Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 843: Heavenly Punishment?

Whether Ye Jiuyou was willing or not, it seemed this battle could no longer be fought.

From the moment Yue Hongling challenged the Sword Emperor, a chaotic melee involving the pinnacle forces of this world—something Huangfu Qing and the others had anticipated would leave every participant wounded—had been pared down to something far simpler. In the end, all their efforts amounted merely to building momentum, setting the stage for Zhao Changhe to speak.

Ye Jiuyou had to admit: Encircled by these women in the Four Idols Formation, with Piaomiao standing nearby, she indeed felt apprehensive. Now, with Zhao Changhe standing across her with his blade drawn, frustration burned within her heart, yet she found herself unable to act.

Her expression flickered between light and dark as she stared at the Dragon Bird barring her way. Only after a long while did she speak, slowly and coldly, “Do you truly wish to speak with me, or are you simply using all these excuses to block me from pursuing your brother? You know it well in your heart. After dressing up your words so prettily, would it not be simpler to just admit you feel guilty?”

Zhao Changhe remained silent.

Indeed. No matter how many justifications he offered, no matter how many words he used to persuade himself or her, in the end, it all boiled down to a simple truth: He was saving Han Wubing.

Otherwise, why would he draw his blade? Was it, not an overt declaration of “If you choose not to talk to me, then I will make you talk to my blade?”

This act of crossing blades to force negotiation was no different from Han Wubing’s sword once being raised against at Xia Chichi. And just as Zhao Changhe had been sickened by that sight, so too must Ye Jiuyou feel the same now.

At last, Zhao Changhe sheathed his saber and lowered his gaze. His voice was soft. “I’m sorry.”

Ye Jiuyou sneered: “Han Wubing severed an arm for his apology. You think two words suffice?”

Of course, everyone present knew that Han Wubing’s severed arm was not just for this one incident. It was atonement for many things—his refusal to trust, his retreat into silence, the guilt he bore when Zhao Changhe had fled for his life without aid, and even a deliberate act of survival, gifting the Four Idols Cult the ancient White Tiger’s body to dissolve the looming conflict.

A man like Han Wubing was not one to weave elaborate explanations. Facing the tangled emotions he could neither unravel nor express, he chose the most direct path, which was sacrifice. The sword that severed his arm also severed Zhao Changhe’s anger, leaving only a dull ache in its place.

That ache left Zhao Changhe feeling uncomfortably helpless. At last, he sighed and said, “Why do I feel like you’re jealous of Han Wubing?”

Ye Jiuyou: “?”

“Are you going to make me cut off my arm too?”

Ye Jiuyou’s beautiful eyes swept over his arm, her lips curling into a cold smile as she said, “I think that would be acceptable.”

Murderous intent immediately stirred among the surrounding women, making Ye Jiuyou’s face darken further. Despite how grand her words sounded, if Zhao Changhe were to truly sever his own arm, these women would tear her apart before she could even finish her next breath. Besides, if Ye Jiuyou truly had her way, what was the point of a mere arm? Would it not be better for her if he cut off something... more essential? Especially with all these tender-hearted helpers flocking to his side...

Zhao Changhe sighed and said, “So I said before, I’m willing to help you achieve your goal. Shouldn’t that count as atonement? Can you really not believe it?”

“Goal?” Ye Jiuyou sneered. She suddenly snapped her fingers.

At her side, the Azure Dragon, Vermillion Bird, and Black Tortoise corpse puppets materialized. Unlike before, they no longer appeared shriveled or deathly; a faint vitality now clung to their forms.

Ye Jiuyou said coolly, “They plotted against me, yet have they considered that I, too, have plans of my own? Do they truly think I am so easily manipulated?”

Zhao Changhe said calmly, “I have never thought or seen you as a fool. I’va always regarded you as a master at laying hidden plans.”

Ye Jiuyou pointed at the corpse puppets. “Originally, I had no need to reveal them so early. Keeping them hidden would have yielded a far greater advantage. Do you know why I unveiled them prematurely?”

