Mutated Tao

“Student, since you're lucid, you should be capable of logical thinking. I know you understand what I'm talking about. We just want to help you. Do you really want to lie in bed for the rest of your life and make your mother take care of you forever?”

“Your mother's old. Can she really take care of you for the rest of her life? Can you withstand seeing her hair becoming white? Can you really envision yourself making your mother flip you over and clean you up by the time you’re fifty or maybe sixty years old?”

It doesn't matter. One day, I'll become an immortal myself. Li Huowang’s expression was firm as he made sure that his mouth would remain shut.

The two doctors glanced at each other, and then they took out their notebook from their white coats to jot down something on it. They moved a bit farther away to discuss something for a while before walking back up to Li Huowang.

“Student Li, I think you can be exempted from rehab, but… can we talk more about that? Don’t be nervous; it’s just going to be a casual chat between friends,” said the younger doctor.

Upon hearing that, the nurse, the wardens, and the other doctor turned around to leave.

The doctor took off his white coat and put it aside, revealing his casual clothes underneath.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Yi Donglai," Yi Donglai said. He reached out with his hand and shook Li Huowang’s thin and emaciated right hand.

“You’ve become famous online. The story about how you rushed into school to rescue your girlfriend from several robbers has gone viral online. Many people admire you, and there are many beautiful girls among them,” said Yi Donglai.

“Do you play League of Legends? I do. They just released a limited skin for the Barbarian King, and it's a skin based on you. It went viral, and I even spent ninety-nine dollars just to get it.”

“Huh?” Li Huowang looked up with a complex expression and asked, “Am I a fool in your eyes?”

“Hehehe, just kidding. Don’t take it too seriously, but… I did see the surveillance footage. Wow, you looked so cool, just like the powerful Barbarian King! If your figure at the time were rendered into a skin, it would definitely sell like hotcakes!”

“Which champions do you like to play? I like to play the Jester, but Rito Games has just nerfed him recently! They actually nerfed Jester! Like, it's absurd, right? Why would they even target him…"

Li Huowang stared deeply at Yi Donglai as the latter blabbered. Of course, Li Huowang ignored Yi Donglai's nonsense and saw through the latter's intentions. Yi Donglai was probably planning on using gaming to build a rapport with Li Huowang, and then he'd start treatment once Li Huowang had let his guard down.

Perhaps… I don’t have to resist openly. Maybe I can use him to get out of my current predicament. It's a hassle being monitored around the clock, Li Huowang thought. Then, he asked, "Have they released any new champions recently?”

Yi Donglai was delighted to hear Li Huowang's question. Finally, he received a decent response from Li Huowang, a patient of Bed 13. With feedback, psychological intervention and treatment could proceed.

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!" Yi Donglai exclaimed, "Two new champions were released while you're here.”

“Are they jungle champions? I like playing jungle[1].”

The two chatted about the game for twenty minutes, and the two were satisfied with each other’s responses.

“I’ve got to go. Let’s chat again the next time we have time,” Li Huowang said.

Yi Donglai had many questions. He especially wanted to know how Li Huowang could control the timing of his flare-up, but Yi Donglai knew that the matter couldn't be rushed.

“Sure! Pick a time.”

“Then, let’s have dinner in five days. See you later, Donglai,” Li Huowang said, smiling.

“Hey, don’t leave yet. We still haven't eaten dinner.” Sun Xiaoqin’s voice echoed in Li Huowang's ears as the scenery around him peeled away.

When Li Huowang came back to his senses, he saw Bai Lingmiao, Li Sui, and the Second Deity staring at him in a circle.

“Senior Li… dinner is ready.” Bai Lingmiao muttered weakly.

“Ah, okay,” Li Huowang said. He turned around and walked toward the carriage. He then picked up a bowl of stew and said, “Mom, I want to eat. Can you feed me some rice from the meal box?”

Li Huowang opened his mouth wide. Then, he paused for a while with his mouth agape before taking a spoonful of the stew from his bowl and chewing on it. After swallowing, he opened his mouth wide again and waited patiently.

Bai Lingmiao, Li Sui, and the Second Deity saw Li Huowang behaving strangely.

“Come here and eat. What are you guys doing standing there? We still have a journey to continue,” Li Huowang said.

The trio walked over to him.

Bai Lingmiao cast a complicated gaze at Li Huowang while holding a bowl of stew. She looked like she wanted to say something to him, but she merely smiled and ate with relish upon seeing his gaze on her.

There was a strange atmosphere above everyone as they ate their meal. Once the dishes were washed, the carriage set off once again.

Li Huowang thought hard and long about it before finally talking to Bai Lingmiao, saying, “You don’t need to worry about me at all. I can see things clearly. It's just going to take some time for things to become even better."

“All right, Senior Li. I believe you.” Bai Lingmiao nodded slightly.

“I really—Ah, forget it. You’ll understand eventually,” Li Huowang said. Then, he took out a piece of turmeric paper and bit his finger before writing a talisman.

He stuck it onto the back of the horse, which made it gallop almost immediately.

The carriage moved swiftly, and the group soon found themselves before a peach blossom forest by dusk. The red sunset cast its hue on the pink peach blossoms, making them look particularly enchanting.

Li Huowang spread out the detailed map that he had obtained from the Surveillance Bureau. He compared it with their surroundings and muttered, “This should be the place. I just don’t know whether we'll have a stroke of better luck this time or not.”

The unsuccessful attempts made Li Huowang feel a bit less confident about this third attempt.

“I’ll go in first to check. You guys wait outside. If there are any unusual noises, bring the carriage back to where we had lunch earlier and wait for me there.”

“Okay, Senior Li. Go on.”

Li Huowang felt a pang of pain in his heart when he saw Bai Lingmiao’s unfocused eyes. Moments later, he turned around and finally started walking toward the peach blossom forest. He bent down slightly, projecting his image into the ground before continuing his journey into the peach blossom forest.

The greenery within the forest was thick, and the fragrance of blossoms filled the air.

However, the tree trunks were covered with sticky amber peach gum, which made the entire forest feel eerie.

Just as Li Huowang had walked ten meters into the forest, he realized that the lush peach tree forest was unusually quiet. There wasn't any chirping of birds, and he couldn't hear the distinct noises of insects.

Li Huowang was thrilled. Could there be something this time around?

“Brother Zhuge, you’ve seen a lot. I'm sure you've encountered an evil spirit or two, am I right?”

“Yeah. An evil spirit once disturbed a close friend of mine. He was living a life worse than death, tortured during every waking moment. In the end, he begged me to grant him release.”

1. an assigned position in the game ☜

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