Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 840: The Sword of the World Remains Unchanged

Facing the predatory gaze of the Four Idols Cult, Snow Owl’s expression shifted unpredictably, and he swiftly retreated into the shadows, vanishing from sight.

Who cared if he was an outsider or not? This chaos had become too tangled. Only a fool would stand exposed at the front lines to bear the brunt of the enemy’s attention. Remaining hidden in the shadows would inevitably yield opportunities with much less risk.

Moreover, there had to be a reason he kept being tracked by these people. It was crucial for him to figure out what was going on in that regard first.

Seeing Snow Owl disappear, Han Wubing moved as if to pursue but stopped abruptly when he noticed Yue Hongling and the others standing motionless, their attention still firmly focused on him and the White Tiger. A subtle frown formed on his face.

Only now did Yue Hongling speak, addressing Han Wubing, “He might not truly be an outsider. Within the diverse sword intents in his body, there’s clearly the mark of the Sword Emperor. At the very least, he has the Sword Emperor’s backing. In this chaotic conflict, he’s aligned with the Sword Emperor.”

Even as she spoke, Yue Hongling felt the hidden sword qi inside Snow Owl rapidly dissipating. It was clear that the Sword Emperor had sensed it and intervened. The sword qi she had discreetly planted long ago within Snow Owl, which had repeatedly served unintended and clandestine purposes, was finally gone.

Under normal circumstances, such subtle manipulation might have gone unnoticed during the Profound Mysteries Realm, but Snow Owl was at the second layer of the Profound Control Realm, so he surely should have noticed something. Yet, his cultivation style made detection uniquely challenging. His body hosted such an eclectic assortment of sword intents that distinguishing any intruding energy became near impossible, especially when the foreign qi itself mirrored the Sword Emperor’s presence already scattered within him.

Thus, this supposedly elusive assassin carried himself like someone walking about with bells strapped to his waist, ringing loudly with each step before the husband-and-wife duo. He had tried hunting Zhao Changhe, only to be misled and outmaneuvered; he had attempted to track down the White Tiger, only to be relentlessly tracked down himself. Yue Hongling sometimes wondered if everyone from the Snow-Listening Pavilion had been cursed ever since their encounter with Zhao Changhe.

Take Frost Hawk, for example; his fate had been particularly tragic.

Han Wubing also appeared to recall Frost Hawk; a slight smile broke his typically stern visage, brightening his features noticeably.

A collective sigh echoed softly among the observers. Han Wubing’s connection with Zhao Changhe was genuine, yet fate’s cruel hand seemed intent on tragedy...

Unexpectedly, Han Wubing chuckled lightly and said, “Regardless of whether Snow Owl serves the Sword Emperor, he’s still your enemy. Why not pursue him?”

Huangfu Qing replied coldly, “Whether he is an outsider or not is one thing. You, on the other hand, seem to be not only an outsider but an enemy.”

Her words aligned perfectly with the Four Idols Formation still encircling Han Wubing and the White Tiger, clearly stating their stance. If they shifted their attention to Snow Owl, Han Wubing might stab them in the back or escape with the White Tiger.

Their goal was the White Tiger. Snow Owl was a secondary nuisance at best. Han Wubing’s attempt to shift their focus seemed questionable. Perhaps he hoped to stir chaos, enabling him to abscond with the White Tiger, or perhaps he wanted to set them openly against the Sword Emperor.

Han Wubing fell silent at last. After a long pause, he sighed deeply and said, “Must you truly kill the White Tiger? Your Four Idols Cult has deep ties with him; he should have been an ally. Why treat him like this?”

Huangfu Qing said quietly, “We never intended outright to kill the White Tiger. Originally, our goal was simply to meet him and then decide our course of action. But right now, he is clearly hostile, so what other choice do we have?”

Han Wubing glanced down at the White Tiger. Though shaped like a human, the man crouched low like a beast, his hands curled into vicious claws. Madness was clear in his gaze. His feral eyes fixed hatefully upon Xia Chichi and Yue Hongling, as if resenting and astonished by the essence of the White Tiger they wielded. Still, a primal fear of the Four Idols Formation kept him motionless, though he continuously heaved with restrained fury, poised to lash out at any moment.

