Chapter 215: Aftermath

Chapter 215: The Aftermath

Cui Yuanyang had no idea why Zhao Changhe was still lingering. After all this commotion, dawn was nearly breaking. Afraid of being discovered spending the night in an inn with a man, she slipped back to the Wang family guesthouse in the faint morning light, playing the part of a proper young lady.

Zhao Changhe, however, hadn’t even checked out of his room. He lounged inside, leisurely studying the golden foil.

For now, the golden foil remained still. Based on the last “unsealing” experience, he’d have to wait until tomorrow. This time, Zhao Changhe focused on reviewing his sparring match with Situ Xiao during the martial discussion.

This was crucial—it was his most important asset for catching up to others’ years of martial insight in a short time. No one else had such a uniquely advantageous position.

Situ Xiao’s cultivation focused primarily on external techniques—or, in more fantastical terms, body refinement. According to rumors, his Divine Phoenix Sect had obtained a complete ancient inheritance, which perfectly aligned with the recently acquired information about the “Dao Body.”

From this perspective, what the Divine Phoenix Sect had might not be complete. If it were, it might have allowed them to break through this world’s limits, and Sect Master Li Shentong wouldn’t be merely fifth on the Heavenly Ranking. Of course, it was also possible that the inheritance was complete but lacked certain auxiliary treasures, preventing further refinement.

Regardless, Situ Xiao’s techniques were well worth studying.

Situ Xiao had said his palm techniques weren’t particularly fierce. Upon careful review, Zhao Changhe realized that despite his body refinement, heavy sword, and emphasis on explosive power, Situ Xiao’s style wasn’t truly “fierce” at all—it was more about steadiness.

All his techniques had a balanced, stable quality—guarding his position, defending and counterattacking, only unleashing immense power at the moment of striking, aiming to kill in one blow.

If the Wang family’s palm techniques were like towering waves crashing ashore, Situ Xiao’s were like an unmoving mountain.

Interestingly, he also fought with a drunken boxing style—staggering movements, an immovable core, and a free-spirited, bold temperament all blended together, creating something fascinating.

His body refinement emphasized iron-hard training, the kind that made him impervious to blades and spears. He could smash his head into a door without feeling a thing. Zhao Changhe strongly suspected that ordinary swords and knives would leave only a scratch on Situ Xiao. If it were his master, Li Shentong, ranked fifth on the Heavenly Ranking, how tough would he be? Could the Dragon Sparrow cleave through him?

This seemed to be the prerequisite for being able to break through an army alone…

Whether it could cleave through or not, Zhao Changhe repeatedly studied Situ Xiao’s techniques, first learning the essence of “steadiness” and that drunken step—keeping the lower body still while swaying like a willow to dodge.

These were gaps in Zhao Changhe’s own martial arts, and through constant combat and review, he was filling them in.

Beyond the aid of the Heavenly Book, Zhao Changhe was a genius in his own right.

…

While the Wang family was busy scheming and Zhao Changhe was thinking, “My wife is wonderful,” from Situ Xiao’s perspective, that night had been pure enjoyment.

Most of the participants were of similar talent and martial understanding. Even if their cultivation levels differed, the martial discussions were still fitting. Normally, meeting someone from a distant land was rare, so having so many gathered together to drink and discuss martial arts was an absolute delight for martial artists.

In the eyes of the outside world, this was practically a historic martial arts event. Indeed, the brilliance of that night’s Hidden Dragons would be widely celebrated, letting the world truly understand how powerful and outstanding these names—often only briefly mentioned in chaotic historical records—really were.

The elegant and composed Wang Zhaoling, with his unmatched, sky-shattering palm techniques.

The cold and stunning Xia Chichi, with her fierce and sharp Tiger Roar and Ice Soul.

The charming and adorable Cui Yuanyang, with her vast and enduring Purple Qi and Clear River.

And that heavy sword that cut through the hall, answered by the broad blade—breaking political schemes with martial fervor, leading the night’s revelry with the Mad Blade and Laughing Sword, drinking and dominating the world.

No one knew where Zhao Changhe, seen as the leader of this event, had gone afterward. But they knew he had explicitly refused to participate in the rankings, and many sighed, feeling that the subsequent discussions lacked something without him.

In any case, the tales of that night would be talked about in the martial world for a long time.

