Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 41-50

Ch.41:? ?At? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor;? ?Questions? ?of? ?Xianle? ?3? ? ?

—? ?

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?

?

That? ?boy? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?know? ?who? ?the? ?‘White? ?No-Face’? ?was,? ?and? ?only? ?watched? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

with? ?a? ?blank? ?expression.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?boy? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?or? ?

couldn’t? ?understand,? ?but? ?he? ?suddenly? ?shouted,? ?“AH!”? ?Turns? ?out? ?it? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?

grabbed? ?onto? ?his? ?shoulders? ?and? ?unconsciously? ?gripped? ?them? ?too? ?tight.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?until? ?he? ?

shouted? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?to,? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?released? ?his? ?hands.? ?“I’m? ?sorry.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“You’re? ?tired.? ?Go? ?rest.”? ?

?

As? ?soon? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?those? ?words,? ?a? ?small? ?door? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?walls? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?opened,? ?and? ?

two? ?dainty? ?girls? ?entered? ?to? ?take? ?away? ?the? ?boy.? ?He? ?looked? ?back? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?led? ?

away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?told? ?him,? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?find? ?you? ?again? ?in? ?a? ?bit.”? ?

?

After? ?the? ?boy? ?was? ?taken? ?away,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Sit? ?down? ?and? ?relax,? ?and? ?

don’t? ?see? ?him? ?for? ?now.? ?If? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?questions? ?for? ?him? ?I? ?have? ?my? ?ways? ?of? ?prying? ?open? ?

his? ?lips.”? ?

?

‘Prying? ?open? ?his? ?lips’? ?sounded? ?rather? ?horrifying,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“No,? ?that’s? ?alright.? ?

If? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?then? ?let? ?it? ?go.? ?We’ll? ?take? ?this? ?slow.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?sat? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“What? ?are? ?your? ?plans? ?for? ?the? ?boy?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?looking? ?exhausted,? ?gave? ?the? ?question? ?some? ?thought,? ?“I? ?think,? ?I’ll? ?keep? ?him? ?by? ?

my? ?side,? ?and? ?bring? ?him? ?along? ?with? ?me? ?first.”? ?

?

“He’s? ?a? ?ghost,? ?not? ?a? ?human.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?leave? ?him? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?

Ghost? ?City?? ?I’ve? ?no? ?trouble? ?feeding? ?another? ?mouth.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?him,? ?and? ?said? ?earnestly,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?truly,? ?thank? ?you.? ?But...”? ?He? ?sighed,? ?

“I? ?want? ?to? ?bring? ?him? ?along? ?not? ?just? ?for? ?raising? ?him.”? ?

?

The? ?Ghost? ?City? ?certainly? ?belonged? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng;? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?willing? ?to? ?protect? ?the? ?boy,? ?

then? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?harm? ?him? ?and? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?go? ?hungry.? ?But? ?other? ?than? ?that,? ?the? ?most? ?

important? ?thing? ?for? ?the? ?boy? ?was? ?more? ?so? ?guidance,? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?organize? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?

speech,? ?and? ?return? ?him? ?to? ?normal.? ?The? ?Ghost? ?City? ?is? ?a? ?bustling? ?place,? ?chaotic? ?and? ?wild,? ?

not? ?ideal? ?for? ?counseling.? ?Other? ?than? ?himself,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?anyone? ?else? ?who? ?

would? ?have? ?the? ?patience? ?to? ?undertake? ?that? ?task.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?slowly,? ?“I’m? ?already? ?immensely? ?grateful? ?that? ?you? ?found? ?him? ?for? ?me.? ?I? ?

can’t? ?trouble? ?you? ?further? ?with? ?the? ?aftermath.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?appeared? ?to? ?disagree,? ?but? ?didn’t? ?push? ?any? ?more.? ?He? ?said? ?plainly,? ?“It’s? ?really? ?

no? ?trouble.? ?When? ?you’re? ?here,? ?if? ?you? ?need? ?anything? ?just? ?let? ?me? ?know;? ?and? ?you’re? ?free? ?to? ?

go? ?wherever? ?you? ?want.’? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?the? ?scimitar? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?waist? ?had? ?changed? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?

sudden.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?his? ?curiosity? ?was? ?instantly? ?piqued.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?on? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?that? ?

scimitar? ?had? ?a? ?silver? ?eye? ?crafted? ?upon? ?it.? ?The? ?patterns? ?of? ?the? ?eye? ?was? ?formed? ?by? ?a? ?few? ?

rough? ?silver? ?strokes,? ?but? ?although? ?simple,? ?it? ?looked? ?mythical? ?as? ?if? ?alive.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?see? ?it? ?at? ?

first? ?because? ?the? ?eye? ?was? ?closed? ?into? ?a? ?thin? ?line,? ?but? ?just? ?then,? ?the? ?eye? ?fluttered? ?open? ?

and? ?revealed? ?a? ?crimson? ?gem-like? ?eyeball,? ?and? ?within? ?the? ?socket? ?it? ?twirled? ?once.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?noticed? ?it? ?too,? ?and? ?spoke? ?up? ?solemnly,? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?leave? ?for? ?a? ?bit.? ?I’ll? ?be? ?

right? ?back.? ?

?

“An? ?alarm?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?showed? ?

their? ?true? ?selves? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?too,? ?“I’ll? ?come? ?with? ?you.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gently? ?pushed? ?him? ?back? ?down,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?it’s? ?not? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua.? ?

It’s? ?just? ?some? ?useless? ?trash? ?that? ?shows? ?up? ?every? ?month.? ?You? ?don’t? ?have? ?to? ?go.”? ?

?

Since? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?made? ?it? ?this? ?clear,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?insisting? ?on? ?going? ?along.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?and? ?left? ?the? ?main? ?hall,? ?waving? ?as? ?he? ?walked? ?away.? ?The? ?beaded? ?

curtain? ?parted? ?automatically? ?as? ?he? ?approached,? ?and? ?after? ?he? ?exited,? ?the? ?beaded? ?curtain? ?

let? ?itself? ?down,? ?clacking,? ?its? ?sound? ?crisp? ?and? ?clear.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?relaxed? ?a? ?bit? ?on? ?the? ?black? ?jaded? ?divan? ?and? ?thought? ?about? ?the? ?bandaged? ?boy.? ?

