Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 428: Bribing Baoqin

The various powerful figures who had been invited to join the battle were now leaving one by one.

Although Zhao Changhe was not socially awkward, he found it exhausting to constantly be surrounded by crowds, especially since he was always injured during these gatherings. It left him feeling utterly drained.

Looking back after the dust settled, a cold sweat ran down his back.

It was fortunate that so many people came. If even one had not shown up, it might not have ended with just me injured. And with a few missing, we would have completely lost the battle.

He also came to realize that the Cui Wenjing’s true value did not lie solely in the battle itself. His very presence had kept the Wang Clan’s forces at bay in the north, preventing them from causing more trouble.

Then there were people like Yuan Cheng and Gui Chen; although their contributions to the battle did not seem all that significant at first glance, they had actually played significant roles in restraining and weakening the remnant soul through their chanting. Furthermore, the talisman they used to subdue the soul at the end was particularly useful.

Before this, Zhao Changhe had never imagined that, in such a relatively low-level world where martial arts still remained the focus, talismans could actually be so effective. So when Gui Chen came to bid him farewell, he cheekily asked for a few.

“Hah, this old Daoist can’t make any of those talismans that can summon fire or lightning.” Seeing Zhao Changhe’s curious expression, Gui Chen could not help but laugh. “These talismans for subduing evil are actually similar to how certain cultivation techniques counter others. It really isn’t as mystical as you might be thinking.”

“Oh, so it’s just a matter of countering or restraining specific cultivation techniques?”

“Well, talismans do carry a special form of energy, but we only use them as a supplementary method. These things have never really been considered as something that can be taken as one’s main practice, even in ancient times. Cultivating one’s self has always been the core focus.”

Zhao Changhe nodded thoughtfully. This world really isn’t one of immortals. It seems that martial arts has always been the main path, while everything else remains supplementary.

Sisi mentioned that the Ancient Spirit Tribe had perhaps lost some of their ancient martial arts, leading them to become overly obsessed with their ancestral witchcraft. To her, learning the Central Plains’ martial arts was the correct path.

But at the end of the day, power is power. Once one touches upon the Dao of Heaven and Earth, there will be applications of the five elements, even if the methods may differ. It just isn’t going to be about throwing fireballs around.

Gui Chen continued, “I don’t have many talismans with me, but if you like them, I can give you a few. You might find them useful one day. For now, I must bid you farewell. I must go.”

The Taiyi Sect was located right next to the Wang Clan, and now that the Wang Clan had even mobilized its army, he could no longer stay for any longer. The Wang Clan would not allow a force in their territory that did not align with them to exist within their territory. The options were simple: either submit or relocate. There was no third option. Any further delay could result in their extermination.

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred, and he asked in a low voice, “Would you consider... pretending to submit? With your status as someone on the Ranking of Earth, they would treat you as an honored guest and perhaps even grant you a high position. But it could be dangerous—they might test or try to control you with the Sea Tribe’s yin qi...”

Gui Chen pondered for a moment before shaking his head. “We sects usually follow whoever controls the territory we’re in. However, it’s not like we’re specifically pledging allegiance. The Wang Clan would not be too suspicious of me or our sect, especially if we stayed out of their military and political matters and just stayed in the mountains. They would not have much reason to worry about us.”

“So, you’re saying you’re willing to pretend to submit?”

Gui Chen smiled faintly. “It’s not really about pretending or not. If we don’t relocate, and they occupy the area, we’ll indeed follow their orders. But if the imperial court fights back, then we’ll naturally side with them.”

The two exchanged a knowing look.

Gui Chen gave a slight bow before departing. “If it were just the Wang Clan, there wouldn’t be a problem. What I worry about is the forces behind them. I’ll leave it at that. Farewell.”

Watching Gui Chen leave, Zhao Changhe could not but think that if the Wang Clan truly wanted to contend for the world, it would not be too difficult for them to do so. They had the strength, and public acceptance of them was fairly high.

However, once it was found out that there was a sinister force backing them, opinions about them would immediately shift.

The exposure of the yin qi during the events surrounding the Lianshan Sword was a grave mistake. Not only had it led to a break with the Yang Clan of Hongnong, but the martial arts sects within their territory were now also distancing themselves from them. Yet, since there was no solid evidence left, word about their sinister backing could not be spread throughout the world. While Gui Chen might trust Zhao Changhe’s word, others might not. This was what left the Wang Clan still in a much better situation than the Maitreya Cult.

* * *

With Gui Chen’s departure, the once-bustling room soon became quiet again.

In truth, aside from wanting Tang Wanzhuang to feed him medicine intimately, Zhao Changhe was not injured to the point of being bedridden. He had been well enough to walk with Tang Buqi in the courtyard the same day he got injured, and now he felt even better.