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment before answering, “Because White Tiger is alive. You used the link between the Four Idols to let White Tiger’s vitality and lingering memories stimulate these three, initiating a revival you could control. Though the earlier battle seemed unfavorable to you, in truth, it was no concern, because time was on your side. The longer the fight dragged on, the stronger the reaction would become. Eventually, the Four Idols would awaken fully, and with your subordinates encircling the battlefield, it would be the Sword Emperor and White Tiger who risked being devoured whole. That’s why you moved to save White Tiger amidst the chaos. You needed him intact.”

Ye Jiuyou was clearly surprised by how accurately he had discerned her scheme, but she remained cold. “And knowing this, you still chose to interfere, sabotaging my plans?”

“Everyone has their own schemes,” Zhao Changhe replied. “In the end, no one can guarantee whose will succeed. Honestly, if we had refrained from interfering and simply hid in the shadows and waiting for the dust to settle, it’s quite possible we could have reaped the greatest rewards ourselves.”

Ye Jiuyou snorted. If Zhao Changhe and Piaomiao had truly lain in wait, the chance of the Four Idols being stolen from her hands was very real. But once the waters were muddied, there was no point speculating about what could have been.

Zhao Changhe said, “I don’t care about what might have happened if the original plans had proceeded. I only know that, right now, this outcome is the best possible one. There were no tragedies nor unforgivable regrets. As long as the people are still alive, what does it matter if a scheme fails? We can always start anew.”

As long as the people are still alive...

Ye Jiuyou suddenly noticed something strange. The women around her... their killing intent had not lessened at all. In fact, their gazes had grown even more peculiar.

You just drew your sword to block me, and now you’re standing there talking about “as long as the people are still alive”?

No one could say what prompted it, but Ye Jiuyou ultimately chose not to speak with Zhao Changhe under the watchful eyes of so many. She said at last, “If you truly mean to make amends, come alone to the summit before nightfall.”

With that, she vanished.

Zhao Changhe gazed toward the direction she had disappeared, silent in thought. Judging from her escape technique, it was clear that it was not his saber that had truly restrained her but his attitude.

He sighed softly and finally turned to walk toward Huangfu Qing. She stood there, a ball of flame hovering before her. Within the blaze, black mist writhed and twisted, struggling against its destruction.

It was Dark Oblivion, as well as Papiyas, the two now fully merged into one. Vermillion Bird’s flames suppressed it as effectively as any Buddhist pagoda. The black mist convulsed in agony, its presence growing weaker by the breath.

Seeing Zhao Changhe’s silence, Huangfu Qing smiled faintly. “Why are you so downcast?”

“Hm?”

“Is it because of Han Wubing or because of Jiuyou?”

Zhao Changhe shook his head. “Mostly because of Wubing... My emotions are just in a bit of a mess right now. Of course, I do feel somewhat guilty toward Ye Jiuyou as well. She gave up much of what she had planned to avoid a direct conflict with me, and I’m afraid my actions today have disappointed her deeply. Say, if I really intend to help Jiuyou and make things up to her... what would you all think?”

Huangfu Qing replied evenly, “We should first be clear on what exactly she wants. In theory, we and Jiuyou are mortal enemies. She cannot be trusted so easily. Her recent actions might seem sincere, but they might also just be to lull you into dropping your guard. Everyone knows what kind of person you are. Show a little softness, and you’ll waver. Your temperament can be dangerously easy to exploit. You have to be more careful.”

Zhao Changhe grunted in acknowledgment, momentarily lost in thought, recalling the image of Ye Jiuyou before the mirror.

Xia Chichi asked lightly, “What are you thinking about?”

“Mm... nothing much. Just feeling a bit suffocated.”

“That’s normal,” Xia Chichi said with a playful grin. “If it were me, I’d be sulking too. After all, Han Wubing wasn’t exactly wrong, was he? If it had been someone else, they would’ve assumed you’d always side with us, making it even harder to approach you. Han Wubing’s withdrawn nature made it even worse, I mean... keeping his distance is just the way he is. As for his loyalty to you, I think it was genuine enough, but maybe a little mixed with envy? Well, it’s hard to say.”

“You’re even speaking up for him now?” Zhao Changhe asked, amused.

“Of course. I was the one he pointed his sword at, so I’m the only one who gets to decide whether to forgive him or not. If I don’t say anything, you’ll just stay all sulky.”

Zhao Changhe glanced at her.