Recalling? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?scared? ?of? ?strangers? ?and? ?emotionally? ?unstable,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?sit? ?

still? ?and? ?rose? ?again,? ?determined? ?to? ?go? ?and? ?see? ?the? ?boy.? ?He? ?passed? ?through? ?the? ?small? ?

door? ?the? ?girls? ?had? ?left? ?from? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?small? ?garden.? ?The? ?garden? ?was? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?

vermillion,? ?and? ?cutting? ?through? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?path,? ?empty? ?of? ?life,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?

wondering? ?which? ?way? ?he? ?should? ?go? ?when? ?suddenly? ?a? ?black? ?shadow? ?flashed? ?by.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?that? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?the? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?on? ?his? ?wrist? ?and? ?it’s? ?been? ?on? ?his? ?mind.? ?He? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?call? ?out? ?to? ?the? ?other? ?when? ?that? ?silhouette? ?disappeared.? ?The? ?way? ?he? ?behaved? ?

was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?afraid? ?to? ?be? ?discovered,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth,? ?and? ?soundlessly? ?

followed? ?him.? ?

?

Turning? ?to? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?a? ?building? ?where? ?the? ?officer? ?disappeared,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fixed? ?himself? ?

to? ?the? ?wall? ?and? ?stealthily? ?looked? ?around.? ?That? ?youth? ?moved? ?swiftly? ?and? ?was? ?constantly? ?on? ?

the? ?lookout? ?around? ?him,? ?extremely? ?cautious? ?and? ?indeed? ?afraid? ?to? ?be? ?found.? ?That? ?

XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?is? ?is? ?one? ?of? ?San? ?Lang’s? ?subordinates,? ?and? ?working? ?under? ?him? ?in? ?his? ?

territory,? ?so? ?why? ?the? ?sneaking? ?around?? ?

?

The? ?more? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?was? ?suspicious? ?that? ?the? ?officer? ?possessed? ?

malintent,? ?so? ?he? ?hid? ?himself? ?and? ?followed.? ?The? ?masked? ?officer? ?made? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?turns? ?

through? ?the? ?hallways,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?closely? ?within? ?fifty? ?steps? ?behind,? ?holding? ?his? ?

breath? ?and? ?watching? ?closely.? ?Finally,? ?they? ?rounded? ?a? ?corner? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?long? ?hallway,? ?

and? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?hallway? ?was? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?large,? ?beautifully? ?decorated? ?door.? ? ?

?

Still? ?following? ?behind,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘If? ?he? ?turns? ?around? ?now? ?there? ?won’t? ?be? ?anywhere? ?

to? ?hide.’? ?But? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?thought? ?crossed? ?his? ?mind,? ?the? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?stopped? ?and? ?

turned? ?his? ?head.? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?stopped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?alert? ?and? ?extended? ?his? ?arm? ?in? ?a? ?hurry.? ?RuoYe? ?flew? ?

out? ?and? ?wrapped? ?itself? ?around? ?the? ?wooden? ?beam? ?overhead,? ?pulling? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?

ceiling,? ?and? ?he? ?clung? ?onto? ?the? ?beam.? ? ?

?

The? ?officer? ?didn’t? ?see? ?anyone? ?behind? ?him? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?to? ?look? ?up,? ?so? ?he? ?turned? ?

around? ?again? ?and? ?continued? ?in? ?his? ?path.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?let? ?

himself? ?down? ?so? ?soon? ?and? ?stayed? ?put? ?on? ?the? ?ceiling,? ?silently? ?inching? ?forward.? ?He? ?thought? ?

he? ?rather? ?resembled? ?a? ?gecko.? ?Good? ?thing? ?the? ?other? ?didn’t? ?go? ?far,? ?and? ?stopped? ?before? ?that? ?

set? ?of? ?doors.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?too? ?to? ?observe.? ?

?

In? ?front? ?of? ?this? ?door? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?statue? ?of? ?a? ?woman,? ?wile? ?and? ?beautiful,? ?but? ?of? ?course? ?

from? ?Xie? ?Lian`s? ?angle? ?he? ?only? ?saw? ?a? ?circular? ?head? ?and? ?a? ?shallow,? ?round? ?jaded? ?plate? ?in? ?

her? ?hands.? ?The? ?masked? ?youth? ?didn’t? ?move? ?from? ?where? ?he? ?stood? ?and? ?didn’t? ?move? ?to? ?open? ?

the? ?door.? ?Instead,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?the? ?woman? ?statue? ?and? ?raised? ?a? ?hand,? ?tossing? ?something? ?

into? ?the? ?jaded? ?plate.? ?The? ?clacking? ?sound? ?was? ?crisp? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw,? ?‘dice?’? ?he? ?thought? ?

to? ?himself.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?sound? ?that? ?he’d? ?heard? ?too? ?many? ?times? ?earlier,? ?and? ?not? ?one? ?he’d? ?forget? ?in? ?a? ?long? ?

time.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?dice? ?hitting? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?a? ?gambling? ?cup.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?

suspected,? ?when? ?the? ?masked? ?youth? ?removed? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked,? ?it? ?was? ?

indeed? ?two? ?dice? ?in? ?the? ?jaded? ?plate,? ?both? ?revealing? ?six? ?red? ?dots.? ?

?

After? ?tossing? ?dice,? ?the? ?masked? ?youth? ?removed? ?them? ?from? ?the? ?plate? ?and? ?put? ?them? ?away? ?

before? ?opening? ?the? ?door.? ?The? ?door? ?wasn’t? ?even? ?locked.? ?When? ?he? ?entered? ?through? ?the? ?

doors? ?and? ?closed? ?them? ?behind? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?any? ?sounds? ?of? ?locks? ?activating? ?

either.? ?After? ?waiting? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gently? ?lowered? ?himself? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?like? ?a? ?

piece? ?of? ?paper,? ?and? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms? ?to? ?examine? ?the? ?set? ?of? ?doors.? ?

?

Technically,? ?this? ?building? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?that? ?big,? ?and? ?whatever? ?that? ?XiaXianYue? ?Officer? ?was? ?

doing? ?inside? ?should? ?make? ?noise.? ?Yet,? ?after? ?he? ?closed? ?the? ?doors? ?behind? ?him,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?

more? ?sounds? ?coming? ?from? ?within.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?and? ?raised? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?push.? ?

?

As? ?he? ?suspected,? ?after? ?pushing? ?open? ?the? ?door,? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?inside,? ?

only? ?a? ?small? ?table? ?and? ?two? ?chairs.? ?It? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?only? ?a? ?normal? ?and? ?luxurious? ?

bedchamber.? ?By? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?this? ?setup,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?possibility? ?of? ?there? ?being? ?a? ?hidden? ?

path.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?woman? ?statue,? ?and? ?moved? ?his? ?gaze? ?to? ?the? ?

jaded? ?plate? ?in? ?her? ?hands.? ?No? ?doubt? ?the? ?mechanism? ?lay? ?in? ?that? ?jaded? ?plate? ?and? ?the? ?dice.? ? ?

