Tome of Troubled Times
Chapter 794: Triumphant Return

Chapter 794: Triumphant Return

Having broken through to the second layer of the Profound Control Realm, Shelly now provided Zhao Changhe with an even greater boost when they went through the process of dual cultivation.

The absorption of energy followed a certain efficiency. Back in Tngri’s secret realm, the faith energy had been so thick and abundant that even Tngri himself had been unable to fully digest it after a long period. The tragedy of his existence lay in a peculiar quirk—since the people of the Grasslands worshipped “the heavenly gods” rather than “the Heavenly God[1],” the majority of the faith energy gathered in this secret realm that belonged to all tngri rather than directly benefiting Tngri. As a result, he had to absorb it through an indirect process. This caused his recovery to be significantly slower than the Sea Emperor’s, and left an excess of accumulated energy in the realm.

Dual cultivation greatly enhanced the efficiency of energy absorption and circulation. However, despite Zhao Changhe engaging in dual cultivation with Yue Hongling, Huangfu Qing, and Lady Three in succession within this place, not even half of the stored energy had been consumed. After all, only a few days had passed.

Now, with Lady Three having reached the second layer of the Profound Control Realm, her... guidance exponentially increased the efficiency of absorption.

The shamans and guards stationed outside the temple were horrified to feel an external pull. It was as if even the surrounding energy was being siphoned away in a spiraling force. They could almost sense the raging energy within the secret realm. These shamans who had previously attuned themselves to Tngri’s energy circulation were utterly shaken. This level of violent energy movement was beyond comprehension.

No wonder the Heavenly God had perished at their hands... If even a fraction of this energy vortex were to spill into the outside world, it might ravage a thousand li. How are they able to withstand such a force within?

If the shamans discovered the method through which this energy was being channeled and endured, they would likely begin to question reality itself.

In just two days, Lady Three had completely stabilized her breakthrough, even making slight progress beyond that, while Zhao Changhe’s residual hidden injuries were entirely healed. His cultivation had been pushed to the very threshold of the second layer of Profound Control.

“It seems that I’m going to need an opportune moment myself. It won’t just be a matter of gradual accumulation leading to transformation,” Zhao Changhe mused as he glanced at the now-thinned mist within the secret realm. Suddenly, he chuckled. “Everything related to Black Tortoise always seems so straightforward. Back then, the ancient Black Tortoise left behind a stone infused with dense energy crystals, which congealed like jelly and could be directly absorbed, granting me tremendous fortune. This time, alongside this Black Tortoise, the process was just as crude. Absorbing energy in the simplest way possible, pushing my cultivation to the peak of the first layer.... Would you call this the destiny of the Black Tortoise? Stable and resilient?”

Lady Three leaped onto his back, lazily enjoying being carried as they stepped outside. “Right now, you’re the one studying faith, destiny, and karma, so shouldn’t I be the one consulting you about destiny? Tell me, what do you see in my karma?”

Zhao Changhe carried her out with a bouncing stride, chuckling. “Who has the time to examine all that without a reason? Besides...”

“Besides what?”

“Besides, during certain activities, if I were to see all those lines and flows of energy around us, what exactly would I be doing? Of course, I’d rather just shut it all off.”

Lady Three burst into laughter. “I don’t care! Tell me about my karma.”

Zhao Changhe turned his head slightly, looking at her charming face with a smirk. “If I tell you, are you going to hit me?”

“Tell me first.”

“In this life, you’re in the palm of my hand. There’s no escaping...”

“That’s not what I want to know. What I really want to know is how many chubby little babies I’ll have.”

Zhao Changhe hefted the softness in his arms, giving it a slight lift. “Five, six, seven, eight? Uh... however many you want, I suppose.”

Lady Three giggled, leaned in, and planted a kiss on his cheek, her voice dripping with allure as she said, “But what you left in me yesterday... ended up being converted into dual cultivation energy. You’re not keeping your promise~”

“Ahem...” Zhao Changhe swiftly changed the subject. “You know, I used to wonder... When one’s cultivation reaches a high enough level, does their perception become so enhanced that they see things too clearly? Like, would I start seeing every tiny pore on a beauty’s face magnified, with mites crawling inside, and completely lose interest...? But turns out, the higher your cultivation, the better your control. No one would torture themselves like that.”

“Actually, some people do. That’s why many high-level cultivators abstain from women entirely. All they see are skeletons and bugs.” Lady Three pouted. “So my face is full of bugs. Do you still like me?”

