Li Huowang locked eyes with the young man wearing reflective sunglasses.
The had slicked-back hair. A leather jacket clung to his frame, and slightly worn jeans completed his look. His otherwise unremarkable face had a few irregular black moles.
Li Huowang was certain they'd never met before, yet there was something familiar about him.
That feeling made Li Huowang instinctively open his mouth. "Shai Zi?"
The man with the sunglasses didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his coat with one hand, pulling out three grenades.
Without hesitation, he bit down on the pin of one and hurled all three directly at Li Huowang and his group. "Kaboom!"
Everything happened so fast that no one had time to react.
As the grenades flew toward him, Li Huowang gritted his teeth and charged forward. He swung his severed arm at the explosives with all his strength.
To his surprise, the grenades didn't explode on contact. Instead, the grenades expanded, and a loud sound filled the air. They released thick black smoke that instantly engulfed the entire room, blinding everyone inside.
Li Huowang had been tricked. They weren't explosivesโthey were smoke bombs designed to deceive and intimidate. ๐ง๐โฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ญ.๐ธโด๐
"Hahaha!" The man's arrogant laughter faded into the distance.
Li Huowang's heart sank.ย Damn it! He's just here to buy time for the Three Pure Ones to escape!
He opened his mouth, but the sharp, pungent smoke filled his lungs and choked him. The blinding, stinging sensation made it impossible to see or breathe properly.
"Three Pure Ones! Don't think of running!" Li Huowang covered his mouth and nose, rushing toward the sound of a car engine starting up.
He burst out of the smoke with tears streaming down his face. Once he did, he saw a roofless Jeep with its headlights on speeding straight at him. The sunglasses-wearing man was at the wheel, and in the backseat sat Qing Wanglai.
Li Huowang gritted his teeth and leaped to the side as the Jeep swerved away. It sped down a narrow path through a bamboo grove, quickly leaving the villa behind.
Wiping his face, Li Huowang turned and sprinted to the underground garage. Moments later, the roar of a motorcycle engine filled the air. Li Huowang shot out of the garage, hot on the Jeep's trail.
On his way out, he spotted Yang Na by the roadside, choking on the tears caused by the smoke. She clutched a military knife in one hand, raising the other to give him a thumbs-up.
As they passed each other, Li Huowang reached out with his severed arm.
Yang Na grabbed on, using the momentum to leap onto the back of the bike. She steadied herself, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
Vroom!ย The motorcycle roared as Li Huowang pushed it to its limits, quickly closing the gap between them and the fleeing Jeep.
Qing Wanglai's Jeep sped ahead on the suburban roads while Li Huowang pursued closely behind.
Though his bike was fast, the Jeep gained an edge on every curve, maintaining a stalemate.
Yang Na grew anxious. She quickly assessed the distance between them, sheathed her military knife, and pulled a handgun from her waist. Then, she took aim.
Bang!ย A miss.
Bang!ย Another miss.
"Huowang, stop moving! I can't aim properly!"
"This is a motorcycle! How do you expect it not to move? Don't aim for the people. Shoot the tires!"
After several more shots, the Jeep suddenly shook violently, its speed dropping sharply.
"We got them! "Li Huowang said, twisting the throttle even harder. They quickly pulled up alongside the Jeep.
Qing Wanglai leveled a gun directly at Li Huowang's bandaged head.
Bang!ย Qing Wanglai's hand exploded, his blood spraying everywhere. Yang Na had fired a perfect shot.
"Nana! Take over!" Li Huowang grabbed her hands and placed them on the handlebars before vaulting off the motorcycle and onto the Jeep.
He crashed into the vehicle and lunged at Qing Wanglai, seizing him by the throat. Within moments, Qing Wanglai's face turned purple as he gasped for air.
"I don't care what you're up to! I don't even want to know! I only care about one thingโyou killed Suisui! My daughter is dead because of you!"
Li Huowang remained unyielding, his grip tightening. The man in sunglasses struck him several times on the back, but Li Huowang didn't loosen his hold.
Just as Qing Wanglai's head was about to be crushed by Li Huowang's grip, Qing Wanglai reached out and grabbed Li Huowang's arm. A faint, confident smile formed on his purple face.
With the last of his air, Qing Wanglai rasped, "Brother Li... help me."
In an instant, the surrounding environment shifted. Li Huowang found himself back in the devastated world of Da Nuo, holding the severed head of Zhuge Yuan in his hands.
Zhuge Yuan and Qing Wanglai's faces merged into one. The events that had occurred in the past now overlapped with the present.
Qing Wanglai took advantage of Li Huowang's momentary distraction. He bent his knee and drove his foot into Li Huowang's stomach.
The force sent Li Huowang flying and knocked him off the Jeep. As he hit the ground, he saw Qing Wanglai leaning against the window, looking at him with his signature smile.
Thump!ย Li Huowang's back slammed against the ground. The feeling of bones breaking and organs shifting left him paralyzed on the ground.
Li Huowang lay still, covered in dirt and dust. He raised his head, his lone eye capturing the sight of the Jeep shrinking into the distance.
Yang Na had initially planned to pursue on the motorcycle, but when she noticed Li Huowang lying on the ground, she decided that attending to him was more important.
She twisted the brakes sharply, and the motorcycle's tires screeched to a halt, drawing a black arc in front of Li Huowang.
She jumped off the bike and quickly helped Li Huowang to his feet. "Huowang, are you okay? Where does it hurt?"
Li Huowang's eyes blazed with hatred as he looked in the direction where the Jeep had vanished. "Qing Wanglai!"
Thirty minutes later, Li Huowang limped back into Qing Wanglai's villa with Yang Na's help, battered and bruised.
Everyone else was there. They were acting as if nothing had happened. Some were watching TV, others were eating, and some were discussing various matters.
Li Huowang walked past them and approached Zhao Shuangdian. With his severed arm, he slammed her laptop against the wall and shattered it.
"Why didn't you help? Why?! Qing Wanglai would not have gotten away so easily if your people had acted!"
Chapter 981 - Untitled
Zhao Shuangdian looked at Li Huowang and said calmly, "What should we have done? Go down and fight him to the death?
"And then what? If we destroy each other, other elephants will come after us. We'd just be waiting to die together."
Zhao Shuangdian glanced at Wu Qi, who was on the phone. "Relay a message to Qing Wanglai for me. Regardless of his past actions, we can still sit down and talk. The previous cooperation agreement between us is still valid.
"My only condition is that he tells me everything he knows. I need more parameters for my calculations."
Wu Qi felt rather annoyed at the moment. She turned away and casually waved her hand in Zhao Shuangdian's direction.
Noticing Li Huowang's incredulous expression, Zhao Shuangdian stood and patted his shoulder. "I dislike Qing Wanglai too. I understand how you feel, but I hope you understand that the overall situation is more important."
"No! You don't understand! You haven't lost a daughter because of him! How could you possibly understand my feelings?" Li Huowang's voice rose, his veins bulging on his forehead.
"And what will killing Qing Wanglai accomplish? Will your daughter come back? Qing Wanglai's death will not bring your daughter back. In fact, not having his help could lead to us being wiped out when the other elephants attack."
