Chaotic World Book-Chapter 441 - 428: Bao Qin Takes a Bribe

The martial experts who had been widely invited to participate in the battle all gradually left.

Zhao Changhe was not socially anxious, but he couldn’t really withstand such bustling visits, especially since he was injured and exhausted each time.

However, reflecting on the dust settling, he inevitably broke into cold sweat.

It was fortunate that so many people were present... If even one less had been there, he might have been more seriously injured, and with a few less, the battle situation would have crumbled.

He naturally learned afterward that the value of Cui Yuanyang was not limited to the battlefield. Keeping the Northern Wang Family’s armies in check was most crucial.

Monks like Yuan Cheng and Gui Chen might not have made a significant impact in combat, but their prayers’ ability to restrain and weaken was no less effective than direct fighting. The talismans they used at the end to suppress evil were even more useful.

Before this, Zhao Changhe had never considered that in such a low-martial world, there could genuinely be effective talismans... So when Gui Chen was leaving, Zhao Changhe cheekily asked for a few.

"Those summoning thunder and fire, I do not know how to create," Gui Chen said with a smile upon seeing Zhao Changhe’s curious expression, "Such effects against evil, in reality, share a similar nature to cultivation technique restraints, they are not so mystical..."

"Ah, they are similar to cultivation technique restraints?"

"Of course, as they are talismans, they have their special blessings... However, they are also used as an auxiliary method. Even in ancient times, these were not utilized as main practices. Cultivation of the self was still paramount."

Zhao Changhe contemplated. Perhaps this really wasn’t the cultivation world. Since ancient times, martial arts have always been dominant, and everything else was secondary.

Sisi once said, perhaps due to a lack in ancient martial arts, the Ancient Spirit Clan was engrossed in their ancestral witchcraft, which she deemed incorrect. Broadening their horizons to the Central Plains’ martial arts was the right path.

However, when it comes to power, all roads lead to Rome. For instance, once one taps into the ways of the world, there inevitably will be an application of the Five Elements, just that the mode of using the Five Elements varies, at least not by conjuring fireballs.

Gui Chen said, "I haven’t brought many talismans with me. If you like them, Young Master Zhao, I’ll gift these few to you. They might come in handy sometimes. I bid you farewell, for once I return, I must relocate..."

The Taiyi Sect was a stone’s throw from the Wang Family, and now that the Wang Family had even mobilized their troops, they truly could no longer stay. The territory could not tolerate forces that opposed them; they either had to submit or relocate, with no third option. Any further delay, and they risked being used as a sacrificial flag.

Zhao Changhe pondered, and spoke in a low voice, "I wonder if Daoist Gui Chen is willing to pretend to submit? With your status from the Earth List, you would be received as a guest of honor, with a high status. But it could be very dangerous, potentially being probed and controlled using the qi of the Sea Race..."

Gui Chen pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "We of the Worldly Society’s sects generally obey whomever occupies the territory. It’s not a deliberate allegiance; the Wang Family shouldn’t have any doubts about this. Especially if I don’t get involved in military politics and continue my hermit life in the mountains, there should be no issues..."

Zhao Changhe said, "Do you truly intend to feign allegiance then, Daoist?"

Gui Chen smiled slightly, "There’s no such thing as feigning... If I don’t relocate, then I would truly obey them if they took over the territory. Of course, if the Imperial forces arrived, I would naturally heed them."

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Gui Chen made a respectful bow and took his leave, "Directly facing the Wang Family isn’t the problem; what I’m worried about is what lies behind them. That’ll be all, I bid you farewell."

As Zhao Changhe watched Gui Chen leave, he mused that if the Wang Family truly aimed for dominion, it wouldn’t be too problematic as they had high acceptance among the populace and a solid base of support.

But with other forces behind the scenes, everyone’s perspectives changed instantly.

In pursuit of the Lianshan Sword, the exposure of their unhealthy qi was a significant blunder. Not only did this cause a rift with the Hengnong Yang Family, but it also alienated martial arts sects within their territory that were previously waiting to see how things would unfold... Unfortunately, the evidence was gone, and there was no way to spread the word across the land. Gui Chen was willing to trust the empty words of Zhao Changhe, but others might not; the situation facing the Wang Family was still slightly better than that of the Maitreya Sect.

.......

As Gui Chen took his leave, the bustling infirmary soon became desolate once more.

In fact, besides deliberately having Tang Wanju warmly tend to him, Zhao Changhe’s injuries were not so severe as to keep him bedridden. He could have strolled around the Central Court on the very day itself, and now he felt even better.

With everyone gone and Tang Wanju nowhere in sight after a long wait, Zhao Changhe grew restless and decided to go out for a stroll.

