Chaotic World Book-Chapter 243 - 238 Huangfu

Zhao Changhe looked at Young Master Dai with a deep meaning, unsure whether the latter’s shouting was due to mere stupidity or had another significance. He hadn’t deliberately planned on where to stay; any inn would do, as nobody knew Zhao Changhe had entered the city. What difference did it make where he stayed?

Unfortunately, Young Master Dai’s shouting had made it known to the world... An inn, with all eyes on it, seemed not so suitable anymore.

But moving into his house, wouldn’t everything Zhao did be under the scrutiny of the Dai family?

It was certainly inappropriate to stay at Tang Wanju’s home. The signal that would send was absurd, and Tang Wanju’s tolerance would unlikely withstand it, leading to a high probability of being kicked out...

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment, then slightly smiled, "Young Master Dai is too polite, I have a place to stay."

Young Master Dai, surprised, asked, "Brother Zhao, do you also have old acquaintances in the Capital? Uh, could it be the Cui Family? I feel it’s not appropriate for Brother Zhao to stay there, and you might even be driven out."

"... "Both the Tang and Cui families might drive him away; Zhao Changhe realized he was indeed unpopular.

Yet, he genuinely had a destination, "Since Brother Dai is familiar with the Capital City, do you know the way to Marquis Jingyuan Mansion?"

Young Master Dai was stunned, "Brother Zhao has old ties with Marquis Jingyuan?"

"No, but I have military intelligence to report." Zhao Changhe did not entertain him further and directly asked the city gate guard, "I have military intelligence; can someone guide me to the Marquis Mansion?"

At this time, nothing was more important than military intelligence. The gatekeeper immediately arranged for someone to escort Zhao Changhe to Marquis Jingyuan Mansion.

Young Master Dai stood there stupefied, and after a long while, he said to his attendant, "This Zhao Changhe, I meant well, why did he avoid me like I’m a venomous snake? I even planned to invite him to Yi Hong Tower for some fun tonight..."

The attendant sighed, not saying a word.

These times you’re in, do you think everybody just wants to have fun like the rich young masters... When you publicly announced Zhao Changhe’s arrival, it’s a wonder he didn’t suspect you of harboring ill-intentions.

With turmoil incoming, who knows if these young masters will adapt. They say Hidden Dragon, but how many can truly emerge from the abyss?

Shortly, Zhao Changhe arrived at Marquis Jingyuan Mansion and boldly called out, "Zhao Changhe has urgent matters concerning the barbarians to report to Marquis Jingyuan Mansion. Who is in charge here?"

"Creak~" The main gate opened wide, a man with a curly beard hurried out, "I am Huangfu Shaozong. Barbarian military intelligence is paramount. Brother Zhao, please come in."

Zhao Changhe was surprised, "You’re really not afraid I’m here to harm you, just welcoming me like this?"

Huangfu Shaozong laughed heartily, "If Brother Zhao intends to harm me, that’s not necessarily feasible."

Huangfu Shaozong, Hidden Dragon Eleven. Don’t be deceived by his aged appearance with a curly beard; he’s actually the same age as Zhao Changhe, twenty.

Langya’s sword convention claimed to invite all Hidden Dragons, but that was far from the truth. Many people had ’things’ preventing them from coming, like Huangfu Shaozong.

Interestingly, the Hidden Dragon List had a peculiar trait; being on the list seemed to naturally add a layer of relationship, calling each other brothers before even meeting. Or perhaps, being on the list made them regard each other more highly.

Following Huangfu Shaozong inside, Zhao Changhe casually asked with a smile, "Brother Huangfu, why didn’t you follow your father to the campaign? It’s also a form of training."

"Because I’m the only male heir in the Huangfu family. When recruiting soldiers in such cases, they only draft the father, not the son..."

"Uh..." Zhao Changhe thought to himself that the major families he knew all had numerous branches, such a singular line of succession was indeed rare.

Then he heard Huangfu Shaozong continue, "Originally, I had three brothers... All have died on the battlefield over the years, leaving just me and an older sister."

Zhao Changhe paused, respectfully performing a salute, "I spoke presumptuously."

"It’s nothing." As they walked into the living room, Huangfu Shaozong waved for tea to be served and directly asked, "What’s this military intelligence about?"

"Is He Lei a tribe leader on the grassland?"

"Correct, the Battle Lion Tribe. They are involved in the battle at Yanmen too. He Lei’s disciple, Ba Tu, has taken ten thousand men to serve under the Great Khan."

"He Lei has been severely wounded... If he were killed, would this tribe fall into chaos, or would it be smoothly swallowed by the Great Khan with no disturbance?"

"There would definitely be chaos... If he could be killed, whether it creates disorder or not, it would rid us of a great nuisance."

"Hmm."

Huangfu Shaozong said, "The Demon Suppression Department reported, around twenty days ago, He Lei was run through the shoulder blade by Han Wubing in Sword Lake City. Coupled with previous injuries from the Daoist Gui Chen that hadn’t healed, the added trauma has made him extremely vulnerable now. We’ve sent people to search, but so far there’s no trace of him, could Zhao young master have a lead?"

Zhao Changhe stroked his chin, murmuring, "It seems Wei Zicai isn’t daring to conceal too wildly... Or perhaps this could be considered his achievement?"

Huangfu Shaozong: "..."

