Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 351: On a Chase

Wang Daozhong had come to Kunlun to hunt down Zhao Changhe.

Just like Frost Hawk[2], ever since Wang Daozhong was assigned the task of chasing after Zhao Changhe, he had been inexplicably beaten up by Vermillion Bird, preventing him from catching up to Zhao Changhe. Since then, he was always a step behind.

When he learned that Zhao Changhe had gone to the capital, he went there only to find out that Zhao Changhe had already left. When he heard that Zhao Changhe was at Yanmen, he went there only to find out that Zhao Changhe had already gone beyond the border. And once Zhao Changhe left the pass, it became impossible to find him.

As he chased after Zhao Changhe, he watched as Zhao Changhe made a name for himself with impressive achievements announced by the Tome of Troubled Times. Whenever he saw the announcements of Zhao Changhe’s achievements, he felt like each word was a slap right to his face.

Of course, he was thinking too highly of himself. Zhao Changhe had never even considered the impact his actions had on Wang Daozhong’s reputation.

After the events by the border, Zhao Changhe inexplicably went to Beimang, where both he and the bandits at the mountain stronghold mysteriously disappeared. By the time Wang Daozhong received news of Zhao Changhe’s whereabouts again, it was through the Tome of Troubled Times, which mentioned Xia Chichi shining brightly on Kunlun and ascending the Ranking of Man, with Zhao Changhe said to have played a supporting role.

Thankfully the Tome of Troubled Times still exists! It’s truly an incredible guiding light.

Wang Daozhong did not even have the time to curse the Four Idols Cult for associating with Zhao Changhe while supposedly being allied with the Wang Clan. Just the journey from Beimang to Kunlun took him a massive amount of time.

When he headed for Kunlun, Wang Daozhong was left with no choice but to travel alone. It would have been much too troublesome to bring a large force over such a long distance. After moving with haste, he finally arrived, only to feel like the entire city was playing a prank on him.

Let alone finding Zhao Changhe, he could not even seem to get a break. The most awkward thing was that Wang Daozhong did not even know if he should identify himself as Wang Daozhong.

If he didn’t, then he could not enter Yuxu Peak.

But the moment he did, Yan Que chased after him like a mad dog.

Since Yan Que was chasing after him anyway, he felt it more practical to just claim his identity to enter Yuxu Peak and explain everything to Yuxu once they met. With Daoist Yuxu’s cooperation, everything else would fall into place, and killing Zhao Changhe would become much easier.

But when he tried to do so, he was unable to prove his identity, and he could not even get an audience with Daoist Yuxu.

At this point, he was without a horse, so if he left, he would have to go back on foot.

He did not have money for food either. As a dignified member of the Wang Clan of Langya, he would have to rob for food and lodging, and he had completely lost track of Zhao Changhe’s whereabouts once more.

Wang Daozhong wandered outside Kunlun City with a headache. In the distance, a cloud of dust rose, indicating a caravan returning from elsewhere.

Wang Daozhong’s eyes glinted fiercely as he thought of robbing this caravan for some money, food, and a ride.

He darted toward the caravan, but before he acted on his intentions, the rider at the front shouted from afar, “Are you Mister Wang of Langya?”

Wang Daozhong’s murderous intent dissipated significantly. He felt almost as if he had met an old friend in a foreign land. “Who are you? How come you recognize me?”

“I am the Earth Deer of Liu from the Four Idols Cult. I once worked in the Central Plains and had the honor of meeting you by the bank of the Luo River[1] a few years ago.”

“The Four Idols Cult...” Wang Daozhong said with a stern face, “My clan and your cult are allies, so why is your cult mixing with Zhao Changhe?”

The Earth Deer of Liu was taken aback. “Our saintess and Zhao Changhe have an old friendship. The whole world knows this. Although the venerable has separated them, it’s quite normal for them to join forces against a strong enemy. If even the venerable isn’t objecting to it, then why should you... Oh, I seem to have misspoken. My apologies. Anyway, our alliance does not mean that we do everything together. Killing Zhao Changhe is your Wang Clan’s private matter, what does it have to do with us?”

