Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 768 (1): Today, You and I

The night sky slowly shifted as clouds once again veiled the moonlight. Below, the remnants of fireworks flickered sporadically, their last embers struggling against the darkness. The two of them sat side by side on the clouds, their legs dangling freely, bare toes swaying in the air.

Tang Wanzhuang leaned against Zhao Changhe’s shoulder, watching the fading fireworks below as she said softly, “If I told you... that after tonight’s revelations, my mind isn’t in the mood for anything indecent, would you regret it?”

“What’s there to regret?” Zhao Changhe smiled. “I brought you out tonight, first to ease your heart, second to help you break through. Both have been accomplished, so what regrets could I possibly have? Did you think my sole intention was to find an excuse to do that?”

“Was it not?” Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips. “When you tried to drag me onto a boat earlier, weren’t you thinking of doing exactly what those people were doing? But then you realized someone else got there first...”

Zhao Changhe burst into laughter. “Not at all. I simply thought that drifting across the river beneath the moon would be something you’d enjoy. Back in the past, on Taihu Lake, you played the guqin while I sang... it’s been two years since then. I wanted to relive that moment. But looking at where we are now, standing in the clouds, gazing at the fireworks, this is no less poetic. It’s really quite nice.”

Tang Wanzhuang could feel the tranquility in his heart. She peeked up at him, noting how he remained relaxed, smiling contentedly, without the slightest trace of frustration over the misunderstanding.

At that moment, she truly felt as if this man had been shaped perfectly into the ideal man she had envisioned.

The thought made her cheeks warm. Once upon a time, people had teased her, saying she was unknowingly grooming her own future husband. Now, that joke felt unexpectedly real.

No, wait. Who’s grooming whom now? She suddenly realized that he had already turned the tables on her, becoming her teacher instead.

She had half-expected that in moments of intimacy, he would take some twisted pleasure in making her call him “Master” in return... but instead, he had shown none of those shameless tendencies. On the contrary, his demeanor remained as calm and refined as the drifting moonlight, utterly serene. It was rather unexpected.

“In the past, when I was younger and more hot-blooded, my desires were certainly overwhelming, especially when I first set out into the world. Restraining myself was an exhausting ordeal. Later, perhaps I went too far in indulging... But now, since I’ve broken through to the Profound Control Realm, my body is entirely under my control. If I were still shackled by mere lust, then what meaning would there be in the word ‘control’?” Zhao Changhe smiled and continued, “If I told you that nowadays, whenever I engage in such things, it’s more like fulfilling a duty rather than indulging in passion, would you think I’m about to shave my head and become a monk?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes glimmered as she scoffed, “You? A monk? I’d never believe it. Until you reach whatever ultimate goal you’re chasing, your heart will always harbor new desires... just like with Baoqin. She may have willingly given herself to you, but are you saying you had no interest in her at all? That’s impossible. One hand alone cannot clap[1].”

Zhao Changhe smirked. “Of course, I do find Baoqin charming... But in truth, it was more about putting her mind at ease. I wasn’t in any rush to claim her. That’s the difference between now and before. What she really needed was security.”

“Obviously,” Tang Wanzhuang huffed. “She’s a proper young lady. Of course, she wouldn’t be shameless about it.”

Zhao Changhe’s mind flickered back to that vision within Papiyas’ illusion—a moment of tenderness, a rare, gentle smile that should not have existed in reality. He murmured under his breath, almost as if speaking to himself, “But I do have other desires...”

Tang Wanzhuang was not jealous. Rather, she found herself curious. “Who do you want? Is it that young lady from the Li Clan? I’ve heard she’s very beautiful, though a bit cold.”

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment, then simply shook his head. “Let’s just say... maybe.”

Somewhere unseen, the blind woman had been about to kick him, but at the last moment, she retracted her foot.

Tang Wanzhuang exhaled slowly, then mused, “If you truly want her, the usual methods won’t work... You might as well look forward to a grand conquest. A conquest that forces Li Boping to offer his daughter to you himself.”

Zhao Changhe was genuinely surprised. “Did you really just say that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly. “If it’s something you desire... I’ll personally tie her up and bring her to you.”

“Uh...” Her words, spoken so casually, sent an itch through Zhao Changhe’s supposedly composed mind. But he had no intention of discussing the blind woman or Jiuyou with them, especially when the blind woman herself was likely listening in. Who knew which sentence might provoke her wrath?

So, he swiftly changed the topic. “Even though you’ve broken through to the Profound Control Realm, the issue I mentioned to Chichi still stands. Chichi can cultivate through the dragon qi and faith; she’ll grow stronger naturally even without focused training, although it’ll be slow. But what about you? Are you just going to rely on consuming pills? Personally, I don’t think reliance on pills is the right way to cultivate.”

