Chaotic World Book

Zhao Changhe really had no idea that the "passerby" he let go was actually a figure on the Hidden Dragon List. He had just been complaining that not even a person from the Chaotic World List could be seen in this rubbish place ...

He had originally thought that after his brazen proclamation was made, the first to come knocking would be the official forces.

After all, which wanted criminal would be so brash as to blow their own cover, which was no different from parading through the streets with "Come and catch me" written on their forehead?

But now there was nothing worth hiding for, his whereabouts had been sold out, even those fools knew about it, so the officials would certainly know, what was the point of hiding anymore?

His status as a wanted criminal was not the same as an ordinary murderer. If his whereabouts were truly known, those who turned up from the official side would mostly be head figures like Chief Tang himself or other important dignitaries. Even if it was subordinate soldiers, the likelihood was that they "wanted him alive," and would definitely not just casually chop him down.

So why not just sit down and talk with them? So far, he knew too little about the official side, and having severely skewed information wasn't too good.

But what he didn't expect was to wait and wait, and the officials didn't come... He didn't know if the efficiency of the official forces at the end of this Empire era was really so low, or if there were other reasons. In any case, the ones who showed up were all "characters from the underworld."

"Clang!" The saber broke in half, and a skinny man was kicked several meters away by Zhao Changhe, struggling to catch his breath and coughing up blood on the ground.

"Strip him and hang him upside down! Damn it, didn't I say one challenge costs a hundred taels of silver? You come here empty-handed wanting a free fight? If you don't pay, you get stripped, that's the rule. It's been half a month, haven't you heard?"

"Zhao, Chief Zhao, spare my life, I really hadn't heard..."

Zhao Changhe, shading his eyes with his hand, looked towards the distance at several people already hanging and swaying, his face bearing a ferocious look, but actually he was quite pleased internally.

It had been over half a month since he made that audacious announcement.

In this half month, there certainly hadn't been a shortage of challengers, and the combative skills were a perfect match for him. They were mostly at the First or Second Layer of Mystical Gate coming to cause trouble, and occasionally, they would attack in groups. This was simply perfect for his practical combat experience.

Practice alone wasn't enough; martial arts aren't dance arts, they required actual combat. Now, the fights in the fortress no longer offered any improvement, and no one dared to fight him. Just as he was worried about not having opportunities for actual combat, an endless stream of sparring partners came willingly. Simply fantastic.

Among them, there were a few tough nuts, the kind you can't be careless with, or you'd be overturned—those were the best kind. The more he fought, the more Zhao Changhe felt he had penetrated the essence of the saber technique, truly mastering it "As Arm Points."

Moreover, it greatly promoted his cultivation technique. Zhao Changhe felt that in these days, his internal and external forces were blending more and more robustly. He was quickly approaching the brink of another breakthrough.

The Second Layer Heaven?

He didn't know how many more days he would need; he still felt a bit short on the final touch and certainly couldn't consider himself a genius. But these few days had genuinely been delightful, very delightful. Even if none of these people had paid a single copper coin, Zhao Changhe would have been quite happy.

Besides, some of them really paid... Even those who didn't bring money according to the rules had weapons he could seize.

In just half a month, the Beimang Mountain road was filled with people who had come to challenge, and the amount of silver in the treasury had surged from the original three hundred taels to nearly two thousand. A whole storage of fine sabers and swords had accumulated.

"Dig a trap here too, yes, right in front of my door. You're afraid I'll step on it? And put one behind the house as well."

Inside the fortress, everything was bustling. If they weren't practicing martial arts, they were setting up all kinds of traps.

Recently, there had been quite a few night raids on the fortress by those who wished to secretly behead Zhao Changhe.

Of course, those who attempted this were now not hanging upside down on the mountain path, but their heads were skewered on flagpoles. Seeing the row of heads beside the fortress, the bandits observed their chief with a mixture of respect and fear.

Who would say their chief was soft-handed, not robbing or looting? When he chopped off heads, they had never seen him even blink an eye. The richer the blood on his hands, the stronger the sense of Blood Evil around him. From far away, one could feel what was called an aura of Demonic Qi.

That was true murderous intent, shaking Beimang to its core.

In the past couple of days, no one dared to attempt night raids, but they couldn't be complacent. According to Big Boss Zhao, as spring approached, the official soldiers might come. These traps were not only for dealing with the underworld figures but also played a significant role in repelling an official attack.

So, traps had to be laid not just inside the fortress but also outside. Places like the rear mountain couldn't be overlooked.

A bunch of bandits, who usually had nothing to do but think of where to rob next, suddenly had a flurry of busy construction work with not a single one daring to disagree openly or secretly.

At this moment, Zhao Changhe's prestige was too high.

