Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 432: Acknowledged by Dragon Bird

Zhao Changhe was unsure if Tang Wanzhuang genuinely did not want to be some femme fatale, or if she was just afraid of what might happen after he fully recovered. Either way, the timing of her departure was impeccable.

Zhao Change returned to his now-empty courtyard. The once-bustling place had quieted down, with the only constant being Tang Buqi’s big face, now grinning instead of scowling.

Not a moment later, however, the courtyard began to fill with servants and guards. It was clear that after days of managing the aftermath in Kuaiji, Tang Buqi had firmly taken control of the place and now had the leisure to employ some servants at the mansion.

That being said, the servants in Zhao Changhe’s courtyard were all men, and old ones at that.

“Don’t give me that look,” Tang Buqi said with a grin, holding a maidservant in one arm and fanning himself. “You used to be my brother, so of course, I’d share the good things with you, like sending over maids and such. That was just brotherly loyalty. But now that you’re going to be my uncle, how could I possibly let you indulge in such pleasures? I don’t want my aunt to beat me up. Times have changed, dear uncle.”

Zhao Changhe kept a blank face.

That smug face seemed to say, So you wanna be my uncle, huh? Fine, let’s see how you like that!

“Come on, stop looking so sour. If I’d known back then that you were serious about becoming my uncle, I would’ve gone back a year, punched myself in the face for offering Sisi to you, and called myself a fool.”

Zhao Changhe replied helplessly, “There was never anything between me and Sisi. Did you really think you could hand her over that easily? You were just trying to pull one of your aunt’s moves.”

“Oh? No relationship, huh? But isn’t your next destination her place? Can you really swear, hand on heart, that you won’t have someone else by your side when you return?”

This trip is full of dangers, with so many important things to do. Who has time to think about women?

Zhao Changhe confidently patted his chest and said, “Of course I can swear to that.”

Tang Buqi’s attitude softened immediately. “Alright, alright.”

Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh. The other party was clearly upset about him courting his aunt, yet he was subconsciously helping his aunt fight off potential rivals.

“You’re a truly renowned general now, revered across Jiangnan, yet you’re still acting like a playboy. Can you at least be a bit more serious?” Zhao Changhe said, eyeing the maidservant in Tang Buqi’s arms with a hint of jealousy in his gaze. “If word gets out, your reputation will be ruined.”

“Pfft,” Tang Buqi scoffed. “That’s for outsiders. There’s no need to pretend around family.”

He paused, then muttered, “From the way you’re talking, it sounds like you’ll change your attitude after your status changes, huh? How some people are...”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Tang Buqi sighed theatrically. “If you need any help, just say the word.”

Zhao Changhe said weakly, “I don’t need your help.”

“I’m talking about your trip to the southwest. You mentioned finding the secret realm, but there’s no clear entrance. You’ll have to investigate the tribal lands of the southwest. My aunt gave me instructions before she left, telling me to assist you however I can. But honestly, I can’t think of much I can do to help. The Great Xia Empire has never really had a firm grasp on the southwest. It’s all local chieftains ruling their own territories.”

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Changhe shook his head. “No need. I’ll check it out myself. There are already Demon Suppression Bureau agents in the region. If I need a hand, I’ll ask them.”

Tang Buqi added, “Li Sian has business dealings in that area. He’s quite familiar with the southwest. He might be able to help you out, so you can reach out to him when you’re there.”

“He’s not running a brothel over there, is he?”

“No, he’s involved in all sorts of trades. He moves goods in and out of the region. In fact, Sisi’s goods were transported through Li Sian’s caravans. He’s one of the few who know about her.”

“Alright, got it.”

“Good, then I’m off.” Tang Buqi swaggered away, holding his maidservant close. “I used to get jealous of you, now it’s your turn to be jealous of me. I’m off to have fun. You can play with your saber or something. Goodbye.”

Zhao Changhe was fuming.

Your aunt asked you to help me, and you’re just tossing me over to Li Sian, huh? Li Sian’s not only with the Demon Suppression Bureau, but also part of the Mounted Brigand Brotherhood. If I want his help, I can just ask him myself. I don’t need you as a middleman!

The most infuriating part to Zhao Changhe was that Tang Buqi could genuinely enjoy himself, while he, despite the object of Tang Buqi’s jealousy, had not really gotten anywhere.

Frustrated, Zhao Changhe retrieved the sword and saber from his ring. The weapons had been behaving, acting like ordinary, lifeless weapons. Zhao Changhe tried to mentally communicate with Dragon Bird, hoping to achieve the same connection that Cui Yuanyang had with the Qinghe Sword and the Lianshan Sword, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea—there was no response at all.

Such communication was not for everyone. Previously, Yang Jingxiu, despite being much stronger than Yuanyang, could not communicate with the Lianshan Sword. The sword had ignored him entirely. In contrast, Yuanyang’s pure Qinghe Sword intent resonated with the Lianshan Sword. Evidently, Yang Jingxiu’s sword intent displeased the Lianshan Sword.

