The Unruly Immortals

Li Huowang listened intently and finally understood the other party's intention.

Essentially, Zhuge Yuan shared this matter with him to suggest that there was a righteous path to choose, indicating there was no need for Li to stay and ambush Bei Feng, in order to avoid danger.

"But now, even though they know I have this ability, they have no clue how to utilize it. Seeking a Cultivation Technique, I don't even have the slightest lead. What should I do next to find one?"

Seeing the grim expression on Li Huowang's face, Zhuge Yuan consoled him, "Brother Li, don't panic. I will also keep an eye out for you, and should I hear any news, I will surely inform you."

Observing the other's calm demeanor, Li Huowang grew anxious, aware that if Zhuge Yuan did not understand the gravity of his situation, he would likely not agree to help.

Immediately, Li rolled up his sleeve, revealing his forearm crusted with dried blood scabs. He then took out the Purple Tassel Sword and forcefully shaved off a layer, as if peeling sugarcane. The flesh, knotted with blood vessels, was exposed to Zhuge Yuan.

Within each and every blood vessel, big and small, writhed black tentacles of varying sizes. Some tentacles even burst through the weaker points, swaying like maggots.

"Brother Zhuge, I would prefer to take my time as well, but look, I really don't have the time. Black Taisui might help suppress Huan Jue, but every moment, it's eroding my body."

"I don't know how much time I have left, but I fear it's fast approaching. If I keep on slowly searching for that so-called Cultivation Technique, Black Taisui will have seized my body long before I can find it!"

"Woo-woo-woo..." Li Sui's grievous crying echoed in Li Huowang's mind, having learned to express sadness through tears.

Although it was hard to bear, at this moment, it was essential to explain clearly to Zhuge Yuan. A Cultivation Technique might be tempting indeed, but Bei Feng was right in front of him, and it was impossible to let this opportunity slip away so easily.

While comforting Li Sui in his heart, Li Huowang anxiously watched Zhuge Yuan's expression.

"Moreover, Brother Zhuge, isn't there a possibility that the Cultivation Technique Bei Feng uses is of the same nature?"

Zhuge Yuan appeared to be in a difficult position, lightly fanning himself with the paper folding fan in his hand.

"Are you truly set on this course? Without Black Taisui's control, you'd at most experience Huan Jue and not die. Why rush at this moment?"

Just thinking of that scene caused Li Huowang's pupils to dilate, his breathing hastened, "You don't know what I'm doing over there! I'm aware it's Huan Jue, but I would rather die than fall into it again! I truly do not want... to be unable to distinguish again..."

Instantly, the bamboo house fell silent, and both men remained as still as statues. A kingfisher landed on the window sill, pecked gently at the bamboo frame with its beak, then swiftly flew away.

"Ah, since this matter has troubled Brother Li so much, well then, so be it. When the time comes for Oblivion Path's reckoning, stay close."

"Thank you for your help, Brother Zhuge!" Li Huowang was overjoyed, knowing that no matter what, he had achieved his goal of coming to Apricot Island!

Not only that but now he had a powerful ally by his side, giving him confidence despite Bei Feng's formidable strength.

Since the other party had a method to escape Huan Jue, how could he feel content without understanding it?

Seeing the elated expression on Li Huowang's face, Zhuge Yuan sighed softly to himself, fearing that even if he didn't agree, Brother Li would still secretly follow.

If that's the case, it's better to agree directly, it's good to have support in the open. They are all pitiable people of the 'Heart' generation. If I can help, I will.

"Brother Li, keep calm and don't be restless. Since you insist on following, I will lay out the next steps for you, so you won't find yourself rushed later."

"OK! You tell me!" Li Huowang immediately perked up. He also wanted to understand what Zhuge Yuan was planning to do with the Heart Turbidity he snatched from the Astrological Bureau.

Zhuge Yuan took a sip of tea lightly. "In recent days, there has been some unrest within the Eight Desolates, Brother Li should be able to feel it, right?"

When he associated it with Record of Appearance's hasty departure and the huge warship he saw on the sea prior, although these matters weren't his own, Li Huowang could still feel that there seemed to be a storm brewing.

"Indeed, but since it doesn't have much to do with me, I haven't made a point of inquiring into it."

"Alas," Zhuge Yuan sighed lightly, "in the end, it's all about the royal family's affairs. The Empress Dowager of Da Qi, in her desire to rule from behind the curtains, actually resurrected the prematurely deceased six-year-old emperor. Ha ha, the mighty Da Qi is being ruled by a walking corpse without a full soul, how sad and laughable is that."

"Da Qi? Didn't Da Qi perish hundreds of years ago, and now it's Da Liang? Could it be he thinks Da Liang is the successor to Da Qi, accustomed to the old name so he still calls it Da Qi?" Li Huowang became more confused as he listened, with even more doubts surfacing in his mind.

Unaware of Li Huowang's confusion, Zhuge Yuan continued to speak in a measured tone.

"If that were all, it would be one thing. A skinny camel is bigger than a horse, after all, and even in its decline, Da Qi isn't a nation anyone can just interfere with. But the real trouble comes from those eunuchs clinging to imperial power."

"They've somehow given the walking corpse emperor a consciousness, and he has started to issue false imperial edicts, claiming he wants to select consorts."

"Never mind that the little emperor is dead, even if he were still alive, he's only six years old, why would he need to select consorts? Moreover, the ones being selected are all girls born in years, months, and hours associated with yin."

"I went out to ask around recently, and it's not just consorts being selected. All across Da Qi, a large number of men have been conscripted for labor."

"Just think, when have there ever been so many conscriptions in so many years? Repairing the national Great Wall doesn't even compare to this. I suspect they are being summoned for tomb construction!"

"Tomb construction?" Li Huowang was momentarily bewildered. This clearly didn't match anything he had heard. He had been in Da Liang for a while and had never heard anyone speak of any large-scale conscription.

Without paying attention to Li Huowang, Zhuge Yuan went on, "A walking corpse emperor, consorts born in the yin, and tomb construction—think about it, these matters can't be insignificant."

Zhuge Yuan picked up the teacup in front of Li Huowang, poured it out, and served up a steaming fresh brew.

"Although the eunuchs hold great power, have influence everywhere, and are even entangled with the Zhengde Monks, causing the capital to be shrouded in darkness, luckily there are still people of ambition within the imperial court."

"As an ordinary storyteller, I didn't want to get involved in these matters. But watching them continue would lead to utter ruin, and I could no longer stand idly by."

"That's why I prepared the Heart Turbidity in advance, and entrusted an old friend to refine it into a magic artifact in the form of a painting scroll that erases memory, all in preparation for entering the capital...."

Li Huowang was staring at the eloquently speaking Zhuge Yuan, his words going in one ear and out the other, as his mind was already thinking about other things.

"I used to think Heart Pan might get a bit better, but now it seems that despite the vastly different capabilities of Xinsu, Heart Pan, and Heart Turbidity, there are some aspects where they're exactly the same."