in the mountains, it would make sense that no one could find her. But here she was in town, and it appears that even the local pacification commissioner was involved in searching for her. This likely meant that the various tribes, out of respect for the commissioner, were also helping in the search. So, how could she possibly stay hidden under such circumstances?

It seems that she got fed up with being hunted. Perhaps after hearing about the commissioner’s extortions, she took the initiative to strike, assassinating him.

Zhao Changhe imagined the scene in his mind, and he could not help but picture a somewhat frustrated but still heroic Yue Hongling.

It was clear that Yue Hongling wouldn’t have dared to act recklessly while Shi Wuding was actively searching for her. But now, with Wang Daozhong’s grand arrival, Shi Wuding, for some reason, had decided to challenge Wang Daozhong. Despite the difference in ranking between the two, a duel between two Ranking of Earth experts was no trivial matter, and it would certainly require full attention. Yue Hongling seized this opportunity and acted decisively.

It seemed that, unintentionally, Zhao Changhe had helped Yue Hongling by distracting Shi Wuding.

But at the same time, didn’t she help me out of a bind as well? Otherwise, how was I supposed to deal with Shi Wuding?

But then again, Hongling likely thinks that Shi Wuding would be fully occupied in a long duel with “Wang Daozhong,” which is why she made her move. However, I didn’t manage to hold Shi Wuding’s attention for long. His quick return could potentially cause her to misjudge the situation, putting herself at risk. Once she’s exposed, she won’t be able to outrun Shi Wuding.

These thoughts flashed through Zhao Changhe’s mind in an instant. As Shi Wuding leaped away, before he even reached the street corner, Zhao Changhe’s figure darted forward, and he called out, “Sect Master Shi, you challenge me one moment and leave the next. You think I am the type to be easily bullied? Let’s see how well that works for you!”

At the same time, he mentally connected with Dragon Emperor, silently pleading, “Brother sword, give me some face, help me out...”

Dragon Emperor remained silent.

This shameless scoundrel’s behavior is indeed quite reminiscent of my previous master...

As Zhao Changhe channeled a surge of true qi into the sword, a powerful sword intent began to rise, as if ready to burst forth from the blade.

Sword qi!

And he was not just using any technique, he was using the evolution of an ultimate technique from the Sword Emperor: Sword of Primal Slaughter!

Dragon Emperor quietly added a bit of its own power to enhance the strike.

The sword qi howled through the air, screeching like the wails of ghosts as it shot forward several zhang, directly aimed at Shi Wuding’s back.

Shi Wuding’s scalp tingled, and he instinctively twisted midair. The sword qi narrowly missed him, but the wind from the strike tore a seam in his clothes.

“Impressive sword art! Impressive sword qi!” Shi Wuding halted and turned around, coldly saying, “Didn’t you just admit defeat and invite me for a drink? What is this about now?”

Zhao Changhe responded coldly, “Different times call for different actions. In a normal challenge, there’s no shame in admitting defeat when outmatched. But when I conceded, you wouldn’t let me go. Yet when something happens behind you, you turn to leave? Do you think the Wang Clan is a joke?”

Shi Wuding thought to himself, You’re clearly taking advantage of my anxiety, hoping to exploit the situation. How shameless can Wang Daozhong be?

But as shameless as he may be, his skill is no joke. That sword qi just now was actually quite something. I really want to have a proper duel with him now.

Unfortunately, with other pressing matters at hand, the stronger Wang Daozhong was, the more troublesome it became for him. After some thought, Shi Wuding realized a quick victory was unlikely and chose to compromise. “I didn’t think things through. I’ll make amends to the Wang Clan later. Farewell!”

With that, he took off again.

Shi Wuding figured that continuing to press would only make them enemies for life, and he was certain that Wang Daozhong was not so foolish as to push things further.

But just as he had this thought, another wave of sword qi came his way.

Shi Wuding turned and deflected the attack. His usually calm face now showed signs of anger. “Brother Wang, this relentless pursuit is beneath a man of your stature.”