Moreover, Dragon Bird was even more proud and aloof than the Lianshan Sword. Despite carrying it for so long, Zhao Changhe had never been able to establish any meaningful connection with it. Who knew what it was thinking?

Maybe I should try communicating with Dragon Emperor instead? It might be more reasonable.

As he reached out with his left hand to sense the sword’s intent, there was indeed a faint response. It was not exactly a conversation. Instead, it was more like a vague understanding of each other’s thoughts.

The impression he got from the ancient sword was: You and I are fated.

However, he could not receive the specific details of how exactly they were fated. Thinking back, he had once found the Azure Dragon Seal together with Chichi, and Chichi had received the full inheritance, passing a bit of the Azure Dragon’s intent to him by transferring some qi. Later on, together with Lady Three, he had also found the ancient Azure Dragon’s true coffin, from which he learned the Rejuvenation Art.

So, their connection was certainly deep.

The second impression he got from the ancient sword was: You possess imperial qi, and combined with this fate, perhaps you could be my new master.

Zhao Changhe felt a surge of joy but then received a third impression: But the sky cannot have two suns. I will not coexist with that broken saber. If it remains, I will not be yours. Cast it away, and I will accept you as my master.

It seemed that the ancient sword had initially been proud, as if it wanted to test him, but the moment it realized the Dragon Bird was around, it panicked, skipping any further tests and just demanding that the saber be discarded.

Suddenly, Zhao Changhe felt a response from the right side, where the Dragon Bird was. But when he focused, there was no message. Maybe his imagination was running wild, but he could almost picture a ponytailed girl with her ear pressed up, eavesdropping...

Not that it needed to eavesdrop. Zhao Changhe had already made his choice. “Brother Sword, Dragon Bird has fought alongside me through countless battles. We’ve faced too many powerful enemies together. Unless it abandons me, I could never throw it away.”

Dragon Bird seemed to lighten in his hand, as if relieved.

The ancient sword, on the other hand, remained indifferent: Then our fate ends here.

And with that, it fell silent.

Zhao Changhe did not dwell on it. The lack of resistance meant it could be used as a regular sword, just like how he had been using Dragon Bird. As long as it could be used, that was enough. His ultimate goal was to forge the Night Emperor’s sword. If this sword fully recognized him, it would complicate matters.

He tried communicating with Dragon Bird again. This time, Dragon Bird conveyed something. “That’s more like it. Otherwise, see if I care about you.”

Zhao Changhe blinked a few times. So it wasn’t that I couldn’t communicate, but that it was being tsundere.

Dragon Bird continued, “I am an imperial saber, meant to carve empires and conquer lands. You are no emperor, but you are worthy to be my ally. We can fight together. And as of today, you are an emperor.”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head. “But I haven’t claimed any throne.”

Such arrogance. It could have simply said “From now on, you can be my master,” but it would not admit it directly.

Dragon Bird’s reply was sharp. “Being an emperor isn’t about titles; it’s about whether others see you as one.”

Zhao Changhe hesitated. “But you know it was all just an act... We weren’t hiding anything from you.”

Dragon Bird’s response came. “In her heart, she truly believes it.”

Zhao Changhe froze, falling silent.

Dragon Bird also fell silent. This idiot... still not saying anything? Does he really expect me to be the one to offer myself up as his weapon?

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath, speaking seriously, “Dragon Bird, I don’t know if you’ll like what I’m about to say...”

Dragon Bird: “...”

“You are an imperial saber, and this whole recognizing a master thing feels like I’m making a promise to become an emperor. I don’t want to make that promise. Setting aside life-and-death master-servant dynamics, as a saber, you’ve been with me for so long, and I’ll never let anyone else wield you. You are my saber, and you can only be mine. Whether you acknowledge me or not, I am still your master. If you see me as a companion or an ally, that’s up to you. I don’t care how you see me, as long as you’re with me.”

Dragon Bird shuddered.

The intent it transmitted back was blurry, but Zhao Changhe could almost swear he sensed a wave of... satisfaction? Almost like a sense of relief or fulfillment.

Zhao Changhe: “?”

Suddenly, Dragon Bird’s previously vague intentions became crystal clear, as if it was speaking directly to him. “That is simply what the will of an emperor is. You are truly my master.”

Zhao Changhe was dumbfounded.

A faint glow flickered across the saber, and the rusted, dull exterior—intentionally marred by Cui Wenjing—faded away. The Dragon Bird was restored to its full glory—an ancient and imposing war saber, the flat of the blade etched with the fierce image of the dragon bird, claws outstretched as if ready to soar skyward.[1]

1. Dragon Bird (龙雀) is a reference to a Chinese mythical creature, somewhat similar to a phoenix. It is also a reference to the real-life Xia Dynasty’s legendary Dragon Sparrow blade (大夏龙雀刀). ☜