Chapter 638: Practice

Chapter 638: Practice

Do you wish... the Vermilion Bird Venerable kneeling before you?

Yes.

How could anyone not wish...

The demonic claw emerging from the flames, dripping with blood, surrounded by wails and screams, heads rolling, heroes bowing in terror. That eerie, cruel beauty—Zhao Changhe had never hesitated to tell the Vermilion Bird directly, long ago: it was truly beautiful.

Even without seeing the face beneath the mask, it was truly beautiful.

On the surface, he spoke with calm candor, as if without ulterior motive, merely a pure compliment—but in truth, it was a man's deepest hidden lust and desire for conquest, able to deceive anyone but his own heart.

Only, he had never dared to think of it.

Even two days ago, he hadn't dared to think... the faint hope within was to one day defeat her, but even if he did, it would only stop her from interfering with his and Chichi's affairs—still a million miles from that deepest expectation, practically hopeless.

Yet she turned out to be Huangfu Qing.

Zhao Changhe could hardly fathom his own emotions at this moment, watching Huangfu Qing serve him wearing a half-face mask...

What he never dared dream of—pressing into the Vermilion Bird's eerie red lips... Though her aura was different now, her lips less eerily seductive, it was still her, unchanged by appearance.

One could say that any resentment he once held toward the Vermilion Bird vanished completely in that moment.

In this moment, as 'your woman Huangfu Qing,' she trampled the face of the other self, the Vermilion Bird, into the mud... At least now, her lover mattered more than the Vermilion Bird, more than the sect.

You want to play with the Vermilion Bird? Then I'll let you play with the Vermilion Bird.

With such devotion, even if she ultimately valued the sect more, there was nothing to reproach—she had already done everything that Huangfu Qing should do.

No matter how uncertain he had been about his stance toward the Vermilion Bird, or whether to forge the Night Emperor's sword, at this moment Zhao Changhe knew what he must do. She hoped they could reach accord—the only way was for him to replace the Night Emperor. So he would do it. No matter how many reservations or difficulties about the Night Emperor's sword, he must not betray this affection.

If there be karma, I shall bear it. With preparation, perhaps nothing will go wrong.

...

“Satisfied?” Huangfu Qing wiped her mouth, leaning against him with a hint of grievance, still wiping him with one hand. “I really... dressing up as another woman for you to play with—I've lost all face...”

Uh... well...

Zhao Changhe coughed twice. “Could you convey a few words to the Venerable for me?”

“What?”

“First, ask her whether she believes in the Night Emperor himself, or in the ultimate principle of the myriad stars as the resonance between martial arts and the human way.”

“What difference does it make?”

“If it's the former—a specific person—then any so-called 'Night Emperor's legacy' is false; once the true Night Emperor appears, she will obey his command. If it's the latter—a concept—then as long as someone goes further than the ancient Night Emperor, more worthy to represent the myriad stars, then that person is the true Night Emperor. Like Wanzhuang—does she pledge loyalty to the emperor, or to this land? Wanzhuang is the latter. What about the Vermilion Bird? Would she instead regard the latter as heresy, simply because it differs from the original Night Emperor's intent?”

Huangfu Qing pondered blankly for a while, unable to reach a conclusion herself, for she had never considered such a question.

When such a question was clearly posed, those with insight would be quite moved upon reflection; she felt a stir in her heart, and after a long moment, nodded slightly. “I will convey it.”

“Second point: no matter what one believes, it ultimately comes down to 'what can it bring me?' A figure like the Vermilion Bird cannot be like common folk who merely seek solace and peace of mind; she needs to see tangible results before she can believe, right?”

“Right. For example, our cultivation is tangible. Resonating with the stars truly brings immense improvement; when one finds their own constellation, they can definitely break through to the Secret Treasury. The facts are there, forming the foundation of our sect's faith. We are not a deceptive cult like Maitreya.” Huangfu Qing spoke seriously. “You yourself once received the Venerable's method of resonating with the myriad stars to break through acupoint barriers, and the benefits were real, weren't they?”

