Chapter 882 (2): She's Teaching Herself

Cui Yuanyang added, “Still, a real war might be inevitable one day... but probably not for a few years. Of course, if Big Brother Zhao openly returns to the mortal world, then conflict will never break out.”

Zhao Changhe sipped his wine in thoughtful silence.

At last, Huangfu Qing spoke. “We are not the incarnations of the laws. Mortal affairs must one day be left to those who come after us—unless, of course, you intend to reign forever. Do you?”

“If even Buqi can let go of things so freely, what regrets could I possibly have?” Zhao Changhe gazed at the river, a distant look in his eyes. “This revival... the thing that struck me most was the vastness of time, how all things change, whether it be people or events... Yet the demon gods, basking beneath the moon across the ages, feel no ripple in their hearts?”

Piaomiao, who had remained silent until now, finally said, “That’s right. Once you’ve witnessed the rise and fall of countless kingdoms, the extinction of civilizations, and the resetting of entire eras, your experience becomes something utterly different from a mere couple years of cultivation. Have you not felt some shift within your own cultivation already?”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “I have. Before, I had no sense of what comes after reaching the third layer of the Profound Control Realm. But now, though I’ve yet to reach the peak of the third layer, I’m already beginning to sense the path beyond it.”

At the mention of cultivation, the chatterbox Cui Yuanyang promptly fell silent while the older women lit up with interest. Lady Three asked in surprise, “We’ve all gotten that same feeling, yet none of us can see the path ahead. How is it that you can?”

“Because it’s not just time. There’s also space,” Zhao Changhe replied. “Ye Wuming brought me here primarily so I could see beyond the bounds of this world. That’s also the foundation required to harm the old Heavenly Dao. If we all wish to break through, I believe the key is to leave this world entirely, to go out and see the vast starry sea. I said it long ago: We must forget the Four Idols. And that goes especially for you two. As long as you remain within the frameworks of the Vermillion Bird and the Black Tortoise, you will never break free.”

Huangfu Qing sat up straighter, her interest piqued. “Then how do we leave?”

Zhao Changhe’s divine sense swept across to the other ship, where Ling Ruoyu was interrogating a captured demonic cultist, River of Stars strapped to her back, full of youthful vigor.

“We don’t know yet. But if there is a way, I believe it lies with Ruoyu.”

The imagined scenario of him being roped into days of paying public dues on the ship never came to pass. Instead, the journey north unfolded through leisurely conversation. Even when night fell and they retired to rest, it was natural for them to share a single sleeping berth, talking late into the night with feet nestled together.

Having been apart for thirty years, there was simply too much to say.

It was not until the next morning that Ling Ruoyu came bounding in to greet her Master Zhao only to stop dead in her tracks as she saw not one but four women emerging from the cabin alongside Zhao Changhe.

“G-good morning, m-Master Zhao... Good morning, b-bureau chief...”

Zhao Changhe flashed a toothy grin. “Ruoyu...”

“Ah?” Ling Ruoyu instinctively stepped back half a pace.

“Morning training is one of our rules. You know that, right? And your Master Zhao just happens to be free today. How about we practice a set of sword arts together?”

Ruoyu had the distinct feeling that he was not trying to teach her so much as bully her.

“I... I’d be honored. Master just taught me a new technique, and I’m having some trouble with it...”

Whoosh!

Sword light danced at the prow of the ship as a group of three old ladies snacked on seeds, watching with amused interest.

Oh, they’re really training...

With her poised movements and rigorous discipline, Ruoyu was every bit the picture of Yue Hongling’s training. She was clearly someone who had been punished often for mistakes. Her foundations were impeccable.

She finished her set, cheeks flushed, and asked shyly, “Please, Master Zhao, I’d appreciate your guidance...”

Zhao Changhe found Ling Ruoyu far more entertaining than River of Stars had ever been as a child. Watching her utterly embarrassed yet obediently dancing with the sword for him, only to earnestly request his critique afterward—well, how could he not find that adorable?

“I didn’t quite catch that. Do it again.”

“Master Zhao, you...” Ling Ruoyu’s face flushed red, and she stamped her foot on the ground. “With your abilities, there’s no way you didn’t see it clearly!”

“When you perform it again but make it completely different, that’s when I’ll be able to see things clearly and give you proper guidance.”

Ling Ruoyu froze, eyes glinting with sudden understanding.

The sword art Yue Hongling had created was not a fixed routine; it was sword intent. “Master Zhao” was hinting at that. If she kept repeating the exact same moves, then she had misunderstood the very essence of it.

Comprehension dawning upon her, the girl launched into another performance. Same intent, completely different form.

“Yu’er has gained insight...” she said, flushed and lightly dusted with sweat, bowing with gleeful reverence. “Thank you, Master Zhao.”

Zhao Changhe beamed and turned to the watching wives. “So clever. She’s teaching herself now!”

The women glared and, without a word, hoisted Zhao Changhe up and yeeted him into the Grand Canal.

