Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 437: Brotherly Loyalty as Vast as the Sky

Realizing it was unlikely to extract more information about the Sword Hut from Di Muzhi, and definitely not daring to ask him directly about Yue Hongling, Zhao Changhe found it best to cut the interaction short. He made an excuse about it getting late and needing to find lodging for the night, casually finished his meal, and took his leave.

As the caravan slowly departed, Di Muzhi stood there, smiling warmly and respectfully bidding farewell, maintaining the appearance of utmost reverence toward the Wang Clan of Langya. Even after Zhao Changhe was out of sight, his smile remained unchanged. However, the trembling commoners nearby gave the whole scene an eerie undertone.

Xie Ruhai, who had been standing quietly beside him the whole time, finally spoke up after the caravan was far away. In a low voice, he said to Di Muzhi, “Master, it seems that he truly has been exiled to Miaojiang, and this trip shouldn’t have anything to do with us. But why is Li Sian with him? Should we investigate?”

Di Muzhi shook his head, “Li Sian is a businessman. He wouldn’t dare offend the Wang Clan of Langya. Whatever Wang Daozhong asks him to do, he would comply. Investigating him is pointless—it would only show our hand.”

Xie Ruhai asked, “Then what should we do about Wang Daozhong heading to the southwest?”

Di Muzhi paused in thought for a moment. “First of all, you’ve only met him a few times in the past, so we can’t be entirely sure if it’s really him. Judging by his bearing, it seems likely. That kind of composure, typical of someone accustomed to power, is not something an ordinary person can easily imitate. Even Li Sian, a wealthy merchant, acted cautiously in his presence, while Wang Daozhong spoke confidently, even with a slightly superior tone. So, it probably is him... but we should still be cautious. Send a letter to Langya and confirm his identity.”

Xie Ruhai bowed, “Understood.”

Di Muzhi continued, “There’s something peculiar about the Wang Clan’s situation. They should not have shown their rebellious intentions so early. Now that they have made their intentions clear, even the Cui and Yang Clans have sent troops to suppress them, yet the emperor has remained silent, even allowing Wang Daozhong to be released. It’s as if the emperor has completely lost control, letting the aristocratic families run everything. I’m even wondering if this is a setup by the emperor and the Wang Clan to lure out traitors. If anyone colludes with the Wang Clan, the Wang Clan might turn on them in cooperation with the Emperor.”

This theory had been circulating in Shu for quite some time, and many people believed in it.

Xie Ruhai asked, “So Wang Daozhong coming to the southwest could be a test? Should we just play along and make sure everything seems fine on the surface?”

Di Muzhi smiled faintly, “Let’s wait and see. If the situation allows, we might even consider capturing Wang Daozhong and handing him over to Tang Wanzhuang. Since we’re loyal subjects, then even if Tang Wanzhuang learns the truth, she’ll likely have to turn a blind eye to some things.”

Xie Ruhai also smiled, “Despite the Demon Suppression Bureau’s mission to eliminate evil, she’s ultimately bound to serve the interests of the empire.”

“Notify Sect Master Shi. His strength should be just right for dealing with Wang Daozhong.”

“And Yue Hongling?”

“Yue Hongling has considerable experience in the jianghu, it’s only natural that she’s difficult to track. But we have time. As long as she remains hidden in Miaojiang, she won’t dare show her face, let alone leave. I’m curious to see how long she can hide!”

* * *

Zhao Changhe had never considered that impersonating Wang Daozhong could also bring him trouble. The members of prominent families did not just wander the world without reason, after all.

Ironically, this situation connected back to both Yue Hongling and the Sword Hut. So even if he was fully in the know and had to make the choice again, Zhao Changhe would still choose to disguise himself as Wang Daozhong.

Wang Daozhong really was his lucky star.

Zhao Changhe, unaware of these developments, left Shu riding alongside Li Sian. They exchanged glances, both feeling that Di Muzhi’s behavior had been quite normal.

“A typical interaction between noble families. If Wang Daozhong visits, Di Muzhi would indeed have to show him proper respect,” Li Sian said.

“Yeah, but that nouveau riche attitude... it was a bit much,” Zhao Changhe grimaced, recalling the lavish meal. “I bet those few bites would have cost me a year’s income. Wait, I don’t even have a salary.”