"No, Qing Wanglai isn't the real focus," Yang Na said. "We should be focusing on the Heavenly Daos he controls. We don't need himโjust his power. If we kill him, we can absorb his Heavenly Daos, just like he did with the other Simings."
Despite their peculiar explanations, Zhao Shuangdian kept a serious expression. "You don't get it. Do you think I value Qing Wanglai for his power? No, it's his intelligence I value!
"He knows things we don't, and he can even manipulate the aspects of other elephants. These are vital parameters, ones that might rebuild the whole model. This is crucial!"
"I can't even build a logical mathematical model of our enemy because we know too little about these other elephants."
Yang Na's face showed a hint of conflict. She didn't know what to do next. She turned to Li Huowang. "What do you think, Huowang?"
Li Huowang was lost in thought and remained silent.. After a long pause, he buried his face in his hands and let out a bitter, silent laugh.
"Li Huowang, I'm telling you, this is the optimal solution. It's the only way we can maximize our chances of winning."
Li Huowang heard Zhao Shuangdian's words and lowered his hands. "I'm fine, Zhijian, don't worry. Have the others fall back.
"Hmm, I was just dealing with some things. For now, divide one of the Dragon Veins between the Tianchen Kingdom and the Great Qi. Keep the rest for later, as I might need them.
"I have other matters to handle. I'll be going," Li Huowang said. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐.๐๐ ๐ฆ
He brushed off Yang Na, who was holding onto him. Then, he started pacing aimlessly around the hall.
After a few laps, he stopped before a potted money tree. He stared blankly at it. "There's no one around now. Zhao Shuangdian, I'm speaking to you.
"Qing Wanglai's matter is not done. It's not just about the fact that he stole a part of my name. He killed my daughter. If not for that button forcing me back from the seventh stage to the sixth, I would have killed him already. My daughter didn't have to sacrifice herself to summon Jiang Xiangshou!"
Li Huowang paused, then spoke to the money tree before him again, saying, "We don't need to worry about what happens after the Three Pure Ones die. When he's gone, his Heavenly Daos will become ours. Our strength will actually increase. At most, there might be a brief period of Natural Disasters."
His words echoed Yang Na's earlier sentiment.
"At the end of the day, I can take over his duties. Besides, with all that's happened, he hasn't contributed much."
"No, that's not the point. What I mean isโ" Zhao Shuangdian started to respond but stopped herself, realizing Li Huowang wouldn't listen to her in his current state. She felt rather troubled.
Li Huowang said, "Negotiating with you like this is inconvenient. Next time I come back, I'll go to Yi Donglai for treatment to get rid of this bothersome situation.
"During this time, keep a close eye on Yi Donglai. Don't let him run away. He's the only one who can treat me. Thanks."
Ba Nanxu grabbed a cold beer from the fridge as she observed from the sidelines. She took a sip and scoffed. "Idiot."
***
In Cowheart Village, the day's work was done, and a few villagers began to gather under the big tree at the village entrance. Some had their dinner bowls in hand.
This was Cowheart Village's social spot for chatting and cooling off. People boasted and gossiped here.
Those with hearty meals proudly displayed them, while others with simpler meals tried to hide theirs.
Close friends would even taste each other's food and comment on the cooking skills of one another's wives.
Puppy rolled up his sleeves, holding a bowl piled high with braised pork over rice. He squatted between the tree roots and asked, "Why isn't Xiaohai here?"
"He doesn't even cook now. He's too busy with his pregnant wife. It's probably a boy, judging by the pointed belly. He's been treating her really well lately."
Since his wife was about to give birth, he didn't have time to cook for the village anymore. Cowheart Village had returned to a system where each person cooked for themselves.
"What's the big deal? I'm telling you, boys aren't as good as girls! When they grow up, boys are not as sensible as girls." Puppy didn't even touch his pork. Instead, he smeared his lips with oil as he spoke.
"Things have been peaceful these past few years. No wars, no Natural Disasters," added a teacher, sipping his cornmeal porridge with preserved meat.
"That's true," others chimed in. Life had been easier since the fall of the Dharma Sect.
"Well, naturally! That's all thanks to my Senior! You know who he is?" Puppy grinned, waiting for a response.
"Here we go again."
"Exactly, who asked him?"
"We know, we know! He's the Emperor of the Great Liang! Will you be miserable if you don't say it every day?"
"Are you going to brag about this your whole life?"
Puppy kissed a piece of braised pork before setting it down and scooping up a spoonful of rice. "What? Can't I speak the truth? Since he's my senior, I'm practically royalty!
"Back then, he insisted I become the prime minister because of our bond, but I refused."
Chapter 982 - Cowheart Village
The teacher heard Puppy's bold claim and gasped in shock, scalding his tongue. He glared at Puppy with indignation.
"You! How absurd! How dare you insult the wise ones like this! Do you even know the importance of a prime minister's role? How dare you think you're fit for it?
"Do you realize how much knowledge is required for such a position? You, who can't even recite the basics of the Three Character Classic, dare to say such things?"
Puppy sneered. "What's the big deal? If simpletons can be emperors, I can be a prime minister." ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐น.๐๐ ๐
While Puppy argued with the teacher, a frail-looking woman walked past the village entrance, looking exhausted.
She carried a basket from which a piece of lotus root peeked out from the covers. She spotted the gathering of villagers, then quickened her pace toward the village, almost colliding with three monkey children coming her way.
The monkey children, who had been brought by Yang Xiaohai, looked much better now. Although they still had some monkey-like mannerisms, they appeared more human and bowed respectfully to the woman.
Zhao Wu observed the scene and whispered to the others, "Did you hear? These new arrivals supposedly had the same illness as Senior Li. They're better now, so they were sent here."
This comment sparked a discussion about the newcomers in Cowheart Village. These odd folks kept to themselves and rarely interacted with the villagers. They even occasionally burst into laughter while walking alone.
Puppy used his chopsticks to stop a monkey child from snatching a piece of braised pork from his bowl. He asked in disbelief, "Is Senior Li's illness actually curable? That's nonsense. I've never seen him get better."
"Aren't you just an accountant? How do you know anything? Did Chun Xiaoman from the White Lotus Sect write to tell you?"
At the mention of Chun Xiaoman, Zhao Wu's face darkened. "Mind your own business. Why are you so nosy?"
Puppy smirked smugly, holding his bowl close to himself.
An old, lone carriage appeared on the road into the village. It was pulled by an old horse. When they looked closer, they realized it was Lu Xiucai's family carriage.
"Where's Xiucai heading?"
"He's probably off to take the imperial exams."
Puppy defended his friend. "Stop talking nonsense. He's been holed up at home since returning, without studying, farming, or practicing martial arts. Who knows what's wrong with him? I asked him about his hands and feet growing back, and he wouldn't answer."
"Maybe he's possessed? Should we get someone to check?"
As Lu Xiucai approached the villagers, Puppy said, "Xiucai, where are you headed?"
Puppy noticed the Lu Family Troupe's theater trunk in the carriage. Juan'er and Lu Xiucai's eccentric father, Lu Zhuangyuan, were also in the carriage.
"Wow, bringing everyone? Are you moving out?"
