Chapter 91: She Has Arrived

Chapter 91: She Has Arrived

Three days passed in a flash.

During these three days, Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing stayed indoors to recover from their injuries, leaving only for Han Wubing to buy a new sword at the blacksmith's. Even their meals were brought to their room by the waiter, and they stirred up no further trouble.

Whether it was because of the words Zhao Changhe had left behind or Xia Chichi's decree that no one was to touch his dog's head, the Blood God Sect made no move against him, even knowing he was in Jianhu City. Other enemies, whether from the Cui family or Tingxue Tower, also failed to appear. The three days passed in peace.

Interestingly, the two men hadn't exchanged a single word during this time. Han Wubing was taciturn by nature, and Zhao Changhe wore a sour face whenever he saw him. Yet, their friendship had actually grown stronger.

Every day, Zhao Changhe practiced his blade in the courtyard, and every time he stepped out, he saw Han Wubing also emerge to practice his sword.

There was something amusing about it. It showed that winning a man's friendship was simple—just find someone who shared the same game or followed the same series.

They each claimed their own space to practice, never revealing any secret techniques, but their eyes were sharp enough to discern the skill involved.

In terms of basic skills, Zhao Changhe had to admit that Han Wubing was more solid than him.

Basic skills didn't require intelligence or physical talent; they demanded years of accumulated effort. If both trained diligently every day, how could Zhao Changhe, with only half a year of practice, compare to someone with a decade? The reason he had been stronger than others before was that most people were mediocre, few remained hardworking, and many had long since slacked off.

Why was Han Wubing's sword faster than others?

Because he practiced drawing his sword from its sheath and launching attacks from different angles hundreds of times a day. He had been doing this for ten years.

Moreover, Han Wubing's cultivation was higher than his, and his understanding of swordsmanship, talent, and combat experience were certainly no worse. Although he might not possess any exceptional sword techniques, Zhao Changhe's own Blood Fiend Blade Art was hardly top-tier.

Thus, compared to his peers on the Hidden Dragon List, Zhao Changhe realized he had no real advantage.

He discovered that the people he had been bullying were all weaklings. If he didn't count his sparring with Yue Hongling, this was probably his first real duel with someone on the Hidden Dragon List—and he might very well lose.

His martial arts training had been too short. Even if he could find treasures to cleanse his marrow and refine his meridians, the accumulation of time was still irreparable.

To win, he might have to rely on the might of the Daxia Longque. Zhao Changhe, who was used to playing the underhanded role, couldn't help but blush a little. After all, this was a duel, different from before. Relying on a superior weapon felt like an unfair advantage.

What he didn't know was that Han Wubing, watching him practice his blade, was also impressed. Half a year, and at this level—it was almost unbelievable.

Before the fight even began, they already felt a mutual respect.

"Shua!"

Their blade and sword were sheathed almost simultaneously. They exchanged a glance and smiled.

Zhao Changhe said, "Are you fully healed?"

"Mm." Han Wubing was still a man of few words.

"Then how about we go out for a stroll today? They say Jianhu City has some interesting things, but we've been cooped up here the whole time. It feels like a wasted trip."

Han Wubing replied, "You go ahead."

"That sword you bought earlier was just so you wouldn't be without one. You're not really planning to use that one-tael piece of junk from the blacksmith against me, are you?" Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Changhe grabbed him and pulled him along. "Come on, let's get you a good sword. I can tell you're not short on money."

Han Wubing said, "...I haven't had any business in a long time. I don't have much money."

"I do. Let's go, let's go."

Han Wubing asked curiously, "You don't have a job either. Where do you get all that money?"

"That was from... well, the Cui family gave me a generous travel allowance to thank me for saving Yuan Yang. I didn't take too much because it was heavy, just some banknotes that can be cashed anywhere."

Han Wubing glanced at the horse in the courtyard, then at the blade on Zhao Changhe's back, and finally at the banknotes he suspected were hidden in his chest. His face was expressionless.

