Chaotic World Book-Chapter 531 - 515: Chaos Under the Heavens

Humans always like to take things at face value... no matter whether the titles of the Heavenly, Earth, and Human Lists originally held special meanings, in the eyes of the public, they are always interpreted according to the literal sense.

The common perception is that one on the Hidden Dragon List is still a newcomer, while those on the Human List are Grandmasters of the Worldly Society.

Those on the Heavenly List are no longer human; they belong to the legends in the clouds.

The Earth List, on the other hand, is in between: a step between heaven and earth, climbing towards ascension.

No matter how much people exaggerate their understanding of the Heavenly and Earth Lists, I wonder if Cui Wenjing and the others would laugh or cry if they knew they were regarded as legends; nevertheless, that’s indeed how they are seen by others. Even Zhao Changhe himself, with little exposure in the past, regarded the Vermilion Bird like a God Demon.

That is to say, the first place on the Human List is considered the strongest among "humans," and anything beyond that is hardly human.

Once one tops the Human List, their status in the Worldly Society becomes outrageously elevated.

However, because the Earth List has seen three consecutive falls over the past two years and the first place on the Human List has frequently changed hands, that holy aura has somewhat diminished. Zhao Changhe’s ascent to the top wasn’t even as sensational as when he was first on the Hidden Dragon List; after all, this guy kept climbing the charts, and people were almost numb to it, feeling as if it was only a matter of time...

"What Chaotic World Book, Blowing River Book!" Tang Buqi was ranting in his own mansion: "Every time they give him a review, it’s either first-rate or Flower Killer. Why not just call him the Flower King directly, or maybe the Blushing Flower would do."

This is the Capital Mansion, and indeed the Tang family has already moved away from Gusu, not wanting to lie on the powder keg of the Sword Emperor’s tomb. However, Tang Buqi still sadly had to keep an eye on the Jiangnan situation, and his journey to the Capital actually had another important purpose.

Xuan Chong was visiting his mansion, and upon hearing Tang Buqi’s rant, he just smiled wryly, shaking his head without agreeing.

In fact, Chaotic World Book had previously given high praise to Yue Hongling and Han Wubing as well. Zhao Changhe often received descriptions like "unsurpassed by peers" precisely because he was truly always winning first place; there was nothing much to say, and Xuan Chong kept his composure.

Using flowers as metaphors every time seems a bit mean-spirited...

To him, there seemed to be a more pressing issue, and he didn’t know why Tang Buqi wouldn’t bring it up... so Xuan Chong did: "I didn’t expect Li Shentong to really rebel... and this time, Zhao Changhe actually sided with the rebels. Such a serious matter, yet you’re preoccupied with this?"

Tang Buqi fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Auntie hasn’t said anything, so what stance could I take?"

"The leader of the Tang family didn’t say anything?"

"What could she say? Li Si’an’s report was clear, the Shu area has long been troubled by Zhai Muzhi, and even the disturbance in the Miao Region can be traced to Zhai Muzhi’s instigation. Auntie had a premonition at that time that Zhao Changhe wouldn’t be able to bear it, no one’s name would be useful to him."

"..."

"To be fair, this kid has always said he leans more towards the rebels and he never hid that, yet he still patiently fought against the Hu people and the cult, we can’t expect much more," Tang Buqi sighed, "It’s just that the seemingly tangible dream Auntie had is now shattered, and it’s uncertain how things will be cleaned up in the future."

Xuan Chong twitched the corners of his mouth. Cleaned up? It sounded as if the leader of the Tang family had already been thoroughly exploited...

Tang Buqi took a sip of wine and sighed, "I think she has no mind to concern herself with the Southwest now, as Great Xia has been papering over cracks, but suddenly it’s leaking everywhere, and it’s no longer able to be papered over."

Xuan Chong knew what he meant; this trip to the Capital was for this very reason.

Imperial Concubine Huangfu Qing and Empress Wang collaborated for the first time, pushing forward a major reform: the transition from river transport to sea transport.