“Of course.” Zhao Changhe turned to look at her and suddenly pecked her on the cheek with a laugh. “My wife is the number one in the world. No filth or impurity could ever taint you. Your face is as pure and flawless as jade.”

Lady Three chuckled. “You’re the real number one. You’ve left me so drained I can’t even walk. I even have to be carried now~”

Her voice was so sultry that the shamans prostrating outside the temple all shivered.

What a witch... And King Zhao himself called her the best in the world? That’s pretty fucking high praise.

Zhao Changhe laughed and said, “Did I say I was talking about cultivation? If we’re talking about that—then yeah, I’m definitely number one.”

The shamans: “...”

“Shameless...” Lady Three nestled closer, then softly kissed the scar on his face. “You could have healed this up long ago. Why are you still keeping it?”

“To remind myself of the days when I was just an ordinary man.”

Lady Three tilted her head, smiling faintly. Her grip around his shoulders tightened just a bit more.

At this moment, Zhao Changhe felt the ever-changing nature of the world pressing upon him. He could not afford to stay here forever. If cultivation was his only goal, he could easily remain for another ten days, half a month, maybe even push his cultivation to the second layer. But with his injuries fully healed, he had already decided to stop. Before leaving, he just needed to take one last look at the state of the Grasslands.

Cultivation was not his only priority. There were too many matters at hand... He had glimpsed hints of the madness of the ancient White Tiger, and the blind woman’s revelations had barely scratched the surface. A faint sense of unease settled in his heart.

He had been away from the Central Plains for too long. Who knew if a great upheaval had occurred in his absence? From the Sacred Mountain and Hanhai, he could keep an eye on the Grasslands, but news from the Central Plains was slow to reach him. His power was still lacking. He needed the Central Plains to send him information.

Amidst the Divine Temple’s shamans prostrating themselves, Zhao Changhe carried the too-lazy-to-move Lady Three on his back and reached out, pressing his palm against the altar.

An unexpected change that Zhao Changhe had not accounted for had taken place. Although the qi veins of the Golden Wolf in the Grasslands had mostly dissipated, remnants still lingered in the farthest corners. During Timur’s rule over the past three decades, the Grasslands had reached their most powerful point in their entire history. His armies swept across the Western Regions, uniting all tribes under a single khaganate. Naturally, there were those who still longed for the past, unwilling to accept the current fractured state, where Han troops stationed themselves like a supreme overlord. The new khagan had to kneel and address the Han Empress as their superior, and even the future succession required Han approval. To them, it was an utter disgrace and a humiliation where they were left with no dignity.

It was the same as it had been in the Great Xia. How many years had passed, and yet there were still remnants of the former dynasty? Now, they had become Chichi’s personal faction, so entrenched that even Vermillion Bird and Tang Wanzhuang could not interfere. The qi veins of the Golden Wolf were no different. No matter how scattered they were, they would never fully fade. Zhao Changhe could already foresee that in a few years, someone would undoubtedly rise, claiming to be the rightful heir of the Golden Wolf Tribe.

However, after finding the Golden Wolf’s remains in Hanhai’s secret realm two days ago, he chose not to claim them. Instead, he returned them to their burial ground. And since then, something had subtly shifted within the qi veins. A strange sense of reverence and lamentation had begun to ripple across the land. Whether it was some mysterious spiritual transmission—a “dream message” of sorts—or another unknown force, Zhao Changhe could not say for sure. However, he could feel the defiance within the energy beginning to dissipate. The respect and nostalgia once directed toward the Golden Wolf Tribe seemed to be gradually shifting toward... him.

After all, Timur’s greatest enemy had been not Zhao Changhe, but Vulture Beak. Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe had given Timur a death befitting a warrior, even honoring him with a burial for the Golden Wolf Totem. Beyond the roles of conqueror and conquered, there had been no personal vendetta, only mutual respect between two warriors.

Victory and defeat were simply the laws of the world. One respected the other, and the other returned the sentiment in kind.

Meanwhile, Batu’s Warring Lion Tribe had not gained much from the collapse of the Golden Horde. Instead, more and more factions seemed willing to submit to the Han. Batu, despite his title, was now nothing more than a nominal overlord of the Grasslands, with no hope of restoring the khaganate’s former glory.

In Monan’s Huangsha Market, a new city was beginning to rise. The Great Han had directly appointed an overseer to govern it, a bridgehead for their steady expansion northward.