Zhao Changhe said, “So... if I could help her break through to the Imperial realm, what would she think? Hey hey hey... sss... don't twist, dammit...”

Huangfu Qing jerked back her hand, which had unconsciously tightened, and realized she had nearly crushed his future happiness...

She stared blankly at Zhao Changhe, doubled over and nearly speechless, and she herself was almost lost for words.

Break through to Imperial.

For someone like her, already at the pinnacle of the mortal world, one step away from the divine demonic rank—if anyone could guide her on how to break through to Imperial in the path of stars or flames, who else could it be but a god?

Especially if the guidance came from a martial artist who hadn't even broken through the Third Secret Treasury himself—if successful, what else could that be but an incarnation of a god?

Huangfu Qing said seriously, “Are you sure? This is no boast to be made lightly.”

“I can only say I'll try.”

Huangfu Qing was silent for a moment, then said softly, “The Venerable has ordered the sect's high-ranking members from all directions to gather in the capital within three days for an important ceremony. During this time, she will come to see you.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Good. I also need a day or two to prepare.”

Huangfu Qing stood up, hesitated, then bent down to kiss his cheek. “I have many errands to run. I... look forward to a good outcome from your conversation with the Venerable. I hope that in three days, you will be at the ceremony.”

With that, she left, looking back every few steps.

If not for her many tasks, she would have stayed to see what Zhao Changhe was up to, and on what basis he said those things.

As she left, Huangfu Qing looked up at the underground sky, feeling a hint of anticipation.

Zhao Changhe sometimes seemed quite arrogant, often saying things like 'I can kill you with one slash,' but his boasts had mostly come true. Now this boast of his seemed not without basis—though this sky was different from the Four Symbols' intent, nearly useless or even heretical in the Vermilion Bird's hands, could he truly bring something from it?

“You all guard this place well. No unauthorized persons are to disturb the Prince of Zhao. If the Prince of Zhao gives any orders, you must not be negligent; carry them out immediately.”

“Yes.”

A response came from above, then all fell silent.

Zhao Changhe remained quietly on the platform for a while, then slipped back into the chamber below.

First thing: he took out the Sea Emperor's Trident and began to smelt it.

His forging knowledge had all been transmitted directly from Sanniang's soul—meaning he had the knowledge but no practical experience. Now he needed practice. Smelting and refining was an excellent way to get that practice.

Compared to others who start with basic copper ore to level up their life profession, the item he was using to gain experience was far too high-level.

This was a divine artifact; any material extracted from it would be at the level of heavenly treasures, and the total amount was enough to forge two extremely high-grade swords.

But Zhao Changhe only wanted to extract a few material properties from the trident:

First, a divine material with self-recovery properties, to be fused into Dragon Sparrow. In future high-level battles, it might get chipped; with this, it could be used forever. Zhao Changhe absolutely could not bear to abandon Dragon Sparrow, just as he could not bear to abandon Wu Zhui—he hoped they would follow him to the end.

Second, soul-related properties, so that he could damage souls with Dragon Sparrow alone, without relying on the Dragon Soul Bow. This would also strengthen Dragon Sparrow's spirit, letting the little lass grow up faster—she was falling behind in battles but still stubborn... Actually, the little lass form was always his imagination; that tsundere, chuunibyou brat looked too much like a hands-on-hips loli, but in reality she might not be—maybe she looked exactly like Xia Longyuan? Regardless, if he could strengthen this spirit, it could manifest, and then he'd see what she really looked like...

Third, water-element power related. Sanniang didn't have a suitable weapon besides that whip... He should give her something...

The trident was thrown into the furnace, and the Southern Bright Lihuo blazed up. Zhao Changhe sat quietly, calmly sensing the changes in the smelting materials, from morning till night, without moving.