Chapter 493: Dice

Chapter 493: The Dice

"Oh well, what could possibly go wrong? I just need a small favor from you."

Listening to the chubby vendor in front of him speak these words, Li Huowang gave a bitter smile. "You really do have faith in me. If you can't handle it yourself, what use am I supposed to be?"

The fat man didn't immediately reply to Li Huowang's words. Instead, he busied himself with serving customers, only walking over to his stall after most of them had left. He pulled out two small wooden stools, sat down on one, and tossed the other to Li Huowang.

"Come, sit down. Don't stand around talking. This matter... only you can handle it. I can't do it myself. If I go there, the dragon vein will detect me."

Li Huowang looked at the round, plump head before asking with a hint of mockery, "Didn't we already offend the Heavenly Observing Bureau thoroughly last time? Aren't you satisfied yet?"

On the surface, Li Huowang appeared indifferent, but inside, his guard was raised tenfold.

Because this man wasn't anyone else—he was the leader of the Forgetful Dao Sect, the Dice!

As a fellow member of the Forgetful Dao Sect, Li Huowang couldn't forget his terrifying capabilities.

This man's favorite pastime was deceiving liars—indeed, perhaps more than half of the entire Forgetful Dao Sect were people he had deceived.

"Oh, you say that," the Dice said, grabbing two leftover fried dough sticks and chewing them. "Hongzhong, last night, the emperor of Great Li was trying to recruit you, right? Oh my, such an interesting thing, why are you running away?"

"When you get back, agree to the emperor's recruitment, then find a way to help him successfully ascend the throne." The Dice revealed what favor he wanted Li Huowang to do.

It wasn't surprising that the Forgetful Dao Sect wanted to involve itself in the struggle for the imperial throne of Great Li. But regardless of what they intended to do, Li Huowang had no intention of joining. "Boss, I'm not available right now. Find someone else to do this."

Facing Li Huowang's firm refusal, the Dice smiled sweetly. "What's wrong? You're not a child anymore. Stop being childish. Don't worry, once that emperor ascends the throne, you'll have nothing to do with it."

"Hongzhong, we don't have many people inside the palace anyway. We've been purged recently. You're the most convenient person now. And don't forget, you still owe me a favor."

The Dice, with his greasy hands, patted Li Huowang's shoulder. "See? From both sentiment and reason, this job has to be done by you."

A favor? Li Huowang didn't recall any such debt. Even Hongzhong's memories didn't contain anything about it.

"I won't do it, Dice Boss. Find someone else."

After refusing again, Li Huowang stood up and prepared to leave. "After all that happened last time, the Forgetful Dao Sect doesn't have many members left. I suggest you take some time to cultivate your spirit."

Faced with someone far stronger than himself, Li Huowang could only gamble—gamble that the Dice wouldn't attack him while under such intense surveillance by the Heavenly Observing Bureau.

If one wants to avoid being deceived by the Forgetful Dao, one should never follow their path from the beginning.

Not even a few steps had passed when the Dice's voice suddenly rang out behind him. "Boy, you really won't do it? If you truly refuse, don't blame me for not keeping our sect brotherhood!"

Turning his foot, Li Huowang faced the Dice again, speaking calmly, "Dice Boss, what? Are you suggesting you'll resort to force against me?"

"You say that, but we're not warriors from the Military School who act recklessly. How could we harm our own family?" Hearing his gentle tone, Li Huowang sneered inwardly.

"Let me tell you, just a month ago, you owed me a favor. We were supposed to safeguard something for you. You don't have to accept the task, but don't blame me if I release what we're guarding."

"Hmm?" Li Huowang frowned. He was certain that a month ago, he hadn't even come into contact with the Forgetful Dao. Or perhaps, the Dice had already begun deceiving him?

"Dice Boss, that's no fun. I'm tired from the last incident. I want to rest properly. Find someone else." With that, Li Huowang threw the cold food he'd been holding onto the ground and walked toward the carriage.

Seeing Li Huowang leave, the Dice didn't chase him but instead busied himself with serving new customers.

As Li Huowang drove the carriage toward the west gate of Shangjing, the chubby vendor shouted loudly toward the distant carriage, "You little brat! Be careful! If you only cultivate the real path without cultivating the false one, you might end up going mad!"

Although he was safe outside Shangjing, the Dice didn't do anything outrageous. But Li Huowang didn't foolishly think the matter was over.

After leaving Shangjing, Li Huowang hurriedly rode with Li Sui and Bai Lingmiao, avoiding any contact with living beings to prevent being deceived by the Dice. When hungry, they hunted on mountains or fished in rivers, living like wild men.

*Crackling.* Flames licked at fish skin stripped of scales, roasting river fish the size of arms until golden brown.

A light sprinkle of salt was added, and Bai Lingmiao held it out to Li Huowang.

While on guard, Li Huowang shook his head. "You eat first. I'm not hungry."

Bai Lingmiao handed the grilled fish to Li Sui's arms and picked up another to roast again. "Senior Brother Li, how much longer until we reach Niuxin Village?"

"We won't return for now. Let's not bring this trouble back to the village."

"How long will we stay outside? A few years?" Bai Lingmiao asked anxiously.

"That's not necessary. Since the Forgetful Dao is getting involved in the succession struggle of Great Li, once the new emperor ascends the throne, whether the Forgetful Dao succeeds or not, they shouldn't bother me anymore."

What worried Li Huowang most was that the Dice would pull some tricks in secret. As the leader of the Forgetful Dao, he certainly wasn't someone to be underestimated.

When he targeted someone, the trap was already set, waiting for others to fall into it.

Thinking of this, Li Huowang clenched his fists reluctantly. His strength still wasn't enough. If he had reached true cultivation, why would he fear this man so much?

After quickly finishing the grilled fish, Li Huowang got into the carriage to rest, though he didn't sleep deeply, ready to wake instantly at any sign of danger.

In the middle of the night, both Li Huowang and Bai Lingmiao, curled up in his arms, opened their eyes simultaneously. "Senior Brother Li, there's movement in the forest to the east."

"Mm, I heard it too. Let's three of us go check what's happening, just to avoid being lured away."

As they approached closer, they heard fighting sounds and shouting, along with clashing weapons.

When Li Huowang peered through the gaps in trees at the distant battlefield, he immediately understood what was happening.

(End of Chapter)