Chaotic World Book-Chapter 55 - 54: Should I Tell You a Secret?

"Blind dates" count as jokes, but they were inherently quite similar to the real thing.

Still, the importance of the fake Prince identity and how others would treat it had always been the figment of Xia Chichi's imagination or even her wishful thinking. Tang, the head of the sect, had his own plan along with other options and schemes that would vary with the changing times. It wasn't necessary to blindly cling to the fake Prince stratagem, and even if that plan were chosen, Zhao Changhe wasn't the only possible candidate.

Besides, no one had even been able to discern what Xia Longyuan was thinking up to this point. If everything truly unfolded according to Xia Chichi's fanciful imaginations, that would be something rare indeed, even though her surmises seemed reasonable on the surface.

Of course, the probability of Zhao Changhe being the true Prince couldn't be completely dismissed... which was why the warrant for his arrest could only be handled with apathy – it could not be withdrawn for fear of arousing suspicion, nor could they dare to capture him and risk complications.

Now that fate had lead to this, by virtue of the Cui Family's status and standing, they were certainly clued in on these matters. What better time to see what they thought, to let them weigh in, "Do you think this is feasible?" It also provided Zhao Changhe with a legitimate way to get in touch with the Aristocratic Families. As far as the outside world was concerned, this was merely a mission to capture a fugitive, nothing out of the ordinary.

As for the uncontrollable aspects, she had no intention of controlling them. What path Zhao Changhe could carve out for himself through this connection was exactly what she wanted to observe. She was eager to see how he would fare and what kinds of ripples his contact with the Aristocratic Families would generate.

Interwoven within this was a young, unmarried Princess from the Cui Family, while Zhao Changhe himself was also unwed. In the Cui Family's calculus, could there be a hint of other intentions? What if there really was a good match?

Wouldn't that be a perfect union! Great Xia would be half at peace!

What had Cui Yuanyong said just now in his opening small talk? "Do you take an interest in my sister," and "I feel you do the same, whether it's Xia Chichi or Yue Hongling."

Putting everything together, wasn't the meaning self-evident?

The two men looked at each other and saw a mix of frustration and amusement reflected in their eyes. These matters were not fit for open discussion and could only be hinted at.

Finally, Cui Yuanyong took a sip of wine and said leisurely, "There's a secret I'm wondering whether I should tell you... If I do, would you think I'm a blabbermouth, unable to even keep Yue Hongling's secrets..."

"Cough." Zhao Changhe cleared his throat, "People are always hypocritical, aren't they? Please keep quiet about Yue Hongling's matter, but what is this secret you're talking about?"

Cui Yuanyong chuckled, "You..."

"Out with it, I've treated you to a meal."

"The former Crown Princess Consort passed away, and afterwards Tang, the head of the sect, discussed marriage with the Crown Prince, but before the agreement was made, the man died... Anyone with a modicum of political acumen knows that the real significance of this marriage proposition was the alliance between the Tang family and the Crown Prince's position, not who the Crown Prince was. Since this had already begun, with a new Crown Prince, the marriage proposition might happen again."

Zhao Changhe burst into laughter, spitting out a mouthful of wine onto the table.

So "what exactly is your relationship with Tang, the head of the sect"?

"Tang Wanju's thoughts must be quite complex," Cui Yuanyong leaned back in his chair with a sigh, "Perhaps even her actions here are partly driven by a wish to gain some freedom for herself? This lends a bit more understanding to her behavior. Ha ha... ha ha ha..."

"Hey, that laugh of yours... it's kind of breaking character," Zhao Changhe said with a mix of annoyance and amusement. "You're a gossip at heart, aren't you? Now I'm truly worried about Yue Hongling's affair..."

"Come on, you were the one who asked me to spill it," Cui Yuanyong's laughter faded as he lowered his voice: "She has her thoughts, and I understand that. But my family is certainly not a puppet to be manipulated by her designs. Let go of any thoughts about my sister, at least for now it's impossible."

Zhao Changhe responded with exasperation, "Let's get this straight once again, I'm not interested in idiots. Just a reminder, I haven't even asked for her name up to now. No. Interest. At all."

"Heh..." Cui Yuanyong leaned back once more, "Her name isn't a secret. She's from the Yuan generation of the Cui Family, her full name is Yuan Yang, and her nickname is Yangyang."

"Hey, why would you give me her nickname after just mentioning her full name?"

