Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 464: Two-Faced Old Wang

No matter how much Sisi’s heart ached, the pain that Lei Zhentang was feeling was much worse.

Despite having the most powerful force in the region and personally being the strongest warrior, he had not been able to exert any influence, constantly being undercut.

Are we really going to have to vote on resolutions together?

The Spirit Tribe has never made much of an impact. They’ve always kept a low profile. When did they start becoming so prickly? Was it when that Si Laoye mysteriously appeared?

Now that I think about it, maybe it all started when that asshole Wang Daozhong entered Miaojiang.

Lei Zhentang took a deep breath and coldly said, “So, according to the Saintess, we’re rebelling against the Xia, but we’re not allowed to kill Xia people?”

Sisi asked, “Chief Lei, have you counted how many Xia people live in Miaojiang?”

Lei Zhentang replied indifferently, “It’s impossible to have an exact number, but estimates suggest around twenty percent of the population.”

Sisi said, “So, are you suggesting massacring twenty percent of the population? Are you sure that you haven’t lost your mind?”

“What other choice do we have? This is already much less than the number that Xia Longyuan massacred in Miaojiang back then,” Lei Zhentang sneered. “Are we supposed to just leave all these Xia people here, ready to stab us in the back and leak our military secrets to the enemy?”

Sisi said, “Many of the Xia people here have already adopted local customs and attire. If you order their execution, they’ll all disguise themselves. How will you identify who’s really a Xia person? Will you search house by house, making everyone live in fear?”

It was clear that the massacre of the Xia people was just a pretext. His real goal was to use this as a means to control the other tribes. Dao Qingfeng and Pan Wan immediately saw through this and sneered, “Chief Lei, you’ve got a pretty good scheme going.”

Lei Zhentang retorted angrily, “Women and fools! You’re impossible to have a proper discussion with!”

The Yi Tribe’s chief tried to mediate. “Why don’t we just expel them and kill those who resist?”

In terms of expulsion, neither Dao Qingfeng nor Pan Wan had any objections. They had no fondness for the Xia people, which was why this rebel council had any foundation to begin with. On this point, even Sisi could not change their thinking.

However, for the same reason, they would not consider protecting or absorbing the Xia people. In this chaotic rebellion, the Spirit Tribe was likely the only group willing to shelter and protect the innocent Xia people.

Yue Hongling, standing behind them, felt a slight tremor in her heart. It was a spark of enlightenment in her understanding of the sword.

She suddenly realized that her entire lifetime of wandering the world, upholding justice with just her sword, had perhaps led her to save much fewer people than Zhao Changhe would with this one move.

This is the true art of manipulating the winds and rains.

Lei Zhentang voiced out, “Since that’s the case, everyone should be sincere about this. Don’t say one thing to our faces and then do something else behind our backs.”

As he said this, he shot a glance at Sisi, who smiled sweetly in return.

Lei Zhentang asked, “If Bashu sends troops to suppress us, how should we respond?”

This time, Sisi did not oppose him and said with a smile, “Like the northern barbarians, we’ll need the strongest tribe to act as the alliance leader and coordinate resistance. On this matter, I support you, Chief Lei.”

Lei Zhentang was almost moved to tears. You’ve finally agreed with me! Damn, that wasn’t easy at all! As long as I can secure military command, the future is bright! What will be the use of this flimsy council?

In fact, this was Lei Zhentang’s core demand. It was not something that could be contested. If the disputes continued, the so-called council would fall apart, and the tribes would soon be at war. At this moment, Sisi’s primary objective was to protect the large number of Xia people; everything else could be discussed later.

Dao Qingfeng’s expression was grim, but seeing that even Sisi was not resisting, he knew that there was no way he could continue to oppose it. He had to suppress his frustration and said instead, “If we defeat the Xia, we should discuss how Miaojiang will govern itself in the future and perhaps establish some guidelines.”

It was clear that he did not want Lei Zhentang to be crowned king.

With his main objective secured, Lei Zhentang relaxed a bit and said calmly, “We’re not at that point yet. This isn’t the only meeting we’ll have, so we can discuss things slowly.”

Just then, Shi Wuding walked in.

