"You may leave. Let him come in alone." An aged, authoritative voice called out from within the room.
"Yes, sir." Nan Gong shot Li Huowang a discreet, cautionary glance before turning to depart.
Staring at the half-open wooden door, Li Huowang took a deep breath, then pushed it open and walked inside.
The room wasn't large; it looked like an ordinary study. On the bookshelves to the left were various paper books and illustrated texts. Just like in Zhuge Yuan's bamboo tower, the walls were covered in calligraphy and paintings.
If this place weren't hidden in the deepest recesses of the Astrological Bureau, Li Huowang would have assumed it belonged to some learned scholar.
"Er Jiu pays his respects to the Deputy Astrologer!" Li Huowang said, lowering his head and bowing in the formal manner of a Taoist.
"So, you are Er Jiu? Lift your head."
As the man saw Li Huowang's fleshless face, Li Huowang also got a clear look at the Deputy Astrologer.
