Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 826: Separation of Souls

As it turned out, mastery in cultivation did not necessarily equate to skill in brewing tea.

The tea Piaomiao brewed was completely off. It had been steeped far too long, so it was bitter, harsh, and thoroughly unpleasant to drink.

Yet, Zhao Changhe acted as if it tasted wonderful. He sat there calmly, leafing through a book, sipping cup after cup without complaint or comment.

Piaomiao ventured tentatively, “How is it?”

“Hm, quite good.” Zhao Changhe raised his head and smiled. “Bracing and refreshing. Reminds me of a local specialty back in my hometown called coffee. I wonder if Tang Buqi’s maritime traders have discovered it. Next time I see him, I’ll have to ask.”

“Coffee?” Curious, Piaomiao poured herself a cup, took a cautious sip, then promptly spat it out in embarrassment. “Allow me to prepare another.”

“No need.” Zhao Changhe lowered his eyes back to the book. “What’s important isn’t the tea itself, but that Piaomiao is brewing it for me.”

“Even if it tastes terrible?”

“I think it tastes wonderful.” Zhao Changhe paused, suddenly laughing. “Ah, come to think of it, every holiday and festival, we offer wine and rituals to honor you.”

Piaomiao asked softly, “And that’s why it feels different when I brew tea for you instead?”

“If I claimed I’m pursuing you solely for this sense of achievement, would you find that easier to believe?”

“You can tell I find your words insincere?”

“Mm... You’re even more inexperienced than Yangyang in these matters; your thoughts are practically written on your face.”

Piaomiao silently complained to herself, Inexperienced? Your “little Yangyang,” inexperienced? She’s probably the most knowledgeable among all of us. Just how little do you understand your own wife?

Zhao Changhe continued turning pages casually. “In truth, I’m not sure myself what I was thinking when I said all those things. I spoke whatever came to mind. As for what comes next... I’ll leave that to your judgment.”

For a moment, Piaomiao remained silent. She quietly brewed another pot of tea, this time carefully adjusting the timing before handing him a fresh cup.

After reading through half of the book he was currently on, Zhao Changhe spoke again, “I’ve spent so much time exploring the previous era, and there’s always been something that puzzled me about the ancient mortal realm. You’re the spirit of that realm, so perhaps you’re uniquely qualified to answer this question for me?”

“What is it?”

“The ancient era clearly belonged to the demon gods. The ancient Azure Dragon ruled the mortal realm as its emperor, and I’ve seen your dialogues with him. The Azure Dragon is one of those primordial demon gods that are practically eternal. Whether it be historical figures like Yao, Shun, and Yu[1], the Cui Clan of Qinghe, the Wang Clan of Langya, or even poetry and song... Or even these Buddhist and Daoist scriptures... They’re all quite familiar to me. How did all these things manage to be passed down to the present? Was there perhaps another era before the ancient era?”

“I have existed since humanity first appeared, and I can assure you there was never any Yao, Shun, and Yu, the Cui Clan of Qinghe, or any stories connected to them. There could not have been an even earlier era. These legends mysteriously surfaced only in our current era. I suspect someone is deliberately changing ancient history, leading people into confusion.”

Ye Wuming’s name suddenly flashed in Zhao Changhe’s mind.

She had to be the culprit who had visited Earth and spread these things, leading people to believe these things truly existed in the prior era.

But then what about the Four Idols, Papiyas, and the Twenty-Eight Mansions? Those are also concepts from Earth.

A faint idea surfaced in Zhao Changhe’s mind. Awaiting further confirmation, he simply said, “I see,” and continued his study of the texts.

Piaomiao refrained from asking why he posed these questions, merely continuing to quietly brew tea.

Cui Yuanyang rested her chin on her palm, observing quietly from the side. Initially, she had encouraged Piaomiao to brew tea hoping to create an intimate, romantic atmosphere, like a graceful lady accompanying a scholarly gentleman in his studies. But looking at it now, it seemed more like the messy relationships had finally settled into something resembling normal companionship, tinged inexplicably with the feeling of a subordinate serving a superior.

