Mutated Tao

Li Huowang held Hong Zhong's head while listening to Nangong's explanation.

"What's this Hong Zhong's origin? He managed to escape without his head?!" Li Huowang exclaimed in amazement.

Just then, Li Huowang paused slightly as if he had recalled something. "Lord Jian Zheng, I once saw a general in the Hou Shu with a similar ability to survive a beheading. Perhaps this Hong Zhong had learned it from there."

Jian Zheng gestured, and the head in Li Huowang's arms flew back to him.

Jian Zheng held it carefully and opened his mouth, revealing a set of uneven rotten teeth, which diffused a foul smell to the surroundings.

"He doesn't have to deceive away a technique from the military. A Strayed One running without his head isn't surprising at all. Strangely, his soul is not responding to me, even though he's already dead. Strange, is he still alive?"

Is that one of a Strayed One's abilities? I'll never die so long as I believe that I'm still alive? Li Huowang thought. However, he felt that such an ability was a bit useless. He'd instantly die upon getting reminded that he was dead, after all.

While Li Huowang was pondering over the burning questions in his mind, Daoist Jian Zheng waved his hand and said, "Forget it, he's already dead. Let's not bother whether he’s a Strayed One or not. As for you, I want you to explain in detail just how Hong Zhong managed to deceive you."

Li Huowang immediately snapped back to reality at the remark, and he recounted the events with extreme focus, knowing that he needed to get the story right.

Fortunately, Li Huowang's story didn't need many lies. He simply changed a few details while explaining the method that a Sitting Oblivion Dao member had used on him while he was on Xing Island.

The only difference was that the Sitting Oblivion Dao member had succeeded rather than the opposite.

"So... the one who followed Zhuge Yuan was actually Hong Zhong?"

"Yes, that's correct. I got lost in the bamboo forest, and I couldn't figure out what Hong Zhong had told Zhuge Yuan, which allowed him to stay by his side," Li Huowang said, deliberately making the story longer with some half-truths.

Li Huowang realized just then that being a Sitting Oblivion Dao member was pretty useful.

Daoist Jian Zheng nodded slowly at the story. Meanwhile, the tiny head jutting out on his neck said, "Hehe, are you sure you're not trying to deceive us? What if you're also a Sitting Oblivion Dao member?"

Li Huowang's expression froze. Moments later, he pulled out a knife and cut open his jaw without any hesitation. Li Huowang revealed half of his face and displayed the layers of his skin, flesh, and bones underneath.

"All right, all right. We believe that you're not a member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao. Ah, disciples of the Ao Jing Sect are truly decisive," said the other Nascent Soul to defuse the tension.

"Enough, all of you be quiet!" Daoist Jian Zheng said sternly. The two Nascent Souls jutting out of his neck shrank into his body and became what looked like two red moles.

Daoist Jian Zheng approached Li Huowang with Hong Zhong's head in his hand.

Daoist Jian Zheng slowly walked around Li Huowang, and his voice softened slightly as he said, "Rest assured, Hong Zhong's head is here. The Surveillance Bureau isn't going to suspect that you're a Sitting Oblivion Dao member.

"However, since you've returned in one piece, I'll have to give you a task."

"Understood, Lord Jian Zheng! Please tell me what to do, and I will do my best!"

Daoist Jian Zheng placed the head on the table and said, "The Surveillance Bureau wants you to get close to Zhuge Yuan. We probed and found that Zhuge Yuan still has the Six Divinations Almanac.

"Fortunately, Hong Zhong ended up taking away a fake almanac. If the Sitting Oblivion Dao had obtained that item, it would have caused significant unrest."

“Understood, Lord Jian Zheng," Li Huowang said, "However, Hong Zhong stole Zhuge Yuan’s almanac using my identity, so we could be considered enemies right now. At this point, I think I'll die if I approach him."

Li Huowang made it a point to tell them that he wasn't familiar with Zhuge Yuan at all.

After all, his story was that he didn’t become friends with Zhuge Yuan.

“Hong Zhong has succeeded in using your identity, so you should be able to do the same.”

“But…” Li Huowang trailed off. The turn of events was beyond his expectations. He thought the Surveillance Bureau would go and kill the Sitting Oblivion Dao members, so how come they wanted him to get close to Zhuge Yuan once again?

Li Huowang had to redirect the Surveillance Bureau's attention to the Sitting Oblivion Dao so that he could use them to find the right Bei Feng.

"Are you saying you don't want to go?" asked Daoist Jian Zheng in a cold tone of voice. The eyes of his two Nascent Souls opened slightly just then, emitting a dim black light.

"No, I dare not." Li Huowang lowered his head. Daoist Jian Zheng was just testing the waters, and he didn’t care about Li Huowang’s life at all.

"Go on, then. No matter what, it's better to try it out first before anything else. You're dismissed.” Daoist Jian Zheng with rotten teeth sat on a stool and shooed Li Huowang away.

Li Huowang was stunned. Is that it? What about the aftermath of the Sitting Oblivion Dao member killing Jian Zheng? Why does it seem like Jian Zheng's death isn't that impactful?

However, Li Huowang knew that this wasn't the right time to ask questions, so he decisively left.

Walking down the silent wooden corridor, Li Huowang turned to Nangong next to him, and he sounded frustrated as he asked. "The Sitting Oblivion Dao has killed Lord Jian Zheng. How come it feels like the Surveillance Bureau isn't going to do anything about it?"

A long silence ensued. Just as Li Huowang was considering whether to fan the flames a bit more or not, Nangong responded, "It's not that simple. The Surveillance Bureau has already drawn personnel from the Six Divisions of Great Liang.

"Once everyone is here, we're planning on catching all of them in one fell swoop."

Nangong Yun’s expression became cold just then as he added, “Hmph! Those scammers are actually thinking that they can do just about anything while the Imperial Preceptor is too busy in the palace.

"They're truly underestimating the Surveillance Bureau!”

Li Huowang was relieved upon hearing Nangong Yun's. Fortunately, his efforts weren't in vain. The Sitting Oblivion Dao had finally caught the eyes of the Surveillance Bureau.

Li Huowang needed this conflict to reap profits from the sidelines.

"Er Jiu, the Bureau wants you to approach Zhuge Yuan. I want you to think that it's not that troublesome of a task. After all, the Sitting Oblivion Dao had used your identity to kill Lord Jian Zheng," Nangong Yun warned.

"If we were to go by the rules of the Bureau, you'd be severely punished. However, we need manpower more than ever in the capital. Regardless of the result, the Bureau will let you go for now."

Li Huowang instantly understood what was going on, and it was all thanks to Nangong Yun's explanation.

"I see. Thank you for the explanation, Senior Nangong," Li Huowang said. Then, the two seemed to transition from strangers to acquaintances as they talked to each other in the winding, wooden corridors.

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