Chapter 496
Chapter 496
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 496
>Chapter Title: Dice
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> “Hey, what could it be? Just need you to help with a little something.”
Hearing the fat stall owner say this, Li Huowang let out a self-deprecating smile. “You really think highly of me. If even you can’t handle it, what use could I be?”
The fat man didn’t answer Li Huowang right away. Instead, he busily tended to some customers in a flustered manner. Only after they’d mostly left did he duck under his stall, pull out two small wooden stools, sit on one himself, and toss the other to Li Huowang.
“Come on, sit. Don’t just stand there. This matter really can only be handled by you—I can’t do it. If I go over there, the dragon vein will sense me.”
Li Huowang looked at the fat face with its big ears and asked with a hint of mockery, “Last time, we thoroughly offended the Celestial Surveillance Bureau to death, and you’re still not satisfied?”
Li Huowang appeared utterly nonchalant at that moment, but in truth, he was already on high alert, every nerve on edge.
And that was solely because this man was no ordinary person. He was the leader of the Sitting Oblivion Dao—Dice!
As a fellow member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao, Li Huowang couldn’t possibly forget how terrifying he was.
What this man loved most was conning other con men. One could even say that more than half of the entire Sitting Oblivion Dao might have been tricked into it by him.
“Hey, you think if we didn’t snatch the Celestial Surveillance Bureau’s stuff, they wouldn’t be offended by us?” Dice grabbed two leftover oil strips and shoved them into his mouth, chewing away.
“Red Middle, last night, that emperor of Great Liang was trying to win you over, right? Man, something that fun, why’d you run off?”
“When you head back later, agree to that emperor’s overtures. Then figure out a way to help him successfully take the throne.” That was the favor Dice wanted Li Huowang to do.
Li Huowang wasn’t surprised at all that the Sitting Oblivion Dao wanted to meddle in Great Liang’s royal struggle for the throne.
But no matter what they were up to, Li Huowang had zero intention of getting involved. “Boss, I don’t have time right now. Find someone else for this.”
Faced with Li Huowang’s blunt refusal, Dice grinned and said, “What’s this? You’re not a kid anymore—don’t throw a tantrum. Relax, once that emperor ascends, you’re off the hook.”
“Red Middle, we don’t have many people in the palace to begin with. We just lost a bunch recently, so you’re the most convenient right now. Plus, don’t forget you still owe me a favor.”
Dice clapped his oil-smeared hand on Li Huowang’s shoulder. “See? Both sentiment and reason say this job’s yours.”
A favor? Li Huowang didn’t recall any such thing—not in his own memories, nor in Red Middle’s.
“I’m not doing it, Boss Dice. Find someone else.”
After rejecting him again, Li Huowang stood up briskly and prepared to leave. “After that mess last time, the Sitting Oblivion Dao doesn’t have many people left. I’d advise you to lie low and recuperate for a while.”
Faced with Dice, whose strength far surpassed his own, Li Huowang could only gamble now—gamble that under the Celestial Surveillance Bureau’s relentless pursuit, he wouldn’t want internal strife with a fellow Three Realms practitioner at a time like this.
If he didn’t want to be tricked by the Sitting Oblivion Dao, he couldn’t follow their script from the start.
Li Huowang had barely taken a few steps when Dice’s voice rang out from behind again. “Kid, you really won’t do it? If you won’t, don’t blame me for not honoring our brotherhood!”
Li Huowang spun around and looked back at Dice, speaking in a calm tone. “Boss Dice, what? You planning to force me?”
“What kind of talk is that? We’re not some brute Military School fighters—why would we strong-arm our own?” Hearing the other man’s amicable tone, Li Huowang sneered inwardly.
“I’m telling you, just a month ago, you owed me a favor and had us hold onto something for you. If you won’t take the job, fine—but don’t blame me for letting that thing we’re holding loose.”
“Hm?” Li Huowang’s brow furrowed tightly. He was absolutely certain that a month ago, he hadn’t had any contact with the Sitting Oblivion Dao at all. Or had Dice already started deceiving him?
“Boss Dice, this is getting pointless. I’m worn out from last time—I need a proper rest. Find someone else.” With that, Li Huowang tossed his long-coldened food onto the ground and headed for the carriage.
Dice didn’t chase after Li Huowang as he left. Instead, he flusteredly greeted some new customers.
As Li Huowang drove the carriage toward the western gate of the capital, that fat stall owner shouted loudly at the departing carriage from afar: “You little punk! Watch yourself! If you only cultivate the truth and neglect the false, you’d better beware of qi deviation!”
Though he’d safely left the capital without Dice doing anything outrageous, Li Huowang wasn’t naive enough to think the matter was over.
Once out of the capital, Li Huowang took Li Sui and Bai Lingmiao and fled nonstop. To avoid Dice’s scams, he didn’t even interact with any living people along the way.
When hungry, he’d hunt in the mountains or fish in the rivers, living like a savage.
“Crackle.” Flames licked at the scaled fish skin, roasting the arm-sized river fish skewered on bamboo sticks until golden brown.
Bai Lingmiao sprinkled some fine salt over it delicately, then held it up to Li Huowang.
Li Huowang, who was keeping watch around them, shook his head lightly. “You eat first. I’m not hungry.”
Bai Lingmiao passed the grilled fish to Li Sui in her arms and picked up another to roast anew. “Senior Brother Li, how much longer until we reach Oxheart Village?”
“We’re not heading back for now. Can’t bring this trouble to the village.”
“Then how long do we have to stay out here? Years?” Bai Lingmiao asked, visibly worried.
“No need for that. Since the Sitting Oblivion Dao wants to meddle in Great Liang’s fight for the throne, once the new emperor ascends—whether they succeed or not—they shouldn’t bother me anymore.”
What worried Li Huowang more right now was whatever tricks Dice might pull in secret. As the head of the Sitting Oblivion Dao, he was no empty reputation.
When he targeted someone, the trap was usually already set, just waiting for them to walk in.
At this thought, Li Huowang clenched his fists in reluctance. His strength was still insufficient. If only his cultivation of truth had reached completion—why would he need to tiptoe around him like this?
After hastily finishing the grilled fish, Li Huowang climbed into the carriage to rest. But he didn’t sleep deeply, staying alert for any disturbance.
In the latter half of the night, Li Huowang and Bai Lingmiao, curled in his arms, opened their eyes simultaneously. “Senior Brother Li, there’s movement in the woods to the east.”
“Yeah, I heard it too. Let’s all three go check it out—don’t want to fall for a tiger-release ploy.”
As the three drew closer, they heard the sounds of slaughter, shouting, and clashing weapons.
When Li Huowang peered through the gaps in the trees at the distant battlefield, he instantly understood what was going on.
(End of chapter)