Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 326: Heart Flame

Zhao Changhe kissed her passionately.

He knew that although the Four Idols Cult was considered a demonic cult and its women labeled themselves as witches, they were actually less open than even Sisi, let alone the Maitreya Cult.

On the surface, they might seem quite bewitching and indifferent to public opinion, but in reality, they were highly proud and had a rigid, conservative mindset rooted in their cult’s beliefs. Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise might appear to have vastly different personalities—one cruel, the other carefree—but they shared a common trait: a kind of “divinity.” They looked at the world from a lofty perspective, their emotions confined within the cult, dedicated to the elusive pursuit of the mystical four idols.

If he had not formed a deep connection with someone like Chichi from the start, it would have been impossible for him to win her heart once she joined.

The same went for Huangfu Qing—a tigress from a noble family, noble and proud. She had been rivals with Tang Wanzhuang for over a decade. Just for the sake of her pride, she had never sought out a man. Becoming a concubine was a political transaction, a sacrifice of personal reputation and even life for the cult’s benefit. Even if the real Xia Longyuan appeared, she was prepared to run or even die rather than succumb. Who could win her over?

Just moments ago, she had slaughtered dozens of Kunlun experts, bathing the volcano in blood.

But now, she was in his arms in a daze. Her face filled with confusion as her soft lips were being kissed.

The sense of achievement overshadowed any physical pain he was feeling. He felt as though he could fight Vermillion Bird herself if she tried to interfere at this moment.

But, as the saying went, joy is often followed by sorrow. As Huangfu Qing’s weakness faded and her strength returned, it became clear that her earlier reluctance was not her “playing hard to get” but a lack of strength to resist. His Fire Pig of Shi mask had caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily stunned and unsure of what to do.

But now, as her power returned, there was no way she would continue to let herself be taken advantage of like a helpless woman.

What the hell?! Where does this bastard think his hand is going?!

Zhao Changhe was enjoying the kiss when he suddenly felt himself spinning through the air. He was lifted and swung in a large arc before being slammed into the scorched earth with a loud thud, resulting in him crying out in pain.

Huangfu Qing, her face flushed, angrily stood up and adjusted her disheveled clothes. “You scoundrel!”

She looked down at her disheveled clothes, now stained with his blood.

Huangfu Qing pursed her lips, realizing she truly had no intention of killing him. She was angry because he’d taken advantage of her, but there was no killing intent...

Seeing Zhao Changhe writhing in the mud, clearly in pain from his wounds having been reopened and aggravated, she sighed and helped him up. “You don’t usually seem like a lecher. To think you had such thoughts toward me from the beginning... It’s seriously infuriating...”

Indeed, Huangfu Qing had always seen that Zhao Changhe had more lustful thoughts towards her than genuine affection. Their interactions were just flirtations, romantic games between a man and a woman. Yet, this time, she doubted her judgment... Would someone risk their life just for a game?

She had to admit that moment had moved her heart, even suppressing her inner demons.

He had emotions and he acted upon them with full honesty.

Was it the powerlessness that made me accept the kiss?

Maybe not... Huangfu Qing was confused. She did not know herself.

But it was because of that helplessness that I was taken advantage of! It’s not like I wanted to be kissed!

Zhao Changhe, now sitting in the mud with a pitiful expression on his face, said, “Don’t you realize how irresistible you are...”

Huangfu Qing’s face remained expressionless. “So, you really do just want to play with me.”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head. Sometimes, it was difficult for men to distinguish things in these matters. Her unparalleled beauty was genuinely captivating. How many men could resist her charms? But was it just lust?

Zhao Changhe felt it was more than just that.

Who would risk their life just for lust? That would be madness.

As they ran hand in hand through the misty rain in Sword Lake City, she was happy, and so was he. Traveling north together for over a month, journeying together, sharing a horse, how could there have been no feelings involved? The moment he saw her true face, unmasked in the pouring rain of the capital, his heart raced. Was it really just lust?

He did not deny her beauty, but there was more.

If he had to sum it up in one word, it would be—

“It’s heartache,” Zhao Changhe said softly. “You’ve sacrificed too much for your cult.”

Huangfu Qing’s eyes flickered, and she sneered, “Go feel sorry for Tang Wanzhuang. She’s the one who looks really pitiful when she coughs. What do I need pity for?”

“Though you two act differently, you’re the same,” Zhao Changhe said. “The one who laughs freely under the pig mask is the real you... Not the one with a stern face, under the constraints of the cult; not the pawn sent by the higher-ups of the cult to approach a man for information; not the imperial noble consort who sacrifices her dignity and reputation for the plans of the cult. You find it hard to even tolerate Tang Wanzhuang’s jokes, let alone the dangers of the palace. Tang Wanzhuang can’t be herself for the empire, and you’re the same for your cult. Why shouldn’t I feel sorry for you?”