Lei Zhentang shot him a look of mild irritation. You’re only showing up now? The important talks are over. However, Shi Wuding’s strength was nothing to scoff at, so Lei Zhentang held back his anger and said with a sarcastic undertone, “The most important matters have already been discussed today. As for the remaining details, I’ll leave them to my elders to handle with the rest of you. I have pressing matters in my tribe, so I’ll take my leave.”

Shi Wuding had just rushed over, only for Lei Zhentang to leave immediately, making it quite obvious that he was being snubbed. However, Shi Wuding showed no emotion and simply said, “Then let’s go back. I have some things I need to discuss with you privately.”

Lei Zhentang gave him a glance and left the pavilion with a few attendants. Shi Wuding followed him, and once they had walked far enough that Sisi and the others were out of sight, he finally spoke. “Chief Lei, I need your cooperation on something.”

Lei Zhentang asked, “What is it? Could you not capture Wang Daozhong?”

Shi Wuding slowly said, “Indeed, I couldn’t capture him. I underestimated him. It’s almost impossible to capture him alive. I can probably kill him, but capturing him alive is a different matter altogether. So, Chief Lei, could you assist me? First, by helping locate Wang Daozhong, and second, by providing manpower when we find him to help surround and contain him.”

“The Sword Hut has many disciples. Why not use them?”

Shi Wuding stared directly at Lei Zhentang. “While they might be able to help with the encirclement, when it comes to finding someone, how could they compare to your forces, Chief Lei? Or... is it that you’re unwilling to cooperate?”

Lei Zhentang retorted, “Is capturing Wang Daozhong really such an urgent matter? Miaojiang is currently facing all sorts of complex issues. If we expend our efforts here, it may be a case of misplaced priorities. How about this: we’re already planning to search for and expel the Xia people from Miaojiang, and Wang Daozhong, being a Xia person, will naturally be included. If we find him, we’ll certainly inform you. How does that sound?”

While Lei Zhentang’s words were reasonable, Shi Wuding had not been present during the council meeting earlier, so to him, it sounded like nothing but excuses.

His expression finally turned sharp. “Chief Lei, perhaps you should give me a straightforward answer. Does the core method of the so-called sword slave technique actually exist or not?”

Lei Zhentang was taken aback. “Where is this coming from... Brother Shi, you’ve personally conducted countless experiments on living people in Miaojiang. Haven’t you already confirmed that sword qi can indeed control others, replacing the effects of gu arts while also allowing you to share the sword slave’s sword intent, turning it into nourishment for your own sword Dao?”

“But the sword intent I gain from them is extremely vague. You coin it as sharing, but in reality, it’s like looking at flowers in the fog. Their souls have already been replaced by sword qi, leaving nothing of their own behind! What I seek is true advancement in the Dao of the sword, not a horde of mindless puppets! You claimed there’s a core method that allows their souls and consciousness to be preserved. Where is it? I’ve been in Miaojiang for quite some time now, and there are no real sword masters here. Who could possess such an advanced technique?”

Lei Zhentang responded, “The sword slave technique originated in Miaojiang, so naturally, its core principles can only be found here. Since we haven’t unified Miaojiang, many things remain out of reach. But once we have full control, it will be easy to demand the various tribes hand over their hidden knowledge. I understand your impatience, Brother Shi, but please be patient...”

Shi Wuding suddenly interrupted, “Or could it be... that this so-called core method doesn’t exist at all, and it’s simply because these sword slaves are too weak? When sword qi enters their minds, their souls scatter. But if it were a stronger soul, things might be different...”

Lei Zhentang’s heart skipped a beat, and his expression subtly changed.

That was true, but only half of it.

There was a core method, an ancient secret technique. However, not even Lei Zhentang knew where it was, nor had the Black Hmong King before him. The technique had likely been lost in some ancient secret realm or could have disappeared entirely with the collapse of past eras. Saying that unifying Miaojiang would lead to its discovery was a joke. The Black Hmong King had ruled Miaojiang for decades and found nothing.

So, yes, Lei Zhentang had been bluffing, trying to convince Shi Wuding to cooperate in unifying Miaojiang.

However, the so-called core method was not some fundamental principle of the world; it was merely a method created by people. It was not as mystical as it sounded. With the right guidance and a proper starting point, even someone today could potentially comprehend it on their own.

