Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 748: The Deepest Desire
Chapter 748: The Deepest Desire
Zhao Changhe had been expecting this move all along.
From the very beginning, he had treated Kong Shi as a stand-in for Papiyas... and what was Papiyas, exactly? The very being proclaimed as the Heavenly Demon by Buddhism. Papiyas was regarded as the embodiment of temptation, the lurking evil within the human heart. It would have been more surprising if Papiyas did not wield illusions and spiritual snares.
Back when Yue Hongling had traveled alone to Kunlun, she had already experienced its tricks firsthand, not once but multiple times. First, she had been trapped within an illusionary Mirror of Self-Reflection[1], so vivid and real that it nearly devoured her very soul. Though she ultimately broke free, her thoughts had been exposed, allowing Papiyas to prey upon her vulnerabilities. Illusions plagued her repeatedly throughout the Kunlun Secret Realm, appearing as spectral deceptions, each one forcing her to shatter the falsehoods through sheer will.
But at the time, Papiyas was still weak. The dragon hunt had not yet begun, and Papiyas’ recovery was far from complete. Kunlun was a chaotic mix of powerful forces, and even it had been wary of acting too brazenly. Thus, aside from casting illusions from afar, Papiyas had refrained from making a direct move.
In the end, Yue Hongling survived the ordeal unscathed, and the experience laid the foundation for her eventual breakthrough to the Profound Control Realm.
But Zhao Changhe had never experienced such spiritual attacks firsthand. He had once thought Underworld Guide’s techniques had been an illusion, only to realize, much to his horror, that it was all real. Underworld Guide had literally crawled out of a hell of blood and slaughter, nearly claiming his life in the process. And what about Jiuyou’s influence yesterday? That had not been an illusion, either. It was the sheer weight of her overwhelming power, an aura of desolation and oblivion that momentarily distorted his perception, but it was not an attack upon his mind.
That did not mean, however, that Zhao Changhe was unprepared. Because he and Yue Hongling had shared their battle experiences through dual cultivation, he knew Papiyas’ tricks as intimately as if he had fought the other party himself.
The moment the illusion took hold, Zhao Changhe anchored his spiritual platform with the Diamond Sutra, stabilizing his consciousness like an unyielding vajra. Spiritual warfare, just like any other kind of warfare, was not just about raw strength. It was the preparation that determined everything—whether one had defenses in place or whether one was caught unaware.
In the next moment, the world shifted. Kong Shi was gone. The bustling streets of Chang’an were gone. The roaring flames and the gathered crowd all vanished. In their place, a serene hot spring. Crystal-clear waters trickled melodiously, mist curling into the air, thick with the scent of lotus blossoms. At the very center of the water lay a floating lotus throne, nestled perfectly amidst the ripples.
And upon the lotus, a beautiful woman, veiled in silk, reclining lazily on her side. The delicate curve of her body shimmered through the translucent fabric, offering tantalizing glimpses of spring-like warmth hidden beneath.
No surprises here. This was a direct manifestation of Zhao Changhe’s deepest desires. If he succumbed to it, if he indulged in the illusion, his soul and spirit would be bound to Papiyas forever. This was a classic trap, one used over and over in countless stories. But it was common precisely because it worked. Everyone had their own weaknesses: love and longing, suffering and resentment, unfulfilled desires... The more one yearned for something, the easier it was for obsession to take root. This was Papiyas’ most insidious trick, beyond mere deception or illusion—it used a person’s own heart against them.
Zhao Changhe could not help but feel curious.
What is my greatest desire?
By now, he felt as though he lacked any strong cravings. He was surrounded by beauty, wielded immense power, and stood at the precipice of shaping the world itself. Aside from wanting peace for the land, what else remained? Perhaps... returning home? But what use was that as bait? He knew it was impossible, and thus it held no power over him.
Intrigued, he reached out, brushing aside the mist, peering deeper into the illusion. The beautiful woman’s form became sharper and clearer. The delicate curve of her ankle, pale as jade, peeked through the mist. Her toes were slender and pristine, smooth as polished pearls. The steam curled lazily around her, enshrouding her in a dreamlike haze. She looked incredibly familiar; she looked just like Sisi.
As Zhao Changhe’s gaze traveled upward, he traced the elegant curve of long, slender legs, lying in a relaxed yet graceful bend. Unlike the athletic sharpness of Yue Hongling or Vermillion Bird, these legs held a delicate suppleness, soft as silk, smooth as jade, exuding an almost boneless fluidity that invited touch, inviting one to feel their elasticity, their warmth.
His gaze climbed higher, and he was met with the sight of a perfect waist, a rounded curve of hips, and ample peaks. For a fleeting instant, he thought he was looking at Lady Three. His fingers practically itched to trace those sublime arcs, to hold and savor every contour.
His eyes moved even further up. A sharp yet delicate chin. Fair skin, crystalline and flawless, with a hint of rosy blush beneath the surface. Slightly parted lips, soft and enticing, caught between a breath of pleasure or the beginnings of a playful rebuke.
