Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 734 (2): Is Your Heart Still True

Li Shentong and Situ Xiao exchanged a long, silent glance.

Managing a territory was proving far more complicated than they had originally imagined. For example, the Divine Brilliance Sect had once naively believed they could allow the people to live tax-free, promising prosperity for all. But they quickly discovered this was a fantasy. Without taxes, nothing could be accomplished.

Their current reserves, bolstered by plundering wealthy families, were indeed substantial—possibly even greater than the Han court’s treasury. But what about next year? And the year after that?

The initial promise of no taxes had quietly been walked back. They had already begun drafting a tax system, borrowing heavily from the Han court’s policies. Many of these measures, such as taxing both officials and commoners equally, were seen as more reasonable than the former Great Xia Empire’s methods.

This was just one example among many. Whether Li Shentong’s heart remained true to its original intent was difficult to judge.

From the perspective of taxation and governance, it seemed calling Bashu a Shu Commandery of the Great Han was not far from the truth. Its systems mirrored those of the Han court almost entirely—except for the absence of a Demon Suppression Bureau.

Had their discussion really remained confined to the jianghu? When the subject revolved around the people of Bashu, how could it not? If this was the essence of chivalry, then it was the highest form of chivalry.

Zhao Changhe finished the wine in his bowl and casually picked up the flagon to refill it. As he poured, he continued, “Seeing the current state of Bashu, I’ve had many thoughts. It’s stirred something in me, feelings I’ve never shared in the capital. There are different circumstances, after all. For instance, I have some foundational cultivation techniques. Would you be willing to distribute them?”

Li Shentong leaned forward slightly. “What do you mean by that?”

“Martial arts for all... and literacy for all,” Zhao Changhe explained. “If you approve, I could also have literacy primers and teaching materials sent from the capital.”

Li Shentong fell silent once more. Then he responded, “Bashu has those. There’s no need.”

“Are there teachers?”

“...Yes. This is Bashu, not Miaojiang.”

“So, Sect Master Li, does that mean you’re willing?”

Li Shentong sighed. “You’re creating problems for me. Even if I wanted to, I don’t have the time or resources to manage something like this.”

Zhao Changhe smiled. “When the invaders are driven out and the world is at peace, how about I come here and handle it myself? I’m not joking—I’m genuinely interested.”

“Do you really see this place as the Han’s Shu Commandery?”

“When the world is at peace, there won’t be a need for a King Zhao anymore. I’ll step down and dedicate myself to it.”

And when the world is at peace, will there still be a need for Li Shentong?

It was unclear whether that thought crossed Li Shentong’s mind. Regardless, he and Situ Xiao stared at Zhao Changhe’s carefree demeanor—eating meat and drinking wine—with an expression that suggested they did not quite know what to say.

From beginning to end, nothing about their conversation had aligned with what anyone might have expected. It left both master and disciple feeling disoriented, their minds buzzing. Even the high-ranking members of the Divine Brilliance Sect and Bashu officials secretly eavesdropping around the banquet hall were utterly dumbfounded.

The core of it all was simple: Is your heart still true? If it was, then all of this should have been cause for joy and cooperation. It was all for the people—what need was there for power struggles between factions?

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Yue Hongling’s lips curved into a faint smile. Zhao Changhe had not discussed any of this with her beforehand, yet as she listened, it all felt perfectly natural. She knew this was his true intention, without any schemes or ulterior motives hidden beneath the surface.

While the others were lost in thought, Zhao Changhe ate and drank as though nothing was amiss. Once he was full, he wiped his mouth contentedly, leaned back in his chair, and said lazily, “Actually, when I mentioned focusing solely on the jianghu earlier, I wasn’t talking about those topics. I had something else in mind.”

Something else? Li Shentong blinked, once more at a loss. “Please, go on.”

“Whether you attack Hanzhong or not is entirely up to you,” Zhao Changhe began. “If you choose not to, then you’ll simply remain trapped within these endless mountains, and I don’t need to explain the consequences of that. Of course, you might decide to attack us, or perhaps head toward Jingxiang. But if you do, you’ll lose everything.”

Finally. This was the kind of conversation Li Shentong had expected when Zhao Changhe arrived. Oddly, it felt almost relieving to hear it. You should have started with this! he thought. Out loud, he said, “We’re well aware of the developments in Miaojiang. So is this King Zhao warning us?”

“I’m not interested in threatening anyone,” Zhao Changhe replied calmly. “Everything we’ve done has been precautionary. One must always be prepared, that’s all. Like I said, whether or not you attack Hanzhong is your business. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t need any allies to deal with Guanlong. As long as you don’t create trouble for me, we can settle it ourselves.”

“Is that so?” Li Shentong chuckled but did not argue.

