Chapter 31: Summer Sun Rises
When Zhao Changhe saw Fang Buping, the latter was in a room filled with a medicinal scent. Its four walls were completely sealed off, and the branch master’s face was pale and quite gloomy. However, his days were free and easy. At this moment, he was lying in the fragrant embrace of a soft and delicate maid as she fed him his medicine spoon by spoon. There was even another maid by the side fanning a brazier; the room was nice and warm.
Around Fang Buping there were also a few disciples. Zhao Changhe reckoned that they were his trusted left and right-hand men. They were drinking warm wine and giggling as they each held a maid in their arms.
Looking at such a scene, Zhao Changhe knew that even if Fang Buping hadn’t been injured, he would have passed his days like this all the same. That was why Instructor Sun thought that once one reached a certain position, they would not necessarily be as diligent as before.
Zhao Changhe walked over with a smile and cupped his fists. “Branch Master, how is your health?”
Fang Buping, weak and without strength, raised his head from the bosom of the maid. A morose envy flashed across his eyes.
He was well and truly angry. It was enough that Zhao Changhe had stolen Luo Zhenwu from under his nose, but now even the treasure they were looking for had been snatched up by him and Luo Qi. Not only that, the whole debacle had made him seem useless. It was like Zhao Changhe was specially going against him. Fang Buping knew that even though Zhao Changhe’s backer could not necessarily assist, he could not bully the young man as he wished. Who knew if the saintess would take revenge for Zhao Changhe in the future?
However, Fang Buping could not entirely restrain himself.
Fucking hell. That backer of his managed to reach heaven with a single step by stealing the treasure from me.
This was what fueled the flames of his envy.
On the other hand, Zhao Changhe was unconcerned. You don’t dare to do anything other than take away our money and grain. What’re you gonna do in your sorry state?
Seeing that Zhao Changhe was very polite in showing his concern for him, Fang Buping forced a smile. “I’m not dead. Stronghold Master Zhao…”
“Yes, sir,”
“You’re a wanted fugitive, yet you still left your post without valid reason and entered the city. If you trouble the cult while it’s preaching, how will you take responsibility?” Fang Buping said slowly, “I know you’re an ignorant village bumpkin that made a name for himself as a bandit. For the time being, I won’t haggle you about this. But in the future, you should ask more frequently for instructions and report to us. Do not act on your own.”
Wang Dashan stood by the side and felt that his heart was about to jump out of his throat. He was afraid that Zhao Changhe would lose his temper and immediately cut down Fang Buping.
We’re surrounded by a bunch of Blood God Cult disciples. If you kill him, we’ll all die in the ensuing fighting…
However, Zhao Changhe merely smiled and spoke without much thought. “There are many ignorant village bumpkins that make a name for themselves as bandits.”
There was a slight change in Fang Buping’s expression and he recalled that Xia Chichi and Zhao Changhe basically came from the same background. Mocking Zhao Changhe was not much different from mocking Xia Chichi… Zhao Changhe having a backer did not matter anymore, if the Four Idols Cult found out about Fang Buping slandering their saintess, there would be hell to pay.
As he thought this, he quickly put on a smile. “You’ll still need to study. Stronghold Master Zhao, have you read our cult’s sacred texts? Since you’re here, you should take a few back to study.”
“Of course.” Zhao Changhe smiled warmly. “Other than the cult’s sacred text, I wish to take back a few history books to read. Oh right, and I believe I should be qualified to learn the movement arts of our holy faith?”
“We’re all brothers of the cult. Naturally, you are qualified to do so.” Despite acting diffident, Fang Buping did not dare stir up anything and weakly waved his hand. “Liuzi, bring our guest to the study. For the movement art, take the Traceless Soaring Blood. Take the scripture and history books by yourself.”
The disciple that had brought Zhao Changhe inside saluted him. “Please follow me, Stronghold Master Zhao.”
Zhao Changhe nodded with a smile. “Thank you, brother.”
Wang Dashan felt like he was in a dream. Is this really Zhao Changhe?
No. Aren’t you here to get money and grain? You’re acting like everyone is on good terms. You haven’t even brought up the money. How are you going to get it?
The study was located right beside the bedroom Fang Buping was resting in. Zhao Changhe followed the disciple inside and sized up the bookshelf. The door was open and, even from afar, Fang Buping could see Zhao Changhe.
Fang Buping had a gloomy look on his face as he watched Zhao Changhe from behind. He shot a glance at Wang Dashan, and asked coldly, “Zhao Changhe braved the danger of getting arrested to enter the city. What exactly is he planning?”
Wang Dashan shivered as Fang Buping’s icy gaze landed on him. How could he lie to the branch master? With care, he laughed apologetically. “The stronghold is out of money and grain.”
“As expected.” Fang Buping laughed coldly.
When it came to anything related to the martial arts of the cult, it was difficult for Fang Buping to hinder Zhao Changhe. However, the distribution of money and grain was under his complete jurisdiction. Zhao Changhe could not say anything about it. If he did, then he would be met with a sharp rebuff.
Fang Buping said indifferently, “You are Wang Dashan?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Whatever happens in the stronghold, report it to the branch… Anyone that can help us find out more about the stronghold master…”
Wang Dashan’s eyes lit up and he smiled obsequiously. “Please—please watch over me, branch master.”