The reasoning was sound, and Wang Daozhong, indeed, could not really refute the other party. Not wanting to fall out with the Four Idols Cult, he reluctantly said, “Well, there should at least be no problem with you vouching for my identity at Yuxu Palace, right?”

The Earth Deer of Liu was even more surprised. “Are you not able to verify your own identity?”

Wang Daozhong opened his mouth but then closed it again. He could not just say that he had been pickpocketed, could he? He still had to save face when he could.

The Earth Deer of Liu said, “In Daoist Yuxu’s eyes, I’m just a minor figure, so I doubt I’d be able to help you with that. Mister Wang, it would be better if you simply use your own identification token...”

“Forget it,” Wang Daozhong interrupted. “I’ll just go and see Daoist Yuxu myself. Do you have any news on Zhao Changhe? Surely you’re not covering for him for the sake of your saintess?”

“I do have news about Zhao Changhe,” the Earth Deer of Liu replied. “As he came to Kunlun, he naturally intends to continue west to the Western Regions... But Mister Wang, let me tell you this in advance, Zhao Changhe travels alone and unpredictably. He could be to the west not but then suddenly head north. If you go west and are unable to find him, don’t blame me for giving you the wrong directions. My personal advice is that you should return to Langya. It is not fitting for someone of your status to be personally chasing an enemy for years without success.”

He isn’t wrong... Wang Daozhong hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hand and said, “Thank you for the information... I’ll take my leave.”

“Safe travels, sir.”

As Wang Daozhong left, the Earth Deer of Liu secretly spat.

What a joke, Zhao Changhe and our saintess are so close that it makes me vomit. The fact that the venerable has not ordered his death despite that and even sent a direct subordinate like the Fire Serpent of Yi to accompany him just goes to show how highly she thinks of him. At this rate, Zhao Changhe might even become the son-in-law of our Four Idols Cult, holding the saintess in one arm and the Fire Serpent of Yi in the other. And you think you can kill him?

Go eat dust in the Western Regions or return to Langya and end this chase. At least you’re not completely stupid, it wouldn’t do your Wang Clan well to break ties with our cult so quickly.

“Alright, time to head back to the fabrics store.”

Wang Daozhong had not gotten far when he saw a lone swordsman in white walking in the distance.

“Mister Wang?” the swordsman asked, seemingly confused.

“Frost Hawk from Snow-Listening Pavilion, right?”

“...Yes, and we are working on your order.”

The two looked at each other for a long time before Wang Daozhong finally said, “Don’t bother going to Kunlun City. I just received reliable information indicating that Zhao Changhe is headed to the Western Regions... However, it’s uncertain if he really will be heading there or staying there for long. That man is simply like a rat.”

Frost Hawk cupped his hand and said, “Thank you for the information. I shall head to the Western Regions and check then.”

After saying that, Frost Hawk left immediately.

Dedicated, indeed.

Wang Daozhong watched Frost Hawk’s departing figure and thought to himself that he really should not be running around the world personally like a minor character. That was not his role. He decided to return to Langya, monitor the intelligence network, and issue commands from there.

As for Kunlun, I’d have to be fucking insane to ever come back here!

*

While Wang Daozhong was getting chased around at Kunlun, Zhao Changhe was eating meat.

Zhao Changhe had no idea that his detour southeast because of a sandstorm had helped him avoid running into Wang Daozhong.

This could only be said to be great fortune.

As his enemies struggled to hunt him down, Zhao Changhe traveled several hundred li south along the mountains, reaching a small, nameless town by dusk. The town did not even have an inn, so he paid to stay in the backyard of a simple farmhouse.

One big difference between ancient and modern times may be this... If you knocked on the door of a farmhouse and asked for lodging in the modern world, it would be rare to find someone who would let you in, but here, although not everyone was willing to do so, some still would.

