Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 645: How Painful is Social Death

Although Xia Chichi harbored a belly full of rebellious thoughts toward Vermillion Bird, always scheming about when she might seize control, deep down, she was genuinely intimidated by Vermillion Bird.

Never in her wildest imagination did she think she would witness the Venerable Vermillion Bird being forcefully pinned against a rock and kissed with such domineering fervor—it was a scene that could well and truly be regarded as a masterpiece.

Xia Chichi understood the pride of the venerable. She was certain that even if the Night Emperor resurrected, Vermillion Bird would never submit to such servitude. The two matters were worlds apart. If the Night Emperor truly dared demand such a thing from her, it would shatter her faith, driving her to renounce the cult in fury.

It was akin to how Tang Wanzhuang, no matter how loyal, would never serve an emperor, even swearing never to be betrothed to the crown prince, whether as a concubine or wife. In this regard, Vermillion Bird and Tang Wanzhuang were two sides of the same coin, reflections of each other in light and darkness.

If Vermillion Bird were to yield to a man, it would only be because she genuinely liked him.

But now? Xia Chichi had only just reluctantly accepted Zhao Changhe as the so-called new Night Emperor, and his loyalty was still in question. She simply could not comprehend why Vermillion Bird would surrender herself to such a shallow confession.

Is it merely because she wants to taste his lips? Is seducing women really this easy nowadays?

Have I misunderstood the venerable all along? Is my master really so easily swayed by a man’s confession? I mean, I guess it’s fitting for someone who plays with fire all the time, her heart must have always been burning intensely inside.

“Pfft... Hahaha...” Lady Three clutched her stomach with one hand and pointed at the masterpiece-like scene in the distance with the other, laughing so hard she nearly rolled on the ground. “Serves you right for being so fierce! Look at you now, pinned down and being devoured by a man! Hahaha!”

Xia Chichi: “...”

She could not help but agree. The sight was incredibly satisfying. Fierce women inevitably made too many enemies...

But what on earth is Aunt-Master so pleased about? This seems like the total collapse of the Four Idols Cult. If the real Night Emperor were resurrected and saw this, he’d just spit blood and die of anger. His faithful followers somehow ended up in someone else’s backyard.

Also, can you please not interrupt? I want to savor this scene a little longer.

Carefully glancing over, she noted the obvious turmoil on their faces. They were too engrossed to notice someone nearby laughing to the point of collapse. Xia Chichi let out a breath, reasoning that Vermillion Bird’s mind was probably blank at this point.

Understandable.

Indeed, Vermillion Bird’s mind was completely blank. Her thoughts were muddled, tangled in a haze of shame, liberation, and bewilderment.

Zhao Changhe’s kiss was deeply satisfying. In theory, they had already done everything before. Yet she had never allowed herself to be Vermillion Bird in those moments, refusing to associate her intimate experiences with the identity of Vermillion Bird, a Venerable of the Four Idols Cult. Those private moments had belonged solely to Huangfu Qing, a personal solace distinct from her sacred title. She had kept the two identities firmly separate—even her demeanor, scent, and voice transformed completely between them.

But now, she was Vermillion Bird. Wearing her proud and dignified mask and exuding the delicate fragrance unique to Vermillion Bird, she still invited him to savor her.

One could say that it was only at this moment that he had truly kissed the Venerable Vermillion Bird—kissed the witch who once could have swatted him dead on a whim, kissed those sultry red lips that had lingered in the depths of his mind.

No one knew how long they remained like that before they finally parted, breathless and just slightly apart, their eyes clouded with desire.

Vermillion Bird slumped weakly against the rock, too spent to hold herself up. It was his weight pressing her in place that kept her from slipping. After catching her breath for a while, she finally whispered, “Satisfied?”

She was not stupid. Now that her mind was clearer, she realized that Zhao Changhe was not the kind of fool whose lust overrode reason. He dared kiss her so brazenly, unafraid of sparking Vermillion Bird’s wrath, because he had recognized her as Huangfu Qing. He knew that deep down, she was willing.

Zhao Changhe leaned in and murmured in her ear, “Which voice is the real one?”

Xia Chichi: “?”

What are they talking about? Her face was filled with confusion.

Vermillion Bird spoke feebly, “I don’t know either. In truth, there isn’t much difference between the voices. It’s just the tone that changes how others perceive me.”

She had long feared the humiliation that came with exposure, but now that she was facing it, it did not seem that bad. Sooner or later, she had to let him know—how much longer could she hide from her partner? He had never been an idiot.

