Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 31-40

Ch.31:? ?Poking? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King;? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Seeks? ?Truth? ?2???—???Once? ?the? ?air? ?froze? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?his? ?question? ?may? ?have? ?crossed? ?the? ?line.???Although? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?had? ?gotten? ?along? ?well,? ?but? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng??never? ?revealed? ?his? ?real? ?face,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?change? ?back? ?even? ?after? ?his? ?identity? ?was??revealed,? ?then? ?he? ?had? ?his? ?reasons,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?in? ?no? ?place? ?to? ?push.? ?Without??waiting? ?for? ?his? ?response? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?smile,? ?“I? ?was? ?just? ?asking,? ?don’t? ?take? ?it? ?to??heart.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?“I’ll? ?let? ?you? ?see? ?it??someday,? ?if? ?there’s? ?a? ?chance.”????If? ?anyone? ?else? ?were? ?to? ?say? ?that,? ?then? ?it’d? ?naturally? ?be? ?perfunctory;? ?‘someday’? ?usually??meant? ?‘please? ?forget? ?it.’? ?But? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?said? ?those? ?words,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt??‘someday’? ?meant? ?‘someday’,? ?and? ?it? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?happen.? ?This? ?made? ?him? ?even? ?more??curious,? ?and? ?he? ?grinned,? ?“Then? ?I’ll? ?wait? ?til? ?the? ?day? ?you? ?can? ?show? ?me.? ?Let’s? ?rest? ?for? ?now.”???After? ?messing? ?around? ?for? ?half? ?the? ?night,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?long? ?given? ?up? ?on? ?cooking? ?anything,??and? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?straw? ?mat.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?laid? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?him.? ?No? ?one? ?bothered??questioning? ?why? ?after? ?revealing? ?each? ?other’s? ?identities? ?that? ?a? ?god? ?and? ?a? ?ghost? ?could? ?still??lay? ?together? ?on? ?a? ?rumpled? ?mat,? ?laughing? ?and? ?chatting,? ?and? ?simply? ?just? ?hanging? ?out.???The? ?straw? ?mat? ?didn’t? ?have? ?pillows,? ?so? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?his? ?own? ?arm,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian??imitated? ?him? ?using? ?his? ?own? ?arm? ?too.? ?He? ?chatted? ?casually,? ?“The? ?ghost? ?realm? ?seems? ?so??idle.? ?Don’t? ?you? ?guys? ?ever? ?need? ?to? ?report? ?back? ?to? ?anything?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?not? ?only? ?had? ?his? ?arm? ?as? ?a? ?pillow,? ?he? ?crossed? ?his? ?legs? ?too? ?and? ?replied,??“Report? ?to? ?whom?? ?I’m? ?the? ?biggest? ?there? ?is.? ?Besides,? ?we? ?mind? ?our? ?own? ?business,? ?no? ?one??bothers? ?with? ?anyone.”???So? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?was? ?formed? ?by? ?many? ?disorganized? ?bands? ?of? ?lost? ?souls? ?and? ?feral??ghosts.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Is? ?that? ?so?? ?I? ?thought? ?it’d? ?be? ?like? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?where??there’s? ?a? ?central? ?government.? ?So? ?if? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?have? ?you? ?met? ?any? ?other? ?ghost? ?kings??before?”???“I? ?have.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.???“Even? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong?”???“You? ?mean? ?that? ?lowly,? ?vulgar? ?trash?”???‘Well? ?what? ?do? ?I? ?say? ?to? ?that?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?but? ?thankfully? ?he? ?needn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?as??Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“I? ?greeted? ?him? ?and? ?he? ?ran? ?away.”???Instincts? ?told? ?Xie? ?Lianthis? ?‘greeting’? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?your? ?regular? ?kind? ?of? ?greeting,? ?and? ?sure??enough,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?casually,? ?“And? ?then? ?I? ?received? ?the? ?title? ?‘Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought??Flower’.”???“...”???So? ?when? ?he? ?mentioned? ?wiping? ?out? ?the? ?nest? ?of? ?another? ?ghost,? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?about? ?the??Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?and? ?this? ?‘greeting’? ?was? ?annihilation.? ?What? ?an? ?extraordinary??greeting,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?He? ?rubbed? ?his? ?chin? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Do? ?you? ?have? ?something??against? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong?”???“Yea.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.???“What’s? ?that?”????“Can’t? ?stand? ?his? ?face.”????Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?thinking? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?challenge? ?those??thirty? ?three? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?also? ?because? ?he? ?didn’t? ?like? ?their? ?faces?? ?“The? ?heavens? ?all??call? ?him? ?vulgar,? ?and? ?even? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?rejects? ?him.? ?Is? ?that? ?true?”???“It’s? ?true.? ?Even? ?Black? ?Water? ?is? ?disgusted? ?with? ?him.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.???“Who’s? ?Black? ?Water?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?then? ?recalled,? ?“Oh,? ?is? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?called??‘Ship-Sinking? ?Black? ?Water’?”???“That’s? ?right.? ?He’s? ?also? ?known? ?as? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?that? ?this? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?‘Supreme’,? ?but? ?the??Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?only? ?almost? ?a? ?‘Supreme’.? ?He? ?asked,? ?interested,? ?“Are? ?you??close? ?with? ?this? ?Demon? ?Xuan?”???“No.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?lazily,? ?“There? ?aren’t? ?many? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?I’m? ?close? ?with.”???Now? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?curious,? ?“Is? ?that? ?so?? ?I? ?thought? ?you’d? ?have? ?many? ?subordinates.? ?Maybe??our? ?definition? ?of? ?‘close’? ?is? ?different?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Yea.? ?In? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm,? ?those? ?lower? ?than? ?‘Supreme’? ?have??no? ?right? ?to? ?speak? ?to? ?me.”???It? ?was? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?arrogant? ?statement,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?made? ?it? ?sound? ?so??indisputable? ?and? ?self-evident.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?“Even? ?though? ?you’re? ?not? ?close? ?you??still? ?know? ?about? ?them.? ?You? ?have? ?it? ?pretty? ?good? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm,? ?there’s? ?only? ?so? ?many??big? ?names,? ?not? ?like? ?the? ?heavens.? ?There’s? ?already? ?so? ?many? ?officials? ?to? ?remember? ?in? ?the??upper? ?court,? ?and? ?more? ?waiting? ?to? ?ascend? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?court;? ?they’re? ?like? ?an? ?ocean? ?of??names.”????“What? ?good? ?is? ?it? ?to? ?remember? ?their? ?names?? ?Don’t? ?bother.? ?It’s? ?a? ?waste? ?of? ?your? ?brains.”??Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.???“Haha,? ?it’s? ?kind? ?of? ?offensive? ?if? ?you? ?can’t? ?remember? ?their? ?names.”? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials??loved? ?their? ?faces.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“If? ?they? ?can? ?be? ?offended? ?by? ?such? ?a??small? ?thing,? ?then? ?they’re? ?nothing? ?but? ?narrow? ?minded? ?trash.”???After? ?chatting? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?dig? ?too? ?deeply? ?into? ?the? ?subject? ?lest? ?they??touch? ?on? ?something? ?sensitive,? ?so? ?he? ?changed? ?the? ?topic? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?difference??between? ?the? ?two? ?realms.? ?He? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?closed? ?wooden? ?door? ?and? ?wondered,? ?“Ban??Yue,? ?that? ?child,? ?I? ?wonder? ?when? ?she’ll? ?come? ?back? ?in.”???The? ?bold? ?words? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?world”? ?returned? ?and? ?reverberated? ?in? ?his? ?head,??pouring? ?a? ?million? ?chaotic? ?images? ?in? ?his? ?mind,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?forcibly? ?push? ?them??down.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Those? ?were? ?good? ?words.”???“Which? ?ones?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???“‘I? ?want? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?world,? ?the? ?common? ?people’.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?leisurely.???“...”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thunderstruck.???He? ?flipped? ?around? ?and? ?curled? ?into? ?a? ?shrimp,? ?wishing? ?for? ?another? ?pair? ?of? ?arms? ?so? ?he? ?could??cover? ?both? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?his? ?ears,? ?and? ?groaned,? ?“...San? ?Lang...”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?nudged? ?closer,? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone? ?right? ?behind? ?him,??“Hm?? ?What’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?those? ?words?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?back? ?down? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?win? ?against? ?him? ?so? ?he? ?flipped??back? ?over? ?and? ?said? ?helplessly,? ?“It’s? ?silly.”???“What’s? ?there? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?of?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“To? ?dare? ?speak? ?of? ?the? ?world,? ?whether? ?to??save? ?or? ?to? ?destroy? ?is? ?admirable.? ?The? ?former? ?is? ?harder? ?than? ?the? ?latter,? ?so? ?it’s? ?even? ?more??respectable.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?a? ?laugh? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“To? ?dare? ?speak? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to??follow? ?through,? ?and? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?actually? ?achieve? ?it.”???He? ?laid? ?an? ?arm? ?over? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Oh,? ?alright.? ?I? ?suppose? ?that’s? ?nothing.? ?What? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?said??was? ?already? ?pretty? ?good.? ?I’ve? ?said? ?sillier? ?things? ?when? ?I? ?was? ?even? ?younger.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Oh?? ?Like? ?what?? ?Let’s? ?hear? ?it.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?pensive? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?smiled? ?softly? ?as? ?he? ?chased? ?his? ?memories,??“Many,? ?many? ?years? ?ago,? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?who? ?told? ?me? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?live? ?on? ?anymore.??They? ?asked? ?me? ?for? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?alive,? ?and? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?their? ?life.”???He? ?glanced? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?how? ?I? ?answered?”???It? ?might? ?just? ?be? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?imagination,? ?but? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?light? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s??eyes.? ?He? ?asked? ?gently,? ?“How? ?did? ?you? ?answer?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?told? ?them:? ?‘If? ?you? ?don’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?live? ?on? ?anymore,? ?then? ?live? ?for? ?me!’???“‘If? ?you? ?don’t? ?know? ?the? ?meaning? ?to? ?your? ?life,? ?then? ?make? ?me? ?that? ?meaning,? ?and? ?use? ?me? ?as??the? ?reason? ?to? ?live’.”????“Ha? ?ha? ?ha....”???As? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?small? ?laugh? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Even??now? ?I? ?don’t? ?understand? ?what? ?I? ?was? ?thinking? ?back? ?then.? ?How? ?did? ?I? ?ever? ?have? ?the? ?courage??to? ?tell? ?someone? ?to? ?make? ?me? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?their? ?life?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?silent? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued.? ?“It? ?really? ?was? ?something? ?that? ?could? ?only??be? ?said? ?back? ?then.? ?Long? ?ago,? ?I? ?really? ?thought? ?I? ?was? ?invincible? ?and? ?fearless.? ?If? ?you? ?ask? ?me??to? ?say? ?the? ?same? ?words? ?now,? ?there? ?is? ?no? ?way? ?they? ?will? ?ever? ?leave? ?my? ?lips? ?again.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?slowly,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?happened? ?to? ?that? ?person? ?after.? ?But? ?to??become? ?someone’s? ?reason? ?to? ?live? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?heavy? ?responsibility,? ?how? ?dare? ?I? ?speak??of? ?the? ?world?”???Silence? ?blanketed? ?inside? ?Puqi? ?shrine???After? ?a? ?while,? ?San? ?Lang? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Something? ?like? ?saving? ?the? ?world,? ?it? ?really? ?doesn’t??matter? ?how? ?you? ?do? ?it.? ?But,? ?although? ?brave,? ?it’s? ?foolish.”???“Yea.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?agreed.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“Although? ?foolish,? ?it’s? ?brave.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned,? ?“Thanks.”???“You’re? ?welcome.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.???The? ?two? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?holey? ?ceiling? ?of? ?Puqi? ?shrine? ?in? ?amiable? ?silence,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng??spoke? ?up? ?again.? ?“You? ?know,? ?we’ve? ?only? ?known? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?days.? ?Is? ?it? ?alright??for? ?you? ?to? ?say? ?so? ?much? ?to? ?me?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?again? ?and? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“What’s? ?the? ?problem?? ?Whatever.? ?Those? ?who??have? ?known? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?decades? ?can? ?become? ?strangers? ?in? ?a? ?day.? ?We’ve? ?met? ?by??chance,? ?and? ?we? ?may? ?part? ?by? ?chance.? ?If? ?we? ?like? ?each? ?other? ?then? ?we? ?shall? ?continue? ?to??meet;? ?if? ?we? ?don’t? ?then? ?we? ?shall? ?part.? ?There’s? ?no? ?banquet? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?that? ?doesn’t? ?come??to? ?an? ?end,? ?so? ?I’ll? ?say? ?what? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?say.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?chuckled,? ?then? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“If,”???Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?face? ?him,? ?“If?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?turn? ?around,? ?but? ?continued? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?dilapidated? ?ceiling? ?of? ?the??shrine,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?observed? ?the? ?left? ?side? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?handsome? ?young? ?man.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?softly,? ?“If? ?I? ?was? ?ugly,”???“Huh?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gaped.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?“If? ?my? ?real? ?face? ?is? ?ugly,? ?would? ?you? ?still? ?want? ?to??see? ?it?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Is? ?it?? ?Although? ?there’s? ?no? ?real? ?reason,? ?but? ?I? ?think? ?your? ?real??face? ?mustn’t? ?be? ?that? ?bad.”???“Who? ?knows,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?half? ?jokingly,? ?“What? ?if? ?I’m? ?discoloured,? ?disfigured,? ?ugly,??monstrous? ?and? ?horrible,? ?what? ?will? ?you? ?do?”???At? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?this? ?line? ?of? ?inquiry? ?was? ?rather? ?fascinating.? ?So? ?the? ?number? ?one??ghost? ?king? ?of? ?the? ?ages,? ?feared? ?by? ?the? ?heavens,? ?would? ?care? ?about? ?his? ?looks?? ?But? ?when? ?he??thought? ?about? ?it? ?deeply,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?very? ?funny? ?anymore.???If? ?he? ?remembered? ?correctly,? ?in? ?the? ?many? ?backstories? ?about? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?one? ?had? ?said? ?he??was? ?a? ?disfigured? ?child? ?from? ?birth,? ?or? ?something? ?along? ?those? ?lines.? ?If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case,??then? ?he? ?must’ve? ?grown? ?up? ?discriminated? ?by? ?others.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?reason??that? ?he’s? ?particularly? ?sensitive? ?about? ?his? ?looks.???Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?chewed? ?on? ?his? ?words,? ?“Well...”???He? ?used? ?his? ?warmest,? ?most? ?sincere? ?tone,? ?“To? ?be? ?honest,? ?the? ?reason? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?your??real? ?face? ?is? ?only? ?because,? ?you? ?see,? ?we’re? ?already? ?like? ?this...”???“Hm?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?piped? ?up,? ?“Like? ?what?”????“...Well,? ?now? ?we’re? ?sort? ?of? ?friends,? ?right?? ?So,? ?if? ?we’re? ?friends,? ?then? ?we? ?should? ?be? ?honest??with? ?each? ?other.? ?So? ?me? ?wanting? ?to? ?see? ?your? ?real? ?face? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?how? ?you??look.? ?You? ?ask? ?what? ?I? ?will? ?do,? ?of? ?course? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?anything.? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?it’s??your? ?real? ?face,? ?I’m? ?sure? ?I’ll...? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?laughing?? ?I’m? ?being? ?serious.”???When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?the? ?last? ?bit? ?of? ?his? ?words,? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?the? ?boy? ?next? ?to? ?him??shaking.? ?At? ?first? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?he? ?had? ?thought? ?‘are? ?my? ?words? ?so? ?moving? ?that? ?he’s??touched? ?like? ?this?’,? ?and? ?was? ?too? ?embarrassed? ?to? ?turn? ?around? ?to? ?see.? ?But? ?after? ?a? ?while,??the? ?soft? ?laughter? ?from? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?was? ?very? ?obviously? ?leaked? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?rather??bummed,? ?and? ?placed? ?a? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?shoulder? ?to? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?little? ?push,? ?“San? ?Lang...? ?why??are? ?you? ?laughing? ?so? ?much?? ?Did? ?I? ?say? ?something? ?wrong?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?immediately? ?stopped? ?shaking? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?“No,? ?you’re? ?very? ?right.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?even? ?more? ?bummed? ?at? ?those? ?words,? ?“You’re? ?so? ?insincere...”???“I? ?promise,? ?you? ?won’t? ?find? ?another? ?person? ?more? ?sincere? ?than? ?me? ?in? ?this? ?world.”? ?Hua??Cheng? ?replied.???Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?talk? ?anymore? ?and? ?flipped? ?over,? ?his? ?back? ?facing? ?Hua? ?Cheng,??“Forget? ?it,? ?time? ?to? ?sleep.? ?Don’t? ?talk.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?softly? ?again? ?then? ?said,? ?“Next? ?time.”???Even? ?though? ?he? ?was? ?determined? ?to? ?sleep,? ?hearing? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?speak,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t??help? ?but? ?reply,? ?“What,? ?next? ?time?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?whispered,? ?“The? ?next? ?time? ?we? ?meet,? ?I? ?will? ?use? ?my? ?real? ?appearance? ?to? ?greet??you.”???There? ?was? ?much? ?to? ?ponder? ?about? ?those? ?words,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?should’ve? ?kept? ?questioning??him,? ?but? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?night,? ?an? ?unstoppable? ?drowsiness? ?overtook? ?him,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?hang??on? ?and? ?fell? ?deeply? ?asleep.????The? ?next? ?morning,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?woke,? ?the? ?spot? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?was? ?already? ?empty.???He? ?stumbled? ?to? ?get? ?up? ?and? ?dazedly? ?walked? ?around? ?the? ?shrine.? ?When? ?he? ?opened? ?the??door,? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?silhouettes? ?to? ?be? ?seen? ?outside.? ?It? ?appeared? ?it? ?was? ?real.? ?The? ?boy? ?had??indeed? ?left.???However,? ?the? ?fallen? ?leaves? ?had? ?been? ?swept? ?into? ?a? ?pile,? ?and? ?next? ?to? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?clay??pot.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?pot? ?inside? ?and? ?placed? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?altar.? ?Right? ?then,? ?he? ?suddenly??discovered? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?something? ?extra? ?on? ?his? ?usually? ?bare? ?chest.????Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?touch? ?it,? ?and? ?found? ?just? ?below? ?the? ?cursed? ?collar,? ?there? ?was? ?an??exceedingly? ?thin? ?chain,? ?hanging? ?loosely? ?and? ?light.???Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?removed? ?it? ?from? ?his? ?neck.? ?So? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?silver? ?chain,? ?and? ?since? ?it? ?was??thin? ?and? ?light,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?there? ?was? ?anything? ?on? ?his? ?body? ?before.? ?And? ?hanging? ?from??the? ?chain? ?was? ?a? ?crystal? ?clear? ?ring.???—???MXTX? ?Author? ?Note:? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?says? ?he’s? ?not? ?good? ?looking,? ?is? ?that? ?even? ?possible???Would? ?this? ?author? ?write? ?ugly? ?characters?? ?Of? ?course? ?not!? ?[SPOILER? ?in? ?white? ?font]??Gift? ?an? ?Ashes? ?Diamond? ?Ring? ?first? ?for? ?the? ?romantic? ?engagement!?? ?Next? ?time,? ?Hua??Hua? ?will? ?meet? ?His? ?Highness? ?on? ?main!????Ch.32:? ?In? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall;? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Meets? ?Crown? ?Prince????Xie? ?Lian? ?knew,? ?this? ?ring? ?must? ?be? ?something? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?left? ?behind.? ?He? ?held? ?it? ?in? ?his??hand? ?and? ?wondered? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?‘what? ?could? ?this? ?be?’???When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?he? ?grew? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?The??kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?had? ?always? ?revelled? ?in? ?beautiful,? ?precious? ?objects;? ?collectors? ?were??abundant,? ?and? ?the? ?palace? ?itself? ?was? ?therefore? ?of? ?course? ?glorious? ?and? ?bedazzling.? ?Golden??columns,? ?jaded? ?steps,? ?innumerous? ?treasures? ?and? ?precious? ?jewels,? ?even? ?the? ?noble??children? ?played? ?around? ?with? ?various? ?coloured? ?gems? ?like? ?toys.? ?By? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?this? ?ring,? ?it??did? ?seem? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?made? ?of? ?diamond.???However,? ?its? ?shape? ?was? ?exquisite;? ?perhaps? ?even? ?the? ?most? ?skilled? ?jeweler? ?would? ?not? ?be??able? ?to? ?craft? ?the? ?ethereal? ?natural? ?beauty? ?it? ?emanated.? ?Moreover,? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?diamonds? ?he??had? ?ever? ?seen,? ?this? ?stone? ?was? ?extraordinarily? ?clear,? ?shimmering? ?like? ?a? ?crystal,??fascinating? ?and? ?sublime,? ?making? ?it? ?hard? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?determine? ?exactly? ?what? ?it? ?might? ?be??made? ?of.???Still,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?what? ?the? ?ring? ?was? ?made? ?of,? ?it? ?was? ?for? ?sure? ?an? ?item? ?of??extreme? ?significance.? ?Besides,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?found? ?around? ?his? ?neck,? ?then? ?this? ?was? ?not??something? ?that? ?was? ?accidentally? ?dropped,? ?and? ?more? ?than? ?likely? ?a? ?gift? ?from? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?as??a? ?keepsake.????Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?surprised? ?receiving? ?a? ?keepsake? ?like? ?this.? ?He? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?resolved??to? ?take? ?good? ?care? ?of? ?it,? ?then? ?ask? ?the? ?boy? ?what? ?the? ?gift? ?meant? ?the? ?next? ?time? ?they? ?meet.??The? ?only? ?place? ?he? ?owned? ?was? ?the? ?broken? ?down? ?shrine;? ?there? ?was? ?nowhere? ?appropriate??for? ?him? ?to? ?hide? ?treasure,? ?so? ?after? ?some? ?thought,? ?the? ?best? ?place? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?person? ?after??all,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?put? ?the? ?silver? ?chain? ?around? ?his? ?neck? ?once? ?more.???After? ?returning? ?from? ?running? ?around? ?Mount? ?Yujun? ?and? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass? ?back? ?to? ?back,??Xie? ?Lian? ?laid? ?in? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?paralyzed? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?days.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?overly??passionate? ?villagers? ?who’d? ?come? ?and? ?offer? ?buns? ?or? ?porridge,? ?he’d? ?probably? ?stay??incapacitated? ?for? ?many? ?more? ?days.? ?He? ?spent? ?his? ?days? ?thus? ?until? ?one? ?day,? ?Ling? ?Wen??suddenly? ?sent? ?him? ?a? ?notice:? ?Return? ?to? ?the? ?heavens? ?at? ?once.???Judging? ?by? ?her? ?tone,? ?something? ?bad? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?down.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?more? ?or? ?less??guess? ?what? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?and? ?was? ?already? ?mentally? ?prepared.? ?“Is? ?this? ?about? ?the? ?Banyue??Pass?”???“That’s? ?right.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied,? ?“When? ?you’ve? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?heavens? ?come? ?directly? ?to??The? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.”???Upon? ?hearing? ?‘The? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall’,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?froze.? ?Jun? ?Wu?1?? ?was? ?back.???After? ?his? ?third? ?ascension,? ?he? ?still? ?hadn’t? ?greeted? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?As? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?Martial??God,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spent? ?his? ?days? ?deep? ?in? ?cultivation? ?behind? ?closed? ?doors? ?or? ?was? ?out??patrolling? ?the? ?realms,? ?keeping? ?the? ?world? ?secure.? ?Now? ?that? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?back,? ?Xie? ?Lian??couldn’t? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?making? ?this? ?trip? ?to? ?the? ?heavens,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?hiked? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly??Capital? ?once? ?more? ?after? ?only? ?so? ?many? ?days? ?of? ?rest.???All? ?manners? ?of? ?gods? ?and? ?immortals? ?had? ?their? ?divine? ?palaces? ?built? ?here,? ?and? ?banding??together? ?they? ?formed? ?the? ?great? ?city,? ?each? ?with? ?their? ?own? ?history? ?and? ?style;? ?sculpted? ?pillars??and? ?muraled? ?buildings? ?here,? ?little? ?bridges? ?and? ?streams? ?there.???The? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?had? ?one? ?main? ?road:? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue.? ?Although? ?there? ?were??many? ?such? ?roads? ?built? ?in? ?remembrance? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?they? ?were? ?only??mere? ?shadows? ?and? ?copies? ?of? ?the? ?real? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?on? ?through??the? ?expansive? ?road? ?and? ?headed? ?towards? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?En? ?route,? ?there? ?were? ?many??heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?a? ?hurry,? ?and? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?one? ?dared? ?greet? ?him.???Truthfully,? ?there? ?was? ?usually? ?not? ?many? ?who? ?would? ?greet? ?him? ?when? ?he? ?visited? ?the??Heavenly? ?Court.? ?However,? ?‘not? ?greet’? ?meant? ?no? ?fellow? ?officials? ?would? ?approach? ?him? ?or??initiate? ?any? ?conversation? ?but? ?they? ?would? ?still? ?nod? ?in? ?acknowledgement? ?as? ?was? ?proper.??Right? ?now,? ?everyone? ?was? ?pretending? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?there,? ?as? ?if? ?just? ?glancing? ?at? ?him? ?would? ?get??them? ?in? ?trouble.? ?If? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him? ?they? ?would? ?hurry? ?away;? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?behind??him? ?they? ?would? ?slow? ?their? ?pace,? ?leaving? ?him? ?a? ?wide? ?berth,? ?afraid? ?to? ?approach.? ?Xie? ?Lian??was? ?already? ?used? ?to? ?this? ?treatment? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?anything? ?of? ?it;? ?after? ?all,? ?he? ?did? ?just??drag? ?down? ?the? ?popular? ?and? ?newly? ?ascended? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior.? ?It’d? ?be? ?more? ?strange? ?if??no? ?one? ?stayed? ?away.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?a? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?called? ?out? ?from??behind? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Royal? ?Highness!”???Hearing? ?the? ?call,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?thinking? ?whoever? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?dared? ?call? ?him? ?truly??had? ?commendable? ?courage.? ?But? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?the? ?junior? ?official? ?that??called? ?for? ?the? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?rushed? ?by? ?him,? ?and? ?ran? ?towards? ?someone? ?who? ?was??walking? ?further? ?ahead? ?of? ?him.? ?He? ?called? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“Jeez,? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness!? ?How??can? ?you? ?forget? ?your? ?identity? ?pass? ?going? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall?? ?How? ?would? ?you? ?even??get? ?in?”???On? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?get? ?it.? ?Now? ?wonder.? ?Of? ?course? ?the? ?address? ?‘Your? ?Royal? ?Highness’??wasn’t? ?directed? ?at? ?him.? ?There’s? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?Crown? ?Princes? ?in? ?the? ?heavens,? ?so? ?some??confusion? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?extraordinary.????Yet? ?when? ?he? ?glanced? ?over? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?other? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?he? ?paused.???That? ?young? ?man? ?had? ?thick? ?brows? ?and? ?bright? ?eyes? ?with? ?a? ?wide? ?smile.? ?This? ?smile? ?was??vastly? ?different? ?than? ?many? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials;? ?it? ?was? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?pure? ?and? ?genuine??without? ?anything? ?behind? ?it,? ?and? ?added? ?an? ?air? ?of? ?youth? ?to? ?his? ?handsome? ?face.? ?To? ?have??another? ?harsher? ?official,? ?like? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?to? ?comment,? ?however,? ?he? ?would? ?probably? ?call? ?it? ?an??air? ?of? ?foolishness.? ?The? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?decked? ?in? ?armour,? ?proud? ?and? ?heroic;? ?but? ?the??armour? ?on? ?him? ?didn’t? ?give? ?off? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?blood? ?and? ?battle,? ?rather? ?it? ?gave? ?him? ?an? ?air? ?of??royal? ?nobility,? ?candid? ?and? ?brilliant.???Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?young? ?man.? ?The? ?two? ?in? ?front? ?felt? ?his? ?gaze??and? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?face? ?him.? ?When? ?the? ?junior? ?official? ?saw? ?who? ?it? ?was,? ?his? ?face? ?dropped??immediately.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lightly? ?nodded? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?smiled? ?at? ?him,? ?“Greetings,? ?Your? ?Royal??Highness.”???The? ?other? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?obviously? ?was? ?one? ?who? ?didn’t? ?mind? ?the? ?everyday? ?details? ?and??didn’t? ?recognize? ?his? ?face,? ?so? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?someone? ?greeting? ?him,? ?he? ?immediately??returned? ?it? ?with? ?a? ?bright? ?smile? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“Greetings!”???The? ?junior? ?official? ?beside? ?him? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?little? ?push,? ?and? ?hurried,? ?“Let’s? ?go,? ?Your??Highness.? ?We? ?still? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.”???The? ?young? ?man,? ?still? ?unaware? ?and? ?inconscient,? ?was? ?weirded? ?out? ?by? ?the? ?sudden? ?push,??“Why? ?are? ?you? ?pushing? ?me???”???Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?out? ?a? ?laugh? ?and? ?that? ?junior? ?official? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?even? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?hurry,??and? ?he? ?urged,? ?“The? ?Emperor? ?is? ?probably? ?already? ?waiting? ?for? ?us,? ?please? ?let’s? ?go,? ?Your??Highness!”? ?The? ?other? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?could? ?only? ?give? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?confused? ?look? ?before??turning? ?to? ?leave.???Xie? ?Lian? ?stayed? ?where? ?he? ?was,? ?as? ?they? ?walked? ?away,? ?and? ?soon,? ?whispers? ?from? ?officials??of? ?a? ?lower? ?rank? ?floated? ?into? ?his? ?ears? ?from? ?afar.???“...? ?Well? ?that? ?was? ?awkward.? ?The? ?world? ?is? ?such? ?a? ?small? ?place.”???“But? ?they’re? ?both? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?heavens,? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?matter? ?of? ?time.? ?If? ?you? ?ask? ?me,??General? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?bumping? ?into? ?General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?is? ?more? ?exciting? ?an? ?affair.”???“Hahaha,? ?what’s? ?the? ?rush?? ?They’ll? ?be? ?bumping? ?into? ?each? ?other? ?real? ?soon!? ?They’re? ?all??waiting? ?for? ?him? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?aren’t? ?they?”???Suddenly,? ?someone? ?commented,? ?“Nevermind? ?a? ?small? ?world,? ?really? ?it’s? ?people? ?comparing??each? ?other? ?that? ?really? ?does? ?it.? ?People? ?really? ?are? ?so? ?different? ?from? ?one? ?another;? ?they’re??both? ?Crown? ?Princes,? ?but? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?is? ?truly? ?noble,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?him,? ?he??wouldn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?shameful? ?even? ?when? ?fallen? ?from? ?grace.”???“The? ?kingdom? ?of? ?Yong’An? ?is? ?more? ?prosperous? ?than? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?after? ?all,? ?so? ?of??course? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Yong’An? ?would? ?be? ?stronger? ?than? ?that? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?How? ?the??grass? ?grows? ?depends? ?on? ?the? ?land? ?it? ?grew? ?on.? ?Simple? ?logic.”???The? ?Northern? ?territory? ?belonged? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ming? ?Guang,? ?the? ?Martial? ?God? ?Pei? ?Ming;??the? ?Western? ?Palace? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?was? ?Quan? ?Yizheng;? ?The? ?Southeast? ?Palace? ?of? ?Nan? ?Yang??was? ?Feng? ?Xin;? ?the? ?Southwest? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing;? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?the??Eastern? ?territory? ?belonged? ?to? ?was? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Tai? ?Hua,? ?the? ?Martial? ?God? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.????Lang? ?Qianqiu,? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?mortal,? ?was? ?a? ?crown? ?prince? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?However,? ?he??was? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Yong’An.? ?The? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Yong’An? ?was? ?the? ?country? ?that? ?built??over? ?the? ?fall? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?and? ?the? ?founder? ?of? ?Yong’An? ?was? ?the? ?rebel? ?general? ?who??successfully? ?overthrew? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?of? ?Xianle.???When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?drifted? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?he? ?had? ?also? ?visited? ?the? ?east,? ?and? ?naturally??knew? ?that? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Yong’An? ?had? ?ascended.? ?As? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?it? ?would? ?be??inevitable? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?bump? ?into? ?each? ?other,? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?think? ?much? ?of? ?it.? ?Maybe? ?to??anyone? ?else,? ?the? ?gossiping? ?whispers,? ?albeit? ?not? ?really? ?whispers,? ?would? ?probably? ?never??be? ?heard? ?for? ?fear? ?of? ?retribution.? ?But? ?those? ?words? ?were? ?uttered? ?without? ?fear? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian??hearing,? ?maybe? ?even? ?hoping? ?for? ?something? ?exciting? ?to? ?happen? ?should? ?he? ?overheard,? ?so??Xie? ?Lian? ?pretended? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?nothing,? ?and? ?casually? ?walked? ?away.? ?Just? ?then,? ?another??voice? ?came? ?from? ?behind? ?called? ?out,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”???‘Not? ?again?!’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?but? ?this? ?time? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?around,? ?it? ?was? ?someone??who? ?was? ?addressing? ?him? ?for? ?real.? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?with? ?her? ?two? ?dark? ?circled? ?eyes? ?and? ?arms? ?full??of? ?scrolls,? ?approached? ?him,? ?“Everyone? ?has? ?gone? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?for? ?the??meeting.? ?Be? ?more? ?mindful? ?once? ?you’ve? ?reached? ?the? ?hall.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior’s? ?sentence? ?will? ?be?”???“Exile,? ?probably.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.???‘That’s? ?actually? ?not? ?too? ?bad.? ?Not? ?too? ?severe.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.???Exile? ?was? ?considered? ?a? ?‘Temporary? ?Banishment’? ?for? ?officials? ?who? ?committed? ?crimes,??meaning? ?the? ?term? ?of? ?punishment? ?was? ?negotiable,? ?and? ?there? ?may? ?still? ?be? ?opportunities? ?for??resuming? ?duties.? ?If? ?one? ?day? ?they? ?should? ?be? ?found? ?to? ?be? ?on? ?their? ?best? ?behaviour,? ?they??may? ?yet? ?get? ?fished? ?back? ?up;? ?maybe? ?in? ?thirty? ?to? ?fifty? ?years,? ?maybe? ?in? ?a? ?hundred? ?or? ?two??hundred? ?years.? ?But? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?‘not? ?too? ?bad’? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?to? ?his? ?standards.? ?To? ?General??Pei? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?a? ?completely? ?different? ?story.???Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?another? ?thing? ?and? ?said,? ?“Oh? ?yea.? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?how? ?goes? ?the? ?search??for? ?the? ?boy? ?with? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?from? ?Mount? ?Yujun? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?about? ?last? ?time???Do? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?news?”???“I’m? ?really? ?sorry,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?anything? ?at? ?the? ?moment.? ?We’re? ?working? ?on??it.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.???Even? ?for? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?to? ?find? ?a? ?person? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?vast? ?world? ?was? ?not? ?an? ?easy? ?task.??Although? ?the? ?heavens? ?may? ?be? ?faster,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?only? ?a? ?difference? ?between? ?ten? ?years? ?in??the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?versus? ?one? ?year? ?in? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?express? ?gratitude,??“Thank? ?you? ?for? ?your? ?hard? ?work.”???Just? ?then,? ?they? ?reached? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?avenue,? ?and? ?a? ?majestic? ?palace? ?came? ?to? ?view??before? ?him.????The? ?palace? ?had? ?stood? ?through? ?the? ?ages,? ?yet? ?it? ?only? ?showed? ?enduring? ?excellence,? ?and??none? ?of? ?its? ?antiquity;? ?layers? ?of? ?glazed? ?golden? ?shingles? ?pyramided,? ?blinding? ?in? ?their??scintillation.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?‘The? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall’??beneath? ?the? ?golden? ?roof,? ?the? ?words? ?written? ?with? ?power? ?and? ?with? ?vigour? ?were? ?exactly? ?the??same? ?as? ?a? ?few? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago,? ?unchanging.? ?He? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?stepped? ?into??the? ?hall.? ?Within,? ?numerous? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?had? ?already? ?gathered,? ?either? ?in? ?their? ?own??groups? ?of? ?two? ?or? ?three,? ?or? ?by? ?their? ?own? ?lonesome,? ?standing? ?in? ?silence.???The? ?only? ?ones? ?who? ?may? ?enter? ?the? ?hall? ?were? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?had? ?officially??ascended,? ?all? ?imperial? ?sons? ?of? ?heavens? ?or? ?indomitable? ?overlords,? ?each? ?bursting? ?with??spiritual? ?might.? ?They? ?eyed? ?each? ?other? ?in? ?silent? ?pride? ?and? ?judgment,? ?their? ?splendor??overwhelming.? ?At? ?this? ?time? ?and? ?place,? ?everyone? ?held? ?their? ?breaths,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?make? ?a??sound.? ?On? ?the? ?throne? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?sat? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?decked? ?in? ?a? ?pure? ?white??armour.???This? ?martial? ?god? ?was? ?refined? ?and? ?dignified,? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed? ?and? ?his? ?lips? ?unspeaking,??poised? ?and? ?solemn.? ?Behind? ?him? ?was? ?the? ?magnificent? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?but? ?beneath? ?his??feet? ?was? ?a? ?pure? ?white? ?snowy? ?peak.? ?As? ?if? ?sensing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?entering? ?the? ?hall,? ?he? ?opened??his? ?eyes.???That? ?pair? ?of? ?eyes? ?were? ?obsidian? ?black? ?but? ?bright? ?and? ?clear,? ?as? ?if? ?formed? ?by? ?the? ?melted??snow? ?of? ?a? ?lake? ?frozen? ?for? ?millions? ?of? ?years.? ?When? ?he? ?blinked? ?open? ?his? ?eyes,? ?this? ?martial??god? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?“Xianle,? ?you’ve? ?come.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?in? ?a? ?bow? ?and? ?said? ?nothing.???When? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spoke,? ?he? ?was? ?not? ?loud,? ?but? ?his? ?deep? ?voice? ?echoed? ?through? ?the? ?entire??Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.? ?Then,? ?all? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?the? ?officials? ?focused? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?he??understood? ?immediately.???It? ?appeared? ?this? ?meeting? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?discussing? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?and? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass??scandal.????The? ?spotlight,? ?it? ?seemed,? ?was? ?on? ?him.???

