Chapter 519: Zu Yi

Chapter 519: Foot One

"Find him! Search thoroughly! I want this man's entire clan hunted down and his death by slow slicing!!"

Lord Ji Lin roared with fury, his voice echoing through the palace halls. Below, the court officials remained silent, their hands gripping the crescent tablets, standing in rows in solemn silence, eyes fixed on the spotless floor.

"Are you all deaf? Huh? Have you all lost your hearing? The mother of this man! And the imperial elder sister of this man! Such noble status! Cast out like stray dogs in the wilderness!"

"Hahahaha! Is this still our Ji family’s realm? Is this still the great Liang dynasty's domain!"

The thick memorial scrolls were flung from the towering dragon throne, scattering down upon the court below.

When the scattered scrolls fell upon the heads of the ministers, someone finally spoke. A corpulent general stepped forward: "Your Majesty, information obtained from those who survived indicates that the one who killed the Empress Dowager is a heretical cultivator!"

"Do not concern yourselves with what kind of cultivator he is! All we need now is his head! Within three days, I want to see his head!"

The morning audience ended in an atmosphere of oppressive tension. As Lord Ji Lin, face flushed with anger, walked through the palace toward his private chambers, the eunuchs and palace maids held their breath, afraid to catch the emperor's wrath. But when Ji Lin reached his quarters, his anger vanished instantly, replaced by a cruel satisfaction.

"Ertou, you did well this time. Your sword is indeed swift and sharp—far more useful than those who only talk nonsense! Tell me, what reward do you seek?"

As soon as Ji Lin finished speaking, Li Huowang appeared beside the massive golden silk wooden screen. "Your Majesty, I ask for no official title nor money. I simply believe that You are the one destined by heaven."

Dressed in imperial robes, Ji Lin adjusted his slightly slipping left cheek and, with hands behind his back, circled Li Huowang once. "Haha, no official title, no money? So you're hoping to gain my gratitude?"

Li Huowang said nothing in response to Ji Lin's question.

Having already demonstrated his value, it was now time to consider how best to use Ji Lin against the Dice Master.

Ji Lin patted Li Huowang's shoulder and then waved his other hand toward the old eunuch standing by the corner holding a tray.

He picked up a gold medal engraved with dragon patterns from the tray and shoved it into Li Huowang's hands. "This is the Golden Immunity Medal. With this, even if you commit the gravest crimes, you can atone for them."

Li Huowang felt the weight of the heavy golden piece in his arms and immediately sensed another meaning—it would only work when he himself was emperor. If someone else ruled, this token might only be pawned off at a pawnshop.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ji Lin stepped closer, staring intently into Li Huowang's eyes. "I know this cannot repay your service, but rest assured, as long as I ascend the throne and survive, you will be my greatest minister!"

"Your Majesty, do you hate the Forgetful Dao?"

Ji Lin was startled by Li Huowang's question. Why had he suddenly brought up the Forgetful Dao?

"Of course I do! My father died because of the Forgetful Dao! They are my father's murderers!" Ji Lin gritted his teeth.

Hearing this, Li Huowang nodded in relief, raised both hands, and bowed deeply before Ji Lin. "Your Majesty, I understand now. Who shall we kill next?"

At first, just a few kills would suffice. To get Ji Lin to help, two heads alone wouldn't be enough.

"No rush, no rush. Let me observe others' reactions first. This matter is complicated. Killing people is your strength—but after killing, how do you turn their supporters to support me? That’s where you won’t be able to help. Go rest now. When the time comes, I’ll summon you again."

Li Huowang left quickly, escorted by a group of palace guards through the red walls of the imperial palace.

On his way home, Li Huowang, his expression grave, reflected on Ji Lin's reaction earlier, trying to decipher every subtle change in his face.

In the past, Ji Lin was straightforward—spoke his mind without reservation. But Li Huowang didn't know whether he still was the same or had changed for personal gain. The emperor of Liang was already at odds with the Forgetful Dao. If they were to confront the Dice Master, both emotionally and logically, they couldn’t refuse.

Yet, a doubt lingered in Li Huowang’s heart: why did the Dice Master choose Ji Lin to ascend the throne? What benefit did it bring him?

Without knowing the answer, even if Ji Lin agreed to use the power of the Liang imperial house against the Forgetful Dao, Li Huowang dared not reveal everything to him.

"Could Ji Lin be a pawn of the Forgetful Dao?" Alarm bells rang loudly in Li Huowang’s mind.

"Brother Li, don’t worry. Ji Lin isn’t a pawn of the Forgetful Dao. Even if the Heaven-Watching Bureau is incompetent, they wouldn’t allow an important person under their noses to be replaced by the Forgetful Dao."

Zhuge Yuan’s words reassured Li Huowang. He nodded, pondering his next move.

It was difficult. Every possibility he considered had to be reversed and thought through—would the Dice Master have anticipated this?

"Dad, you’re back. I made some steamed buns for you."

Just as Li Huowang entered the house, he was stopped by Li Sui, proudly showing off his work.

Looking at the blackened, unswollen lumps of dough in the pot, Li Huowang gave a bitter smile, picked one up and stuffed it into his mouth.

Though he knew that dealing with such a powerful enemy as the Dice Master could not be rushed, thinking of Miao Miao in his hands, how could his heart not race?

He patted the white skull of Li Sui gently. For the first time since the confrontation, his weary and anxious heart found a sliver of relief.

"Dad, did I make them tasty?"

"Not tasty. Don’t make them again."

"Why not? I think they taste great."

As they talked, a knock came at the door—"Knock knock knock." The door, which had just been closed, was knocked on again. "Elder Brother Zuyi greets you."

Seated on a long bench, Li Huowang immediately stopped chewing and turned toward the door along with Li Sui.

"The door wasn’t shut. Come in," Li Huowang said indifferently, as if he hadn’t been surprised by the arrival.

Seeing this man openly defy authority and ally with him against the Princess, Li Huowang knew the matter was far from over.

The wooden gate creaked open, and a man wearing a black veil and wide robe entered.

His whole body was covered, but Li Huowang could only sense a pungent smell of burnt charcoal.

Li Sui, with keen senses, immediately identified him as the man who had been entirely engulfed in fire before.

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