Zhao Changhe himself folded his arms and oversaw the work, feeling that he was undoubtedly amazingly great; he was truly turning bandits into upstanding people!

But he also knew very well that he couldn't remain amazing for long.

Under normal circumstances, powerhouses above the Third Layer of Mystical Gate wouldn't come to fight for a mere two hundred fifty taels on the Hidden Dragon List… Moreover, the real strong ones were clearer about the nature of the Hidden Dragon List and wouldn't mistakenly think, like these fools here, that it was something to be challenged and taken... However, no one could guarantee that there wouldn't be any who would come. After all, in this world, truly educated and cultured people who could read were not abundant—it wasn't the era of compulsory nine-year education.

Now, there were no strong individuals near Beimang Mountain, making it the perfect Newbie Village that matched his needs for real combat training. However, word of what happened here would inevitably spread, and perhaps a Third Layer powerhouse might come this way... Travel was difficult in this world, so this would take some time, but it was bound to happen.

Were the traps really for dealing with the officials?

No, it's about facing potential risks, whether it's the imminent challenge from Third Layer experts or the possible healing of Fang Buping.

"Boss," Wang Dashan approached cautiously, "It's New Year's Eve today. Do you have any plans?"

"I'm not your wife, why are you asking me about the holiday?"

"?"

Zhao Changhe said, "We've got plenty of money in the village. Hand out some red envelopes to everyone. Also, take some people to the city to buy wine and meat. Let's let the brothers enjoy a good feast tonight."

Wang Dashan's face brightened, "Yes, I'll go buy it right away."

Watching Wang Dashan leave joyfully, a trace of mockery appeared in Zhao Changhe's eyes.

The Vice Chief was not straightforward. He had been secretly communicating with Fang Buping without mention, and Zhao Changhe knew that those who had come to provoke them first were brought in by him.

In other words, the matters concerning himself on Beimang Mountain were leaked by this man in cahoots with Fang Buping.

Thinking of becoming the Village Chief, huh?

Heh...

But for now, Zhao Changhe didn't want Fang Buping to know that he had seen through his spy. It was always better to know who the spy was than to not know who might be placed later. Just use him for now; he's trying hard to win my trust, and how delightful that is.

Anyway, I don't have any secrets for Wang Dashan to leak. I practice my Inner Strength in bed, what would he know?

The most pressing matter was to break through the Second Layer of Mystical Gate.

As for celebrating the New Year?

What does that have to do with me... There's no lady of the house here, just a lone man with no festival to celebrate.

Seeing the village boiling with excitement over the news of tonight's feast, Zhao Changhe felt even lonelier inside. At that moment, he particularly missed his home, his parents.

The joys and sorrows of humanity do not communicate.

He sighed softly and, looking up at the westward-leaning sun, turned and went back inside.

Better to practice my Cultivation.

"Village Chief Zhao's roar echoes through the mountains, a mighty presence in Beimang, why sigh?" As soon as he stepped into the room, a woman's voice laughed, "Seeing your back, you look quite different from the vigorous spirit you normally show outside."

Zhao Changhe stopped in his tracks, his expression astounded.

A woman in red was leaning against the window, flipping through the scriptures of the Blood God Sect, and she looked up with a smile when she saw him enter.

The evening sun poured through the window lattices, and her cavalier smile seemed to brighten as if the sunset outside gleamed all the brighter with her.

The evening glow shone on Hongling against the sunset, a beauty unlike any on this earth.

Manor Master Luo may not be a good judge of character, but this description was indeed quite fitting.

"Miss Yue... Why are you here?" Zhao Changhe asked, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. He knew well the difference between himself and Yue Hongling, and if he had been killing a bit too much recently, she might disapprove...

Wait... hold on...

Zhao Changhe suddenly noticed something off about the color at Yue Hongling's lower abdomen... The red of her clothes had darkened. That wasn't the garment's color; it was blood.

Was she injured?

Yue Hongling, aware of his thoughts, laughed and shook her head, "Yes, I'm injured... You are the only acquaintance I have around here, so what's so strange about seeking refuge with you when I'm hurt? Did you really think I came to exterminate demons? You seem bold, but your thoughts are many and not straightforward."

Zhao Changhe didn't say another word and turned to rummage through the cabinet for medicine and bandages. "Same goes for both of us, a female hero who has no qualms about letting a stranger sit behind her likely wouldn't live to see the Hidden Dragon emerge."

"Ha..." Yue Hongling tilted her head to look at him, "So then, that you at the time, unaware of these things, would you count as a naive youth?"

A multitude of thoughts crossed his mind as Zhao Changhe stared out at the slanting evening sun, finally responding in a low voice, "I would."

"So..." Yue Hongling looked at the bandages he had taken out and spoke softly, "Can I still trust you, as I do the you of today?"