Chapter 365: Zhao Wangtang

Chapter 365: Zhao Wangtang

When the Maitreya envoy came again to schedule the time and route for the expedition, Zhao Changhe had already been staying at the mountain stronghold for over half a month.

From the initial fervent worship of him as the saint of the cult, the members of the cult gradually came to avoid him as if he were the plague.

Even Cult Leader Xue had been avoiding him for seven or eight days, and eventually, whenever Zhao Changhe appeared, everyone scattered in all directions, disappearing without a trace.

Everyone in the Blood God Cult who could fight had been thoroughly beaten up by him, whether it be in single combat or in group combat, whether it be normal brawls or complex tactics, barehanded or with weapons.

He had fought everyone and thoroughly practiced everything he needed to.

“Instructor Sun, Instructor Sun...”

“Get lost, I don’t know you.”

For the first time since his early days in Beimang, Zhao Changhe once again experienced a period of extensive practice and reached a point where he was invincible in the mountain stronghold. The difference was that back then, Instructor Sun had watched with hopeful and appreciative eyes as a promising disciple fought his way from a mere novice to the respected Boss Zhao. This time, however, even Instructor Sun would run away at the sight of him from a distance.

“Hey, I’m here to say goodbye, Old Sun! Why are you running?”

Instructor Sun finally stopped and turned to look at his swiftly approaching disciple, who arrived in an instant.

His movement art truly is impressive... It has far surpassed the Blood God Cult’s Traceless Soaring Blood, and it’s unrecognizable from the Water-Treading Art he used before.

As Zhao Changhe came up to him, he discreetly handed Instructor Sun a booklet and a lump of “jelly.”

“What is this?”

“The booklet contains my insights on the Vicious Blood Art and saber arts from the past few days. Please correct me.”

Instructor Sun was not sure how to feel about this. It seemed that Zhao Changhe actually just wanted to teach him without saying it outright, which was why he asked for his “corrections.” Instructor Sun remained expressionless and said, “Fine, I guess I’ll take a look at it for you.”

“Okay.”

“And what’s this lump of jelly? Cult Leader Xue’s guts?”

Zhao Changhe was speechless for a moment. “...This is a special energy crystal that can be used to transform the body. It also has some benefits for the meridians.”

Instructor Sun’s expression changed slightly.

Zhao Changhe lowered his voice. “Don’t let others see it. Just use it quietly yourself.”

“I’m not stupid.” Instructor Sun hesitated but finally asked, “Are you really leaving?”

“Yes, Maitreya is on the move, and so it’s time for me to move as well,” Zhao Changhe replied with a smile. “I really didn’t expect that both times I’d find the most comfortable places for accumulation and reflection would be in the mountain strongholds of the Blood God Cult.”

Instructor Sun said, “The life of a bandit suits you quite well. Have you considered changing the way you speak? You talk too politely now, and it’s made the entire mountain stronghold three times more civilized. It pisses me off.”

From a distance, Zhao Changhe observed the flags of Xiangyang. At first glance, nothing seemed unusual. The city walls still bore the dragon flag of Great Xia, alongside a command flag with the large character Lu.

He vaguely recalled Lu Wende[3] of Xiangyang... However, the city lord had nothing to do with that character. The city lord of Xiangyang was Lu Shiheng, the Divine Sword of Xiang River, forty-eighth on the Ranking of Man.

This title, similar to Yue Hongling’s Sunset Divine Sword and Chi Li’s Fox Spirit, was bestowed by the Tome of Troubled Times and carried significant prestige.

Anyone with such a prestigious title on the Ranking of Man was no pushover. They were undoubtedly a master who had unlocked the Profound Mysteries.

For that matter, the general from the Maitreya Cult leading the attack on Xiangyang was a rogue ranked just a few places above Lu Shiheng at forty-four—Soul Reaper Yu Cixiu.

Yu Cixiu was not originally a member of the Maitreya Cult. He was a well-known demonic figure in the south who was likely recruited by Maitreya in the past year with promises of wealth and beauties.

I wonder if he adopted a Dharma name, maybe something like Fa Xiu?

Zhao Changhe thought his own made-up Dharma name Fa Dian sounded better.

Along with the support from the Xue Canghai of the Blood God Cult, who was ranked seventy-first but had strength far surpassing that now, this battle would see the convergence of multiple figures on the Ranking of Man. It would certainly be a fierce showdown.

Lost in thought, he had unknowingly reached the city gates with his horse.

The gates were not as tightly closed as they should be during wartime. There was still a steady flow of people entering and exiting. Lu Shiheng probably was not aware that the Maitreya Cult was conspiring with the Blood God Cult to launch a major attack on his city. However, the gate inspections were strict, and the entrance fee was high.

“Stop! What business do you have here?” Several guards pointed their spears at Zhao Changhe. “Your travel permit!”

This time, Zhao Changhe actually had a travel permit. An organization like the Blood God Cult had plenty of fake identities prepared. Cult Leader Xue had at least a hundred ready-to-use travel permits, and he had given Zhao Changhe one.

He obediently took out the permit and handed it over. The guard glanced at it and asked, “A scholar from the capital, traveling south to study? There are still people who think they can travel south to study... Your name is Zhao Wangtang[4]?”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

When Zhao Changhe got the permit, he did not bother to check what name was on it.

Old Xue, the fuck kind of name is this?

The guard extended his hand. “Alright, that will be one tael of silver for entry.”

Zhao Changhe now understood what it meant to be truly robbed.

Bandits could learn a thing or two from officials.

1. This is a line from the poem “The River Journey from Baidi City” (早发白帝城) by Li Bai (李白). ☜

2. These are both heroines in Chinese history. ☜

3. This is a reference to the commander of Xiangyang’s forces in Jin Yong’s Condor Trilogy. ☜

4. This name is written 赵望唐, Zhao (赵) being Zhao Changhe’s surname, Wang (望) meaning to look at or gaze, and Tang (唐) being Tang Wanzhuang’s surname. ☜