?

?1.Jun? ?Wu? ?translates? ?to? ?‘The? ?Lord,? ?I? ?Am’? ???????Ch.33:? ?In? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall;? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Meets? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?3????Ling? ?Wen? ?approached? ?the? ?throne,? ?dressed? ?all? ?in? ?black? ?and? ?without? ?a? ?word? ?or? ?smile,? ?drew??a? ?line? ?through? ?an? ?item? ?on? ?her? ?memo.? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?there? ?are? ?a? ?few? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?still? ?on??patrol? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?unable? ?to? ?return.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?nodded,? ?“They? ?have? ?already? ?reported? ?in.”???Ling? ?Wen? ?acknowledged? ?the? ?response,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Xianle,? ?I’m? ?sure??you? ?are? ?curious? ?as? ?to? ?why? ?you? ?have? ?been? ?summoned? ?here? ?today.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?bowed,? ?“I? ?can? ?guess.? ?However,? ?I? ?had? ?assumed? ?the? ?matter? ?with??General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?was? ?already? ?settled.”???Just? ?then,? ?a? ?man’s? ?voice? ?rang? ?out,? ?“Whether? ?if? ?it’s? ?been? ?settled? ?is? ?yet? ?hard? ?to? ?say.”???The? ?voice? ?that? ?came? ?behind? ?was? ?lyrical,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look,? ?a??martial? ?god? ?stepped? ?into? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?his? ?hand? ?resting? ?on? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?he??walked? ?towards? ?the? ?front.? ?When? ?he? ?passed? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?the??corners? ?of? ?his? ?lips? ?lifted,? ?“Your? ?Royal? ?Highness.? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?much? ?about? ?you.”???This? ?martial? ?god? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?about? ?twenty-six? ?to? ?twenty-seven? ?years? ?old,? ?graceful? ?and??confident? ?in? ?his? ?actions.? ?Looking? ?at? ?his? ?face,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?he? ?looked? ?even? ?more??handsome? ?than? ?that? ?statue? ?he? ?saw? ?at? ?Mount? ?Yujun,? ?and? ?it’s? ?the? ?kind? ?of? ?handsome? ?that??could? ?definitely? ?steal? ?hearts.? ?Very? ?much? ?the? ?charming? ?type.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?and??he? ?continued,? ?“Our? ?Little? ?Pei? ?has? ?been? ?in? ?your? ?care.”???‘I’ve? ?definitely? ?offended? ?him.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?and? ?returned? ?the? ?greeting,? ?“Please? ?don’t??trouble? ?yourself? ?over? ?it.? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?much? ?about? ?you? ?as? ?well.”???The? ?words? ?‘I’ve? ?heard? ?much? ?about? ?you’? ?were? ?certainly? ?not? ?a? ?lie.? ?In? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days,? ?Xie??Lian? ?skimmed? ?through? ?his? ?scroll,? ?and? ?briefly? ?read? ?through? ?the? ?legends? ?of? ?some? ?of? ?the??more? ?famous? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?and? ?one? ?of? ?them? ?was? ?General? ?Ming? ?Guang,? ?Pei? ?Ming.????This? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?North? ?was? ?skilled? ?in? ?battle,? ?but? ?the? ?most? ?talked? ?about? ?amongst??the? ?mortals? ?was? ?stories? ?of? ?his? ?many? ?affairs,? ?good? ?and? ?bad,? ?within? ?wanton? ?alleys.? ?The??good? ?had? ?stories? ?like? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?using? ?copious? ?amounts? ?of? ?gold? ?to? ?help? ?save? ?a? ?pitiful??prostitute? ?from? ?the? ?brothels,? ?she? ?fell? ?in? ?love? ?with? ?him? ?and? ?forever? ?remained? ?pure? ?and? ?true??to? ?await? ?his? ?return.? ?The? ?bad? ?had? ?stories? ?like? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?crossing? ?thousands? ?of? ?miles? ?to??spend? ?a? ?one? ?night? ?stand? ?with? ?a? ?married? ?woman,? ?etc.,? ?etc.? ?On? ?some? ?level,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was??an? ?awe-inspiring? ?man.? ?After? ?reading? ?through? ?his? ?stories,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?quite??unbelievable? ?that? ?after? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?only? ?one? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?that? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?that? ?way? ?of? ?life.???Because? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?skilled? ?in? ?both? ?battle? ?and? ?in? ?love,? ?many? ?of? ?his? ?rivals? ?and? ?fellows??loved? ?cursing? ?him? ?to? ?go? ?die,? ?and? ?even? ?better? ?if? ?he’d? ?die? ?from? ?syphilis.? ?But,? ?his? ?life? ?force??was? ?tough,? ?and? ?he? ?never? ?got? ?infected? ?with? ?anything? ?even? ?after? ?the? ?many? ?flowers? ?he’d??picked;? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?die,? ?and? ?he’d? ?even? ?live? ?longer? ?than? ?most? ?of? ?his? ?fellows!? ?Until? ?finally,??one? ?day? ?he? ?lost? ?a? ?battle,? ?and? ?everyone? ?laughed? ?thinking? ?at? ?last? ?it’s? ?his? ?end!? ?But? ?then??lightning? ?crashed? ?and? ?thunder? ?roared? ?–? ?in? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?danger,? ?he? ?ascended? ?to? ?the??heavens.???Those? ?who? ?didn’t? ?die? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?probably? ?all? ?died? ?from? ?outrage.???After? ?ascension,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?didn’t? ?change? ?his? ?way? ?of? ?life? ?and? ?the? ?scale? ?of? ?his? ?tales? ?of??promiscuity? ?greatly? ?expanded.? ?From? ?fairies? ?and? ?lady? ?officials? ?to? ?female? ?ghosts? ?and??demons,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?beautiful,? ?he? ?would? ?pluck? ?them.? ?Nonetheless,? ?his??favourite? ?type? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?charming? ?ladies? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?Many? ?indecent? ?love??stories? ?all? ?had? ?him? ?starring? ?as? ?the? ?main? ?male? ?lead,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?method??of? ?cultivation? ?that? ?demanded? ?purity? ?of? ?body? ?and? ?of? ?mind,? ?he’d? ?probably? ?read? ?a? ?couple? ?of??those? ?books? ?just? ?out? ?of? ?curiosity.???Thus,? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?Martial? ?God? ?that? ?ruled? ?the? ?North,? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?also? ?worshipped??him? ?as? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Love.? ?Even? ?some? ?officials? ?would? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?secretly? ?pray? ?to? ?him??should? ?they? ?bump? ?into? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?heavens,? ?hoping? ?for? ?some? ?fortune? ?in? ?love.? ?It? ?had? ?to? ?be??said,? ?that? ?although? ?similar,? ?that? ?title? ?was? ?definitely? ?better? ?than? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?unwarranted??title? ?‘Ju? ?Yang’.???All? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?present? ?in? ?the? ?hall? ?knew? ?in? ?their? ?hearts? ?what? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?“I’ve??heard? ?much? ?about? ?you”? ?meant,? ?and? ?many? ?roared? ?with? ?laughter? ?in? ?their? ?minds.? ?After? ?the??pleasantries,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“What? ?does? ?General? ?Pei? ?mean? ?by? ?“Not? ?necessarily? ?settled”?”???Pei? ?Ming? ?snapped? ?his? ?fingers,? ?and? ?a? ?corpse? ?floating? ?in? ?midair? ?suddenly? ?appeared? ?in? ?the??middle? ?of? ?the? ?great? ?hall.???Strictly? ?speaking,? ?this? ?floating? ?body? ?was? ?an? ?empty? ?shell.? ?It? ?had? ?no? ?soul,? ?completely??empty? ?on? ?the? ?inside,? ?and? ?covered? ?in? ?blood? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a??corpse.? ?To? ?have? ?something? ?of? ?this? ?sort? ?appear? ?before? ?an? ?elegant? ?crowd? ?like? ?the? ?heavenly??officials? ?was? ?a? ?shock.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?was? ?also? ?brought? ?in,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?looked??indifferent? ?and? ?apathetic? ?even? ?with? ?shackles? ?binding? ?his? ?person,? ?his? ?head? ?bowed? ?low,??unspeaking.???“General? ?Pei,? ?what’s? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?this?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???Pei? ?Su? ?knelt? ?down? ?within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?replied,? ?“A? ?few? ?days? ?ago? ?I??went? ?to? ?visit? ?Little? ?Pei,? ?and? ?he? ?mentioned? ?something? ?interesting.”????Pei? ?Ming? ?paced? ?half? ?a? ?circle? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“I’m? ?quite? ?familiar? ?with? ?Little??Pei’s? ?ability.? ?Even? ?if? ?his? ?clone’s? ?powers? ?are? ?reduced? ?and? ?nowhere? ?near? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?his??true? ?self,? ?it’s? ?still? ?quite? ?competent.? ?It’s? ?still? ?capable? ?to? ?fight? ?evenly? ?with? ?a? ?‘Savage’.??However,? ?he? ?told? ?me? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?mortal? ?that? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?beat? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?he??had? ?to? ?relent.? ?Now? ?isn’t? ?that? ?interesting?”???Pei? ?Ming? ?continued,? ?“And? ?so? ?I? ?questioned? ?him,? ?and? ?apparently,? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?there? ?was? ?a??red-clothed? ?young? ?man? ?next? ?to? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?while? ?you? ?were? ?at? ?the? ?Banyue??Pass.”???Hearing? ?the? ?words? ?“red-clothed”? ?made? ?all? ?the? ?officials? ?present? ?shift? ?expressions.? ?Then,??Pei? ?Ming’s? ?following? ?words? ?made? ?them? ?all? ?agitated.? ?He? ?said,? ?“And? ?this? ?young? ?man,? ?in? ?the??dark,? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?eradicate? ?all? ?the? ?menacing? ?Banyue? ?soldiers? ?in? ?a? ?flash.”???“–? ?Now,? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness.? ?Might? ?you? ?enlighten? ?us? ?who? ?this? ?red-clothed? ?young? ?man??might? ?be?”???If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?‘Savage’? ?then? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?‘Supreme’.? ?And? ?one? ?that? ?could? ?kill? ?hundreds? ?of??‘Savage’s? ?in? ?a? ?flash,? ?dressed? ?all? ?in? ?red.???Anyone? ?could? ?guess? ?who? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?could? ?possibly? ?be,? ?yet? ?no? ?one? ?wanted? ?to? ?be??the? ?first? ?to? ?say? ?the? ?name.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stole? ?a? ?glimpse? ?at? ?the? ?mute? ?Pei? ?Su,? ?and? ?replied? ?a? ?little??unnaturally,? ?“Ahem,? ?really?? ?About? ?that.? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?remember? ?it? ?well.? ?There? ?was? ?also? ?a??caravan? ?that? ?was? ?trapped? ?in? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?and? ?we? ?spent? ?a? ?few? ?days??together,? ?so? ?maybe? ?it? ?was? ?someone? ?from? ?the? ?caravan.”???Pei? ?Ming? ?smiled,? ?“That? ?can’t? ?be? ?right,? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness.? ?According? ?to? ?Little? ?Pei,? ?you??and? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?were? ?abnormally? ?close,? ?not? ?like? ?someone? ?you’ve? ?just? ?met? ?for? ?only? ?a??few? ?days.? ?How? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?remember?”???‘No,? ?you’re? ?wrong.? ?That? ?was? ?the? ?truth.? ?It? ?really? ?was? ?only? ?just? ?a? ?few? ?days.’? ?Xie? ?Lian??thought.? ?Nevertheless,? ?his? ?expression? ?gave? ?nothing? ?away.????Just? ?then,? ?from? ?the? ?sidelines? ?a? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?casually? ?waved? ?his? ?whisk? ?and? ?spoke??up,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?you’ve? ?only? ?heard? ?Little? ?Pei’s? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?story.? ?Little? ?Pei? ?has? ?committed??a? ?crime;? ?he’s? ?currently? ?in? ?detention? ?soon? ?to? ?be? ?exiled.? ?Whether? ?his? ?words? ?are? ?believable??needs? ?to? ?be? ?discerned,? ?no?”???“Then? ?we? ?shall? ?see? ?if? ?General? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?and? ?General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?can? ?give? ?us? ?a? ?hand.”??Pei? ?Ming? ?replied.???Following? ?his? ?line? ?of? ?sight,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?standing? ?separately? ?on??the? ?southwest? ?and? ?southeast? ?corners? ?of? ?the? ?hall.???Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?looked? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?in? ?his? ?memories;? ?standing? ?tall? ?and? ?straight,? ?his? ?eyes??determined,? ?and? ?brows? ?always? ?slightly? ?furrowed,? ?as? ?if? ?there’s? ?always? ?something??annoying? ?him,? ?but? ?really? ?he’s? ?not? ?annoyed? ?at? ?all.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was??somewhat? ?different? ?than? ?what? ?he? ?remembered.? ?Although? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?still? ?pale? ?as? ?chalk??without? ?much? ?blood,? ?his? ?thin? ?lips? ?pursed,? ?his? ?eyes? ?half? ?lidded,? ?yet? ?there’s? ?a? ?cool? ?air? ?of??‘don’t? ?talk? ?to? ?me’? ?surrounding? ?him.? ?He? ?stood? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed,? ?a? ?finger? ?on? ?his? ?right??hand? ?tapping? ?his? ?left? ?elbow? ?softly,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?either? ?at? ?ease,? ?or? ?more? ?like? ?he? ?was??scheming? ?something.????The? ?two? ?were? ?definitely? ?good-looking? ?men,? ?but? ?each? ?had? ?their? ?own? ?flaws.? ?Hearing? ?Pei??Ming? ?calling? ?them? ?out,? ?they? ?both? ?looked? ?towards? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?It? ?was? ?only??until? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?gave? ?a? ?slight? ?nod? ?before? ?they? ?stepped? ?forward? ?reluctantly.???This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?since? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?third? ?ascension? ?that? ?he’d? ?come? ?face? ?to? ?face? ?with??the? ?two? ?of? ?them.? ?He? ?could? ?sense? ?all? ?the? ?eyes? ?on? ?them? ?going? ?wilder.???Wild? ?was? ?inevitable.? ?The? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?was? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?martial? ?palace? ?of??heaven;? ?non-heavenly? ?officials? ?had? ?no? ?entry? ?rights? ?to? ?discuss? ?matters.? ?The? ?first? ?time? ?the??Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Xianle? ?ascended,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?his? ?deputy? ?generals.? ?At??the? ?time,? ?they? ?were? ?only? ?low? ?ranking? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?middle? ?court? ?without? ?even? ?the? ?right??to? ?run? ?errands? ?within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.? ?And? ?now,? ?not? ?only? ?could? ?the? ?junior? ?officials??of? ?back? ?then? ?now? ?stand? ?in? ?the? ?hall,? ?their? ?rankings? ?were? ?even? ?higher? ?than? ?that? ?of? ?their? ?old??master,? ?truly? ?a? ?turn? ?of? ?fate!????The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?eyes? ?flitting? ?all? ?over,? ?stealing? ?glimpses? ?at? ?each??other? ?but? ?pretending? ?not? ?to? ?care,? ?who? ?knows? ?that? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?were? ?thinking.? ?However,??Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?roughly? ?guess? ?why? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?called? ?them? ?out? ?to? ?help.???As? ?suspected,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“General? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?and? ?General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?had? ?both??fought? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?before.? ?I’m? ?sure? ?they? ?have? ?the? ?authority? ?to? ?speak? ?on? ?the? ?weapon??of? ?that? ?person.”???So? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?bringing? ?forth? ?the? ?empty? ?shell? ?A-Zhao? ?was? ?for? ?all? ?to? ?inspect? ?its? ?wounds.??Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?slowly? ?approached? ?the? ?floating? ?body.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?took? ?a? ?few??steps? ?forward? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?so? ?much? ?blood? ?darkened? ?to? ?black? ?spots,? ?it??was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell? ?anything.? ?The? ?other? ?two,? ?face? ?austere,? ?took? ?their? ?time? ?in? ?their? ?inspection.??Finally,? ?they? ?raised? ?their? ?heads? ?and? ?swept? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?neither? ?of? ?them? ?wanting??to? ?speak? ?first.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?spoke? ?up? ?from? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?throne,? ?“Generals.? ?Conclusion?”???It? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?spoke? ?first,? ?his? ?voice? ?dark,? ?“It’s? ?him.”???“The? ?scimitar? ?E’ming.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?added.???Among? ?all? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?present? ?in? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?it? ?was? ?probably? ?only??Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?didn’t? ?know? ?the? ?significance? ?of? ?those? ?words.???The? ?scimitar? ?E’ming? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?same? ?freakish? ?weapon? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?used? ?when? ?he??singularly? ?challenged? ?the? ?thirty-three? ?officials? ?and? ?beat? ?them? ?to? ?a? ?pulp,? ?decimating? ?their??soul? ?and? ?dignity!???Within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?started? ?whispering? ?to? ?each? ?other,? ?the??eyes? ?watching? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unreadable.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?attained? ?his? ?objective,? ?“Much? ?thanks??to? ?the? ?two? ?generals? ?for? ?confirming? ?this? ?fact.? ?If? ?the? ?red-clothed? ?young? ?man? ?who? ?traveled??next? ?to? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?really? ?was? ?that? ?person,? ?then? ?this? ?whole? ?matter? ?is? ?going? ?to??be? ?more? ?complicated.”???The? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?from? ?before? ?spoke? ?up? ?again,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?are? ?you? ?saying? ?His??Royal? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Xianle? ?colluded? ?with? ?a? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King??specifically? ?to? ?frame? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior?”???Both? ?times? ?when? ?that? ?cultivator? ?spoke,? ?he? ?was? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?side,? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?take? ?a??look? ?at? ?who? ?exactly? ?this? ?curious? ?fellow? ?cultivator? ?was.? ?What? ?he? ?saw? ?was? ?a? ?cultivator? ?with??clear,? ?bright? ?eyes;? ?He? ?had? ?a? ?whisk? ?between? ?his? ?arms,? ?a? ?long? ?sword? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?back,??and? ?a? ?folding? ?fan? ?tucked? ?in? ?his? ?white? ?jaded? ?belt.? ?His? ?form? ?was? ?graceful? ?and? ?elegant,? ?his??expression? ?spirited.? ?He? ?looked? ?familiar? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?recall? ?when? ?he? ?had? ?met??anyone? ?like? ?this.????Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?glanced? ?at? ?him,? ?but? ?like? ?an? ?irritated? ?elder? ?would? ?when? ?they? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to??deal? ?with? ?children.? ?He? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?waved? ?dismissively,? ?withdrawing? ?the? ?floating??empty? ?shell? ?that? ?was? ?A-Zhao,? ?then? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?continued? ?his? ?argument,? ?“It? ?may??not? ?be? ?collusion.? ?Except,? ?that? ?person? ?is? ?powerful? ?and? ?wicked,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?he? ?might’ve??used? ?deceptive? ?tricks? ?to? ?blind? ?His? ?Royal? ?Highness..”???His? ?intention? ?was? ?to? ?make? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?out? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?real? ?perpetrator? ?behind? ?the? ?chaos? ?of??Banyue? ?Pass!? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rebuked,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?believe? ?me,? ?you? ?should??still? ?believe? ?in? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?Back? ?in? ?the? ?Sinner’s? ?Pit,? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?admitted? ?to??the? ?crime? ?of? ?luring? ?passersby? ?to? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass? ?with? ?his? ?clone,? ?and? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master??heard? ?everything.”???Pei? ?Ming? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Besides,? ?since??we’re? ?both? ?here? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?you? ?can? ?very? ?well? ?ask? ?our? ?lord? ?whether? ?if? ?I??have? ?traces? ?of? ?any? ?spells? ?of? ?deception? ?on? ?my? ?person.”???Jun? ?Wu,? ?who? ?sat? ?high? ?above,? ?remained? ?calm? ?and? ?unchanging,? ?meaning? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was??cleared.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?continued,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?let’s? ?keep? ?things? ?clear? ?and? ?separate.??Let’s? ?not? ?talk? ?about? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?young? ?man? ?I? ?traveled? ?with? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?or? ?not,? ?and??even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?confirmed? ?to? ?be? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?it? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?what? ?General? ?Pei??Junior? ?had? ?done.? ?A? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King? ?might? ?have? ?the? ?worst? ?of? ?names? ?on? ?people’s??lips,? ?but? ?not? ?everything? ?can? ?be? ?blamed? ?on? ?him? ?either.”???His? ?expression? ?was? ?composed? ?and? ?neutral? ?when? ?the? ?name? ?was? ?uttered,? ?but? ?many? ?in? ?the??hall? ?had? ?cold? ?shivers? ?run? ?down? ?their? ?backs.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?replied,? ?“No? ?matter? ?what,? ?I? ?believe??this? ?affair? ?needs? ?to? ?be? ?reexamined.? ?It’d? ?be? ?best? ?if? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?has??taken? ?away,? ?Ban? ?Yue,? ?could? ?be? ?brought? ?in? ?for? ?interrogation? ?too.”????To? ?interrogate? ?her? ?for? ?what?? ?Force? ?her? ?to? ?lie?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?responded? ?when??someone? ?else? ?spoke? ?up? ?first.? ?Pei? ?Su? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?remain? ?in? ?the? ?Great??Martial? ?Hall? ?anymore,? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“General.? ?Let? ?it? ?go.”????“What?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?irritated.???“There? ?isn’t? ?any? ?spell? ?of? ?deception.? ?It’s? ?all? ?my? ?doing,? ?I’ve? ?disappointed? ?you.”? ?Pei? ?Su??confessed.???Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?just? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?clearing? ?his? ?name,? ?but? ?he? ?himself? ?went? ?and? ?said? ?this.??Pei? ?Ming? ?turned? ?cold,? ?and? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“What? ?enchantment? ?concoction? ?did? ?that? ?Ban? ?Yue??Guoshi? ?feed? ?you?? ?Shut? ?your? ?mouth.”????However,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go,? ?general!? ?Little? ?Pei? ?isn’t? ?afraid? ?to? ?admit? ?to??things? ?I’ve? ?done.? ?Since? ?I’ve? ?been? ?caught? ?red-handed,? ?then? ?I’m? ?not? ?afraid? ?to? ?receive??whatever? ?the? ?punishment.”???Pei? ?Ming’s? ?face? ?was? ?written? ?full? ?of? ?the? ?shock? ?of:? ?you’ve? ?always? ?been? ?so? ?mature? ?and??competent,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?suddenly? ?go? ?nuts? ?today?? ?And? ?he? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?kick? ?Pei? ?Su??over? ?the? ?head? ?to? ?wake? ?him? ?up? ?when? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Enough.”????The? ?moment? ?he? ?spoke,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?withdrew? ?his? ?leg? ?and? ?bowed.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spoke? ?languidly,??“The? ?matter? ?of? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass? ?is? ?settled.? ?Take? ?Little? ?Pei? ?down? ?and? ?exile? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?next??few? ?days.”???After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?acknowledged,? ?“Yes,? ?my? ?lord.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?just? ?breathed? ?in? ?relief? ?when? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?continued,? ?“But? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?and? ?Xuan??Zhen? ?have? ?proven? ?that? ?the? ?wounds? ?on? ?that? ?empty? ?shell? ?were? ?indeed? ?inflicted? ?by? ?the??scimitar? ?E’ming.”???“I? ?understand.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?replied,? ?“That? ?is? ?a? ?whole? ?other? ?matter.”????“Pray? ?my? ?lord? ?will? ?look? ?into? ?this? ?matter.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.???“I? ?will? ?naturally? ?investigate.? ?Ming? ?Guang? ?and? ?fellow? ?deities? ?have? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?concern.”??After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued,? ?“You? ?are? ?all? ?dismissed? ?for? ?today.? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?you? ?stay.”???It? ?looked? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?be? ?personally? ?interrogated.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?had??nothing? ?left? ?to? ?say? ?and? ?bowed? ?their? ?heads,? ?“Yes,? ?my? ?lord.”???Dismissed,? ?the? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?exited? ?in? ?their? ?groups? ?of? ?two? ?or? ?threes.? ?When??Feng? ?Xin? ?passed? ?by,? ?he? ?glanced? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?something? ?to? ?say,? ?but??stopped? ?himself.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?startled? ?before? ?hurrying? ?away.? ?Mu??Qing? ?however,? ?walked? ?passed? ?never? ?sparing? ?a? ?look,? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?existed.? ?That??white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?walked? ?over? ?with? ?his? ?whisk? ?in? ?hand? ?and? ?a? ?huge? ?smile? ?ready? ?to??speak? ?when? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?who? ?had? ?just? ?lost? ?favour,? ?walked? ?over? ?too? ?with? ?one? ?hand? ?resting??on? ?his? ?hilt? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?rubbing? ?his? ?nose,? ?and? ?said? ?helplessly,? ?“Qingxuan,? ?for? ?your??brother’s? ?sake,? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?stir? ?up? ?trouble?”???The? ?smile? ?disappeared? ?from? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?there’s??no? ?need? ?to? ?use? ?my? ?brother? ?against? ?me,? ?I’m? ?not? ?afraid? ?of? ?him.”???“You–”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?enraged? ?but? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?anything.? ?Finally,? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?him,??“You...? ?You’ve? ?really? ?done? ?Little? ?Pei? ?in? ?now.? ?Two? ?hundred? ?years? ?of? ?exile.”???The? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?swung? ?his? ?whisk? ?wildly,? ?“That’s? ?Little? ?Pei’s? ?own? ?doing,? ?this? ?has??nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?me!”? ?Looking? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?continue? ?to? ?quarrel? ?with? ?Pei? ?Ming,??the? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?ran? ?off.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?might? ?stick? ?around? ?to? ?taunt??him? ?further,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?and? ?exited? ?the? ?hall? ?willfully.? ?In? ?the? ?large? ?and? ?spacious? ?Great??Martial? ?Hall,? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?remained? ?besides? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?below??the? ?throne? ?was? ?actually? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Yong’An,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was??curious,? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?stay?? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?approached,? ?this? ?guy? ?had? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed,? ?fast??asleep? ?while? ?standing.???Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?and? ?feeling? ?quite? ?awed,? ?he? ?gently? ?tapped??the? ?young? ?man’s? ?shoulder,? ?“Your? ?Highness.? ?Your? ?Highness?”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?woke? ?with? ?a? ?jerk,? ?“What’s? ?happened?!”????“Nothing’s? ?happened.? ?The? ?meeting? ?is? ?over.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained.???Having? ?just? ?woken? ?up,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?dazed? ?and? ?asked? ?in? ?confusion,??“Over?? ?Just? ?like? ?that?? ?What? ?did? ?we? ?all? ?discuss?? ?I? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?anything?”???“If? ?you? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?anything? ?then? ?nevermind,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?important??anyway.? ?Come? ?now,? ?time? ?to? ?go? ?back.”???“Oh!”? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?left,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?reached? ?the? ?doors? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?still? ?confused??but? ?gave? ?XIe? ?Lian? ?a? ?big? ?smile,? ?“Thanks? ?for? ?waking? ?me!”????Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?smile.? ?When? ?finally? ?everyone? ?has? ?cleared? ?out,? ?Xie? ?Lian??slowly? ?turned? ?around.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?also? ?descended? ?from? ?the? ?throne,? ?hands? ?behind? ?his? ?back,??and? ?came? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower.? ?The? ?scimitar? ?E’ming.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?cat? ?picked? ?up? ?by? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?neck,? ?and? ?he? ?involuntarily??straightened? ?up.???“So.? ?What? ?is? ?going? ?on?”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?asked.???Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?then? ?suddenly? ?kneeled.???Before? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?knees? ?touched? ?the? ?floor,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?held? ?his? ?elbow,??preventing? ?him? ?from? ?kneeling.? ?He? ?sighed,? ?“Xian? ?Le.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?straightened? ?once? ?more,? ?his? ?head? ?bowed,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?watched? ?him,? ?“Then? ?do? ?you? ?admit? ?to? ?your? ?wrongs?”???“I? ?do.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.???“Then? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?tell? ?me? ?what? ?the? ?wrong? ?is?”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?questioned.??

?

??MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:???Everyone? ?knows? ?me,? ?right?? ?Other? ?than? ?the? ?main? ?ship,? ?everyone? ?is? ?straight.? ?There??are? ?no? ?male? ?characters? ?who? ?will? ?spark? ?love? ?with? ?the? ?Gong? ?or? ?Shou.???I? ?see? ?in? ?the? ?comments? ?section,? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?people? ?are? ?torn? ?over? ?this,? ?and? ?I? ?feel? ?the??understanding? ?is? ?a? ?bit? ?off,? ?so? ?let? ?me? ?explain? ?again? ?here:???SV? ?is? ?SV,? ?MDZS? ?is? ?MDZS,? ?and? ?TGCF? ?is? ?TGCF.? ?SV? ?being? ?the? ?first? ?novel? ?has? ?many??exceptions? ?so? ?it’s? ?out? ?of? ?discussion.? ?MDZS? ?and? ?TGCF? ?are? ?both? ?main? ?ships? ?only,??ok.? ?I’ve? ?said? ?this? ?more? ?than? ?once? ?already? ?during? ?MDZS’? ?serialization,? ?and? ?I’ve??mentioned? ?this? ?repeatedly? ?again? ?in? ?many? ?other? ?places.? ?Especially? ?MXY.? ?While??he’s? ?also? ?a? ?little? ?gay,? ?but? ?he? ?died? ?from? ?the? ?get? ?go,? ?so? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?count? ?as? ?a? ?formal??character......? ?Everyone? ?can? ?make? ?up? ?headcanons? ?as? ?they? ?like,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?the??main? ?ship? ?isn’t? ?broken? ?or? ?switched,? ?it’s? ?fine.? ?But? ?personally,? ?my? ?work? ?definitely??veers? ?towards? ?having? ?only? ?one? ?gay? ?couple,? ?so? ?this? ?work? ?has? ?no? ?plans? ?for? ?a? ?side??ship.? ?I’m? ?saying? ?this? ?for? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?avoiding? ?completely? ?unnecessary? ?disputes.??——??In? ?this? ?text,? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?god,? ?one? ?must? ?first? ?become? ?a? ?hero,? ?which? ?is? ?one? ?who? ?is??special? ?amongst? ?mortals.? ?Only? ?a? ?properly? ?ascended? ?mortal? ?can? ?become? ?a??heavenly? ?official.? ?How? ?do? ?their? ?servants? ?become? ?proper? ?officials?? ?They? ?have? ?two??options:? ?first? ?they? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?adept? ?at? ?a? ?particular? ?skill,? ?and? ?enter? ?either? ?the??Martial? ?or? ?the? ?Civil? ?rank.? ?Second,? ?they? ?have? ?to? ?have? ?the? ?luck.? ?If? ?they? ?have? ?good??luck,? ?then? ?there’s? ?a? ?good? ?chance.? ?If? ?they? ?randomly? ?find? ?some? ?spiritual? ?potion? ?on??the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?road,? ?that? ?works? ?too.???The? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court? ?are? ?those? ?brought? ?in? ?by? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?as??deputy? ?generals? ?or? ?servants.? ?Basically? ?if? ?you’re? ?on? ?good? ?terms? ?with? ?the? ?big? ?guns,??they? ?can? ?pull? ?you? ?up.? ?Although? ?not? ?a? ?full-fledged? ?official,? ?you’re? ?still? ?part? ?of? ?the??heavens,? ?so? ?there’s? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?people.? ?So? ?say? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?had? ?a? ?close??relationship? ?with? ?you? ?or? ?if? ?they? ?thought? ?you? ?have? ?a? ?bright? ?future,? ?they’ll? ?promote??you? ?first.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?skill? ?and? ?chance,? ?you? ?can? ?become? ?a? ?big? ?gun??yourself? ?too!?????Ch.34:? ?In? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall;? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Meets? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?3????Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?silent? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?you? ?would? ?know.”???The? ?Martial? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?slighted? ?his? ?head,? ?gesturing? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?follow,? ?and??the? ?two? ?walked? ?slowly? ?towards? ?the? ?chambers? ?behind? ?the? ?hall.? ?As? ?they? ?walked,? ?Jun? ?Wu,??with? ?his? ?hands? ?cradled? ?in? ?front,? ?commented,? ?“Xian? ?Le? ?is? ?all? ?grown? ?up? ?now.”???Naturally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?speak? ?to? ?that? ?comment.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued,? ?“Eight??hundred? ?years? ?ago? ?when? ?I? ?sent? ?you? ?down,? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?to? ?keep? ?periodic? ?communication??with? ?me? ?so? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?rolling? ?in? ?the? ?mud? ?all? ?by? ?yourself,? ?but? ?the? ?moment? ?you? ?went??down,? ?all? ?communication? ?was? ?cut,? ?and? ?you? ?had? ?to? ?go? ?torment? ?yourself.? ?You’ve? ?ascended??for? ?some? ?time? ?now,? ?but? ?not? ?once? ?have? ?you? ?reported? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.? ?If??anyone? ?else? ?was? ?this? ?impertinent,? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?would? ?have? ?reproached? ?them??directly.”???Of? ?course? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?“I’m? ?sorry”? ?earlier? ?wasn’t? ?directed? ?to? ?this? ?matter,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?knew??this? ?too.? ?“If? ?your? ?apology? ?was? ?for? ?those? ?few? ?sword? ?stabbings,? ?then? ?let? ?it? ?go.? ?You? ?said? ?so??yourself,? ?after? ?stabbing,? ?everything? ?can? ?be? ?forgotten.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?grimaced,? ?“...How? ?could? ?I? ?forget?”???“Then? ?look? ?to? ?the? ?future.? ?There’s? ?still? ?much? ?we? ?need? ?you? ?for.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Xian? ?Le? ?is? ?but? ?a? ?lowly? ?rubbish? ?god? ?without? ?power.? ?There??is? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?me.? ?I? ?only? ?ask? ?not? ?to? ?be? ?burdensome.”???“Why? ?depreciate? ?yourself?? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?perform? ?splendidly? ?in? ?the? ?last? ?two? ?cases?”? ?Jun? ?Wu??said.???“Except? ?I? ?may? ?have? ?offended? ?General? ?Pei.”????“Ming? ?Guang? ?is? ?fine,? ?I’ll? ?watch? ?over? ?him,? ?you? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?worry.? ?However,”? ?Jun? ?Wu??turned? ?around,? ?“Tell? ?me,? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?extraordinary? ?character? ?did? ?you? ?engage? ?with? ?when??you? ?descended? ?this? ?time?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?“My? ?lord,? ?I? ?swear? ?I? ?did? ?nothing.? ?Just,? ?one? ?day? ?by? ?chance? ?I??encountered? ?an? ?interesting? ?child? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?and? ?we? ?spent? ?some? ?time? ?together.? ?I? ?didn’t??think? ?much? ?of? ?it.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?nodded,? ?“Chance? ?encounter,? ?child,? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King.? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?you? ?do? ?know??that? ?if? ?Ming? ?Guang? ?was? ?to? ?question? ?you? ?further? ?and? ?you? ?had? ?confessed? ?this? ?in? ?front? ?of??the? ?other? ?officials,? ?what? ?the? ?consequences? ?would? ?be?? ?No? ?one? ?would? ?believe? ?you.”???“Xian? ?Le? ?knows.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?woefully,? ?“So? ?I? ?am? ?grateful? ?for? ?My? ?lord’s? ?timely??intervention.? ?My? ?lord,? ?you’re? ?not? ?actually? ?going? ?to? ?interrogate? ?me,? ?are? ?you?? ?I? ?wouldn’t??collude? ?with? ?the? ?Ghost? ?Realm.? ?This? ?is? ?all? ?absurd? ?concerns.”???“Naturally,? ?I? ?know? ?you? ?would? ?not? ?intentionally? ?collude? ?with? ?the? ?Ghost? ?Realm.”? ?Jun? ?Wu??said.???“I? ?am? ?grateful? ?for? ?My? ?lord’s? ?trust.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.???“However,? ?with? ?things? ?thus,? ?it? ?may? ?no? ?longer? ?be? ?appropriate? ?to? ?send? ?you? ?to? ?investigate??an? ?important? ?matter? ?that? ?has? ?surfaced.”???“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inquired.???At? ?this? ?time,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?had? ?reached? ?the? ?chamber? ?behind? ?the? ?great? ?hall.? ?The? ?great??hall? ?and? ?the? ?back? ?chamber? ?was? ?separated? ?by? ?a? ?large? ?mural,? ?the? ?front? ?depicting? ?the??golden? ?palace? ?towering? ?through? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?clouds,? ?radiant? ?and? ?brilliant.? ?The? ?back? ?side? ?of??the? ?mural? ?was? ?another? ?depicting? ?mountains? ?and? ?valleys? ?of? ?over? ?ten? ?thousand? ?miles.? ?On??the? ?map? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?tiny? ?pearls? ?like? ?stars.???Each? ?of? ?these? ?stars? ?marked? ?a? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Temple? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?A? ?pearl??embedded? ?on? ?the? ?map? ?means? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Temple? ?built? ?there.? ?Eight??hundred? ?years? ?ago? ?when? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?brought? ?the? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?had? ?ascended? ?for? ?the? ?first??time? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?chamber,? ?the? ?pearl? ?stars? ?on? ?the? ?mural? ?weren’t? ?as? ?dense,? ?but? ?now,? ?the??shimmering? ?jewels? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?plentifully? ?bestrewn,? ?overwhelming? ?in? ?their? ?radiance.????Jun? ?Wu? ?stood? ?before? ?the? ?mural? ?and? ?spoke,? ?“Seven? ?days? ?ago,? ?many? ?saw? ?with? ?their? ?own??eyes,? ?a? ?dragon? ?of? ?fire? ?abruptly? ?soaring? ?to? ?the? ?sky? ?from? ?a? ?forest? ?in? ?the? ?east.”???Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?grew? ?serious? ?hearing? ?those? ?words.???Jun? ?Wu,? ?with? ?one? ?hand? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?used? ?the? ?other? ?and? ?softly? ?knocked? ?on? ?the? ?mural??once,? ?“That? ?dragon? ?of? ?fire? ?lasted? ?for? ?two? ?incense? ?time? ?before? ?burning? ?out.? ?Do? ?you? ?know??what? ?that? ?means?”???“The? ?spell? ?for? ?the? ?Ascending? ?Fire? ?Dragon? ?emits? ?intense? ?flames? ?that? ?do? ?not? ?harm.? ?It’s? ?a??call? ?for? ?help.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.???“That? ?is? ?correct.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?distress? ?signal,? ?and? ?it? ?came? ?from? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official.”? ?Jun? ?Wu??said.???“It’s? ?no? ?ordinary? ?call? ?for? ?help,? ?it’s? ?one? ?of? ?desperation.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?added.???This? ?Ascending? ?Fire? ?Dragon? ?spell? ?with? ?its? ?intense? ?flames? ?that? ?would? ?not? ?harm? ?took? ?an??immense? ?amount? ?of? ?power,? ?and? ?if? ?the? ?casting? ?official? ?was? ?not? ?careful,? ?they? ?could? ?very??well? ?implode? ?and? ?destroy? ?their? ?spiritual? ?core.? ?Therefore,? ?if? ?not? ?out? ?of? ?desperation,? ?very??few? ?would? ?go? ?this? ?route.? ?Now? ?that? ?it? ?appeared,? ?it? ?meant? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?had? ?fallen? ?into??grave? ?danger.???“Are? ?there? ?any? ?officials? ?whose? ?whereabouts? ?are? ?unknown? ?recently?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???“The? ?matter? ?with? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass? ?was? ?not? ?the? ?only? ?reason? ?all? ?the? ?officials? ?were??summoned? ?back? ?to? ?court? ?this? ?time.? ?The? ?main? ?purpose? ?was? ?to? ?use? ?this? ?chance? ?to??investigate? ?everyone’s? ?whereabouts.? ?Other? ?than? ?those? ?who? ?usually? ?do? ?not? ?show? ?like? ?the??Rain? ?Master? ?and? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?even? ?those? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?it? ?back? ?had? ?reported??in.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?then? ?speculated,? ?“Maybe? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?of? ?the? ?officials??from? ?this? ?term?? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?any? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?retired? ?officials?”???“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?our? ?perimeters? ?will? ?largely? ?expand.? ?Many? ?of? ?the? ?retired??officials? ?have? ?long? ?lost? ?contact? ?with? ?the? ?heavens.? ?It? ?would? ?be? ?difficult? ?to? ?determine? ?who? ?is??the? ?one? ?in? ?peril.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.???So? ?this? ?was? ?probably? ?why? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?civil? ?officials? ?had? ?dark? ?circles? ?under??their? ?eyes;? ?they? ?were? ?busy? ?working? ?on? ?this? ?case,? ?and? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to??investigate? ?that? ?boy? ?with? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?from? ?Mount? ?Yujun.? ?“To? ?corner? ?a??heavenly? ?official? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?using? ?such? ?a? ?self? ?destructive? ?spell,? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?doing??of? ?great? ?evil.? ?Are? ?there? ?any? ?demonic? ?gatherings? ?or? ?lairs? ?in? ?that? ?area?”???“There? ?is.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?replied,? ?“And? ?it’s? ?very? ?closeby.? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?of? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?about? ?it? ?and? ?replied,? ?“I’ve? ?heard? ?of? ?it.”???The? ?Ghost? ?City? ?was? ?the? ?most? ?prosperous? ?place? ?within? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm,? ?situated? ?right? ?at??the? ?crossroads? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?and? ?the? ?ghost? ?realms.????This? ?was? ?where? ?all? ?manners? ?of? ?spirits,? ?ghosts,? ?demons? ?and? ?monsters? ?gather? ?by? ?the??swarms? ?to? ?conduct? ?trades? ?and? ?exchanges.? ?Cultivators? ?of? ?certain? ?levels? ?would? ?also? ?go? ?to??do? ?business? ?or? ?seek? ?information.? ?Sometimes,? ?there? ?would? ?also? ?be? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in??disguise,? ?mixing? ?in? ?for? ?curiosity? ?sakes? ?or? ?other? ?unknown? ?reasons.? ?Of? ?course,? ?there? ?were??also? ?those? ?who’d? ?enter? ?by? ?mistake,? ?and? ?would? ?either? ?be? ?eaten? ?alive,? ?or? ?scared? ?to? ?death.???Ever? ?since? ?ancient? ?times? ?—? ?although? ?not? ?as? ?ancient? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?—? ?there? ?had? ?always??been? ?many? ?tales? ?of? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?one? ?of? ?the??stories? ?had? ?a? ?man? ?traveling? ?at? ?night? ?who? ?saw? ?a? ?bustling? ?market? ?before? ?him? ?with? ?large? ?red??lanterns? ?and? ?colourful? ?signs.? ?He? ?entered? ?the? ?market? ?in? ?high? ?spirits? ?but? ?found? ?that??everyone? ?around? ?him? ?had? ?a? ?mask,? ?and? ?if? ?not? ?hooded,? ?then? ?extremely? ?ugly,? ?very? ?curious!??He? ?didn’t? ?think? ?deeply? ?about? ?it,? ?bought? ?a? ?bowl? ?of? ?noodles? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?to? ?eat,? ?but? ?as? ?he??ate? ?the? ?food? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?right,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?closely,? ?the? ?noodles? ?were? ?actually??squirming? ?strands? ?of? ?hair!???Xie? ?Lian? ?brought? ?himself? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?present,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued,? ?“After? ?seeing? ?that??column? ?of? ?fire,? ?I? ?immediately? ?sent? ?officials? ?to? ?go? ?investigate? ?the? ?area,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?no??evidence? ?of? ?anything,? ?so? ?it’s? ?very? ?possibly? ?that? ?they’ve? ?moved? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.??However,? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Realm? ?and? ?the? ?Ghost? ?Realm? ?have? ?always? ?drawn? ?very? ?clear??borders,? ?so? ?without? ?enough? ?proof,? ?we? ?cannot? ?intrude? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.? ?Which? ?is? ?why? ?this??time,? ?I? ?need? ?someone? ?to? ?descend? ?in? ?secret? ?and? ?probe? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.”???“We? ?can’t? ?alert? ?the? ?enemy? ?and? ?have? ?them? ?move? ?again.? ?Is? ?that? ?why? ?this? ?couldn’t? ?be??discussed? ?openly? ?at? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?with? ?everyone? ?and? ?let? ?too? ?many? ?know?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.???“That? ?is? ?correct.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?replied.???“Then? ?My? ?lord,? ?pray? ?give? ?Xian? ?Le? ?the? ?command.”????“The? ?first? ?candidate? ?I? ?had? ?in? ?mind? ?was? ?originally? ?you,”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“But? ?for? ?this,? ?it? ?may??be? ?inconvenient? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?go.”????“How? ?would? ?it? ?be? ?inconvenient?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???“First,? ?the? ?east? ?is? ?ruled? ?by? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.? ?If? ?you? ?should? ?go,? ?you? ?must? ?cooperate? ?with? ?him.”??Jun? ?Wu? ?said.???Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“That? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?a? ?problem,? ?please? ?do? ?not? ?worry.”???“Second,”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?whose? ?territory? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?sits? ?in?”????Taken? ?aback,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?unsure,? ?“Is? ?it? ?Hua? ?Cheng?”???Jun? ?Wu? ?nodded? ?slowly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?at? ?ease,? ?but? ?something? ?else? ?came? ?to??mind.???That? ?column? ?of? ?fire? ?in? ?the? ?eastern? ?forest? ?blazed? ?up? ?seven? ?days? ?ago.? ?Coincidentally,? ?it??was? ?seven? ?days? ?ago? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?left? ?Puqi? ?shrine.? ?The? ?timing? ?was? ?impeccable.??Was? ?there? ?a? ?connection? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?events????“Looks? ?like? ?your? ?relationship? ?with? ?him? ?is? ?not? ?bad.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?accidentally? ?run??into? ?him,? ?then? ?all? ?may? ?still? ?be? ?well.? ?However,? ?should? ?he? ?have? ?any? ?connection? ?to? ?this? ?case,??if? ?you? ?feel? ?awkward? ?then? ?do? ?not? ?force? ?yourself.? ?If? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?other? ?suggestions? ?do? ?let??me? ?know.”???However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?said,? ?“Let? ?me? ?go.? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?that? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?is??a? ?disingenuous? ?individual.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?I? ?know? ?you’re? ?very? ?capable? ?and? ?know? ?what? ?you’re??doing.? ?However,? ?I? ?also? ?know? ?you? ?always? ?think? ?the? ?best? ?of? ?everyone.”???Hearing? ?his? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?a? ?small? ?smile,? ?“Please? ?don’t? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?I’m? ?a? ?princess??who? ?has? ?never? ?left? ?home.? ?Those? ?words? ?really? ?don’t? ?suit? ?me? ?anymore.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?still? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?shouldn’t? ?comment? ?on? ?the? ?friends? ?you? ?make,? ?but? ?I? ?will? ?still??say? ?this:? ?be? ?careful? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?in? ?a? ?bow,? ?and? ?said? ?nothing.? ?He? ?should’ve? ?responded? ?with??“Yes,? ?My? ?Lord,”;? ?after? ?all? ?it’s? ?all? ?a? ?habit? ?by? ?now.? ?Yet,? ?somehow,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to??say? ?this? ?“Yes”.????“Be? ?especially? ?careful? ?of? ?that? ?wicked? ?blade? ?of? ?his.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued.???“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?curious.???“The? ?Scimitar? ?E’ming.? ?It? ?is? ?a? ?cursed? ?blade,? ?a? ?blade? ?of? ?misfortune.? ?An? ?evil? ?weapon? ?such??as? ?that? ?would? ?need? ?a? ?terrifyingly? ?cruel? ?sacrifice? ?and? ?a? ?bloody? ?determination? ?before? ?it??could? ?be? ?forged.? ?Do? ?not? ?touch? ?it,? ?and? ?do? ?not? ?let? ?it? ?injure? ?you? ?either,? ?otherwise? ?the??consequences? ?would? ?be? ?unimaginable.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?replied.???Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?where? ?his? ?sudden? ?surge? ?of? ?confidence? ?came? ?from,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t??think? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?hurt? ?him? ?at? ?all.? ?Still,? ?he? ?responded,? ?“Xian? ?Le? ?understands.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?nodded? ?again,? ?“I? ?will? ?naturally? ?be? ?at? ?ease? ?with? ?you? ?taking? ?this? ?case.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t??feel? ?any? ?awkwardness,? ?then? ?even? ?better.? ?But? ?still,? ?going? ?on? ?this? ?mission? ?by? ?yourself? ?may??be? ?too? ?much.? ?Are? ?there? ?any? ?other? ?officials? ?you’d? ?like? ?me? ?to? ?appoint? ?to? ?this? ?case?”???“It? ?really? ?doesn’t? ?matter.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?after? ?some? ?thought,? ?“But? ?preferably? ?someone??easy? ?to? ?get? ?along? ?with.? ?It’d? ?be? ?good? ?if? ?they’re? ?powerful? ?so? ?they? ?can? ?lend? ?me? ?some??spiritual? ?power? ?from? ?time? ?to? ?time.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?smiled,? ?“You? ?struck? ?out? ?both? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?with? ?the? ?first? ?condition.”???Truly,? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?say? ?that? ?the? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?now? ?were? ?personalities? ?that? ?were??easy? ?to? ?get? ?along? ?with,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?chuckling? ?too.? ?“How? ?goes? ?between? ?the? ?three??of? ?you?? ?Have? ?you? ?spoken? ?with? ?them? ?yet?”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?asked.????The? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?himself? ?never? ?entered? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?and? ?thus??naturally? ?unaware? ?of? ?the? ?buzzing? ?chitchats? ?that? ?went? ?on? ?among? ?the? ?officials.? ?“We? ?spoke??a? ?few? ?words,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.???“It’s? ?been? ?so? ?many? ?years? ?and? ?yet? ?you? ?have? ?only? ?spoken? ?a? ?few? ?words?”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?inquired,??“Oh,? ?that’s? ?right.? ?I? ?heard? ?when? ?you? ?ascended? ?this? ?time,? ?you? ?destroyed? ?many? ?of? ?your??fellow? ?officials’? ?palaces? ?and? ?properties,? ?and? ?one? ?of? ?them? ?was? ?Nan? ?Yang.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?argued? ?back,? ?“I? ?paid? ?back? ?that? ?debt!? ?All? ?eight? ?million,? ?eight? ?hundred? ?and? ?eighty??thousand? ?merits!? ?And? ?for? ?this,? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?thank? ?My? ?lord? ?for? ?giving? ?me? ?the? ?opportunity? ?to? ?go??to? ?Mount? ?Yujun.”???“Thank? ?Nan? ?Yang,”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?replied,? ?“I? ?heard? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?say? ?it? ?was? ?he? ?who? ?privately??approached? ?her? ?to? ?clear? ?your? ?debt? ?of? ?his? ?reconstruction? ?cost.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned.? ?“This...? ?I? ?didn’t? ?know? ?about? ?this? ?at? ?all.”???No? ?wonder? ?those? ?eight? ?million,? ?eight? ?hundred? ?and? ?eighty? ?thousand? ?merits? ?were? ?so? ?easily??repaid;? ?so? ?much? ?of? ?it? ?was? ?already? ?forgiven.? ?Yet? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?palace? ?of? ?Nan??Yang? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?most? ?damaged;? ?they? ?say? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?golden? ?roof? ?had? ?collapsed.????“Nan? ?Yang? ?made? ?sure? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?would? ?not? ?tell? ?you,? ?so? ?naturally? ?you? ?were? ?unaware.??Since? ?he? ?did? ?not? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?know,? ?then? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?best? ?to? ?keep? ?pretending? ?to? ?be??ignorant.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.???Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?feel? ?about? ?this.? ?Complicated? ?and? ?bittersweet,? ?his? ?mind? ?was??clouded? ?and? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?place.? ?At? ?last? ?he? ?sighed? ?soundlessly? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘Truly,? ?in? ?this??world,? ?the? ?words? ?“don’t? ?tell? ?anyone”? ?are? ?all? ?empty.’???Jun? ?Wu? ?contemplated? ?then? ?said,? ?“If? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?will? ?not? ?do,? ?how? ?about? ?the??Wind? ?Master?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?pondered? ?the? ?option,? ?“The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?good,? ?but? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?she? ?would??want? ?to? ?go? ?on? ?this? ?mission? ?with? ?me?”???“The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?powerful,”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“A? ?lively? ?person? ?who? ?enjoys? ?making??friends,? ?and? ?thus? ?matches? ?your? ?first? ?condition? ?of? ?easy? ?to? ?get? ?along? ?with.? ?After? ?the??business? ?with? ?Banyue? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?has? ?a? ?good? ?impression? ?of? ?you? ?as? ?well.? ?I? ?think??you? ?two? ?will? ?be? ?alright.? ?If? ?you? ?do? ?not? ?have? ?any? ?other? ?questions,? ?then? ?descend? ?with? ?the??Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?investigate? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.? ?Also,”???“Yes?”????Jun? ?Wu? ?said? ?languidly,? ?“Work? ?hard,? ?but? ?do? ?not? ?force? ?yourself.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?by? ?those? ?words,? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“What? ?is? ?My? ?lord? ?saying?? ?I’m? ?not??forcing? ?myself.”???Jun? ?Wu? ?patted? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulders,? ?“Return? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xianle? ?to? ?rest? ?for? ?now.? ?I’ll??send? ?word? ?to? ?summon? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?have? ?enough? ?merits? ?so? ?no? ?palace? ?has? ?been? ?constructed.? ?The??Palace? ?of? ?Xianle? ?from? ?the? ?past? ?has? ?long? ?since? ?been? ?torn? ?down,? ?so? ?what? ?Palace? ?of??Xianle?”???“I’ve? ?granted? ?you? ?a? ?new? ?one.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“You? ?cannot? ?possibly? ?always? ?squeeze? ?in? ?that??broken? ?down? ?little? ?shrine?”????Xie? ?Lian? ?left? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?and? ?was? ?led? ?to? ?the? ?‘Palace? ?of? ?Xianle’? ?by? ?a? ?junior??official? ?from? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?palace.???This? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xianle? ?was? ?practically? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?had? ?in? ?the? ?past;??glass? ?red? ?walls,? ?sumptuous? ?and? ?elegant.? ?Still,? ?he? ?stood? ?outside? ?the? ?palace? ?gates? ?for? ?a??long? ?time,? ?but? ?not? ?a? ?shred? ?of? ?desire? ?to? ?enter? ?came? ?to? ?him.? ?The? ?Scrap? ?Immortal? ?was? ?still??best? ?suited? ?for? ?a? ?scrapped? ?shrine? ?after? ?all.? ?A? ?proud? ?and? ?glamourous? ?heavenly? ?palace? ?like??this? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?place? ?he? ?could? ?stay.???He? ?loitered? ?outside? ?the? ?entrance? ?and? ?waited? ?for? ?that? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?to? ?come? ?find? ?him,??but? ?after? ?a? ?while,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?appeared? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?lady? ?cultivator? ?in? ?white,? ?but? ?another??white? ?clad? ?cultivator.???The? ?cultivator? ?was? ?glowing,? ?spiritual? ?aura? ?in? ?abundance? ?surrounding? ?him? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?the??one? ?from? ?the? ?meeting? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?Qingxuan.? ?He? ?waved? ?his? ?whisk? ?and??smiled,? ?“Greetings,? ?Your? ?Highness!”???Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?back,? ?“Greetings,? ?fellow? ?cultivator.”???Truthfully,? ?he? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?what? ?his? ?title? ?was,? ?but? ?thought? ?it’d? ?be? ?rude? ?to? ?do? ?so.??He? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?sneak? ?a? ?peek? ?in? ?his? ?scroll? ?to? ?see? ?just? ?which? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was??named? ?Qingxuan? ?when? ?the? ?person? ?in? ?question? ?walked? ?up? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“Let’s??go!? ?Let’s? ?go? ?check? ?out? ?the? ?underworld.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“My? ?friend,? ?I’m? ?waiting? ?for? ?someone.”???Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?cultivator? ?placed? ?his? ?whisk? ?into? ?the? ?back? ?collar? ?of? ?his? ?outer? ?robe? ?and??turned? ?around? ?in? ?wonder,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you? ?waiting? ?for?”???“I’m? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.???The? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?looked? ?even? ?more? ?confused,? ?“I’m? ?right? ?here?”???“...”???Xie? ?Lian’s? ?brows? ?jumped,? ?“You’re? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master?”???The? ?other? ?flashed? ?open? ?his? ?fan,? ?and? ?started? ?fanning,? ?“I? ?am? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?was? ?there??ever? ?any? ?doubt?? ?Did? ?you? ?not? ?know? ?who? ?I? ?was??? ?Have? ?you? ?never? ?heard? ?of? ?my? ?name:? ?The??Wind? ?Master? ?Qingxuan???”???His? ?tone? ?was? ?irrefutable? ?and? ?absolute,? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?not? ?knowing? ?his? ?name? ?was? ?an??impossible? ?thing? ?to? ?happen.? ?The? ?folding? ?fan? ?had? ?the? ?word? ?for? ?wind? ?‘Feng’? ?written??slantedly? ?on? ?the? ?front,? ?the? ?backside? ?had? ?three? ?inclining? ?lines? ?drawn? ?–? ?the? ?exact? ?same? ?fan??the? ?lady? ?cultivator? ?in? ?white? ?had? ?in? ?her? ?hand!????Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?recalled;? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?had? ?mentioned? ?that? ?some? ?upper? ?court? ?heavenly??officials,? ?under? ?special? ?circumstances,? ?have? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?transform? ?their? ?appearance.??While? ?at? ?Banyue,? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?had? ?also? ?uttered? ?an? ?incomplete? ?sentence:? ?“The? ?Wind??Master? ?had? ?always? ?been...”???Had? ?always? ?been?? ?Been? ?what????A? ?man?!???After? ?getting? ?dragged? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?fully? ?process? ?this? ?information,??“Um...? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?you,? ?you,? ?you,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?disguise? ?yourself? ?as? ?a? ?woman? ?last??time?”???“What?? ?Was? ?I? ?not? ?beautiful?”? ?The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?asked.???“Yes?? ?But...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?confused.???“If? ?I? ?was? ?beautiful? ?then? ?there’s? ?no? ?but?? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?I? ?looked? ?good!”? ?The? ?Wind? ?Master??smiled? ?brightly,? ?“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?because? ?I’d? ?look? ?good? ?that? ?I? ?was? ?in? ?disguise!”???Having? ?said? ?that,? ?he? ?looked? ?to? ?have? ?suddenly? ?come? ?to? ?an? ?idea,? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?fan.? ?He??gave? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?once? ?over? ?with? ?a? ?calculated? ?look,? ?and? ?spoke? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?“Speaking??of? ?which,? ?don’t? ?we? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?undercover? ?for? ?this? ?mission? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City?”???“...”???Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”??????Ch.35:? ?Enter? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City!? ?Rendezvous? ?with? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King????Much? ?ashamed,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?until? ?four? ?hours? ?later? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?sneak? ?a??peek? ?at? ?his? ?scroll? ?and? ?finally? ?learned? ?the? ?backstory? ?of? ?this? ?Wind? ?Master.????The? ?Five? ?Elemental? ?Masters? ?of? ?the? ?heavens? ?used? ?their? ?titles? ?to? ?replace? ?their? ?surnames.??For? ?example,? ?before? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?ascended,? ?his? ?mortal? ?name? ?was? ?called? ?Ming? ?Yi.??After? ?ascension,? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?addressed? ?as? ?‘The? ?Earth? ?Master? ?Yi’.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?Wind??Master,? ?his? ?old? ?name? ?was? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?and? ?after? ?ascension? ?he? ?was? ?called? ?‘The? ?Wind??Master? ?Qingxuan’.? ?Much? ?fitting? ?for? ?his? ?title,? ?his? ?personality? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?wind;? ?he? ?was??sociable? ?and? ?generous,? ?mindless? ?of? ?petty? ?details,? ?and? ?very? ?popular? ?in? ?the? ?heavens,? ?as??apparent? ?from? ?him? ?easily? ?handing? ?out? ?ten? ?thousand? ?merits? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array.??But? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?as? ?his? ?older? ?brother? ?was? ?the? ?god? ?that? ?controlled? ?mortal? ?wealth,??of? ?course? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?generous? ?and? ?mindless? ?of? ?petty? ?details.???Indeed,? ?the? ?older? ?brother? ?of? ?Wind? ?Master? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?called? ?‘The? ?Water??Tyrant’,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?Wu? ?Du.???Descending? ?to? ?the? ?underworld? ?together,? ?the? ?two? ?gods? ?walked? ?side? ?by? ?side,? ?chatting? ?as??they? ?traveled.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed? ?and? ?commented? ?in? ?amazement,? ?“The? ?Pei??family? ?producing? ?two? ?ascended? ?generals? ?under? ?one? ?name? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?legend,? ?but? ?you??and? ?your? ?brother,? ?one? ?wind? ?one? ?water,? ?ascending? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?is? ?truly? ?a? ?tale? ?of??wonder.”???It? ?must? ?be? ?known? ?that? ?even? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?there? ?may? ?not? ?be? ?that? ?one? ?who? ?had? ?the? ?ability? ?to??ascend.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Pei? ?Su? ?were? ?separated? ?by? ?a? ?few? ?hundred? ?years,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Su??wasn’t? ?even? ?the? ?direct? ?descendant;? ?he? ?was? ?from? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?brothers’? ?branch? ?of? ?the??family? ?that? ?was? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?times? ?removed? ?through? ?the? ?generations.? ?The??Water? ?Master? ?Wu? ?Du? ?and? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?Qingxuan? ?were? ?real? ?blood? ?related? ?brothers,? ?a??real? ?pair? ?of? ?ascended? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?same? ?house,? ?thus? ?truly? ?incredible.???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?laughed? ?it? ?off,? ?“It’s? ?nothing.? ?My? ?brother? ?and? ?I? ?were? ?born? ?from? ?the? ?same??mother,? ?grew? ?up? ?together,? ?went? ?to? ?school? ?together,? ?cultivated? ?together,? ?so? ?naturally? ?we’d??ascend? ?together.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?learned? ?about? ?this? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?cramming? ?from? ?the? ?scroll? ?earlier.? ?Shi? ?Wu??Du? ?ascended? ?first,? ?but? ?after? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?years,? ?his? ?brother? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?also? ?successfully??passed? ?a? ?heavenly? ?calamity.? ?Mortals? ?often? ?worship? ?the? ?two? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?together? ?in??the? ?same? ?temple? ?and? ?praised? ?them? ?as? ?equals.? ?It? ?was? ?obvious? ?the? ?two? ?brothers? ?enjoyed? ?a??good? ?relationship.? ?As? ?San? ?Lang? ?and? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?had? ?mentioned,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?must??be? ?the? ?reason? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wouldn’t? ?touch? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?After? ?all,? ?the? ?brother? ?of? ?the??Water? ?Tyrant? ?was? ?not? ?one? ?to? ?be? ?picked? ?on? ?easily.????Coming? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?of? ?another? ?detail? ?and? ?considered? ?it? ?before? ?asking,??“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?earlier,? ?the? ?way? ?General? ?Pei? ?spoke? ?it??sounded? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?shared? ?a? ?friendship? ?with? ?your? ?brother.? ?Wouldn’t? ?your? ?filing? ?the??complaint? ?against? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?affect...”???“Nah.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“My? ?brother? ?already? ?knows? ?I? ?can’t? ?stand? ?Pei? ?Ming.”???“Knowing? ?is? ?one? ?thing,? ?action? ?is? ?another.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?“Wouldn’t? ?all? ?of? ?this? ?cause? ?a? ?rift??between? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?and? ?General? ?Pei?”???“If? ?that? ?caused? ?a? ?rift,? ?even? ?better!? ?I? ?wish? ?my? ?brother? ?would? ?stop? ?hanging? ?out? ?with? ?him,??and? ?leave? ?the? ?‘Three? ?Tumors’? ?moniker? ?behind? ?one? ?day.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said.???Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped,? ?“What? ?‘Three? ?Tumors’?”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said? ?astonished,? ?“What!? ?You? ?don’t? ?know? ?about? ?this? ?either?? ?Fine,? ?whatever.??I? ?now? ?know? ?you’re? ?not? ?up? ?to? ?date? ?with? ?anything.? ?You? ?can? ?just? ?listen? ?for? ?giggles.? ?The??‘Three? ?Tumors’? ?is? ?the? ?nickname? ?given? ?to? ?the? ?three? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?don’t? ?have? ?a??good? ?rep? ?but? ?have? ?a? ?good? ?relationship? ?with? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?they? ?are? ?Ming? ?Guang,? ?Ling??Wen,? ?and? ?my? ?brother.???‘I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?it’s? ?not? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?fanned? ?his? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?and? ?continued,? ?“Even? ?if? ?I? ?can’t? ?stand? ?him,? ?the??whole? ?business? ?this? ?time? ?around? ?was? ?started? ?by? ?Little? ?Pei? ?himself.? ?There’s? ?no? ?way? ?I’d? ?let??Pei? ?Ming? ?pin? ?this? ?on? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?Banyue? ?and? ?protect? ?Little? ?Pei.? ?It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?if??you’re? ?mortal,? ?or? ?a? ?god,? ?or? ?a? ?demon,? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?responsible? ?for? ?your? ?own? ?actions.??Bullying? ?a? ?little? ?girl? ?is? ?low.”???The? ?last? ?line? ?was? ?uttered? ?in? ?contempt,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled.? ?“The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?a??defender? ?of? ?justice.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?laughed,? ?“You’re? ?not? ?bad? ?yourself!? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?rumours? ?about? ?the? ?Banyue??Pass? ?here? ?and? ?there,? ?but? ?never? ?had? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?investigate;? ?plus,? ?my? ?brother? ?would? ?yell??at? ?me? ?about? ?it.? ?With? ?so? ?much? ?on? ?my? ?plate,? ?I’d? ?forgotten.? ?When? ?I? ?heard? ?you? ?inquire? ?about??it? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?the? ?other? ?day,? ?it? ?reminded? ?me? ?there? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?case,? ?and??so? ?I? ?went? ?to? ?check? ?it? ?out.? ?Turns? ?out? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?you? ?ask,? ?you’d? ?even? ?gone? ?yourself!? ?So? ?I??thought,? ?dang,? ?what? ?a? ?guy!”???This? ?Wind? ?Master? ?certainly? ?had? ?an? ?extremely? ?straightforward? ?and? ?interesting? ?personality,??and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?understand? ?why? ?he? ?was? ?so? ?popular? ?in? ?the? ?heavens.? ?He? ?hadn’t??thought? ?that? ?after? ?ascension? ?that? ?he’d? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?form? ?a? ?friendship? ?with? ?a? ?heavenly??official? ?like? ?this,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?smile? ?happily.? ?But? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to??face? ?him,? ?the? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?beside? ?him? ?was? ?transformed? ?to? ?a? ?lady? ?in? ?white.? ?It? ?was??so? ?sudden,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?almost? ?tripped? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?why? ?the? ?sudden??transformation?”???“Oh.? ?Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?I’m? ?actually? ?more? ?powerful? ?in? ?this? ?form.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied.???As? ?aforementioned,? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?were? ?often? ?worshipped??together.? ?However,? ?this? ?also? ?produced? ?a? ?bizarre? ?accident.? ?Perhaps? ?people? ?thought? ?that??worshipping? ?two? ?male? ?gods? ?together? ?in? ?one? ?temple? ?was? ?weird.? ?Lords? ?and? ?Ladies? ?go??hand? ?in? ?hand,? ?handsome? ?and? ?beautiful? ?make? ?a? ?pair,? ?that? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?way.? ?Thus,? ?after??a? ?while? ?someone? ?somewhere? ?sculpted? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?as? ?a? ?goddess.???Nevermind? ?the? ?goddess? ?statue,? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?make? ?up? ?stories? ?to? ?go? ?with? ?it? ?too,? ?something??like? ?the? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?gods? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?brothers? ?and? ?sisters;? ?there’s? ?even? ?a? ?version??where? ?they? ?were? ?husband? ?and? ?wife.? ?After? ?a? ?few? ?hundred? ?years,? ?the? ?stories? ?spread? ?and??from? ?them? ?came? ?even? ?more? ?outlandish? ?legends.? ?Once? ?in? ?a? ?while? ?the? ?two? ?officials? ?would??read? ?through? ?the? ?tales? ?out? ?of? ?curiosity,? ?but? ?each? ?time? ?they? ?would? ?cringe? ?and? ?fill? ?an? ?entire??coop? ?with? ?goosebumps.? ?Nonetheless,? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?than? ?many? ?who? ?believed? ?in??those? ?outrageous? ?stories,? ?and? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?gender? ?started? ?getting? ?mixed? ?up;? ?“My??Lady,? ?prithee? ?watch? ?over? ?me”? ?could? ?be? ?heard? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?place.? ?Thus,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan??gained? ?the? ?nickname? ?‘Lady? ?Wind? ?Master’.????Although? ?silly,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?not? ?that? ?rare? ?of? ?an? ?occurrence.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?for? ?example? ?also??had? ?a? ?similar? ?experience.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?a? ?lady? ?official,? ?but? ?she? ?didn’t? ?dress? ?colourfully??and? ?fashionably? ?like? ?the? ?other? ?lady? ?deities.? ?She? ?was? ?often? ?in? ?black,? ?serious? ?and??competent,? ?and? ?spent? ?her? ?days? ?madly? ?working? ?through? ?piles? ?and? ?piles? ?of? ?administrative??scrolls? ?in? ?her? ?palace.? ?Although? ?her? ?personality? ?was? ?partly? ?to? ?blame,? ?but? ?much? ?of? ?it? ?was??due? ?to? ?another? ?reason.? ?If? ?one? ?should? ?ask? ?any? ?mortal:? ?Is? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?a? ?man? ?or? ?a? ?woman???Anyone? ?would? ?respond? ?with? ?confidence:? ?A? ?man.????A? ?Civil? ?God? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?a? ?male.? ?Only? ?for? ?this,? ?when? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?ascended? ?she? ?suffered??disadvantages.? ?She? ?was? ?a? ?civil? ?goddess,? ?but? ?many? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?thought:? ?how??could? ?women? ?be? ?in? ?that? ?position?? ?How? ?could? ?ladies? ?possibly? ?ensure? ?good? ?fortune? ?in??literary? ?competence?? ?It? ?must? ?not? ?be? ?effective!? ?Thus,? ?although? ?she? ?worked? ?hard,? ?she? ?still??had? ?very? ?few? ?devotees.? ?Later,? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?devotees? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?over? ?it,? ?and? ?rebuilt? ?her??statues? ?into? ?male? ?gods,? ?transforming? ?her? ?from? ?the? ?Goddess? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?to? ?the? ?God? ?Ling??Wen,? ?and? ?even? ?made? ?up? ?an? ?entire? ?set? ?of? ?extravagant? ?backstory.? ?After? ?this? ?change,? ?her??temples? ?became? ?prosperous? ?and? ?everyone? ?praised? ?how? ?effective? ?the? ?God? ?Ling? ?Wen??was.? ?But? ?the? ?truth? ?was,? ?an? ?official? ?was? ?an? ?official,? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?were? ?all? ?the? ?same,? ?and??the? ?legends? ?were? ?all? ?fake.? ?Still,? ?the? ?people? ?ate? ?them? ?up.? ?Since? ?then,? ?when? ?Ling? ?Wen??needed? ?to? ?appear? ?in? ?dreams,? ?she? ?could? ?only? ?do? ?so? ?in? ?the? ?male? ?form.???By? ?the? ?same? ?logic,? ?people? ?believed? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?appropriate? ?to? ?worship? ?a? ?man? ?and? ?a??woman? ?as? ?a? ?pair? ?in? ?the? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?temples.? ?Who? ?cared? ?if? ?you? ?were? ?a? ?god? ?or? ?a??ghost?? ?You? ?must? ?appear? ?as? ?people? ?believed.? ?Appearances? ?could? ?be? ?different? ?by? ?a??million? ?miles? ?and? ?people? ?would? ?still? ?see? ?what? ?they? ?wanted? ?to? ?see.? ?The? ?Upper? ?Court??heavenly? ?officials? ?no? ?longer? ?cared? ?for? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?thing.???As? ?for? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?himself,? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?own? ?observations,? ?didn’t? ?appear? ?to? ?mind? ?at??all.? ?In? ?fact,? ?he’s? ?completely? ?immersed? ?and? ?enjoying? ?himself,? ?and? ?was? ?even? ?passionately??dragging? ?others? ?into? ?it,? ?making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wonder? ?about? ?the? ?real? ?identity? ?of? ?the? ?lady? ?in??black? ?that? ?was? ?with? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?the? ?last? ?time.? ?In? ?the? ?four? ?hours? ?that? ?they? ?had? ?spent??traveling? ?to? ?the? ?underworld? ?together,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?been? ?tirelessly? ?trying? ?to??persuade? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?into? ?disguising? ?himself? ?as? ?a? ?woman,? ?with? ?very? ?convincing? ?reasons? ?like??“Women? ?have? ?stronger? ?auras? ?of? ?yin?1?,? ?therefore? ?much? ?easier? ?to? ?hide? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City??crowds.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?about? ?it? ?and? ?rejected? ?the? ?idea,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?have? ?enough? ?powers? ?to??transform.”???“I’ll? ?lend? ?you? ?my? ?powers!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied? ?excitedly,? ?“That’s? ?the? ?whole? ?reason? ?why??the? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?appointed? ?me? ?to? ?this? ?mission,? ?no?”???“My? ?lord,? ?please? ?save? ?your? ?powers? ?for? ?when? ?we’re? ?actually? ?fighting? ?the? ?enemy...”????Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?persuade? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?stopped? ?pushing.? ?At? ?this? ?time,? ?the? ?two??had? ?reached? ?a? ?wild? ?field? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?nowhere.? ?The? ?night? ?had? ?deepened,? ?and? ?crows??cried? ?crazedly? ?in? ?the? ?darkness,? ?creating? ?a? ?creepy? ?atmosphere.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around??and? ?said,? ?“It? ?must? ?be? ?here.? ?There? ?are? ?many? ?evil? ?auras? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?a? ?large? ?graveyard??nearby,? ?we’ll? ?for? ?sure? ?catch? ?one? ?or? ?two? ?going? ?to? ?the? ?market.? ?We’ll? ?follow? ?when? ?the? ?time??comes.”????Thus,? ?the? ?two? ?squatted? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?a? ?burial? ?mound? ?and? ?waited.???A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?put? ?one? ?hand? ?into? ?a? ?sleeve? ?to? ?rummage,? ?and? ?dug? ?out? ?a??small? ?jug? ?of? ?booze.? ?“You? ?want? ?some?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?for? ?the? ?jug? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?small? ?sip,? ?feeling? ?his? ?throat? ?burn,? ?and? ?gave? ?the??jug? ?back.? ?“Thanks.”????Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?took? ?the? ?jug? ?and? ?gulped? ?a? ?couple? ?swallows? ?himself,? ?“You? ?can’t? ?drink?”???“I? ?can,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“But? ?drinking? ?causes? ?insanity,? ?so? ?just? ?a? ?taste? ?is? ?enough.? ?What??time? ?is? ?it?”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hummed,? ?and? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?midnight.”???“Must? ?be? ?soon? ?then.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.???Just? ?as? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?a? ?faint? ?row? ?of? ?light? ?appeared? ?deep? ?in? ?the? ?woods? ?afar.????That? ?faint? ?row? ?of? ?light? ?slowly? ?came? ?closer? ?and? ?closer,? ?until? ?finally? ?the? ?two? ?could? ?see? ?it? ?was??a? ?group? ?of? ?expressionless? ?women? ?dressed? ?in? ?white,? ?walking? ?in? ?a? ?line.? ?Some? ?are? ?old,??some? ?are? ?young,? ?some? ?beautiful,? ?some? ?ugly,? ?each? ?wearing? ?the? ?funeral? ?garb,? ?a? ?white??lantern? ?in? ?hand,? ?walking? ?in? ?an? ?easy? ?pace.???They? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?female? ?ghosts? ?heading? ?to? ?the? ?markets? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?night.???“Let’s? ?follow.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?under? ?his? ?breath.???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?nodded,? ?took? ?a? ?last? ?swig? ?from? ?the? ?jug? ?and? ?threw? ?it? ?aside.? ?The? ?two? ?stood? ?up??and? ?casually? ?trailed? ?behind? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?ghosts.???The? ?two? ?had? ?already? ?prepared? ?beforehand? ?and? ?erased? ?all? ?their? ?spiritual? ?aura;? ?when? ?they??walked? ?they? ?were? ?like? ?people? ?shaped? ?logs? ?without? ?a? ?scent? ?of? ?life.? ?The? ?band? ?of? ?female??ghosts? ?before? ?them? ?held? ?their? ?white? ?lanterns? ?and? ?followed? ?an? ?unknown? ?path? ?in? ?the??darkened? ?woods,? ?strolled? ?while? ?chatting? ?in? ?high? ?pitched,? ?delicate? ?voices.???“I’m? ?so? ?glad? ?the? ?ghost? ?market’s? ?opened? ?again!? ?I? ?need? ?a? ?facial!”? ?One? ?said.???“What? ?happened? ?to? ?your? ?face?? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?just? ?recently? ?get? ?a? ?facial?”? ?Another? ?replied.???The? ?first? ?one? ?responded,? ?“It? ?rotted? ?again!? ?Sigh,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?serviced? ?me? ?last? ?time? ?said? ?it??was? ?guaranteed? ?fresh? ?for? ?a? ?year!? ?It? ?hasn’t? ?even? ?been? ?half? ?a? ?year.”????Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?trailed? ?behind? ?them,? ?listening? ?to? ?their? ?chatter,? ?and? ?didn’t??speak? ?a? ?word.? ?When? ?they? ?heard? ?something? ?funny,? ?they’d? ?only? ?lift? ?their? ?lips? ?and? ?eye? ?each??other.? ?After? ?about? ?an? ?hour,? ?the? ?group? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?valley.???Red? ?light? ?emitted? ?from? ?deep? ?within? ?the? ?valley,? ?and? ?wafting? ?in? ?the? ?ethereal? ?night? ?seemed??to? ?be? ?music.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grew? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?curious? ?to? ?finally? ?see? ?for? ?himself? ?what? ?the??Ghost? ?City? ?looked? ?like.? ?As? ?they? ?were? ?entering? ?the? ?valley,? ?however,? ?the? ?last? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?line??of? ?ghosts? ?suddenly? ?turned? ?her? ?head? ?and? ?discovered? ?them.? ?Confused,? ?she? ?asked,? ?“Who??are? ?you? ?two?”???The? ?question? ?made? ?all? ?the? ?pale? ?faced? ?heads? ?turn,? ?and? ?the? ?women? ?surrounded? ?them,??curious.? ?“When? ?did? ?they? ?start? ?following? ?us?? ?Those? ?two? ?weren’t? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?group? ?when??we? ?left? ?the? ?burial? ?grounds?”???“Which? ?burial? ?ground? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?from?? ?How? ?come? ?we’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?your? ?faces??before?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“We...? ?came? ?from? ?a? ?burial? ?ground? ?much? ?further? ?away,? ?so? ?of??course? ?you’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?us.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?smiled? ?too,? ?“That’s? ?right!? ?We? ?came? ?from? ?thousands? ?of? ?miles? ?especially? ?for??the? ?Ghost? ?Market.”???The? ?group? ?of? ?white? ?clad? ?female? ?ghosts? ?were? ?silent,? ?and? ?expressionlessly? ?stared? ?at? ?them.??If? ?it? ?was? ?anyone? ?else,? ?they’d? ?probably? ?fall? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?shivering? ?in? ?fright.? ?Xie? ?Lian??wasn’t? ?afraid? ?of? ?having? ?their? ?identities? ?exposed;? ?these? ?weak? ?feral? ?ghosts? ?had? ?no? ?power??over? ?them.? ?However,? ?since? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?was? ?right? ?before? ?their? ?eyes,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be??wise? ?to? ?start? ?anything? ?in? ?such? ?close? ?distance? ?to? ?the? ?target? ?lest? ?they? ?alert? ?their? ?enemy.????Just? ?then,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?women? ?staring? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?slowly? ?moved? ?her? ?lips.???“Mei? ?mei?2?,? ?your? ?face? ?is? ?very? ?nicely? ?maintained,”? ?she? ?said.???Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stopped.????Immediately,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?nodded? ?a? ?few? ?times.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?alright,? ?not? ?bad.”??And? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?copied? ?his? ?tone? ?and? ?said,? ?“Pretty? ?good,? ?right?”????All? ?the? ?female? ?ghosts? ?then? ?approached? ?and? ?started? ?a? ?discussion,? ?“Yea,? ?not? ?rotten? ?at? ?all.”????“Mei? ?mei,? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?your? ?facials? ?done?”????“Do? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?tricks?”???“Can? ?you? ?recommend? ?a? ?place?”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?respond,? ?and? ?only? ?laughed? ?awkwardly? ?to? ?delay??answering.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?group? ?turned? ?around,? ?and? ?a? ?sudden? ?crimson? ?brightness??flashed? ?into? ?their? ?eyes.???A? ?mysterious? ?and? ?haunted? ?world? ?opened? ?before? ?them.???A? ?long? ?street? ?appeared.? ?It? ?was? ?so? ?long? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?end? ?in? ?sight.? ?Along? ?the? ?street? ?were??all? ?manners? ?of? ?bustling? ?stores? ?and? ?stalls;? ?colourful? ?signs? ?were? ?flown? ?high? ?above? ?and??giant? ?red? ?lanterns? ?were? ?hung? ?low.? ?Pedestrians? ?filled? ?the? ?street,? ?many? ?wearing? ?masks? ?of??faces? ?crying,? ?laughing,? ?angry;? ?some? ?human,? ?some? ?not? ?human.? ?Those? ?without? ?masks??could? ?only? ?be? ?described? ?as? ?‘bizarre’.? ?Some? ?have? ?large? ?heads? ?and? ?small? ?bodies,? ?some??skinny? ?as? ?a? ?bamboo? ?stick,? ?some? ?flat? ?like? ?a? ?pancake? ?pressing? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?letting??pedestrians? ?walk? ?all? ?over? ?them? ?while? ?complaining.???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?careful? ?not? ?to? ?step? ?on? ?anything? ?weird.? ?When? ?he? ?passed? ?by? ?a? ?food? ?stall,? ?he??saw? ?the? ?stall? ?owner? ?use? ?a? ?giant? ?bone? ?to? ?stir? ?a? ?giant? ?pot? ?of? ?soup,? ?and? ?while? ?it? ?stirred,? ?spit??would? ?spill? ?from? ?between? ?its? ?teeth,? ?dripping? ?into? ?the? ?soup,? ?and? ?in? ?that? ?soup? ?filled? ?with??weird? ?colours? ?floated? ?many? ?an? ?eyeball.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?and? ?suddenly? ?gained??confidence.???On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?there? ?were? ?strange? ?buskers? ?performing:? ?a? ?buff,? ?burly? ?man? ?had? ?a? ?small??ghost,? ?weak? ?as? ?a? ?chick,? ?in? ?his? ?hold,? ?and? ?the? ?man? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?to? ?blow? ?massive??flames? ?to? ?barbeque? ?the? ?small? ?ghost? ?while? ?it? ?squealed? ?like? ?a? ?dying? ?pig,? ?writhing.? ?The??crowd? ?cheered? ?and? ?shrieked,? ?shouting? ?‘encore’.? ?There? ?were? ?even? ?insane? ?individuals??randomly? ?throwing? ?money? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?when? ?one? ?slip? ?of? ?it? ?flew? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he??grabbed? ?one? ?and? ?flipped? ?it? ?over,? ?it? ?was? ?money? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?as? ?he? ?thought.???As? ?he? ?walked,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?butcher? ?stall? ?with? ?a? ?row? ?of? ?crestfallen? ?human? ?heads,? ?which??were? ?hung? ?in? ?order? ?of? ?age,? ?as? ?indicated? ?on? ?their? ?price? ?tags;? ?a? ?child’s? ?head? ?was? ?this??much,? ?a? ?youth’s? ?meat? ?was? ?that? ?much,? ?a? ?grown? ?man’s? ?flesh? ?costed? ?this? ?amount,? ?a? ?mature??woman’s? ?sinews? ?was? ?charged? ?that? ?much,? ?etc.? ?The? ?one? ?dressed? ?in? ?an? ?apron? ?with? ?a??butcher? ?knife? ?in? ?hand? ?was? ?a? ?boar? ?with? ?black,? ?thick? ?hair;? ?and? ?under? ?its? ?knife? ?getting??butchered? ?was? ?a? ?muscular? ?human? ?leg,? ?still? ?twitching.???This? ?was? ?truly? ?a? ?swarm? ?of? ?evil,? ?the? ?chaos? ?of? ?hell.???Humans? ?butchering? ?pigs? ?was? ?a? ?common? ?sight,? ?but? ?pigs? ?butchering? ?humans? ?wasn’t,? ?so??Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?take? ?a? ?few? ?extra? ?peeks.? ?The? ?boar? ?noticed? ?him? ?watch? ?and??immediately? ?reacted,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?lookin’? ?at?? ?You? ?buyin’?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“No.”???The? ?boar? ?butcher? ?continued? ?to? ?chop? ?onto? ?the? ?cutting? ?board? ?violently,? ?blood? ?spraying? ?all??over.? ?He? ?yelled,? ?voice? ?rough,? ?“If? ?you? ?ain’t? ?buyin’? ?then? ?don’t? ?watch!? ?Fuckin’? ?tryin’a? ?start??somethin’?? ?Get? ?outta? ?here!”???Xie? ?Lian? ?got? ?outta? ?there.? ?But? ?just? ?as? ?his? ?steps? ?quickened,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?realized??something? ?very? ?wrong.???That? ?group? ?of? ?female? ?ghosts? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?disappeared.???In? ?shock,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?connect? ?with? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?at? ?once? ?within? ?the??communication? ?array,? ?afraid? ?that? ?he? ?really? ?got? ?dragged? ?away? ?by? ?those? ?ghosts? ?to? ?do??facials.? ?However,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?and? ?the? ?spells? ?used? ?by? ?the? ?heaven? ?were??heavily? ?restricted.? ?The? ?connection? ?to? ?the? ?array? ?didn’t? ?work,? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?wander? ?the??streets? ?to? ?search? ?for? ?the? ?missing? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?As? ?he? ?walked,? ?someone? ?suddenly??grabbed? ?him.? ?Already? ?alert? ?and? ?tense,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?reacted,? ?“Who? ?is? ?it?”???The? ?one? ?who? ?stopped? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?woman,? ?and? ?was? ?surprised? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?reaction.? ?But??after? ?seeing? ?his? ?face? ?clearly,? ?she? ?started? ?giggling,? ?playing? ?coy,? ?“Hey? ?there,? ?little? ?gege.? ?Yer??lookin’? ?mighty? ?fine.”???This? ?woman? ?was? ?in? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?revealing? ?dress,? ?her? ?make-up? ?terrifyingly? ?heavy,? ?the??white? ?foundation? ?uneven,? ?and? ?when? ?she? ?opened? ?her? ?mouth? ?clumps? ?of? ?it? ?would? ?fall? ?off? ?her??face.? ?Her? ?bosoms? ?were? ?stuffed? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?was? ?filled? ?in? ?her? ?flesh.? ?Truly,? ?a? ?shocking??sight.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gently? ?pushed? ?away? ?her? ?thin? ?claw-like? ?fingers? ?and? ?said,? ?“My? ?lady,? ?there’s??no? ?need? ?to? ?speak? ?like? ?this.”???The? ?woman? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?and? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?“Dear? ?lord!? ?‘My? ?lady’??? ?Who? ?the??hell? ?still? ?calls? ?me? ?a? ?lady? ?in? ?this? ?day? ?and? ?age?? ?Hahahahahahaha!”???All? ?the? ?passersby? ?seemed? ?to? ?think? ?it? ?was? ?funny? ?too,? ?and? ?started? ?laughing? ?along.? ?Xie? ?Lian??shook? ?his? ?head,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?speak,? ?the? ?woman? ?pounced? ?on? ?him,? ?“Don’t? ?go!? ?Little??gege,? ?I? ?like? ?you.? ?Come? ?and? ?have? ?fun? ?with? ?me? ?all? ?night,? ?I? ?won’t? ?ask? ?for? ?payment!”????She? ?pouted? ?and? ?winked,? ?“But? ?I? ?will? ??charge?.? ?Hehehehehe...”???Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?and? ?prayed? ?inwardly,? ?and? ?gently? ?but? ?firmly? ?pushed? ?her? ?away.? ?He? ?said??kindly,? ?“My? ?lady,? ?please.”???The? ?woman? ?seemed? ?annoyed? ?now? ?and? ?screeched,? ?“Stop? ?calling? ?me? ?‘lady’,? ?no? ?one? ?cares??for? ?it!? ?Quit? ?wastin’? ?my? ?time,? ?ya? ?comin’? ?or? ?not?”???To? ?tempt? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?further,? ?the? ?woman? ?suddenly? ?unlaced? ?her? ?already? ?revealing? ?shirt.? ?Xie??Lian? ?wasn’t? ?prepared? ?to? ?face? ?such? ?a? ?bold? ?move? ?and? ?sighed? ?again? ?before? ?turning? ?away??and? ?continued? ?on? ?his? ?way.? ?The? ?female? ?ghost? ?chased? ?after? ?him? ?and? ?continued? ?her??seduction,? ?“D’ya? ?like? ?what? ?you? ?see?”???Little? ?did? ?she? ?realize,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?grown? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavillion,? ?practicing??abstinence? ?for? ?most? ?of? ?his? ?mortal? ?life,? ?and? ?his? ?body? ?and? ?mind? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?as? ?steady??as? ?the? ?mountains.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?matter? ?what? ?he? ?saw,? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?like? ?still? ?water;? ?anything??unseemly? ?would? ?have? ?him? ?automatically? ?chant? ?sutras? ?in? ?his? ?mind,? ?calming? ?his? ?spirit.??Unsuccessful? ?in? ?her? ?temptation,? ?the? ?female? ?ghost’s? ?expression? ?changed,? ?and? ?she??started? ?yelling,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?want? ?any? ?o’? ?this?? ?Are? ?ya? ?even? ?a? ?man??”???Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?to? ?move? ?his? ?sight? ?away? ?from? ?her? ?and? ?replied,? ?“I? ?am.”???“Then? ?prove? ?it!”? ?The? ?female? ?ghost? ?yelled.???From? ?the? ?sidelines,? ?a? ?passerby? ?mocked,? ?“You? ?slut!? ?He? ?thinks? ?yer? ?old? ?an’? ?ugly,? ?an’? ?want??none? ?o’? ?you.? ?What? ?are? ?ya? ?doin’? ?so? ?clingy?”???Hearing? ?those? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?deadpanned? ?with? ?a? ?straight? ?face,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?that.? ?It’s??because? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?problem.? ?I? ?can’t? ?get? ?erect.”???Everyone? ?fell? ?silent.????Then? ?within? ?an? ?instant? ?all? ?roared? ?with? ?laughter:? ?“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahah...”???This? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?the? ?victim? ?of? ?ridicule.? ?No? ?one? ?had? ?ever? ?met? ?a? ?man? ?who? ?was??brave? ?enough? ?to? ?announce? ?to? ?the? ?world? ?that? ?they? ?have? ?such? ?a? ?problem.? ?However,? ?to??someone? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?matter? ?whether? ?if? ?his? ?private? ?member? ?was? ?functional? ?or??not,? ?so? ?he? ?already? ?developed? ?the? ?habit? ?of? ?using? ?that? ?as? ?an? ?excuse? ?to? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?these??kinds? ?of? ?situations.? ?And? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?method? ?that? ?worked? ?every? ?single? ?time.? ?Sure? ?enough,??the? ?female? ?ghost? ?redid? ?her? ?shirt? ?and? ?stopped? ?clinging? ?onto? ?him.? ?“No? ?wonder? ?yer? ?like? ?this.??What? ?a? ?pig.? ?If? ?ya? ?have? ?a? ?problem? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?so? ?sooner?? ?Pfft!”???Not? ?far? ?behind? ?them,? ?the? ?boar? ?butcher? ?threw? ?down? ?his? ?knife? ?again? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“Fuckin’??slut!? ?What’s? ?that? ?you? ?say?? ?What’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?pigs???”???The? ?female? ?ghost? ?wasn’t? ?scared,? ?and? ?yelled? ?right? ?back,? ?“What? ?about? ?pigs??? ?Fuckin’??animals!”???Soon? ?the? ?long? ?street? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?shouting? ?and? ?squawking,? ?people? ?hollering,? ?“That??female? ?ghost? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?is? ?startin’? ?shit? ?again!”???“Butcher? ?Zhu? ?is? ?choppin’? ?ghosts!”???The? ?two? ?sides? ?buzzed? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?rowdy? ?and? ?chaotic,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?that??pandemonium,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?escaped.? ?After? ?walking? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?he? ?looked? ?back? ?over? ?to? ?where??the? ?crowd? ?was? ?and? ?sighed.???Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?walking? ?and? ?soon? ?came? ?upon? ?another? ?rowdy? ?crowd? ?ahead,? ?and? ?he??stopped? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?a? ?gigantic? ?red? ?building.???This? ?building? ?was? ?extraordinarily? ?grandiose? ?and? ?imposing;? ?its? ?columns,? ?roofs,? ?walls,??everything? ?was? ?in? ?magnificent? ?bright? ?red,? ?and? ?the? ?floors? ?were? ?covered? ?in? ?thick,? ?exquisite??carpet.? ?It? ?if? ?must? ?be? ?compared,? ?this? ?building? ?was? ?on? ?par? ?with? ?the? ?heavenly? ?palaces.? ?The??only? ?difference? ?was? ?it’s? ?more? ?bedazzling? ?than? ?dignified.? ?Large? ?crowds? ?went? ?in? ?and? ?out? ?of??the? ?door,? ?and? ?within,? ?it? ?was? ?quite? ?lively,? ?filled? ?with? ?loud? ?excited? ?voices.? ?At? ?a? ?closer? ?look,??Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?that? ?this? ?place? ?was? ?a? ?Gambler’s? ?Den.???Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?door,? ?and? ?on? ?two? ?columns? ?at? ?the? ?entrance? ?had? ?a? ?set? ?of??verses?3?.? ?The? ?left? ?said? ?“Money? ?Over? ?Life”,? ?and? ?the? ?right? ?said? ?“Gains? ?Over? ?Shame”.? ?On? ?the??top? ?horizontal? ?column? ?it? ?said? ?“HAHAHAHA”.????“...”???It? ?was? ?ugly? ?and? ?rough,? ?not? ?worthy? ?of? ?being? ?entrance? ?verses.? ?The? ?calligraphy? ?was? ?also??wild,? ?clumsy,? ?and? ?frenzied;? ?a? ?disgrace? ?to? ?call? ?it? ?calligraphy? ?at? ?all!? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?someone??took? ?a? ?brush? ?whilst? ?drunk,? ?and? ?scribbled? ?with? ?malintent,? ?and? ?the? ?words? ?got? ?blown? ?by? ?a??blast? ?of? ?evil? ?aura? ?before? ?they? ?were? ?formed? ?thus.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?once? ?heir? ?to? ?the? ?throne,??and? ?his? ?calligraphy? ?was? ?taught? ?by? ?the? ?best? ?teachers? ?in? ?the? ?land.? ?The? ?characters? ?he? ?saw??before? ?him? ?now? ?were? ?a? ?real? ?tragedy.? ?In? ?fact,? ?the? ?characters? ?were? ?so? ?hellish? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian??was? ?starting? ?to? ?think? ?they’re? ?kind? ?of? ?funny,? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?The? ?Wind? ?Master??wouldn’t? ?be? ?playing? ?around? ?here;? ?he’d? ?have? ?a? ?better? ?chance? ?searching? ?in? ?beauty? ?parlors??for? ?female? ?ghosts.???He? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?move? ?on? ?from? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den,? ?but? ?something? ?made? ?him? ?reconsider,??and? ?after? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?red? ?building.???In? ?the? ?main? ?hall? ?of? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den,? ?crowds? ?were? ?filled? ?to? ?the? ?brim;? ?innumerous? ?heads??moving,? ?laughter? ?and? ?desperate? ?cries? ?crammed? ?the? ?air.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?descended? ?a? ?few? ?steps??when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?screaming,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?it? ?came? ?from,? ?four??masked? ?bouncers? ?were? ?walking? ?over? ?carrying? ?another.????That? ?man? ?was? ?in? ?pain,? ?writhing? ?and? ?howling? ?whilst? ?being? ?carried,? ?and? ?a? ?trail? ?of? ?blood??followed.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?both? ?of? ?his? ?legs? ?were? ?cleanly? ?cut? ?off? ?from? ?the? ?knees,? ?and? ?blood? ?was??pouring? ?from? ?the? ?stumps.? ?A? ?small? ?ghost? ?followed? ?closely,? ?and? ?greedily? ?licked? ?up? ?all? ?the??blood? ?on? ?the? ?floor? ?as? ?they? ?went.????It? ?was? ?a? ?terrifying? ?sight? ?yet? ?no? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?spared? ?it? ?any? ?looks,? ?and??continued? ?to? ?shout? ?and? ?cheer,? ?rolling? ?about.? ?Though,? ?of? ?course,? ?many? ?who? ?gamble? ?here??weren’t? ?people,? ?and? ?if? ?they? ?were,? ?then? ?they’re? ?no? ?ordinary? ?humans.????Xie? ?Lian? ?slighted? ?his? ?body? ?to? ?let? ?pass? ?the? ?four? ?bouncers? ?carrying? ?the? ?man,? ?and? ?then??continued? ?going? ?deeper? ?into? ?the? ?den.? ?A? ?petite? ?attendant? ?in? ?a? ?laughing? ?mask? ?approached??him? ?and? ?welcomed? ?him,? ?“Sir,? ?are? ?you? ?here? ?to? ?play?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?a? ?small? ?smile,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?have? ?money? ?on? ?me.? ?Mind? ?if? ?I? ?just? ?look?”???In? ?his? ?experience,? ?usually? ?if? ?you? ?say? ?those? ?words? ?in? ?any? ?establishment? ?you’d? ?get? ?booted.??Why? ?would? ?you? ?enter? ?without? ?money?? ?Yet? ?the? ?petite? ?attendant? ?still? ?giggled,? ?“No? ?money? ?is??not? ?a? ?problem.? ?Those? ?who? ?play? ?here? ?don’t? ?really? ?use? ?money? ?to? ?gamble.”???“Really?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???The? ?petite? ?attendant? ?covered? ?her? ?mouth,? ?“Really.? ?Sir,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?come? ?with? ?me.”???She? ?waved? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?sashayed? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?behind? ?her? ?without? ?a??word,? ?but? ?carefully? ?observed? ?all? ?around.???This? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?from? ?the? ?inside? ?out? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?extravagant? ?and? ?stylish,? ?but??not? ?tacky;? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?building? ?rich? ?with? ?taste.? ?The? ?petite? ?attendant? ?brought? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?the??very? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?main? ?hall,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?table? ?that? ?was? ?packed? ?like? ?sardines.? ?Xie??Lian? ?only? ?just? ?approached? ?and? ?heard? ?a? ?man? ?cry,? ?“I? ?bet? ?my? ?arm!”???There? ?were? ?too? ?many? ?onlookers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?through,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?listen??from? ?outside? ?the? ?crowd.? ?Suddenly? ?another? ?voice? ?rang? ?out,? ?lazily? ?responding,? ?“No? ?need.??Nevermind? ?your? ?arm.? ?Even? ?your? ?shit? ?life? ?is? ?worthless? ?here.”???Hearing? ?the? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?jumped.???He? ?silently? ?mouthed? ?the? ?name,? ?“San? ?Lang.”???What? ?he? ?heard? ?was? ?indeed? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?man.? ?Yet,? ?it? ?was? ?slightly? ?deeper? ?than??he? ?remembered.???However,? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?that? ?it? ?sounded? ?even? ?more? ?pleasing? ?to? ?the? ?ears.??Although? ?he? ?was? ?surrounded? ?by? ?boisterous? ?brouhahas,? ?the? ?voice? ?still? ?rang? ?loud? ?and??clear? ?through? ?the? ?noise? ?of? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?and? ?into? ?his? ?ears.???Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?found? ?that? ?behind? ?the? ?long? ?table? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?screen??curtain.? ?And? ?behind? ?the? ?curtain,? ?he? ?could? ?see? ?a? ?faint? ?red? ?silhouette,? ?laid? ?back? ?leisurely? ?on??a? ?long? ?chair.????

