Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 505: The Reality of Heaven and Earth

The next day, the young couple did not get out of bed until the sun was high in the sky. They had brunch, and after the meal, they took a stroll to enjoy the scenery, heading toward the mountain where the burial ground was. By the time they arrived, it was evening once again.

Yes, Zhao Changhe had intentionally timed it so that Yue Hongling could watch the sunset.

By now, many Spirit Tribe people were already busy building a courtyard residence here, choosing the site by the stream near the smooth platform. A group of tribespeople were chopping wood and building with great enthusiasm, and when Zhao Changhe arrived, he found that the house was already halfway done—a testament to their efficiency.

After all, he was now regarded as a ruler, so if he wanted to indulge in some luxury, even building a palace would have been justified. Sisi understood his intentions, however, and kept the construction simple, just arranging for a small courtyard residence. This naturally sped up the process.

Zhao Changhe watched from afar, not wanting to disturb them and cause them to start some kind of kneeling ceremony, something he found tiresome. He instead focused on observing the area around the platform.

Yue Hongling had already been observing for a long time, her expression somewhat serious.

Zhao Changhe asked, “What’s on your mind? Have you gained any insights? If so, that’s great. How about staying a bit longer?”

“No, I’m just a little confused...” Yue Hongling said softly. “The sun, moon, and stars here... Could they all be... fake?”

Zhao Changhe looked at his wife with some admiration. Such an idea might not be strange for modern people, but for someone in a world such as this one to have such a thought?

Then again, they might not necessarily be fake, because if they were, there would need to be a source of the deception.

The Heavenly Tome protected this space from breaking apart, but that did not mean it would go out of its way to create an illusion of the sky, or the sun, moon, and stars. A single page of the Heavenly Tome, which lacked consciousness, should not be capable of this, nor would it have a motive. Moreover, the page that was here was related to life, and theoretically should not possess such functionality.

If there was no one to create a fake sky, could it really be called fake?

From all the natural conditions such as photosynthesis, oxygen, and flowing water, it seemed likely that the sky here was the same as the one outside—just that the space itself may be folded in some way, leading to such phenomena. As for the sun appearing so close, it was very likely a visual illusion caused by spatial distortion, and in reality, it was extremely far away. Otherwise, there was no way that they would not burn up when right before the sun.

Of course, if one judged based on the fact that the sun was close but not hot, then arguing that the sun, moon, and stars were fake would make sense. Zhao Changhe could not be sure which was correct, and that was one of the main reasons he wanted to stay here longer.

Modern people were likely to be more fascinated by such phenomena than anyone from ancient times. This was a true wonder, after all.

Yue Hongling looked a bit dazed, watching the setting sun and murmuring, “If the sky here might be fake, then how do we know the sky outside is real? Or perhaps... Just what lies beyond the nine heavens?”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes widened.

If I can return to the modern world someday, anyone who dares to say that natives are narrow-minded will get a slap from me.

Wait... Now that I think of it, are the so-called lingering gods and demons really all buried underground? Xia Longyuan threw a punch at the sky, but where and to whom was it truly directed?

If there were indeed others beyond the nine heavens, then it was entirely possible that the sky of this small world was fake—perhaps an ancestor of the Spirit Tribe was protecting their descendants, even pulling the Heavenly Tome here for them. But if that ancestor’s ability was only on par with those buried in tombs, then that was just not possible.

Even the ancient Azure Dragon and the Sword Emperor are lying in tombs—could the ancestor of the Spirit Tribe truly have such power?

Zhao Changhe fell into deep thought, while Yue Hongling seemed to snap out of her daze, smiling a bit sheepishly. “I’m just making wild guesses. Don’t laugh at me.”

Zhao Changhe replied seriously, “Do you want to continue pursuing your speculation and uncover the truth?”

Yue Hongling’s eyes sparkled.

Just because she was not interested in ancient legacies and secret events did not mean that she was not interested in understanding the true nature of heaven and earth. Understanding the universe, the Dao, was the ultimate goal of any martial artist.

In a way, she had been wandering the world, perhaps unconsciously, always seeking to uncover the mysteries of the world. And now, that path was becoming clearer.

“Are you also searching for these things?” she suddenly asked.

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment, then nodded. “I suppose I am.”

Yue Hongling smiled. “Then let’s see who uncovers the truth faster? You stay here and ponder your small world, while I go look around elsewhere.”

Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly. “All this talk, and you just want to leave. You’re like a restless monkey that’s never able to stay put...”

“Not entirely.” Yue Hongling turned her head again, looking at that seemingly very close sun, and murmured to herself, “It’s so close... I really want to pluck it down...”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

“But I know it’s impossible. It would only create inner demons, so it’s better not to look. When I’ve advanced further in my cultivation, I’ll return here... By then, we’ll see. Will my sword be able to bring down the setting sun?”

* * *

Yue Hongling left, not letting Zhao Changhe see her off. She never liked overly sentimental farewells.