Puppy joked, but a realization dawned on him, and his face grew serious. "You're not actually moving away from Cowheart Village, are you?"
Lu Xiucai smiled silently and shook his head. "I'm just taking Juan'er and my father out for a bit. We're also looking for my missing nephew, Lu Tongsheng."
"You'll never find him by yourself. You should ask Sister Bai. She's the head of the White Lotus Sect now, overseeing the entire sect."
Lu Xiucai's face darkened as he remembered the gruesome practices of the White Lotus followers and the sometimes frenzied Bai Lingmiao.
"No need. She's changed, and so has the White Lotus Sect. I don't understand it, and I don't want to. I've written to my master, so it's out of my hands now."
Lu Xiucai disregarded the others and continued down the path. Soon, the village disappeared from view.
His deranged father lay against the theater trunk, muttering disjointed theater lines.
"Father, you were right. We're just traveling performersโsimple commoners. The great affairs of the world don't concern us.
"Now that the Dharma Sect is gone and we've avenged my brother and sister-in-law, we only need to mind our own business.
"Let the Emperor be, let the White Lotus Sect be. None of it matters to us. Let's live our lives in peace.
"Father, rest assured. If Tongsheng wasn't found, then he's still out there. He is not dead. We'll find him.
"When we do, I'll teach him all about theater. We'll revive the Lu Family Troupe and save up bit by bit to buy our own theater, without any handouts. Won't that be nice?"
He glanced back, but Lu Zhuangyuan remained slumped and unresponsive. Juan'er stood up and carefully wiped his mouth with a cloth.
"Alright. Now it's my turn to take charge," Lu Xiucai said, leading the carriage forward.
Suddenly, familiar footsteps sounded behind them, overlapping with the horse's trot.
A resentful female voice called out softly, "Xiucai, did you forget that you have a wife? Are you planning to leave me behind?"
Lu Xiucai didn't turn around. "The Lu Family Troupe is no longer around. The fields we split are all yours. You have everything you need. Live well here in Cowheart Village.
"I'm not much of a husband, and I was rarely around. I bought you long ago. The contract's burned, and you're free now.
"Xiucai! But I'm your wife!"
"I am a White Donkey. I swore to the Heavenly Mater never to marry, or she'll never forgive me."
Lu Xiucai shut his eyes tightly, his expression conflicted. "Go back. You're young, so find someone else. The theater troupe isn't a place for women. I won't let you suffer like my sister-in-law did."
Chapter 983 - Murderous Aura
As Lu Xiucai retreated without turning back, the woman's voice trembled, her emotions overwhelming her.
"Fine, you said it! You think I don't have other options? I'll feed another man with the crops I grow from your land! By the time you come crawling back, you'll regret it!"
Her sobs and footsteps faded away. Lu Xiucai sighed deeply and continued on.
As he walked through the green woods, he began singing a verse his father had taught him. "On my journey under autumn skies~ I come to pay respects in Zhuanzhu Alley!"
An old voice from behind joined him, singing, "A true man will create a world-shaking enterprise~"
Tears glistened in Lu Xiucai's eyes. He turned to see his father, Lu Zhuangyuan, singing the familiar lines. Though he was still mad, he continued the verses by instinct.
Lu Xiucai continued, "Turn the world around~ Wash the sun in the Milky Way!"
The voices of the old and young overlapped, echoing down the road. "Heroes gather, and stars in the sky exchange words!
"Dragons and snakes of the great marsh rise~ March joyfully down the road!"
The night grew deep, and Lu Xiucai reached a small town before midnight.
He walked through the silent streets, searching for an open inn. He glanced back and saw his elderly father and young niece asleep on the cart. Then, he continued onward.
Suddenly, he heard the crash of ceramics breaking, followed by an angry woman's voice from a nearby house. "Chen! I've had it! I can't live like this!"
"Crazy woman! You think I'm afraid? I'll write you a divorce letter right now!"
Recognizing it as a domestic quarrel, Lu Xiucai relaxed and kept walking. However, only a few steps later, another argument reached his ears. ๐ณ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ป๐๐๐๐ฅ.๐๐ ๐
"Are you trying to kill me? Have you ever done a day's work after coming into this family?"
"Blind old hag! Can't you see what I've done? My hands are chapped from washing clothes in the river all winter! All you care about is that I haven't given you a grandson! My body, my choice. Try having one with your son!"
Before the two women had finished arguing, another gruff male voice cut in, saying, "Damn! Can't you people stop bickering? Some of us are trying to sleep!"
The noise of quarrels surrounded him, and the air grew heavy with hostility. Lu Xiucai frowned.ย Why are the people here so temperamental? No one would want to listen to theater here. We'll rush off after staying the night.
He continued forward but felt that something was off. There were too many people with hot tempers here.
It would be one thing if it were just people arguing late into the night. However, even those asleep seemed to be cursing in their dreams.
When he reached the small town's main road, a dense murderous aura pricked at his senses. He immediately became vigilant, drawing the bronze coin sword strapped to his back. He prepared to lead the carriage out of this strange town.
Soon, the night's calm vanished as shouts of rage and cursing filled the air. Shadows of people fighting appeared under the candlelight, and faint traces of blood began to appear. It seemed the whole town had gone mad.
A surge of murderous aura slammed into him as he turned a corner. Lu Xiucai looked up and saw the murderous aura almost become something material, spewing out from a small cart.
There was a small black coffin on the cart, its lid open. The murderous aura spread out from there, infecting the people around it.
Lu Xiucai was about to cover the coffin, but a dark figure stepped into his path.
Lu Xiucai brandished his bronze coin sword to fend off his foe. With a clattering sound, a red thread with bronze coins lashed out towards the figure.
The figure suddenly flipped his robe around, wearing it backward and revealing rows of rusty knives hanging from it. The makeshift armor deflected Lu Xiucai's attack.
Before he could retract his sword, a woman with bronze coins tied around her eyes leaped down from a rooftop. With a flick of her sleeve, she snatched the bronze coin sword away from him.
"Take this!" she shouted, throwing a rusty cleaver at him. Lu Xiucai narrowly caught it and flung it aside.
He pulled out the Profound Records and laid it on the ground.
Before he could do anything, the opponent spoke with a haughty and rather impatient tone, saying, "Ao Jing Sect? Your elders approved the Murderous Aura Command. Do you dare defy your sect's elders? The Surveillance Bureau is operating here. Leave!"
"Surveillance Bureau?" Lu Xiucai stared at her in disbelief.
He would have never imagined that the people sneaking around in the middle of the night and harming the people here were the Great Liang's Surveillance Bureau!
The Great Liang's Surveillance Bureau, meant to help the empire protect the realm, orchestrated this chaos.
Glancing at their waist badges, Lu Xiucai asked in disbelief, "Why are you doing this? Do you understand the consequences of infecting this town with this murderous aura?"
The group exchanged glances, then looked at him with puzzled expressions. "Of course. The murderous aura will lessen their fear, driving them into a rage and making them seek revenge for their past grievances. The town will descend into chaos, and a few hundred will die.
"Leave now, or you'll find yourself in trouble. This is an imperial order. Every place in the Great Liang is to be infected with the murderous aura. No exceptions!"