“He’s gone mad,” Han Wubing murmured. “He’s like this towards everyone, not specifically—”

Huangfu Qing cut him off. “No, don’t you see? Compared to others, his hatred for Ye Jiuyou is deeper. Even when Ye Jiuyou clearly acted to save him earlier, he attacked Jiuyou first. And beyond that, he despises us, particularly Chichi and Hongling, who now wield the essence of the White Tiger. It’s apparent that he instinctively loathes Ye Jiuyou, his ancient nemesis. But to him, we’re either traitors or thieves.”

Han Wubing fell silent once more.

Indeed, Jiuyou was the ancient nemesis, and they were regarded as traitors.

These people’s interpretation of the Four Idols differed greatly from the ancient tradition. They were, thus, clearly not normal heirs. Even if they were legitimate, they had clearly altered its essence, and White Tiger might instinctively sense their usurpation. Calling them “Papiyas draped in the robes of the Four Idols” would not be off-mark. This was an irreconcilable enmity.

There was also another possibility: Perhaps White Tiger resented the Night Emperor herself for personally destroying the ancient Four Idols. In his madness, could White Tiger be conscious of that history, or was this madness directly related? If this was true, White Tiger might even share common ground with these “usurpers.”

But his madness prevented any proper communication, leaving everyone uncertain. His evident hatred toward Chichi and Hongling suggested his animosity leaned toward the former scenario, hatred towards “usurpers.”

Regardless, facing such imminent danger, amid such chaos, they lacked the luxury of patience or understanding. Killing him, or at the very least, ensuring he was properly restrained, was the safest option. Han Wubing’s protection of the White Tiger placed them at direct odds.

If sentimentality were allowed to guide their actions, if they were to turn aside now to pursue Snow Owl and let a violently hostile White Tiger slip through their grasp, who knew what calamities awaited them in the future?

Xia Chichi said softly, “Old Han, you and Changhe share bonds of brotherhood. We do not wish to become your enemies, nor do I believe you wish it either. If you’re willing to entrust White Tiger to us, we promise not to harm him needlessly. We will do all we can to treat his madness, to communicate and reason with him. Can you trust me?”

Han Wubing remained silent for a long moment before slowly lifting his sword. “I cannot.”

Xia Chichi’s expression chilled. “You would raise your sword against me?”

Han Wubing said nothing, his steady hand holding the blade firm, confirming her suspicions.

Though Xia Chichi and Yue Hongling shared some friendship with Han Wubing, Huangfu Qing and Lady Three had no such concerns. Seeing his stance, the two women grew instantly wary and irritated. “You refuse our kindness and choose the hard path? Well, so be it.”

Before their words had fully settled, White Tiger roared with primal fury, fingers forming into a blade as he lunged toward Xia Chichi.

The rising tension and killing intent had agitated the already unstable White Tiger. He finally broke out of his restraints and struck first. Xia Chichi glanced briefly at Han Wubing, but he made no move to stop the attack.

A deep disappointment shadowed her eyes as she resolutely raised Iceheart. The majestic phantom of the Azure Dragon surged forth, roaring fiercely. Within the Four Idols Formation, Xia Chichi’s role was that of the Azure Dragon, not the White Tiger.

“Azure Dragon... Shuanghua?” The attacking White Tiger visibly hesitated, momentarily startled. Even the distant Azure Dragon corpse puppet turned its head slightly, casting a glance in their direction.

The essence of the Azure Dragon merged seamlessly with the divine sword Iceheart, conjuring memories that stretched back to an age long shattered and forgotten.

Iceheart showed no resistance to the Azure Dragon’s essence; rather, it was the charging White Tiger whose strike faltered for an instant.

Bang!

The Azure Dragon image clashed violently with White Tiger. Bolstered by the Four Idols Formation, Xia Chichi, who should have been the weaker of the two, stood firm, evenly matched with her adversary. Simultaneously, from two other directions, Huangfu Qing and Lady Three moved in flawless harmony. Fire and water surged together, and Lady Three’s snake whip coiled swiftly toward White Tiger’s waist, aiming to capture rather than kill.

Han Wubing tried to intervene, but a wave of sword qi erupted behind him. Yue Hongling’s sword hovered threateningly near his back.

Forced to turn, Han Wubing parried instinctively. Two nearly identical sword intents clashed sharply. With a soft exclamation of surprise, he stepped back slightly. “You... You are the new White Tiger?”

“I am.” Yue Hongling spoke calmly. “You were fully aware of White Tiger’s hatred towards us yet chose to conceal it. You could have spoken openly and sought common ground, yet not only did you remain silent, you even raised your sword against Chichi. She is disappointed, as am I. I wonder, if Changhe was here, would you speak your truth?”

