Chapter 443: Beginning

Chapter 443: Awakening

"Mom, I might revert to my previous erratic state. Don't worry—it's nothing. Trust me. Things will only get better from here on."

"I'll regain consciousness every few days or so. If it takes longer, don’t fret—I may just be entangled by trivial matters over there."

"No, Mom, I'm not ill. Please don’t panic. Let me explain."

Zhuge Yuan gazed in bewilderment at Li Huowang standing before him, listening as he softly explained himself to a crooked tree.

"How about that? Now you’ve seen something new, haven’t you? Watching someone like Xin Su go mad isn’t something everyone gets to witness." Sitting beside him, Zuo Wang Dao’s illusion spoke with the tone of one who had lived through such things, explaining to Zhuge Yuan.

"Did Li Xiong often act this way in the past?" Zhuge Yuan asked with confusion.

"Yeah, according to the monk, he'd go off the rails every few days before eating Li Sui."

Zhuge Yuan looked at Li Sui curled beneath the tree and then back at Li Huowang muttering to himself, unable to help but sigh: "Li Xiong truly has endured much. Xin Su is far more difficult than Xin Pan."

"That’s right. Being a Taoist is tough. As we've traveled together, watching from the sidelines, I’ve felt heartache. If I could do anything, I’d want to help him." The monk interjected.

"Master, I am Zhuge Yuan, honored to meet you."

Though this man bore an uncanny resemblance to the abbot of Zhengde Temple in Great Qi, Zhuge Yuan knew instantly he wasn’t the same—he was still alive.

"Greetings? Oh yes, greetings indeed. By the way, that faceless, eyeless fellow—be careful around him. He’s a fraud. He’s tricked me more than once."

Zhuge Yuan smiled slightly at Hongzhong and said, "I noticed. This fellow is from Zuo Wang Dao. Master, who is this headless one?"

Through the monk’s introduction, Zhuge Yuan learned not only the names of the other illusions but also how they died and what transpired during their lives.

"So, the elder Jinshan Zhao was killed by Peng Longteng, correct?"

That’s what the Taoist said, though he’s quite annoying when it comes to chatting. He’s always busy. I don’t know much myself."

"Why didn’t Elder Jinshan Zhao show any hostility toward General Peng?"

"How should I know? I’m not inside their bellies."

"Alright, let me ask something else. Are there others beyond us among the five of us?"

"Yes, there were. Before us, there was a bald guy and a woman. They were illusions near the Taoist too, but they’re gone now."

"So that makes seven people around Li Xiong?" Zhuge Yuan tapped his fan lightly against his palm, deep in thought.

"What are you planning?" Hongzhong frowned at the man before him. "We're all now illusions around Li Huowang. Why stir up trouble now?"

Zhuge Yuan merely bowed slightly and smiled without reply.

"Brother Zhuge," Li Huowang called out, drawing all his illusions' attention.

The man before him looked exactly the same, yet for some reason, he seemed different—more vibrant, more alive.

"Brother Zhuge, besides Great Qi and Great Liang, have you ever met anyone whose past was altered?" Li Huowang asked.

"No. There are very few people in the world who’ve even seen the Fate Keeper. Most either went mad or died. And even fewer have been personally touched by the Fate Keeper."

Li Huowang’s brow furrowed as Zhuge Yuan’s words sank in. So if he wanted to erase Hongzhong’s past, there would be no reference point?

Being altered by Doumu was initially daunting, but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t so bad.

Besides changing his past identity, he gained another identity—Hongzhong of Zuo Wang Dao—and unknowingly mastered many powerful techniques from the sect.

It gave him both identity and abilities, plus cultivation methods. At least for now, everything seemed like a blessing. What harm could come from it?

Perhaps the only thing worth questioning was Doumu’s motives.

"Why did it do this?" Li Huowang searched Hongzhong’s memories for clues about Doumu, but found none.

They weren’t believers and deities; rather, they were con artists and victims.

Zuo Wang Dao knew that every lie in the world belonged to Doumu, that she controlled all falsehoods.

Everyone carried a thread of Doumu’s falsity within them, just as everyone lies—it was inevitable. Zuo Wang Dao obtained power by stealing these falsehoods from each person.

Of course, falsehood was only part of it. While stealing lies, they also stole other things from others—naturally happening along the way.

Yet, among Zuo Wang Dao, there was a suspicion: maybe they did it simply because Doumu wanted them to. She tricked them into tricking her, achieving her goals.

As for Doumu’s purpose, since she was the victim, Zuo Wang Dao naturally wouldn’t know.

"Perhaps the Dice knows something..." Li Huowang murmured.

"Brother Li, I think you should stay away from Zuo Wang Dao, especially the Dice. If the Dice sets its sights on you, things won’t be easy to resolve."

"You know, Zuo Wang Dao never excels in direct confrontation. They prefer to strike from behind—especially the Dice."

"Don’t worry. I’m not losing my mind yet. How could I provoke the Dice? My priority now is finding a quiet place to cultivate this hard-won cultivation method."

"Only when our cultivation reaches mastery can I find a place to survive in both worlds."

Whether to enhance strength, make Zhuge Yuan real, or turn reality into truth, this cultivation method was paramount. His past as Hongzhong paled in comparison.

Zhuge Yuan nodded in agreement. "Then, Brother Li, what are your next steps?"

"I—" Li Huowang hesitated briefly before continuing, "I’ll return to Niu Xin Village. It’s peaceful and secluded, perfect for cultivation. Besides, with this chaos, I’m worried about Miao Miao and the others."

It was also a promise made long ago with Miao Miao—to return once free from Xin Su’s illusions. Perhaps this fulfilled that vow.

Thinking of those faces he hadn’t seen in ages, Li Huowang felt a pang of longing. In this world, they were his only ties.

Without delay, Li Huowang mounted his horse, ready to head toward Niu Xin Village.

But just as he raised his whip, he suddenly realized something was missing. "Wait. Where are Li Sui and Mantou?"

"Li Sui! Mantou!" Li Huowang shouted into the surrounding woods.

Soon, black, slimy tentacles emerged from the bushes, growing thicker and more numerous until they formed a mass.

Mantou was already bound by the tentacles, limbs and mouth secured, held aloft by Li Sui.

"What are you doing?"

"Playing with dogs."

(End of Chapter)