How did things end up this way?

Though perhaps, in theory, Piaomiao really was meant to assist him in this very manner...

As daylight waned into dusk, Zhao Changhe rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Propping his elbow on the desk, he closed his eyes in thought. The Dao of karma was extremely abstruse to begin with, and when written explicitly in text, it became even more abstract, verging on the incomprehensible. Fortunately, he already had a solid foundation and had begun his studies from tangible forms like trees to grasp the severance of karma. Now, with the additional insights from these texts, he had indeed gained clarity.

Yet mental exhaustion was inevitable. Pondering such profound mysteries was genuinely draining.

Unknowingly, he drifted off into sleep, immune even to the strongest tea.

At first, Piaomiao thought he had entered a meditative state due to newfound enlightenment and prepared to stand guard. However, upon closer inspection, she realized that he had simply fallen asleep. After a long moment of hesitation, she gently lifted Zhao Changhe, carried him into the room, laid him on the bed, and tucked him under the covers.

Finally, Cui Yuanyang spoke up, “You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?”

Piaomiao softly replied, “He truly is a hero... at least I now understand why you care for him. Yangyang, let’s merge. I will become part of you.”

Surprised, Cui Yuanyang asked, “Why now? Your revenge isn’t even fulfilled yet.”

“I’ve long said the most natural relationship between us was for your memories to awaken with me as a subordinate persona. My independent awakening was an error forced by the Ye sisters, and errors should always be rectified. Your vengeance would become mine, and karma would continue naturally with you.”

“No. Your revenge, your responsibility,” said Cui Yuanyang. “Are you running away?”

“Running away? I’d love nothing more than to tear Ye Wuming limb from limb!”

“No, what I’m referring to is your fear of truly developing feelings for Big Brother Zhao. You’re worried that wanting a separate physical body would put you under Ye Wuming’s control due to the lotus platform. You don’t know how to handle that eventuality, so you’re trying to end things now, while your feelings remain shallow.”

Piaomiao’s heart skipped a beat.

Cui Yuanyang continued, “Up to now, I’ve gained nothing from this supposed reincarnation. All that it’s done is disrupt my normal life, take time away from my parents, and force me to be confined in the forsaken lands of Kunlun without a single day of control over my own body. Big Brother Zhao has suffered plenty due to this as well. I don’t blame you for circumstances beyond your control, but that doesn’t mean that I’m just going to shoulder your burdens. For Big Brother Zhao and me, this has been an undeserved calamity. Big Sister, I don’t want your memories, and I don’t want your power either. Whatever feelings or hatred you’ve brought, take responsibility for them yourself. I am myself, and my life is mine alone.”

Piaomiao could not utter a single word.

Cui Yuanyang concluded calmly, “You can’t understand Big Brother Zhao’s feelings? They’re simple enough. He thinks highly of you because you’re kind to me. Of course, he also feels the desire to conquer an ancient top-tier demon god. Human emotions and desires come in many shapes and forms, you know? Not all feelings are romantic. Big Brother Zhao is just human, and his desires aren’t particularly profound.”

Piaomiao stammered slightly, “He... He said he liked me, that’s...”

“That’s because he has a strong sense of responsibility. Since you’ve done the deed, he feels obligated to pursue you and to reassure you,” Cui Yuanyang explained patiently. “But between the two of you, you are the one who actually likes him. Your inner demon was effortlessly subdued by him, and he didn’t even have to use whatever Buddhist magic to do that. Even before you shared any kind of intimacy, it was clear. Afterward, even more so. He truly became your man. Look at how quiet you’ve become today. Where did your fierceness go?”

Piaomiao felt sudden clarity, as though an elusive truth finally clicked into place.

