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Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 849: The Crises of Demon Gods
Chapter 849: The Crises of Demon Gods
When Zhao Changhe returned to the Heavenly River, Piaomiao was meditating under a tree, Lady Three was napping atop the water’s surface, Huangfu Qing sat studying a flickering green flame in her palm, Yue Hongling was examining a severed arm, while Xia Chichi... Xia Chichi was speaking softly with Cui Yuanyang.
Poor Yuanyang. She hardly made a handful of appearances in the jianghu, and each time, she ended up bickering with Xia Chichi. They bickered so much they somehow bickered themselves into a bond. If I want Yangyang to join the Demon Suppression Bureau someday, well, her relationship with the imperial family is looking pretty solid...
The moment he appeared, he was subjected to an utterly inhumane round of gawking.
“Well, well, if it isn’t our brave King Zhao!” Lady Three shot out of the water with a splash, circling him with a hand on her chin, giving him an appraising look. “In this world between the heaven above and the earth below, it’s not surprising to see someone pursue Piaomiao, but someone pursuing Ye Jiuyou? Tsk tsk...”
Zhao Changhe retreated a step. “I never told you I was pursuing her... How did you—”
“Do you even need to tell us?” Lady Three sneered. “We could tell just from how you spoke to her. Actually, we had a hunch long before that. Why do you think, when that lunatic White Tiger ambushed her, we all reacted and helped her without even a word of coordination?”
Zhao Changhe was slightly taken aback. You had a hunch even earlier than that? But back then, even I considered her an enemy! I was on high alert around her! Ye Jiuyou’s nature was far too terrifying. If she hadn’t refrained from wreaking havoc with the Azure Dragon corpse puppet in the capital, who would’ve ever thought she could be won over?
“Where in the world do you all get these uncanny hunches?”
Huangfu Qing spoke lazily, “I’m the one who suggested your engagement with her, remember? Even then, the feeling was already there. And honestly, that top-tier demon goddess vibe? Isn’t that the same reason you were into me back then?”
Zhao Changhe: “...”
“You’ve got some nerve bringing that up!” Lady Three pounced on Huangfu Qing. “Is one sister not enough for you? You’re collecting us like talismans now, huh?”
Caught without a retort, Huangfu Qing could only curl up and take the beating. Fortunately, Yue Hongling and Cui Yuanyang were not close enough with her to join in, and Xia Chichi was too much of a junior to dare. That left only Lady Three to dish it out, which at least meant she was not pummeled to death.
Off to the side, Piaomiao leaned silently against a tree, watching the chaos with a strange look in her eyes.
Ye Jiuyou had once tricked her into becoming tied to Zhao Changhe. Piaomiao had thought about getting revenge somehow, but Ye Jiuyou’s twisted brain made it hard to mirror her methods. All Piaomiao could do was cause some havoc in the Abyss of Jiuyou. In the end, she did not even need to do anything to retaliate.
Looking at it from this world’s perspective, Zhao Changhe’s relationships were not actually that many. Before he’d reached out to her, it was just the Four Idols and Cui Yuanyang. Add Tang Wanzhuang overseeing the capital and Sisi holding down Miaojiang, and that was it. Even with her in the equation, the outsiders barely matched the Four Idols in numbers. From the perspective of demons or gods, even one woman was already excessive, but for Piaomiao, who was rather familiar with the harems of human emperors, this count was absurdly low.
Still, being one of them herself left her feeling... complicated.
She had seen what imperial harems were really like. The infighting was nightmarish. Things were not terribly stable here either, though it was in the exact opposite way—while things looked peaceful before Zhao Changhe arrived, with everyone diligently cultivating or chatting, the moment the man showed up, they nearly fought hard enough to shatter the Great Dao.
“Hey, hey, cut it out...” Zhao Changhe was trying to mediate. “This isn’t entirely Qing’er’s fault. There’s... quite a bit of karma between me and Jiuyou...”
“Oh, you dare speak now? And you actually sound like you’re grateful to your Qing’er?”
That did it—the ones who had been sitting on the sidelines could no longer hold back. They surged forward to beat the scumbag down, and Zhao Changhe became the one crouching, arms over his head, enduring the storm.
Piaomiao crossed her arms, watching with mild amusement.