This was the most crucial part of the cooperation project between the Four Symbols Sect and the Wang Family. After a year’s secret planning and countless backroom deals with officials, today, at last, it had been brought to the imperial council.

With the livelihood of a million canal workers at stake, one could almost foresee the response of the Cao Gang.

The Cao Gang is not just a simple gang; it’s connected to countless governmental forces along the waterway network, effectively meaning that this isn’t just about the Cao Gang causing uproar, but about countless officials opposing en masse, shaking the very foundations of Great Xia’s rule.

But there are subtle nuances to this issue.

First, from a long-term perspective, maritime transportation is beneficial and an inevitable step, and overseas exploration has always been advocated by those with insight. If this reform had taken place during the zenith of Great Xia, coordinating well with the established canal transport, it might not have to affect the canal’s interests; everyone could coexist peacefully.

Regrettably, during these turbulent times with forced promotion, and with Huangfu Qing deliberately sabotaging it, the result obviously could not be so ideal.

Second, this reform benefits the Tang family. The Tang family itself is also a major coastal clan... the Tang family actually agrees with this proposal.

Now Tang Wanju is in a real bind. She has been opposing Huangfu Qing every day, nearly at the point of clashing heads. But back home, from the elders to other clan members, they are all subtly urging her to agree; Tang Wanju is troubled to the core and recently doesn’t even want to step out the door.

Tang Buqi traveled to the Capital because the Tang family had recently been in an uproar; as an important figure presiding over the Southeast, he naturally came to take part in the family meeting and discussions. Moreover, since Wan Dongliu of the Cao Gang was his friend, it made his feelings even more complicated.

Of course, Tang Buqi was unaware that Wan Dongliu, as the Room Fire Pig of the Four Symbols Sect, was already intent on rebelling himself; this manoeuvre was simply to force his father Wan Tianxiong to make a decision.

Tang Buqi had no idea that this matter was suggested by Zhao Changhe to Huangfu Qing; otherwise, his world view might have completely shattered.

"Venerable, was this really proposed by Zhao Changhe?" In the Capital branch of the Four Symbols Sect where Zhao Changhe had once stayed, Xia Chichi asked incredulously to the Venerable one with a firebird mask, "How could such a plot to disrupt the nation come from him?"

Vermilion Bird, in a rather good mood, was sprawling on a couch with legs crossed, and leaning lazily: "What, you understand him so well? No matter what, he’s our Four Symbols Sect’s Room Fire Pig, is it strange for him to offer advice and strategies to the Holy Sect?"

Xia Chichi muttered, "He wasn’t a pig at that time... It was that coquettish Imperial Concubine who turned him into a pig."

A certain coquettish Imperial Concubine’s mood almost evaporated as her eyes roamed over her apprentice, contemplating finding another book for her to copy.

But she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, this girl’s talent was truly excellent... In fact, from the beginning, when she resonated with both the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger, she knew her talent surpassed that of her own and San Niang’s. Yet Vermilion Bird hadn’t expected that after allowing her to gain experience overseas, she would reach the brink of the Second Layer Secret Treasure.

She was only so many years old...

However, the shock didn’t last long before it was washed away by news from the Chaotic World Book. That lad had actually broken through to the Second Layer, surpassing Chichi.

This was truly a miracle; although Zhao Changhe was older than Chichi, how long had he practiced? Vermilion Bird felt this was beyond her understanding of Martial Arts, had it been someone else, she may have resorted to dissection...

But this was Zhao Changhe, which transformed her mood into pride for her man.

Subsequently, her gaze upon her own apprentice found nothing pleasing.

And yet Xia Chichi continued to express her understanding of Zhao Changhe: "Changhe wouldn’t propose this plan just for the sake of rebellion; there must be other reasons. He most likely feels this direction could be beneficial, perhaps even coordinating well with the Cao Gang... It’s just that under the current circumstances, it can be used to force Wan Tianxiong’s hand."

Vermilion Bird glared at her sideways, and after a long pause conceded, "Right, what you said makes sense."

