Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 479: Who Is the Traitor

Sisi jumped up in surprise and went to stand obediently by the side, though she almost wanted to give Yue Hongling a hug and kiss her.

That outburst came at just the right time! Actually... if she had done so earlier, I wouldn’t have even had to kiss him. Oh well, it’s not like it’s the first time anyway... oh, right, back then, I used her face to kiss him! In any case, I didn’t really feel anything both times...

Sisi pouted, suddenly feeling a hint of regret. She had kissed him, but she had not properly savored it. Were those not wasted opportunities?

The tribal elders were silent with fear.

They had initially thought that since the female envoy didn’t say anything when a woman was demanded in her presence, it meant they weren’t a couple, so the elders had become even more brazen. But what’s with this sudden jealousy? Could we have been wrong all along?

However, Yue Hongling did not continue her outburst and instead looked at Zhao Changhe with some puzzlement. The Zhao Changhe she knew did not act this way, and she found it quite strange.

Zhao Changhe gave her a look, signaling that he had another plan in mind. In fact, since the banquet began, he had discreetly loosened the spirit bag holding the gu, allowing the corpse demon to see a little of what was going on outside.

He wanted the corpse demon to get a firsthand experience of how the Spirit Tribe was oppressed and cowed by the so-called forbidden land.

Yue Hongling nodded almost imperceptibly and said coolly, “We carry great responsibilities and have no time for frivolous eating, drinking, and merriment here. This banquet is about business first, and eating and drinking are secondary. We did not come here with the intention of visiting a brothel.”

The great elder wiped away his sweat and responded, “Yes, yes, of course.”

Yue Hongling said coldly, “If you really want to indulge, do it after we’re done. I don’t have the leisure to sit here and watch you being a pervert.”

In other words, we may indulge but we must focus on business first.

The tribal elders breathed a sigh of relief, coughed awkwardly, and said carefully, “This time, the sacred envoys arrived earlier than usual. We have not yet prepared our offerings... Would you be able to wait for another two days? We will ensure everything is ready by then...”

Yue Hongling instinctively wanted to say that doing their best would suffice, but Zhao Changhe interrupted her, saying, “So, are you saying it’s our fault for coming early?”

Yue Hongling: “...”

He’s learning fast...

The differences in the way people think are often far greater than the difference between humans and dogs. For Zhao Changhe to be able to pull such an act so smoothly just went to show that he truly was far from being a saint; it was just that he had been pinning much of the blame for the things he had done on Wang Daozhong.

The tribal elders were drenched in sweat and replied, “No, absolutely not...”

Sisi glanced at the elders of her tribe, looking at their pathetic expressions. If Zhao Changhe were truly a sacred envoy, she would feel extremely humiliated right now. But since it was Zhao Changhe putting on airs, she suddenly felt quite pleased, even hoping that he would trample on them a bit more.

While the elders were bowing their heads in apology, Sisi secretly sent a voice transmission, “You can directly ask them for the items you want. Apart from people, our annual offerings include various items, and the list changes every year. You can simply write down what you need on the list. The Solaris Nimbus Leaves, for example, are produced on our sacred mountain and have been offered annually in the past. I’ve never heard of Night Flowing Sand... As for the Heavenly Blood Jade, it’s one of our sacred items. The forbidden land would not usually demand it, but if you insist, you can try to do so. Our tribe has never really understood its use and might not value it highly.”

Zhao Changhe felt a stir in his heart.

He originally did not want to use the guise of the sacred envoy to demand things from the Spirit Tribe, as that would be deceitful. He had hoped to negotiate a proper and fair exchange with Sisi. But since Sisi was suggesting that he take what he needed, he felt no qualms about it now.

Those who choose to be slaves must bear all that comes with such status. Sisi’s offer is intriguing as well... Is she not worried that I’ll just take what I want and leave without helping her?

These thoughts flashed through his mind as he said aloud, “The reason we arrived early this year, apart from capturing the traitor, is that certain items are needed by the higher-ups, and you must prepare them. The tribute remains the same as last year, with the addition of one jin of Night Flowing Sand.”

The elders looked at each other, perplexed. “Night Flowing Sand? We’ve never heard of it.”

Zhao Changhe’s face grew stern.

The great elder quickly apologized, “We truly have never heard of this item, and we are not trying to deceive you, sacred envoy. To be honest, we have many ancient texts, but we’ve never even seen any mention of it.”

It seems they truly do not have Night Flowing Sand...

Since it seemed that he simply didn’t have the fate to encounter this sand just yet, Zhao Changhe was not particularly bothered. Nevertheless, he maintained a stern expression and said, “Since you do not have Night Flowing Sand, then you will have to offer something else in exchange. Otherwise, how am I to account for this?”

The great elder said, “Whatever you desire, as long as it is within our tribe’s means...”

Zhao Changhe took a sip of his wine, leaning back into Sisi’s embrace and propping his feet up. “Hmm... I heard you have the Heavenly Blood Jade?”

Ah, the wonder of a world without bras. This headrest is so soft and comfortable. And Sisi’s not lacking in that department, either... This is payback for all her teasing.

Sisi blushed furiously, not sure if he was just acting or actually taking advantage of her, but she had no choice but to tolerate it.

The elders looked conflicted, exchanging uneasy glances.

