Mutated Tao

“Stop boasting and move away.”

Chun Xiaoman used a bamboo pole to shove Puppy away before standing in front of the cowering man. “Why did you come to our village? And why do you want to kill us? How did we offend you?”

The man told her everything, as he was afraid that Puppy would use the hemp rope on him if he didn’t answer fast enough.

“We were chased out by the military, and we ran out of food soon after we were chased away. The witch told us to find a village far away from the city and pillage that village for food. Your village is the farthest from any city.”

“The military?” Chun Xiaoman was confused. Was that really all? “Who are you guys? And why did the military chase you away?”

“We're members of the Dharma Sect!” the man exclaimed, raising his chin. The words "Dharma Sect" had somehow boosted his confidence as if it was supporting him mentally.

“The kingdom is unfair to us! There are many others worshiping many gods, but they've been deliberately targeting only us, who are worshiping God Yu'er! Hmph! The witch who can talk to God Yu’er had told us that the Liang Kingdom was on its last legs and wouldn't last long, just like the grasshoppers after autumn that will die in just a few days!

"God Yu’er had even shown itself to us a few days ago! The dark skies were the doing of God Yu’er! God Yu'er would soon manifest in the mortal world! By then, the Dharma Sect would be the official religion of the kingdom!

"We will become emperors! We no longer have to give up our food, and we no longer have to work by then while enjoying the taste of meat every day!”

Puppy had no idea what was happening, but Lu Zhuangyuan knew what was going on. His travels had allowed him to learn a ton about the world outside.

“Ah… They're not bandits but rebels! We ran all the way here to avoid the war, but things are going to become chaotic for us again, even though we're just starting to enjoy our peace!”

“Rebel? They're rebels?” Lu Xiucai scoffed, but his smile disappeared when he remembered that strange old lady.

The majority of the people in the hall had no idea what was going on, but they knew the implications of the word "rebel." Rebellions signified death, war, and hunger.

Chun Xiaoman crouched and questioned the man, “Does your Dharma Sect have many members?"

“Of course! We have millions of members! We're all children of God Yu’er… it's just that some of us were enlightened much quicker than others! You guys are the same, too! Hurry up and surrender to God Yu’er!”

The man was clearly spouting nonsense, but everyone in the village was shocked by what they heard from him.

Zhao Wu had a bad feeling about this, and he expressed it, saying, “We killed so many of them. Don't you think they'll come and avenge their members?”

No one knew the answer to that question, but everyone felt as if a boulder had landed on their chests.

“Don’t worry. It's been a while since Senior Li and Miaomiao have departed, so they should be coming back soon.”

Everyone felt much better at that remark, and it made sense.

Li Huowang was like a god to them, after all.

The Dharma Sect was nothing to Li Huowang.

“Miss Chun, I think we can’t wait for the autumn harvest to stock up on food anymore. Once the kingdom is embroiled in chaos, our stockpile will be our lifeblood,” Lu Zhuangyuan said. His rich experience was exhibiting its usefulness right now.

“Good call. Zhao Wu, pawn the gold and stockpile some food! We'll discuss the details once Senior Li is back. Zhijian, arrange for some militia to stand guard during the night and make it a shifting schedule, just like what we did during our travels.

"Tell them to bring some dogs during their patrols. Dogs can detect things we can’t.”

Without Li Huowang, Chun Xiaoman assumed the role of a leader. Gao Zhijian would have been better as a leader if it weren't for his speech impediment.

While Cowheart Village was buzzing with activity, Li Huowang had a visitor in Shangjing. Someone knocked on his door and asked, "Is Sir Er here?”

Li Huowang was jolted out of his nightmare, and he instinctively grabbed his weapon beneath his pillow.

“Is Sir Er here? Please open the door. Our master is waiting for you.”

Li Huowang tried his best to listen to the timekeeper’s voice and realized that it was already the third section of the night. He didn't really have many acquaintances in Shangjing, so who could be waiting for him?

“Senior Li, there are twelve people outside, and there's a sedan…” Miaomiao whispered.

“Dress up and prepare the luggage. Wait for me on the second floor. I will kill them if they are enemies, and we'll run away from Shangjing immediately afterward!” Li Huowang said. He wore his red Daoist robes and placed the purple-tassel sword on his back before walking toward the entrance.

Li Huowang got ready to fight the moment his hands touched the wooden door. And that was when the fake Hong Zhong’s illusion appeared next to him. “I checked. A eunuch is looking for you.”

Li Huowang’s eyes twitched as his hand passed through the illusion to open the door. His sharp sense of smell immediately caught the scent of a fragrance mixed with urine. The fake Hong Zhong’s illusion was right. The other party was a eunuch.

Li Huowang's curiosity was piqued upon seeing a familiar jade cat in the eunuch's arms.

“Hehehe~ I greet Sir Er.” The old eunuch bowed. “Please enter the sedan. Our master is waiting for you in his residence.”

It seems that the emperor has finally remembered me. Li Huowang thought. Then, he entered the sedan that was the size of a small room. Soon, eight strong men carried him toward the palace.

The eight men carried the sedan carefully, making Li Huowang feel as if were sitting in a car. He was inside the highest-grade sedan that the Liang Kingdom had to offer.

The sedan passed through the red palace walls and continued until it arrived at the entrance of the emperor’s bed chamber, where they finally allowed Li Huowang to exit the sedan.

The bed chamber had a golden roof and a red door. Moonlight was being reflected off the shiny, silver roof that had several statues of a beast wearing a mask unique to the Liang Kingdom.

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