Chapter 499: New Things

Chapter 499: A New Thing

Li Huowang’s expression was grave as he firmly gripped the Zhuge Spinal Bone Sword in his hands. At that moment, his gaze was fixed on a green bamboo leaf snake coiled around a verdant bamboo stalk in the distance.

As he settled his breath into his dantian, his hands—clutching the sword hilt—suddenly exerted force, sending the spinal bone sword slicing toward the serpent.

In the next instant, an invisible blade of energy seemed to surge from the sword's edge. This semi-circular aura twisted anything it touched into something else entirely.

For instance, the emerald bamboo leaves turned withered and dotted with insect holes, while the snake with its forked tongue transformed into a patterned serpent.

The crackling sound of bamboo stems rubbing against each other rang out continuously. The broken bamboo shafts slithered down, and as the sword’s energy gradually dissipated, all the distorted things vanished along with it.

Li Huowang began experimenting endlessly with his new weapon within the bamboo grove. Gradually, the entire forest took on a completely unfamiliar appearance.

After several days of practice, Li Huowang had grown proficient in wielding the spinal bone sword. He could now not only split objects into three pieces using the “blade aura,” but if necessary, expand this aura to toss entire people away to Great Qi.

This “blade aura,” at its core, was more like another layer of history. One could easily deduce that such a thing could not be blocked by ordinary magical artifacts or divine powers.

Moreover, it was invisible and colorless, hard to dodge; even more importantly, it pierced through everything, regardless of whether someone stood in front of it.

An hour later, Li Huowang stood panting in place, staring in amazement at the spinal bone sword in his hand.

He had to admit—it truly lived up to its name as a weapon forged with heart and soul. This sword was indeed powerful, surpassing any magical artifact he carried on his person.

Fortunately, he had engaged the woman in close combat earlier. If she had kept her distance and used the spinal bone sword against him, things might have been far more difficult.

"With this sword, my strength has increased by at least forty percent," Li Huowang muttered to himself, wrapping the sword blade with a white cloth strip from the ground.

"Dad, why are you wrapping it?" Li Sui asked curiously, squatting beside him.

"Because I stole this thing from the Heavenly Observing Bureau. If I just carry it openly on my back, and they see it, you can imagine what consequences would follow."

"What kind of consequences?"

"You’d be hunted down," Li Huowang replied.

Li Huowang picked up some bamboo splinters from the ground and tied them onto the sword, making the entire spinal bone sword look bulky, resembling a blunt, heavy sword from the outside.

After wrapping it, Li Huowang took out several black talismans he had prepared and pasted them onto the sword. These talismans held no real meaning.

"Dad, what are these talismans for?" Li Sui asked.

"Just random scribbles meant to deceive others. Even I can’t read them, so others certainly can’t either. People tend to avoid what they don’t understand."

"So this is how you trick people?"

With everything ready, Li Huowang re-strapped the sword across his back and walked toward the carriage with Li Sui.

"Dad, is this sword heavy? Should I help you carry it?"

Hearing Li Sui’s words, Li Huowang tossed the copper coin sword from the Lu Sect toward him. "Carry this one for me."

Seven or eight of Li Sui’s tentacles quickly wrapped around it, wriggling in and out of the coin holes. Clearly delighted with his new weapon, he said, "Thank you, Dad."

"For what? I didn’t give it to you—I just told you to carry it. Give it back when you’re done using it."

"Oh."

Hearing the low tone in Li Sui’s voice, Li Huowang chuckled softly, reaching into his hat and gently patting his bare, bloodied skull.

"Let’s see... when I’m not using it, you can use it instead."

"Okay!"

Hearing the joy in his voice, Li Huowang shook his head helplessly. Though he looked terrifying, this boy acted like a child who hadn’t grown up yet.

Back then, when he was still inside his mother’s womb, he had taught him so simply, fearing he would harm him. Now, it seemed that had turned out to be a mistake.

"Come on, stop smiling like an idiot. Let’s go back."

When Li Huowang returned to the carriage with Li Sui, the wheels of the cart began rolling again, heading out of the forest.

Li Huowang had no intention of returning directly to Niuxin Village. To keep track of the royal succession turmoil, he occasionally snuck off to the post stations to gather news.

If the emperor truly ascended the throne, word would surely spread through the network of posts to every official office. He planned to wait until everything settled before going back.

But what disappointed Li Huowang was that there was still no movement from Shangjing.

As long as the imperial family remained alive, he wouldn’t rest easy.

This made him anxious. Under such constant tension, it was nearly impossible to find peace for cultivation.

"No need to hurry the horse. Let it rest too. It doesn’t matter if we go fast or slow."

Li Huowang spoke to Li Sui, who was driving the carriage, then turned to Bai Lingmiao, who was reading a book, and asked, "Can you still see what’s written on the pages?"

Though Bai Lingmiao’s eyes still bore traces of pink, most of them were covered in white. In terms of vision alone, she was blind.

"Senior Brother Li, I can see," Bai Lingmiao said softly, running her slender fingers over the text. "Even though I cannot see with my eyes, I can feel the difference between the ink-black areas. They’re very clear."

"What book are you reading?" Li Huowang asked again.

"Some spirit-fighting techniques. I can no longer perform divination rituals, and now I'm defenseless. So I want to learn something to protect myself."

"The White Lotus Sect’s teachings are useless. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything. I can protect you."

White strands of hair swayed gently as Bai Lingmiao shook her head. "Senior Brother Li, I can’t always rely on you. You will eventually leave. Even if the White Lotus Sect’s teachings are poor, they're better than having nothing at all."

These words made Li Huowang pause slightly. He sensed a change in Bai Lingmiao’s personality—she had become stronger.

"Wait, don’t study that for now. I just realized there’s something particularly suitable for you right now," Li Huowang said, pulling back the curtain and reaching into Li Sui’s belly to search.

Soon, the talisman manual he had given Li Sui earlier was pulled out once more.

"Dad, that’s mine," Li Sui said with a hint of complaint.

"I know it’s yours. What’s wrong with letting your mother learn it too?" Li Huowang placed the book into Bai Lingmiao’s hands. "Study this. These talismans can be used for fighting, self-defense, divination, and fortune-telling."

"And besides, you’re different from us. You can use these freely. Since your eyes are already blind, the side effects won’t affect you."

(End of Chapter)