Mutated Tao

Li Huowang’s previous perception of Pi County began to change as he stared at the people in front of him lying on the ground like dogs.

The idea of a ghost stealing people’s privates, combined with such humiliating treatment methods and the finishing touch of chili powder all just seemed too ridiculous.

The entire county was buzzing with rumors about “ghosts” stealing people’s privates and retracting their genitals. But… what if everything they were saying was completely false? Perhaps there never was such a thing?

As he recalled the waiter who hanged himself earlier, as well as everything else he had witnessed in Pi County, Li Huowang questioned the others lying on the ground, “You guys keep talking about the genitals being retracted, but has anyone here witnessed it themselves?”

Hearing this, the group stared at Li Huowang, and then silently exchanged stares.

Finally, one of the constables spoke up, “My father said so! He witnessed someone experiencing the genital retraction!”

“I’m not asking about your father. I’m asking about you! Have any of you personally witnessed it?” reiterated Li Huowang.

Li Huowang’s sharp gaze left the constable stuttering and unable to find any words.

Seeing this, Li Huowang once again shifted his gaze toward Magistrate Yang Hongzhi and said, “Earlier, you mentioned that your son’s genitals had become small and needed to be locked with a silver lock. But children’s genitals are naturally small. Is it possible that there’s nothing wrong with your son at all, and you’re just being overly suspicious? Have you never doubted that at all?”

“Who is that person?! Where is he now?” Li Huowang suddenly raised his voice. Whoever this person was, they had to have a significant connection to this absurd situation.

“He… he… he’s dead. He died from the retraction, just because he uttered those… words to someone," replied Magistrate Yang.

“Heh!” Hearing this, Li Huowang’s face revealed a faint smirk, his suspicions growing even stronger.

There was no such thing as ghosts stealing people’s genitals, and there certainly was no method to ward off the “ghosts”. All of it was fake!

As he thought about this issue, he realized the identity of the culprit.

Coming across one’s enemies often evokes a strong sense of resentment. Reflecting on their past mistreatment of him, Li Huowang clenched his fists so tightly that they produced a creaking sound. With a fierce expression, he gritted his teeth and exclaimed, “Sitting Oblivion Dao!”

Immediately, Li Huowang took off the copper gong hanging from his neck and fiercely threw it onto the ground. Then, he kicked away the constable blocking his path before charging directly toward Magistrate Yang.

At this moment, he finally realized why he felt that inexplicable sense of familiarity earlier. It was the feeling of being deceived by the Sitting Oblivion Dao, something that he had experienced once before!

Li Huowang kicked Magistrate Yang in the chest before using his longsword to slice at Magistrate Yang’s chin. As Yang Hongzhi screamed miserably, his face was lifted slightly by Li Huowang.

However, there weren’t any other layers beneath this man’s face. He wasn’t a member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao, and neither were the other constables. They had all been deceived by the Sitting Oblivion Dao.

There was no “ghost” that could cause gentail retraction through word of mouth. It was all an absurd rumor spread intentionally by the Sitting Oblivion Dao.

The Sitting Oblivion Dao had played everyone in Pi County for fools by relying solely on these rumors.

“Who told you about these methods to treat genital retraction? Where are they?” demanded Li Huowang. It was vital to track down the Sitting Oblivion Dao members if they were still residing in Pi County.

Li Huowang’s bloodshot eyes frightened the injured Yang Hongzhi into revealing everything without concealing anything.

If Li Huowang had to name a nemesis, then the Sitting Oblivion Dao would undoubtedly be at the top of his list.

“It was a self-proclaimed Shaman! He insisted that a lock could secure one’s genitals! However, because he revealed the divine secrets, he too, suffered from genital retraction and died two months ago,” responded Yang Hongzhi immediately, struggling to collect himself.

“Oh yeah? He just spread the rumors, and then died from genital retraction himself? What a coincidence! Where’s his body? I will need to open the coffin for an autopsy!” said Li Huowang.

With Li Huowang’s identity as someone from the Surveillance Bureau and his unyielding stance, Yang Hongzhi eventually complied.

Creak~

Slowly, the black coffin nails were pulled out.

Li Huowang approached the scene while covering his nose. Confirming that there was no corpse inside the coffin, and only a Liu Wan[1] mahjong tile, he realized that his assumption had been accurate. This was indeed the work of the Sitting Oblivion Dao, and the member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao had long since departed. The people of Pi County were just toys that the Sitting Oblivion Dao had grown tired of playing with and thus were casually discarded.

However, Li Huowang wasn’t too disappointed either. His goal this time was to join the Surveillance Bureau, and not to single-handedly confront the Sitting Oblivion Dao.

After understanding the events that had transpired in Pi County, Li Huowang devised a plan.

“Everyone, gather around and take a good look! This is the so-called Shaman you’ve been talking about!” Li Huowang spoke to the others who had retreated to a distance.

However, Li Huowang’s previously unusual behavior had frightened all of them. They all just stood there, covering the wounds on their chins while not daring to get too close.

“I said come over here, didn’t you hear?!”

Li Huowang’s stern words finally made them approach him.

When they saw the empty coffin, their eyes widened in astonishment. After all, they distinctly remembered that someone had been buried there before.

As he observed them, Li Huowang carefully chose his words before speaking slowly, “You have all been deceived. There is no such thing as genital retraction. It was just a rumor. There’s no need to be on edge.”

“How is that possible?” Yang Hongzhi was in disbelief. After all this time of people’s hearts being in turmoil, it turned out to be nothing more than self-induced fear.

“The truth is right in front of you, and you still don’t believe it? Go gather all the people in the county. I have something to tell them,” said Li Huowang.

Upon hearing Li Huowang’s words, Yang Hongzhi hesitated. He just stood in place with an uncertain expression as he contemplated something.

“What’s the matter? Don’t forget my identity. Do you think a fool like yourself knows more about this than the Surveillance Bureau does?” questioned Li Huowang.

This finally convinced Yang Hongzhi. He covered the wound on his chin and walked outside. “Wait a moment, Sir. I… I need to check on my child first.”

After saying that, he dispersed the group of constables.

On the other hand, Li Huowang sheathed his bloodied sword and turned around to walk back toward the inn.

Once he was back at the inn, Li Huowang explained everything to the frightened Gao Zhijian.

“Everything is okay. They are just a bunch of poor souls who have been deceived. We’ll explain everything later,” Li Huowang sat at the Eight Immortals table and spoke to the big fellow in front of him.

After knowing that everything was a hoax and there was no danger in Pi County, Li Huowang finally eased up and was no longer as tense as before.

While he was helping these people recognize the deception of the Sitting Oblivion Dao, he hadn’t forgotten his original purpose in coming to this place. Regardless of who the Surveillance Bureau sent, as long as Li Huowang took care of the trouble in advance, they would have no choice but to contact him.

The beginning was always difficult. But once he managed to get in touch with the Surveillance Bureau, things would be much simpler.

1. six characters in mahjong ☜

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