Chaotic World Book-Chapter 450 - 437: Bonds of Loyalty Swallow the Rainbow

Sensing that it was unlikely to pry any more news about the Sword Pavilion from Zhai Muzhi, let alone dare to ask him directly about Yue Hongling.

There was nothing more to say... Zhao Changhe did not linger in his dealings with Zhai Muzhi, excusing himself on the grounds that it was getting late and he needed to make haste to find lodging, eating only a little before taking his leave.

The caravan slowly departed, Zhai Muzhi smiling as warmly as if bathed in the spring breeze, seeing them off with the utmost respect as if for Langya Wang, maintaining his smile even after they were out of sight.

Only the local populace huddling and shivering nearby somehow made the whole scene strangely eerie.

Xie Ruhai, who had been standing by silently the whole time, waited until the caravan had gone far before speaking in a low voice to Zhai Muzhi, "My lord, it seems he is truly being exiled to the Miao Region, and this trip should indeed have nothing to do with us. However, why would Li Si’an be mixing with him—is this something we should investigate?"

Shaking his head, Zhai Muzhi replied, "A businessman like Li Si’an couldn’t possibly offend Langya Wang. Whatever Wang Daozhong asks of him, he generally won’t refuse. There’s no meaning in investigating him; instead, we might fall into a trap."

Xie Ruhai inquired, "Then with Wang Daozhong heading to the Southwest, do we need to do anything?"

After pondering for a moment, Zhai Muzhi answered, "First, you only met this person in past years and might not be certain if it’s him. Although judging by his demeanor, it should be correct. That kind of attitude accustomed to being around superiors is not something ordinary people can feign. Even someone as rich as Li Si’an is inevitably cautious and reserved in the presence of officials, while he talks confidently and even somewhat condescendingly. It must be him... But ultimately, it’s better to be more cautious, send a message to Langya to confirm it before we proceed."

Xie Ruhai bowed and said, "Understood."

Zhai Muzhi continued, "The affairs of the Wang Family are strange through and through. To begin with, they should not have shown their intentions so early. Furthermore, now that they have fully revealed their intentions, with even the Cui and Yang families deploying troops to suppress them, the Emperor has said nothing. He has even allowed the release of Wang Daozhong... It clearly looks as if he has completely lost his authority, allowing the Aristocratic Families to take control. I’m even wondering if this could be a play the Emperor and the Wang Family are putting on, a ploy to draw out the snakes from their holes. Whoever aligns with the Wang Family, the Wang Family in turn might assist the Emperor against them."

This was a prevalent guess in the market of Shu, a conjecture not formed overnight.

Xie Ruhai then said, "Therefore, Wang Daozhong’s trip to the Southwest could very well be a probe at us... so we just need to deal with it perfunctorily, making sure that both you and I are well, correct?"

A trace of a smile appeared on Zhai Muzhi’s face, "Let’s wait and see... If the situation is right, perhaps what we should do is capture Wang Daozhong and hand him over to Tang Wanzhuang... As loyal officials like us, even if Tang Wanzhuang knows a bit about the situation, she’ll mostly have to hold her nose and turn a blind eye."

Xie Ruhai also smiled, "Despite Demon Suppression Department’s supposed role in cutting down demons and punishing the wicked, in the end, she sits in the service of this country."

"Notify Sect Master Shi, his strength is just right to deal with Wang Daozhong."

"What about Yue Hongling..."

"Yue Hongling, with her extensive experience in the Worldly Society, is hard to find, and can be dealt with slowly... She’s still hiding in the Miao Region after all, not even daring to show her face, let alone going out... I want to see how long she can hide!"

...

Zhao Changhe had never imagined that Wang Daozhong’s identity could potentially attract trouble... The children of Aristocratic Families don’t run amok all over the place, naturally for their own reasons.

Coincidentally, this matter could indeed be related to both Yue Hongling and the Sword Pavilion... If he had to choose again, he would still opt to impersonate Wang Daozhong.

Old Wang is truly a lucky star.

However, at this moment, Zhao Changhe did not know, after leaving Shu County and riding side by side with Li Si’an on the road, exchanging opinions, they both felt that Zhai Muzhi’s demeanor was quite normal.

"The usual interactions of an Aristocratic Family child, with Wang Daozhong visiting, he would certainly have to display the required etiquette."

"Right, that upstart’s demeanor, really has a bit of that... ugh..." Zhao Changhe grimaced in discomfort, sucking on his teeth, "I just had a few bites, wasn’t that like eating a year’s income... oh wait, I don’t have a damn salary."