"An imperial decree? By Gao Zhijian?"
Even after recalling the evil acts of the White Lotus Sect's spirits, Lu Xiucai struggled to understand why.
He wondered why his previous acquaintances became so cold-blooded and distant.ย Do they not view people as living beings anymore? Don't they know how many people are going to die here?
"Hold on, did you say the entire Great Liang will be infected with the murderous aura?
"Even Cowheart Village?"
A lump caught in his throat.
"Cowheart Village? The one at the back? Of course, my Senior has already taken his bloodthirsty blade there."
Chapter 984 - White Yang
"Infection of murderous aura?!" Lu Xiucai looked around at the chaos caused by the murderous aura. It had caused drastic changes to the personalities of those affected.
He broke out in cold sweat when he imagined his wife and friends suffering the same fate.
Lu Xiucai was overcome with anxiety. Ignoring everything else, he quickly hopped onto his carriage, made a sharp turn, and sped back towards Cowheart Village.
Although the journey out had been swift, the return felt agonizingly slow. He didn't know if he'd make it in time, but he could only press onward. He tossed out all his theater tools and belongings to make his return faster, keeping only Lu Zhuangyuan and Juan'er with him.
As the carriage raced down the dusty road, Lu Xiucai spotted a figure standing by the roadside. It was a man who looked like an ordinary farmer, yet somehow exuded an air of peculiarity.
The man clutched a kitchen knife, his body and mouth smeared with blood. It was impossible to tell if the blood was his own.
He stood motionless, glaring at Lu Xiucai with seething hatred. The murderous aura had consumed him, giving him the courage to commit acts he wouldn't have done before.
The cart sped past, but the man's gaze burned deeply into Lu Xiucai's memory.
He realized this wasn't an isolated incident. The same madness was erupting throughout the Great Liang. The entire Great Liang had gone mad.
"Gao Zhijian, what are you trying to achieve? Open your eyes and see what you've caused! You tyrant!"
"Faster! Go faster!" Lu Xiucai whipped the horse continuously until it foamed at the mouth.
He couldn't control the events happening elsewhere, but he was determined to help Cowheart Village, home to everyone dear to him.
After rushing the entire way, Lu Xiucai finally arrived just before dawn. The exhausted horse collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
Lu Xiucai stood on the edge of the village, still shrouded in morning mist. He hesitated, fearing a repeat of the horrors he'd seen in the small town.
His face paled as he finally forced himself to walk into the mist.
As he ventured further, he sensed wisps of murderous aura seeping out of the fog. His heart sank lower and lower. "No... no, no!"
He rushed into the fog desperately and headed straight into Cowheart Village.
Finally, he broke through the mist and froze. He saw a towering red blade radiating murderous aura, spreading in every direction.
The blade was not inside the village itself. It was embedded in the ground near Bai Lingmiao.
Bai Lingmiao sat quietly on a stone opposite the blade, dressed in white. She silently watched Cowheart Village awaken to a rooster's crow. ๐๐ณ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ฏโด๐ฃ๐ฆ๐.๐ค๐๐
She gently said, "Don't worry, I knew they'd come today. I stopped them."
Her expression grew conflicted. "Logically, I shouldn't have done it. All followers of the White Lotus Sect were summoned to be infected by the murderous aura. However, I used my authority to shield my fellow disciples...
"I know I should be impartial, but the thought of everyone becoming a soldier and being sacrificed was unbearable. Even if we lose, I want them to live a little longer..."
Lu Xiucai stepped forward and said, "Mistress, I don't know what others might say, but I know you did the right thing."
He continued, "There's no point in worrying so much about right or wrong. Someone strong will always rise to hold up the falling sky. Our priority should be protecting our own people. We can figure out the rest later."
Bai Lingmiao turned toward Lu Xiucai. "But what if you're the one meant to hold up the sky?"
Lu Xiucai had no answer. He stood there in silence.
Bai Lingmiao rose as the Second Deity emerged from her back, pulling out the massive red blade from the ground and wrapping it tightly with white silk.
Lu Xiucai noticed she was planning to leave and moved to follow her. But before long, his wife stopped him. "I knew you couldn't bear to leave me! I knew it!"
Ignoring the commotion, Bai Lingmiao strolled through the village where she'd grown up. It was filled with people again, almost as if it had returned to its former glory.
She walked to the Bai Family's ancestral hall and looked at the ancestral tablets on the wall. She took three incense sticks from the offering table, lit them carefully, and kowtowed nine times toward the tablets.
She kneeled on the mat, deep in thought as she gazed at the ancestral tablets. After a long time, she took a deep breath and picked up the blade wrapped in white silk.
I may have spared my kin this time, but I won't send others to do what I'm unwilling to do myself. That would be shameless.
As she slowly unwrapped the blade from the silk, the murderous aura filled the air, causing the tablets on the wall to vibrate.
I cannot be soft-hearted if I want revenge for Suisui.
The confusion on her face faded as she gripped the blade, replaced by a look of fierce determination.
Simultaneously, the expression of the Second Deity softened. Their four hands firmly grasped the blade, while a palpable hostility manifested on their faces.
The two of them simultaneously curled their lips, revealing cruel smiles.
With great force, they swung the enormous blade, firmly gripping it with their right hands. The sharp blade severed the candle's wick, spilling the melted wax onto the incense.
The incense was lit, and the flames began to ignite the offering table. The flames from the table set the entire wall of ancestral tablets on fire. When Bai Lingmiao walked out of the ancestral hall, thick smoke had already begun to billow inside.
"Get water! Quickly put out the fire! There's a ton of grain stored below! Enough to feed us for decades!" Puppy shouted in panic, leading the others from Cowheart Village to extinguish the fire.
After Bai Lingmiao walked out of Cowheart Village, the followers of the White Lotus Sect, marked with White Donkey tattoos, gradually gathered behind her. This group included various people and elderly Lamas. Their numbers swelled into a massive force.
Bai Lingmiao held the red blade in both right hands, picked up a drum from her waist with her left hand, and grasped a spine sword with her last hand.
This was Li Huowang's spine sword, though he no longer had any use for it.
Bai Lingmiao sensed a connection between the Great Qi and the Great Liang through the spine sword she held. Both mouths opened simultaneously, saying, "Prepare the sect. We must quickly spread the murderous aura across the entire Tianchen Kingdom!
"Today, the Tianchen Kingdom has no ruler. We must help the Heavenly Mater reclaim her Void Home!"
"Yes, Saintess! As the Red Yang's calamity ends, the White Yang shall rise!" the White Donkey followers replied in unison.
Chapter 985 - Counterattack
A gentle breeze tousled Li Huowang's hair as he stood motionless, gripping Shai Zi's bloodied head in his right hand. The lifeless, headless body of the Imperial Preceptor of Great Liang lay crumpled on the ground beside him.
Although the Imperial Preceptor had concealed himself well, once Li Huowang learned that the Three Pure Ones had planted Huangfu Tiangang, he had no choice but to kill him.
His attention was not on the corpse. He was standing on the city walls of Shangjing, staring at the chaos unfolding below.
Even from this height, he could feel the thick murderous aura spreading across the city.