In front of him, there was no dignity left to uphold. Thinking back to when she used her Huangfu Qing identity to masquerade as Vermillion Bird and serve him with her lips, she now felt her entire body burning with shame. He must have done all that on purpose!

Being exposed like this was not so unbearable when his attitude was right—if no one mocked her, the embarrassment felt much lighter.

Zhao Changhe knew that Vermillion Bird’s heart was taut with tension. If he teased her now, it might truly lead to a breakup. The perfect answer at such a moment was, “I don’t care which voice it is, as long as it’s you.”

“Nonsense,” Vermillion Bird said flatly. “You clearly prefer Vermillion Bird.”

Xia Chichi: “???”

Seriously, what are they talking about?

Lady Three sneaked a glance at her and clamped her hands tightly over her own mouth. She was afraid that her laughter might end up disrupting the exchange.

Zhao Changhe could only smile wryly. Is she really getting jealous of herself? Using Vermillion Bird’s identity to defend Huangfu Qing, this level of self-jealousy was pure chaos.

He could only respond, “That’s because I met Vermillion Bird first. That’s how it ended up becoming a dream I’ve kept hidden in my heart.”

Deep down, Vermillion Bird was actually pleased. He kept repeating how much he liked Vermillion Bird, the dream in his heart.

And it was not just sweet talk. He had shown it through his actions long ago, thus she was certain his feelings were sincere.

If she did not love him, she would have found it utterly repulsive, a toad lusting after a swan. But because she did love him, the sweetness welled up from within, filling her with joy.

Yet she said instead, “Tell me, are you just asking for trouble? When I treat you well, indulging your every whim, you just take it for granted. It’s only when I act aloof and fierce that you cling to me with all your heart.”

Dragon Bird mentally gave her a thumbs-up. He’d probably love it if you called him small fry, too.

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Zhao Changhe replied, “It’s not your aloofness or fierceness that I cling to.”

Vermillion Bird said, “Isn’t it? Doesn’t that give you a sense of conquest?”

“It’s not that.” Even if it were, he could not admit it. Zhao Changhe spoke earnestly, “I just want to have all of you, whole and complete.”

Vermillion Bird’s eyes fluttered. This answer was deeply satisfying.

This was why having a trustworthy man was important—he would not let her drown in mortified shame.

Her heart finally relaxed completely. A smile curled her lips, and her voice turned sultry. “Well then... the Vermillion Bird you have now is no longer that complete...”

Zhao Changhe tilted her chin and leaned in again. “Whether the first or the second, you’re still mine...”

As their lips met once more, the sharp sound of fabric slicing through the air broke the moment. Both of their hearts jolted, and they turned their heads swiftly. Xia Chichi stood nearby, fists clenched, her hair practically tinged green with rage.

The guilty pair instinctively jumped apart. Vermillion Bird hastily straightened her robes and coughed. “I, I acknowledge him as the revered god... If the revered god takes liberties with me, we subordinates... Ahem, Chichi, when did you get here?”

Xia Chichi’s eyes burned with emerald fury. She stormed forward and grabbed Vermillion Bird by the freshly tidied collar. “There’s no need to be so polite, venerable. If you’re going to be taken advantage of, might as well enjoy it. But I just remembered something. With such an important cult ceremony at hand, the absence of the Fire Serpent of Yi from the Twenty-Eight Constellations seems inappropriate. Since you’ve already made your stance clear, could you step aside for a moment and let the Fire Serpent of Yi say a few words?”

“W-What Fire Serpent of Yi?” Vermillion Bird’s voice strained to stay steady. “You’re not the cult leader yet. Who gave you permission to grab my collar? Do you think the rules of the cult don’t apply to you?”

Xia Chichi exploded. “Cult rules, cult rules! Your mouth is full of cult rules. So you forbade me from getting close to any man just so you could snatch him up for yourself?”

Zhao Changhe covered his face while Vermillion Bird nearly clutched her head in despair.

It’s over.

Vermillion Bird’s mind went blank once more.

Her man had been considerate enough to preserve her dignity after her cover was blown, but her wretched little disciple had no such compunction.

The harder she had punished Xia Chichi before—making her serve tea, copy scriptures, and wear red robes—the more painful the retribution was now.

“Hahahaha...” In the distance, Lady Three clutched her stomach and rolled on the grass, laughing until she was almost in convulsions.