Chapter 558: Transaction

Chapter 558: The Deal

Before the command of the Great Liang State Master, even if these people had received a sacred edict from Ji Lin, they dared not act recklessly.

"Yes, humble servant obeys," in an instant, everyone around him scattered, not daring to remain.

Seeing how commanding this figure was before these men, Li Huowang couldn't help but feel uneasy, calculating what he would do should this State Master turn against him.

If that were to happen, he could only rely on the immortal Zhuge Yuan, and gamble everything on him.

Just as Li Huowang thought this, he saw Huangfu Tiangang sheathing his Star Constellation Sword into his sleeve, then walking forward with empty hands until he stood before Li Huowang.

"If you're waiting for the Astronomical Bureau, you'll have plenty of time—his attention is tied up with trivial matters. How about I settle the dice for you instead? This illusion belongs to me."

"Huh?!"

Both Li Huowang and Shangguan Yuting were stunned for a moment—they hadn’t expected such words from him.

It seemed the State Master intended to steal the Astronomical Bureau’s catch. Were these two secretly at odds?

"What's wrong? Do you think the Astronomical Bureau can handle the dice while I cannot? That's absurd. The dice merely knows how to vanish. As long as I know where he is, I can crush him with one hand!"

Li Huowang pondered carefully. From the man’s actions, he had already gathered some information: first, the man hadn’t taken direct action yet, which meant he didn’t want to openly clash with the Astronomical Bureau.

Secondly, both the Astronomical Bureau and the State Master found the secret of the Upper Extreme Gorge highly attractive.

Once he understood the stakes involved, Li Huowang looked again at the State Master before him. "The Astronomical Bureau has done me a favor. I feel deeply uneasy about accepting this."

Huangfu Tiangang looked at Li Huowang with confusion. "You’re so loyal to her? How come I never knew? Didn’t you even hold a rank in the Observing Heaven Department?"

Li Huowang pointed toward Shangguan Yuting’s head full of eyes. "There are so many of them. If the State Master gives me one more, it would ease my conscience somewhat."

If he had two secrets, he could search for the dice and also look for Miaomiao.

Since the State Master had spoken, now was the time to make use of it.

Hearing Li Huowang’s words, Huangfu Tiangang showed a trace of understanding. "I see. Very well, good soldiers don’t starve, and this grain isn’t mine anyway."

With that, Huangfu Tiangang raised one hand in a gesture, muttered under his breath, turned once around Shangguan Yuting, and then pointed at Li Huowang.

One of Shangguan Yuting’s eyeballs flew out and disappeared into Li Huowang’s shadow.

Then, he drew his robe tight, and Shangguan Yuting vanished entirely.

Clearly satisfied with his gain, he patted Li Huowang’s shoulder.

"Now that you’ve taken this, when the Astronomical Bureau returns and asks where these things went, you’ll know how to answer, won’t you?"

Li Huowang’s thoughts raced rapidly as he slowly nodded. “I understand.”

As for whether the Astronomical Bureau would blame him upon returning and discovering Shangguan Yuting missing with nothing gained, Li Huowang no longer cared.

Ji Lin was about to ascend the throne. As long as Miaomiao wasn’t rescued, he wouldn’t rest easy.

"Mm~ A promising student," Huangfu Tiangang nodded approvingly.

"State Master, when do we begin hunting down the dice?" Li Huowang asked with urgency.

"Now."

Hearing such confidence, Li Huowang immediately walked toward a river below the mountain.

To use the secret of the Upper Extreme Gorge, one must utilize reflections on the water surface.

As he rushed toward the riverside, Li Huowang glanced at the State Master who had shortened distances beside him and couldn’t help but ask, "State Master, the dice is so evil—why doesn’t the Astronomical Bureau or you seem concerned?"

This question had been weighing on Li Huowang for a long time—he finally found a chance to ask.

"Heh heh, the dice who plotted against the God Eye Mountain has already been executed. What difference does killing another make? The Way of Forgetfulness is like grass in Qingqiu—burn it once and it grows back."

"Just weakening the Way of Forgetfulness is enough. There are more troubles in this world than that."

"Once the Way of Forgetfulness dies, will it return after some time?"

Li Huowang’s eyes widened. Even in his own memories, he had never heard such a thing.

"As long as someone lies in this world, the Way of Forgetfulness will never die."

Hearing this, Li Huowang felt startled, as if he suddenly understood something. He looked up at the bright sky above.

This world was far stranger than he imagined. There was still much he did not know.

A winding stream appeared before Li Huowang. As he prepared to kill the dice, his breathing grew heavy.

He bent down and scooped a bowl of water from the reflection in the water. The eye reflection in the water swayed left and right with the current.

Taking a deep breath, Li Huowang silently recited the dice’s location, then gently tapped the water onto his forehead.

Instantly, his body trembled violently as if splashed by water. In the next moment, all sounds vanished—the sound of flowing water, the chirping of birds, even the State Master’s heartbeat disappeared.

But in exchange, Li Huowang saw another perspective—a eunuch’s point of view.

This was a young eunuch, following his adoptive father into the treasure room to burn incense, then respectfully walking out.

When he saw the solemn palace outside, Li Huowang instantly realized—it was the Great Liang Imperial Palace! That little eunuch was the dice!

Li Huowang suddenly opened his eyes, feeling slightly dizzy. That vision hadn’t faded—it overlapped with his own!

The two perspectives merged chaotically, but at that moment, Li Huowang paid no mind. He said to the State Master, "The dice is inside the palace! He’s a minor eunuch preparing for the enthronement ceremony!"

"Haha, truly strange. This thing actually works."

Huangfu Tiangang smiled with delight. With a swift motion, he pulled out the Star Constellation Sword from his sleeve.

"Go!" The State Master tossed the sword into the air, kicked its hilt hard, and the blade, leaving a trail, flew northward.

But that wasn’t all. Huangfu Tiangang grabbed Li Huowang’s collar, stamped his feet on the treetops several times, and caught up with the flying sword, stepping firmly on its blade.

He carried Li Huowang riding the swiftly flying sword toward Shangjing.

The change in perspectives, combined with Li Huowang’s dizziness, made him feel disoriented.

However, the sensation quickly subsided, and he began to adapt to the dual viewpoints.

At the same time, they arrived at the city of Shangjing.

"State Master! The dice is running—he knows you're here!"

"Hmph! He can’t escape!" The State Master stomped the hilt of the sword, and the Star Constellation Sword rose into his hand.

With a flourish, he raised the sword high into the sky. "Bang!" A thunderclap echoed across the heavens.

Lightning struck dozens of magical altars surrounding the palace. The purple sutras already prepared in wooden basins ignited instantly under the lightning.

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Next chapter updates at 00:01

(End of Chapter)