Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 401: Blue Blood

Doctor Lu stammered, “I, I’m not sure how accurate are the things I know...”

Zhao Changhe smiled warmly and said, “Don’t worry, just tell us what you know, as much as you can. Take your time.”

The relationship between the Wang Clan and the Sea Tribe had always been an enigma to him. Ever since the Heavenly Tome offered him vague hints without further explanation, Zhao Changhe had been left guessing about what exactly was going on. The curiosity alone was enough to drive him crazy. If he had the time, he might have even gone out of his way to investigate and find out what it was all about.

Now, the answers were being delivered right to him, and Wang Daozhong, who had been persistently trying to assassinate him, had been conveniently sent off to prison. It was like finally being able to relieve a long bout of constipation—utterly satisfying.

Oh, right, there was also that assassin from the Snow-Listening Pavilion. Where did he go?

Doctor Lu began speaking, “The Wang Clan has two types of this unique marine clay. One type is used for physical enhancement, but perhaps due to its diluted energy, its effects are rather ordinary. Uh, Young Master Zhao, I believe you’ve used it before.”

“Yes, I have.” Of course, the effect was ordinary. That marine clay had been formed from the diluted energy of a tiny fragment that chipped off the Zhenwu Sword Stone and dispersed in the sea, so how effective could it possibly be?

The greater piece of the sword stone was in the Black Tortoise Secret Realm, where the energy it emitted was not some diluted slush but a solidified jelly-like substance that filled an entire mountain. That was the truly valuable material for improving the body and forging the Supreme Sword Body.

Zhao Changhe’s long-standing problem with his inferior meridians had been solved to a significant extent thanks to it. Moreover, both Yue Hongling and Lady Three also benefited greatly from the material.

Now that I think about it, what if we gather those scattered fragments as well? Could they enhance the sword stone’s effect? I’ll have to ask Lady Three about this later and see if she’s interested.

Doctor Lu continued, “Although the effect is ordinary, the Wang Clan’s claim of not valuing it is self-deception. Almost every member of their clan grows up soaking in this marine clay.”

Cui Yuanyang could not help but ask curiously, “With such a divine substance aiding their cultivation from a young age, why hasn’t the Wang Clan’s cultivation surpassed ours?”

Yang Jingxiu shook his head. “Actually, the medicinal baths prepared by our clans aren’t necessarily inferior to the marine clay. Such substances are just supplements in the end. It is one’s own personal effort that truly matters. Relying on these external aids to lay the foundation for cultivation may even backfire, leading the clan members to become dependent on them and lack their own perseverance.”

Cui Yuanyang felt like she had been kicked right in the knee, so she pouted and remained silent.

What’s wrong with soaking in medicinal baths from a young age? It made my skin fair and smooth, and Big Brother Zhao loves touching me thanks to it.

Doctor Lu smiled apologetically. “Well, you’re not wrong. The Wang Clan has relied on this for generations, and not only have they become dependent on it, but it has also fueled even greater expectations and desires, becoming almost an addiction. The Wang Clan has long realized that this substance contains some special aura that subtly alters the foundation of their cultivation. Their martial arts have thus increasingly taken on a yin and cold nature, but overall, it has granted their techniques the overwhelming force of the ocean, so they simply decided to ignore the side effects.”

Yang Jingxiu nodded. “In the end, it all comes down to being unwilling to let go and clinging to a glimmer of hope.”

“Exactly. Young Master Zhao, when you went to Langya, the Wang Clan pretended to be generous by offering you that pile of marine clay to use. However, their real intention was to exploit your meridian issues, thinking that after living with thin meridians for so long, you would likely become dependent on this substance once you experienced its effects, making you easier to control.” As Doctor Lu said this, a hint of admiration appeared on his face, though it was hard to tell if it was genuine or feigned. “But they never expected you to be completely unaffected by the trap within. The Wang Clan never saw it coming.”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Alright, stop flattering me. I know that marine clay well; it’s nothing special. Let’s talk about the Mysterious Radiant Sequestered Soil.”

