Chaotic World Book

ps: After the New Year greeting chapter, the system will create a special "easter egg" chapter. Participate in the barrage during that chapter to enter a draw. I hope everyone gets lucky and wins 6666!

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"Clang!" Swords clashed, and Zhao Changhe slid back several meters, using his saber to prop himself on the ground in a bow stance, halting his retreat.

Looking up, Yue Hongling in front of him slightly raised her longsword, flicking away a small pebble he had stealthily tossed during his retreat and then leisurely sheathing her sword.

The two exchanged glances and smiled.

"Your saber technique has greatly improved, you can even handle my 'Sunset Afterglow'."

"Sister, you let me win, you didn't use your full strength."

"I only suppressed my power, but I didn't go easy with my swordsmanship. This move has many variations; countless people have died by it ... Your progress is indeed fast." Yue Hongling laughed, "But tell me, you are clearly fierce and valiant when you wield your saber, why do you always end up using sneaky moves? Who taught you to flip stones?"

Zhao Changhe, with a sheepish expression, said, "It would be a waste not to use the dark weapon techniques I learned, all thanks to the good teachings of my sister."

"Pah, I never taught you such shameless martial arts ethics. Why don't you throw lime powder then!"

Zhao Changhe's eyes flickered, as if he remembered someone, and after a long pause, he said, "I actually do have a bag of lime powder in my pocket ... but of course, I wouldn't use it when practicing with you."

"...Next time you go out, don't say I taught you martial arts; I can't afford to lose that face."

"Winning is more important; the 'Chaotic World Book' believes the same."

The two bantered back and forth as they returned to the house, but their steps gradually slowed and silence ensued.

Yue Hongling had been here for half a month; she couldn't possibly stay here forever, playing "brigand's wife."

Zhao Changhe had been very careful to maintain a normal relationship with her, never allowing the kind of ambiguous feelings like those once with Luo Qi, hoping it would make her feel more at ease...

She did stay longer than expected—what was said as two or three days turned into five days, and then half a month… But she would eventually leave.

Today's sparring practice essentially signaled it was time; it was basically just waiting for her to formally announce her departure...

Over these days, Zhao Changhe knew how much he had improved; describing it as "reborn" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Advice on cultivation techniques and the new teachings on dark weapons aside, just speaking of practical saber techniques, he had transformed.

Previously, he thought his combat strength was formidable, able to challenge higher levels ... But what challenges were those in such a desolate place, quarrying what shoddy opponents? What level of ultimate moves had he seen, how many changes adaptable at will, how many brilliant integrations of myriad martial arts schools, or how many divinely inspired strategies in battles?

These are irreplaceable by any cultivation technique.

The battles of the past could never provide these experiences—an experience provided by Yue Hongling, the second-ranked on the Hidden Dragon List, to whom even accomplished teachers couldn't hold a candle.

One could imagine how tremendous his improvement in saber skills and practical combat capabilities was.

Yue Hongling also gave him other saber manuals; the narrow perspective of only knowing how to swing the Blood Evil Saber had been completely shattered—he had seen the vastness of the world, learned the strengths of various schools, and begun to integrate them into his understanding of saber techniques.

Zhao Changhe knew that continuing to spar held less meaning now... Even with the vast experience of wandering worldly society, it was merely the understanding of one person—what use was there in sparring forever with her? Beyond lay the vast worldly society filled with thousands of martial artists, waiting for him to explore and understand.

She had taught him Sound Recognition and Perception Seeking—wasn't that expecting him to one day step into worldly society?

Yue Hongling's "making amends for the past" and "realization of thoughts" had also now come full circle. The day of completion was the day to depart.

The bond ended here.

The two stood outside the house, facing each other, each seemingly waiting for the other to speak first, but both ultimately stuck there, unable to say it.

After a long time, Zhao Changhe found an incredibly poor excuse. "Today is the Lantern Festival; let's celebrate the festival first..."

Yue Hongling, full of strange feelings of parting, was amused by this comment and was about to speak when her expression suddenly changed.

The very next second after she sensed something was amiss, Zhao Changhe also turned his head toward the courtyard wall: "Who's there!"

Yue Hongling smiled somewhat proudly. Zhao Changhe had truly learned everything now. The faint sound of an enemy's qinggong passing through would have been dismissed as a simple breeze in the past, but now he could tell it was an enemy approaching.

Such a Zhao Changhe was now fully equipped to roam the worldly society.

Suddenly, a rough, brawny man appeared on the courtyard wall, his expression slightly surprised: "I didn't expect that, despite you being only at the Second Layer of Mystical Gate, you could detect my presence."

Zhao Changhe said indifferently, "Who are you? Stop putting on airs and acting high and mighty."

Great Han chuckled, "I am Lin Feihu from the Black Tiger Gang. Have you ever heard of me, young lad?"