Xia Chichi tiptoed close and whispered in his ear, “Han Wubing is the only one in the world who witnessed me dressed as a man, sneaking off to have a tryst with you. On the day of the Beginning of Summer, the agreement was with him, but the one who ended up being... thoroughly handled was me. With a bond like that, I’m willing to let him off a little.”

Zhao Changhe smiled wryly. “You...”

Only a little over two years had passed, yet looking back, it felt as though the entire world had changed.

The innocence of those early days, the reckless spirit of their first steps into the jianghu...

Xia Chichi, playing the little adult, reached up and ruffled Zhao Changhe’s hair. “Honestly, I should be saying this about you. You should be grateful. You wandered the jianghu for so long, and yet you’ve never truly suffered the sting of betrayal by a sworn brother. Don’t you know that’s practically commonplace for anyone else in the jianghu? Even this time, if you think about it, it doesn’t really count. I’d say it’s a good thing. They say entering the jianghu makes you age before your time. If you haven’t even tasted betrayal, what’s there to lament?”

Zhao Changhe could not help but chuckle, the gloom in his chest lifting considerably. He grabbed Xia Chichi’s hand from his hair. “I did get betrayed once, back at the mountain stronghold. Are you really happy thinking I’ve grown old?”

“A little aging suits you,” Xia Chichi teased. “It adds a bit of gravitas to your current station. If you still looked like some wide-eyed fledgling, it’d be ridiculous, no?”

“You’re one to talk,” Zhao Changhe retorted. “You, the grand empress, still look like a mischievous little witch. How do you even maintain authority in court looking like that?”

“Simple,” Xia Chichi said smugly. “I’ll just have to bear a child early and solidify my position.”

She said it openly. Off to the side, Piaomiao averted her gaze in awkward silence. Huangfu Qing ground her teeth, looking like she very much wanted to smack her disciple. But in the end, she endured.

What a scene... In this situation, the master could not even bring herself to discipline her disciple, and the two continued flirting away without a care.

One way or another, the strange tangle in Zhao Changhe’s heart was thoroughly scattered by the thoughtful little witch. He laughed and said, “Let’s save that for later. For now, we have to focus on business.”

He stretched out a finger and pressed it lightly against the flames controlled by Huangfu Qing, reaching for the black mist within.

“You have far too many identities. You’ve even merged with Papiyas now... I’ll still address you as Dark Oblivion, though.”

The black mist, tormented by Huangfu Qing’s flames, was already suffering terribly. Zhao Changhe’s finger press did not alleviate the pain but deepened it even further. The burning confusion was a kind of mercy, but his poke made Dark Oblivion painfully lucid once more. Dark Oblivion gasped bitterly. “You might as well go back to flirting. At least let me die in peace.”

“No, that won’t be happening. Otherwise, what did I unleash Papiyas for?”

Dark Oblivion howled, “You did it deliberately! You let Papiyas out knowing I would devour him?”

“Wasn’t it obvious? Otherwise, why didn’t you move to rescue Papiyas earlier? You were waiting and setting your own trap,” said Zhao Changhe continued calmly. “I always suspected Snow Owl was tied to either White Tiger or the Sword Emperor. But since you didn’t have the strength, you stayed hidden. I had no time to wait and slowly pry open the truth. If I was going to break the impasse, the simplest solution was to feed you power. Enough power that you’d feel bold enough to make your move and reveal the clues we sought.”

“Was even being trapped by Ye Jiuyou deliberate?”

“Of course. There were things she didn’t want Piaomiao and me to interfere with. Naturally, she had to trap us before she could act.”

“So this entire upheaval was within your expectations, even orchestrated by you?” Dark Oblivion let out a broken laugh. “Then why do you look so dejected now, like the one who lost?”

“It doesn’t matter. I have a thoughtful wife who knows how to soothe me. I’m not dejected anymore. You are.”

Dark Oblivion: “...”

At that moment, he truly wished Huangfu Qing’s flames would burn more fiercely so he could die sooner.

Zhao Changhe said coolly, “Your connection to the ancient White Tiger stems from Han Wubing, from the White Tiger sword intent within you. But what about your link to the Sword Emperor? Why would he ever even decide to work with you?” Zhao Changhe asked. “I’ll ask just this one question. Answer it, and I’ll grant you a clean death.”

