Chapter 662: End of Court

Chapter 662: The Court Disperses

The crimson aura that surged from Li Huowang’s presence caused even the air to tremble as he led his horse slowly into the capital city of Shangjing. His red Daoist robe had grown increasingly blood-red, as if it were drinking in the very essence of his wrath.

Wherever he walked, no one dared approach—everyone gave way, stepping aside with trembling reverence.

This spectacle naturally drew the attention of spies within the city, yet they had long since become accustomed to such occurrences. This man was an official of the Emperor; to avoid trouble, one should not meddle in matters beyond their station.

At this moment, Li Sui once again wore the skin and flesh of Princess Ning’an, sitting sideways upon the saddle with her body slightly bent. She looked exhausted, her small head nodding rhythmically with each hoofbeat.

Though the village of Niu Xin was far from the capital, Li Huowang had swept clean every last stronghold of the Law Sect across the land—including those near Niu Xin.

Taking advantage of that opportunity, she returned briefly to retrieve the skin and flesh, report back to others that she was safe, and tell them about the tragedy that had befallen the Lü family.

As soon as he entered the capital, Li Huowang did not go elsewhere—he went straight toward the Heavenly Observation Bureau.

“Are there still places where the Law Sect dares raise its banner?” Li Huowang asked the man behind the counter.

“Eh… eh… please wait a moment, sir…” Nan Gong Yun, sweat beading on his brow, quickly consulted the records.

He was sharp and well-informed. This man had climbed high in the court, and his status was now vastly different from before.

“Sir, um… currently, in all six regions of Great Liang, the hard-core members of the Law Sect who dared to show their faces have been mostly eliminated—your contribution is significant. By the way, I’ll settle your reward for this mission right away.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang waved his hand and turned to leave. “No need.”

He had been running around these past few days—not for the longevity pills offered by the Heavenly Observation Bureau. The Law Sect, which worshipped the god of the heavens, must not be allowed to grow unchecked. Otherwise, the fate of Great Qi would befall Great Liang.

Exiting the bureau, Li Huowang decided to go to the palace to inquire about Gao Zhijian’s condition. Having dealt with the bureau many times before, he understood clearly that the missions issued were not all that existed.

Unless the Law Sect was completely eradicated, he would not rest until it was done.

Just as Li Huowang stepped out, an unexpected figure appeared before him.

It was Lü Xiuzi, carrying a copper coin sword on his back, his eyes bloodshot, his beard unkempt, leading two horses that frothed at the mouth and staggered on the verge of collapse.

“Master,” Lü Xiuzi’s voice was hoarse and filled with exhaustion, as though he already knew something terrible had happened.

Li Huowang said nothing. He led him toward his modest dwelling.

Before they could even enter, Lü Xiuzi heard the familiar sound of opera singing echoing from within.

Trembling, he pushed open the door and finally saw through a room behind iron bars—the mad Lü ZHUANGYUAN.

Inside the room, the Lü ZHUANGYUAN resembled a general on stage, singing grandly and proudly.

“Who can I rely on for mother and wife? I miss my homeland, the road is long. In the red dust, I’ve wasted five years of youth…”

Though there was no musical accompaniment, decades of training allowed the Lü ZHUANGYUAN to sing with perfect form.

“Father!” Lü Xiuzi grabbed the iron bars, shouting inside.

But the white-haired Lü ZHUANGYUAN showed no reaction, continuing his performance.

At that moment, an old eunuch descended from upstairs holding a child named Xiu’er. Upon seeing Li Huowang return, he immediately knelt before him. “Servant greets you, sir. During your absence, Lord Lü was fine—eating and sleeping well.”

Li Sui reached out and took Xiu’er from his arms, gently tickling her. But Xiu’er remained silent, refusing to speak a word.

“Master,” Lü Xiuzi turned, his eyes red with tears, gritting his teeth. “Where is my brother? And my sister-in-law?”

Following Li Huowang’s gaze, Lü Xiuzi saw two white clay jars covered with red paper placed on a cabinet.

He walked over, embraced the jars, and wept bitterly. He had once had a home.

He didn’t like it—his stubborn father, his weak elder brother, his stingy and cruel sister-in-law—but now, they were gone.

He simply disliked them, but he never wanted this family to fall apart.

After crying for a while, Lü Xiuzi asked again, “Master, where is my nephew? Where is Lü Tongsheng?”

“I don’t know,” Li Huowang replied shortly. “He was probably with your father. Your father went mad, so he doesn’t know where he went. I divined once, but couldn’t find him. Probably died during the chaos.”

Upon hearing this, Lü Xiuzi suddenly stood up, pointing at Li Huowang, tears streaming down his face as he shouted, “You! It’s all your fault! And Gao Zhijian too! Why did you bring them here?! Why send them to the theater?! Why send them to live in comfort?! If they had stayed in Niu Xin Village, they wouldn’t have died!”

Li Huowang stood motionless, showing no emotion.

After cursing him, Lü Xiuzi turned his rage toward Gao Zhijian. Overwhelmed by despair, he collapsed to the ground, repeatedly slapping his own face.

Slap after slap, growing harder and harder, until blood began to flow from his mouth, yet he did not stop.

Seeing his face swell and bruise, Xiu’er struggled free from Li Sui’s arms and threw herself into Lü Xiuzi’s embrace.

The slapping stopped. Lü Xiuzi held his only niece close, sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing this scene, Li Huowang turned and walked toward the imperial palace.

It wasn’t that he was heartless—it was just that he had seen such scenes countless times in recent days.

Unless the Law Sect was utterly destroyed, such tragedies would keep repeating.

Li Huowang re-entered the imperial city. This time, no one stopped him. Yet he could still feel the gazes of hidden watchers following him from all directions.

Those covert sentinels were watching him closely, but Li Huowang no longer cared. He had long grown used to being watched.

Making his way through, he arrived at the great hall. Seeing that Gao Zhijian was presiding over morning court, he phased out of sight and waited quietly for the session to end.

“Your Majesty,” one minister said, “Qingshang Province suffers from drought, the land lies scorched for thousands of miles.”

“Your Majesty,” another added, “the granary in Hedong Province caught fire. Great Qi faces a famine.”

Seated on the dragon throne, Gao Zhijian pinched his temples in frustration. “These matters have already been reported. Is there nothing else today?”

Just as he finished speaking, a military officer holding a crescent-shaped wooden tablet glanced toward Li Huowang, then stepped forward. “Your Majesty, yesterday, a envoy from the Southern Shu Kingdom committed suicide by swallowing gold in the embassy. This is his final letter, written in blood and tears, begging Your Majesty to send aid to Shu.”

Another man stepped forward behind him. “Your Majesty, an envoy from Qingqiu brings the seal of the Khan of Qingqiu, requesting an audience.”

“Ah…” Gao Zhijian sighed deeply, rose, and waved his hand dismissively. “Court dismissed.”

(End of Chapter)