Han Wubing slowly shook his head. “I would not.”

“Why?”

“Because it would only burden him further,” Han Wubing said quietly. “Do you know why White Tiger went mad? Do you know what he intends to do?”

“Would you care to enlighten me?”

“He seeks to destroy everything in this world, just as he slaughtered the Golden Wolf long ago. He seeks to kill all the Four Idols. And the Four Idols of this age are precisely Zhao’s greatest vulnerability; even you are now part of it... Ironic, isn’t it?”

“Why wouldn’t you believe that, if Changhe knew, he would do everything possible, no matter how difficult, to heal White Tiger rather than simply destroy him?”

A faint emotion flickered in Han Wubing’s eyes, quickly replaced by resignation. “First, it’s incurable. Second, even if he could be healed, he would do exactly the same. Third, Old Zhao himself carries the burden of annihilating the ancient demon gods.”

“No one dictates Changhe’s destiny.”

“I speak of someone beyond even Ye Wuming.”

“I said, no one dictates Changhe’s destiny. No matter who it is, not even Ye Wuming herself.”

Han Wubing fell silent.

Yue Hongling sighed softly and said, “Why are you so certain that even healed, White Tiger would still choose destruction? And why do you seem so familiar with Ye Wuming, for that matter? Could it be... that you yourself are actually White Tiger?”

The last sentence was transmitted telepathically, concealed from other ears.

Han Wubing’s pupils shrank slightly.

Yue Hongling continued, “We have all begun to suspect the truth. This maddened White Tiger is only half of the original entity. It’s only when combined with you that White Tiger is complete.”

Han Wubing replied via transmission, “How do you know? Is it just because I possess the White Tiger’s sword intent?”

“Changhe knows far more than you imagine.” Yue Hongling replied calmly. “The ancient White Tiger tore out his own spine and cast it into the mortal realm, and this spine became you. Why else would you alone be able to find White Tiger when all others failed?”

She glanced toward the ongoing struggle between Xia Chichi’s group and White Tiger. Even without Yue Hongling’s involvement and with the Four Idols Formation still incomplete, White Tiger was already faltering beneath the relentless onslaught of Huangfu Qing and Lady Three. Han Wubing followed her gaze, his expression darkening further. He had underestimated just how powerful these women had grown; after barely a year or two isolated from worldly affairs, he felt entirely disconnected from humanity’s present strength.

Yue Hongling continued thoughtfully, “This maddened White Tiger moves with the ferocity of a wolf because his missing spine was replaced by that of the Golden Wolf from the Grasslands. Snow Owl also carries traces of the White Tiger’s sword intent because you were once his sword slave; your sword intent lingered there, hence Snow Owl’s association with you and the Sword Emperor’s desire for the White Tiger.”

Han Wubing was silent for a long moment before murmuring, “So you already knew so much...”

“When did you awaken?”

“After the collapse and rebirth within the Spirit Tribe. You witnessed it yourself.”

“So that’s why you disappeared afterward. You went to Kunlun, seeking White Tiger.”

“Yes.”

Yue Hongling nodded. “Only when the two of you merge will the true ancient White Tiger be reborn. Until now, you have not fully fused, perhaps because you fear that his madness would contaminate your own mind, and you have yet to find a solution. Perhaps that is why you have remained long secluded in the Heavenly Demon Illusion Realm. After absorbing Papiyas, Snow Owl sought you out because he thought that he could offer that solution. If the problem could be resolved, then through a mortal vessel, you could step into the third layer of the Profound Control Realm, finally breaking through the ancient White Tiger’s limitations.”

Han Wubing slowly said, “You know more than I imagined... But it seems there are still two things you do not understand.” freewēbnoveℓ.com

“What two things?”

“First, the fact that I have not yet merged is not because I fear losing my mind, but because it serves to feign weakness before my enemies. I never anticipated such chaos today, but had they come one by one... they would have fallen, one by one, to my sword.”

Yue Hongling replied coldly, “So we ought to thank you for your restraint?”

Han Wubing sighed. “Unless absolutely necessary, I truly did not wish to oppose you. Even if it became necessary... I would have left you for last. But now, you are the ones who refuse to let me go.”

Yue Hongling remained unmoved. “And the second?”

Han Wubing gazed at her for a long time before speaking in a near whisper, “The Sword Emperor has appeared. Shouldn’t you be dealing with your own problems right now?”

