Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 386: A Butterfly Falls in Love With a Flower

Ying Five looked at him for some time, saying nothing.

Aside from his personal strength still being insufficient, the power he had, at least in terms of influence, was actually already a fair bit greater than when Xia Longyuan began his rise.

Of course, this was partly due to his ambiguous “prince” background, so it was not entirely something that Zhao Changhe had built himself, but it still exhibited just what kind of qualities he had. There were already hints that storms were gathering.

Perhaps this world of chaos might be settled before it completely falls into disorder...

Ying Five actually felt a bit uneasy inside. Logically speaking, Zhao Changhe had only been rising for a short time, so he should not be able to have an impact on the situation of the world at all, but unexpectedly, he had quickly gathered supporters. Meanwhile, he still could not gauge Xia Longyuan’s intentions.

But then again, who cares? Even if Xia Longyuan is unfathomable, so what? People are already rebelling against him! Can he really manage?

With these thoughts, he nodded and said with a smile, “Alright... I’ll stay nearby these days and wait for your arrangements.”

“Uh...” Zhao Changhe asked, “Is it a bit presumptuous of me?”

“No, this is exactly how the young and bold should be.” Ying Five laughed. “Don’t act like us old men. Do what you want to do. If you want to pursue a woman, go after her. Don’t live life in vain.”

Saying this, he patted Zhao Changhe’s shoulder, “You really aren’t bad. You’re just like me when I was younger.”

Zhao Changhe replied, “It’s over if I end up like you. Did you ever succeed?”

Ying Five blinked. “...I feel like you need a lesson on the gap between you and those on the Ranking of Heaven.”

Zhao Changhe smiled and said, “The main gap between myself and seniors such as yourself is in knowledge and experience. For instance, you should know where to find Sharp Blade Grass, Transformative Lotuses, Bodhi Fruits, Spirit-Weaving Grass, and Solaris Nimbus Leaves, right?”

“Of those five, I know four.” Ying Five looked up at the sky. “Would you like to revise what you said earlier?”

“...I still don’t want to end up like you.”

Ying Five chuckled helplessly. “Alright, those things aren’t mine anyway. The Sharp Blade Grass can be found at the Sword Hut. It’s valuable to them for honing sword qi. The Transformative Lotus and the Bodhi Fruit are likely in the Maitreya Cult’s secret realm...”

Zhao Changhe asked, “Are you trying to push me to deal with Maitreya? There’s no need for that. Even if there was nothing there, I’d still go after them.”

“Seriously? Just from the name, you should be able to tell that they’re related to Buddhism. Even if it isn’t inside the secret realm, it should have some connection to it. If not, you could ask other Buddhist sects. I hear you have some connection with Yuan Xing?”

“Well...”

“These are leads, at least. As for the Spirit-Weaving Grass, I can confirm that the place you’re about to visit has it.”

“The Yang Clan of Hongnong?”

“Yes. But no matter where it is, it’s likely a cherished treasure for them. I doubt it would easily be given to outsiders. You’ll have to figure out on your own how to get them. As for the Solaris Nimbus Leaves...” Ying Five frowned slightly. “I’ve never heard of it. Did you make it up?”

“Why would I waste time making something up?”

Ying Five said, “Well, when it comes to the world’s rare items, if I claim second, nobody would dare claim first. If I haven’t heard of it, then no one has.”

Zhao Changhe wanted to ask “Have you heard of the Heavenly Tome?” but thought that maybe Ying Five really had, so he just clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Anyway, it exists. In the ancient era, it was said to grow on Yunyang Mountain[1]. Is there a mountain called Yunyang Mountain anywhere?”

Ying Five’s eyes lit up. “It’s likely not just a change in name over time. It must be a lost secret realm. That will be the main objective of our next collaboration! Give me some time. Since you’ve got the name of the place, then I should be able to find some clues. I’ll go look for more information.”

After saying that, he left excitedly without even finishing his tea.

Zhao Changhe watched his departing figure, thinking that things were indeed quite difficult for Ying Five. The shattered remnants of the previous era had left countless secret realms, far more than can be explored in a lifetime. It was possible that Zhao Changhe would have already completed his goal of returning home, yet Ying Five may still be searching for secret realms.

Actually, does Earth count as a secret realm?

He suddenly felt that someone was watching him.

Zhao Changhe turned around and saw Tang Wanzhuang standing by the corridor, lost in thought as she looked over. When he looked back at her, she seemed startled and retreated behind the corridor.

Zhao Changhe slowly walked over, only to see Tang Wanzhuang re-emerge, as if realizing that there was no need to hide. She then said nonchalantly, “Why do you seem so familiar with Ying Five?”

Zhao Changhe countered, “Why were you watching in secret? What would be the big deal if you just came over directly?”

“When was I watching in secret?” Tang Wanzhuang retorted, raising her chin up defiantly. “I just wanted to listen to what you two were discussing, and he just happened to leave.”

“Then why were you staring at me? Is it because I’m handsome?”

Tang Wanzhuang ground her teeth. “Zhao! Chang! He!”

Zhao Changhe knew better than to keep teasing her, so he raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I’m going to get back to studying the medical texts.”

Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips and said after a long pause, “You really hate studying, don’t you? I can tell from your expression.”

Zhao Changhe chuckled and said, “No monkey used to living in the jianghu loves studying, but it’s not so bad. Now that my soul is stronger, my memory is better. It’s not quite at the level of photographic memory, but it’s close enough. If you’d asked me to memorize all this stuff before, I really wouldn’t have been able to do it. But now, I can manage.”

