Chaotic World Book

At that time, it had been almost a year since the Maitreya Sect's downfall in Jiangnan.

Although there were still skirmishes between the southern powers, they were relatively minor and small in scale. Each clan was reviving production, licking the wounds once inflicted by the Maitreya calamity.

Under the tacit understanding that each force harbored the intention of becoming autonomous, none of them pursued the former Maitreya Sect followers to the bitter end. Instead, they were generally absorbed under the guise of "displaced people" and guided back to agricultural production. The Tang family did the most in this respect, discreetly integrating hundreds of thousands of scattered Maitreya soldiers into the workforce, with the elite reorganized into the military.

Once the economy took priority, the revival of Jiangnan, with its solid foundation, was swift. Especially in the Tang family's stronghold around Suzhou and Hangzhou, which had already recovered significantly. With the current rapid expansion of sea trade, Ningbo Port became more crucial than ever.

A family of three disembarked, the pier was bustling with noise, peddlers everywhere, and red-sleeved entertainers filled the buildings. It was even more lively than Yangzhou had been.

In less than a year, the once-depressed Jiangnan under the Maitreya iron hooves seemed a distant memory…

After all, this place was the heart of sea trade, with not only the Tang family's caravans but also other sea merchants setting sail from here; destinations included not only Penglai but also a slew of small countries that had been trounced by Changkong on Dong'an Island. In places Zhao Changhe couldn't see, even when the proposal to open sea routes wasn't yet raised, the maritime trade had already been thriving. After the official opening, it surged even more.

Ironically, the proposal to open the sea was originally about transportation, not trade… The outcome of the maritime transport was still unknown, but it inadvertently led to the boom of maritime commerce, an unintended flourishing consequence.

"Tang Buqi's skills aren't too shabby," Xia Chichi mused appreciatively at the bustling port, "I thought he was rather dull. Is it true that even a pig can fly if it stands in the wind? Just like how the Room Fire Pig can root up the…"

"?" Zhao Changhe interrupted, "He's from an Aristocratic Family, raised with discipline since childhood. Nothing he needed to learn was neglected… In this past year, what he's done has been remarkable."

"I think all you remember is his aunt," Xia Chichi retorted with contempt: "It feels like some just like the older ones, those who act as elders, like your master's peers. Then, coincidentally, there are those who are disrespectful with age, a perfect match, destined for a lifetime."

San Niang: "?"

With a "bang", the Four Symbols Sect Holy Daughter, Flying Dragon in the Sky.

"I've wanted to thrash you since you interrupted the romantic moment on the boat, now you're gasping for air?" Snapping at the sky, San Niang withdrew her foot aiming at her niece and turned to Zhao Changhe, "Seeing that you're heading straight north on the main road without a care for the prosperity around you, have you perceived something again?"

"Yes, sometimes thinking about Qi Observation Magic or divination is a bit self-troubling. Even though I know that changes in destiny don't necessarily reflect the present; it's a trend that can be altered. Yet, knowing that things are moving steadily towards that trend, I'm anxious and lose interest in anything else."

San Niang laughed, "That's why I don't ponder it – just think about how to harness the Power of Faith. You can handle the rest with your greater abilities..."

Zhao Changhe asked, "You're from around here, right?"

San Niang smiled, "Hangzhou. But it's meaningless now… no relatives left, nothing to see there..."

"Thump~" Xia Chichi landed back on the ground, glanced at the older woman, and held her tongue, to avoid another kick.

Steal my man and then kick me… When we were together, you were still obediently kissed by me. What's there to be proud of…

It was clear that the master still intended to visit her old home, but she gave up the idea seeing Zhao Changhe's low spirits. Maybe that's just how old women are – outwardly gentle and compliant – can't you guess that she's actually worried about some other old woman?

Forget it, Xia Chichi had her own concerns. Theoretically speaking, that old woman is her wife, even though they never spoke a word to each other and were wary when they met.

While they talked, the threesome quickly left Ningbo City.

Once outside, they knew the prosperity was only on the surface. Heading north through Yongbei, evidence of desolation could still be seen along the way.

Villages were sparse, one every hundred miles, with less than three or four households. Occasionally, there were signs of bandits and thieves. The previous prosperity came from concentrating the population in major towns, like a person who looks splendid on the outside but is full of gaping wounds within.

The devastation and slaughter from a year's time were wounds that couldn't be healed so quickly. Tang Buqi's recovery efforts were commendable, limited by time it was unfair to expect more. Given a few more years, the region could flourish once more, returning to the Jiangnan everyone envisioned.

But was there time for that?

The current state of ruin and fragmentation was a sign of the land's fate being in turmoil.

In Xia Longyuan's eyes, there were no people or lands, only NPCs to be dealt with as data in a game… But facts had shown that even as data, they would still provide feedback in their own ways.

Zhao Changhe was burdened by heavy feelings. Hastening his pace, he made his way to Gusu to discuss the current situation in Divine Continent with Tang Buqi, and also to retrieve his black steed, Wuzhui.

"Halt, a toll…" the city gate guard began shouting but suddenly paused, eyes widening: "Asura King…"

Zhao Changhe realized he had become too famous. Even hiding his signature Dragon Sparrow in his ring, others recognized him instantly by the scar on his face. There were many in the Worldly Society who cosplayed his scar, inexplicably, people could pinpoint that he was Zhao Changhe...

Perhaps it was his distinct Qi Field that set him apart.

Asura King enters the city!

These five words spread silently through Gusu. In an instant, the whole city shook.