Even Yue Hongling, who was usually indifferent to such matters, gave him two hard kicks. And Yangyang? The little bunny even ran up and bit him! It was as if she were not the very same girl who had once pimped him out to Piaomiao!
It seemed his “harem” was indeed very different from the imperial ones Piaomiao was familiar with...
Zhao Changhe, covering his head, muttered, “Jiuyou isn’t as bad as everyone thinks... At the very least, she’s trying to break free from the roles assigned to her. She hasn’t actually done anything vile in this life. If a demon god that powerful could be brought to our side, why should she be our enemy?”
“Oh my, our King Zhao sure has a talent for dressing up his own lust in righteous words,” Lady Three scoffed. “She’s been at odds with us since the previous era. Do you really not understand just how deep the hatred runs between us?”
“In the previous era, her enemies were Ye Wuming and the ancient Four Idols. And if you think about it, those ancient Four Idols are against us, too. The ancient White Tiger tried to kill you even while he was completely deranged. Wubing instinctively pointed his sword at Chichi. If it weren’t for lingering ties, that thrust would’ve landed, so stop standing in the shoes of the ancient Four Idols. To them, you’re no different from Papiyas wearing a dress.”
The women, after hearing all that, remained focused on what was left unsaid. “So you think Ye Wuming is not our enemy?”
“...How is that what you end up focusing on?” Zhao Changhe groaned. “I was just speaking my mind! Do you have to dissect everything I say?”
“Isn’t it the offhand remarks and the things you don’t say that reveal the most truth?” Xia Chichi snorted. “Fine, let’s not talk about the past. But are you sure there won’t be conflict in this era? She already said she wanted to capture us and study the Four Idols. You plan to offer up your own understanding as reference, sure, but that’s still different from ours. What if she finds your input... insufficient?”
You really do know your husband well. Zhao Changhe offered a sheepish smile. “Well, she’s no novice. A top-tier figure like her only needs to reference the essence of the Four Idols. There’s no need for the same depth of mastery you all possess. Besides, she’s not trying to replicate the Four Idols. She’s only using it as a means to trace Ye Wuming’s path... and even that may just be a stepping stone. What she truly seeks is the origin. She’s been probing for the truth ever since the last era. Most likely, this is the heart of her pursuit.”
Unwittingly, the conversation had turned serious. The women stopped hitting him. Yue Hongling handed Zhao Changhe the severed arm. “This contains almost the entirety of the White Tiger inheritance. If there’s anything it lacks, it’s the transmission of divine authority, but I don’t think I need that.”
Piaomiao found the shift rather interesting. This group could switch from farce to formality with uncanny ease—a reflection of their seamless rapport. It also revealed that, while these women could get jealous, they were not actually that hung up over an extra sister joining the mix. The dramatic “cheating scandal” earlier had mostly been a performance out of habit. So perhaps... she could try blending in more. Maybe there was no need to remain so aloof?
Though, with her temperament, that would be hard. Of them all, she really only felt comfortable talking to Yangyang. Ironically, if Ye Jiuyou were to join, they might end up having more to say to each other. Their personalities were polar opposites, but they were both gods, and they were both bound to the same nemesis: Ye Wuming.
Still, the idea alone was absurd. For her to share a man with others was already unthinkable, and it was all thanks to that brazen hussy Yangyang’s shameless influence. But if even Ye Jiuyou were to accept it, then the Heavenly Dao itself might drop its jaw in disbelief. Zhao Changhe’s conquest of Ye Jiuyou was clearly a far more formidable challenge than winning her over.
Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe was saying, “We really don’t need that divine authority anymore. In fact, we ought to reject it. So... in essence, our goal has already been achieved, hasn’t it?”
“Mm-hm.” Yue Hongling then let out a sigh. “I thought coming to Kunlun would mean a major battle. That chaotic scuffle earlier seemed like it would be really dangerous, but in the end, it just... fizzled out. If we’d known, we wouldn’t have needed to bring so many people.”
“That wouldn’t have worked. It’s only thanks to the complete Four Idols Formation, as well as Piaomiao and me, that we’ve become the most powerful faction. That strength alone is what allowed us to resolve things smoothly.” He looked at Han Wubing’s arm, momentarily becoming lost in thought. “Jiuyou’s stance is still unclear. Things with Wubing and the Sword Emperor are also unresolved. We’ve got plenty of headaches left. We can’t scatter just yet. Chichi, you shouldn’t rush back to the capital.”
