Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 733 (2): The Bashu of Today

With a resounding clang, Zhao Changhe planted the cauldron firmly into the ground, its legs sinking deep into the earth. He grabbed the reins of his horse and strode boldly into the city. Yue Hongling followed behind him with a slight smile, her pace leisurely and composed.

It was not until long after the pair had disappeared into the city that a collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd outside the gates. It felt as though everyone had been holding their breath, unable to exhale until now.

Some of the guards approached the cauldron, realizing they could not leave it embedded in the ground by the gate as it would be unseemly.

Three men surrounded the cauldron, attempting to lift it together. However, they were utterly unable to even make it budge. They called over two more men, until the group formed a tight circle, struggling for footing as they all heaved. Still, the cauldron remained immovable, its base firmly lodged in the earth.

The onlookers were stunned.

“This is terrifying... Are they even still humans?”

“Well, what do you expect from the Godslayer?” someone murmured. “It’s more impressive that Young Master Situ could hold his own.”

“That’s probably because they’re friends. The water dragon was just a toast, wasn’t it?”

“You’re overthinking it. That was definitely a test of strength. If either side had faltered, things could’ve gone very differently. And planting the cauldron here? That’s definitely a show of dominance. Speaking of which, Young Master Situ did falter a bit—he had to cradle the wine sphere instead of handling it as effortlessly as those two.”

“The young master is still on the Ranking of Man, while those two are clearly at the level of the Ranking of Heaven. They’re just waiting for the right battle to cement it. The only one who can truly stand on equal footing with them is Sect Master Li.”

Sect Master Li...

Even as Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling walked deeper into the city, Zhao Changhe’s sharp ears caught snippets of the conversation outside. In theory, Li Shentong had already proclaimed himself King of Shu. Whether this was his personal ambition or simply a necessity of governance, adopting the title of king gave legitimacy to his rule.

With that being the case, why do they still refer to him as Sect Master Li?

“Hey, what are you eavesdropping on?” Situ Xiao leaned lazily against a wall, grinning. “You’re walking straight ahead, but do you even know where you’re going?”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re going to lead the way anyway,” Zhao Changhe replied casually. “Otherwise, what are you here for? To show off?”

“...”

Zhao Changhe glanced at him and continued, “By the way, are we not heading to the prefectural governor’s mansion?”

“That place burned down,” Situ Xiao said with a sigh as he walked over to join them, guiding them forward side by side. “Before we even arrived in Chengdu, the city was already in chaos. Someone set the prefectural governor’s mansion ablaze, and it was reduced to ashes. People always talk about how we killed so many in Bashu, but that’s not entirely true. A lot of the bloodshed was carried out by the people themselves, or even outright bandits. Not everyone who rises in rebellion is an ‘army of justice.’ Strictly speaking, the number of groups that could actually be called that can be counted on one hand.”

Zhao Changhe raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised to hear you say ‘one hand.’ I thought you’d claim only your group fits the description.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Situ Xiao chuckled. “The whole world is in revolt—how could we claim to be the sole righteous force? We’re just more famous, that’s all. Of course, in the eyes of the court, there are no righteous armies—only rebels.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Zhao Changhe said.

“Oh? Because the court is you? Since you see a distinction, there is one?”

“...You could say that.”

Situ Xiao continued, “To be fair, the Four Idols Cult could also be considered a righteous force. Their original intentions might not align with that label, but their current actions fit the bill. Maybe that’s because of your influence?”

Zhao Changhe finally laughed. “If you keep talking like this, I feel like the next thing you’ll suggest is that we all join forces.”

Situ Xiao said wistfully, “That’s not something I can decide.”

Zhao Changhe was intrigued. “So you’re saying that if you could decide, you’d actually be willing?”

Situ Xiao shrugged. “Me? I’d rather wander the world with a gourd of wine and a sword. Why bother vying for dominion over the land? Only a lunatic would want that. Look at some people—they’re used to carrying a wine gourd and a saber, carefree and unburdened, but now they’re full of worries, looking like they’ve aged a decade. Tch. Most people grow younger as they cultivate. Some, on the other hand, seem to be cultivating themselves straight into gray hair.”

Zhao Changhe narrowed his eyes. “Are you insulting me?”

Situ Xiao just smiled.

Yue Hongling suddenly spoke up. “If you think so little of it, why bother with that test at the city gate?”

Situ Xiao turned to her with a chuckle. “So that’s why you were so combative earlier?”

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Yue Hongling replied, “I’ve got nothing to do with you. I’m friends with you just because Changhe is.”

Situ Xiao nodded thoughtfully, then sighed and said, “The sect wanted to see your worth for themselves. If I hadn’t tested you at the gate, you would’ve faced something far more formal inside—and far more rude, I presume. I thought it would be better if I handled it. At least Zhao Changhe understands me, so it wouldn’t hurt our relationship.”

Zhao Changhe shook his head. “Don’t be so sure. People change.”