Fang Buping laughed, closed his eyes, and did not speak.
Zhao Changhe, who looked like he was sizing up the bookshelf, grinned.
Indeed, not everyone is like Luo Qi. This Wang Dashan really can’t be relied upon.
“Stronghold Master Zhao, are you done looking?” Liuzi presented a stack of books to him.
Zhao Changhe flipped through them and once he saw one titled Traceless Soaring Blood, he smiled. “That’s enough. Thank you, brother.”
He carried the stack of books and walked out unhurriedly. He rushed to Fang Buping as if he just recalled something. “I’ve come here today for another matter as well. I wish to discuss it with you.”
Fang Buping said indifferently, “What matter?”
“I heard from a brother in the cult that our holy faith prides itself on its martial bearing where strength is king. Positions in the cult can be challenged for as long as the challenge is honorable and there is evidence of it taking place. Is this true?”
Fang Buping could not see what Zhao Changhe was implying. “Our holy faith certainly has this rule.”
Then, he immediately understood and broke out in laughter. “Don’t tell me that you wish to challenge me for the position of branch master, Stronghold Master Zhao? The rules of the cult state that you may not take advantage of someone being injured and challenge them. Otherwise, there would be no order. If this is what you wish for, stronghold master, we can discuss this in a few months.”
“How could I? I have my own face to maintain. How could I have the nerve to challenge someone who can’t even get out of bed?” Zhao Changhe’s smile slowly faded away and he declared loudly. “However, I’m quite interested in the position of vice branch master, the one responsible for the distribution of money and grain. With you brothers of the sect present, and with Branch Master Fang present, I, Zhao Changhe, challenge the vice branch master for your position. Do you accept?”
The expressions of all the disciples present warped and Wang Dashan’s face had gone pale.
This Zhao Changhe…
Even though all the elites of the sect have left, no matter the case, one still needs to at least reach the second layer of the Profound Gate to take up the role of vice branch leader. Zhao Changhe, you’ve only been training for a month. It’s only been ten or so days since you broke through to the first layer of the Profound Gate. Everyone here practices the Vicious Blood Art and you have no martial art that is effective against it, so how in the world can you be so bold?
The brave really are brave…
However, even if you win, are you really not afraid that the branch master will give you endless suffering after he recovers? The roof above your head is so low, so why are you standing so tall?
Fang Buping looked at Zhao Changhe for a long while, stupefied. He laughed sickly as he coughed. “Hey, Old Huang, did you hear what he said? Stronghold Master Zhao wants to challenge you with me as a witness. Do you accept his challenge?”
One of the men by the side, who had an intrepid physique and held a maid in his arms as he watched, stood up and smiled. “Since Stronghold Master Zhao has such a refined and elegant attitude, how can I turn him down? Haha…”
Zhao Changhe’s expression was calm. He cupped his fists with his saber in hand. “Please impart your wisdom unto me, Vice Branch Master Huang.”
Vice Branch Master Huang took out a heavy steel saber and smiled. “So that others do not think I am bullying a junior, I’ll let you have three strikes. How does that sound?”
Zhao Changhe’s eyes sparkled as they landed on that heavy steel saber. He wanted to say something but a golden glow suddenly flashed across the sky.
Everyone was stumped for words and looked up.
The Tome of Troubled times had once again descended upon them with a new page.
Twelfth month, Slight Cold[1]. Xia Chichi, at the fifth layer of the Profound Gate, stepped into the pool of the Azure Dragon, comprehended the White Tiger’s fangs, and fought off twenty-eight disciples of the Four Idols Cult on the same level as her, breaking out of the Great Twenty-Eight Star Constellation Array and shocking the entire Four Idols Cult.
The Ranking of Hidden Dragons has changed. Hidden Dragon Rank 13: Xia Chichi. How can the summer sun ever be late to rise?
Everyone was silent. Fang Buping and his lackeys all had astonished looks on their faces as they looked to the sky. For a while, no one said anything.
They all could guess that Xia Chichi would become the saintess, but they had never expected her to do so in such an outlandish way. While merely at the fifth layer of the Profound Gate, she was able to claim the thirteenth spot on the Ranking of Hidden Dragons out of nowhere. There were many at the sixth and seventh layer ranked behind her! This meant that either the Tome of Troubled Times considered her accomplishment impossible for those at the sixth and seventh layer, or that their achievements could not compare to hers in terms of difficulty!
Now what if you let her cultivate to the eighth layer?
Not only will she shock the entire Four Idols Cult, she’ll send waves throughout the world under heaven!
Zhao Changhe sighed quietly.
She’s someone who can cultivate even while sleeping… She should have long since made a name for herself rather than staying in obscurity.
How can the summer sun ever be late to rise…
He withdrew his gaze. The tip of his saber trembled slightly and he grinned. “Vice Branch Master Huang, why the cautious face… I, Zhao Changhe, have my own saber and I do not live off a woman. There’s no need to give me three attacks. I’ve taken a liking to your saber, what do you say we throw it in as an extra prize if I win?”
1. This is the 23rd solar term out of 24. ☜
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