Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 463: Wang Daozhong Reappears in Miaojiang

Messengers from all sides exchanged information for an entire day, finally confirming that the first meeting of the Five-Tribe Council would be held at the Seaheart Pavilion in the southern part of Erhai.

By noon the next day, Lei Zhentang led his group around the lake, heading straight for the Seaheart Pavilion.

With so many eyes on him during this grand gathering of the Hundred Tribes, Lei Zhentang had to act under the banner of “righteousness” and could not afford to do anything too disgraceful. Afterward, he might want to carry out assassinations, but finding targets would be difficult, and he certainly could not send an army to attack anyone’s village or stronghold outright.

Thus, while the two lovebirds spent two days in dual cultivation, practicing the sword and enjoying their time together, Lei Zhentang was so frustrated he barely got any sleep.

There is still some maneuvering space when it comes to the smaller Five-Tribe Council. After all, this is a world ruled by strength. Setting aside the likes of Dao Qingfeng, who we have a blood feud with, people like Pan Wan and Xiang Simeng might still be intimidated into submission... That Si Laoye must be Xiang Simeng’s greatest support. If I can rise up and cut him down with one swift stroke, wouldn’t her tiny tribe of only a few hundred people be forced to submit?

Who knows, she might even be willing to serve me in bed... She is quite the beauty. No wonder Lei Ao took a liking to her. Well, soon, she’ll belong to me.

Just as they were halfway to their destination, a figure stood before them. Clad in scholar’s robes, with hands behind his back, he gazed at the sea, exuding an imposing presence. He seemed utterly indifferent to the approaching troops.

Lei Zhentang’s heart skipped a beat, and from behind him, Shi Wuding’s voice called out, “Brother Daozhong, what brings you here?”

The man turned his head, his expression cold and arrogant. Sure enough, it was Wang Daozhong.

Wang Daozhong flicked his sleeve and said casually, “I’ve come specifically to catch up with you, Brother Shi. Since three days ago, I’ve been reflecting on your sword art and have gained some insights. I’d like to test my blade again.”

Shi Wuding was somewhat surprised. Wang Daozhong had disappeared after fleeing Xizhou a few days back, and with so many major events happening recently, Shi Wuding had neither the time nor the mental resources to bother with him. He did not expect him to just show up on his own.

Did he not realize that the previous challenge was actually a trap? Does he genuinely believe that it was an actual challenge? Or does truly believe that he can beat the very Shi Wuding?

Is this bravery or sheer stupidity?

Shi Wuding did not believe that someone from the Wang Clan of Langya could be this naive, so he grew more cautious. “Brother Wang, if you still wish to spar, we can arrange another time. Right now, we have important matters to attend to.”

Wang Daozhong sneered at this. “How long could a duel take? Let your men go ahead, and once we’re done, you can catch up. Or could it be that you think you’re no match for me, that I might cut you down in a single stroke? Are you so afraid that you have no choice but to hide behind the Miao people?”

Shi Wuding’s expression darkened. He cupped his hands toward Lei Zhentang, saying, “Chief Lei, please go on ahead. I will catch up shortly.”

Lei Zhentang stared at Zhao Changhe for a long while but did not say anything. He simply advised, “Be careful, sir.”

Shi Wuding floated forward, and Zhao Changhe darted into the nearby mountains, with Shi Wuding close behind. Lei Zhentang frowned as he watched, feeling like something was off.

Isn’t Wang Daozhong’s timing just a bit too perfect?

Shi Wuding chased Zhao Changhe into the mountains until Zhao Changhe suddenly stopped.

Shi Wuding said coldly, “It seems you have made some progress from your recent secluded cultivation, Brother Wang. I’m eager to learn from you.”

Zhao Changhe cupped his fist and said, “That very night, Lei Ao sent out some assassins after me. Brother Shi, are you aware of this?”

Shi Wuding was taken aback. “Where did they get the gall to attempt to assassinate you without informing me?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “I had been their guest before, drinking their tea and wine. That might have been how they planted the root of a curse on me. Naturally, with such preparations in place, they grew confident. Fortunately, the Wang Clan of Langya has its own miraculous methods. Otherwise, I’d have been done for.”

Shi Wuding’s brow furrowed tightly. “I truly didn’t know about this.”

Zhao Changhe said, “I figured as much. If you had known, you would’ve shown up that night instead of sending those worthless pawns.”

Shi Wuding’s expression darkened further.