?

‘So? ?the? ?building? ?is? ?still? ?locked,’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘Just? ?not? ?with? ?physical? ?locks? ?but? ?with? ?

magical? ?locks.? ?To? ?open? ?this? ?lock? ?there? ?needs? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?key? ?or? ?a? ?password.? ?The? ?dice? ?must? ?

roll? ?two? ?sixes? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?real? ?interior? ?behind? ?the? ?doors.’? ?

?

But,? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?throw? ?out? ?two? ?sixes? ?right? ?then? ?and? ?there,? ?was? ?something? ?that? ?would? ?

never? ?happen? ?in? ?this? ?world.? ?He? ?could? ?only? ?watch? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?sigh.? ?He? ?paced? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?

the? ?doors,? ?his? ?eyes? ?glued? ?on? ?them,? ?but? ?still? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?leave? ?in? ?the? ?end.? ?After? ?

walking? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?he? ?stopped? ?abruptly.? ?From? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?path? ?came? ?a? ?tall,? ?

red-clad? ?figure,? ?a? ?slender? ?and? ?long? ?silver? ?scimitar? ?hung? ?from? ?the? ?waist.? ?It? ?was? ?Hua? ?

Cheng.? ?

?

He? ?walked? ?over? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed,? ?“Gege,? ?I’ve? ?been? ?looking? ?for? ?you.”? ?

?

He? ?looked? ?exactly? ?as? ?he? ?did? ?when? ?he? ?left,? ?only? ?the? ?scimitar? ?on? ?his? ?waist? ?was? ?out? ?of? ?its? ?

scabbard,? ?clattering? ?against? ?him? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?scabbard,? ?clanking? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?

painting? ?a? ?picture? ?of? ?arrogance.? ?That? ?silver? ?eye? ?on? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?E-Ming? ?was? ?closed.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?steadied? ?himself? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?see? ?that? ?child,? ?but? ?your? ?house? ?is? ?too? ?

big? ?and? ?I? ?got? ?lost.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?originally? ?going? ?to? ?tell? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?about? ?what? ?had? ?just? ?happened,? ?but? ?when? ?

the? ?words? ?came? ?to? ?his? ?lips,? ?they? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?he? ?swallowed? ?them.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?forgotten? ?the? ?goal? ?of? ?this? ?visit? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?was? ?to? ?investigate? ?the? ?

missing? ?heavenly? ?official.? ?Any? ?signs? ?of? ?fishiness? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?ignored,? ?thus,? ?he? ?decided? ?

not? ?to? ?ring? ?alarm? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?go? ?through? ?those? ?doors? ?first.? ?If? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?

nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?it,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?report? ?his? ?suspicious? ?subordinate? ?at? ?once,? ?but? ?

if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?involved...? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?deep? ?in? ?thought? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?no? ?notice? ?and? ?spoke? ?as? ?he? ?led? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?main? ?hall,? ?“If? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?boy,? ?I? ?can? ?send? ?for? ?someone? ?to? ?

bring? ?him? ?to? ?you,? ?and? ?you’d? ?only? ?need? ?to? ?wait? ?at? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Hall.”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?probably? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?hiding? ?something,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

tone? ?of? ?voice,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?become? ?more? ?docile,? ?“You? ?finished? ?your? ?business? ?that? ?

fast?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?snorted,? ?his? ?lips? ?curling? ?in? ?disdain,? ?“It’s? ?finished.? ?It? ?was? ?just? ?another? ?band? ?of? ?

useless? ?trash? ?embarrassing? ?themselves,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?say? ?‘useless? ?trash’,? ?tone? ?familiar,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?guessed,? ?“Was? ?it? ?the? ?Green? ?

Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“That’s? ?right.? ?Didn’t? ?I? ?tell? ?you,? ?many? ?have? ?their? ?eyes? ?on? ?this? ?place? ?of? ?

mine.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?wanted? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?for? ?himself? ?for? ?years? ?now,? ?but? ?the? ?most? ?he? ?

could? ?do? ?was? ?want? ?and? ?burn? ?with? ?envy,? ?so? ?every? ?so? ?often? ?he’d? ?send? ?some? ?equally? ?

useless? ?underlings? ?to? ?stir? ?up? ?trouble.? ?Nothing? ?worth? ?mentioning.? ?Actually,? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?place? ?I? ?

want? ?to? ?show? ?gege,? ?but? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?gege? ?would? ?grant? ?me? ?the? ?pleasure?”? ?

?

“Of? ?course.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?happily.? ?

?

Traversing? ?through? ?the? ?long? ?hallways,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?led? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?another? ?large? ?hall.? ?

?

The? ?doors? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?made? ?of? ?steel? ?with? ?violent? ?beasts? ?carved? ?upon? ?them,? ?

horrible? ?and? ?terrifying.? ?The? ?moment? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?approached? ?the? ?beasts? ?parted? ?ways? ?and? ?

opened? ?the? ?doors.? ?A? ?blast? ?of? ?killing? ?intent? ?blew? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?stepped? ?foot? ?

into? ?the? ?hall,? ?and? ?he? ?tensed,? ?veins? ?popping? ?on? ?his? ?hands,? ?prepared? ?to? ?face? ?anything.? ?

?

However,? ?after? ?seeing? ?clearly? ?what? ?was? ?inside? ?the? ?hall,? ?he? ?blinked.? ?His? ?defenses? ?melted? ?

away? ?in? ?an? ?instant,? ?and? ?his? ?legs? ?moved? ?on? ?their? ?own,? ?bringing? ?him? ?into? ?the? ?hall.? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?hall,? ?all? ?manners? ?of? ?weapons? ?were? ?hung? ?on? ?all? ?four? ?walls.? ?There? ?were? ?

scimitars,? ?swords,? ?spears,? ?shields,? ?whips,? ?axes...? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?armoury!? ?

?

