Chapter 665
Chapter 665
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 665
>Chapter Title: Court Dismissal
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Li Huowang, radiating murderous intent, led his horse slowly into the capital.
His red Daoist robes had grown even more bloodstained.
Wherever he walked, no one dared approach, all giving him a wide berth.
Such an appearance naturally drew the attention of spies within the capital, but this wasn't the first time, and they had grown accustomed to it.
This man worked for the emperor—best not to probe if you didn't want trouble.
At this moment, Li Sui had donned Anning Princess's skin once more, sitting sideways on the saddle. She looked a bit tired, her little head bobbing along with the horse's hooves.
Niuxin Village was quite far from the capital, but Li Huowang had swept through Fa Cult strongholds everywhere, and the area near Niuxin Village was no exception.
Taking advantage of that opportunity, she had gone back to retrieve her skin, report her safety to the others, and inform them of the Lv Family Troupe's tragedy.
Upon entering the capital, Li Huowang headed straight for the Monitor Heaven Division without stopping elsewhere.
"Any more places where the Fa Cult is raising banners in rebellion?"
Li Huowang asked the man behind the counter.
"Uh—uh—please wait a moment, sir."
Nangong Yun, sweat beading on his forehead, quickly checked the records.
He was well-informed—this guy had now climbed to the emperor's side, his status far beyond what it once was.
"Sir, nowadays within the six circuits of Great Liang, all the tough nuts the Fa Cult dared show their faces have been mostly rooted out, and much of that's thanks to you. Oh, right—the reward for this mission, I'll settle it for you right now."
At those words, Li Huowang waved him off and turned to leave.
"No need."
He hadn't been dashing about these days for the Monitor Heaven Division's Yangshou Pills. This Fa Cult, devoted to the Child God, absolutely could not be allowed to grow. Otherwise, Great Liang's tomorrow would be Great Qi's today.
Leaving the Monitor Heaven Division, Li Huowang decided to head into the palace and check on Gao Zhijian's situation. Having dealt with them many times, he knew the missions they posted weren't everything.
He wouldn't rest until the Fa Cult was utterly eradicated, root and stem.
Just as Li Huowang emerged, an unexpected figure appeared before him.
It was Lv Xiucai, a copper coin sword strapped to his back. His bloodshot eyes and unkempt beard matched the two foam-flecked, staggering horses he led.
"Master, where's my father?"
Lv Xiucai's voice was hoarse and thick with exhaustion, as if he already knew something.
Li Huowang said nothing, leading him toward his small abode.
Before even stepping through the front door, Lv Xiucai heard that familiar opera singing he'd heard countless times.
Trembling, Lv Xiucai moved inside and finally spotted his deranged father through the barred inner room.
Locked within, Lv Zhuangyuan stood like a general on stage, grandly belting out his aria.
"Missing mother and wife~~ whom to lean on~~~? Gazing homeward, the road stretches far~~~ In the red dust, I squandered my youthful prime~~"
Though without music to accompany him, decades of practice let Lv Zhuangyuan perform convincingly.
"Father!"
Lv Xiucai gripped the iron bars with both hands, shouting into the room.
Yet the white-haired Lv Zhuangyuan showed no reaction, continuing his song.
At that moment, an old eunuch descended from upstairs, cradling Xiu'er. Spotting Li Huowang's return, he hurriedly knelt.
"This servant greets Your Excellency. While you were away, Lord Lv has been well—eating and sleeping fine."
Li Sui reached out, taking Xiu'er from his arms and gently teasing her with a tentacle. But Xiu'er still wouldn't utter a single word.
"Master, what about my brother? And my sister-in-law?"
Lv Xiucai, eyes red, turned and asked through gritted teeth.
Following Li Huowang's gaze, Lv Xiucai saw the two white pottery jars on the cabinet, each pasted with red paper.
Lv Xiucai approached, clutching the jars as he burst into anguished sobs. He used to have a family.
He hadn't liked that family—the stubborn father, the spineless elder brother, the harsh and stingy sister-in-law. But now they were gone.
He just hadn't liked it—he'd never wanted the family to break apart.
After crying for a good while, Lv Xiucai asked again:
"Master, what about my nephew? Little Lv Tongsheng?"
"Don't know. He was with your father before. Your father went mad, and he vanished. I divined once and couldn't find him—probably died in that chaos."
Li Huowang answered curtly.
Hearing this, Lv Xiucai shot to his feet, pointing at Li Huowang as tears streamed down his face.
"You! It's all your fault! And Gao Zhijian's! Why bring them to this place?! Why send him to the theater troupe?! Why send them here for a cushy life?! If they'd stayed in Niuxin Village, they never would've died!"
Li Huowang stood unmoving, his expression cold and impassive.
After railing at Li Huowang and then at Gao Zhijian, the despairing Lv Xiucai collapsed in sobs, slapping his own face repeatedly.
The smacks grew louder, his hand striking harder and harder until blood trickled from his split lip, yet he didn't stop.
As Lv Xiucai's face swelled, Xiu'er wriggled free from Li Sui's arms and threw herself into his embrace.
The slapping ceased. Lv Xiucai held his sole remaining niece close, weeping in choked sobs.
Witnessing the scene, Li Huowang turned and headed for the imperial city.
It wasn't callousness on his part—this was just one of countless such tragedies he'd seen lately.
Unless the Fa Cult was completely stamped out, such horrors would only keep happening.
Li Huowang entered the imperial city once more. This time, no one barred his way, though he still sensed eyes watching from all directions.
The hidden sentries tracked him, but Li Huowang didn't care—he was used to being watched.
Proceeding unimpeded, he reached the grand hall. Finding Gao Zhijian attending morning court, he shifted out of sight and waited silently for the session to end.
"Your Majesty, severe drought in Qingshang Circuit—bare earth for a thousand li."
"Your Majesty, granaries ablaze in Hedong Circuit—Great Qi refugees face dire food shortages."
Gao Zhijian, seated on the dragon throne, rubbed his throbbing temples.
"These have already been petitioned. Nothing else today?"
Scarce had he spoken when a martial official clutching a crescent board glanced toward Li Huowang, stepped forward, and declared:
"Your Majesty, the envoy from Hou Shu swallowed gold and perished yesterday at the post station. This is his blood-written suicide note—every character in blood, every line in tears—begging Your Majesty to send troops to save Shu."
No sooner had he finished than the man behind him advanced.
"Your Majesty, the envoy from Qingqiu brings the Khan's token, the enamel golden blade, requesting an audience."
With a deep sigh, Gao Zhijian rose and waved dismissively as he headed to the rear.
"Court dismissed."
(End of chapter)