Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 111: Real and Fake Yue Hongling

Not only did she look the part, but her demeanor, tone, the carefree way she poured herself a drink, and her familiar attitude all screamed that she was Yue Hongling.

It was impossible to achieve this effect by relying solely on makeup and acting skills. He was so familiar with Yue Hongling that anyone else impersonating her would have been immediately exposed. However, he really could not tell if the person right in front of him was really Yue Hongling or not.

The only explanation that he could come up with was that the Maitreya Cult’s illusion art was truly extraordinary. He could not sense the illusion taking effect at all, yet he had already fallen under its spell without even being aware of it. It was truly remarkable.

“I actually thought that the Maitreya Cult would find someone to impersonate you, but I never expected that you would actually come here, Miss Yue. Is this the surprise that Abbot Fa Yuen was referring to?” Zhao Changhe pretended to be surprised and sat next to her. “I never would have thought that... You were actually a celestial maiden of the Maitreya Cult.”

Yue Hongling rolled her eyes. What nonsense is this guy saying? Can he really not tell whether or not I’m actually a part of the Maitreya Cult?

Oh, wait... He probably thinks that I’m the celestial maiden of the Maitreya Cult pretending to be myself. He probably does not want the Maitreya Cult to find out about our true relationship, so he’s deliberately pretending to be unfamiliar with me.

Yue Hongling did not come here to role-play. She intended to discuss important matters with Zhao Changhe, but she also did not want to see someone impersonating her and using her identity for romantic encounters. Just the thought of it made her feel sick.

And so, she directly said, “I am Yue Hongling.”

However, how could Zhao Changhe believe her just like that? He chuckled and said, “Of course, Miss Yue, back when you saved me at the Zhao Village, you left a deep and unforgettable impression in my mind. I would never mistake you for someone else. I just didn’t think that Abbot Fa Yuan... No, the great Buddha would really send Miss Yue to enlighten me on Buddhist teachings. This is truly wonderful...”

Yue Hongling really felt like kicking him right now. The real person is right in front of him, yet this fool still insists on thinking that I’m a celestial maiden from the Maitreya Cult merely making use of makeup and illusions. Do I really need to prove myself?

In the eyes of the world, the only connection between them was when they encountered each other in the Zhao Village. Zhao Changhe’s words, which were intended for the fake Yue Hongling, were precisely why others firmly believed that he secretly had a crush on Yue Hongling. However, only the real Yue Hongling knew that their interactions extended far beyond that, with their relationship deepening during the time that she had acted as his stronghold mistress. The more Zhao Changhe emphasized Zhao Village, the more it proved that he believed that she was just an impostor.

So in fact, as long as she mentioned their interactions in the bandit stronghold, she would be able to immediately prove her identity.

But just as she was about to say something, she suddenly stopped herself as her ears twitched slightly.

Someone is eavesdropping.

She had no choice but to swallow down her words and put up an act while thinking of a solution. “It is precisely because you and I have such a connection that the Abbot has sent me here to guide you... Our Maitreya Cult and you are a perfect match. We can take the place of the backing that you lack, and we have a way to improve your meridians, and... there’s also me...”

As she said this, she gave herself a thumbs up. This is exactly what the celestial maiden who would be acting like me would have said! Heh, it turns out I do have some talent in acting!

However, she began to regret what she just did in the next moment.

Zhao Changhe looked like he could no longer wait and eagerly approached her, with a foolish grin on his face. “I understand! Wise people do not beat around the bush. The Maitreya Cult just wants to recruit me, right? They should have just said that you are a member and I would have joined immediately! Oh, but of course, I still need you to show me some sincerity for that to happen... Ah, Miss Yue, please don’t blame me for being so straightforward. I’m just so utterly captivated by you...”

As he said that, he even attempted to put his arm around her waist.

Of course, Zhao Changhe was deliberately portraying himself as a fool, creating the image of a rough and clueless man. He believed that the more the other person looked down on him, the more likely they were to inadvertently reveal some deep secrets. For instance, exactly what the Maitreya Cult was planning on doing in Yangzhou.

As for the technique that would place him under their control, he was confident that the other party would not immediately jump into bed with him, so he had to stay cautious. After all, since they were impersonating Yue Hongling, it would be too suspicious if she acted too promiscuously.

As expected, the “flower-picking celestial maiden” pretended to be reserved and kicked him angrily. “Zhao Changhe! Is this the only thing on your mind?”

Zhao Changhe endured the kick without dodging. He deliberately allowed himself to be kicked to the ground. He quickly rolled over and got up, saying with a smile, “This is just how we bandits are. There is that saying that goes like ‘don’t let the falcon loose until you see the hare,’ right? If you were to really teach me Buddhist scriptures, I won’t understand a thing. By the time I do, it will be in the distant future. But if that were to happen, the Maitreya Cult’s important matters would remain unresolved, wouldn’t they?”