Situ Xiao laughed heartily, saying nothing more as he led Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling down another street. Pointing toward a building at the end, he said, “That’s the administrative office now. It used to be the Bashu headquarters of the Demon Suppression Bureau. The bureau’s members have mostly been driven out, though some might still be lurking in the shadows. We didn’t bother scouring the entire city for them. We just took over the place for our own use. One benefit of their headquarters is that it’s filled with traps and mechanisms. Suits us perfectly, haha.”

Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh. “You’re worried about assassination attempts?”

“Well, of course,” Situ Xiao replied with a grin. “My master can’t stay here all the time. He has other matters to attend to. That leaves the strongest among us as Uncle-Master Shi, and then me. It’s not impossible someone might attempt an assassination. If your Four Idols Cult decided to risk everything, well... who knows what might happen?”

“Are you saying that your master, the very King of Shu, doesn’t stay here to maintain order? He’s actually traveling around?”

“He goes where he needs to go,” Situ Xiao said with a touch of wistfulness. “At heart, he’s still a martial artist.”

“Is he still trying to break through?”

“Of course,” Situ Xiao confirmed. “With the eras converging and gods and demons returning, the barriers that once held firm are beginning to crumble. Now that methods for the Profound Control Realm are accessible, my master naturally wants to attempt a breakthrough. And it’s not just him. When the threshold for cultivation rises, it benefits everyone, even at the lower levels. It’s like when rare techniques or divine arts were discovered in the past. You and I surpassed our peers largely because of such opportunities. Your Vicious Blood Art is an ancient demon god’s cultivation technique, and your internal art? Well, we all suspect that it comes from Xia Longyuan. Starting with those is leagues beyond someone struggling with a third-rate cultivation technique.”

Zhao Changhe nodded thoughtfully. “You’re saying that the cultivation techniques available now are even more advanced than the so-called divine arts of the past, and that this widespread improvement has accelerated everyone’s progress.”

“Exactly,” Situ Xiao replied. “Which is why people respect Miss Yue more than you. The talk has always been about her.”

Yue Hongling raised an eyebrow. “Why me?”

“Because your inheritance wasn’t particularly exceptional,” Situ Xiao said with a shrug.

“But I did have ancient legacies,” Yue Hongling countered.

“But weren’t they incomplete?”

Yue Hongling fell silent, her expression shifting to one of quiet contemplation rather than pride.

Situ Xiao’s point had merit, and it made her uneasy. Until now, no one had given it much thought. While the so-called gods and demons had not directly interacted with most people, the overall trend was clear: those with even a sliver of opportunity were advancing. Just the exposure to techniques from the Profound Control Realm had made a noticeable difference. Seeing such capabilities firsthand was transformative.

The eras were far from as divided as they once were.

Situ Xiao’s words were not mere small talk—they carried a subtle message for Zhao Changhe. He was hinting that his master, Li Shentong, had likely already broken through to the Profound Control Realm and should not be underestimated. There was even a faint undertone of treachery in his caution.

Sure enough, a voice drifted from the courtyard ahead. “Situ Xiao, you’ll be punished with lifting the thousand-jin cauldron 250 times.”

Situ Xiao slapped his forehead in dismay.

Zhao Changhe strode boldly into the courtyard and called out, “Sect Master Li, have you stooped to imitating those schemers, skulking in the shadows, crawling through the gutters, concealing your cultivation?”

Li Shentong replied calmly, “There is a difference between choosing to reveal one’s own progress and having it exposed by others. Let’s dispense with the trivialities. King Zhao, is your visit here as an envoy of the Han court, or are you visiting as a friend of Situ Xiao?”

Zhao Changhe answered, “As I said at the gate, I am here as Situ Xiao’s friend.”

Li Shentong said, “So in that capacity, you’re saying this visit isn’t about official matters? Even Zhao Changhe has learned to play coy now, has he?”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Why? What’s wrong with an unofficial visit? Everyone understands the official matters already. There’s no need to spell them out. Let’s talk about the jianghu instead. When that’s done, I’ll take my leave.”

A faint smile crossed Li Shentong’s face. He turned to Situ Xiao. “Set us some wine.”

Situ Xiao protested, “But you just told me to lift the cauldron.”

Li Shentong raised his hand as if to strike, and Situ Xiao jumped back with a yelp, bolting out of the courtyard. “Alright, alright! The wine’s already set. Stop pretending!”

Li Shentong sighed, shaking his head, before addressing Zhao Changhe again. “Five days ago, Vermilion Bird single-handedly annihilated the Qiao Clan, a Jin[1] merchant clan. Not a single member escaped, not even a dog. In that battle, Vermilion Bird’s flames stained the southern skies, and power at the level of the Profound Control Realm sent shockwaves through the world. Is this what you’re referring to when you speak of discussing the jianghu?”

1. Just a reminder that Jin is an alternative name for Shanxi. ☜