Chapter 522: A Flickering Candle in the Wind

Chapter 522: A Flickering Candle in the Wind

The capital.

A lone rider galloped toward the city gates, and the usually lax guards suddenly tensed.

Who would dare to ride so recklessly toward the gates of the capital? Could it be some noble brat acting arrogantly?

“H-halt!” The guards, seeing the rider about to charge straight through, braced themselves to intercept him.

Neigh!

The horse let out a long neigh, coming to an abrupt stop mid-gallop, demonstrating the rider’s exceptional skill and control.

The guards looked up and realized there was no need for the usual routine questioning.

As long as this person was not wearing a disguise, everyone would instantly know who he was. He was a man known by all, one whom even the officials would not dare ask for an entry tax. Basically... he was treated as though he was a prince.

“Asura King!”

Xue Canghai was not exaggerating when he said what he said. To the average person, being first on the Ranking of Man was tantamount to being treated with kingly reverence, even by the authorities.

It was an interesting mentality, since not even the general Ranking of Earth garnered the same respect. It was only the first in each ranking—especially if earned through battle and not by default—that they came to be treated as though they carried a special aura.

It was just like how people were likely to remember the winner of a tournament—the one who took the gold medal—while not many remembered the silver or bronze medalists.

The last time he entered the capital, a loudmouthed fool had recognized him, causing the entire city to take notice, leading to quite a bit of trouble. This time, it seemed like it did not matter. He would let them beat the drums and announce his arrival. He did not care.

Without giving it much thought, Zhao Changhe led his horse into the city, heading straight for the Tang residence.

“Venerable, venerable!” A member of the Four Idols Cult hurried to report to Vermillion Bird. “The Asura King has entered the city.”

Vermillion Bird kept her composure, sipping her tea slowly. “Where is he headed? Here, or to the Huangfu residence to find Shaozong?”

“...He’s headed to the Tang residence.”

The air seemed to grow still for a moment, a sudden sense of heaviness. Xia Chichi snuck a glance at Vermillion Bird, who, after a moment of silence, sighed. “Chichi, it’s clear that man doesn’t have you in his heart. You should let him go.”

Xia Chichi’s face remained expressionless.

How would Zhao Changhe even know I’m here? Why would he come looking for me...? As for the Huangfu residence, that coquettish consort usually stays in the palace. Who in their right mind would go to her residence...? Xia Chichi hesitated briefly, then said cautiously, “Venerable, he might sneak into the palace to steal the consort.”

Vermillion Bird blinked a few times, then got up to leave.

Xia Chichi was dumbfounded. “Venerable, where are you going?”

“Oh,” Vermillion Bird replied, “I have some matters to discuss with Huangfu Qing. I’ll have her coordinate with Zhao Changhe.”

Xia Chichi hesitated for a moment before softly saying, “Venerable, I wish to go into the palace as well.”

Vermillion Bird frowned slightly. It was not that she would not allow Xia Chichi to enter the palace, but rather if it was suitable given Xia Chichi’s identity. Previously, Xia Chichi had not even dared to set foot in the capital. This time, she barely made it here, and she had never mentioned wanting to enter the palace—yet now she was willing to risk it all just to see her beloved.

But after some thought, Vermillion Bird realized there was no harm. If Chichi truly was Xia Longyuan’s daughter, would Xia Longyuan really kill her? Perhaps their meeting would spark something interesting, and Vermillion Bird suddenly wanted to see it happen.

“The palace is heavily guarded. It’s not the kind of place you can sneak into easily. I, of course, am able to come and go as I please, but as for you...” Vermillion Bird paused and then smiled. “If you must go in, you could disguise yourself as Huangfu Qing’s personal maid. However, you’ll have to endure a bit of hardship, and at least on the surface, you’ll need to show her respect.”

Xia Chichi gritted her teeth. “If it’s just a temporary measure, so what if I have to give in to her for a couple of days?”

