Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 605: Wang Daoning

Wang Daozhong exclaimed with great excitement, “Brother, since you’ve already reached the Profound Control Realm, why don’t you join the battle in Puyang? We’ve been stuck there for over three months, suffering heavy losses. At this point, it’s a matter of pride—the morale is crumbling! If you were to unleash your thunderous might and shatter that city, sweeping across Hebei to the capital, the entire world would tremble. Wouldn’t that be glorious?”

Wang Daoning chuckled wryly. “Why don’t you write for the Tome of Troubled Times? You seem eloquent enough.”

“Who cares about eloquence right now?” Wang Daozhong stomped in frustration. “We’ve been stalled by a single city and become a laughingstock!”

“A single city?” Wang Daoning’s voice turned grave. “That city has the entire might of the Cui Clan of Qinghe behind it. Even their daughters took up arms, a desperate fight with their backs to the river. Add to that Huangfu Shaozong’s reinforcements, the Blood God Cult’s aid, and the support of the Yang Clan... Do you really think their strength is inferior to ours?”

He sighed and continued slowly, “Anyone with half a brain can see there’s nothing laughable about it. In fact, this first hurdle we face is also the final one. Once we overcome that city, the path ahead will be clear. The best troops from the capital have all already been deployed there. As long as we win this battle, we’ll be left facing nothing but the useless scions of the capital.”

Wang Daozhong asked, “If you know this, why are you still seated here?”

Wang Daoning said coolly, “I’m waiting for someone.”

Wang Daozhong was taken aback. “Are you waiting for Timur? Does he really dare to infiltrate alone?”

Ever since He Lei mysteriously died in the Central Plains, the warriors of the northern barbarians refused to move into the Central Plains alone, let alone a khagan like Timur, whose position binds him to vast responsibilities. The idea of someone like him risking everything as a lone assassin is simply absurd. Perhaps the Great Shaman Bo’e might be more likely to carry out such a mission, though even that is doubtful.

Wang Daoning shook his head. “They won’t come. Their armies are stationed to the north, waiting for us to falter. They are not of our kind and they have their own schemes. We cannot expect them to be steadfast allies. Furthermore, in this heavy snow, even mobilizing their troops would kill their morale. Do you really think that they don’t fear their men and horses freezing to death?”

He then smirked. “Since everyone thinks that, Batu will think so too. Two or three months ago, he was in a panic, sending three or four desperate pleas for aid to the capital each day. Now, he lounges in his tent, enjoying songs and dances. The cunning of that northern savage amounts to no more than this.”

Who are you calling a northern savage?

Wang Daozhong inwardly grumbled, yet he could not suppress his curiosity. “Then who are you waiting for?”

Wang Daoning’s gaze sharpened. “The realm is in chaos, yet those acting out of pure self-interest are few. Take Li Shentong, for example. He rose up not out of ambition but because he could no longer endure the suffering of the people of Bashu. He took up arms to kill corrupt officials, not to seize power. Perhaps only we remain with such motives. To them, preventing that fool of an emperor from continuing his misrule is more important than any personal gain.”

Wang Daozhong fell silent.

As they spoke, Wang Daoning’s ears twitched slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. “It’s time. I’m leaving for a while...”

He stood up tall and resolute. “Langya is secure, it does not need your oversight. You should head to Puyang. Don’t be fooled by how well Cui Yuanyong is holding out. Their forces are already at their breaking point. Without reinforcements, they won’t be able to hold. When the tides shift, Huangfu Shaozong and Yang Jingxiu will be too preoccupied to bother with Puyang. Even Xue Canghai might waver. At that time, Puyang will fall with ease.”

Wang Daozhong thought about it for a moment and then had a sudden realization. “Are you heading for the capital?”

Although the bulk of the capital’s forces were currently tied up in Puyang, the capital was still far from susceptible to assassinations. Xia Longyuan’s unknown layers of defenses, combined with the presence of formidable individuals like Tang Wanzhuang and Qin Dingjiang made any chances of assassination tenuous. Even if they sent their strongest experts, no one—not even Wang Daoning—had any certainty of leaving alive.

“Daozhong...” Wang Daoning patted his brother’s shoulder. “You’ve been running around for the past two years, stirring up trouble everywhere, but I’ve never blamed you. Do you know why?”

Wang Daozhong said, “Of course, it’s because I was tricked by Zhao Changhe, and it wasn’t my fault!”

“You’ve been famous in the jianghu for so many years, yet you were outwitted by a youngster. How can you say that with a straight face?”

“...”

“I don’t blame you because the jianghu is unpredictable. No one wins all the time. In fact, I even envy you.”

