Chaotic World Book

Zhao Changhe truly felt anger in his heart. He had exhausted every method in hopes of curing her, constantly traveling from the east to the west. Wherever he went, he thought, "Would this help Wanzhuang's illness?" "Could the Rejuvenation Technique save Wanzhuang at this stage?" His mind was consumed with these thoughts, almost to the point of obsession.

Landing ashore, his first concern was for the peril Wanzhuang faced. He spurred his horse, covering thousands of miles in just a few hours from Yangzhou to the Capital.

Yet she regarded her life so negligibly. It wasn't just her own life at stake but also Zhao Changhe's heartfelt efforts, all spilled into the mud.

He didn't want to speak harshly, the toughest thing he had said was, "Spend the rest of your life with me."

To that, Tang Wanzhuang looked into his eyes and seriously responded, "Alright, if there is another half of life… Wanzhuang… is willing to be your concubine."

That left Zhao Changhe utterly stunned. She didn't say wife, but concubine… Did you understand the implication of that? Could that be a modest expression?

"No, do you realize you could truly live? Don't tell me you think I'm just boasting, thinking you are going to die anyway so you might as well throw caution to the wind?"

Tang Wanzhuang just smiled slightly, not answering.

She didn't know if Zhao Changhe was boasting or just speaking angrily, but deep down, she felt both love and guilt. If Xia Longyuan hadn't failed her, it was only that he hadn't neglected his loyalty as a ruler. It was Zhao Changhe who had truly been there for her as a person, even descending like a god-sent hero in such moments, completely shattering her.

In that moment, Tang Wanzhuang genuinely felt her life belonged here.

Her life had reached its end. For the sake of Great Xia, she had truly sacrificed her life, owing nothing to anyone, save him alone.

If there were a chance to be reborn from the ashes, it would be because of his affection that she would live another life, henceforth not as the head of the Tang but as a wife of the Zhao Family. Why then would she desire to compete with others?

Unfortunately… it might just be a dream…

Drowsiness overcame her, and Tang Wanzhuang's eyelids began to fight, her consciousness gradually fading.

In a daze, she felt Zhao Changhe put a pill into her mouth, but there was no kiss transfer of Qi as she had imagined.

"He doesn't even want to kiss me anymore…"

In reality, when would Zhao Changhe have the leisure to kiss? Tang Wanzhuang was confused and couldn't grasp the situation; at this moment, everyone was within Wang Daoning's Qi Wall, which wasn't only used to trap opponents but could crush people alive.

Previously, when Tang Wanzhuang was still in good condition, the Qi Wall couldn't suppress her, but now she clearly couldn't withstand it any longer. Originally leaning against the Qi Wall, she had been squeezed over, pressing tightly against Zhao Changhe.

Forget treatment—if Zhao Changhe didn't handle it, he'd have to watch his woman being crushed into pulp in his arms, and he might not even survive himself.

Zhao Changhe held Tang Wanzhuang in his arms, using his body to shield her from the pressure. He looked around; it was tightly sealed from all sides, even from above.

But in his heart, he reached the same conclusion as Tang Wanzhuang had before—the Wang Family's "Sky-suppressing, Sea-taming," was Qi, not the sea. If Wang Daoning's breakthrough in the Imperial Realm was due to combining the yin energy left in his soul by the Sea Emperor, it actually didn't align with his Dao, his control over the realm might be flawed… It wasn't clear if the short time it took to deal with Wanzhuang was related, but anyway, it wasn't as strong as he'd imagined.

Before, with one arrow and one sword, relying on the surprise strike and the soul bow's divine advantage, he could only be pushed back without injury; it seemed there really wasn't a big gap in levels.

That Qi Wall, only appearing thick and hard, should indeed have significant flaws.

Zhao Changhe's mind raced, and without warning, he let out a fierce shout and slammed a punch into the ground.

This punch, unlike those of the past, could now stop waves! With a loud crash, the ground of the Imperial Palace was blasted diagonally down, creating a grooved path running underneath the Qi Wall.

Indeed, the Qi Wall didn't automatically adjust to fill the space, extremely rigid, showing no response even as air flowed from underneath.

Zhao Changhe felt greatly relieved. With two more punches, he broadened the passage, and holding the unconscious Tang Wanzhuang, they rolled out of the area. Wang Daoning had thought he could trap them for at least half an hour, but in reality, only a few words and three punches had passed, not even half a minute by the clock.

If Wang Daozhong were here, he probably would have scolded his elder brother, "How could you compete with the young?"

With neighboring halls collapsing and nowhere stable to land, Zhao Changhe carried Tang Wanzhuang as he dashed farther, ducking into an unknown side hall. There was no bed, only tables and chairs. Fortunately, the table was rather long; Zhao Changhe laid Tang Wanzhuang on it, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

Now there was a bit of an atmosphere conducive to treatment, otherwise it would only worsen.