?

?1.Yin? ?from? ?Yin? ?Yang? ?–? ?Yin? ?represents? ?the? ?shadows? ?and? ?femininity.? ?????2.Mei? ?mei? ?is? ?a? ?familiar? ?address? ?for? ?little? ?sister? ?????3.Entrance? ?Verses? ?are? ?three? ?lines? ?of? ?poetry? ?that? ?expresses? ?the? ?meaning/theme? ?of??the? ?establishment,? ?or? ?just? ?for? ?good? ?luck.? ?One? ?line? ?on? ?each? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?door,? ?and??one? ?over? ?the? ?top.? ?????????Ch.36:? ?Admiring? ?the? ?Flower? ?through? ?Red? ?Clouds;? ?A? ?Heart? ?full? ?of? ?Sympathy????The? ?words? ?that? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?mouth? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?condescending? ?and??discourteous.? ?But? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?spoke,? ?the? ?man? ?in? ?question? ?allowed? ?taunting? ?from? ?all??around,? ?and? ?dared? ?not? ?fight? ?back.? ?The? ?attendant? ?who? ?led? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?the? ?long? ?table??smiled,? ?“Young? ?master,? ?you’re? ?very? ?lucky? ?today.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?moved? ?his? ?gaze? ?from? ?the? ?long? ?table,? ?“How? ?so?”???“Our? ?lord? ?is? ?here? ?to? ?play,”? ?the? ?attendant? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?only? ?these? ?past? ?couple? ?of? ?days? ?that??he? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?mood? ?to? ?pass? ?by,? ?so? ?isn’t? ?this? ?good? ?luck?”???By? ?her? ?tone,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?that? ?the? ?attendant? ?had? ?great? ?respect? ?for? ?the? ?‘lord’? ?and??very? ?much? ?idolizes? ?him,? ?as? ?if? ?just? ?seeing? ?him? ?was? ?the? ?greatest? ?honour.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t??help? ?but? ?smile.???The? ?screen? ?curtain? ?was? ?light? ?and? ?fluttering,? ?the? ?red? ?silhouette? ?captivating.? ?In? ?front? ?of? ?the??red? ?curtain? ?were? ?a? ?couple? ?of? ?charming? ?women? ?overlooking? ?the? ?gambling? ?table,??composing? ?a? ?picture? ?of? ?glamour? ?and? ?sensuality.? ?At? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?content? ?to? ?just??watch? ?from? ?the? ?background,? ?but? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?he? ?started??trying? ?to? ?push? ?himself? ?through? ?the? ?crowd? ?without? ?raising? ?any? ?awareness? ?that? ?he? ?was??there.? ?Finally,? ?he? ?made? ?it? ?through? ?to? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?man? ?who? ?was? ?gambling.???It? ?was? ?a? ?real? ?human.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?surprised,? ?since? ?it? ?was? ?already? ?known? ?that? ?within??the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?ghosts;? ?there? ?were? ?also? ?many? ?cultivators? ?with??considerable? ?skill? ?and? ?sometimes,? ?mere? ?mortals? ?who? ?were? ?looking? ?for? ?their? ?own? ?death.??The? ?gambling? ?man? ?had? ?a? ?mask? ?on,? ?but? ?both? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?visible,? ?bulging? ?and? ?laced??with? ?red? ?as? ?if? ?bleeding;? ?his? ?lips? ?were? ?pale? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?the? ?sun? ?in? ?days.? ?He? ?was? ?a??picture? ?of? ?a? ?ghost? ?more? ?so? ?than? ?any? ?ghosts? ?present.???Both? ?of? ?his? ?hands? ?were? ?pressed? ?tightly? ?on? ?a? ?black? ?wooden? ?dice? ?cup? ?on? ?the? ?table,? ?and??after? ?holding? ?back? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?shouted? ?with? ?abandon,? ?“But...? ?how? ?come? ?the? ?other??guy? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?bet? ?both? ?his? ?legs?”???One? ?of? ?the? ?croupiers? ?before? ?the? ?red? ?curtain? ?smiled,? ?“The? ?one? ?before? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?an??acclaimed? ?bandit? ?who? ?was? ?known? ?for? ?his? ?light? ?footwork? ?and? ?ability? ?to? ?take? ?flight? ?wherever??he? ?went.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?crux? ?of? ?his? ?life,? ?so? ?his? ?legs? ?were? ?worthy? ?as? ?a? ?bet.? ?You’re? ?neither? ?an??artisan? ?nor? ?a? ?medic;? ?what? ?worth? ?does? ?your? ?arm? ?possess?”???The? ?man? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Then...? ?I? ?bet? ?my? ?only? ?daughter’s? ?ten? ?years? ?worth? ?of? ?life!”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned? ?to? ?hear? ?those? ?words? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘Where? ?on? ?earth? ?is? ?there? ?a??father? ?who? ?is? ?willing? ?to? ?bet? ?on? ?the? ?life? ?of? ?his? ?children?? ?Is? ?that? ?even? ?possible?’???Behind? ?the? ?curtain,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?snorted,? ?“Very? ?well.”???From? ?that? ?response,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?imagination,? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?sense??coldness? ?from? ?the? ?words.? ?But? ?then? ?he? ?added? ?mentally,? ?‘San? ?Lang? ?had? ?always? ?said? ?his??fortune? ?was? ?good,? ?and? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?fortune? ?sticks? ?came? ?up? ?the? ?best? ?of? ?luck.? ?If? ?he? ?bets? ?with??this? ?man,? ?wouldn’t? ?he? ?for? ?sure? ?win? ?and? ?take? ?away? ?ten? ?years? ?of? ?life? ?from? ?that? ?man’s??daughter?’???He? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?those? ?thoughts? ?when? ?the? ?croupier? ?announced? ?sweetly,? ?“Even? ?will? ?be??a? ?loss;? ?odds? ?will? ?be? ?a? ?win.? ?Once? ?the? ?cup? ?is? ?open,? ?there? ?will? ?be? ?no? ?going? ?back.? ?Now??please.”???So? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?himself? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?betting? ?in? ?the? ?pool.? ?That? ?man? ?shook? ?the? ?gambling??cup? ?haphazardly,? ?both? ?hands? ?grasping? ?onto? ?it? ?hard,? ?and? ?the? ?hall? ?quieted? ?down.? ?The??sounds? ?of? ?the? ?dice? ?rattling? ?could? ?be? ?heard? ?loud? ?and? ?crisply.? ?Then,? ?his? ?movement? ?slowed??to? ?a? ?stop.? ?Silence? ?veiled.???It? ?was? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?moment? ?before? ?the? ?man? ?slowly? ?–? ?very? ?slowly? ?–? ?lifted? ?a? ?corner? ?of? ?the??gambling? ?cup? ?and? ?peeked? ?through? ?the? ?gap.? ?His? ?red? ?eyes? ?suddenly? ?widened.???He? ?flipped? ?open? ?the? ?cup? ?and? ?shouted? ?with? ?mad? ?joy,? ?“ODD!? ?ODD!? ?ODD!!? ?I? ?WIN!? ?I’VE??WON!? ?HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH? ?I’VE? ?WON!!!? ?I’VE? ?WON!!!!!”???This? ?was? ?not? ?the? ?outcome? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?humans? ?and? ?ghosts? ?surrounding? ?the? ?long? ?table??wanted? ?to? ?see? ?and? ?they? ?started? ?booing? ?down? ?the? ?man,? ?slapping? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?shouting??their? ?discontent.? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?croupiers? ?smiled? ?and? ?said,? ?“Congratulations.? ?The? ?fate? ?of??your? ?business? ?will? ?soon? ?see? ?a? ?turn? ?around.”???The? ?man? ?laughed? ?uproariously? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Wait!? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?bet? ?again!”???The? ?croupier? ?smiled,? ?“You’re? ?welcome? ?to.? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?this? ?time?’???The? ?man’s? ?face? ?dropped,? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?want,? ?I? ?want? ?everyone? ?competing? ?with? ?me? ?in? ?my??business? ?to? ?drop? ?dead!”???The? ?crowd? ?started? ?muttering? ?and? ?clicking? ?their? ?tongues.? ?The? ?croupier? ?raised? ?a? ?hand? ?to??cover? ?her? ?smile,? ?“If? ?that? ?is? ?your? ?wish? ?then? ?it’s? ?much? ?more? ?difficult? ?to? ?fulfill? ?than? ?your??previous? ?wish.? ?Won’t? ?you? ?consider? ?a? ?different? ?wish? ?like? ?asking? ?for? ?your? ?business? ?to??flourish?”???Yet? ?the? ?man? ?replied? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?red,? ?“No!? ?I? ?only? ?want? ?that!? ?That’s? ?what? ?I’m? ?betting? ?for!”???“Then,? ?if? ?that? ?is? ?your? ?wish,? ?ten? ?years? ?of? ?your? ?daughter’s? ?life? ?may? ?not? ?be? ?enough.”? ?The??croupier? ?said.???“If? ?that’s? ?not? ?enough,? ?I’ll? ?bet? ?twenty? ?years? ?of? ?her? ?life!? ?And...? ?And? ?the? ?fate? ?of? ?her? ?marriage??on? ?top? ?of? ?that!”???The? ?crowd? ?was? ?stunned? ?and? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?“That? ?dad’s? ?lost? ?his? ?mind!? ?He’s? ?selling??his? ?daughter!!”???“Amazing,? ?amazing!!”???The? ?croupier? ?announced? ?once? ?again,? ?“Even? ?will? ?be? ?a? ?loss,? ?odd? ?will? ?be? ?a? ?win.? ?Once? ?the??cup? ?is? ?open,? ?there? ?will? ?be? ?no? ?going? ?back.? ?Now? ?please.”???That? ?man? ?took? ?up? ?the? ?gambling? ?cup? ?once? ?more,? ?his? ?hands? ?shaking.? ?If? ?he? ?lost,? ?then? ?his??daughter? ?would? ?lose? ?twenty? ?years? ?of? ?her? ?life? ?and? ?a? ?good? ?marriage,? ?obviously? ?not? ?ideal;??but? ?if? ?he? ?won,? ?then? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?competitors? ?would? ?drop? ?dead?? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought??Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?never? ?let? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?happen,? ?after? ?much? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?still? ?stepped??forward.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?join? ?in? ?using? ?some? ?small? ?trick? ?when??suddenly,? ?someone? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?him.? ?He? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?see? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Shi??Qingxuan.???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?returned? ?to? ?his? ?male? ?form,? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?rash.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered? ?back,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?transform? ?back????“It’s? ?a? ?long? ?story,”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?sighed,? ?“That? ?group? ?of? ?women? ?dragged? ?me? ?around??saying? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?introduce? ?me? ?to? ?good? ?beauty? ?parlours.? ?I? ?finally? ?escaped? ?but??they? ?caught? ?me? ?again,? ?so? ?I? ?had? ?to? ?change? ?back.? ?They? ?dragged? ?me? ?to? ?a? ?place? ?that??smeared? ?so? ?much? ?stuff? ?on? ?my? ?face;? ?pulling,? ?stretching,? ?slapping,? ?smacking? ?–? ?quick,??check? ?my? ?face!? ?How? ?is? ?it?? ?Anything? ?wrong?? ?Do? ?you? ?see? ?anything? ?off? ?with? ?my? ?face?”???He? ?pushed? ?his? ?face? ?right? ?up? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?be? ?inspected,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dutifully? ?gave? ?it? ?a??detailed? ?look? ?before? ?replying? ?truthfully,? ?“I? ?think? ?it? ?looks? ?even? ?smoother? ?and? ?whiter? ?than??before.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?brightened? ?immediately,? ?“Really?? ?Oh? ?good!? ?That’s? ?wonderful!? ?Hahahaha!??Is? ?there’s? ?a? ?mirror?? ?Where’s? ?a? ?mirror?? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?see!”???“Look? ?later,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?Ghost? ?City? ?is? ?blocking? ?our? ?spiritual? ?communication,? ?so??let’s? ?not? ?lose? ?each? ?other? ?again.? ?By? ?the? ?way,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?know? ?I? ?was? ?here,? ?Lord? ?Wind??Master?”???“I? ?didn’t!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“I? ?came? ?because? ?Qianqiu? ?and? ?I? ?had? ?already? ?agreed? ?to??meet? ?here.? ?When? ?we? ?lost? ?each? ?other? ?earlier,? ?I? ?just? ?came? ?here? ?instead,? ?but? ?when? ?I? ?walked??in,? ?turns? ?out? ?you? ?were? ?here? ?too!”???“Qianqiu?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Meet? ?here?”???“Yea.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“Qianqiu? ?is? ?that? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu,? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua.? ?You??know? ?that? ?much? ?at? ?least,? ?right?? ?He’s? ?the? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?East.? ?Since? ?we’re? ?here,? ?it’s??best? ?if? ?he? ?came? ?too.? ?The? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?is? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?most? ?bustling? ?and? ?the? ?most??chaotic? ?place? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.? ?It’s? ?a? ?landmark.? ?Many? ?people? ?and? ?ghosts? ?alike? ?go? ?in? ?and??out,? ?it’s? ?much? ?less? ?conspicuous? ?for? ?us? ?to? ?be? ?about,? ?so? ?I? ?told? ?him? ?to? ?meet? ?us? ?here.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?When? ?he? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?long? ?table,? ?that? ?man? ?still? ?hadn’t? ?opened??the? ?cup;? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?rolled? ?back? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?muttering,? ?not? ?unlike? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?ghosts??there.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“This? ?man...”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?felt? ?up? ?his? ?face,? ?“I? ?know? ?what? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?say,? ?and? ?I? ?agree.? ?But,??the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?is? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?territory,? ?and? ?the? ?rules? ?here? ?were? ?all? ?adhered? ?to? ?willingly.??If? ?you? ?dare? ?gamble? ?then? ?you? ?can? ?play.? ?The? ?heavens? ?can? ?do? ?nothing.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?observe,??and? ?we? ?can? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?something? ?if? ?anything? ?goes? ?out? ?of? ?hand.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed,? ?thinking? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?San? ?Lang? ?would? ?allow? ?anything? ?to? ?go? ?out??of? ?hand,? ?so? ?it? ?would? ?indeed? ?be? ?best? ?to? ?just? ?observe.? ?The? ?gambling? ?man? ?finally? ?seemed? ?to??gather? ?enough? ?courage? ?and? ?opened? ?just? ?a? ?slither? ?of? ?the? ?gambling? ?cup? ?to? ?reveal? ?the??outcome.? ?Just? ?then,? ?another? ?person? ?busted? ?in,? ?shut? ?down? ?the? ?gambling? ?cup? ?with? ?a? ?strike,??and? ?crushed? ?it? ?to? ?pieces!???This? ?strike? ?not? ?only? ?crushed? ?the? ?gambling? ?cup,? ?but? ?also? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?was? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?it,??and? ?the? ?entire? ?table? ?splintered? ?with? ?a? ?deep? ?fissure.???The? ?masked? ?man? ?cradled? ?his? ?crushed? ?hand? ?and? ?rolled? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?floor? ?screaming.? ?The??crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?also? ?started? ?shouting,? ?some? ?cheering,? ?and? ?some? ?crying? ?in? ?shock.? ?The??person? ?who? ?struck? ?out? ?yelled,? ?“You!? ?What? ?villainous? ?heart!? ?If? ?you? ?wished? ?for? ?wealth? ?and??fortune? ?then? ?no? ?matter,? ?but? ?you? ?wished? ?for? ?others? ?to? ?drop? ?dead?? ?If? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?bet??then? ?have? ?the? ?guts? ?to? ?bet? ?your? ?own? ?life,? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?life? ?and? ?marriage? ?of? ?your? ?daughter!??You’re? ?not? ?fit? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?man!? ?Not? ?fit? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?father!”???The? ?young? ?man? ?had? ?sword? ?like? ?brows? ?and? ?stars? ?for? ?eyes,? ?bursting? ?with? ?heroic? ?aura.??Although? ?his? ?clothes? ?were? ?simple? ?and? ?not? ?a? ?bit? ?glamourous,? ?his? ?air? ?of? ?nobility? ?couldn’t? ?be??hidden? ?away.? ?It? ?was? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Yong’An? ?–? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.???Seeing? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?both? ?covered? ?their? ?face? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?in? ?the??crowd.???Xie? ?Lian? ?groaned,? ?“....Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?did? ?you...? ?not? ?tell? ?him...? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?more??careful? ?when? ?coming? ?here,? ?and? ?keep? ?it? ?low-key....”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?whined? ?back,? ?“....? ?I...I? ?told? ?him,? ?but...he’s? ?always? ?like? ?that...what? ?can? ?I??do....had? ?I? ?known? ?earlier...I? ?would’ve? ?planned? ?for? ?us? ?to? ?come? ?down? ?together....”???Xie? ?Lian? ?sympathized,? ?“I? ?get? ?it....I? ?understand...”???Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled? ?lightly? ?from? ?behind? ?the? ?curtains.???Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?skipped? ?a? ?beat.???The? ?boy? ?had? ?often? ?laughed? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?so? ?now? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?tell??somewhat? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?laughter? ?was? ?genuine? ?happiness,? ?mockery,? ?or? ?laced? ?with? ?killing??intent.???A? ?voice? ?said? ?lazily,? ?“You? ?must? ?have? ?guts? ?of? ?steel? ?to? ?start? ?trouble? ?here? ?in? ?my? ?territory.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?turned? ?to? ?face? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?voice,? ?fire? ?within? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Are? ?you? ?the??owner? ?of? ?this? ?Gambler’s? ?Den?”???The? ?crowd? ?jeered,? ?“Foolish? ?bastard,? ?do? ?you? ?even? ?know? ?who? ?you’re? ?talking? ?to?? ?This? ?is? ?our??lord.”???Some? ?sneered? ?coldly,? ?“Not? ?only? ?does? ?he? ?own? ?this? ?Gambler’s? ?Den,? ?this? ?entire? ?Ghost? ?City??is? ?his!”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?barely? ?showed? ?any? ?reaction,? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was??completely? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“My? ?dear? ?god,? ?is? ?that? ?who? ?I? ?think? ?it? ?is? ?behind? ?the? ?curtain?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?answered,? ?“Yes...it’s? ?him.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?asked? ?again,? ?“Are? ?you? ?sure?!”???Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?certain.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?panicked,? ?“We’re? ?dead,? ?we’re? ?dead.? ?What? ?do? ?we? ?do? ?about? ?Qianqiu? ?now?!”???Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?after? ?while,? ?“...Let’s? ?hope? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?expose? ?himself...”???Yet? ?the? ?more? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?looked? ?around,? ?the? ?angrier? ?he? ?became,? ?and? ?demanded,??“This? ?hellish? ?place? ?reeks? ?of? ?smoke? ?and? ?corruption,? ?and? ?filled? ?to? ?the? ?brim? ?with? ?demonic??chaos.? ?What? ?kind? ?of? ?scums? ?are? ?you?? ?Just? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you’re? ?doing? ?here?? ?Running??a? ?place? ?like? ?this,? ?you? ?guys? ?really? ?don’t? ?have? ?a? ?single? ?trace? ?of? ?humanity? ?in? ?you.? ?”???The? ?crowd? ?booed? ?in? ?unison,? ?“We? ?ain’t? ?humans? ?anyway,? ?what? ?do? ?we? ?need? ?humanity? ?for???That? ?sort? ?of? ?useless? ?notion,? ?whoever? ?wants? ?it? ?can? ?take? ?it!”???“Who? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you? ?are,? ?coming? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?here? ?to? ?point? ?fingers? ?at? ?us!”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?amused,? ?“This? ?den? ?of? ?mine? ?had? ?been? ?a? ?mad? ?hellish? ?place? ?to? ?begin? ?with.??There’s? ?a? ?path? ?for? ?you? ?in? ?Heaven,? ?but? ?you? ?refuse? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?and? ?instead,? ?chose? ?to? ?barge??into? ?Hell.? ?What? ?shall? ?we? ?do? ?with? ?you?”???After? ?hearing? ?the? ?word? ?‘heaven’,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?immediately? ?knew.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?seen? ?through? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?and? ?knew? ?exactly? ?where? ?he? ?had??come? ?from.???Yet,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?completely? ?missed? ?the? ?meaning? ?behind? ?his? ?words? ?and? ?slammed? ?his??hand? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?table? ?once? ?more.? ?He? ?was? ?standing? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?table,? ?and? ?with??this? ?one? ?strike,? ?he? ?sent? ?the? ?entire? ?table? ?flying? ?towards? ?the? ?red? ?shadow? ?behind? ?the??curtains.? ?Those? ?who? ?had? ?originally? ?gathered? ?around? ?the? ?table? ?dodged? ?to? ?the? ?sides.??However,? ?the? ?sitting? ?silhouette? ?behind? ?the? ?curtain? ?didn’t? ?move.? ?With? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?his? ?hand,??the? ?long? ?table? ?was? ?flung? ?back? ?in? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction,? ?towards? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.???Seeing? ?the? ?incoming? ?flying? ?object,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?used? ?one? ?hand? ?to? ?push? ?it? ?back? ?but? ?then??realized? ?that? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?enough? ?and? ?switched? ?to? ?both? ?hands.? ?Seconds? ?ticked? ?by? ?and? ?blue??veins? ?gradually? ?surfaced? ?on? ?his? ?forehead.? ?The? ?once? ?bustling? ?hall? ?now? ?had? ?people? ?and??ghosts? ?fleeing? ?and? ?hiding.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?debated? ?whether? ?they? ?should? ?step??in? ?to? ?help.? ?Since? ?they? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?exposed? ?yet,? ?they? ?could? ?continue? ?to? ?help? ?out? ?in? ?the??dark,? ?but? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?walk? ?in? ?openly,? ?then? ?they’d? ?risk? ?getting? ?caught? ?altogether.????On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?exhaled? ?loudly? ?and? ?finally? ?pushed? ?back? ?the? ?heavy,? ?long??table? ?again.? ?Behind? ?the? ?red? ?curtains,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?figure? ?was? ?still? ?leaning? ?against? ?the??chair.? ?He? ?curled? ?his? ?five? ?fingers? ?into? ?a? ?fist? ?and? ?then? ?released? ?them? ?lightly.? ?Instantly,? ?the??table? ?exploded? ?into? ?sawdust? ?and? ?flew? ?towards? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.???The? ?force? ?of? ?this? ?gust? ?full? ?of? ?splinters? ?was? ?as? ?sharp? ?as? ?knives,? ?more? ?fearful? ?than? ?any? ?kind??of? ?weapon.? ?If? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?to? ?keep? ?his? ?powers? ?hidden? ?and? ?remain? ?in? ?his? ?mortal??form,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?evade? ?the? ?attack? ?no? ?matter? ?what.? ?Thus,? ?moments? ?after,??when? ?his? ?body? ?started? ?emitting? ?a? ?faint? ?light,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?understood? ?right??away? ?and? ?panicked,? ?“Oh? ?no,? ?he’s? ?going? ?to? ?reveal? ?his? ?true? ?form!”???But? ?this? ?layer? ?of? ?light? ?suddenly? ?vanished? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?it? ?appeared.? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?had??probably? ?remembered? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?supposed? ?to? ?reveal? ?his? ?identity? ?during? ?this? ?trip? ?and??caught? ?himself? ?in? ?the? ?last? ?second? ?before? ?quickly? ?withdrew? ?his? ?power.? ?Although? ?Lang??Qianqiu? ?had? ?taken? ?a? ?step? ?back,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?didn’t.? ?The? ?crimson??figure? ?sitting? ?leisurely? ?behind? ?the? ?red? ?curtain? ?made? ?another? ?hand? ?gesture.? ?This? ?time,? ?he??pressed? ?his? ?fingers? ?together? ?and? ?lightly? ?flicked? ?up.????With? ?this? ?one? ?motion,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu’s? ?body? ?lifted? ?off? ?the? ?ground.? ?Like? ?a? ?starfish,? ?his? ?body??was? ?suspended? ?on? ?the? ?ceiling? ?of? ?the? ?gambling? ?hall.???Not? ?realizing? ?what? ?had? ?just? ?happened,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?still? ?incredibly? ?confused? ?as? ?to??how? ?he? ?suddenly? ?started? ?floating? ?and? ?struggled? ?to? ?break? ?free.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?in? ?defeat,??“Now? ?that? ?his? ?power’s? ?been? ?sealed,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?use? ?them,? ?it’d? ?be? ?impossible.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?agreed,? ?“Since? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?is? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?territory,? ?If? ?he? ?wanted? ?to??seal? ?it,? ?then? ?he? ?could.? ?”???Even? ?though? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?had? ?been? ?appended? ?before? ?the? ?crowd,? ?at? ?least? ?there? ?was? ?a??merit? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?gained? ?from? ?it,? ?which? ?was? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?his? ?identity? ?would? ?be??protected.? ?If? ?he? ?had? ?continued? ?the? ?brawl? ?back? ?then? ?and? ?released? ?his? ?powers,? ?it? ?would? ?be??hard? ?to? ?explain? ?as? ?to? ?why? ?Tai? ?Hua-ZhenJun,? ?the? ?Eastern? ?Martial? ?God,? ?would? ?come? ?to? ?the??Ghost? ?City? ?to? ?wreak? ?havoc.? ?After? ?all,? ?over? ?the? ?course? ?of? ?the? ?years,? ?unless? ?it? ?was??something? ?extraordinary,? ?Heaven? ?and? ?Hell? ?all? ?minded? ?their? ?own? ?businesses.???Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?boisterous? ?guest? ?that? ?barged? ?into? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?had? ?been??detained,? ?the? ?crowd? ?that? ?fled? ?returned? ?and? ?gathered? ?in? ?the? ?hall? ?once? ?more.? ?They? ?pointed??at? ?the? ?suspended? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?and? ?laughed.? ?Lang? ?QianQiu? ?had? ?never? ?experienced? ?this??kind? ?of? ?humiliation? ?before,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?flushed? ?red? ?as? ?he? ?wordlessly? ?struggled? ?against??the? ?invisible? ?binds.? ?From? ?time? ?to? ?time,? ?a? ?ghost? ?from? ?below? ?would? ?jump? ?up? ?in? ?an? ?attempt??to? ?pat? ?his? ?head.? ?Fortunately,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?hung? ?him? ?fairly? ?high? ?up,? ?far? ?from? ?reach,? ?or??else? ?he? ?would? ?end? ?up? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?embarrassment? ?of? ?the? ?century.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled??from? ?behind? ?the? ?curtains,? ?“What? ?an? ?interesting? ?catch? ?today,? ?I’ll? ?let? ?you? ?guys? ?play? ?with? ?it.??Whoever’s? ?lucky? ?and? ?wins? ?big? ?can? ?take? ?it? ?home? ?to? ?roast.”???The? ?cheers? ?that? ?erupted? ?within? ?the? ?hall? ?were? ?endless,? ?“Bet? ?on? ?the? ?roll!? ?Let’s? ?bet? ?on? ?the??roll!? ?The? ?highest? ?roll? ?can? ?take? ?him? ?home? ?to? ?roast!”???“Aiyaya,? ?this? ?little? ?gege? ?looks? ?pretty? ?delicious,? ?hehehehe....”???“Hahahahahaha,? ?who’s? ?the? ?fool? ?now!? ?That’ll? ?teach? ?you? ?to? ?cause? ?trouble? ?around? ?here!”???The? ?four? ?masked? ?bouncers? ?carried? ?in? ?a? ?new? ?long? ?table? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?flocked? ?to? ?the? ?area??once? ?again? ?to? ?start? ?the? ?next? ?round? ?of? ?bets.? ?The? ?masked? ?man? ?who? ?was? ?clutching? ?his? ?hand??and? ?howling? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?was? ?long? ?forgotten.? ?The? ?bet? ?this? ?time? ?around? ?was? ?no? ?other??than? ?Lang? ?Qiang? ?Qiu? ?who? ?was? ?suspended? ?in? ?mid-air.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?people? ?on? ?the? ?other??end? ?were? ?riled? ?up,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?anxiously? ?paced? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?waving? ?his? ?hands??around? ?aimlessly,”? ?What? ?do? ?we? ?do?? ?Should? ?we? ?go? ?up? ?and? ?win? ?him? ?back?? ?Or? ?is? ?it? ?better? ?to??just? ?fight?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?how’s? ?your? ?luck?”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?sometimes? ?good,? ?sometimes? ?bad.? ?There’s? ?no? ?certainty? ?in??something? ?like? ?‘luck’.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“There? ?can? ?be.? ?For? ?example,? ?look? ?at? ?me,? ?I’ve? ?never? ?had? ?any? ?good? ?luck.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?gaped,? ?“Is? ?it? ?that? ?bad?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?gloomily,? ?“Whenever? ?I? ?roll,? ?the? ?most? ?I’d? ?get? ?is? ?snake? ?eyes.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?but? ?an? ?idea? ?came? ?to? ?him? ?in? ?an? ?instant? ?and? ?he? ?slapped??his? ?thigh,? ?“How? ?about? ?this:? ?since? ?the? ?most? ?you? ?can? ?get? ?is? ?snake? ?eyes,? ?then? ?you? ?should??bet? ?on? ?the? ?lowest? ?number.? ?There? ?can’t? ?be? ?anyone? ?who’d? ?roll? ?lower? ?than? ?you.”???After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?consideration,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?agreed,? ?“You? ?have? ?a? ?good? ?point.? ?Let? ?me? ?try.”???So,? ?he? ?found? ?a? ?place? ?near? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?threw? ?out? ?a? ?suggestion,? ?“Why? ?not? ?switch? ?the??rules? ?up? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?see? ?who? ?can? ?roll? ?the? ?smallest?? ?The? ?lowest? ?roll? ?wins,? ?how? ?about? ?that?”???The? ?crowd? ?around? ?the? ?table? ?was? ?chaotic,? ?some? ?agreed,? ?some? ?disagreed.? ?Xie? ?Lian??decided? ?to? ?take? ?two? ?dice? ?and? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?try? ?first.???Before? ?he? ?rolled,? ?he? ?chanted? ?mentally,? ?“small,? ?small,? ?small.”? ?The? ?dice? ?were? ?tossed,? ?and??the? ?two? ?leaned? ?in? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look.????Two? ?sixes!???Xie? ?Lian:? ?“....”???Shi? ?Qingxuan:? ?“....”???Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?in? ?defeat,? ?“It? ?seems? ?that? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?change? ?of? ?rules? ?could??change? ?my? ?luck.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?mirrored? ?his? ?gestures,? ?“Maybe? ?it’s? ?better? ?if? ?we? ?just? ?fight.”???Just? ?then,? ?a? ?croupier? ?walked? ?towards? ?the? ?red? ?curtains? ?and? ?leaned? ?in? ?as? ?if? ?trying? ?to? ?hear??what? ?the? ?figure? ?behind? ?was? ?saying.? ?She? ?nodded,? ?raised? ?her? ?head? ?and? ?announced,??“Everyone,? ?can? ?I? ?have? ?your? ?attention? ?please.? ?The? ?lord? ?has? ?an? ?announcement? ?to? ?make.”???Hearing? ?that? ?the? ?lord? ?had? ?something? ?to? ?say,? ?the? ?crowd? ?immediately? ?dropped? ?everything??and? ?fell? ?silent.? ?The? ?croupier? ?continued,? ?“The? ?lord? ?said? ?to? ?change? ?up? ?the? ?rules.”???Chatter? ?broke? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?crowds,? ?“The? ?lord? ?is? ?the? ?rule!”???“The? ?rule? ?is? ?whatever? ?the? ?lord? ?dictates!”???“What? ?are? ?we? ?changing? ?it? ?to?”???The? ?croupier? ?responded,? ?“The? ?lord? ?said? ?that? ?he’s? ?in? ?a? ?good? ?mood? ?today? ?and? ?wanted? ?to??play? ?a? ?couple? ?rounds? ?with? ?everyone.? ?Anyone? ?is? ?free? ?to? ?bet? ?against? ?him.? ?Whoever? ?wins??gets? ?to? ?take? ?home? ?the? ?thing? ?above.? ?Whether? ?if? