Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 356: Xue Canghai

Xue Canghai watched from afar as Zhao Changhe ascended the mountain with confident strides. He could not help but show a hint of admiration in his eyes.

Such courage! Such boldness! This is what a man should be like.

The men of the Blood God Cult admired Zhao Changhe because they saw in him the spirit they themselves only aspired to have. Zhao Changhe fearlessly roamed the jianghu with his saber, challenging all who stood in his way. There was no member of the Blood God Cult who would not appreciate and respect someone who dared to enter a den of demons alone and declare his arrival so boldly.

Unfortunately, they could not do the same. They simply saw him as a reflection of their dreams.

Subconsciously, they began to see him as their representative in the outside world, so they were indeed reluctant to label him a traitor.

Even Xue Canghai felt this way.

At that moment, he even forgot about the envoy of the Maitreya Cult in the mountain stronghold. With a casual wave of his hand, he transmitted his voice, “Young Hero Zhao, come meet me in the main hall. Why is everyone crowding around? It’s embarrassing. Disperse. Hengchuan, guide him to the main hall.”

Instructor Sun bowed, “Yes.”

Zhao Changhe noticed that except for the brief encounter amidst the blazing Luo Family Village, he had never properly seen Cult Leader Xue. Seeing him now, he found Xue Canghai to actually have quite a presence.

Choosing to receive him in the main hall of the mountain stronghold instead of some secret underground chamber subtly displayed his stance toward him. Zhao Changhe smiled slightly and confidently ascended the mountain.

Instructor Sun, walking beside him, whispered, “Changhe...”

“Hm?”

“What did you come here for? Also, couldn’t you have at least given me a heads-up?”

Zhao Changhe laughed. “I originally came with the intention to challenge the cult leader... but I have not decided to what extent.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let me put it this way... if I defeat Cult Leader Xue and take his ranking of seventy-first on the Ranking of Man, I am screwed. It would be really embarrassing and my wife would probably ridicule me.”

Instructor Sun retorted, “You little...”

Zhao Changhe climbed the mountain with an innocent look. Indeed, this was what he truly thought.

However, it was still difficult for others to believe him at this time. Instructor Sun sighed, “Stop with the pretense. You’ve already planned how to take over the cult after killing the cult leader, haven’t you?”

“Hey, Old Sun, you can eat whatever you want, but don’t just go around saying whatever you want.”

“Come on, I know your tricks.” Instructor Sun looked around cautiously, then whispered, “When those from Beimang arrived, many advised the cult leader not to give them any proper positions, fearing a day like this would come.”

“And yet the cult leader still gave them proper positions?”

“The cult leader said that they came with a letter from Venerable Black Tortoise, and Venerable Black Tortoise ranks even higher than Venerable Vermillion Bird. If the Four Idols Cult wanted his head, they could have taken it long ago. Being overly cautious would only invite ridicule, so it was better to just concede.”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. He found that Cult Leader Xue was actually much better than his reputation suggested. The man had a certain charm and was not some buffoon or clown as he had originally anticipated.

On the other hand, the supposedly honorable Venerable Black Tortoise seemed more like a clown.

Instructor Sun side-eyed him, “So, are you really thinking of taking over?”

Zhao Changhe countered, “You’re quite loyal, aren’t you?”

Instructor Sun was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Yes. I’ve been in the Blood God Cult for twenty years. This is my home.”

Zhao Changhe scrutinized Instructor Sun for a while before laughing. “It was one of my plans, but it was just an option in case Cult Leader Xue ended up being unreasonable. If things went south and I had to fight my way through, having people on the inside would help. However, from how things seem at the moment, it seems like there won’t be any need to take such drastic measures.”

As they spoke, they reached the main hall. The guards at the entrance greeted Zhao Changhe with fervent respect. Instructor Sun closed his mouth and silently led Zhao Changhe into the main hall.

Damn, the guards showed even more respect to him than me, a protector of the cult... Well, it makes sense. Zhao Changhe’s reputation as the First Hidden Dragon places him on par with the cult leader, and I simply can’t compare to that. Still, despite how much greater he’s become, he was still willing to kneel and bow to me. Fuck, that felt good.

With a muddled mind, he headed to the main hall with Zhao Changhe. Zhao Changhe strode in, stood at the center, and then bowed to Xue Canghai, who was seated on the main seat. “Greetings, Cult Leader Xue.”

Xue Canghai nodded slightly. “Have a seat. Serve Young Hero Zhao tea.”

Zhao Changhe unceremoniously took a seat on the guest seat, and a cult member served him tea. Zhao Changhe glanced at the server and clicked his tongue.

A male cult member... Do they really not have any maids? Cult Leader Xue, you’re simply a paragon of manliness.

Xue Canghai sipped his tea, observing Zhao Changhe. After a long pause, he finally spoke up. “The cult members regard you as one of their own. Do you find it foolish? Just a year ago, they treated you as a traitor and were hunting you down. Yet now, they regard you with such respect. Is it laughable?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “When I was heading to the Ancient Sword Lake, I told Instructor Sun that apart from Fang Buping, I have no enmity with the Blood God Cult. On the contrary, I even owe the cult a debt of gratitude for sheltering me and granting me its teachings. If the cult members see me as one of them, I’m happy. The bond had not been severed, and I am grateful that the cult leader doesn’t wish to do me harm.”

Xue Canghai neither confirmed nor denied, “If we could kill you back then, we would have done so. Now that you’ve come here yourself, that gives us an opportunity to do so.”

