Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 744 (2): Vermillion Birds Arrival

Zhao Changhe stared blankly. “Huh?”

Wait, Jiuyou’s hostility isn’t from some love rivalry! Her divine authority is directly opposed to Vermillion Bird’s! They’ve been in conflict since the previous era! To Jiuyou, the Vermillion Bird of any era is literally the antagonist! Why are you looking at me like that?! What kind of ridiculous thoughts are running through your head?!

Yuxu, watching everything unfold, unconsciously had the corners of his mouth twitch.

You really did it now. Did you already forget that little hand-kissing incident just moments ago?

But he had zero interest in commenting on that mess.

Instead, he simply let out a long sigh and said, “Venerable Vermillion Bird... appearing so openly in Chang’an puts this old Daoist in a rather difficult position.”

“If it’s difficult, then don’t bother with it.” Vermillion Bird finally pulled her gaze away from Zhao Changhe’s face, though not before shooting him a look that said that they would have a talk later. Then, turning to Yuxu, she gave a soft laugh and said, “Wouldn’t it be quite convenient to let Chang’an believe that you are colluding with my Four Idols Cult?”

Yuxu let out a helpless chuckle. “I would indeed face some suspicions... but I doubt anyone would dare to offend me too easily. And frankly, I have no obligation to explain my actions to anyone. Worst case scenario, I can just fight you a little to clear my name. But if word of your presence here spreads, you might end up triggering a full-scale siege. And with the kind of spectacle you just put on...”

Vermillion Bird sneered and retorted, “You’re worried about the so-called tiger’s den and dragon’s pool of Chang’an? In my eyes, they’re nothing. I come and go as I please. Who can stop me?”

With that, her gaze flicked back to Zhao Changhe’s disguised face and said, “Little Buddhist brother... I have something to discuss with you. Would you care for a little chat?”

Zhao Changhe sighed inwardly. “Since the venerable has invited me, even if blades rained down from the sky, I would have no choice but to go.”

Vermillion Bird swept her crimson cloak and turned toward the end of the alleyway. “Then follow me.”

Yuxu watched the two put on a show, shook his head, and leaped into the air, departing without another word.

He had always known that the Buddhist-Daoist conflict had Jiuyou’s hand in it. When Zhao Changhe intervened during Kong Shi’s challenge, it was inevitable that Jiuyou would start seeing him as a thorn in her side. And considering that this rootless, unaligned expert might even be worth subduing in her eyes, it was not surprising that she had come after “Qin Jiu.”

This whole mess had started because Zhao Changhe had helped him. Naturally, Yuxu felt it right to repay the favor. That was why he had warned Zhao Changhe about Jiuyou in the first place. Of course, that warning had gone completely over Zhao Changhe’s head. Or rather, even if he had understood it, it would not have changed anything. As long as he walked alone, he was always going to get beaten up.

The wooden token Yuxu had given him was not just for access; it was more so a way for him to be able to provide support swiftly. If anything happened to Zhao Changhe, Yuxu would immediately be alerted and rush to his aid.

Had he now repaid his debt? Yes... and no. If Jiuyou continued to target Zhao Changhe, was he supposed to keep stepping in? If so, that meant completely becoming at odds with Jiuyou. Was he ready for that? And what did the Dao Lord think?

More troubling than Jiuyou was Vermillion Bird’s arrival. Not only had she entered Chang’an, but she had deliberately made her presence known.

If Chang’an’s factions truly began believing that Yuxu was colluding with the Four Idols Cult... what would that lead to?

What a headache. If not an ancient demon, it’s a modern demonic cult. And now there’s even that damn bandit-turned-king thrown into the mix. Not a single one of them has a clean heart.

For a recluse like him, this kind of tangled mess was seriously exhausting.

Yuxu turned back for a final glance. The dark alley behind him had already swallowed Zhao Changhe and Vermillion Bird whole. A part of him... was curious. Chang’an was in chaos. Until now, he had always been passive in this turmoil. But what would Zhao Changhe, the man around whom fate itself gathered, bring to Chang’an? How many more variables would he stir up?

And his ability to control wind was Old Ye’s technique, wasn’t it? How could that old man hand over his deepest secrets so easily? Did his lifespan run out?

One by one, old friends are withering and passing. This world is changing, becoming so unfamiliar that it’s almost unrecognizable.

Meanwhile, Vermillion Bird led Zhao Changhe through a winding path of dark alleys. After a series of sharp turns, they arrived at the rear of what appeared to be an ordinary shop. With practiced ease, she vaulted over the wall, and Zhao Changhe followed.

On the other side, a few guards were patrolling. The moment they saw the two enter, they froze in shock, then immediately dropped to one knee. “We greet the venerable!”

This was one of the Four Idols Cult’s hidden outposts in Chang’an, directly managed by the Metal Ram of Gui, one of Vermillion Bird’s closest subordinates.

As a demonic cult that had long been forced to operate in the shadows, the Four Idols Cult had once even established a foothold in Kunlun. Naturally, they would have hidden strongholds in Chang’an as well. The only issue was that no one had expected Zhao Changhe to randomly show up in Chang’an, so there had been no prior arrangements made for him, and he himself had no idea where to go. Now that Vermillion Bird had arrived, a proper base of operations was instantly secured.

She waved a hand dismissively. “Open the door.”

The guards immediately activated some sort of hidden mechanism, revealing a dark passageway leading underground. Vermillion Bird nodded approvingly and strode inside.

Zhao Changhe followed, and as the entrance sealed shut behind them, the tunnel illuminated with the soft glow of luminous pearls embedded along the walls.

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Inside, the Metal Ram of Gui was busy sorting through intelligence reports. When he saw the two of them enter, he looked absolutely dumbfounded.

