Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 658: Which God Dares Try?

Chapter 658: Which God Dares Try?

To those in the Cui Clan, it appeared that the conversation between the clan head and King Zhao had taken an abrupt downturn. Cui Wenjing had inexplicably claimed ill health and delegated hosting the lunch to someone else. This basically screamed of a negotiation that had collapsed. Otherwise, such a bald breach of etiquette simply would not make sense.

Given this blatant disregard, Zhao Changhe ought to have stormed off in a fury, yet he remained, cheerfully accepting the alternative arrangement.

Because he wants to marry Yangyang, of course...

Some saw this and thought, This man is so smitten he’s willing to forgo even the bare minimum of dignity—and perhaps even his life.

That said, Yangyang was truly stunning these days. Once a petite, delicate girl with adorable features, she had grown into a rather tall and elegant young woman, with a most graceful and shapely figure. Her facial features had matured, retaining traces of her youthful cuteness while gaining a commanding vitality that captivated anyone who saw her.

Word had it that King Zhao had an ambiguous relationship with Tang Wanzhuang, suggesting he preferred mature, sophisticated women. But then, why had he been drawn to the younger, undeveloped Yangyang in the past?

Are you really that undiscerning? As long as she’s beautiful, you’ll go for her? Well... I guess so would we, so I suppose that’s fair.

If not for the existing engagement with Zhao Changhe, the Cui Clan’s doors would have been worn down by matchmakers clamoring for Yangyang’s hand. But now, no one dared.

To most in the Cui Clan, Yangyang remained an incredibly valuable asset. Back when the marriage agreement was first proposed, Zhao Changhe had been a promising figure, potentially even the crown prince. It had been a calculated investment with little risk. But now? If tensions between the Cui Clan and Zhao Changhe were to escalate, proceeding with the marriage as originally planned would feel like squandering a prime opportunity. Instead of securing another advantageous alliance, they would simply be throwing away a valuable resource.

It doesn’t matter. As long as Zhao Changhe dies, everything will naturally return to its rightful course.

Cui Wenwei, the younger brother of Cui Wenjing, was far closer to him than Cui Wenjue had ever been. He had always been Cui Wenjing’s steadfast ally, his unwavering right-hand man. When Cui Wenjing was gravely injured and brought back to Qinghe to recover, with his children away at war in Puyang, the Cui Clan remained remarkably stable. This was thanks to Cui Wenwei, who managed the family’s affairs with the utmost dedication, protecting his elder brother’s authority and showing no sign of disloyalty or personal ambition.

This exemplified one of the key advantages aristocratic families held over ordinary sects: a genuine sense of shared prosperity and downfall. The strength of the Cui Clan was the source of power for all its members, and Cui Wenjing’s prestige was the foundation of Cui Wenwei’s security. In this time of upheaval, ensuring the survival of a clan head who was on the Ranking of Heaven was far more critical than engaging in internal power struggles. In a typical sect, internal discord would have likely scattered the ranks. Within the Cui Clan, however, it only strengthened their unity.

Even so, some in the Cui Clan felt a twinge of disappointment in Cui Wenjing’s subsequent handling of events.

The Cui Clan did not lack connections within the capital. Word from figures like Lu Jianzhang had made it clear that the new dynasty was continuing Xia Longyuan’s policies. This was hardly surprising. No imperial authority would willingly revive the old system of aristocratic checks and balances. Xia Longyuan had risked his life to dismantle the foundation of the aristocratic families’ power. Why would his successors undo that work and shackle themselves with the same constraints? The chances of a reversal were slim to none.

Cui Wenwei froze mid-step, his foot halting as he entered the hall. The room fell utterly silent, the many Cui Clan members present left staring in disbelief.

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “I have no desire to rule anyone, nor do I wish to leave behind hereditary titles for my children.”

Cui Wenwei said, “Surely you’re jesting, King Zhao. You’ve fought your way to this point, braving death countless times. Was it all merely for amusement?”

“Of course not. It was to shatter this cage of a world, to ascend the nine heavens, to grasp the sun, moon, and stars, to see how vast this universe truly is.” Zhao Changhe strode to the seat of honor, casually taking his place without waiting for an invitation from the host. “If my descendants have ambitions for earthly accomplishments, that’s fine. But what I wish to leave them is not a title of nobility but a world of clarity and prosperity.”

Dozens of people in the hall were left speechless for a long time.

His words were grandiose... Yet, coming from Zhao Changhe, they felt entirely natural.

He was, after all, cut from the same cloth as Xia Longyuan, his gaze fixed beyond the confines of mortal affairs. And the latter half of his statement? That was evidently from Tang Wanzhuang’s influence.

Cui Wenwei managed a strained smile. “King Zhao, your aspirations are lofty indeed, far beyond the reach of us ordinary mortals. Allow me to offer you a toast!”

Zhao Changhe picked up the wine cup before him, weighing it thoughtfully in his hand. With a faint smile, he asked, “If I were to smash this cup to the ground, what do you suppose would happen[1]?”

Cui Wenwei forced a laugh. “Surely, King Zhao jests. What executioner could possibly take your head? That would be a futile gesture, wouldn’t it?”

“Not necessarily. According to the Tome of Troubled Times, I’m still merely in the second layer of the Profound Mysteries, third on the Ranking of Earth. A cultivator at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries would not survive a coordinated assault, especially with a comparable opponent leading the charge. I mean, that’s how He Lei met his end.” Zhao Changhe’s smile remained warm and serene. “Poor He Lei died too soon, but the lesson remains vivid in people’s minds.”

Cui Wenwei’s smile began to falter, his unease growing. Why does he keep circling back to this topic? He forced himself to reply, “Surely, a man like you cannot be judged as an ordinary cultivator at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries. Your Highness is, after all, a godslayer...”

“Indeed. I slew a god while at the second layer, though many think it was thanks to mere luck. But I wonder, if I were to reach the third layer, what would happen? Even I am curious.” Zhao Changhe raised his cup and drained it in a single motion. “Dragon Bird has been reforged, and River of Stars newly forged, and neither has tasted blood since. Which god dares try me?”

1. This line and the one about the executioner are actually references to a real-life event, the Hongmen Banquet (aka the Feast at Swan Goose Gate). The political situation behind the event is extremely complex, but the point is that pretty much everybody at the banquet had hidden motives and some of the participants were actively trying to murder the others. The name of the event is a metaphor for a gathering filled with hidden motives, betrayal, and political tension. This is also mentioned in the next chapter. ☜