Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 445: Meeting Sisi Yet Again

Under the moonlight, thousands of venomous snakes were coiled together, their heads raised stiffly. The terrifying scene somehow had a strange cuteness to it. The snakes looked like little girls puffing up their cheeks, angry but hesitant to strike.

Amid the misty forest, a slender figure quietly emerged, dressed in exotic attire. Her head was adorned with pearl ornaments, and her short top revealed a slender, beautiful snake-like waist, whiter than the moonlight itself. She moved barefoot through the forest, her toes more lustrous than pearls.

Her eyes conveyed both playfulness and displeasure, mixed with a touch of surprise and a faint resentment.

A faint fragrance from her body roused the deepest desires within, pulling one into an eternal dream, a dream beautiful and enchanting and one that you would not want to wake from.

It was indeed Sisi, whom he had not seen in a long time... He never thought she was this extraordinarily beautiful in the past. But here, in this exotic land, within the poisonous forest and under the moonlit lake, she truly felt dreamlike, her beauty so enchanting that it tugged at his heartstrings, making his heart want to pulse in rhythm with her gentle steps until everything came to a calm rest.

If Tang Wanzhuang could be considered the most beautiful woman in the Central Plains, then Sisi might be the most beautiful, ethereal dream of these exotic lands.

However, Tang Wanzhuang’s much-touted ability to track and sense the entrance to secret realms seemed to be completely useless here. If it was not for running into Sisi directly, that so-called tracking spell might not have uncovered her even in a hundred years.

Sisi gracefully floated in front of him, looking him up and down in surprise for a while, then mumbled, “Take off your disguise, let me confirm.”

Zhao Changhe leisurely removed the fake beard and rubbed his face to undo the disguise.

Sisi crouched down in front of him, extended her slender fingers, and playfully poked his face twice.

“What are you doing?” Zhao Changhe asked, annoyed.

“Just checking if there’s another layer.”

“...”

“Okay, I’ve confirmed there’s none...” Sisi nodded in satisfaction. “This man is quite sturdy. It wouldn’t be bad to take him back as a slave, huh?”

Zhao Changhe glared at her.

What’s the point of checking? If I knew about your disguise as Yue Hongling, who else could I be? If you just wanted to poke me, you could have just said so...

In truth, Zhao Changhe had no idea whether that “Yue Hongling” was actually Sisi in disguise—it was just a random guess. It was just his way of exchanging secret codes. By making such a statement, he let Sisi know it was him.

Sure enough, Sisi did not mention the matter regarding Yue Hongling, but instead gave him a seductive smile and said, “Didn’t you once say you didn’t want to live your life wearing someone else’s face? Did I remember wrong, master?”

This was also part of their secret code. From her form of address to the content, no one else knew about it.

Zhao Changhe slumped completely, lazily saying, “It’s just a temporary measure... But I feel like I’ve lost out this time. Who would’ve thought that pretending to be Wang Daozhong would bring me so much trouble? Is this what they call a fallen star[1]? I guess I won’t disguise myself as him anymore in the future.”

“The Wang Clan of Langya may be arrogant in the Central Plains, where everyone fears them, but here in Miaojiang? What do they even amount to?” Sisi chuckled dismissively, then added, “Just like a certain someone ranked thirty-seventh on the Ranking of Man, who stormed through the north and tested his blade in Jiangnan. He might be respected in the Central Plains, where he has the support of quite the formidable father-in-law, but here? He better behave himself if he knows what’s good for him. Still think you can play the master here? Hehe.”

Zhao Changhe ignored her teasing and sighed, “Why were you trying to capture Wang Daozhong?”

“I wasn’t trying to kill him. I wanted to capture him.”

“But didn’t those guys just now try to kill me with every strike?”

“Who said I was with them?” Sisi smiled. “It’s because they attacked first that all the battle traces would be theirs. If you suddenly disappeared, people would just think they did it. My involvement wouldn’t be revealed.”

Zhao Changhe asked, “Why do you want to capture Wang Daozhong?”

“You already know what I’m after. The Wang Clan of Langya has some valuable techniques. Is it so strange that I want them?”

“Is that all?”

Sisi stared at him for some time, then suddenly said, “Hey, what’s our relationship that you’re asking me so many questions so casually? Do you really think that I’ll just tell you everything? You’d be better off asking who’s trying to kill you, maybe I’d be generous enough to tell you that.”

“Lei Ao,” Zhao Changhe replied calmly. “Other than Li Sian, only Lei Ao knew when I left, and approximately where I’d be. I know Li Sian, and I trust him, so that leaves Lei Ao. Plus, a curse needs a medium, and the only place I ate and drank was with him.”

Sisi crouched down in front of him, resting her chin on her hands. “Looks like all that time wandering through the flowers hasn’t made you lose your wits after all...”

Zhao Changhe ignored the remark and asked, “At first, when I saw you, I thought you were working with Lei Ao, but now it seems more likely that you’re enemies. Need any help?”

“Do you mean help with dealing with Lei Ao or... help with something else?”

“If it’s the latter, I think it’s you who’s helping me.”

Sisi’s provocative and casual words gradually dissolved the initial unfamiliarity and awkwardness Zhao Changhe felt upon seeing her. Now, their conversation had inadvertently become more risqué.

But Sisi did not seem to find their words particularly inappropriate or suggestive. She simply giggled. “As for dealing with Lei Ao, it’s also me helping you... after all, he’s the one trying to kill you.”

