Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 694: Why Not Control This Galaxy

Huangfu Qing was quite pleased that Zhao Changhe chose to consult her about this instead of whatever father-in-law from the Cui Clan.

Even though she had been “defeated and conquered” by him—and her half-step Profound Control Realm was something he had helped her achieve—it did not mean that his actual strength or understanding of martial arts had surpassed hers. Quite on the contrary.

In terms of martial comprehension, Vermillion Bird stood among the most accomplished masters of this era. Zhao Changhe, talented as he was, had started his martial journey far too recently. No amount of genius could substitute for experience and depth. If he continued to rely solely on his own ideas, there was a real risk of him straying from the correct path.

She had noticed that Zhao Changhe was becoming hesitant in his cultivation, lacking the boldness and fluidity that had once characterized his progress. It was a stark contrast to the unrelenting dominance he displayed in combat, where his courage and power were undeniable. When it came to finding his path, he seemed weighed down by too many concerns.

This is wrong. Martial arts can’t thrive without that passion. He’s so domineering when it comes to taking control over me, so why can’t he do the same for martial arts?

“You’re hesitant to take control over the four idols because of the Night Emperor; you’re hesitant to take control over vicious blood because of Lie, and because you believe it to be too limited; and you’re hesitant to take control of the heavens as you fear a fate like Xia Longyuan’s. Am I right?”

“Mm-hm... And none of these approaches really feel like the right fit for me,” Zhao Changhe replied.

“Where’s your domineering spirit gone?”

“Huh?”

“I think it’s time for you to choose one wife and settle down. Oh wait, didn’t you just do that? I guess you’re not satisfied!”

“...Huh?”

“Huh?” He was even more confused.

“With your fickle nature, isn’t your answer always all of them?”

“...Wait, martial arts can be approached like that? But there’s no clear main focus...”

“Do you have a ‘main focus’ in your harem? Is it me?” Huangfu Qing snapped.

Zhao Changhe wisely pretended not to hear.

“Since you’re not hesitating when it comes to the important things, then why are you hesitating when it comes to your martial path?” Huangfu Qing questioned him. “Shouldn’t you be commanding everything in this world, using it all for your own purposes?”

Her words resonated deeply with Zhao Changhe.

Using everything in the world for my own purposes.... It resonated deeply, aligning perfectly with his personality. But could such a scattered approach really lead to a breakthrough?

This was not quite like dealing with women. If he were to draw a comparison, it would be like having a bundle of threads in hand. Normally, one would select a single thread to pass through the needle’s eye, pulling the rest along. That was straightforward. But trying to shove the entire bundle through at once—was that even possible?

Huangfu Qing seemed to anticipate his thoughts. “That is precisely the essence of taking control over heaven and earth. The difficulty lies in its vastness, of course, but you already have the foundation for this. Why not give it a try? The first step is to make that decision. If you don’t even see it as a possibility, then you’ll never achieve it.”

“But my grasp of each element is shallow at best. Can that really be considered a foundation?”

“In the previous era, there’s a saying recorded about Emperor Gaozu of Han. He admitted that he couldn’t match Xiao He in administration, Han Xin in military strategy, or Zhang Liang in wisdom. Yet, as he could utilize their talents, he was able to rule the world. Do you really think that you have to personally master everything to the fullest? What you need isn’t to master each one—it’s to master us, the ones who do.”

“Eh...” Zhao Changhe’s eyes widened slightly.

Those words had... stirred something within him.

“To gain profound control over heaven and earth may not be the ultimate concept,” Huangfu Qing said with a faint smile. “But framing it that way helps you grasp the idea. Personally, I believe heaven and earth are fleeting. Even eras collapse and reform—what’s so worthy of mastery in this transient world? You should aim to command something greater, vaster than this realm. Picture the galaxies beyond, descending from the heavens, obliterating the limits of this world. That is what your manifestation should strive for. If you must speak of profound control, it’s control over the stars and galaxies—not just the galaxy of this world.”

Her words sent a ripple through Zhao Changhe’s heart. He gazed into Huangfu Qing’s deep eyes as if they held infinite wisdom and insight.

He had always thought of Vermillion Bird as someone deeply bound to the Night Emperor’s ideals. Yet from these words, it was clear her mind had long since transcended those constraints.

Once the mind breaks free of such limitations, the possibilities are infinite. This was Vermillion Bird, one of the world’s greatest masters—not merely a fleeting companion in moments of intimacy.

“My mind only managed to break free of its restraints because of you,” Huangfu Qing said with a soft smile. “You made me feel that the Night Emperor’s vision was too limited. But look at yourself—how have you let yourself become so constrained? Have you been dulled by the mundane world, or have you simply found the challenges too great and shrunk back, losing the boldness and ambition that once defined you?”

Zhao Changhe stood silent for a moment before breaking into a self-deprecating smile. “Maybe it’s neither. Maybe it’s just impatience. I’ve been like Zhu Bajie devouring ginseng fruit—sampling a bit of everything but never pausing to truly savor or reflect.”

