Chapter 46: Karmic Origins Rise and Fall, There Is Always A Time

Chapter 46: Destiny Arrives, Destiny Departs, Each in Due Time

"Clang!" Blades clashed, and Zhao Changhe slid backward several yards, dropping into a lunge and driving his saber into the earth to forcefully arrest his retreat.

Looking up, he saw Yue Hongling ahead, her longsword tilting slightly as she flicked away a small pebble he had stealthily snapped toward her during his retreat, before leisurely returning her blade to its scabbard.

The two looked at each other and shared a smile.

"Your saber technique is getting better and better; you actually managed to withstand my Sunset Cloud."

"Sister was only holding back, you didn't use your true strength."

"I merely suppressed my inner power, but my swordsmanship didn't spare you. That move has myriad variations, and countless men have died by it... Your progress is indeed swift." Yue Hongling broke into a laugh and continued, "Then again, you are clearly fierce and courageous, quite unstoppable when swinging that saber, so why do you always resort to underhanded tricks mid-fight? Who taught you to feign defeat and flick pebbles?"

Zhao Changhe said with a shameless grin, "It would be a waste to learn hidden weapon techniques and not use them. It's all because Sister taught me well."

"Bah, I never taught you such shameless martial virtue. Why didn't you just throw lime powder while you were at it!"

Zhao Changhe's eyes flickered as if recalling someone, and only after a long pause did he speak: "I actually do have a pouch of lime powder in my pocket... but naturally, I wouldn't use it on you during practice."

"...Don't you dare tell anyone I taught you martial arts when you go out in the future. I can't afford to lose that face."

"Winning is what matters most. The Chronicle of the Turbulent World thinks so too."

The two bickered as they walked back toward the house, but their footsteps gradually slowed until they ground to a halt, slipping into silence.

Yue Hongling had been here for half a month, and it was impossible for her to stay forever, genuinely playing some absurd role of a "bandit chief's lady."

Zhao Changhe had always been extremely careful to maintain a normal relationship with her, resolutely avoiding any of the ambiguity that had existed with Luo Qi, hoping to make her stay more comfortable...

She had indeed stayed longer than expected—two or three days became five, which then stretched into half a month... but the time to part had to come eventually.

Today's sparring session had essentially signaled that the end was near; it was now merely a matter of waiting for her to formally bid farewell...

Over these past days, Zhao Changhe knew exactly how much he had improved; it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as a complete rebirth.

To say nothing of her guidance on inner arts and the newly taught hidden weapons, his saber technique in actual combat had undergone a total transformation.

Before, he thought his combat prowess was formidable enough to challenge those above his level... but in a mere desolate wilderness, what kind of pathetic scraps had he fought against? What caliber of ultimate moves had he ever seen? What kind of fluid, effortless variations had he witnessed? How much of the grand integration of a thousand sects had he ever beheld? How many divine strokes of absolute genius in the heat of battle had he ever encountered?

These were things that cultivation techniques alone could never replace.

His past battles could never provide these experiences. This was Yue Hongling, second on the Hidden Dragon Rank and renowned throughout the world, a woman whom Instructor Sun wasn't even fit to carry shoes for.

One could well imagine how immense his progress in saber technique and combat ability had been.

Yue Hongling had also given him other saber manuals, completely shattering his narrow view of only knowing how to hack with the Blood Fiend Saber, allowing him to see the vastness of the world and the merits of various schools, which he had already begun to integrate into his own comprehension of the blade.

Zhao Changhe knew that continuing these sparring sessions would yield diminishing returns... no matter how rich Yue Hongling's experience was from wandering the realm, it was still only one person's understanding. What was the use of always fighting the same opponent? Moreover, the martial world was vast, with tens of thousands of martial artists waiting for him to encounter and understand.

She had taught him how to listen to sounds to determine positions, and how to perceive and track enemies—was this not in the hope that he would one day step into the martial world himself?

Yue Hongling's desire to "make amends for the past" and "attain clarity of mind" had also reached fulfillment here. And the day of fulfillment was the day of departure.

Destiny ended here.

The two stopped outside the house, looking at each other, both seemingly waiting for the other to speak first, yet both remained stuck, unable to utter a word.

After a long while, Zhao Changhe finally offered a terribly clumsy excuse: "Today is the Lantern Festival, let's at least spend the holiday..."

Yue Hongling's heartful of strange, parting melancholy was utterly shattered into amusement by these words. Just as she was about to speak, her expression suddenly changed.

The very next second after she sensed something amiss, Zhao Changhe also turned his head toward the courtyard wall: "Who goes there!"

Yue Hongling smiled with a hint of gratification. Zhao Changhe had truly learned everything now; the faint sound of wind stirred by an enemy's lightness skills had brushed past, and in the past, even if he heard it, he would have thought it a ordinary breeze, but now he could discern that an enemy was approaching.

A Zhao Changhe like this would have no trouble traveling the martial world.

A coarse, imposing man suddenly appeared upon the courtyard wall, a slight look of surprise on his face: "Impressive. A mere second-tier of the Meridian Pass can actually detect my movements."

Zhao Changhe said indifferently, "Who are you? Strutting around and putting on such grand airs."

The large man laughed and said, "I am Lin Feihu of the Black Tiger Gang. Has a brat like you ever heard of me?"

