Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 292: Busy City

Zhao Changhe wondered how Ying Five would “obtain” these spaces.

He couldn’t just station people in them, right? And even if they do “obtain” them, how are they going to reconnect them or rejoin them with the world? It’s not like they can just piece the spaces together like building blocks. Well... maybe they have their unique methods, and I’m guessing he won’t divulge them.

Looking at the reasons for the cooperation alone, it really did seem like there was no problem with going through with it. Zhao Changhe said, “What exactly are we going to be cooperating on? Will I have to share the information I obtain about secret realms? If I provide you with information, does that mean I can use your intelligence freely?”

“As long as it’s intelligence related to secret realms, we are happy to share all of it with you. Moreover, if you’re interested, you may even visit the secret realms we’ve previously acquired.”

Zhao Changhe clapped his hands and said, “Fifth lord, you’re really straightforward.”

Ying Five chuckled. “But I see that you don’t seem that interested in merely visiting. Any treasures or secret manuals we found have long been taken away from the secret realms, so they are now mere empty spaces, and you don’t really seem to see any value in them in such a state. Unfortunately, Young Master Zhao, the treasures we acquired in the past aren’t up for grabs.”

“Those are things you found, so I naturally would not have the audacity to ask for them. As for the spaces themselves, there might indeed come a time when I will have to trouble you to let me visit them.” Zhao Changhe was in a good mood and asked, “You’ve explored so many places, so you should know about ancient secrets better than anyone else, right? Could you share some of that knowledge?”

“Those secrets are indeed our unique advantage over other forces. Whether we share them with you depends on how our relationship develops in the future.” Ying Five smiled brightly. “If we become true friends, everything is negotiable. Even if there’s a conflict over specific treasures, we can discuss it. So, sharing some secrets would be no issue.”

Naturally, despite Ying Five’s cheerful demeanor, their cooperation was still in its early stages, and there was not enough trust between them to share anything of consequence. Zhao Changhe found this quite reasonable and agreed readily. “A gentleman’s word is his bond. I am in favor of this cooperation.”

Ying Five’s smile grew even wider, his eyes almost squinting shut at this point. Suddenly, he brought out a blood-colored token and handed it to Zhao Changhe. “Here, a small token of our friendship.”

As the token was taken out, the room was instantly filled with vicious blood qi. The vicious qi in Zhao Changhe’s body was influenced by this as well, and his eyes nearly turned red.

He immediately suppressed the surging qi and took a deep breath. “Is this what you were referring to earlier?”

“Exactly. The Cui Clan, being nobles, would not have such bloodthirsty and malevolent items, but we businessmen deal in everything,” said Ying Five leisurely. “Cui Wenjing can help you with the recovery of your injuries. He can also provide you with some guidance on reaching the ninth layer of the Profound Gate and perhaps even help you get a glimpse of the Profound Mysteries. However, he can’t provide you with the vicious blood qi you need for your Vicious Blood Art. Are you prepared for the vast energy and vicious blood qi you require to break through from the eighth layer to the ninth?”

Zhao Changhe looked down at the blood-colored token. Its aura was similar to the bead he had obtained from Maitreya, but this token was clearly of a higher grade and had much more concentrated vicious qi.

If the bead that Maitreya had was just a peripheral part of the Blood God Array Plate, then this token was likely a core component.

This item was indeed crucial for him.

Only someone like Ying Five, who treated various secret realms as his living rooms, could casually bring out such an item. Not even Xia Longyuan would have as wide an array of peculiar items as him, let alone Cui Wenjing.

He raised his head and glanced at Ying Five, who was still smiling at him. Ying Five said, “What do you think?”

Zhao Changhe unceremoniously pocketed the token. “This item is indeed very useful to me, so I won’t be polite with you.”

Ying Five laughed and stood up to leave. “I’ll make sure that in the future, whenever Young Master Zhao visits our establishments, information will be shared with you directly without you having to play any guessing games. Well, let’s leave it at that for now. I’m looking forward to the results of our cooperation. Farewell for now.”

“Hey, wait a minute.” Zhao Changhe called out and stopped him. “Have you ever heard of something called the Dragon Elephant Blood Ginseng?”

Ying Five grew interested. “I’ve indeed heard of it. However, I have never seen it. It’s said to be an item of the ancient era that does not exist anymore in this era. If you need it, you’ll have to search in some secret realms. Doesn’t that fit perfectly with our cooperation? I didn’t know where to start, but now we have a perfect direction for you to explore.”

Zhao Changhe smiled and said, “Alright. It seems that there will be many times when I’ll need to trouble you in the future.”

Ying Five waved his hand and left leisurely.

Once he had gone some distance from the guest courtyard, Sha Seven, who should have been in Sword Lake City, appeared at his side. “Fifth lord, this cooperation seems like a loss for us. No matter how lucky he is with finding secret realms, how many can he possibly find? We should at least set a benchmark, like having him find a certain number each year, right?”

Ying Five was speechless. “Do you think that finding secret realms is comparable to giving you guys a target for gambling house profits?”