After a pause, she added with some subtle implication, “I don’t need your help, I don’t need it.”

Zhao Changhe gazed into her eyes, hidden behind the pearl ornaments that hung down, seemingly obscured and unclear.

Without a word, Zhao Changhe pulled a booklet from his ring. “A new set of Profound Mysteries-level sword arts. With my current strength, I can almost grasp and organize those at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries.”

Sisi lowered her gaze, staring at the booklet for a while before softly saying, “This is part of our transaction, not you helping me. In exchange for these sword arts, I’ve also provided rare items like spirit bags for gu insects, things that don’t exist in the Central Plains. It’s a trade.”

“It’s a trade,” Zhao Changhe replied indifferently, handing the booklet to her. “So, can we trade for something else too?”

Even though she had been the one to mention a trade, when Zhao Changhe spoke about it in those terms, Sisi suddenly grew irritated. The playful, dreamy expression she had earlier vanished, replaced by a serious look. She stood up straight and said, “This is no place to talk. Follow me.”

Zhao Changhe glanced around and realized that the poisonous snakes had silently retreated at some point. The thick mist in the forest shrouded everything, hiding any potential dangers.

Sisi floated into the night, her silhouette fading into the mist. As she glanced back, a teasing smile played on her lips. “A man fighting with his Dragon Bird... Hehe...”

Zhao Changhe glanced down and realized with some embarrassment that his hastily thrown-on robe had come loose, and his Dragon Bird was quite obviously swinging free.

“...”

Oh well, it doesn’t really matter if she saw it. That Dragon Bird once brushed against her face.

Without another word, Zhao Changhe followed her alluring figure into the mist. He felt like their relationship was as murky and complicated as the night and fog around them.

A year ago, his “progress” with Sisi was actually the furthest along compared to all the other women in his life. Back then, no one else had gotten as close to his Dragon Bird as she had—not even Chichi. To this day, only a few had gotten that close, and Sisi was still one of the furthest along.

Yet, despite their closeness, they had never spoken of love or affection. Those moments of intimacy were just an act, a game both of them were playing.

But they fought side by side, saved each other’s lives, and genuinely supported each other. They could have been extremely close allies, if not for the fact that she had betrayed him, causing a rift between them. But then again, she never intended to harm him. Their friendship still existed, though their paths diverged because of her responsibility for her people’s future.

Tang Wanzhuang had already forgiven her for her betrayal. Over the past year, Sisi had likely communicated with Tang Wanzhuang more than he had. Objectively speaking, Sisi had become a key collaborator in Tang Wanzhuang’s strategies in the southwest. In this intricate web of schemes, Sisi’s trustworthiness far exceeded that of Lei Ao. But could she be trusted completely?

He had originally thought Sisi was hiding away in some secret realm for the long term, but now it seemed she had firmly established herself among the tribes of the southwestern region. She was likely integrated into one of the local tribes, blending in with the local culture.

It was a mystery what changes the subtle integration of the Ancient Spirit Tribe into the southwest would bring; their plans were still deeply hidden.

Sure enough, after walking for a short distance, the vague outline of a mountain stronghold emerged through the mist. Several tribal men stood guard at the gate. When they saw Sisi approaching, they bowed and greeted her, “Saintess.”

Zhao Changhe rolled his eyes.

Of course, another saintess.

Sisi lazily instructed them, “Prepare a guest room. I’ve brought a guest.”

The men stared intently at Zhao Changhe, who followed behind Sisi. Their gazes were wary, and the looks they gave him were one reserved for rivals.

Zhao Changhe smirked and, without a word, followed them into the stronghold.

Once inside the main tent, they were surrounded by a group of maidservants. Seeing Sisi bring a man inside, they giggled softly. “Oh, what a handsome young man...”

“Get out of here!” Sisi pretended to swat at them, and the maidservants giggled and retreated. Before leaving, they added, “We’ll warm some wine for the guest.”

Sisi added, “And prepare a hot bath for him in his guest room. He washed himself in the lake earlier like an idiot.”

“Hehe... got it.”

Sisi stood there expressionless, facing Zhao Changhe, who was equally stone-faced. Grinding her teeth, she muttered, “Why is it that whenever I’m around you, even though nothing is going on, people always assume something is?”

Hey, I’m just maintaining my reputation as someone who destroys others’ reputations. You just brought a man into your tent in the middle of the night! Who wouldn’t think there’s more to it?

Zhao Changhe sighed. “As long as we discuss serious matters, they’ll know there’s nothing going on.”

“But do you really think we can discuss our business with them listening in?” Sisi glanced over at the maid bringing in some hot wine and waved her hand. “Leave it here and go. All of you.”

The maidservants giggled as they left, one even whispering teasingly, “Take it easy... A lot of people saw you. It’s not a good look...”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

So, if no one saw it, it would be fine for her to bring a man into her tent?

Sisi gave him an amused look. “This is just how our tribal customs are. What, are you going to judge us again for not being chaste enough by your standards?”

They sat in silence for a moment, separated by the steaming hot wine. Their eyes met, and in that fleeting gaze, it seemed like memories of their past moments together flashed before them—like fragments of a dream, gone as quickly as they came.

1. The term used here is 塌房, which more literally translates to collapsed house. This is an internet slang used to refer to the collapse of an idol in their fans’ eyes. ☜

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