Lin Wujing took a deep breath and said, “I’ve long known you are steeped in your demonic nature, beyond redemption unless reincarnated! You collude with the Divine General Mansion, trying to find a safe harbor for future troubles, but you are wrong. The Divine General Mansion is so preoccupied with their own troubles now that they would not tarnish their ancestors’ millennium-long glory for a mere thief with a tarnished reputation!”
The laughter of the figure in chains ceased abruptly, and he looked intently, asking, “Has something happened to the Li family?”
Lin Wujing sneered, “You’re too busy worrying about yourself, yet you still worry about them? There’s no need to feign deep affection in front of me; there are no members of the Li family here. Li Qianfeng is a direct disciple of the Buddha Lord. If he knew of your existence, he would regard you as a disgrace to the Divine General Mansion and be the first to execute you!”
The chained figure’s eyes flickered but he asked no more.
He knew the other party would not answer.
“Although you are a thief, you indeed have good taste; you’ve stolen only the finest items. You valued highly the Demon Child from the Divine General Mansion for his exceptional talent and got close to him. But so what? Since the battle at Liangzhou, he has been honored as a third-rank duke, promoted to a high military commander, and holds a first-rank official position!”
Lin Wujing sneered, “Such a young man, holding a position supreme among subjects, may even influence the emperor’s succession decisions in the future. With such an existence, enjoying glory across generations, do you think he would give up his honors and titles to plead for you?”
The chained figure paused and then chuckled softly, “Not bad at all, a position supreme among subjects, truly befitting him…”
“All you need to do is hand over the Saint Relic, and you can be liberated immediately. Don’t be delusional, no one will come to save you!” Lin Wujing shouted fiercely.
The figure in chains lifted his head, let out a soft laugh, and said, “I don’t need them to save me. What’s death but a departure? I’ve experienced the delights of this world and tasted the finest wines and the most beautiful people. What harm in death?”
“You say he is a Demon Child, haha, you better not let me escape, or I’ll let the world know who the master of the Ancient Demon Palace really is!”
Lin Wujing’s expression slightly changed, his eyes turning chilly, “Burn, burn it for me!”
In the magma, flames surged, intense fire engulfed and scorched the figure in chains, searing his flesh.
Yet, there were no cries of pain, only bursts of laughter could be heard.
Lin Wujing’s eyes grew colder, knowing the stubborn old bone wouldn’t easily give in without intense pain.
…
…
In Qingzhou City.
After leaving the Divine General Mansion, Li Hao strolled the streets, buying some delicacies for Xiyan, Candle Flame God, and himself.
Then he climbed a mountain to visit an old friend.
At the Tan Palace Main Hall, he shared a pot of tea with Song Yufeng.
By Emerald Pond, he cooked a barbecue for Song Qiumo.
He also played several rounds of chess with Shen Yunqing and others.
Many disciples from Tan Palace came to seek advice, and Li Hao responded casually, still seen as a teacher of Tan Palace by the disciples of White Hall.
This trip to Qingzhou pleased Li Hao greatly; he ate well, drank well, visited old friends, and when it was time to leave, he didn’t ask for a farewell gathering, simply bidding farewell to Song Qiumo quietly before leaving.
Passing by a bustling brothel, he saw on the door a plaque still hanging with a pair of verses he had spontaneously composed when he was drunk.
The youthful spirit in the verses brought a slight smile to Li Hao’s face, and he left without lingering, flying into the sky.
Upon leaving the city and not far into his flight, Li Hao’s gaze suddenly fell on the official road, pausing slightly before descending.
He landed not far from the road and walked over with Candle Flame God.
Ahead was a tea stall where an elderly man was busy cleaning up used bowls and wiping the table.
Tied under a nearby tent were three fast horses, with two youths and a middle-aged man having tea.
“Sirs, would you like some tea? My tea here is affordable, and the steamed buns taste quite good,” the elderly tea seller called out upon seeing Li Hao approaching.
The other three also looked at Li Hao and upon seeing Candle Flame God transformed into a young, stern, and imposing figure behind him, they averted their gaze.
They knew well that when out in Jianghu, one should not offend those who look formidable.
Li Hao glanced briefly at the tea stall owner and said, “I travel frequently to Qingzhou, how come I’ve never seen this tea stall before?”
“That’s interesting, sir. Just because you haven’t seen it before doesn’t mean it won’t be here later,” the tea stall owner chuckled.
“When did you set up shop here?” Li Hao sat down at a nearby table.
“Just a few days ago,” the tea stall owner smiled. “I used to be in Liangzhou, but these days, my granddaughter also wanted to help out, afraid of the long journey, so we moved back here.”
While he spoke, a young woman stood up from behind the stack of bamboo steamers at the stall. Dressed in a light blue tunic, she resembled a summer blue butterfly. She seemed to be bending over to search for something.
“Grandpa, I can’t find the paper liner.”
“It’s under that basket,” the tea stall owner turned and said before smiling at Li Hao, “What would you like to eat, sir? Would two baskets suffice?”
“Hmm.”
Li Hao looked at him, then glanced at the young woman who had found the greased paper for lining the baskets and smiled. Find your next read on empire
She noticed his gaze and looked at Li Hao, her eyes bright as moonlight on a rippling stream, her skin snow-white and luminous, her small delicate nose giving her a spirited and intelligent look.
Standing there, she possessed a noble air wholly unlike the humble tea stall, resembling a young lady from a respected family, yet her smile was friendly, with a touch of the girl-next-door’s casualness.