Even as they spoke, White Tiger seemed unable to withstand the relentless siege from Lady Three, Huangfu Qing, and Xia Chichi. The snake whip had already ensnared him, pulling him for the final capture.

Yet in the very moment the whip secured him, a terrifying sword qi ripped into the formation, striking White Tiger just as he was most vulnerable.

Although speaking with Han Wubing, Yue Hongling had been monitoring everything closely. At that critical moment, she thrust her sword into the ground.

The Four Idols Formation shifted, moving White Tiger just enough for the sword qi to graze past him harmlessly, vanishing into the darkness beyond.

She turned her gaze sharply and saw that Ye Jiuyou had vanished without a trace, along with her corpse puppets. Only the Sword Emperor remained, hands clasped behind his back, approaching leisurely. The Sword Emperor said calmly, “The Four Idols Formation is decently refined, but to struggle so long against a broken, maddened White Tiger? The Four Idols of this era are truly a disappointment.”

* * *

During their conversation, the Sword Emperor and Ye Jiuyou had briefly clashed. After a few tentative exchanges, Ye Jiuyou’s clever eyes flickered, and with a light, mocking laugh, she disengaged and retreated into the darkness.

The first to appear, as well as theoretically the strongest among them, was also the first to flee.

The battlefield had grown too chaotic. Now that the Four Idols Cult had taken the lead, considering their deep ties to White Tiger and Zhao Changhe’s bond with Han Wubing, no matter their true intentions toward White Tiger, they certainly would not allow him to be casually captured or killed by outsiders.

Given that certainty, conflict between the Four Idols Cult and the Sword Emperor was inevitable. Why should she involve herself then? It would be better to let them clash first and reap the spoils later.

Besides, they saved me just now.

Ye Jiuyou’s bright eyes shimmered with interest.

Though she had indeed been at a disadvantage, she was not someone who needed rescuing. Yet these women had instinctively moved to shield her, exposing their own hidden positions in the process, trading the advantage of secrecy for an open field.

Why? What did they hope to gain from helping her? Did they believe they had some bond with her?

Even more intriguing was that it had been a collective response—not one, but all of them had acted without hesitation.

Ye Jiuyou found it deeply amusing.

In truth, the Sword Emperor had harbored similar thoughts of retreat, waiting for others to clash before swooping in. Yet the pride of a swordsman held him back. He lacked Ye Jiuyou’s shamelessness. By the time he even began to consider retreat, Ye Jiuyou was already gone.

Fundamentally, Ye Jiuyou knew how strong these women were and sensed that an even more formidable pair of man and woman might still be hidden beyond. She was unwilling to provoke them lightly, but the Sword Emperor was unaware of that.

In his eyes, the complete Four Idols Formation should be on par with Ye Wuming’s strength. But this formation before him, while proper in appearance, had failed to subdue even a broken White Tiger for so long.

Just then, a young woman in crimson robes lowered her sword and respectfully bowed. “Greetings to the Sword Emperor.”

The Sword Emperor gave a soft “Oh?” and looked at her with interest. “What is your name?”

The young woman answered calmly, “This junior is called Yue Hongling... I have inherited some traces of your sword intent and cultivated it ever since.”

“Good...” A faint smile surfaced on the Sword Emperor’s otherwise placid face. “Very good. What is it that you wish to say?”

Yue Hongling answered calmly, “All this chaotic bloodshed today stems from the matter of the White Tiger. No matter which two sides clash, a third party will lurk nearby, waiting to reap the spoils. And White Tiger himself is no mere object; he is a living force, full of uncertainty. So I believe that rather than allowing this farce to drag on in endless disorder, we should settle it properly, with a formal contest. No matter how many factions are involved, the terms could still be honored.”

The Sword Emperor found this quite amusing. “You wish to duel me?”

“There are two options... Either you fight against our Four Idols Formation, or you suppress your cultivation to the second layer of the Profound Control Realm and face me in single combat,” Yue Hongling said, her eyes gleaming with fierce battle intent, a sword’s glint hidden deep within her sharp gaze. “Which will it be, senior?”

The Sword Emperor threw back his head and laughed, a hearty sound that echoed across the battlefield. “Empires rise and fall, eras shift and crumble... and yet, the sword of the world remains unchanged.”

Han Wubing turned to look at Yue Hongling, a fleeting flicker of shared battle lust flashing through his eyes.

It was the silent camaraderie of fellow swordsmen.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