Chapter 394: Two Flowers Bloom

Chapter 394: Flowers Bloom on Two Branches

"Zhuge brother, Zhuge brother," Li Huo Wang reached out and interrupted Zhuge Yuan's endless chatter. "I already know what you're planning to do. No need to explain further."

Zhuge Yuan looked utterly astonished. "Brother Li, you truly know? Normally, when people hear me say this, they think the Great Qi doesn't exist and argue with me endlessly."

"Since Zhuge brother says the Great Qi exists, then it must indeed exist."

Perhaps his past experiences made Li Huo Wang very understanding of the other's feelings, for his tone was remarkably calm. He accepted the man's words without a trace of doubt or argument.

They were both fellow sufferers; why should one heart-character torment another?

Feeling that Li Huo Wang didn't actually believe him, Zhuge Yuan frowned slightly and said with some dissatisfaction, "Brother Li, our Heart-Pan is not like your Heart-Su. The Great Qi really does exist! It's the Great Liang that has stolen the throne!"

"Yes, I understand. The Great Liang is wrong, and the Great Qi is right." Li Huo Wang had already figured it out. Whether Zhuge Yuan went to save the already fallen Great Qi or not, he would follow him.

Zhuge Yuan was a good man, and if he could help, he would. But the troubles of Heart-Pan involved the Fate Master in Baiyu Jing. Regardless of whether those so-called Three Bodies Old Ones governed that celestial path, he doubted he could offer much help.

His most important task was to follow Zhuge Yuan, ambush the Forgetful Dao by his side, and seek out that so-called North Wind.

"Ah, why won't you believe me? Back then, I knew about the books on cultivation for Heart-Su only because I saw them at the Yudu Library of the Great Qi. Come, let me tell you from the beginning—the history of the Great Qi and the Great Liang."

Li Huo Wang quickly stopped him. If he started from the beginning, it would take three days and nights. "Zhuge brother, no need. Just tell me where we're going next, what we're doing, who we're killing—I'll follow."

Seeing the other's resistance, Zhuge Yuan gave up and said with a hint of regret, "Brother Li, you can't be so unwilling to learn. As the saying goes, learning knows no bounds, and hardship is the boat. There's also Confucius who said: 'Ancient scholars had no regrets...'

Li Huo Wang was already helpless. Some names are just bad luck, but nicknames are never wrong. Now Li Huo Wang finally understood why his name was "Storyteller."

"Zhuge brother, those eunuchs are still wreaking havoc in the Great Qi court. Isn't it inappropriate for us to keep talking leisurely here?"

"Very well, very well. We have time ahead. On the way, I'll enlighten you properly." Zhuge Yuan stood from the meditation cushion and turned to hang the paintings and calligraphy on the wall. "You come with me first to Yudu to meet the Grand Minister."

"Fine!" Li Huo Wang stood up and helped Zhuge Yuan remove the artwork.

"Zhuge brother, since my master, Dan Yang Zi, used the aspiration for immortality to borrow my strength to become immortal, can't I use this innate vital energy within me in the same way?" Li Huo Wang asked while removing the paintings.

"Yes, all Heart-Su can do it. Otherwise, why would others resort to deception and trickery to capture them? It's precisely because they fear Heart-Su will misuse it."

"But if you use it recklessly without discipline, even if it works, you might kill eight hundred enemies but lose a thousand yourself. Do you want to become like your master—a half-immortal?"

The image of Dan Yang Zi's three heads flashed through Li Huo Wang's mind, and he immediately said no more. Whether that appearance manifested on himself, his friends, or his enemies, it would bring nothing but disaster.

Before fully understanding the capabilities of Heart-Su, it was better to use other methods against enemies. At least the *Great Thousand Records* was more stable.

"Brother Li, you'd better find that so-called cultivation technique first. Think of Heart Turmoil. We have choices, but they don't. Using it without discipline risks falling into madness like them."

---

"Damn it! I'm done! I bet on two faces, one back! Can't believe I'm wrong again!"

"I bet two faces, ten copper coins!"

"I bet two faces too!"

"You damn fool, get lost! Bet elsewhere, don't steal my fortune!"

In a smoky, stinky gambling den filled with foot odor and sweat, a group of street toughs and ruffians were betting money.

Although Yinling City was grand, the more impressive it was, the more places for filth and corruption it harbored. Even this boss Qiu's gambling den was relatively clean.

"Any more bets? Anyone left to bet? Buy now, no turning back!"

The long-absent Lü Xiucai stood like a general on the battlefield, his bearing noble and commanding. The youthful naivety on his face had vanished, replaced by things that didn't belong to someone his age.

Looking at the small piles of copper coins and silver scattered on the table, Lü Xiucai sneered coldly. With his right hand hidden in his sleeve, he made a gesture, then stamped his foot. The coins beneath the dice cup trembled.

When the cup was lifted, groans filled the air. The two coins inside the bamboo cup were exactly the two backs that had been bet on the least.

Some disappointed gamblers picked up the coins and examined them closely, yet found nothing unusual—they were just old, rusted copper coins.

"Damn it, I just can't believe my luck is this bad tonight! Let's go see Boss Qiu for a loan!"

As the shouting continued, time passed slowly. When rooster calls rang from outside the window, the gambling ghosts, as if drained of soul, stumbled out yawning.

Lü Xiucai was dividing the spoils with a fat man with exposed arms. Though only forty percent, it was enough to dazzle Lü Xiucai's eyes.

"Lü Lang, this is yours."

"Thank you, Boss Qiu!" Lü Xiucai smiled broadly, his hands spread wide, gathering all the money from the table, eyes gleaming with greed.

"I wish old bones could see this—this much money could replace all the plays he worked so hard to perform for days! He's so old and still living like a dog. Still says I'm not ambitious!"

Just as Lü Xiucai stuffed the money into two cloth bags, he heard the casino owner say, "Lü Lang, next time, give those pigs a little sweetness. Win once after losing three times. That way, they'll come back."

"Got it!"

As he finished collecting the money and stepped out of the casino, a bunch of scoundrels and ruffians surrounded him, smiling warmly to congratulate him.

Lü Xiucai seemed quite familiar with them and waved his hand. "Come on, brothers! Today I'm treating you! Let's go to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion for breakfast!" His words instantly brought cheers.

"Lü Ye is righteous! Generous!"

"Lü Ye is bold! True heroism lies in Lü Ye!!"

"That's right, who dares not show respect to Lü Ye in Yinling City!"

Amidst the chorus of "Lü Ye," Lü Xiucai felt as if he were floating. His smile couldn't stop rising.

This was real life. What was he before, just a worthless dog in that opera troupe!

(End of Chapter)