The city had descended into utter chaos. People turned on each other over the slightest provocations. It was as if the entire social order was on the brink of collapse, with everyone consumed by wrath.
Li Huowang's keen eyesight allowed him to witness the countless conflicts below. Constant fights and deaths were occurring at every turn. The city was nearly a battlefield.
The Murderous Aura Command was not a mere term. It bore heavily on every citizen, weighing on them like a mountain.
However, it was clear that Gao Zhijian's aim wasn't to curse the people and leave them to fend for themselves. The rhythmic clang of gongs filled the air.
A soldier bearing two triangular flags galloped down the main road, shouting, "Come for the emperor's food! Eat from the emperor's stores!
"Men and women aged eight to seventy! Two guans[1] of coins every month, three dous of[2] rice and meat with every meal!"
The offer was irresistible to most of them. The offer was essentially a lifeline for the masses. While enlistment was dangerous, it was nothing to those infected by the murderous aura.
The gong echoed through the city while the people of Shangjing surged towards the military headquarters, driven by the promise of food and money.
This wasn't limited to Shangjing alone. Similar events unfolded across the entire Great Liang, Qing Qiu, and Hou Shu.
Gao Zhijian was right. The common folk had indeed become soldiers, and soldiers were but commoners. Whether the people were citizens or soldiers was entirely his choice. A new and vast army would soon rise, larger and more formidable than before.
How many people are there in the world? How many times can we summon Jiang Xiangshou?
Jiang Xiangshou seemed less like a Siming and more like a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao itself, its power accessible to those willing to pay the price.
Li Huowang looked up towards the heavens, his thoughts drifting to the other Simings whose ways of existence remained shrouded in mystery.
Footsteps echoed behind him. Gao Zhijian, flanked by eunuchs, approached him on the city wall. "Senior Li, it won't be long now. The new army will be ready soon."
"Good," Li Huowang said, his gaze dropping from the turmoil below. "While we're free, let me tell you something. You see, I can communicate with other Simings beyond the Baiyu Capital. I've been opposing Fu Shengtian with them all this time."
Gao Zhijian hesitated, looking at Li Huowang. "But Brother Li, haven't you been here this whole time? You haven't been to Baiyu Capital."
"I didn't say it's the current me. That's because it's the other me, which is also me. Whatever he does, I do as well."
Gao Zhijian remained silent. He looked confused, clearly having trouble understanding.
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. Since I hold the Heavenly Dao of Bewilderment, even I don't fully understand how it works."
Li Huowang chuckled wryly when Gao Zhijian remained quiet. "You don't believe me? Maybe you think I'm going crazy again? I won't blame you."
"No, Senior Li, I believe you. Go on."
"There isn't much more to say. Soon, mortals and the Simings of the Baiyu Capital will unite and fight Fu Shengtian together.
"The Dragon Veins in the mortal world prevent the Simings from intervening directly. Any attempt through other channels is distorted. I'm the exceptionโI alone can perceive what truly unfolds in the Baiyu Capital.
"When it's time to face Fu Shengtian, the Simings of the Baiyu Capital will decide on the course of action, and the mortals will follow their lead."
Mortals could not approach Simings. Even approaching them would incur the influence of the Heavenly Dao.
"In short, I'll decide how the world supports them and when Jiang Xiangshou is summoned from now on. Do you understand?
"It's not that I want to take over your authority, but the battle above shifts rapidly and requires swift action. We can't afford to wait for you emperors to deliberate slowly."
Gao Zhijian shook his head. "That's fine. With you bearing the responsibility, my load feels much lighter. I'll talk to them, and we'll follow your lead."
"That's good."
With Gao Zhijian's reassurance, Li Huowang knew he could call upon Jiang Xiangshou's aid the next time they faced Fu Shengtian, which would give him a powerful advantage.
This was why the Murderous Aura Command was necessary despite its cruelty.
"Senior Li, do you know what Junior Bai's people are up to?"
Li Huowang nodded slowly. "Yes, she told me. I even gave her the spine sword."
Gao Zhijian nodded and turned to leave the city wall.
As he took his first step, Li Huowang's expression changed. "It's a Natural Disaster."
This time, the Natural Disaster was silent. No one noticed it because it was the disappearance of Growth itself.
Li Huowang realized immediately what this signified. The Heavenly Dao of Growth had likely been lost. Zuoqiu Yong seemed to be gone from the Baiyu Capital, and the Three Pure Ones must have seized the Heavenly Dao of Growth.
This wasn't good news. The Three Pure Ones became stronger, and his next move was uncertain. Including Doulao's Heavenly Dao of Lies, the Three Pure Ones now controlled at least the Heavenly Daos of Secrets, Lies, and Growth.
He didn't know if Qing Wanglai had any other hidden Heavenly Daos. At the very least, Qing Wanglai must have taken something from Li Huowang and the Five Dhyani Buddhas.
A sudden idea struck Li Huowang. He stepped out with his right foot, instantly transporting himself from the city wall to the Righteous Monastery.
The monastery was now eerily quiet, with only a handful of visitors. When the murderous aura had infected everyone, they stopped fearing death and lost all reverence, so no one came to worship.
Li Huowang ignored the monks, who greeted him with folded hands. He quickly moved through the various halls and finally reached a specific shrine.
He had been here once before. Today was his second visit. A statue of Zhuge Yuan stood atop a grand lotus pedestal, clad in yellow with cinnabar marked on his forehead.
The shrine was once well-cared for, with an overflowing incense burner and Zhuge Yuan's figure coated in gold.
This statue of Zhuge Yuan was the first one, which served as a model for replicas in other temples.
Qing Wanglai had used this to do something to the Five Dhyani Buddhas.
No matter what the Three Pure Ones intended, Li Huowang would try his best to stop him since they were now enemies.
Li Huowang lifted his hand. The massive beam above the shrine snapped, making tiles and rubble crash down on Zhuge Yuan's statue.
As the statue of Zhuge Yuan was about to shatter under the weight, Li Huowang suddenly raised his right hand. The falling beam and rubble froze in mid-air.
Li Huowang shakily withdrew his hand and looked up at the stone statue of Zhuge Yuan. "Heh... Three Pure Ones, did you foresee this? Did you think of this too?"
The Three Pure Ones' counterattacks were always so silent. To Li Huowang, each one made him feel an unbearable discomfort. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐.๐๐ ๐ฆ
Li Huowang gritted his teeth, with his breath trembling. After a moment's hesitation, he forcefully pulled his clenched fist downward.
The suspended beam came crashing down with a heavy thud, causing the stone statue of Zhuge Yuan, sculpted in the image of Buddha, to shatter into countless pieces. Amongst the swirling dust, Zhuge Yuan's broken head wobbled and rolled right in front of Li Huowang.
1. A guan is a unit of measurement for coins. โ
2. A dou is a unit of measurement of roughly about 10 liters. โ
Chapter 986 - Treatment
Li Huowang opened his eyes. The sunlight coming from the window made him wince.
He waited several days before returning, but he didn't slack off. He had been clearing out the influences of the Three Ancient Ones.
Li Huowang vowed to stop any schemes hatched by the Three Ancient Ones in the Baiyu Capital as long as he drew breath.
