Chapter 560: Transaction

Faced with the Grand Preceptor's command, none dared to be presumptuous, even if they were acting under Ji Lin's imperial decree.

"Yes, this humble one obeys," they replied. In an instant, everyone scattered, not daring to remain.

Witnessing the Grand Preceptor's imposing authority over these individuals, Li Huowang couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension, contemplating how he would handle it if the Grand Preceptor were to turn on him. Should that happen, his only recourse might be to rely on the immortal cultivator, Zhuge Yuan, to take a chance.

As Li Huowang pondered this, Huangfu Tiangang tucked the Constellation Sword into his sleeve and approached him empty-handed. "If you wait for the Directorate of Astronomy, you'll be waiting a while. He's currently tied up with some minor issues. How about this: I'll help you resolve the matter of the dice, and this illusion will be mine."

"Huh?!"

Both Li Huowang and Shangguan Yuting were taken aback; he truly hadn't expected such a proposal from the Grand Preceptor. It seemed the Grand Preceptor intended to usurp the Directorate of Astronomy's claim. Could it be that these two were secretly at odds?

"What? Do you actually believe the Directorate of Astronomy can resolve the dice issue, but I, an old man, cannot? That's laughable! The dice is merely adept at evasion. Once I know his whereabouts, I can crush him with just one hand!"

Li Huowang considered this carefully. He had already gathered some information from the Grand Preceptor's actions. First, the Grand Preceptor hadn't directly attempted to seize it, indicating he didn't want to create too much friction with the Directorate of Astronomy. Secondly, the secret of the Upper Pole Pouring Mouth was highly appealing to both the Directorate of Astronomy and the Grand Preceptor.

Having clearly understood the implications, Li Huowang looked at the Grand Preceptor once more. "The Lord of the Directorate of Astronomy has shown me kindness. To proceed in this manner would make me truly uneasy."

Huangfu Tiangang scrutinized Li Huowang with a puzzled expression. "You possess such loyalty to her? How is it that I'm unaware of this? I recall you don't even hold an official position within the Directorate of Astronomy, do you?"

Li Huowang pointed to the multitude of eyes covering Shangguan Yuting's head. "There are so many of these. If the Grand Preceptor could spare one more for me, it would ease my mind considerably." If he possessed two secrets, he could use one to locate the dice and the other to find Miaomiao. Since the Grand Preceptor had made his offer, now was the opportune moment to negotiate.

Upon hearing Li Huowang's words, a look of understanding dawned on Huangfu Tiangang's face. "I see. Very well, a good general doesn't starve his troops, and besides, this 'provision' isn't mine to begin with."

With that, Huangfu Tiangang formed a hand seal, mumbled to himself, circled Shangguan Yuting, and then pointed at Li Huowang. One of Shangguan Yuting's eyeballs instantly detached and vanished into Li Huowang's shadow. Then, with a sweep of his wide robe, Shangguan Yuting vanished instantly.

Clearly pleased with his gain, he reached out and patted Li Huowang on the shoulder. "Since you've accepted this, when the Directorate of Astronomy returns and asks where these things have gone, you'll know how to answer, won't you?"

Li Huowang's thoughts raced, and he slowly nodded. "I understand." As for whether the Directorate of Astronomy would blame him upon returning to find Shangguan Yuting gone and nothing gained, Li Huowang no longer cared. Ji Lin was on the verge of ascension, and until Miaomiao was rescued, he wouldn't find a moment's peace.

"Indeed, a teachable young man," Huangfu Tiangang nodded in satisfaction.

"Grand Preceptor, when shall we begin pursuing the dice?" Li Huowang asked with a hint of urgency.

"Immediately."

Hearing the Grand Preceptor's confident words, Li Huowang immediately headed towards a river downhill. To utilize the secret of the Upper Pole Pouring Mouth, one needed to use a reflection on a body of water.

As he hurried towards the river, Li Huowang glanced at the Grand Preceptor, who moved with incredible speed, and couldn't help but ask, "Grand Preceptor, given how heinous the dice is, why do neither the Lord of the Directorate of Astronomy nor you seem the least bit worried?" This question had long troubled Li Huowang, and now he finally had the chance to voice it.

"Hmph," the Grand Preceptor scoffed. "The dice who plotted to seize the Ghost Eye of Mount Shen has already been eliminated. What difference does it make if another is killed? The Path of Oblivion is like the grass of Qingqiu; burn it once, and it simply grows back. It's enough to severely weaken the Path of Oblivion. In these times, there are far more pressing matters than them."

"The Path of Oblivion dies, and yet it can resurface after a while?" Li Huowang's eyes widened in astonishment. Even in his memories from the 'red' world, he had never encountered such a notion.

"As long as there is even one person left in this world who tells a lie, the Path of Oblivion will never be truly uprooted."

Hearing this, Li Huowang felt a jolt, as if understanding something profound, and gazed up at the bright, sunny sky. This world was far stranger than he had ever imagined; there was still so much he did not know.

A winding forest stream appeared before Li Huowang. His breathing grew heavy, knowing he was about to eliminate the dice. He bent down, reached into the water, and cupped a handful from his reflection. The reflection of the eyes within the water swayed with the current. Li Huowang took a deep breath, silently recited the dice's location, and then gently patted the water onto his forehead.

Instantly, Li Huowang's body and mind violently shuddered as if splashed by water. The next moment, all surrounding sounds vanished: no rushing water, no birdsong, not even the Grand Preceptor's heartbeat. However, in contrast, Li Huowang gained another perspective: that of a eunuch. It was a young eunuch, who, after burning incense with his godfather in the treasury, respectfully followed him out. Upon seeing the solemn grand hall outside, Li Huowang instantly realized, "This is the Grand Liang Imperial Palace! That young eunuch is the dice!"

Li Huowang's eyes snapped open, and he instantly felt his body sway. The eunuch's perspective hadn't vanished; instead, it had overlapped with his own! Everything from both perspectives overlapped, creating a chaotic visual. However, Li Huowang couldn't dwell on that. He immediately informed the Grand Preceptor, "The dice is inside the palace! He's a young eunuch helping organize the enthronement ceremony!"

"Haha, how remarkable! This item actually works." A look of delight crossed Huangfu Tiangang's face. He pulled his right hand from his sleeve, and the Constellation longsword was instantly unsheathed.

"Go!" The Grand Preceptor of Grand Liang tossed the longsword into the air, delivered a forceful kick to its hilt, and the entire blade shot northward, leaving a trail of afterimages. Yet, that wasn't all. Huangfu Tiangang grabbed Li Huowang's collar, then stomped forcefully several times on the treetops, incredibly catching up to the longsword and stepping directly onto its blade. Carrying Li Huowang, he rode the swiftly flying sword towards the capital.

The rapid shift between two perspectives, coupled with Li Huowang's lightheadedness, left him feeling disoriented. However, this sensation quickly subsided as Li Huowang began to adapt to the dual perspectives.

Meanwhile, they had already arrived above the capital city.

"Grand Preceptor! The dice is running; he already knows you're here!"

"Hmph! He won't escape!" The Grand Preceptor stomped on the sword's hilt with his foot, and the Constellation Sword instantly flew into his hand. As he raised the longsword into the air, a "bang" erupted, like a clap of thunder on dry land. Heavenly thunder struck the dozens of altars surrounding the imperial palace. The purple scriptures, already prepared in wooden basins, were instantly ignited by the thunderous fire.