Chapter 395 - Storyteller
Li Huowang understood what Zhuge Yuan was trying to say.
Zhuge Yuan was trying to tell Li Huowang that there were other methods to deal with his situation rather than risking his life by staying by Zhuge Yuan’s side just to lure Bei Feng out.
But I don’t know how to use my abilities even though Zhuge Yuan told me that I can cultivate ‘Truth.' I don’t even know where to find any books or scrolls describing it. What should I do?
Zhuge Yuan noticed Li Huowang's distress and consoled the latter. “No worries. I will help you on my end by paying attention to any news about it. If I do hear anything, I'll let you know immediately.”
Zhuge Yuan's leisurely attitude made Li Huowang feel anxious. He felt like Zhuge Yuan couldn't sense Li Huowang's desperation.
Maybe he will understand if I show him. Li Huowang showed Zhuge Yuan his arm covered in scabs. He used his purple-tassel sword and shaved off his skin, revealing his blood vessels underneath.
Numerous black tentacles wriggled inside each of his blood vessels. Some wormed their way out of the weaker walls of the capillaries like maggots.
“Senior Zhuge, I want to take it slow, too, but I don't have any time left. The Black Taisui can suppress my hallucinations, but it's taking over me. I don’t know how much longer I can hold it back, but I really don’t have much time.
"The Black Taisui would snatch away my body if I were to take it slow. I must cultivate 'Truth' as soon as possible.”
Li Sui's sobbing echoed in Li Huowang’s brain. Li Sui seemed to have learned how to express sadness.
The scene was gory, but Li Huowang had to make it clear to Zhuge Yuan. The search for the cultivation method to cultivate ‘Truth’ was indeed a tempting idea, but Bei Feng was just right in front of them.
Li Huowang also couldn't let go of Bei Feng so easily.
Li Huowang inwardly consoled the crying Li Sui while staring at Zhuge Yuan’s face.
“I also think that Bei Feng has a cultivation method for cultivating ‘Truth.'”
Zhuge Yuan remained indecisive, fanning himself as he said, “Do you really have to do this? You're only going to have hallucinations without the Black Taisui. That's the worst that can happen. You're not even going to die, so why are you so anxious?”
Li Huowang’s pupils widened when he recalled that scene. “You don’t know what I’ve gone through! I know it's a hallucination, but I'd rather die than get stuck in that hallucination again! I want to be able to tell which is real and which is fake!”
The bamboo building went quiet afterward.
The two of them sat silently, seemingly pondering over something.
A bird landed on the window sill and pecked it before leaving.
“All right, since you need it urgently, let's bait out the Sitting Oblivion Dao. They might attack me soon, so you can just follow me.
“Thank you for your help, Senior Zhuge!” Li Huowang exclaimed, extremely pleased with the outcome. He had achieved one of his objectives and found a reliable ally as well. Bei Feng was strong, but he and Zhuge Yuan could fight Bei Feng together.
Li Huowang was never going to stop until he acquired the method to get rid of the hallucinations from Bei Feng.
Zhuge Yuan sighed inwardly in the face of Li Huowang's delighted face. He had decided to agree, as Li Huowang would most likely follow him secretly, anyway even if he had refused.
Zhuge Yuan would rather agree than allow Li Huowang to follow him secretly. In addition, they could communicate better, as they had decided to work together.
Zhuge Yuan also found Li Huowang to be quite pitiful. After all, everyone with the word ‘One’ was bound to live a challenging life.
“Relax, Junior Li. Since you've decided to follow me, I have to tell you what I'm about to do. This way, you won't be surprised by what's going to happen.”
“Sure, tell me!” Li Huowang replied, ears perking up to listen attentively. He really wanted to know why Zhuge Yuan had taken a Muddled One away from the Surveillance Bureau.
Zhuge Yuan took a sip of his tea and said, “Junior Li, I’m sure you’ve noticed that things are getting chaotic. It feels like something big is going to happen soon, right?”
Zhuge Yuan was right. Li Huowang did feel like something big was about to happen, and he could still remember seeing that colossal navy ship at sea. Ji Xiang's departure from Shangjing to hide elsewhere had been nagging at him as well.
“That’s true, but I don't think what's going to happen is related to me.”
“Sigh,” Zhuge Yuan sighed. It's all because of the royal family. I heard that the Empress of the Qi Kingdom had decided to revive the late emperor, who perished when he was just six years old. She apparently did that to solidify her power.
"Hahaha, the absolute leader of the Qi Kingdom is actually a zombie. What a joke.”
Qi Kingdom? Didn’t the Qi Kingdom fall to ruin hundreds of years ago? Isn’t it the Liang Kingdom now? Maybe he thought the Liang Kingdom had annexed the Qi Kingdom, and he's used to calling it the Qi Kingdom. Li Huowang was confused.
Zhuge Yuan failed to notice Li Huowang’s confusion as he continued, "That's not all. A skinny camel is still larger than a horse. The Qi Kingdom is slowly inching to ruins, but it’s still a massive kingdom that few can afford to invade.
"Unfortunately, the officials of the Qi Kingdom have become corrupt. I don’t know what method they used, but they managed to bestow upon the late emperor a 'fake' consciousness, and the late emperor came to life, giving out decrees.
'It even chose concubines. Let's ignore the fact that he's dead and think about his age. He's just six years old. Why would he need a concubine? He even specifically chose concubines born on the Yin year, Yin month, and Yin hour.
"I asked my friends to help me gather information and was shocked to find that the emperor was not only taking in concubines but also conscripting many men.
"Now that I think about it, it's been such a long time since there was such a massive conscription. I don't think it's necessary to conscript so many people just to fix the walls, so I think the emperor wants to build a tomb!”
“A tomb?” Li Huowang couldn’t comprehend what Zhuge Yuan was saying. As far as he could remember, Zhuge Yuan's revelation had never happened, especially the mass conscription.
Zhuge Yuan ignored Li Huowang's confusion and added, “A zombie emperor, concubines born on the Yin year, Yin month, and Yin hour. Then, a tomb. Think about it: something grand and serious is about to happen.”
Zhuge Yuan poured out the cold tea inside Li Huowang’s cup and replaced it with hot tea.
“The officials have taken control of the palace, and they've collaborated with the Righteous Monastery. They've fallen into depravity and are infecting the entire capital with their corruption.
"Thankfully, there are still some righteous people within the palace. I'm just an ordinary storyteller, so I initially had no plans of getting involved.
"However, I realized that the lives of so many people would be at risk if I were to avoid getting involved. I can't afford to ignore it. That's why I took away that Muddled One and asked an old friend of mine to turn it into an artifact capable of wiping out memories. That artifact is going to be an important tool for me.”
Li Huowang stared intently at Zhuge Yuan, but he hadn't been listening at all.
I thought the Twisted Ones were somewhat better off, but it seems that we have some similarities. The Twisted Ones, the Strayed Ones, and the Muddled Ones all have their own distinct abilities, and we also have our distinct curses.
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