Zhao Changhe had indeed heard of him. Having mingled here for so long, how could he not have heard of the prominent figures in the surrounding greenwood? Lin Feihu, chief of the Black Tiger Gang, likewise engaged in highway robbery and was at the fourth-tier of the Meridian Pass.

Zhao Changhe's expression grew grave, feeling a bit of an ache in his chest.

His arrogant act of erecting a monument to invite challenges seemed, in hindsight, a bit too arrogant. He had thought that true experts wouldn't be so ignorant of the concept of the Hidden Dragon Rank, but it turned out there really was such a blockhead. A fourth-tier master coming to challenge a second-tier? Did he have no shame at all?

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Lin Feihu staring at Yue Hongling and laughing loudly: "Indeed, indeed! I heard that the bandit chief's lady here looked very much like Yue Hongling. I came specifically to take a look, and she truly does! Little lady, what future is there with this little brat? Come with me!"

With that, like a goshawk spreading its wings, he dove down toward Yue Hongling, a large hand clawing directly at her.

"?" Both Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling widened their eyes simultaneously.

They thought he had come to challenge the Hidden Dragon Rank, but after all that, it was for this? Oh right, he technically *was* challenging the Hidden Dragon Rank.

With a sharp hiss, a flash of sword light erupted, and a red mist filled the air.

Zhao Changhe's lips twitched as he sheathed the saber he had just drawn. This fool had provoked Yue Hongling herself; how could he possibly compete with her for the kill...

"You, you... you are the real Yue Hongling... fuck..." Chief Lin clutched his throat in disbelief, stumbling backward. Before his words could fully form, he collapsed to the ground, his breath extinguished, his eyes wide in unyielding shock.

Even in death, he was wondering why it was the real Yue Hongling... why would Yue Hongling be a bandit chief's lady here...

Zhao Changhe stood to the side with his hands tucked into his sleeves, observing a moment of silence.

Seriously, why did people like this insist on seeking their own deaths...

Yue Hongling returned her sword to its scabbard. She hadn't known how to say her goodbyes, but after being interrupted by this blockhead, she felt both amused and exasperated, saying, "It seems I really must leave. It's not your monument bringing trouble, but I who am starting to bring trouble upon you."

Zhao Changhe said with a grimace, "These people were undoubtedly incited by Fang Buping... With you here, the trouble gets cut down by your blade. Once you leave, won't I be in an even worse state?"

"Are you afraid? Of being targeted by a branch leader of such low standing?"

Zhao Changhe remained silent.

"There always needs to be a catalyst for departure. I found an excuse, so why must you see through it..." Yue Hongling's voice softened as she murmured, "During these days, I have been well aware... Initially, when the misunderstanding arose, everyone was uncomfortable, but you exerted every effort to avoid it, never taking the opportunity to dally... Zhao Changhe, you are upright and honorable, a true hero. It is rather my own mind that couldn't let it go; I couldn't keep playing this bandit chief's lady and always wanted to leave."

Zhao Changhe sighed: "I'm not that good. Didn't I still want to keep you here for the festival?"

"Festival after festival, there are so many holidays. Since our destiny has brought us to this point, what good is there in lingering in vain?" As Yue Hongling spoke, she turned and entered the house. When she emerged once more, she had changed into her preferred crimson robes and carried her travel pack.

The appearance of a mountain fortress bandit and a bandit chief's lady vanished like drifting smoke, nowhere to be found.

Zhao Changhe stood silently in his original spot from beginning to end, without uttering a word.

Yue Hongling strode forward, and as she passed beside Zhao Changhe, she casually patted his shoulder: "I'm off, Chief. The martial world roars with waves; I hope your heart remains unchanged in the future. When destiny allows, we shall spend the Lantern Festival together again!"

Zhao Changhe stood silently atop the mountain peak, watching the receding figure in crimson robes. He suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen her green-maned horse, which was likely stabled in the city—she had never belonged here.

Her departure seemed sudden, but in truth, she could have left at any moment. Half a month was already long enough... if this were seen by an observant person like Cui Yuanyong, their jaw would probably hit the floor.

He once thought that the Yue Hongling he became familiar with had subverted the imagination in his heart, but after spending enough time together, he felt she was still the same as ever, never subverted.

Hearing of the demonic cult's raid, she traveled a thousand miles to deliver the warning.

Saving a strange youth on the road, she recommended him to learn martial arts.

Thinking the youth was in distress, she searched the world for him.

Now, her guidance complete, she departed with carefree grace.

He felt extremely fortunate that his very first glimpse of this martial world was the chivalrous and righteous Yue Hongling. No matter how much ugliness he witnessed within this demonic cult's bandit den, no matter how low-class the surrounding figures were, that sunset red cloud reflected the horizon, and thus, the martial world was there.

Was Zhao Changhe upright and honorable, harboring no other thoughts with a beauty in his house?

It was merely that he did not wish for such a dream of the martial world to be stained by any other marks.

Zhao Changhe turned his head. After dusk, upon the willow tips, the full moon drifted idly.

The Lantern Festival? What had that to do with him... These days of intense training, inner and outer fused, the third level of the Mysterious Gate was not far off.

She did not belong here? Neither did I.

On the day of the third level of the Mysterious Gate, the blade would emerge from Mount Mang.