“Well, I just feel like we’re losing out...”

“In business, besides buying and selling, there’s something called investment. Have you heard of it?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s the kind of thing that’s easiest for an emperor who unifies the world to do. But Xia Longyuan not only does not look for these secret spaces, he even actually prefers them to remain fragmented and have everyone fight over them. This is why he obstructs us rather than aligning with our goals. But can’t we place our bets on the next emperor?”

Sha Seven tilted his head in confusion.

“I’m not looking at his current ability, but rather what he can achieve in the future. If we wait until he has already established himself before striking a deal with him, we might have to sacrifice too much to establish cooperation with him, or he might not work together with us at all, as he would have no reason to.” Ying Five said and glanced beyond the corridor where Huangfu Yongxian was approaching. “Look at who’s coming.”

Sha Seven turned around and took a glance. “This is Huangfu Yongxian’s territory, so of course he’d come to see his guests. Oh, by the way, fifth lord, I’ve heard that you used to fancy Vermillion Bird. Have you ever thought that his daughter might be her?”

Ying Five took a deep breath, and veins popped out of his head. “Is that something I asked you to think about?”

Sha Seven replied, “Is it not? Speaking of which, you’re almost a full generation older than Vermillion Bird. Does it matter who she is anymore? She wouldn’t be interested in you with how much older and fatter you are...”

“...” Ying Five was silent for a moment. “How has your sword training been going?”

“Not quite hitting the mark...”

“Then switch to a dagger, it might suit you better than the sword.”

“Why? I’ve been practicing with a sword for so long.”

“Because if you use the dagger, then you can call yourself Sha Dagger[1].” Ying Five walked away. “Find an excuse by yourself for the Snow-Listening Pavilion. Our reputation isn’t something to be played with. If this happens again, it won’t just be a demotion but a beheading!”

Sha Seven thought silently for a moment, realizing that whether he was called Sha Dagger or not, it was best for him to avoid getting axed.[2]

Meanwhile, Huangfu Yongxian knocked on Zhao Changhe’s door. “Young Master Zhao, are you resting? I apologize for coming late. I had to handle a lot of matters related to the war. How are your injuries?”

Zhao Changhe had just climbed back into the bed and was studying the blood token when he had to get back up again to greet Huangfu Yongxian. “General, you’re too kind. Please, come in.”

This room seems as busy as a marketplace, people just keep on coming in and out. Can’t they just let a wounded man rest?

But while he might have been able to refuse Ying Five, he could not bring himself to do so to Huangfu Yongxian. A dedicated and loyal general like him, who defended the border with his entire family and his very life, commanded great respect.

Moreover, his daughter was the Fire Serpent of Yi.

As Zhao Changhe pondered how to win over the old general, he thought of Huangfu Qing, the imperial noble consort. In the eyes of the Four Idols Cult, she was of great significance for keeping an eye on Xia Longyuan’s state and actions and for political maneuvering. And to Huangfu Yongxia, she probably held political significance. But in reality, her position really did not carry much significance.

Zhao Changhe wondered if he could discuss putting an end to the farce with the old general. Otherwise, with her identity as the imperial noble consort, even if Xia Longyuan was just watching the show from afar, she could never truly be with him

As he was deep in thought, Huangfu Yongxian entered, helmet in hand. He knelt down on one knee and lowered his head. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Zhao Changhe couldn’t process his words.

His mind went blank for a moment, and he quickly jumped up from his seat. “Please, don’t! I’m really not!”

Huangfu Yongxian kept his head down and said, “Letting Your Highness venture alone into the dragon’s den, risking life and limb, was my failure as a subject.”

Zhao Changhe felt his head splitting. He could not tell if Huangfu Yongxian was being loyal or just afraid of Xia Longyuan’s wrath.

Accompanying a king to war is like accompanying a tiger to hunt. Even if you catch the prey, let alone getting a piece of it, you might well be eaten yourself.

Zhao Changhe hurriedly helped him up. “If I tell you I’m not, then I’m not! Xia... I guarantee that he won’t fault you for this!”

Even though he used all his strength to try and help Huangfu Yongxian up, he discovered that the old general was as immovable as a mountain.

Huangfu Yongxian was formerly ninth on the Ranking of Earth, moving up to the eighth ranking after He Lei’s death. He was far from a frail, dying old man.

Yet as Zhao Changhe finished speaking, the old general’s eyes revealed a smile. He stood up on his own and said softly, “Since Your Highness guarantees it, I trust your word.”

Zhao Changhe realized that he had fallen into a trap.

If he were not the prince, then how could he make such a guarantee? Since he dared to give such a guarantee, he basically implicitly confirmed his identity.

You fucking old fox.

Admitting to the identity or not was no longer the issue. The real problem now was that if the old general believed he was the prince, what about his dream of being together with the imperial noble consort?

1. This is a little play on words which can really only be seen in Mandarin. Sha Seven’s name is 沙七, while Sha Dagger is written 沙匕. See the resemblance? ☜

2. He figured out the “pun” here. ☜