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?steam? ?it,? ?boil? ?it,? ?fry? ?it? ?or? ?pickle??it,? ?it’s? ?all? ?up? ?to? ?you.”???Hearing? ?that? ?they’d? ?be? ?betting? ?against? ?the? ?lord,? ?all? ?the? ?ghosts? ?and? ?demons? ?started? ?to??have? ?second? ?thoughts.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?never? ?really? ?stepped? ?in? ?to? ?gamble??himself.? ?Out? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?courageous? ?ones,? ?not? ?one? ?would? ?dare? ?to? ?come? ?up? ?first.? ?Above??them,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?struggled? ?with? ?endless? ?determination.? ?He? ?barked,? ?“What? ?do? ?you??mean? ?‘thing’?? ?I’m? ?not? ?a? ?thing!? ?You? ?dare? ?to? ?use? ?me? ?as? ?a? ?bet?”???His? ?proclamation? ?of? ?not? ?being? ?a? ?‘thing’? ?was? ?heard? ?by? ?the? ?many? ?female? ?ghosts? ?in? ?the??crowd.? ?Giggling,? ?they? ?sent? ?him? ?lecherous? ?looks? ?while? ?running? ?their? ?bloody? ?sharp? ?tongues??across? ?their? ?lips? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?wanted? ?to? ?swallow? ?him? ?whole.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘Sigh...this??child.? ?It’s? ?better? ?if? ?you? ?speak? ?less.’???He? ?sighed,? ?stepped? ?forward,? ?and? ?said? ?softly,? ?“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then,? ?please? ?let? ?me? ?have??a? ?try.”???Upon? ?hearing? ?his? ?voice,? ?the? ?shadow? ?behind? ?the? ?red? ?curtains? ?paused? ?before? ?slowly??standing? ?up.???The? ?croupier? ?in? ?front? ?the? ?curtains? ?smiled,? ?“Then,? ?please? ?come? ?forth,? ?young? ?master.”???Within? ?the? ?hall,? ?demons? ?and? ?ghosts? ?automatically? ?parted? ?for? ?this? ?brave? ?warrior.? ?When??Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?path,? ?The? ?croupier? ?presented? ?to? ?him? ?the? ?polished? ?black??gambling? ?cup? ?in? ?her? ?hands,? ?“Please? ?go? ?ahead.”???To? ?all? ?the? ?previous? ?gamblers,? ?she? ?had? ?always? ?used? ?a? ?casual? ?way? ?of? ?speaking.? ?Despite??the? ?ordinary? ?words? ?that? ?were? ?uttered,? ?her? ?tone? ?wasn’t? ?polite? ?in? ?the? ?slightest.? ?However,??now,? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?not? ?only? ?had? ?she? ?switched? ?to? ?using? ?honorifics*,? ?but? ?the? ?tone? ?was??exceedingly? ?polite? ?and? ?respectful.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?received? ?the? ?black? ?gambling? ?cup? ?from? ?her??with? ?a? ?word? ?of? ?thanks? ?and? ?lightly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat.???Since? ?he? ?never? ?had? ?any? ?experience? ?with? ?something? ?like? ?gambling,? ?he? ?shook? ?the? ?cup??randomly? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?and? ?pretended? ?that? ?he? ?knew? ?a? ?thing? ?or? ?two.? ?As? ?he? ?moved? ?his??hands,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?glanced? ?at? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?who? ?was? ?hanging? ?above.? ?Lang??Qianqiu’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?wide? ?open,? ?staring? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?thankfully,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?make? ?a? ?sound.??His? ?expression? ?somehow? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?laugh,? ?but? ?he? ?held? ?it? ?back.? ?After? ?a??long? ?shake,? ?he? ?finally? ?stopped.???Countless? ?pairs? ?of? ?eyes? ?zoomed? ?in? ?on? ?the? ?cup? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?that??somehow,? ?this? ?tiny? ?little? ?gambling? ?cup? ?had? ?grown? ?heavier.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?a??right? ?way? ?to? ?flipping? ?it.? ?However,? ?just? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?reveal? ?the? ?outcome,? ?the??croupier? ?stopped? ?him,? ?“Wait.”???? ?“Is? ?something? ?the? ?matter?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???That? ?croupier? ?replied,? ?“The? ?lord? ?said? ?your? ?cup? ?shaking? ?posture? ?isn’t? ?quite? ?right.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?to? ?himself,? ?‘Was? ?there? ?really? ?a? ?correct? ?way? ?of? ?doing? ?this?? ?Was? ?all? ?my??bad? ?luck? ?before? ?due? ?to? ?my? ?bad? ?posture?’???He? ?asked? ?modestly,? ?“May? ?I? ?ask? ?what? ?the? ?correct? ?posture? ?is?”???The? ?croupier? ?responded,? ?“The? ?lord? ?has? ?invited? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?up? ?as? ?he’s? ?willing? ?to? ?teach? ?you.”???Upon? ?hearing? ?that,? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?within? ?the? ?den? ?voiced? ?their? ?discontent.???Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ?ghost? ?mutter,? ?“To? ?think? ?the? ?lord? ?would? ?teach? ?him,? ?does? ?that? ?mean? ?he’s??gonna? ?die?”???“The? ?lord? ?wants? ?to? ?do? ?what???? ?Just? ?who? ?is? ?this???? ?Why? ?teach? ?him???”???“Isn’t? ?that? ?how? ?we? ?all? ?shake? ?cups?? ?How? ?is? ?there? ?even? ?a? ?right? ?way? ?of? ?doing? ?this?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?the? ?same? ?question,? ?but? ?the? ?croupier? ?already? ?motioned? ?him??towards? ?the? ?red? ?curtains,? ?“Please? ?go? ?ahead.”???Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?arrived? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?red? ?curtains? ?with? ?the? ?black? ?wooden? ?gambling? ?cup??clutched? ?in? ?his? ?hands.???The? ?silk? ?curtain? ?swayed? ?gently,? ?almost? ?giving? ?life? ?to? ?the? ?red? ?silhouette.? ?The? ?person??behind? ?the? ?curtains? ?was? ?standing? ?directly? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him? ?with? ?only? ?half? ?an? ?arm’s? ?distance??between? ?the? ?two.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?as? ?a? ?hand? ?parted? ?the? ?heavy? ?red? ?curtains? ?and??landed? ?perfectly? ?under? ?his,? ?supporting? ?the? ?gambling? ?cup.???This? ?was? ?a? ?right? ?hand,? ?white? ?and? ?elegant;? ?the? ?slender? ?fingers? ?had? ?a? ?red? ?thread? ?tied??around? ?the? ?third.????Against? ?the? ?pitch? ?black? ?wooden? ?cup,? ?the? ?white? ?looked? ?even? ?paler? ?and? ?the? ?red? ?even? ?more??vivid.? ?Slowly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?up? ?his? ?eyes.? ?A? ?youth? ?roughly? ?around? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?eighteen? ?or??ninteen? ?silently? ?stood? ?behind? ?the? ?silk? ?curtains? ?that? ?looked? ?like? ?red? ?clouds.???It? ?was? ?San? ?Lang.???His? ?clothes? ?were? ?still? ?the? ?same? ?maple? ?red,? ?and? ?his? ?skin? ?white? ?as? ?snow.? ?That? ?same??uniquely? ?handsome? ?face? ?with? ?incomparable? ?youthful? ?expression? ?was? ?now? ?slightly? ?more??defined.? ?That? ?shyness? ?of? ?boyhood? ?had? ?morphed? ?into? ?one? ?of? ?calmness.? ?He? ?carried? ?an? ?air??of? ?wild? ?playfulness? ?that? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?tamed.? ?The? ?same? ?eye? ?that? ?twinkled? ?like? ?stars? ?never??moved? ?away? ?from? ?Xie? ?Lian.???Although? ?as? ?bright? ?as? ?stars,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?left? ?eye.???The? ?other? ?was? ?hidden? ?behind? ?a? ?black? ?eyepatch.????Ch.37:? ?Admiring? ?the? ?Flower? ?through? ?Red? ?Clouds;? ?A? ?Heart? ?Full? ?of? ?Sympathy? ?2????There? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?small? ?gap? ?between? ?the? ?curtains,? ?but? ?from? ?his? ?position,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was??the? ?only? ?one? ?that? ?could? ?make? ?out? ?the? ?person? ?behind? ?it? ?since? ?he? ?had? ?blocked? ?everyone??else’s? ?vision? ?in? ?the? ?hall,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?able? ?see? ?anything.? ?Not? ?that? ?they? ?would? ?dare? ?to??sneak? ?a? ?peek? ?anyway.? ?That? ?left? ?eye? ?watched? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?the? ?gaze,??subconsciously? ?drawn? ?to? ?it.???Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?appearance? ?this? ?time? ?around? ?didn’t? ?only? ?seem? ?to? ?look? ?a? ?couple? ?years? ?older,??but? ?he’d? ?also? ?grown? ?taller.? ?Before,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?he? ?could? ?still? ?manage? ?to??maintain? ?the? ?same? ?level? ?of? ?eye? ?contact,? ?but? ?now,? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?strain? ?his? ?neck? ?to? ?look? ?up.???After? ?staring? ?at? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?broke? ?the? ?silence.???His? ?voice? ?was? ?deeper,? ?“Would? ?you? ?like? ?to? ?bet? ?on? ?the? ?highest? ?or? ?the? ?lowest?”???It? ?was? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?deep? ?voice,? ?one? ?that? ?is? ?pleasant? ?to? ?the? ?ear,? ?that? ?had? ?pulled? ?Xie? ?Lian??back? ?to? ?reality.? ?Whether? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?betting? ?on? ?the? ?highest? ?number? ?or? ?the? ?lowest,? ?there? ?was??no? ?difference.? ?So? ?he? ?answered? ?right? ?away,? ?“Highest.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Fine.? ?Then? ?I’ll? ?go? ?first.”???Xie? ?Lian’s? ?left? ?hand? ?supported? ?the? ?base? ?of? ?the? ?black? ?gambling? ?cup.? ?His? ?right? ?hand??covered? ?the? ?circular? ?lid.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?stood? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?with? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?covering??Xie? ?Lian’s? ?left,? ?he? ?guided? ?him? ?to? ?shake? ?lightly? ?before? ?lifting? ?the? ?lid.? ?There? ?were? ?two? ?dice??at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?cup,? ?a? ?six? ?and? ?a? ?five.???From? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?above,? ?Lang? ?QianQiu? ?with? ?his? ?vision? ?of? ?a? ?hawk? ?saw? ?how? ?easily? ?the? ?high??roll? ?took? ?place? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?“How? ?did? ?that? ?happen??”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?gently? ?shifted? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?beckoned? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?give? ?it? ?another? ?go,? ?“Shake??it? ?like? ?this.? ?Now? ?you? ?try? ?it.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?mirrored? ?his? ?actions? ?and? ?shook? ?the? ?cup? ?twice,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Not? ?like??that.”???Even? ?though? ?he? ?was? ?reprimanding? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?his? ?tone? ?was? ?exceptionally? ?gentle? ?and??patient.? ?As? ?he? ?explained,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?supported? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?again,? ?but??this? ?time,? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?found? ?its? ?way? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?hand,? ?the? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?covering??the? ?lid.? ?He? ?instructed? ?softly,? ?“like? ?this.”???And? ?just? ?like? ?that,? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?were? ?enveloped? ?within? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s??palms.???When? ?skin? ?touched? ?skin,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hands? ?felt? ?temperate? ?like? ?jade.? ?The? ?exquisite??silver? ?vambraces? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wore? ?were? ?cold? ?as? ?ice,? ?yet,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?movements??were? ?careful,? ?and? ?never? ?allowed? ?them? ?come? ?into? ?contact? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?skin.? ?His? ?hands??guided? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?and? ?shook? ?the? ?black? ?wooden? ?gambling? ?cup? ?in? ?a? ?rhythm? ?that? ?was??neither? ?hurried? ?nor? ?slow.???Once.? ?Twice.? ?Thrice.???Clack,? ?clack,? ?clack.???The? ?sound? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?dice? ?colliding? ?with? ?each? ?other? ?as? ?they? ?bounced? ?inside? ?the? ?cup? ?was??crisp.? ?Even? ?though? ?the? ?shakes? ?were? ?gentle,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?waves? ?of? ?numbness? ?from??the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?hands,? ?traveling? ?along? ?his? ?arm,? ?spreading? ?to? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?his? ?body.???As? ?he? ?was? ?shaking,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?sneak? ?a? ?peek? ?at? ?the? ?other? ?person? ?and??realized? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?looking? ?at? ?the? ?gambling? ?cup? ?at? ?all.? ?Instead,? ?he? ?was??watching? ?him? ?intently? ?with? ?the? ?corners? ?of? ?his? ?mouth? ?curved? ?up.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but??return? ?a? ?fond? ?smile? ?at? ?him,? ?but? ?immediately? ?controlled? ?himself? ?when? ?he? ?remembered? ?the??crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?that? ?were? ?watching? ?him? ?from? ?above? ?and? ?below.? ?He? ?lowered? ?his? ?head??and? ?diligently? ?studied? ?the? ?gesture? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?showed? ?him.? ?“How’s? ?this?”? ?He? ?asked.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?widened? ?his? ?smile,? ?“Hm.? ?That’s? ?right,? ?just? ?like? ?that.”???Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?the? ?cup? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?times? ?full? ?of? ?hopefulness,? ?he? ?suggested,??“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?take? ?a? ?look?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?the? ?lid? ?and? ?saw? ?two? ?white? ?dice? ?at? ?the? ?base.? ?It? ?was? ?two? ?threes.????Rolling? ?two? ?threes? ?was? ?already? ?considered? ?an? ?impossible? ?feat.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?gentle??spring? ?wind? ?had? ?blown? ?past? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?and? ?he? ?thought,? ?“Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?I’ve? ?finally??learned? ?the? ?trick?”???However,? ?even? ?though? ?it? ?was? ?shocking,? ?six? ?points? ?is? ?still? ?slightly? ?less? ?than? ?eleven? ?points.??He? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?and? ?admitted,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?I’ve? ?lost.”???But? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?this? ?round? ?doesn’t? ?count.? ?I’m? ?teaching? ?you? ?right??now,? ?try? ?again.”???Hearing? ?him? ?say? ?this,? ?even? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?were? ?tongue-tied.? ?The??crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?in? ?the? ?hall? ?stared? ?with? ?their? ?mouths? ?gaping? ?open,? ?then? ?came? ?the??complaints.???“What? ?happened? ?to? ?the? ?lord?? ?I? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?gonna? ?show? ?him? ?who’s? ?boss,? ?but? ?he??actually? ?ended? ?up? ?teaching? ?him? ?for? ?real??”???“How? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?count? ?this? ?round??? ?You? ?still? ?call? ?this? ?gambling?”???“If? ?this? ?doesn’t? ?count,? ?then? ?when? ?will? ?it? ?count?”???“Looks? ?like? ?the? ?lord? ?is? ?really? ?in? ?a? ?good? ?mood? ?today...”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?left? ?brow? ?and? ?immediately,? ?the? ?croupier? ?standing? ?by? ?the? ?side??shushed,? ?“Everyone? ?please? ?quiet? ?down.”???In? ?the? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye,? ?the? ?hall? ?had? ?quieted? ?down? ?again.? ?Although? ?no? ?one? ?dared? ?to? ?speak,??their? ?stares? ?intensified.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled? ?and? ?softly? ?whispered? ?words? ?of??encouragement? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ear,? ?“why? ?don’t? ?you? ?try? ?again?”???It? ?might? ?be? ?because? ?there? ?were? ?too? ?many? ?ghosts,? ?demons,? ?humans? ?alike? ?packed? ?into??this? ?Gambling? ?Den? ?that? ?somehow? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?face? ?started? ?to? ?heat? ?up,? ?“Okay.”???Rattle,? ?rattle,? ?he? ?shook? ?twice? ?more.? ?This? ?time,? ?when? ?he? ?revealed? ?the? ?cup:? ?it? ?was? ?two??fours.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?mused,? ?“See,? ?isn’t? ?it? ?a? ?little? ?higher? ?this? ?time?”???Although? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?something? ?was? ?off,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?nodded? ?his? ?head,? ?“? ?Yes...it’s? ?a? ?little??higher.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?encouraged,? ?“? ?You? ?did? ?well.? ?Keep? ?going.”???With? ?one? ?compliment? ?after? ?another,? ?there? ?were? ?giggles? ?heard? ?in? ?all? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?hall.??Judging? ?by? ?the? ?sound,? ?it? ?seemed? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?all? ?came? ?from? ?female? ?ghosts.? ?Xie? ?Lian??couldn’t? ?figure? ?it? ?out? ?himself? ?either? ?just? ?which? ?posture? ?is? ?the? ?correct? ?one.? ?In? ?the??beginning,? ?he? ?paid? ?close? ?attention? ?in? ?studying? ?how? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?positioned? ?his? ?hands,??how? ?he? ?managed? ?the? ?pace,? ?and? ?how? ?he? ?grasped? ?the? ?cup,? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?was? ?letting? ?Hua??Cheng’s? ?hand? ?lead? ?him? ?and? ?shook? ?blindly.? ?While? ?shaking,? ?a? ?thought? ?came? ?to? ?him? ?“What??if? ?San? ?Lang? ?was? ?just? ?playing? ?around? ?with? ?me...”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?watching? ?from? ?above? ?probably? ?felt? ?the? ?same? ?and? ?couldn’t??hold? ?it? ?in? ?anymore,? ?“You!? ?Stop? ?shaking? ?the? ?cup.? ?He’s? ?obviously? ?playing? ?you.? ?There’s? ?no??such? ?thing? ?as? ?a? ?correct? ?posture.? ?He? ?must’ve? ?cheated!”???Hearing? ?that? ?loud? ?boisterous? ?voice,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?covered? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?second-hand??embarrassment? ?again.???Mumbles? ?and? ?muttering? ?grew? ?louder? ?among? ?the? ?crowds,? ?and? ?a? ?rain? ?of? ?dice? ?was? ?thrown??at? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu.? ?“Stupid? ?bastard,? ?shut? ?up!”???“So? ?noisy,? ?we’re? ?just? ?getting? ?to? ?the? ?exciting? ?part!”???“Through? ?our? ?lord’s? ?teaching,? ?that? ?cultivator? ?had? ?gotten? ?outcomes? ?higher? ?and? ?higher? ?one??after? ?another.? ?That’s? ?the? ?undeniable? ?truth!”???“That’s? ?right!? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?know?!”???Lang? ?QianQiu? ?fumed,? ?“You,? ?you’re? ?practically? ?lying? ?through? ?your? ?teeth...ahhh!!”???He? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?in? ?mid? ?speech,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?turned? ?bright? ?red.? ?It? ?turned? ?out,? ?a??couple? ?of? ?female? ?ghosts? ?below? ?him? ?had? ?roughly? ?yanked? ?on? ?his? ?dangling? ?waistband? ?and??scolded,? ?“If? ?you? ?keep? ?on? ?causing? ?a? ?ruckus? ?and? ?spouting? ?nonsense,? ?Jie? ?Jie?1?? ?will? ?pull? ?off??your? ?pants!”???Lang? ?QianQiu? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?threatened? ?like? ?this? ?before,? ?and? ?his? ?anger? ?had? ?made? ?him??speechless,”? ?You..? ?you!!”???He? ?could? ?take? ?being? ?beaten? ?by? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?ghosts,? ?but? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?pull? ?off? ?his? ?pants,??then? ?with? ?his? ?martial? ?god? ?status,? ?that? ?would? ?be? ?exceedingly? ?embarrassing.? ?Thus,? ?Lang??Qianqiu? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?say? ?much? ?more.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?other? ?god??sending? ?him? ?eye? ?signals.? ?It? ?was? ?funny? ?and? ?pitiful? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?He? ?could? ?only? ?lower??his? ?head,? ?looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?voice,? ?“...San? ?Lang.”????Hearing? ?his? ?tone? ?of? ?voice,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled,? ?“Leave? ?him? ?be.? ?Let? ?us? ?continue.”???“...”???Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?up? ?and,? ?once? ?again,? ?held? ?the? ?cup? ?and? ?shook? ?twice.? ?As? ?expected,? ?this? ?time,??he? ?got? ?two? ?fives.???Seeing? ?the? ?result,? ?the? ?crowd? ?became? ?even? ?livelier? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?tease? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu,??“Do? ?you? ?see? ?that?? ?Higher? ?than? ?the? ?last!”???But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?already? ?realized? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?just? ?fooling? ?around? ?with? ?him? ?and??didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry.? ?There’s? ?no? ?such? ?thing? ?as? ?a? ?correct? ?posture.? ?When? ?it??came? ?to? ?him,? ?any? ?posture? ?is? ?wrong.? ?From? ?here? ?on,? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?give? ?up? ?on? ?any? ?hope??of? ?changing? ?his? ?luck,? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?expose? ?himself? ?on? ?the? ?last? ?shake,? ?Hua??Cheng? ?stopped? ?him,? ?“Wait.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?the? ?hands? ?covering? ?his? ?pressing? ?down? ?harder,? ?and? ?stopped? ?his??movement? ?altogether.? ?“What’s? ?wrong?”???With? ?an? ?unreadable? ?expression,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked,? ?“This? ?gege,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?say? ?what??would? ?happen? ?if? ?you? ?were? ?to? ?lose?”???Hearing? ?him? ?call? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?‘gege’,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?both? ?wore? ?a??complicated? ?expression? ?on? ?their? ?faces.? ?The? ?crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?also? ?felt? ?massive? ?shivers??run? ?down? ?their? ?spines? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?even? ?a? ?few? ?that? ?fainted? ?on? ?the? ?spot.???It’s? ?a? ?little? ?embarrassing? ?to? ?say,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?hurry? ?before,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t??thought? ?about? ?what? ?to? ?bet? ?on.? ?“Um...”???He? ?had? ?thought? ?of? ?also? ?betting? ?10? ?years? ?of? ?his? ?life,? ?but? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official’s? ?lifespan? ?was??quite? ?long? ?so? ?10? ?years? ?wasn’t? ?really? ?worth? ?much.? ?Money? ?and? ?treasure?? ?He? ?didn’t? ?have??any.? ?Spiritual? ?power?? ?He? ?didn’t? ?have? ?much? ?of? ?that? ?either.? ?A? ?good? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?had??passed,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?anything? ?to? ?bet? ?on,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?turn? ?and??ask? ?the? ?owner? ?of? ?the? ?Gambling? ?Den,? ?“Do? ?you? ?think? ?there’s? ?anything? ?on? ?me? ?that’s? ?worth??betting? ?on?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled? ?at? ?his? ?question,? ?“Anything’s? ?fine.? ?What? ?have? ?you? ?got? ?on? ?you?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?pondered? ?for? ?a? ?little? ?while? ?and? ?lightly? ?coughed,? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?be? ?honest??about? ?it,? ?“I...only? ?have? ?a? ?half-eaten? ?bun? ?with? ?me.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing.? ?Even? ?though? ?he? ?laughed,? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?dared? ?to? ?do? ?the??same? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?wanted? ?to.????When? ?he? ?finally? ?settled? ?down,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?nodded,? ?“That’s? ?fine.? ?A? ?bun? ?will? ?do.”???Hearing? ?the? ?agreement,? ?not? ?only? ?were? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?shocked,? ?but? ?the? ?croupiers? ?at??the? ?gambling? ?table? ?too.???Ever? ?since? ?the? ?opening? ?of? ?this? ?Gambling? ?Den,? ?there? ?had? ?been? ?innumerous? ?absurd? ?bets??made;? ?organs,? ?life,? ?emotions,? ?spiritual? ?powers...? ?but? ?none? ?were? ?a? ?match? ?to? ?the? ?one??today? ?–? ?a? ?half-eaten? ?bun.? ?Even? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?couldn’t? ?contain? ?his? ?surprise,??“What...what’s? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?this?? ?Are? ?you? ?saying? ?that? ?I’m? ?only? ?worth? ?a? ?half-eaten??bun???”???The? ?crowd? ?snickered,? ?someone? ?called? ?out,? ?“What’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?a? ?bun?? ?You? ?already? ?have??it? ?easy,? ?so? ?hurry? ?up? ?and? ?shut? ?your? ?mouth!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?that? ?this? ?defeated? ?voice??belonged? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?was? ?hiding? ?among? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?and? ?demons.??With? ?a? ?face? ?full? ?of? ?smile,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?beamed,? ?“Come.? ?It’s? ?the? ?last? ?round.? ?Don’t? ?be??nervous.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?argued,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?nervous.”???The? ?two? ?maintained? ?that? ?hand-to-hand? ?posture? ?and? ?shook? ?a? ?few? ?times.? ?Even? ?though? ?Xie??Lian? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?nervous,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?light? ?sheen? ?of? ?sweat? ?on? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?was??sandwiched? ?between? ?the? ?cup? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hands.? ?Finally,? ?the? ?movement? ?came? ?to? ?a??stop.? ?He? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?for? ?the? ?final? ?reveal? ?—???The? ?two? ?dice? ?were? ?two? ?sixes!???Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?look? ?up? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,??“Oh,? ?I? ?lost.”???Even? ?though? ?he? ?admitted? ?his? ?loss? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?manner,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?sound? ?the? ?least? ?bit??sincere.? ?The? ?crowd? ?below? ?was? ?engulfed? ?in? ?silence.???Before? ?there? ?were? ?still? ?people? ?complaining? ?“If? ?this? ?round? ?doesn’t? ?count,? ?then? ?when? ?will? ?it??count”,? ?but? ?now,? ?the? ?answer? ?was? ?clear? ?—? ?it? ?counts? ?when? ?that? ?person? ?wins.???This? ?much? ?generosity? ?was? ?almost? ?insane!???Even? ?so,? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?dare? ?to? ?comment.? ?The? ?croupier? ?from? ?before? ?raised? ?up? ?the? ?black??wooden? ?gambling? ?cup,? ?“Congratulations? ?to? ?this? ?young? ?master.? ?You’ve? ?won? ?this? ?round.”???Everyone? ?all? ?politely? ?praised,? ?“The? ?lord? ?showed? ?us? ?a? ?perfect? ?loss!? ?Beautiful!”???“Isn’t? ?the? ?winner? ?taught? ?by? ?the? ?lord?? ?He? ?won? ?because? ?the? ?lord? ?taught? ?him? ?well!”???“That’s? ?right!? ?Learning? ?the? ?correct? ?dice? ?rolling? ?posture? ?today? ?really? ?broadened? ?my??horizon!? ?With? ?such? ?an? ?immense? ?amount? ?of? ?knowledge,? ?even? ?10? ?years? ?won’t? ?be? ?enough??to? ?master? ?it!”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?still? ?watching? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?a? ?grin? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?Not? ?shifting? ?his? ?gaze,? ?he??raised? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?with? ?a? ?flick? ?of? ?hand,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?dropped? ?like? ?a? ?rock.? ?Xie? ?Lian??winced? ?at? ?the? ?loud? ?crash.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?risk? ?exposing? ?himself? ?by? ?rushing??forward,? ?so? ?instead? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?to? ?check? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?prince,? ?“Are? ?you? ?okay?”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?got? ?up? ?on? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?dusted? ?himself? ?off,? ?“I’m? ?good,? ?thank? ?you.? ?He??probably? ?wanted? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?up? ?so? ?that? ?he? ?can? ?cheat? ?and? ?make? ?you? ?lose,? ?but? ?thank??goodness? ?you? ?won!”???Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?“You’re? ?completely? ?mistaken.? ?If? ?he? ?didn’t? ?go? ?easy? ?on? ?me,? ?even? ?if? ?the??world? ?had? ?turned? ?to? ?ashes,? ?I? ?would? ?still? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?win? ?you? ?back...”???As? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?those? ?thoughts,? ?a? ?tinkling? ?of? ?bells? ?were? ?heard,? ?and? ?the? ?sound? ?was??followed? ?by? ?gasps? ?of? ?shock? ?that? ?came? ?from? ?all? ?directions.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around? ?and??saw? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?finally? ?stepped? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?red? ?silk? ?screen? ?curtains.???In? ?his? ?previous? ?form,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?always? ?sported? ?a? ?slightly? ?crooked? ?ponytail,? ?but? ?now,??loose? ?raven? ?locks? ?covered? ?vibrant? ?red? ?clothing,? ?and? ?an? ?aura? ?of? ?demonic? ?energy? ?radiated??from? ?the? ?handsome? ?figure.? ?Only? ?the? ?thin? ?braid? ?tied? ?with? ?a? ?red? ?coral? ?bead? ?brought? ?a? ?hint??of? ?mischief? ?to? ?the? ?mix.? ?The? ?vambraces? ?were? ?silver,? ?the? ?straps? ?on? ?his? ?boots? ?were? ?silver,??the? ?waistband? ?was? ?also? ?silver,? ?even? ?the? ?long,? ?smoothly? ?curved? ?scimitar? ?that? ?hung? ?at? ?his??waist? ?was? ?silver.? ?Just? ?like? ?how? ?the? ?blade? ?was? ?slender? ?and? ?long,? ?the? ?person? ?himself? ?was??also? ?slender? ?and? ?tall.? ?He? ?was? ?leaning? ?against? ?the? ?curtains? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?parted? ?with??crossed? ?arms? ?and? ?an? ?unreadable? ?expression,? ?“Gege,? ?you’ve? ?won? ?against? ?me.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?obviously? ?knew? ?what? ?had? ?took? ?place,? ?and? ?said? ?woefully,? ?“Please? ?stop? ?teasing??me.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brow,? ?“I’m? ?not.? ?Why? ?would? ?I?”???Down? ?below,? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?were? ?bustling? ?with? ?excitement,? ?as? ?wild? ?as? ?the? ?waves??rolling? ?in? ?the? ?sea,? ?they? ?whispered? ?among? ?themselves,? ?“The? ?lord? ?changed? ?his? ?skin? ?again??today?”???“I’m? ?dying,? ?his? ?new? ?skin? ?is? ?killing? ?me!? ?It’s? ?so? ?tender? ?and? ?firm!”???“Dying?? ?You? ?old? ?hag,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?already? ?dead?!”???It? ?seemed? ?that? ?because? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?never? ?showed? ?his? ?true? ?form? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?anyone? ?and??switched? ?skins? ?fairly? ?frequently? ?that? ?even? ?the? ?band? ?of? ?ghosts? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?didn’t??know? ?what? ?he? ?looked? ?like? ?and? ?assumed? ?that? ?this? ?must? ?be? ?another? ?of? ?one? ?his? ?fake? ?skin.??Only? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew,? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?standing? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?Crimson? ?Rain??Sought? ?Flower? ?of? ?the? ?legends.???

