Chapter 23: Opening The Title Page

Chapter 23 Turning the Title Page

At that imposing air, Yue Hongling initially thought a high-ranking bandit had arrived at the stronghold, perhaps even some chieftain.

But when the burly man drew near, her eyes went wide, her lips parted slightly, and she stood dumbfounded.

Zhao... Zhao Changhe?

This Zhao Changhe, with his stubbly beard and scarred face... looked so unfamiliar.

Zhao Changhe sprinted at full speed, driving the Blood Fiend Art, and found that though he had never learned any lightness skill, his speed had indeed increased greatly—only he tired easily. The stronghold was actually relatively close to Zhang Village; it took about ten minutes of running to get there, yet he was already panting heavily.

Drenched in sweat, he blocked Luo Qi’s path, staring at Yue Hongling, wanting to say something, but gasping for breath and unable to speak for a moment.

Come to think of it, Yue Hongling’s expression was rather adorable...

Snowflakes drifted by, and the atmosphere fell silent for a time. Behind Zhao Changhe, Luo Qi tilted her head.

Yue Hongling’s astonished look slowly faded, replaced by a hint of indifference: “So that’s how it is. You were actually at the Beimang branch. I was looking under the lamp and never thought to search here.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Your first reaction was to go to Sect Leader Xue and demand an explanation?”

“At the time, I thought you were dead.” Yue Hongling did not deny it. “I deeply regretted sending the innocent youth I had just rescued from the wolf’s mouth into a tiger’s den. I could have taken you with me; you even wanted to become my disciple. But I, seeking my own freedom, left you at the Luo Manor... When I thought you had died, the flash of anger and self-reproach I felt is beyond words. I didn’t know if I was a match for Xue Canghai, but I knew that if I didn’t go and demand an accounting, my heart would never be at peace.”

So that was it.

The Chaos Chronicle blazed across the night sky—Yue Hongling’s thousand-mile pursuit of Xue Canghai... that battle had truly been for him, Zhao Changhe.

Zhao Changhe sighed. “Later, you must have heard about the killer Zhao Changhe. What did you think? Did you regret sending that wretched bastard to the Luo family, causing Luo Zhenwu’s death?”

Yue Hongling gazed at him quietly for a long moment, then sighed softly. “No. I heard what you said at the time of the incident and knew that what happened at Zhao Cuo was Luo Zhenwu’s doing—you were taking revenge. So I thought you had followed the Blood God Sect out of necessity, falling into a den of bandits, and that was no place for you. These past days, I’ve searched every Blood God Sect hideout I’ve ever heard of, hoping to bring you out... but I never imagined you’d be in Beimang.”

Zhao Changhe’s throat moved, and he said in a low voice, “Thank you.”

Luo Qi, watching from behind, tilted her head and thought that if she were Zhao Changhe, she would indeed be moved. But unfortunately, she wasn’t Zhao Changhe, and now she only found Yue Hongling increasingly detestable.

You barely know this man—why be so loyal? If you steal his soul, will you take responsibility?

Then Yue Hongling spoke: “But now it seems you’re doing well? You’ve cultivated the Blood Fiend Art and even reached a respectable level... in just one month...”

Zhao Changhe said quietly, “Without learning demonic arts, I couldn’t protect myself.”

Yue Hongling replied, “If that’s all... you haven’t sunk too deep into the demonic path yet; you can still turn back. In a few days, no one will care much about that wanted notice. You can disguise yourself a little, change your name, and live a normal life.”

“Change my name?” Zhao Changhe suddenly laughed. “Sister Yue... Miss Yue, I won’t hide it from you. Setting aside whether I can turn back now, even changing my name is not what I want. Zhao Changhe did not come into this world to idle away in the countryside.”

The killer, Zhao Changhe!

Those six words flashed through Yue Hongling’s mind.

In just one month, had that innocent youth already died? No, he had never been an innocent youth.

So when they met again in the martial world, she would no longer hear that cry of “Sister.”

“So... is that why you came to help the bandits today?” Yue Hongling’s eyes grew sharp. “Are you going to say that being in a demonic lair, you had no choice?”

Zhao Changhe answered calmly, “No, only because she is behind me.”

Luo Qi’s lips curled into an involuntary smile.

Yue Hongling couldn’t tell the gender of that “she” and assumed Zhao Changhe was being chivalrous: “Is this person your friend?”