Although he was already collaborating with the Black Hmong, committing his faction to support them, they had secretly attempted to assassinate Wang Daozhong without informing him. That was troubling.

Zhao Changhe spoke calmly, “I think there’s something amiss here. Brother Shi, if you don’t want to be treated like a fool, it’s best we lay everything out and have a candid discussion.”

Shi Wuding slowly replied, “What insights do you have for me?”

“Has there ever been any enmity between us?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Then why did you challenge me out of nowhere? Surely, it wasn’t just a spontaneous desire to test your sword against mine?”

Shi Wuding remained silent.

Zhao Changhe continued, “After thinking it over, I thought of only one reason that made sense to me. The Wang Clan of Langya has shown the intent to cleanse the imperial court, and this is something well-known in certain circles. Not wanting to align with rebels, you aimed to capture me. Or perhaps... you were commissioned by someone to capture me.”

Shi Wuding sighed. “More or less.”

“So your actions against me have nothing to do with Miaojiang?”

“None at all. Though, in some ways, it’s slightly related. I didn’t want a strong variable like you complicating matters here and disrupting the best outcomes,” Shi Wuding replied. “But now, tell me, why are you here?”

Zhao Changhe said, “You already know that my Wang Clan seeks to cleanse the imperial court. The Black Hmong have a deep vendetta against the emperor. Is it strange that I’ve come to make contact with them? Why wouldn’t I go directly to Lei Ao?”

Shi Wuding thought about it and found it quite reasonable, so he said nothing more.

Zhao Changhe continued, “That’s why this whole situation doesn’t make sense to me. The Black Hmong clearly want to rebel, and since you’re mixed up with them, it seems you want to rebel too. But at the same time, you’re trying to capture me, which aligns with loyalists... What’s going on?”

Shi Wuding remained silent for a moment before slowly replying, “Though I’m cooperating with the Black Hmong, that doesn’t mean our interests are completely aligned.”

“Oh?” Zhao Changhe was intrigued. “Care to explain?”

“Rebellion is irrelevant to me. As a swordsman, I’m only here in pursuit of the Dao of the sword,” Shi Wuding said. “I can’t go into the specifics, but I’ll say this much: my encounter with the Black Hmong was incidental. I obtained a sword art from them that could help me break through a bottleneck in my swordsmanship. However, it’s incomplete, and I still need to find a core method. Our cooperation with the Black Hmong is merely to that end...”

“Is that really it?” Zhao Changhe responded. “With Miaojiang’s fragmented state and their hostility toward outsiders, finding what you need must be quite difficult. So, you’ve decided to help the Black Hmong unify Miaojiang, making your search easier?”

Shi Wuding didn’t respond, but his silence was an admission of truth.

As for the sword art he was referring to, it was likely something involving sword slaves, which was essentially a form of gu art. Zhao Changhe could not see how this would aid in sword cultivation, but everyone had their own path, and perhaps it might indeed be helpful to Shi Wuding’s practice. Either way, the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, including why the Black Hmong wanted to assassinate Wang Daozhong behind Shi Wuding’s back.

“Brother Shi, if the Black Hmong really intended to rebel, they should have been thrilled to see me here and eager to work with me. There’s no reason for them to try and kill me. Do you think it’s possible that they’re not actually planning to rebel? Or perhaps what they’re aiming for is even more important than rebellion, and they don’t want a major Central Plains power getting involved, so it’s easier to just kill me?”

Shi Wuding pondered this. “If that’s the case, why keep it hidden from me?”

“There’s only one possible explanation...” Zhao Changhe started, then abruptly stopped speaking.

Based on the clues, there was only one explanation: the Black Hmong believed that if Shi Wuding captured Wang Daozhong, he would not need their cooperation anymore.

In other words, the so-called completion of the sword slave technique did not actually require whatever core method to be found. It was likely that what Shi Wuding really needed was a sword slave on the Ranking of Earth. With Wang Daozhong, Shi Wuding would have precisely that. The Black Hmong still needed Shi Wuding to help unify Miaojiang, however, so they would not let him complete the sword slave technique too early. Hence, they decided to kill Wang Daozhong.

Shi Wuding realized this too, and his expression shifted, torn between anger and realization.

On one hand, it proved that the Black Hmong were not truly committed to their partnership with him. If they were willing to obstruct his path to sword mastery now, what guarantee was there that they would help him walk to the end of it once they succeeded?