“The Sequestered Soil is something that the Wang Clan specifically sought out after becoming dependent on the marine clay. They were searching for something with even stronger effects. At that time, Wang Daoning had not broken through to the third layer of the Profound Mysteries yet, but somehow, by a stroke of divine luck, he actually found such a miraculous divine substance. After obtaining it, he was able to break through.”

Everyone exchanged glances, all aware that there were many problems with this story.

Doctor Lu continued, “Actually, even within the Wang Clan, some discerning individuals questioned whether this substance might be problematic. If the marine clay, which only altered the physical body, could already cause issues, then what about this soil, which directly affects the soul? However, the temptation that resulted from Wang Daoning breaking through to the third layer of the Profound Mysteries was too great, and all dissenting voices were silenced.”

At this point, Doctor Lu smiled apologetically. “I only know about this because Wang Daoning invited me to check his condition and see if there were any problems, which is how I came to learn a bit about it. As for deeper matters, I’m truly unaware. In any case, from my examination, Wang Daoning showed no problems.”

Yang Jingxiu said calmly, “Even if there are issues, your cultivation is insufficient to detect them. Wang Daoning had you examine him more for psychological comfort. From the way this yin qi attacked the sword spirit, it’s clear that Wang Daoning knows full well that there’s a problem.”

“Uh, I really don’t know anything about that. I only found out about the issues with the Wang Clan’s sword spirit because of this incident. On the surface, it seems like the Wang Clan has no problems at all.”

Tang Wanzhuang mused, “Based on this behavior, it doesn’t seem like actual control. If Wang Daoning were being directly manipulated, he wouldn’t have sought you out for reassurance... This suggests that the situation is more likely parasitic or symbiotic. They’re aware that there’s a problem, but since their soul has grown stronger and they have not felt any obvious harm, they continue to poison themselves, simply hoping that nothing will go wrong.”

Huangfu Qing glanced at Cai Wenque’s corpse on the ground. “At least one thing can be confirmed...”

Tang Wanzhuang responded, “The Tome of Troubled Times didn’t appear.”

“This person isn’t truly dead.”

“A portion of his soul, which has likely fused with the yin qi of the Sequestered Soil, is still alive. Once we bury him, he’ll probably come back to life.”

The two women spoke almost in unison, and their energies—water and fire—simultaneously descended upon Cai Wenque’s corpse.

A piercing scream echoed as a wisp of yin qi emerged from Cai Wenque’s spiritual platform, dodging the two women’s attacks.

However, even if it were not completely surrounded by Ranking of Earth experts, how could it escape the wrath of the furious Yang Jingxiu?

A fierce and unstoppable palm strike was waiting, and with a single blow, it caused the ying qi to twist, distorting into a grotesque and terrifying image of Cai Wenque’s face. Cui Yuanyang immediately jumped into Zhao Changhe’s arms, trembling with fear.

Yang Jingxiu, still furious, followed up with another palm strike, completely shattering the yin qi into wisps of white vapor that dissipated into the air, vanishing without a trace.

As Tang Wanzhuang and Huangfu Qing examined the corpse, they noticed that the blood seeping from it, which had originally been bright red, was now a ghostly blue, imitating the color of the sea.

Yang Jingxiu’s enraged voice echoed, “Bugui, take some men and chop that Ding Ting into pieces. Bring the body in for me to see!”

Before long, a flash of golden light streaked across the sky. This indicated that Ding Ting’s soul had not been tainted and that he was truly dead.

At the beginning of the third month, during the Yang Clan’s birthday banquet, Thunder Sword Ding Ting challenged Blood Asura Zhao Changhe. His tendons were severed by a single slash, and he later died at the hands of Yang Bugui. The figure ranked 45th on the Ranking of Man has fallen, and the rankings shall now be adjusted accordingly. Zhao Changhe’s rank remains unchanged.

The world was left speechless.