Zhao Changhe’s heart skipped a beat. The lower half of the face was unmistakable; it was an exact copy of Jiuyou, just a little less cold.
Is Jiuyou really the deepest desire buried in my heart? Impossible. I barely even know her! Just because I once kissed her hand? That shouldn’t be enough to leave such a mark...
He forced himself to look higher.
And then, his heart, which had only skipped a beat before, suddenly began pounding like a war drum.
The beats of his heart were loud, thunderous.
The eyes of the woman were closed, her expression peaceful, serene—like the quiet of the night. Her hair was short, sharp, and effortlessly refined. A few stray strands draped across her forehead, tousled slightly by her reclining pose, as she rested her chin on her palm in a gesture of relaxed elegance.
This isn’t Jiuyou. This is... Blindie!
Of course, it had never crossed his mind before. He had never imagined her in anything but her signature black robes, wrapped in shadow, always distant, untouchable.
But now, looking at her fully revealed for the first time, Zhao Changhe felt something click into place—a sense of inevitability. As if his soul had whispered, “So it was always her.” His deepest desire... was to have her.
Yes... It was no surprise at all. His heart was racing, faster than ever before. Because, in some strange way, having her... and going home... were one and the same.
If she was with him, then what was home, if not wherever she was?
On the floating lotus throne, the blind woman let out a soft, knowing laugh. A delicate whisper followed, sultry, teasing, “You’ve come... Do you want me to do something for you?”
He knew. He knew very clearly this was merely an illusion. He knew that it was a reflection of his own heart, a temptation designed to trap him forever. But Papiyas’ power was not so crude as to be dismissed by logic alone. Understanding the trick did not mean it was easy to resist. This was the Heavenly Demon’s domain—the more one indulged, the deeper one sank.
And at that moment, Zhao Changhe stepped forward. Then, almost without thinking, his fingers reached out, brushing gently against her face.
The blind woman, who had just been laughing at Jiuyou a few minutes ago, suddenly froze. She watched Zhao Changhe, entranced in his illusion, his mouth gaped wide while her teeth clenched in frustration. She gripped her fingers tightly, her hands balled into delicate fists.
You absolute bastard. So when you smeared my face before, it wasn’t enough?! You actually, truly, seriously want me?!
A sharp, dangerous glint flickered in her hidden eyes. She slowly raised her hand, already prepared. The moment he actually kissed the illusion, the moment his lips dared to touch her, she was going to smack him so hard he would forget he was ever born.
To hell with exposing my presence! He needs to learn a lesson! Not to mention, if he truly succumbs, he wouldn’t be kissing me, he’d be devoured! He’ll be consumed, his soul and spirit offered to Papiyas, his very existence torn into nothingness. You idiot. You absolute idiot.
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But just as she was about to strike, Zhao Changhe’s fingers slid across the illusion’s cheek. His voice was low, quiet, carrying an unexpected weight, “What I want... is for you to open your eyes. I’ve known you for so long, and yet, I’ve never seen them. Perhaps that’s the one regret that lingers in my heart. Even if I do go home someday... I think I’d still come back. Just to see them once.”
The blind woman froze, her raised hand hanging stiffly in midair.
That’s it?
She had expected many things, but not... this.
Is that truly his deepest desire? If it truly is, then it’s still dangerously exploitable. All Papiyas has to do is follow through.
“Is that so...? Then it’s quite simple. All you have to do is listen to me... and I will open my eyes for you. Won’t that be nice?”
One simple “yes,” and he would fall, completely and irrevocably.
The blind woman held her breath, ready to slap him back to reality before he could utter a single word.
But then, Zhao Changhe’s gentle expression vanished in an instant. His face hardened as he said, “I have to listen to you just to see a pair of eyes? Even top-ranked patrons get preview clips before they pay up, what do you take me for, a complete fool?”
Papiyas: “???”
What the hell? What in the world is that supposed to mean?!
The blind woman’s face turned bright red, though whether it was from rage or something else entirely, even she could not tell.
And who exactly do you want to see?!
Zhao Changhe grinned wide, flashing his teeth. “Spiritual invasions require complete focus, don’t they? Sorry to say, you’re nothing more than my sharpening stone for breaking through. I didn’t come here to play fair.”
Papiyas’ entire being tensed. A split second later, Yue Hongling’s sword and Vermillion Bird’s claws struck him at the exact same time.
From the onlookers’ perspective, none of them could see the battle unfolding in the depths of the soul. What they saw was Kong Shi clasping his palms together, locking Qin Jiu’s black sword in place. For a brief moment, it looked like a test of raw internal force, the two locked in a seemingly even struggle. And then, in perfect synchrony, two women attacked without warning.
A completely dishonorable, blatant ambush. No one saw it coming. No one had the chance to stop it.
