Why So Late in Coming?

"You want this saber of mine?" Deputy Helmsman Huang flicked the blade, looking rather amused. "If you can really beat me, even my position will be yours. Naturally, I'd offer up a mere saber with both hands. I just have no idea where you get your confidence. Do you really think living with her puts you on her level?"

Zhao Changhe did not argue. He smiled faintly. "Please teach me."

The two went outside the courtyard, where a crowd of cult members gathered solemnly to watch. The atmosphere quickly grew tense and murderous.

A First Level of the Profound Pass cultivator fighting a second-level one was not particularly rare, but could the ability to challenge someone above one's level really exist in a novice who had only trained for a little over a month?

Naturally, Zhao Changhe had his reasons for daring to fight. He was no longer the ignorant newcomer he had been when he first arrived.

He knew very well that, at the lower martial levels he had encountered so far, there was no fundamental transformation between the First Level of the Profound Pass and the second level. The latter merely offered greater strength and faster reactions, and not by a particularly large margin. His simultaneous cultivation of an internal art was enough to bridge that gap, and his opponent knew nothing about it. That disparity in information, coupled with his opponent's complacency, was his chance to win.

His real difficulty was figuring out how to put that internal art to use while keeping it hidden...

Besides, fists grew rusty without practice... Zhao Changhe fought every day in the Mountain Stronghold, including plenty of bouts against veteran cult members. He had earned his reputation as "Boss Zhao" and the "Little Tyrant" through actual fighting, and his combat experience was respectable. As for Deputy Helmsman Huang, who had spent so long in the city doing fuck-all beyond embracing maids and drinking with women, how much of his former ferocity could he still bring to bear?

Yue Hongling could challenge opponents above her level, and Luo Qi's name already resounded throughout the world... If he did not even dare give this a try, he might as well go home and farm. What right would he have to meet these people again in the martial world?

Zhao Changhe drew a deep breath, shifted his footing, and struck first.

His saber swept across ten feet of space before him. The spectators saw only a flash of steel and a raging surge of Blood Baleful Frenzy before the crimson blade gleam reached the left side of Deputy Helmsman Huang's neck.

"What a fast saber!" Many spectators shuddered in astonishment.

"From the precision of that strike alone, who could tell he's only trained for a little over a month?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if someone said he'd trained for three years..."

"Does a genius like that really exist? And both of them lived under the same roof..."

These thoughts flashed through the spectators' minds in an instant. Deputy Helmsman Huang's expression had also grown utterly grave; the speed of that strike had startled him into a cold sweat. Instinctively, he dodged right and hastily brought his steel saber up to the left, trying to knock Zhao Changhe's blade aside with his cultivation advantage and his saber's crushing weight.

Once he knocked the blade aside and left Zhao Changhe wide open, the outcome would be settled.

Nearby, Helmsman Fang sighed gravely. "Old Huang has lost the initiative. He shouldn't be so passive..."

As he spoke, Zhao Changhe's seemingly unstoppable, lightning-swift saber abruptly halted in midair. Deputy Helmsman Huang's heavy block felt as though it had struck cotton. Zhao Changhe's saber had already slipped along the side of his blade like a swimming fish, sliding toward his wrist.

"That is a move from the Blood Baleful Saber Technique, but hardly anyone uses it, right?"

"The Blood Baleful Saber Technique favors sweeping, forceful strokes. Its intricate variations don't quite fit in, and integrating them takes extra effort. Most people simply abandon those clever moves."

"So how long has he actually been training?"

With control as effortless as moving his own fingers, has he really only trained for a little over a month? The same thought flashed through Deputy Helmsman Huang's mind as he hastily pulled back his saber.

Only then did he realize that withdrawing his saber had left him wide open instead.

A hint of a smile seemed to touch Zhao Changhe's lips. One large foot had already slammed mercilessly into Deputy Helmsman Huang's lower abdomen.

This kick showed none of the intricate finesse of his earlier saber movements. Incomparably violent Blood Baleful Power erupted in a surging torrent. Deputy Helmsman Huang felt as though all his training in the second-level Blood Baleful Art had been wasted; he could not withstand this power from the very same source. The kick sent him flying dozens of feet as though he were riding clouds and mist. He crashed heavily into the courtyard wall, then fell to the ground.

"Cough, cough..." He curled up on the ground in agony. "Give... give me a Blood-Stabilizing Pill... He's thrown my blood baleful energy into chaos..."

The spectators fell utterly silent.

The same Blood Baleful Art, the same Blood Baleful Saber Technique. The first level had defeated the second in just three exchanges!

Deputy Helmsman Huang had not even found an opportunity to launch an attack!

Even Zhao Changhe had not expected it to be so easy. He had not even used his internal energy... Instructor Sun had been right. Honing his saber technique truly mattered no less than cultivating his art.

The saber he had practiced a thousand, even three thousand times each day had finally begun to shine with dazzling brilliance in this world.

Zhao Changhe leveled his saber at Helmsman Fang. "Helmsman Fang, have I won this challenge?"

Looking at those eyes, tinged with blood-red violence from activating the Blood Baleful Art, Fang Buping actually felt his heart jump under the leveled saber. He could not shake the feeling that this ferocious man's next stroke would come for him.

He drew a deep breath and gripped the armrests of his reclining chair. "Yes. According to the cult's rules, Deputy Helmsman Huang's duties are yours from today onward."

