Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 375: Wine Still Warm, Saber Still Bloody

At this moment, whether it was on the city walls or below, the air was absolutely silent. It was as if time had stopped.

On the city wall, Lu Shiheng thought the battle below would not end anytime soon, and so he had placed most of his attention on the top-level duel between Maitreya and the two from the Wang and Yang Clans. It was not long after he diverted his attention away from the battle below that the commotion erupted. When he shifted his gaze back to the battlefield beneath the walls, he saw that Yu Cixiu was no longer among the living.

Just how exactly did he die so quickly? Did Zhao Changhe and Xue Canghai join forces to attack?

Maitreya, on the other hand, had been keenly observing everything, but he did not expect such an outcome either. No one could have imagined that Zhao Changhe, alone on horseback with nothing but his saber, would kill Yu Cixius in just two moves.

It was as if he was trapped in some fateful nightmare. Every time he got entangled with Zhao Changhe and the Tang Clan, a major event he had carefully planned would end up ruined. The first time was at the back mountain of the Tang Clan, where Zhao Changhe and Tang Buqi stole the limelight together. The second time was at Taihu Lake, that time just Tang Buqi. And now, this third time at Xiangyang, it was Zhao Changhe, and the impact was much greater than the previous times.

After the defeat at Taihu Lake, Xiangyang was Maitreya’s last hope, yet this hope seemed to have been crushed in an instant.

I won’t allow it!

With a furious roar, Maitreya swung his jiedao, forcing Yang Jingxiu and Wang Daozhong to retreat. He withdrew and flew straight toward Zhao Changhe, who was in the middle of his army.

As long as I kill Zhao Changhe, there is still hope!

After all, Maitreya was the true commander of the army, not Yu Cixiu! Yu Cixiu was just a general. As long as he, Maitreya, returned, he could still stabilize the army’s morale and lead a retreat!

But just as he withdrew, a sword light suddenly flashed as an attack honed in on him under the moonlight.

Maitreya’s heart pounded fiercely.

Tang Wanzhuang!

He had no idea where she had been hiding. In such an important battle, she had not revealed any signs of her presence in the slightest... It turned out that she had also become quite cunning, never revealing herself until she was sure of her move, especially with the uncertainty of the Wang and Yang Clans’ stance.

At this moment, when the dust had settled and Maitreya was planning to retreat, she sprang up for a sneak attack!

When even someone like Tang Wanzhuang resorted to sneak attacks, it truly became nearly impossible to defend against.

Maitreya, in mid-air with nowhere to exert force, let out a sudden furious roar.

Tens of thousands of people watched in shock as a colossal Buddha phantom appeared behind Maitreya, glowing with golden light along with a lotus platform.

Buddha’s voice echoed in everyone’s hearts, and a giant palm struck toward Tang Wanzhuang.

Tang Wanzhuang seemed to have anticipated this, her gaze firm and the path of her sword unchanged, piercing through Maitreya’s chest.

The giant palm struck around her, causing slight ripples, which gradually dissipated. A faint “huh” could be heard, as the palm phantom disappeared, the sky was sparse with stars, and nothing remained.

Tang Wanzhuang suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and sent her palm forward.

Maitreya also struck out with another palm. With a “boom,” their palms clashed, and Maitreya turned into a bloody light, fleeing to the horizon without even uttering a single curse in return, his blood spilling across the sky.

Tang Wanzhuang spat out another mouthful of blood, her face pale as she slightly shook her head.

I never expected him to still have such a trump card. Even after all this, I couldn’t take his life... Could there be a god or Buddha backing him?

Tang Wanzhuang took a deep breath and glanced at the silent Wang Daozhong and Yang Jingxiu beside her. Then, her eyes fell on the city. The outcome of the battle was already decided.

The fight above and below the city walls happened simultaneously. When Maitreya was retreating and Tang Wanzhuang launched her sneak attack, Zhao Changhe had just chopped off Yu Cixiu’s head with a single strike, holding it high and shouting, “I’ve taken Yu Cixiu’s head!”

Fear spread like a plague, radiating from where Zhao Changhe stood, and spread all over the south of Xiangyang.

At the same time, Maitreya was ambushed by Tang Wanzhuang. Not even gods or Buddhas could prevent him from suffering severe injuries. Maitreya’s army instantly lost all its backbone and fled in chaos.

Xue Canghai raised his saber and roared, “This is the time to nurture your vicious blood qi! Kill them!”

The sound of killing resounded, and a scene of thousands hunting down tens of thousands played out in the south of Xiangyang. The Yang Clan’s private soldiers, who had been attacking the army’s left flank, were all stunned, not knowing whether they should also give chase or not.