On the other hand, it also suggested that if Shi Wuding captured Wang Daozhong right now, he might achieve his goal immediately.

Zhao Changhe took a half-step back, expressionless.

I may or may not have fucked up.

Shi Wuding looked at Zhao Changhe, his expression twisted into a grim smile. “Brother Wang, why so cautious?”

Zhao Changhe maintained his guard, speaking calmly, “Though you’re stronger than me, I’m more than well prepared, and capturing me alive won’t be easy. Miaojiang has other Ranking of Earth figures, and they may not be as guarded against you as I am. Perhaps you should consider that.”

Shi Wuding’s eyes narrowed, and Zhao Changhe knew that he had struck a chord.

This is a man who cares for nothing but his pursuit of the sword. Let alone a collaborator, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill even his own father if it meant advancing his path. Is this why Han Wubing left the Sword Hut?

Far away in Fengyi Town, Lei Zhentang suddenly shivered, though he did not know why.

At that moment, he was sitting cross-legged in the Seaheart Pavilion. In the center, someone was grilling meat and pouring wine, while the representatives of the five tribes sat around the pavilion, each with a few attendants.

Lei Zhentang cursed his bad luck inwardly. Originally, everyone was supposed to bring only a small number of people to the meeting, and he had Shi Wuding with him, which would have created a strong sense of pressure. It would have been easy to launch a surprise attack and kill Si Laoye to intimidate Xiang Simeng. But Shi Wuding had inexplicably been intercepted by Wang Daozhong along the way, and who knew what sparks would fly between them? Lei Zhentang was now feeling uneasy.

The pressure on their side had dropped significantly, but Xiang Simeng’s entourage had also thinned—Si Laoye was not present, and instead, a plain-looking female protector stood quietly behind her.

For such a small tribe like the Spirit Tribe, having a strong fighter like Si Laoye is already impressive. No way they have two such fighters.

As these thoughts crossed Lei Zhentang’s mind, he spoke aloud, “The first item on our agenda today is how to handle the Xia people within our territory. Our tribe’s stance is to kill them all. What do you all think?”

Before anyone else could speak, Sisi calmly said, “The Spirit Tribe does not...”

Lei Zhentang inwardly rejoiced. His long-suppressed tiger-like gaze instantly locked onto her, and the immense pressure of a Ranking of Earth fighter swept toward Sisi, as if even her very soul was being locked down.

Under normal circumstances, she should have been trembling uncontrollably, shaking like a leaf, unable to utter a single word.

However, Xiang Simeng did not seem as troubled as expected. Although her face was a bit stiff, she still managed a faint smile.

The plain-looking female protector behind her stepped forward quietly, and the pressure on Sisi vanished. She continued smoothly, “...agree.”

Lei Zhentang was furious, “This is a council of tribal chiefs. What business does a protector like you have here? Get out!”

As he spoke, he launched a thunderous palm strike at the plain-looking female protector in front of Sisi, intending to kill her instantly and intimidate everyone else.

However, the female protector did not even dodge. Instead, she formed her fingers into the shape of a sword and thrust them directly at Lei Zhentang’s palm.

When their attacks met, although the female protector could not withstand the blow and was thrown back into Sisi, Lei Zhentang did not fare much better. His palm felt as though it had been pierced by a sword, and the sword qi cut into him so fiercely that he almost let out a cry of pain.

Sisi stood up in anger. “Chief Lei, if you wish to vent your anger on my tribe, are you not picking the wrong target?”

Dao Qingfeng, Pan Wan, and the others stood up with grim expressions, and Lei Zhentang could only force a smile. “I apologize. I could not control my temper... And who might this Spirit Tribe protector be?”

The female protector stood tall and straight as a sword, “I am Si Furen, a protector of the Spirit Tribe. Greetings, Chief Lei.”

Lei Zhentang’s face was full of confusion. What’s going on with the Spirit Tribe? It’s fine if they have strange names; there are plenty of people with strange names across the different tribes... But how does such a small tribe have so many powerful members? Si Laoye isn’t present, yet this Si Furen seems to be even stronger than him.

Behind the female protector, Sisi was gritting her teeth, nearly ready to kick her own protector.

One wishes to be the master, and the other wishes to be the wife[1]... So am I just here to play the part of the little maid who guards the door?

1. Laoye and Furen, which are the given names of the aliases that Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling chose as protectors, mean “master” and “wife” respectively. ☜