Tang Wanzhuang tilted her head and spoke with double meaning, “If you don’t like it, then why force yourself?”

“Because I like you,” Zhao Changhe replied directly.

Tang Wanzhuang was stunned.

Zhao Changhe’s words still echoed in her ears when he said, “Besides the fact that learning medicine can help treat you... Even if it were poetry or something I see as equally pointless, as long as you’re the one teaching, I’d enjoy it.”

Tang Wanzhuang looked around, thinking, where’s the pond...

She could not find it quickly, so in frustration, she simply exclaimed, “It was because you promised that it wouldn’t be like this that I supported you in becoming the prince. I know that it’s likely that you aren’t even a prince at all! But now you’ve changed, have you no shame?!”

“Then I won’t be the prince anymore,” Zhao Changhe said directly. “Compared to you, the throne doesn’t count for anything.”

“You’re shameless!”

“Wanzhuang, I suddenly thought of something...”

“...What?”

“The prince you’re nurturing from your heart, if you look at it from another angle, it’s based on your tastes and preferences. It doesn’t mean a prince should be like that; it means that you like that kind of person...”

“You’re dreaming! There are many people with grace and bearing; when would it be your turn?!” Tang Wanzhuang was flustered. “With your uncultured way, you’re just a monkey dressing up as a king!”

Zhao Changhe tilted his head, “Who says I’m uncultured... Are you sure about that?”

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated, suddenly recalling the famous lines he would occasionally quote. Just the other day, he spoke of how “to the south, the Chen River meanders around Chenshan, and to the west, there’s Bashan where the autumn rains fill the pools.”

He just did not usually enjoy such things, only showing it when he was with her.

Tang Wanzhuang was confused and did not want to continue talking about this topic, so she forcefully changed the topic, “What are those things you mentioned? Sharp Blade Grass, Spirit-Weaving Grass, Solaris Nimbus Leaves? Are they in the medical book I gave you?”

“No.”

“Then what are they for?”

“The Sharp Blade Grass is used for refining the Blood Asura Body. The Transformative Lotus and Bodhi Fruit are for nurturing your meridians. The Spirit-Weaving Grass and the Solaris Nimbus Leaves are to nourish your soul.”

Tang Wanzhuang stared at him, speechless for a long time.

He asked a bunch of things, and only one was for himself; the rest were for her.

He had mentioned it before, how the reason why he had even entered this game was because of her; otherwise, he would still be wandering the jianghu, thinking, “What do the matters of the imperial court have to do with me?”

It was only because she was in the imperial court that it became something that had everything to do with him.

Zhao Changhe said, “Actually, it’s not necessary to rush into learning this or that... My real purpose here is to make sure you rest more and pull your mind away from tedious and mundane matters. Just by doing that, your condition can improve significantly.”

After a pause, he laughed and said, “That scene was perfect, you leaning against the railings of the pavilion, reading leisurely, with Baoqin playing soft and gentle melodies nearby. The chirping of spring birds, the fragrance of flowers, and flowing water. Spending ten days to half a month in such an environment will surely calm your soul and stabilize your meridians. I would then be able to travel north to Hongnong with peace of mind. As for completely curing you, it won’t happen overnight. Give me some time.”

Perhaps it was the mention of “ten days to half a month” that made both of them simultaneously think of Gusu.

Zhao Changhe had never stayed in one place for long. He had always been on the move, except when he lingered for more than ten days by Tang Wanzhuang’s side in Gusu, at her request to slow down.

Now, it was roughly the same time frame, with roles reversed: he was on the move, and she was to slow down.

“Let’s go... No treatment today, I’ll just accompany you on a walk.” Zhao Changhe turned and walked into the garden, and Tang Wanzhuang subconsciously followed him.

It was not until she had followed him in that she realized what this situation was. This was a genuine tryst amidst flowers, a rendezvous in the garden under the moonlight.

Forget it. He’s quiet, and he did say there would be no treatment today...

The two of them quietly strolled through the colorful sea of ??flowers, not saying another word. Yet, their eyes instinctively watched the colorful butterflies fluttering in the garden, lingering over the sea of ??flowers, and their mouths curled up at the same time.

Music wafted over from the pavilion in the distance; it was Baoqin practicing the guqin, playing a piece called “A Butterfly Falls in Love With a Flower.”[2]

Tang Wanzhuang found herself without any anger or intent to scold the little traitor. Her heart unexpectedly felt very peaceful.

The hope from the illusion, isn’t it exactly like this...

He said no treatment today, but isn’t this what real treatment should be like, rather than all that kissing?

Unfortunately, Yang Jingxiu’s birthday banquet was going to be held early next month, which was not far off. Just the journey would take several days on horseback, so this leisure was destined to last half a month at most.

In the distance, Tang Buqi was sharpening his weapons and preparing for war, his sword pointed at Maitreya’s final strongholds in Kuaiji and Yuzhang Commanderies.[3] The beat of war drums began to sound, almost reaching their ears.

1. The characters in Yunyang Mountain (云阳山) can literally translate to cloud, sun, and mountain. The Solaris Nimbus Leaves (云阳叶), share the same characters, I just named them differently since they sounded special. On another note, Yunyang Mountain is an actual place in the real world, and it can be found at Chaling County, Zhuzhou, China. ☜

2. A Butterfly Falls in Love With a Flower (蝶恋花) is a piece written back during the Tang dynasty. ☜

3. These were both regions of China during the Three Kingdoms period and even before then. ☜