Mutated Tao

“Senior Li, Senior Li, wait a moment!” Gao Zhijian hurriedly stopped him upon seeing Li Huowang’s determined expression.

“Senior Li, it’s too dangerous for you to go to Qing Qiu alone. Why don’t you stay here?”

“No need. I’m not that weak. Besides, if I stay by your side, some people might not sleep well at night,” Li Huowang said as he glanced at the Imperial Preceptor.

Since Li Huowang was about to head to Qing Qiu to confront the Dharma Sect, the Imperial Preceptor was naturally very pleased, “Good! Brother Li, you are truly righteous! I admire you!”

Li Huowang snorted coldly, said nothing more, and left Shanjing imperial city, which had been uncomfortable to stay in.

Qing Qiu was far away, and given the unknown state of the battles there, Li Huowang decided to depart that very day to prevent wasting more time.

As Li Huowang stepped out of the main gate, he saw Lu Xiucai standing there with his eyes wide open.

Suddenly, Lu Xiucai bent his knees and kneeled in front of Li Huowang. He banged his forehead on the ground and gritted his teeth. “Master, I want revenge! I want to avenge my family!”

Li Huowang looked at him and asked, “Who do you want to seek revenge on?”

Lu Xiucai lifted his head, his eyes filled with extreme hatred. “The Dharma Sect! It was the people of the Dharma Sect who killed my elder brother and sister-in-law. They also drove my father insane!”

During the short time Li Huowang had been in the palace, Lu Xiucai seemed to have figured out some things.

“Against the Dharma Sect’s witches, can you survive with just your mediocre skills?”

“When the time comes to fight, don’t expect me to help you. If I have to take someone along, it will be someone useful and not a burden. Remember, I am not your master. We are done with each other.”

“I am not afraid of death! I am ready to give up my life! Killing one is breaking even. Killing two is a gain!” Lu Xiucai puffed out his chest and roared.

Li Huowang saw the fearlessness in his eyes and knew he was serious this time.

In Li Huowang’s memories, Lu Xiucai had always been carefree. This was the first time he was seeing this side of Lu Xiucai. It seemed the tragedy that befell the Lu family had finally made him mature. He was no longer the ignorant youth he once was.

Li Huowang looked at him for a while, then tossed the Surveillance Bureau's waist badge and a gourd containing lifespan pills to him.

“If you dare to go through with this, take this to the inner vault of the Surveillance Bureau and exchange it for some life-preserving items. Just say that Er Jiu sent you.”

“Yes, Master!” Lu Xiucai took the items without hesitation and left. He seemed to have already made up his mind.

After returning to his residence, Li Huowang spoke to the eunuch who took care of Lu Zhuangyuan and Xiu’er. “I may have to leave for a while. Take good care of them until I return. If Xiu’er comes of age, find a scholar to teach her. If I die, ask His Majesty what to do with them.”

“Understood, your orders are as good as His Majesty’s. I will not delay in executing your orders!”

After settling his worries, Li Huowang took out a map of Shangjing city and began to plan his travel route.

“Dad, are we leaving again?” Li Sui asked while holding Xiu’er.

“Yes, we are. Go pack up. Once Lu Xiucai returns, we’ll set off.”

Li Sui nodded obediently and went to prepare.

These days, she had followed her father to many places and knew very well what to prepare. She was a great help to her father with these little things.

As Li Huowang replaced his tired horse with a much more energetic one from the inn, there was a knock at the door.

He opened the door and saw Lu Xiucai standing there, his eyes slightly red. “Back already? That was fast. What did you get?”

Lu Xiucai tremblingly pulled out a scroll of blood-red bamboo slips from his chest and handed it to Li Huowang.

“The Profound Records?”

“Yes.” Lu Xiucai nodded. “I didn’t recognize some things and wouldn’t be able to use the others, but I have seen Master use this before. It’s very useful, and it doesn’t require cultivating or breathing techniques. I can use it right away!”

“Do you know the price you have to pay to use this?” Li Huowang opened the scroll and looked at the various horrifying tortures and rituals depicted on it.

“I am not afraid of pain! I want revenge!” Lu Xiucai responded firmly, his eyes filled with a deep intensity.

“Maybe you should reconsider. You are the last male of the Lu family. If you die, your family line ends.”

Li Huowang's heart had softened a bit, so he tried to persuade him to go lead a peaceful life.

However, Lu Xiucai’s attitude was resolute. “No! I want revenge! They killed my family! I must get back at them!”

“My family was destroyed! If I don’t pay them back tenfold or a hundredfold, what is the point of all the abilities I painstakingly cultivated? Should I just let it go to waste?”

Li Huowang stopped trying to persuade him. He tossed the Profound Records back to Lu Xiucai and prepared to set off.

As he was about to open the door, someone knocked on the courtyard’s gate again. Someone else? Who could it be? I shouldn’t know anyone else in Shangjing.

When Li Huowang opened the door, a delicate and refined face appeared before him. Her bright, clear eyes looked at him excitedly. This was his confidante in this world.

“Huowang!” Yang Na couldn’t contain her excitement and threw her arms around him.

Yang Na’s body was very light. She almost jumped onto Li Huowang, who caught her steadily with both hands.

Li Huowang was momentarily dazed when he smelled the faint fragrance of her hair.

After a few seconds, Li Huowang came to his senses. Yang Na had come to find him, and he was seeing her again!

“Nana?” Li Huowang released her, looked at the girl in front of him carefully, and hugged her tightly once more.

“It’s me! It’s me!” Yang Na hugged him back as she jumped with joy.

After embracing for a while, Li Huowang suddenly felt something was amiss behind him. He turned around and saw Sun Xiaoqin holding a bowl of fruit, standing there with a knowing smile.

Yang Na blushed slightly, then pulled Li Huowang into his bedroom and closed the door.

The two of them looked at each other and then hugged tightly once again. They had waited too long for this moment and felt that no amount of time spent embracing would be enough.

Li Huowang’s face moved closer, and he gently kissed her soft, lipstick-coated lips.