Zhao Changhe smiled but did not respond.

Xue Canghai did not press further and instead asked, “So, why have you come? It’s surely not just to catch up with Instructor Sun, right?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “I did want to see Instructor Sun. It’s been a while, after all.”

Instructor Sun turned his head away.

Do you even believe that yourself?

Xue Canghai remained impassive. “Now that you’ve seen him, should I arrange a room for you two to catch up?”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Xue Canghai sipped his tea, remaining silent.

By now, even the most ardent fans would have realized that Zhao Changhe did not come with pure intentions. They realized that he had likely come to challenge the cult leader, and Xue Canghai obviously understood this much from the start.

He knew that Zhao Changhe was likely at the threshold of the Profound Mysteries. To break through, he needed more than just his talent. His fundamental cultivation techniques were the Vicious Blood Art and Vicious Blood Saber Art, and his way to breakthrough could only be found here, so his visit was inevitable.

However, Zhao Changhe was not Vermillion Bird. Entering this den of demons alone and expecting to leave unscathed if a fight broke out was incredibly bold.

Xue Canghai admired this courage but was not willing to be made a stepping stone.

These damn youngsters. First, it was that Yue girl, using me to boost her reputation and turning me into a laughingstock. Then, there was that young man who ran around wanting to challenge me, unhappy that I could make it onto the Ranking of Man while he couldn’t. When he finally made it onto the Ranking of Man, he settled down, but then that asshole Situ Xiao began challenging me just because he was unhappy that I ranked above him.

What the hell did I do to deserve this? Are they all crazy?

Zhao Changhe took a sip of his tea, seemingly unconcerned. “It seems that you’re aware of my purpose here. I seek the Profound Mysteries.”

Xue Canghai said coldly, “Regardless of how people view your relationship with the Blood God Cult, the core techniques of the cult cannot be shared. As for being allowed to comprehend the sacred artifact, you have no right.”

Zhao Changhe shook his head. “The cultivation techniques belong to you, and the sacred artifact is for your cultivation. Yet, it seems you still haven’t broken through to the Profound Mysteries. This suggests that those things are, at best, auxiliary. Relying on them too much is unwise.”

Xue Canghai was taken aback. “So what do you want?”

“If I’m not mistaken, you likely abandoned the Blood God Art and resumed cultivating according to the Vicious Blood Art in order to get the recognition of the Tome of Troubled Times and enter the Ranking of Man. Otherwise, with your previous combat ability that was at most on par with Yue Hongling when she was at the eighth layer of the Profound Gate, you would not have made it onto the Ranking of Man.”

Xue Canghai’s face darkened. “You could have left out that last part.”

Damn it, not only did these youngsters put me in a tough spot, but the Tome of Troubled Times did too. I secretly raised my strength, thinking that no one would know and I could surprise them, but I wasn’t even able to hide it for a couple of days when I was suddenly added to the Ranking of Man, and everyone and their mother found out.

What’s even more frustrating is that even after switching to the Vicious Blood Art, I’m still unable to unlock the Profound Mysteries. The backlash from the vicious blood qi still tortures me, nearly costing me my life every now and then. Was all this really worth it?

Zhao Changhe said, “I believe you’re likely at the threshold just like me. I don’t need your manuals or artifacts. I only seek a thorough battle with you. Perhaps through mutual verification, we can both step through the door of the Profound Mysteries.”

Xue Canghai let out an exasperated laugh. “So, in the end, you think I’m an easy target?”

“No, I’m not sure I can beat you. Your mastery and understanding of the Blood God Cult’s techniques are unparalleled. I came with the mindset of seeking your guidance.”

“And why should I indulge you?”

Zhao Changhe set down his teacup and replied calmly, “Because I am Zhao Changhe.”

Xue Canghai’s eyes narrowed.

“My mastery of the techniques of the cult is not as refined as yours, but I have drawn a lot of insights from various sources,” said Zhao Changhe. “I lack depth in vicious blood, while you have immersed yourself in it only too much. I believe that if we learn from each other, the Profound Mysteries are within reach.”

Xue Canghai’s heart skipped a beat.

He had imagined countless reasons for Zhao Changhe’s visit, but he had not anticipated this.

Indeed, Zhao Changhe was not a mere young disciple challenging a senior, nor a traitor returning in glory.

He was a renowned martial artist on the cusp of becoming a master. He came seeking to discuss and exchange knowledge on the path of becoming a master.

After a moment of silence, Xue Canghai suddenly asked, “You say I’ve immersed myself too much. On what basis? Have you studied my martial arts?”

“This is easy to see,” replied Zhao Changhe. “The cultivation techniques of the Blood God Cult are fierce and violent, focusing on nurturing vicious qi through killing. Up to now, have you ever considered that the limitations of this world might be holding you back? That if you could carry out mass slaughter, you could make it through the door to the Profound Mysteries.?”

Xue Canghai slowly said, “Go on.”

“But have you not realized that the essence of the ancient demon god’s will is neither killing nor nurturing vicious qi? It’s a domineering spirit that transcends even gods and demons, a self-reflective challenge to the heavens, a worldview where the underworld reflects one’s inner strength. When the Heavenly Dao dies, who will embody it? Was the demon god’s only desire truly just slaughter?”

Xue Canghai stood up, his expression extremely solemn.

Zhao Changhe touched his ring, and with a swift motion, Dragon Bird appeared in his hand, and he pointed it at Xue Canghai. “I’ve said all that needs to be said. Cult Leader Xue... shall we verify our theories?”