As his eyes adjusted to the sunlight, Li Huowang noticed his surroundings had changed.
Qing Wanglai's beautiful mansion has been replaced with a dingy old house. The scenery outside of the window indicated that he was in the countryside.
Looking down, Li Huowang noticed someone had tightly bound him with some cloth.
He turned his head to the side, finding a disheveled Yang Na asleep beside him. She had been tending to him.
"Yang Na," he murmured.
She woke up at the sound of her name. She untied his bindings, kissed him gently, and promptly drifted back to sleep.
Li Huowang carefully draped the blanket over her body before putting on his shoes and stepping out of the room.
The scent of breakfast greeted him as he found Yi Donglai and the others eating together.
"You're up? Here, have some food."
A bowl of porridge, a salted egg, and two fried dough sticks were all they had for breakfast.
As he ate, Li Huowang asked, "Why are we here?"
"The elephant on the other side used the Laws to ambush us, so we moved base preemptively," Zhao Shuangdian replied, typing on her laptop while everyone else was enjoying their meal.
Li Huowang's heart sank. Their enemies were still trying to kill them.
This time, they'd evaded the danger. Next time, he was sure their luck would run out. ๐๐โฏ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐.๐โด๐
"You predicted their movements on the other elephant? What else can you predict?" Li Huowang asked, glancing at her laptop.
If Zhao Shuangdian could predict the movements of Fu Shengtian's Simings, they'd have a chance to plan accordingly.
"I'm still observing them. I'm not sure if my model is correct or if there are errors. Qing Wanglai's dissertation has only made things more complicated," Zhao Shuangdian said, frowning as she spoke.
Li Huowang snarled when he heard Qing Wanglai's name. He tried to suppress his anger. "Don't worry. We'll be fine, even without Qing Wanglai. I've found a lot of helpers this time."
Zhao Shuangdian propped her chin on her hand. "Strength isn't the issueโinformation is. What worries me is what he said before leaving."
Li Huowang's voice rose sharply. "Don't trust him! Shai Zi works for him. The Heavenly Dao of Lies is on his side. Everything he says is a lie!"
"Is there proof?"
"What?"
"If he's lying, what's his motive? I've thought about it, but I can't find a reason for him to deceive us. It doesn't make sense for him to lie about our common enemy unless he's from the other elephant.
"However, if that were the case, it'd be more logical for him to tell the truth. By sharing accurate information, he can use us to divert the attention of his enemies."
Li Huowang replied, "So you agree with him that there are existences stronger than the Simings? A Grand Siming? And that all these attacks we're enduring are just breezes from their movements? Is there nothing we can do but wait for our deaths?"
Zhao Shuangdian thought for a long time before shaking her head. "I don't know."
"I don't care if you trust him, but I will say this:ย Iย don't trust him at all." Li Huowang said. "I don't trust Qing Wanglai, and I don't trust Shai Zi!"
"If we truly stand no chance, what is making the Three Ancient Ones work so hard? Why go to such elaborate lengths over so many years? Is he bored?" Zhao Shuangdian said.
"He's mixing truth with lies! Trust me. I have more experience in dealing with the Sitting Oblivion Dao!"
Li Huowang poured another bowl of porridge and grabbed some buns before returning to his room. He swore that he wouldn't trust the Three Ancient Ones until he witnessed the truth with his own eyesโhe'd treat everything else as an illusion.
After placing a meal in his room for Yang Na, he walked out and turned to Yi Donglai. "Doctor Yi, are you done with your meal? Could you treat me after this? I'm so sorry about the past few days."
No matter what he had to face in the future, he needed to treat his illness first. He needed to become his strongest self to claim victory in future battles.
As for feeling sorry for Yi Donglai... He was no longer so hesitant after seeing the Murderous Aura Command being activated and how swathes of citizens perished.
Everyone had to pay a price to win, including himself and Yi Donglai. Li Huowang had to winโif he failed, every sacrifice made would be meaningless.
Yi Donglai wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded. "Come, let's go to the warehouse. It's quiet there."
Yi Donglai picked up his notebook and stood up.
Li Huowang followed, puzzled by his calm demeanor. Once inside, Yi Donglai gestured for him to sit.
"Li Huowang, I must admit that I judged you too harshly last time. I think I understand what you're going through now that I got to know these people."
Li Huowang frowned. "Are you getting Stockholm Syndrome and agreeing with their viewpoint?"
Yi Donglai opened his notebook and started scribbling. "Isn't that good? If I do, that means you get another ally. To be honest, I think you can bring more people into the fold if you can get them to sympathize with you. The more allies you have, the higher the chances of winning."
Li Huowang knew that Yi Donglai was using him as research material. To begin with, Yi Donglai was never in the fold.
"Impossible. There are not that many projections of Simings in the Baiyu Capital. Doctor Yi, let's ignore that for now. After I'm treated and we handle Fu Shengtian, we can talk as much as we want."
Yi Donglai sighed and nodded. "Fine. Here, look at this pen."
He held up a pen. "Listen closely. You need to follow my instructions carefully. This is important. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Good. Now listen to me. Look at this pen and close your eyes."
Li Huowang listened as Yi Donglai continued, "You will feel your body becoming relaxed and naturally lie down. You will sense your body gradually sinking downwards, without any perception of its end."
As Yi Donglai's voice grew fainter, Li Huowang's body slowly went numb. He felt lighter, and his surroundings turned darker.
Just then, he heard Yi Donglai's voice next to him. "Li... Huo... Wake... Wake up."
Chapter 987 - Tower
In the unkempt warehouse, Li Huowang leaned against the wall, his eyes snapping open in shock as he stared at Yi Donglai.
The voice still echoed in his ears, and cold sweat drenched his body. "What did you just say? What did you try to do?"
Li Huowang dared not think about the voice just now. Every time he did, a strange, intense fear emerged from his heart.
His agitation drew the attention of the others, who turned toward the commotion with confused expressions.
With everyone present in the warehouse, Yi Donglai snapped his notebook shut.
"Li Huowang, there's no need for such a dramatic reaction. I'm treating you. Isn't this exactly what you asked me to do?"
"Is waking me up part of the treatment?"
"What do you mean waking you up? I didn't say anything. Li Huowang, what are you talking about?"
"No, something's not right! Something isn't right! This isn't the first time!" Li Huowang ran to the window and looked outside.
He scanned the warehouse, looking at the roof and then the floor. He even touched the ground with his hands.
A deep, irrational fear gripped him, spreading like wildfire through his mind.
Why did he ask me to wake up? I am awake. Am I dreaming?
"Huowang, are you alright? What's wrong? Is something happening in the Baiyu Capital?"
Yang Na stepped forward, her concern evident, but Yi Donglai held her back.
"Don't approach him. It's fine. Let me do it."
Yi Donglai lifted his glasses before approaching Li Huowang. "You may have heard something, but don't forget about your condition. You have a severe mental illness. Auditory hallucinations are normal for someone like you. What you heard might not be real."
"Is it really? I had the same hallucination twice! Can you even believe what you're saying? Also, I'm not ill! I'm just temporarily trapped in the cracks between the two worlds!"