Stepping into the city, Zhao Changhe felt the covert gazes all around, from the city guard to everyone else. It seemed as if they all had words on the brink of their lips, the entire city brimming with a strange sentiment.

Just as I reached the first street upon entering the city, Tang Buqi swept out like a gust of wind, "You've done quite the deed!"

Zhao Changhe came to a halt, with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, he said, "Seems not as significant as what you've accomplished."

Tang Buqi wasn't intimidated by this remark, but he hesitated as he glanced at San Niang and Xia Chichi, and with a stern face, he said, "So God Slayer, you think it's impressive to have two of them with you now, eh?"

Zhao Changhe said, "I suggest you be polite to them, otherwise if they decide to tear you apart limb by limb, I won't be able to stop them."

Tang Buqi probably had an idea of who these two were and didn't dare to make a sound. He gestured invitingly, "Come on, I'll treat you to a drink."

Zhao Changhe didn't follow him but stood still in the middle of the street, staring at Tang Buqi, "The moment I set foot on land, all I wanted was to rush to the Capital. And here you are, sitting comfortably in Gusu with the mood to invite for drinks?"

Tang Buqi sighed helplessly, "Isn't this all because of you? If it were someone else, do you think I'd bother?"

Zhao Changhe just stared at him silently.

The sky quietly flurried with light snow, the north wind brushed by, the street was cold and silent, soundless all around, the atmosphere momentarily filled with oppression and awkwardness.

It took a good long while before Tang Buqi reluctantly said, "I did indeed have a quarrel with auntie, but that's a family matter… Could we possibly not discuss this in the middle of the street?"

Zhao Changhe suddenly laughed, as if the spring warmth had brought blooms, "Then let's drink."

It was just a quarrel. Any idiot could figure out what it was about, and it wasn't too bad.

What Zhao Changhe was most worried about was whether Tang Buqi secretly wished for his aunt's misfortune or even facilitated it for his own benefit. That would be the most ruthless and vile, aligning with his interests. He hoped that today's Buqi hadn't become such a person.

They entered a roadside tavern, and when Tang Buqi's guards attempted to follow, Tang Buqi waved them away, "Why would you come in? With Asura King right here and Xuanwu Venerable present, could any assassin actually kill me?"

The guards hesitated, you know Xuanwu is here too... the one you should be scared of killing you is Xuanwu...

But now Tang Buqi seemed to hold great authority, so the guards didn't dare to say anything and stood outside the door.

The roadside tavern quickly became an empty hall. The Shopkeeper served the food and drinks and hurriedly retreated as if sensing a vortex of Qi Field that could crush someone into mincemeat.

After everything quieted down, with only four people seated at the square table, Tang Buqi poured wine for the three companions, shaking his head, "I don't know what you're so tense about. That look in your eyes is the same as when you looked at Chi Li back then, full of vigilance and distrust. When did our relationship come to this? Is it so hard for you to understand that I don't want to serve Xia Longyuan's commands? You support the Four Symbols Sect and Li Shentong. Is that all a lie? I thought you'd be supporting me, really, auntie is the blindly loyal one."

Zhao Changhe said, "Is that it?"

Tang Buqi was baffled, "What else could there be?"

Zhao Changhe tapped his head and let out a long sigh.

It seemed he was being an idiot. The intuition from the Qi Observation Skill indicating that Wanzhuang might be in trouble was his own assumption, which Tang Buqi did not know. How could he possibly think that his aunt was in danger? He was clearly still seeking support, which meant that now he was bold enough to argue a bit and call his aunt blindly loyal, and that was what they called "a quarrel."

This darn skill really shouldn't be learned. It's misleading.

Seeing that Zhao Changhe's expression improved slightly, Tang Buqi also breathed a sigh of relief, "Well, it's feared that all of Jiangnan thinks we're going to secede. The ambitions of Buqi are known to all. Seeing your entrance into the city, of course, the atmosphere is tense. Do you know your current status in people's eyes? You're a legend!"

Zhao Changhe chuckled, "Is that an exaggeration?"

"Do you understand the value of being known as a God Slayer?" Tang Buqi said, "I won't beat around the bush; just tell me whether you support it or not. If you don't support me, I'll give up... Don't get me wrong, it's not that I respect you that much, it's because if you don't support me, I can't make it happen."

Zhao Changhe sipped his wine and said indifferently, "I do not support it."

Tang Buqi was taken aback, "Why? Don't tell me it's about being a loyal and righteous official as well."

"Because Jiangnan isn't land to be seceded, and beneath Gusu lies a tremendous ticking time bomb. It seems you've been calling the shots here for so long you've forgotten why the families moved to the Capital early on."

"..." Tang Buqi's eyes widened; he had indeed forgotten.

After a long pause, he stammered, "If, if you can solve it..."

"Am I your father?"

"What if it were your realm? Would you resolve it?"

"If it were my realm, would you still harbor disloyalty?"

Tang Buqi fell silent briefly, then slowly said, "If it were you, I wouldn't dare."

Wouldn't dare... those words Zhao Changhe chewed over for a while, "You dare to go against Xia Longyuan? He could kill you with a flick of his finger."

"The many forces in the world have not been crushed by his finger, and that has destined the arrival of this day. Ambition doesn't necessarily come naturally; it needs fertile ground to grow. If anyone must bear the greatest responsibility for the current chaos, it would surely be Xia Longyuan himself." Tang Buqi looked earnestly at Zhao Changhe, "If the situation were yours, I hope you'll remember that as well. Everything maintained by kindness, righteousness, and legal authority is hollow. There's only one Tang Wanju in this world."