Chapter 545
Chapter 545
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 545
>Chapter Title: Transaction
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“Clink—!” The two wine cups collided, then tilted at once, pouring straight down Hong Da and Li Huowang’s throats.
The table was a complete mess. Besides the two of them, Li Sui had contributed greatly to the devastation.
He had come with nothing but a mouth—head down, just eating.
“Brother Ear Adjutant, know why I helped you in this matter?” Hong Da, face flushed red, raised his cup and leaned closer.
“Because we’re comrades of the Supervising Heaven Bureau, of course.” Li Huowang clinked his cup against his.
“Heh. Back then we were comrades with Monk Xinchi too. And how did that end?”
“Truth is, I could tell from the time with Xin Zhuo—you’re a man of true temperament. I, Hong Da, have decided to call you a friend. People like you are rare these days.”
As he spoke, a trace of melancholy surfaced in Hong Da’s eyes.
“But listen, Brother Ear Adjutant—since you’ve chosen the official path, I’m afraid we’ll meet less and less. If one day you rise high and mighty, don’t forget this drinking-and-meat friend of yours.”
Watching the fluctuations of his Ten Emotions and Eight Sufferings, Li Huowang replied, “Not necessarily. Once I finish what I’m handling here, I might continue working in the Bureau.”
“Hmm? Go back? Why?”
Li Huowang glanced at the ragged Qiu Chibao beside him.
“Otherwise I’d just be idle. With all these abilities, it’d be a waste not to use them. Being able to contribute to the common people isn’t so bad.”
He didn’t know whether Great Liang would repeat Great Qi’s downfall. Whether for peace of mind or otherwise, once his troubles were settled, he wouldn’t mind becoming a true officer of the Supervising Heaven Bureau.
“Heh. Didn’t expect you to have that kind of heart. I thought you young people chased power and nobility—that’s why you got close to the royal family.”
Pretending nonchalance while picking up a dish, Li Huowang asked, “Brother Hong, is the Director of Astronomy currently in the Bureau?”
It was no casual question. Now that he had Dice’s location, he needed someone capable of dealing with him.
The Director who had clashed with Dice in the imperial palace was his top candidate.
Time was pressing. The sooner Dice was handled, the better.
“Which Director? Since the Four Qi Bureau merged in, don’t forget—we now have two Directors.”
Li Huowang’s heart leapt. That meant another potential ally against Dice.
“The one from Great Liang.”
“Why ask about such a big figure? I haven’t been in Shangjing long. If you’re gathering information, you’re better off asking that kid Liu Zongyuan.”
“He may not be in the capital, but everyone has their specialty. He’s from Moon Gate—his news network’s sharper than ours.”
Li Huowang nodded. “Right. How did I forget him? Come, another drink.”
That night, Li Huowang and Hong Da talked long and freely.
Near dawn, as Li Huowang walked home with Li Sui, he was still thinking.
Before reaching home, he looked toward Zhuge Yuan.
“Brother Zhuge… should I use the secret of Upper Extreme Guankou to learn Miaomiao’s location first? Rescue her before anything else?”
“I’m afraid that even if I ambush and kill Dice, I still won’t find her.”
Zhuge Yuan shook his head. “No, no. If Dice lives, you cannot save her. Even if you do by luck, who can guard against a thief for a thousand days?”
“Dice has already set his sights on you. His strength far surpasses yours. If you don’t eliminate this threat now, there will be endless trouble.”
“…You’re right.”
With a creak, Li Huowang pushed open the door and went inside.
The next day, though Hong Da had only said he’d “try,” his speed exceeded expectations.
“Ten years.”
Behind Hong Da stood the cold-faced Buddhist Jade Furnace, arms folded.
“My Heart-Su corpse only buys ten years of use of the Taixu Sword? Are you joking?”
Frowning, Li Huowang slapped the large vat beside him.
“What? You think one Heart-Su lets you exchange for a Heart Pan? Heart Pans are far rarer. And don’t forget—you seized that sword from me! You’re not in a position to bargain!”
“Hah. And what if I do bargain? You want to talk years? Fine. One hundred.”
“You’re courting death!”
Thumb-sized gilded Buddhas wriggled in and out of the Jade Furnace’s robes.
“Lord Jixiang, no need for that. If we’re negotiating, let’s negotiate properly.”
Seeing tensions rise, Hong Da stepped in as mediator.
Both gave him some face. Though swords nearly clashed, they did not.
In the end, each retreated a step: one Heart-Su body in exchange for twenty years’ usage of the Spine Sword.
To prevent trickery, the Supervising Heaven Bureau formally guaranteed the contract.
Inside a screen partition of the Bureau’s hall, Li Huowang pressed his thumb into red ink and stamped the documents.
Seeing the faint smile at the corner of the Jade Furnace’s mouth, Li Huowang knew the other side profited more.
He didn’t care. Twenty years was enough.
By then, his cultivation would be complete. If he was still alive, he’d retire.
If not, he could always trade another Heart-Su corpse.
Taking the policy document from a eunuch, Li Huowang cupped his hands toward Hong Da.
“Brother Hong, until we meet again.”
Hong Da returned the salute bitterly and left with the Jade Furnace.
Once alone, Li Huowang unstrapped the Spine Sword and examined it.
“Better to settle this hidden danger. From now on, I can wield this sword openly in Great Liang.”
Just as he was about to unwrap it—
His heart tightened.
Someone was there.
In the next instant, he swung the Spine Sword hard to the left.
Clang!
Two long-nailed fingers, hard as iron, clamped the blade.
Recognizing the owner, Li Huowang frowned slightly.
“Eunuch. Long time no see.”
It was an old palace eunuch—one of Ji Lin’s men.
The eunuch released the blade.
“Oh my, you’re quite the favorite by His Majesty’s side now. How come you vanished without a trace?”
“Where’ve you been lately? His Majesty has summoned you several times—yet you were nowhere to be found.”
“Ji Lin… was looking for me?”