Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 195
>Chapter Title: Disguise
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Chapter 195: Disguise
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> As Li Huowang watched those women, the voices of Sun Baolu and Gouwa chatting nearby drifted into his ears.
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> “Old Sun, these bandits sure have sharp eyes. Every woman they grab is pretty decent-looking. Say, should I pick one from here to be my wife? I don’t mind if they’re dirty. As long as she can bear kids, that’s fine.”
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> “Forget it. They just came out of that place. Don’t bully them.”
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> “Tch! What’re you saying? I, Cao Cao, am not taking a concubine here. A proper marriage for a wife—what’s wrong with that? I may not be handsome, but if they marry me, they’re climbing high.”
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> “Old Sun, you want one too? Miss this shop, and you won’t find such a pretty wife so easily later.”
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> “They’re all pitiful souls. Forget it.”
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> “We’re helping them! Think about it—even if they go back, people will point and whisper. They’ll never marry and end up widowed for life. At least with me, they’ll have hot meals.”
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> Li Huowang reached up and pulled the quilt off himself, standing up.
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> He ignored the idle chatter from Gouwa and walked toward Lv Zhuangyuan, who was drinking his porridge.
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> After resting the whole night, the Lv family troupe looked much more spirited. At least their faces were clean now, and their clothes weren’t disheveled.
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> Seeing Li Huowang approach, Lv Zhuangyuan quickly stood, shoving his bowl into his youngest son’s arms, his eyes full of respect.
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> “This yours?” Li Huowang returned the tobacco pipe from before.
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> “Aye, aye, yes! Thank you!” Lv Zhuangyuan nodded and bowed, taking it with both hands.
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> “Trouble for Daoist Li to bother with such a small thing. You even had to deliver it yourself.”
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> “If you feel bad about it, then help me out with something. I could use you right now.”
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> Lv Zhuangyuan was astonished. With Daoist Li’s divine abilities, what could he possibly help with?
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> Li Huowang turned to the others eating normally. “Yes—help us disguise ourselves. Everyone gets makeup.”
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> Soon, everyone’s faces were painted with opera makeup, even Li Huowang’s copper coin mask now sported a long beard draped over it.
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> With all their weapons stowed on the wagons, the somewhat ragged escort team vanished moments later, replaced by a theater troupe of over twenty people.
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> “From now on, you lead this troupe. We’re all under you. If anyone asks questions, you handle it.”
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> With Monkey Er’s identification, their previous look was too conspicuous. They needed a new identity—that was Li Huowang’s goal.
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> Lv Zhuangyuan was no fool; he got it immediately and thumped his chest. “No problem at all!”
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> “Senior Brother Li, you think this’ll work?” Gouwa asked bitterly, a white circle painted on his nose.
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> The old man’s long beard on Li Huowang’s face swayed back and forth as he shook his head. “We have to try. Walking the main roads like that, they’d find us too easily. We can’t fight all of Hou Shu.”
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> His face was now pitch black with the beard, plus the full official opera robes—utterly unlike the red-robed Daoist from before.
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> Unless the makeup was completely washed off, no one would recognize him.
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> “Senior Brother Li, time to eat.” Bai Lingmiao, painted as a flower dan, came over with porridge.
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> Li Huowang picked up the bowl to drink but quickly scanned around. He spotted only Chun Xiaoman without makeup yet.
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> Seeing his gaze, Bai Lingmiao explained hurriedly, “Sister Xiaoman has too much facial hair. She needs trimming first.”
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> “Hurry and shave it. Don’t waste time—who knows when those people will catch up.”
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> As Li Huowang spoke, he tossed over the sword that cut iron like mud and gulped down his porridge.
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> “No need for that. It’s not beheading. I’ll do the facial trim.” Lv Zhuangyuan’s daughter-in-law, Luo Jinhua, set down her bowl, pulled two red strings from her wrist, and went to help.
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> The threads crossed and twisted, swiftly plucking Chun Xiaoman’s black facial hair from the roots, revealing patches of white skin.
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> By the time Li Huowang finished his porridge, Xiaoman’s face was mostly clear.
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> At that moment, the other senior and junior brothers from Clear Wind Temple couldn’t help but look over curiously.
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> Chun Xiaoman’s face had always been covered in hair—this was their first time seeing what she looked like.
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> Luo Jinhua trimmed meticulously, even clearing her neck.
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> Chun Xiaoman glanced uneasily at the others, her heart fluttering with anxiety.
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> Truth be told, she didn’t even know what she looked like herself.
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> Xiaoman quickly stepped in front of a bronze mirror, scrutinizing her face.
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> In the reflection, she saw the clear-featured face of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl—slightly round cheeks, straight and pretty nose.
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> Not a stunning beauty, but definitely attractive.
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> She didn’t know if others were pleased, but Chun Xiaoman was thrilled. Her fuzzy hands cupped her face as tears welled up.
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> No one wanted to be a lifelong hairy freak. She wanted to marry and have children like other women.
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> “Xiaoman’s actually so young…” Li Huowang muttered under his breath before urging them on.
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> “Enough looking. Get her painted, then let’s move. All of Hou Shu is unsafe for us.”
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> Lv Juren dipped the brush and with a quick flick covered her features in thick ink, despite her reluctance.
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> “Clop clop clop~!” Hoofbeats suddenly rang out as a gang of fierce-looking men on horseback charged past.
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> Some of them quickly sized up the theater troupe but didn’t linger.
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> This was no good sign. “Move. Hurry—those people must’ve hired the bandits to hunt us.”
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> Li Huowang’s words instantly sobered the briefly relaxed mood.
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> Everyone abandoned their porridge and packed up in a rush.
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> For the next stretch, Li Huowang avoided main roads, sticking to back paths as much as possible.
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> Whether due to the makeup or the route, ten days later, Li Huowang and the others actually reached a small town nestled among several rocky hills.
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> The town wasn’t big—just one street—but as a transport hub, it bustled with passing travelers.
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> Seeing the lively street, Li Huowang breathed a little easier. Progress—they were one step closer to leaving Hou Shu.
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> “We rest here tonight, move on tomorrow.” Li Huowang led them inside.
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> After a few steps, his eyes lit up. He spotted the old man they’d met on the road before. “Old sir? Where you headed?”
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> Jinshan Zhao turned and saw a long-bearded laosheng speaking.
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> After gauging the voice, he replied with mild surprise, “Oh? It’s you, Daoist? What a coincidence.”
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> “Coincidence?” Li Huowang’s pupils shrank slightly as he rushed forward. “Hit me.”
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> “Hm? Why?”
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> “Thud!” Li Huowang punched Jinshan Zhao in the chest, sending him stumbling back three steps, clutching it.
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> “Daoist? Why strike me out of nowhere? What have I done to offend you?” Jinshan Zhao nearly gasped for air from the blow.
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> Li Huowang ignored him, staring at his fist and muttering, “I can touch him… and the feel… Looks like he’s not an illusion like that monk.”
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> (End of chapter)