Mutated Tao

The sounds of crying could be heard throughout the Buddha’s Skeleton Temple. The monks and the devotees were busy carrying out the injured from within the collapsed palace.

At the same time, many of them were also busy cleaning up the debris as they tried to save the Flesh Bodhisattva from underneath the rubble.

Amidst all the chaos, no one noticed the black spindle that had rolled to a corner of the wall.

At that moment, two bloody pikes picked up the black spindle like a chopstick.

As he looked at the item that Zhuge Yuan had given him, Li Huowang frowned.

The spindle was made from a yellow bone. The bone was slimmer in the middle and thicker on both its ends. The marking on it showed that it was an old item. There were black threads wrapped around the bone, turning it into a spindle. The threads were extremely black and fine.

What is this? Are there any side effects to it?

Li Huowang wasn’t sure what to do with it.

As he thought about it, he remembered the kindness that Zhuge Yuan had shown to him. If Zhuge Yuan really was the one who had killed Fa Cai, then his strength would definitely be above Li Huowang. Thus, if Zhuge Yuan wanted to kill Li Huowang, there would be nothing the latter could do.

Li Huowang used the pikes and examined the spindle while sitting on the stairway. He slowly tried to rationalize everything that had happened.

Zhuge Yuan… Zhuge Yuan …

Firstly, based on how that damned eunuch reacted to that name when he heard it, I can confirm that Zhuge Yuan belongs to another faction. Zhuge Yuan’s faction should also be much stronger than sects like the Righteous Monastery or the Benevolent Nunnery. Secondly, the mission this time, to obtain the Muddled One, was leaked to the Sitting Oblivion Dao and Zhuge Yuan. What happened was that Zhuge Yuan ended up killing Fa Cai and avoided Ji Xiang before obtaining the Muddled One, thus becoming the winner this time.

After having been here for some time, Li Huowang was well aware of the Surveillance Bureau’s strength. If even they were cautious of Zhuge Yuan, then that would mean that the latter was much more powerful than he had originally thought.

There was also the issue with Zhuge Yuan’s power. Even though he looked like a scholar, he had still managed to defeat Fa Cai.

Li Huowang recalled what Ji Xiang had asked them before.

Let me ask you this. While at the Buddha’s Skeleton Temple, did any of you feel anything strange? Maybe someone did something suspicious yet reasonable at the same time?

This was what Ji Xiang had said. However, Li Huowang didn’t know what he meant. What did he mean when he said suspicious yet reasonable? Why was it related to Zhuge Yuan and why was Ji Xiang so shocked?

Li Huowang closed his eyes and carefully remembered everything that had happened within the Buddha’s Skeleton Temple. The only thing that happened back then that was suspicious yet reasonable at the same time was Xin Chi suddenly framing him as someone from the Sitting Oblivion Dao.

Xin Chi might be petty but it was definitely strange that he would try to frame Li Huowang at a time when they could be attacked by the Sitting Oblivion Dao at any time.

Also, when that member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao masquerading as me appeared, he could’ve just said that it was yet another member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao. But he didn’t. Instead, he became somewhat conflicted and then chose to remain silent.

As Li Huowang carefully analyzed the situation, he found more and more suspicious issues.

Is that Zhuge Yuan’s power? Can he control someone’s actions without them knowing? Is this a technique or mind control?

Li Huowang began thinking about the various possibilities.

Wait, if he is capable of controlling others, why didn’t he use it on me?

If Zhuge Yuan had this kind of power, then there was no reason for him to talk to Li Huowang in order to obtain his goals. He could just control Li Huowang and do whatever he wanted.

Unless…

Li Huowang’s pupils suddenly shrank and his heart started beating faster.

Unless he doesn’t have any goals at all?

Li Huowang lowered his head and looked at the spindle.

Then why did he give me this? Was it out of kindness? Did he pity me? Impossible! That doesn’t make sense! There’s no way that there are people like that out there! I don’t believe it! He must have an ulterior motive!

At that moment, Monk’s illusion approached him and said, “Daoist, you can’t say that. I became a monk because I wanted to do good deeds, and Abbess Jingxin was also a good person.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang just stood there. He kept thinking and thinking, but there was no satisfactory answer.

After a while, he shook his head and sighed deeply. He had become so used to wickedness that kindness seemed much more foreign and scary to him. He would rather Zhuge Yuan just attack him. At the very least, that way he wouldn’t have to think so much.

“Amitabha, benefactor, I’m sorry to disturb you.”

Hearing the sudden voice, Li Huowang raised his head and saw that it was the old monk of the Buddha’s Skeleton Temple. He was standing there with a kind look on his face.

“Benefactor, I know we mustn't lose sight of the bigger picture, and I know that the Surveillance Bureau has a great goal, but, if possible, please stop killing. Because of you, five of our monks have returned to Nirvana today,” pleaded the old monk, kneeling in front of Li Huowang with his hands clasped together.

Looking at the nine scars on the old monk’s head, Li Huowang just stood up and walked out of the temple.

Another kind person? Maybe, but I don’t trust him.

Once out of the temple, Li Huowant had decided on his new goals.

Rather than waiting here and thinking, I would just prefer to ask Ji Xiang and see if my questions can be answered. That eunuch surely knew who Zhuge Yuan was! Once I know who Zhuge Yuan is, I can think about what to do with the spindle.

Having made his decision, Li Huowang lowered his head and placed the spindle in his bag of torture tools before hopping onto his horse.

The horse started galloping across the muddy road, never stopping once.

As he moved, the cold rain splashed onto the horse’s back and on Li Huowang’s face.

Li Huowang looked up at the dark skies as he continued to travel on the muddy road.

Back when he came here, they were in a horse carriage where he could hide from the weather; however, while traveling to the temple the skies had been perfectly clear. On the other hand, now that he was returning on horseback, the rain didn’t seem like it would ever stop.

Even though it was already late at night, it was still raining. Li Huowang knew that he shouldn’t be riding the horse, but he knew that if he stopped then he would be thoroughly soaked. He needed to find a place to take shelter from the rain.

Just then, Li Huowang saw a flag that had ‘station’ written on it, causing his eyes to light up as he urged the horse to run faster. The flag was flowing wildly in the rain.

The stations were places provided by the Liang Kingdom where messengers and officials could rest, eat, and exchange horses.

Just as the person in charge of the station yawned and lazily walked out with a lantern, Li Huowang shoved his identity plate into the person’s face.

Immediately, the half-asleep station master was freed of his drowsiness.

Soon after, the stable boy was awake. He came and took Li Huowang’s horse and started treating it carefully.

The chef was also woken up, tasked with cooking the best of meals before serving them to Li Huowang in his room.

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