The Unruly Immortals

"Li Senior Brother, what's wrong with him?"

"I don't know either, he was fine just now, how did he become like this after looking at a book, like he's bewitched?"

"Bai Junior Sister, why don't you go and have a look? It's not that he's sick again, is it?"

Encouraged by the others, Bai Lingmiao walked over, her voice tinged with unease, as she carefully asked Li Huowang, who was crouched on the ground, "Li Senior Brother, are you... alright?"

She stole a glance at the array of characters in front of Li Huowang, whom he was intently looking at.

Because Bai Lingmiao could not read, she did not know what was written but, by the look of it, those characters must have been important to him.

Seeing that he paid her no attention, Bai Lingmiao thought for a moment, took the whip hanging from her waist that she used to beat the drum, propped it against the book beside Li Huowang, and with a flick of force, sent the book flying far away.

"Just now, Li Senior Brother became like this after looking at this book; perhaps the book is unlucky."

After completing this act, Bai Lingmiao continued to ask, "Li Senior Brother, are you okay?"

Li Huowang, who was always keenly perceptive, was now completely deaf to what anyone was saying. He was wholly absorbed, staring at the lines of characters he had laid out on the ground.

I am Peng Zhi, one of the three corpses of a certain existence. (False)

I am Hong Zhong, one of the Great Trinities of Oblivion Path. Oblivion Path deceived me before, it was I who instructed them to do so. (False)

The person who died in that dead town was killed by me. (False)

One of the high-ranking members of Oblivion Path is Xinsu, who lived to be one hundred and ninety years old and has completely freed himself from hallucinations. (?)

Looking at the fourth statement, Li Huowang pondered over the possibilities in his mind. "Could this be true?"

Since others are after Xinsu, it must be valuable, and if they can use it, why can't Xinsu himself make use of it?

Inferring from the new ability he had suddenly acquired, the potential of Xinsu might be far greater than he had imagined.

"If there truly is a way, then that means my illness can be cured! I can become a normal person, no, I might even be able to completely control this power. If that's really the case, then others wouldn't dare deceive and harm me anymore!"

As he thought excitedly, Li Huowang felt as if he was filled with strength, and even his typically gloomy mood became fiery with passion.

However, gradually, Li Huowang calmed down; all of this was based on a major premise, that being that Oblivion Path was telling the truth when they first said this.

From past dealings with Oblivion Path, this seemed rather unlikely.

Li Huowang did not know how likely the last statement was to be true, but even if there was just a ten percent chance, it was very tempting for him as he was now.

He was in such desperation.

It wasn't just about gaining more powerful abilities; it also meant escaping from torment.

Switching between hallucinations and reality unpredictably was truly too torturous; Li Huowang did not want to go through the experience, which was more painful than death, ever again.

"It's not possible now, but after escaping from Huo Shu, I may try to collect information about this, step by step, discerning rationally."

"I must be cautious now, not rashly believing any word of Oblivion Path, regardless of its truthfulness. I will take it one step at a time, basing everything on reality."

After sorting out his thoughts meticulously, Li Huowang stood up, and then he saw the others all standing at a distance, watching him with strange expressions.

"What are you all looking at? Is there something on my face?"

"No, no problem at all." Young Yang picked up the large iron pot and was about to carry it when Gao Zhijian's large hand reached out, lifting it up with ease.

Others also began to pack their luggage, putting on an appearance of preparing to depart.

Li Huowang looked around, picked up the "Swindling Scripture" from afar, and stuffed it into his chest, then prepared to continue on his way.

But at that moment, a sudden insight flashed through his mind. "Wait a second! Is it possible that those two swindlers are also from the Oblivion Path? Are they planning to deceive me too?"

"No, I must go back."

With a grim face, Li Huowang immediately took out the "Swindling Scripture" from his chest, threw it on the ground, and hurried towards the flat-topped mountain.

This scene left everyone else unable to react, unsure of what was happening, and for a moment everyone fell silent.

"I'll keep an eye on him, to prevent him from getting sick halfway," Chun Xiaoman said, and immediately followed with her sword in hand.

The rest of the group waited for two Hours, and by the time it was nearly dark, they saw Li Huowang finally coming down from the flat-topped mountain again, with Chun Xiaoman following behind with a face full of reluctance.

Li Huowang's expression was obviously much better than when he had gone up the mountain, as if he had let out a huge sigh of relief.

"What's up? What happened?" Gouwa ran up to Chun Xiaoman and asked quietly,

"Those two swindlers had it rough, ah... it's really too harsh, they only deceived others, their crime doesn't deserve death."

"Why did Brother Li have to do that?"

Chun Xiaoman seemed hesitant to speak, as though unsure of how to explain. "He... wanted to see how many faces those two people had, and clearly, they only had one."

"Hiss~" Gouwa instantly felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Stop chatting, let's hurry on our way while it's still not dark, don't forget we're currently being pursued."

Li Huowang's words made the two quicken their pace to catch up, tacitly avoiding any further discussion of what happened on the flat-topped mountain.

Just as the others were about to set off again, another unexpected event occurred.

"Li... Brother Li, what's wrong with you? Are you okay?"

However, Li Huowang had an extremely awful expression, holding his head with both hands. "Chains... fasten chains around me! It's coming!"

"Brother Li, we have no chains! They're all on the cart!"

"Dig a pit, quick! Bury me in a pit, hurry! Don't let me run wild!"

Before they could finish digging the pit, Li Huowang was already back in the hospital room filled with the smell of disinfectant.

There stood a person in front of him, a young man in a white lab coat with glasses.

The man in the white coat slightly smiled and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Li Huowang? You're awake? Let me introduce myself, I am your attending physician. My name is Hou."

"How do you feel now, compared to before? It seems your lucid moments are somewhat less frequent."

Li Huowang looked around and asked, "Where's my mom?"

Doctor Hou's face showed a warm smile as he kindly spoke to Li Huowang, "Your mother had something to take care of and had to step out. She was here just a few minutes ago, you just happened to be asleep."

"Li Huowang, if you truly care about your mother, then you need to cooperate with my treatment, to heal as quickly as possible, so you can repay her for everything she has done for you with all her heart."

"Let's have a chat, I know you think this is all an illusion; no worries, let's talk about your 'real' world on the other side, shall we?"

"It seems like you've discovered quite a few... special things there recently."