Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 786 (2): The Blood of Our Enemies Shall Be Our Nuptial Wine

Chapter 786 (2): The Blood of Our Enemies Shall Be Our Nuptial Wine

At this moment, the sheer sense of achievement was overwhelming. It was far more exhilarating than any individual duel or battlefield victory. This was the conquest of an entire people, an immortal feat that would be etched in history for generations.

It was no wonder so many emperors throughout time had been obsessed with expanding their domains.

“Qing’er.”

“Hmm?” Huangfu Qing responded instinctively. She was not sure when it had started, but hearing him call her Qing’er had become so natural. Standing behind Zhao Changhe, she watched his silhouette, sensing that he had grown even taller, his presence even more commanding, so much so that it made her heart race.

How infuriating! I was the one who meticulously arranged the strategy for this battle, so why does it still feel as if he’s at the center of everything. Who is the actual commander here?

Zhao Changhe continued, “The message has been sent out, and I can feel that the Divine Temple’s army has already dispersed. However, I can also sense that many of the surrounding tribes are far from convinced. Some are even stirring with restless ambition. The qi veins across the region are chaotic.”

Huangfu Qing chuckled. “That’s to be expected... For centuries, due to the limitations of transportation and other logistical constraints, even when the Central Plains defeated the Grasslands, they could never truly govern it. At most, they could impose nominal rule, much like the pacification policies used in Miaojiang, but even more fragmented. In their minds, we will eventually withdraw, and once we do, they will simply crown a new khagan. For some, Timur’s downfall might actually be a blessing—take Vulture Beak, for example.”

Zhao Changhe muttered, “Which means I’ll have to trouble you a bit longer. Lead the troops to crush the dissenters, set an example... Vulture Beak, for example.”

Huangfu Qing smiled faintly. “I was already thinking of doing that. But actually, they’ve failed to grasp one crucial point...”

“Hm?”

“This war wasn’t won by cannons, nor by our strategies, nor even by the shifting of qi veins... The most decisive factor was a revolution in logistics, which disrupted their entire system of warfare, leading to a string of miscalculations on their part.”

“Mm-hm.”

“But this change isn’t limited to warfare,” said Huangfu Qing. “With the support of storage boxes, we now have the means to build cities and roads here, bringing the Grasslands under direct rule. Xue Canghai was just suggesting whether we should relocate the population to the Central Plains, but I think we can put the local populace to work right where they are. There’s no need to move them back and forth. In other words, the long-standing belief that the Grasslands cannot be directly governed is no longer valid.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “I’m not particularly well-versed in these matters. Just handle it as you see fit.”

Huangfu Qing raised her spear and clasped her hands in a solemn military salute. “Leave the defense of this area to Xue Canghai. I’ll lead Shaozong and our light cavalry westward. I need to coordinate with my father to wipe out Timur’s remaining forces... If any of the major tribes are going to rebel as you predict, it will be on that front. This place is already finished.”

Huangfu Qing let out a soft sigh and reached out to straighten Zhao Changhe’s bloodstained collar. “Stay here and focus on recovering. Don’t strain yourself too much... The one most injured in this battle was Li Shentong, but the second is definitely you. If you don’t properly recover, you might damage your foundation.”

Zhao Changhe countered, “You’re injured too...”

She smiled faintly. “Just a minor shock injury, nothing serious... But if you insist on helping me recover, then...”

Her eyes swept across the surroundings. A group of Blood God Cult disciples stood frozen in place, along with the Divine Temple’s scattered warriors who still blanketed the mountainside. Pride gleamed in her eyes as she suddenly reached out, wrapping her arms around Zhao Changhe’s neck. “Kiss me.”

Without hesitation, Zhao Changhe pulled her into his embrace, his arms encircling her slender waist. The cold touch of her armor added an unusual sensation to the moment as he fiercely pressed his lips against hers.

At the summit of Langjuxu, beneath the slanting rays of the setting sun, the wind stirred the clouds.

The Supreme Commander wore no helmet, her high ponytail lifted by the wind as she kissed the man she loved atop this conquered peak. The wind caught her fiery red cloak, making it billow, while her cold steel armor accentuated her graceful curves. A long spear stood beside her, its crimson tassel fluttering like flames.

The gathered warriors of both armies raised their heads to witness the scene, each with their own unspoken thoughts.

After a long moment, Huangfu Qing pushed him away, drawing her spear as she turned to descend the mountain. “Who now speaks for the Divine Temple?”

An old shaman slowly lifted his head. “Supreme Commander...”

“Alright, alright, cut the nonsense. If you surrender, the wounded will be treated, and those still able to fight will march with me. I need your shamans to accompany us and spread the message.”

“...Yes.”

