Chapter 314
Chapter 314
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 314
>Chapter Title: Yinling City
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yinling City was still as prosperous as ever. Li Huowang, leading the carriage while wearing a bamboo hat, walked among the crowd, blending in completely.
The bustling crowds all around terrified Mantou. With its tail tucked between its legs, it hid under the carriage and slowly followed along.
After arriving at an inn, Li Huowang took out some broken silver from the carriage to pay for the room.
Everything had been prepared on the carriage—not just silver and spare clothes, but even several types of dry rations.
“Swish~” The carriage curtain was pulled aside, revealing the Black Tai Sui bound up tight. Li Huowang stuffed a piece of dried meat into one of the slits on its mucus-covered body.
Next, he drew a knife and sliced off a large chunk, shoving it into his mouth and chewing. Black Tai Sui meat was disgusting and foul, but he’d long since grown accustomed to it.
Even after Li Huowang had eaten so much, the Black Tai Sui didn’t look any smaller.
After testing the ox-sinew ropes binding it with his hands, Li Huowang looked at the Black Tai Sui before him and said,
“Can you hear me? Can you repeat what I’m saying right now?”
In response to Li Huowang’s question, the Black Tai Sui showed no reaction whatsoever. It simply continued wriggling its repulsive body, spewing filthy, viscous fluid from the slits all over it.
It didn’t even make a sound, let alone react.
Li Huowang thoughtfully rubbed his belly.
“Could it be that the Black Tai Sui can only recognize words once it’s inside my stomach? Or maybe my hearing is so sharp that only I can hear it?”
He had no idea whether this was how it worked for others who ate Black Tai Sui or if his case was special.
He pulled the carriage curtain back down and spoke to Mantou, who was squatting nearby.
“Keep a close eye on it. If the Black Tai Sui starts thrashing around, or if anyone tries to get close, bark loudly. I’ll be right next door in the room.”
“Woof woof!!” Mantou jumped up and down, wagging its tail.
Li Huowang patted Mantou’s head and turned toward the guest room.
Opening the window, he looked down at the lively market below. Li Huowang pulled a book from his robes—the Three Character Classic.
Li Huowang had no idea if teaching the Black Tai Sui in his belly this way would work, but he had to at least give it a try. More methods couldn’t hurt.
If he could teach it properly, maybe the Black Tai Sui could help him out with things down the line.
Even if it couldn’t help, as long as it didn’t cause trouble, that would accomplish his goal.
“The nature of man is inherently good. Their natures are similar, but habits make them diverge. Without teaching, their nature deteriorates. The way of teaching values specialization…”
A wriggling black tentacle emerged from Li Huowang’s belly button, shook itself, and then retracted.
“Lychee, this is a lychee.” Li Huowang peeled it open with his hand.
“Eat.”
He promptly shoved the translucent fruit flesh into his mouth.
“No, not kill—eat.”
When he saw the houses outside the window lighting their oil lamps, Li Huowang figured it was about time. He stood up and headed out.
It was the same place where he’d drunk with Tuoba Danqing before. As soon as Li Huowang walked in and stated his business, the waiter immediately ushered him inside.
Evidently, arrangements had already been made ahead of time. No sooner had he entered than fine wines and delicacies started arriving.
Li Huowang hadn’t been waiting long in the antique private room when Tuoba Danqing’s distinctive laughter echoed from outside. The man arrived before his voice did.
“Heh heh~ Brother Ear! It’s been too long—I’ve missed you greatly.” With a creak, the door opened, and Tuoba Danqing strode in, dressed in fine silk brocade.
“Don’t stand on ceremony—sit, sit! We’re brothers, no need to be so formal.”
Seeing Tuoba Danqing shut the door behind him, Li Huowang removed his black gauze bamboo hat.
Seeing the patchwork of black and white skin on Li Huowang’s copper coin mask, a strange glint flashed in Tuoba Danqing’s eyes.
But he said nothing of it. Instead, he laughed again, picked up the wine pot from the table, and poured himself a cup.
“Come on, come on—let’s drink!”
Knowing how the man operated, Li Huowang wasn’t in any rush.
Li Huowang poured himself a cup and tossed it back. Fortunately, he’d drunk plenty of water beforehand, so the alcohol would take longer to hit him.
After three rounds of drinks and five flavors of dishes, Tuoba Danqing cleared his throat lightly and got down to business.
“Brother Ear, I’ve got news on that Eight Trigrams Mirror you asked me about. The Sitting Oblivion Dao swindled it from some blind Daoist.”
“Oh? Was that blind man surnamed Chen?”
“Huh? I didn’t even say yet—how’d you know, Brother Ear?”
Li Huowang, wine cup in hand, shot a mocking glance at Red in the distance. Sure enough, that guy had stolen Blind Chen’s identity before.
“Brother Ear, that Daoist said he can’t give you the method to activate the mirror. But if you’re willing to return it to him, he’ll trade you a book of talisman scripts.”
“What kind of talisman scripts?”
“He claims this book records all sorts of talismans and incantations. Learn them, and you’ll master mountains, medicine, divination, fate, physiognomy—the works.”
After saying this, Tuoba Danqing paused, a sly grin creeping across his face.
“But in my opinion, that old coot’s probably full of hot air. The book’s useful, sure, but not as miraculous as he makes it sound.”
Li Huowang took out the mirror, weighing the pros and cons. But he had no experience in this area and had no idea how to evaluate it.
After a moment’s thought, Li Huowang turned to Tuoba Danqing beside him.
“Brother Tuoba, could you offer some advice on this?”
Tuoba Danqing was an old hand at this game, after all. It couldn’t hurt to hear his take.
Tuoba Danqing picked up his chopsticks and popped a glistening piece of fish skin into his mouth.
“Mmm… In my view, you should take the deal. That Daoist won’t say it outright, but he clearly values the mirror highly. If you don’t give it back, he might come after you.”
“Besides, that artifact’s great and all, but it’s pretty useless to you Sitting Oblivion Dao folks. If you’re willing to get ruthless with yourselves, you don’t need some busted mirror.”
“On the flip side, some of the special talismans in that book could shore up your cult’s weaknesses.”
“And hey, in these times, more friends mean more paths. Who knows—maybe Blind Chen pulls through for you someday.”
Li Huowang mulled it over carefully and found Tuoba Danqing’s reasoning sound.
“Thanks for the guidance, Brother Tuoba.”
“We’re brothers in the division—no need for thanks. If you really want to show your gratitude, just remember your big brother when something good comes up.”
Tuoba Danqing raised his wine cup again as he spoke.
As they drank on, their rapport grew even closer.
When the meal was nearly done, the tipsy Tuoba Danqing’s expression turned serious.
“Brother Ear, enough chit-chat—let’s talk business. If you want to climb the ranks, you’ve gotta put in the work, right? Lucky for you, there’s something down south that needs handling, and you’re perfect for it.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------