Chaotic World Book-Chapter 456 - 443: Remote Collaboration

Southwest China is vast, and Erhai is but a tiny dot within it. Most Tribes actually reside in mountains scattered all around, and not just in Xizhou, the town by the lake—there are other bustling settlements along the banks of Cang Mountain to the south.

Zhao Changhe never expected to discover Yue Hongling’s whereabouts upon arriving at the first town; he originally thought he would have to search far and wide. This place was merely the starting point of the investigation.

But unexpectedly, he had stepped right into the thick of things; Yue Hongling really was here!

Now that was strange...

If she had been hiding deep in the mountains and forests, it would be understandable that no one could find her. But she was actually in the town, and it seemed even the local Provincial Governor was involved in the search for her; in other words, it was highly likely that all the Tribes would help hunt her down to please the Provincial Governor. How could she possibly stay hidden?

She must have been so agitated by being targeted that, upon hearing of the Provincial Governor’s indiscriminate searches, she even launched an offensive, attempting to assassinate the Provincial Governor.

Zhao Changhe imagined the scenario and could almost visualize a puff of indignant cuteness amidst her valiant demeanor.

He could imagine that Yue Hongling dared not stir when Wuding was everywhere searching for her. However, just as Wang Daozhong arrived with great fanfare, Wuding, for some inexplicable reason, decided to challenge Wang Daozhong. Despite the gap in the Earth List rankings, it was still a significant battle and not something to be distracted from. This provided Yue Hongling with an opportunity, and she took decisive action.

It seemed he had unwittingly assisted Yue Hongling... but wasn’t it also Yue Hongling who had extricated him from a tricky situation? Otherwise, how would he have handled Wuding?

Thinking back... Yue Hongling must have believed Wuding would be tied up in a long exchange with "Wang Daozhong" before she struck, aiming for the assassination of the Provincial Governor. But in reality, he hadn’t been able to engage Wuding at all, prompting Wuding to return immediately. This might have led Yue Hongling to miscalculate, potentially putting her in danger... Once she revealed her presence, she wouldn’t be able to outrun Wuding. ƒreewebɳovel.com

These thoughts flashed through his mind, merely in the blink of an eye. Wuding had only just started to move and hadn’t even reached the next street when Zhao Changhe moved swiftly to follow: "Sect Master Wuding, declaring a challenge one moment and leaving the next, what do you take Wang for? You should stay!"

At the same time, he psychically connected with the Ancient Sword Dragon Emperor, silently pleading, "Sword Bro, do me a favor..."

The Ancient Sword Dragon Emperor: "..."

This shameless man’s behavior was quite like its former master...

The sword felt a surge of True Qi infusion, and a powerful Sword Intent welled up, as if to burst forth from the blade.

Sword Qi! And it was an Ultimate Skill evolution, the Sword Emperor Techniques, Yuan Tu’s Sword!

The Dragon Emperor silently gave him a little boost.

The Sword Qi howled, its shrill wailing piercing the air for several yards, aiming straight for Wuding’s back.

Wuding’s scalp exploded with alarm, twisting instinctively mid-air as the Sword Qi grazed past him, the force tearing a rip in his clothing.

"Excellent swordsmanship! Magnificent Sword Qi!" Wuding stopped and turned, saying coldly, "Weren’t you just admitting defeat and inviting me for drinks a moment ago, Brother Wang? What’s all this now?"

Zhao Changhe responded coldly as well, "What was true then doesn’t apply now... A proper challenge and exchange of sword skills is one thing; I can admit defeat if I’m outskilled. But clearly, even after I conceded defeat, Sect Master Wuding refused to let it go, turning away when there’s an issue at your end. What do you take me for? Does my Wang Family look like a brothel to you?"

Wuding inwardly cursed, realizing Zhao Changhe thought he was now in a hurry, not in a good position to fight, and saw an opportunity there... How could Wang Daozhong be so despicable?

But shameless as he may be, his strength was solid. That Sword Qi had even excited Wuding momentarily, truly making him want to engage in a serious battle. Unfortunately, more pressing matters awaited, and he could not spare the time. The stronger the opponent, the more troublesome it became. After a moment’s consideration, realizing a quick victory was unlikely, Wuding decided to compromise, "My oversight. I’ll apologize later in Langya. Farewell!"

With that, he made a move to leave again.

After going this far, persisting further would mean making a sworn enemy. Wuding believed Wang Daozhong wasn’t that stupid.

Just as he had this thought, another wave of Sword Qi attacked.

Wuding turned and parried the Sword Qi, irritation showing on his usually unfazed face: "Brother Wang, such persistent harassment lacks the dignity of our standing."