Having promised a wedding date with Yangyang, he wondered if Wanjuang would become more like Daiyu. Not seeing her all day made him a bit uneasy...

Strolling to Tang Wanju’s courtyard, he found no one there, but Bao Qin was sitting in the courtyard, propping up her cheeks and reading in leisure.

Seeing Zhao Changhe peeking around the doorway, Bao Qin was quite pleased, "To think you know to come looking for the young lady, not bad, not bad."

Taking the hint... Zhao Changhe wondered, and carefully asked, "Eh, isn’t your young lady angry?"

"No, the young lady is quite happy."

"Ah?" Zhao Changhe’s concern was that Tang Wanzhuang, who had been increasingly turning into a Daiyu figure, would find out about his agreed marriage to Cui Yuanyang and might completely follow Daiyu’s path, never to return. And yet, she responded with "quite happy"?

He had thought it would be good enough if there was no major upset...

"Where is Wanzhuang?"

"She’s discussing matters with the young master." Bao Qin, acting like a little adult, gave her instructions pompously, "Jiangnan has just been stabilized; there are lots of things to handle. Do you think everyone’s like you, an idler with nothing to do?"

Zhao Changhe, as if spitting in his own face, continued to ask, "Good Bao Qin, whisper to me, what is your mistress thinking?"

Bao Qin looked at him with disdain, "Who’s good with you?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

"In other people’s stories, they always bribe the maids, what about you?" Bao Qin hands akimbo, "With that scarred face of yours?"

Silently, Zhao Changhe took out a piece of candy, which Tang Wanzhuang had found for him because he found the medicine too bitter, though he really didn’t need it...

Bao Qin snatched it up like a flash, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Ask away."

This silly girl...

Zhao Changhe forced a smile, "Shouldn’t she be angry, then why is she quite happy..."

"You didn’t set an exact date, which shows some hesitation..."

"Ah? Just that?"

"The other party is Cui Wenjing, such a formidable person, and the customs of the aristocratic family are extremely orthodox." While unwrapping the candy, Bao Qin looked at Zhao Changhe with a touch of tenderness, "Do you think a person like that would let someone trick her without setting a specific day? Miss said you must have been very firm, and the atmosphere between the two must have been very tense to reach such an ambiguous compromise... That’s not easy."

Zhao Changhe: "emmmm..."

Bao Qin stuffed the candy into her mouth, munching noisily, "The matter with Cui Yuanyang was a smart move concocted by the miss herself, she can’t blame you for it, what can you do..."

This is indeed true... Presumably, what Wanzhuang really wanted to do was to slap herself.

"Actually, before Cui Wenjing left, she heard what he said, ’Wandering the world? Childish talk’... She didn’t say anything. But in my opinion, her eyes were shining... If you wander the world, she might prefer to accompany you, then she wouldn’t have to be the Crown Princess Consort, no oath breaking... Here you are, not young anymore, acting like a kid..."

"Bao! Qin!" Tang Wanzhuang’s voice came from outside, teeth clenched with anger, "Have you done today’s lessons? How much of the required reading have you memorized? Recite it to me now!"

Bao Qin’s face turned green, "I, I haven’t memorized it that quickly, it’s not even evening yet..."

"How long has it been and you still haven’t memorized it? Go and write it ten times! If you miss a single word, I’ll spank you!"

"Miss, this is revenge for a private affair!"

"How tasty is the candy in your mouth? Even learning to take bribes, I’ll not spare you, I..."

Tang Wanzhuang, sleeves rolled up in fury, approached, and Bao Qin ran away holding her bottom.

Tang Wanzhuang pretended not to see Zhao Changhe nearby, glared at Bao Qin, and was about to chase her when she was unexpectedly swept up in an embrace around the waist.

Tang Wanzhuang struggled, "Don’t stop me~ I must beat her today!"

Zhao Changhe whispered in her ear, "Would she really miss a piece of candy? Was that truly a bribe? She was the little matchmaker trying to pass a message from the miss..."

"That wasn’t my message, she’s making wild guesses, I didn’t say a word!" Tang Wanzhuang protested, "Don’t believe her nonsense. I’m very angry! No, I mean, what does it have to do with me? I’m your master, and why should I be angry or happy about your marriage? It has nothing to do with me... Mmm mmm mmm..."

Her words were stuffed back into her throat as the fearless Zhao Changhe kissed those lips that were even firmer than a brined duck’s.

Bao Qin poked her head out from inside the house.

She’s obviously quite happy, trying to trick the clever Bao Qin...

The one truly angry now was Bao Qin because the damned candy she was bribed with was taken by the miss from Bao Qin the day before... Now you say I took a bribe!

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