Yi Donglai sighed helplessly. "We've been over this. Even if what you're saying is true, you're still a mentally ill Siming, Li Huowang. Remember when you hallucinated three companions in the White Tower Hospital? You're genuinely illโthat's just the truth.
"If you're ill, you need treatment. Isn't that the entire reason you went through the trouble of bringing me here?"
Li Huowang was stunned. He had believed himself without doubt, but now he started to waver.
Li Huowang froze. His unwavering belief wavered, and cracks began to show. After glancing at the others, he slowly made his way to a stool and sat down.
There were two possibilities in front of him. Either his mind was playing tricks on him and none of it was real, or that voice he'd heard was realโand if it was, it meant trouble.
Thankfully, Li Huowang had a way to uncover the truth.
"Alright, Dr. Yi. Let's put this argument aside for now. I'll cooperate with your treatment. But if I'm cured and that voice remains, we'll know it's real. And if it's real, something's very wrong."
Li Huowang turned to Zhao Shuangdian. "Help me check the outside. I'm not afraid of anything, but I suspect that this could be an attack from Fu Shengtian."
Their common enemy was Fu Shengtian and its Simings. The Heavenly Daos they controlled were very bizarre.
Li Huowang could sense that their ambushes would be very bizarre too. They would always find unconventional angles to strike from, effectively driving their opponents to the brink of madness.
Doubt gnawed at Li Huowang.ย Was the voice real?
If everything I've fought so far is fake, what's the point of risking my life?
Despair washed over Li Huowang, but he quickly shook his head.ย No! I can't think like this! This is not the time to be thinking about this. Whatever happens, I must rid myself of Fu Shengtian's influence first. I won't give up, no matter what.
Li Huowang inhaled deeply, steadying himself. "Everyone, step outside. I need to focus on the treatment."
As everyone started to leave, Li Huowang caught Yang Na's arm. "Nana, stay here."
There was also another possibility that Yi Donglai was the one who had actually whispered. Maybe Yi Donglai bore resentment for being kidnapped. While the chance was minuscule, the possibility still existed.
Li Huowang pulled Yang Na to the corner of the room. "Nana, help me watch Yi Donglai. If anything's wrong with him, wake me up immediately."
"Alright."
Yag Na nodded and gently touched the handgun behind her back.
Yi Donglai restarted his treatment once the three of them were alone in the warehouse.
"Li Huowang, close your eyes once more and calm your heart. Now tell me what you are feeling."
Li Huowang complied, closing his eyes and steadying his breath before describing what he felt.
Yi Donglai proceeded, "Picture yourself standing atop a tower, prepared to descend the stairs and reach a grassy plain below. This tower consists of ten levels, and I will guide you step by step as we go down floor by floor. With every floor you descend, you will find yourself entering a deeper state of your dream. Slowly, you will feel your body relaxing and your heart growing calmer."
Li Huowang stood at the top of the tower and slowly made his way down to the grassy plains. He stood on the plain and felt his mood turning better immediately.
The grassy plain was like a paradise. Li Huowang wanted to stay there longer, but he had to keep moving forward.
He walked for an unknown length of time until he came across two paths before him.
One path was larger than the other. The smaller path was shrouded in darkness and had a quiet appearance. The larger path was covered in thorns, yet it appeared much brighter.
Li Huowang hesitated before ultimately choosing the larger path.
After walking for an unknown length of time, he suddenly encountered a dog. As the dog approached Li Huowang, it shifted into a mask.
The mask was engraved with an expression of pain. It tried to tell Li Huowang something, but no voice came from the hole depicting its mouth.
It grew larger, filling Li Huowang's vision until nothing else remained.
The grooves of the mask shifted, forming a large dirt road ahead. Li Huowang stepped onto it and continued forward.
Chapter 988 - Bell
As Li Huowang continued walking, darkness began to fall. The ground flattened, revealing a broken grave ahead. The graves were overgrown with grass, yet puzzlingly, three lit incense sticks stood in front of one.
The white smoke didn't dissipate, instead enveloping the grave like an illusion.
He approached the grave and tried to read the inscription carved into the headstone, but he couldn't recognize the characters of the words. He strangely felt he'd known this before, yet now he didn't. As he looked at the inscription, the words shifted form, constantly rearranging themselves.
Under his gaze, the words slowly merged and consolidated into two words. One formed into the character "ๆฉ " while the second formed "ๆฌ" instead.
The two words began to move and attack each other. Each word ripped lines from the opposing character and incorporated them into their own.
Unfortunately, it was clear that "ๆฉ " was losing. Most of its lines were ripped away, and its form started thinning.
In a desperate gambit, "ๆฉ " severed part of itself and hurled it toward "ๆฌ." While "ๆฌ" paused to seize the fragments, "ๆฉ " fled.
Li Huowang bent down, following "ๆฉ " as it scurried to the lower half of the gravestone. It traversed past mountains, rivers, ravines, and even strange white lights. Ultimately, it reached the ground and slipped by Li Huowang.
He gave chase, noticing "ๆฌ" in pursuit as well. As the gap between the two characters narrowed, both of them began to resonate. Their forms expanded, their lines transforming into something different.
Li Huowang moved backward and allowed space for the two characters to grow.
Startled by their growth, Li Huowang stepped back to give them space, but the speed of their growth exceeded his expectations. In just an instant, the characters stretched beyond the sky, enveloping Li Huowang completely before vanishing.
Li Huowang looked up and saw the sky filled with Chaos.
He extended his arms and wiped the sky, causing the sky to slowly grow brighter.
Li Huowang looked down. The grave had become larger than a mountain, but the two words had disappeared.
He shifted his gaze forward and saw a path on the mountain. He followed it and climbed up. After an unknown length of time, he finally reached the top. By then, the sky was already bright. He looked around at the increasingly bright forest.
Ding~ย A bell chimed. A cold wind blew past Li Huowang, carrying a fallen leaf and sending a chill through him. He hugged himself to keep warm while trudging forward, sneezing as the temperature dropped. Gradually, he began to shiver uncontrollably.
The bell chimed again, drawing his gaze to several camels sitting beside a makeshift stall. Their owner sat inside while eating. Drawn by the warmth and aroma, Li Huowang entered the stall.
Inside, several patrons sat at rough-hewn tables. They turned toward him in eerie unison at the sound of his footsteps. Their faces were featureless, their chopsticks were fused to their hands, and where their bodies met their clothes, the boundaries blurred.
Li Huowang found an empty table and sat. The others resumed their meals, and soon, the owner brought him a bowl of food. However, the border between the bowl and its contents was blurry. He ignored it and began eating, immediately feeling a warm sensation spread through him.
He wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.
At that moment, the owner tugged Li Huowang, leaving him confused. Li Huowang tried to touch the owner's hand, but the owner crumbled and scattered like sand.
In an instant, the stall, the camels, and the other patrons disintegrated, scattering into the wind. Li Huowang stood alone in a vast emptiness.
Ding~
The bell chimed once again. Li Huowang followed the sound of the bell, and a green forest slowly replaced the white surroundings.
Li Huowang's unease mounted with every step he took toward the sound of the bell. His surroundings were eerily familiar to him.
