Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 567: The Heart of a Warrior

On the Tang Clan’s flagship.

The fleet had been waiting for Zhao Changhe near the pirates’ new island. When he and Lady Three had gone missing while pursuing the water figure, the “loyal” Hai Qianfan had not even bothered to search for them. It was the Tang Clan’s fleet that had been frantically searching as if they had lost their patriarch.

Officially, they were Tang Clan merchants headed to Penglai. In reality, they were a private escort force dispatched by Tang Wanzhuang for Zhao Changhe. Their sole duty was to follow Zhao Changhe’s orders. From the perspective of an aristocratic family making a strategic bet, this was the Tang Clan putting all their chips on Zhao Changhe, their fates intertwined for better or worse.

Of course, the members of the Tang Clan were well aware of their role, which led to some less-than-pleasant looks at the alluring, mature woman Zhao Changhe had brought aboard. They eyed Lady Three with suspicion and wariness.

Lady Three, meanwhile, owed them a debt of gratitude, since they had helped save the residents of Taiping Island from the Sea Tribe. Despite her frustrations with Tang Wanzhuang, she had no choice but to endure the Tang Clan’s crew looking at her like she was some kind of mistress. Lady Three forced herself to smile politely before eventually giving up and retreating to her cabin, where she busied herself examining the crystals they had obtained.

Tang En, however, had no interest in Lady Three. Instead, he spoke to Zhao Changhe with a mix of frustration and concern. “Your Highness, you really shouldn’t be like this. We understand you leading from the front, charging into battle—that is, after all, your style as the Blood Asura. But is it really fitting for someone of your status to chase after stragglers on your own? Do you know how much is on the line with your safety? Forget everything else—if something happened to you, I’d lose my head when I got back. Are you trying to force me to become a pirate?”

Zhao Changhe was at a loss for words. Xia Longyuan and his daughter have already reconciled, yet you’re still calling me Your Highness? This is getting awkward...

“Wanzhuang wouldn’t go that far... But I guess Buqi might?”

“You’ve got it backward. If I lost you, who do you think would kill me first, the young master or the young lady?”

“...”

Tang En sighed and decided not to press further. “What’s going on here, anyway? The pirates seem tense. Are they fighting among themselves? Do you need us to do anything?”

“There’s a purge happening... It’s probably best if we don’t get involved,” Zhao Changhe replied. “During these past few days with the pirates, have you managed to ask about the island we’re searching for? That’s the real reason we’re here.”

“I asked Hua Zhenming, and he said he didn’t know,” Tang En said. “The Heavenly Origin Pirates should be more familiar with strange and unknown places at sea than most nations. If even they don’t know, then it’s going to be really tough to find.”

“Why not ask me?” Hai Changkong’s voice came from somewhere nearby. “The pirates share most of their information with us. His Majesty relies on these channels to keep track of most of what goes on at sea.”

Zhao Changhe turned his head and saw Hai Changkong standing alone on a small boat, drifting toward them effortlessly.

The conversation had been taking place out on the deck, with no attempt to keep their voices down. Given Hai Changkong’s abilities, overhearing them was perfectly natural. Zhao Changhe did not mind and asked, “Are you willing to share information with us?”

Hai Changkong gracefully boarded the ship, glanced around, and sighed. “This is a fine ship... Having combined the Four Idols Cult’s and the Wang Clan’s technology, I thought we had achieved the pinnacle of shipbuilding. But it seems the Tang Clan’s ships are still a level above ours.”

Zhao Changhe commented, “The Four Idols Cult doesn’t specialize in shipbuilding. The fact that they even provided the pirates with decent designs is already something. As for the Wang Clan, do you really think they’d give you the best they had?”

“Fair point...” Hai Changkong admitted, though his eyes continued to linger on the ship, especially the ballistae as if he wanted to take them away with him.

Zhao Changhe understood immediately. “If you’re thinking about getting this technology for yourself, there’s no chance.”

Hai Changkong sighed. “...What if we pay? Name your price.”

“No amount is enough,” Zhao Changhe replied bluntly. He then turned to Tang En. “Make sure you stay firm on this. No matter what they offer, it’s not for sale.”

Tang En chuckled and nodded. “Understood.”

Hai Changkong sighed again. “You aren’t exactly some official of Xia, so why are you so rigid about this?”

“How do you know I’m not?”

“So, do you still want those clues about the island you’re looking for?”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “This is about principle. We’ve helped you turn against the Sea Emperor, not to mention the fact that the place we’re searching for may have ties to the Sea Emperor. It would be petty to withhold information over something like this. And I don’t think you’re that kind of person.”

Hai Changkong chuckled. “Oh? Zhao Changhe, do you really think you know me? By the way, why were you so sure I would help you kill Hai Qianfan? You were even talking about doing it in one move. I still don’t understand—how did you know my intentions?”

Inside the cabin, Lady Three perked up her ears to listen.

“Last night, you stopped that general from passing along a message. The only explanation for that is that you were actually protecting him. When I assumed the pirate side had traitors, that logic made perfect sense. And besides, earlier, when we were breaking the formation, you mentioned that sinking the ship was enough, that there was no need to fight the water figure head-on. It was practically a hint. That made it even clearer that you were on our side, or at least not on the Sea Emperor’s side.”

“That’s all it took? You were willing to bet on that?” Hai Changkong asked.

“Bet? I was just bluffing,” Zhao Changhe grinned.

“...”

“If you hadn’t gone along with it, then sure, I’d have been embarrassed for a moment. But I’d just grab Lady Three, and we’d run for it. Saying that didn’t actually change anything—it was worth it just for the show.”

