Chapter 608: Jade Pendant

Chapter 608: Jade Pendant

“Really? Senior Brother Li, where exactly is this jade pendant?”

In the courtyard of the Bai family estate, Bai Lingmiao looked at Li Huowang with confusion, as if she couldn’t grasp what he had just said.

Hearing Bai Lingmiao speak such words, Li Huowang was momentarily stunned.

How could she not know? He had given it to her himself.

Though much time had passed, Li Huowang remembered clearly—back at Qingfeng Monastery, he had indeed found that jade pendant representing the royal house of Great Liang from Xuan Yang’s quarters.

Yet now, she didn’t remember it at all. Could it be that something so real had truly vanished from her mind?

“No! This doesn’t make sense!”

If before, when Doumu had been taken by Ji Zai and both the true and false heavens had disappeared along with his experience aboard the great ship, then perhaps everything had vanished with them—

Then why would the jade pendant now appear in Bai Lingmiao's mind again? Why would Ji Zai, who had suddenly gained knowledge of truth and falsehood, turn a genuine jade pendant into a fake one for no reason?

It defied logic. Or perhaps, the memories of the true and false heavens that vanished with Doumu weren’t limited to just the jade pendant!

Li Huowang’s gaze fixed on Bai Lingmiao’s face, wrapped in white silk ribbons. “Lingmiao, go summon the senior brothers who came with us from Qingfeng Monastery. I have questions for them.”

Though Bai Lingmiao was puzzled, she nodded slightly. “Okay, sure.”

Soon, the others who had come from Qingfeng Monastery arrived in the Bai family courtyard. They were also confused about why Li Huowang had called them.

Li Huowang cast a glance at each of their faces, picked up a piece of paper he had drawn beforehand—a circular jade pendant drawn with a brush.

“Did you see me carrying this jade pendant when we left Qingfeng Monastery? Or do you recall seeing a jade pendant like this?”

“What is this? A jade pendant? Never seen anything like it. Such things are beyond our means.”

“Yes, if we had one, we’d have traded it for coin long ago.”

Soon, Li Huowang discovered that the memory of the jade pendant hadn’t only vanished from Bai Lingmiao’s mind—it had vanished from everyone else’s too.

“Master, is this jade pendant important? Where did you lose it? Let me help find it,” said Lü Xiucai, eager to please.

Li Huowang shook his head, pondered for a moment, then said, “Nothing more. You may go.”

Though Ji Zai remained silent, Li Huowang sensed some clues between the two.

But this theory still needed further confirmation.

His words left the others confused, scratching their heads and leaving in bewilderment.

Bai Lingmiao, too, couldn’t fathom what Li Huowang was thinking, worry creeping onto her face. Was the lotus-headed scholar of the Fangxian Dao truly not functioning?

“Lingmiao, fetch me a bird. I need someone well-informed to ask some questions.” Li Huowang said, pulling out a talisman engraved with the moon from within.

The person he sought wasn’t anyone else but Liu Zongyuan, the Moon Gate member who had once worked with him and was known for his sharp intelligence.

Li Huowang had expected a few days’ delay for a reply—but to his surprise, Liu Zongyuan showed up that very evening, unusually eager.

“Oh my, Elder Ejiu, you’ve really leaped over the dragon gate—you’ve actually become connected to the Emperor of Great Liang!”

“I see now why you showed no interest in your duties at the Astronomical Bureau. You’ve got your sights set on something higher. Ingenious—truly ingenious!”

Liu Zongyuan praised him profusely, his attitude becoming respectful.

Clearly, he sensed that this crazy follower of the Aojing Sect was no longer the same man he once knew as Ejiu.

Though he didn’t care much for the Astronomical Bureau, which stood above imperial authority, and was indifferent to who ruled the empire—

If this man was a close confidant of the emperor, then a mere servant like him could barely keep up.

“Sit down. It’s been a while. I have a few things to ask you.”

“Such kind words! We were once sworn brothers—we can talk about anything!” Liu Zongyuan patted his chest proudly.

Looking at Liu Zongyuan’s wooden mask, Li Huowang paused and slowly said, “Back in Shangjing, when the Ghost Eye of Divine Mountain was destroyed by the Forgetful Dao, do you remember that?”

“Of course! That was such a big deal, how could I forget?”

“Good. Tell me everything. No detail left out!”

“Alright, let me tell you—this story starts more than half a year ago…”

As Liu Zongyuan spoke, a look of understanding gradually appeared on Li Huowang’s face.

If the accounts of his fellow disciples could be dismissed as mistaken perceptions, then what Liu Zongyuan revealed completely confirmed his suspicions.

What Liu Zongyuan described was entirely different from what Li Huowang had witnessed firsthand—not just slightly off, but fundamentally altered—the very origins of the event itself.

And that was enough to prove that the true and false heavens following Doumu had changed, along with everything related to her in this world—including all historical events involving her.

Thinking of this, Ji Zai’s words echoed in Li Huowang’s mind:

“What is true? What is false? How do you prove it? Prove one to me.”

The chain reaction caused by changes in the heavens far exceeded Li Huowang’s imagination. It wasn’t just natural disasters.

“Does that mean every time there’s a heavenly disaster, such changes occur? But I never noticed before?” The thought made his skin crawl—he was beginning to realize something grave.

In this world that had gone utterly mad, even the past that was already written was not eternal. With every heavenly disaster, every shift in the heavens, the past was constantly rewritten.

**Siming... Xinpan… Siming... Xinpan...**

Ignoring Liu Zongyuan’s endless chatter, Li Huowang began pacing inside the room, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he recalled what he had written on the wall of the Astronomical Bureau.

“Imperial decree: The Astronomical Bureau shall sell calendars; private printing is forbidden. Violators will be exiled with their clans.”

Then Li Huowang reached behind him and pulled out the Spine Sword, which connected to Great Qi, placing it before him and examining it closely.

“Uh… Elder Ejiu, are you alright?”

Liu Zongyuan now felt this man had gone completely mad. He hesitated—should he continue to get closer to him?

Li Huowang ignored him and suddenly held the sword horizontally, muttering to the miniature head of Zhuge Yuan on its hilt: “Brother Zhuge, do you think there’s a possibility…”

“Could it be… that the Great Qi you saved has vanished among these changes in the heavens?”

------------------

Next chapter update: 11:32 PM.

(End of Chapter)