Chapter 547
Chapter 547
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 547
>Chapter Title: Pursuit
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Looking at these familiar faces who had shown up right in front of him, Li Huowang was beyond annoyed. He truly hadn't expected them to pop up and cause trouble at this most critical moment.
Suddenly, Li Huowang's expression changed as the sound of thundering hooves came from the distance.
He quickly turned his head and spotted twelve sleek and glossy bay horses pulling a carriage the size of a house, kicking up clouds of yellow dust as it raced toward the east city gate.
When he saw the badges at the waists of the horsemen surrounding the carriage, how could Li Huowang not realize that the person he was looking for was inside that carriage?
"Um, young Daoist, old man here has something to discuss with you. Do you have any acquaintances in the capital? You know, the kind with real power—high-ranking officials and nobles."
"Old man really doesn't want to trouble you, but buying a theater in the capital—no one else can do it. And afterward, maybe lend a bit of money. But don't worry, after this, the theater will be yours as the backer, and the money..."
At that moment, Lv Zhuangyuan noticed Li Huowang's unusual expression and promptly shut his mouth, while bending down to haul up his shameless youngest son.
Li Huowang pinched Gouwa's mouth shut, turning his endless chatter into a single chicken cluck before he finally quieted down.
Once he saw the carriage charging through the east gate, Li Huowang abruptly released Gouwa's mouth and grabbed him by the neck, yanking him right up to his face. With extreme severity, he said, "Listen up! Right now! Immediately get the hell back to Oxheart Village! Don't let anyone else come looking for me! If you don't listen this time, you and your wife are done in the village!"
With that, Li Huowang coldly swept his gaze over the Lv Family Troupe. Everyone instantly fell silent as cicadas in winter, not even daring to breathe.
The young Daoist from before had always been reasonable, but today, he was truly furious.
"Li Sui, let's go!" After saying that, Li Huowang chased after the road where the dust was settling, leaving the group in stunned silence.
"What's wrong with Senior Brother Li? Having another episode? That doesn't seem right—his episodes weren't like this before. Where's Miao Miao? How did treating her eyes end up making her vanish?" Gouwa clutched his neck, speaking in utter bewilderment.
"Young Daoist might really have urgent business. Cao Lang, what do we do next? You say the word."
Lv Zhuangyuan pulled out his pipe and started smoking.
"He's so harsh even to his own brother—left red marks from pinching. Sigh, Senior Brother Li has spoken, so what else can we do? Pack up and head home."
Hearing Gouwa say this, the others immediately looked delighted. In a place where even water and bathroom breaks cost money, they had long overstayed and were itching to leave.
The Lv Family Troupe and Gouwa hurriedly restocked some dry rations before setting off on their way back.
Meanwhile, the letter written by the scholar that Gouwa had entrusted was only now delivered to Oxheart Village by a passing peddler.
In the Bai family courtyard, the others sat on stools, listening to Gao Zhijian stammer through the contents of the letter.
When they heard that Gouwa hadn't found Li Huowang or Bai Lingmiao in the capital, everyone's faces turned grim.
Chun Xiaoman in particular was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"It's been so long—how is there still no news at all? Miao Miao couldn't have really run into some accident, could she?"
"No, she hasn't. Li Huowang is so powerful—who could beat him? He must just be held up by something and will be back soon."
Zhao Wu softly comforted Chun Xiaoman, but it didn't help much.
"I... I... I... I'll go!" Gao Zhijian stood up with a resolute gaze.
"Gouwa couldn't find them—what good would you do? Senior Brother Li is so strong; he's definitely fine."
But Gao Zhijian seemed to have already made up his mind in his heart as he headed toward his room.
He didn't take much: heavy armor, his giant halberd, and silver for buying food.
Once he was packed, he shouldered his bundle and turned around to see Chun Xiaoman leading a carriage at his courtyard gate.
"Don't worry, I won't try to talk you out of it. I know you're not dumb—you're just a bit slow on the uptake. If you say you're going, you must have your reasons."
"The village has me, and with seven other god-speakers, plus your soldiers, it's more than secure."
Gao Zhijian nodded silently, took the reins, and headed toward the village entrance.
After just a few steps, he turned back, lowered his head, and stammered to Chun Xiaoman, "I... am... I am... the Emperor! I... I... can... find... them!"
"Found them! They're right ahead!" Li Huowang stared at the crystal-clear carriage tracks on the ground. The tentacles on his body writhed along with his legs, picking up speed.
With two talismans slapped onto his legs, Li Huowang's body blurred into an afterimage.
Just as he vaulted over a low hill, Li Huowang twisted his body mid-air, dodging a flying vajra pestle.
Pushing off the ground with his arms and leaping into the air, Li Huowang immediately pulled out his Surveillance Bureau badge. "Hold on! I have urgent matters to report to the Superintendent!"
The opponent's attack halted. As Li Huowang landed steadily, he found himself surrounded.
A black bird circling in the air landed firmly on one man's shoulder.
Scanning the group, Li Huowang didn't spot the Superintendent's very distinctive appearance.
After eyeing those staring at him and pondering for a moment, Li Huowang slowly spoke. "Where is the Superintendent? I have urgent intelligence to report—concerning the Sitting Oblivion Dao."
"Just tell me. You don't have the rank to see the Superintendent." A sullen-faced man stepped forward with hands clasped behind his back, his compass pointed straight at Li Huowang.
A long braid trailed from the back of his head all the way down to his calves.
"I know a way to find that dice hiding in the shadows! I request the Superintendent's assistance to eliminate this unforgivable beast!"
Li Huowang had no intention of hiding anything—the Superintendent would surely hear these words.
"Er Jiu, true name Ji Zai, third ascension elder of the Robe Sect, Surveillance Bureau Geng Banner, Left and Right Golden Guard Adjutant. Accompanied by a dog-faced evil spirit, snatched the Memory Buddha Jade Censer forty-six days ago with the Tai Xu Sword. Lives at the base of Oxheart Mountain, correct?"
The man's casual words sent a chill through Li Huowang's heart. The other knew far more than he'd imagined.
"Yes, exactly! But that's missing one thing—my enmity with the Sitting Oblivion Dao runs to the heavens and earth!" Li Huowang clenched his fists and shouted at the man.
"You may speak. Remember who you're talking to—think it over before you open your mouth."
Li Huowang took a deep breath and recounted his experiences in Great Qi, even including everything about the Upper Pole Blessed Water Grotto, in full detail.
To deceive someone, the truth is often the easiest way.
"Nonsense! I've lived this long and never heard of any Upper Pole Blessed Water Grotto!"
This made Zhuge Yuan by his side furrow his brow. "If you haven't heard of it, does that mean it doesn't exist? Ignorance—that's why there are fewer and fewer Upper Pole Blessed Water Grottoes, because of ignorant fools like this."
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(End of chapter)