"Ha..." Zhao Changhe looked up, figuring the timing should be about right by now. With Yue Hongling’s capabilities, as long as she wasn’t entangled by anyone else, she would have vanished by now. Persuading Wuding further might lead to him getting fiercely angry, and that would spell disaster...

He laughed heartily, "Brother Shi, perhaps you’re not fully acquainted with the families of Central Earth, but who doesn’t know that I, Wang Daozhong, always avenge the smallest grievances? However, let’s end it here; it should be about time. I’ll seek your guidance in the future, take care."

After saying that, he scampered off like a puff of smoke.

Shi Wuding returned to the scene with a stern face, only to find that Yue Hongling had vanished without a trace.

"Where is she?"

A disciple from Sword Pavilion came forward to report: "The Provincial Governor has been pierced in the throat by a sword; there’s no saving him..."

This so-called Provincial Governor was obviously not the one from the Southwest; he was just a clerk stationed in Xizhou, coordinating with Shi Wuding in searching for Yue Hongling nearby, and had been quite effective. Now that he was gone... without the help of this local snake, Shi Wuding might as well have been blind.

Shi Wuding had a splitting headache: "I’m asking where the murderer is."

"It was Yue Hongling; we truly couldn’t hold her," said the disciple helplessly. "Just now, everyone had her cornered for a few moves, but in the end, we couldn’t keep her, and she got away... If the Sect Master had returned just a few breaths sooner, perhaps he might have still seen a glimpse of her; now, she’s truly gone..."

"Which direction did she run?"

"South."

Shi Wuding climbed to a high point and looked to the south, where the streets were intricate and winding; where could Yue Hongling’s shadow be seen now?

Looking further south, one could even see Cang Mountain from afar...

Shi Wuding was utterly speechless and ground his teeth in frustration, "Wang Daozhong!"

Damn it, if not for you holding me up for a few moments, I might have caught up!

Reflecting on the last words Wang Daozhong uttered, Shi Wuding suddenly realized. Wang Daozhong had obviously been deliberately holding him up, in fact, just to interfere with his pursuit of the killer?

He had thought Wang Daozhong was being forthright about taking his vendettas seriously. Shi Wuding shook his head silently: "These sons of aristocratic families, to avenge their honor, are they willing to throw their lives away? He’s not like Yue Hongling, who vanishes without a trace. He’s still staying at Lei Ao’s place; does he really think I can’t pay him another visit tonight?!"

Meanwhile, Li Si’an and Lei Ao looked at Zhao Changhe as if he were a deity: "Mr. Wang, by toying with Sect Master Shi in such a manner, how will you handle the trouble when he comes looking for you later?"

Zhao Changhe laughed heartily: "Everyone thinks I still have the protection and support I had in Langya; am I not now a lone wolf? Mr. Si’an has already brought me here; from now on, wherever I choose to go is my own concern. How easy would it be for Shi Wuding to find trouble with me!"

Lei Ao thought to himself, just moments ago, you weren’t acting like this... you were still asking for a guide, and now your words imply that you’ve found what you were looking for and no longer need one? Indeed, Zhao Changhe no longer needed a guide... he had found out about Yue Hongling and Sword Pavilion’s whereabouts on the very first day he arrived; what use would he have for a guide? Could a guide even help find Yue Hongling?

But now, the real problem was how to establish contact with Yue Hongling...

As he was mulling this over, he heard Li Si’an speak to Lei Ao: "Xizhou is only a small town, too insubstantial for Mr. Wang’s purposes here. Brother Lei, why not introduce him to some of the tribal leaders? This meeting could discuss important matters and, incidentally, provide a hideout from Shi Wuding..."

Lei Ao hesitated for a moment: "If that’s the case, I’ll write a letter that Mr. Wang can take to Cang Mountain."

By the time Shi Wuding finished dealing with the aftermath and furiously returned to Lei Ao’s residence, the message he got was: "Mr. Wang Daozhong? He’s already left, didn’t even stay for dinner."

Shi Wuding: "?"

Is Wang Daozhong still a scion of an aristocratic family at all? From any angle, he seems to have the vibe of an old hand in the Worldly Society quite like another Yue Hongling; some might even believe it!

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PS: This Chapter was typed in the waiting lounge. I’m flying to Chengdu today for the Qidian Authors’ Lounge. The next Chapter will have to be typed on the plane. Tomorrow’s schedule is tight, and I might not be able to squeeze in writing time; there’s a chance I’ll have to ask for leave. I’ll try my best...

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