Chapter 98: The Heavenly Tome

Chapter 98: The Heavenly Tome

At the bottom of Ancient Sword Lake, in the dimensional fragment.

When the era collapsed, the divine sword used its power to protect its master, maintaining a small separate space that was isolated from the world. It would not be entirely accurate to call this space a completely different realm as it still depended on the main plane for its existence. Due to incomplete isolation, it was still possible to communicate with the space from the surface of the lake. However, it was impossible to perceive this space with the naked eye. Strictly speaking, it was best to refer to it as a subsidiary plane.

The reason Zhao Changhe thought of telling Xia Chichi about the Azure Dragon Seal was that the actions of the divine sword in chasing after Xia Chichi made no sense at all. Xia Chichi had done nothing to provoke the ire of the divine sword to the point where it would chase after her, much less attempt to kill her. If he had to think of a connection that the sword might have with Xia Chichi, the only link he had in mind was the Azure Dragon Seal, which also originated from the previous era.

And that turned out to be exactly the case.

When the divine sword came into contact with the Azure Dragon Seal, there was an immediate reaction.

Zhao Changhe, Xia Chichi, and Han Wubing felt as if they were witnessing traces of ancient times. It felt as if they had returned to the past and glimpsed fleeting memories.

A man in imperial robes said, “The sky is filled with murderous intent, and the stars are shifting. I am afraid that the Heavenly Dao is changing, heralding the beginning of countless catastrophes. I must return and make preparations... If I can make it through this great calamity, I will come to find you again.”

The woman sighed. “Why hide it from me... The Night Emperor has fallen, and what you desire is nothing more than his position and that page of the Heavenly Tome. You fear my old relationship with them, and you’re just leaving me here so that I have no chance of interfering.”

The man in imperial robes was silent for a moment. “You can see it that way.”

“No matter what you are going to do... I can wait for you, no matter how long it takes, even if I have to wait until a new era begins.” The woman’s voice gradually grew fainter and fainter. “I’m just afraid that you won’t come back...”

The man promised, “Rest assured, I will definitely come back.”

“Okay, I believe you. If you truly do come back, I have something to give to you.”

The man’s destination was not visible in the projection, but Zhao Changhe and Xia Chichi knew that the man had prepared everything upon returning to Beimang, including the tomb and the inheritance that was the Azure Dragon Seal. He had meticulously settled and arranged all of his affairs, but he had no intention of going back to look for that woman.

Zhao Changhe suddenly thought that the bizarre relocation of Beimang might have been the result of this emperor’s contingency plan. After all, he was already in contention for the Heavenly Tome. He had to be more powerful than the average human emperor.

Looking at it from this point of view, it was clear that this man had never really cared about this woman.

As the era came to its end, the woman knew that she did not have the strength to escape. With her heart withered and as lifeless as ashes, she chose to take her own life, and when she made that decision, she did not hesitate to carry it out. Her only thoughts before her death were the promises that the man had made before their parting.

The projection faded.

As soon as Zhao Changhe and the other two opened their eyes, they found themselves in a chamber filled with swords. Several swords hung on the walls, and an ancient corpse had long since decayed into dust, leaving behind nothing but a skeleton seated with its legs crossed peacefully, devoid of any signs of life.

The divine sword left Han Wubing’s hand and circled around the skeleton, as if mourning and asking “the one who betrayed you has come back; do you want to meet him?”

However, its master would never respond again.

Xia Chichi felt a deep sense of sorrow as she took off the Azure Dragon Seal and placed it in front of the skeleton. She paid her respects and said, “Senior, this junior has indeed inherited this seal and its techniques, but I am not its original master... Furthermore, I am a woman.” Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates

“Yes,” confirmed Xia Chichi.

Han Wubing said, “Then isn’t your mission already complete.”

Zhao Changhe and Xia Chichi said in unison, “Isn’t it yours?”

Han Wubing said, feeling somewhat speechless, “Look at how the sword is sticking to your hand. You’re still saying that it belongs to me?”

Xia Chichi lowered her head to look at the sword and noticed that the divine sword seemed to exhibit a sense of attachment to her, like a cat clinging to its owner.

She quickly realized that with its old master’s lingering attachments now fulfilled, the sword was undergoing a rebirth, in a sense. If it were to acknowledge anyone as its new master, then it would naturally be her, the one who had destroyed the Azure Dragon Seal. It might be able to find other suitable candidates who share its sentiments and consider them partners, but it would be difficult for them to become recognized as its master. This was similar to how Dragon Bird regarded Zhao Changhe.

In this light, with the sword now belonging to her, her mission had indeed ended in success.

Zhao Changhe also realized this and suddenly felt a little apologetic. “Brother Han, this...”

Han Wubing was even more speechless. “I know your intentions, and I know that you thought that this sword was perfect for me, so you wanted it to be mine. However, I don’t really like it. Have you ever seen a sword so involved in the affairs between men and women? It would only be a hindrance for a swordsman like me. Besides, it’s too flashy. I’m a bounty hunter, I prefer weapons that are simple and low-key.”

Zhao Changhe was speechless. “Even if you say that... What sword are you going to...”

Han Wubing pointed at the swords scattered around the Sword Chamber and said, “What do you mean? Aren’t there a lot of them here? If the owner of such a divine sword bothered to pick them up, then they’re clearly good quality. Personally, I’ve never looked for whatever heavenly treasure of a sword. I believe that that would only lead to dependence and hinder my own swordsmanship. As long as it cuts, it’s good enough for me. Speaking of which, I also want to advise you both not to rely too much on your divine weapons. Winning battles against stronger opponents in the short term might seem good, but it may be a problem for your development in the long run.”

Zhao Changhe took a step back and bowed respectfully. “Thank you for your guidance, Brother Han.”

As he took a step back, he accidentally stepped on something. He looked down and saw that it was the cushion the skeleton had been sitting on earlier.

Zhao Changhe was puzzled. The skeleton has already completely dissolved into dust, and its clothes have long since turned to ashes, so how has this cushion remained intact?

Upon closer inspection, Zhao Changhe discovered that the cushion seemed to be made of woven golden threads. When he parted the seams, he noticed a glimmer of gold inside, resembling a page of a book.

Zhao Changhe’s eyes narrowed.

The words of the woman in the projection flashed through his mind. “The Night Emperor has fallen, and what you desire is nothing more than his position and that page of the Heavenly Tome. You fear my old relationship with them...”

To Xia Chichi and Han Wubing, this statement may not have held much meaning, as they were likely unfamiliar with the Heavenly Tome. They might have regarded it as some kind of token. However, when Zhao Changhe heard these words, it was as if a bell had rung in his ears, and it was impossible for him to forget.

The flicker of golden light from the Tome of Troubled Times...

If... this gold sheet is that page of the Heavenly Tome...

“If you truly do come back, I have something to give to you.”

If that man had come back, he would have gotten it.