Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 708: A Perfect Couple

The fire in the room crackled warmly, the warmth mingling with the faint fragrance of the tea. Under the soothing effects of the Rejuvenation Art, Yue Hongling drifted into a peaceful sleep, resting her head on his shoulder.

Zhao Changhe glanced around. This was the guest hall the monks had prepared specifically for him. Beyond the main reception area lay the sleeping quarters. Carefully, he scooped Yue Hongling up, carried her into the inner room, and laid her gently on the bed, tucking her in beneath the blankets.

It was rare to see Yue Hongling, as wild and untamed as a spirited horse, sleeping so peacefully. Her furrowed brow had smoothed out, and there was a faint smile on her lips. The sense of complete relaxation was so palpable it seemed to radiate from her, filling the room.

Zhao Changhe brushed aside a stray lock of hair from her forehead and gazed at her for a long while. Then, leaning down, he planted a light kiss on her brow before straightening up and moving to stand by the window.

Outside, the moon hung low in the sky, casting a gentle glow over Xiangyang. The city was free of snow, and held promise for the next Laba Festival. Though the northern wind was cold, it carried a softness that mirrored the tranquility of the night.

From somewhere distant came the faint, rhythmic sound of monks chanting sutras. The older monks were gathered around the vajra statue, reciting prayers to help it awaken, while others delved into the secret realm, exploring the surrounding areas.

Based on Yue Hongling’s explanation, there had to be an extremely rare spatial node connecting this place. Yue Hongling herself was not well-versed in the Dao of space, and Zhao Changhe wondered if Yuan Cheng might understand it better. Hopefully so, because if not, these monks might soon find themselves forced to relocate...

Everyone was toiling for their survival and their ideals. It was not just him and Yue Hongling caught in the web of fate.

Zhao Changhe took out Xia Chichi’s wine gourd, looking up at the stars and moon while taking a sip, lost in thought. Even now, what he yearned for most was a life like Yue Hongling’s—carrying a long saber, a wine gourd at his waist, striding through the misty jianghu, cutting down all injustice.

He realized it had been far too long since he had simply enjoyed a carefree drink from his gourd. The wine inside had even gone slightly sour.

With a grimace, Zhao Changhe poured the rest of the wine onto the ground, making a mental note to replenish it when he reached Yuxu.

Someone had once remarked that he seemed more suited to working within an organization. Perhaps it was this difference that had subtly altered the paths he and others walked. Yue Hongling admired his broader sense of “heroism,” and she had praised him for it, but he could not deny he envied her freedom. Was this what they called mutual admiration?

In truth, no path was inherently better. Different roles required different people. And as for him... Tang Wanzhuang and the others would never force him into administrative drudgery. Everyone could see that his truest self was the man with the broad saber and the bow, facing the storms of the jianghu and even the heavens.

This time, though, Yue Hongling would be by his side.

He would not let her face such hardship alone again, no matter what she thought. The months she had spent without proper rest or sleep—while it sounded impressive, it had clearly been a grueling, bitter ordeal.

Zhao Changhe stowed away the empty gourd and sat quietly, turning his focus inward to his cultivation.

Before he had left the capital, Huangfu Qing had returned the Heavenly Tome, mentioning that she had gained insights into the flame of oblivion. Whether those insights could help her break into the Profound Control Realm, he didn’t know, but he certainly hoped so. As for himself, the strike he had delivered against Snow Owl earlier today had come close to embodying the core concept of his own path to the Profound Control Realm—a saber intent that was uniquely his.

He needed to continue refining it, analyzing every aspect to see if further improvements could be made. When he finally completed the framework of his own saber art, that would be the moment he entered the Profound Control Realm.

Zhao Changhe immersed himself in the Heavenly Tome, replaying the slowed-down vision of his strike over and over. The VR-like imagery captured every detail: the arc of his saber, Snow Owl’s sinister glance back, and the all-encompassing shadows of Dark Oblivion.

Not only did he study his own swordsmanship, but he also dissected Snow Owl’s techniques—the eerie remnants of his shadow-dodging skill and the overwhelming presence of Dark Oblivion. Snow Owl’s evasion technique was particularly impressive, and Zhao Changhe had always been dissatisfied with his own speed. Now he had the perfect reference.

Unconsciously, he had set aside Xia Longyuan’s advice to limit his use of the Heavenly Tome. That caution seemed distant now. The unfolding situation demanded it, and truth be told, some distant observer—blind or otherwise—probably was not worried in the slightest about his reliance on it.

The Heavenly Tome had also evolved. Previously, new battle recordings would overwrite older ones, but now its storage capacity expanded. He could call up older recordings at will, including his clashes with Desolate Calamity and Hidden Wind.

“Well, since I’m already using it...” Zhao Changhe muttered to himself. “Might as well analyze their techniques, too.” Both were Profound Control Realm opponents worth studying. Following Huangfu Qing’s advice, he focused on absorbing a little bit from each style, taking only what could enhance his own intent.

Time slipped by unnoticed as he practiced, his mind entirely absorbed. Suddenly, an instinctive shift jolted him out of the Heavenly Tome. He turned toward the bed.

