Chapter 238: Taoist

Chapter 238 The Taoist

To wipe out a family for inheritance, they actually sacrificed their own kin to the evil spirits. Li Huowang never imagined that behind such a mockingly named entity lay such an absurd custom.

“With so many people delivering themselves to the door, the Rope Son must be delighted?”

“Of course. Seeing another elder arrive brings nothing but warmth. If it had hands and feet, it would be smiling and serving tea and water.”

Chitchatting with Han Fu on these matters, Li Huowang felt his bond with the man strengthen considerably, at least superficially.

“Fellow Daoist Han, how long until we leave this place?” Li Huowang asked, gazing at the darkness receding endlessly on both sides.

“Ka~ Pfft,” spitting phlegm onto the ground, Han Fu said carelessly, “Soon. Just remember this: in Fengdu, if you wish to exit, do not descend, ascend. The higher you go, the closer to the surface. Reach the top, and even without a path, drilling any hole will lead you out.”

“Fengdu?”

From this man's lips, Li Huowang learned the name of this interlocking dark cavern system beneath Qingqiu.

Tapping the ground lightly with his foot, sensing the subtle incline, he felt a measure of relief. “Correct, indeed ascending.”

“Ai, these days, everything is exhausting. I thought being a Taoist would be leisurely, but being a Taoist is exhausting too, isn't it, Xuan Yang?” Han Fu said, throwing his hands overhead and stretching vigorously.

“Fellow Daoist speaks true. While alive in this world, everything is exhausting.” Li Huowang replied dismissively.

“The girl's voice debating the Dao with this person vanished long ago, yet this man shows no worry. Could it be she didn't die?” Li Huowang's eyes scanned the surroundings slightly.

Though his rapport with this man had improved, and they had shared hardship under the Rope Son's threat, Li Huowang still harbored no trust.

“There, look, we're nearly there.” Following Han Fu's pointing finger, Li Huowang spotted a hazy white dot ahead; the weather outside seemed fair.

Seeing the exit, those with nerves stretched tight instantly exhaled. After circling so long, it finally ended.

Having stayed in this sunless place too long, merely glimpsing that sliver of sunlight from afar lifted everyone's spirits considerably.

Under Han Fu's lead, Li Huowang and his party, carrying the Black Tai Sui, moved toward that direction.

Just as they were about to exit, Han Fu's mouth remained busy, chattering ceaselessly. “Ai~ Fellow Daoist, do you know of that prior heavenly calamity? Heard the commotion was massive, nearly boiling like porridge, but halted due to the calamity.”

“Naturally. Corruption was entirely erased.” Li Huowang turned to count heads, finding none missing, his heart easing slightly.

“I recall during the last heavenly calamity, I was only three years old.”

Li Huowang, staring at the expanding white spot, pupils contracting slightly, attention instantly seized by this news. “Could it be that phenomena like rot vanishing have occurred many times before?”

This news struck Li Huowang with immense shock. He realized despite being in this ghostly realm for so long, his knowledge of this world was pitifully scant.

Li Huowang curbed his agitation. Softening his tone, he addressed Han Fu: “Regarding the last calamity, I bear no memory. Might you enlighten me?”

“So you didn't know? I assumed you did. Last time I recall, Lies vanished, quite amusing!”

“My master told me, back then, the scammers of the Zuowang Dao were so frantic they sought suicide, hahaha!” Speaking cheerfully, Han Fu laughed heartily.

“Lies vanished?” Li Huowang struggled to comprehend what such a world would be like. Everyone speaking truth?

Just as Li Huowang prepared to ask further, the other party spoke first.

“Ai, Xuan Yang, do you know what triggered the heavenly calamity?” A trace of boastful pride colored Han Fu's face.

“Does Fellow Daoist Han know?”

Han Fu's cloth shoes shifted slightly nearer to Li Huowang, voice dropping very low: “I'll tell only you, don't tell others, alright? My master said, his old self said..."

Just as Li Huowang's heart leaped to his throat, Han Fu's right hand swiftly swept across his face.

With a soft "pat," the copper coin mask on Li Huowang's face instantly detached, plummeting downward. Li Huowang barely managed to catch the mask with his hand, but it was too late; his visage was fully revealed before Han Fu.

Gazing at Li Huowang's face, Han Fu first displayed a flicker of realization, followed by smugness.

“I was wondering what it was, turns out it's a Heart Pure.” That shrill child's voice abruptly emanated from his body.

Immediately, amidst everyone's shock, a fist-sized infant head emerged from Han Fu's collar.

Upon the infant's sparse-haired crown sat the same square Tai Chi Yellow Dao Crown as atop Han Fu's head.

A Taoist clad in yellow robes, yet bearing one large and one small head, this sight was chilling regardless of perspective. No wonder seeing Gouwa and others, he claimed it mattered not; he was far stranger than Li Huowang's side.

Witnessing this, Li Huowang's expression turned exceedingly grim. Originally, in the darkness before, the one conversing with him was simply himself!

“Fellow Daoist Han, what does this mean? Do you truly believe Qingfeng Temple lacks defenders?” Facing the two-headed deformed Taoist, Li Huowang, hand already gripping the sword hilt, wished to avoid conflict with an opponent of unknown power at this juncture.

“Hehe~” Han Fu's large and small heads simultaneously grinned, exposing a mouth of black-and-yellow decayed teeth. “Since you are a Heart Pure, what do you suppose I mean?”

“Yes, guess, guess ah.” The small head concurred.

Finishing his words, Han Fu formed a seal with one hand and pressed it to his chest. The next moment, the darkness behind him seemed to solidify, wrapping around him like layers of thin gauze.

“He seeks my life!”

With a "clang," Li Huowang instantly drew his long sword, slashing toward Han Fu's single eye exposed beyond the darkness.

The instant the darkness shrouded Han Fu, Li Huowang's blade had arrived, cleaving that mass of darkness in twain.

Yet it was one step too late. Within the severed darkness, Han Fu's figure was gone.

“Kid~ Since you've come to Fengdu, remain here.” Two overlapping mocking voices echoed from all directions.

Surveying the surrounding darkness, Li Huowang fixed his gaze on the distant light, almost instantly commanding the others: “Go! Exit this place quickly!”

Regardless of Han Fu's intent hidden within this darkness, they must escape this wretched place. Remaining here was too passive!

(End of Chapter)