Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 670: The Jianghu as It Is

As Zhao Changhe finished writing his reply, the newlywed couple shed their ceremonial wedding attire for sturdy riding gear. Mounting their steeds, they joined Cui Yuanyong and his elite soldiers on a direct march toward Puyang.

Puyang had long been a frontline stronghold for the Cui Clan. Although the major battle there had concluded, Huangfu Shaozong’s imperial forces had withdrawn to the capital, and other regional troops had returned to their posts, Puyang remained heavily fortified. The Cui Clan’s main forces were still stationed there, supported by the Blood God Cult, leaving a solid contingent ready to be mobilized for the campaign.

However, with troops needing to be diverted southward to guard against potential interference from the Yang Clan, the forces available for the campaign were limited. Cui Yuanyong would lead 10,000 elite soldiers, while the remaining main force would likely fall under the command of the Blood God Cult. Against the Wang Clan’s resources, this was far from sufficient. Thankfully, with the Cao Gang pressuring the Wang Clan from south, the overall balance of power remained roughly even.

In terms of individual combat power, the Wang Clan had lost their pillar on the Ranking of Heaven, Wang Daoning. However, Cui Wenjing also needed to stay behind to defend against any moves from the Yang Clan or unexpected threats from the west. While Zhao Changhe’s strength rivaled those on the Ranking of Heaven, the Wang Clan still had the defeated but dangerous Desolate Calamity.

On the surface, it was still a very balanced war, far from the scenario Zhao Changhe had confidently dismissed as an easy victory.

But no one from the Cui Clan raised any objections. After all, reinforcements from the capital remained a possibility. Troops from the Four Idols Cult or the Demon Suppression Bureau could also join, though the specifics of their deployment were unknown. Military matters were for those in command—following King Zhao was all that mattered to them.

Cui Yuanyong could not help but feel a mix of sympathy and poetic melancholy for his sister and brother-in-law. A newlywed couple setting out to war on the morning after their wedding. It was the kind of bittersweet tale bards might one day sing of. Yet, if anyone deserved to complain, Cui Yuanyong felt that it was himself.

Fresh from the battlefield, having barely finished overseeing the distribution of post-war rewards and punishments, he had not even had time to settle back into family life. Suddenly, the Cui Clan declared itself “conquered” by his sister’s new husband.

Two years ago, Zhao Changhe had been little more than a novice. Cui Yuanyong had befriended him with the benevolent air of a senior indulging a junior. And now they were saying Zhao Changhe had single-handedly conquered Qinghe?

Conquered what? Has anyone fucking asked me?

Before he could air such grievances to his father, Cui Wenjing had sent him to the capital to present the letter of surrender—a task that felt suspiciously like being treated as a hostage. The gesture was full of sincerity, of course, but Cui Yuanyong could not help but curse inwardly. I haven’t even fought a proper battle yet, and now I’m delivering a surrender?

Still, it was an important task, so he did not dare delay. Braving the wind and snow, he galloped to the capital, delivered the Cui Clan’s formal statement of allegiance, and handed over Zhao Changhe’s private letter.

The new empress, Xia Chichi, was yet another source of frustration for Cui Yuanyong. As the former saintess of a demonic cult, she had made waves in the jianghu during the two years Zhao Changhe had been absent. Cui Yuanyong, as a representative of the righteous factions, had crossed swords with her before.

So when “former enemies” met again, it was only natural that Cui Yuanyong knelt in submission for an uncomfortably long time. He felt the indignity to be almost too much to bear.

Fortunately for him, Xia Chichi did not make him kneel for that long, only the time it took her to write a reply. Once the letter was done, she waved him off, insisting he hurry back without delay, lest he miss something important.

Cui Yuanyong felt like the most pitiful envoy in history. He had not even had a chance to sit down or sip tea before being shooed out. And what was the “important matter” he had to rush back for, braving the snow and wind? A goddamn wedding!

Ordinarily, being the bride’s older brother would mean a chance to extort all sorts of lavish gifts from the groom. But no, they went ahead and got married without him.

Is this not just blatant bullying?!

That being said, he found the new empress’ foresight to be quite impressive. She had predicted the couple would marry right away and, sure enough, she was spot on. Maybe his expectations for this new regime could be raised a little after all?

Finally getting a moment’s rest, he collapsed into bed and slept soundly for the first time in weeks. At dawn, though, he was dragged up to prepare for the campaign.

Cui Yuanyong could hardly suppress his grievance. If you’re so powerful that you can single-handedly conquer Qinghe, why not head over to the Wang Clan and do the same? Can’t you at least let me get some proper sleep?

“Brother Cui...” Zhao Changhe rode alongside him, attempting to strike up a friendly conversation.

Cui Yuanyong fixed him with a scowl. “I don’t dare let King Zhao call me brother.”