Vermillion Bird could not suppress her amusement and left leisurely. “Wait here, then. I’ll go find Huangfu Qing first. I’ll have her come up with an excuse to leave the palace, and then she can bring you in directly.”

At the entrance of the Tang Clan’s residence in the capital.

Zhao Changhe was momentarily stunned, forgetting what he had intended to say. After a pause, he continued, “...I need to meet Xia Longyuan. Can you arrange for me to enter the palace?”

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated. “Why do you need to see him?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “What, you don’t want me to be the crown prince anymore? How can I do that if I don’t meet him? Should I just rebel instead?”

Tang Wanzhuang shivered slightly. “I’ll report to him right away and have him summon you...”

“Don’t bother having him summon me.” Zhao Changhe sighed. “Strictly following protocol, being an upright court official—it’s respectable, but also incredibly foolish. It really is a contradiction.”

Tang Wanzhuang retorted, “...I’m not that rigid!”

Her defiant tone finally lightened the atmosphere a bit, and Zhao Changhe could not help but smile. “You’re not rigid?”

Tang Wanzhuang snapped back, “If I were that stubborn and rigid, would I have kissed you before marriage?!”

Zhao Changhe blinked in surprise. “Then sneak me in.”

Tang Wanzhuang replied helplessly, “Even if I could sneak you through the palace gates, how would I get you into the inner palace? I can’t even enter the inner palace myself. Did you expect me to have free access there?”

Zhao Changhe shivered slightly. “That’s... problematic...”

Tang Wanzhuang shot him a sidelong glance.

They exchanged a look, both knowing who they should turn to for help.

Tang Wanzhuang pouted in frustration. “You could just go through proper channels and have him summon you! Hmph...”

At the end of her sentence, she shuddered, a soft moan slipping from her lips.

Their hands had been clasped together the entire time, and throughout their conversation, Zhao Changhe had been using the Rejuvenation Art to treat her. At that moment, a particularly injured part of her body healed, and the tingling relief caught Tang Wanzhuang off guard.

“Your Highness, the medicine is ready... ready...” Baoqin burst into the room excitedly, then froze in place, her eyes widening as she slowly backed out.

What was that sound just now...?

Zhao Changhe, annoyed, waved his hand backward. Baoqin suddenly felt an invisible force grab the medicine from her hands and she could only watch as the medicine packet was brought into Zhao Changhe’s grasp.

With a loud bang, the door was shut by that same invisible hand.

Tears welled in Baoqin’s eyes as she crouched on the ground, rubbing her head where the door had hit her.

Inside the room, Zhao Changhe lit the stove and added the medicinal ingredients. Tang Wanzhuang curiously peeked over as Zhao Changhe took out a small vial of blood and a small piece of flesh from his ring.

“What’s that?”

“The blood and flesh of a Blood Ao. Fortunately, I still have some left.” Zhao Changhe added the blood and flesh into the concoction, staring into the fire as it simmered. “Your problem now isn’t just the illness itself but a severe depletion of your life force. Even if I heal your wounds, you won’t live long. I need to find a way to replenish your life force. Fortunately, the Blood Ao is just what you need. But you have to promise me that until you’re fully recovered, you absolutely can’t get hurt again. Otherwise, even a god won’t be able to save you...”

Tang Wanzhuang opened her mouth but could not make that promise.

With the world in chaos, how could she possibly do nothing? As long as she was involved, she could not guarantee that she would not get hurt.

Zhao Changhe also knew that his demand was almost impossible. He silently stared at the stove for a long time before suddenly turning, pulling her fiercely into his arms, and kissing her fiercely.

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyelashes fluttered, and she closed her eyes.

The Great Xia was already like a flickering candle in the wind, and so was Tang Wanzhuang. Zhao Changhe’s so-called medicine from the Blood Ao was likely just patchwork, just like her previous attempts to hold the Great Xia together.

In the final moments of life, there was really no need for restraint.