Chapter 13 - Separation.

The candlelight on the windowsill flickered, swaying continuously in a gust of wind, almost extinguishing.

Huoyanzi looked forlorn, and said to Li Shiwu: "Little Daoist friend, the truth is just like this."

"You came here specifically this time, so I presume that fierce person from back then is the master you speak of."

"However, that Seed Immortal Temple and the barefoot method of searching for it were all deceptions we used against that fierce person out of necessity back then."

He performed a Daoist salute, "So, don't be so fixated."

Seeing Li Shiwu and Hua Erling walking barefoot, how could the people of Qingyang Temple not understand what was happening.

"Senior, are you really not deceiving me?"

Suddenly, Li Shiwu's woodcutting knife was pressed against Huoyanzi's neck, his eyes gleaming with cold light.

He simply couldn't believe that their thirty child disciples had walked barefoot since childhood, and their tragic circumstances were merely a lie from the Old Temple Master.

He spoke in a cold tone: "But what if I told you that Seed Immortal Temple has already been found by me?"

After all, the black soil beneath his feet was like a maggot attached to bone, utterly undeniable.

However, the naive writing on the sheepskin scroll, and even the description of Qianyuanzi, everything was logical and flawless, making his heart waver.

"Young friend, calm down," the Temple Master hastily advised kindly.

As for Huoyanzi, though he feared the blade, he still shook his head and said: "Little Daoist friend, don't be so fixated, Seed Immortal Temple truly does not exist."

After a long while, Li Shiwu put away his knife.

He turned and left without looking back.

The night was desolate.

The mountain wind carried a chill, howling incessantly.

Li Shiwu walked down the mountain path, his steps faltering, as if he had lost his soul.

Hua Erling led the Five-Fingered Horse, following behind, filled with reluctance.

"Heh heh, fake? Doesn't exist at all?" Li Shiwu murmured.

"If it's fake, what does it mean that Qianyuanzi schemed for decades, killed countless people, and abducted thirty infants?"

"If it's fake, what about the suffering we endured along the way, the deceased senior and junior brothers, and my willingness to endure the pain of being skinned?"

"If it's fake, what is this black soil following me, this haunting Seed Immortal Temple?"

"I don't believe it, I absolutely don't believe it."

Gradually, Li Shiwu's hair became disheveled, and his appearance grew increasingly gaunt.

The feeling of his body gradually shriveling was worse than being skinned, making him almost want to bash his head in and die.

"Erling, you go, don't follow me anymore."

Li Shiwu suddenly turned back, staring at his companion, who had a feminine appearance for a male and whom he had known since childhood, and said in a low voice.

At this moment, his state was too unstable; he feared that if he continued, it would lead to a lifelong regret. Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

"Shi... Shiwu, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Hua Erling shook his head frantically, "At a time like this, how could I abandon you and leave? No, absolutely not."

Li Shiwu walked closer, forcing a smile on his face: "Erling, listen to me."

"You used to say that you had a square mark on your shoulder, and the pattern on it looked extraordinary."

"Perhaps you are some royal noble, or from a prominent family, who knows."

"Now you are free; you have plenty of time to search for your origins. As for me, don't worry, I'll be fine."

Before Hua Erling could refuse, Li Shiwu took down Coffin Master, making it spit out a large amount of gold, silver, valuables, and various bottles and jars.

"Listen to me, when you go to find your relatives, you should bring more gold. If you really find them, to put it bluntly, your unfamiliar family members will also think highly of you and won't look down on you."

"As for these bottles and jars, they are poisons collected by that old geezer, all good things for wandering the martial world, killing without drawing blood; take them all."

"Remember, we are disciples of Qianyuanzi. When we are out, how can we let others bully us? We are the only ones who bully others."

Li Shiwu's tone was very slow and light, he smiled: "If we really get bullied by others, that old geezer in the eighteen layers of hell will probably laugh at us both."

"Oh, also take this dagger. Qianyuanzi used it for skinning; it's a good item that can cut iron like mud."

"I won't give you Coffin Master. This toad is fierce; you won't be able to control it..."

Listening to the words, Hua Erling was already in tears: "Shiwu, can you not leave?"

"Please, I'm really begging you."

"Those family members, I don't want to find them, not at all."

Seeing this, Li Shiwu sighed. As he looked up, his gaunt face appeared extremely eerie.

"Erling, listen to me."

"You've seen my current state. I must find a solution; you can't help me with anything."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Once I find a method, I'll come find you."

But in the next instant, Li Shiwu suddenly delivered a hand chop to Hua Erling's neck, knocking him unconscious.

"Erling, I'm sorry."

Afterward, he placed Hua Erling on the Five-Fingered Horse's back, secured him with ropes, and then put various bundles on top.

Next, he tucked the incomplete Bing Province map into his companion's arms.

Then Li Shiwu stroked the horse's head, his eyes cold, and said: "Horse, I know you are human."

"Now your life contract is in my hands. I want you to prioritize the person on your back throughout this journey. The next time we meet will be the day of your freedom."

"Go!"

With a neigh, one person and one horse vanished into the night, leaving behind only a lingering patter of hooves that echoed in the night sky.

The person was far away, and the night grew colder. Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

"Hoo..."

"Hoo..."

Li Shiwu gasped for air, his face ferocious, and he toppled into the tall grass behind him.

He felt his body was hungry, his soul was hungry, but he simply didn't know what could effectively alleviate it.

At this moment, in the wilderness.

Various beast roars and strange sounds continued, rising and falling, inspiring awe.

But all of this had nothing to do with Li Shiwu.

He was seen staggering to his feet again, then just casually walked in one direction, his steps faltering.

The next day.

The sky was bright, and a warm breeze caressed faces.

Li Shiwu, covered in mud, swayed unsteadily into a large market town amidst the strange glances of the crowd.

It was morning market time: monkey performers, puppy sellers, sapling vendors, the chatter between buyers and sellers, and the continuous white steam rising from steamers...

All mixed together, buzzing incessantly.

Li Shiwu looked at everything before him, feeling as if countless flies were buzzing in his ears, making him inexplicably agitated.

When he raised his head, his eyes were filled with even more savagery.

His black woodcutting knife was drawn.

In an instant, he seemed like a market-bullying ruffian, holding a knife and threatening passing commoners and vendors.

"You're so noisy, it's killing me."

"Get out, all of you get out."

"Get out!"

He wielded the woodcutting knife, chasing the vendors who scattered in all directions, looking ready to cut someone at any moment.

In an instant, the once bustling morning market turned into a chaotic scene of chickens flying and dogs jumping, with people crying out for their parents.

A moment later.

A group of people arrived, carrying long staffs, and the leading big man was particularly aggressive.

"This is outrageous."

"He must have eaten the guts of a bear and a leopard to dare cause trouble on my territory."

But before he could finish speaking, Li Shiwu, as if drained of strength, toppled over.

The big man's face twitched: "This kind of fellow, he got scared witless just as I arrived?"

"Men, tie him up and imprison him."