Anyone,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?they’re? ?a? ?man,? ?when? ?situated? ?in? ?an? ?armoury? ?such? ?as? ?this,? ?

surrounded? ?by? ?all? ?kinds? ?of? ?weaponry,? ?would? ?feel? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?heaven,? ?and? ?their? ?

blood? ?boil? ?with? ?excitement.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?no? ?exception;? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?widened? ?and? ?his? ?

face? ?lit.? ?The? ?last? ?time? ?he? ?had? ?shown? ?such? ?excitement? ?was? ?in? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?armoury.? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?face? ?remained? ?schooled,? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?already? ?battering? ?in? ?his? ?chest,? ?and? ?

his? ?speech? ?stammered,? ?“May...? ?may? ?I? ?touch?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“As? ?you? ?like.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?instantly? ?flew? ?out? ?to? ?feel? ?the? ?many? ?treasures? ?hung? ?on? ?the? ?walls,? ?

caressing? ?them? ?as? ?if? ?drunken,? ?“These...? ?All? ?of? ?these? ?are? ?masterpieces!? ?This? ?sword? ?is? ?

splendid,? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?sight? ?to? ?behold? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield!? ?This? ?one? ?too!? ?Wait,? ?and? ?that? ?

sabre...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?leaning? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?near? ?the? ?door,? ?watching? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?go? ?red? ?with? ?

thrill? ?and? ?obsession,? ?“Gege,? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?think?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?examining? ?each? ?piece? ?so? ?intently? ?he? ?was? ?reluctant? ?to? ?turn? ?his? ?head? ?around.? ?

“What? ?do? ?I? ?think,? ?what?”? ?

?

“Do? ?you? ?like? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

“I? ?do!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“Do? ?you? ?really? ?like? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked? ?again.? ?

?

“I? ?really? ?do!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?snickered? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?notice.? ?His? ?heart? ?was? ?busy? ?

racing? ?as? ?he? ?unsheathed? ?a? ?shimmering? ?four? ?feet? ?verdant? ?blade,? ?marveling? ?as? ?he? ?did? ?so.? ? ?

?

“Are? ?any? ?of? ?them? ?good? ?enough? ?for? ?you?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up? ?again.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?face? ?was? ?bright? ?and? ?glowing,? ?unable? ?to? ?stop? ?his? ?marveling,? ?“Good!? ?

Good!? ?They’re? ?all? ?good!”? ?

?

“Originally? ?I? ?was? ?thinking? ?gege? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?useful? ?weapons? ?on? ?hand,? ?so? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?

anything? ?here? ?good? ?enough,? ?you? ?can? ?just? ?pick? ?something? ?for? ?yourself,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?

“But? ?since? ?gege? ?likes? ?them? ?all,? ?I’ll? ?give? ?them? ?all? ?to? ?you.”? ?

?

“No,? ?no,? ?no,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?hurriedly,? ?“I? ?have? ?no? ?use? ?for? ?any? ?handy? ?

weapons? ?anyway.”? ?

?

“Really?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“But? ?it’s? ?obvious? ?gege? ?really? ?likes? ?swords?”? ?

?

“Liking? ?doesn’t? ?mean? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?own? ?it,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?haven’t? ?used? ?one? ?in? ?years.? ?Just? ?

looking? ?makes? ?me? ?happy.? ?Besides,? ?I’d? ?have? ?nowhere? ?to? ?put? ?them? ?if? ?you? ?give? ?them? ?all? ?to? ?

me.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?easy? ?to? ?solve.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“I’ll? ?give? ?this? ?entire? ?armoury? ?to? ?you.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?that? ?as? ?a? ?joke? ?and? ?grinned,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?way? ?I? ?can? ?take? ?away? ?a? ?room? ?this? ?

big.”? ?

?

“No? ?need? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?away,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I’ll? ?give? ?you? ?the? ?property? ?too.? ?Just? ?come? ?

visit? ?when? ?you’re? ?free.”? ?

?

“No,? ?it’s? ?ok.”? ?XIe? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“An? ?armoury? ?requires? ?constant? ?maintenance.? ?I’d? ?hate? ?to? ?see? ?

the? ?weapons? ?suffer.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?placed? ?the? ?sword? ?carefully? ?back? ?onto? ?its? ?hold,? ?and? ?said? ?nostalgically,? ?“Once? ?

upon? ?a? ?time? ?I? ?owned? ?an? ?armoury? ?like? ?this? ?too,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?burnt? ?down.? ?All? ?of? ?these? ?

weapons? ?are? ?precious? ?devices? ?to? ?be? ?desired,? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?cherish? ?them,? ?San? ?Lang.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?easy? ?too,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?I’m? ?free? ?I? ?can? ?help? ?gege? ?maintain? ?the? ?armoury.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?“Well? ?I? ?certainly? ?don’t? ?have? ?the? ?face? ?to? ?ask? ?My? ?Lord? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King? ?to? ?

do? ?chores? ?for? ?me.”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?warning? ?right? ?before? ?he? ?left? ?for? ?the? ?mission:? ?

“The? ?wicked? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?is? ?a? ?cursed? ?blade? ?of? ?misfortune.? ?A? ?weapon? ?of? ?such? ?evil? ?can? ?

only? ?be? ?forged? ?by? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?cruel? ?sacrifice? ?and? ?a? ?bloody? ?will.? ?Do? ?not? ?touch? ?it,? ?and? ?

do? ?not? ?let? ?it? ?touch? ?you,? ?lest? ?the? ?consequences? ?be? ?unimaginable.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?but? ?still? ?decided? ?to? ?ask? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?“But? ?San? ?Lang,? ?all? ?of? ?these? ?

weapons? ?don’t? ?even? ?come? ?close? ?to? ?your? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming,? ?right?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?cocked? ?his? ?left? ?brow,? ?“Oh?? ?Has? ?gege? ?heard? ?of? ?my? ?scimitar? ?too?”? ?

?

“Only? ?some? ?hearsays.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?snickered,? ?“I? ?bet? ?they’re? ?not? ?nice? ?hearsays.? ?Did? ?someone? ?tell? ?you? ?that? ?my? ?

scimitar? ?was? ?forged? ?by? ?an? ?evil,? ?bloody? ?ritual?? ?That? ?I? ?sacrificed? ?live? ?humans?”? ?

?

Sharp? ?as? ?always.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“Not? ?too? ?horrible.? ?Everyone? ?has? ?their? ?own? ?bad? ?

rumours,? ?but? ?not? ?everyone? ?would? ?believe? ?them.? ?Don’t? ?know? ?if? ?I? ?might? ?have? ?the? ?honour? ?of? ?

seeing? ?the? ?legendary? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming?”? ?

?

“You’ve? ?actually? ?already? ?seen? ?it,? ?gege.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

He? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?closer? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Look,? ?gege,? ?this? ?is? ?

E-Ming.”? ?

?

