Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 562: The Three-Move Promise

Hai Changkong was not fazed by what seemed like a dismissive comment. He had already learned, over twenty years ago, not to be provoked by his opponent’s provocations.

He understood perfectly well that Zhao Changhe was trying to provoke him—after all, Zhao Changhe was known for his deep knowledge of the human body and vicious qi. It was quite likely that anger and the energy that stemmed from it were things that Zhao Changhe could easily exploit.

In a world of cultivation, raw youth was not always an advantage. With powerful cultivation techniques, one’s physical capabilities could be maintained for a long time, extending a martial artist’s prime far beyond normal limits. In fact, cultivating internal energy required years of accumulation, along with vast combat experience and the refinement of techniques—things younger fighters often lacked. Hence, the existence of the Ranking of Hidden Dragons.

Excluding anomalies like Xia Longyuan, who had entered the Profound Control Realm, most people believed the true peak of a martial artist’s strength was in their thirties or forties. By then, their internal energy was fully developed, their combat experience extensive, and their skills honed to perfection, while the body had not yet begun to decline. For those with profound cultivation, this peak could extend into their fifties or sixties.

But eventually, time caught up with everyone. No matter how high one’s internal cultivation was, the body’s natural decline was inevitable. Without reaching the Profound Control Realm, one would remain within the bounds of mortality, never touching the bounds of the divine.

Most of those ranked on the Ranking of Heaven were in their forties, as this was considered their golden age. People like the Grand Shaman Bo’e, Yuxu, and Ye Wuzhong were already considered old. If they could not break through to the Profound Control Realm, they would soon decline. Of course, an old tiger is still a tiger nonetheless, and their decline was imperceptible to most. It would only show when fighting opponents of the same caliber, where they might feel that hint of fatigue.

Hai Changkong, now forty-seven or forty-eight, was precisely at that golden age. He knew that in the coming years, he might begin to decline as he could no longer see any possibility for further progress. There was no escaping the inevitability of aging.

He was eager to see where he truly stood during this period when he was at the absolute peak of his power.

His long saber sliced through the mist, aiming for Zhao Changhe’s throat. To the onlookers, it resembled an osprey skimming over the water, the arc of the saber both elegant and profound.

The seemingly heavy Dragon Bird rose gracefully, meeting the attack like a swordfish provoked by that osprey.

It was clearly a clash between two blades, but it looked more like a painting.

Their understanding of martial arts had reached the point where they had truly merged with nature itself, setting them apart from others still focused on refining their own skills. Most could not even comprehend the power exchange between the two strikes. All they could see was the elegance of the clash, failing to discern its underlying intricacies.

Those with a keener eye could tell that Hai Changkong’s strike was so elusive that most people would not even be able to track its trajectory, let alone block it. And yet, to Zhao Changhe, it seemed as if he had rehearsed this exact move countless times. He seemed to know exactly where and when the strike would be strongest, and countered just before Hai Changkong could unleash his full might.

In terms of technique, they were at the pinnacle. Neither could gain an edge through skill alone, and the battle would ultimately come down to a clash of raw power. In the end, there was no substitute for true might.

When the two blades met, there was a deep, resonant sound—like a mallet striking a drum, rolling like thunder. It was far from the sharp clang one would expect from metal meeting metal.

One of the onlookers who understood the nuances spoke up. “Both of them are channeling energy that mimics the crushing might of the deep sea. Anyone else would be crushed under such force. The moment an opponent’s strength makes contact, it is dispersed layer by layer and rendered ineffective. And since both of them are using the same technique, the result is this dull, thunderous sound.”

“So how should we counter this move if we face it?”

“...Are you asking me? I’d probably just stick my neck out and hope for a quick death.”

As the crowd discussed, the two fighters moved into their second exchange.

“Thanks for the commentary.” Zhao Changhe laughed. “Want to explain this next move?”

No one quite knew how he managed to break free from their deadlock. Since both were using techniques that mimicked the nature of the deep sea, their true qi had been intertwined like two converging oceans, making separation no easy task. Yet, while Hai Changkong found himself unable to disengage, Zhao Changhe’s saber moved smoothly, sliding along the edge of Hai Changkong’s weapon.

It was nothing complicated. Zhao Changhe had simply used the brute strength of his Blood Asura Body to tear apart the entanglement.

To the onlookers, it was as if the sea had vanished, along with the sky and the island.

All that remained was an endless expanse of blood. All that was left was a stifling, oppressive force that made even those watching from afar feel madness creeping into their minds.

It was unimaginable to them what Hai Changkong, facing this strike directly, was feeling.

A flash of the saber sliced through the blood-red expanse—no sky, no earth, no self.

No Man’s Land, Hell on Earth!

Two moves fused into one, but it was clearly just one strike!

Clang!

Cold sweat drenched Hai Changkong’s back as he parried with his blade, retreating several zhang.

For a moment, his mind had gone completely blank. Zhao Changhe’s No Man’s Land carried a sudden, almost hypnotic power, temporarily clouding the opponent’s perception by stirring their vicious qi. It was an incredibly difficult move to guard against in the heat of battle. Fortunately, Hai Changkong, having faced the Sea Emperor’s whispers and mental manipulations regularly, was somewhat accustomed to such interference. Otherwise, that strike could have easily been fatal.

One of Zhao Changhe’s previous victories included defeating a higher-ranked assassin called Frost Hawk from Snow-Listening Pavilion. Frost Hawk had been similarly caught off guard and instantly defeated because of this very move.