“Hah...” Zhao Changhe glanced upward, thinking that enough time had passed. Given Yue Hongling’s skills, unless someone had directly entangled her, she should have disappeared by now. If this dragged on and Shi Wuding became truly enraged, things could take a turn for the worse.

So he chuckled and said, “Sect Master Shi, perhaps you do not know the clans of the Central Plains well enough. Everyone in Langya knows that I, Wang Daozhong, am not a man who lets grudges slide. But let’s call it even here. I’ll seek your guidance another time. Farewell.”

With that, he dashed off like the wind.

Shi Wuding returned to find that Yue Hongling had long disappeared.

“Where is she?”

A disciple from the Sword Hut stepped forward and reported, “The pacification commissioner was struck in the throat by a sword... He didn’t make it.”

The so-called “pacification commissioner” was not actually the southwest’s pacification commissioner but a local official stationed in Xizhou. He had been helping Shi Wuding search for Yue Hongling in the area and was quite effective. Well, he used to be quite effective. Now, without the local support, Shi Wuding was practically as blind as a bat.

Shi Wuding was furious, “Where is she?!”

“It was Yue Hongling, you know? We couldn’t hold her,” the disciple replied helplessly. “We managed to engage her for a few moves, but we couldn’t keep her pinned down, and she escaped. If you had returned just a few breaths earlier, you might have still caught sight of her, but now she’s completely gone.”

“Which way did she go?”

“South.”

Shi Wuding climbed to a high vantage point and looked south. The streets twisted and turned in all directions, with no sign of Yue Hongling.

Further south, in the distance, he could even see Cangshan.

Shi Wuding was exasperated, grinding his teeth as he muttered, “Wang Daozhong!”

If he hadn’t delayed me like that, I might have caught her!

Recalling Wang Daozhong’s last words, Shi Wuding suddenly realized what had happened. Wang Daozhong had deliberately stalled him.

He did that just to disrupt the search!

Shi Wuding genuinely believed that Wang Daozhong was merely acting out of his vengeful nature; naturally, he could not possibly imagine that someone from the Wang clan could be in cahoots with Yue Hongling. He shook his head in disbelief. “These aristocrats... They risk their lives just to save face? Unlike Yue Hongling, he can’t disappear without a trace—he’s still staying with Lei Ao. Does he really think I can’t go back there tonight?”

Meanwhile, both Li Sian and Lei Ao were staring at Zhao Changhe with awe. “Mister Wang, after playing around with Sect Master Shi like that, what will you do if he comes back to seek revenge?”

Zhao Changhe laughed heartily. “I may no longer have the Wang Clan’s entourage, but I am not defenseless. Mister Li has already brought me here. I’m a lone man now, I’m free to go wherever I please. How could Shi Wuding find me again?”

Lei Ao thought to himself, Didn’t you just say something different earlier... Weren’t you asking for a guide? Now it sounds like you’ve already found what you were looking for and no longer need one.

Indeed, Zhao Changhe no longer needed a guide. He had uncovered the whereabouts of both Yue Hongling and the Sword Hut on his very first day. There was no point in using a guide to search for Yue Hongling. She was not someone that a guide could help find.

But now, the real problem was how he was supposed to contact Yue Hongling.

As he pondered, Li Sian suggested something to Lei Ao. “Xizhou is just a small town, far from grand enough for Mister Wang’s ambitions. Perhaps you could introduce him to some of the other tribal leaders? It would be an opportunity to discuss important matters, and Mister Wang could also avoid Shi Wuding for a while.”

After hesitating for a moment, Lei Ao agreed. “In that case, I’ll write a letter of introduction for him. Mister Wang, you can take that letter to Cangshan.”

By the time Shi Wuding had finished dealing with the aftermath and angrily returned to Lei Ao’s place, the response he got was: “Mister Wang Daozhong? He’s already gone. He didn’t even stay for dinner.”

Shi Wuding was dumbfounded.

Is this Wang Daozhong really an aristocrat? He acts more like a seasoned wanderer of the jianghu. People might even believe he’s another Yue Hongling!

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