Lady Three shared Zhao Changhe’s observations. She was not particularly surprised by this divine ability to grasp the flow of the Grasslands’ qi veins. After all, she possessed the same power over the seas. However, she was particularly interested in the development of Huangsha Market, once a mere settlement where she had served as an underground boss of sorts. Now, it was expanding into a full-fledged city. She watched it for a long while before smiling. “What should this city be called?”

“Technically, it should be called Hohhot... but I think the location doesn’t quite match. It would be called ‘Green City’ because it’s supposed to be nestled against the Green Mountains[2], but this one is next to the Rocky Mountains instead... Eh, who knows? Maybe it’ll align in the future. Doesn’t matter, we’ll just call it that.”

As they spoke, a young woman arrived at the temple, visibly travel-worn. She had come from the direction of Huangsha Market and was one of Lady Three’s subordinates. Upon seeing Lady Three draped lazily over Zhao Changhe’s back, completely motionless, the newcomer’s lips twitched involuntarily. “Greetings, revered... god... Greetings, Venerable.”

Lady Three, clearly in good spirits, waved enthusiastically. “Swallow, welcome!”

Zhao Changhe glanced at the newcomer and wondered to himself—since when did swallows ride on carriages? Then, after a moment, he recognized her. He had seen her many times back at Huangsha Market.

Lady Three turned to the shamans around the temple and introduced her, “This is the Moon Swallow of Wei, my trusted aide. From now on, she will be in charge of integrating Tngri’s faith into our Four Idols Cult.”

The shamans had already expected this and bowed in unison. “Greetings, Bo’e...”

Bo’e was originally not a name, but a respectful title for shamans. The problem was that the previous great shaman’s memory naturally still lingered, and the title was so strongly associated with him that it might well be his name. Thus, Lady Three waved them off. “That title has long been associated with the previous holder. There’s no need to use it for her. As a sign of respect for both traditions, you may address her as High Priestess.”

“Yes, understood.”

Lady Three patted the Moon Swallow of Wei’s shoulder. “Tying the Grasslands’ faith to our cult is a major undertaking. I can’t trust anyone else with this. You’ve followed me in Huangsha Market for years. You’re my most reliable helper; my right-hand girl, even. This will take effort, but you’ll soon realize how well our revered god has paved the way for you.”

“Yes.” Wei Yueyan sneaked a glance at the so-called “revered god,” only to see him carrying Lady Three like a lazy backpack. Really? The great divine conqueror, looking like Zhu Bajie carrying his wife[3]? Could they at least try to maintain some dignity? At this rate, I’d almost believe he’s the Fire Pig of... Oh, wait.

Lady Three could not care less about anyone’s internal complaints. Instead, she added, “Besides, the conditions here are excellent. The high priestess of the Divine Temple will be revered by all. This is far better than eating sand back in the desert.”

The Moon Swallow of Wei understood this was a clear promotion and bowed reverently. “I will not betray your trust, Venerable.”

“That’s settled, then.” Lady Three nodded in satisfaction and patted her mount, the Fire Pig of Shi. “Shall we go back?”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Let’s go back.”

Neigh!

A sharp neigh rang out as Snow-Treading Crow soared above the temple. Zhao Changhe leaped onto its back, lazy tortoise in tow. With a gust of wind, they vanished into the sky.

The shamans stood in silence, their heads tilted up, watching their figures disappear. Then, they turned to each other. Their faces were filled with complex emotions.

Who had ever conquered such vast lands without imposing their rule, indulging in luxury, plundering wealth, or enslaving the defeated? Who did not seize the beauties of the land, revel in decadence, or demand tribute? Instead, their new conqueror had merely stayed in the secret realm for a few days, healed his wounds, and left without a trace of attachment.

In all fairness, a number of soldiers within the Han armies had in fact indulged in pillaging and the likes, but with their highest leader setting such an example, there were no excesses. Compared to any army of this era, the discipline of this force was truly unparalleled.

He said he wanted to remember that he was once an ordinary man. But to the people of the Grasslands, he already seemed more like a god than any other. He seemed to them to be the guardian god of the Han, existing solely to safeguard that land. And perhaps, in time, he would also become the guardian god of the Grasslands.

So long as there was no betrayal, he would be.

