Chapter 407: Target

Chapter 407: The Target

The moment Li Huowang saw the shadow play, he immediately sensed something amiss. A howling sound suddenly came from behind him.

When Li Huowang turned around, Li Sui's tentacles were clutching various instruments of torture, blocking a massive and heavy madao.

"Crash!" The floor could not bear such tremendous force. The wooden planks beneath Li Huowang's feet instantly broke apart, crushed down by the immense pressure of the madao, sending him plummeting into the lower level.

When Li Huowang stood up in that wooden lower chamber, two seated immortals adorned with blood-soaked mahjong tiles stood before him—one holding an eight-suit tile, the other a nine-suit tile.

Though their bodies were on fire just like Li Huowang’s, their skin bubbling and charring rapidly, there was not a trace of pain on their faces.

Perhaps due to Zhuge Yuan's outdated calendar, they did not utter a single word to Li Huowang.

These two seated immortals were tall and imposing, each wielding a madao over a zhang long, standing like deities come to life.

"Where did you get this weapon? You're from the military, aren't you? Which military family?" As Li Huowang roared, both seated immortals stepped forward with one foot, charging at him with overwhelming momentum.

"Clang clang clang!" Li Huowang was immediately knocked backward, but seeing the huge gash on the opponent's madao, a faint smile appeared on his face wrapped in flames—his Purple-Spiked Sword was far sharper than theirs.

"Li Sui, catch the sword!" Li Huowang thrust the copper coin sword into Li Sui's tentacle.

Then Li Huowang raised the Purple-Spiked Sword with one hand and charged toward one of the seated immortals.

Just as the two clashed, Li Huowang swiftly chopped off three of his own fingers.

Taking advantage of the distraction caused by his severed digits, Li Huowang raised his sword and struck.

Seeing his comrade in danger, the other seated immortal attempted to rescue him, but Li Sui's copper coin sword and various instruments of torture kept him at bay.

Even if some black tendrils were severed, more would still emerge from Li Huowang's body riddled with wounds.

"Clang clang clang!!" Sparks flew through the flames. When the final strike came, the giant madao was cleanly severed by Li Huowang. He twisted his wrist and drove the sword straight into the throat of his opponent.

Slowly turning around, Li Huowang looked at the remaining seated immortal and threatened, "Put down your blade, and I'll spare your life!"

Hearing this, the seated immortal held his massive madao in place for a moment before collapsing backward.

When Li Huowang hurried over, he found the man had been burned alive. These two were no immune to fire damage—they had merely made one last desperate gamble before perishing.

Li Huowang, who had hoped to extract more information, was furious and kicked the corpse viciously.

He had assumed the seated immortal pretending to be the Emperor of Great Qi must be the highest-ranking among them, but since they died so easily, it seemed these two were merely foot soldiers among the seated immortals.

"Clang," the scorched red copper coin sword fell to the ground. Li Sui's burning tentacles hastily retracted into Li Huowang's body.

"Dad... waaahhh... it hurts... it really hurts..."

"I know, you've done well. Next time when I'm on fire, try not to come out."

Picking up the copper coin sword, Li Huowang quickly headed back. He had to deal with these seated immortals before the fire died out.

Yet upon returning to the Liang residence, he was stunned to find that both the eunuchs and the imperial guards had vanished without a trace.

If not for the enormous bonfire burning behind him, Li Huowang might have thought he was hallucinating.

When he reached Zhuge Yuan, he saw him rolling up a landscape painting.

"Brother Li, how did you know those people were seated immortals? From that distance, I almost fell for their trick."

"I didn’t know. There are only two possibilities in that situation—either they’re seated immortals or that living emperor of Great Qi you mentioned. Either way, calling them seated immortals is correct. If the Great Qi emperor has already discovered your rebellion, do you think they’ll end up alive?"

"Oh, I see. Brother Li, you're truly wise. I admire you greatly." Zhuge Yuan held the scroll and bowed to Li Huowang.

Li Huowang glanced back again, confirming there was no one else. He asked puzzled, "Brother Zhuge, where are those seated immortals?"

"They? They’ve gone."

"Gone? We barely encountered seated immortals, and you let them go? At least leave one alive!"

Hearing this, the fire in Li Huowang’s heart and body flared up instantly.

"Brother Li, please calm down. Why don’t you first suppress your powers? It looks quite painful." Zhuge Yuan, whose face was flushed from the heat, took a step back.

Furious and unable to speak clearly, Li Huowang looked around and leaped into the nearby pond.

When his charred body emerged from the water, he saw Zhuge Yuan’s hand extended toward him.

Like a soaked chicken, Li Huowang sighed deeply and reached out.

Zhuge Yuan pulled him up with a burst of strength.

"Now tell me, where did those seated immortals go?"

Li Huowang asked irritably, his gaze drifting toward the door. Outside, there wasn’t a soul to be seen—everyone had vanished.

"They’ve been forgotten by my Heart-Cloud Scroll, having forgotten all about Liang and recognized their true identities in Great Qi, returning there now."

"Huh?" Li Huowang stared at Zhuge Yuan in disbelief. "What did you say? Where are they now?!"

"Yes, I said they’ve been forgotten. With the capital under curfew, they insisted on leaving. They’ve probably reached the western gate by now."

Li Huowang looked around and quickly kicked against a wall, shifting his body to the rooftop.

He sprinted along the wall, leaping onto the roof, then shifted again several times until he stood atop the highest point.

Though it was night, his keen eyes clearly saw the distant great city gate and the wide streets below—all eerily silent, empty of any person.

Clearly, the western gate of Liang was unguarded. Zhuge Yuan was right—their destination was indeed the so-called Great Qi!

"Brother Li, what are you looking at?" Zhuge Yuan’s voice suddenly appeared beside him.

Li Huowang quickly stepped back, staring in shock at Zhuge Yuan. "Are you telling me that Great Qi isn’t just near you, but actually exists somewhere real?! If you forget everything about Liang and believe in your plan, you can travel to your Great Qi?!"

Zhuge Yuan, who had been fanning himself, showed a slightly annoyed expression.

"Brother Li, what nonsense is this? I’ve always said Great Qi exists! Did you not listen at all?"

"But..." Li Huowang’s mind was in chaos. If Great Qi truly existed, where exactly was it? A parallel world? Was Xin Pan a key to another parallel universe?

But if it was a parallel world, why were the male courtesans of Great Qi twisted versions of the prostitutes from Liang rather than independent creations?

He couldn’t understand the strange nature of Xin Pan.

As Li Huowang grew more confused, Zhuge Yuan finally spoke, "Isn’t this hard to understand? I said Great Qi is real, Liang is false. You simply cannot distinguish between them."

"No no no," Li Huowang shook his head violently and took a step back, trying to remain patient. "Brother Zhuge, no need to continue. Even if Great Qi is real, next time, hold onto the seated immortals for a bit. After I interrogate them, you can send them to Great Qi."

"Interrogate what?" Zhuge Yuan smiled with amusement.

"Naturally, to find out where Bei Feng is and what his strength truly is!"

Feeling his voice too loud, Li Huowang took a deep breath and suppressed his irritation.

"Brother Zhuge, don’t blame me for being impatient. But I still have no clue, and time is running out."

Zhuge Yuan nodded knowingly, then casually raised the scroll and gave it a sudden shake.

"Whoosh!" The white canvas unfurled, revealing a barely alive figure rolling out.

"Brother Li, this is Bei Feng."

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