110: Chapter 108: It Can’t Be Washed Away 110: Chapter 108: It Can’t Be Washed Away No wonder he had that peculiar look in his eyes, people think Zhao Changhe harbors a secret crush on Yue Hongling.

Even the leader’s wife he chose looked like Yue Hongling, and yet she dumped him, making every listener saddened and every onlooker shed tears.

So many people across the land must be waiting to see the spectacle of him meeting the real Yue Hongling!

Zhao Changhe hadn’t expected to find Yue Hongling in Yangzhou, of all places…

how coincidental…

Although they really didn’t have the kind of relationship others imagined, having not seen each other for a long time, and suddenly an old friend was here, was indeed a pleasant surprise.

He wondered how she was doing now…

She roamed about, striving for justice under the skies, had she stopped here because she saw too much injustice in this place…

Yangzhou was so large, where would he go to meet her…

Seeing his suddenly distracted look, it was practically ironclad proof to those watching that he was infatuated with Yue Hongling.

Now, after chatting for so long, having forgotten the fear of possibly being killed, she started teasing the edge of courting disaster again, “If young master truly likes Yue Hongling, I could disguise myself to look like her…”

Zhao Changhe was startled; damn it, if Yue Hongling found out about this, how would I face death?

He immediately waved his hand, “Forget it, I’ve had enough of imitations.”

She covered her mouth and giggled.

Not only had he had enough, but she had also run away, and we all understand, “So does the young master want to find the real deal?

But we don’t know where she lives, only that she’s been seen around here.”

Zhao Changhe blurted out without thinking, “What was she doing when she appeared?”

She said, “She killed an official.”

Zhao Changhe, “?”

She sighed softly, “When they were forcefully drafting men to clear the waterways, even taking men’s wives and daughters to offset the conscription…”

Speaking, her voice got increasingly lower, “If I could have encountered a heroine like Yue at that time…

I wouldn’t have ended up like this…”

Zhao Changhe pursed his lips, saying nothing.

It was always that first glance when he first met her.

Even in her lawlessness, she played a part…

forever reminding him of the kind of person he aspired to be.

She continued, “Anyway, since Yue Hongling has killed an official, either she has already left, or if she has entered the city, she wouldn’t let anyone know where she is staying.

If the young master wants to find her, it might be better to just go out onto the streets and shout that Zhao Changhe is here, inviting Heroine Yue to meet.”

“Perhaps you all just want to see the fun, don’t you?”

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Zhao Changhe could no longer save face; he had to change the topic to find out more about Yue Hongling’s recent circumstances, “Why are we even talking about this?

Are we getting off-topic?

I wanted you to tell a story.”

“But the young master asked about Wan Dongliu’s current cultivation, and this I truly don’t know.”

Zhao Changhe nodded, musing quietly.

The value of the Hidden Dragon List as a reference is a bit illusory…

It uses a splendid record to prove your potential, but the actual increase in strength remains unseen.

For instance, when he made it to number eighty-eight, he was at the Mystical Gate Third Layer, which was widely known, but nobody knew when he advanced to the Fourth Layer at the Cui Family, and currently, his combat power had significantly increased.

Not only had his cultivation improved, but the resilience of his meridians had also been strengthened, not to mention the addition of the Dragon Sparrow’s Power made him much stronger.

Han Wubing was at the Mystical Gate Fifth Layer, and moreover, it was the Fifth Layer of the Hidden Dragon List, far surpassing the average person of the same level, but not really stronger than himself.

If someone really used his strength from that time as a benchmark, they would likely die quite horribly.

As for Wan Dongliu making it to number seventy on the Hidden Dragon List, it had been at least a year; anyway, just before his own transmigration, Wan was already ranked seventy on the List.

Were the performances of that time still relevant now?

Not everyone wanted to be visible and fight for rankings.

There were also those who prospered quietly and pretended to be weak while being strong, and presumably, there were many of them.

Of course, it was also possible for some to decline in strength, which wouldn’t be surprising.

In any case, this wasn’t a topic suitable for further questioning, as it was too likely to raise suspicion.

What are you trying to do?

Zhao Changhe could only continue with another topic, “You heard what Wan said earlier during the meal; the Maitreya Sect and I are quite fated, enemies of my enemies, and all that.

It’s just a shame I’ve never properly met with the buddhas of the Maitreya Sect.

If I wanted to pay my respects, where would I go?”

A flicker of panic crossed her eyes as she bowed her head, “I don’t know.”