Zhao Changhe himself did not chase after anyone. Although he seemed to have defeated his enemy quite easily, the energy and spirit consumed in that final strike was no joke. He had almost exhausted all of his power, and he now began to feel dizzy and weak due to the aftereffects of using the buffed state earlier.

But at least he did not lose all his strength as he had in the past; he still had some strength left at the moment. He took a few deep breaths to regulate his internal energy and turned to look at the top of the city walls.

Tang Wanzhuang, with her clothes fluttering in the night wind, stood on the city wall, watching him.

As he held a saber in one hand and the enemy’s head in the other, standing blood-soaked among the corpses of his enemies, with tens of thousands fleeing away from him, it created a breathtaking sight.

Tang Wanzhuang could not help but remember someone once saying to her in Gusu, “Next time, I hope that when I’m around, you don’t have to think about anything.”

His fake name, Zhao Wangtang, does it refer to simply looking or looking forward? What is it that he’s looking forward to?

Zhao Changhe suddenly leaped up, soaring over the city walls like a great roc, casually tossing Yu Cixiu’s head to the ground. “Mission accomplished.”

Tang Wanzhuang wanted to say something but found herself at a loss for words. All the words in her mind converged into a single response, “Mm.”

Zhao Changhe did not say much to her either. He first bowed to Yang Jingxiu. “Greetings, Uncle Yang.”

Then, he bowed to Wang Daozhong. “Hello, Old Wang.”

Wang Daozhong simply stared at him soullessly.

Finally, Zhao Changhe looked at Lu Shiheng and gazed at him sharply, “Prefectural Governor Lu, I have something to ask you.”

At this moment, Zhao Changhe’s imposing presence was overwhelming, causing Lu Shiheng to feel trepidation. However, he had no choice but to respond, and he could only say, “Young Hero Zhao... What’s the matter?”

Zhao Changhe said, “You colluded with Maitreya, captured a secret agent from the Demon Suppression Bureau, and plotted to ambush the bureau chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau. What do you think your punishment should be?”

Wang Daozhong quickly interjected, “He was controlled by Maitreya’s celestial maiden. He was not acting on his own will... Bureau chief, didn’t you see how well he defended the city? Shiheng, apologize to First Seat Tang! We can simply report everything to the imperial court first and see how they decide on the punishment...”

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Changhe interrupted him, “It’s understandable if he really was controlled, but that doesn’t mean I can just let go of my anger. Neither his apology nor future dismissal are enough to quell my anger.”

Wang Daozhong, with a gloomy face, asked, “What do you intend to do?”

Zhao Changhe said indifferently, “Well, Prefectural Governor Lu, let’s not say that I’m unreasonable and insistent on this matter... Previously, at the Immortal Palatial Garden, you took a hasty strike from me while under attack by First Seat Tang. You managed to block it and remain unscathed, which I admire. Take another strike from me, let me vent, and we’ll call it even.”

Even Yang Jingxiu, who was merely watching from the side, thought that Zhao Changhe really was just looking for a way to vent his anger.

After all, Lu Shiheng was the prefectural governor of Xiangyang, and the imperial court had its rules. He could not be judged privately. His verdict had to be settled in the imperial court. In these troubled times, Lu Shiheng had the backing of the Wang Clan and commanded a well-trained army, so he could not be treated without caution.

Thus, Zhao Changhe really could only be furious and let off some steam.

This could be further supported with how Zhao Changhe’s blood and qi were currently depleted. Although he appeared fierce, he likely could not defeat Lu Shiheng if they truly fought, which further indicated that he really just wanted to vent. Maybe it was even to simply impress Tang Wanzhuang, showing that he was seeking justice for her.

As Yang Jingxiu had these thoughts, so did Wang Daozhong and Lu Shiheng. Wang Daozhong signaled to Lu Shiheng, “You might as well allow Young Hero Zhao to vent his anger.”

Lu Shiheng thought to himself, I might as well take a strike and spit some blood, suffer a bit, and be done with it.

He cupped his hand and smiled. “Please enlighten me, Young Hero Zhao.”

Zhao Changhe hefted Dragon Bird and said expressionlessly, “Be careful.”

Before his words faded, he leaped up and swung his saber down fiercely.

It was a textbook Scattering the Gods and Buddhas leap. It was almost identical to the strike he had made from the rooftop across the street into the Immortal Palatial Garden’s rear courtyard previously.

Lu Shiheng could sense that, at this moment, Zhao Changhe’s momentum was far weaker than it had been previously.

Killing Yu Cixiu might be a great feat indeed, but it was definitely not easy. With Zhao Changhe having used up so much energy to kill him, he should be meditating and resting at the moment rather than fighting another battle.

