Chaotic World Book

Zhao Changhe soon realized that his guess was wrong.

The Luo Manor Master led the two to the drawing room, dismissed the servants, yet present there was another young man clad in brocaded garments, quite handsome and elegant. The Manor Master introduced him with a smile, "My son, Zhenwu."

Luo Zhenwu gave Yue Hongling a graceful salute, "I have had the pleasure of meeting Fairy Yue. I have long heard of your esteemed name. To see you today is indeed a fortunate event..."

Yue Hongling frowned slightly; she did not enjoy such empty formalities, especially those revolving around beauty. Hadn't Zhao Changhe just about had enough of it? But since this was the way of the world, she didn't bother saying more and spoke directly, "I have received information, which may not be entirely reliable, that the Blood God Sect might attack your manor, but the reason is unclear."

The Manor Master was taken aback, "Unreliable information?"

"Mmm... I was in Beimang Mountain a while ago, and I happened to overhear a conversation among the Demon Sect followers. At that time, their forces were numerous, and it seemed their Sect Hierarch was also present, so I was unable to capture anyone for a detailed interrogation. I came especially to inform you, hoping the Manor Master will be vigilant."

"Beimang? That's nearly a thousand miles away..." The Manor Master looked at her, surprised and a bit perplexed.

Zhao Changhe sat on the side, his face pale, listening and glancing sideways.

Because of a piece of uncertain news, she had traveled a thousand miles just to deliver a warning... and judging from the polite tones they had exchanged, she and the Manor Master weren't really acquainted. It seemed they were merely strangers who had met once.

Zhao Changhe always felt if this girl were a valiant Great Han warrior, she would have more of the right flavor. A girl behaving like this was amusing. Could his dreaming of such a figure imply that he preferred this type? Or did it suggest that he was just full of testosterone...

The Manor Master pondered, "We have no connections with the Blood God Sect. The Fairy must have made a mistake... However, since the Fairy has traveled a great distance to deliver the message, our manor is grateful for your kindness. You may wish to stay at the manor for a few more days and allow us to extend our host's duty."

Yue Hongling pointed at Zhao Changhe and said, "We just passed through a village called Zhao Mansion, where all the villagers were massacred. This young brother is the sole survivor. I have just saved him, which serves as some corroborating evidence."

The Luo father and son's expressions changed slightly, "Did the Fairy exchange blows with them? Can you ascertain their origins?"

Yue Hongling shook her head, "They only used basic moves; there was no significant origin to trace. It's very likely that they were bandits under the Blood God Sect. Demon Sects are known to gather thieves and plunder as usual... it's somewhat similar. As for why they would massacre the village and risk alarming others, I haven't figured it out. Unfortunately, I was too anxious to save lives at the time and didn't keep anyone alive to interrogate."

So it was related to him... Zhao Changhe remembered her muttering "why risk alarming others" earlier, and it seemed to match up.

In his mind, the hatred he felt for that throat-slitting demoness couldn't compare to these murderers. The fury of that moment, the burning desire to annihilate those bastards, is something only those who have witnessed it can understand.

The Blood God Sect, huh... Zhao Changhe secretly clenched his fists.

The Manor Master's expression grew solemn, and he pondered, "Since this is the case, our manor should immediately be on guard and prepare for battle. The Fairy has gone to great lengths to deliver the message, fulfilling her duty with utmost benevolence. It wouldn't be right to keep the Fairy here any longer, unnecessarily involving you in the conflict..."

Luo Zhenwu seemed hesitant to speak, but a glance from the Manor Master silenced him.

Yue Hongling had come all this way to deliver the message, evidently meaning to help fight the Demon Sect, but the Manor Master's attitude was somewhat strange... His words sounded polite, but in essence, he was dismissing her without even offering a meal. How could she shamelessly insist on staying? She was a cavalier who came and went freely, not someone who demeaned herself.

With that thought, she also got a bit annoyed, speaking coldly, "I have done my duty as a member of the Worldly Society. Since the Manor Master is confident, I won't intrude any further and will take my leave now. There's another matter I hope the Manor Master will take to heart."

The Manor Master gave her a bow, "Please speak, Fairy."

Yue Hongling continued, "Zhao Mansion is only a few dozen miles from here. The village is now littered with corpses; a sight too horrid to bear. I hope the Manor Master will send people to handle the aftermath, bury the villagers. It's the greatest kindness one can offer."

She then pulled Zhao Changhe over, "This survivor's name is Zhao Changhe, now alone and without support. I hope the Manor Master will consider my humble request and provide him with shelter."

The Manor Master laughed, "It's the least we can do. From now on, this will be your home, young brother."

Yue Hongling also smiled slightly, patting Zhao Changhe's shoulder, "With this, we part. I hope you remain as naive as you are today, and if we meet again in the Worldly Society one day, I hope to hear you call me 'sister' once more."

With that, she turned and left.

Zhao Changhe watched her from the doorway, fixating on the figure in red garments stride towards the sunset and her noble horse. The scene was truly beautiful.

Being new to this place, everything was baffling, and naturally, he was silent and confused, creating an impression of a "naive youth" in others' eyes. But Zhao Changhe knew he wasn't of that disposition; the persona he truly connected with was Yue Hongling's.