“Still thinking about Wubing?”
Zhao Changhe nodded. “The arm’s intact. I could restore it with ease. And we don’t need his divine authority, so in essence, there’s no true conflict between us. The only question is... what does he think? If White Tiger insists on viewing us as Papiyas, then... Well.”
“You say you’ve severed ties, but your heart’s clearly not willing. You claim to be pursuing Jiuyou, yet when the time came, you instinctively moved to block her and protect Wubing.”
“Well, Jiuyou wasn’t my woman back then...” Zhao Changhe trailed off, clearly unwilling to dwell on it. He quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, there’s no point in speculating without him here. Next time we meet, we’ll see where he stands. Speaking of which, what’s the situation with Papiyas and Dark Oblivion? I struck them with primordial lightning. By all rights, they should’ve been dispersed, but the Rankings of Troubled Times never flashed, either inside or outside the secret realm. Is it actually blind now?”
Huangfu Qing replied, “Ah, that would be because of me. I preserved a strand of their true spirit because I wanted to study their regenerative essence.”
“No wonder,” said Zhao Changhe with a smile. “We’ve got our own experts on immortality now. But I have to say, that true spirit should be destroyed. They’re still tethered to something greater. We don’t need a new mess.”
“Experts?” The group exchanged puzzled glances. Aside from Jiuyou, the most specialized in life and death was Vermillion Bird herself. Who else could Zhao Changhe possibly be referring to?
Then, almost in unison, they turned toward the figure still leaning against the tree—Piaomiao.
Of course. She was the one who had truly achieved immortality, or more specifically, a state of being unerasable from the world. Even Ye Wuming had not been able to kill her by conventional means; an entire era later, here she was, reborn. When it came to the nature of entities like Papiyas and Dark Oblivion, no one would understand better than her.
The trouble was... they were not particularly close with her. During that earlier “cheating incident,” Piaomiao had clapped back hard and left them all thoroughly burned. Her aura was overwhelming, and her strength was unmatched. Since Zhao Changhe’s return, only Cui Yuanyang had dared to approach her. Even she had been met with cold detachment under everyone’s gaze. Had they not known she might be useful, Piaomiao probably would have drifted off by now without a word.
And yet, the moment Zhao Changhe brought it up, Piaomiao unexpectedly rose and walked over, seating herself beside Huangfu Qing and acting in a rather natural manner. “Our immortality stems from principles and intent. So long as the human world remains, I persist. My strength is tied to that principle. At the core, Papiyas is no different. It’s not a person, but simply the embodiment of humanity’s inner demons. If you’re pondering its nature, perhaps consider framing it as the incarnation of all fire in the world. As long as there’s even a single spark left, rebirth is possible. You might even find the path to the third layer of the Profound Control Realm within this.”
Everyone stared at her, dumbstruck, unsure whether they should thank her for the pointers.
When advice came from one of their own, like Lady Three giving a pointer to Huangfu Qing, she would get a hearty smack on the rear as thanks; say “thank you” too seriously, and Lady Three would get mad. But when it was Piaomiao, would not saying something be rude?
Piaomiao gave a soft smile and gracefully extended her right hand. “Give me the remnants of their true spirits. They’ll be of some benefit to me.”
Without hesitation, Huangfu Qing passed them over. Piaomiao accepted them with a gentle nod. “There’s no need for formalities between sisters.”
Realizing that Piaomiao truly did have thoughts of joining in, everyone felt an odd sense of relief. She did not need to integrate deeply; after all, even Yue Hongling, who had traveled with them the longest, was not especially close to everyone. Each of them had their own temperament. No one demanded to be intimate friends with anybody else. Her attitude alone was enough.
Lady Three immediately brightened, and a mischievous grin surfaced on her lips. “Hey, you’re a lofty ancient demon god. How’d a pighead like him get his hands on you?”
Piaomiao gave Cui Yuanyang a sideways glance. “Some people... are simply too shameless, even from a young age. What could I do?”
