Chapter 541: Revitalization

Chapter 541: Reviving the Situation

The moment Li Huowang spoke, the expressions of those surrounding him shifted in varied ways.

They were indeed willing to assist Minister Ji Xiang in confronting this man who had stolen from them, but that did not mean they were ready to involve themselves in the troubles of succession struggles.

"You!" Foyulu was so furious she felt like spitting blood, yet she could not act—internal taboos within the Celestial Observing Bureau strictly forbade any involvement with imperial affairs.

It wasn't that it would be disastrous if they got entangled, but once involved, their future prospects within the Bureau would be completely dimmed—a rather troublesome matter indeed.

The other party continued to threaten, but when Li Huowang realized that the other party truly feared this connection, he began to regain control.

Half an hour later, the encirclement dispersed on its own.

"Boy! Don't even think about running! I'll watch you closely! The day the new emperor ascends the throne is the day your life ends! Let's go!"

That woman immediately turned around and left with fury in her eyes, accompanied by others.

Just as Hongda was preparing to leave, Li Huowang stopped him directly.

"Brother Hong, it's been too long since we last met. How can you just leave like this? Let me be the host tonight—we should have a good drink together."

Li Huowang understood well enough that it wouldn’t be difficult to temporarily push her away, but to truly resolve this issue, it wasn’t enough.

After one incense stick’s worth of time, inside the No. 1 Heavenly Room at Yangquan Wine House, looking silently at the exquisite dishes before him, Hongda remained motionless. Li Huowang poured himself a full cup of wine.

"Come, I’ll toast three times to Brother Hong."

When the cup was placed before him, Li Huowang stared intently at the fiery liquor, muttering repeatedly: "This is water! This is water!"

After three cups, smiling Li Huowang picked up his chopsticks and took a small bite of vegetables to settle his stomach.

"Brother Hong, don’t stand there stunned. Eat quickly. What are you being so formal for? If it weren’t for your recommendation, I wouldn’t have even entered the Celestial Observing Bureau."

Hongda sighed softly. He wasn’t stupid; why would someone offer free drinks without reason? But caught between both sides, he felt the most uncomfortable. He also wanted to mediate the conflict.

"Fine, I’ll give you face. I’ll play peacemaker. After all, we know each other. Give back the Tai Xu Sword to her, and I’ll speak well of you. Then this matter will be settled."

"Give it back?" Li Huowang touched the Spine Sword beside him on the bench and shook his head.

How could such a useful weapon be returned? Besides, he couldn’t allow the corpse of Zhuge Yuan to be desecrated by others.

"Please convey a message to that young lady for me. We’re all fellow members of the Celestial Observing Bureau. I don’t want things to get ugly. I won’t return the sword, but I can offer something of equal value."

Seeing Li Huowang say such words, Hongda frowned and set down his chopsticks.

"How do you plan to exchange it? That Tai Xu Sword was forged by Xin Pan! Do you know how much it’s worth in our treasury? Foyulu borrowed it originally!"

"If you keep going like this, don’t blame me for forgetting old ties. The entire Bureau knows the whole story. Even if you run to the ends of the earth, you won’t escape!"

Li Huowang raised his cup again and placed it between himself and Hongda. "A magical artifact forged by Xin Pan? Then what if I offer Xin Su instead?"

"Xin Su?" Hongda leaned back slightly. After a few breaths, his expression calmed, and he drank a cup casually, pretending not to care: "A complete Xin Su? Alive or dead?"

Hearing this question, Li Huowang felt relief wash over him. He knew the deadlock had finally been broken.

"Heh, come, let’s eat first. If we don’t eat now, the food will grow cold."

Pushing isn’t buying. Seeing Hongda soften, Li Huowang no longer rushed.

Over wine and conversation, after exchanging probing glances, Hongda finally agreed to go back and ask.

After all, this was a personal grudge between Li Huowang and Foyulu. He was merely a middleman and couldn’t make the final decision.

But judging by Hongda’s attitude, Li Huowang didn’t think it would be a big problem. If necessary, he’d add another Xin Su.

Once they finished discussing business, the two began chatting about trivial matters.

Their relationship wasn’t particularly close—they had only worked together—but under the influence of alcohol, they started slinging arms over each other’s shoulders.

"Ertu, how did you end up tied to the royal family? You should’ve asked me first before jumping in. Tell you what, this path isn’t easy. If it were easy, wouldn’t you already be there?"

"Being near the emperor is like walking beside a tiger. Today he’s emperor, tomorrow he might not be. Any promises are worthless. Better to stay stable in the Bureau. You're heading down a narrow road."

Li Huowang smiled silently. Hongda didn’t know he was forced into this by dice rolls. If not for coercion, he would never have come to the capital.

"It’s already decided. Brother Hong, don’t talk about me anymore. Tell me about yourself. How have things been lately?"

"Heh, what else? A mess of problems. The Sect of Law keeps stirring up trouble. It’s driving me crazy. Fortunately, the pay is decent. These past few months, I’ve been running all over the place. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be chasing the sect’s tail outside."

"Has the Sect of Law really spread so widely in Daliang? Can the Bureau handle it?"

Li Huowang glanced at Qiu Baochi, somewhat worriedly.

Hongda picked a tender chicken mushroom with his ivory chopsticks and popped it into his mouth, dazedly replying, "About okay. After all, the Four Qi Celestial Observing Bureau has now merged into Daliang. We have fewer people than before."

"Why did the Four Qi Celestial Observing Bureau suddenly merge into Daliang?" Li Huowang was greatly surprised by this news.

"Heh, Brother Ertu, haven’t you heard? The Four Qi... has fallen."

Li Huowang sobered instantly. He had come from Four Qi, though that country was small, its sudden collapse was shocking.

He recalled the nun he knew in Four Qi and the Zhengde Temple, unable to help but ask, "Why did it fall so suddenly?"

"Who said it fell suddenly? War has been raging for a long time. Only Daliang remains relatively peaceful. Other places are going mad. It’s just far from us, so we don’t feel it."

"Why didn’t the new court retain the Celestial Observing Bureau? Isn’t it true that every dynasty, regardless of who holds power, must have a Celestial Observing Bureau?"

The Celestial Observing Bureau existed to deal with heavenly disasters. Anyone with sense would understand that no ruler would dare harm it.

If disasters went unattended, even the strongest dynasty would crumble like paper.

Hongda shook his head and sipped his wine. "I don’t know. If I knew that, I’d be the Astronomical Director myself. Anyway, these years have been tough. Constant wars."

For some reason, upon hearing that Four Qi had fallen and the new court didn’t establish a Celestial Observing Bureau, Li Huowang felt uneasy. It seemed like a bad omen.

Looking again at Qiu Baochi, who kept gnawing on chicken bones beside him, Li Huowang thought inwardly: "Is there a connection here? Let nothing from the old Qi happen again here..."