Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 362: How I Plan to Enter the Ranking of Man

At this moment, Zhao Changhe truly embodied the Blood God.

With the activation of the Blood God's array plate, the entire space reacted with extremely violent energy. The air was thick with blood and qi, majestic and awe-inspiring.

In the absence of Cult Leader Xue, no elder or protector of the sixth or seventh layer of the Profound Gate could withstand the pervasive vicious blood qi, all of which was being harnessed by Zhao Changhe. The spiritual shock was such that they felt as though they were facing their true master.

At the same time, they were seeing the master of vicious blood qi.

The vicious blood qi was rampant but did not invade him, embodying the later stages of the Blood God Cult's pursuit of becoming the master of vicious blood qi.

Anyone practicing the Vicious Blood Art was bound to suffer immensely from its backlash, Zhao Changhe included. He had not faced this backlash for a while thanks to the calming methods that he got from Tang Wanzhuang, which helped suppress it, but this did not mean that it was impossible for the vicious blood qi within him to run rampant. The danger was always lurking.

If he ever fell into a state where the methods he got from Tang Wanzhuang were no longer effective, such as suffering severe internal injuries that left his spirit unguarded, the vicious blood qi would surge uncontrollably, forcing him to endure all the accumulated backlash.

However, at this moment, it seemed as though he had become the master of the world's vicious blood qi, obtaining complete control over it.

This was just a future goal, in fact; for now, Zhao Changhe had barely scratched the surface. Yet, to the onlookers, it seemed as if he had already achieved it.

Zhao Changhe's body was exceptionally suited to this environment. He felt as though his power had doubled, and his muscles bulged so much that they looked like they were going to burst.

This was as it should be. He, after all, had the Blood Asura Body and practiced the Vicious Blood Art. As Lie had done, he had forged his own Asura Body.

Lie was born a slave, lacking any significant inheritance when it came to internal arts. He had taught himself the Vicious Blood Art on the battlefield, relying entirely on his own blood and qi for his external cultivation.

The essence of external arts was a bodily transformation, with the layers of the Profound Stage corresponding to the evolution of one's muscles and blood layer by layer. When one unlocked the Profound Mysteries, their foundation should have already been established, and their body was supposed to begin evolving toward a special Dao Body. In the ancient era, rare and precious resources were abundant, allowing Lie to easily forge a body suited for himself. Unfortunately, the world was no longer as bountiful as it once was.

Furthermore, because the array plate was incomplete, the Blood God Cult did not even have the concept of the Blood Asura Body. People always said that the Blood God Cult's inheritance was incomplete, and this was actually the most crucial missing part. Conversely, Zhao Changhe, guided by the Heavenly Tome, had been sprinting toward the most suitable physique for himself from the beginning. His breakthrough into the Profound Mysteries was easier than Xue Canghai's, mainly for this reason.

In other words, although Cult Leader Xue had reached the Profound Mysteries, his physique had yet to reach the required level. Zhao Changhe, on the other hand, had laid himself a complete foundation while going through the Profound Gates, internally and externally, thus allowing him to achieve the first layer of the Profound Mysteries comprehensively.

To others, it seemed as if he was not just the saint of the cult but the very reincarnation of the Blood God. His feats were simply that incredible.

The sound of footsteps could be heard approaching from outside. Xue Canghai, sensing the change in the sacred artifact, hurried back. Seeing the scene inside, he was overjoyed, “It really is the Blood God Command Token! It truly activates the sacred artifact! This destructive power! It can shatter the world and turn it into a sea of blood! We're going to be invincible! Hahaha! Ah...”

Zhao Changhe looked at Xue Canghai as if he were a fool.

The fuck kind of anime did this villain come from?

Xue Canghai noticed Zhao Changhe's blank stare and felt awkward. He then saw that all his protectors were still prostrating to Zhao Changhe with their foreheads on the ground, completely ignoring his arrival, and he felt even more embarrassed.

He coughed twice and cautiously asked, “What is it?”

Zhao Changhe said impassively, “As you can see, this is the key to activating the sacred artifact... It should not be called the Blood God Command Token[1] because the Blood God had no followers. He was a lone wanderer. His token did not command anyone, so it should not be called a command token. It's more of a personal keepsake.”

Xue Canghai said, “The name does not matter. What's important is whether it truly activates the sacred artifact. I know the artifact is still missing some parts, but can it at least allow us to access the core inheritance?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “Maybe it can, but you might need to stay here for a few years to comprehend it. I'm just not sure if you'll actually be able to comprehend anything, even given time.”

Xue Canghai said excitedly, “With my understanding of the Blood God's methods, I absolutely can!”

Zhao Changhe remained expressionless. “Oh. Then go ahead and try to comprehend it for a few years.”

Xue Canghai, sensing Zhao Changhe's demeanor, asked hesitantly, “Are you hinting at something?”

Zhao Changhe, with his hands in his sleeves, said, “I already have the ready-made version. Do you want it?”

Xue Canghai almost spat out blood.

His previously towering and proud figure unconsciously stooped lower, and he asked with a careful smile, “Uh... Your esteemed self is already the cult's saint...”

Zhao Changhe continued to keep his hands in his sleeves, “Didn't you say that I could choose not to acknowledge it?”

Xue Canghai wiped his sweat. “Well, since you've already come to comprehend the sacred artifact, we're opening the door wide for you. This incense...”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “Cult Leader Xue, I don't want to make things difficult for you.”

Xue Canghai straightened his back slightly. “Then what is it that you want?”

“First, I can tell you what I don't want. I don't want to pass on the inheritance to an evil, bloodthirsty cult. Even if you accuse me of disregarding our ties and showing no respect, I cannot personally create a group of demons to wreak havoc on the world.”