Zhao Changhe, naturally oblivious to Cui Yuanyong’s recent miseries, scratched his head in confusion. “Did I offend you somehow?”

Cui Yuanyong shot him a sidelong glance, then remarked with some curiosity, “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be the conqueror here? Submit or face execution, wasn’t it? Why the camaraderie?”

“That was just the nature of the situation. If I had not assumed such a stance, I wouldn’t have been able to establish the momentum I needed. Besides, my grievances were with the Cui Clan, not you personally.”

“And why should I be any different? I’m no less a part of the Cui Clan. If my father hadn’t chosen to submit, I’d have stood for our clan’s eternal legacy just as much as anyone else. That’s human nature. You find it distasteful because you’ve yet to have a family. But mark my words—when your expansive harem starts bearing descendants, your thinking will inevitably change.”

“You’re saying it’s inevitable that the dragon slayer becomes the evil dragon?”

“At the very least, I doubt you’ll escape such a fate.”

Zhao Changhe nodded lightly. “We’ll see.”

Cui Yuanyong scrutinized him for a moment before continuing, “Still, I have to admit, when you reforged the Qinghe Sword, you instantly dispelled all doubts. Many worried that opposing the gods and demons would come at a catastrophic cost, perhaps even the annihilation of our clan. But you’ve proven that you’re just as capable as they are, if not more so. Resolving Qinghe wasn’t just a political conquest, it was a comprehensive one. I can’t help but feel impressed. How did you become so strong?”

Zhao Changhe sighed dramatically. “A born genius is destined to inspire despair. What can you do?”

“Fuck off!” Cui Yuanyong snapped, clearly exasperated. “Right now, it’s all about choosing which god or demon to follow. No matter which side you pick, you’ll face the wrath of another. Now that we’ve chosen to align with you, you’d better make sure you keep getting stronger. If you mess up, the Cui Clan is done for!”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Why don’t you believe the Cui Clan could produce its own god or demon?”

“My father might have had a chance,” Cui Yuanyong replied, glancing at his sister, who was quietly following along. He sighed. “But after his recent injuries, even though he’s recovered, his body’s taken a hit. It’s unlikely now. As for my little sister... I do believe she has the potential, but it will take a long time.”

“Did you see your father this morning?”

“Of course not. I was dragged out of bed and told to prepare for the campaign.”

“If you had seen him, you’d have noticed his hair turning black again. Some of his old injuries have even faded, and his vitality is returning.”

Cui Yuanyong reined in his horse, astonished. “What did you just say?”

“I’m not trying to frame this according to the narrative of gods or demons, but maybe that’s how the Cui Clan sees it. For me, it’s just what a son-in-law should do for his father-in-law.” Zhao Changhe raised his whip, pointing to the distant horizon. “Brother Cui... With your father recovered and your clan secure, why not cast off your chains and rediscover the fire that once drove you to chase Yue Hongling across a thousand li? Why don’t you claim a place in the Ranking of Heaven amidst these troubled times with gods and demons entering the stage?”

The words struck a chord deep within Cui Yuanyong, igniting an old, almost forgotten ambition. He murmured, “Do you see this chaos as just another struggle in the jianghu?”

“Is it not?” Zhao Changhe replied, smiling. “While the stakes are higher and the scene is much grander, at its core, it’s always been about surpassing the strong, cutting through injustice, and scaling peak after peak. Maybe when no greater heights remain, that’s when the world’s purpose will finally be fulfilled.”

Cui Yuanyong studied Zhao Changhe for a long while, then broke into a wry smile. “No wonder Her Majesty and First Seat Tang let you venture out alone. You’re nothing but a born vagabond. First Seat Tang probably tried to teach you about governance but ended up quite disappointed, huh?”

Zhao Changhe laughed heartily, spurring his horse forward. “This jianghu has never matched the dream I had of it. I can only use my saber to carve it into what I want it to be... Governance was never my calling!”

“Big Brother Zhao, wait for me!” Cui Yuanyang cried, urging her black mare forward to chase her husband.

Cui Yuanyong watched the couple gallop into the distance, a faint smile tugged at his lips. An old, long-dormant sense of adventure stirred within him. He raised his whip and called out to his men, “Pick up the pace, brothers! We’ll reach Puyang before sunset!”

He turned to look at the backs of the young couple again, yet he discovered that they had already vanished over the horizon.

For the first time, Cui Yuanyong found himself admiring Zhao Changhe. He was not that impressed by Zhao Changhe’s meteoric cultivation progress—he chalked that up to the Heavenly Tome. But what truly earned his respect was how, despite wielding immense power, commanding territories from the capital to Hebei, and likely on the verge of dominating the entire realm, Zhao Changhe remained uncorrupted by his authority. His heart was as pure and untamed as it had been in the beginning.