Chapter 1016: Fight

Chapter 1016: Engagement

Having endured so many cycles of regression, Li Huowang had already guessed what these people were whispering about; it was nothing more than the claim that his mental illness had worsened.

Yet Li Huowang felt this was for the best. At the very least, cloaked in the guise of a madman, he could effectively deceive Qing Wanglai under these circumstances.

Although the situation had shifted, he remained in the shadows while Qing Wanglai stood in the light. With this thought, Li Huowang stood up, took a deep breath, and walked toward them.

"You must think I'm lying, but what I say is the absolute truth. We Siming must work together to resolve this trouble!"

"But where is the proof, Li Huowang? Where is the evidence? Words alone are not enough; we need solid proof to believe you," Chen Hongyu asked.

"Proof?" Li Huowang frowned, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head with difficulty. "I have no proof, but what I say is truly, undeniably the truth!"

"That's just what you think is the truth, isn't it? Every lunatic in this world believes their own words are the absolute truth." Ba Nanxu, standing to the side, clearly held no trust in him.

"Now, now, don't say that about Li Huowang. He is one of our own, after all. He must have his own logic for saying this." Qing Wanglai, wearing a smile, stepped in to defend him.

Li Huowang ignored him and suddenly approached Zhao Shuangdian. "Where is your computer?"

"What computer? I don't even have a cell phone; what would I use a computer for?" Zhao Shuangdian replied with an air of indifference.

"Alright, alright, let's talk about this later. Dinner is almost ready. Let's eat first, then chat. Fifth Sister, come to the kitchen and give me a hand." Qing Wanglai stood up and headed toward the kitchen.

Li Huowang understood that continuing like this would lead nowhere. To deal with Qing Wanglai, he had to secure Zhao Shuangdian’s support, for if he failed to do so, she would likely be used by Qing Wanglai against him.

Watching Qing Wanglai’s retreating back, Li Huowang had a flash of inspiration. He signaled to Yang Na and turned to head toward the third floor.

Once Yang Na followed, Li Huowang drew his military knife and slashed directly into his own arm, carving out a piece of flesh.

"Huowang!" Yang Na turned deathly pale with fright. She hurriedly grabbed a hair tie to bind the wound and stem the bleeding.

"It’s fine. I am partitioning the Heavenly Dao! I must return Zhao Shuangdian’s portion of the Heavenly Dao to her so she can understand what I’m saying." Li Huowang said, handing the piece of flesh to Yang Na.

"Do me a favor—it’s too obvious if I go. Cook this piece of the Heavenly Dao into the meal. Remember, she loves spicy food; put it in the stir-fried green peppers and pork."

Yang Na looked at the bloody, mangled piece of Heavenly Dao with tear-filled eyes, her expression one of hesitation and struggle. "But... I don't know how to cook."

"I'll do it." Yi Donglai’s voice sounded. He looked at Li Huowang’s wound with a complex expression, feeling utterly lost as to what he was actually doing.

Finally, he took a deep breath, picked up the flesh, and walked toward the kitchen.

Just as Yi Donglai was about to enter, Li Huowang called out to Qing Wanglai, who was busy cooking: "Qing Wanglai, come out for a moment. I need to talk to you."

"Oh? Something the matter?" Qing Wanglai washed his hands, untied his apron, and walked outside.

To provide cover for Yi Donglai, Li Huowang led the three of them outside the house.

"Something up? About your girlfriend?" Qing Wanglai still wore his signature fake smile.

Li Huowang looked at him earnestly, though his mind was flooded with the things this man had done. The killing intent in his heart drove him to want to strangle him to death right there.

But Li Huowang knew he couldn't do that. Dealing with the Three Pure Ones required extreme caution. On the surface, he had already mastered the Heavenly Dao of Growth and the Heavenly Dao of Secrets, and had taken things from him.

No one knew what hidden cards he held in reserve. Without perfect preparation, he could not afford to waste his opening move.

"I was dragged back to White Tower Hospital by them. Why didn't you step in to save me?" Li Huowang threw out a cliché question.

Li Huowang no longer cared how Qing Wanglai would answer; he only noted that Yi Donglai had already entered the kitchen. His goal was achieved.

Under Li Huowang’s watchful eye, Zhao Shuangdian picked up her chopsticks, grabbed some of the green peppers and pork, and chewed.

But then, the situation shifted. Chen Hongyu reached out with her chopsticks. "That looks really good."

Fortunately, it ended without incident. Yang Na quickly grabbed her sleeve. "Ma'am, where did you buy those potato chips? They're delicious; I want to buy more."

With the three of them secretly assisting one another, most of the stir-fried green peppers and pork were eventually consumed by Zhao Shuangdian.

After eating, Zhao Shuangdian prepared to leave with the others, but Li Huowang stopped her. "You should try playing on a computer when you get back. Computers are quite fun, especially the games. If you don't play, you're missing out on one of life's great pleasures."

Zhao Shuangdian looked at him as if he were an idiot and left with the others. As they brushed past each other, Li Huowang whispered into her ear: "Topology..."

Zhao Shuangdian eventually left, but Li Huowang did not rush; he waited patiently for something.

Finally, feeling his phone vibrate, the corners of Li Huowang’s mouth curled upward. Someone had sent a message.

A few minutes later, Qing Wanglai rushed out of his room. "Let's go. Move out."

"Where to?"

"Zhao Shuangdian’s home. Something has happened there." Qing Wanglai’s expression was grave.

Hearing this, everyone began to board their vehicles. Li Huowang pulled his motorcycle out of the underground garage. Amidst the roar of engines, the RV, luxury cars, and the motorcycle all sped along the road toward the outskirts.

After winding through the terrain, everyone finally stopped before a massive mountain. It was clear that this place was extremely remote; even the path on the ground was nothing but dirt.

It was hard to imagine that Zhao Shuangdian had lived in such an isolated place. Li Huowang gripped his military knife, took his weapon like the others, and began the climb.

Climbing a mountain without a path was exhausting. Two hours later, everyone was gasping for air.

"Are we there yet?" Chen Hongyu said, breathless and worn out. "Is this for real? Just how high is this mountain?"

Li Huowang, supporting Yang Na, walked past her without a word and continued upward.

"Almost! It’s somewhere around here!" Qing Wanglai looked around with a cold expression. "But it’s strange. Something doesn't feel right. When I came here before, there weren't this many trees."

"Call her." Wu Qi immediately took out her phone to dial. After several seconds, she lowered the phone with a look of anxiety. "There's no signal in this godforsaken place."

"Split up and search!" Li Huowang was about to leave with Yang Na when Qing Wanglai blocked him. "We can't split up. If she’s in danger and you search alone, you’re just throwing your life away one by one."

Anxious, Li Huowang glared at him and snapped, "Then what do you suggest?"

Qing Wanglai took out a tissue and wiped the sweat from his neck. "Let's go back. This place is too dangerous."

"And what about Zhao Shuangdian? Are we just going to leave her?" The moment Li Huowang said this, he saw a red laser dot settle on Qing Wanglai’s head.

The next instant, with a sharp "crack," a bullet grazed Li Huowang’s scalp and tore toward the center of Qing Wanglai’s forehead.

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