“This world and all its insignificant beings, what do they matter to you or me?” Xue Canghai asked incredulously. “Why do you care so much?”

Zhao Changhe was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Because I am human.”

Xue Canghai: “...You are the Blood God's representative.”

“But he was human too,” Zhao Changhe said. “Perhaps he was indeed ruthless and bloodthirsty, and he did realize his top-tier cultivation through a path of slaughter, through which he mastered the use of vicious blood qi. However, he never did what he did to fulfill some lowly desire for murder, nor was it to deliberately cultivate through slaughter. Chasing the past backward is unwise; you should instead focus on keeping up with the times and advancing.”

Xue Canghai was stunned for a moment.

So, our cultivation method wasn't wrong. It's just that we were chasing after a past that the Blood God himself abandoned?

“If you truly regard me as the saint... Well, perhaps I truly am. At least, in the sense that I understand the Blood God," said Zhao Changhe. “If you are willing to let me interpret the Blood God's will and you’re willing to follow that interpretation, then I can give you his teachings.”

Xue Canghai was silent for a moment, but then he shrugged. “The saint's role is precisely that.”

“Can I make changes to the dogma of the cult?”

“Yes.”

“Even if it diverges greatly from the path it's currently on?”

“As long as it's true to the Blood God, then it is acceptable,” Xue Canghai said slowly. “We venerate the Blood God himself, not the interpretation of the first cult leader. But Young Hero Zhao...”

Zhao Changhe responded with a “Hmm?"

He noticed how Xue Canghai did not call him saint this time but Young Hero Zhao, but he did not say anything.

Xue Canghai continued, “I believe that you understand the Blood God's will. But how can you make us believe that what you convey to us is true and not altered by your own interpretation?”

“That's simple. Haven't you already confirmed it yourself?”

Xue Canghai was puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”

“Your previous breakthrough, wasn't it because you embraced the spirit of resisting adversity?”

“Yes.”

“Why is the first move of the Vicious Blood Saber Art called Scattering the Gods and Buddhas? And why can this move be used from the beginning to the end, throughout the entire cultivation journey? Was he trying to kill himself? No, it was the roar of a rebel, from the lowest slave to becoming a demonic god. He fought his entire life, and his blade was always aimed at the strong, whether they be god or Buddha. In the beginning, he merely wanted nobody to mess with him, but in the end, he decided to be the one to go after others!”

Xue Canghai was dumbfounded. What are you talking about? The Blood God was a slave?

“Is being a slave so disgraceful?” Zhao Changhe gave him a sidelong glance. “Aren't you in a similar position under Vermillion Bird?”

Xue Canghai's face flushed red.

“I've already verified this. It's up to you whether to believe me or not.” Zhao Changhe ignored Xue Canghai and turned to the array plate, bowing deeply. “At the very least, you best remember his name.”

Xue Canghai said seriously, “Please enlighten me, saint."

“His name was Lie. I don't know if it's because slaves had no surname or if it's an ancient custom.”

Zhao Changhe lightly engraved the character Lie on the blood token. He then spoke softly so that only he could hear himself, “I've learned many techniques from different masters—the Sword Emperor's sword arts, the Tang Clan's techniques, the Azure Dragon's Rejuvenation Art, and the Thief Saint's Crane Controlling Art—but I've never considered myself their successor or inheritor. However, I acknowledge that you, the Blood God, have truly passed on your legacy to me... I will remember your will.”

Even as he spoke to himself, there was still something he did not say.

To him, if he truly were to scatter the gods and Buddhas, the first figure he would have to confront would be the blind woman.

This defiance toward the blind woman had always been hidden in his heart, and even though he felt more familiar and had grown closer to the blind woman, it had never changed.

No one... has the right to use me as a pawn. Not you, not anyone else.

He did not look back. Instead, he focused on the token and said softly, “Send the Maitreya envoy back, and don’t let him know I'm here.”

Xue Canghai instinctively bowed. “Yes.”

At that moment, Xue Canghai experienced a strange feeling.

Zhao Changhe had an unusual aura. When he issued the order, he truly resembled a true leader. Combined with the Blood God's will, he exerted a strong suppression over the Blood God's followers. Even Xue Canghai felt it subconsciously, and he realized why the protectors remained kneeling, seemingly enthralled.

Yet Zhao Changhe has never been a leader. Wait, does having been a stronghold master count? Is this just his innate quality?

Xue Canghai suddenly recalled a certain rumor.

Could he really be a prince?

Zhao Changhe said, “I will stay here for a while, both to preach and to consolidate myself. What do you think, cult leader?”

Xue Canghai replied, “This is the saint's home. You can stay as long as you like. But what do you mean by a while?”

Zhao Changhe turned his head and smiled brightly. “Of course, there will come a day when I must leave.”

Xue Canghai was puzzled. “When is that?”

“On the day that you and Maitreya agreed to deploy troops,” Zhao Changhe said softly. “When I killed Fa Sheng and went north, I was actually fleeing Jiangnan. I was unable to stay within the Maitreya Cult's domain, and I could not even help my friend defend Gusu... While others see my journey as a heroic tale, this has always been a regret of mine.”

Xue Canghai could not make sense of the shift in conversation. Why is he bringing this up now?

Zhao Changhe did not take long to clarify. “I seized the title of First Hidden Dragon by defeating enemies in Saibei. I shall secure my place on the Ranking of Man by bringing peace to Jiangnan.”

1. Just a note that a command token refers to an item that is usually held by people of power or their representatives. It displays their authority and allows them to issue orders. ☜