Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 91: She's Here

Three days swiftly passed.

During these three days, Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing recuperated in the inn. Other than when Han Wubing went to a blacksmith’s shop and bought some random sword, they even had meals with the waiter, never causing any trouble.

Whether it was the words that Zhao Changhe had said to them, or because Xia Chichi had declared that she’d take his head herself, not a single person from the cult came to mess with him despite his location having become known. At the same time, his enemies within the Cui Clan and the Snow-Listening Pavilion did not make an appearance either. It truly was quite calm and peaceful during these three days.

What was particularly interesting, however, was that the two did not share a single word during these three days. Han Wubing was not fond of speaking, and Zhao Changhe would get angry every time he saw him. Despite this, the bond of friendship between them actually grew stronger.

This was largely due to the fact that every day, whenever Zhao Changhe headed to the courtyard to practice with his saber, he would also see Han Wubing practicing his sword techniques.

This displayed very well how simple it was for a friendship to blossom between men. All that was needed was to see another person share similar interests.

The two of them divided the courtyard between themselves, giving each other enough space to practice the saber and the sword. Naturally, they did not reveal any of their special skills when they practiced, but they both had sharp eyes and could see the skill possessed by the other party.

When it came to basic skills alone, Zhao Changhe had to admit that Han Wubing had a much more solid foundation than him.

Basic skills required neither intelligence nor physical prowess. They simply required years of hard work and accumulation. If Han Wubing insisted on practicing every day like this for ten years, then how could he, as someone who had only been practicing the saber for half a year, possibly compare? The reason why he could best others before this was because everybody had their own busy lives. In actuality, there were very few who could spare the time and effort to undergo bitter training; most succumbed to their laziness and simply lived their lives at ease.

Why was it that Han Wubing could draw his sword faster than others?

The truth was that ever since he first drew his sword ten years ago, he trained and trained tirelessly. Hundreds of times every day, he would draw his sword out from its scabbard as quickly as possible and launch an attack at all sorts of different angles.

Besides that, Han Wubing’s cultivation was also higher than Zhao Changhe’s, and his aptitude and understanding of sword techniques were definitely no worse than his own. Moreover, he definitely had many more chances to practice actual combat compared to Zhao Changhe. And although Han Wubing probably did not have any particularly good sword techniques, his Vicious Blood Saber Art was not that great either...

It could be seen from this that compared with his outstanding peers on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons, Zhao Changhe actually did not really have an advantage.

Zhao Changhe discovered that the people he had bullied in the past were truly just some noobs. Not counting the sparring with Yue Hongling, this was his first time fighting against someone on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons... and at the moment, it appeared very likely that he would lose.

There was honestly not much that could be done about this; the time that he had spent practicing martial arts was simply too short. Even if he could hasten his development by making use of treasures that could improve his meridians and cleanse his marrow, it was still hard to make up for the accumulation that came with time.

If he wanted to win this time, he would likely have to rely on the power of Dragon Bird. Zhao Changhe, who was accustomed to taking others by surprise, could not help but blush a little. After all, what he was going to be partaking in this time was a martial arts competition. Its nature was completely different from the scrappy fights he had in the past. It would not feel right to win by simply relying on the strength of his weapon.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe never realized that as Han Wubing watched him practice his saber, he actually felt a considerable amount of admiration toward him. The level that he reached in just half a year was honestly commendable.

Even before their match began, they already held an appreciation for one another.

Fwoo!

They put away their weapons at almost the same time, then looked at each other and smiled.

Zhao Changhe said, “Have your injuries completely healed?”

“Mm-hm.” Han Wubing still did not say much.

“Then why don’t we go out for a walk today? You said that there were a lot of things to do in Sword Lake City, but we’ve stayed in this inn the entire time.”

Han Wubing said, “You can go.”

“You just casually bought a sword in order to avoid not having a sword in our match. But are you really intending on using something you bought for a single tael of silver from a blacksmith’s shop to fight me?” Zhao Changhe began dragging him out, not listening to any more of his excuses. “Let’s go. Come on, get a good sword. I don’t think you’re someone without money.”

Han Wubing: “...I haven’t done any business in quite some time, so I really don’t have that much money.”

“Well, I do. Let’s go!”

Han Wubing said curiously, “You don’t work at all, so how could you have that much money?”

“I was mooching... Ahem, I got a lot of money from the Cui Clan, they wanted to express their gratitude for saving Yuanyang. They also gave me some money as a parting gift. I didn’t really want to take too much stuff with me, so I just took some of the banknotes. They’re easier to carry around.”

Han Wubing turned to look at the horse in the stable, then at the saber on his back, and finally at the banknotes that he seemed to be hiding in his pocket. His face suddenly turned blank, at a loss as to what to say.

What the heck! That’s when I freakin’ met him! I should have just helped him take that little girl home!

