Mutated Tao

Li Huowang sat on the bench as he looked at Cao Baihu lighting up an incense to be offered to the Prison God.

Usually those from the military don’t light up incense nor pray to any gods, but I know basically nothing about them. Perhaps this is a custom of the Liang Kingdom’s military?

After lighting up the incense and offering it to the Prison God, Cao Baihu sat back down and took just a glance at Li Huowang’s bronze coin veil before turning to Ji Xiang, saying, “You must have a favor to ask me, as you had come all the way to this inauspicious place.”

“Hoho, Cao Baihu is an astute man indeed. I will keep it short. This is Brother Er Jiu, and someone in his family has been inundated and is being plagued by the killing intent of a weapon. I suppose that's a minor issue for you, right?”

Cao Baihu nodded.

Li Huowang sighed in relief. Li Huowang thought it was a serious matter, but he was happy to know that it was just a minor issue for Cao Baihu.

Li Huowang grabbed his gourd and poured out all of the lifespan pills he had onto the table, saying, “Cao Baihu, this is just a tiny gesture of my good faith for you; please accept them.”

However, Cao Baihu pushed the lifespan pills back to Li Huowang. “No need for that. I'll just consider us friends from now on, so you don’t have to give me these. Even though we're from different departments, both of us are still working for the sake of the Liang Kingdom.”

Ji Xiang chuckled and smiled. “So, Cao Baihu, are you going—”

An hour later, Ji Xiang and Li Huowang walked out of the prison with frowns.

Ji Xiang slammed the doors harshly and said, “What kind of man is he?! How dare he ask us for a favor before helping us with our minor issue! Rather than Bi’an, they should just draw the Pi Xiu[1] instead!”

“It’s fine, Lord Ji Xiang," Li Huowang said, "We're asking them for a small favor, so It is only natural for us to repay it.”

“Sure, that's the correct thing to do, but …” Ji Xiang trailed off. He clapped and sounded regretful as he said, “Sigh, I’m sorry for finding someone like him for you.”

Li Huowang knew that Ji Xiang was just putting up an act, but it was a very convincing one.

“No worries. It’s just a small favor. I will do it,” said Li Huowang. He didn't sound disappointed, as he never really expected to receive a free lunch in this world. Li Huowang just had to escort a prisoner in exchange for Bai Lingmiao's treatment; it was a profitable trade.

“I’m so sorry.” Ji Xiang smiled regrettably.

“Lord Ji Xiang, no need to apologize. Let’s go back first. If you still feel that you owe me, you can just tell me more information about the prisoner. Of course, only if you know anything about them…" Li Huowang said. He was still unsure as to what he was supposed to do. After all, this was his first time accepting a mission from the Liang Kingdom's military.

“No need to worry about that. Old Cao is right; it’s just a small favor. It wouldn’t affect you as long as you have no plans of becoming an official.”

“An official?” asked Li Huowang, sounding curious. The two sedan chairs arrived at the small courtyard house once more. To show his appreciation, Li Huowang offered Ji Xiang some tea in the house to talk things over.

Ji Xiang smiled and accepted the offer. The two sat in the hall, and Li Huowang’s question made Ji Xiang’s smile freeze.

“Lord Ji Xiang, are you really going to leave? Are you not going to reconsider it?”

Li Huowang had never once thought that it was taboo to say such words out loud. He needed to make things clear, after all. What am I going to do once he leaves? Tuoba Danqing is already dead, so who else should I find to get more missions?

Ji Xiang sighed and placed the teacup down slowly. “You know what we went through last time. Plus, I’m too old, and it’s time for me to rest. There are still people waiting for me at home, so I will leave the world to the youths like you~”

Ji Xiang clasped his hands together and kowtowed toward the northeastern corner of his house before saying, “I’m not sure what the superiors are thinking. I dared not ask nor listen for any news. I think it's wise for me to prioritize my life.”

Li Huowang frowned as he sipped his tea. If he’s telling the truth, it means Shangjing might become chaotic in the near future. I need to be careful, and I can't get involved. Regardless of what the higher-ups are doing, I need to steer clear of them.

Li Huowang had only one goal: to find Bei Feng for the sake of removing his issues as a Strayed One.

Ji Xiang seemed to have seen through Li Huowang's thoughts, and he pulled out something from his clothes. It was an intricate-looking identity token. Ji Xiang pushed it over to Li Huowang, and the latter finally saw the words written on it—Seventh Banner.

Li Huowang was surprised. “I got promoted again? And I even skipped a rank?!”

Ji Xiang chuckled and said, “Er Jiu, I could only help you this much. I couldn't promote you any further. Upon my departure, you can go to the headquarters to take on missions. You now have the right to do so, and your revenge will not get delayed.

"You're already a Seventh Banner, so the other Ji Xiangs cannot order you around anymore. You're also free to choose any missions. If you need help, you can order those at the Tenth Pawn rank to help you.”

Li Huowang stared dazedly at the identity token. He thought Ji Xiang wanted to return Li Huowang's favor by giving him a house, but Ji Xiang had decided to do more than just that, which meant Li Huowang now owed Ji Xiang a favor.

“Lord Ji Xiang, I don’t think this is…” Ji Xiang trailed off, shaking his head.

“Er Jiu, you're a great person and a powerful fighter. You're even better than me. All I ask is don't forget me once you've become famous, all right?”

Ji Xiang smiled and patted the imaginary dust off of his clothes. Then, he bowed to Li Huowang before leaving through the back door.

Left all alone, Li Huowang sat quietly in the hall he stared at the identity token in his hands. Eventually, Li Huowang stood up and walked into the house. He could still remember Ji Xiang's words about how he had left him something in the house.

Ji Xiang instantly identified what Ji Xiang had left for him.

It was the wish wood with a withered Strayed One’s tongue nailed to it.

The withered tongue trembled ever so lightly as if it had sensed someone's presence.

Li Huowang poked the withered tongue gently; he also poked the nail that had pinned the tongue to the wood.

It was a priceless artifact, but Ji Xiang gave it away so easily.

Li Huowang was unsure of what Ji Xiang thought of him, but Li Huowang was convinced that Ji Xiang had misunderstood something about him.

Meanwhile, Ji Xiang sprinted through the darkness and soon appeared in front of another small house. He opened the gates and saw a brand new horse carriage waiting inside the courtyard.

An old woman peeked out from within the carriage and saw Ji Xiang.

“Brother, how was it?” asked the old woman.

Ji Xiang leaped onto the carriage and ushered it northward. “The man from the Ao Jing Sect has arrived at Shangjing. I’ve done what I promised him, and I even gave him many things. I no longer owe him any favor, so we can leave now!”

“Really? That’s amazing! We can finally go home!” the old woman exclaimed in delight. The old woman's delight made it clear that Ji Xiang was treating her well.

The old woman took out a guokui[2] and tore a small piece to feed Ji Xiang. “Why are you treating that man from the Ao Jing Sect so well? You even spent a long time waiting for him.”

1. A mythical beast that attracts wealth ☜

2. it's a kind of flatbread ☜

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!