Chapter 785: Explode

Chapter 785: Burst

Seeing Li Huowang standing still, Gao Zhijian continued, "Commander of the Heavenly Observing Bureau, Li Huowang, receive the imperial edict."

Just as Li Huowang had spoken a moment before, Gao Zhijian descended from the dragon throne and walked toward him, gazing at him with calm eyes.

"Left and Right Golden Halberd Guard's Cavalry Officer Erjiu, receive the imperial edict!"

Li Huowang remained silent, his expression complex as he looked at him.

Gao Zhijian, dressed in dragon robes, suddenly knelt on both knees, his imperial crown striking heavily against the ground. "Senior Brother Li, accept the imperial decree!!"

Looking at the broad figure prostrate before him, Li Huowang’s face shifted slightly. Eventually, he raised both hands to take the golden imperial edict from the tray, trembling as he raised it high toward the heavens. "I thank Your Majesty for your grace! Li Huowang accepts the imperial decree!"

He shoved the edict into his chest and turned, striding out of the hall.

Once Li Huowang had turned and left, Gao Zhijian stood again. Eunuchs rushed forward, gently brushing the dust from his dragon robe with their fans.

The excited expression on Gao Zhijian's face gradually transformed into profound tranquility. When he turned and sat back upon the dragon throne, his commanding presence reappeared.

"A great calamity approaches; issue the Dragon Rising Edict and summon all sects and factions to the palace to meet the emperor."

Exiting the cold imperial palace, Li Huowang, weary and tired, walked forward. The imperial edict in his arms remained unopened—unknown to him what kind of command Gao Zhijian had issued.

Now that Gao Zhijian wouldn’t help, the Dragon-Slaying Immortal Formation he had painstakingly arranged could not be set up.

But it wasn't this matter that troubled him—it was the person himself.

When he reached the outer city walls, the urgent drumbeats from outside brought his thoughts back.

Listening carefully, he recognized the second beat. He knew that the military had received orders to prepare for departure, heading southward toward Nanping.

It had only just begun to settle, but soon, it would be a battle to the death.

Thinking of Gao Zhijian's words and the strange sensation in his chest, Li Huowang felt his mood grow heavy.

Gao Zhijian said change—and changed immediately, becoming unfamiliar. But he could do nothing, because he had made him change himself.

"Dad, are you unhappy?" Li Sui asked.

"What kind of happiness or unhappiness is there in such matters? No matter what choice one makes, it's not happy," Li Huowang suddenly felt truly exhausted.

At that moment, Li Huowang brushed past a cripple who was a White Lotus follower. Seeing the White Lotus symbol on his clothes, he turned and headed toward the White Lotus sect's headquarters.

He wanted to confide in someone. There were few people here with whom he could talk. Unknowingly, those he could speak with had dwindled.

Only relying on that person could ease his heart somewhat—even if it was just leaning against her for a brief rest.

Soon, Li Huowang found the person he sought—Bai Lingmiao, who was now looking down at some papers.

As he prepared to approach, Bai Lingmiao stood up. "No, it won't work. Nanping is so far away, and there are so many people. If we continue like this, our food supply will definitely run short. We must contact the Ministry of Revenue quickly and come up with a plan."

"As you command, Holy Maiden."

"Also, send some of our people along to the battlefield to see bloodshed and assess the results."

"If the results are good, then our people can take turns going in to help the Great Li army end this trouble swiftly."

"And before all White Lotus disciples depart, remind me to tell them that Mother Wusheng will bestow blessings upon everyone, ensuring victory."

"Also, notify everyone that if rumors arise recently, they must be stopped promptly by all White Lotus followers."

At that moment, Bai Lingmiao suddenly halted, as though sensing something. She turned her head to the left. It seemed she had sensed a familiar gaze.

She frowned slightly, walked over, and gently touched the air where she thought it had been, but found nothing.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Lingmiao shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing at all." Turning back, she resumed her duties.

In times of crisis, as the White Lotus Holy Maiden, she had countless matters to handle, and no room for slackness.

Soon, the previously stable situation began to tremble. With the Four Qi forces departing, the Dao Sect naturally couldn’t sit idle. Both sides' scouts, as well as the Heavenly Observing Bureau and the Witch King, were already locked in secret conflict.

Li Huowang went nowhere. Following the imperial edict, he joined the military forces and slowly advanced toward the frontlines of Nanping.

When they reached the border, the two armies didn’t even exchange words—they charged directly into each other without hesitation.

Under such circumstances, all talk was futile. There was no longer any possibility of negotiation.

At this moment, Li Huowang led the charge, his body covered in black tendrils, wielding the spine sword, stepping onto Peng Longteng’s horse and crashing straight into the enemy ranks.

Wherever he went, blood mist rose into the air, and deep red furrows were carved into the earth.

Li Huowang was like a sharp tooth of the military, biting into the Dao Sect, creating gaps, while behind him, the soldiers filled those gaps, steadily expanding their advantage.

Li Huowang’s appearance naturally drew attention from the Dao Sect. Facing this, however, they seemed to do nothing, allowing him to slaughter freely, as if waiting for something.

Half an hour later, as the Dao Sect's position began to tilt, a broken umbrella flashed past Li Huowang’s face. Immediately afterward, a tall, thin man in tattered robes appeared before him.

Li Huowang recognized him—he had once been ambushed by this very person! Unexpectedly, he had come too!

This time, under the umbrella, Li Huowang finally saw the man’s face.

The man was tall, with a long, slender head. Yet that elongated skull was stuffed into a white jar, barely revealing his mouth.

A red cloth was pasted on the jar, bearing a similarly elongated character.

Li Huowang took half a step back when he felt something behind him. A single eye emerged from his scalp, opening wide, followed by another tall, umbrella-wielding figure blocking his path from behind.

Not just behind—but all around him, tall, thin figures surrounded him, isolating him from the fierce battle.

Clearly, they had come for him. They had been watching him all along.

At that moment, a towering general beside him suddenly bloomed, exploding outward. From within the burst, a blood-soaked monk in a flesh-hued cassock emerged, dripping with gore.

"Master Li, do not fear! This humble monk comes to aid you!"

(End of Chapter)