Chapter 1009: Return

Chapter 1009: Return

As Li Huowang approached, the flies upon the corpse were startled, rising into the air with a buzzing drone; many landed on his wounds to feed.

Under the scorching sun, Li Huowang squinted to observe the flight patterns of the swarm, nodded at them, and stepped over the remains of Chen Hongyu, whose orifices were packed with maggots, continuing on his way.

From day to night, and from night to day, Li Huowang saw the familiar karez well once more and stepped inside.

Upon returning to the factory, he saw the fire he had set still burning, though diminished, as people moved along assembly lines in the smoldering structure.

Seeing Li Huowang appear, bandaged thugs with malevolent glares leveled their firearms and closed in on him.

With his expression returned to calm, Li Huowang watched them; as they aimed their muzzles at him, he reached behind his back and slowly drew his copper coin sword.

The moment the gunfire erupted, it was met with the sound of flesh being sliced by copper coins.

Bullets hammered into his scarred body, yet he felt no fear, for he now held dominion over the Heavenly Dao of Death.

The factory had been no match for him before; having absorbed so much of the Heavenly Dao, they were even less of a threat now.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, the three men on his left were instantly decapitated, their scalding blood geysering into the air.

"Nana! Look! Do you see? We are about to reverse time!" Li Huowang explained to the head hanging at his chest while cutting down his foes. "Wait for me! It will be ready soon! Just wait for me!"

Li Huowang leaped and landed heavily, cleaving the enemy before him in two, scattering a kaleidoscope of colors across the ground.

Just then, a piercing engine roar tore through the air, and a blinding glare from the left left him nearly unable to see.

Turning, he saw an off-road vehicle with spiked bumpers idling nearby, four burly men armed with heavy weapons watching him from within the beast-like frame.

With a roar, the vehicle’s wheels spun, and it charged toward him.

Li Huowang planted his feet, gathered his strength, and lunged toward the vehicle with his sword held high.

A flash of cold light severed the vehicle in two, and clear gasoline spilled from the ruptured tank onto the ground.

Staring at the flowing fuel, Li Huowang struck his hand against the ground as if striking a match. "Fire!"

With a deafening "Boom!" a violent explosion erupted, and as it detonated, the various colors intertwined and dissolved.

Eventually, the colors merged and settled into a dull, dark hue, finally forming a coffee-flavored chocolate mooncake.

The surrounding sounds suddenly flooded into Li Huowang’s ears like a rising tide.

"These Mid-Autumn Festival programs get worse every year."

"True, might as well wait for the prison band."

"Bed twenty-six! Time for your medication!"

Li Huowang looked around; the familiar environment and his intact left hand proved he had succeeded. He was back. "Hahahaha!"

His excited laughter startled those nearby, yet they felt no surprise, merely walking a wide berth around him.

Li Huowang picked up the mooncake and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing voraciously; when he felt the hidden slip of paper, he chewed harder, a wider smile spreading across his face.

As others went to watch the prisoner performance, Li Huowang feigned composure and turned toward the restroom.

But then, an unforeseen scene unfolded before him.

In the distant corridor, Yi Donglai stood in his white coat, staring at Li Huowang with utter shock. "What is going on? What just happened? Why are we back again?"

"You... you remember?" Li Huowang never imagined that this time, besides himself, Yi Donglai would also know what had transpired! This had never happened before.

Seeing a few patients glancing their way, Li Huowang quickly grabbed Yi Donglai. "Don't move! Do you want to be treated like a lunatic?"

Soon, Dr. Yi and Dr. He walked out of the restroom and headed toward the exit.

A magnetic card swiped, and the heavy iron gate swung open.

Seeing the two walk out of the hospital, the Ba siblings waiting to pick them up looked surprised.

Li Huowang ignored them, climbed into the car, and said, "Give me Zhao Shuangdian's number."

After a brief call, the car turned and headed toward Qing Wanglai's villa.

Watching the scenery pass, Li Huowang shook his phone at Yi Donglai, and the two began to converse rapidly through the screen.

Time passed, and with a sudden screech of brakes, the familiar building appeared before him.

Li Huowang threw open the door and charged inside, ignoring Chen Hongyu watching television in the hall as he sprinted to the third floor.

As the door swung open and he saw Yang Na huddled in the corner, clutching her knees, Li Huowang’s tears flowed uncontrollably.

He rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace, refusing to let go.

"Li Huowang? How did you know she was here?" Qing Wanglai walked into the room with a faint smile, followed by the others.

Li Huowang shook his head. "Everyone out! I need to be alone with Nana!"

"Of course. Everyone, let's go; give the couple some private space."

Clinging to Yang Na, Li Huowang stared unblinkingly at Qing Wanglai’s retreating back. "Qing Wanglai, you just wait!"