I was there too. Why didn't they think to give me anything?

But he didn't refuse Zhao Changhe's offer to buy him a sword. He followed him out onto the main street.

Jianhu City was a melting pot of all kinds of people, with many weapon shops and no shortage of good blades and swords. Han Wubing wandered through several shops for half a day, his brows furrowed.

He had never been particularly picky about swords before, but this time, facing a formidable blade that had snapped his own, it was a serious wake-up call. And Zhao Changhe's blade was absurdly powerful. Using an ordinary sword against it would be difficult. He knew Zhao Changhe had brought him out to buy a sword to avoid taking advantage of him with a superior weapon.

Old Zhao was indeed a good man. Han Wubing appreciated the gesture and didn't intend to quibble over money. His life had been saved by him; what was a little money? Men had plenty of chances to repay favors. The problem was finding a sword that could match his blade. Even if it was a few grades lower, something that could parry a few times without breaking in a fight—that would be hard to find.

Zhao Changhe asked the shopkeeper, "Is this all? Do you have anything better?"

The shopkeeper looked at the blade on his back. "I don't know what that blade is made of, but just by its size... if you two are looking for something to match it, I suggest you find a heavy Xuantie sword. What use are these long swords?"

Han Wubing said, "I don't use heavy swords..."

"So you really are looking for something to match that blade?" The shopkeeper was incredulous. "You're going to fight? And he's buying you a sword?"

Han Wubing nodded. "Yes."

The shopkeeper looked at Zhao Changhe and muttered, "Idiot."

Zhao Changhe said, "What do you know... Forget it, let's split up and search. The city is big enough; there must be more shops."

Han Wubing nodded, and they went their separate ways.

Zhao Changhe wanted to take a look around the city himself. They said this place was fun... But as soon as he turned a corner, he ran into a familiar face: Wu Weiyang of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

"Judging by your expression, Master Zhao, you're looking for a good sword?"

Zhao Changhe sighed. "Don't tell me you've been following me this whole time? Or have you been squatting outside my inn for three days?"

Wu Weiyang laughed. "To be honest, Master Zhao... I wasn't watching you myself, but I had subordinates keeping an eye out. When I heard you two had left, I came to meet you."

Zhao Changhe said, "Even though we want a good sword, we really don't want one from the Demon Suppression Bureau. I think we'll pass."

Wu Weiyang smiled. "Is Master Zhao afraid of owing the Bureau a favor?"

"I just don't want to get tangled up in official matters. They're the most troublesome, and they give me a headache."

"Then why did you say that Chief Tang should come see you in person?"

"Because I knew she wouldn't come, so I could talk big, haha..."

"But she has come."

"What?" Zhao Changhe's laughter caught in his throat. His eyes widened. "Does she have nothing better to do? How far is the capital from here!"

"Honestly, I don't understand either," Wu Weiyang sighed. "Since she's here, and you invited her, shouldn't you go see her?"

Zhao Changhe was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Let's go."

"Please, Master Zhao." Wu Weiyang made a gesture and led the way.

Zhao Changhe followed silently, a headache forming.

The affairs of the royal family—he had always avoided them. No matter how the old fox of the Cui family hinted, directly or indirectly, he had never responded, because it was too troublesome. Once involved, there would be no more carefree wandering in the martial world.

But he couldn't avoid it forever. Since Chief Tang had come all this way in person, she had shown sincerity. It was time to face it.

Just as he was thinking this, Wu Weiyang stopped. "We're here."

Zhao Changhe looked up and was stunned.

Wasn't this the brothel where he had asked, "Is she as skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting as Chief Tang?" And this was supposed to be the Demon Suppression Bureau?

He thought back to all the things he had said about Chief Tang.

"The man Tang Wanzhuang can't have."

"I'm not just a bandit; next time, I might set my sights on Tang Wanzhuang! Tell her to wash up and wait!"

And comparing her to a brothel girl.

This meeting... was he going to die a horrible death?