Chapter 230: Baolu's Secret

Chapter 230: Sun Baolu's Secret

"It is perilous within. None of you shall follow; I shall go alone." Turning his head to address Bai Lingmiao and the rest, Li Huowang ventured inside by himself.

Yet this time, the others were disinclined. Gouwa spoke up, "Senior Brother Li, how can that be? Should trouble arise, we can aid you."

Li Huowang scanned his withered frame, saying impatiently, "What aid can you offer? You are less useful than a steamed bun! If you follow, I must spare a hand to tend to you!"

Gouwa lowered his head, conscience pricked. "How can you speak thus of me? I exerted great effort to say these words. Moreover, I train with the blade daily. At least... at least, should your illness flare, when binding you, I can lend a hand..."

"Senior Brother Li, Gouwa may be useless, but we are not. You may enter, but we must accompany you!" Bai Lingmiao's expression grew rarely solemn, whip in one hand, drum in the other.

Though Bai Lingmiao always appeared frail and gentle, she possessed inner steel. In certain matters, she always held her own convictions.

At this juncture, Gao Zhijian also stepped forth. The honest giant remained silent, yet his clenched fist plainly declared his resolve.

"Senior Brother Li, since the Black Tai Sui can assist you in shedding the hysteria, we are glad to help. Numbers bring security. Furthermore, we differ from Gouwa." Chun Xiaoman, holding the Dao bell, reasoned logically.

Gazing at their earnest visages, a faint warmth stirred in Li Huowang's heart. "Very well. Let us proceed cautiously. Should anything seem amiss, we withdraw at once."

So saying, he led the others toward the cavern, yet this time, Sun Baolu once again obstructed his path.

"Have you finished? Step aside." Li Huowang's countenance hardened.

Agitated, Sun Baolu's pupils widened. Standing there, hands trembling, he loosened his belt and began unfastening his tunic. "Senior Brother Li, I have been inside. If you deem becoming like me inconsequential! Then I shall never hinder you again!!"

"Senior Brother Li, did you not ask before why everyone appears odd, yet I insisted on concealment? For I am unlike you! No matter what, you remain human! Whereas I am wholly a monster!"

The garment parted at a corner, revealing a thumb-sized depression beneath his neck to Li Huowang.

"That is... what? Why resembles it a navel? Wait, it is a navel, but how can Sun Baolu's navel grow beneath his neck?"

With a rustle, Sun Baolu pulled his clothes apart, standing stark naked before Li Huowang.

Save for Chun Xiaoman and Bai Lingmiao, who turned aside due to propriety between sexes, all who witnessed Sun Baolu's form drew breath in unison.

"Old Sun, this... how did you grow so disordered?" Gouwa stammered, eyes wide.

Observing the body beneath Sun Baolu's clothes, Li Huowang finally comprehended why he avoided them during relief or bathing, for Sun Baolu's physique was utterly chaotic, organs sprouting at random.

His buttocks occupied the navel's place. The navel had shifted to the neck. Hairs grew wildly, even where they ought not reside.

His body resembled entirely a flawed clay figure carelessly molded by a child.

Witnessing their horrified expressions, shame, repression, and sorrow pressed upon Sun Baolu's heart.

He had dreamed countless times of his flaws being exposed, thus hiding, hiding, hiding again, yet unforeseen, in the end, he chose to reveal himself before them.

Li Huowang exhaled, limped over, and assisted Sun Baolu in pulling up his trousers and dressing.

"How did this come to pass?" Li Huowang whispered in his ear.

"Within the cave, something touched me, and I became thus. Too dark, I could not discern what it was, merely felt it resembled a large brush."

Recalling past events, fear surfaced on Sun Baolu's face, trembling hands instinctively clutching his shoulders.

"That day I was young, only seven. While grazing, several sheep ran inside. Though elders warned of danger, I followed four other children, thinking we sought nothing outside, yet of five, only I emerged alive."

Having spoken, the terrified Sun Baolu urgently gazed at Li Huowang once more.

"Senior Brother Li, you saved my life and returned me home. You owe me kindness. I cannot watch you leap into a fiery pit!"

Even at this stage, Sun Baolu continued to persuade.

Li Huowang sighed lightly, sensing the other's concern. "Do you know? Likely Black Tai Sui lies within. Do you know what Black Tai Sui signifies to me now?"

Calmly, he explained his reason for entering the cave to Sun Baolu. "Thus I must enter. Otherwise, I am nearly driven mad by those phantasms. It is my sole cure."

"I know you sacrificed much for me, I accept your grace. But Baolu, if you truly wish to benefit another, do not force your goodwill upon them, but let them choose."

"Furthermore, thank you for the news. It proves useful to me."

Li Huowang patted his shoulder, leaning on his crutch, walked toward the cave, determination flickering in his gaze.

The others exchanged glances and swiftly followed.

Sun Baolu watched their silhouettes fade into the pitch-black maw. He restrained his trembling legs as best he could, expression wavering between doubt and struggle, finally gritting his teeth and following.

"Since you insist on going, I shall accompany you! I have been inside before, I can guide you!"

As the few held luminous stones and entered the round hole one by one, all around instantly fell silent.

The winds of Qingqiu, and the warm sunlight from the heavens, vanished completely alongside them.

"Hoo~" As Li Huowang gently exhaled, white vapor spewed from his mouth.

"Baolu, is it always this cold within?" Li Huowang's voice startled the tightly wound Sun Baolu.

Subsequently, he nodded briskly. "Correct. Last time it was this cold. Walking inward grows hotter."

So saying, he quickened his pace, arriving before the group. "I lead. Follow closely. Not far ahead, one of my companions suddenly vanished."

Sun Baolu's words tightened everyone's nerves, and they grasped their weapons.

Within the cave lay silence; save for Li Huowang and their footsteps, no other sound existed.

The cave's environment was not a karst formation, but some rocky cavern. The entrance sloped downward gradually. The deeper they went, the further from the surface. They descended steadily.

(End of Chapter)