Huangfu Qing retorted, “Alright, I get it. You feel sorry for Tang Wanzhuang.”

Zhao Changhe ignored this and said, “Why should the Four Idols Cult get to treat you like this? Why should Vermillion Bird have such control over you? Is your cult’s indoctrination really that powerful?”

Huangfu Qing’s mouth twitched. “Don’t speak ill of the venerable.”

“I want to curse her! She doesn’t treat her subordinates as people!”

Huangfu Qing turned her head, unsure whether to be angry or amused. “I truly respect the venerable. Insulting her is the same as insulting me.”

“Fool,” Zhao Changhe said helplessly. “You were on par with Tang Wanzhuang, and the world views Tang Wanzhuang and Vermillion Bird as equals. In other words, you were never inferior to the Vermillion Bird. Why demean yourself so much? Can’t you live for yourself for once? There’s no one else here; there’s no need for masks.”

Huangfu Qing sneered. “You tell me to live for myself, yet you’re really telling me to be with you. Aren’t you a tiny bit shameless?”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” Zhao Changhe said righteously. “You’ve already admitted to Venerable Black Tortoise that you like me. Why still follow the rules of the cult so rigidly?”

Damn it... Huangfu Qing felt her face burning, unable to refute his logic.

He was convinced that she liked him, so of course, being affectionate would make sense to him.

You damn turtle, just you wait...

But besides that last bit of nonsense, everything else he said did seem to resonate with her.

Why did she feel more liberated when she was disguised as the Fire Serpent of Yi? Why did she act like a young, carefree girl with the pig mask on?

Who didn’t want to enjoy their youth, enjoying carefree times like chasing butterflies by the lakeside with other young boys and girls? But as Vermillion Bird, she never really got to experience that. Only with a mask could she let go of her burdens, since no one knew who she was.

As Vermillion Bird, she commanded fear and respect, but no one had ever shown her compassion or said that they hoped she could live for herself.

Who else cared, other than him?

Her brother might have shown some discontent about it, but even her father saw her entering the palace as a good thing

So, she really was the same as Tang Wanzhuang. She simply failed to realize it since no one had ever dared to compare them like that.

Huangfu Qing sighed softly, avoiding further discussion on the topic. She feared that if they continued, he might hug her again, and she was not sure if she would resist.

Turning away, she walked toward the eternal flame, trying to focus on more pressing matters.

Previously, after Lady Three brought back the Black Tortoise Gemstone, she had meditated on it for a while and felt that she was just one step away from breaking through to the third layer of the Profound Mysteries. However, taking that one step still required a catalyst.

She did not seek a treasure but sought to understand the essence of fire.

Like this eternal flame before her—it was not burning due to any treasure or fuel; the flame itself was the treasure. It was the Eternal Heart Flame from the previous era.

Fire, without fuel, would eventually die... This flame persisted because it was a heart flame.

As long as the anger within the heart remains, the heart flame would not extinguish. The term “going mad” was actually referring to this. When the “fire” of madness manifested externally, it became this flame; when it manifested internally, it led to madness, as seen in the maddened individuals and herself just a short while back.[1]

The Eternal Heart Flame here... Could it be related to the evils that gather at Kunlun?

The so-called “Fiery Kun Ridge” likely did not refer to a volcanic eruption, or else why would only this place have such legends? It was more likely that many people here had their inner demons triggered and self-immolated.

Why didn’t Daoist Yuxu take this thing away then? Why did he leave it here and let it influence people’s hearts?

Huangfu Qing’s understanding of physical flames was unparalleled in her time. Her inability to advance from the second layer of the Profound Mysteries was due to her lack of comprehension of heart flames. Forcing it could easily lead to madness, as she had just experienced.

Now, with a heart flame that manifested externally right before her, understanding it would naturally lead her to reach the third layer of the Profound Mysteries.

But how was she to comprehend it?

Previously, just being near it had quickly led her to go mad. But now, standing right in front of it, she felt nothing.

As she pondered, she felt an arm tighten around her waist. Zhao Changhe hugged her from behind. “What are you looking at?”

Huangfu Qing instinctively responded, “I’m trying to comprehend the heart flame. Don’t bother me.”

It was not until after she spoke that she realized how calm and natural it felt to respond to his embrace.

To calm the heart’s fire and transform it into water-like gentleness was something only love could do.

Trying to use work to distract herself from emotional thoughts, she ultimately found this to be work as well.

1. 走火入魔, which is generally translated as “going mad,” “heart devil,” or “cultivation deviation,” literally translates to something like “walking into fire and becoming a demon.” ☜