The Unruly Immortals

Li Sui, holding joss paper and gold ingots, followed behind Li Huowang. They walked to the crossroad where he casually drew two circles on the ground with the Spinal Bone Sword.

Immediately, Li Huowang tossed the joss paper into the two circles. Without needing to light them, the yellow paper inside the circles spontaneously ignited.

Li Sui did not ask for whom the two circles of joss paper were being burned; she merely helped silently from the side. Soon she heard her father laughing softly.

"Hehehe, Suisui, wouldn't it be great if there really were an Underworld? With an Underworld, these two kinds of people wouldn't just be done with everything upon death; debts would be settled upon death."

Li Huowang watched the fire in the circles, the red, flickering flames reflecting in his eyes.

"With an Underworld, King Yama could determine the treatment of each ghost based on all their deeds while alive. Really unforgivable people would be sent to the Eighteen Levels of Hell, having their eyes gouged out and tongues cut, deep-fried by little demons."

"Those who did good deeds in life could, according to their merits, be reincarnated into wealthy families to enjoy life, living a long, disease-free life."

Li Sui raised a tentacle, picked up a gold ingot, and threw it into the fire, watching as it twisted and blackened in the flames.

"Dad, do you want the whole world to turn out that way?"

Li Huowang picked up pieces of yellow paper and tossed them into the circles, watching them continually burn. "Don't you think a world like that is far better than this completely mad world now?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of wind blew the ashes from the burnt yellow paper into the air, quickly spinning them around.

---------------

The Spinal Bone Sword, smeared with mud, again slashed out a gap, through which Li Huowang swiftly slipped.

Upon his sudden return to Da Qi, a strong Fei Gang pressed down on him so hard he could hardly breathe; it was too much.

As he raised his head, Li Huowang saw himself far ahead, a statue several stories high.

The tall stone statue was tied with ropes, being erected through the concerted efforts of laborers chanting work songs.

Seeing the people kneeling and shouting toward the statue, Li Huowang immediately understood where this Fei Gang came from.

Few in Da Qi could do this; it was likely Chan Du's idea, but Li Huowang didn't want to stop it.

Seeing that there would be a confrontation with Tianchen Country soon, he needed as much Fei Gang as possible.

Whether it was to deceive with Oblivion Path's tricks or harness Wang Tian Bao Hao, he needed Fei Gang.

"Immortal Master, you are back." The stationed military forces respectfully saluted.

"Summon Chan Du, the Deputy Director of the Astrological Bureau, and the Da Qi military commander to see me, quickly."

"Benefactor Li, I am here." An aged voice sounded from behind him.

Li Huowang turned around to see Chan Du seated in meditation on a grassy mat, slowly rotating Buddha Beads in his hands.

"Still have time to recite scriptures here? In three days, Tianchen Country is going to attack us." Li Huowang approached him. By the time Da Qi's Deputy Director, Liang Yuxuan, and military commander Chen Yurong arrived, Li Huowang had already succinctly explained the situation.

"Having finally obtained this information, we must find a breakthrough point through it. How many people can Da Qi still utilize?"

Upon hearing this, the faces of the three weren't too good. After the previous battles with the Sayless Army, the newly gathered forces of Da Qi were almost all lost again.

"Bring as many as possible, considering this concerns the life and death of Da Qi. Chan Du, isn't there still Buddha at Zhengde Temple? Use all of them."

Chan Du's hand trembled slightly as he held the Buddha Beads, "Brother Li, but that's the foundation of Zhengde Temple, disrespecting Buddha is not an option."

"If Tianchen destroys Da Qi, or if Da Qi fails to secure the Dragon Vein, Zhengde Temple will have no foundation anyway!"

Chen Yurong offered strategic advice, supporting Li Huowang. "Immortal Master, since it's an ambush, we might achieve a calculated strike without needing so many people."

Li Huowang thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, even if this information is true, based on my understanding of him, he might sell our movements to Tianchen Country."

"We can't rely on tricks to deal with Tianchen Country; we need enough strength to possibly execute a calculated strike."

After a moment of contemplation, Chan Du said, "Benefactor Li, Da Qi is yours, and we will certainly do our utmost, but be mindful that this is all Da Qi has left. If exhausted here, Da Qi might become easy prey."

"There's no need to fight head-on if it's unwinnable. The primary goal this time is for me to sneak into Tianchen amidst chaos to understand the situation there; only by knowing the enemy can we be victorious."

After all, if Da Liang were to send reinforcements, they couldn't come easily; they must thoroughly understand the situation there first.

"But Benefactor Li, once you've crossed over, how will you return?"

Li Huowang patted the Spinal Bone Sword on his back. "With this, I can return anytime."

"But isn't that sword----" Chan Du's words were abruptly interrupted. "Yes, indeed, the sword can be used to come back."

Li Huowang looked toward the voice and realized it was Xuan Pin. He walked over, pinched the Taoist Robe, and confirmed it was a real person.

"Why are you here? Go back quickly; it's dangerous here." Li Huowang didn't want to let his woman take risks with him.

"I know it's dangerous, which is why I came to help you. I'm not at ease with you going to Tianchen Country alone."

"No, go back! Be good, listen."

"What does 'be good' mean?"

Just as Li Huowang was about to speak, tentacles emerged densely from the red Taoist Robe, quickly slipping into Li Huowang's throat as he opened his mouth.

As Li Huowang drew a dagger from his Robe to prepare to disembowel himself, a tentacle emerged from his navel, binding his wrist.

"Dad, I'm going to Tianchen not just for you; this also concerns all of Da Liang. Don't forget, I am the Astrological Bureau of Da Liang."

"And indeed, I can help you, don't always shoulder everything alone."

Seeing the strength in Li Huowang's hand gradually fade, Li Sui's tentacle released his wrist, patted his back, and retracted.

"I just don't want you taking risks with me."

"Dad, don't treat your life as inconsequential. If you die, I will be heartbroken." Li Sui extended a tentacle to feel Li Huowang's constantly pulsing heart.

Feeling the familiar sensation within, Li Huowang recalled Xuan Pin's strength, and in the end, he nodded in agreement.

He had already decided in his heart, with Suisui on board, this reconnaissance mission would be the priority, not intending to tangle with Tianchen Country.

As Li Huowang bent down to pick up Li Sui's red Taoist Robe, he saw the three from Da Qi standing dazedly.

"Why are you dazing off? Hurry up and go?!"