Tome of Troubled Times
Chapter 800 (2): Sorry, We Have a Child

Chapter 800 (2): Sorry, We Have a Child

Zhao Changhe froze.

The term “dad” was something River of Stars had learned from him, but as for “mom”? He had never once mentioned the concept of a mother to her. She must have picked it up from the world around her.

Which meant, in her understanding, she really had a mother.

“...Who’s your mom?” Zhao Changhe asked, his voice oddly dry.

“If the one who forged me is my dad, then isn’t the one who laid my foundation my mom?”

Zhao Changhe’s lips twitched.

She was not wrong. It was flawless logic. Unlike Dragon Bird, who bore the essence of countless figures, River of Stars looked exactly like... Sorry, Blindie, we have a child.

Transcending to the other shore... ultimate liberation...

“So...” Zhao Changhe exhaled. Then, with a softer voice, he said, “What is your innate purpose?”

“To help Mom transcend to the other shore.”

Zhao Changhe pressed his lips together. He reached out instinctively to ruffle Little Starry’s hair only to end up grabbing at empty air. It was only then that he remembered that she was merely a spirit. So, he reached out again. This time, he truly focused, and his fingers brushed against something real.

River of Stars’ usually expressionless face shifted slightly, as if she had not expected someone to be so ridiculous as to use the ability to manifest the intangible just to pat a sword spirit’s head. Or perhaps, she had simply never considered what being patted on the head would feel like.

Zhao Changhe immediately felt stupid and awkwardly withdrew his hand.

River of Stars, however, stared intently at his hand, a subtle hint of expectation in her gaze. Curious, Zhao Changhe reached out again and patted her head. This time, the slightest flicker of joy appeared on her face.

Something inside him softened. Without thinking, he scooped her up and lifted her high into the air. “Dad will take you out to play.”

River of Stars shook her head. “I don’t like playing outside.”

Hmm... If he was going to be a responsible father, he had to consider that this child was different from others. She really did not seem like the type to run around aimlessly. If it were Dragon Bird, the palace would probably be in ruins by now.

Poor Zhao Changhe, an ordinary university student who had never even conceived raising a child, was momentarily stumped. He had no idea how to entertain her.

Little Starry offered a solution: “You can have Big Sister Dragon Bird come spar with me. I like fighting with her.”

“?”

Zhao Changhe could understand that a sword spirit’s hobby might be fighting. But had she not just complained about Dragon Bird being too noisy? Had she not literally just bullied her into sulking?

As if sensing his doubts, Little Starry clarified, “As long as she doesn’t start shouting, ‘Wahaha, am I amazing?!’ every five seconds. She just needs to act like a proper weapon—be quiet and focus on fighting. Whether she’s amazing or not isn’t something to be said out loud. And standing there with her hands on her hips while boasting... it’s just so stupid.”

“You little—who are you calling stupid, you damn trash fish?!” A furious Dragon Bird shot into the sword’s internal space, fists clenched and ready for a fight.

Little Starry’s eyes lit up. She immediately jumped out of Zhao Changhe’s arms, and in an instant, the two spirits were rolling across the void in a chaotic scuffle.

Zhao Changhe stared, dumbfounded, as his heaven-grade saber and sword spirits thrashed about like two squabbling kids.

What made him want to cover his face even more was the fact that, despite Dragon Bird being visibly larger than Little Starry, they were evenly matched. If anything, Dragon Bird seemed to be at a slight disadvantage.

Then, from within the void, he heard the indignant voice of Dragon Bird, full of pride and denial, “Is this little bit of strength really what that smelly dad of yours taught you?!”

Zhao Changhe grabbed Dragon Bird by the collar and yanked her into the air. “What do you mean by that smelly dad?! Am I not your dad as well?”

Dragon Bird flailed her legs midair, kicking wildly. “Of course not! You spend all your time with this stupid trash fish and not me when I’m your main blade!”

“...I only came to see River of Stars to comprehend space. Hmph, fine, I was in the wrong. I’ll spend more time with you both in the future, okay?”

“Dad, stop interrupting us. We’re fighting,” River of Stars huffed as she ran over to her big sister.

Zhao Changhe was ultimately kicked out of the sword’s internal space by the combined efforts of the two spirits. He did not manage to comprehend even a shred of space. What he did gain, however, was an unexpected glimpse into the ancient ways of Ye Wuming’s thinking.

But perhaps that was not important. Instead, spending more time with his children was the real takeaway from today.

Just like how it was with Yangyang... It was only when something happened to her that he realized how little time he had actually spent with her.

* * *

Withdrawing his consciousness from the sword realm, Zhao Changhe turned his head and saw that everyone else was still meditating, except for Xia Chichi, who was watching him with bright, knowing eyes, a hint of amusement in her gaze.

Her cultivation was the lowest among them, so she did not require as much time to digest the insights gained from the session.

Zhao Changhe asked, “You broke through?”