That was the dreamlike Worldly Society, the dreamlike heroic maiden.

Zhao Changhe watched Yue Hongling mount her horse and depart, feeling reluctant to part with her, and at a loss for how to converse with the Luo Family father and son, let alone what plans they had in mind…

As he pondered this, he suddenly froze.

Clear as day, he saw the Luo Family father and son standing outside the hall, watching Yue Hongling's departure with a chilling look in their eyes.

They come all this way to bring news, and you didn't even offer a meal, but what is this expression now?

Zhao Changhe subtly inched backwards a few steps, straining his ears to eavesdrop.

The blind man had said that the "eye behind" could marginally enhance Zhao Changhe's normal vision, but he found it seemed to slightly amplify his hearing as well, making sounds clearer than before. The other party didn't take much notice of such a "naïve country lad," absorbed in their own conversation. Even though their voices were low, he could still faintly hear:

"Father, why let her go? We could have treated her hospitably, and maybe then we could…" Luo Zhenwu murmured, his hands forming a fist in a somewhat lecherous gesture.

"Idiot!" the Manor Master murmured through gritted teeth. "Yue Hongling is at the Mystical Gate Eighth Layer, the Hidden Dragon Fifth, a force to be reckoned with! Even I can't guarantee victory over her, and you dare to scheme against her? If she escapes after a botched attempt, do you have any idea of the consequences?"

"We could trick her into a secret chamber, use traps…"

"You know nothing! Didn't you realize that from the moment she entered, her hand never left the hilt of her sword? Her eyes and ears were constantly alert to any changes in her surroundings, that's the instinct of someone who has been through the Worldly Society! Do you think someone like her would easily follow you to an unknown place?"

Luo Zhenwu: "…"

Manor Master: "Let me tell you, the more beautiful a woman well-known in the Worldly Society is, the harder she is to deceive, because the men who covet her outnumber those you even know. Think about how many sinister intentions they've faced along the way, and yet they now thrive in the Worldly Society instead of being someone's plaything; that in itself is proof!"

Luo Zhenwu: "…"

Zhao Changhe: "…"

Damn, that makes so much sense. Could it be that when she seemingly carelessly offered me a seat behind her, she was actually using it as a chance to observe? Seeing me sitting so obediently and probably blushing, she must have thought I was just a simple lad...

But that's how we straight men are…

Manor Master continued coldly: "Now she just thinks we're impolite and leaving in displeasure is a good thing. If she had stayed longer, and by chance discovered those Zhao Mansion people were actually sent by you, then she would know what endless trouble is!"

Zhao Changhe's face suddenly changed.

"Who asked for those villagers to be so insolent!" Luo Zhenwu bitterly said: "Making trouble with a village girl isn't much, but when the whole village rebels with hoes, aren't they asking to be taught a lesson for thinking we're easy to bully?"

The Manor Master ignored him and just said: "Fortunately, Yue Hongling was eager to save someone and didn't have time to investigate thoroughly, thinking they were Demon Sect bandits. This has unintentionally absolved us of any connection, letting the Blood God Sect seamlessly carry the blame."

Luo Zhenwu said: "In other words, the so-called evidence of a Demon Follower attack doesn't exist. Does that prove her claims are unfounded, sensationalizing danger? We truly have no connection with the Blood God Sect at all, right?"

The Manor Master however, seemed to be caught in a peculiar hesitation, and after a long pause, said: "Better to be safe than sorry, it's never wrong to increase vigilance. I'll send a letter to the Capital's Demon Suppression Department and ask Chief Tang to send someone to take care of it."

Luo Zhenwu didn't quite understand but didn't talk back to his father, eventually signaling towards Zhao Changhe, who was leaning against the door, still watching the way of his benefactor: "The lad is still standing at the doorway gazing after his benefactor, so innocent. Should we…"

As he spoke, he made a throat-slitting gesture: "Just in case, he discovers something in the future and seeks revenge against us."

The Manor Master shook his head: "No, we can't. What if one day Yue Hongling whimsically decides to visit the boy she saved, and he's gone? That wouldn't do. Let's give her face and take him as an outer sect disciple and leave him be. All those you sent to Zhao Mansion were killed by Yue Hongling, and no one else in the manor knows about it, so what can he possibly find out about the truth?"

Luo Zhenwu muttered begrudgingly: "Father is too wary of Yue Hongling. I didn't even mention seeking revenge for my men she killed... Luoxia Manor is just a third-rate sect…"

Manor Master sighed: "You are known because of the Luo Family, but it's the opposite for her... because of Yue Hongling, the world only then realized there's a Luoxia Manor. If you truly want to win her over, perhaps you could take advantage of her obscure origins... As for the person herself, it's better to be respectful."

He didn't further indulge his son's eyes that were sparkling with ideas, instead put on a friendly smile, walked over to Zhao Changhe, and kindly patted his shoulder: "Standing by the door like this, are you loath to part with your sister?"

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath, turned around with a simple-minded smile on his face: "Indeed, Sister Yue is very beautiful."

Manor Master laughed heartily: "Practice your Martial Arts well, your sister will wait for you in the Worldly Society."

Truly an elder who makes one feel refreshed by his presence… but he failed to notice, Zhao Changhe's fist had already clenched so tightly that his veins popped.