"I think I've been here before."
The moment he spoke, the forest turned into a dark green color. The path became muddy, making it difficult to walk.
He felt cold and sticky. He wanted to leave badly. He quickened his pace toward the sound of the bell.
The more he walked, the more familiar the scenery became. He started to recognize the trees and the stones.
His surroundings became more real too. Even the chime of the bell seemed painfully familiar.
"Who am I? Why am I here? Am I heading back?"
The ringing of the bell became clearer and faster. The source of the ringing shifted from the front to the back.
Li Huowang turned around and saw nothing.
However, everything had changed. Li Huowang was no longer the one chasing after the sound of the bell. He was being chased.
There was nothing behind him, but Li Huowang felt an irrational fear. He started running aimlessly. Soon, the sound of the bell was replaced by footsteps.
Suddenly, Li Huowang felt something kicking him from the back, causing him to stumble and begin falling down.
In the nick of time, a wrinkled hand caught Li Huowang's shirt and pulled him up. He looked up and finally saw the person that had been chasing after him. ๐ณ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ป๐๐๐๐ฅ.๐๐ ๐
"Hahaha. I can't believe I randomly found one in the forest. I'm so lucky!"
The man was none other than Dan Yangzi. He had been ringing the bell that summoned the Wandering Gods.
"AH!"
Li Huowang woke up in shock and looked at the empty warehouse. He stared at Yang Na and Yi Donglai but didn't recognize them.
Chapter 989 - Change
Li Huowang sat at the bottom of a dried-up well. He gazed up at the circle of white light above before looking down to find himself surrounded by talismans and red threads. A smile broke across his face. "I did it. I finally returned."
However, his smile quickly faded. "Wait, I did what? What exactly did I do? Why was I so happy?"
Li Huowang's attempt at recalling was met with a disconcerting emptiness in his mind. He recalled once being superimposed with... something. He tried and tried, but to no availโhe couldn't remember anything.
All he could recall was Dan Yangzi catching him.
But that wasn't the pressing matter. The lingering question that really gnawed at him was the reason for his happiness moments ago.
Fu Shengtian was at their doorstep, and the Murderous Aura Command had tainted almost everyone in the world. Just what reason did he have to feel joy?
Climbing out of the well with some effort, Li Huowang emerged to a strange sight. A group of people wearing oversized masks dancing with a Lion Dance. They made a large bamboo net with bamboo poles and danced on them, jumping and twirling in the air before landing on the bamboo net.
There were several burning bonfires beneath the bamboo net. The fires burned bright and smoke rolled upwards, making the people dance and twirl even faster.
Li Huowang recognized what was going on. This was the Nuo Opera of Hou Shu.
"Stop dancing. Someone tell me what's going on!"
With a wave of his arm, Li Huowang sent the fire and the bamboo net flying upwards. The surroundings became much clearer.
As Li Huowang huffed, one of the performers walked forward. "The Liang Kingdom's Emperor ordered us to rescue you. What you've done is very rude."
"You? Rescue me?" Li Huowang couldn't help but feel it was ridiculous. There was no way they could have saved him by performing.
"How could the Nuo Opera save me? Who are you trying to call to save me? Da Nuo? Da Nuo has gone crazy! It's a Grand Siming! If it has the time to respond to you, why isn't it destroying Fu Shengtian? Save me? It should save itself first!"
Li Huowang pushed the performer and jumped up to the highest point of the palace before shouting as loud as he could, "Where are you? Tell me what is going on!"
Li Huowang's voice spread throughout Shangjing, and someone soon answered him. It was none other than the Liang Kingdom's Emperor, Gao Zhijian.
Gao Zhijian was shocked to learn that Li Huowang had forgotten everything. "Senior Li, have you really forgotten everything? Weren't you the one who talked with the Simings of the Baiyu Capital? You were the one who said that you joined up with them to fight against the Simings of Fu Shengtian."
"Is that so?" Li Huowang stammered. puzzled. "Then why can't I remember anything? How did I contact them? How did I ally myself with the Simings to fight against Fu Shengtian?"
"Li Huowang, are you okay?" A gentle voice jolted him from his thoughts.
Li Huowang turned to see Yang Na looking at him with deep concern. He looked at her face in a daze before recognizing her as his girlfriend.
He extended his arms and hugged her tightly.
"Li Huowang, what's wrong? What happened?" Yang Na worriedly asked question after question.
Li Huowang remembered everything leading up to his encounter with Dan Yangzi. He felt troubled and lost, unsure of what was happening. "I don't know. I just felt that I was connected to something."
Yang Na gently touched the back of Li Huowang's head before letting him go. "Are you alright now? Is the trouble with Fu Shengtian over? Can you go back to who you were previously?"
Li Huowang thought carefully before turning to look at Yi Donglai. Doctor Yi, am I cured?"
Yi Donglai pushed his glasses and closed his notebook. "This is your illness. You should know if it's been resolved."
Li Huowang shook his head and raised his hands. "I don't know. I don't know what's happening on the other side. However, if I don't go back there soon, it would mean the issue with Fu Shengtian has been resolved."
"Then we can just wait," Yi Donglai said. "If it doesn't work, we can start your treatment again. One day, your illness will be gone for good."
However, Yi Donglai's words only worsened Li Huowang's anxiety. "Doctor Yi, this isn't the first time this has happened! I need to return to who I was. Otherwise, I'll lose if I switch back at a critical moment."
If he was genuinely unable to switch back and get in touch with Gao Zhijian and the rest, it meant that he wouldn't be able to summon the army of the Liang Kingdom to help him.
Yi Donglai looked at the door behind him before whispering, "I'm being monitored, so I can't say much. But as your doctor, I have to give you some advice. To get better, you must have a clear goal in your heart.
"The treatment won't help you if you don't follow it, no matter how long it goes on or how skilled I am. You need to understand one thingโwhatever happens on the other side is a hallucination. It's not real. Accepting this is the first step to recovery."
Li Huowang felt his heart go cold, but he refused to acknowledge it. "Doctor Yi, I didn't have that kind of understanding in the past. How did you treat me last time?"
"That's because I had the time to slowly get to know you and your symptoms. We don't have that luxury right now.
"Li Huowang, trust me. You won't end up well if you stay with them. They tricked you by reading my thesis and obtaining information about you. Everything on the other side is a hallucination." ๐๐๐ฆโฏ๐ธ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ทโฏ๐.๐๐๐
"Everything is fake?"
Li Huowang let out a bitter laugh as Yang Na looked on in confusion.
"Doctor Yi, Iย wantย to believe it's all fake. But I can't! That world is real! This isn't just about meโit's about the entire world!"
Yi Donglai sighed. "I can't treat you if you refuse to cooperate."
Li Huowang hesitated before deciding to gamble. "Do you trust me?"
"How do you want me to trust you? I only trust science. You'd need to somehow prove that the bizarre world is real using science."
Li Huowang bit his lips before taking something out from within his clothes.
They were pills roughly the size of a small glutinous rice ball. Golden words spelling out "lifespan" swam inside them.
"What are those?"
"Lifespan pills. I grabbed them from the Surveillance Bureau's vault."