Not only had Sisi left, but the time had also come to reseal the Sword Emperor’s Tomb in the world.
This was an agenda that Zhao Changhe had proposed quite early on. The Sword Emperor’s Tomb could not remain exposed indefinitely. Should anyone blunder into it and wake the Sword Emperor, that would be a thorough tragedy. Moreover, with the Maitreya Sect possibly rising up in rebellion, Gusu was the front line. If it fell into the Maitreya’s hands one day, who knew how much trouble they could stir up?
Tang Wanju deeply agreed with this.
Lately, Sisi had been here to assist the Demon Suppression Department with this very task, investigating various spatial nodes to figure out how to conceal it again within an Otherworldly Space.
The Demon Suppression Department had done similar work before and had experience. Sisi, on the other hand, understood the tomb’s restrictions even better, saving the Demon Suppression Department a great deal of cautious exploration. Today was the day scheduled for the actual action. Thus, Sisi had completed her job and left without even bidding Tang Wanju farewell because their parting words had already been said.
It was as if she had stayed behind just to get the latest Sword Manual from Zhao Changhe.
Or perhaps she had waited just to see him one more time and to deliver a fierce line like "I’ll make you my slave"?
After their falling out a few days earlier, Zhao Changhe felt nothing particularly special in his heart. He thought her mischief was within his expectations, and his decision to cut ties was the obvious response. What else was there to feel?
It was just a minor regret that no one else could tease him or take liberties with him. However, the sense of grace added by Tang Wanju’s presence did not pale in comparison, so it overshadowed that regret. Nevertheless, when Sisi truly left, Zhao Changhe found himself occasionally recalling those expressive eyes of hers, the mixed feelings of annoyance and grievance as she was about to leave without speaking.
And so, he knew that he ultimately still felt regret.
The same treasure hunt, the same conflict, he had hoped to see Xia Chichi again, but after all, she was not Chichi.
The tremor ahead snapped Zhao Changhe out of his reverie.
Looking ahead, at the original location of the Sword Pond, a hundred members of the Demon Suppression Department were forming an Array, relying on the Array Maps and various unrecognizable items that had been gradually inscribed these days, they constructed a colossal magical Array.
Tang Wanju stood at the heart of the Array, holding the Divine Sword and floating low in the air, her robes billowing around her.
—She truly could levitate, although he wondered if she could truly fly if she pushed her abilities to the limit.
Not only could she levitate, but the task she was currently undertaking was quite fantastical too.
Smooth, water-like light spread around her and diffused into the surroundings, connecting with the various predetermined Array nodes. Suddenly, an enormous surge of energy erupted in the center with a deep rumble. Amidst the roar, light gleamed everywhere, space seemed to warp through the refraction, and the passage twisted as if it was no longer visible to the naked eye.
The location of the pit now shimmered anew with light, but it was unclear whether it was real water or just a mirage.
Tang Wanju stepped upon the water, like a Fairy gliding over lily pads, or a lotus birthed from the water, transforming into an extraordinarily beautiful woman who stepped out of the mortal realm.
Zhao Changhe believed he might struggle to forget this scene for many years to come, the most fantastical and beautiful sight he had ever witnessed.
But looking around at the members of the Demon Suppression Department, no one showed any signs of admiration; instead, they all knelt on one knee solemnly saying, "Department Head, take care of your health."
Tang Wanju had just stepped onto solid ground when she suddenly staggered and then clutched at her chest, coughing violently. She coughed and coughed until blood became visibly expelled, the crimson drops staining her porcelain chin.
Zhao Changhe almost instinctively rushed over and supported her, "How are you? Have you overexerted yourself?"
Tang Wanju, gasping for breath, gently wiped the blood from her lips, looked down at the spot on her arm where Zhao Changhe’s hand steadied her, keeping a reasonable distance, and said nothing more, only whispering softly, "Help me back."
The subordinates exchanged glances, somewhat shocked, but they said nothing, quietly rising to their feet to watch as Zhao Changhe aided Tang Wanju slowly down the mountain.
Bao Qin stood not far away, his hand still lingering in an attempt to step forward and assist, staring blankly as the man supported the lady walking away, not sure whether to follow them or not.
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"Where’s Bao Qin?" After helping Tang Wanzhuang to her waterside pavilion, Zhao Changhe realized entering a lady’s boudoir might not be appropriate. It would be best to leave her to her maids, but looking around, he noticed Bao Qin was nowhere to be seen, not even the rough maids responsible for chores.
