Chapter 349: Reunion (Extra chapter for the alliance leader 'My Old Brother, Lead Me'!)

Chapter 349: Rendezvous

As Jixiang babbled on, Li Huowang remained silent, continuing to listen. If the individual in question had merely fabricated historical annals, it wouldn’t have frightened Jixiang to such an extent; there had to be another reason.

"This man is incredibly easy to recognize. He holds a fan in his hand with four characters inscribed upon it: 'Born a Genius'. If you ever encounter him in the future, remember to stay as far away as possible. He is no saint." As he spoke, Jixiang’s eyes were brimming with dread.

Li Huowang pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Lord Jixiang, when we emerged from the Temple of the Buddha’s Bones that day, you questioned me in such a manner. Could it be that this Zhuge Yuan possesses a highly bizarre ability?"

"Mm." Jixiang nodded. "This man knows some method by which he can alter fate."

"Alter fate?"

"Not the fate of mortals, but the mandate of heaven. He possesses an ancient almanac. Whosoever he decrees it 'auspicious' for, it will surely come to pass; whatsoever he deems 'taboo', doing so will certainly bring misfortune."

"His words command reality?!" Li Huowang was instantly shaken. He had traveled far and seen much of the world by now, yet this was the first time he had ever witnessed such divine power.

If such a man harbored goodwill toward him, it would be akin to having a monumental backing. But if this man harbored malice...

After weighing his thoughts for a while, Li Huowang spoke again, asking, "Lord Jixiang, does this man use his ability to perform more good deeds, or more evil ones?"

"How should I know? I only know that whenever he shows his face, nothing good ever happens! He is a true jinx."

Having finished his piece, Jixiang felt his throat run dry. He picked up a teacup and took a sip.

"Very well, I have told you this much already, which is quite against the rules. Work hard. You are a decent lad. If you do well this time, I shall return to the Bureau and help elevate your position."

"My gratitude, Lord Jixiang." Li Huowang turned and departed, his expression remaining solemn as he looked down at the wrapped spindle in his hands.

Though he had gleaned some information regarding Zhuge Yuan from Jixiang, he remained uncertain whether the other party's goodwill toward him was genuine or counterfeit.

If it were real... it defied logic. But if it were false... it defied logic even further! What could possibly be this man's purpose in doing so?

"Asking like this still won't do. I must find a way through this spindle; I must first figure out exactly what this thing is."

"However, such matters can be set aside for now. Finding the Heart-Befuddled for Jixiang in exchange for information on the North Wind is the utmost priority."

Inside the austere study, not long after Li Huowang had departed, a grey-haired old woman stepped out from behind a nearby screen.

Though her face was already tracing lines of deep wrinkles, her features made it evident that in her youth, her beauty must have been beyond reproach.

The old woman looked at Jixiang with a hint of worry and asked, "My Lord, is this man reliable?"

"Alas, I cannot say for certain either. This man came to Daliang from a vast distance; heaven only knows where his roots lie. In any case, reliable or not, he must be used. We absolutely cannot let Shangjing find out that I have botched this assignment!"

With a look of concern, the old woman walked to Jixiang's side, cradling his lavishly jeweled hand within her palms.

"Oh, My Lord, if it really comes to the worst, why don't we resign from office? Living in constant fear every single day, what does it matter even if one lives a few decades longer?"

"Ah... easier said than done. How could it possibly be so simple?"

His face etched with bitterness, Jixiang drew a crimson silk handkerchief from his left sleeve and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"The backing behind this matter is monumental. It is the work of the Imperial Preceptor's faction, and it may well involve the will of the Emperor himself. For a minor figure like me to be entangled in such grand affairs, being able to escape with my life would already be a blessing from the ancestors."

The old woman gently embraced Jixiang, her voice carrying a trace of pleading as she spoke, "Brother, once we are done with this, let us go back. Let us return to Liupan, back to the mulberry tree of our childhood to live out our days."

"When we left the village, you told me you would let me enjoy blessings. In truth, no matter where we are, as long as I am with you, I am the happiest."

Jixiang patted the old woman with his red handkerchief, yet he uttered not a single word.

Jixiang appeared to be in quite a rush; the notice specified a rendezvous at the gates of Yinling City at the fifth watch of the following morning.

Thus, well before the break of dawn, Li Huowang awoke early. He first went to the stables, lifted the carriage curtain, and sliced a piece of flesh from the squirming tentacled monstrosity inside, wrapping it in cloth to keep as provisions for the journey.

After tossing several meat shops' worth of flesh into the carriage, Li Huowang fetched a wooden plank and began hammering it down.

There was no telling how long this journey would take. To be absolutely safe, it was better to nail everything securely.

Before long, under Li Huowang's pounding, the carriage was transformed into a large coffin.

Having finished all this, he placed his baggage onto the horse's back, vaulted into the saddle, and rode toward the city gates.

"Woof, woof!" As expected, Mantou followed closely behind.

"Keep your eyes on the carriage for me! If I return and hear that you went out fighting with other dogs again, I'll set up the pot and stew you!"

In the early morning, save for a few vendors preparing their stalls, there were barely any souls upon the streets. Li Huowang arrived at the city gates in short order.

Hong Da and Tuoba Danqing made their appearance as anticipated, but to Li Huowang's surprise, two newcomers had joined their ranks.

Including Jixiang and himself, there were a total of six people, from which one could discern the other party's absolute determination to succeed.

Of the two newcomers, one was that youth from the Moon Gate surnamed Liu, while the other was a shamanic medium.

Li Huowang carefully observed the drum at the man's waist, absolutely certain that it was a shamanic drum, identical to the one Li Zhi had carried.

However, compared to Li Zhi, who lived no better than a beggar, this man was distinctly different.

Clad in black fur attire, his face was thick with coarse flesh, and two jagged black scars slashed across his countenance, making a broadsword seem a far more fitting accessory than a leather drum.

After exchanging greetings with the others, Li Huowang looked toward the scarred man. "Are you a shamanic medium? Where is your secondary spirit?"

The scarred man, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, glared with wide eyes. "Who the fuck are you? Dare to poke your nose into my business?"

Seeing that Li Huowang had already drawn his sword half an inch out of its scabbard, the Moon Gate disciple, Liu Zongyuan, hurriedly threw himself between them to break up the dispute.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—Brother Er, there is no need, truly no need. How about giving me some face?"

Looking at Liu Zongyuan before him, Li Huowang pressed his hand down with a single motion, and the murderous aura about him instantly vanished.

"Come, come, let us step over there. Let’s not make things difficult for Jixiang."

Perhaps Li Huowang would not grant face to others, but as Liu Zongyuan had assisted him once before, he decided not to lower himself to that man's level.

Beholding the wooden mask upon his face, Li Huowang asked him, "Brother Liu, have you been well lately?"

"Still the same as ever. Let us first help Jixiang overcome this ordeal. If things go ill for him, they won't go well for us either."

These words held truth. They were currently grasshoppers tied to the same string; if Jixiang fell from grace, then the promises he had made to Li Huowang would vanish into thin air.

"What is that man's background? Why did Jixiang seek out a shamanic medium to accompany us? From what I know, those who practice shamanic mediums are rarely of much competence."

"Alas, what you say is a bit too arbitrary. Among the three hundred and sixty trades, a master emerges from each. There are formidable ones even among shamanic mediums."