Xia Chichi sensed the atmosphere was a bit off and fell silent.

Vermilion Bird didn’t know how else to pick on her—she couldn’t criticize her for starting with the left foot first—and ended up saying, "You just returned from your overseas journey, why ask so many questions? Tell me what you discovered abroad."

"Overseas there are people residing, but they are not the other races or civilizations we initially imagined. They are just Xia people who escaped the chaos of war in earlier years to make a living... They also worship the Sea God, but it’s hard to determine whether such a God Demon truly exists, or if it’s a divine belief that naturally formed among the coastal people out of respect for the sea."

Had Zhao Changhe heard this, it would further affirm his world view.

A pure type of Fantasy World in the style of Hua Xia, not an Earth-like civilization, with no transoceanic stallions. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

This might be a meaningful discovery for Zhao Changhe, but it was of no use to the Four Symbols Sect. Xia Chichi’s overseas journey was intended to temper her Azure Dragon spirit and to investigate the Sea Race, preparing for the forthcoming fallout with the Wang Family. Although the first goal was accomplished quite well, the second yielded nothing.

Of course, Xia Chichi didn’t venture far; the Four Symbols Sect couldn’t possibly let their Holy Daughter venture into a journey of several months to a year—what if an accident occurred? So having no leads was expected.

With pressing matters at hand, Vermilion Bird temporarily had no desire to nitpick and, after pondering for a good while with a frown, murmured softly, "Knowing the enemy as well as yourself is very important... I, Vermilion Bird, am not afraid of Wang Daoning, but that chilling energy at that time... If we don’t unravel the matter behind this so-called Sea Race, we can’t rashly fall out with the Wang Family."

Xia Chichi snickered, "Wang Daozhong now poses as a loyal and honest retainer of Great Xia, repelling He Lei, fighting Maitreya, wrongfully imprisoned only to be released, and rushed a thousand miles to suppress the Miao Region unrest. It almost moved me to tears... Venerable, do you think the Wang Family may just continue on this path and not rebel..."

Knowing she was joking, Vermilion Bird still responded seriously, "The Wang Family can’t turn back. Just four words from the Chaotic World Book ’Alliance with Black Miao’ turned all of Wang Daozhong’s seemingly loyal actions into jokes; anyone with a brain could tell what he was doing in the Southwest... If before the Wang Family only had ’clear rebellious intentions’, they hadn’t truly raised their flag, and the court could still feign ignorance, but this time they can’t pretend anymore. Tang Wanzhuang had a secret meeting with Xia Longyuan last night; her argument must strike first to wipe out the Wang Family’s influence in the court completely."

"The Imperial Concubine knows all this? What did Xia... Xia Longyuan say?"

Vermilion Bird replied with a stern face, "I don’t know."

Xia Chichi pursed her lips and murmured to herself, "Indeed, the Chaotic World Book... so whether or not the abolition of the Cao Gang comes to pass or if the Cao Gang rebels, the Wang Family will definitely rebel. And with Li Shentong occupying Ba Shu, Xiang Simeng managing the Miao Region, Wan Tianxiong rising in Jianghuai, all under the Four Symbols Sect’s... With the division of Jiangnan caused by Maitreya still unresolved, fires igniting across the land, Tang Wanzhuang unable to cover up anymore... this marks the true beginning of chaotic times."

Her tone was somewhat melancholic and complex.

Vermilion Bird glanced at her with mixed emotions of her own.

If Chichi were the true Princess, such sentiments would certainly be unmentionable.

She suddenly wanted to know, when Zhao Changhe stepped out from the isolated Ba Shu and saw the world had become like this, what would his feelings be?

"What will he think?" Xia Chichi also whispered.

Vermilion Bird sighed, "You’ll know soon enough."

Xia Chichi looked up astonished at the Venerable, but saw Vermilion Bird smile slightly, "If you want to see him, just wait here. If I’m not mistaken, his next move will definitely bring him to the Capital."

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