Yinling City

Yinling City was as bustling as ever. Li Huowang, wearing a bamboo hat and leading a horse-drawn cart, moved through the crowd unnoticed.

The lively throng of people made Mantou nervous. Tail tucked, the dog cowered under the cart, following slowly as it trundled forward.

When they reached an inn, Li Huowang took some broken silver from the supplies in the cart and paid for a room.

The cart had been prepared with everything he needed—not just silver and a change of clothes, but several different kinds of dried provisions.

"Shhh—" The cart curtain was drawn back, revealing the Black Tai Sui, trussed up with ropes. Li Huowang pushed a strip of dried meat into a gap in its slime-covered body.

Then he drew his knife, cut off a large piece of the Black Tai Sui itself, and shoved it into his mouth, chewing. It tasted foul and disgusting, but he was long used to it.

Despite how much he had eaten, the Black Tai Sui didn't seem any smaller.

Li Huowang checked the ox-tendon ropes binding it, then looked at the Black Tai Sui and said, "Can you hear me? If I speak now—can you repeat what I say?"

The Black Tai Sui gave no sign of understanding. It simply kept writhing, that disgusting body oozing filth and viscous liquid from every crack in its surface.

It didn't even react, let alone make a sound.

Li Huowang touched his own belly thoughtfully. "Does the Black Tai Sui only learn to read once it's inside my stomach? Or is it just that my hearing is too sharp, and I'm the only one who can hear it?"

He had no idea whether his experience was normal or unique, compared to how other people consumed Black Tai Sui.

He pulled the cart curtain closed and said to Mantou, who was crouching nearby, "Keep watch. If the Black Tai Sui moves too much, or if anyone tries to get close, bark as loud as you can. I'll be right inside."

"Woof woof!!" Mantou wagged its tail and hopped a little.

Li Huowang patted the dog on the head, then turned and headed toward his guest room.

Opening the window, he looked down at the lively market street below. He took a book from his arms.

The Three Character Classic.

Li Huowang had no idea whether teaching like this would let the Black Tai Sui inside his belly learn anything, but he had to try. A few extra attempts couldn't hurt.

If he could teach it well, maybe the Black Tai Sui would be useful in the future.

Even if it didn't help—as long as it didn't cause trouble, that would be enough.

"Men at their birth are naturally good. Their natures are similar, but their habits make them different. If they are not taught, their natures will deteriorate. The way of teaching values concentration…"

A writhing black tentacle slithered out of Li Huowang's navel, swayed for a moment, then retracted back inside.

"Lychee. This is a lychee." Li Huowang peeled the fruit with his fingers. "Eat."

He put the translucent flesh into his own mouth. "No—not 'kill.' 'Eat.'"

When he saw oil lamps being lit in the windows of the houses outside, Li Huowang judged that it was about time. He stood up and left.

He went to the same place where he had drunk with Tuoba Danqing before. As soon as he walked in and explained his purpose, the waiter immediately invited him inside.

It was clear that Tuoba Danqing had already given word. The moment Li Huowang entered, an array of fine wines and dishes was brought in.

Li Huowang waited in the antique, elegantly decorated private room. Before long, he heard Tuoba Danqing's distinctive laughter from outside—his voice arriving before his person did.

"Hehe—ear-brother, it's been so long. I've missed you greatly." With a creak, the door opened, and Tuoba Danqing stepped in, dressed in fine silk. "Don't just stand there! Sit, sit! We're brothers—why be so formal?"

Seeing Tuoba Danqing close the door behind him, Li Huowang took off his black-screened bamboo hat.

When Tuoba Danqing saw the patches of black and pink skin around Li Huowang's copper-coin mask, a flicker of something unusual passed through his eyes.

But he said nothing. He laughed again, picked up the wine flask, and poured himself a cup. "Come, come—let's drink!"

Li Huowang knew this man's style, so he didn't rush.

He poured himself a drink and downed it. Luckily, he had deliberately drunk plenty of water beforehand, so the alcohol wouldn't hit him too fast.

After several rounds of wine and many dishes, Tuoba Danqing gave a light cough and began to speak.

"Ear-brother, I have some news about that bagua mirror you asked me to look into. It was swindled by the Zuowandao from a blind Daoist."

"Oh? Is that blind man's surname Chen?"

"Eh? Ear-brother, how did you know that before I even said it?"

Li Huowang, holding his wine cup, shot a sarcastic glance toward the distant Hongzhong. Just as expected—that guy had been using "Blind Chen's" identity, and it was stolen too.

"Ear-brother, that Daoist said he can't give you the technique to activate the mirror. But if you're willing to return the mirror to him, he'll trade you a set of talisman manuals in exchange."

"What kind of talisman manuals?"

"He says the manuals record all kinds of talismans and spell-characters. If you learn them, you'd master the mountains, medicine, divination, fate, and physiognomy—everything."

After saying this, Tuoba Danqing paused, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"But then again, I think that old codger is probably full of it. The manuals might be useful, but definitely not as powerful as he claims."

Li Huowang took out the mirror, weighing gain against loss. But he had no experience in such matters—he had no idea how to evaluate the trade.

After thinking it over, he turned to look at Tuoba Danqing.

"Brother Tuoba, could you give me some advice on this?"

Regardless, Tuoba Danqing had been around the martial world for a long time. It was worth hearing his thoughts.

Tuoba Danqing picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of glistening fish skin, and put it in his mouth.

"Hmm… If you ask me, you should agree. That Daoist may not say it outright, but he seems to value that mirror a lot. If you don't give it back, he'll probably come looking for you."

"Besides, this artifact is good, but it's useless for you Ao-Jing Sect. As long as you're willing to be ruthless with yourselves, you don't need a crappy mirror like that."

"On the other hand, the talisman manuals contain special talisman papers that could make up for your sect's shortcomings."

"And these days, an extra friend means an extra path. Who knows—maybe this Blind Chen could help you out someday."

Li Huowang thought it over and realized Tuoba Danqing made a lot of sense. "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Tuoba."

"We're brothers in the Office—no need for formality. If you really want to thank me, just remember me when something good comes your way."

Tuoba Danqing raised his cup again.

As they kept drinking, the bond between them seemed to grow a little closer.

When they had finished eating and drinking, a tipsy Tuoba Danqing straightened his expression.

"Ear-brother, we've finished the small talk. Time for business. If you want to move up in the world, you need to stay busy. And as it happens, there's something to the south that needs your attention."