Before leaving, she went to find Sisi to get herself a fine sword and also extorted a storage ring. Though she did not have the ability to manipulate it remotely, it seemed that, with her being at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries, she was able to forcefully extract items.

Zhao Changhe, feeling like his ambitions had been crushed to dust by his wife, sat on the platform of the burial ground with his hands in his pockets, watching as the sun slowly descended beneath the horizon.

It was not until the sun had completely set and the stars and moon shone in the sky that Zhao Changhe suddenly said, “Instead of reaching out to people from the modern world, why don’t you just become Hongling’s personal granny? I hear stories about powerful female protagonists are popular these days.”

The blind woman ignored him.

Zhao Changhe squinted his eyes and remained silent for a while, seemingly falling into thought.

Perhaps there are some things that require someone from “outside the Heavenly Dao” to accomplish. At least, that seems to be what the blind woman thinks.

Otherwise, with so many geniuses in this world, why bring in people from elsewhere?

If there is an advantage that people like me have over the natives, it might be our more advanced understanding of the nature of the universe. Could this be the source of my strong connection to the stars that shocked even Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise?

“Master,” a soft voice called from behind. “The house is already set up, and the furnishings are complete. Would you like to go inside?”

Zhao Changhe came back to his senses. “Wow, that fast?”

Sisi pursed her lips and chuckled softly, “It’s just a wooden house, after all. Since it’s for the sacred envoy, everyone was quite enthusiastic. I even used a whip to make them work harder.”

Zhao Changhe teased her, “If you dared use a whip, Hongling would be the first to take your head in the name of justice.”

Sisi moved closer, her head right next to his. “Isn’t the mighty hero Zhao right here...? If there’s any justice to be done, then do it yourself...”

Seeing how her pink cheeks were almost touching his lips, Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh. “As soon as Hongling leaves, you start acting up, huh? You were so well-behaved before.”

Sisi pouted. She used to see Yue Hongling as someone who was always too serious, and she loved causing trouble in front of her, though it always ended with her getting beaten... But this time, Yue Hongling had been of great help, so she truly could not bring herself to act out.

Especially when Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe were together, they always seemed like a proper pair of partners; the harmony between them made anyone else’s presence feel out of place. One moment she would be holding Zhao Changhe’s hand, acting like a young couple, and the next, as soon as Yue Hongling appeared, she would automatically step back and become the little maid again. This left her feeling quite frustrated.

Yue Hongling had made a carefree farewell, and while Sisi expressed reluctance in their parting, inside, she’d practically been setting off fireworks in celebration. She had been quite generous too, with the sword and the ring.

“A master should always have someone to serve him...” Sisi said in a soft voice. “Master, do you like what I’m wearing today?”

Zhao Changhe moved his gaze from her delicate face, which seemed as if it could be broken by the gentlest touch, to her outfit and burst into laughter.

She had actually put on a maid’s outfit, and it was of the exact same style as the one she wore in Gusu. She really looked like a proper little maid.

He suddenly remembered how, back when she was playing the maid, she was quite unwilling to accept it and changed into a grand dress of her tribe, hinting that she was no mere servant, that she was beautiful and held status. Yet now, she had voluntarily put the maid outfit back on, her red cheeks there for him to admire.

Zhao Changhe felt a bit of warmth in his heart. Finally, he reached out and put his arm around her waist, and Sisi nestled into his embrace, resting against him, soft and gentle.

In this position, she could feel Zhao Changhe’s heartbeat, and she noticed that it was faster than usual. It was unlike his usual calm and collected demeanor.

But it was obvious that Zhao Changhe was somewhat absent-minded today, just holding her without moving, unlike yesterday when he pinned her against a tree on the road for a kiss. Sisi asked cautiously, “What are you thinking about? Are you missing Big Sis Yue?”

Sensing a hint of insecurity in her tone, Zhao Changhe sighed. “I already told you I’m here to focus on my cultivation, so of course, I’m thinking about matters related to that...”

Sisi clenched her fist, “I also know a thing or two about Xia martial arts. Do you want me to help you?”

Zhao Changhe felt a slight stir in his heart, “Do you have any ancient records, anything about the ancestors of your tribe, or some key figure who made the Spirit Tribe prosper?”

“Of course. It’s said that the founder was a grand shaman, capable of holding the sun in one hand and the moon in the other, and their breath alone could create a hurricane... Hey, don’t laugh. We all believe it.”

“I’m not laughing...”

“You clearly are.”

“You think I’m supposed to believe those legends sound ridiculous, but in reality... I actually think there’s truth to them.”

Sisi was stunned. “You really do?”

It seemed that while she said “we all believe it,” she herself did not truly believe it. Who would have thought that the queen of the Spirit Tribe was a complete skeptic, doubting nearly everything her people believed in?

“Yes...” Zhao Changhe turned to look at the mountainside and said softly, “I’m thinking that perhaps what lies inside that heart of this mountain isn’t something to be afraid of, but rather something that could bring you great fortune. Do you want to take a gamble? Just like... when we ventured into the Sword Emperor’s tomb together.”