Zhao Changhe directly took out a small paper packet from his ring containing a powder made from sun-dried decocted herbs. Not yet processed into pills, its effectiveness was about the same—these were the herbs he picked on Tianya Island that might help with Tang Wanzhuang's illness. Since San Niang Chichi couldn't recognize them anyway, he later decocted them into medicine for San Niang onboard the ship, and also prepared a portion for Tang Wanzhuang just in case.

Indeed, he was constantly preoccupied with Tang Wanzhuang's illness, evident as day. Of course, he wouldn't dare flaunt this in front of San Niang Chichi; otherwise, he couldn't face up, and would definitely be beaten to death.

The advantage was that there was no need to prepare medicine on the spot; it was ready to use. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough time... It was as though heaven helps those who help themselves.

Zhao Changhe pried open Tang Wanzhuang's cherry lips to pour in the medicinal powder. Seeing that she was about to cough it out, he immediately leaned down to kiss her, blocking it all back in. At the same time, he silently operated the Rejuvenation Technique, and the overwhelming power of the Azure Dragon Rejuvenation quickly healed the injuries Tang Wanzhuang had just sustained, followed by repairing her meridians and nourishing her soul.

The whole process was as smooth as flowing water; he didn't know how long he had mentally rehearsed it.

Tang Wanzhuang was groggy, but her mind was always aware, touching on something indescribable.

If her life was truly saved, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was all thanks to him.

She slightly opened her eyes, meeting Zhao Changhe's intensely concerned gaze.

Seeing her open her eyes, Zhao Changhe's kissing paused slightly as he attempted to get up.

Tang Wanzhuang reached out to hold him tightly, preventing him from rising. Their soft gazes met, each seeing their own reflection in the other's eyes.

Zhao Changhe's tongue gently pressed; Tang Wanzhuang understood his intentions and obediently parted her teeth slightly, allowing him to explore.

After a brief kiss, Zhao Changhe breathed slightly harder and slightly pulled away; Tang Wanzhuang's chest heaved as she whispered, "Am I… alive?"

Not half an hour, at most two minutes had passed since walking through Ghost Gate and being pulled back.

Zhao Changhe hummed in response, "You won't die. To fully heal, True Dual Cultivation is needed... I'm not deceiving you... I need to be clear with you."

Tang Wanzhuang softly closed her eyes, turned her head aside, and whispered, "Here, right now?"

Her pale face had slowly begun to flush.

Zhao Changhe, however, was rendered speechless by the suggestion, his expression incredibly strange.

Of course, it wasn't possible here; this was neither the place nor the time. She should find a place to hide and recuperate, and I'll come back for you after everything settles down... Wanzhuang is such an intelligent person, how could she not understand this...

No, was what she implied with her words, "As long as you want, it can be done anywhere?"

Zhao Changhe scratched his head, leaning closer to whisper, "You should go back now, find a safe place to hide, and then... get cleaned up and wait."

—The brigand might next desire Tang Wanzhuang! Let her wash up and wait!

Both their minds instinctively recalled that audacious declaration, which had now become a reality—and frankly, it meant actually getting cleaned up and waiting to be graced with his visit.

Tang Wanzhuang felt a hint of shame yet did not reject him; instead, she whispered softly, "What do you mean, where do you plan to go now?"

Just a short distance away, beneath the Temple, the most critical battle on the Divine Continent was unfolding. Although only two or three minutes had passed, it was uncertain if a winner had been decided yet.

Tang Wanzhuang whispered, "You do not possess the strength to partake in this fight; don't go..."

Zhao Changhe was noticeably surprised. Was Wanzhuang truly indifferent now?

Tang Wanzhuang said, "It's not that I don't care, but compared to your well-being, you are more important."

Zhao Changhe finally understood Wanzhuang's heart today and felt deeply moved. However, he continued, "I must go... If Yang Jingxiu's level can contribute to the fight, then I can too."

Tang Wanzhuang asked earnestly, "Why take this risk? You clearly also think that His Majesty shouldn't be in that position; you never hid your opposition."

"Two reasons... First, if Old Xia dies, the world will fall apart; who will then seriously contend with Northern Hu? Not to mention the capability, relying on some heroes' initiative isn't enough. I'm even worried that more ambitious people might collude with Northern Hu for the sake of power. I heard on the way here that Chang'an had fallen two months ago, and the Hu people looting and returning, makes this matter seem strange. Could Li Gongsi have an issue, using this method to supply Northern Hu with food and slaves? Maybe it's just my conspiracy theory to assume the worst of the Aristocratic Families, but even if he's clean, I can't trust Wang Daoning's integrity."

Tang Wanzhuang revealed a smile.

In terms of leadership, a good minister chooses his leader, and he was more deserving of support than the current Majesty.

Even though people like Li Shentong, Yuxu, or Yue Hongling might have the common folk in their hearts, Tang Wanzhuang felt their awareness was deficient--too petty, merely thoughts of outlaws. In this world, the real person who truly cares about the entire world, other than herself, Tang Wanzhuang, was only Zhao Changhe.

"And the second reason?"

"The second, Wang Daoning dares to kill you, I will be relentless against him!"