Yue Hongling was sitting up, leaning against the headboard. Her cheeks still carried the rosy hue of recent sleep, and her gaze was as soft as water, fixed on him.

“You’re awake?” Zhao Changhe asked as he rose and walked toward the door, fetching a basin of water for her.

Yue Hongling watched his back as he moved. Her heart softened inexplicably, and she murmured, “You kept watch by the window all night.”

“I was practicing too. Two birds with one stone,” Zhao Changhe replied, carrying the basin over. He smiled as he handed her a freshly wrung towel. “It’s rare to have a peaceful moment to practice these days. Here.”

Yue Hongling took the towel and sighed. “Everyone says I should stay this time. And now you’re even using a gentle touch to weaken my resolve...”

“This was just convenient. It’s just like the last time I took care of your injuries. Why call it a gentle touch now?”

A faint smile touched Yue Hongling’s lips. “The first time you dragged me back as your stronghold mistress, you treated me the same way—healing my wounds, keeping watch for me outside.”

Zhao Changhe froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Old lady, reminiscing about the past now, are we?”

Yue Hongling smirked, wiping her face with the towel before tossing it aside. “Well, this old lady is now fully rested and in peak condition. So, who do you want me to take down? Just say the word.”

“Me.”

“?”

The next moment, Zhao Changhe lunged forward, pinning Yue Hongling down and taking a playful bite. “Such rosy cheeks, let me have a nibble.”

Yue Hongling struggled against him. “Who’s the one supposed to take down whom?”

Even Zhao Changhe, who was about to kiss her, twitched at her bold remark. The two of them quickly ended up rolling around, playfully wrestling with each other.

Dong!

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The sound of the morning bell rang from the temple, startling the pair out of their flirtatious antics.

A knock came at the door right on cue, followed by a voice, “Ahem, good morning, King Zhao?”

Yue Hongling’s face flushed a deep red, the color creeping all the way to her ears. She frantically pushed Zhao Changhe off her, jumping out of bed to open the door.

Standing at the door was Yuan Xing, looking completely serious. He pressed his palms together, “Amitabha, I’ve come to invite the two of you for breakfast.”

Yue Hongling narrowed her eyes. “Did you hear anything?”

Yuan Xing looked puzzled. “Ah? This old monk heard nothing at all.”

Zhao Changhe poked his head out from behind Yue Hongling. “Who cares about breakfast at such a crucial time?!”

Yuan Xing secretly sighed to himself. If you don’t eat breakfast, who knows how long you two bandits will keep this up. Better to eat than to defile the temple. Out loud, he said, “My senior brother has made some discoveries in the secret realm and sent me ahead to inform you, King Zhao.”

Zhao Changhe’s playful mood vanished, and he grew serious. “So soon? Let’s go. We’ll talk over breakfast.”

Yue Hongling shook her head with a wry smile but said nothing, quietly falling in step beside him. What had just happened? If they overheard, so what? Whatever happened, they were a stronghold master and his mistress. What did it matter if anyone overheard? Let them find their own partners if they were jealous.

Yuan Xing ignored the irreverent couple, sighing as he explained, “It’s not that our discoveries came quickly. It’s that the spatial connection to Kunlun may already have been severed. My senior brother flew directly northwest and soon collided with an invisible spatial barrier. Heroine Yue, did you encounter anything like this when you arrived?”

Yue Hongling shook her head. “There was nothing of the sort. But how can you be certain it’s a complete barrier and not one with a small door yet to be discovered? Or perhaps it’s a one-way gate—they could come through without issue, but you can’t go back.”

Yuan Xing nodded thoughtfully. “My senior brother considered that possibility as well. For now, it’s impossible to determine if it’s one-way. Everyone is feeling along the barrier to see if there’s an entrance. From a distance, we probably look like a swarm of bald geckos.”

The couple could not help but laugh at that image. It seemed they had underestimated the Buddhist monks—they were pretty funny once you got to know them.

“In any case, we wouldn’t dream of troubling King Zhao with such menial work. A good breakfast first, then we’ll proceed with the investigation.” Yuan Xing led them to a nearby hall, where monks had already brought out vegetarian dishes.

As they sat down, Yuan Xing addressed Zhao Changhe. “Heroine Yue’s arrival in Kunlun may have been accidental, but your sudden appearance surely has a purpose. We hadn’t yet asked if there’s anything you require of us?”

Zhao Changhe sipped his congee, then bluntly replied, “There is.”

“Please tell us what it is, King Zhao. If it’s within our abilities, we’ll do our best to accomplish whatever it is you require of us.”

“There’s no need for guessing games. What I wanted you to do, I’ve already made clear. Now, I have another question for you...”

Yuan Xing glanced at Yue Hongling, then pressed his palms together. “King Zhao, please ask.”

Zhao Changhe bit into a steamed bun, speaking around the mouthful. “What’s your connection with Yuxu? Or do you have any sworn enemies—someone like Papiyas[1], perhaps?”

1. Papiyas (波旬), also known as Māra-pāpman and Mara, is a devil king said to constantly harass Shakyamuni Buddha and his disciples. Papiyas is associated with death, rebirth, and desire. ☜