Lady Three, listening inside the cabin, could not help but smile wryly. Hai Changkong also found himself laughing. “So all along, you were just bluffing?”

“What’s the point of living if you don’t show off a bit?” Zhao Changhe said shamelessly. “Aren’t you the same?”

Hai Changkong frowned. “How am I the same? Why do you people always insist I’m just like you?”

This time, Zhao Changhe did not joke. He turned, leaning on the ship’s railing, and looked out at the vast expanse of sea and sky. After a moment, he spoke, “You’re a true martial artist, aren’t you?”

Hai Changkong paused, caught off guard.

“You want to test your skills, to make your name known across the land. You’re among the top martial artists, at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries, so how would you be willing to spend your entire life sailing the Eastern Sea, remaining unknown? Even Wang Daozhong is recognized by the world, and I think you’re far stronger than him.”

Hai Changkong did not say anything.

Zhao Changhe continued, “I could feel it—your desire to truly fight me. The intent behind your saber resonated with me. At that moment, you weren’t thinking about anything else, just that you wanted to have that duel.”

Hai Changkong remained silent for a moment, then joined Zhao Changhe at the railing, both of them staring at the sea.

After a long while, he spoke in a low voice, “I’m unwilling to accept it. I may roam the seas freely, but it’s like wearing fine clothes in the dark. If there was no Ranking of Troubled Times in this world, that would be one thing... but with it, it really stirs the ambition inside me.”

“That’s why they’re called the Rankings of Troubled Times.”

“Yes.” Hai Changkong nodded. “I know I can’t break through anymore. My potential has reached its limit, and I’m nearly fifty. I no longer have the confidence to go further. I once thought that if the so-called King of Man in the rankings wasn’t all that impressive, I could return, roam freely, and earn the admiration of the world... But I have to admit, I’m no match for you. So, it’s time to accept reality and focus on my business here at sea.”

Zhao Changhe looked at him. “Are you really going to give up just like that?”

Hai Changkong smiled. “Facing reality isn’t shameful. You’re very strong.”

Zhao Changhe grinned. “See? Don’t you want to show your skills in front of others? You’re just like me, aren’t you?”

Hai Changkong finally laughed heartily. “Alright, alright. Yes, I’m just like you.”

Zhao Changhe turned to Tang En. “Got some wine?”

Tang En went to retrieve the wine from the cabin, remarking, “To be famous, a man must first be drunk, right?”

Zhao Changhe pointed at him and laughed. “You knew exactly what I wanted.”

Tang En chuckled. “Every true warrior shares the same heart, don’t they?”

The men’s laughter and boisterous drinking echoed across the deck, carried away by the sea breeze without restraint.

Inside her cabin, Lady Three thought to herself, Who wants to be like you lot? Fame and glory? I’d rather sleep.

But as she listened to their carefree drinking and banter, something in her—a part of her shared by both pirates and bandits—stirred. With a loud clatter, she pushed the door open, marched over to Zhao Changhe, and slammed her hand on the table. “I want a drink too.”

Zhao Changhe handed Lady Three a bowl of wine, which she downed in one swift motion.

Hai Changkong watched Lady Three drink with such ease, a nostalgic look appearing in his eyes. “You really do remind me of her...”

Lady Three put the bowl down and glared at him. “What’s this, did you have a crush on my mother or something?”

Hai Changkong answered honestly, “I was young back then, and I spent most of my life at sea... After a while, even a pig might start to look charming, let alone someone like your mother. You could ask any of the old brothers—every one of them admired her. It wasn’t just me.”

Lady Three was momentarily left speechless.

Zhao Changhe asked, “Is your rebellion against the Sea Emperor related to that?”

Hai Changkong sighed. “You’re truly perceptive, Young Master Zhao. The Sea Emperor was indeed the one responsible for what happened back then. I still believe that the princess could reconcile with His Majesty. After all, blood is thicker than water.”

Lady Three remained silent.

Although Hai Changkong’s actions had already given her some clues, and it was the answer she had hoped for, she found that she did not feel the joy she had anticipated—only a strange sense of calm.

It was also clear that, while Hai Changkong said this, he did not genuinely want the father and daughter to reconcile. He quickly added, “To be honest, we didn’t initially know all the details back then, but when the Sea God began to manifest its miracles and spread its teachings, we were resistant to worshiping them. His Majesty wanted to establish a temple, and we even had a falling out over it.”

“Oh?” Zhao Changhe’s curiosity was piqued. “Why? I would think that sailors, facing constant threats from the sea, would welcome a god that could perform miracles. Faith in such a god should come easily.”

“And what’s the point?” Hai Changkong replied flatly. “The believers are saved, and the non-believers face divine punishment... How is that any different from an invading nation? Surrender and be rewarded, resist and be wiped out. What’s the difference? We went into exile at sea because we refused to surrender. Do you really think we’d surrender to a different power out here?”

Tang En was taken aback, clearly falling deep in thought. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hai Changkong continued, “Ordinary people may have no choice, but why should we warriors entrust our lives to someone else? We should conquer the waves ourselves, conquer the sea. Isn’t that right?”

Lady Three’s wine bowl hovered near her lips, and she found herself at a loss for words.

By that logic, isn’t the faith of the Four Idols Cult also just as meaningless? Even though the teaching might differ... At its core, isn’t it also about relying on someone else?

She turned to look at Zhao Changhe, who was grinning widely. He raised his bowl and clinked it heavily against Hai Changkong’s. “Well said, well said! A toast to that!”

Lady Three watched the men drink, lost in thought. Suddenly, she understood why Zhao Changhe always said that the biggest problem between him and the Four Idols Cult was that he could never truly embrace their faith.

He had always believed only in his own strength.