Chapter 228: Hysteria

When Li Huowang, still nursing a headache, opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in a small tent. Beside him was Bai Lingmiao, clad only in her bodice, silently combing her hair with a horn comb.

Li Huowang reached out, pulled her closer, and embraced her.

As she quietly began to untie her bodice, Li Huowang calmly told her everything he had learned last night.

Her shy gaze gradually turned into shock and disgust. What Sun Baolu's mother had endured was beyond her comprehension; how could anyone do such things to another human being?

Li Huowang, his hand missing a fingernail, rested it on Bai Lingmiao's shoulder. "It seems Liang isn't so great after all," he remarked with a sigh.

"But... but we don't have things like that where I'm from... My home is very good," Bai Lingmiao said softly.

Li Huowang smiled. Of course, that's how Bai Lingmiao would see it. The world of most common folk was incredibly small, so small that they lived their entire lives within twenty *li*. They were ignorant and innocent, with absolutely no concept of anything beyond their immediate surroundings.

He knew it would be overly hasty to judge the entire Liang kingdom based solely on Sun Baolu's mother's experience; it might just be an isolated incident.

However, Li Huowang always anticipated the worst. To survive in this world, he had to be prepared.

He gently pulled Bai Lingmiao closer, burying his nose in her smooth neck and taking a deep breath. "It's fine. I didn't say we're not going back. Seeing is believing. Once we reach Liang, we'll decide what to do after we see the actual situation."

Hearing this, Bai Lingmiao breathed a huge sigh of relief. She had almost thought Li Huowang wouldn't go home with her.

"Get up. Since Sun Baolu is home, and we've had our fill of wine and meat, we should continue our journey," Li Huowang said, patting her.

Although this place was pleasant, there was no need to stay and rest in Qingqiu, where potential dangers still lurked. They could get plenty of rest once they reached their destination.

When the two emerged from the tent, they found everyone else was already awake. After last night's drinking, the others were noticeably closer to the Qingqiu people, even walking arm-in-arm to the river to wash up.

They chatted with each other, despite not speaking the same language.

The morning air was crisp. Li Huowang took a deep breath in front of the tent, feeling his spirits lift.

Looking at the vibrant surroundings, even his mood improved.

Li Huowang scanned the area and finally spotted Sun Baolu, who, despite drinking so much last night, had woken up early and was herding some sheep into his flock.

"What are you doing? There's no need to give us more sheep. We probably won't even finish these by the time we reach our destination," Li Huowang said, walking over to him.

Sun Baolu, seemingly more cheerful after returning home, flashed a brilliant smile at Li Huowang. "It's fine. If you can't finish them, you can sell them. Qingqiu sheep are very valuable in Liang. Consider it an early wedding gift for you and Junior Sister Bai."

Just as Sun Baolu finished speaking, he realized Li Huowang wasn't listening. Instead, the man's eyes were unfocused, his body swayed, and his face had turned a terrible shade.

"Oh no!" Li Huowang suddenly crouched down, clutching his head, which startled Sun Baolu.

"Baolu! Quick! Tell Gao Zhijian to bring chains! Tie me up! It's happening again!" Li Huowang yelled in agony.

Hearing Li Huowang's words, Sun Baolu immediately understood that Senior Brother Li was having another episode. He quickly threw down the sheep-herding whip and rushed towards the distant leather tents.

When he returned, panting, with the other disciples, they saw Li Huowang standing still, head tilted up, muttering to himself. "Wang Wei, I have nothing to say to you. Just go."

"I know my own business. Don't try to provoke me; someone has already tried that trick on me, and it doesn't work."

As the others wondered what to do, Li Huowang, still muttering to himself, seemed to sense their presence. He said, as calmly as possible, "Did you bring the chains? If you did, don't dawdle; tie me up quickly. I'm trying my best to stay still."

"Once you've tied me, go pack the luggage. After breakfast, we'll continue our journey."

Hearing Li Huowang's instructions, the others snapped out of their daze and rushed forward, using chains to tie him up tightly.

Seeing him bound, and recalling the previous incident, the others dared not be careless and quickly moved away.

"Heh, who I talk to is none of your business, is it? Again? Fine, you want to get tough with me, do you? If you've got the guts, kill me today, otherwise get lost!"

After saying this, Li Huowang fell silent. Just as the others thought it was over, Li Huowang's sudden furious roar startled them. "Are you f***ing trying to die?! I'm mentally ill right now! Killing doesn't count as a crime!!"

Li Huowang, tightly bound all over, suddenly stood up stiffly like a zombie. This sight made the onlookers recoil in fear.

Sensing something amiss, the other Qingqiu people gradually gathered around. Sun Baolu repeatedly explained what was happening to Li Huowang.

Several hundred people formed a circle, silently watching Li Huowang's performance in the center. The man who was just furious now had a different expression, his face filled with deep helplessness and irritation.

"Mom? Why are you here? I was just saying angry words. I didn't really mean to kill anyone. Oh... don't cry. My condition really hasn't worsened."

As if hearing something, Li Huowang's expression gradually changed from helpless irritation to pain. He slowly collapsed to the ground, curling up as much as possible.

"Mom, I beg you, please tell Doctor Wang to leave. I really don't need treatment. I know my own situation. Don't waste money hiring specialists; keep it for yourself."

Seeing Li Huowang's breathing quicken and his expression grow more painful, Bai Lingmiao bit her lower lip, her heart breaking. She instinctively wanted to go and hug him, but Luo Juanhua and Chun Xiaoman pulled her back.

"Do you have a death wish? Senior Brother Li could kill you with a flick of his finger right now!"

After this, Li Huowang seemed to be listening to something. His face contorted in pain, he turned over and writhed on the ground like a worm, constantly rubbing his face against the grass. Tears and dew mixed on his face, indistinguishable.

"Mom, is the family short on money? Tell me if you need money; I'll figure something out."

"Don't lie to me. You cut your own hair with scissors. I can tell..."

Suddenly, Li Huowang sprang up from the ground, glaring furiously at the air and yelling, "Wang Wei! Shut up! This is none of your business!"