Forget about his rank staying the same, what level is Zhao Changhe really at? Two strikes to kill the person previously ranked forty-fourth, one strike to kill the one ranked forty-eighth, and one strike to kill the one ranked forty-fifth... Can’t you bump him up a few spots? Who are you trying to fool with this ranking?

Tang Wanzhuang, Yang Jingxiu, and Zhao Changhe joined forces to fight Wang Daozhong and Cai Wenque. The latter were defeated, and Wang Daozhong turned against his ally mid-battle, stabbing Cai Wenque with his sword. Due to certain circumstances, Cai Wenque did not die immediately due to certain circumstances but later perished at the hands of Tang Wanzhuang and Yang Jingxiu. The figure ranked 23rd on the Ranking of Earth has fallen, and the rankings shall now be adjusted accordingly.

Zhao Changhe was puzzled. What about Huangfu Qing?

Even more bewildered were the others reading the announcement.

This time, the Tome of Troubled Times provided a straightforward and simple account, lacking the usual epic narrative that it had provided when it detailed Zhao Changhe’s previous feats. It merely summarized the outcome of the battle and who had killed whom.

It was understandable, however, as chaotic battles did not lend themselves to grand, heroic moments. As long as these events were clearly explained, that would have been perfectly fine.

However, this explanation did not make any sense! Everyone was left completely confused. No matter how they tried to fill in the gaps, they could not figure out what exactly happened.

Why did they start fighting? Why did Wang Daozhong suddenly betray and stab his ally? What the fuck?? It doesn’t make any sense.

And what’s up with the phrase “did not die immediately due to certain circumstances?” What were the certain circumstances??? Was it because Cai Wenque’s medical skills were good enough that he could keep himself alive for a while longer?!

The feats seemed impressive, yet the lack of detail was even more impressive.

Yang Jingxiu’s expression turned a bit strange as he watched the rankings shift rapidly.

When Xia Chichi and Zhao Changhe both entered the Ranking of Man, the first, second, and third spots in the Ranking of Hidden Dragons were taken by Wang Zhaoling, Han Wubing, and Yang Bugui, respectively.

Now, with one person from the Ranking of Man and another from the Ranking of Earth both dead, and without someone like Xue Canghai suddenly squeezing into the Ranking of Man, it was likely that both Wang Zhaoling and Han Wubing would move up into the Ranking of Man.

This left Yang Bugui as the new First Hidden Dragon.

In the past year, the top spot on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons had been passed to three different people: Cui Yuanyong, Wang Zhaoling, and Yang Bugui. Coincidentally, they were all sons of the three most powerful aristocratic families in the Great Xia. It was as if they were being given a free pass into the top ranks. Moreover, each family got a turn. If that didn’t look rigged, nothing did

For things to line up so neatly, it almost felt like the Tome of Troubled Times had a twisted sense of humor.

However, Tang Wanzhuang’s expression became even more peculiar as she side-eyed the seemingly nonchalant Huangfu Qing. It seemed as though she wanted to say something, but she held herself back.

You played it off well.

Earlier, it seemed that both she and Huangfu Qing struck Cai Wenque’s corpse simultaneously, but in reality, Huangfu Qing had deliberately delayed her strike by a fraction, making it seem as though “her strength was inferior to Tang Wanzhuang’s” and “it was natural for her to be a bit slower.” In truth, however, this allowed Tang Wanzhuang to be the one to truly carry out the kill, with the other party already dead by the time Huangfu Qing struck. This was meant to deceive Zhao Changhe’s eyes and also to avoid appearing in the Tome of Troubled Times’ announcement.

Besides extinguishing the yin qi from the marine clay, Huangfu Qing had not engaged with anyone directly from beginning to end. Even after the Tome of Troubled Times flashed in the sky for so long, her name did not appear.

This was the kind of caution one could expect from a rebel leader like Vermillion Bird. Yet what crossed Tang Wanzhuang’s mind at that moment was something else entirely.

You’ve gone to such great lengths to make it easier for my man to be happy! I must say, I appreciate the effort.