The? ?eye? ?upon? ?the? ?scimitar? ?hung? ?at? ?his? ?waist? ?twirled? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction.? ?It? ?might? ?be? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?imagination? ?but? ?he? ?thought? ?that? ?silver? ?eye? ?started? ?squinting? ?into? ?a? ?crescent? ?

shape.? ?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

Ch.42:? ?Borrowing? ?the? ?Underpath;? ?Night? ?Crawl? ?in? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?bent? ?down? ?slightly? ?and? ?greeted,? ?“Hello? ?there.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?the? ?greeting,? ?that? ?eye? ?squinted? ?harder,? ?turning? ?itself? ?into? ?a? ?full? ?crescent? ?shape,? ?

as? ?if? ?smiling.? ?The? ?large? ?eye? ?spun? ?left? ?and? ?right,? ?extremely? ?lively,? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?a? ?

pattern? ?carved? ?onto? ?a? ?scimitar? ?hilt,? ?but? ?a? ?real? ?live? ?eye? ?born? ?of? ?human.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?lips? ?

lifted? ?upwards,? ?“Gege,? ?it? ?likes? ?you.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“Really?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Really.? ?If? ?it? ?didn’t? ?it’d? ?be? ?too? ?lazy? ?to? ?even? ?blink? ?open.? ?In? ?

fact,? ?there? ?are? ?very? ?few? ?that? ?E-Ming? ?actually? ?likes.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?at? ?peace,? ?and? ?said? ?warmly? ?to? ?E-Ming,? ?“Well,? ?thank? ?you.”? ?He? ?

then? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“I? ?rather? ?like? ?it? ?too.”? ?

?

At? ?his? ?words,? ?that? ?eye? ?blinked? ?madly,? ?and? ?started? ?shaking? ?while? ?still? ?hung? ?around? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?waist.? ?He? ?reprimanded? ?it,? ?“No.”? ?

?

“What,? ?‘no’?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“No.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?reiterated.? ?

?

E-Ming? ?shook? ?harder,? ?looking? ?desperate? ?to? ?be? ?freed? ?from? ?the? ?scabbard.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?

curiously,? ?“Are? ?you? ?telling? ?it? ?‘no’?”? ?

?

“Yea.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?explained? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone,? ?“It? ?wants? ?you? ?to? ?pet? ?it? ?but? ?I’m? ?telling? ?it? ?no.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned,? ?“Well? ?what’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?that?”? ?And? ?stretched? ?out? ?a? ?hand.? ?E-Ming? ?

widened? ?its? ?eye? ?looking? ?at? ?him? ?expectantly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?pet? ?the? ?eyeball,? ?but? ?

thought? ?it’d? ?be? ?poking? ?the? ?eye? ?and? ?hurting? ?it,? ?so? ?he? ?lowered? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?stroked? ?lightly? ?

along? ?the? ?curve? ?of? ?the? ?hilt.? ?The? ?eye? ?had? ?squinted? ?itself? ?into? ?a? ?full? ?crescent? ?line,? ?and? ?

quivered.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?it? ?incredibly? ?intriguing,? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?stroked? ?the? ?scimitar.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

himself? ?was? ?the? ?type? ?animals? ?liked;? ?when? ?he’d? ?pet? ?those? ?furry? ?dogs? ?and? ?cats,? ?they’d? ?get? ?

comfortable? ?and? ?often? ?throw? ?themselves? ?into? ?his? ?embrace.? ?Who? ?knew? ?that? ?he’d? ?be? ?

petting? ?a? ?cold,? ?silver? ?scimitar? ?–? ?that? ?legendary? ?scimitar? ?no? ?less!? ?-? ?like? ?he? ?would? ?a? ?puppy!? ?

How? ?is? ?it? ?a? ?‘bloody? ?cursed? ?blade? ?of? ?misfortune’?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?believe? ?it? ?before,? ?but? ?after? ?seeing? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?eyes,? ?he? ?threw? ?away? ?the? ?

awful? ?hearsays? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?burner,? ?into? ?the? ?‘not? ?believable’? ?pile? ?of? ?trash.? ?An? ?evil,? ?bloody? ?

ritual? ?would? ?not? ?forge? ?a? ?spirit? ?this? ?clever? ?and? ?cute.? ?

?

—? ?

?

The? ?two? ?spent? ?a? ?copious? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?discussing? ?and? ?critiquing? ?various? ?swords? ?and? ?

blades? ?in? ?detail,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exited? ?the? ?armoury? ?in? ?high? ?spirits? ?after,? ?grabbing? ?hold? ?of? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hands? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?Paradise? ?Hall.? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?had? ?also? ?been? ?brought? ?in? ?after? ?washing? ?up? ?and? ?dressed? ?in? ?clean? ?bandages.? ?

Although? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?still? ?wholly? ?covered,? ?he? ?looked? ?new? ?and? ?refreshed.? ?Looking? ?at? ?him? ?

anew,? ?the? ?boy? ?was? ?slender? ?and? ?delicate,? ?and? ?should? ?have? ?been? ?a? ?seedling? ?with? ?infinite? ?

possibilities,? ?but? ?alas? ?the? ?him? ?now? ?was? ?one? ?with? ?his? ?shoulders? ?slumped? ?and? ?waist? ?bent,? ?a? ?

shrivelled? ?form? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?meet? ?anyone’s? ?eyes.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?

heartbroken? ?for? ?him.? ?

?

He? ?pulled? ?the? ?boy? ?to? ?sit,? ?“The? ?last? ?few? ?words? ?Xiao? ?Ying? ?said? ?had? ?the? ?intention? ?of? ?having? ?

me? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?you,? ?and? ?I? ?technically? ?agreed? ?to? ?it.? ?But? ?nevertheless,? ?I? ?still? ?have? ?to? ?ask? ?

for? ?your? ?opinion? ?on? ?it.? ?Would? ?you? ?be? ?interested? ?in? ?following? ?me? ?in? ?cultivation? ?from? ?now? ?

on?”? ?

?

The? ?boy? ?watched? ?him? ?blankly,? ?as? ?if? ?afraid? ?to? ?believe? ?the? ?words? ?he? ?was? ?hearing,? ?that? ?

someone? ?was? ?actually? ?willing? ?to? ?take? ?him? ?in? ?and? ?cultivate.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?

say? ?the? ?conditions? ?at? ?my? ?place? ?are? ?good,? ?but? ?I? ?can? ?still? ?promise? ?you? ?won’t? ?need? ?to? ?hide? ?

any? ?longer,? ?and? ?won’t? ?need? ?to? ?steal? ?for? ?food? ?or? ?get? ?beaten.”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?spoke,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?that? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?

narrowed,? ?watching? ?the? ?boy? ?with? ?a? ?cold,? ?judging? ?look.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?warmly,? ?“If? ?you? ?can’t? ?remember? ?your? ?own? ?name,? ?then? ?why? ?don’t? ?we? ?

come? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?new? ?one?”? ?