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?1.Jie? ?jie? ?is? ?a? ?familiar? ?address? ?for? ?older? ?sister.? ? ????????Ch.38:? ?Admiring? ?the? ?Flower? ?through? ?Red? ?Clouds;? ?A? ?Heart? ?Full? ?of? ?Sympathy? ?3????Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?staring? ?at? ?the? ?young? ?man? ?in? ?red,? ?“? ?You...”???He? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?something,? ?but? ?under? ?the? ?gaze? ?of? ?numerous? ?pairs? ?of? ?eyes,? ?and? ?the??unreadable? ?expression? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?that? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?show? ?signs? ?of??recognizing? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?debated? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?act? ?so? ?familiar? ?with? ?him.? ?Instead??he? ?said,? ?“Thank? ?you.”???“Why? ?thank? ?him?? ?This? ?place? ?is? ?owned? ?by? ?him,? ?he? ?probably? ?had? ?malintentions? ?since? ?the??beginning.”? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?said.???“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?let’s? ?stop? ?talking? ?and? ?call? ?it? ?a? ?day.”???If? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?continue,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?would? ?come? ?out? ?of? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu’s??mouth.? ?Especially? ?with? ?the? ?mission? ?at? ?hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?afford? ?to? ?stay? ?long.? ?He??looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?a? ?couple? ?more? ?times? ?and? ?pushed? ?Lang? ?QianQiu? ?towards? ?the? ?exit.??Just? ?as? ?he? ?did? ?so,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?called? ?from? ?behind? ?him,? ?“Wait? ?a? ?minute.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?halted? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?turned? ?around.? ?The? ?chatter? ?among? ?the? ?crowd? ?started? ?again,??“That’s? ?right? ?my? ?lord,? ?we? ?can’t? ?just? ?let? ?them? ?leave? ?like? ?this!”???“That? ?guy’s? ?suspicious.? ?He? ?looks? ?to? ?be? ?quite? ?powerful? ?and? ?is? ?probably? ?hiding? ?something.??If? ?you? ?ask? ?me,? ?we? ?should? ?keep? ?him? ?here? ?and? ?interrogate? ?him.”???“Exactly,? ?who? ?knows? ?who? ?sent? ?him? ?to? ?cause? ?trouble? ?in? ?our? ?world!”???That? ?last? ?sentence? ?almost? ?stopped? ?his? ?heart.? ?They? ?really? ?did? ?come? ?from? ?the? ?heavens,??but? ?the? ?intent? ?wasn’t? ?to? ?cause? ?trouble,? ?only? ?quiet? ?probing.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?sure? ?if? ?Hua??Cheng? ?had? ?saw? ?the? ?spiritual? ?light? ?that? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?had? ?released? ?before,? ?and? ?he? ?wasn’t??a? ?hundred? ?percent? ?certain? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?let? ?them? ?go? ?if? ?he? ?did? ?see.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was??growing? ?increasingly? ?anxious,? ?but? ?the? ?tone? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?spoke? ?in? ?was? ?laid? ?back,??“Shouldn’t? ?you? ?leave? ?the? ?prize?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?lost,? ?“Prize?”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?put? ?himself? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?said? ?cautiously,? ?“Are? ?you? ?going? ?back? ?on??your? ?words? ?now?”???But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?“If? ?San? ?Lang? ?would? ?never? ?go? ?back? ?on? ?his? ?promises.? ?Could? ?he? ?have??meant? ?something? ?else?”? ?and? ?with? ?that,? ?he? ?stepped? ?out? ?from? ?behind? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?and??asked,? ?“But? ?didn’t? ?I? ?already? ?win? ?the? ?bet?”???Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“It’s? ?true? ?that? ?gege? ?had? ?won? ?against? ?me? ?just? ?now,? ?but? ?don’t? ?forget,? ?you’ve??lost? ?a? ?round? ?before.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?surprised,? ?“But? ?you? ?said,? ?not? ?to? ?worry? ?because? ?it? ?didn’t? ?count?”???Even? ?though? ?it? ?took? ?some? ?really? ?thick? ?skin? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?as? ?embarrassing? ?as? ?“it??doesn’t? ?count? ?when? ?I? ?lose,? ?and? ?it? ?only? ?counts? ?when? ?I? ?win”,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?said? ?it.? ?Hua??Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Of? ?course,? ?the? ?ones? ?that? ?were? ?betted? ?against? ?me? ?didn’t? ?count.? ?What? ?I’m??referring? ?to? ?is? ?the? ?first? ?round? ?that? ?you? ?gambled? ?at? ?the? ?long? ?table.”???It? ?was? ?then? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?remembered.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?talking? ?about? ?that? ?time??when? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?test? ?out? ?the? ?lowest? ?he? ?could? ?roll? ?and? ?had? ?ended? ?up? ?throwing? ?out? ?a??double? ?six? ?instead.???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?whispered,? ?“I? ?told? ?you? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?good? ?intentions? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?us??leave? ?here? ?that? ?easily.? ?I? ?won’t? ?get? ?sealed? ?again? ?this? ?time.”???Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?readying? ?himself? ?for? ?another? ?fight? ?and? ?was? ?eager? ?to? ?jump? ?up? ?at? ?the??chance,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?him? ?back? ?and? ?persuaded,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?we? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?use? ?our??fists.”???On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?tilted? ?his? ?head,? ?“How? ?about? ?it?? ?Gege,? ?do? ?you? ?admit? ?your??loss?”??If? ?one? ?was? ?willing? ?to? ?gamble,? ?then? ?one? ?should? ?also? ?admit? ?to? ?their? ?loss? ?honestly,? ?there??were? ?no? ?other? ?options,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“I? ?admit.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?extended? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?with? ?an? ?open? ?palm,? ?“Then,? ?give? ?me? ?the? ?prize? ?like? ?you??promised.”???...the? ?prize? ?that? ?he? ?promised????After? ?some? ?hesitation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?into? ?his? ?left? ?sleeve? ?with? ?his? ?right? ?hand,? ?felt??around,? ?and? ?fished? ?out? ?a? ?half-eaten? ?bun.? ?Unable? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?the? ?eyes,? ?he??toughened? ?up? ?his? ?skin? ?and? ?presented? ?it,? ?“You? ?mean...? ?this...? ?right?”???Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?when? ?he? ?took? ?out? ?this? ?bun,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?thick? ?skin? ?he’d? ?grown??through? ?his? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?crumble? ?a? ?little,? ?unable? ?to? ?hold? ?up.???The? ?ghosts? ?and? ?demons? ?in? ?the? ?hall? ?were? ?speechless? ?and? ?only? ?watched? ?in? ?silence.??Nevermind? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?lord’s? ?first? ?time? ?betting? ?against? ?someone? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?bet??came? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?half-eaten? ?bun,? ?they? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?joke.? ?But? ?to? ?think,? ?in? ?all? ?seriousness,??the? ?lord? ?had? ?actually? ?pursued? ?the? ?person? ?to? ?ask? ?for? ?this? ?bun.? ?Speechless.? ?There? ?was??really? ?nothing? ?to? ?say.? ?There? ?were? ?some? ?ghosts? ?who? ?even? ?had? ?a? ?more? ?absurd? ?thought? ?—??either? ?there’s? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?enormous? ?secret? ?hidden? ?within? ?this? ?bun? ?or? ?this? ?person? ?was??actually? ?the? ?lord’s? ?older? ?brother!???Yet? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?grinned? ?as? ?he? ?received? ?the? ?bun,? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?waved? ?it? ?around? ?in??his? ?hand,? ?“I’ve? ?claimed? ?this? ?prize.”???To? ?see? ?that? ?he? ?actually? ?took? ?it,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?a? ?good??minute? ?that? ?he? ?responded,? ?“? ?It’s...? ?cold.? ?And,? ?maybe,? ?a? ?little? ?hard.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?okay.? ?I? ?don’t? ?mind.”???Since? ?he? ?answered? ?like? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?nothing? ?more? ?to? ?say? ?to? ?continue? ?the??conversation.? ?He? ?already? ?said? ?all? ?he? ?could,? ?so? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?headed? ?towards??the? ?exit.? ?The? ?nether? ?crowd? ?of? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?all? ?parted? ?for? ?him? ?as? ?he? ?departed.??When? ?he? ?first? ?went? ?forward,? ?they? ?parted? ?for? ?him? ?thinking? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?brave? ?warrior.? ?Now,??they? ?parted? ?for? ?him? ?with? ?fear? ?and? ?suspicion.? ?After? ?walking? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?he? ?could? ?hear??the? ?ghosts? ?behind? ?him? ?ask,? ?“My? ?lord!? ?My? ?lord,? ?where? ?are? ?you? ?going? ?now?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?lazily? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?feeling? ?good? ?today.? ?I’m? ?heading? ?to? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor.”???Hearing? ?his? ?response,? ?the? ?hall? ?erupted? ?in? ?cheers? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?New? ?Years.? ?Xie? ?Lian??couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?take? ?another? ?glance? ?back? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?also? ?turned??around.? ?With? ?that? ?half-eaten? ?bun? ?still? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?he? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?light? ?toss? ?and? ?casually??took? ?a? ?bite? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?looking? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction.????Xie? ?Lian? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?tracks? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?scene? ?play? ?out.? ?Suddenly,? ?for? ?some??reason,? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?stay? ?there? ?any? ?longer,? ?and? ?picked? ?up? ?his? ?pace,? ?grabbed??Lang? ?Qianqiu,? ?and? ?ran? ?out.????The? ?two? ?left? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?and? ?ran? ?like? ?mad? ?men? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?almost? ?knocking??over? ?various? ?food? ?stalls? ?along? ?the? ?way.? ?Just? ?when? ?they? ?had? ?finally? ?arrived? ?at? ?a? ?small? ?quiet??alley,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?also? ?popped? ?up? ?and? ?reunited? ?with? ?them.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?fanned??himself? ?with? ?such? ?vigour? ?that? ?his? ?hair? ?flew? ?wildly? ?in? ?the? ?wind,? ?“That? ?was? ?so? ?close,? ?so??close.? ?My? ?god,? ?that? ?scared? ?me? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?that? ?my? ?face? ?was? ?almost? ?as? ?white? ?as? ?a??ghost’s.”???Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?they? ?ran? ?too? ?hard? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?also? ?beating? ?madly.??Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Yea? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?I? ?think? ?your? ?face? ?is? ?still? ?very? ?pale? ?right??now.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?felt? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Is? ?that? ?so?? ?Hahahaha,? ?this? ?is? ?not? ?because? ?of??fright;? ?this? ?is? ?what? ?I’m? ?born? ?with-? ?ahem.? ?Ahem.? ?Qianqiu,? ?you’re? ?also? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?how??could? ?you? ?be? ?so? ?impulsive?? ?We’re? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?territory? ?here!? ?If? ?you??were? ?to? ?be? ?caught? ?and? ?exposed,? ?and? ?news? ?of? ?undercover? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost??City? ?had? ?gotten? ?out,? ?how? ?would? ?we? ?explain? ?this? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor?? ?It? ?would??destroy? ?peace? ?in? ?the? ?three? ?realms.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?admitted? ?his? ?mistake,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?I? ?rushed? ?in? ?too??carelessly.”? ?Then? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“But? ?those? ?gamblers? ?were? ?crazy.? ?If? ?that? ?man? ?had??flipped? ?open? ?the? ?cup,? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?lost? ?or? ?won,? ?the? ?outcome? ?would? ?still? ?be? ?bad.??Either? ?his? ?daughter? ?would? ?suffer? ?or? ?he? ?would? ?suffer? ?the? ?consequences.? ?It? ?was? ?in? ?my??moment? ?of? ?anger? ?that? ?I? ?crushed? ?the? ?cup.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“Even? ?so,? ?you? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?jumped? ?in? ?by? ?yourself.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Then? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?what? ?should? ?I? ?have? ?done?? ?If? ?I??didn’t? ?go? ?in,? ?there? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?anyone? ?who? ?would.”???His? ?plead? ?was? ?so? ?genuine? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?respond,? ?and? ?tapped??his? ?fan? ?lightly? ?against? ?his? ?temple,? ?“Well...”???Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?“Let’s? ?leave? ?it.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?looked? ?at? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“I? ?think? ?even? ?if? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua??was? ?to? ?get? ?caught? ?and? ?interrogated,? ?he? ?still? ?wouldn’t? ?reveal? ?his? ?identity.? ?But,? ?to? ?prevent??others? ?from? ?picking? ?up? ?any? ?clues? ?from? ?your? ?words,? ?it’d? ?be? ?best? ?for? ?Your? ?Highness? ?to? ?stay??cautious? ?and? ?avoid? ?capture? ?going? ?forward.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?nodded,? ?“Okay,? ?I? ?understand.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?“Alright,? ?let’s? ?not? ?talk? ?about? ?this? ?anymore.? ?Oh? ?right,? ?Your? ?Highness...”???Hearing? ?‘Your? ?Highness’,? ?both? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?turned? ?around? ?at? ?the? ?same??time,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?clarified,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?meant? ?the? ?elder.”???“...”???Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?woefully,? ?‘Elder...? ?it’s? ?true? ?that? ?I’m? ?a? ?little? ?older,? ?but? ?not? ?by? ?that? ?much.??Why? ?is? ?it? ?that? ?when? ?it? ?comes? ?to? ?me,? ?it? ?always? ?sounds? ?like? ?they’re? ?referring? ?to? ?a? ?grandpa?’???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?continued,? ?“Your? ?Royal? ?Highnesses,? ?have? ?you? ?two? ?met? ?each? ?other? ?at? ?the??Great? ?Martial? ?Hall?? ?If? ?not,? ?let? ?me? ?introduce? ?you.? ?This? ?is? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Yong’An,??Lang? ?Qianqiu,? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?East.? ?This? ?is? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?a??heavenly? ?official? ?that? ?pi–? ?that’s? ?highly? ?regarded? ?by? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor.? ?“???Even? ?though? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stopped? ?himself? ?and? ?didn’t? ?say? ?the? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew??exactly? ?what? ?came? ?after,? ?what? ?else? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?other? ?than? ?‘picks? ?up? ?scraps’!? ?Since? ?the??words? ?were? ?abruptly? ?swapped? ?in? ?mid-sentence,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?adjust? ?the??grammar? ?nor? ?the? ?pronunciation.? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?looked? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?asked? ?in??astonishment,? ?“So? ?you’re? ?the? ?prince? ?that? ?ascended? ?thrice?”???It? ?seemed? ?that? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?had? ?really? ?slept? ?through? ?the? ?entire? ?meeting? ?at? ?the? ?Great??Martial? ?Hall? ?the? ?last? ?time? ?and? ?didn’t? ?even? ?remember? ?who? ?he? ?was.? ?If? ?he? ?was? ?anyone? ?else??and? ?said? ?the? ?same? ?thing? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?then? ?it? ?would,? ?no? ?doubt,? ?be? ?sarcastic.? ?But,? ?because??the? ?question? ?came? ?from? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wholeheartedly? ?believed? ?that? ?this? ?child??truly? ?thought? ?ascending? ?thrice? ?was? ?a? ?rare? ?occurrence.? ?His? ?eyes? ?twinkled,? ?“Yes,? ?that??would? ?be? ?me.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?responded,? ?“That? ?incident? ?just? ?now,? ?thank? ?you? ?for? ?helping? ?me!? ?Or? ?else...”??He? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?something? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?tightened? ?up? ?his? ?waistband,? ?fear? ?still??lingered? ?on? ?his? ?expression.? ?He? ?clearly? ?didn’t? ?think? ?too? ?much? ?about? ?the? ?past? ?history??between? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?and? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Yong’An,? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,??“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?thought? ?that? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?knows? ?you?? ?How? ?come? ?he??acted? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?back? ?there?”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?finished? ?tying? ?up? ?his? ?waistband,? ?“That? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought??Flower,? ?right?? ?Was? ?that? ?his? ?true? ?form?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?even? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?open? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?already? ?spoke,??“How? ?can? ?it? ?be? ?the? ?true? ?form?? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?has? ?thousands? ?of? ?disguises,? ?who? ?knows? ?what??his? ?true? ?form? ?looks? ?like?? ?Last? ?time? ?when? ?I? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?Banyue? ?Pass,? ?he? ?looked? ?similar? ?to??the? ?appearance? ?today,? ?but? ?it’s? ?probably? ?a? ?disguise.? ?It’s? ?fake,? ?all? ?fake.”???Yet? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?clearly? ?recalled? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?told? ?him? ?“The? ?next? ?time? ?we? ?meet,? ?I’ll??greet? ?in? ?my? ?true? ?form”? ?that? ?night? ?at? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?He? ?thought? ?to? ?himself,? ?‘It’s? ?real.’???But? ?of? ?course,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?say? ?it? ?out? ?loud.? ?Everyone? ?was? ?so? ?sure? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?must? ?be??wearing? ?a? ?fake? ?skin? ?and? ?him? ?being? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?knew? ?it? ?was? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought??Flower’s? ?true? ?form? ?was? ?like? ?learning? ?of? ?an? ?extraordinary? ?little? ?secret.? ?He? ?then? ?continued??that? ?train? ?of? ?thought,? ?‘Seeing? ?San? ?Lang’s? ?appearance,? ?he? ?really? ?doesn’t? ?look? ?that? ?much??different? ?from? ?before,? ?only? ?slightly? ?older? ?and? ?taller.? ?That? ?means? ?technically,? ?he? ?was? ?pretty??much? ?in? ?his? ?true? ?form? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?I? ?met? ?him.’? ?Strangely,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?little? ?happy.???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?added? ?from? ?the? ?side,? ?“People? ?say? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?is? ?a? ?strange? ?character,??and? ?that? ?really? ?seems? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?case.? ?It’s? ?obvious? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?easy? ?on? ?you,? ?and??yet? ?he? ?pretended? ?not? ?to? ?know? ?you.? ?Who? ?knows? ?what? ?he’s? ?up? ?to.? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?he??wanted? ?to? ?catch? ?us? ?off? ?guard?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?choked.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?anyone? ?could? ?tell? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?gone? ?easy? ?on? ?him??back? ?at? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den.? ?“He? ?went? ?easy? ?on? ?him”? ?was? ?what? ?people? ?were? ?saying,? ?but??truthfully,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?literally? ?just? ?let? ?him? ?win? ?one-sidedly.? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?the? ?only??one? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?and? ?frowned,? ?“Went? ?easy? ?on? ?him?? ?Why?”???The? ?other? ?two? ?patted? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?shoulder? ?and? ?decided? ?it? ?was? ?best? ?not? ?to? ?explain? ?it? ?to??him.? ?They? ?left? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?standing? ?by? ?himself,? ?wondering? ?why? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?go??easy? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?whether? ?or? ?not? ?the? ?two? ?knew? ?each? ?other.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi??Qingxuan? ?turned? ?and? ?started? ?walking.????“It? ?seems? ?that? ?we? ?have? ?been? ?exposed,? ?what? ?should? ?we? ?do? ?now?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Change??our? ?disguises? ?and? ?try? ?again?? ?Personally,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?doing? ?that? ?will? ?change? ?anything.??With? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua’s? ?fight? ?back? ?there,? ?Ghost? ?City? ?will? ?probably? ?strengthen? ?their??security.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“To? ?be? ?honest,? ?I? ?have? ?considered? ?the? ?possibility? ?of? ?us? ?getting??exposed,? ?but? ?I? ?never? ?thought? ?it? ?would? ?happen? ?this? ?soon.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“I? ?know,? ?I? ?know.”???“What’s? ?done? ?is? ?done.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said.? ?“Since? ?our? ?covers? ?are? ?blown,? ?you? ?might? ?as??well? ?just? ?walk? ?in? ?confidently? ?and? ?do? ?this? ?openly.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?probably? ?guess? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?meant? ?by? ?“openly”.? ?As? ?expected,? ?Shi??Qingxuan? ?explained,? ?“If? ?we? ?still? ?want? ?to? ?continue? ?on? ?lying,? ?then? ?you’re? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who??can? ?do? ?it? ?—? ?go? ?find? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?tell? ?him? ?that? ?you? ?came? ?here? ?especially? ?to? ?see? ?him.??He? ?knows? ?that? ?you’re? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?right?? ?If? ?so,? ?then? ?it’s? ?pretty? ?believable? ?to? ?say? ?that??you’ve? ?brought? ?a? ?couple? ?of? ?friends? ?from? ?heaven? ?with? ?you.”????Ch.39:? ?At? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor;? ?Questions? ?of? ?Xianle????Before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?answer,? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?who? ?had? ?heard? ?the? ?suggestion? ?immediately??cried? ?out,? ?“No!”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?“Why? ?not?”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?replied? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone,? ?“Prince? ?Xianle,? ?do? ?you? ?really? ?know? ?Crimson? ?Rain??Sought? ?Flower?? ?I? ?heard? ?your? ?conversation? ?earlier,? ?it? ?seems? ?you? ?two? ?are? ?friends.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.????“Then? ?of? ?course? ?that? ?plan? ?is? ?not? ?feasible!”? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?said.? ?“Even? ?though? ?a? ?ghost? ?king??is? ?no? ?saint,? ?but? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?he? ?went? ?easy? ?on? ?you? ?must? ?mean? ?that? ?he? ?sees? ?you? ?as? ?a??friend.? ?If? ?it’s? ?so,? ?then? ?one? ?must? ?not? ?lie? ?to? ?a? ?friend.”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?could? ?feel? ?an? ?oncoming? ?headache,? ?“My? ?god,? ?Qianqiu,? ?you? ?dimwit!”???Yet? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed? ?and? ?nodded,? ?“What? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?said? ?is? ?right.”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?beamed,? ?“You? ?agree? ?with? ?me? ?too,? ?right?”???Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?“How? ?is? ?that? ?right?? ?We? ?are? ?three? ?heavenly? ?officials.? ?If? ?we? ?were? ?to? ?report??back? ?empty? ?handed,? ?people? ?would? ?say? ?that? ?our? ?success? ?rate? ?is? ?even? ?lower? ?than? ?Ling??Wen? ?Palace’s,? ?and? ?that? ?would? ?be? ?an? ?utter? ?embarrassment.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?and? ?just? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak,? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?cries? ?and? ?howls? ?that??came? ?from? ?behind? ?made? ?them? ?made? ?them? ?turn? ?around.? ?Just? ?outside? ?of? ?the? ?alley,? ?a? ?group??of? ?demons? ?and? ?ghosts? ?ran? ?past,? ?shouting,? ?“Where’s? ?that? ?brat? ?with? ?the? ?bandaged? ?face???Where? ?the? ?hell? ?is? ?he?”???Seeing? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?gods’? ?alarm,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reassured,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?they’re? ?not? ?after? ?us.”???Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?their? ?ears? ?were? ?pierced? ?by? ?a? ?shrill,? ?deafening? ?cry.???The? ?cry? ?of? ?desperation? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?drop.? ?Without? ?a? ?second? ?thought,? ?he? ?ran? ?off??in? ?that? ?direction,? ?and? ?there,? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?oddly-shaped? ?silhouettes? ?gathered? ?in? ?a? ?circle??outside? ?the? ?alley,? ?yelling? ?one? ?after? ?another,? ?“He’s? ?caught!”???“Beat? ?him? ?again!”???“Fuck!? ?However? ?much? ?this? ?little? ?scumbag? ?stole? ?from? ?me,? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?slice? ?it? ?off? ?of? ?him??one? ?by? ?one!”???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?caught? ?up? ?to? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what’s? ?going? ?on?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?but? ?walked? ?towards? ?the? ?group? ?step? ?by? ?step.? ?His? ?pace? ?grew? ?in??speed,? ?and? ?soon? ?he? ?broke? ?into? ?a? ?run.? ?He? ?forcefully? ?pushed? ?past? ?a? ?couple? ?ghosts? ?on? ?the??outside? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?the? ?person? ?who? ?was? ?getting? ?beaten? ?by? ?was? ?a? ?ragged? ?boy.? ?He??looked? ?about? ?fifteen? ?or? ?sixteen? ?of? ?age,? ?curled? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?trembling? ?uncontrollably.??Even? ?though? ?he? ?tightly? ?clung? ?onto? ?his? ?head,? ?one? ?could? ?still? ?see? ?the? ?layers? ?of? ?bandages??that? ?were? ?messily? ?wrapped? ?around? ?his? ?head.? ?The? ?bandages? ?were? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?his? ?hair,??stained? ?with? ?dirt.???Wasn’t? ?this? ?the? ?same? ?bandaged? ?boy? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?met? ?at? ?Mount? ?Yujun? ?and? ?that? ?had??gone? ?missing? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?found????No? ?wonder? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?Palace? ?said? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?any? ?traces? ?of? ?him? ?a? ?couple? ?days??ago.? ?How? ?could? ?Heaven’s? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?Palace? ?find? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?if? ?the? ?boy? ?had??escaped? ?to? ?the? ?ghost’s? ?territory????In? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?fury,? ?the? ?couple? ?of? ?ghosts? ?that? ?got? ?pushed? ?aside? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?him??out? ?once? ?more.? ?One? ?ghost? ?yanked? ?on? ?the? ?bandages,? ?“Look? ?at? ?how? ?desperate? ?he? ?wants??to? ?keep? ?his? ?bandages? ?on,? ?I? ?bet? ?you? ?this? ?little? ?beggar? ?might? ?even? ?be? ?uglier? ?than? ?me...”???Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?furious? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing!”? ?as? ?he? ?threw? ?out? ?a? ?few??ghosts? ?off? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?stop? ?him? ?and? ?could? ?only??wave? ?around? ?with? ?his? ?fan,? ?“Qianqiu,? ?I? ?thought? ?we? ?agreed? ?on? ?not? ?to? ?do? ?things? ?on? ?impulse!”???This? ?time? ?around,? ?Qianqiu? ?had? ?riled? ?up? ?more? ?ghosts.? ?They? ?roared? ?“And? ?who? ?do? ?you? ?think??you? ?are!!”? ?and? ?lunged? ?at? ?him.????“I’m? ?sorry? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,”? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?called,? ?“This? ?will? ?be? ?the? ?last? ?time!”? ?and? ?he??jumped? ?into? ?the? ?fight,? ?whacking? ?the? ?ghosts? ?about.???Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?let? ?out? ?an? ?exasperated? ?sigh,? ?“Ugh,? ?I’m? ?never? ?going? ?out? ?with? ?you? ?again!”??before? ?joining? ?the? ?brawl.????Because? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?expose? ?their? ?spiritual? ?energy,? ?they? ?could? ?only? ?resort? ?to? ?fighting??with? ?their? ?fists? ?and? ?feet.? ?The? ?other? ?smaller? ?group? ?that? ?was? ?beating? ?up? ?the? ?boy? ?was??forcibly? ?separated? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?He? ?kneeled? ?down,? ?wanting? ?to? ?help? ?the? ?boy? ?get? ?up,? ?“Are??you? ?okay?”???Upon? ?hearing? ?that? ?voice,? ?the? ?boy? ?shuddered? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?peek? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?his? ?fetal??position.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?gotten? ?a? ?better? ?look,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?discovered? ?that? ?the? ?bandages??that? ?were? ?wrapped? ?around? ?the? ?boy’s? ?face? ?were? ?soaked? ?with? ?blood.? ?With? ?patches? ?of? ?black??and? ?red,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?frightening? ?sight,? ?the? ?appearance? ?even? ?scarier? ?than? ?when? ?they? ?had? ?last??parted.? ?The? ?two? ?big? ?eyes? ?that? ?emerged? ?from? ?the? ?gap? ?between? ?the? ?bandages? ?were? ?clear??as? ?day,? ?black? ?iris? ?against? ?the? ?white,? ?yet? ?those? ?dark? ?eyes? ?that? ?reflected? ?Xie? ?Lian’s??silhouette? ?were? ?filled? ?with? ?fear.???Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?boy? ?by? ?the? ?arm,? ?“Come,? ?stand? ?up.? ?It’s? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?okay.”????To? ?his? ?surprise,? ?the? ?boy? ?screamed,? ?pushed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?away,? ?and? ?bolted.????Since? ?this? ?boy? ?had? ?once? ?been? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease,? ?he? ?must? ?be??connected? ?to? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?The? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?him,? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?a? ?tug??in? ?his? ?heart? ?and? ?his? ?mind? ?became? ?scattered.? ?Caught? ?off? ?guard? ?by? ?the? ?force? ?of? ?the? ?push,??even? ?his? ?straw? ?hat? ?had? ?fallen? ?off.? ?After? ?the? ?initial? ?shock,? ?he? ?called? ?out,? ?“Wait!”???Just? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?give? ?chase,? ?the? ?few? ?ghosts? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?pulled? ?away??earlier? ?had? ?grabbed? ?onto? ?him.? ?The? ?boy? ?headed? ?down? ?the? ?street? ?that? ?was? ?livelier? ?than??ever.? ?At? ?the? ?rate? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?effortlessly? ?weaving? ?through? ?the? ?groups? ?of? ?ghosts? ?and??ghosts? ?with? ?his? ?small? ?frame,? ?the? ?boy? ?would? ?disappear? ?soon.? ?It? ?would? ?be? ?difficult? ?for??Ruoye? ?to? ?track? ?down? ?a? ?person? ?in? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?setting,? ?so? ?in? ?that? ?split? ?moment? ?of? ?urgency,??Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out,? ?“My? ?lords,? ?I’ll? ?leave? ?this? ?matter? ?with? ?you.? ?Let’s? ?separate? ?for? ?now.? ?Go??hide? ?and? ?we’ll? ?meet? ?here? ?again? ?in? ?three? ?days? ?latest!”????Ruoye? ?slid? ?out? ?and? ?sent? ?those? ?ghosts? ?flying? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?officials.? ?He??bent? ?over? ?slightly,? ?picked? ?up? ?his? ?straw? ?hat? ?and? ?set? ?off? ?running? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?boy.???He? ?squeezed? ?through? ?the? ?crowd? ?with? ?immense? ?difficulty? ?while? ?shouting,? ?“Excuse? ?me!??Excuse? ?me!”? ?Yet? ?because? ?the? ?boy? ?had? ?spent? ?most? ?of? ?his? ?life? ?hiding? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,??escaping? ?was? ?practically? ?second? ?nature? ?to? ?him.? ?First? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?head,? ?then? ?there? ?was? ?a??shadow,? ?after? ?that,? ?there? ?was? ?nothing;? ?he? ?was? ?getting? ?farther? ?and? ?farther? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian??didn’t? ?know? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?imagination? ?but? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?the? ?crowds? ?on? ?the? ?street? ?were? ?getting??thicker? ?by? ?the? ?minute.? ?With? ?humans? ?and? ?ghosts? ?alike? ?pressed? ?against? ?each? ?other,? ?it??really? ?made? ?it? ?difficult? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?pass? ?through.? ?In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?all? ?that? ?chaos,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s??mind? ?was? ?tumultuous? ?and? ?knocked? ?over? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?stalls,? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?“I’m? ?sorry!? ?I’m??sorry!”? ?as? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?run.???Ghosts? ?weren’t? ?ones? ?to? ?be? ?crossed? ?easily? ?however,? ?and? ?they? ?yelled? ?after? ?him,? ?“Sorry??does? ?shit!? ?Catch? ?him!”????Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?coldness? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?hand? ?had? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?and??he? ?immediately? ?knocked? ?it? ?back,? ?“Who? ?is? ?it?!”???It? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell? ?where? ?the? ?hand? ?came? ?from,? ?but? ?all? ?the? ?ghosts? ?surrounded? ?him,? ?their??voices? ?screeching? ?and? ?terrible,? ?“Oi!? ?Let’s? ?teach? ?this? ?little? ?pale? ?face? ?a? ?thing? ?or? ?two!? ?How??dare? ?he? ?start? ?shit? ?in? ?our? ?Ghost? ?City!”???A? ?large? ?crowd? ?of? ?monsters? ?and? ?spirits? ?poured? ?into? ?the? ?horde,? ?and? ?seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was??about? ?to? ?lose? ?that? ?boy? ?in? ?the? ?crowd,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?did? ?his? ?best? ?to? ?throw? ?off? ?the? ?hand? ?that??caught? ?him,? ?“Everyone!? ?I’m? ?really? ?sorry,? ?I? ?don’t? ?mean? ?any? ?harm.? ?Let? ?me? ?go? ?to? ?find??someone? ?and? ?I’ll? ?be? ?back? ?to? ?pay? ?you? ?all? ?back!”???The? ?horde? ?of? ?ghosts? ?were? ?relentless,? ?“As? ?if!”