Chaotic World Book

Great Xia's aristocratic Luo Family was annihilated by the Four Symbols Sect and the Blood God Sect, leaving not a single soul alive, not even a chicken or dog. This news thundered across the land within days, shocking everyone.

Although Zhao Changhe had heard several people citing the "Chaotic World," it wasn't completely in chaos yet. Presently, there are rebellious citizens rising, bandits rampaging, and Alien Clans coveting, while noble families and houses of ambition each hold their ground... However, nominally there is still a unified Empire of Great Xia, essentially a sign of the empire in its last days, yet to fully enter the era where heroes vie for supremacy.

Currently, there are many who claim kingship over their territories, but at least none that have overtly declared rebellion; they simply remain at the "bandit" and "Demon Sect" levels.

This level is the typical watershed between true chaotic times and regular unrest, which should start with killing officials, rebelling, capturing cities and lands, signifying the total collapse of imperial authority.

The Luo Family was not an extremely powerful force, but it had a long heritage, and was certainly a considered family, possessing a peculiar trait—it was rumored to have connections to the Royal Family.

Upon his first arrival at this esteemed place, Zhao Changhe heard this from Yue Hongling, though nobody could clarify the specific connection, it might not be just rumors. Just look at how Tang, the squad leader afflicted with illness, rushed over to assist overnight without even waiting for the main forces, providing a form of proof.

Now, with the Luo Family of Imperial connections wiped out by the Demon Sect overnight, it was as though the Imperial face was slapped resoundingly, seemingly foreshadowing the complete unfolding of the chaotic times, with the storm about to burst and the building filled with wind.

Among them, an obscure name entered the eyes of the public through Great Xia's wanted posters.

The murderer, Zhao Changhe!

...

A thousand miles away, Beimang.

Heavenly snow blanketed thousands of mountains, turning everything into a vast expanse of white.

Zhao Changhe, whose reputation had just begun to rise, was at this moment extremely frustrated.

He stood at the mountaintop, looking out into the distance amidst the biting cold wind, wearing thinly, freezing to death. Luo Qi stood beside him, both faces expressionless.

That day, Tang, the squad leader, was alone and unwell, unable to decapitate Zhao Changhe in the enemy ranks. He only managed to carry away the corpse of Luo Zhenwu. Zhao Changhe, who had offered his pledge, was naturally taken back by the Demon Sect to join their ranks, and Luo Qi, who was by Zhao Changhe's side, was treated as part of Zhao Changhe's crew...

It was apparent that Luo Qi never intended to join any Demon Sect, yet he dared not flee, and resignedly followed them here, his entire life thrown into disarray, with a dark expression throughout the journey.

Zhao Changhe, on the other hand, understood his grim face but didn't feel he had wronged Luo Qi. After all, everyone at the Luo Family Manor was dead. If not for his actions, it was uncertain if Luo Qi could even survive. Even if Tang, the squad leader, could rescue Luo Zhenwu, how could he care for a mere outer disciple like you? The probability of being completely doomed was as high as 99.9%. To put it bluntly, Zhao Changhe was also saving himself; otherwise, the Demon Sect would have killed him right there.

Actually, Luo Qi was well aware of this too, so while his face was grim, he naturally followed Zhao Changhe wherever he went. Zhao Changhe was rather pleased with this, as Luo Qi was, after all, the only familiar face he had at this time...

As for joining the Demon Sect, Zhao Changhe was, of course, not troubled by the decision. With things pushed to this point, he might as well join. Could the Luo Family be any better than the Demon Sect?

On the way back, the members of the Demon Sect did not commit atrocities; they discreetly brought them back. They found Zhao Changhe's actions to be agreeable, treating him warmly along the way and praising him as "a true hero," but Zhao Changhe still found the situation to be a pain.

Beimang... his world certainly existed and was quite renowned. When he first heard the name, he thought it referred to the geography of the ancient Hua Xia world, but it didn't. This Beimang had nothing to do with the Mang Mountain he knew; this mountain was desolate, blanketed in ice and snow for thousands of miles. Even the city beyond the mountain was a remote and desolate one, not related to Heluo land at all.

This was not ancient Hua Xia but a complete and utter Otherworld. He didn't know how exactly this related to his dreams—could it be because it was the world in his dreams that the climate and customs here were similar to Hua Xia, and the language was also modern Chinese?

He did not know, but he felt miserable. Throughout the days he traveled, waking and sleeping many times over, he had not seen a single sign of return to the real world, and Zhao Changhe knew he truly couldn't go back.

Zhao Changhe had never wished for transmigration; he still had parents back home. The last thing he wanted was to be transmigrated; what he wanted most now was to return home.

Whether it was killing that Demoness or not, that would allow a return... In any case, as the blind man possessed the power to transmigrate others, it indicated that it was also possible to cultivate the ability to return. Clearly, quickly acquiring knowledge of powers was the top priority, such as unlocking the so-called Mystical Gate of the human body, only then might there be a chance to glimpse the path back.

If nothing else, if he did not start cultivating, he was afraid he would freeze to death here first.

Suddenly, Luo Qi spoke up, "Did you do all this for the Demon Sect's cultivation techniques, to make such a conspicuous move?"

Zhao Changhe glanced at him, Luo Qi's face remained expressionless. Zhao Changhe shook his head, "What conspicuous move? It was about avenging the innocent villagers of Zhao Mansion, as well as self-preservation. Otherwise, both you and I could have ended up hanging there."

Luo Qi said, "Then you should have used a false name. Why so boldly declare you're the murderer, Zhao Changhe?"

Zhao Changhe laughed, "Why can't I make up the name Zhao Changhe too? In the future, if I use a different name when I go out, who would know who I am…"

Luo Qi choked, turned his head, and stopped talking, looking somewhat adorable.

