Chapter 78: Cleanup

Chapter 78: Cleaning Up the Mess

On the shores of Reed Island, Li Huowang stood holding a bamboo scroll reeking of blood.

The others stood at a distance, their faces grim, huddled together as they watched him.

They had yet to recover from the lingering aftershocks of what had just transpired.

Li Huowang's expression was hesitant; with a single forceful throw, the utterly wicked scroll that could induce vomiting just by looking at it would sink into the lake mud, never to see the light of day again.

It seemed like an excellent choice; no matter who had written this scroll, the power of Ba Hui was not easily borrowed, and leaving it in the world would only bring endless suffering to others.

After standing there in deep thought for a long time, Li Huowang ultimately stuffed the bloodstained scroll back into his robe.

The various methods recorded within were exceedingly bloody, yet undeniably effective.

If ordinary water bandits like Yuan Er could use them, he was certainly more than capable.

It was better to be prepared than not; in some extreme situation, he might truly need to use such a thing.

If he did not want to completely become Danyangzi, then whenever danger arose in the future, he had to find a substitute, even if the cost of using this substitute was exorbitantly high.

Li Huowang turned his head back to look at the others behind him. "Push the boat over, then prepare the dead and the gold; we are leaving this wretched place."

The trouble had been resolved in an unexpected way, and he had no need to stay any longer in this place filled with corpses.

The small skiff used by the water bandits for robbery was pushed to the shore by Sun Baolu, who was good with water, while the others boarded with their companions' corpses and the gold jewelry.

"Get in the boat, row, and take us to the other side of this great lake," Li Huowang threatened, staring fiercely at the young man before him.

"I... I'll take you out of here, but can you promise not to kill me?" the terrified boy asked, shrinking back.

Seeing Li Huowang reach for the hilt of the sword on his back, the boy immediately scrambled up into the boat in sheer panic.

As the boy rowed, the small skiff began to turn, heading deep into the reeds, while the others clumsily rowed to follow.

The dense reed marsh was utterly silent, save for the sound of oars parting the water; no one dared to make a sound.

Everything that had happened on the island earlier left everyone shaken and pale-faced.

"M... Master, my name is Yuan Fu," the rowing boy suddenly spoke up.

Li Huowang, his brows furrowed, did not reply; his eyes swept the pitch-black surroundings like those of a hawk.

"Master, well, I actually know it's wrong to kill and rob people on the water; when my dad went out to set traps, I never went along," the boy, his face tense, tried to explain.

"I actually wanted to take the imperial exams and go to the capital to become a high official; I've long been sick of this place. I know the area like the back of my hand. Where are you going, Master? I can show you the way."

These words finally caught Li Huowang's attention; he looked down at the rowing boy. "What do you know about the nunnery on Henghua Mountain?"

This was their next destination; perhaps he could learn something from this boy, as Henghua Mountain should not be far from this lake.

"Nuns? I know about them. Once, when my second brother and I were working, we ran into them. We had already figured out the background of the mark on their boat, but at the very last moment, my second brother said we weren't taking the job."

"He told me it was our great-grandfather's rule: nuns in black, bald men who raise birds, and great gods with drums. These are the three we never rob."

"What do those nuns look like? Is there anything special about them?"

"They're fat, incredibly fat; one of them is as big as three of me. And they're lazy too; if they can sit, they absolutely won't stand, and if they can lie down, they absolutely won't sit."

"And they stink, they're filthy; once, a nun took off her shoes, and I could smell it from across the boat."

"Master, are you looking for those nuns? I can lead the way."

Fat, lazy, dirty—these words were hard to associate with the Buddhist term for nuns.

"Li Zhi said they barely count as good people? But are there truly any so-called good people left in this world?"

After experiencing this series of events, Li Huowang harbored severe doubts.

After winding through the reed marsh for a long time, the vast lake surface appeared before them once more; as the small boat docked again, the sky was already beginning to lighten, and from sunset to sunrise, they had actually spent the entire night on that island.

When the sunlight fell on everyone's faces, their heavy hearts finally settled; having rowed all night, they were now utterly exhausted and collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

Li Huowang said to the others, "Don't rest yet; go into the woods to find firewood and burn these three dead men, or they'll start to stink soon."

Seeing the three drowned companions on the boat, the others struggled to their feet and forced themselves toward the nearby woods.

Li Huowang stopped Xiaoman, who was clutching her arm; a large patch of skin on her right arm had been torn away, exposing the blood-red muscle to the air.

"How is it? Are you alright?" Li Huowang took a pill from his waist and handed it to her.

Xiaoman did not take the pill. "I'm fine; surviving this is already a stroke of luck. A minor wound like this can be covered with plant ash later."

Having spent these days together, Li Huowang already knew her stubborn nature, so he said nothing more.

Soon, three large bonfires were lit on the shore, and Li Huowang carried the three corpses and threw them into the flames one by one.

Everyone watched as their companions, who had been full of life just yesterday, were gradually enveloped by the fire.

When the sun hung high in the sky, the flames gradually died down.

Li Huowang poked the ashes with his long sword, breaking some of the larger bones into smaller pieces, and then packed them along with the ashes into ceramic jars.

Looking at the urns before him, Li Huowang's mood was exceedingly heavy; the events of last night had left his mind in turmoil.

At this moment, Bai Lingmiao, whose eyes were already covered, reached out and gently tugged at the hem of his robe.

Sensing that his emotions were somewhat off, she leaned over and pressed herself against Li Huowang's back.

"I'm perfectly fine, no need to comfort me," Li Huowang bent down, picked up the three jars, and placed them in the arms of the simpleton.

Yuan Fu, acting like a sycophant, stood beside Li Huowang and said, "Master, do you want to rest a while? If not, let me take you to find the nuns; I know the way."

The calm Li Huowang flicked the ashes off his sword, then suddenly swung it fiercely in the direction of the voice before reversing the motion and sheathing it.

"Bring the ashes, let's go."

Yuan Fu's eyes widened in disbelief as he clutched his bleeding neck with his hands.

He opened his mouth toward Li Huowang's back, seemingly wanting to say something, but could only emit choking sounds.

Finally, he staggered a few steps, his body going limp as he collapsed to the ground, the pupils in his eyes gradually losing their luster.

(End of Chapter)