Huangfu Qing bit her lip, her gaze carrying a teasing glint. “You mean like how you’ve devoured us? Swallowing us whole without properly savoring?”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Ignoring her flirtatious jab, he straightened himself and bowed deeply. “It’s my great fortune to have gotten to know you so well, my lady.”

Huangfu Qing blinked in surprise, then allowed a gentle smile to spread across her face.

It sounds so wonderful when he calls me his lady.

Zhao Changhe stood tall once again, exhaling deeply. Huangfu Qing could see the change in him—it was subtle, yet profound. Even his aura seemed different as if he were already gaining insight on the spot.

For someone like Zhao Changhe, whose strength came from his courage and boldness, the greatest threat was not being too ambitious, but not being ambitious enough. Once he had a clear path, the process of striving toward it would invigorate him, and it was that determination, that relentless pursuit of his goals, that made him so captivating.

Huangfu Qing admired that fire within him, just as she had once admired the audacity he had shown in trying to conquer Venerable Vermillion Bird herself. It was irresistible, though she could not help but think, Am I just being foolish? If Tang Wanzhuang ever found out, she’d probably laugh herself to death.

Compared to her occasional spats with Xia Chichi, which were fleeting and easily resolved, Tang Wanzhuang was the true rival of a lifetime.

Pushing aside the stray thought of Tang Wanzhuang, Huangfu Qing focused her attention back on Zhao Changhe. “There’s no need for formalities between us—we’re partners in this. And in fact, I have something I need your help with as well.”

Zhao Changhe asked, “Is it about breaking through the final barrier? Or is it that you feel like your progress is slowing?”

These two issues could actually be seen as one. The inability to truly break through to the Profound Control Realm likely meant that their base attributes remained somewhat lacking. The key problem was not defeating opponents—it was being unable to catch or kill them, leaving lingering threats to accumulate over time.

Huangfu Qing nodded. “Previously, I thought breaking into the Profound Control Realm required me to travel to the extreme south to witness the Southern Li Fire personally. But now, I’m not so sure. I’ve already grasped its essence. Reaching the source of the flame itself doesn’t seem as meaningful as I once believed. What I truly lack might be exposure to more varieties of unique flames...”

Before she finished speaking, a page from the Heavenly Tome appeared in front of her. It was the page Zhao Changhe had gotten from Yangyang as they left Langya. Clearly, this was not something he should selfishly hoard to aid only his own breakthroughs—it was meant to benefit them all.

Huangfu Qing stiffened. “The Heavenly Tome?”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “The Heavenly Tome contains a page dedicated to the natural elements, including numerous insights into different types of fire. It also continues to collect and record based on what I encounter. For instance, a few days ago, at the Cui Clan, I saw the flame of oblivion, and the tome recorded it. It might prove useful to you.”

Huangfu Qing’s expression turned strange as she stood silent for a moment. Isn’t this just like getting a pillow delivered when you’re sleepy?

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His fortune was truly uncanny. She used to think his fortune stemmed from Zhao Changhe’s ambiguous heir status. But now, it was clear it had nothing to do with Xia Longyuan. It had always been the force of his own destiny driving him forward, his fate shaping the world around him,

But then, Zhao Changhe broke her reverie with another thought. “To be honest with you, even if you or I do break through to the Profound Control Realm, there’s no guarantee that we’d really be able to match beings with unique attributes like Hidden Wind or Dark Oblivion. This is why I intend to go to Kunlun—to visit Yuxu, and perhaps also meet the Thief Saint. I want to see if I can uncover more secrets.”

Huangfu Qing frowned. “You’re planning to go to Kunlun?”

“Yes. I think you can handle the situation in Jin. While you’re working on that, I want to take this opportunity to visit Kunlun and Bashu.”

Her frown deepened.

Theoretically, going to Kunlun and Bashu made sense. But it was far more dangerous than visiting the Cui Clan. Take Kunlun, for instance—they had both been there before, and it was where they had solidified their relationship. But Huangfu Qing was acutely aware of Kunlun’s vastness and the many hidden secrets within its borders. There were more than a few secret realms there, and there were likely just as many divine or demonic eyes watching it.

While Yuxu and Li Shentong were technically righteous, they each had their own agendas. The line between good and evil is not always clear. Even Yuxu’s supposed reasoning for harboring outlaws was not as simple as he claimed. If Yuxu’s true intentions were harmful, even a Profound Control Realm expert could meet their end there—and Zhao Changhe was not one just yet.

Still, she couldn’t deny that dealing with these uncertain elements was critical, especially with a decisive battle against the northern barbarians looming. Ignoring such threats was not an option.

Zhao Changhe also lacked the time to truly consolidate his cultivation. The chaotic situation gave him no room to settle and grow. But from another perspective, perhaps his breakthrough could only come in such places of danger and intensity. His path was unique, and ordinary conflicts would not be enough to push him further.

After a long pause, Huangfu Qing finally relented, though her tone was laden with reluctance. “If you absolutely must go, then before you leave, make sure you meet with Tang Wanzhuang. Whether it’s about your cultivation or the overall situation, she’ll have valuable insights.”