Mutated Tao

Chapter 985: Counterattack

A gentle breeze tousled Li Huowang's hair as he stood motionless, gripping Shai Zi’s bloodied head in his right hand. The lifeless, headless body of the Imperial Preceptor of Great Liang lay crumpled on the ground beside him.

Although the Imperial Preceptor had concealed himself well, once Li Huowang learned that the Three Pure Ones had planted Huangfu Tiangang, he had no choice but to kill him.

His attention was not on the corpse. He was standing on the city walls of Shangjing, staring at the chaos unfolding below.

Even from this height, he could feel the thick murderous aura spreading across the city.

The city had descended into utter chaos. People turned on each other over the slightest provocations. It was as if the entire social order was on the brink of collapse, with everyone consumed by wrath.

Li Huowang’s keen eyesight allowed him to witness the countless conflicts below. Constant fights and deaths were occurring at every turn. The city was nearly a battlefield.

The Murderous Aura Command was not a mere term. It bore heavily on every citizen, weighing on them like a mountain.

However, it was clear that Gao Zhijian’s aim wasn’t to curse the people and leave them to fend for themselves. The rhythmic clang of gongs filled the air.

A soldier bearing two triangular flags galloped down the main road, shouting, “Come for the emperor’s food! Eat from the emperor’s stores!

The offer was irresistible to most of them. The offer was essentially a lifeline for the masses. While enlistment was dangerous, it was nothing to those infected by the murderous aura.

The gong echoed through the city while the people of Shangjing surged towards the military headquarters, driven by the promise of food and money.

This wasn’t limited to Shangjing alone. Similar events unfolded across the entire Great Liang, Qing Qiu, and Hou Shu.

Gao Zhijian was right. The common folk had indeed become soldiers, and soldiers were but commoners. Whether the people were citizens or soldiers was entirely his choice. A new and vast army would soon rise, larger and more formidable than before.

How many people are there in the world? How many times can we summon Jiang Xiangshou?

Jiang Xiangshou seemed less like a Siming and more like a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao itself, its power accessible to those willing to pay the price.

Li Huowang looked up towards the heavens, his thoughts drifting to the other Simings whose ways of existence remained shrouded in mystery.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Footsteps echoed behind him. Gao Zhijian, flanked by eunuchs, approached him on the city wall. “Senior Li, it won’t be long now. The new army will be ready soon.”

“Good,” Li Huowang said, his gaze dropping from the turmoil below. “While we’re free, let me tell you something. You see, I can communicate with other Simings beyond the Baiyu Capital. I’ve been opposing Fu Shengtian with them all this time.”

Gao Zhijian hesitated, looking at Li Huowang. “But Brother Li, haven’t you been here this whole time? You haven’t been to Baiyu Capital.”

“I didn’t say it’s the current me. That’s because it’s the other me, which is also me. Whatever he does, I do as well.”

Gao Zhijian remained silent. He looked confused, clearly having trouble understanding.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth. Since I hold the Heavenly Dao of Bewilderment, even I don’t fully understand how it works.”

Li Huowang chuckled wryly when Gao Zhijian remained quiet. “You don’t believe me? Maybe you think I’m going crazy again? I won’t blame you.”

“No, Senior Li, I believe you. Go on.”

“There isn’t much more to say. Soon, mortals and the Simings of the Baiyu Capital will unite and fight Fu Shengtian together.

“The Dragon Veins in the mortal world prevent the Simings from intervening directly. Any attempt through other channels is distorted. I’m the exception—I alone can perceive what truly unfolds in the Baiyu Capital.

“When it’s time to face Fu Shengtian, the Simings of the Baiyu Capital will decide on the course of action, and the mortals will follow their lead.”

Mortals could not approach Simings. Even approaching them would incur the influence of the Heavenly Dao.

“In short, I'll decide how the world supports them and when Jiang Xiangshou is summoned from now on. Do you understand?

“It’s not that I want to take over your authority, but the battle above shifts rapidly and requires swift action. We can’t afford to wait for you emperors to deliberate slowly.”

Gao Zhijian shook his head. “That’s fine. With you bearing the responsibility, my load feels much lighter. I’ll talk to them, and we’ll follow your lead.”

“That’s good.”

With Gao Zhijian’s reassurance, Li Huowang knew he could call upon Jiang Xiangshou’s aid the next time they faced Fu Shengtian, which would give him a powerful advantage.

This was why the Murderous Aura Command was necessary despite its cruelty.

“Senior Li, do you know what Junior Bai’s people are up to?”

Li Huowang nodded slowly. “Yes, she told me. I even gave her the spine sword.”

Gao Zhijian nodded and turned to leave the city wall.

As he took his first step, Li Huowang’s expression changed. “It’s a Natural Disaster.”

This time, the Natural Disaster was silent. No one noticed it because it was the disappearance of Growth itself.

Li Huowang realized immediately what this signified. The Heavenly Dao of Growth had likely been lost. Zuoqiu Yong seemed to be gone from the Baiyu Capital, and the Three Pure Ones must have seized the Heavenly Dao of Growth.

This wasn’t good news. The Three Pure Ones became stronger, and his next move was uncertain. Including Doulao’s Heavenly Dao of Lies, the Three Pure Ones now controlled at least the Heavenly Daos of Secrets, Lies, and Growth.

He didn’t know if Qing Wanglai had any other hidden Heavenly Daos. At the very least, Qing Wanglai must have taken something from Li Huowang and the Five Dhyani Buddhas.

A sudden idea struck Li Huowang. He stepped out with his right foot, instantly transporting himself from the city wall to the Righteous Monastery.

The monastery was now eerily quiet, with only a handful of visitors. When the murderous aura had infected everyone, they stopped fearing death and lost all reverence, so no one came to worship.

Li Huowang ignored the monks, who greeted him with folded hands. He quickly moved through the various halls and finally reached a specific shrine.

He had been here once before. Today was his second visit. A statue of Zhuge Yuan stood atop a grand lotus pedestal, clad in yellow with cinnabar marked on his forehead.

The shrine was once well-cared for, with an overflowing incense burner and Zhuge Yuan’s figure coated in gold.

This statue of Zhuge Yuan was the first one, which served as a model for replicas in other temples.

Qing Wanglai had used this to do something to the Five Dhyani Buddhas.

No matter what the Three Pure Ones intended, Li Huowang would try his best to stop him since they were now enemies.

Li Huowang lifted his hand. The massive beam above the shrine snapped, making tiles and rubble crash down on Zhuge Yuan’s statue.

As the statue of Zhuge Yuan was about to shatter under the weight, Li Huowang suddenly raised his right hand. The falling beam and rubble froze in mid-air.

Li Huowang shakily withdrew his hand and looked up at the stone statue of Zhuge Yuan. “Heh... Three Pure Ones, did you foresee this? Did you think of this too?"

The Three Pure Ones’ counterattacks were always so silent. To Li Huowang, each one made him feel an unbearable discomfort.

Li Huowang gritted his teeth, with his breath trembling. After a moment’s hesitation, he forcefully pulled his clenched fist downward.

The suspended beam came crashing down with a heavy thud, causing the stone statue of Zhuge Yuan, sculpted in the image of Buddha, to shatter into countless pieces. Amongst the swirling dust, Zhuge Yuan’s broken head wobbled and rolled right in front of Li Huowang.

1. A guan is a unit of measurement for coins. ☜

2. A dou is a unit of measurement of roughly about 10 liters. ☜