"Tang Wanju's thoughts are complex, but aren't mine just as complicated?" Cui Yuanyong finally stood up. "That's enough for now, we've talked about nearly everything. For the moment, I'm more interested in seeing Zhao Changhe test his Saber Technique against the world, not entangled in these meaningless affairs. Go ahead, I've had people cover your tracks – at least now you won't be harassed while just trying to have a meal."

Zhao Changhe also stood up and cupped his hand in thanks, "Much appreciated."

"Don't thank me, it's the least I could do," Cui Yuanyong sighed, "I really want to know what you'll do next, but wouldn't it be strange if I followed you?"

"People are calling you a gossip already... and you won't let your sister tag along."

"Don't flatter yourself," Cui Yuanyong turned to leave. "That'll do. Just wait until I see your name shining on the Chaotic World Book once again. Put in some extra effort, the man Tang Wanju can never have, ha ha ha ha..."

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"Damn you! Who said they weren't good at making jokes just now?"

Up till now, the two of them hadn't directly discussed Zhao Changhe's actual identity, sparking just a fringe of discussion around whether Luo Zhenwu and if Tang Wanjuang's marriage proposition subject.

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However, in reality, he had said everything. Cui Yuanyong got the confirmation he wanted, and whether Zhao Changhe was the real deal or not actually didn't seem to matter much in his eyes.

Zhao Changhe also learned a lot of unknown information and the thinking patterns of the various families.

The Cui Family indeed intended to place bets on this man... but they wouldn't make it clear, you needed to continue showing your worth. If you died in the Worldly Society, they wouldn't even sigh for you.

It has always been tough for any Aristocratic Family to place heavy bets on someone, in both ancient and modern times.

Long after Cui Yuanyong had left, Zhao Changhe suddenly drained his cup of wine and burst into loud laughter, coughing a bit from the force of it.

"Damn it, I got sidetracked. I had also wanted to ask him about the history of the Aristocratic Families and the meaning of epochs. Shit! Women really do affect the efficiency of doing anything!"

Zhao Changhe picked up the long saber that was lying on the table and turned to leave the house.

All that about Head Tang, Qinghe Cui.

One more gullible than the next.

Am I here to be picked and chosen, examined and eyed by you all? As if I'm eager for that!

If it weren't for the mess of getting tangled in this identity crisis, who would care for such things? Involuntarily smeared with troubles, nowhere feels comfortable anymore.

What's the next step? What's there to wonder about, of course, it's leveling up and training!

One day, the Hidden Dragon will emerge from the depths, my name will be on the Heavenly List, and it won't be you choosing me; it will be me choosing you. Isn't that just how the world works?

In the misty rain, the young man donned a straw raincoat, slung his long saber over his back, and strode out of town.

After leaving Beimang, the region grew progressively more prosperous, no longer as desolate as before. Ahead lay State City, filled with Sects, Martial Arts Families, and a gathering of the strong.

As night deepened, the rain poured in torrents.

Outside a martial arts hall, a travel-stained man braved the rain and approached.

The gatekeeper raised his hand to signal a stop: "It's nighttime, young brother. If you wish to seek apprenticeship, please come back tomorrow morning."

The newcomer flashed a sunny smile, "I've heard that your martial arts hall's Youlong Trigram Steps Technique is strict and the footwork is exceptional. I've come to learn... I hope the master of the hall would be kind enough to teach me."

"A challenge?" The gatekeeper assessed him up and down: "Young man, don't get ahead of yourself. Our master is at the Mystical Gate Third Layer."

"How fortunate, so am I," the visitor's smile grew even more sunny: "Elder, please go and pass on the message."

"...State your name first."

"Zhao Changhe of Beimang."

Clang! The gatekeeper could hardly sit still anymore, scrambling into the martial arts hall: "Master, master! The bandit from the mountains has come to rob us!"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

If Cui Yuanyong knew that after all his efforts to erase traces of his whereabouts, this guy nonchalantly exposed himself again, who knows what he would feel.

Leaving aside Zhao Changhe challenging and training on his way, on the other side, Cui Yuanyong endured a grueling journey home, taking nearly half a month. No sooner had he arrived home than the elders grabbed him: "How come you returned alone? Where is your sister?"

Cui Yuanyong was stunned: "She hasn't come back? Didn't I send someone to bring her home first?"

"She ran away halfway and sent word to you, didn't you know?"

"..." Cui Yuanyong had taken shortcuts using his qinggong on the way back, how could he have encountered her simply? Upon hearing this, his first impulse was to turn around and go back—he knew where his sister would have run off to.

Then he stood there, his forehead throbbing with pain.

He knew where his sister would have headed before, but now that he'd been on the road for so long, heaven knows where she had followed her Heavenly God to by now.

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