Chapter 664: Beauty

Chapter 664 Confidence

"Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Li, wait a moment!" Seeing Li Huowang so resolute and unyielding, Gao Zhijian hurriedly rushed to stop him.

"Senior Brother Li, it is far too dangerous for you to journey to Qingqiu entirely alone. Why not simply remain here?"

"No need, I am not that weak. Besides, if I were to stay by your side, I fear certain individuals wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully at night." Saying this, Li Huowang cast a sideways glance at the State Preceptor.

Knowing that Li Huowang was about to depart for Qingqiu to deal with the Fajiao, the State Preceptor was naturally exceedingly pleased. "Excellent! Brother Li is truly a man of great righteousness! This old man admires you deeply!"

Li Huowang let out a cold snort, spoke no further word, and strode out of this deeply uncomfortable Imperial City of Shangjing.

The road to Qingqiu was long and arduous, and with the battle situation there entirely uncertain, Li Huowang resolved to set forth that very day, refusing to waste a single breath.

Yet just as Li Huowang emerged from the main gates, he spotted Lü Xiucai standing there, his gaze vacant and staring.

Suddenly, Lü Xiucai's knees buckled, dropping heavily to the ground right before Li Huowang. His forehead struck the earth with a dull thud, and through gritted teeth, he cried, "Master, I want vengeance! I must avenge my family!"

Li Huowang stared down at him for a long moment before asking, "Against whom do you seek vengeance?"

Lü Xiucai snapped his head up, his eyes burning with absolute, consuming hatred. "The Fajiao! It was the people of the Fajiao who slaughtered my eldest brother and sister-in-law, and drove my father into madness!!"

In the brief span of time Li Huowang had spent within the palace, Lü Xiucai seemed to have finally thought through his resolve.

"Facing those sorcerer-minions of the Fajiao, do you truly believe you can survive with nothing but your meager, superficial martial skills?"

"When the time comes to strike, do not expect me to aid you. If I am to bring anyone, I will only bring assistants, not liabilities. Furthermore, remember this: I am not your master. The account between us has been settled in full."

"I do not fear death!! I am willing to throw this life away!! If I kill one, I break even; if I kill two, I profit!!" Lü Xiucai roared, thrusting his chest forward.

Looking into those completely fearless eyes, Li Huowang knew that this time, the youth was entirely in earnest.

In Li Huowang's memory, the Lü Xiucai of the past had always been a shiftless, reckless rascal; it was truly the first time he had ever seen him like this.

It seemed the horrific tragedy of the Lü Troupe had finally forced him to grow, tearing away the ignorant boy he once was.

Staring at him a moment longer, Li Huowang reached out and tossed over both his Jiantian Division waist token and the gourd containing the Sun-Longevity Pills.

"If you truly dare to come, take this to the inner treasury of the Jiantian Division to exchange for some life-preserving treasures. Tell them Er Jiu sent you."

"Yes! Master!" Without a shred of hesitation, Lü Xiucai snatched up the items and turned to leave, his demeanor making it clear that his resolve had long been cast in iron.

Once Li Huowang returned to his own quarters, he spoke to the eunuch assigned to tend to Lü Zhuangyuan and Xiu'er: "I may be away for a considerable period hereafter. Before my return, tend to them with the utmost care. When Xiu'er comes of age, find a scholar to instruct her. Should I fail to return, seek out His Majesty to ask how these two are to be disposed of."

"Understood, this servant obeys. Your command is the Emperor's command; this servant would never dare show the slightest negligence!"

Having settled his lingering anxieties, Li Huowang drew forth a map of the capital city of Shangjing and began to study it, plotting his direction of travel.

"Father, are we leaving once more?" asked Li Sui, cradling Xiu'er in her arms.

"Yes, we must depart. Go gather our things. As soon as Lü Xiucai returns, we set forth."

Hearing this, Li Sui nodded obediently and went to prepare their belongings.

During these days of wandering north and south alongside her father, she had come to understand perfectly what needed preparation, rendering him no small amount of aid in these mundane affairs.

Just as Li Huowang swapped out his weary steed at the inn for a fresh horse bursting with vibrant energy, a sudden knock resounded at the door.

When Li Huowang pushed the door open, he beheld Lü Xiucai returning, his eyes faintly rimmed with red. "You are back? Quite swift. What did you exchange for?"

Lü Xiucai's hands trembled slightly as he drew a scroll of blood-red bamboo slips from his breast, presenting it before Li Huowang.

"The Great Thousand Record?"

"Yes." Lü Xiucai nodded. "I do not recognize the other things, and there are arts I cannot master. But this—this I have seen Master employ before. It is exceedingly powerful, and it requires no cultivation of breath or spirit; one can use it the moment it is taken up!"

"Do you truly understand the price that must be paid to employ such a thing?" Li Huowang reached out to unfurl it, staring down at the various horrifying tortures and ritual requirements inscribed upon its surface.

"I do not fear pain! I demand vengeance!!"

Lü Xiucai answered with absolute resolution, a dense, malevolent aura swirling within his gaze.

"Perhaps you should reconsider. You are already the very last male descendant of your house. If you perish, the line of the Lü family ends forever."

Li Huowang's heart softened slightly in the end, wishing to persuade the youth to turn back and live out his days in peace.

Yet Lü Xiucai's demeanor remained unyielding to the point of stubbornness. "No! I must have my revenge! They slaughtered my kin! I must exact payment in full!"

"My entire household has been annihilated! If I do not strike back tenfold, a hundredfold at a time like this, then what did I toil so bitterly to cultivate this body of divine abilities for? To waste it entirely upon a dog?!"

Seeing that persuasion was utterly futile, Li Huowang ceased his counseling. He tossed the Great Thousand Record back into the youth's embrace and prepared to make his departure.

Yet just as Li Huowang's hand drew within an inch of the door latch, the courtyard gate was struck once more from without. "Another visitor? Who could it be this time? I should possess no other acquaintances within the city of Shangjing."

The moment Li Huowang pulled the door open, a delicate, elegant, oval face appeared before his eyes. A pair of bright, crystal-clear eyes gazed upon him with profound emotion; this was his confidante in this bitter world.

"Huowang!!" Yang Na could no longer contain the roiling torrent of emotion within her heart, flinging her arms wide as she threw herself into Li Huowang's embrace.

Yang Na's form was exceedingly light; she practically leapt upon Li Huowang, only to be caught securely by his steady arms.

Inhaling the delicate fragrance drifting from the strands of her hair, Li Huowang found himself utterly unable to react for a fleeting second.

Only after several moments did his senses rush back to him. Yang Na had come to find him; he was looking upon Yang Na once more!

"Nana?" Li Huowang loosened his grip slightly to gaze intently upon the maiden before him, only to draw her back into his arms, holding her with a fierce, desperate strength.

"It is me! It is truly me!" Yang Na clung tightly to Li Huowang in return, stamping her feet in her overwhelming excitement, her joy beyond any measure of words.

After holding each other for a long while, Li Huowang suddenly sensed something amiss behind him. Turning his head, he spotted Sun Xiaoqin standing a short distance away, holding a basin of fruit, a knowing, motherly smile gracing her features.

A crimson blush crept across Yang Na's cheeks. Grabbing Li Huowang's hand, she pulled him swiftly into his bedchamber and slammed the door shut.

The two within the room stared at one another, and suddenly, they flung their arms wide once more, locking themselves in a deep, heavy embrace. They had waited far, far too long for this exact moment; it felt as though no amount of time held in each other's arms could ever suffice.

Li Huowang leaned his face close, gently pressing his lips against her soft, lipstick-stained mouth.

(End of Chapter)