Indeed, the one who understood things best was this seemingly innocent little vixen. When not acting fragile, she was practically a mentor, especially regarding Zhao Changhe, whose every act, word, and gesture she had diligently tracked over the years.

Piaomiao finally realized, “So you had me brew tea not to test my intentions...”

“...but to show him your intentions.” Cui Yuanyang smiled knowingly. “After all, even an ordinary woman doesn’t brew tea for just anyone, let alone an ancient demon god. Though it seems he hasn’t noticed yet, he’s grown used to having many women around. What a scoundrel.”

“...”

“At any rate, you two have never properly interacted as a man and a woman before. This is a good start.” Cui Yuanyang rested her chin thoughtfully on her hand. “I heard from my parents that they never even saw each other before their marriage; their feelings developed only after the wedding and consummation. Perhaps you two are similar now...”

Piaomiao now felt that the one she ought to be serving tea to was this sage of romance sitting right before her.

“Anyway, I’m going to sleep. Do as you see fit.” Cui Yuanyang curled herself into a corner of the spiritual sea, hugging her knees. Moments later, she was dozing off.

Everyone had been mentally exhausted these last few days. Even Cui Yuanyang’s soul and spirit had been repeatedly overwhelmed by the demonic qi that Piaomiao had inadvertently released during her tantrums.

A faint guilt stirred in Piaomiao’s heart. Cui Yuanyang was right. Why should she be obliged to shoulder any of this? She was not Piaomiao, and she had a life of her own. Moreover, she had received none of the promised benefits from this reincarnation, only endless troubles.

Piaomiao sighed quietly and lowered her gaze, gently brushing away the beads of sweat from Zhao Changhe’s forehead.

If anyone was exhausted here, it was him. He should have rested today but had instead spent the entire day studying the most profound and abstruse Buddhist texts.

After a moment’s contemplation, a gentle pulse of energy emanated from her fingertips.

In his sleep, Zhao Changhe suddenly felt an incredible comfort... Ethereal spirit qi seeped into him, protecting and nourishing his spiritual sea and soul. He had experienced this feeling before, at the very moment when he was attacked by the Soul-Capturing Mirror embedded in the stone wall. Back then, he had chained his own soul with the Soul-Shackling Chain, and the vast qi of the mountains and rivers had passively protected him.

This time, it was actively bestowed upon him.

In a hazy realization, he sensed that he could fully draw upon this immense power as if it naturally belonged to him. It felt akin to how Tngri drew from the qi veins of the Grasslands when on home ground.

Zhao Changhe awoke slowly, witnessing the mountains and rivers within his soul sea now suffused with resplendent purple qi.

Opening his eyes, he found Piaomiao quietly sitting beside him.

A strange expression surfaced on Zhao Changhe’s face. According to his understanding, the qi veins of the mountains and rivers had actively infused him. In other words, with Piaomiao beside him, anywhere he went became his own domain, as if carrying the divine land wherever he ventured.

Even historical emperors had to earnestly pray for this level of blessing. Not only had he received a considerable buff, but his cultivation had also surged, and this was all thanks to Piaomiao.

“What... are you doing?” Zhao Changhe asked hesitantly. “Won’t this harm your own cultivation?”

“No,” Piaomiao calmly replied. “My cultivation thrives as long as the mountains and rivers flourish, ensuring my strength remains inexhaustible. My inability to reach peak condition stems only from the lack of unity across the realm. Actually, I am no weaker now than in the ancient era. I might even be stronger than I used to be, given that the Spirit Tribe has now submitted. Once Guanlong and the Western Regions are fully under your control, my strength will definitely surpass that of the past.”

“Then your occupation of Yangyang’s body was purely to temper your own physical form?”

“Yes.”

“So, if you could be separated from Yangyang, could you exist purely as a spiritual entity? Originally, you were a spirit after all, so surely you don’t need something like a lotus platform as a physical body? If you originally had a body, wouldn’t it simply be the land itself?”

