The Storyteller

Li Huowang listened for a while before he understood what the other man was getting at.

To put it simply, Zhuge Yuan was telling him this because he wanted to say there was a righteous path available. He didn't need to stay by his side to ambush Bei Feng and court danger.

"But I only know I have this ability—I have no idea how to use it. As for finding a True Cultivation technique, I don't even have a single clue. How am I supposed to search next?"

Seeing Li Huowang's grim expression, Zhuge Yuan comforted him. "Brother Li, do not panic. I will also keep an eye out on your behalf. If there is any news, I will surely inform you."

Watching the man's unhurried demeanor, Li Huowang felt a surge of urgency. He knew that if the other man didn't understand his predicament, he would never agree.

He immediately rolled up his sleeve, revealing an arm crusted in blood scabs. Drawing the Purple-Tasseled Sword, he sliced down hard, like peeling a sugarcane. The flesh, entwined with blood vessels, was laid bare before Zhuge Yuan.

And within every single one of those veins and arteries, large and small, writhed black tentacles of varying sizes. Some of the tentacles even burrowed out from weak points in the skin, squirming like maggots.

"Brother Zhuge, I would love to take things slowly, but look—I really don't have the time. The Black Tai Sui can help suppress my hallucinations, but it's corroding my body every moment."

"I don't know how long I have left, but I fear it will be soon. If I take my time searching for this so-called True Cultivation technique, the Black Tai Sui will have already taken over my body long before that!"

"Wuwuwu…" Li Sui's aggrieved crying sounded in Li Huowang's mind. She had already learned to use tears to express her sadness.

Though it was somewhat hard to bear, at this moment, he had to make it clear to Zhuge Yuan. The True Cultivation technique was certainly tempting, but Bei Feng was right in front of them. He couldn't just give this up so easily.

While comforting Li Sui in his heart, Li Huowang anxiously watched Zhuge Yuan's expression.

"And Brother Zhuge, is there not a possibility that this Bei Feng also uses the same kind of True Cultivation technique?"

Zhuge Yuan seemed to be torn over the decision, his paper folding fan gently waving.

"Must it be so? Without the Black Tai Sui to suppress it, at worst you would just have hallucinations; it wouldn't kill you. Why must you be in such a hurry?"

Just thinking about that scene made Li Huowang's pupils dilate and his breath come in gasps. "You don't know what I do over there! I know that place is an illusion, but I would rather die than fall into that illusion again! I really can't stand not being able to tell the difference anymore…"

The bamboo building fell silent instantly. The two men stood motionless, like statues. A kingfisher flew to the windowsill, lightly pecked at the bamboo frame with its beak, then turned and swiftly flew away.

"Ah… Since this matter troubles Brother Li so deeply… very well, very well. When the Zuowandao come seeking revenge, stay close to me."

"Thank you for your help, Brother Zhuge!" Li Huowang's joy was unbounded. Regardless, his purpose in coming to Apricot Island had been achieved!

Not only that, but now he had a powerful ally by his side. Even if Bei Feng's strength was greater, he would have some confidence.

Since the other man had a way to shake off the hallucinations, Li Huowang wouldn't be satisfied until he figured it out.

Looking at Li Huowang's overjoyed expression, Zhuge Yuan sighed quietly in his heart. He suspected that even if he had refused, Brother Li would have followed them in secret.

Since that was the case, it was better to agree directly. Having him in the open would make it easier to look out for him. They were both poor souls of the Heart generation; if he could help, he would.

"Brother Li, calm yourself. Since you insist on following, I will give you a full briefing on what I intend to do next, so we won't be caught off guard."

"Alright! Go ahead!" Li Huowang perked up immediately. He very much wanted to know what Zhuge Yuan planned to do with the Heart-Turbid he had stolen from the Supervisory Heavenly Office.

Zhuge Yuan took a sip of tea. "These past days, the Eight Desolations have been somewhat unsettled. Brother Li must have sensed it, yes?"

Connecting this to the Chief Recorder's departure and the massive warships he had seen on the sea earlier, Li Huowang could sense a feeling of a storm brewing, even if it wasn't his concern.

"That's true, but since it has little to do with me, I haven't deliberately inquired."

"Ah…" Zhuge Yuan sighed softly. "In the end, it all comes back to the imperial family. The Grand Empress Dowager of the Great Qi, in order to retain her power behind the curtain, actually used alchemy to reanimate a six-year-old emperor who had died young. Hah, the mighty Great Qi—to have a walking corpse with no soul or spirit as its emperor. How sad, how laughable, don't you think?"

"Great Qi? Didn't Great Qi fall centuries ago? Isn't it Great Liang now?" Li Huowang's mind grew more confused with each word. "Does he think Great Liang is a successor state to Qi, and he's so used to the old name? Or what?"

Not noticing Li Huowang's confusion, Zhuge Yuan continued unhurriedly.

"If it were just that, it would be one thing. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Great Qi may be in its twilight, but it's not something just anyone can push around. The real trouble lies with the eunuchs clinging to imperial power."

"Using some unknown method, they actually managed to give that walking corpse emperor a mind of its own. Now it is issuing false imperial edicts to select court maidens."

"Leave aside the fact that the little emperor is dead. Even if he were still alive, he's only six years old. What use does he have for selecting court maidens? And on top of that, they are specifically choosing maidens born under the Yin year, Yin month, and Yin hour!"

"A while back, I went out to ask some acquaintances. It's not just the court maidens—there are also many men from all over Great Qi being conscripted for corvée labor."

"Think about it. In all these years, has there ever been such a massive corvée? Even the restoration of the state's Great Wall wouldn't require this many. I suspect they are being summoned to build a tomb!"

"Build a tomb?" Li Huowang's mind was momentarily slow to catch up. This clearly didn't align with what he knew. He had been in this 'Great Liang' for some time now, and he had never heard anyone mention any large-scale conscription.

Zhuge Yuan ignored Li Huowang and continued. "A walking corpse little emperor, maidens of the Yin year, Yin month, and Yin hour, plus tomb construction—just think about it. This is no small matter."

Zhuge Yuan picked up the teacup in front of Li Huowang, poured out the old tea, and replaced it with a freshly brewed, steaming cup.

"Although the eunuchs have great power and influence, with connections that reach the heavens, and have entangled themselves with the monks of Zhengde Temple, turning the entire capital into a den of chaos—fortunately, there are still men of ambition within the court."

"As an ordinary storyteller, I originally did not wish to become involved in such affairs. But seeing that if I let them continue, it would lead to suffering and devastation—I suppose I cannot ignore it any longer."

"Therefore, I prepared a Heart-Turbid in advance. I entrusted an old friend to refine it into a scroll artifact that erases memories, as preparation for my journey to the capital…"

Li Huowang stared at the eloquent Zhuge Yuan. The man's words went in one ear and out the other; his mind was already on other things.

"Before, I thought being a Heart-Pan was better. But now it seems that Heart-Element, Heart-Pan, and Heart-Turbid, though vastly different in ability, are exactly the same in some respects."