However, he did not refuse Zhao Changhe’s offer to buy a good sword, and he obediently followed Zhao Changhe onto the street.

Sword Lake City was a melting pot of sorts, with a mixture of good and bad people. There were many weapon shops, and there were also quite a few good sabers and swords being offered for sale. Han Wubing walked around the various weapons shops for a long time, frowning.

In the past, he did not have any special requirements for swords. But this time, he had an opponent with a good saber, while his sword was severed in half. This was a big wake-up call for him. Moreover, Zhao Changhe’s saber was simply too outrageous, and it would really be difficult to fight him with an ordinary sword. He knew that the main reason why Zhao Changhe was bringing him out to buy a sword was precisely that he did not want to take advantage of his tremendously powerful weapon.

Old Zhao is indeed a true man. I owe him too much. Not only is he offering to pay, but he even saved my life. Men have more opportunities to return favors. The problem is that it’s really hard to find a sword that can match his saber. It’s really hard to find a sword that can withstand parrying his saber even just a few times.

Zhao Changhe asked the shopkeeper, “Is this all you’ve got? Do you not have anything better?”

The shopkeeper glanced at the saber on his back before replying, “Although I don’t know what material your saber is made of, just looking at its size... If you two are looking for something that can compare to this saber, then I suggest you look for a darksteel heavy sword. Hm, or maybe those long truncheons that can even be used as a hammer?”

Han Wubing: “I don’t know how to use a heavy sword...”

“Are you really going to fight against this saber?” asked the shopkeeper in disbelief. “You plan on fighting him? And he is buying you a sword?”

Han Wubing nodded. “Yes.”

The shopkeeper looked at Zhao Changhe and muttered, “Stupid fool.”

Zhao Changhe said, “You know nothing... Forget it, let’s just look around separately. This city is so big, I don’t believe that these bunch of stores have all there is to offer.”

Han Wubing nodded, and the two of them walked separately.

This was perfect as Zhao Changhe wanted to stroll around on his own as well. However, as soon as he turned the corner, he was greeted by an acquaintance, Wu Weiyang from the Demon Suppression Bureau.

“Greetings, Mister Zhao. From what I can see, are you perhaps looking for a good sword?”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “Have you seriously been following me all this time? So were you squatting by the entrance of the inn I was staying at for the past three days?”

Wu Weiyang smiled and said, “I shall tell you the truth, Mister Zhao... Although I was not watching personally, I did indeed have subordinates who kept an eye on you at all times. When I received word that you two left the inn, I took this chance to meet with you.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Although we are looking for a good sword, we truly don’t intend to ask for it from the Demon Suppression Bureau. As such, I do not believe there is anything further we need to discuss.”

Wu Weiyang smiled and said, “Master Zhao, are you perhaps afraid of owing the Demon Suppression Bureau a favor?”

“I just do not want to get involved with you guys too much. Government matters are the most troublesome. I’m afraid of having constant headaches in the future.”

“Then why did you openly say that First Seat Tang can personally come see you?”

“Hahaha, it’s because I know that she can’t come, so what harm is there in—”

“But she’s here.”

“?” Zhao Changhe’s words were caught in his throat as his eyes widened in disbelief at the words he had just heard. “Is there something wrong with her head? This place is so far from the capital!”

“To be honest, I do not understand her actions either.” Wu Weiyang sighed. “Regardless, she has come. You personally invited her, so I feel that it would be rather rude if you did not follow up on that invitation.”

Zhao Changhe went silent for a moment and finally nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

“Mister Zhao, this way please.” Wu Weiyang made an inviting gesture and led the way.

Zhao Changhe followed silently, feeling a headache coming on.

I’ve always avoided matters involving the imperial court. No matter how many explicit and implicit hints that old fox of the Cui Clan gave me, I never responded to them. I did all of that because I know just how troublesome such things are. Once I get involved in them, I’ll have a never-ending source of stress to worry about.

However, I also know that it is not something that I can just keep avoiding... First Seat Tang even traveled thousands of kilometers to visit me in person. Since she is showing such sincerity, then it really would be rude of me to not reciprocate.

While he was occupied with the complicated thoughts in his mind, Wu Weiyang stopped and said, “We’re here.”

When Zhao Changhe raised his head and saw where they were, he was utterly dumbfounded.

Isn’t this the brothel from the other day where I asked if they had anyone whose mastery of the four arts is on par with First Seat Tang’s? You’re telling me that this is the goddamn Demon Suppression Bureau?!!

I can’t even count how many times I’ve badmouthed First Seat Tang at this point! But it was all because I never thought that I would have to confront her so soon!

“The man Tang Wanzhuang cannot obtain.”

“I’m just a bandit, but the person I covet next might be Tang Wanzhuang! Tell her to clean herself and wait for me!”

Plus, I even compared her to brothel girls.

I might just die an ugly death this time...

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