Mutated Tao

Li Huowang brought Bai Lingmiao along to send off Li Sui after their lunch. They were now at the entrance of Cowheart Village.

“If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to reach out to me using your illusions. I will rush there as soon as I can,” Li Huowang said.

“Father, don’t worry. I will always tell you if something requires your attention.”

“Good. Then let me know if someone bullies you as well.”

“Father, I don’t think anyone in the Liang Kingdom could bully me now. I will leave first.” Li Sui disappeared instantly like a popping bubble.

Li Huowang exhaled a white wisp of breath as he gazed at the village blanketed in snow. He held onto Bai Lingmiao’s hands as they walked back. “I forgot to tell her to write to us once in a while.”

“Senior Li, I think she would still write even if you didn’t tell her. Next time, should we still call her Sui Sui? It feels very strange to call her Xuan Pin.”

Li Huowang shook his head. “It’s fine if we call her Sui Sui at home, but we should still refer to her as Xuan Pin outside. We can’t embarrass her since she’s the Chief of the Surveillance Bureau. Also, isn’t my other name Xuan Yang? One’s Yang and one Ying. I think the name Xuan Pin fits our daughter well.”

“That’s true.” Bai Lingmiao nodded. “Senior Li, don’t try to feed Sui Sui your flesh next time. She’s no longer the same little child that we know of.”

Li Huowang looked at the spot where Li Sui had disappeared. “She waited a hundred and sixty years just to fulfill her promise. I just wanted to find a way to thank her.”

“We don’t have to be this formal since we’re a family. You would’ve done the same if you had been in the same situation.”

Li Huowang nodded and held onto her hands.

The two of them walked silently in the snow-covered village.

They had almost reached their estate when Li Huowang asked, “You’ll be leaving soon as well, won’t you? As the Saintess of the White Lotus Sect, you’re about as busy as Sui Sui, right?”

As Bai Lingmiao was going to say something, Li Huowang stopped her. “Go. Have a safe journey.”

Li Huowang tried to let go of her hand, but Bai Lingmiao held on. After some time, she loosened her grip.

“Death is still missing. I have to perform a ceremony to pray for the Heavenly Mater’s blessing and return Death to the world. I will come back once I’m done.”

“Alright.” Li Huowang wasn’t worried about it. The Heavenly Mater had indeed obtained the Heavenly Dao of Death. The Natural Disaster would soon come to pass.

“There’s so many devotees in the White Lotus Sect nowadays. Don’t hesitate to bring Sui Sui and me into your business if someone tries to usurp your position. We will make sure that they think twice before they act.”

“Don’t worry. I was chosen by the Heavenly Mater. Trying to usurp my position would be equivalent to betraying the Heavenly Mater. Those who worship her would never do so.”

Upon hearing that, Li Huowang suddenly raised his head and shouted into the skies. “You better be honest and don’t pull off any tricks! I will smash your golden lotus if you dare to do so! I always honor my promises!”

Bai Lingmiao pushed his back lightly before quietly whispering for the Heavenly Mater to forgive his outburst.

Soon, the devotees of the White Lotus Sect with white donkeys tattooed on their backs carried a large palanquin into the village. Bai Lingmiao entered the palanquin before they left Cowheart Village.

Li Huowang entered his estate and saw that the busy estate was now empty. Even his numerous illusions had dwindled, leaving only Qiu Chibao behind.

“The others already left, so why are you still here? You should be fake too,” Li Huowang asked Qiu Chibao.

However, Qiu Chibao ignored him and silently ran into the kitchen. She tried to pick up the leftover food on the plates.

Her dirty hands phased through the plates repeatedly, but she kept trying.

Seemingly out of nowhere, she managed to grab a large braised pig trotter. She was briefly shocked, but then she jumped with joy and quickly stuffed the trotter into her mouth, devouring it eagerly.

Li Huowang stood behind her, staring at the sad scene before him.

Qiu Chibao’s belly gradually expanded as she indulged in the meal, yet she showed no signs of stopping. Li Huowang waved his hands, causing Qiu Chibao to once again transform into an illusion.

She then sat in a pot and held onto her rotten child as she cried. Li Huowang left her and walked away.

He had just taken two steps outside when he met Zhao Wu. “Happy New Year, Senior Li! Where are you going?”

“Heading out for a walk.”

“It’s the New Year. Don’t you think it's inauspicious to carry that around you?” Zhao Wu pointed at Li Huowang’s spine sword.

Li Huowang pondered a little before he removed it and passed it to Zhao Wu. “Help me put it back in my house.”

As Zhao Wu barely opened his mouth to reply, Li Huowang walked past him toward the outside of the village.

With every step he took, the ground folded and slid under him. It was as if he took a hundred steps with a single step.

He walked for a brief moment before reaching the town beside Cowheart Village.

But Li Huowang had forgotten it was the second day of the New Year. At this time, almost everyone was visiting their family.

The streets were empty except for the place where the White Lotus Sect was recruiting devotees.

“Think about it carefully. Who is the Heavenly Mater? What is the Heavenly Mater? Heavenly means death.[1] Think carefully. How strong must the Heavenly Mater be to hold the reins of Death? Do you not believe us? You can also enjoy your afterlife in the Void Home after your death!”

Li Huowang walked past them and heard the storyteller’s voice in one of the tea shops.

“The storytellers wish to advise everyone to choose the middle path! Everyone will face their karma, whether they are kind or evil, for such is the path of life. Today, please allow this young one to talk about the person with a majestic and regal appearance. He is above the Dharma and commands the Heavens, the Saints, and the Universe. He illuminates the Heavens and heeds the lessons of Heaven. He had the ability to create all things and saved countless lives! He is none other than the merciful Zhuge Yuan! Everyone, please listen to me closely!”

The storyteller threw a piece of wood onto the table to catch everyone’s attention. The voices in the tea shop quieted down.

Li Huowang turned and entered the tea shop.

Li Huowang had just sat down when a waiter placed the teapot on his head and poured a cup of tea for Li Huowang from a meter away.

“Dear customer! You are just in time. We’ve just opened during the New Year, so there’s a promotion going on. The boss says you can drink as much tea as you want for twenty coins. We would even throw in two plates of cakes for each customer!”

Another waiter appeared and served two plates of small cakes to Li Huowang.

1. The Chinese raws 无生 mean without life, i.e., dead. ☜