Mutated Tao

Chapter 217: Rabbit

Chapter 217: Rabbit

Upon hearing this, Sun Baolu's face showed a hint of confusion, but he quickly regained his composure. “I don’t know if the Lama from Luoism count or not, but my dad and grandfather respect them a lot, and it’s said that they can communicate with spirits. I’ve only heard about that, and haven’t witnessed it myself. I’ve only seen them twice ever since I was young. They came to ask for food, and my dad entertained them.”

Based on what Sun Baolu explained, Li Huowang got a basic understanding of what the so-called Lama from Luoism were like.

According to Baolu’s description, they were the ones responsible for hosting the wedding and funeral ceremonies all over Qing Qiu. He also learned that they were rather secular, and that they did not place any restrictions on meat or wine.

These Lama also claimed that there were no evil spirits in the entirety of Qing Qiu because of the protection of their Immortal Heaven.

“No evil spirits? There’s none at all?” Li Huowang looked around, surprised at the stark contrast between this place and the others.

“Well… at least I haven’t seen any, and neither have any of the others,” said Sun Baolu. He wasn’t as certain as Li Huowang had expected him to be.

“No evil spirits… Do you want to get in touch with those Lama? Perhaps you can ask for information about Strayed Ones,” suggested Sun Baolu.

But after careful consideration, Li Huowang dismissed the idea. Even if he had the bronze coin mask, it was too dangerous to recklessly interact with other factions. If he were to be recognized as a Strayed One, it would lead to a lot of trouble.

After all the things he had been through, in his eyes, none of the factions besides the Benevolent Nunnery were any good.

It was Liang Kingdom after they passed through Qing Qiu. For now, there was nothing more important than getting to Liang Kingdom safely.

With this thought, Li Huowang came to his decision.

We can’t bring this group of people there. After sending all these people along their separate paths, I might go and look for them myself.

“Tell me more about these so-called Lama from Luoism. What’s their reputation like around here?” asked Li Huowang.

“They’re still alright, at least in my experience,” said Sun Baolu.

Li Huowang continued to question Sun Baolu, extracting all the bits and pieces of information about the Lama from Luoism that he could.

“Senior Li, time to eat,” called out Bai Lingmiao.

A bowl of clear noodle soup was placed before Li Huowang, and there were some small, white tubers floating in it.

“What is this?” asked Li Huowang as he used his chopsticks to pick one up.

“I don’t know. Senior Sun told us that these vegetables can be eaten. He said that he used to dig them up from the grass and eat them as snacks. He called them wild yams,” replied Bai Lingmiao.

Li Huowang stuffed a wild yam into his mouth and gently bit into it. He found that they were like bitter potatoes, but the taste was decent.

At that moment, Bun, who was lying on Li Huowang’s body, suddenly perked up, and then dashed toward a grassy area in the distance.

“Why did Bun run off? Should we follow for a look?” asked Bai Lingmiao.

“Let it have some fun. We’re usually rushing on the road, and it’s tough to find time to relax. Bun understands human nature, and will return when it’s time to leave,” said Li Huowang as he continued to eat. At the same time, Bai Lingmiao squatted beside him as she continued to watch over him.

Soon, the bowl of wild yams was quickly finished by Li Huowang, prompting Bai Lingmiao to serve him another bowl.

Li Huowang didn’t know if it was because his skin was growing back or something else, but his appetite right now was no less than that of Gao Zhijian or Bai Lingmiao’s.

As she gave him another bowl of noodle soup, Bai Lingmiao reached her right hand out to gently pat off the dust on Li Huowang’s body and she said longingly, “Senior Li, after passing through Qing Qiu, we’ll soon arrive at Liang Kingdom. Once we arrive at my village at the base of the Cowheart Mountain, we can settle down over there. We can use the silver to buy a few acres of land. Then, you can use oxen to plow the land, and I will weave at home. When we have saved enough money for a house, we can share the house with my parents.”

“Working the fields and weaving? Do you want to do that for the rest of your life?” asked Li Huowang as he slurped the rest of the noodles.

Hearing his response, Bai Lingmiao responded carefully, “Senior Li, you don’t want to work in the fields? That’s alright, you don’t have to. We have oxen.”

“I’m fine with doing anything, but I must cure my illness first,” said Li Huowang.

Hearing this, Bai Lingmiao grabbed his hand. “Senior Li, it’s alright. I don’t mind you being like this. I can take care of you whenever your illness acts up.”

Li Huowang recalled Bai Lingmiao’s swollen face from before, and shook his head firmly. “No, it must be cured.”

He had to cure this illness, otherwise he wouldn't dare let himself stay by Bai Lingmiao’s side in his current condition. Currently, he was like a ticking time bomb, one that could burst at any moment, capable of doing something he would end up regretting for the rest of his life.

Although he still had Yang Na and his mother on the other side, they were merely hallucinations and didn’t actually exist. It was time he gave up on them.

“Senior Li, I beg you. It’s fine like this, don’t go looking for anything more. Didn’t you tell me before that even the powerful Abbess couldn’t find a solution either?” begged Bai Lingmiao.

Li Huowang placed his bowl down and looked at her with surprise. “How would we know if we don’t give it a try? Don’t you want me to be cured of my illness?”

Hearing this, Bai Lingmiao hesitated, but finally chose to remain silent as she looked down.

On one hand, she was worried about Li Huowang’s safety. But on the other hand, she was even more concerned that one day, if his illness was truly cured, then he would abandon her when he no longer needed her.

A healthy Li Huowang was too good, far too good, someone far beyond her reach.

Meanwhile, Li Huowang continued to eat his noodles, his eyes watching Peng Longteng, Monk, and half of Jin Shanzhao. He recalled his speculation about the Sitting Oblivion Dao, and his gaze grew more resolute.

No, I must completely resolve the issues associated with being a Strayed One. If Bei Feng from the Sitting Oblivion Dao really is a Strayed One, then there must be a way.

Even if there isn’t a way, I must look for one. If I don’t, then I would be letting myself down.

At that moment, Bun returned while holding a dead rabbit in its mouth. It placed the rabbit in front of Li Huowang and wagged its tail excitedly.

Bun’s arrival broke the deadlock between the two. Bai Lingmiao reached out to rub the mutt’s head. “Good dog. You know that Senior Li’s body needs nourishment right now.”

She picked up the rabbit and headed toward the pot.

Li Huowang looked at her departing figure, then said to Bun who had its tongue stuck out, “I know that she has my interests at heart, but I really dare not continue to be like that and accompany her for the rest of our lives. Honestly, I’m afraid that I may accidentally kill her some day.”

“Woof woof!” Bun barked at Li Huowang, and then placed its nose on the ground.

Li Huowang reached into his clothes and pulled out another piece of dead skin, then threw it toward Peng Longteng.

Seeing this, Bun immediately dashed toward Peng Longteng’s crotch.

Meanwhile, Sun Baolu used his excellent skills to roast the rabbit , turning it into a delicious meal for everyone.