Chapter 643: Help

Chapter 643: A Favor

For reasons unknown, whenever Li Huowang spoke with Ji Zai, he felt as though the fire burning within his heart could never be extinguished.

“I don’t care if you know or not! We cannot let Da Liang fall into the same fate as Da Qi! I need your help! Don’t forget when you asked for my assistance—back then, I said not a word of nonsense!”

“How should I help you?”

“Aren’t you the Keeper of Fate? Make me stronger, use your power to keep me in that state of Cangqian’s ascension, just like when he was at his peak. It's all for fighting Yu’er Shen!” As Li Huowang spoke, he clenched his fists tightly.

“That is something I cannot do. After all, I govern confusion. But I have indeed helped you.”

“You’ve helped? Bullshit! Where? How did I not notice?”

“Yes.”

“What does ‘yes’ mean?! Tell me where you helped!”

Listening to Ji Zai’s rambling and disconnected words, the fire in Li Huowang’s chest suddenly flared up. “I should have chosen to become Cangqian’s heart core instead of yours!”

“Cangqian? That wouldn’t be good. Being her heart core is painful,” Ji Zai replied calmly.

Hearing this, the furious Li Huowang suddenly calmed down, his gaze turning hostile as he stared at his reflection in the water.

“Ji Zai, you say you are my future self, but your actions and words make me question whether your goals align with mine.”

Ji Zai sighed softly. “Would you believe me if I told you something else? Since Zhuge Yuan deceived you, have you ever trusted anyone?”

“Don’t bring Zhuge Yuan into this! If you’re the Keeper of Fate, then revive him if you can!”

“I cannot. The dead cannot return to life in this world. Thus, there is no such law in Baiyujing.”

“......” A long silence fell between them.

After some time, Li Huowang took a deep breath. “If this doesn’t work and that doesn’t work either, tell me—how are the others in the future? What about the people from Niu Xin Village? What about Da Liang? Did I protect them properly in the future?”

“The future depends on what you do now. You know this world is alive—it changes constantly.”

Li Huowang looked at Ji Zai seriously. “Stop talking in riddles. I have no other demands. I’ve already sacrificed everything for those I care about. I only want them to survive in this strange world. Answer me—can you guarantee it?”

Seemingly sensing the gravity in Li Huowang’s voice, Ji Zai nodded firmly this time. “As long as you are my heart core, I can guarantee it.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang finally exhaled slightly. If the other couldn’t guarantee anything, he would have to consider finding another way.

“Alright, no more talk. Let’s deal with the current crisis. The danger posed by Yu’er Shen is right before us. I need to strengthen myself. In the past, cultivating was risky because the true and false heavens were under Doumu’s control. Now that the true and false heavens belong to you, can I resume cultivation?”

“There are things you don’t need to ask me. If you think it’s possible, then go ahead.”

Upon hearing these words, Li Huowang’s mind tensed. He suddenly felt his thoughts syncing with Ji Zai’s rhythm.

Just as he hesitated to ask again for confirmation, an eagle-hawk swooped down from the sky and dropped a scroll in front of him.

As soon as Li Huowang opened it, his pupils trembled. Across the six paths of Da Liang, both big cities and small villages were erupting in rebellion by the sects. The sects had gone full revolt.

“Yu’er Shen is using his powers to stir up chaos here! You’re also a Keeper of Fate—don’t just stand there spouting nonsense. Do something!”

“I did! I influenced things!”

“What did you do?!”

“I sent people long ago to hunt down the sects. And I told my heart core—the sects are just distractions. They’re planning to capture the leader first—they’re targeting Shangjing.”

“What?! Their target is Gao Zhijian?!”

Li Huowang’s pupils shrank to nothing. He no longer cared about Ji Zai and rushed toward his horse.

During the journey, Li Huowang quickly used Liu Zongyuan’s contact to relay the message to Shangjing as fast as possible.

Li Huowang left, but his reflection in the water remained still, standing there watching him disappear into the distance.

Suddenly, a faint look of daze appeared on his face—as if recalling something.

Not long after Li Huowang passed the message through Liu Zongyuan, Shangjing contacted him quickly.

“Lord Er, His Majesty has been informed. You needn’t worry—he will handle it,” a one-legged black crow perched on Li Huowang’s horse head, speaking in a hoarse voice.

“Don’t mention His Majesty. Has the Astronomical Bureau known this news?” Li Huowang asked the crow.

He didn’t trust Gao Zhijian’s promise to handle things. After all, he had only been emperor for less than half a year, and the true extent of his power in court was uncertain.

“They know. The Grand Master and the Astronomical Bureau have been informed. They’ll definitely be on guard.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang finally relaxed slightly.

The enemy wanted to lure him away, and they feared being caught in their trap. Since he had already told his people about their plan, half of their scheme was ruined.

It had been a long time since becoming Ji Zai’s heart core, but this was the first time Ji Zai had truly helped him.

“Tell them to prepare thoroughly. To be safe, I’m heading there right now!”

But the crow immediately responded, “No need, Lord Er, please turn back. The Heavenly Observing Department will never let the same situation happen again.”

“You know nothing! Get lost!” Li Huowang waved the crow off his horse and galloped toward Shangjing.

Knowing the sect leaders' intentions from Ji Zai, he had to take charge himself. Protecting Gao Zhijian at this moment was far more important than clearing scattered sect members.

Even if this trip turned out to be in vain, he had to go. Da Liang must not become like Da Qi.

The refugees from Da Qi, who numbered barely one-tenth of their original population, could come to Da Liang. But if Da Liang disappeared, there would be nowhere left for them to go.

“Lord Er, really no need. Please return. Please return,” the one-legged crow didn’t leave but circled overhead, shouting repeatedly.

“Damn it! Get lost!” Li Huowang roared from his bed, but the voice outside did not fade.

“What is mental illness? Who defines it? Who gave them the right? I think this label is wrong. Mental illness doesn’t exist—it’s merely a false label defined by external political, economic, or cultural forces. It’s simply a tool to maintain the existing social order!”

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Next chapter updates at 11:30 PM.

(End of Chapter)