Hearing this remark, Yue Hongling completely understood what he was trying to do. He was trying to trick the celestial maiden into speaking. However, Yue Hongling could not help but blush furiously from his words.

I’m not the celestial maiden! How am I supposed to play along with this! Who the hell is listening outside? Why haven’t they left yet?! If they don’t get out of here soon, I’m just going to stop pretending altogether!

Suddenly, she received a voice transmission. “Why did you hit him?”

Yue Hongling responded coldly, “That’s what Yue Hongling would do.”

Outside, there was a thoughtful pause, but when they felt that she did seem to be right, they simply said, “You should sweeten the pot a bit and lead him in slowly. Don’t get too carried away with the act.”

At that moment, Zhao Changhe approached her once again and pleaded, “Big sister Yue, I know you are not just an ordinary celestial maiden, but could you at least give me a hug? If you give me a hug, I promise to seriously listen to your teachings!”

On one hand, he called her “Big sister Yue,” and on the other hand, she had to sweeten the pot. Yue Hongling found herself in a dilemma, unsure whether to avoid him or not. Before she could decide, he had already firmly embraced her, and he even leaned in to smell her neck.

Yue Hongling had goosebumps all over her body and her muscles grew taut. She resisted the urge to slap him into a spinning top. Instead, she took a deep breath and immediately sent a voice transmission to the person outside. “We’re about to start. Are you really going to continue listening?”

The status of the flower-picking celestial maiden was not something that ordinary believers could touch. The person outside, feeling that Zhao Changhe had been completely captivated by the celestial maiden, chuckled and replied, “I was just being cautious and making sure to keep you safe... Since this guy seems like he’s completely captivated, I guess there’s no need for me to listen further. I will be taking my leave now.”

When Zhao Changhe held the soft and fragrant figure in his arms, he was genuinely astonished. How could everything, even her scent, be exactly the same as Yue Hongling’s? It even seemed as if she was as tense as a young, inexperienced girl. Could something like this really be achieved through an illusion art?

However, he continued with his pretense, skillfully steering the conversation in the direction he desired. “Big sister Yue, I finally got to hold you in my arms. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this day... As long as you tell me to do something in Yangzhou for you, I will do it immediately, even if it costs me my life...”

“Is that so?” Yue Hongling sneered. “You want to hug me that badly? Since when did you start feeling this way?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “It started back when I first sat behind you on your horse...”

“Oh? Then why didn’t you take the opportunity to be frivolous with me when I was in your room injured?”

“That’s because I respect...Huh?” Zhao Changhe froze for a moment, and his eyes suddenly widened.

He cautiously withdrew from the intimate position he had adopted, looking at her with an apprehensive expression. Yue Hongling said with a sneer, “You’re really good at acting, I’ll admit that. So why did you expose yourself just now?”

“Ah, no, no, big sister, please let me explain!”

Bang!

Yue Hongling stood up, grabbed Zhao Changhe’s arm, and turned for a shoulder throw, smashing him ruthlessly onto the floor. “You said that you would do anything even if it cost you your life, right? Then how about you go die right now?!”

Zhao Changhe covered his head in defense. “Damn! Why are you here?! I’m innocent, I swear... I was just saying all that to deceive the impostor and find out what they were planning to do in Yangzhou... Ow, don’t step on me! That hurts! Those were all lies. I never—”

His words suddenly got cut short.

The furious stomping on his back also ceased.

The room became deathly silent, with only the sound of Yue Hongling’s slightly rapid breathing filling the room.

The sound of faint footsteps could be heard approaching from outside. The person outside transmitted in a hushed voice, “What’s going on? We heard a noise... Huh? Is that heavy breathing I hear? Did that guy resort to violence again? He’s really impatient.”

The room was so quiet that even Zhao Changhe’s senses could pick up on the movement outside. His mind raced, and he exclaimed loudly, “The Maitreya Cult’s Buddhist arts are truly profound. Is this posture of the Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus? I have been enlightened...”

The footsteps outside faded away into the distance again.

Zhao Changhe stood up, lowered his voice to a near whisper, and said, “Don’t take those words to heart... If there is anything that has been on my mind since our time in Zhao Village, it’s the hope of one day being able to ride and fight alongside you in the jianghu. Today’s events may have started off quite embarrassingly, but I am honored. My thoughts from back then may really just come true.”

Yue Hongling looked at him quietly and did not answer for a while.

Both of them knew that Zhao Changhe had left something unsaid when he cut off his sentence earlier, and he was not willing to continue.