The Storyteller

“Does this mean that person, North Wind, is different from ordinary Zuowandao? Is my inability to control my hallucinations caused by my failure to use this innate breath? And if North Wind doesn’t have hallucinations, is it because he can fully and skillfully use the innate breath inside his own body?”

Li Huowang carefully analyzed everything Sima Lan had said.

But as he thought about it, he calmed down. Listening to Sima Lan, all of this came through the words of the already-dead Juzi.

So, was there a possibility that the Juzi had been wrong? After everything he had been through on this journey, he felt that the words of people in this world had very low credibility.

Li Huowang hesitated for a moment. He didn't voice the doubt in his mind. Directly questioning the authority of the highest leader of the Mohist school would likely cause the other party to turn hostile on the spot.

“You want to deal with North Wind? What did he do to you?” Sima Lan seemed to have already sensed that Li Huowang had a story, and asked directly.

Hearing this, Li Huowang’s expression turned extremely ugly. His fists clenched rapidly, and his voice was low as he spoke. “It’s not just North Wind! I hate all of the Zuowandao to the marrow of my bones! Back then, the Zuowandao disguised themselves as the six great elders within the Ao-Jing Sect…”

After listening to Li Huowang’s account, Sima Lan nodded in understanding, not looking surprised at all, as if he had seen this kind of thing before.

“Don’t be too obsessed with revenge. Going after that group of liars with that kind of obsession will make it easy for them to exploit you.”

“Thank you for the advice, Brother Sima. I understand.”

“Then take your time reading. If you don’t understand something, go find that Nangong fellow. I have things to do, I’ll take my leave first.” Sima Lan said, standing up to go.

“But if you’re looking to deal with the Zuowandao now, you probably won’t find them. The Storyteller killed Facai. They’ve got a blood feud now. They’re probably too busy to show up anywhere else.”

This casual remark immediately made Li Huowang’s heart tighten. The Storyteller? Zhuge Yuan?

Li Huowang immediately rushed forward, quickly blocking his path. His expression was tense as he asked, “Brother Sima, is this really true?”

“Of course. The Storyteller killed one of the Three Yuan. The other Zuowandao won’t rest until they settle the score. Just the day before yesterday, commoners saw the Storyteller and the Zuowandao fighting.”

“For something like this, you can just sit back and watch the show. Having someone else avenge you—isn't that a comfortable state of mind?”

After Sima Lan left the screen, Li Huowang immediately turned his head to look at the eunuch kneeling there.

“Help me search the Four Repositories. I want all the records on Zhuge Yuan and the Storyteller. Hurry!”

The eunuch soon brought them. But unexpectedly, unlike the previous two times with a stack of books, this time there was only a single, thin volume.

“This is all the records on Zhuge Yuan?” Li Huowang asked, very surprised.

“Reporting to you, sir, there are more in the Sixth Repository, but those require at least a C-rank general to view. You don’t yet have the clearance.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang couldn't help but grumble inwardly. ‘I really don’t know why the Supervisory Heavenly Office does things this way. Always hiding and hoarding everything. Could the sky really fall if other people knew a few things?’

Li Huowang couldn't be bothered to ponder that. He pulled himself together and started reading the book in his hands.

What was written in the book wasn't much different from what Li Huowang already knew, but there were a few details.

According to the Office’s records, there had always been a Storyteller, but they weren’t always called Zhuge Yuan.

Every time they appeared, there was always a great upheaval in the world. The Storyteller was also elusive; no one could ever pinpoint their location.

Logically, a figure like the Storyteller, who didn’t threaten the stability of the Great Liang Empire at all, should have been beneath the Office’s notice.

But that wasn’t the case. “The Storyteller, Zhuge Yuan, speaking perverse doctrines to delude the masses, shall have his entire clan executed to the third degree.” This was the exact wording of the imperial decree issued by the Emperor of Great Liang.

If they didn’t run into him, it was fine. But if they did, Office personnel had to find a way to execute this man.

Li Huowang was certain that the Office was withholding a great deal of information about Zhuge Yuan from him.

For instance, his character. Was he really a good man who delighted in helping others? What was his purpose in telling stories everywhere? And what was his goal back then when he snatched the Heart-Turbid?

Li Huowang pondered these questions in silence.

After a long while, Li Huowang pressed his hand against his own stomach and, through his belly, sensed the presence of the spindle.

He had helped him. If it weren’t for this thing, he might have fallen into great trouble last time.

“And…”

“Until we meet again, Erjiu. This humble scholar is Zhuge Yuan. If you ever run into a problem you can’t solve, remember to come find me on Apricot Island in the Western Sea. Though my ability is limited, if I can help, I will.”

Those were Zhuge Yuan’s exact words back then. Li Huowang knew he couldn’t fully trust anyone, but… what if? What if he really could help him?

After thinking it over for a long time, Li Huowang shook his head. He stood up and walked out from behind the screen.

Believe or not believe, the choice made little difference in the end. Since the Zuowandao were entangled with him, and he needed to determine North Wind’s position, he would still have to go find him eventually.

“Since it’s your first time here, sir, this servant will see you out.”

“Do you have a map of Great Liang? Get me one. The more detailed, the better.”

Led by the eunuch, Li Huowang walked out of the Office. He stared at the distant, massive armillary sphere and slowly exhaled.

On the map in his hand, a location had already been marked. The Western Sea. That was the place Zhuge Yuan had told him about back then.

To get there, he would need to cross half of Jiangnan Circuit.

Li Huowang had originally planned to leave that very day. But by the time he had hastily purchased some dry rations and other necessities for the road, it was already dusk.

Sitting at a roadside stall, Li Huowang silently watched the distant sun gradually sink between the towers and rooftops of the capital.

‘I’ll rest well tonight and set out tomorrow. No matter what Zhuge Yuan’s attitude toward me is, there’s bound to be a hard battle ahead.’

“Sir, your plain noodles, and your two meat buns. I’ve put the vinegar dish here for you.”

Li Huowang pushed the vinegar dish further away. Having buns for dinner was bad enough, but having a vinegar dish with them, too? This world really was insane enough.

“Woof…” Attracted by the smell of the buns, Mantou kept nudging Li Huowang’s pant leg with its big, black nose.

After fishing out a few strands of noodles and a few small pieces of bun skin for it, Li Huowang ignored it. It was time that thing lost some of its blubber.

Just then, the noodle stall owner, wiping his hands on his apron, said cheerfully, “Take your time eating, everyone. I know the sun’s gone down, but there’s no rush. It’s Little New Year today, so the capital’s not under curfew.”

Li Huowang, slurping his noodles, paused for a moment with his chopsticks before continuing to eat heartily. ‘Another year, gone without me even noticing…’

That night, Li Huowang lay in bed, listening to the commotion outside. It sounded like there were some festivities happening in the capital for Little New Year.

But he had absolutely no interest in any of it. His mind was completely occupied with the dangers he might face next, and his mood began to turn nervous.

He knew it was going to be very dangerous, but it seemed impossible to improve his strength in such a short time.

He certainly couldn’t use his Heart-Element to forge some extraordinary magical artifact. Unless… he used himself as the material?

“Hm?”