Chapter 428: Baoqin Accepts a Bribe

Chapter 428: Baoqin Takes a Bribe

The various experts who had been widely invited to join the battle departed one after another.

Though Zhao Changhe was by no means socially anxious, the ceaseless throng of visitors each day was proving too much to bear, especially since he found himself in a wounded state every time it happened; the exhaustion was real.

Yet, reflecting upon it after the dust had settled, he could not help but feel a lingering touch of cold sweat.

Thank goodness there had been so many... had they been short even one, he likely would not have been the only one injured this time, and had they been short a few more, the tide of battle would have utterly collapsed.

In the aftermath, he naturally came to understand that Cui Yang’s value extended far beyond the immediate battlefield; his presence in the north, keeping the Wang family's army in check and preventing any reckless moves, was the most crucial factor of all.

As for the monk-and-taoist duo of Yuancheng and Guichen, though they might not have seemed to contribute much during the clash, their continuous chanting had exerted a suppressing and weakening effect that was hardly lesser than a direct, frontal assault, and that final talisman used to suppress the evil had proven even more useful.

Speaking of which, prior to this, Zhao Changhe had never imagined that such a low-martial world could actually possess functional talismans... and so, when Guichen came to take his leave, he had shamelessly asked for a few, his face full of curiosity.

"Those that summon lightning or conjure fire, this old Taoist does not know." Seeing Zhao Changhe's expression like that of a curious child, Guichen could not help but chuckle. "This manner of suppressing evil is, in truth, similar in nature to the counters found between different martial cultivation methods; it is not quite so mystical..."

"Ah, it is merely the nature of martial arts countering?"

"Of course, since it is a talisman, it naturally carries its own unique enhancement... yet we merely use them as supplementary means. These cannot be considered the orthodox path; even in antiquity, none used such things as their primary practice. What one cultivates is still oneself."

Zhao Changhe fell into a brief reverie. Perhaps this truly was not a world of immortal cultivation; from ancient times to the present, martial arts reigned supreme, while all else was merely auxiliary.

Sisi had also mentioned that the ancient Spirit Clan, perhaps due to a partial loss of ancient martial arts heritages, had become obsessed as a whole people with their ancestral shamanic poisons and curses. In her view, this was incorrect, and the true path lay in extensively learning the martial arts of the Central Plains.

It was just that all paths of power converged at the same end; for instance, once one touched upon the Dao of Heaven and Earth, there would inevitably be applications regarding the Five Elements, though the mode of utilizing them differed—at the very least, it did not involve conjuring fireballs from thin air.

Guichen said, "This poor Taoist did not bring many talismans. If Young Master Zhao fancies them, these few are yours, perhaps they may prove useful at some point. This poor Taoist takes his leave; upon returning this time, it will be time to move..."

The Taiyi Sect was practically on the Wang family's doorstep. This time, the Wang family had even mobilized their military, meaning the sect truly could not remain there any longer. No territory would tolerate the existence of a faction within its borders that was at odds with it; one either submitted or relocated, for there was no third path to choose. Should they dawdle any further, they could be used to consecrate the battle flags at any moment.

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred slightly, and he murmured, "I wonder if the Daoist Master would be willing to... feign submission? With your status on the Earth Ranking, you would surely be treated as an honored guest and hold a very high position. However, it might be perilous; they might try to test or control you using the yin energy of the Sea Clan..."

Guichen pondered for a long moment before shaking his head. "We of the martial sects, under normal circumstances, obey whoever occupies the territory. It is not as if we are deliberately throwing ourselves into their camp, so the Wang family would not have any doubts about this. Especially if I do not involve myself in military or political affairs and continue to live my life in the mountains, then there should be no issue whatsoever..."

Zhao Changhe said, "By the Daoist Master's meaning, you truly are willing to feign submission?"

Guichen smiled faintly. "There is no real feigning to speak of... if we do not move, and they occupy the territory, this poor Taoist truly will obey them. Of course, if the imperial court marches in, this poor Taoist will naturally obey the court."

The two looked at each other and shared a knowing smile.

Guichen performed a formal bow and took his departure. "The Wang family alone is of no great concern. What this poor Taoist worries about is what lies behind them. Let our words end here. This poor Taoist bids farewell."

Watching Guichen walk away, Zhao Changhe secretly reflected that if the Wang family truly wished to contend for the world, it wouldn't actually be much of a problem; the people's acceptance of them was quite high, and they possessed a sufficient popular foundation.

But with other entities lurking behind them, everyone's perspective immediately shifted.

For the sake of the Lianshan Sword, the Wang family exposing this yin energy was a genuine misstep. This time, not only had they broken ties with the Yang family of Hongnong, but even the martial sects within their territory who had been watching from the sidelines were now estranged... yet since the evidence was already gone, there was no way to proclaim it to the world. Guichen was willing to believe Zhao Changhe's empty words, but others might not; the situation the Wang family faced was still slightly better than that of the Maitreya Sect.

...

With Guichen’s departure, the bustling ward quickly grew quiet and solitary once more.

In truth, aside from deliberately wanting Tang Wanzhuang to affectionately feed him his medicine, how could Zhao Changhe possibly be so injured that he could not leave his bed? He had been able to stroll through the courtyard with the sleepless Buqi that very night, and he was far better now.

