Mutated Tao

Once Tuoba Danqing left, Li Huowang naturally left the restaurant as well; there was no reason for him to stay there all by himself.

At the same time, he needed to slowly sort out all the information that he had learned today.

Just then, Hong Zhong clapped, applauding him. “Not bad, not bad. You are indeed one of the Three Officials. To think that you managed to add a bit of the truth into your lies. Even if they went and investigated, they might not be able to discover it's a lie.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang glared at him. Just as he was about to snap back at him, the waiter from before walked out of the restaurant.

The waiter bowed down toward Li Huowang, only to be ignored by him. Just as Li Huowang was about to walk away, the waiter called out to him, “Dear customer, quite a lot of the dishes are still untouched. Do you want to pack them up like last time?”

Li Huowang’s face was sullen as he snapped back, “No need! I don’t need them anymore!”

Li Huowang’s sudden outburst left the waiter feeling taken aback.

But… but you wanted to pack all of it up the last time around. Why is it different today?

On the second day, Li Huowang sat in his carriage as he traveled across the wide street. Given that his destination was the City God Temple in one of the most prosperous cities of the kingdom, it was easy to find out where it was.

Sitting within the horse carriage, Li Huowang saw the entire temple and its beauty. It was surrounded by lush trees and flowers. The temple wall was pale yellow and it had grayish-blue roof tiles. It was hard to imagine that such a beautiful and grand temple was not some large sect but just a City God Temple that could be found in any city.

“Amitabha, Amitabha.” Monk’s illusion prayed to the temple earnestly.

The temple was cloaked in the scent of incense and that there was a steady group of people entering it.

As Li Huowang stood at the side for a while, he saw that most of the people entering the temple to pray were the ladies that worked within the Exquisite Pagoda. Their faces were covered in the markings akin to that of a porcelain vase. The girls were all very earnest. All of them placed their palms together and raised them over their heads before lying down on the ground to pray. Several generations of them praying toward the City God every day had contributed to the dents on the stone slab of the temple that could be seen.

As he observed them, Li Huowang’s sharp sense of hearing allowed him to hear what they were praying for.

“Dear City God, please, I beg you. I wish for a man to buy me off and make me his wife.”

“Dear City God, please take pity on me. Let me reincarnate as a man in my next life!”

Li Huowang stood outside the temple and stared at the interior. Inside, he saw the three statues of the City God situated in the middle of the temple. Beside the three statues, there were two imposing statues, one with an Ox-head and the other with a Horse-face. It didn’t seem like the City God was a deity that would grant their wishes.

After a while, Li Huowang used the horse whip to guide the carriage toward a corner of the temple. There were several people setting up stalls there. All of them were either fortune tellers or people offering writing services.

Soon, Li Huowang found the man he had seen before, Blind Chen. Blind Chen was currently telling the fortune of a woman.

“Ai~ Your fortune is very bad~ It’s terrible even. Not only will your husband turn out to be useless in his career, but there’s nothing you will be able to do. You will either have to secretly get married to another man, or you will have to live off the charity of others.”

However, when the woman started scolding him, Blind Chen just shook his head and sat there silently as he waited for her to finish scolding him.

Once the woman left, Blind Chen looked toward Li Huowang and said, “Don’t look at me like that. I just tell others their fortune, not fix it for them.”

Even though Blind Chen was blind, Li Huowang felt like he was being watched.

“Hoho, if I’m right, then you must be the man who is here to return the mirror,” continued Blind Chen.

Li Huowang was anxious to leave, and so he didn’t talk much. He just took out the mirror and placed it on the stall.

Blind Chen reached out toward the mirror with his wrinkled hands. When he touched the mirror, he revealed a rare smile. “Yes, this is the mirror I lost. Oh, and what happened to the member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao who pretended to be my granddaughter? Where is he?”

“He’s dead. I killed him,” replied Li Huowang.

Hearing this, Blind Chen laughed happily. “Hahaha~ Excellent! It’s good that he’s dead! How dare he bully me for being blind and trick me by pretending to be my granddaughter?! He got what he deserved!”

Hong Zhong’s illusion scoffed at him. “Hmph! Nothing but the yappings of the dog who lost to me.”

“Senior Chen, where is the reward that you promised to Tuoba Danqing? Please do not try to weasel your way out of it,” asked Li Huowang.

“Of course. I would never dare to play tricks on the people of the Surveillance Bureau,” said Blind Chen as he rummaged around inside his bamboo basket.

He soon procured a dark blue book from within and passed it to Li Huowang. “This used to be the technique that we would never show to outsiders. Unfortunately, after our Master went crazy, everyone else scattered and now, there is no one that would uphold the rules anymore.”

Li Huowang opened the book and saw that it was indeed a guidebook on how to draw various talismans. The book detailed everything, ranging from how to chant, draw, use, and what type of materials to use when crafting each talisman. There were various talismans too. There were talismans that could be used to exorcize evil beings, to heal others, for fortune telling, and even for blessing a new house to ensure a good life. The book of talismans was very useful. Not only could it be used in a wide range of situations, but the materials used to make the talismans were simple as well, requiring only some blood and yellow papers. It was just that Li Huowang didn’t know how effective the talismans were.

As he went through the book, Li Huowang did notice something bizarre with the talismans—they were different from the one Han Fu had drawn. The talismans in this book were drawn with curved lines, and within each talisman, there was a distorted face hidden within.

Just as Li Huowang was about to ask about it, Blind Chen, as if predicting what he was about to ask explained first, “I have not lied to you. The thing I gave you is extremely useful, but there are some taboos to it. First of all, all of the talismans can only be used three times a day. Secondly, you must never look at them when you draw them or use the talisman.”

“And what happens if I do end up looking at them?” asked Li Huowang, curious.

“If you see your talisman?” Blind Chen chuckled and used his milky white eyes to stare at Li Huowang. “If you did, then the talisman would come to life and set its sight on you. After that, if you want to live, then you would have to blind yourself just like me.”

Li Huowang contemplated the benefits and caveats before nodding. “It’s not too bad.”

After saying that, Li Huowang slapped the horse. He was ready to move out.

“Hm? Are you fine with it?” Blind Chen was stunned. He had not expected Li Huowang to be so casual with it. “Wait, don’t go so fast. Since you helped me exact revenge, I am indebted to you. I will repay you the favor right now as I hate to be indebted to others. Sit down, and I will tell your fortune!”

“No need!” Li Huowang touched his bronze coin veil out of reflex.

But at that moment, Blind Chen suddenly pounced forward and touched Li Huowang’s shadow on the ground.

“Hmm…” Blind Chen carefully touched Li Huowang’s shadow while thinking of something.

On the other hand, Li Huowang frowned when he saw how bizarre Blind Chen was acting. When he saw that the man was not moving, he warily walked away with the carriage.

Just as he was almost out of the area, he suddenly heard Blind Chen shout at him from behind.

“The moon is both full and empty. Several remaining stars circle around the incomplete moon. A bright lantern is lit in front of the house, but the house is empty throughout spring and autumn.”

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