And what was that starting point?

If they could capture a sword slave at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries, it might serve as an excellent starting point. A powerful soul would not be torn apart by sword qi, and it would retain its memories and a degree of autonomy. That would be the perfect nourishment for the sword master.

Of course, achieving that would be incredibly difficult. Who could capture an expert on the Ranking of Earth alive for such an experiment? Even the Black Hmong King could not do it. Moreover, this was all just a theory. Who would risk going after one of the world’s top fighters, ranked in the top few dozen, based on a mere possibility? That would be madness...

If Shi Wuding hadn’t thought of this, it would not have mattered. But now that he had, with his understanding of the Dao of the sword, he would realize that this possibility was real, and there was no way to deceive him anymore.

Others might hesitate because of potential repercussions, unwilling to plot against a Ranking of Earth expert for such a slim possibility. But for a sword-obsessed madman who had dedicated his life to the pursuit of the sword, things were much different.

Seeing Lei Zhentang’s expression, Shi Wuding became more certain of his conclusion, and the sharpness in his eyes intensified.

You’ve been deceiving me for so long, wasting my time in this godforsaken, bug-infested place, playing games with you... Turns out the path to advance in the Dao of the sword was right in front of me all along!

Lei Zhentang was still racking his brain, trying to come up with a way to calm Shi Wuding when an intense sense of danger flared up inside him.

A terrifying surge of sword qi blasted toward him from the side—it was one of the top six swords in the world, wielded by one of the strongest Ranking of Earth experts, unleashed in a sneak attack fueled by rage!

Lei Zhentang could not have imagined that this lunatic would act so decisively and ruthlessly. The situation had not even been fully discussed yet! Even if it had been clarified, could they not have gone after Wang Daozhong together instead? They were supposed to be allies, but Shi Wuding had actually turned him into his target for a sneak attack!

This madman!

Even someone like Cui Wenjing or Wang Daoning, who were on the Ranking of Heaven, would have struggled to deal with such a sudden attack, let alone Lei Zhentang!

Being on the Ranking of Earth himself, however, he was no weakling. He managed to twist his body in time, and the deadly sword energy grazed past his ribs.

It seemed like he had avoided the blow, but the ferocity of the sword energy still tore open his side, leaving him bleeding profusely, with his ribcage nearly visible.

Lei Zhentang drew his Miao saber from his waist and counterattacked with all his strength. His attendants, who had been stunned by the sudden attack, finally snapped out of their daze, shouting as they charged toward Shi Wuding in an attempt to rescue their chief.

Shi Wuding sneered, and the brilliance of his sword energy surged, sweeping all the attendants into its lethal arc.

Shi Wuding coldly smiled, his sword energy sweeping them away. “I came for the sword, not for Miaojiang!”

You weaklings, do you really think you can stop me for even half a second? I’m here for the sword! Miaojiang’s affairs have nothing to do with me!

But just at that moment, the sound of thunder roared from behind him. Waves surged as if a tsunami were crashing onto the shore, and the clouds in the sky seemed to part.

It was the Wang Clan’s Heavenly Sea-Suppressing Sword!

Shi Wuding spun around in shock, only to see Wang Daozhong, man and sword fused as one, charging directly toward his exposed back.

With Lei Zhentang heavily wounded, Shi Wuding had gained the upper hand... But how could Zhao Changhe just allow him to capture a Ranking of Earth sword slave, taste that power, and then come back for him? Let alone the fact that Shi Wuding was chasing after Hongling and was an enemy of Han Wubing.

Lei Zhentang—though injured—was not dead. As Zhao Changhe launched his sneak attack, Lei Zhentang’s Miao saber flashed like a bolt of lightning, slashing toward Shi Wuding’s neck.

Meanwhile, a Black Hmong shaman retreated several steps and began chanting.

In the distance, Lei Zhentang’s tribal warriors, having noticed the commotion, kicked up a cloud of dust as they charged over with battle cries that shook the ground.

Despite his initial success with the ambush, Shi Wuding now found himself surrounded and on the defensive, nearly spitting blood from sheer frustration. “Wang Daozhong, you two-faced snake! If I ever see you in the jianghu, I’ll hunt you down! No matter where you hide, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you!”

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