“Not exactly.” Piaomiao paused. “I once fashioned a physical body for myself. Otherwise, as a mere spirit, what need would I have to bathe?”

“Uh...”

“Initially, I indeed took the mountains and rivers as my body, but that form was immovable. It restricted my spirit to the mortal realm, and I was unable to venture elsewhere. Thus, I created a physical form, though my fundamental essence remained tied to the land. This is why I experienced reincarnation. Otherwise, like Papiyas, I would’ve been reborn directly from the realm’s mountains and rivers. I wouldn’t have gone through the cycle of reincarnation at all. Thus, in this lifetime, I truly need a body. I cannot exist solely as a spirit.”

Zhao Changhe nodded thoughtfully. “I see... Then, taking advantage of your corrupted state, which makes it easier to separate your soul from Yangyang’s, let me separate you two now. When you have a suitable physical form, you can attach yourself to it. How does that sound?”

Piaomiao nodded gently. “That’s fine.”

Apart from lacking a physical form, the greatest obstacle to separating their souls was the profound intertwining—they were like two colors blended into one. Yet, Piaomiao’s current corrupted state made her soul particularly dense and dark, clearly distinguishable. With careful assistance, it was possible to clearly separate the two.

Yet, allowing someone to handle one’s soul so defenselessly demanded absolute trust. A single mistake and both entangled souls could be irreparably damaged.

Several days ago, Piaomiao would never have consented, but now she trusted both Zhao Changhe’s character and his abilities.

Zhao Changhe once again entered Piaomiao’s spiritual sea. Cui Yuanyang slept peacefully, entwined with Piaomiao’s soul. Previously indistinguishable, the demonic qi now sharply contrasted their essences. Zhao Changhe took out the Soul-Shackling Chain and bound them gently, whispering, “Forgive me; if you move too much from pain, there could be an accident. I must bind you.”

Piaomiao remained indifferent. “Very well... You may begin.”

Securing them carefully, Zhao Changhe began the delicate task of separating their souls.

As he began, an intense friction jolted through the souls. Cui Yuanyang woke abruptly, and all three of them simultaneously shivered.

Cui Yuanyang blinked in surprise. She had anticipated pain, but instead, it felt strangely... pleasurable?

Did this not technically mean Zhao Changhe was having a spiritual threesome?

Yangyang was naturally quite willing... But Big Sister Piaomiao might object... Or perhaps not. Given this was technically a medical procedure, Piaomiao would surely insist on believing it was nothing improper.

Stealing a glance, Cui Yuanyang noticed Piaomiao’s soul had closed her eyes tightly and was trembling faintly, clearly enduring something.

As Zhao Changhe continued, Piaomiao’s eyes suddenly opened wide. Her gaze was unfocused, and she seemed to be desperately trying to hold back her voice. Instinctively wanting to twist away, she found herself restrained by the chains, making her resistance look strangely inviting.

The sight was beyond amusing, at least to Cui Yuanyang.

The latter, indifferent to decorum, simply gave voice to her enjoyment. Piaomiao soon discovered she was not merely suffering spiritual torment but auditory torment as well.

This little vixen has abandoned all pretense of modesty. We’re trying to separate our souls to start anew. Does she really have to utter those sounds?

At this point, Piaomiao would rather Zhao Changhe simply split them apart with Dragon Bird.

Nearby, Dragon Bird and River of Stars circled protectively around their bodies, with Dragon Bird thoughtfully stroking its chin as it observed the pair on the bed. Though their minds were elsewhere, their bodies flushed and heated unconsciously, accompanied by interesting sounds....

Most amusingly, Yangyang’s body emitted two distinctly different voices, as if two different people were taking turns having pleasurable dreams. It was utterly fascinating.

1. These are legendary figures in ancient Chinese history, three successive tribal alliance leaders based in the Yellow River Basin. ☜

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