"Er..." Li Si’an pondered for a moment, then said, "Actually, you do have a salary... You seem to be a Secret Agent for the Demon Suppression Department, with a very high rank, second only to the chief."

Zhao Changhe asked, "Where do I collect my salary? They owe me at least a year’s salary by now."

Li Si’an looked steadfastly ahead at the road and said, "Well, in order to collect your salary, you’d have to recognize the chief as your superior, are you sure about that?"

Zhao Changhe was delighted, "Is there such a good thing?"

"Are you the sick one, or is it you guys?" Li Si’an rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue the point and changed the topic, "His way may not necessarily be that of a nouveau riche; he’s just used to it. It’s always been done this way, and he also believes that the Wang and Cui Families do the same."

Zhao Changhe said, "What’s his reputation among officials? The fear he instills in the common people seems to be bone-deep."

"Milking them dry, extremely severe," Li Si’an said. "Not to mention anything else, just the forced labor conscription to dig canals last winter alone. Who knows how many died? The land of Shu was in mourning. Yet, when it was reported to the Imperial court, it was praised as a major public welfare project."

Zhao Changhe fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "What about the Divine Brilliance Sect?"

The strongest sect in the world, the Divine Brilliance Sect, was situated in the Emei of Shu.

How would these orthodox powerful sects balance the behavior of the officials; would they undertake acts of chivalry to behead a corrupt official? As it stands, they seem to blend in with the common dust, and hence they’re called "orthodox." Plainly speaking, Gui Chen’s attitude towards the Wang Family is not much different.

Situ Xiao, with his temperament, would probably not stand such matters. Since their parting at Yanmen, there has been no news of Situ Xiao. Could it be related to that? He might have imposed a self-exile or gone even more remote.

Li Si’an shook his head, "I don’t know. The Divine Brilliance Sect, known as the number one sect in the world, is actually very low-profile. Aside from the direct disciple Situ Xiao, who travels the Worldly Society, there’s little news about them."

"Is it the same as the Sword Pavilion, not engaging with the outside world?"

"The customs of the Ba Shu region are mostly like this..." Li Si’an said, "Moreover, for Li Shentong, his significance in managing the Southwest is perhaps greater and he seldom gets involved in affairs of Central Earth."

Zhao Changhe said, "Will we be passing by Emei on our way? Someone entrusted me to deliver something to Li Shentong, but I’ve been too tied up with matters to make such a distant trip. Now that we’re headed to Ba Shu, it’s perfect timing to pay a visit."

Li Si’an said, "It’s several days’ travel, choosing the Emei path is the way to go. What do you have to deliver?"

"A jug of wine."

Li Si’an: "?"

You have a mountain of troubling matters, and you’re still set on delivering a jug of wine?

Zhao Changhe said, "I’m already quite embarrassed; it’s been delayed for several months. Frankly, if it wasn’t on the way, I might never have planned to make the trip. I would most likely wait until all affairs are settled before going back... Sometimes I think, when I first entered the Worldly Society, I would have traveled a thousand miles on a promise. That spirit seems to have faded without me realizing, not as strong as Wubing."

Li Si’an smiled, "Who knows what Han Wubing is like today? The years in the Worldly Society age people quickly; with a mountain of responsibilities on one’s back, no one can remain forever young."

Zhao Changhe’s eyes sparkled, "There will always come a time when matters are resolved. I also believe that today’s Han Wubing is still Han Wubing."

As they were speaking, a golden light suddenly rose in the sky.

The two men looked up in surprise as a new Chapter of the Chaotic World Book descended:

"April, the beginning of summer."

"Han Wubing, in Yanmen, noticed assassins from Listening Snow Pavilion inquiring about his friends’ information. He pursued them for thousands of miles, from winter to summer, searching for five months, to find the Listening Snow Pavilion assassin Ying Shuang at the Sword Pavilion mountain pass. The deed was not fully accomplished; Ying Shuang escaped."

"Human List victories and defeats, rankings exchanged."

"Human List thirty-three, Han Wubing."

"I come to this feast to toast the clear wind, with righteousness we swallow the long rainbow."

————

PS: Some readers have reminded me that Maitreya has died on the Earth List; Zhai Muzhi should originally be fourth.

The rankings change in real time, my mind got confused, it’s been corrected, thank you for catching that~ Feel free to catch more bugs like this.

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