?

The? ?boy? ?thought? ?about? ?it? ?and? ?said,? ?“Ying.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?supposed? ?that? ?the? ?name? ?was? ?to? ?commemorate? ?Xiao? ?Ying? ?and? ?nodded,? ?“Good.? ?

That’s? ?a? ?good? ?name.? ?You’re? ?of? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?and? ?YongAn’s? ?national? ?surname? ?

is? ?Lang,? ?so? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?use? ?that? ?as? ?your? ?new? ?name? ?and? ?call? ?yourself? ?Lang? ?Ying?”? ?

?

The? ?boy? ?finally? ?nodded.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?that? ?as? ?the? ?boy’s? ?acceptance? ?in? ?following? ?after? ?

him.? ?

?

The? ?banquet? ?began.? ?It’s? ?a? ?small? ?feast? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?prepared? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?by? ?its? ?setup,? ?

it’s? ?of? ?a? ?size? ?that? ?could? ?very? ?well? ?host? ?over? ?ten? ?people.? ?Innumerous? ?women? ?had? ?in? ?their? ?

hands? ?a? ?jaded? ?plate,? ?and? ?upon? ?the? ?plates? ?were? ?various? ?kinds? ?of? ?delightful? ?refreshments,? ?

delicate? ?dishes,? ?fresh? ?fruits,? ?and? ?goodies.? ?Their? ?offerings? ?were? ?endless,? ?and? ?their? ?steps? ?

were? ?dainty? ?and? ?light? ?as? ?they? ?walked? ?along? ?the? ?sides? ?of? ?the? ?main? ?hall? ?in? ?a? ?line,? ?each? ?

presenting? ?their? ?jaded? ?plate? ?as? ?they? ?approached? ?the? ?black? ?jaded? ?divan.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?only? ?

watched? ?but? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?reach? ?out,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?until? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pushed? ?a? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?

plates? ?toward? ?him? ?before? ?he? ?slowly? ?grabbed? ?a? ?few? ?items? ?to? ?eat.? ?

?

Watching? ?him,? ?another? ?scene? ?flashed? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ?It? ?was? ?also? ?another? ?boy? ?whose? ?

face? ?was? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages,? ?dirty? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?floor? ?with? ?a? ?plate? ?of? ?

offerings,? ?his? ?head? ?bowed? ?low? ?as? ?he? ?stuffed? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?secret.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?sashaying? ?lady? ?in? ?purple? ?silk? ?approached,? ?offering? ?a? ?carafe? ?of? ?wine.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?poured? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?glass,? ?“Won’t? ?you? ?have? ?one?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?things? ?on? ?mind? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?paying? ?attention,? ?so? ?he? ?carelessly? ?

accepted? ?the? ?glass? ?and? ?drank.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?til? ?the? ?liquid? ?entered? ?his? ?mouth? ?that? ?he? ?realized? ?it? ?

was? ?alcohol,? ?and? ?moved? ?his? ?gaze? ?back.? ?But? ?this? ?turn? ?made? ?him? ?see? ?what? ?was? ?behind? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?back.? ?The? ?lady? ?who? ?offered? ?the? ?wine? ?winked? ?at? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spat? ?on? ?the? ?spot:? ?“PFFFFffttt”? ?

?

Good? ?thing? ?he? ?already? ?swallowed? ?that? ?sip? ?of? ?wine? ?and? ?nothing? ?came? ?splattering? ?out? ?of? ?

his? ?mouth.? ?He? ?only? ?choked,? ?coughing? ?nonstop.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?took? ?fright? ?and? ?almost? ?

dropped? ?the? ?cake? ?in? ?his? ?hand.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soothed? ?as? ?he? ?coughed,? ?“It’s? ?nothing.? ?It’s? ?

nothing.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gently? ?patted? ?his? ?back,? ?“What’s? ?wrong?? ?Is? ?the? ?wine? ?not? ?to? ?your? ?liking?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hurriedly? ?explained? ?himself,? ?“Oh? ?no!? ?It’s? ?very? ?good.? ?I? ?just? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?

that? ?my? ?cultivation? ?method? ?forbids? ?alcohol.”? ?

?

“Oh?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Then? ?this? ?is? ?my? ?fault? ?for? ?not? ?being? ?considerate,? ?and? ?made? ?gege? ?

break? ?his? ?vow.”? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?your? ?fault,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I’d? ?just? ?forgotten.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?stealthily? ?glimpsed? ?towards? ?the? ?centre? ?

of? ?the? ?main? ?hall.? ?

?

That? ?lady? ?who? ?offered? ?wine? ?had? ?her? ?back? ?to? ?him? ?as? ?she? ?sashayed? ?away? ?to? ?the? ?doors,? ?her? ?

figure? ?sensual? ?and? ?seductive.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?only? ?minding? ?his? ?own? ?business? ?or? ?

focused? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?completely,? ?and? ?had? ?no? ?eye? ?for? ?those? ?beautiful? ?women,? ?and? ?

therefore? ?naturally? ?did? ?not? ?care? ?to? ?see? ?their? ?faces.? ?But? ?the? ?face? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?was? ?clear.? ?

?

That? ?lady? ?who? ?offered? ?wine? ?was? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?!? ?!? ?!? ? ?

?

The? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?snuck? ?into? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?disguised? ?as? ?a? ?woman...? ?that? ?

wink? ?gave? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quite? ?the? ?shock,? ?and? ?thought? ?‘you? ?best? ?give? ?me? ?more? ?booze? ?to? ?

swallow? ?this? ?down’.? ?Unaware,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?conversationally,? ?“I? ?had? ?always? ?thought? ?

cultivation? ?was? ?simply? ?for? ?living? ?a? ?carefree,? ?hedonistic? ?life.? ?If? ?you? ?must? ?forbid? ?this? ?and? ?

that,? ?then? ?what’s? ?the? ?point?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?think?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?steadied? ?himself? ?swiftly,? ?and? ?casually? ?conversed? ?back,? ?“That? ?depends? ?on? ?the? ?

path? ?you? ?choose.? ?Some? ?sects? ?don’t? ?mind? ?earthly? ?pleasures,? ?but? ?my? ?chosen? ?path? ?of? ?

cultivation? ?had? ?always? ?forbidden? ?drinking? ?and? ?promiscuity.? ?Alcohol? ?can? ?be? ?overlooked? ?