???In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?pushing? ?and? ?pulling,? ?that? ?boy? ?had? ?disappeared? ?completely.? ?Xie??Lian? ?slowed? ?to? ?a? ?stop? ?and? ?stood? ?where? ?he? ?was,? ?dazed.? ?Truthfully,? ?he? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?be??sure? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?feeling.? ?Was? ?it? ?disappointment? ?in? ?not? ?being? ?able? ?to? ?catch? ?the? ?other,? ?or??was? ?it? ?relief? ?that? ?a? ?nightmare? ?had? ?passed????Suddenly,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?commotion? ?amongst? ?the? ?ghost? ?crowd,? ?and? ?they? ?immediately??parted? ?to? ?the? ?sides,? ?forming? ?a? ?path,? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?of? ?importance? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?arrive.??Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?to? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?tall? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?black? ?clad? ?figure? ?walked? ?straight? ?towards??him? ?through? ?the? ?path? ?created? ?by? ?the? ?mob.? ?He? ?yelled,? ?“Settle? ?down.? ?Let? ?him? ?go!”???The? ?black? ?clad? ?figure,? ?like? ?most? ?of? ?the? ?ghosts,? ?wore? ?a? ?mask.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?funny? ?mask? ?with? ?a??face? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?smiling? ?woefully.? ?The? ?mob? ?muttered? ?under? ?their? ?breaths,? ?“It’s? ?the??XiaXianYue? ?Officer!”? ?and? ?they? ?released? ?their? ?hold? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?It? ?seemed? ?this? ?black? ?clad??figure? ?was? ?someone? ?significant? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.???The? ?moment? ?he? ?approached? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?bowed,? ?“Greetings? ?cultivator.? ?The? ?Lord? ?wishes??to? ?see? ?you.”???“Um.? ?Me?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pointed? ?at? ?himself.???The? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?correct.? ?The? ?Lord? ?has? ?been? ?waiting? ?for? ?you? ?at??the? ?Paradise? ?Manor.”???All? ?around? ?them? ?the? ?mob? ?sucked? ?in? ?their? ?breaths,? ?“The? ?Lord? ?wants? ?to? ?see? ?him?? ?Did? ?I??hear? ?this? ?wrong?”???“Paradise? ?Manor?? ?That’s? ?the? ?Lord’s? ?sanctuary,? ?it’s? ?never? ?seen? ?guests!”???Some? ?pointed? ?out,? ?“Wait? ?a? ?sec,? ?wasn’t? ?he? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?won? ?against? ?the? ?Lord? ?today? ?at? ?the??Gambler’s? ?Den?? ?No,? ?the? ?one? ?the? ?Lord? ?educated?!”???All? ?eyes? ?were? ?now? ?focused? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?each? ?pair? ?bigger? ?than? ?the? ?next.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t??help? ?but? ?raise? ?his? ?straw? ?hat? ?to? ?hide? ?his? ?face.? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?made? ?a? ?gesture,? ?“This??way? ?please.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?followed? ?behind? ?him.???The? ?crowd? ?parted? ?once? ?more,? ?and? ?the? ?ghost? ?officer? ?led? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?through? ?the? ?path.? ?No??one? ?dared? ?to? ?follow,? ?and? ?after? ?an? ?incense? ?time,? ?the? ?two? ?left? ?the? ?bustling? ?street? ?behind,??going? ?further? ?and? ?further? ?into? ?the? ?backwoods.???During? ?their? ?walk,? ?the? ?two? ?didn’t? ?converse.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?that? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?walked??like? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?disappear? ?into? ?the? ?shadows? ?and? ?followed? ?closely.? ?Subconsciously,??his? ?eyes? ?swept? ?past? ?the? ?officer’s? ?wrist? ?and? ?noticed? ?that? ?upon? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?black? ?cursed? ?circle.???It? ?was? ?something? ?he? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?with.???A? ?cursed? ?shackle?!???He? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes? ?but? ?was? ?silent? ?in? ?his? ?shock.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?ghost? ?officer? ?spoke? ?up,??“We’re? ?here.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?realized? ?he? ?was? ?led? ?to? ?a? ?lake.? ?There? ?were? ?a? ?number? ?of??will-o-the-wisps? ?floating? ?above? ?the? ?waters,? ?playing? ?and? ?chasing? ?each? ?other.? ?Next? ?to? ?the??lake? ?was? ?a? ?towering? ?pavillion.???Both? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?have? ?glamourous? ?architecture.? ?However,? ?the??distinguished? ?buildings? ?of? ?the? ?heavens? ?put? ?emphasis? ?on? ?prominence? ?and? ?prestige,??whereas? ?the? ?buildings? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?were? ?glamourous? ?in? ?their? ?bewitchment? ?and??frivolity.? ?Even? ?the? ?large? ?letters? ?of? ?this? ?pavillion? ?‘Paradise? ?Manor’? ?emitted? ?an? ?evil? ?aura.????After? ?some? ?thought,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?entered.???Raising? ?a? ?beaded? ?curtain,? ?a? ?warm? ?perfumed? ?air? ?came? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?face.? ?Xie? ?Lian??moved? ?his? ?head? ?slightly? ?to? ?avoid? ?getting? ?engulfed? ?in? ?that? ?scent.? ?Soon,? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?large??hall.???The? ?inside? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?a? ?thick,? ?snow? ?-white? ?carpet? ?made? ?from? ?the? ?fur? ?of? ?an??unknown? ?beast.? ?Many? ?beautiful? ?and? ?captivating? ?women,? ?barefooted? ?and? ?clad? ?in? ?light? ?silk,??were? ?dancing? ?and? ?playing,? ?sensual? ?and? ?beguiling.? ?The? ?music? ?he? ?heard? ?came? ?from? ?them.???The? ?ladies? ?were? ?spinning? ?seductively? ?like? ?bouquets? ?of? ?roses? ?covered? ?in? ?thorns,??blossoming? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?night.? ?When? ?they? ?spun? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?they? ?playfully? ?teased? ?him??with? ?their? ?eyes.? ?If? ?any? ?passerby? ?of? ?the? ?night? ?were? ?to? ?accidentally? ?intrude? ?upon? ?this? ?scene,??surely? ?they? ?would? ?be? ?even? ?more? ?frightened? ?or? ?enchanted.? ?However,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was??observing? ?the? ?main? ?hall,? ?his? ?eyes? ?went? ?straight? ?through? ?those? ?women.? ?The? ?first? ?thing? ?he??saw? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who’s? ?seated? ?in? ?the? ?very? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?main? ?hall.???At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?divan? ?made? ?of? ?black? ?jade,? ?expansive? ?in? ?size? ?and? ?can??probably? ?fit? ?over? ?ten? ?people.? ?But? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?sitting? ?upon? ?it,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Hua??Cheng.???There? ?were? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?gorgeous? ?ghost? ?women? ?dancing? ?before? ?him? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?spare??them? ?any? ?looks,? ?only? ?lazily? ?keeping? ?an? ?eye? ?on? ?what’s? ?before? ?him.???In? ?front? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?a? ?small,? ?golden? ?palace.? ?From? ?afar,? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?a? ?heavenly??palace,? ?but? ?on? ?closer? ?inspection,? ?that? ?little? ?palace? ?was? ?built? ?from? ?thin? ?sheets? ?of? ?gold? ?foil??stacked? ?upon? ?one? ?another.???Gold? ?Foil? ?Palace.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?played? ?this? ?game? ?often? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?child;? ?it’s? ?a? ?game??that’s? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?village? ?kids? ?stacking? ?rocks? ?to? ?build? ?houses.? ?Yet? ?because? ?he??disliked? ?separation? ?by? ?nature? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?younger,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?matter? ?what? ?it? ?was,? ?as? ?long??as? ?the? ?objects? ?were? ?placed? ?together? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?refuse? ?to? ?separate? ?them.? ?After??making? ?a? ?palace,? ?he’d? ?forbid? ?anyone? ?to? ?touch? ?it,? ?wishing? ?if? ?only? ?he? ?could? ?glue? ?the? ?fragile??sheets? ?together? ?so? ?that? ?it’d? ?never? ?collapse.? ?When? ?he? ?was? ?even? ?younger,? ?if? ?he? ?saw? ?his??golden? ?palace? ?fall? ?apart,? ?he’d? ?be? ?depressed? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?refusing? ?food? ?and? ?sleep? ?until??the? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?coaxed? ?him? ?from? ?his? ?shell.? ?The? ?golden? ?palace? ?before? ?him? ?now? ?was??grand,? ?layered? ?in? ?hundreds? ?of? ?foil? ?sheets,? ?fragile? ?like? ?an? ?egg,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?gentle? ?breeze? ?could??blow? ?it? ?down.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?prayed? ?mentally,? ?‘Don’t? ?fall.? ?Don’t? ?fall.’???After? ?a? ?moment,? ?however,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gazed? ?at? ?his? ?work? ?and? ?flashed? ?a? ?smile,? ?raised? ?a??finger? ?and? ?flicked? ?at? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?golden? ?palace.???The? ?foils? ?fluttered? ?and? ?collapsed? ?into? ?a? ?heap.???Gold? ?foil? ?bestrewn? ?the? ?ground,? ?the? ?golden? ?palace? ?was? ?destroyed.? ?Having? ?knocked? ?it??down,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?appeared? ?amused? ?by? ?his? ?handiwork,? ?like? ?a? ?child? ?who’d? ?pushed? ?over? ?a??tower? ?of? ?building? ?blocks.???He? ?mindlessly? ?threw? ?away? ?a? ?gold? ?foil? ?sheet? ?that? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?jumped? ?off? ?the??divan.? ?The? ?dancing? ?women? ?immediately? ?stopped? ?in? ?their? ?steps? ?and? ?backed? ?off? ?to? ?the??sides,? ?silencing? ?their? ?songs.? ?Stepping? ?on? ?the? ?gold? ?foils? ?sheets,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked??towards? ?the? ?entrance,? ?“Since? ?gege? ?is? ?here,? ?why? ?not? ?come? ?in?? ?Don’t? ?be? ?a? ?stranger? ?after??only? ?parting? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?days.”???Hearing? ?his? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?down? ?the? ?beaded? ?curtain,? ?“Earlier? ?in? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den,??it? ?was? ?San? ?Lang? ?who? ?pretended? ?not? ?to? ?recognize? ?me.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?approached? ?and? ?stopped? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?side,? ?“Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?there,? ?so? ?if? ?I??didn’t? ?put? ?on? ?an? ?act,? ?I’d? ?be? ?giving? ?gege? ?trouble.”???‘That? ?was? ?some? ?really? ?sloppy? ?act...’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.???As? ?for? ?seeing? ?through? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu’s? ?identity,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?least? ?bit? ?surprised.? ?In??fact,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?probably? ?knew? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?mixed? ?in? ?the? ?crowd? ?too,? ?so? ?Xie??Lian? ?spoke? ?without? ?hesitation,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?is? ?knowledgeable? ?as? ?always.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Of? ?course.? ?So,? ?is? ?gege? ?here? ?especially? ?to? ?visit? ?me? ?this? ?time?”???“...”???If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?honest? ?with? ?himself,? ?had? ?he? ?known? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?here? ?he??would’ve? ?asked? ?for? ?leave? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?pay? ?a? ?visit.? ?Alas,? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?case.? ?Hua? ?Cheng??however,? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?waiting? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?response.? ?He? ?smiled,? ?“Whether? ?if? ?you’re??here? ?to? ?see? ?me? ?or? ?not,? ?I’m? ?still? ?happy.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?by? ?those? ?words.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?respond? ?when? ?the??women? ?standing? ?on? ?the? ?sides? ?started? ?giggling.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?slighted? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?they? ?all??stopped? ?at? ?once,? ?their? ?heads? ?bowed? ?low,? ?and? ?soon? ?filed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hall,? ?leaving? ?only? ?the??two? ?of? ?them? ?in? ?this? ?expansive? ?chamber.???“Come? ?have? ?a? ?seat? ?here,? ?gege.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.???Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?him? ?and? ?watched? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?smiling,? ?“So? ?this? ?is? ?your? ?real??appearance.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step.????—–???XiaXianYue? ?translates? ?to? ?waning? ?crescent? ?moon????Ch.40:? ?At? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor;? ?Questions? ?of? ?Xianle? ?2????Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?figment? ?of? ?his? ?imagination,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?shoulders? ?seemed? ?to? ?have??stiffened? ?for? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?a? ?second.? ?The? ?moment? ?didn’t? ?last,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?casually??responded,? ?“I? ?did? ?say? ?that? ?the? ?next? ?time? ?we? ?meet? ?I? ?would? ?greet? ?you? ?with? ?my? ?real??appearance.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned.? ?He? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder? ?and? ?said? ?earnestly,? ?“Not? ?bad.”???Xie? ?Lian’s? ?tone? ?was? ?also? ?casual,? ?nothing? ?more,? ?nothing? ?less,? ?and? ?very? ?simply? ?said.? ?Hua??Cheng? ?smiled? ?back,? ?and? ?this? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?relaxed.? ?They? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?steps? ?and? ?Xie??Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?something? ?important? ?to? ?confirm? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and??removed? ?the? ?silver? ?chain? ?from? ?around? ?his? ?neck.????“By? ?the? ?way,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Did? ?you? ?leave? ?this?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?ring? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?for? ?you.”???“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???“It’s? ?nothing? ?important.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Just? ?keep? ?it? ?for? ?fun.”???Although? ?that’s? ?what? ?he? ?said,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?this? ?object? ?wasn’t? ?something? ?so??insignificant.? ?“Then,? ?thank? ?you,? ?San? ?Lang.”???Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?put? ?the? ?ringed? ?necklace? ?back? ?around? ?his? ?neck,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes??shimmered? ?brightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around? ?him,? ?“Back? ?at? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?you? ?said??you? ?were? ?coming? ?here? ?to? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?and? ?I? ?had? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?something? ?like? ?a??brothel? ?or? ?the? ?red? ?light? ?district,? ?but? ?this? ?looks? ?more? ?like? ?a? ?theatre?”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Gege? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?saying?? ?I? ?never? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?red? ?light??district.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“Really?”???“Of? ?course.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.???The? ?two? ?approached? ?the? ?black? ?jaded? ?divan? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?each? ?other.? ?Hua? ?Cheng??continued,? ?“This? ?is? ?nothing? ?but? ?a? ?place? ?I’d? ?renovate? ?here? ?and? ?there,? ?a? ?residence? ?of? ?sorts.??I? ?come? ?and? ?chill? ?here? ?when? ?I’m? ?free.? ?If? ?I’m? ?busy? ?then? ?I’d? ?leave? ?it? ?be.”???“So? ?it’s? ?your? ?home.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?commented.???“Residence.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?corrected,? ?“Not? ?a? ?home.”???“Is? ?there? ?a? ?difference?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.???“Of? ?course,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“A? ?home? ?has? ?family.? ?A? ?place? ?where? ?someone? ?lives??alone? ?is? ?not? ?a? ?home.”???Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?tightened.? ?By? ?that? ?definition,? ?it’s? ?been? ?over? ?eight? ?hundred??years? ?since? ?he? ?had? ?a? ?‘home’.? ?Although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?no? ?trace? ?of? ?loneliness? ?on? ?his??face,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?they? ?were? ?perhaps? ?alike.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“If? ?it’s? ?home,? ?then??even? ?a? ?small? ?place? ?like? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?would? ?be? ?better? ?than? ?my? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?by? ?a??million? ?fold.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?agreed? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?realize? ?San? ?Lang? ?is? ?this? ?sentimental.? ?But? ?to? ?make??comparisons? ?using? ?my? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?you’re? ?really? ?pulling? ?my? ?leg? ?here.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“What’s? ?there? ?to? ?be? ?embarrassed? ?about?? ?Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?gege’s??Puqi? ?Shrine? ?is? ?small,? ?but? ?it’s? ?so? ?much? ?more? ?comfortable? ?than? ?my? ?Paradise? ?Manor.? ?It’s??more? ?like? ?a? ?home.”???“Is? ?that? ?so?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?warmly,? ?“Then? ?if? ?you? ?like? ?it,? ?in? ?the? ?future,? ?come? ?over? ?whenever??you? ?want.? ?The? ?doors? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?will? ?always? ?open? ?for? ?you.”???Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?lit? ?up,? ?“Since? ?gege? ?says? ?so,? ?then? ?I’ll? ?gladly? ?take? ?up? ?your? ?offer.? ?Don’t??think? ?me? ?annoying? ?in? ?the? ?future.”???“There’s? ?no? ?way.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?San? ?Lang? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?ask? ?you? ?for? ?a? ?favour,??but? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?you’d? ?have? ?the? ?time?”???“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked,? ?“This? ?is? ?my? ?territory.? ?You? ?just? ?ask,? ?and? ?I’ll? ?deliver.”???After? ?some? ?thought,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Before? ?when? ?I? ?was? ?dealing? ?with? ?the? ?case? ?at? ?Mount??Yujun,? ?I? ?ran? ?into? ?this? ?boy? ?who? ?might? ?have? ?originated? ?from? ?my? ?kingdom.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?blinked? ?slowly? ?at? ?the? ?word? ?‘originate’? ?and? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word.? ?Xie? ?Lian??continued,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?handle? ?the? ?matter? ?very? ?well,? ?and? ?scared? ?him? ?off.? ?After? ?that? ?I??requested? ?for? ?a? ?search? ?without? ?any? ?success.? ?Earlier? ?when? ?I? ?was? ?running? ?around? ?the??back? ?alleys? ?of? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?I? ?thought? ?I? ?had? ?bumped? ?into? ?him.? ?San? ?Lang,? ?you? ?are? ?the??lord? ?of? ?this? ?land.? ?Is? ?there? ?any? ?way? ?you? ?can? ?help? ?me? ?find? ?him?? ?His? ?face? ?is? ?wrapped? ?in??bandages,? ?and? ?only? ?just? ?ran? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?front? ?steps? ?of? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?silent,? ?and? ?stood? ?up? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?face? ?turned? ?away,??as? ?if? ?communicating? ?with? ?someone.? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?he? ?sat? ?down? ?again? ?and? ?smiled,??“Done.? ?Just? ?wait.”???As? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?the? ?lord? ?ruling? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?it’d? ?be? ?much? ?more? ?convenient? ?for? ?him??to? ?act.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?“Truly,? ?thank? ?you? ?again.”???“This? ?is? ?nothing,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?“But? ?you? ?left? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?just? ?like? ?that?”???If? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?was? ?there,? ?straightforward? ?and? ?obtuse,? ?it’d? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?predict? ?what? ?other??nonsense? ?would? ?come? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?start? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?trouble.??Probably? ?best? ?to? ?meet? ?up? ?later,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?“His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?caused? ?you??troubles? ?earlier? ?at? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den.? ?Sorry? ?about? ?that.”???Hua? ?Cheng? ?flashed? ?an? ?arrogant? ?smirk,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?saying?? ?That? ?didn’t? ?count? ?as??trouble? ?the? ?slightest? ?bit.”???“The? ?things? ?he? ?broke...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“For? ?gege’s? ?sake? ?I’ll??clear? ?his? ?account.? ?He? ?can? ?do? ?as? ?he? ?will? ?so? ?long? ?as? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?show? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?front? ?of??me.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?now? ?curious,? ?and? ?asked,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?care? ?if? ?there? ?are? ?heavenly? ?officials??frolicking? ?about? ?your? ?territory?”? ?Could? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?really? ?be? ?that? ?fearless????Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Of? ?course? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?know? ?about? ?this,? ?but? ?gege,? ?all? ?three? ?realms??proclaim? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?a? ?hell? ?of? ?corruption,? ?a? ?demonic? ?chaos,? ?but? ?in? ?reality,? ?everyone??wants? ?to? ?come? ?to? ?carouse.? ?So? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?pretend? ?not? ?to? ?care? ?and??spoke? ?ill? ?of? ?this? ?place,? ?but? ?behind? ?everyone’s? ?back? ?they’d? ?often? ?come? ?in? ?disguise? ?and??conduct? ?unspeakable? ?business.? ?I’ve? ?seen? ?too? ?much.? ?If? ?they? ?don’t? ?stir? ?up? ?trouble? ?then? ?I??don’t? ?care,? ?and? ?if? ?they? ?do,? ?then? ?even? ?better,? ?because? ?they’re? ?the? ?ones? ?who? ?intruded? ?first.”???“His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?is? ?like? ?that? ?by? ?nature,? ?so? ?seeing? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?bets? ?of? ?that? ?sort? ?go??down,? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?stop? ?it? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained.???“That’s? ?his? ?lack? ?of? ?experience,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?plainly.? ?“To? ?choose? ?between? ?letting??yourself? ?live? ?longer? ?for? ?ten? ?years? ?and? ?cutting? ?your? ?enemy’s? ?life? ?short? ?for? ?ten? ?years? ?and??pick? ?the? ?latter,? ?that’s? ?the? ?basis? ?of? ?human? ?hatred.”? ?He? ?snorted? ?and? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms,??“That? ?an? ?idiot? ?like? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?can? ?ascend,? ?the? ?heavens? ?is? ?truly? ?blind.”???“...”???Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?guilty,? ?thinking,? ?‘You? ?can’t? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?that,??after? ?all,? ?someone? ?who? ?collects? ?junk? ?like? ?me? ?also? ?ascended...’???After? ?some? ?hesitation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up? ?again,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?it? ?may? ?be? ?out? ?of? ?line? ?for? ?me??to? ?say? ?this,? ?but? ?I? ?still? ?have? ?to? ?say? ?it.? ?That? ?Gambler’s? ?Den? ?is? ?dangerous,? ?won’t? ?it? ?blow? ?up? ?in??your? ?face? ?one? ?day?”???A? ?place? ?that? ?allowed? ?the? ?betting? ?of? ?sons? ?and? ?daughters? ?and? ?people’s? ?lives,? ?even? ?to? ?drop??dead,? ?was? ?dreadfully? ?sinful.? ?Nevermind? ?a? ?little? ?brawl.? ?If? ?one? ?day? ?the? ?bets? ?go? ?out? ?of? ?hand,??the? ?heavens? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?sit? ?back? ?and? ?keep? ?their? ?eyes? ?closed.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave??him? ?a? ?look,? ?“Your? ?Highness.? ?Did? ?you? ?ever? ?ask? ?Lang? ?Qianqiu? ?why? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?rush? ?into? ?the??mess?”???Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?not? ?quite? ?understanding? ?the? ?intent? ?of? ?the? ?question.??Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“I? ?bet? ?he? ?must’ve? ?told? ?you? ?that? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?do? ?it,? ?no? ?one? ?else??would.”???“You’re? ?right,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“That’s? ?exactly? ?what? ?he? ?said.”???“I’m? ?the? ?complete? ?opposite.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?“If? ?I? ?don’t? ?control? ?a? ?place? ?like? ?this,? ?then??someone? ?else? ?would? ?take? ?control? ?of? ?it.? ?I’d? ?rather? ?that? ?person? ?be? ?me.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?when? ?to? ?step? ?down? ?and? ?nodded,? ?“I? ?understand.”????It? ?looked? ?like? ?although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?someone? ?sentimental,? ?he? ?also? ?cared? ?for? ?control??and? ?power? ?moreso? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“Nonetheless,? ?thank??you? ?gege? ?for? ?your? ?concern.”???Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ?voice? ?that? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?door.? ?A? ?young? ?man? ?said,? ?“My? ?lord,??I’ve? ?located? ?the? ?bandaged? ?boy.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?front? ?entrance? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?from? ?before??bowing? ?just? ?beyond? ?the? ?beaded? ?curtain.? ?And? ?the? ?one? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?none? ?other? ?than??the? ?ragged? ?boy? ?in? ?bandages.???Hua? ?Cheng? ?never? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“Bring? ?him? ?in.”???The? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?brought? ?the? ?boy? ?inside? ?and? ?gently? ?laid? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lian??couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?peek? ?at? ?his? ?wrist? ?again? ?to? ?see? ?whether? ?if? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?cursed??shackle,? ?but? ?the? ?other? ?curtsied? ?and? ?stood? ?down? ?swiftly? ?after? ?delivering? ?the? ?boy.? ?Since??there? ?were? ?more? ?important? ?matters? ?at? ?hand? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?bent? ?down? ?near? ?the? ?bandaged? ?boy??and? ?instantly? ?soothed,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?scared.? ?It? ?was? ?my? ?fault? ?last? ?time,? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?it? ?again.”???The? ?boy’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?widened? ?in? ?fear? ?and? ?confusion,? ?but? ?after? ?running? ?away? ?so? ?many??times,? ?he? ?no? ?longer? ?had? ?the? ?energy? ?to? ?escape? ?again.? ?He? ?peeked? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?then??peeked? ?at? ?the? ?lap? ?table? ?on? ?the? ?black? ?jade? ?divan.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?his? ?line? ?of? ?sight? ?and??saw? ?he? ?was? ?eyeing? ?a? ?plate? ?of? ?luscious? ?fruits? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?lap? ?table.???The? ?boy? ?must’ve? ?been? ?hiding? ?for? ?too? ?long? ?and? ?had? ?not? ?eaten.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua??Cheng? ?and? ?before? ?he? ?said? ?anything,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?motioned,? ?“Do? ?what? ?you? ?want,? ?no? ?need??to? ?ask? ?me.”???It? ?wasn’t? ?time? ?to? ?be? ?polite,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?uttered? ?a? ?thanks? ?and? ?reached? ?for? ?the? ?plate? ?of? ?fruit??before? ?giving? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?boy.? ?That? ?boy? ?grabbed? ?the? ?plate? ?from? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?started? ?stuffing??the? ?fruits? ?into? ?his? ?mouth.???It? ?looked? ?like? ?he’d? ?been? ?starved? ?for? ?too? ?many? ?days,? ?and? ?was? ?desperately? ?hungry.? ?Even??when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?at? ?his? ?worst? ?and? ?starved? ?like? ?a? ?wild? ?dog? ?he’d? ?never? ?shoved? ?food? ?into??himself? ?like? ?this.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say,? ?and? ?only? ?chided? ?gently,? ?“Slow? ?down.”????After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?attempted,? ?“What’s? ?your? ?name?”???The? ?boy? ?mumbled? ?and? ?murmured? ?as? ?he? ?ate,? ?as? ?if? ?trying? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?but? ?couldn’t? ?do??so? ?clearly.????“He? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?spoken? ?in? ?many? ?years? ?and? ?forgot? ?how? ?to? ?speak.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng??suggested.???Indeed,? ?it? ?did? ?look? ?like? ?this? ?boy? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?much,? ?not? ?even? ?to? ?Xiao? ?Ying,? ?and? ?had? ?been??like? ?this? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“We? ?can? ?do? ?this? ?slowly.”???By? ?then,? ?all? ?the? ?fruits? ?on? ?the? ?plate? ?had? ?been? ?devoured.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?his? ?bandages? ?were??soaked? ?in? ?dry? ?blood,? ?covered? ?in? ?black? ?and? ?red? ?spots? ?alike,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Your??face? ?is? ?wounded? ?and? ?it? ?looks? ?serious.? ?Let? ?me? ?take? ?a? ?look.”???Hearing? ?those? ?words,? ?fear? ?immediate? ?engulfed? ?the? ?boy’s? ?eyes.? ?However,? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian’s??tireless? ?soothing? ?and? ?encouragement,? ?he? ?sat? ?down? ?once? ?more? ?obediently.???Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?took? ?out? ?a? ?bottle? ?of? ?medicinal? ?powder? ?from? ?his? ?sleeve,??ready? ?to? ?remove? ?the? ?sullied? ?bandages? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?intercepted,? ?“Let? ?me? ?do? ?it.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?moved? ?his? ?hands? ?slowly,? ?unraveling? ?the? ?haphazardly??wrapped? ?bandages.????As? ?he? ?had? ?suspected,? ?although? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?boy? ?was? ?a? ?bloody? ?mess,? ?all? ?the? ?terrifying??little? ?human? ?faces? ?were? ?gone,? ?only? ?large? ?blotches? ?of? ?bright? ?red? ?scars.???The? ?last? ?time? ?they? ?met? ?at? ?Mount? ?Yujun,? ?there? ?were? ?burns? ?covering? ?his? ?face? ?but? ?not? ?as??much? ?blood.? ?This? ?boy? ?must’ve? ?used? ?a? ?knife? ?to? ?cut? ?away? ?those? ?human? ?faces? ?from? ?his? ?own??face? ?and? ?left? ?all? ?those? ?scars.???Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?trembled? ?softly? ?as? ?he? ?rubbed? ?the? ?medicine? ?in.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?caught? ?his??wrist? ?and? ?said? ?again,? ?“Let? ?me.”???Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?again? ?and? ?gently? ?pulled? ?his? ?hand? ?free,? ?then? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,??“No.? ?Let? ?me? ?do? ?this? ?myself.”???Eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago? ?in? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?many? ?who? ?contracted? ?this? ?disease,??without? ?any? ?other? ?way,? ?all? ?chose? ?this? ?route? ?of? ?self? ?mutilation.? ?It? ?was? ?hell? ?on? ?earth.? ?Some??would? ?miss? ?their? ?target? ?and? ?cut? ?where? ?they? ?shouldn’t? ?and? ?die? ?from? ?blood? ?loss.? ?Some,??although? ?successful? ?in? ?removing? ?the? ?small? ?human? ?faces,? ?never? ?healed? ?from? ?those??wounds.???As? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wrapped? ?new? ?bandages? ?around? ?the? ?boy’s? ?head,? ?he? ?realized? ?that? ?his? ?features??were? ?actually? ?quite? ?proper,? ?his? ?nose? ?straight? ?and? ?refined,? ?his? ?eyes? ?black? ?and? ?clear;? ?he??should’ve? ?been? ?a? ?handsome? ?young? ?man? ?if? ?not? ?for? ?this? ?ghastly? ?disease.? ?He? ?was? ?like??many? ?others? ?before? ?him;? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?cut? ?away? ?the? ?distorted? ?human? ?faces,? ?his? ?face? ?would??still? ?forever? ?be? ?nightmarish,? ?unable? ?to? ?recover.???Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?finished? ?wrapping? ?the? ?new? ?bandages? ?and? ?asked? ?with? ?a? ?shaky? ?voice,? ?“Are??you? ?from? ?Xianle?”???The? ?boy? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?his? ?big? ?eyes,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?repeated? ?his? ?question??several? ?times? ?but? ?he? ?only? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?asked,? ?“Then? ?where? ?are? ?you??from,? ?exactly?”???The? ?boy? ?answered? ?with? ?much? ?“...Yong...An...”???This? ?boy? ?was? ?from? ?Yong’An!???Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?sight? ?go? ?dark,? ?and? ?he? ?blurted? ?out,? ?“Have? ?you? ?ever? ?met...? ?the? ?White??No-Face?”???The? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?The? ?origin? ?of? ?plagues.? ?The? ?symbol? ?of? ?misfortune.???This? ?‘Supreme’? ?often? ?donned? ?a? ?snow? ?white? ?funeral? ?garb,? ?a? ?Spirit? ?Calling? ?banner? ?in? ?hand,??and? ?a? ?Smile? ?Crying? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?This? ?mask? ?was? ?called? ?this? ?because? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?was??smiling,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?half? ?was? ?crying;? ?together,? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?wearer??was? ?smiling? ?or? ?crying.? ?If? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?seen? ?anywhere,? ?it? ?would? ?mean? ?that? ?place? ?would??soon? ?be? ?doomed? ?to? ?ruin,? ?and? ?the? ?world? ?would? ?fall? ?into? ?chaos.???Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?remember? ?clearly? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?met? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?He? ?was??standing? ?on? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?highest? ?tower? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?his? ?face? ?covered? ?in??grime? ?and? ?tears,? ?lost? ?and? ?bemused? ?as? ?he? ?gazed? ?below? ?to? ?his? ?kingdom.? ?Within? ?his? ?blurry??vision,? ?there? ?stood? ?a? ?white? ?silhouette? ?among? ?the? ?fields? ?of? ?corpses? ?just? ?outside? ?the??fortress? ?walls,? ?his? ?giant? ?white? ?sleeves? ?fluttering,? ?obvious? ?and? ?distinct.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped??his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?down? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?that? ?white? ?apparition? ?also? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?at??Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?waved? ?at? ?him? ?directly.???That? ?Smile? ?Crying? ?mask? ?was? ?the? ?nightmare? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?chase? ?away? ?even? ?after??hundreds? ?of? ?years.?