And as Zhao Changhe had anticipated, spiritual intrusion required deep concentration. Papiyas had not expected this sudden turn of events. The whole premise of the fight had been an internal battle within Buddhism, with outsiders ordered not to interfere. He had never imagined that these two would simply ignore that completely and attack anyway!
His mind was still locked onto Zhao Changhe; he had no time to react. With no choice left, he activated his Golden Bell Barrier, taking the brunt of the twin strikes head-on. And at that very moment, River of Stars burst into a surge of unstoppable sword light. River of Stars’ boundless qi roared forth, shattering through Papiyas’ defenses and slamming straight into his chest.
Boom!
The combined assault of three Profound Control Realm powerhouses was not something that could be brushed aside. He had no room left for restraint, no room left to maintain his disguise. If he continued holding back, he was going to be torn apart limb from limb.
And so, the truth was revealed.
In an instant, the radiant golden light of his Buddhist aura turned pitch-black. The once pure and sacred Golden Bell Barrier was swallowed by darkness. The originally divine face of the colossal Buddha manifestation behind him twisted into something grotesque and monstrous. Its once-benevolent lips peeled back to reveal gnarled fangs. The air itself warped and rotted as the delicate fragrance of incense turned into a stench of decay.
“This is the Heavenly Demon!” Cries rang through Chang’an. Among the crowd, countless Buddhist followers trained under Yuan Cheng recognized it instantly. “The Heavenly Demon who masquerades as the Buddha! The Heavenly Demon Papiyas!”
Boom!
Even with all his strength, Papiyas’ once-golden barrier, now black as ink, was crumbling. It was being shattered piece by piece under the relentless assault of Zhao Changhe, Yue Hongling, and Vermillion Bird. Still, the force that came with the sudden outburst of demonic energy sent all three of them reeling backward, repelled by its corruptive energy.
The kindly, middle-aged monk facade of Kong Shi had completely disintegrated. In its place was a twisted, nightmarish figure, radiating a sinister black aura. Without hesitation, he fled. Now that his true identity had been revealed, Chang’an was no longer safe.
No matter... I shall simply take another name, assume another face, and return again.
As Zhao Changhe staggered back from the impact, his head suddenly snapped toward Yuxu. By all logic, Yuxu should have acted already.
But what he saw was not calm detachment nor a calculating delay but pure, unfiltered rage. A low, seething growl escaped from Yuxu’s lips: “That thing is a demon, and you would stop me?!”
It was as if he had received a direct response from someone unseen, because his face then twisted with even more fury. “He is an enemy of Buddhism, so that makes him our ally?! What kind of fucking logic is that?! And you dare call yourself the Dao Lord?!”
BOOOOM!
The Taiji manifestation surrounding Yuxu—the bindings holding him in place—exploded into countless shards.
The old Daoist, who had always moved like drifting clouds, was suddenly faster than lightning itself. In the blink of an eye, he was gone. By the time anyone processed what had happened, he had already caught up to Papiyas, who had nearly escaped past the outskirts of Chang’an.
His palm descended.
The Heaven-Overturning Seal!
Yuxu had cast all consequences aside, decisively breaking ties with the Dao Lord if it was what was called for. He had decided to take down the Heavenly Demon no matter what!
The sky darkened instantly, swallowed by a pitch-black abyss.
The palm crashed down like a heaven-splitting sword, sending violent ripples through the air. But it was not enough to finish Papiyas. Even wounded, Papiyas still had the strength to resist; his own palm met the attack at an angle, diverting the full force rather than taking it head-on. Blood sprayed from his lips, but he did not stop moving. “Yuxu, the next one to die... will be you.”
Papiyas then vanished into the night and Yuxu moved to chase.
But then the weight of a collapsing world pressed upon him once more. He could not move. He turned, his face still contorted with rage. Far in the distance, atop the highest hall of Chang’an, Jiuyou stood silently, watching. As their gazes met, she smiled faintly, then turned away, indifferent. She did not care to waste time glowering at him.
But just as she stepped away, a golden light streaked through the sky. A shooting star chased the fleeing demon across a distance of over ten li.
It was Zhao Changhe. It was his Dragon Soul Bow!
Jiuyou paused mid-step, and Papiyas whipped his head around in alarm. From afar, Yuxu’s eyes flashed with raw elation. His fingers flicked, and in that instant, another Taiji manifestation bloomed beneath Papiyas’ feet.
The demon tried to escape, but his steps sank as if caught in a mire, his movements slowed to a crawl.
And in the very next heartbeat, the golden arrow pierced through his shoulder. A burst of black blood sprayed into the sky.
On the rooftop of Vermillion Bird Avenue, Zhao Changhe slowly lowered his bow, standing tall, his expression unreadable.
Then, with a voice barely above a whisper, he muttered to himself, “You dared to ambush my Qing’er... And you had the audacity to impersonate Blindie? You’re not worthy.”
1. This mirror was mentioned in Chapter 707 but was not given an actual name. ☜
