Chapter 414
Chapter 414
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 414
>Chapter Title: The Censor
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> “You can go back. Let him come in alone.” An elderly voice filled with authority came from inside the room.
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> “Yes.” Nangong gave Li Huowang a subtle glance urging caution before turning and leaving.
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> Looking at the half-open wooden door before him, Li Huowang took a deep breath and pushed it open to walk inside.
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> The room wasn’t large, just an ordinary study. Bookshelves on the left held various paper books and illustrated volumes, while the walls, like those in Zhuge Yuan’s bamboo building back then, were covered in either calligraphy or paintings.
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> If this place weren’t hidden in the deepest part of the Supervising Heaven Division, Li Huowang might have thought it belonged to some scholar.
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> “Erjiu pays respects to Lord Censor!” Li Huowang bowed his head low and saluted the figure.
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> “You’re Erjiu? Lift your head.”
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> As the other saw that fleshless face clearly, Li Huowang also got a look at the Censor’s appearance.
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> A gaunt middle-aged man with a goatee—this was the Censor’s first impression on him. Deep nasolabial folds nearly cleaved his face into thirds.
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> Compared to his looks, the Censor’s attire was utterly ordinary: just a plain purple robe with a jade pendant at the waist.
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> He now stood behind the desk, red cinnabar brush in hand as he reviewed documents. A small brazier nearby bubbled with boiling tea, making the room far warmer than outside.
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> Recalling Nangong’s earlier words, Li Huowang’s heart tightened. He turned, head bowed. “Reporting to Lord Censor, the entire Sitting Oblivion Dao is now—”
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> “You entered the city earlier today with that storyteller, didn’t you?” The Censor’s casual remark instantly cut off Li Huowang’s words and train of thought.
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> The Censor leisurely set his cinnabar brush on the jade brush rest and picked up a fist-sized official seal with one hand, lightly stamping the corner of the paper before him.
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> Li Huowang’s heart jolted, but his mouth didn’t stop. He immediately recounted the conflict between Sitting Oblivion Dao and Zhuge Yuan, and how he’d learned from them that the entire group had come to the capital.
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> Everything Li Huowang said was true, without a shred of falsehood—he’d merely omitted some details the Supervising Heaven Division didn’t need to know.
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> “Oh, this old man understands.” The Censor’s calm reaction to the news of Sitting Oblivion Dao’s full assembly in the capital greatly surprised Li Huowang.
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> “My lord! That’s Sitting Oblivion Dao! They—”
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> “Do you think you can teach this old man his duties? Why so hasty? Could it be you want to use the Supervising Heaven Division for personal revenge?” The Censor’s gaze turned icy in an instant, and the pressure of long-held authority bore down on Li Huowang.
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> “Erjiu wouldn’t dare.” Li Huowang clenched his jaw and took half a step back.
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> “Hmph, no manners.” The Censor ignored Li Huowang right there and went back to his own work.
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> After leaving him standing for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the Censor lifted the teapot from the brazier and brewed himself a cup of Da Hong Pao. After sipping the tea, he finally turned his attention back to Li Huowang.
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> “Forget Sitting Oblivion Dao for now—others will handle that. There’s another assignment within the Division for you, more important than Sitting Oblivion Dao. You must put your heart into it.”
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> Though the man wasn’t following his script, Li Huowang knew he couldn’t panic now and reveal any flaws. “Yes, my lord. Please give your orders.”
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> “This old man doesn’t care how you met Zhuge Yuan. Go back to him the same way you left. When the time is right, I’ll send someone to coordinate with you from inside and out to seize the Six Yao Compendium from him.”
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> “Six Yao Compendium? What’s that? Wait—compendium? Book?” The only thing resembling a book near Zhuge Yuan flashed into Li Huowang’s mind. “This Censor wants to steal Zhuge Yuan’s old almanac!”
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> As shock filled Li Huowang’s heart, the Censor continued. “This matter is of utmost importance. This old man will oversee it personally. Do it well. And if you can kill Zhuge Yuan while you’re at it, all the better—no need to force it if not.”
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> Seeing Li Huowang frozen in place, a hint of displeasure crossed the Censor’s face. “What’s this? Didn’t you hear this old man?”
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> Li Huowang’s trembling hands clenched into fists. “Yes, subordinate obeys!”
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> At this, the Censor dangled a carrot before adding, “Do it well, and the Division will overlook your past misdeeds. Not only that—you’ll be promoted, bring glory to your ancestors, and pick any three spirit treasures or ritual artifacts from the inner treasury.”
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> “This old man knows your story too. Sitting Oblivion Dao wiped out your family—naturally, you hate them. Tell you what: do this beautifully, and not only will you join the operation against them, but any captured Sitting Oblivion Dao members will be yours to deal with.”
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> Seeing Li Huowang nod in agreement once more, the Censor nodded in satisfaction. With his missing-finger hand, he grabbed a stack of papers from beside him and placed them before Li Huowang.
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> “Alright, take these to the third door on the left for storage. Then you can go.”
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> Li Huowang stepped forward and took the densely inscribed papers steadily with both hands before turning to leave the Censor’s office.
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> Once out of the room, Li Huowang’s expression turned grim. “What now?” The question echoed endlessly in his mind.
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> His plan to drive the wolf to devour the tiger and let the fisherman profit had failed. He never imagined the Supervising Heaven Division’s reaction to all of Sitting Oblivion Dao converging on the capital would be like this.
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> Without the Division’s help, he stood no chance against them alone. He needed another way.
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> “Help the Supervising Heaven Division against Zhuge Yuan? Don’t make me laugh!”
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> Mad and long-winded as Zhuge Yuan was, he’d already carved out a place as a friend in Li Huowang’s heart.
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> As Li Huowang wrestled inwardly, the third door on the left appeared before him. He glanced down at the papers in his arms, preparing to deliver them.
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> But just as he lifted his right foot, a line on the paper caught Li Huowang’s eye.
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> “Feng Erniu?” Li Huowang remembered the name—that eunuch remembrancer was called Feng Erniu.
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> He scanned downward along the text. “Former Remembrancer Feng Erniu and wife have exceeded... primary repayment handled by coroner Huan Ming for verification.”
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> The remembrancer was dead? After serving the Supervising Heaven Division so long, he’d died just like that, so casually?
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> Li Huowang recalled the plump, pale old eunuch, a chill running through him. The bold red circle inked in cinnabar on the paper stabbed at his eyes.
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> Li Huowang looked up distantly toward the Censor’s office, realizing the man couldn’t have overlooked this. He knew Li Huowang recognized the remembrancer. These papers weren’t placed there by chance—this was a warning.
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> Taking a deep breath, Li Huowang’s wavering gaze hardened. He stepped forward toward the door.
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> (End of chapter)