Mutated Tao

When Li Sui hugged Li Huowang, he became intangible. He phased right through Xuan Pin’s robes and then appeared before Huangfu Tiangang.

Everyone in the room instantly tensed up. However, Li Huowang didn’t make a move this time. He stood less than three inches away, watching silently.

Although Huangfu Tiangang was blind, he could clearly sense Li Huowang’s killing intent. His mustache trembled slightly, but he maintained his composure and said, “Li Huowang, think carefully. Which is more important: the White Lotus Sect or the lives of the people of the Great Qi and the Great Liang?

“The Great Qi only had a few deaths from starvation, which you found unacceptable. However, if a fight breaks out, at least half of the population of the Great Liang will die, no matter who wins. How is that any better?”

Li Huowang’s murderous intent dissipated instantly. He looked at Huangfu Tiangang and enunciated each word. “Use your brain and think. Are they truly after the White Lotus Sect? No, they want the Heavenly Mater dead!

“Also, don’t forget that they once stole the Heavenly Mater’s Heavenly Dao! Have you forgotten what it was like when death ceased to exist? Do you want to experience that again?

“If they truly seize the Heavenly Mater’s Heavenly Dao, it won’t just be Death that disappears. Benevolence[1] will vanish too!”

The thought of a world devoid of death or benevolence filled Gao Zhijian with fear.

The Imperial Preceptor refused to relent. “If losing the Heavenly Dao of Death and the Heavenly Dao of Benevolence for a while means we can avoid half the casualties, it’s worth it.”

“How many believers are in the White Lotus Sect now? How is sending all of them to their deaths any different from losing half the population? You’re putting your life in someone else’s hands, hoping that they will spare you.”

“Enough,” Gao Zhijian said, breaking the heavy atmosphere in the room. “Send word to Hou Shu, Si Qi, Qing Qiu, Nanping, and An Xi. Inform their emperors and Surveillance Bureaus to prepare for a fight to the death.”

He continued, “We can’t avoid the calamity. If they want to take our very lifeblood, there’s no point in further negotiations.”

Li Huowang walked a few steps toward Gao Zhijian. “To be honest, these people aren’t of much help. If you really want to assist, I need more Dragon Qi.”

His best option was to go to the Baiyu Capital and approach the situation from the Simings’ perspective.

Li Huowang’s request made Gao Zhijian seem troubled. After a moment, he said, “Alright, I’ll discuss it with the other Dragon Veins. Once they respond, I’ll give you an answer.”

“Do it quickly so we can minimize the deaths,” Li Huowang said.

Without bothering to speculate on whether Gao Zhijian was being serious or simply making excuses, he turned to leave.

Li Huowang finally felt a sense of relief as he emerged from the suffocating atmosphere of the underground prison.

The information from Po Daer was valuable—he now knew much more about the Tianchen Kingdom. However, the more he learned, the less hopeful the chances of victory seemed, which was not a good sign.

”Fifteen,” a familiar voice said from behind Li Huowang.

He turned and saw Xuan Pin standing there. Her tentacles were wrapped around the vase that held Po Daer’s head. “What?”

“Tianchen Kingdom has fifteen divisions in a day.”

In the past, this information would have piqued his interest. Now, it barely stirred any emotion.

“Got it. If we win, the Great Qi will have a solution to its lack of divisions. By the way, is Tianchen’s Dragon Vein alive?”

“It is, but Po Daer never interacted with it. He only knew that the golden dragon is the Dragon Vein and serves as Zuoqiu Yong’s mount.”

“Heh, using the fifteen divisions of the day as a mount. That’s quite a show of status.”

“Father, what do you plan to do next?”

“What else? In their eyes, the Great Qi is full of vulnerabilities. They can come and go as they please. If we can’t defend, then we have to attack. Hopefully, we can buy some time.

“If possible, persuade the other emperors to be less stingy. If the situation becomes critical, I won’t be as accommodating as I am now.”

“Father, don’t you think something feels off?”

Li Huowang reviewed everything in his head but found nothing unusual. “Hmm? In what way?”

“It’s too fast. The timing doesn’t add up. According to Po Daer’s memories, they began preparing as soon as the Heavenly Mater returned,” Xuan Pin said, closely examining Po Daer’s head.

“I don’t think there’s anything strange about that. Maybe they have a way to monitor the Heavenly Mater,” Li Huowang replied.

Xuan Pin shook her head, and several tentacles emerged from her red robe to pull the head closer. “The Heavenly Mater must have been cautious. She possesses the Heavenly Dao of Death—if she wanted to fake her death, no one would be able to tell, and that’s exactly what she did.

“Even if the Tianchen Kingdom has supernatural powers, it’s impossible for them to have discovered it so quickly from two realms away.”

Li Huowang realized Xuan Pin had a point. His focus had been entirely on the Tianchen Kingdom’s strength, and he had overlooked this detail. “So you’re saying we have a traitor feeding them information?”

Li Huowang’s eyes suddenly narrowed. “Is it Shai Zi?!”

“It’s not him. He’s genuinely helping you now.”

“True. It’s not the Sitting Oblivion Dao’s style to play such a boring game.”

“Father, I don’t think it’s an insider, but another party giving the Tianchen Kingdom information,” Xuan Pin said and briefly paused. “If they want the Tianchen Kingdom and the Great Qi to fight to the death, there must be something in it for them.”

This made the situation even more confusing. “Another party? Who else could it be besides the Great Qi and the Great Liang? Are you saying it’s someone from another timeline?”

Li Huowang continued, “I’ll keep that in mind. When I catch another informant of the Tianchen Kingdom, I’ll interrogate them thoroughly.”

He pulled out his spine sword and prepared to return to the Great Qi. As the rift opened, something red inside immediately set off alarm bells in Li Huowang’s mind. “What’s going on?”

Li Huowang stepped into the rift and was immediately struck by the sounds of battle.

The recently established city of the You Capital had completely fallen. It was currently engulfed in flames and blood.

Li Huowang quickly scaled the city walls and was met with a shocking sight: endless waves of bandits charging toward the city.

The Tianchen Kingdom had launched its attack. They intended to take over the Great Qi.

Li Huowang drew his spine sword and swung it back. “Li Sui! Get over here and help!”

A shadow darted from the rift, pulling Li Huowang’s abdomen open and climbing in.

“Li Sui! This isn’t enough! There are too many of them! Use your illusions to notify the others in the Great Liang! We need everyone’s help!”

1. This was previously translated as the Heavenly Dao of Kindness, but Benevolence is more accurate. ☜

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