“The Blood God Cult shall remain behind to guard the Sacred Mountain, oversee the prisoners, and protect their saint... As for the rest of the army, we march west!”

Zhao Changhe watched as Huangfu Qing led her forces down the mountain. Below, Xue Canghai’s booming voice rang out as he organized the Divine Temple’s wounded and set up encampments along the mountainside. Soon, the summit grew quiet once more.

It was then that Yue Hongling finally emerged from the secret realm, stepping up beside him with a tilt of her head, studying him with a curious gaze.

Zhao Changhe smirked. “How did it feel to take an enemy leader’s head from a thousand li away?”

“...I didn’t quite succeed.” Yue Hongling sighed, a hint of regret in her voice.

“It was close enough.” Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Heh, remember when you said your pre-planted sword qi was wasted effort? Honestly, sometimes I feel like you’re the one truly favored by the heavens.”

She quipped, “Isn’t that obviously you?”

“Me? My fortune lies in one thing, and that is winning you.”

Yue Hongling blinked before breaking into laughter.

Zhao Changhe asked, “Why were you hiding in there just now?”

“Big Sister Vermillion Bird is the Supreme Commander. I didn’t want to steal her moment.” She shot him a teasing look, then smiled and said, “Now this is much better with just you and I, side by side.”

Zhao Changhe remained silent for a moment, standing shoulder to shoulder with Yue Hongling as they gazed at the distant sea of clouds.

The twilight sky stretched vast and boundless, painted in hues of orange and red. The setting sun’s afterglow filtered through the cloud layers, casting a hazy radiance upon them. In the distance, a river shimmered, reflecting the fiery dusk, while a lonely wild goose skimmed across its surface before vanishing into the horizon.

From below, Xue Canghai looked up. Against the light, he could only see two silhouetted figures standing atop the peak, side by side, bathed in the golden glow. The scene was breathtaking.

As their shadows drew closer together, Yue Hongling gently leaned her head against Zhao Changhe’s shoulder and murmured, “This sunset... is the wedding shawl draped over my shoulders.”

Zhao Changhe turned to look at her.

She did not lift her head, a rare blush rising to her cheeks. “You once said... if you wouldn’t seek my master’s permission for marriage, then we’ll take the heavens as our father and the earth as our mother atop Langjuxu. You and I, our fates intertwined upon the golden sands. This moment is the ribbon that ties our destinies together. The grand view of the lonely wild goose reflected on the long river shall be our wedding lantern. And the blood of our fallen enemies... shall be our nuptial wine[1].”

Zhao Changhe turned fully to face her, gently tilting her chin up with his fingers, his voice hushed as he asked, “Then... what will you call me?”

The next time we meet in the jianghu, what will you call me?

Yue Hongling looked at him for a long, long time, her eyes glistening like rippling waters. “My husband.”

Since their reunion in Xiangyang, she had never again spoken of venturing alone into the world. She had remained by his side. Yet, from that moment onward, it was as if her brilliance had gradually softened, no longer the dazzling streak of twilight that blazed across the heavens but a quiet light that melted into the sky, watching over the world in silence. Her sword, once wielded in solitary defiance, now played its part within a formation, striking in harmony rather than alone.

Many, including Zhao Changhe and even Yue Hongling herself, had wondered if this was truly who she was meant to be. Would she, one day, eventually set out once more on her own path?

But she never did.

She was still herself. Even as a part of the formation, she remained irreplaceable. Her body had its limits, but her sword knew none.

The only difference was that her sword once shone brilliantly yet walked alone in the desert winds. Now, she sheathed its light in tranquility, her heart at peace.

She had found her home.

“One must always have a home.” Smiling, she took Zhao Changhe’s hand with natural ease and turned toward the secret realm. “Even though you’ve long since devoured me whole... I still feel that this, truly, is our bridal chamber.”

Zhao Changhe smiled as well. “I feel the same. No matter what we’ve shared before, only now do I truly have you.”

Yue Hongling chuckled. “It is only right that my husband should.”

Tngri’s Spirit-Gathering Array, though now missing a bloodthirsty bead, remained largely intact. The bead had merely been used to refine blood and qi. With some repairs, the array would be fully functional again.

A radiant glow shimmered around them, forming an independent space where clouds swirled like veils of silk.

Hand in hand, Yue Hongling led Zhao Changhe inside, the drifting mists enveloping them like layers of gauze.

As the sun fully set, silence descended upon the mountain peak.

For the first time, she took the initiative. Her fingers slowly untied Zhao Changhe’s robes. Gently, she traced the scars left by the lightning upon his skin, her voice barely above a whisper as she said, “Let me help my husband heal.”

1. Nuptial or wedding wine is a traditional Chinese ceremonial rite for newlyweds. ☜