With no one around and no sign of Tang Wanzhuang, Zhao Changhe grew restless and decided to take a walk.

After agreeing to the marriage with Cui Yuanyang, he wondered if Tang Wanzhuang would be even more like Lin Daiyu. Not seeing her all day left him slightly uneasy...

He ended up wandering into Tang Wanzhuang’s courtyard, only to find her absent. Instead, Baoqin was there, leisurely reading a book with her chin propped in her hands.

Seeing Zhao Changhe peeking in from the doorway, Baoqin smiled cheerfully. “Wow, you actually thought to come find the young miss. Not bad, not bad.”

What does that mean? Zhao Changhe pondered her words carefully, then cautiously asked, “Uh... Your young miss isn’t angry, is she?”

“Nope, she’s actually in a really good mood.”

“Really?” Zhao Changhe had been worried that the increasingly fragile Tang Wanzhuang would spiral even further into her melancholic ways after learning about his engagement to Cui Yuanyang. He had braced himself for a bloodbath, but now he was hearing she was actually in a good mood?

He thought it would have already been extremely fortunate if there were no major fallout.

“Where is she?”

“She’s discussing matters with the young master.” Baoqin then put on a more mature front and said with an exaggerated air of authority, “Jiangnan has just been stabilized and there are a lot of matters to handle. Do you think everyone’s as idle as you?”

Zhao Changhe accepted her scolding without complaint, then asked, “Baoqin, um... Could you tell me what your young miss is thinking?”

Baoqin gave him a disdainful look. “Why are you talking to me like that? Are we friends or something?”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

“In the stories, people always bribe the maids for information. And you? You think you’re going to win me over with that scarred face of yours?” Baoqin put her hands on her hips.

Zhao Changhe silently pulled out a piece of candy. It was the same candy Tang Wanzhuang had given him when he complained the medicine was too bitter. He didn’t really care for it; he had other sweet things to taste.

Baoqin snatched it up in a flash, her eyes curving into crescent moons. “Ask away.”

What a silly girl...

Zhao Changhe grinned. “Shouldn’t she be angry? Why is she actually happy instead...”

“You didn’t set a specific date, which shows that you’re still being somewhat cautious...”

“Huh? That’s it?”

“Cui Wenjing is a strong-willed person, not to mention a stickler for proper etiquette. Do you think someone like him would just let things slide without setting a concrete date? Miss said you must have been really firm, and things between you two probably got tense for it to end in this kind of compromise... It’s not easy to achieve that.”

Zhao Changhe: “Well...”

Baoqin popped the candy into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “The whole Cui Yuanyang thing was a mess that the young miss brought upon herself, so she can’t really blame you for it. What can she do?”

That’s true... Tang Wanzhuang probably wishes she could give herself a couple hard slaps now.

“Actually, before Cui Wenjing left, when he made that remark about you being childish for wanting to wander the world, the young miss heard it. She didn’t say anything, but I noticed her eyes were sparkling. I think if you really did wander the world, she might actually be more willing to go with you. That way, she wouldn’t have to become the crown princess or break her vow. Honestly, she’s already a grown woman, yet she’s acting like a child...”

“Baoqin!” Tang Wanzhuang’s voice came from outside the courtyard. “Have you already finished doing the tasks I assigned you today? How much of that text have you memorized? Come here and recite it for me!”

Baoqin turned pale. “I-I haven’t finished yet... It’s not even nighttime...”

“How long is it going to take you? You still haven’t finished? Copy it ten times! And if you miss even one word, I’ll spank you!”

“Young miss, that’s an abuse of power!”

“Is that candy sweet? You’re even learning how to take bribes now? I’ll beat the living daylight out of you—”

Tang Wanzhuang rolled up her sleeves and stormed forward, while Baoqin clutched her backside and bolted.

Tang Wanzhuang pretended not to see Zhao Changhe standing nearby as she glared at Baoqin, ready to give chase. Before she could chase after Baoqin, however, she was intercepted by Zhao Changhe as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Tang Wanzhuang struggled. “Let go! I’m definitely going to spank her today!”

Zhao Changhe whispered in her ear, “Do you really think she needed that candy? Was it truly a bribe? That little matchmaker was just passing along your feelings...”

“Those aren’t my feelings! She was just making wild guesses—I didn’t say any of that!” Tang Wanzhuang fumed. “Don’t believe her nonsense! I’m really angry! Actually, no, we have nothing to do with each other. I’m your master, so why would I be angry or happy about you getting married? Why would it even mat—mmph, mmph...”

Her words were cut off as Zhao Changhe boldly sealed her lips with his.

Baoqin peeked out from inside.

She’s clearly happy... and she thinks she can fool clever little Baoqin?

I’m the one who should be upset! The candy that the young miss gave Zhao Changhe yesterday was taken from me, yet now she’s accusing me of accepting bribes!