“Envy me...?”

“Yes, or perhaps I envy myself as I was back in the day, riding free across the jianghu. I lost battles too. I was outwitted as well. Victory and defeat are but fleeting. As long as you’ve given your all, there is no shame.” He slowly turned toward the door, his figure composed yet determined. “Now, it’s my turn to give everything. We are of a noble lineage, but we are martial artists first and foremost. The world lies beneath our feet. If I shrink from the danger of the capital, then what was the purpose of a lifetime of martial training?”

Wang Daozhong opened his mouth, his eyes fixed on his brother’s departing silhouette. After a long silence, he whispered, “But no one knows the extent of his injuries, Brother.”

Wang Daoning sighed. “Then should we wait for him to recover? We thought the Sea Emperor’s weakened soul was an opportunity, but his swift recovery nearly destroyed us. We cannot repeat that mistake. This is our only chance—our best chance.”

Wang Daozhong had no more words. His brother still had the spirit of a gambler, but this wager truly was necessary. Any further delay would spell complete ruin.

He had not expected that, after decades of comfort and luxury, his brother still possessed the blood and fire of a true martial artist.

“If I don’t come back, take care of the younger generation and flee overseas. Don’t seek reckless glory... Once you break through to the third layer of the Profound Mysteries, you will still have the opportunity to return and rise again. While many pursue the Profound Control Realm, the third layer of the Profound Mysteries remains the pinnacle of this world. There is still much to accomplish,” instructed Wang Daoning. “Keep an eye on Zhao Changhe. He is the true dragon of this era, not Xia Longyuan.”

This was his brother entrusting his final wishes.

Wang Daozhong still did not think that Zhao Changhe was all that extraordinary, believing that the other party was still just a trickster adept at disguise and scapegoating. Ultimately, however, his brother’s words offered him some solace. After all, being outmaneuvered by someone who could be compared to—or even considered to surpass—Xia Longyuan was not something shameful.

Still, he could not help but protest. “Xia Longyuan isn’t the true dragon? He’s far stronger than Zhao Changhe. He’s ruled the world for decades, a figure without equal in history. At worst, he’s just... sick.”

“Then let’s say he’s sick. Do you know how many years the heroes of the world have been waiting to feast on this ailing dragon?” Wang Daoning’s voice faded as he disappeared down the stairs. “If the people’s hearts have turned away, how can he be called a true dragon? If he is a dragon, then I shall sever his legs, tear his flesh, and leave him no rest by day or by night!”

* * *

Zhao Changhe and his group, traveling on a swift ship left by Tang En. After half a month at sea, they finally arrived in Ningbo.

By the time they reached the port, even Jiangnan was touched by a light dusting of snow.

In such weather, if not for Lady Three’s growing mastery over the seas, the captain would not have dared to set sail. Fortunately, the journey had been smooth and uneventful.

Zhao Changhe, still learning the art of sensing energies, instinctively scanned the surroundings. His gaze soon caught the thickening presence of royal qi rising from Jinling.

The aura of Jiangnan was beginning to converge.

If this aura were to be embodied by a single person, that person would be Tang Buqi.

It was not surprising. He had long suspected that Tang Buqi had the potential to carve out his own domain in Jiangnan. If, during this time, he had managed to bring the various forces of Jiangnan under his control, his opportunity to rise and become a ruler would only grow stronger. Moreover, Jingxiang was still loyal to their side, giving him a massive advantage.

But as Zhao Changhe pondered this, his expression darkened.

The fate of the Tang Clan was not for Tang Buqi to decide. The Tang Clan was merely a second or third-rate family. They had not even held complete authority in Gusu, and their military strength was unimpressive compared to the likes of the Cui Clan or the Wang Clan.

The reason Tang Buqi was able to hold such power in Jiangnan, far above other local aristocratic families, was mainly due to two factors. First, he borrowed the righteous cause of Tang Wanzhuang’s campaign against rebels. With his aunt’s status as the bureau chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau, it was easy for him to rally the local heroes and appoint himself as the leader. Second, he had the full support of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Whether it was elite combat power, manpower, intelligence, or the support of the local aristocratic families still loyal to the court, he had it all. Even now, generals like Wu Weiyang, stalwarts of the bureau, remained by Tang Buqi’s side, commanding formidable forces.

In truth, Tang Buqi’s success was entirely orchestrated by his aunt. Without her, he was nothing. If she did not wish for rebellion, he would not dare raise the flag.

Therefore, if the day ever came when the Tang Clan openly rebelled and this royal qi finally found a true foundation, it would only happen under one dire condition—Tang Wanzhuang would have to be on the brink of collapsing!