Zhao Changhe had indeed heard of him. Having mingled here for so long, how could he not have heard of the prominent figures in the surrounding area? Lin Feihu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, similarly engaged in the business of highway robbery, at the Mystical Gate Fourth Layer.

Zhao Changhe's expression turned solemn, feeling somewhat troubled.

Having arrogantly erected a monument, waiting for challengers, it now seemed he had been overly arrogant, thinking that a true strong man would understand the concept of the Hidden Dragon List. To his surprise, there were such fools. A Fourth Layer challenging a Second Layer? Got no shame?

While he was thinking this, he saw Lin Feihu staring at Yue Hongling and laughing loudly, "Indeed, indeed, I heard that the lady commanding this village resembles Yue Hongling. I came especially to see, and she truly does resemble her! Little lady, what future do you see with this young lad? Come with me instead!"

As he spoke, he swooped down like a hawk towards Yue Hongling, his large hand reaching out to grab her.

"?" Both Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling widened their eyes.

Thinking he was here to challenge for the Hidden Dragon List, but was it just this? Oh right, indeed he was challenging the Hidden Dragon List.

With a "swoosh," a sword light flashed, filling the sky with a sunset afterglow.

Zhao Changhe twitched the corner of his mouth and drew back the saber he had just unsheathed. Now that it involved Yue Hongling, who could outmatch her in seizing the prey...

"You, you… You f*cking really are Yue Hongling..." Lin Feihu, the gang leader, incredulously clutched his throat as he staggered backward, falling to the ground, breathless, dying with his eyes wide open.

Even in death, he was thinking, why it had to be the real Yue Hongling... Why would Yue Hongling be here as the lady commanding the village...

Zhao Changhe stood aside with his hands in his sleeves, mourning silently.

Thinking to himself, why did these people insist on courting death...

Yue Hongling sheathed her sword, originally at a loss for words, but the foolish interruption left her both amused and annoyed, "It seems I truly must leave now. It's not your monument that's causing trouble; I've started to cause you trouble."

Zhao Changhe expressed his discomfort, "These must be instigations by Fang Buping... When you are here, trouble can be chopped down; if you leave, it'll be even worse for me."

"Are you afraid? Just a Branch Leader with such petty schemes."

Zhao Changhe remained silent.

"There has to be a spark to set off a departure. I'll find an excuse; why should you reveal it..." Yue Hongling's voice softened, whispering, "In these days, I've realized... Misunderstandings were initiated, causing embarrassment to everyone. It was you who constantly avoided taking advantage of the situation… Zhao Changhe, a truly noble and righteous man. It's my heart that harbors unease, unable to continue acting as the lady commanding this village, always wanting to leave."

Zhao Changhe sighed, "It's not that good here; I still wanted you to stay for the festival."

"Festival after festival, there are so many festivals. Since fate has brought it to this point, what's the benefit of further delay?" Yue Hongling spoke as she turned and entered the house. When she came out again, she was dressed in her favorite red attire and carrying her belongings.

The appearance of the mountain bandit leader, the lady commanding the village, vanished like smoke, disappearing without a trace.

Zhao Changhe just stood silently in the same spot, not saying a word.

Yue Hongling strode past Zhao Changhe, casually patting his shoulder, "I'm leaving, leader. The Worldly Society is tumultuous; I hope your heart remains the same. If fate allows, let's meet again during the Lantern Festival!"

Zhao Changhe stood silently on the mountaintop, watching the departing figure in red, suddenly realizing he had not seen her blue-maned horse, which was probably being kept in the city—she never truly belonged here.

What seemed like an abrupt departure was actually always a possibility at any time; a fortnight had already been long… If discerning individuals like Cui Yuanyong were to notice, they'd probably be astonished.

Having thought he was familiar with Yue Hongling, his expectations had been subverted. Yet the more he interacted with her, the more he felt she remained the same, never subverted.

Hearing of the Demon Sect's attack, he reported from a thousand miles away.

Along the road, he saved a young stranger and recommended martial arts.

Believing the youth was in distress, he searched the world.

Now, having guided him to success, she serenely departs.

He was fortunate; the first glimpse he had of the Worldly Society was the chivalrous Yue Hongling. No matter how many horrors he saw in this den of the Demon Sect and how vulgar the surrounding characters were, the sunset's afterglow spread across the sky, and there lay the Worldly Society.

Zhao Changhe, noble and honorable, beauty within the house, untouched by other thoughts?

That was only because he did not want this Worldly Society dream to be stained with other marks.

Zhao Changhe turned his head; beyond the twilight, on the branches of the willows, hung a leisurely round moon.

The Lantern Festival? What did that have to do with him… These days of intensive training, mixing internal and external, the Mystical Gate Third Layer was not far.

She didn't belong here? Neither did he.

The day of the Mystical Gate Third Layer, the saber would be unsheathed at Beimang.