"I don’t often stay at home, so there aren’t any permanent rough maid servants in the courtyard. They are temporarily assigned and don’t live here," Tang Wanzhuang said softly. "You helping me inside is enough. There’s no need to be formal."
Zhao Changhe thought it over and agreed there really was no need for formalities, so he helped her into her bedroom.
—This was Zhao Changhe’s first time entering a woman’s bedroom. Half an hour earlier, he never would have expected that the first woman’s bedroom he entered in his life would be Tang Wanzhuang’s...
The intrinsic fragrance of the room made Zhao Changhe inexplicably nervous, his face unconsciously reddening. He didn’t dare inspect the furnishings and quickly helped her sit against the bed. Turning his head, he saw a teapot on the table next to him. Zhao Changhe efficiently poured a cup of water and offered it, "Would you like a drink?"
Tang Wanzhuang shook her head slightly, "Drinking will make me cough... Rest is all I need."
"Your condition is rather extreme. Is there any medicine that can help? Do you have any here? I’ll go look for it."
"It’s no use..." Tang Wanzhuang whispered. "It’s just that my cultivation was too intense, which affected my lung meridians. It’s not over-exhaustion or injury. Rest will suffice."
No wonder she ranked higher than the Maitreya Sect even before her breakthrough and still fought on par with them after it. She dared not exert herself too much; otherwise, she wouldn’t need to wait for an opponent to attack—she’d cough herself out first.
From what he had just seen, her full display of power was truly terrifying... Zhao Changhe had initially imagined "resealing the tomb" as just hiding it and devising some deceptive tricks to keep it from being found. But looking at this situation, it seemed she had genuinely folded and twisted the space, completely isolating the dimension.
Even if she relied on an array and the combined efforts of many, her core power was too strong.
It was just unfortunate that she couldn’t act rashly; otherwise, Zhao Changhe felt she might be capable of directly beheading Maitreya... It was no wonder that all the families were intimidated by the name atop the Heavenly List. If Xia Longyuan went berserk, who could withstand him?
But then again, Jiangshan was in ruin; relying on personal martial force to kill another’s leader didn’t solve the underlying issues.
As these thoughts crossed Zhao Changhe’s mind, he didn’t know what to say and could only offer, "Then rest more. I think aside from the intense cultivation, you’ve also been overworking your mind, which must have an effect."
Tang Wanzhuang remained silent.
Of course, it had an effect—an enormous one.
Zhao Changhe said, "You always tell me to calm my mind and to learn the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I think it’s you who should take it easy. Stop concerning yourself with the Maitreya Sect in Jiangnan. Just listen to some music, read some books, rest well."
Despite knowing that he was accustomed to teasing with flowery words and was no child, Tang Wanzhuang couldn’t help but feel amused by his words, as if a child were earnestly admonishing an elder. She couldn’t resist a smile and deliberately asked, "Listen to the zither? And whose playing would that be? Bao Qin’s or yours?"
Zhao Changhe responded calmly, "If you’d like to hear me play the zither haphazardly, then I’ll play for you. It’s just a bit of entertainment, after all."
Tang Wanzhuang paused, looking at him with a hint of surprise.
Zhao Changhe was expressionless, "Always saying others are like children, but I think you’re the real child here. Take good care of yourself first, then you can nurture others, and take care of the world. Look at the people from the Demon Suppression Department; I wonder how many would be willing to risk their lives for Great Xia if you were gone."
Tang Wanzhuang suddenly asked, "What about you?"
"I never intended to risk my life for Great Xia, but as long as you are here, at the very least, I won’t act against it. So, live well, Chief."
Tang Wanzhuang’s beautiful eyes lingered on his face for a good while before she coughed softly and said in a low voice, "Then... play the zither for me."
Zhao Changhe was taken aback as Bao Qin poked her head out from the doorway.
Without turning her head, Tang Wanzhuang seemed to know she was there and asked, "Are the strings fixed yet?"
"...Long fixed," Bao Qin glanced warily at Zhao Changhe, "If he plays, won’t the strings break again... How about I play for you, miss? Bao Qin can play quite well now!"
Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly, "Even if the strings break, one can still appreciate the music. Why worry about good or bad? Go ahead, bring the zither."