As Lu Shiheng drew his sword to meet Zhao Changhe’s strike, he was still thinking about how much force he should use to receive a light injury.

As the thought flashed through his mind, their blades had already met.

In that instant, Lu Shiheng suddenly felt something was wrong.

The strike that Zhao Changhe had sent his way was not as powerful as he expected! The force behind the saber was incredibly light, thereby allowing its trajectory to change.

From the extremely violent rage of the Blood God, it transformed into a gentle drizzle, just like a gentle breeze at night.

By the time Lu Shiheng realized what was going on, the gentle breeze was already at his throat.

By the time you wake up, the breeze has reached you.

Listening to the Spring Rain in a Little Pavilion at Night!

Tang Wanzhuang’s expression suddenly changed. This move... Wangtang...

Wang Daozhong clearly noticed that something was off and was about to intercept it with his sword, but Tang Wanzhuang casually prevented him from doing anything. She said with a smile, “You said you’d let him vent his anger, right? What is it that you’re trying to do now, Mister Wang?”

“I...” Wang Daozhong did not even have the time to speak.

As the two of them had their little confrontation, Lu Shiheng also made a move.

Originally, he intended to take Zhao Changhe’s strike with just enough force to get slightly injured. However, his sword suddenly turned into a torrential rain, enveloping Zhao Changhe’s body, attempting to force him back with a mutual destruction tactic.

But Zhao Changhe’s saber did not waver, enduring the torrential rain. The gentle breeze still sliced through the rain, aiming straight for Lu Shiheng’s throat.

Lu Shiheng had no choice but to raise his sword to block his neck while retreating, much like he had during their previous encounter at the Immortal Palatial Garden.

However, he forgot one thing.

His original treasured sword had been broken that time, and this new sword was but a temporary replacement, far inferior in quality.

If his original sword could barely block the strike, this new one was like paper in comparison, offering no resistance at all.

With a “clang,” Dragon Bird sliced right through the sword and his throat. Thin streams of blood spurted from Lu Shiheng’s throat like a light drizzle, the blood then carried away by the wind.

Thud!

Lu Shiheng fell backward with eyes wide open, dying with many unfulfilled wishes.

The seemingly violent Zhao Changhe turned out to be so insidious, promising to deliver a furious strike, only to change tactics at the last moment. He had never intended to just vent his anger. From the beginning, he had intended to kill Lu Shiheng, right in front of figures on the Ranking of Earth!

Wang Daozhong roared in fury, “Zhao Changhe! How dare you kill a governor appointed by the imperial court! Are you rebelling...?”

“So what?” Zhao Changhe turned his head and said calmly, “I’m also a secret agent of the Demon Suppression Division. My authority might not be as high as his, but my rank is no lower. If the verdict of his guilt had to await the court’s judgment, then feel free to report my matter to the court and I shall await their slow deliberation.”

Wang Daozhong was so angry that he could only say, “You—”

“You don’t like to hear these words, do you? Well, neither do I, so why were you spouting such bullshit to me earlier?”

“You...”

“Enough with this ‘you you me me’ nonsense, let me give it to you straight.” Zhao Changhe stared into his eyes and said slowly, “He was two-faced and betrayed the empire for personal gain. If such a person was not dealt with promptly, the consequences would be dire. I’m a bandit and can’t wait so long for some officials who have no idea what they’re doing to decide his fate. Killing him was my decision, what are you going to do about it?”

His saber rested at his side, blood dripping from its tip, drop by drop.

His eyes still carried murderous intent, the spirit of the Ranking of Man coalescing. Wang Daozhong actually found himself frightened by his aura and was unable to retort.

Suddenly, a golden light shone in the sky.

On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head.

Soul Reaper Yu Cixiu led his troops into Xiangyang, and Zhao Changhe led an assault in response, piercing through the military formation of the Maitreya Cult, and beheading Yu Cixiu among tens of thousands. His clothes were stained with blood, and he instilled fear in the army.

The siege of Xiangyang was stopped, and while still weakened, Zhao Changhe challenged the Divine Sword of Xiang River Lu Shiheng, beheading him with a single strike; Wang Daozhong failed to stop him.

In just a few moments, he killed two figures on the Ranking of Man and silenced a figure on the Ranking of Earth, shocking everyone.

The Ranking of Man has changed.

Rank 44: Blood Asura Zhao Changhe!

The unyielding meets his end, and the night rain of Xiang River ceases. The wine in the flagon is still warm, the blood on the saber still fresh.[1]

It was late at night, and many in the world were asleep.

But those who were awake, upon seeing the announcement, found themselves speechless.

1. ”The unyielding” and “the night rain of Xiang River” refer to Yu Cixiu and Lu Shiheng. ☜