Cui Yuanyang leapt up. “What does that have to do with me? You two stormed the Night Palace hand in hand! I was asleep most of the time! How is it my fault?”
Piaomiao gave a cold snort and turned her head away. No matter how much had happened, initial impressions were shaped by emotional influence, and hers had been entirely swayed by this girl. Even before Zhao Changhe had made a move, half the groundwork was already laid. And that final, critical step? That was thanks to Cui Yuanyang impersonating her. If it’s not your fault, then whose is it?
At that moment, she felt an arm wrap around her waist. Zhao Changhe had pulled her in. “Alright, alright, Yangyang deserves the credit, doesn’t she...”
Piaomiao struggled a bit but could not break free. Flustered, she muttered, “There are people watching.”
The others were all quietly amused. This cool, aloof elder sister was surprisingly cute when flustered... One could not help but wonder: When she was the one pinned beneath, what kind of expression did she have?
Zhao Changhe, to his credit, kept his hands to himself, holding her properly as he chuckled. “The Sword Emperor proposed a meeting in the southwest this autumn. That’s not far off now. Any thoughts?”
Cui Yuanyang was the first to speak. “I’ll be sitting that one out. I want to go home.”
Zhao Changhe blinked. “You don’t have to worry about your strength. We’re not afraid of anything now, and you’ve grown much stronger.”
Cui Yuanyang shook her head. “That’s not it. I just miss my parents. I left home unwillingly, and my father was really worried back then. Now that everything’s settled, the first thing I should do is go home and see them. Everything else can wait.”
Zhao Changhe nodded slowly, a tinge of emotion rising in his chest. Back then, this girl had run off to experience the jianghu. Now, standing before even greater storms, she longed for home. The real change was not that she had obtained the power she wanted, but that she had learned to cherish her parents.
Cui Yuanyang added with a smile, “You say I’m strong, but I still haven’t figured out what kind of domain suits me. If I’m going to gain experience, maybe the Demon Suppression Bureau would be a better fit. Big Brother Zhao, just send me home. Leave me a token or something. I’ll find Big Sister Wanzhuang on my own.”
“Alright.” Zhao Changhe handed her his jade token from the Demon Suppression Bureau. He gave her a gentle rub on the head. “I’ll send you home.”
“Wait a moment...” Cui Yuanyang tugged on his sleeve, glanced shyly at the others, and blushed. “Before I go, let’s... have a little private time. Just for a bit. Let’s hide inside the Heavenly River... Somewhere they can’t see.”
Everyone turned their heads with knowing grins. “We’ve just gained insight into the essence of the White Tiger. We need to work on the Four Idols Formation and reflect on what Big Sister Piaomiao just shared. Who has time to spy on you two being sappy? Go on, do your thing.”
Piaomiao silently raised her hand... and then let it fall back down.
I’m doomed. If they start going at it and I start reacting here... What if they all see me twitching? Am I supposed to sneak off somewhere? But no matter where I go, they’ll assume I’m joining in... They’ll think I’m just as insatiable as that damned fox... How am I supposed to show my face after that?
But while Piaomiao was busy battling her internal crisis, far off in the Abyss of Jiuyou, another demon god was having a crisis of her own.
The lotus pool Piaomiao had manifested during her rebirth had not yet fully merged with her bath chamber. Meanwhile, the bath itself had been infused with traces of life essence, a mix of Piaomiao’s blood and Zhao Changhe’s... contribution. The change in energy was subtle, so when Ye Jiuyou returned home, still distracted, she did not notice anything strange at first.
She had not even changed out of the violet dress she had worn all day, and the lingering discomfort made her want to bathe the moment she got back. She could not be bothered to care whether a certain someone would later trace her back through the bath.
Naturally, the first thing she did was undress and slide into the pool for a nice, relaxing soak.
But just as she scooped up some water to rub on her skin, she felt an oddly viscous texture between her fingers. The moment she smeared it across her snow-white chest, it was like rubbing a slug across her skin—sticky and gross.
Ye Jiuyou nearly gagged.
What the hell is this disgusting stuff?
No way....
Zhao Changhe! Piaomiao! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO HERE?!
Still immersed in her investigations into Ye Wuming, Ye Jiuyou was blissfully unaware that this moment was the closest she had ever come to sharing Ye Wuming’s experiences.
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