There were plenty of scoundrels in the world, but few who bullied their own children with such delight.

Well, it’s not that you can’t bully her; it’s just that if you overdo it, what if the poor girl starts missing her mom?

And so the days drifting northward passed in quiet joy and familial chaos. The household found their fun in watching their little disciple practice the sword. When things grew dull, they sent her off to other ships to buy soy sauce. Meanwhile, either the new Night Emperor snuck into the cabin with two venerables of the Four Idols Cult to “discuss the doctrine,” or King Zhao would hold court with the god of the land and the bureau chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau to “discuss the fate of the mountains and rivers.” All in all, it was a harmonious, light-hearted journey.

By the third day, they arrived at the capital.

With River of Stars strapped to her back, Ling Ruoyu gazed up at the towering gates, a glimmer of nostalgia in her eyes.

This was her second time coming to the capital.

Last time, she had pulled off a stunt straight out of her master’s old playbook—sitting in a tavern, sipping wine, and challenging the city’s rising talents. Her version had been far more dangerous than Zhao Changhe’s back in the day. When he did it, it was during the twilight of the old dynasty, with soft and squishy noble wastrels roaming the capital. But now? Now, the city teemed with the best and brightest from across the land; young dragons and fierce tigers gathered from every corner of the realm. It was during that challenge that she earned the title of First Hidden Dragon.

Looking back, even if her top ranking came with a bit of bias from the Heavenly Tome, who was technically her mom, much of what she had done stemmed from an unconscious desire to emulate the legend of King Zhao. Perhaps River of Stars, deep down, had always been seeking traces of her master.

And while it had all looked bold and carefree, the consequences had not been light. When Zhao Changhe did something similar, he had to flee the capital the very next day to avoid the wave of challengers. Ling Ruoyu was no different—after her performance, she had slipped away in a hurry, never really getting to see the city at all.

This time, as she prepared to enter the gates, the possibility of old enemies lurking was not lost on her...

Sure enough, they had not even stepped through when someone blocked the path with a drawn blade. “Ling Ruoyu?”

Ling Ruoyu glanced back. “And you are?”

Most of my enemies are young hidden dragons... but you? Your beard is already down to your chest. Whose dad are you?

Well, I have a dad too.

The man said coldly, “Twentieth on the Ranking of Man, Huang Youde. The one you defeated two months ago at Songfeng Pavilion, Huang Zhang, is my son. I never expected you to break into the Ranking of Man in just two months. Since fate has brought us together, why not allow me to test your skills?”

Ling Ruoyu instinctively looked around for her father, only to see Zhao Changhe peeking at her from the crowd, blinking with feigned innocence and absolutely no intention of stepping in. As for her aunts? They were all missing. Cui Yuanyang had already gone ashore with the prisoners. The rest were nowhere to be found.

She held back the urge to yell at her useless “dad.” Her eyes narrowed mischievously, then she broke into a wide, guileless smile. “Do you know who my dad is?”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

Huang Youde tilted his head in confusion. “Uh... no?”

Most people did not even know Ling Ruoyu’s master was Yue Hongling. If they did, eleven out of ten would not dare pick a fight with her, and that would defeat the point of actual field experience.

“Good,” Ruoyu grinned, her expression almost a perfect replica of the face Zhao Changhe made when teasing her. “Two months ago was just a test of the hidden dragons. But since we’ve crossed paths today, how about...”

Huang Youde’s eyes narrowed. “How about what?”

Ling Ruoyu drew her sword and pointed it directly at the massive name plaque above the city gate. “I say the capital’s Ranking of Man is all reputation and no substance. Prove me wrong, if you can.”

“Pfft!” Zhao Changhe almost choked on his own spit.

All around them, travelers and locals stared in stunned disbelief.

Does this girl even know how many people on the Ranking of Man hold official titles in the capital?

There was a brief moment of silence, then an explosion of commotion. “What an arrogant girl! Does she really think there’s no one in the capital?”

“Call everyone to gather up!”

“No need. With a voice like that, half the capital probably heard her... It’s only to be expected of the eighteenth on the Ranking of Man, her internal energy alone puts her leagues above the average person.”

“They’re coming! Look at all those experts headed this way!”

“She’s insane. How many people is she planning to offend?! Is her father King Zhao or something? I feel like I’ve heard of a scene like this before...”

“Wait, Bureau Chief Cui is here... Will she take her side?”

“No idea, but now that the Demon Suppression Bureau’s involved, at least they won’t let anyone gang up on her. That might at least keep things fair.”

Amidst the rising chaos, a cry rang out from the distance, “Her Majesty approaches!”

Well, there’s no need for the Demon Suppression Bureau to ensure fairness anymore, even the empress seems to have become personally invested in this.

Ling Ruoyu looked up. On the city gate stood Xia Chichi, clad in white robes, one hand resting on her belly as she gazed down.

The meaning of her gaze was difficult to read, and her placing her hand on her belly was even more difficult to understand.