Though Hai Changkong’s lapse lasted only a fleeting moment, it was enough to leave him slightly unsteady. His blood and qi fluctuated, forcing him to quickly pull back to create distance, staying focused as he prepared for Zhao Changhe’s third move.

All those watching held their breath, wondering if it really would all come down to this third move.

Even the water figure, who was still battling Lady Three, could not help but take note. Though Hai Changkong was at a disadvantage, his level of skill was still extremely high. The idea of Zhao Changhe ending it all with one decisive blow seemed far-fetched. What could his third move possibly be?

In the next instant, blood-red light surged again. Zhao Changhe’s eyes glowed red as he leaped lightly into the air and brought his saber down!

However, his saber was not aimed toward Hai Changkong but the water figure!

The crescent-shaped saber energy, usually a sweeping horizontal arc, had turned into a vertical strike, instantly closing in on the crystal core at the back of the water figure’s head.

Hai Changkong, who had been retreating cautiously: “?”

The water figure: “???”

This was a twist that even Hai Changkong had not anticipated, let alone anyone else.

The water figure was focused on Lady Three, only to be struck out of nowhere by this combination attack, designed to scatter gods and crush armies. It barely had time to react, instinctively trying to shift into a fluid form to dodge. But Lady Three was not about to let that happen. She switched out her whip for her fist, viciously striking the crystal core with all her strength.

Boom!

Water splashed in every direction as Lady Three’s mouth dripped with blood, but the water figure had been shattered—reduced to scattered droplets, struggling to slowly reform.

Anyone who had fought this creature before knew that in this state, it was badly injured. It was the same condition as the water figure from before had been in just before fleeing and merging with the giant octopus.

But this time, the water figure in front of them did not flee. Instead, its furious voice echoed through the air, “Zhao Changhe... Where is your honor as a martial artist?”

Zhao Changhe swung Dragon Bird in an upward arc, narrowly deflecting Hai Changkong’s incoming strike.

Suddenly switching targets mid-battle left Zhao Changhe full of openings, which Hai Changkong was quick to exploit, forcing him into a difficult defensive position. Yet, hearing the water figure’s words, Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh aloud. “We’re not even being recorded by the Tome of Troubled Times right now, so who would I even be trying to impress? Talking about a martial artist’s honor... It’s too bad that I don’t have a brick, or I’d just chuck it at your face.”

The onlookers were left stunned, their mouths agape.

Zhao Changhe retreated step by step under Hai Changkong’s fierce attacks, still smiling as he spoke, “I’ve never fought you before. I’m not that familiar with his style of martial arts or his techniques, so how could I possibly be confident in beating you in three moves? You heroes of the sea like to think of yourselves as rational, but do you really think every man from the Central Plains is just arrogant?”

Hai Changkong spoke in a low voice, “So when you said three moves, it was all for that one strike?”

“Of course. When I claimed three moves, even if you didn’t feel provoked, there would still be a subconscious expectation that I would take the initiative and be aggressive. The first move was an attack against your attack. The second move was even more aggressive, reinforcing that perception. By the third move, you would inevitably adopt a more cautious strategy, and even the water figure would be thinking about how I might try to strike you. Isn’t that when the opportunity arises?”

From the start, Zhao Changhe never intended to defeat Hai Changkong. Why would he care about proving himself on the Rankings of Troubled Times right now? Was this a formal duel with prize money on the line?

Lady Three’s injuries had yet to fully heal. Originally, she had a slight edge over the water figure, but she could not last in a prolonged fight. No matter how you looked at it, the most practical strategy was helping her finish off the water figure.

Hai Changkong’s expression remained unchanged. “Quite clever. But have you considered that, a moment ago, you had me on the defensive? If you had continued pressing the attack, I may have been defeated. Now that you’ve left yourself open and I’ve gained the upper hand... the one who dies might as well be you.”

Zhao Changhe grinned, revealing his teeth. “But I have a backup plan.”

As he spoke, a roar erupted from behind Hai Changkong. “Traitor, face your death!”

Whoosh!

A blade nearly identical to Hai Changkong’s came slashing down toward the back of his neck.

At the same time, Hua Zhenming arrived, his sword aimed at Hai Changkong’s lower back.

Zhao Changhe’s backup had arrived.

Is this the end of the battle?

To the shock of everyone watching, Zhao Changhe intercepted Hai Changkong’s saber with his own, but his left hand abruptly drew a sword and pointed it to his side.

Clang!

His sword met Hai Qianfan’s saber.

What had seemed like an attack on Hai Changkong’s neck had turned mid-strike, angling toward Zhao Changhe’s waist.

But Zhao Changhe had anticipated it all along! The sword in his left hand met the sudden strike, parrying it perfectly.

The sharp sword qi pierced through, cutting through the powerful force of Hai Qianfan’s strike and running along his meridians, momentarily stopping him from launching another attack.

Zhao Changhe then smoothly redirected his sword, redirecting it to meet Hua Zhenming’s slightly slower strike.

At that moment, the three-pronged attack was entirely neutralized.

Boom!

Lady Three’s powerful punch had already struck Hai Qianfan in the face, her voice cold as she said, “Uncle Hai... I kept trying to find a reason for you, but in the end... you’ve left me disappointed. Deeply disappointed...”

The onlookers were struggling to process what had just happened.

So, all along, this is what Zhao Changhe meant by finishing it in three moves. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

If they hadn’t eliminated the water figure before the others arrived, would they have been able to remain standing now?