Tang Wanzhuang looked at him with some surprise. “Since I’ve already broken through to the Profound Control Realm, then I’m practically already at their level. When it comes to those so-called demon gods, how many of them are even at the second or third layer? Most are no more than relics of the past. My abilities are already sufficient to face any such foe. What’s more, I have eternal youth, and my soul will endure indefinitely. Isn’t that enough? What the empress and I seek now is no longer mere personal martial prowess.”

Zhao Changhe hesitated, his expression turning somewhat odd.

Now that he thought about it... she was right. The Profound Control Realm was different from previous cultivation realms—it was a true watershed moment. Once someone reached this realm, they essentially attained immortality, and few could surpass them in strength. As the ruler and prime minister of an empire, what need did they have to compete for the title of the world’s strongest? That was no longer their concern. Their roles had long since diverged. What they needed to consider now was his path, as well as that of Vermillion Bird and Yue Hongling.

But really... you’re just going to let Vermillion Bird surpass you like that? After all these years, can you simply set that aside?

Even if you could, she certainly wouldn’t. And when the day comes that she pins you down and spanks you for falling behind... can you really take it?

Tang Wanzhuang knew what he was thinking but did not continue the discussion. Instead, she spoke softly, “It’s late. Let’s go back and rest.”

A faint blush dusted her cheeks, and after a brief pause, her voice lowered to a barely audible whisper. “Earlier, when I asked if you regretted not doing anything indecent tonight... I was just teasing you. I didn’t expect to almost nudge you into becoming a monk. As far as we’re concerned, we’d rather you be filled with desire, even if it’s ridiculous at times.”

Women, seriously...

If he wanted it, she chided him. If he didn’t want it... now that was when she got upset. Zhao Changhe could not hold back his laughter.

Tang Wanzhuang glared at him. “What are you laughing at?”

Zhao Changhe grinned. “So, back home then?”

“...Mm-hm.”

“Prepare yourself.” Without warning, Zhao Changhe scooped her up. “Circulate your energy to protect your body.”

Tang Wanzhuang was startled. Just how intense are you planning to get that I need to reinforce myself with internal energy?!

But she had just said “even if it’s ridiculous at times,” so it would be too embarrassing to take those words back now. Flustered and bashful though she was, she started circulating her qi.

“Close your eyes,” Zhao Changhe’s voice murmured beside her ear.

Tang Wanzhuang sighed helplessly, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as she obediently shut her eyes. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

The next moment, the world spun wildly around her. It felt as though space itself was tearing apart. The protective energy she had circulated to shield her body was suddenly blasted by immense pressure, only for that pressure to be instantly neutralized by a barrier of Zhao Changhe’s vigorous qi.

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes snapped open.

Before her was the familiar sight of the Tang Clan estate.

From the outskirts of the city to the very heart of the Tang Clan estate in an instant. This could not even be described by the word “speed”; this was instantaneous movement!

Spatial transfer!

“You...” Tang Wanzhuang suppressed the shock in her heart. “How did you do this? Even the former emperor, for all his strength, had to rely on the subterranean sky to move around like this.”

“Eh, you’re underestimating Old Xia. I’m sure he could teleport over short distances without relying on that. He probably just never bothered showing off in front of you all,” Zhao Changhe said with a mischievous grin. Then he leaned in and whispered against her ear, “As for me... it was your spring water that helped me grasp the key insight.”

I manipulate light, not spring water... Tang Wanzhuang wanted to argue, but before she could, Zhao Changhe was already carrying her through the courtyard, striding confidently inside.

In the outer chamber, Baoqin was stirred from her sleep by some muffled noise. Groggily rubbing her eyes, she sat up to check only to freeze in place. Through the soft glow of the lantern-lit curtains, she could make out the shadowy figures inside. Her noble and dignified young miss, normally the embodiment of grace and authority, was now yielding under a bear-like man’s touch. The sheer allure in her silhouette was enough to make Baoqin’s heart pound wildly.

She clamped a hand over her eyes, her face burning, and quickly retreated to her own quarters outside.

As expected. She might have willingly thrown herself into his arms, seeking comfort and reassurance, but if Zhao Changhe had truly pulled her into bed without hesitation, she would have panicked like a cat in water. What she longed for was a romantic union, not to be treated like a mere afterthought.

Fortunately, the two inside seemed to understand her heart well enough. After a while, the muffled sounds faded, and mercifully, she never heard a call for “Baoqin, come here.”

The silence of the deep night soon returned.

Baoqin exhaled, pressing a hand against her chest to steady her wildly beating heart. Sleepily rubbing her eyes, she flopped onto her small bed, murmured something unintelligible, and drifted off again.

They can clean up their own mess...

1. Interestingly enough, “the sound of one hand” is one of the most famous Japanese zen parables, or koan. What is the sound of one hand clapping? ☜