“Mm-hm.” Xia Chichi did not seem particularly concerned about that. Instead, she stood up, extending her slender hand toward him in invitation. “How about you take a walk with me in the imperial garden?”

“Sure.”

Hand in hand, they strolled away from the Imperial Ancestral Temple toward the garden. Xia Chichi wore a gentle smile the entire way. Her mood appeared to have lifted.

Zhao Changhe glanced sideways at her. “You seem... really happy. Is it because of your breakthrough?”

“No. It’s because I sensed you playing around with the children,” Xia Chichi said softly. “And I was thinking... someday, we’ll have children of our own. I imagined what that would be like.”

For a moment, Zhao Changhe didn’t know what to say. Among all the women by his side, Xia Chichi’s childhood had been the most difficult. Naturally, this would stir something deep within her. He hesitated, unsure if saying more would bring back painful memories.

But she continued on her own, “Everything we’re doing... is to make sure the people who come after us don’t have to suffer the same way we did. That applies to our own children, and it applies to ruling a nation as well.”

“Mm-hm.” Zhao Changhe then said, “You’re a good emperor... Honestly, when you first said you wanted to take the throne, I supported you, but deep down, I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to do it well. But you’ve far exceeded my expectations.”

Xia Chichi chuckled. “So, you didn’t trust my determination? Or my ability?”

Zhao Changhe smirked and said, “Well, you’d never done it before. And ruling is harder than cultivating.”

“It’s not actually that hard,” Xia Chichi said lightly. “If you’ve never tried it, you wouldn’t realize how amazingly convenient it is to have a Tang Wanzhuang at your side. She’s terrifyingly capable. If you were the one ruling instead of me, as long as she was there, you’d never do worse than me. In fact, maybe you’d do even better... After all, she doesn’t always listen to me. Sometimes, she defies my orders, which is an absolute headache. But if it were you on the throne, she might just follow your commands without question.”

“As if. Wanzhuang has her own principles.”

“Principles? She literally took the initiative to pull you and a certain venerable into bed together. Does that sound like the Tang Wanzhuang we used to know?”

“...You’re still holding onto that grudge?”

“Not at all.” Xia Chichi smirked playfully. “But let’s see... If she wakes up soon, maybe the empress and her prime minister will accompany you tonight.”

Zhao Changhe did not immediately respond.

Xia Chichi glanced at him. “Are you not in the mood? There’s still three days before you have to go and meet up with Ying Five, and this is only the first day. You can’t spend the whole time brooding. That wouldn’t be fair to us, either.”

Zhao Changhe hesitated and said, “Uh... It’s not that. I just don’t think you need to force yourselves into... you know, two people together or anything like that. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“It’s fine. One person handling you properly is pretty damn hard, anyway. You always leave me collapsed like a rag doll afterward, and that’s not exactly the best experience.” She grumbled under her breath, “You’re a damn bear...”

“...”

Xia Chichi continued, “Actually, if Yue Hongling is willing, I’d rather team up with her instead. After all, I grew up learning the White Tiger’s system. Even if I can’t keep up anymore, my accumulated understanding far surpasses what she’s just starting to grasp. Dual cultivation with her would allow us to share insights.”

Zhao Changhe looked at her in surprise. “You... aren’t mad?”

“Aunt-Master’s suggestion was purely practical. The White Tiger’s legacy needs a proper heir, and with the ancient White Tiger looming on the horizon, it’s even more crucial to secure the legacy now rather than leave loose ends,” Xia Chichi said calmly. “Of course, if I said I didn’t feel even a little bitter about it, I’d be lying. But ultimately, the greater cause comes first. Honestly, I know this must’ve been a difficult choice for Yue Hongling as well. Because she’s inheriting something from me, it probably feels like a stain to her. It would make her uneasy around me, and maybe even take away her confidence in our usual fights. And yet, she still chose to accept it... That’s how I know she’s thinking of the bigger picture, just like I am. Right now, our enemies are stronger than ever. None of us have the luxury to worry about our personal pride.”

Zhao Changhe had not actually thought about it that deeply before. But now that Xia Chichi pointed it out, it made sense. He had assumed it would spark more tension between the two women, but instead, it had made their old bickering completely meaningless.

A voice drifted in from behind them, “I won’t be joining the Four Idols Cult, so I will never truly be White Tiger. I’m only learning this sword intent to fill in the gaps in the formation... But one day, when the Four Idols Cult selects a proper White Tiger Saintess, I will willingly pass down both the White Tiger’s legacy and all that I’ve learned in my lifetime Or....”

The two turned back to see Yue Hongling standing beneath a peach tree in the imperial garden, smiling. It seemed she had come here intentionally to talk about the White Tiger with Xia Chichi.

Xia Chichi raised an eyebrow. “Or what?”

“Or I can pass it down to your crown prince or princess.” Yue Hongling blinked mischievously. “Although that kid will have plenty of aunts, I’m reserving the godmother spot for myself.”