Mutated Tao

Lian Zhibei left and returned just as quickly. When she returned, eight strong young White Lotus followers carried a tall black coffin into the hall behind her, grunting as they worked.

The Muddled One was clearly inside the coffin, sealed to prevent mishaps.

This entity was dangerous and couldn’t be released in the hall. Under Bai Lingmiao’s instructions, the coffin was relocated to an underground chamber initially intended for the Heavenly Mater’s statue.

“Remember, once the Muddled One comes out, it could erase your memories of me. That’s why I suggested you write it down on paper or even etch it into your skin,” the Second Deity impatiently said.

The people on the periphery nodded and gripped their brushes tightly, hurriedly recording everything on paper.

They would vanish if the Muddled One forgot them, but they could force it to remember them and release them when the time came.

The timing was crucial. If it was too early, they might not find what they needed, and if it was too late, something worse could happen.

“Miaomiao, maybe... let the White Donkeys go instead. You don’t need to go in there. I’ve heard it’s terrifying. What if something happens to you?” Chun Xiaoman said with concern. She was in charge of coordination outside.

Bai Lingmiao glanced at the coffin and shook her head gently. “Sister Xiaoman, I’m not that weak anymore. Besides, how will the others bring out all the Strayed Ones if I don’t go in? I have plenty of experience with them, so don’t worry.”

The coffin’s nails were pried off, releasing black mist. As the lid fell open, a man with a large birthmark covering half his face emerged, crawling out in tattered clothes.

He looked around in confusion, his eyes filled with deep bewilderment. It was as if he’d forgotten who or where he was.

“Everyone, leave. Shut the door. Don’t let him see you. In three days, show him our portraits to remind him, and then force him to release us,” Bai Lingmiao said, leading a group of White Donkeys toward the man.

“Where... where am I? Why am I here?” the Muddled One asked Bai Lingmiao.

Bai Lingmiao walked before him and carefully observed him. She ensured her reflection appeared fully in his eyes, then placed a red veil over his head.

When the Muddled One removed the red veil, the surroundings were empty, and his face showed no surprise. He had completely forgotten about Bai Lingmiao and the White Donkeys.

“Where... where am I? Why am I here?” He circled in confusion and repeated, “Where.. Where am I? Why am I here?”

By this time, Bai Lingmiao and her group had already left the dark room. However, the outside of the hall and the entirety of Shangjing had transformed.

The sky hung in pitch blackness, and everything was caught between being visible and invisible. Large sections of buildings had crumbled, creating a desolate and bleak atmosphere, as if the Great Liang had already fallen. This was the world of those forgotten by the Muddled One.

“Let’s go. Stay alert. The people trapped here have been tormented a lot. They are caught between life and death, and they are neither humans nor ghosts anymore. They can be very hostile toward the living.”

Bai Lingmiao guided the White Donkeys through the ruined imperial city, intending to capture someone for directions.

Given their unique abilities, if there were any Strayed Ones here, they would likely be well-known among those trapped here.

Their journey was short-lived. Bai Lingmiao’s keen senses had quickly noticed frenzied murmurs echoing from within the three palaces.

“Ha ha ha! Strange, weird! The grandson marries the grandmother...”

“This way. The voice is coming from over here,” Bai Lingmiao said, leading the White Donkeys toward the sound.

“Pigs and sheep sit on the stove—six relatives boil in the pot... Women eat their mother’s flesh—sons beat their father’s skin... heh heh heh...”

The strange voice didn’t seem to expect anyone to come. Bai Lingmiao approached and saw the source of the voice.

It was from a monk sitting upside-down on a lotus seat. His shoulders twitched as he spouted incomprehensible words. “Everyone comes to celebrate, but I see only suffering... suffering... heh heh heh...”

With a wave of her hand, two White Donkeys wearing robes with talismans rushed forward. They took some chains out and wrapped them around the monk, pulling him to the ground before Bai Lingmiao.

The monk looked emaciated, barely skin and bones. He seemed long gone mentally, and he had used his claw-like hands to pull out his intestines and spin them like prayer beads.

“Master, have you seen any Strayed Ones around here? If you can help me, I’ll free you from this agony after it’s over,” Bai Lingmiao said.

The monk ignored her enticing reward and continued his gibberish, saying, “Pigs and sheep sit on the stove—six relatives boil in the pot. Women eat their mother’s flesh—sons beat their father’s skin.”

After several more attempts, the Second Deity said, “It’s no use. This guy’s completely mad. Who knows how long ago he’s been here.”

She continued, “If we want any real answers, we’ll have to find someone who ended up here more recently.”

Bai Lingmiao didn’t reply. She quickly retreated into the safety of the White Donkeys. “Be careful! There are a lot of people coming from behind the ruined temple!”

The tattered curtain of the temple was ripped open as a swarm of bloated, naked figures with bloodshot eyes surged toward them.

Men and women were amongst them, all driven mad by their endless torment in this forgotten world.

They became even more frenzied when they saw Bai Lingmiao’s face, throwing themselves at her with reckless abandon.

“Formation! Protect the Saintess!” The White Donkeys, possessed by various spirits, easily held the crazed attackers at bay.

However, even decapitating them didn’t stop them. There was no death here.

It was unlike the world outside, where the Heavenly Dao of Death had vanished. The people here were still consumed by madness and a desire for slaughter.

A voice suddenly called from outside. “This way! Hurry! If you stay here, they’ll only keep coming!”

Bai Lingmiao was surprised to recognize the person who spoke. It was Tuoba Danqing, the former superior of Senior Li in the Surveillance Bureau.

He had been left behind back when Li Huowang and other members of the Surveillance Bureau fought against the Muddled One.

From his expression, Bai Lingmiao deduced that he hadn’t been here long enough to lose his sanity and could still communicate.

“Retreat southeast! Follow that man!”

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