Mutated Tao

“Eat slowly. Don’t choke on it.” Li Huowang frowned and stared at the man wolfing down his meal.

The man in front of Li Huowang almost choked on the sweet potato in his hands. It was as if he was the embodiment of a hungry ghost.

Li Huowang barely recognized the man due to how disheveled he was.

He inspected closely and recognized the man in front of him was none other than Niu San, the Qi Kingdom refugee who had previously sneaked into the kitchen for food.

Niu San appeared to have been staying in Cowheart Village, which is why Li Huowang saw him when he entered the rift. Niu San shook his head with his cheeks stuffed with sweet potato. He then drank from the puddle beside him.

He washed the food down his throat and smiled at Li Huowang before he started eating the other food that Li Huowang had brought for him.

This time, he spoke as he chewed on his food. He mumbled, “I dare not eat slowly. Food is life right now.”

Niu San cried as he said, “Foster father, what just happened to us. I finally became the head of Cowheart Village’s militia force and finally obtained four Mu of land to plant my crops. The good days were coming for me. I was enjoying myself when I was suddenly transported back! Look at this barren place. There’s nothing but grass here! How can I survive?”

Niu San crunched on the sweet potato out of spite after he complained.

Li Huowang looked around and asked, “What happened to the others? Were the other people from the Qi Kingdom sent back here too?”

“Yes. We had nothing to eat even if we were together, so everyone scattered to find food. We began digging out the roots of the grass to satisfy our hunger. Some of the weaker ones already died from starvation as well.”

“Died from starvation?” Li Huowang was shocked to learn that Death was still in the Qi Kingdom.

“Did you encounter any danger? Like the Dharma Sect or the strange water that causes people to grow extra limbs?”

The Qi Kingdom appeared to have been restored to normal, but Li Huowang wasn’t sure. The Qi Kingdom was massive. It would be a headache if his enemies lurked in some obscure corner of this world.

“Danger? There’s nothing here! The biggest danger is that there’s nothing here!”

Niu San was startled when he saw Li Huowang frowning before he begged earnestly. “Foster father, could you send me back? Please take mercy on me and send me back. I will… I will kowtow to you.”

Niu San kneeled and started kowtowing to Li Huowang.

“Stand up,” Li Huowang said as Niu San shot upward like a zombie.

“The Qi Kingdom is your true home. Where else can you go? Stay here.”

Niu San shouted, “But my wife is from the Liang Kingdom! She’s also pregnant with our baby! If I have to stay here, doesn’t that mean that I won’t see them again?”

“You can’t go back at all. You would be sent back here if I tried to send you to the Liang Kingdom, but I should be able to bring your wife here. However, the Qi Kingdom is now a desolate place. Do you really want your wife to suffer with you?”

Niu San stopped being emotional as he gave up. “Then… That’s fine.”

“Wait.” Li Huowang looked at Niu San as an uneasy thought came to his mind.

“If everyone from the Qi Kingdom is here, what happened to Gao Zhijian?”

Gao Zhijian was the Qi Kingdom’s Dragon Vein, but he was now attached to the Liang Kingdom. Which side would he be on?

Sensing that something might be wrong, Li Huowang created another rift and returned to the Liang Kingdom.

He didn’t bother explaining to Puppy and everyone else. He gave them some simple instructions before running towards Shangjing.

With his cultivation, he arrived at Shangjing two days later. It was as bustling as ever. The city itself had not been affected by the things that had happened.

Because this might affect the Dragon Vein of the Liang Kingdom, Li Huowang took no chances and went straight toward the palace despite his disheveled face.

Gao Zhijian must’ve given them instructions beforehand because none of the guards stopped Li Huowang. In fact, there were very few gazes on Li Huowang himself.

Gao Zhijian was already sitting on his throne when Li Huowang saw him once more.

Gao Zhijian had changed a little compared to last time. He had a beard, and his face was plumper now. He looked much more commanding.

“Why are you here?” Xuan Pin’s red robes floated up from the floor.

Li Huowang explained, and Xuan Pin shook her head. “Since Fu Shengtian has been repelled, its effect on the Qi Kingdom was naturally dispelled. This is good news—there’s no reason to be worried.”

Xuan Pin saw that Li Huowang was looking at Gao Zhijian with worry before explaining further, “There’s no need to worry about the Emperor. Since he’s attached to the Dragon Vein of the Liang Kingdom, he no longer has any connections to the Qi Kingdom.”

Li Huowang sighed in relief. He was happy that his thoughts were wrong.

He refused to take any chances since this was related to the Dragon Vein.

“As long as everything’s fine. I thought we might have some new troubles again. Since it’s good news for us, you can just continue with your work.” Li Huowang yawned and turned back.

“Senior Li, it’s been a long journey for you to reach here. How about having a meal with us? I didn’t have time to return even during the New Year.” Gao Zhijian’s words made Li Huowang turn around.

He looked at Gao Zhijian before stepping back. “I think we don’t have to do that, your Majesty. You are busy too.”

Gao Zhijian, however, insisted. He sat up from his throne and pulled Li Huowang towards the back palaces.

Soon, Li Huowang was seated in front of a table with a hundred and eight dishes.

Shark fin crab soup, braised chicken with mushroom, ham enveloped in fish bladder, shark skin chicken soup, false panther placenta, steamed camel hump, and civet steamed with pear slices.

Li Huowang had never even heard of some of the dishes. This was the first time he had witnessed the extravagance of the royal family.

Li Huowang had no intention of being reserved in front of Gao Zhijian. He eagerly devoured the food while listening to Gao Zhijian introduce his children.

“Senior Li, this is my eldest son. He is naturally also the prince,.” Gao Zhijian said, handing the plump little prince to Li Huowang.

The plump little prince was handed to Li Huowang.