Dark Oblivion let out a ragged, mocking laugh. “What else could it be? I offered him a lead on White Tiger’s whereabouts, even the chance to obtain White Tiger for himself. It was a shallow partnership, nothing more.”

Zhao Changhe sneered. “And yet you went so far as to attempt to assassinate Hongling. You claim it was to prevent her from surpassing the Sword Emperor, but even if that were destined to happen, it would still be a distant concern. What did that have to do with you? Was it worth the risk? No, you couldn’t have acted out of worry that Hongling would replace the Sword Emperor. You simply wanted to cripple the Four Idols, to shatter one of its pillars. You had your own ambitions. Even back during the previous era, you were already plotting to replace Jiuyou. With your paltry strength, what gave you the confidence to think you could accomplish that? What gave you the arrogance to believe this era would be an era of humanity and not the gods and demons? I don’t believe for a second that you have no one backing you. You’re nothing but a pawn on someone else’s board. Now, speak. Who stands behind you?”

Dark Oblivion groaned in agony but said nothing.

“You don’t have to answer, I’ve already guessed a thing or two.” Then, Zhao Changhe’s voice lowered as he said, “Darkness was always the true beginning, wasn’t it? The being sealed beneath the Abyss of the Frost Chi... Are you tied to it directly?”

Dark Oblivion’s black mist twisted violently, far more frenzied than before. Even without words, his reaction confirmed Zhao Changhe’s suspicion.

“So that’s it... Ye Wuming’s fear of Ye Jiuyou stemmed from this. She believed Jiuyou represented your side, but Jiuyou never truly cared for you. In fact, she never even properly understood your existence. It was only after severing ties with you that she began to awaken... to become alive.”

BOOM!

Thunder cracked overhead.

It was as if the heavens themselves were enraged. A thunderbolt bearing an annihilating force came crashing down from the skies, splitting the heavens with a roar.

Piaomiao and Lady Three instinctively tensed, preparing to defend, but before they could move, Zhao Changhe flicked his wrist. The Axe of Tngri materialized in his hand. With a snarl, he swung it upward to meet the lightning.

BOOM!

Lightning met lightning, electric serpents scattering in all directions. Within moments, the entire Heavenly Demon Illusion Realm began to quake and crack apart. It was as if the very fabric of the realm were unraveling.

Zhao Changhe let out a cold laugh and guided a strand of lightning into the black mist.

In the midst of agonized screams, Dark Oblivion’s form unraveled completely, dissipating into scattered shadow and the vestiges of Papiyas’ will, vanishing into the void.

“Let’s go.” With a wave of his hand, a beam of light enveloped everyone present. In the next instant, they were all transported out of the collapsing Heavenly Demon Illusion Realm.

Standing at the threshold of the realm, Zhao Changhe glanced sideways at the smooth, gleaming cliff wall nearby. With another casual lift of his hand, the entire mountain rose from the earth.

Zhao Changhe carried the mountain in his palm as he strode forward.

Even his own companions stared at him, stunned speechless. Their eyes, wide and sparkling, were filled with awe.

So handsome...

Behind them, the realm collapsed. Illusion beasts scattered like falling stars across the world, only enhancing the scene’s breathtaking grandeur.

In truth, moving mountains was not unprecedented. The ancient Azure Dragon could do it, and Piaomiao herself could easily manage it. But for the other women, each of whom had climbed the path of cultivation from the mortal realm step by step, such feats had always seemed the stuff of legend.

Witnessing it now was a shock to the soul.

If Changhe could do it, then maybe we can too.

So it turned out that by now, shifting mountains and filling seas was but an idle feat for them.

“Piaomiao, find a secluded place for everyone to enter seclusion and study the White Tiger’s severed arm. The Heavenly River should still be safe. It’s hard to locate and easy to defend. I’ll go meet Jiuyou. We’ll speak more later.”

* * *

Ye Jiuyou sat at the snowy summit where she had been staying all these days, her face grim, her thoughts a mystery even to herself.

The distant turmoil had drawn her back to awareness. She had just begun reaching out to sense what had occurred when she saw Zhao Changhe, striding toward her while carrying a mountain in his hand.

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