Zhao Changhe then said, "It's my real name."

Luo Qi: "Damn."

"I'm sick of hiding and cowering, a real man doesn't change his surname or his given name," Zhao Changhe said with a toothy smile. "Besides, don't you think what I said earlier was badass?"

Luo Qi was struck dumb, not knowing how to respond to that.

Just to show off?

Zhao Changhe finally sighed, "That being said, it doesn't matter whether a name is real or fake. I reckon the wanted posters have been sent everywhere by now, and as long as the sketches are decent, any name would do... Well, I hope that Chief Tang's drawing skills are lacking."

Luo Qi sneered, "Chief Tang is famously skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, a paragon of talent and appearance, celebrated throughout Great Xia."

Zhao Changhe shrugged, "Then so be it, what's done is done, what else can I do?"

Luo Qi didn't dwell on it anymore and shifted the topic, "It's actually not unusual for people to aim high... it's just, do you have any regrets that it was the Blood God Sect we joined, not the Four Symbols Sect? In terms of level, the Blood God Sect isn't much better than the Luo Family, and might even fall short in heritage."

Zhao Changhe had also thought he might join the Four Symbols Sect. The Luo Family's downfall clearly wasn't at the hands of the Blood God Sect, but thanks to the Vermilion Bird Venerable of the Four Symbols Sect. The Blood God Sect was merely playing a supporting role. However, once Chief Tang left, the Vermilion Bird Venerable left immediately too, without so much as a parting word. With the majority of those present being followers of the Blood God Sect, naturally, they were inducted into that sect.

Moreover, they weren't even taken to the Main Base with Sect Hierarch Xue but were simply brought to the Beimang Branch, which didn't seem too significant.

Thinking about it, they wouldn't be considered important candidates—a fully grown man with no cultivation prospects. However, Demon Sects also need to recruit people, so those who handed in their pledges and joined were seen as allies. If they weren't taken in, where else would they look?

If Zhao Changhe had been a few years younger, or borne powerful cultivation skills, perhaps he'd be given a decent position. Unlike now, they weren't even allowed to observe the ongoing ritual from the sidelines, having to just stand outside in the cold wind.

"I have no regrets, having a place to go is enough. Anyway, staying at the Luo Family would have meant death, what else could have been done?" Zhao Changhe moved on from that subject and instead said, "Are you still angry with me? It's been many days on the road, are you ever going to stop sulking? The Luo Family wasn't destroyed by me, and without my actions, would you be alive or not? Do you still hold foolish loyalty towards Luo Zhenwu, thinking about vengeance?"

Luo Qi sighed and said, "As you said, it was the Four Symbols Sect and the Blood God Sect who destroyed the Luo Family, not you; what is there to blame you for? It's just that from now on, life is chaotic, and the path ahead is unclear. I'm not in a good mood, not intentionally giving you the cold shoulder, I hope you understand."

Zhao Changhe understood, of course. He then asked, "Do you hate the Blood God Sect? As a son born into the Luo Family, were your parents... were they inside?"

"Heh..." Luo Qi shook his head, "My parents have been gone for a long time... I just wonder, what was their reason for destroying the Luo Family?"

Why the Luo Family was destroyed might indeed be an important question. Zhao Changhe quickly thought of the second "location card" he'd received since arriving in this world. Since the "Eye Behind" really worked, the location card couldn't be aimless; it must be connected to the Luo Family in some way. Maybe after truly joining the sect he could ask...

However, Luo Qi said, "The Blood God Sect isn't as mysterious and unfathomable as the Four Symbols Sect; they have many dealings in the mundane world, often recruiting criminals to plunder... So they are divided into official sect members and unofficial bandits. What treatment we will receive is yet to be seen... If you manage to officially join the sect, perhaps you could look out for me in the future."

So this was his reason for trying to smooth things over. Zhao Changhe was the one with accomplishments and had a big chance of being taken into the sect directly, unlike him.

Zhao Changhe had an idea in his mind. Previously, Yue Hongling mistakenly thought the men in black who slaughtered the Zhao Mansion were unofficial bandit followers of the Blood God Sect because of their rudimentary martial arts and indistinctive techniques. It goes without saying that if one was recruited only as such, it would be practically useless.

Right at that moment, a secret door behind them cracked open slightly, and someone called out through the gap, "The Branch Leader has called for the two of you to speak inside."

Both men thought, finally, exchanged a glance, and headed inside.

Under the cover of snow in the mountain hollow, there was a secret door. Beyond it, a narrow path twisted and turned downwards towards the inner depths of the mountain.

The space inside the mountain belly was neither too big nor too small, housing a ritual altar surrounded by a Blood Pool, with enough room for hundreds to partake in the rituals.

This was the location of the branch altar of the Blood God Sect. More bandits not permitted to enter had to camp on the snowy mountain.

Now, with torches blazing around the Blood Pool, more than a hundred official followers were forming an odd formation, sitting in silent prayer. The Branch Leader was chanting something on the altar, generally about successful endeavors under the Blood God's blessings.

So it's a "Sect," not a martial arts school.

However, judging from the current scene, it didn't feel as mystical as expected but rather superstitious.

"Are there gods in this world?" Zhao Changhe asked Luo Qi quietly.

"Yes," Luo Qi affirmed. "I have never seen a True God myself, but there are many divine traces... everyone believes."

"What kind of divine traces?" Zhao Changhe asked eagerly.

He already suspected this wasn't a world without Qi cultivation methods; otherwise, how would one explain the abilities of the blind man who sent him here from another dimension?

Luo Qi gave him a peculiar look, "You don't know?"

"I really don't," he said.

"How the hell have you lived in this world without ever seeing the Chaotic World Book!"