Chapter 354: Man

Chapter 354: The Man

Inside... it was too terrible, utterly terrible..." Hong Da sighed deeply as he continued speaking.

"In the realm of moral corruption and karmic burden, one cannot die when they wish to, nor live when they wish to. Starvation does not kill, nor does fatigue, yet they are forced to endure the torment of hunger and exhaustion—endless suffering, endless torment..."

"Do you know? When her father saw me enter, he told me that he didn't blame his daughter. He believes that if she's suffering inside, at least it proves she's still alive."

After saying all this, Hong Da let out a long, melancholy sigh. It was clear that what he had experienced within had left a deep impression on him.

Listening to Hong Da’s words, Li Huowang's heart remained unsettled for a long time.

He raised his arm and brought the Heart Turmoil from his back into his arms, gazing at the man with a complex expression.

"If her consciousness still exists, surely she wouldn’t want to cause such torment to her family and friends, would she?" If anyone was truly pitiable, it was Heart Turmoil herself. Her unconscious actions were causing pain to everyone nearby who could see her.

Compared to her, his own heart-soul’s confusion seemed far better.

"Monk, she’s been through so much. Let’s release her," the monk said, walking up beside him with a look of compassion.

Li Huowang exhaled softly but shook his head. "We can’t. Not only does her presence affect whether we can obtain information about the Way of Forgetfulness, more importantly, setting her free will only bring harm to others. Do you really want to do that?"

Even if she meant no ill will, just by looking at her, she caused damage to those around her. If he wasn’t mistaken, this village had once been full of people. Where did they all go now? That was obvious enough.

Hearing this, the monk’s face showed inner conflict. He simply wanted to do good, but when two acts of kindness clashed, he didn’t know how to proceed.

Li Huowang had always wondered why the Heaven-Scanning Bureau treated Heart Soul so mercilessly, so harshly.

But after witnessing Heart Turmoil’s behavior and abilities, Li Huowang finally understood why they acted thus.

Regardless of other matters, in this particular case, they were indeed protecting the world’s people.

Such Heart Turmoils as she were far too dangerous, and someone like his own Heart Soul could easily lead to great calamities.

"Brother Er? Who are you talking to?" Tuoba Danqing stared at Li Huowang in surprise.

Li Huowang blinked, then patted his stomach. "I’m talking to my Nascent Soul."

For some time afterward, no one spoke. Everyone lowered their weapons, relaxing their expressions.

Shentu Gang even yawned and stretched.

Just as Li Huowang walked toward the village, Tuoba Danqing, holding two large walnuts in his hands, approached him and deliberately pulled him away slightly, his expression tense as he lowered his voice.

"Brother Er, I’ll tell you something. If after this mission returns to the capital, there’s no movement for ten or fifteen days, we should travel together to Qingqiu to hide for a while. After all, where we serve is just serving."

Li Huowang was stunned. Was he suggesting he flee? "Brother Tuoba, have you learned something?"

Upon hearing Li Huowang’s question, Tuoba Danqing sighed helplessly and said nothing. He pointed forward with his hand, signaling for them to follow.

"We’ve got Heart Turmoil now. The Mission Master shouldn’t be in danger, right? But if something goes wrong, what about the intelligence he promised me?"

Considering Heart Turmoil’s power and the Mission Master’s frantic behavior, Li Huowang felt that the Heaven-Scanning Bureau urgently needed Heart Turmoil for some tremendous purpose.

Yet as a new recruit, he had no idea what exactly was happening above.

Still, there was no need for him to know. This kind of situation didn’t concern him at all.

Glancing at Hong Da, who was visibly anxious, Li Huowang followed Tuoba Danqing into the village.

The group moved quickly. Before long, they reached the village entrance. The white mist outside gradually dissipated, and Liu Zongyuan, wearing a mask, came closer.

"Mission Master, how went it? Did you succeed?" Liu Zongyuan looked at his disheveled companion with excitement.

"Young Liu, go call the carriage. We’re ready to rest." The fat, pale face of the Mission Master showed signs of weariness, his voice weak.

"Since you're returning, I won’t go back to Yinling with you. Erniu, remember this—we’re even now. If you ever kneel before me begging for help, I won’t bother helping you anymore," Shentu Gang said, turning to leave.

Seeing this, Li Huowang quickly stepped forward and blocked Shentu Gang. "Brother Shentu, may I ask you something?"

Shentu Gang frowned slightly, finally refraining from his usual vulgar language. "Speak quickly. I have urgent business."

Li Huowang glanced down at his leather drum and asked, "I’ve heard that those who perform spirit possession are usually slaves of immortal beings, never gaining liberation. Yet you don’t seem like that. Could you tell me why?"

From the beginning, Li Huowang had noticed that the incantation spoken by this man was different from Bai Lingmiao’s. There was no reverence for the immortal beings in the lyrics; instead, there was an underlying threat.

"Are you asking for your big sister?" Shentu Gang, arms crossed, immediately sensed Li Huowang’s intent.

Li Huowang didn’t deny it, nodding slightly. If possible, he wished to change Bai Lingmiao’s current situation.

Not necessarily to completely escape the control of the immortal beings, but at least to gain the upper hand in their game, just like Shentu Gang.

Shentu Gang nodded and leaned in, whispering something in Li Huowang’s ear.

As he spoke, Li Huowang’s eyes widened repeatedly, clearly surprised by what he heard. "Really?"

"Alright, if we meet again someday, I’ll treat you to dinner," Shentu Gang punched Li Huowang hard in the chest wound and turned to leave.

At that moment, a carriage rushed over. Li Huowang quickly suppressed his shock and hurriedly climbed aboard with the others.

While thinking about the method the man had told him, Red Middle’s words made him lift his head.

"Li Huowang, wake up! Stop thinking. Why is there another person across from you?"

Li Huowang looked up and saw a ragged, emaciated man. He was almost certain this man wasn’t part of their group.

The instant he saw the man, Hong Da reacted most strongly, his eyes wide open in horror.

"How did you get out!?"

The man looked around at the others watching him, then spoke slowly and blankly: "I suddenly remembered—I think I’m also a Heart Turmoil. I had this woman hide me. I wanted to go in and check if my family was inside, but she forgot, and I forgot too."