The Unruly Immortals

Li Huowang, holding the head of Hong Zhong in his hands, listened in shock as Nan Gong described the events that had transpired.

After listening to the account, Li Huowang said with great astonishment, "What exactly is the origin of this Hong Zhong? Even without a head, he can still run!"

At this point, Li Huowang paused slightly as if he had suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly spoke up, "However, Astrological Bureau Director, I have seen once in Huo Shu a military expert who had the ability to survive decapitation. Perhaps Hong Zhong acquired that skill from them."

Hearing Li Huowang's words, the Taoist from the Astrological Bureau gestured with his hand, and the head in Li Huowang's hands flew back into his own, resting in his palm like a pagoda.

The Taoist's mouth opened, and with his pitted and rotten teeth exposed to the air, a stench of bad breath permeated the surroundings.

"There's no need to steal the Military's cultivation techniques. With Xinsu, it's not strange for him to run without a head. What is strange is that he's dead, and yet his soul cannot be summoned. Very odd indeed, could it be that he is still alive?"

Li Huowang thought to himself, "Is this the ability of my Xinsu? As long as I believe I'm not dead, I'll never die?"

But upon further thought, this ability he had inadvertently used seemed rather useless—if the enemy simply reminded him, he would collapse immediately.

As Li Huowang pondered this, the Taoist waved his hand and said, "Forget it, the man is dead. Let's not worry about whether it's Xinsu or not. Tell me in detail how you were deceived by that Hong Zhong."

Hearing this, Li Huowang immediately became extremely alert. This matter was not something to be taken lightly.

However, when it came to being deceived by the Oblivion Path, Li Huowang didn't need to fabricate anything. He simply altered some details and recounted the scam that Oblivion Path had conducted on him on Apricot Island.

This time, however, in Li Huowang's retelling, Oblivion Path had not failed but had succeeded.

"So that means... the one who has been accompanying Zhuge Yuan all this time has been Hong Zhong?"

"Indeed, that is the case. However, I was constantly bewildered in the Bamboo Forest and cannot ascertain what Hong Zhong, using my identity, had said to Zhuge Yuan to persuade him to allow him to stay by the storyteller's side."

Being too close could easily reveal flaws, so Li Huowang deliberately made a long-winded explanation. Whatever the man had done or said was all Oblivion Path's doing and had nothing to do with him.

Li Huowang suddenly realized that the identity of Oblivion Path was indeed very useful.

After listening, the Taoist slowly nodded his head. The small head on his neck spoke up, "Heh, the things you're saying—don't tell me you made them up to deceive us? Could it be that you are Oblivion Path as well?"

Li Huowang's expression stiffened, and he quickly drew a knife, unhesitatingly slicing across his own jawline. He lifted half of his face to reveal the skin, flesh, and bone beneath, layer by layer, for them to see.

"Alright, alright, we believe you're not Oblivion Path. Ah, the decisiveness of someone from the Ao Jing Sect really is something," another Nascent Soul, wearing a square Taoist Crown, started to smooth things over.

"Enough, all of you be quiet!" As the Taoist's tone intensified, the two Nascent Souls on his body shrunk into his body, resembling two red birthmarks the size of mantou.

The Taoist, cradling the head, stepped forward and began to circle Li Huowang slowly, his tone becoming somewhat more relaxed.

"Don't worry, Hong Zhong's head is right here. The bureau won't suspect you of being Oblivion Path. Since you've returned in one piece, that's naturally a good thing. Here's what we'll do: the bureau has a task for you, go and carry it out diligently," he said.

"Yes, Director, please instruct me, Er Jiu will give it my all!"

The Taoist placed the severed head on the table and then patted it with his hand. "The Bureau intends for you to get close to Zhuge Yuan and give it a try."

"We probed a bit before, and the Liuyao Tongshu in Zhuge Yuan's possession is still there. The one Hong Zhong exhausted his wits to deceive away was fake, which is a stroke of luck. If Oblivion Path got their hands on that thing, that would have been a huge problem."

"Yes, but Lord Astrological Supervisor, since Hong Zhong directly stole Zhuge Yuan's Liuyao Tongshu, they have become sworn enemies! If I go there again, it'll be like walking into the lion's den!"

Li Huowang always knew his place, and at present, he didn't even know Zhuge Yuan, having never exchanged a single word with him.

"If Hong Zhong could use your identity to get close to Zhuge Yuan, then you, the real deal, should give it a try as well. Perhaps you might succeed."

"But..." Li Huowang's pupils shrunk slightly, this was not what he had in mind. He thought that the Bureau was going to take revenge on Oblivion Path next, and he could just ride the coattails of this momentum to hunt down Bei Feng. But now, how did it come to be involved with Zhuge Yuan again.

"What is it? Are you saying you don't want to go?" The Taoist's tone turned cold, and the two Nascent Souls on his neck opened their eyes slightly, emitting a faint black luminescence.

"I wouldn't dare." Li Huowang slightly bowed his head.

"Off you go then. Whether there are dates or not, give it three knocks and see."

"Yes, Lord Astrological Supervisor." He had figured out by now that this guy just wanted to give it a try, with no regard whatsoever for his own life.

Seeing Li Huowang's attitude, the Rotting Teeth Taoist nodded with satisfaction, then sat on the stool holding the severed head, casually waving his hand. "Alright, you may leave now,"

Li Huowang was momentarily stunned; that was it? What about the follow-up? Oblivion Path had killed an Astrological Supervisor from the Astrological Bureau, such a brazen challenge, and it's being dismissed so lightly?

Sensing that it wasn't appropriate to ask questions on the spot, Li Huowang immediately bowed and turned to leave.

Walking along the deserted wooden corridor, he glanced at Nangong who came out with him and asked indignantly, "Our Supervisor has been killed by Oblivion Path, and the Bureau really doesn't plan to do something about it?"

Just as Li Huowang was considering whether to fan the flames further, Nangong Yun spoke up.

"It's not so simple. The Bureau has already called in reinforcements from the six Daoist divisions of Da Liang. Once they've all arrived, we'll trap them in one fell swoop."

As he spoke, Nangong Yun's expression became colder, "Hmm... Humph! These swindlers really think that just because the State Preceptor is too busy to deal with them, they can do whatever they want. They underestimate the Astrological Bureau too much!"

Hearing this, Li Huowang let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, all his hard work was not in vain. Oblivion Path and the Astrological Bureau were finally going to clash. As long as they were fighting, he could benefit from the chaos.

"Er Jiu, the Bureau is asking you to get close to Zhuge Yuan, don't think of it as being put in a tough spot. Don't forget that Oblivion Path used your identity to kill the Supervisor."

"According to the Bureau's rules, such a matter wouldn't be easily let go. Luckily, Capital City is short on staff now. Whether you succeed in getting close to Zhuge Yuan or not, this matter will be considered as resolved."

Li Huowang's face lit up with realization. "So that's how it is, thank you for clarifying, Brother Nangong."

Li Huowang continued walking and talking with Nangong Yun. Their relationship wasn't especially close, but at least they had advanced from strangers to acquaintances who nodded to each other in greeting.