Just as Vermilion Bird had subdued the Blood God Cult yet never even touched their array plate, demanding the Heavenly Blood Jade now posed a similar dilemma: do you wish for a loyal ally or endless rebellion? The difference lies in whether or not you infringe upon their core interests.

Xue Canghai could tolerate many things, but if Vermillion Bird tried to seize the array disc, ruining his pursuit of the Blood God, there would definitely be a bloodbath. Vermilion Bird could certainly kill him, but what would that achieve?

For a group like the Spirit Tribe, as long as you did not touch the interests that these elders held dear, they would readily assist you in upholding the doctrine. However, once you demand those dear to them as sacrifices, they may not be so obedient after all.

This is why the forbidden land generally avoided touching such things unless necessary.

With that said, the Heavenly Blood Jade’s situation was somewhat unique. It did not hold remotely the same significance to the Spirit Tribe as the Blood God’s array plate did to Xue Canghai, since no one really knew how to use it. It was essentially just an ornament. Yet, it remained an important sacred object passed down through generations. Should anyone someday discover its true use, it could potentially elevate the entire Spirit Tribe, perhaps even giving them a chance to surpass the forbidden land.

Of course, that hope was somewhat distant, and no one expected much from it. Ultimately, it was revered as an heirloom, yet was it truly untouchable?

This was a line only an insider would know about, and it was one that could potentially be tested.

Seeing the three elders hesitate, Zhao Changhe began to grasp the underlying implications and darkened his expression. “So, you truly mean to say that you’ll have me unable to account to those above me?”

Feeling the pressure, the elders had no choice but to apologize, “Please allow us some time to discuss this, sacred envoy.”

Zhao Changhe did not press them further, giving a slight nod for them to go confer. The three elders left through the side door, and Zhao Changhe let out a breath, continuing to rest his head on the cushioned headrest.

Yue Hongling cast him a sidelong glance, squeezing out a question through her teeth, “They’re gone? How long are you going to stay like that?”

Sisi’s eyes twinkled. She had initially planned to pull away, but she actually pressed down on Zhao Changhe’s head instead, and she began gently massaging his temples. “Watch closely, this is how I serve my master. Next time, learn a little if you’re going to impersonate me...”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Yue Hongling could not help but laugh. “Now I see what you’re up to... Hey, doesn’t this count as betraying your own people?”

Sisi said calmly, “If they agree, then who will be seen as the one forced by the sacred envoy to give up the artifact? It certainly won’t be me, Xiang Simeng! I’m hoping they’ll return and say, ‘apologies, sacred envoy, but our tribe can’t fulfill your request. Could we perhaps offer you something else?’ Am I really the traitor?

Yue Hongling nodded thoughtfully and asked, “Did the previous envoys really never ask for bribes, or sought treasures for themselves? That just sounds really odd.”

Sisi explained, “I heard that back in Xiangyang, a divine entity supporting Maitreya once intervened from afar, shaking First Seat Tang. This suggests that if these beings regained enough power, they could look upon the world through someone else’s eyes without needing to physically appear. With even greater strength, they could intervene from a distance...”

Zhao Changhe pursed his lips, though Maitreya was not who he had in mind.

Sisi continued, “So it’s highly likely that the envoys from the forbidden land are under the watchful eyes of the gods or Buddhas. Well, at any rate, whether it’s true or not, they believe it, so they don’t dare to act recklessly. They stick to their task, take what they need, and leave. Part of why gods and Buddhas inspire reverence is their supposed omniscience, isn’t it?”

Zhao Changhe thought, If only you could always communicate this frankly...

Well, I guess if she were always this serious, I probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy this cushioned headrest right now. It’s a bit conflicting.

Yue Hongling pondered for a moment and then asked, “We’re pretending to be sacred envoys, so asking them for treasures is one thing, but are we really going to request youngsters from them? Just the thought of the grief it would cause to their families, I can’t bring myself to do it.”

Sisi replied, “You certainly don’t have to. You can just tell them that, if you’re given the Heavenly Blood Jade, the male and female sacrificial offerings for this year can be omitted. But, Big Sis Yue, what about when you leave? The real envoys will still come.”

Yue Hongling lowered her voice, “That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about... I don’t want to leave. I feel like there’s something I can do, something I should do.”

Sisi looked at her with a complicated expression.

No matter what plans or intentions anyone else had, Yue Hongling was single-minded, with one unwavering goal from beginning to end.

Zhao Changhe spoke softly, “Don’t worry. I have a few ideas...”

Before he could finish, the three elders returned, seemingly having reached a decision. Bowing, they said, “Sacred envoy, we have discussed it amongst ourselves, and we are willing to offer the Heavenly Blood Jade to the ancestral god. However, is there any chance you could bestow upon us the means to fuse with beast spirits...?”

Zhao Changhe was just about to say, “Are you trying to bargain with me?”

But before he could get the words out, his ring trembled violently as a gu burst out of the spirit bag in a furious rage, screaming, “I’ll kill every last one of you! Die, all of you!”

Dragon Bird pressed down on the spirit bag, barely containing it.

Zhao Changhe had an idea and said slowly, “Not that you deserve it, but... Let’s just say I feel generous. Take us to see the Heavenly Blood Jade. I can pray to the ancestral god and see if he is willing to grant you what you desire.”

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