“Venerable? Why didn’t you give any prior notice?!”

Vermillion Bird kept a straight face. “Do people announce their arrival when they’re about to catch someone cheating?”

The Metal Ram of Gui: “???”

Vermillion Bird barely spared him another glance before shifting her focus to the documents in his hands. “Any new intelligence?”

The Metal Ram of Gui shook his head. “Nothing significant. The Buddhist-Daoist conflict remains ongoing. There are some undercurrents among the aristocratic families of Guanlong, but it’s mostly internal power struggles—nothing particularly extraordinary.”

Vermillion Bird said, “There’s a woman. Black gauzy robes, unnaturally pale skin, jet-black eyes. A sharp, fox-like face. She carries herself like some untouchable, aloof goddess, but in reality, she’s no better than a lifeless corpse—putting on airs as if she’s above it all. Who the hell is this cheap little wretch?”

Zhao Changhe turned away, unable to watch any longer. Meanwhile, he also had to keep River of Stars from violently shaking inside the ring. “Easy, Little Starry, Auntie Vermillion Bird isn’t insulting you. At least you don’t have a sharp fox-like face—you have a round face. And you’re not a corpse, right? Right? See, it’s not you, so you really shouldn’t be throwing a fit...”

The Metal Ram of Gui, on the other hand, was completely baffled.

...Who in the world is she even talking about?!

“Forget it.” After a moment, Vermillion Bird waved it off. Then, she shifted the topic. “How are the accommodations here?”

The Metal Ram of Gui immediately straightened up and replied, “The hidden chambers are always kept in order. We just replaced the bedding this morning.”

Vermillion Bird nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Leave us. I need to have a word with this little monk.”

The Metal Ram of Gui hesitated for half a second, then cast a strange glance at Zhao Changhe before respectfully bowing and excusing himself.

The room quickly fell into silence. The only light was the soft, ambient glow of the luminous pearls.

And then, Vermillion Bird suddenly grabbed Zhao Changhe by the collar. “I saw it from afar. You kissed her damn hand!”

Zhao Changhe’s face twitched. “So this, this is why you flared your manifestation and made such a massive scene?”

“And what of it?” Vermillion Bird huffed. “You and I aren’t the same. You’re carrying the Heavenly Tome, with gods and demons lurking around every corner, waiting to seize it. But for me? This is purely a power struggle. You think the Dao Lord cares about me? As long as they don’t move, how could the Li Clan and their little barbarian alliances ever hold me down?”

Theoretically, yes... Zhao Changhe sighed. “But Jiuyou is different. She will actually try to kill you.”

“Oh? So her name is Jiuyou? Hmm... wait a second.” Vermillion Bird frowned. “That name sounds familiar.”

Zhao Changhe reminded her, “It’s recorded in the texts. ‘The Night Emperor banished Jiuyou to the extreme north...’ It’s been mentioned in multiple sources.”

“The what...?”

Vermillion Bird froze for a moment.

Then, realization hit.

“So that’s why she was so hostile toward me?!”

“Of course, that’s why!” Zhao Changhe nearly stomped his foot. “She came here to kill me! What, did you think she showed up to throw herself into my arms?! Competing with you for my affection or something?!”

Vermillion Bird started to grasp that she might have... misunderstood something. However, she was too stubborn to admit it outright. Instead, she huffed, “Well, who’s to say? You did kiss her hand. With her level of power, do you think just anyone could casually kiss her? I say she’s just a desperate bitch craving a man’s touch.”

Zhao Changhe was at a complete loss, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. And the blind woman, wherever she was, was probably just shaking her head.

Seriously, you had the power to silently restrict Jiuyou’s movement, but instead of beating her down, you just set her up to get kissed? What kind of nonsense is this?!

Vermillion Bird, despite her tough words, knew she had misunderstood. Her anger was already weakening. Pouting, she muttered, “Either way, I don’t care. Looking at your new face makes me uncomfortable. Change it back.”

Without argument, Zhao Changhe wiped away his disguise, revealing his true face.

Vermillion Bird scanned him up and down, then gave a satisfied nod. “This is better. Still ugly, but at least I’m used to it.”

“Who’s ugly?!” Zhao Changhe stepped forward.

Vermillion Bird instinctively backed up, her eyes darting playfully. “You! You! You look like a damn pig!”

Zhao Changhe seized her, pulling her into his arms. “Then let this pig take a bite out of you.”

He tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply.

The once-mighty, battle-hardened Venerable Vermillion Bird found herself cornered against the wall, thoroughly devoured in a stormy, breath-stealing kiss.

Between gasping breaths, she murmured seductively, “I just asked~ The bedding is new~”

Zhao Changhe scooped her up, kicking open the door to a hidden chamber.

In the next instant, the two of them tumbled onto the bed.

On the other side of Chang’an, Jiuyou slowly walked down the brightly illuminated Vermillion Bird Avenue, her gaze lingering on the street’s name. Her obsidian eyes shimmered, flickering between light and darkness.

A squad of armored guards rushed toward her from the distance. Their leader dropped to one knee. “Young Miss! Finally, we found you! The lord has been worried sick!”

Jiuyou’s gaze shifted lazily from the street plaque back to the kneeling guard.

In a soft, detached voice, she commanded, “Spread the rumor that Yuxu has ties to the Four Idols Cult. Let’s see how he responds to this tomorrow. Also, pass the following message to Kong Shi: In the current situation, do you still intend to cling stubbornly to your Mirror of Illusion and Reality?”

“Understood!” The guards instantly bowed in acceptance and some of them immediately darted away, not even bothering to seek approval from their master.

Looking at their obsequious manner, it was difficult to tell whether the figure they had been kneeling to was the young lady of the household... or their ancestor.