The Unruly Immortals

"Hmm, bustling places are so annoying, which is why I wanted to find a remote place to settle down,"

"Don't worry about it, what's the relationship between us two? You can rest assured, since this territory has been taken by you, once I say so upon my return, this land and this village will be yours, and no one will be able to dispute it."

"That's right, wasn't the White Lotus Sect exterminated by you in a fire? Since you killed them, it's only right that their territory belongs to you."

Although Liu Zongyuan seemed to be giving Li Huowang face, the words felt somewhat harsh to his ears.

Liu Zongyuan carefully glanced at the door, leaned slightly towards Li Huowang, and lowered his voice before speaking, "Hey, have you heard about that incident in the Capital City? Right now, people in the Astrological Bureau are very unsettled."

"Hmm, I've heard. It seems like Oblivion Path has pulled one over on us."

"That's not half of it. I've heard they fought a great battle inside the palace for three days and nights! Our Emperor was severely injured by Oblivion Path, nearly dead. It's doubtful we can prepare his tomb in time, but Oblivion Path hasn't fared any better, losing more than half of their number, even one of the Touzi has died!"

"Hmm? Is the news reliable?"

"What's this question? Looking down on me, are you? Have you forgotten I'm from Moon Gate? Who has more reliable news in Jiangnan than me?"

Li Huowang's brows creased slightly, seemingly the struggle between the two powers didn't cease after he left the Capital City, rather it escalated into a life-and-death fight.

Seeing Li Huowang's expression change, Liu Zongyuan quickly reassured him, "Don't worry. It's no big deal, just the death of an Emperor. The Crown Prince is already waiting. As soon as the Emperor dies, he will succeed the throne; things will go on as they always have."

"Brother Liu misunderstands; I'm not concerned about those high and mighty people, their life and death have nothing to do with us. I just feel that these are chaotic times," Li Huowang said as he raised his tea cup and took another sip.

"Indeed, chaotic. All churned up by people. What are those big shots thinking? Isn't it good to live a peaceful life? Just talk from above and run around below. If it weren't for the things at the Astrological Bureau that I desire, I'd have quit a long time ago."

"Er Jiu, you do have the right idea, just slinking off to this out-of-the-way village, not taking on jobs or lighting signals. The new Record of Appearance even thought you didn't exist."

After quick contemplation, Li Huowang realized that befriending this person from the Astrological Bureau would be beneficial and harmless to him. Having such a friend could prove useful at any time, preparing for an unforeseen need.

"Brother Liu, hearing about the heavy casualties from Oblivion Path from your mouth, it truly feels refreshing. But don't leave just yet; I'll host a feast, and we won't return until we're completely drunk!"

"Alright, I'm just getting hungry! I wasn't planning on being polite with you, just waiting for you to say that."

Having heard Li Huowang's orders, the young servant pulled out all the stops, and the jar of Champion Red was brought out; after the meal, Liu Zongyuan had eaten and drunk to his heart's content.

At the end of the drinking feast, the inebriated Liu Zongyuan hung onto Li Huowang arm in arm, looking as if he wanted to become sworn brothers with him.

However, Li Huowang perceived that the Ten Emotions and Eight Miseries Liu was exhibiting were not as they seemed.

Oblivion Path always believed that every person had several faces; some were just unexpressed while others were.

As for Liu Zongyuan's duplicity, Li Huowang didn't particularly care; he himself was no different.

After a heavy drinking bout, Liu Zongyuan got up early in the morning, urging Li Huowang, who had come out to see him off, to not bother.

"Brother Er, this is far enough, you should head back now. Aren't you really planning on taking any assignments anymore? If you don't take on assignments for a long time, the rank associated with that waist token can be downgraded,"

Li Huowang shook his head slightly, "Think about how many people have died recently. The world outside has been in chaos lately, better to lay low for the time being. Brother Liu, I'd like to offer you a word of advice; don't overexert yourself. Life is your own, and when it's gone, there's nothing left."

After hearing this, Liu Zongyuan thought seriously for a moment, then solemnly cupped his hands and bowed to Li Huowang, pulling out several curved bamboo slips inscribed with phases of the moon from half to full from his coat.

"Brother Er, keep these safe. If you need to contact me, just tie one to a carrier pigeon, and it will surely find me. The rounder the moon, the faster it will arrive,"

"Alright, I'll be in this village for a while. If you want to find me, just come directly."

Watching as Liu Zongyuan jumped into the woods and disappeared, Li Huowang once more took out his Astrological Bureau waist token to look at it.

It seemed that this layer of identity was still useful, or else today's situation might not have been resolved so smoothly.

"The Emperor of Da Liang has died again? This must be the second one to pass away, right? They really change them out frequently."

Images of that ever-masked Emperor of Da Liang flashed through Li Huowang's mind, appearing so noble and domineering, it was unexpected that he would die so quickly.

But the thought quickly vanished, and Li Huowang turned and headed towards Niuxin Mountain.

As for the life and death of others in this world, he truly didn't care at all. He only wanted to protect his own little piece of peace in this mad world, just living a secure life.

Li Huowang wasn't even interested in the immortality that everyone in this world yearned for, although as Xinsu, he could consume Yangshou Pills without limit.

But if it meant endless suffering and torture, what difference was there between that kind of immortality and the Eighteen Levels of Hell?

The thought of being alive while everyone he cared about had died was a scenario more frightening than death itself.

Not long after Li Huowang had left, Bai Lingmiao poked her head out from a house with the Second God, expressing her relief, "It's good that Li Huowang was here. If he hadn't been, it might not have been so easy to fool the Astrological Bureau."

"But it looks like he has significant connections within the Astrological Bureau. Should we tell him about the Immortal Sects' threat to us? Perhaps he could find a solution through his connections there, what do you think?"

At Bai Lingmiao's words, the red veil on the Second God's head swung left and right as she shook her head.

"What, you think it's too troublesome to involve him? If we wait until things blow up to tell him, that will be truly troublesome! Some things are better not kept secret."

"Then... what about your eyes..."

The Second God's words made Bai Lingmiao freeze for a moment as she gently lifted her hand to gaze through her pale pupils tinged with pink, looking at her own hand, white and smooth as jade.

At that moment in her field of vision, she could only see three of her fingers, the rest was obscured by a swath of white fluff.

Bai Lingmiao spoke very calmly, "My parents had asked around before, people like me, born with white hair, would eventually go blind in both eyes, and generally don't live long."

"My parents tried many methods back then, but none worked. Maybe this is just my fate, who can I blame for my misfortune?"