Chapter 308: Going Home

Chapter 308: Returning Home

"Cough."

Li Huowang's light cough drew the attention of his fellow disciples. With confidence radiating from him, he looked upon each face and declared loudly, "Fellow disciples! From now on, we won't be leaving. We will settle here in Niuxin Village. From this day forth, this place shall be our new home!"

"Senior Brother Li, there's still one more thing—we haven't delivered that boy Yang yet," Gouwa said, slapping the head of the little attendant beside him.

The boy Yang immediately panicked. He hadn’t expected that after all these twists and turns, it would come down to him.

"I..." Just as he stammered to say something, Li Huowang, with a look of disgust, spoke up, "His address was made up out of thin air—he has no real family. That kid is just a beggar."

At that moment, Li Huowang felt his arm go limp. Turning his head, he saw Bai Lingmiao gently linking her arm through his.

Looking at her eyes filled with admiration and anticipation, warmth stirred within Li Huowang’s heart. He turned back and continued, "Since I’ve spoken here, let me say everything I have to say. Everyone has seen for yourselves how chaotic this world has become."

"If you only want to claim a field to till, then you're no different from the oxen in the fields!"

"Therefore, if we wish to protect ourselves, we must rely on ourselves! From now on, whatever I know and can teach, I will share with you all."

"I will also try my best to find some so-called divine arts and techniques for you to learn."

Upon hearing these words, everyone became excited, voices rising in various exclamations.

Looking down at the faces below, Li Huowang's eyes grew firm.

Other sects were unreliable; even the Heavenly Surveillance Bureau couldn’t be trusted. The only ones he could truly depend on were himself and the group before him—those who had been broken by fate.

To survive in this strange land, they needed their own power! Only then could the pain he had endured be kept at bay.

"Fellow disciples! First off, what we must do next is learn to read!"

"Read?"

"Learn to read!"

Li Huowang touched his belly, "Yes, we must all learn to read."

"When we are done, we’ll establish our sect and build our own sect! Only then can we truly take root in this world!"

"People always think we’re monsters or worthless! But we’re going to rip open their eyes and show them! We people like us can still make a name for ourselves in this world!"

"We are not monsters! No one else can sell us out, look down on us, or mistreat us anymore!! If we all work together, our future days will surely grow better than today!"

"Good!!"

"Good!!"

"Good!!"

Their cheers nearly tore apart the roof of Niuxin Village. Seeing his fellow disciples united in purpose, Li Huowang smiled—a genuine, happy smile.

But just then, droplets of rain began to fall from the sky, washing away Li Huowang’s smile and dulling the sounds of celebration.

Rain pattered down. Li Huowang stood silently at the village entrance holding a paper umbrella, watching white smoke rise from chimneys.

There was no one else around. On the muddy, yellow path, only Li Huowang remained. What had happened earlier was nothing but a fantasy in his mind.

Li Huowang had been standing here since early morning yesterday—he had stood for a full day and night.

Due to the damp weather, the paper skin on his body had begun to mold. Yet he had no time to care about such things.

When he saw the boy Yang, wearing a straw hat and leading an old ox out of the village, he raised his stiff joints and walked toward the heart of Niuxin Village.

Seeing Li Huowang finally move, Hongzhong, whose half body was stuck inside a tree trunk, grinned with malicious satisfaction. He nudged the nearby monk with his elbow. "Monk, heh heh, now we’re gonna see some good entertainment."

As Li Huowang entered the village entrance, Yang spotted him and rushed over excitedly. But he quickly recoiled in shock at Li Huowang’s appearance.

"Ahh! Senior Brother Li! Why did your skin disappear again? And why are you wearing a paper dress?"

"Where is Lingshao?" Li Huowang’s voice was hoarse and tinged with blood.

"At this hour, Senior Sister Bai should be in her room. Senior Brother Li, what’s wrong? Have there been any news about the missing Bai family members?"

Silent, Li Huowang lifted his heavy steps and slowly walked toward the Bai residence.

Soon, word spread that Li Huowang had returned, and everyone came out to welcome him.

However, their joy soon faded under the influence of Li Huowang’s mood, turning into quiet contemplation.

Gouwa approached cautiously. "What’s wrong, Senior Brother Li? Looks like you didn’t find them, huh? Well, if you didn’t find them, it’s not your fault."

Li Huowang gritted his teeth and shoved him aside. His pace quickened, and then accelerated further behind him.

When Li Huowang dropped the umbrella and arrived at the gate of the Bai family compound, he collided head-on with the anxious Bai Lingmiao.

Seeing that Li Huowang had returned alone, Bai Lingmiao’s heart sank.

But when she saw the horrific sight of Li Huowang’s flesh melting in the rain, her heart clenched painfully. Without thinking, she grabbed his arms and led him toward her private chamber.

With soft towels held carefully in both hands, Bai Lingmiao pressed them against Li Huowang’s body, absorbing the water droplets from his charred skin.

She dared not rub—it scared her that even a slight pressure might peel away the fragile flesh.

Bai Lingmiao had seen such injuries before. She knew that her senior brother must have suffered some terrifying hallucination that caused him to unleash such a devastating technique—one that destroyed both sides.

She washed the towel in a bronze basin, "Senior Brother Li, I’m fine—I really am. Don’t worry about me."

"It’s been so many days already. I’ve actually gotten used to the idea that they’ve left."

"Since they’re gone, Senior Brother Li, let’s wait here. Someday, they’ll return."

Li Huowang clenched his teeth, and his fists trembled slightly.

Just as he was about to speak, Hongzhong burst forward, wild-eyed and animated, gesturing wildly in front of Li Huowang.

"Quick, quick! Tell her nothing was found! Maybe the Bai family really did flee like Master Lü said!"

Li Huowang’s eyes snapped wide open, staring at Hongzhong with predatory intensity.

"Why are you glaring at me? I’m helping you! Think about it—if the Bai family is dead, telling her now will only break her heart. What else could it accomplish?"

"Oh~ right, there is one thing—it'll make her hate you even more, maybe even wish to kill you—the murderer of her father."

"But if you do what I say, she won’t grieve. Instead, she’ll hold onto hope."

(End of Chapter)