Mutated Tao

While the two of them were engaged in conversation, a ruckus emerged from the neighboring table.

Hearing a loud thump, Li Huowang lifted his head and peered toward the source of the sound, only to see Puppy sneakily making his way outside while holding a food box.

“Senior Li, is the food you brought back for us to eat?” Puppy asked cautiously.

Li Huowang laid back down with a wry smile on his face. “Yeah, after all, it is only you guys here.”

In this world, his group of fellow disciples were the only ones that he could trust, even if they might not be particularly helpful.

After a moment, Li Huowang propped himself up from the bed. As soon as he sat up, the exhaustion on his face immediately vanished.

“Puppy, put down the food box, and call Gao Zhijian and Chun Xiaoman over. Let’s all eat together. Once we’re done eating, we’ll leave,” said Li Huowang.

“Where are we going?” asked Puppy.

“We are heading home!”

A few days later, Li Huowang, Puppy, Gao Zhijian, Bai Lingmiao and Chun Xiaoman set off in a carriage.

Bai Lingmiao drew down the curtain and warmly spoke to the carriage driver, “Sir, thank you for allowing us to catch a ride. If we were to travel on foot, then it would have taken us a few days to get there.”

Hearing this, the old carriage driver let out a smile, revealing his few remaining teeth. “No problem, it’s conveniently on the way. But, young lady, your home is quite remote. If you hadn’t told me about it, then I wouldn’t have known that there was a village at the foot of that mountain.”

Hearing this, Puppy immediately expressed his discontent. “Remote? We agreed on a fixed payment before! What’s this? Are you trying to hike up the price?”

Chun Xiaoman gave Puppy a disapproving glance and scolded, “Shut up! Why are you so full of nonsense?! No one will mistake you for a mute even if you don’t speak!”

On the side, Gao Zhijian huddled his limbs, stammering as he tried to intervene.

Sitting in the back, Li Huowang silently watched the lively show inside the carriage. Things were definitely way more relaxed than they were before.

Ever since he transmigrated, Li Huowang had rarely seen such a vibrant scene.

At that moment, Bai Lingmiao’s soft arms wrapped around Li Huowang’s hand. With a smile, she asked, “Senior Li, what’s on your mind right now?”

Knowing that she was about to reach home, Bai Lingmiao was radiating joy from head to toe.

“I’m wondering what Cowheart Mountain is like. I don’t know if we’ll be able to get used to staying there. You also know that it’s hard for me to get along with others,” said Li Huowang as he rolled up the bamboo curtain and gazed at the lush greenery outside. The area was covered with thick, dense forests.

“You’ll get used to it for sure! Everyone in our village is awesome, just like my grandpa. He grows melons. If someone is passing by the village and gets thirsty, they can even have the melons for free. You’re also nice, and so you’ll definitely get along with him. And my parents too! If anyone in the village is faced with any trouble, both of them would always pitch in, offering money and effort to help. Despite living in the village for such a long time, they’ve never had any disagreements with anyone! Oh, and my younger brother and his buddies. Don’t worry, they won’t dare to be rowdy. If they give you a hard time, then just let me know and I’ll straighten them out!” said Bai Lingmiao as she eagerly showed off her fair-skinned fists, waving them in the air as if she was ready for action.

Seeing her adorable behavior, Li Huowang smiled to himself. It seemed like she had a completely different personality in front of him compared to what she showed her family.

Li Huowang wrapped his arm around her shoulders and shook his head. “I’m not worried. If they could raise you so well, then they must be doing something right. By the way, Miaomiao, I remember that you used to wear a gold bracelet. Your family must be quite well-off, right?”

Hearing this, Bai Lingmiao smiled modestly and replied, “We are not exactly wealthy; we are just a bit better off than the average folks.”

Li Huowang chuckled. If the girl’s family had money, and he continued sticking around, then he might just unintentionally become the burdensome son-in-law.

Guess I will be the burdensome son-in-law then. Regardless of how the place turns out to be, after drifting around aimlessly for so long, it’s finally a chance to settle down.

Then, all of a sudden, Bai Lingmiao got excited as she eagerly pointed out of the carriage window. “Look, everyone! That’s Cowheart Mountain!”

Li Huowang squinted, focusing on the distant mountain covered in green.

It’s really massive, but how on earth does it resemble a cow’s heart?

Brushing aside this silly question, Li Huowang’s thoughts drifted elsewhere as he began to worry about the Lu Family Troupe.

They left quite a bit before us. They should have already reached the foot of Cowheart Mountain. Let’s just hope that nothing unexpected has happened to them.

With this lingering concern in mind, Li Huowang gradually made his way toward the foot of Cowheart Mountain.

But his worries were short-lived. All of Li Huowang’s worries dissipated in an instant when he saw Yang Xiaohai, barefoot and accompanied by a round-faced woman, standing in the rice paddies as they gathered loaches.

“Senior Li is back!! Senior Li is back!”

Accompanied by Yang Xiaohai’s enthusiastic yell, the rest of the group started appearing from the stacked layers of tiled houses.

After nearly half a month of not seeing each other, this reunion filled Lu Zhuangyuan with excitement as he enthusiastically grabbed Li Huowang’s hands. “Daoist! You’re finally back! We’ve been anxiously waiting for you.”

“Troupe leader Lu, the journey here must have been quite tough. Did everything go smoothly?” asked Li Huowang.

“No, no, it wasn’t tough at all! The number of people is the same as before! No one went missing!” said Lu Zhuangyuan before subsequently showing concern for Li Huowang’s lone eye; it was as though they were very close to each other.

“Let’s go, don’t just stand here. We’ll discuss more inside,” said Li Huowang.

Just as Li Huowang was about to step in, Lu Zhuangyuan stopped him. Then, he sneaked a glance at Bai Lingmiao as a trace of unease appeared on his face.

“Uh, Daoist… There’s no need to head in so quickly. First, I have to speak with you privately,” said Lu Zhuangyuan.

Li Huowang clearly didn’t quite understand what he meant. “Just say whatever you need to. Why does it have to be in private?”

Li Huowang couldn’t fathom a reason for him and Lu Zhuangyuan to have a private conversation.

“Oh… Daoist, you see… it’s better to discuss some matters privately,” said Lu Zhuangyuan as he came closer to Li Huowang while making subtle facial expressions in the direction of Bai Lingmiao.

Seeing this, Li Huowang’s heart skipped a beat as he glanced at Bai Lingmiao who was standing beside him.

If Troupe Leader Lu is insisting on discussing things privately with me, could it be because there’s a major problem with Miaomiao’s hometown?

Li Huowang finally understood what Troupe Leader Lu was trying to convey, but unfortunately, Bai Lingmiao had also caught on to it.

“Troupe Leader Lu… What happened to my hometown?” asked Bai Lingmiao.

As she saw Troupe Leader Lu shiftily avoiding her gaze, tears welled up in Bai Lingmiao’s eyes.

“Dad! Mom!” Tears streamed down Bai Lingmiao’s face as she brushed past the others and ran along the winding path toward the village.

Sensing her unease, Li Huowang hurriedly followed suit.

“Dad! Mom! Grandpa!! Your daughter is back! Where are you guys?” shouted Bai Lingmiao, her cries mixed with sobs echoing continuously throughout the village. She opened every door in the village, hoping to find her family, but only disappointment awaited behind each one.

Chacha and Char's Thoughts

Blind Chen, or the fake Hong Zhong? Credits to 格子的乱七八糟 on douyin

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