Once everyone had left, and having waited left and right without any sign of Tang Wanzhuang, Zhao Changhe could no longer sit still and headed out for a stroll.

Having agreed to the marriage date with Yangyang, he wondered if Wanzhuang would become even more like Lin Daiyu. He hadn't seen her all day, which left him feeling a bit uneasy...

Strolling to Tang Wanzhuang's courtyard, she was not around, but Baoqin was sitting there with her chin resting on her hands, leisurely reading a book.

Seeing Zhao Changhe peeking around the doorway, Baoqin looked quite pleased. "To think you actually know to come looking for Miss, not bad, not bad."

This meaning... Zhao Changhe mulled it over in his mind and carefully asked, "Hey, is your Miss not angry?"

"No, Miss is actually quite pleased."

"Ah?" What Zhao Changhe had feared was that the increasingly Daiyu-like Tang Wanzhuang, upon learning that he had agreed to the marriage with Cui Yuanyang, would slide down that melancholy path never to return, yet here came a phrase like "quite pleased"?

He had thought it would be a blessing if the situation didn't utterly collapse...

"Um, where is Wanzhuang?"

"Discussing matters with the Young Master." Baoqin gave him guidance with the grandfatherly air of a little adult. "Jiangnan has just been stabilized, and everything is a tangled mess. Do you think everyone is like you, an idle person with absolutely nothing to do?"

Zhao Changhe swallowed the slight, continuing to ask, "Good Baoqin, tell me quietly, what is your Miss thinking?"

Baoqin cast a disdainful glance over him. "Who is 'good' with you?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

"In the stories I read, people always bribe the maidservants and such. What about you?" Baoqin stood with her hands on her hips. "Are you relying on that scarred face of yours?"

Without a word, Zhao Changhe fished out a piece of candy. It was a sweet Tang Wanzhuang had found for him earlier when he complained the medicine was too bitter, which he hadn't actually needed to eat at all...

Baoqin snatched it away like lightning, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Ask away."

This silly girl...

Zhao Changhe offered a placating smile. "Shouldn't she be angry? Why is she actually quite pleased instead..."

"You didn't directly settle on a specific date, which shows you still have some reservations..."

"Ah? Just that?"

"The other party is Cui Wenjing, a man of immense power, and the rites of the great families are exceedingly orthodox." Baoqin peeled the candy wrapper, her gaze toward Zhao Changhe carrying a fair amount of motherly benevolence. "Would such a man allow himself to be fooled without even fixing a specific date? Miss said you must have been very resolute, and the atmosphere between the two of you might have even turned quite strained to reach such an ambiguous compromise... that was no easy feat."

Zhao Changhe: "Emmmmm..."

Baoqin popped the candy into her mouth, chewing noisily. "Cui Yuanyang's matter was brought about by Miss trying to be clever herself, so she can't blame you either. What else can she do..."

That was true... no doubt Wanzhuang's greatest desire right now was to give herself two resounding slaps across the face.

"Actually, Miss overheard that parting remark Cui Wenjing made before he left, something about 'Roaming the ends of the earth? The words of a child'... She didn't say anything, but I think her eyes were shining... If you roam the ends of the earth, she might be even more willing to accompany you. Then she wouldn't have to be the Crown Princess, and she wouldn't be breaking her vow... She's already no longer young, yet she's just like a child..."

"Bao! Qin!" Tang Wanzhuang's voice, laced with gritted teeth, echoed from outside the courtyard. "Have you finished today's lessons? How much of the text I told you to memorize have you memorized? Recite it for me to hear right now!"

Baoqin's face turned completely green. "N-Not so fast, it's not even evening yet..."

"How long has it been and you still haven't finished memorizing? Go copy it ten times! Leave out a single character and your backside gets a whipping!"

"Miss, you are using public office to avenge a private grudge!"

"Is the candy in your mouth tasty? To think you've even learned how to take bribes, if I don't beat you to death today..."

Tang Wanzhuang marched over aggressively, rolling up her sleeves, and Baoqin fled in a flash, clutching her backside.

Feigning blindness to Zhao Changhe standing at the side, Tang Wanzhuang glared after Baoqin, about to give chase, when, as expected, she was caught around the waist.

Tang Wanzhuang struggled, "Don't stop me~ I absolutely must thrash her today!"

Zhao Changhe leaned close to her ear, "Could she really be short of a single piece of candy? Was that truly taking a bribe? That was a little matchmaker trying to help Miss convey her thoughts..."

"Are those my thoughts? That was her blind guessing, I never said a single word!" Tang Wanzhuang said testily. "Don't listen to her nonsense, I am very angry! No, wait, what does it have to do with me anyway? I am your master, why should I be angry or pleased when you get married, what does it concern m... mmph mmph..."

The words were stifled back into her throat as the courageous Zhao Changhe kissed those lips, which were stiffer than a cured duck's beak.

Baoqin poked her head out from the room.

She was clearly very pleased, yet she still wanted to hide it from the clever Baoqin...

The one who was truly angry was Baoqin, because this bribing candy was the very one Miss had taken from Baoqin yesterday... and yet you call this taking a bribe!