Zhao Changhe said, “We live and die together.”

Luo Qi’s grin widened.

Yue Hongling was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. “This person hasn’t harmed anyone, and the women in the manor are unharmed... You two go. The bond we once had ends here. Consider the youth I’ve been searching for this past month dead. Next time, if I catch you doing evil—let alone him, even you—I will show no mercy.”

With that, she mounted her horse and prepared to leave.

She had weathered wind and snow for a month, traveling thousands of miles in search of that youth, even coming to Beimang this time just to try her luck... But she never expected their reunion to be like this—the youth she sought standing in front of her to protect someone else, almost drawing his blade against her.

Even Luo Qi now felt a pang of regret, watching that red-clad figure, sensing an indescribable desolation.

Then Zhao Changhe called out, “Miss Yue, things aren’t as you imagine. Take this Zhang Village, for instance—it’s steeped in evil, no less than Luo Zhenwu. My brother and I gathered plenty of solid evidence beforehand, so you needn’t dwell on that. As for the rest...”

Yue Hongling reined in her horse and looked back, waiting to see what else he might say.

Zhao Changhe paused, then suddenly smiled. “When we meet again in the martial world, I doubt I can call you ‘Sister’ anymore, because I asked around and found out you’re actually two months younger than me.”

Yue Hongling: “...”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “But that doesn’t mean we have to be strangers... I’ve always been grateful that the first thing I saw in this martial world was the chivalrous and righteous Yue Hongling. So no matter what impression this world gives me, the martial world in my heart has always been there.”

Yue Hongling’s eyes showed surprise, then she suddenly laughed and spurred her horse away. “Then I’ll wait and see what reputation Zhao Changhe, who people say carved out a chaotic age with one slash, earns in the martial world.”

“The chaotic age was already there,” Zhao Changhe replied calmly. “At most, I’ve just turned the title page of the Chaos Chronicle.”

Those words carried a certain flavor. Not only Yue Hongling, but even Luo Qi looked at him from behind as if seeing him anew, almost wanting to pat his shoulder and say, “Not bad, you’ve got some culture,” but she held back.

It felt like Zhao Changhe, when facing Yue Hongling, had a particularly literary air... Yet Yue Hongling herself was no scholar, but a typical martial artist who had barely read any books.

How strange.

Yue Hongling wanted to say something but found nothing to add. The conversation had reached this point; actions would speak louder than words.

But she hadn’t ridden far when the lingering sunset in the distant sky suddenly blazed like fire, dyeing half the heavens crimson, then rapidly faded. The sun set, and soon it was dark.

Yue Hongling frowned slightly and murmured, “Vermilion Bird... she’s come to Beimang too? What secret lies here...”

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred, and he called out loudly, “Miss Yue.”

Yue Hongling turned back, and Zhao Changhe asked, “Miss Yue, you’ve traveled widely in the martial world. Do you know where the eye of a formation shaped like the Azure Dragon’s Seven Mansions would generally be?”

“Usually the Heart Mansion.” Yue Hongling answered casually, with no mind to talk further, and finally rode away.

Yue Hongling was no reckless fool; if she were cornered by the Vermilion Bird Venerable with her strength, things would likely go badly.

She was only at the top of the Hidden Dragon List, while the Vermilion Bird Venerable was...

On the Earth List.

That was a top-tier grandmaster recognized throughout the world.

Watching Yue Hongling vanish into the night, Zhao Changhe finally turned around, his eyes burning as he looked at Luo Qi.

Luo Qi also looked back at him with equal intensity.

Zhao Changhe had, for her sake, essentially broken ties with Yue Hongling...

The martial world of his dreams, the female knight of his dreams... none could compare to her, Luo Qi.

To be honest, no one could predict Yue Hongling’s thoughts. That bond meant little; when you got down to it, they had no real friendship—Zhao Changhe owed her a debt of gratitude. If she were truly disappointed, she might have drawn her sword and struck him down. Zhao Changhe had simply braced himself and stood before her, risking his life.

Luo Qi’s heart felt warm. She thought Zhao Changhe might say something sweet now, something to please her, and then tonight—tonight she might let him hold her while she slept, no big deal.

But Zhao Changhe spoke instead: “The Vermilion Bird is here. She’s most likely come to oversee the excavation of that secret. We need to act tonight—delay and we’ll miss our chance.”

Luo Qi, oddly, turned pale and bit her lower lip hard.