The Gobi

Chapter 155: The Gobi

Li Huowang appeared relaxed, but his eyes were sharp and wary as he studied the monk before him.

Even though the monk hadn’t done anything harmful, Li Huowang couldn’t afford to gamble. He wouldn’t entrust his fate to someone else’s hands.

“Monk, can you tell me who you really are?” Li Huowang asked, a half-joking tone in his voice.

Someone else with designs on me?

A spy the Zhengde Temple sent after me?

Or is he the Zuowangdao the Abbess warned me about?

All of these were possible. And every single one of them meant big trouble.

“Me? I’m a monk. Why ask that all of a sudden?” the old monk replied, his expression utterly open.

Li Huowang studied his face closely, searching for any crack in the facade. He found nothing.

But even without proof, Li Huowang could no longer trust him easily.

When you can’t determine if something is a threat, the safest measure is distance. That was exactly what Li Huowang intended.

“Alright. The show’s over. How about we go our separate ways? You go do your good deeds, I go on my way. Farewell.”

“Why rush? It’s been a while. We could catch up,” the monk said with a grin, reaching out to grab Li Huowang’s sleeve. What met his hand was the sheath of Li Huowang’s sword.

The monk’s fingers stopped an inch from the sheath. He withdrew them, looking a little awkward.

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Aren’t we friends?”

“If we’re friends, then be honest about who you are! Stop playing guessing games with me! Who. Are. You!” Li Huowang turned and walked straight back towards the inn.

The monk seemed to catch the weight in Li Huowang’s tone. He didn’t follow. A hint of grievance flickered across his face.

Li Huowang retraced his steps. He reached the inn without incident. He looked back one more time. There was no sign of the monk. Only then did he let out a breath.

“Senior Li? What’s wrong? You look spooked, like a ghost’s on your tail,” Gouwa said, spitting out sunflower seed shells as he walked down the steps, curious.

“I’m asking you—where is everyone else?” Li Huowang asked, tense.

“Like you said, they went out looking for maps of Later Shu and scouting the area,” Gouwa replied, puzzled.

“Call them back! Everyone! We’re leaving this place. Now!”

“Why—… Alright! I’ll go find them!” Gouwa dropped the handful of seeds in his hand and ran out.

“Don’t forget to tell the Lü troupe!” Li Huowang shouted after him, then rushed towards the stable in the back courtyard.

The order was abrupt. No one had time to prepare. Everyone scrambled, hurried and confused.

But on matters like this, Li Huowang’s word was law. He gave no one the right to argue.

By dusk, the cart’s wheels were already rolling out of the town.

“Senior Li, what happened?” Xiao Man asked, hugging her sword.

“Some people in the town have their eyes on us. But don’t worry. This time’s different from the others. If they try anything, they won’t have an easy time of it.”

Li Huowang pressed a hand against the sword on his back.

They had only rested for a single day, but everyone’s strength had recovered well. They kept moving until the moon hung high in the sky before stopping to rest.

Estimating the distance, they were already more than ten li from the town. Li Huowang ordered everyone to rest.

If they wanted to travel tomorrow, none of them could afford to stay awake all night.

For the first night, to set his mind at ease, Li Huowang took the watch himself.

He ran his hand gently over Mantou’s furry scruff as he replayed the day’s events in his head, searching for anything he might have missed.

The more he thought about it, the more something about his encounter in the town felt… off. But he couldn’t name it.

Right now, he felt like someone was pulling his strings. It was a terrible feeling.

But he was out now. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on more practical matters.

“Whether it was the Nuo performers or the monk—whatever they really are—they didn’t make a move in the town. That means they’re cautious about something.” Li Huowang touched the Thousand Greats Record at his waist and the sword on his back, a contemplative look on his face.

“Everyone I run into knows I’m a Heart-Element. Judging by what happened at Zhengde Temple, Heart-Elements are worth a lot.”

“Whatever they’re afraid of, if they can hold back, it means I already have some ability to defend myself. I can get through this crisis.”

Just then, Danyangzi, squatting directly across from him, suddenly spoke.

“Hmph! You disgrace my name, Danyangzi’s disciple! They’ve come to bully you, and all you can think about is self-preservation! A real disciple would figure out how to kill them all! Not run!”

Li Huowang gave a cold laugh as he slowly clapped his hands. “Excellent advice, Master! I recall that when the Zhengde Temple monks were hunting you, we all know who threw his own disciples to the dogs to save his own skin.”

“You insolent wretch!” Danyangzi rose, the twisted flesh and blood on his body writhing faster.

His three mouths opened to speak, but suddenly went still. Both he and Li Huowang turned to look at the distant, pitch-black Gobi.

Li Huowang’s keen eyesight caught a small black dot in the distance, slowly drawing closer.

“They’ve caught up!” Li Huowang stood up, his expression hardening.

But just as he rose to warn the others, he saw another black dot ahead of them.

They wouldn’t only send two. Li Huowang quickly scanned his surroundings. Black dots were converging from every direction.

“Li Huowang! You’re surrounded! You’re dead this time! Hahahaha!”

The twisted Jiang Yingzi clutched her belly with her single arm, laughing wildly.

“Wake up! We’ve got company!” Li Huowang’s roar shattered the Gobi’s silence.

The others, groggy with sleep, snapped awake at the sight. Cold sweat broke out on their skin as they grabbed the blades they had hidden under their pillows.

Whoever they were, their intentions were clear. The air in the Gobi grew taut.

“Don’t let them surround us! Break through—now!” Li Huowang led the charge, rushing straight towards the black dot ahead.

As the distance shrank, Li Huowang saw the figure clearly.

That copper coin mask was unforgettable. It was the man who had attacked him the night before.

Just like last night, he was holding a few shadow puppets in his hands.

When enemies meet, words are useless. With a sharp clang, Li Huowang drew his sword in one hand and charged.

The masked man raised his puppets high. Under the moonlight, their shadows hit the ground and formed instantly, then rose upright like paper cutouts, floating towards Li Huowang.