Chapter 424: Errand

Li Huowang held the human head of the Red Middle, his face filled with shock as he listened to Nangong explain what had happened.

After hearing everything, Li Huowang asked in astonishment, "What exactly *is* this Red Middle? It can still run even without a head!"

Li Huowang paused slightly, as if remembering something important, and quickly added, "However, Supervisor, I once saw someone from the Military Strategists in Hou Shu who also had this ability to survive decapitation. Perhaps this Red Middle was tricked into getting it from them."

Hearing Li Huowang's words, the Taoist Supervisor gestured, and the head flew from Li Huowang's hand into his own, where he held it like a treasured pagoda.

The Taoist opened his mouth, revealing his pitted, decaying teeth, and a stench of bad breath permeated the air.

"There's no need to steal the Military Strategists' techniques," the Taoist scoffed. "For a Xinsu, being headless and still able to run isn't unusual. What *is* unusual is that he's dead, yet I can't summon his soul. How strange! Could it be he's still alive?"

Li Huowang thought to himself, "Is this my Xinsu ability? As long as I believe I'm not dead, I never will be?"

But upon closer thought, this unintentionally used ability seemed rather useless. All an enemy would have to do was remind him, and he'd instantly collapse.

As Li Huowang pondered this, the Taoist waved his hand. "Never mind. The person's dead; let's not concern ourselves with Xinsu for now. Tell me in detail, how exactly did that Red Middle manage to trick you?"

Hearing this, Li Huowang immediately became highly alert. He couldn't afford to be careless about this matter.

However, when it came to being tricked by the Zuwangdao, Li Huowang didn't need to invent anything. He simply altered a few details and recounted the trick the Zuwangdao had played on him back on Apricot Island.

The only difference was that, in Li Huowang's telling, the Zuwangdao hadn't failed; it had succeeded.

"So... the one who accompanied Zhuge Yuan all this time was the Red Middle?"

"Indeed," Li Huowang confirmed. "However, I was constantly disoriented in the bamboo forest and couldn't make out what the Red Middle, using my likeness, said to Zhuge Yuan that convinced him to allow it to stay by the storyteller's side."

Being too precise might reveal a flaw, so Li Huowang chose to elaborate. After all, whatever that person had done or said before was the Zuwangdao's doing and had nothing to do with him.

Li Huowang suddenly realized that the Zuwangdao identity was proving to be remarkably convenient.

After listening, the Taoist nodded slowly. The small head on his neck then spoke, "Heh heh, surely you're not making all this up to trick us, young man? Could it be you're also a Zuwangdao disciple?"

Li Huowang's expression hardened. He immediately pulled out his knife and, without hesitation, sliced open his jaw, peeling back half his face to reveal the layers of skin, flesh, and bone underneath.

"Alright, alright, we believe you're not Zuwangdao. My, people from the Aojing Sect are certainly decisive!" Another Nascent Soul, wearing a square Taoist crown, began to smooth things over.

"Enough, all of you be quiet!" As the Taoist's tone grew heavier, the two Nascent Souls on his body immediately retracted, appearing like two red moles shaped like steamed buns.

The Taoist, holding the head, walked closer and slowly circled Li Huowang, his tone softening slightly.

"Rest assured," he said. "The Red Middle's head is here; the Directorate won't suspect you're Zuwangdao. Since you returned completely intact, that's naturally a good thing. How about this: the Directorate has a task for you. Go and handle it properly."

"Yes, Supervisor," Li Huowang replied. "Please tell me what it is; Erjiu will give it his all!"

The Taoist placed the head on the table and patted it. "The Directorate intends for you to try and get close to Zhuge Yuan."

"We did some probing earlier," the Taoist continued. "Zhuge Yuan still has his Six Luminaries Almanac. The one the Red Middle went to such lengths to trick him out of was fake, which is fortunate. If the Zuwangdao had gotten their hands on that, it would have been a huge problem."

"Yes, but Supervisor," Li Huowang argued, "since the Red Middle directly stole Zhuge Yuan's Six Luminaries Almanac, they're now sworn enemies! If I go there, I'd be walking straight into my death!"

Li Huowang maintained his stance: he didn't know Zhuge Yuan, nor had he ever exchanged a single word with him.

"Since the Red Middle could use your identity to approach Zhuge Yuan, then you, the real person, should try. Perhaps you'll succeed as well."

"But..." Li Huowang's pupils contracted slightly. This wasn't what he had anticipated. He had assumed the Directorate would seek revenge on the Zuwangdao next, and he could ride that wave to hunt the North Wind. Instead, he was again getting entangled with Zhuge Yuan.

"What? Are you saying you don't want to go?" The Taoist's tone turned cold. The two Nascent Souls on his neck opened their eyes slightly, emitting a faint, dark glow.

"I wouldn't dare," Li Huowang replied, lowering his head slightly.

"Go," the Taoist commanded. "It's worth a try."

"Yes, Supervisor," Li Huowang agreed. He could tell the Taoist simply wanted to test something, with no regard for Li Huowang's life whatsoever.

Seeing Li Huowang's compliance, the decaying-toothed Taoist nodded in satisfaction. He then sat on a stool, cradling the head, and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, you may go."

Li Huowang was momentarily stunned. Was that it? What about the aftermath? The Zuwangdao had killed a Supervisor of the Heavenly Directorate—such a brazen provocation, yet the response was so light?

Sensing that it wasn't appropriate to ask at that moment, Li Huowang bowed and turned to leave.

As he walked down the quiet wooden corridor, Li Huowang glanced at Nangong, who had emerged with him, and asked indignantly, "Our Supervisor was killed by the Zuwangdao! Is the Directorate really not going to do anything?"

Just as Li Huowang was wondering if he should try to stir up more trouble, Nangong spoke.

"It's not that simple," Nangong said. "The Directorate has already dispatched personnel from the Six Paths of Daliang. Once everyone is assembled, we'll trap them like a turtle in a jar."

Nangong Yun's expression turned cold. "Hmph! These deceivers actually think they can do as they please just because the National Master is currently occupied. They've gravely underestimated the Heavenly Directorate!"

Hearing this, Li Huowang finally relaxed slightly. Good, his efforts hadn't been in vain. The Zuwangdao and the Heavenly Directorate were finally clashing. That was good; as long as they fought, he could reap the benefits.

"Erjiu," Nangong continued, "the Directorate sending you to approach Zhuge Yuan isn't meant to make things difficult for you. Don't forget, the Zuwangdao used your identity to kill the Supervisor."

"If we were to strictly follow the Directorate's rules, this matter wouldn't be so easily dismissed. Fortunately, resources are stretched thin in the capital right now. Whether you succeed in approaching Zhuge Yuan or not, this matter will be considered closed."

Li Huowang's face showed understanding. "I see! Thank you for clearing that up, Brother Nangong."

Li Huowang walked and chatted with Nangong Yun. While their relationship wasn't particularly close, they had at least progressed from strangers to nodding acquaintances.