* * *

Huangfu Qing and Yue Hongling had set off for the capital ahead of Zhao Changhe’s return, but given the vast distance, they were still barely halfway there. In the end, Huangfu Qing, utterly fed up with the tedious journey, left a soul fragment behind to command the army in her stead, while she and Yue Hongling simply flew back to the capital ahead of schedule.

Tang Wanzhuang had just dismissed court and returned to the prime-minister’s residence, visibly weary.

In this campaign, she had personally led only one battle, defending Yanmen and driving out Hidden Wind, but that single battle had left her wounded. Afterward, she led forces to reclaim Jinbei and Jinnan, systematically resolving the aftermath of Vermillion Bird’s so-called ways of the jianghu, which had been a necessary but unreliable means of maintaining control. Instead, she implemented a comprehensive governance structure, eliminating potential future threats.

This was slow, grinding work. By the time the war in the Grasslands concluded, she still had not finished tying up all the loose ends.

On top of that, she remained burdened with logistical concerns. Even with the changes in supply chain management, the army had only been able to carry a limited amount of provisions. Continuous resupply was still necessary, particularly for artillery. Whatever was produced had to be immediately transported to the frontlines. Tang Wanzhuang had been shuttling between the Three Jins and the capital. She was so busy she had even neglected proper recovery from her own injuries.

When the Tome of Troubled Times flashed, she was nearly exhausted. She sighed internally. Now that Vermillion Bird was back, that foolish bird would surely be strutting around with her tail held high, flaunting her accomplishments. On the surface, it would seem that Tang Wanzhuang had done far less, at least nothing as spectacular as Vermillion Bird’s grand achievements.

But how could any of these tasks be rushed? Was the mess in the Three Jins, as well as the upheaval at Yanmen, not the very disasters Vermillion Bird had left behind?

Not that she could blame her eternal opponent. At the time, there had been no other choice.

In any case, victory was what mattered. At this morning’s court session, the air had been jubilant, filled with discussions of how to reward the army, distribute honors, and celebrate the triumph. Tang Wanzhuang had naturally shared in the joy. Even if that foolish bird mocked her to death, what did it matter? As long as they were victorious, that was enough.

From this moment forward, the Han dynasty faced no more external threats. The matters of Longyou were no longer a significant problem. Compared to what they had overcome, it was nothing. After years of toil, they had finally ushered in a favorable outcome.

Tang Wanzhuang had been all smiles during the court session, but the moment she saw Cui Wenjing for the first time in the imperial court, her heart sank, and her smile froze.

The battle at Hangu Pass had already been reported. Even the Tome of Troubled Times had revealed the outcome. Yet, Cui Wenjing had personally come to court—not to claim merit, but with an expression of grave seriousness. It was obvious that something major had happened. But what exactly was it?

Cui Wenjing maintained perfect decorum, offering a respectful bow to the assembly before speaking with solemnity, “My daughter’s cultivation suddenly surged. She slew Desolate Calamity in a single strike and became involved in a battle between two beings who looked nearly identical to each other. Afterward, she left with one of them. Her whereabouts are unknown.”

A hush fell over the court.

Cui Yuanyang is missing?

Xia Chichi was already asking, “Two beings who looked alike... are you saying...?”

“The battle took place in the highest reaches of the void. Their auras were overwhelmingly powerful, and visibility was extremely limited. I could neither hear nor see them clearly. But...” Cui Wenjing’s face was ashen as he took a breath, then slowly uttered, “Before Desolate Calamity died, he called Yangyang by the name... Piaomiao.”

1. Heavenly God (天神) should be Tngri’s actual title, which seemed to have been confused with the generic term “tngri” (长生天) by the people of this region in this era. In the raws, the Heavenly God/Tngri was generally referred to as both “长生天” and “长生天神,” the latter of which you might be able to notice is a combination of the two names. In all fairness, it’s rather confusing, even if you read the raws directly; if anything, in some cases, the translation is clearer as to who is who. ☜

2. The “qing” in Daqing Mountains (大青山—great blue mountain/s) means green/blue/azure, while the name Hohhot in Mongolian means “blue city,” so it was rendered in Chinese as 青城 (Qingcheng). The character 青 can mean both blue and green, however, so it’s often misunderstood. ☜

3. Zhu Baije is a major character in Journey to the West. His family name means “pig” and he does, in fact, appear to be a human-pig hybrid. He is a powerful, kind, and respectful person, but at the same time a lazy, lustful glutton. In modern days, he is seen as a patron deity of masseuses, hostesses, and prostitutes. ☜