Li Sian hesitated for a moment before saying, “Actually, you do have a salary. You’re an undercover agent for the Demon Suppression Bureau, with a high rank that’s just below the bureau chief.”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes widened, “Where do I collect my salary? They’ve been holding out on me for a year!”

Without turning his gaze, Li Sian stared straight ahead, “To collect your pay, you’ll have to recognize the bureau chief as your superior. You sure you want to do that?”

Zhao Changhe beamed. “Sounds like a good deal to me!”

Li Sian rolled his eyes, too exhausted to continue the banter. Instead, he shifted the conversation. “It’s not really a nouveau riche attitude; it’s just how they operate. He’s used to it, and he assumes that families like the Wang and Cui Clans do the same.”

Zhao Changhe nodded thoughtfully. “What’s his reputation like? The people seemed to fear him to the core.”

“He’s extremely exploitative,” Li Sian said. “Take the last few months, for instance. In the dead of winter, he forced people into hard labor, digging canals. Who knows how many died? The whole of Shu is mourning. Yet when it’s reported to the imperial court, it’s spun as a great benefit to the people, and he’s praised for it.”

Zhao Changhe was silent for a moment before asking, “What about the Divine Brilliance Sect?”

The most powerful sect in the world, the Divine Brilliance Sect, was based in Emei, Shu.

Zhao Changhe wondered how these righteous sects balanced their relationship with the government. Would they turn a blind eye to corrupt officials, or would they step in and behead them? So far, it seemed they coexisted peacefully, hence being called “righteous.” But in truth, their actions were not much different from the Wang Clan’s.

Knowing Situ Xiao’s character, Zhao Changhe figured he would not tolerate this sort of behavior. Ever since the battle at Yanmen, he had not heard anything about Situ Xiao. Perhaps he had exiled himself out of disillusionment, or maybe he had retreated to even more remote places.

Li Sian shook his head. “I’m not sure. Although the Divine Brilliance Sect is reputed to be the number one sect in the world, it’s quite low-key. Apart from their direct disciple Situ Xiao, who roams the jianghu, we rarely hear anything about them.”

“Are they as reserved as the Sword Hut, not engaging with the outside world?” Zhao Changhe mused.

“That’s just how it is here in Shu. And for someone like Li Shentong, maintaining control over the Hundred Tribes of the southwest is likely more significant. He seldomly involves himself in the affairs of the Central Plains.”

Zhao Changhe asked, “Will we pass Emei on our way? I’ve been entrusted to deliver something to Li Shentong, but I’ve been too busy to travel so far. Now that I’m in Shu anyway, this could be a good time to meet him.”

Li Sian responded, “It’s a few days’ journey. If you wish to go, we can take the Emei route. What are you delivering?”

“Some wine.”

Li Sian: “?”

You have all these pressing issues, yet you still find time to deliver wine?

Zhao Changhe said, “It’s something I’ve felt guilty about for months. To be honest, if it weren’t on the way, I probably wouldn’t even be thinking about it. I’d likely wait until after everything else is settled. Sometimes I can’t help but think to myself... When I first entered the jianghu, I would have crossed a thousand li for a single promise. Now, without realizing it, that spirit seems to have faded. I’m not as pure-hearted as Han Wubing.”

Li Sian chuckled. “Who knows what Han Wubing is like today? Life in the jianghu weighs people down. With all the responsibilities piling up, who can stay a youthful idealist forever?”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes brightened. “Things will get done eventually. I still believe that today’s Han Wubing is the same as before.”

As they spoke, a golden light suddenly flashed across the sky.

Both of them looked up in surprise as the Tome of Troubled Times revealed a new chapter:

The fourth month, the Beginning of Summer.[1]

While at Yanmen Pass, Han Wubing noticed that an assassin from the Snow-Listening Pavilion was gathering information on a friend. He pursued them relentlessly from winter through summer. After five months of search, he confronted the assassin, Frost Hawk, at the Sword Pavilion. In the end, the mission was not entirely successful, and Frost Hawk managed to escape.

Victory and defeat on the Ranking of Man, the rankings shift.

Rank 33: Han Wubing

I come to the gathering as a clear breeze, brotherly loyalty as vast as the sky.

1. Beginning of Summer is the seventh solar term in the traditional calendar. ☜

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