The Han forces were currently stretched thin, lacking food and resources, struggling against both the northern barbarians and the Li Clan. Zhao Changhe’s claim that they could handle Guanlong alone was, at best, bravado. If he wanted to boast, Li Shentong saw no reason to burst his bubble.

But then Zhao Changhe continued, “If there’s anything I need Bashu’s help with, it’s to borrow someone. And since this is a matter of martial arts, it’s naturally a matter of the jianghu.”

Li Shentong smirked. “Who do you want to borrow? Situ Xiao?”

Zhao Changhe shook his head and pointed at Li Shentong. “I want to borrow you, Sect Master Li.”

Li Shentong’s mouth twitched as he stared at Zhao Changhe, caught between amusement and exasperation.

“Guanlong doesn’t have any truly notable experts, and there are definitely gods and demons in Kunlun. Sect Master Li, you are probably more familiar with them than I am. But with Kunlun in chaos, their interest in worldly power struggles is limited. Our main focus should be on the northern barbarians.”

Zhao Changhe’s tone shifted, and his gaze grew sharp. “For commanding armies, I trust General Huangfu’s abilities. Whether he fortifies Yanmen or counterattacks at Saibei, that’s his business, not ours. As for me, I am a martial artist. My opponents are Bo’e, Timur, Vulture Beak... and Tngri.”

Li Shentong’s expression grew serious, his demeanor shifting as he realized the gravity of Zhao Changhe’s plans.

Zhao Changhe said solemnly, “The northern barbarians have far more powerful warriors than Guanlong could ever muster. Timur and Bo’e rank first and second on the Ranking of Heaven, and both of them are Profound Control Realm experts. In fact, judging by Bo’e’s strength, he’s well beyond the first layer. Just because Xia Longyuan defeated them doesn’t mean we can do the same. This will be a fight where our lives hang by a thread. I have no certainty of victory against Bo’e, let alone Tngri. I need allies.”

He stood up, his tone firm and resolute. “I have Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise, Hongling, and Wanzhuang, but it’s not enough... I need those on the Ranking of Heaven from the Central Plains to join me. Sect Master Li, I saw your fury against the barbarians back at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. So, if you truly have broken through to the Profound Control Realm, rather than being alarmed, I’m glad. Will you set aside the power struggles between our factions and ride with me to the north? Let’s make the barbarians tremble, secure the northern frontier, and restore peace to the Central Plains for the next century.”

Li Shentong nearly blurted out, “It would be my honor,” but held the words back, swallowing them with difficulty. After a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh and said slowly, “Situ Xiao, arrange for our guests to stay in the guest courtyard. See to it that King Zhao and Miss Yue are well accommodated.”

Situ Xiao rose and cupped his hand. “Understood.”

As he escorted Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling to the guest courtyard, Situ Xiao glanced around, lowering his voice as he leaned toward Zhao Changhe. “Hey, Old Zhao...”

“Yeah?” Zhao Changhe raised an eyebrow.

“Can you borrow one more person? I want to go, too.”

Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh.

Meanwhile, back in the banquet hall, Li Shentong paced back and forth. One by one, Elder Shi and the other high-ranking members of the Divine Brilliance Sect entered from the side chamber. The room was filled with silence, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging heavy in the air.

After a long moment, Li Shentong finally broke the silence. “Tell me, these things Zhao Changhe said—how much of it do you think is a ploy, and how much is genuine?”

Theoretically, it was possible that everything had been a charade, a clever manipulation. If Li Shentong was naive enough to follow Zhao Changhe north and ended up ambushed in enemy territory, Bashu would be finished. Even if Zhao Changhe’s words were genuine, Li Shentong had no obligation to go. Staying behind would make more strategic sense—letting the Han court and the northern barbarians exhaust themselves, then stepping in to claim the spoils. Miaojiang might be a threat, but it was a manageable one.

But if they chose that path, Li Shentong would no longer be Li Shentong. The Divine Brilliance Sect would face universal condemnation, becoming a pariah among factions—a rat in the streets, despised by all.

The figures present exchanged uneasy glances. After a prolonged silence, Elder Shi let out a bitter laugh. “It’s hard to say. If this was all Zhao Changhe’s scheme, then he’s a scoundrel of the highest order, leaving us roasting on the spit of public opinion.”

Li Shentong pondered for a moment before saying, “In that case, all we need to do is see if these words are deliberately spread. If they are, we’ll know his intentions.”

The room seemed to brighten with clarity. “Exactly.”

Li Shentong cast a sidelong glance at his fellow disciples and asked, “But what if he’s being genuine?”

Elder Shi remained silent for a long time before finally replying, “If he’s genuine, then there is only one true hero in the world, and it’s him.”