Zhao Changhe laughed heartily. "Good. As the deputy helmsman in charge of money and provisions, I naturally have a say in their allocation. Wang Dashan!"

Wang Dashan trembled with fear. "Y-your humble servant is here."

"Your humble servant, my ass! You're my deputy stronghold chief, too. Speak up!" Zhao Changhe pointed his saber toward the storehouse. "Take a few brothers and collect three hundred taels of silver, three cartloads of millet, and half the meat to support the development of the North Mang Mountain Stronghold. Be careful. Don't clean them out. Leave some for our brothers in the city. Don't be stingy bastards who don't know how to treat people."

Fang Buping's face turned green.

Zhao Changhe strode over to the courtyard wall and bent down to feed Deputy Helmsman Huang a Blood-Stabilizing Pill. "Cult Master Xue entrusted me with managing the North Mang Mountain Stronghold. Deputy Helmsman Huang can continue overseeing the Sub-Helm's money and provisions on my behalf."

Zhao Changhe now had more than the single Blood-Stabilizing Pill he had deliberately saved before. He had seven or eight, secretly given to him by Instructor Sun before his departure. Deputy Helmsman Huang had not expected Zhao Changhe, rather than Fang Buping, to be the first to help him. Even after swallowing the pill, he remained silent for quite some time before saying quietly, "Thanks. The saber is yours."

He looked like a man who had started out as a bandit, and he still had some straightforward spirit in him. Zhao Changhe did not stand on ceremony. He took the Thick Steel Saber, swung it a couple of times with evident fondness, and hung it at his waist. Then he turned to pick up the stack of books from earlier and smiled at Fang Buping. "If you have no further instructions, Helmsman, I'll take my leave."

Fang Buping took several deep breaths. Had he not been injured, he might truly have split Zhao Changhe in half without a thought for the consequences. But now he was so badly injured that he could not even get out of bed. Instead, he feared that Zhao Changhe might split him in half without a thought for the consequences. Judging by that incomparably swift saber flash, no one else would even have time to save him.

He desperately suppressed his anger and forced himself to maintain an indifferent tone. "Stronghold Chief Zhao is brave and fierce. It is a blessing for the Holy Cult to gain such a mighty warrior. However, now that you have joined the cult, there are certain rules I must clarify for you."

"Please go ahead, Helmsman," Zhao Changhe said.

"The Mountain Stronghold is not your private property. It is a Hall under the Sub-Helm, tasked with obtaining wealth and resources. That principle holds wherever you take the matter. Whenever the stronghold brings in proceeds, half may be retained each month, while the other half must be handed over to the Sub-Helm. If you capture government troops or members of the Righteous Path coming to suppress bandits, you may not deal with them yourselves. They must be escorted to me for a decision. You must understand these matters, Stronghold Chief Zhao. Even if this reaches the Main Altar, the Four Symbols Cult will not defend you over something like this. The Blood God Cult still governs its own internal affairs."

Zhao Changhe smiled. "Naturally, I understand. In return, though, if government troops or members of the Righteous Path really come to suppress us, I hope the Sub-Helm will provide support."

"Of course." Fang Buping could no longer bear the sight of Zhao Changhe's brilliantly sunny smile. He waved him away in disgust. "Go."

Zhao Changhe looked toward Wang Dashan and the others pushing carts over from a distance and swept his hand forward. "Brothers, back to the mountain!"

Just then, golden light flashed across the sky.

The Book of Troubled Times shining twice within less than a quarter of an hour was exceedingly rare. Almost everyone beneath the heavens looked up. Which ranking had changed this time?

At a glance, it was the Hidden Dragon Ranking again.

"Twelfth lunar month, Lesser Cold. Zhao Changhe, first level of the Profound Pass, defeated a second-level opponent within three exchanges. His potential merits recognition."

"A new position has been added to the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

"Hidden Dragon, rank 250: Zhao Changhe."

That was all. The rank was fucking idiotic, and he had not received a final comment like Yue Hongling or Xia Chichi. It seemed he was not considered particularly important.

After all, this had only been a low-level contest between the first and second levels of the Profound Pass. Others winning similar fights above their level was not uncommon; winning in three exchanges was the only particularly rare part. In fact, entering the Hidden Dragon Ranking with so little strength was not necessarily a good thing. Lacking strength while attracting envy, many newcomers at the bottom of the ranking did not live long.

Most people in the world glanced at it and thought little of it. At most, they felt that the name Zhao Changhe sounded somewhat familiar...

A thousand miles away, in a secret place, Xia Chichi opened her eyes from her cross-legged meditation. She looked up at the sky, a captivating smile curving her lips.

"Did you follow me onto the ranking to remind me of something? Is this how we convey our feelings, competing for places on the ranking? Hehe."

"Actually, I knew long ago that no matter how late we started, when the Book of Troubled Times shone across the sky, there would be a place for both of us."

"The ranks of Hidden Dragons aren't the end. The Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings are waiting for us."

Summer Soars Across the Sky-why so late in coming!

That was true of Xia Chichi, and was it not just as true of Zhao Changhe?

Somewhere in the city, Yue Hongling stood atop a tall building, quietly watching Zhao Changhe in the distance below as he directed his subordinates to transport the supplies.

The words Zhao Changhe had spoken that day suddenly flashed through her mind: "I, Zhao Changhe, didn't come into this world to idle away my days in the countryside."