Zhao Changhe said, "I indeed have a lead. At this moment, He Lei is about to reach Beimang, where I stayed previously. Further north, and he’ll enter the mountains, making him hard to locate."

Huangfu Shaozong was shocked, "Is this information reliable?"

"I can’t say it’s one hundred percent, but I am about eighty or ninety percent confident."

Zhao Changhe indeed knew of He Lei’s whereabouts.

Throughout the journey alongside Miss Winged Fire Snake, they had stopped at numerous branches of the Four Symbols Sect, and he had watched her issue orders for Four Symbols Sect members to extensively search for He Lei’s whereabouts.

He Lei had once attempted to kill the Winged Fire Snake. She might not say it out loud, but she sure held a grudge.

The Four Symbols Sect had a massive clandestine influence in the North, and the issuing of orders by the Twenty-Eight Constellations was a significant affair, with the huge underground machinery fully operational. A Hu man with a Baltic distinct characteristic that had been injured wasn’t too hard to track down, and his whereabouts were relayed yesterday evening to the Winged Fire Snake.

Despite being very close to certainty, Zhao Changhe only dared claim it to be about eighty or ninety percent. In reality, he felt it was completely certain, and he held an inexplicable trust in the Four Symbols Sect, hailing from his mother’s family, Chichi.

It seemed that the Winged Fire Snake hesitated between pursuing He Lei and returning to the Capital. Eventually, she chose to return to the Capital first. After all, staying in the Capital for a day or two to handle some matters still left her enough time to pursue the kill. If she pursued first, she would be away from the Capital for too long, which was highly inappropriate.

It appeared that the Winged Fire Snake was indeed very eager to return to the Capital, even neglecting the clues about her enemy. It was really unknown what her true identity was.

Seeing how certain Zhao Changhe was, Huangfu Shaozong didn’t waste words and immediately instructed his attendants, "Hurry and inform Chief Tang. Let the Demon Suppression Department coordinate with our people to search around Beimang. We mustn’t let He Lei live to return to the grasslands!"

He hadn’t even finished speaking when the door guard hurriedly reported, "Yang Yaowu from the Demon Suppression Department has come to visit, saying that Chief Tang has requested Zhao Changhe for questioning."

Zhao Changhe sipped his tea and leisurely said, "She wants me to come to her? Let her come here to talk her issues."

Huangfu Shaozong twitched the corners of his mouth.

Then Zhao Changhe looked at him expectantly, "Brother Huangfu..."

"Hmm?"

"Given my position in military intelligence, is it possible for me to stay at your place during my visit to the Capital?"

Huangfu Shaozong didn’t really want to accommodate Zhao Changhe.

The saber Zhao Changhe carried on his back might not be recognized by others, but the Huangfu Family was all too familiar with it. As a typical general’s family, he wanted nothing to do with this matter. His father was currently the sole bearer of their family line...

But since Zhao Changhe had outright asked, it seemed somewhat inappropriate to refuse. Just as Huangfu Shaozong’s mind raced to find an excuse, a hurried announcement came from outside: "The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"

Zhao Changhe was startled.

Huangfu Shaozong greeted her with joy on his face, "Sister, I’ve been so worried not having heard from you for so long. I feared something had gone wrong, and here you are leaving the palace all of a sudden. It truly is a case of great minds thinking alike."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Talking about political stance, it turns out the Huangfu Family is also related by marriage.

That supposed death of the Crown Prince... now sounds quite intriguing.

From outside, continuous sounds of greeting echoed, "Greetings to Your Highness."

"May Your Highness live in peace."

"Sister, how did you find the time to leave the palace today?"

"Why do you care about when I leave the palace? What the hell is with that atrocious beard you’re growing? Shave it off. It’s hideous."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Why does this voice sound so familiar?

But he heard Huangfu Shaozong trying to laugh it off: "This beard is very manly, though."

"Manliness is demonstrated by this thing? Why don’t you carve a scar on your face?"

"It’s coincidence, I indeed have a man with a scar on his face and stubble as my guest at home."

"Oh?" The female voice was teasingly mocking, "Show him to me, let’s see what kind of riffraff and messy friends you’ve made."

"Hey, it’s really not like that this time!"

Following her voice, a beautifully-dressed palace beauty slowly made her way into the hall.

Zhao Changhe stood with his mouth agape, damn...

Miss Winged Fire Snake, no wonder you were always eager to return to the Capital. With you missing even a little longer, the Imperial City would probably explode, right? No wonder you only dared to address General Huangfu as Marquis Jingyuan. He’s your real father.

Uh, no, why are you the Imperial Concubine?

If inheriting the Observing Women Skill from the Maitreya Sect’s Ultimate Bliss Method is accurate, aren’t you supposed to be a virgin?

The Imperial Concubine looked at Zhao Changhe mockingly, and after a moment, she said, "Who is this that dares to sit so high in disrespect, not just some riffraff friends? Someone, throw him out!"

Zhao Changhe hadn’t even figured out how to respond when another woman’s voice came from the doorway: "Since the Imperial Concubine does not welcome you, you might as well come with me to the Demon Suppression Department. Why loiter here?"

Following the voice, Tang Wanju floated in.

The Imperial Concubine yawned languidly, "Who said I don’t welcome him? I’ve changed my mind, Shaozong. Treat this young hero well, lest others say our Huangfu Family lacks manners."

Zhao Changhe’s jaw gradually dropped.

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