Chapter 422: Errand

Chapter 422: A Commission

Li Huowang held the severed head of the Red Middle in his hand, eyes wide with shock as Nan Gong recounted the events that had transpired.

After listening to the full account, Li Huowang was stunned and said, “What exactly is this Red Middle? Even with its head gone, it can still run!”

At this point, he paused slightly, as if recalling something, then quickly added, “But, Grand Administrator, I once saw a military sect member in Later Shu who also possessed such an ability to survive decapitation. Perhaps this Red Middle was stolen from there.”

Upon hearing this, the Daoist Grand Administrator waved his hand. The severed head flew back into his palm, held like a treasure tower.

The Daoist opened his mouth, revealing a mouth full of decayed, uneven teeth. A stench of foul breath filled the air.

“No need to steal techniques from the military sects. This Heart Essence thing—having no head yet able to run isn’t particularly strange. What’s odd is that even after death, his soul won’t be summoned. Strange indeed. Could it be that he’s still alive?”

Li Huowang thought to himself, *Is this my Heart Essence power? If I believe I’m not dead, I’ll never truly die?*

But upon reflection, this ability he’d used by accident was rather useless. Just one warning from an enemy and he’d collapse instantly.

While Li Huowang was pondering this, the Daoist waved his hand dismissively. “Never mind about Heart Essence or not. Tell me carefully, how did the Red Middle deceive you?”

Hearing this, Li Huowang immediately tensed up. He couldn’t afford to be careless in this matter.

However, when it came to being deceived by the Seatless Dao Sect, Li Huowang didn’t have to fabricate anything. He simply altered some details, directly recounting the trickery the Seatless Dao Sect had played on him on the Apricot Island.

Only this time, in Li Huowang's version, the Seatless Dao Sect succeeded.

“So… the one who followed Zhuge Yuan all along was actually the Red Middle?”

“That’s correct. However, I was trapped in the bamboo grove for so long that I couldn’t tell what identity the Red Middle assumed or what he told Zhuge Yuan to let him stay near the storyteller.”

Since distance made it easy to expose flaws, Li Huowang decided to elaborate. After all, whatever the other had done or said was entirely the Seatless Dao Sect’s doing—none of it was his fault.

Li Huowang suddenly realized that the identity of the Seatless Dao Sect was remarkably useful.

After hearing the story, the Daoist slowly nodded. His neck’s small head spoke. “Heh, you didn’t make this up just to fool us, did you? Or maybe... you’re also part of the Seatless Dao Sect?”

Li Huowang’s expression stiffened. Without hesitation, he pulled out a knife and slashed across his jawline, peeling back half his face to reveal layers of skin, flesh, and bone.

“Alright, alright. We believe you’re not part of the Seatless Dao Sect. Oh, how decisive the followers of the Aojing Sect are,” another Nascent Soul wearing a square Daoist crown interjected to smooth things over.

“Enough! Be quiet!” The Daoist’s tone grew cold. His two Nascent Souls retracted into his body, resembling red dots on steamed buns.

The Daoist, still holding the head, stepped forward and slowly circled around Li Huowang, his voice slightly softened.

“Don’t worry. The Red Middle’s head is right here. The Inner Bureau won’t suspect you of being the Seatless Dao Sect. Since you’ve returned unscathed, that’s a good thing. Here’s what we’ll do: we’ll give you a task. Do it well.”

“Yes, Grand Administrator. Earjiu will spare no effort!”

The Daoist placed the severed head on the table and slapped it lightly. “The Inner Bureau intends for you to get close to Zhuge Yuan and try your luck.”

“We tested it already—the six-star almanac Zhuge Yuan holds is still real. The fake one the Red Middle stole was a stroke of luck. If the Seatless Dao Sect had taken it, things would’ve been much worse.”

“Yes, but Grand Administrator, if the Red Middle directly stole Zhuge Yuan’s six-star almanac, they’ve become enemies! If I go now, I’ll be walking straight into death!”

Li Huowang kept his position clear—he didn’t know Zhuge Yuan, hadn’t spoken a word to him.

“If the Red Middle could use your identity to approach Zhuge Yuan, then perhaps you, as a True Man, could try too.”

“But…” Li Huowang’s pupils shrank slightly. That wasn’t what he expected. He thought the Inner Bureau would take revenge on the Seatless Dao Sect, and he’d ride the wave to hunt the North Wind. Instead, he found himself tangled with Zhuge Yuan again.

“What? You don’t want to go?” The Daoist’s tone turned icy. His two Nascent Souls opened their eyes slightly, glowing with faint black light.

“I dare not.” Li Huowang lowered his head slightly.

“Go then. Whether there are dates or not, hit the tree three times anyway.”

“Yes, Grand Administrator.” Li Huowang finally understood. This man only wanted to test him. His own life was of no concern to him.

Seeing Li Huowang’s attitude, the toothless Daoist nodded in satisfaction. Then, holding the head, he sat down on a chair and waved casually. “Alright, you may go now.”

Li Huowang was stunned. Was that it? What about the rest? The Seatless Dao Sect had killed the Grand Administrator of the Heavenly Bureau, yet they were treated so lightly?

Realizing it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask further, Li Huowang bowed and left.

Walking through the cold wooden corridor, he glanced at Nan Gong beside him and asked with anger, “Our Grand Administrator has been killed by the Seatless Dao Sect. Won’t the Inner Bureau do anything about it?”

Just as Li Huowang was considering whether to add fuel to the fire, Nan Gong spoke.

“There’s no way it’s simple. The Inner Bureau has already dispatched personnel from the Six Paths of Great Liang. Once everyone is assembled, we’ll trap them like fish in a jar.”

At this, Nan Gong’s expression turned cold. “Hmm… these liars really think that because the National Master is too busy, they can act however they please. They really underestimate the Heavenly Bureau!”

Hearing this, Li Huowang breathed a sigh of relief. Good. His efforts weren’t in vain. The Seatless Dao Sect and the Heavenly Bureau had finally clashed. As long as they fought, he could benefit from the chaos.

“Earjiu, the Inner Bureau wants you to get close to Zhuge Yuan. Don’t think it’s a hardship. Don’t forget—it was using your identity that the Seatless Dao Sect killed the Grand Administrator.”

“If the Inner Bureau strictly followed protocol, this kind of matter wouldn’t be easily let go. Fortunately, the capital is short-handed. Whether you succeed or fail in approaching Zhuge Yuan, this matter will be settled.”

Li Huowang looked enlightened. “I see. Thank you, Brother Nan Gong.”

Following Nan Gong, Li Huowang chatted with him. Their relationship wasn’t overly intimate, but at least they went from strangers to mere acquaintances.

———Author’s Note———

Sorry, the next chapter will be delayed.

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