The Wang family had achieved their goal.

Not only had they made a secret pact with the Four Symbols Sect, but their earlier arrogant behavior had faded from memory, replaced mostly by praise for hosting such a grand martial gathering.

The impression of the Wang family leading the martial world had been subtly planted in many minds, and they had successfully conveyed two messages:

First, the imperial court didn’t really matter.

Second, the Wang family had the empress, who knew best about Xia Longyuan’s condition. Daring to do such a thing essentially meant Xia Longyuan’s situation was worse than imagined.

Not only was the momentum for the Wang family’s secession beginning to solidify, but it also subtly spurred the secret schemes of other ambitious parties, stirring up the world’s turmoil even more.

It was a situation where everyone—organizers, participants, and spectators—was delighted, with only the imperial court’s prestige suffering.

A thousand miles away, in Jinling.

Tang Wanzhuang stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance at the Maitreya camp, her eyes calm as still water.

“Chief…” A subordinate from the Demon Suppression Bureau rushed to report: “A carrier pigeon message has arrived. The Langya martial discussion has concluded.”

“Oh? Who was the victor?”

“It’s said that Situ Xiao and Zhao Changhe shifted the direction. Somehow, it turned into a sparring session without rankings. All the Hidden Dragons were delighted, and the martial spirit was truly displayed.” The subordinate added, “Our brothers on-site said it was the most enjoyable martial discussion in years.”

Tang Wanzhuang revealed the first hint of a smile in over half a month, murmuring, “Situ Xiao and… Zhao Changhe…”

The subordinate: “…”

He scratched his head in confusion but continued with the main topic: “Since there were no rankings, the momentum the Wang family wanted was somewhat diminished. Accepting a ranking and prize would have implied a sense of subordination… But the Hidden Dragons are proud, and few were willing. This outcome aligns with our predictions. What’s more surprising is that after his match with Situ Xiao, Zhao Changhe refused to participate in any further discussions, showing clear reluctance.”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly: “It wasn’t that the Hidden Dragons were unwilling—only a few were, like Zhao Changhe.”

“Perhaps,” the subordinate said. “But the Wang family still largely got what they wanted. They’ve begun appointing and dismissing officials on their own. Commander Zhang of the commandery was removed on some pretext… Regardless of whether the pretext is true, what right do they have to appoint or dismiss officials? This is rebellion!”

Tang Wanzhuang’s smile faded, and she sighed softly: “From the moment they invited people to the birthday banquet, we should have known.”

“So what do we do now?”

“What use is asking me? I don’t have the authority to command troops.” Tang Wanzhuang said calmly, “Maitreya and I are not military commanders. There’s no point in stalemating here. He will surely return to the main altar in a few days to direct other matters, and I should return to the capital as well. There are many matters I need to discuss and decide.”

Her voice grew softer, almost to herself: “I also need to see His Majesty again… What is he thinking…”

“But…” the subordinate hesitated, “if the Wang family merely secedes, it’s manageable for now. But what if they truly march south to coordinate with the Maitreya sect…”

“Each has their own agenda. An alliance isn’t so easy to form. The Wang family only started scheming after Maitreya’s uprising. They had no prior contact. To reach such a cooperation would require envoys traveling back and forth. The Four Symbols Sect’s holy maiden participated in the discussion, so she was their envoy. I suspect those two families may have already reached some agreement.”

The subordinate thought for a moment: “Indeed. I was wondering why the Four Symbols Sect would bother participating…”

Tang Wanzhuang said calmly, “The Four Symbols Sect and the Maitreya sect are at odds. If the Wang family has an agreement with the Four Symbols Sect, they likely won’t consider Maitreya anymore. Their natures are incompatible, and the Wang family probably looks down on the Maitreya sect.”

“Zhao Changhe killed Fa Sheng, disrupting Maitreya’s plans. The situation isn’t too favorable for them now. Is it possible they’ll send envoys north to contact the Wang family? What if they promise some extravagant rewards…”

Tang Wanzhuang gazed northward, her eyes somewhat melancholic. After a long pause, she said, “They’ve probably already set out.”

“Should we intercept them?”

“Searching for a needle in a haystack—how do you find an ordinary traveler?” Tang Wanzhuang suddenly smiled. “I have a feeling we won’t need to act. The Maitreya envoy is about to run into bad luck again…”