The Hunt

Li Huowang was thoroughly annoyed by all these familiar faces appearing before him at this most critical moment.

His expression abruptly changed as he heard the distant thunder of galloping hooves.

He whipped his head around and saw twelve sleek chestnut horses pulling a house-sized carriage, churning up a cloud of yellow dust as they raced toward the eastern city gate.

The moment he spotted the waist tokens hanging from the riders flanking the carriage, Li Huowang knew without a doubt that the person he was hunting was inside.

“Ah, Little Daoist, this old man wanted to discuss something with you. Do you have any connections in the Capital? I mean the influential kind, nobles and such.”

“I really hate to trouble you, it’s just that buying an opera house in the Capital—you can’t do it without connections. And if possible, I’d like to borrow some money too. But don’t worry, the opera house will be in your name, and the money will be…”

Just then, Lü Zhuangyuan noticed the change in Li Huowang’s demeanor and wisely fell silent, bending down to drag his shameless younger son back up.

Li Huowang’s hand clamped down, cutting off Gouwa’s endless chatter, which dissolved into a strangled squawk before trailing off entirely.

Watching the carriage disappear through the eastern gate, Li Huowang abruptly released Gouwa’s mouth, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him up to eye level. His voice was ice. “Listen to me very carefully. You will turn around and go back to Niuxin Village immediately. Do not let anyone come looking for me again. If you disobey me, you and your wife won’t have a place in the village anymore.”

With that, his cold gaze swept across the Lü Family Troupe. Everyone shrank back, not daring to breathe.

Little Daoist used to be so reasonable… what’s gotten into him today? He’s genuinely furious.

“Li Sui! Let’s go!” Li Huowang said, then dashed off down the road where the dust was still settling, leaving the stunned group behind.

“What’s wrong with Brother Li? Is he having an episode again? No, that’s not how he acts during an episode. And where’s Miao Miao? How did treating her eyes make her disappear?” Gouwa rubbed his throat, utterly bewildered.

“Perhaps Little Daoist really does have urgent business, sir. Lord Cao, what should we do now? You call it.”

Lü Zhuangyuan pulled out his tobacco pipe and started smoking.

“He’s even this harsh with his own brothers… left red marks on my throat. Well, Brother Li gave the order. What else can we do? Heading back home.”

Hearing Gouwa say this, the others perked up visibly. This place charged money for everything, even drinking water and taking a piss. They’d had enough and were more than ready to leave.

The Lü Family Troupe and Gouwa hastily restocked on dried provisions and began their journey home.

Meanwhile, the letter Gouwa had commissioned from the scholar finally reached Niuxin Village, carried by a traveling peddler.

Inside the Bai Family compound, the others sat on benches, listening to Gao Zhijian haltingly read the letter’s contents.

When they heard that Gouwa hadn’t found Li Huowang or Bai Lingmiao in the Capital, everyone’s expression darkened.

Chun Xiaoman, in particular, was as agitated as a flea on a hot griddle.

“How long has it been, and still no news? What if Miao Miao’s run into real trouble?”

“No, no, Li Huowang is too powerful. Who could possibly beat him? Maybe he got held up by something. He’ll be back soon enough.”

Zhao Wu tried to comfort her quietly, but it did little good.

“I… I… I’ll… go!” Gao Zhijian rose to his feet, his gaze firm.

“If Gouwa couldn’t find them, what good would you do? Brother Li is strong—he’ll be fine.”

But Gao Zhijian had already made up his mind. He walked toward his room.

He packed light: his heavy armor, his great halberd, and silver for buying food.

When he was ready and turned around with his pack slung over his shoulder, he saw Xiaoman standing at his courtyard gate with a horse and cart.

“Don’t worry, I won’t try to talk you out of it. I know you’re not stupid, just a little slow. If you say you’re going, you must have a reason.”

“I have the village under control. There are seven people who can use the Spirit Invocation, plus your soldiers. The village is secure.”

Gao Zhijian nodded silently, took the reins, and headed toward the edge of the village.

He stopped after a few steps, turned back, and stammered, looking down at Chun Xiaoman: “I… I am… I am the emperor! I… I… I can… find… them!”

“I found them! They’re just ahead!” Li Huowang muttered, staring at the crystal-clear carriage tracks on the ground. The tentacles along his body swung in rhythm with his legs as he accelerated.

With two talismans slapped onto his thighs, Li Huowang’s body turned into a blur.

Just as he crested a low hill, his body twisted sharply, dodging a flying vajra club.

He slammed his arm into the ground for leverage, launched himself into the air, and immediately pulled out his Supervisory Heavenly Office medallion. “Hold your attack! I have urgent business to report to the Director!”

The attacks ceased. By the time Li Huowang landed steadily, he was surrounded.

A black bird circling overhead landed squarely on one of their shoulders.

Looking around, Li Huowang didn’t spot the Director’s distinctive appearance.

Weighing his words carefully, he spoke to the people staring at him. “Where is the Director? I have a critical report. It concerns the Zuowandao.”

“Tell me. You’re not qualified to see the Director.” A grim-faced man stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, a compass dial aimed directly at Li Huowang.

A long queue hung from the back of his skull, trailing all the way to his calves.

“I know where to find the hidden Dice. I want to request the Director’s assistance in eliminating that vile beast!”

Li Huowang wasn’t planning to hide anything. He was certain the Director could hear him.

“Er Jiu, true name Ji Zai. Three-time Ascension elder of the Ao-Jing Sect. Bearer of the Geng Banner in the Supervisory Heavenly Office. Left and Right Golden Guard Adjutant. Accompanied by a dog-faced evil spirit. Forty-six days ago, you seized the Taixu Sword from the Recorder’s Jade Furnace. Lives at the foot of Niuxin Mountain. Correct?”

The man’s casual words sent a chill down Li Huowang’s spine. This man knew far more than he had expected.

“Yes. That’s right. But you missed one thing. I will never rest until the Zuowandao are dead!” Li Huowang clenched his fists.

“You may speak. Remember who you’re talking to. Think before you open your mouth.”

Li Huowang took a deep breath and laid out everything about his experiences in Great Qi, including the entire affair at Shangji Guankou.

When you want to deceive someone, the truth is often the easiest lie.

“Preposterous! I have lived this long and never heard of any Shangji Guankou!”

Zhuge Yuan, standing nearby, frowned deeply at this. “Does not hearing of something prove it doesn’t exist? Folly. It is precisely because of such ignorant fools that Shangji Guankou grows ever rarer.”