Chapter 425
Chapter 425
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 425
>Chapter Title: Assignment
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Li Huowang held the Red Middle's head in his hand, listening in shock as Nangong explained what had happened.
After hearing it all, Li Huowang said in great shock, “What on earth is the origin of this Red Middle? Even without its head, it can still run!”
At this point, Li Huowang paused slightly, as if remembering something, and quickly spoke up. “However, Supervisor Censor, I once saw the Military School in Later Shu with the ability to survive decapitation. Perhaps this Red Middle was stolen from there.”
Upon hearing Li Huowang say this, the Daoist Supervisor Censor waved his hand, and the head flew back into his grasp, cradled like a pagoda.
The Daoist opened his mouth, exposing his pitted rotten teeth to the air as a foul stench spread.
“No need to steal techniques from the Military School. For a heart elemental, running headless is nothing unusual. What's strange is that he's dead, yet we can't summon his soul. How bizarre—could he still be alive?”
Li Huowang thought to himself, “Is this the ability of my heart elemental? As long as I believe I'm not dead, I never die?”
But on second thought, this ability that had emerged unintentionally was rather underwhelming—as soon as the enemy reminded him, he'd drop dead on the spot.
As Li Huowang pondered this, the Daoist waved his hand. “Forget it, the man's dead. Never mind heart elemental or not for now. Tell this Daoist carefully: how did that Red Middle deceive you?”
Hearing this, Li Huowang immediately pulled himself together. He couldn't afford to be careless in this matter.
However, regarding being deceived by the Sitting Oblivion Dao, Li Huowang didn't need to fabricate anything. He simply altered some details and directly transplanted the scam they had pulled on him at Apricot Island.
Only this time, in Li Huowang's telling, the Sitting Oblivion Dao hadn't failed—they had succeeded.
“So you're saying... the one traveling with Zhuge Yuan all along was Red Middle?”
“That's right. However, your subordinate was trapped in confusion within the bamboo grove and couldn't discern what Red Middle said to Zhuge Yuan while impersonating me, or why he allowed him to stay by the storyteller's side.”
Being too precise risked flaws, so Li Huowang spun it out at length. After all, whatever that man had done or said had nothing to do with him—it was all the Sitting Oblivion Dao.
Li Huowang suddenly realized that this Sitting Oblivion Dao identity was truly quite useful.
After listening, the Daoist nodded slowly. The little head on his neck spoke up. “Heh heh, kid, you wouldn't be making all this up to fool us, would you? You aren't Sitting Oblivion Dao yourself, are you?”
Li Huowang's expression stiffened as he drew his blade and unhesitatingly sliced along his own jawline, flipping open half his face to reveal the layers of skin, flesh, and bone within for them to see.
“Alright, alright, we believe you're not Sitting Oblivion Dao. Sigh, Zaojing Cult folks are decisive, alright.” Another nascent spirit wearing a square Daoist cap began to smooth things over.
“Enough, shut your mouths!” As the Daoist's tone sharpened, the two nascent spirits on his body immediately shrank back inside, resembling mere red moles on two steamed buns.
The Daoist stepped forward cradling the head, slowly circling Li Huowang as his tone softened somewhat.
“Rest assured, with Red Middle's head right here, the Division won't suspect you of being Sitting Oblivion Dao. Since you've returned intact, that's naturally a good thing. Here's the deal: the Division has an assignment for you—handle it well.”
“Yes! Please instruct me, Supervisor Censor—Erjiu will give it his all!”
The Daoist placed the head on the table and patted it. “The Division wants you to approach Zhuge Yuan and give it a try.”
“We tested him earlier—he still has the Six Luminaries Almanac. The one Red Middle went to such lengths to steal was a fake. That's fortunate at least; if Sitting Oblivion Dao had gotten their hands on it, we'd be in real trouble.”
“Indeed, but Supervisor Censor, since Red Middle outright stole Zhuge Yuan's Six Luminaries Almanac, they've become mortal enemies! If I go now, it'll be suicide!”
Li Huowang always kept his position straight: he didn't know Zhuge Yuan and hadn't exchanged a single word with him.
“Since Red Middle could approach Zhuge Yuan using your identity, you—the real person—should give it a try. Who knows, it might work.”
“But—” Li Huowang's pupils contracted slightly. This wasn't at all what he'd expected. He'd thought the Division would seek revenge against Sitting Oblivion Dao next, letting him ride the momentum to hunt Beifeng. How had Zhuge Yuan gotten dragged back in?
“What? You saying you don't want to go?” The Daoist's tone turned icy as the two nascent spirits on his neck cracked open their eyes, emitting a faint black glow.
“I wouldn't dare.” Li Huowang lowered his head slightly.
“Then go. No harm in swinging for the dates.”
“Yes, Supervisor Censor.” He could tell this guy just wanted to test the waters—his life wasn't even a consideration.
Seeing Li Huowang's attitude, the rotten-toothed Daoist nodded in satisfaction. He then sat on a stool cradling the head and waved dismissively. “Alright, you're dismissed for now.”
Li Huowang's heart jolted. That was it? What about the rest? Sitting Oblivion Dao had killed a Supervisor Censor of the Celestial Surveillance Division in such a provocative manner, and it ended just like that, so lightly?
Feeling it improper to question him on the spot, Li Huowang saluted and turned to leave.
Walking the quiet wooden corridor, he glanced at Nangong who had exited alongside him and asked indignantly, “Our Supervisor Censor was killed by Sitting Oblivion Dao, and the Division truly plans to do nothing?”
Just as Li Huowang considered whether to fan the flames further, Nangong spoke up.
“It's not that simple. The Division has already drawn manpower from the six paths of Great Liang. Once they're assembled, we'll trap those bastards like turtles in a jar.”
At this, Nangong Yun's expression grew cold. “Hmph! These swindlers truly think they can run rampant now that the National Teacher is tied up—they're underestimating the Celestial Surveillance Division far too much!”
Hearing this, Li Huowang breathed a slight sigh of relief. Good—his efforts hadn't been wasted. As long as Sitting Oblivion Dao and the Division clashed, it was all good. The more they fought, the more he stood to gain as the fisherman.
“Erjiu, don't think of the Division's order to approach Zhuge Yuan as making things hard on you. Don't forget—Sitting Oblivion Dao killed the Supervisor Censor using your identity.”
“By the Division's rules, that sort of thing isn't so easily brushed aside. Fortunately, we're short-handed in the capital right now. Whether you succeed or fail in approaching Zhuge Yuan, consider the matter settled.”
Li Huowang acted as if struck by sudden realization. “I see. Many thanks to Brother Nangong for the clarification.”
As Li Huowang walked and chatted with Nangong Yun, their relationship wasn't exactly close, but they had at least progressed from total strangers to nodding acquaintances.
(End of chapter)