Not only would they agree, but if you paid enough, they would even go out to buy meat and butcher chickens for you, offering good food and wine to the honored guest.

Full of energy after a great meal, Zhao Changhe managed to drive away some of the lingering fear caused by the soul pressure he had been subjected to. His heart and mind settled and calmed down.

This departure from Kunlun marked Zhao Changhe’s first real hasty escape since his appearance in this world. Previously, he would only leave after finishing his business.

Yes, for the first time after transmigrating to this world, Zhao Changhe experienced fear of death.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t been in a life-and-death struggle before; on the contrary, his experience fighting stronger beings was practically unrivaled. However... this was this, and that was that. The experiences were not remotely comparable. Let alone fight, he couldn’t even muster the thought of it; the soul pressure he was subjected to shook his very core.

Had there been someone weaker instead, it would have been completely understandable for their Dao Heart to crumble, and they would perhaps even kneel down to become the lackey of the gods and demons, their loyal spokesperson.

Zhao Changhe pondered, wondering if, without Yuxu’s cooperation, the entity backing him might have sought another agent, such as Yan Que.

His list of enemies was only growing. Fortunately, Yan Que and many others did not know who he was.

The wind ceased, the snow melted, and the moonlight shone down in serenity. Zhao Changhe stood gazing up at the moon. He recited the sutra for half an hour before finally speaking softly, “Since you’re so powerful, why don’t you impose your will on me?”

The blind woman’s voice came from seemingly nowhere. “I do not need a dog.”

Zhao Changhe fell silent.

The blind woman seemed amused. “Do you want to be one? I can let you lick my feet if you wish.”

Zhao Changhe took out the golden foil and began to untie his belt.

“?” The blind woman was speechless. “What are you doing?”

“Giving it a beauty treatment.”

“Childish,” the blind woman said lightly. “I think you should take out the new page, not that one. Are you so afraid that you subconsciously avoid even taking it out?”

Zhao Changhe froze mid-action, then sighed after a moment. “You’re right. I am indeed afraid. I thought I was a hero, but it turns out that I’m not.”

“This is human nature. When you faced Wang Daozhong before, did you not also break into a cold sweat? The pressure from Wang Daozhong was not as extreme, but the nature of the fear is the same.”

“Indeed.”

“This isn’t a bad thing,” the blind woman said softly. “Only when you face the fears in your heart can you overcome them, and...”

She paused, a hint of laughter in her voice, “If you want to withstand the terror and death that come with the Vicious Blood Art, you must experience it yourself first. Otherwise, what could you ever endure?”

Zhao Changhe felt a stir in his heart.

“Have you ever considered that what you truly lack on your path to becoming a master is real hardships and losses?”

Zhao Changhe laughed out loud. “Maybe. For some reason, your words have made me less afraid. In fact, if I were to meet Wang Daozhong now, I probably wouldn’t be scared of him. Indeed... in a few years, what I fear today might no longer trouble me.”

The blind woman remained silent.

This was Zhao Changhe’s innate courage. He might fear certain things, but only for a while.

He was truly suited for the jianghu.

Zhao Changhe finally took out the golden page he had just obtained.

The page was not like the golden foil. It resembled a soft scroll, and even though he clearly had it in his hand, it was as if his fingers were grasping air.

The Dao has no form; the Tome is merely a manifestation. If the golden foil continues to be unsealed, it would likely take on this kind of form, not actual gold. It’s simply that gold symbolizes durability and immortality; it’s just an ancient and enduring concept.

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath and placed the golden page alongside the golden foil.

A soft golden light enveloped both, suggesting a fusion.

1. In the real world, the Luo River is a tributary of the Yellow River in China. It rises in the southeast flank of Mount Hua in Shaanxi province and flows east into Henan province, where it eventually joins the Yellow River at the city of Gongyi. The river’s total length is 420 kilometres. (Wikipedia) ☜

2. Previously translated as Ying Shuang, but I have since changed it to Frost Hawk. ☜