The Maitreya Sect was no longer at the initial stage of widespread benevolence, but had already been declared by the Demon Suppression Department as rebels—while Wan Dongliu and Zhao Changhe could freely discuss it, she dared not reveal herself as a follower of the Maitreya.

Zhao Changhe saw her fear and chuckled, “I’m a Buddhist, and I want to worship Maitreya Buddha.

Which temple in Yangzhou should I go to for that?”

In a low voice, she said, “When we worship Buddha, we usually go to the White Lotus Temple about ten miles outside the city.”

Zhao Changhe was taken aback, “There are none in the city?”

“The official doesn’t allow it,” Ruyan whispered softly.

“Even the temples outside the city cannot openly worship Maitreya.”

Zhao Changhe nodded in acknowledgment.

No matter how poorly the Imperial did in other respects, at least under the leadership of Tang Wanju, the Demon Suppression Department hadn’t gone to ruin yet.

It was still somewhat difficult for the Demon Sect to strut around.

But now, seeing how the Maitreya Sect had infiltrated everywhere, even the Young Master of big factions like Cao Gang, which certainly had connections with the official, was one of them.

How much longer could Tang Wanju’s efforts last?

A million Cao workers…

if anything were to go wrong…

The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.

The more he understood, the more he realized how complex the situation was, and the more eager Zhao Changhe became to find Yue Hongling and discuss with her what to do.

He always felt particularly grounded when Yue Hongling was around, an assurance not even Tang Wanju could provide…

and yet Yue Hongling was actually younger than him…

“Alright,” Zhao Changhe took out a piece of silver and placed it in Ruyan’s hand.

“It’s almost dawn…

You served this young master very well tonight, remember to tell your mama tomorrow how many positions you used.

Don’t say you just chatted all night; I wouldn’t want you to get beaten.

Go now.”

Ruyan was stunned for a moment, her expression first odd then slowly turning to gratitude.

Not only did he not blame her for not serving well, but he also gave her a tip, and he was even worried that she might get beaten for not serving well…

…

Early in the morning, ten miles east of the city, White Lotus Temple.

Yue Hongling was hidden above a beam, her eyes cold as she watched the scene inside the hall.

Villagers in tattered clothes, unable to afford their own meals, were still donating what little they had to the temple, leaving with gratitude.

Last night, she saw some girls, as if brainwashed, participating in certain ceremonies.

She knew what would follow, but it seemed the other side was waiting for a specific date, so since it didn’t go as expected, Yue Hongling held back, planning to get a better understanding of the Maitreya Sect’s rituals.

She used to stay in the Northern, only moving to the south this year, and like Zhao Changhe, she had never even heard of the Maitreya Sect before.

Once she encountered them, she initially thought the Maitreya Sect was a Buddha sect that relieved suffering and hardship.

However, after carefully learning more over time, she felt they were even worse than many bandits.

Recently, a “Buddha” even tried to deceive her into joining the sect as a Heavenly Girl; now his head had been severed by her.

It was from then on that Yue Hongling’s journey through the Worldly Society in the south focused mainly on the Maitreya Sect.

To date, her understanding wasn’t sufficient; she knew only a fraction.

The White Lotus Temple was a recent discovery, and she intended to observe it more.

Yue Hongling was forthright and straightforward, easily giving others the impression of being boisterous and rough, yet she was actually more meticulous than most.

This also very much resembled Zhao Changhe.

Both of them could always see a reflection of themselves in each other.

As she was observing, someone rushed into the hall and whispered to the abbot, “Zhao Changhe stayed at the Xiao Xiang Inn last night, accompanied by the top courtesan Ruyan.”

Yue Hongling pricked up her ears.

“Oh?

Did he find out anything?”

“The feedback from below is that Zhao Changhe seemed to finish in just a few moments.”

Yue Hongling: “…”

The abbot chuckled and said, “That’s not bad.

Many join our sect to solve this very trouble, and we have ways to let him exhibit his prowess for as long as he wishes.”

“But afterwards, Ruyan said that Zhao Changhe engaged in various positions with her all night long, and he was very vigorous.”

“Oh?

And what could have revived his prowess?”

“Ruyan guessed that it was because they talked about Yue Hongling, and he got particularly excited.”

Yue Hongling: “……”

The abbot pondered for a while, then laughed, “Have our Heavenly Girl dress up as Yue Hongling and replace Ruyan tonight.

It seems Zhao Changhe is easier to control than we thought.”

————

PS: Tonight still no, the start of the new plot gets a good polish, reflecting on the last couple days, it feels a bit rough.