Mutated Tao

The atmosphere in the room was just right. As Li Huowang was about to continue kissing her, Yang Na suddenly burst into laughter.

Why are you laughing?” Li Huowang was confused.

“I’m just happy. Huowang, I’m genuinely delighted that you’re really out of the hospital. I can’t help but laugh.” Yang Na gave him a heavy kiss on the cheek.

Upon seeing his expression, she coughed lightly and quickly straightened her face, then gently closed her eyes.

“Alright, let’s not talk about it. Let’s start over as if that didn’t happen.”

Li Huowang looked at her delicate face and moved closer. Suddenly, he felt a gaze from outside the window.

When he turned around, he saw Madam Qi holding a pair of binoculars and peering in their direction.

Li Huowang lost all interest. “Madam Qi! Are you enjoying the view? Care to join us? I don’t mind!”

Yang Na could not hold back her laughter as she playfully punched his chest. She walked over to the window and drew the star-patterned curtains.

“If she weren’t that old, I’d be swearing at her. She’s been keeping an eye on me so closely that I can’t even leave the neighborhood,” Li Huowang said, pulling up his pants to reveal the electronic monitors on his ankles.

“Haven’t you recovered and been discharged? Why are there still so many restrictions?” Yang Na squatted down to curiously inspect the devices on Li Huowang’s ankles.

“It’s because of what happened before,” Li Huowang said. He sat down on a nearby chair as he recounted his experiences with a hint of irritation.

“I gave evidence that those two severed fingers must have belonged to the kidnappers. However, they said the blood on me was all my own, and the fingers had no DNA match. No injured people showed up to claim them either, so they still couldn’t fully believe my story.”

“I’ve clearly recovered, which even the doctors have certified, but they still don’t believe me. They think I might still have episodes.”

Yang Na leaned back on her hands on the bed as she patiently listened to Li Huowang.

“You saw the monitors on my ankles. They say it’s to prevent me from being kidnapped again and that it’s for my protection. But I know they’re just doubling down on precautions.”

“Huowang, was there really someone who kidnapped you? Who are they?” Yang Na was worried, and she tilted her head in thought.

Li Huowang recalled what the mad Qian Fu had said in the psychiatric hospital, which cast a shadow over his heart.

“How would I know? Who knows why those people went crazy and decided to kidnap me. Maybe people like me are just rare.” Li Huowang changed the subject.

Whether it had to do with Qian Fu or the mysterious Leotians he mentioned, Li Huowang didn’t want to drag Yang Na into it. Even more so since Yang Na had been mentally unwell before, as it would be a terrible loss if things got too complicated and caused a relapse.

Once he had a bit more freedom, he would personally go question Qian Fu.

Yang Na brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, revealing her exquisite green earrings, “Huowang, since that’s the case, you should stay home for now. It’s safer that way.”

“I wasn’t planning to go out. I’ve been taking online classes to catch up on the basics. It’s really tough.”

“Online classes? Why—”

Yang Na’s eyes started to well up. Even after all this time, he still remembered their promise to get into the same university together.

“Huowang, I really, really like you.” Yang Na felt touched and hugged him again. The two of them enjoyed the brief moment of warmth.

Soon, Li Huowang’s words broke the tranquility. “Nana, do your parents know you’re here?”

“They don’t. If they knew, they wouldn’t have let me come.”

Yang Na’s expression darkened, but it quickly brightened up again. “Never mind that. You said you’re taking online classes? Let me, the top scorer, help you!”

Li Huowang said, “Can you? I heard that once you get into college, you forget everything from high school faster than you learned it.”

“Don’t underestimate me. What are you studying?”

Yang Na picked up Li Huowang’s phone and skillfully entered her birthday as the password. She opened the newly downloaded educational app, and a series of videos popped up.

Having Yang Na’s help was much better than studying alone. At least, it wasn’t as hard as the previous days, where studying felt like a battle.

Li Huowang took a deep breath, shut off his senses, and concentrated. He pushed the inner sight between his eyes and wrapped it with his primordial breath.

Next, he painstakingly pushed the wrapped primordial breath toward his abdomen.

The ‘Truth’ cultivation method had seven levels, and Li Huowang had already reached the third.

Although the method came from Doulao’s memory and seemed dubious, he didn’t mind.

Since all true and false Heavenly Daos were under Ji Zai, the method was genuine now, despite it being possibly either true or false before.

Li Huowang’s forehead dripped sweat as he struggled to control the wrapped primordial breath.

Each push felt like moving a mountain.

After what felt like an eternity, when he had no strength left, he released all his effort and slowly opened his eyes.

He was close, but there was still progress. He would soon break through the third level.

As he opened his eyes, various objects that floated in the air fell to the ground. Dawn was breaking.

He was almost at Qing Qiu. Since Ji Zai couldn’t help, the stronger he was, the better his chances against the Dharma Sect.

Not long after, Li Huowang saw a convoy, with most of the people having red lotus tattoos on their foreheads. Many had tattoos on their exposed skin, but their clothes obscured the details.

Li Huowang ignored their stares and walked straight into the largest carriage pulled by four horses.

As he entered, Bai Lingmiao handed him a steaming bowl of food.

While he ate, Bai Lingmiao removed his socks and shoes, and then brought over a basin of warm water to wash his feet.

After quickly finishing his meal, he wiped his face with a towel and lay down to rest.

Due to the unusual phenomena caused by his cultivation, he had been traveling at night and hiding by day. The only time he could train was in the secluded spots where the convoy rested at night while they were on their way to Qing Qiu.

“Nana, thank you. You’ve been a great help,” Li Huowang whispered with his eyes closed.

“Senior Li, there’s no need for thanks between us.”