once? ?in? ?a? ?while,? ?but? ?abstinence? ?is? ?absolute.”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?said? ?the? ?word? ?“abstinence”,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?cocked? ?his? ?right? ?brow,? ?and? ?displayed? ?

an? ?unreadable? ?expression? ?of? ?either? ?displeasure? ?or? ?annoyance.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Actually,? ?it? ?also? ?forbids? ?hatred.? ?A? ?gambling? ?hall? ?involves? ?extreme? ?joy? ?

and? ?anguish,? ?and? ?can? ?easily? ?produce? ?hatred,? ?so? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?a? ?place? ?to? ?be? ?avoided.? ?But? ?

if? ?one? ?is? ?sure? ?to? ?maintain? ?peace? ?at? ?heart,? ?unmoved? ?by? ?wins? ?and? ?losses,? ?then? ?avoidance? ?

isn’t? ?technically? ?necessary.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“No? ?wonder? ?gege? ?had? ?the? ?pleasure? ?of? ?

entering? ?the? ?Gambler’s? ?Den.”? ?

?

Going? ?around? ?in? ?circles,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?brought? ?the? ?subject? ?of? ?the? ?conversation? ?naturally? ?

to? ?‘gambling’,? ?and? ?said,? ?“Speaking? ?of? ?which,? ?San? ?Lang? ?your? ?gambling? ?techniques? ?are? ?

amazing? ?to? ?behold.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled,? ?“It’s? ?just? ?good? ?luck,? ?nothing? ?else.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?compared? ?himself,? ?and? ?felt? ?rather? ?woeful.? ?He? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?

softly,? ?“Well,? ?look? ?at? ?me...”? ?He? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?didn’t? ?finish.? ?“I’m? ?really? ?curious;? ?is? ?

there? ?really? ?a? ?technique? ?to? ?rolling? ?dice?”? ?

?

If? ?there? ?wasn’t,? ?then? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?couldn’t? ?just? ?call? ?the? ?numbers? ?as? ?he? ?wanted? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?

Gambler’s? ?Den,? ?and? ?that? ?XiaXuanYue? ?Officer? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?so? ?easily? ?tossed? ?out? ?two? ?

sixes.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Naturally,? ?there? ?is? ?a? ?secret? ?technique,? ?but? ?it’s? ?not? ?something? ?

that’s? ?learned? ?in? ?a? ?day.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?expected? ?that? ?answer.? ?He? ?wasn’t? ?hopeful? ?with? ?that? ?question? ?anyway? ?and? ?

was? ?trying? ?to? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?other? ?ideas? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“However,? ?I? ?can? ?tell? ?

you? ?of? ?a? ?faster? ?way.? ?I? ?promise? ?gege? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?succeed? ?as? ?you? ?will,? ?and? ?win? ?every? ?

round.”? ?

?

“What? ?way?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?right? ?hand.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?same? ?right? ?hand? ?with? ?a? ?red? ?string? ?tied? ?

on? ?the? ?third? ?finger.? ?The? ?red? ?string? ?was? ?tied? ?into? ?a? ?small? ?bow? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?hand,? ?

bright? ?and? ?vivid.? ?He? ?extended? ?the? ?hand? ?and? ?beckoned? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Give? ?me? ?your? ?hand.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?for,? ?but? ?since? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked? ?for? ?his? ?hand,? ?he? ?gave? ?it? ?

to? ?him.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?squeezed? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?held? ?it? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?smiling? ?before? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?

hand? ?over? ?and? ?tossed? ?two? ?dice? ?in? ?his? ?palm.? ?“Try? ?it? ?now.”? ?

?

He? ?chanted? ?mentally? ?for? ?sixes,? ?and? ?rolled? ?the? ?dice.? ?Rattling? ?to? ?a? ?stop,? ?the? ?dice? ?indeed? ?

revealed? ?two? ?red? ?sixes.? ? ?

?

“What? ?trick? ?is? ?this?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?curiously.? ?

?

“No? ?trick.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“I’d? ?only? ?just? ?lent? ?you? ?some? ?luck.”? ?

?

“So? ?luck? ?is? ?like? ?spiritual? ?power? ?and? ?can? ?be? ?borrowed.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?in? ?wonder.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Of? ?course.? ?Next? ?time? ?if? ?gege? ?is? ?going? ?to? ?make? ?bets? ?with? ?anyone,? ?

come? ?see? ?me.? ?I’ll? ?lend? ?you? ?as? ?much? ?luck? ?as? ?you? ?want.? ?I? ?promise? ?your? ?opponent? ?will? ?

suffer? ?a? ?loss? ?so? ?great? ?he? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?return? ?in? ?a? ?hundred? ?years.”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?played? ?around? ?for? ?many? ?rounds? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?confirmed? ?for? ?himself? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?

indeed? ?so? ?before? ?he? ?stopped? ?to? ?say? ?he? ?was? ?tired.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?got? ?up? ?immediately,? ?had? ?

someone? ?take? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?to? ?settle,? ?before? ?personally? ?escorting? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?the? ?guest? ?

chamber.? ? ?

?

Watching? ?as? ?his? ?silhouette? ?disappeared? ?down? ?the? ?hall,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?the? ?door,? ?sat? ?by? ?

the? ?table? ?and? ?used? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?forehead,? ?supporting? ?his? ?lowered? ?head.? ?The? ?

more? ?thoughtful? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was,? ?the? ?more? ?guilty? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt.? ?‘There? ?is? ?really? ?nothing? ?to? ?

criticize? ?about? ?the? ?way? ?San? ?Lang? ?treats? ?me.? ?Hopefully? ?this? ?business? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?

with? ?him,? ?and? ?once? ?the? ?truth? ?comes? ?out? ?I’ll? ?explain? ?everything? ?and? ?apologize.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

thought.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?only? ?sat? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?someone? ?calling? ?him? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?

door? ?with? ?a? ?small? ?voice,? ?“Your? ?Highness...? ?Your? ?Highness...”? ?

?

Recognizing? ?the? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?rose? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?door,? ?and? ?the? ?person? ?just? ?

outside? ?leapt? ?in.? ?It? ?was? ?indeed? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?in? ?her? ?female? ?form.? ?

?

She? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?lady’s? ?get? ?up,? ?a? ?light? ?silk? ?dress,? ?her? ?waist? ?wrapped? ?tight? ?and? ?

dainty.? ?The? ?moment? ?she? ?leapt? ?in,? ?she? ?rolled? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?a? ?heap? ?and? ?transformed? ?

back? ?to? ?a? ?man,? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?chest:? ?“I? ?can’t? ?breathe!? ?I? ?CAN’T? ?BREATHE!? ?My? ?god,? ?I’m? ?

going? ?to? ?be? ?choked? ?to? ?death? ?by? ?this? ?thing!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?behind? ?him? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?what? ?he? ?saw? ?was? ?a? ?full? ?

grown? ?man? ?in? ?a? ?wicked? ?purple? ?silk? ?dress,? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?madly? ?ripping? ?at? ?his? ?chest? ?

and? ?waist? ?bindings.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?look? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master...? ?

Lord? ?Wind? ?Master!? ?Can? ?you? ?not? ?just? ?change? ?back? ?to? ?your? ?cultivation? ?robes?”? ?

?

“Am? ?I? ?dumb?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?replied,? ?“Walking? ?around? ?in? ?the? ?dark? ?in? ?a? ?conspicuous? ?

white? ?robe,? ?I’d? ?be? ?a? ?target!”? ?

?

‘But...? ?in? ?your? ?current? ?get? ?up,? ?on? ?some? ?level,? ?you’re? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?target...’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?sneak? ?in?? ?Didn’t? ?

we? ?agree? ?to? ?meet? ?three? ?days? ?after?”? ?

?

“Well? ?what? ?was? ?I? ?to? ?do?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?replied,? ?“I? ?asked? ?around? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?and? ?they? ?

all? ?said? ?Your? ?Highness? ?was? ?sent? ?to? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor,? ?and? ?isn’t? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?the? ?

ghost? ?king’s? ?lair?? ?Even? ?the? ?name? ?of? ?the? ?place? ?sounded? ?bad.? ?I? ?watched? ?from? ?afar? ?and? ?

decided? ?it? ?was? ?definitely? ?an? ?obscene? ?and? ?wanton? ?place,? ?so? ?I? ?was? ?worried? ?about? ?you? ?and? ?

snuck? ?in? ?using? ?all? ?of? ?my? ?power.? ?What? ?an? ?unlucky? ?journey? ?this? ?has? ?been!? ?Either? ?I? ?get? ?

dragged? ?to? ?facials? ?by? ?women? ?and? ?girls,? ?or? ?I? ?had? ?to? ?swallow? ?my? ?honour? ?to? ?dress? ?like? ?this.? ?I? ?

have? ?never,? ?ever,? ?made? ?sacrifices? ?this? ?huge.”? ?

?

‘Aren’t? ?you? ?rather? ?enjoying? ?yourself....’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?“Where’s? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?

Hua?? ?If? ?you? ?left? ?him? ?waiting? ?outside,? ?what? ?if? ?he? ?starts? ?something?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?finally? ?ripped? ?out? ?all? ?the? ?bindings,? ?took? ?a? ?deep? ?breath,? ?and? ?flattened? ?on? ?

the? ?ground? ?like? ?a? ?puddle.? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?I? ?pulled? ?rank? ?and? ?commanded? ?him? ?to? ?not? ?move? ?a? ?

muscle,? ?so? ?there? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?issues.? ?But? ?seriously,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you’re? ?so? ?

lucky!”? ?

?

“Huh?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gaped,? ?“Me?? ?Lucky?”? ?

?

“Yea!”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?exclaimed,? ?“Look? ?how? ?miserable? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?and? ?I? ?are.? ?We? ?

either? ?get? ?hung? ?with? ?the? ?threat? ?of? ?having? ?our? ?pants? ?pulled,? ?or? ?we? ?wander? ?the? ?streets? ?like? ?

stray? ?dogs? ?without? ?a? ?place? ?to? ?take? ?us? ?in.? ?And? ?here? ?you? ?are,? ?eating? ?well,? ?sleeping? ?well,? ?

and? ?there’s? ?even? ?a? ?ghost? ?king? ?keeping? ?you? ?company!”? ?

?

....By? ?that? ?comparison,? ?they? ?were? ?indeed? ?rather? ?miserable.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?finally? ?pulled? ?

himself? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?floor.? ?“So,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?still? ?remember? ?our? ?objective? ?for? ?

coming? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?to? ?being? ?serious? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Of? ?course? ?I? ?remember.? ?Back? ?at? ?the? ?

Paradise? ?Hall? ?I? ?was? ?preparing? ?for? ?our? ?mission.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?confusion,? ?“Really?? ?What? ?exactly? ?did? ?you? ?prepare? ?at? ?the? ?

Paradise? ?Hall?? ?I? ?only? ?remember? ?you? ?playing? ?around? ?with? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?

rolling? ?dice.? ?You? ?guys? ?weren’t? ?even? ?playing? ?properly;? ?you? ?feeling? ?up? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?him? ?

feeling? ?up? ?yours.? ?What? ?kind? ?of? ?play? ?was? ?that?”? ?

?

“...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?explained? ?himself,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?please? ?don’t? ?make? ?it? ?sound? ?so? ?

questionable.? ?We? ?were? ?only? ?trying? ?something? ?out.? ?I’ve? ?found? ?some? ?clues? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?

Paradise? ?Manor? ?and? ?was? ?investigating.? ?To? ?keep? ?going,? ?I? ?needed? ?a? ?little? ?luck.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?right? ?hand,? ?fingers? ?closed? ?tight? ?as? ?if? ?having? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?

something,? ?and? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows.? ?“I’ve? ?gotten? ?it.”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?silently? ?snuck? ?out? ?the? ?door,? ?and? ?after? ?two? ?incense? ?time,? ?they? ?successfully? ?found? ?

that? ?small? ?building? ?once? ?more.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?the? ?woman? ?statue? ?and? ?took? ?out? ?the? ?two? ?dice? ?given? ?to? ?him? ?from? ?

before.? ?He? ?paused? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?deep? ?breath? ?before? ?tossing? ?the? ?dice.? ?The? ?two? ?little? ?objects? ?

rattled? ?before? ?settling,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?red? ?sixes.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?but? ?felt? ?worse? ?remembering? ?that? ?this? ?luck? ?was? ?lent? ?to? ?

him? ?earlier? ?at? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Hall? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Seeing? ?his? ?remorseful? ?expression,? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulders.? ?“Since? ?we’ve? ?come? ?this? ?far,? ?just? ?let? ?it? ?go.? ?But? ?this? ?

Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?really? ?is? ?quite? ?sincere? ?and? ?treats? ?you? ?well.? ?If? ?I? ?were? ?you,? ?I? ?

would’ve? ?declined? ?this? ?mission? ?from? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?begs,? ?lest? ?I? ?be? ?a? ?poor? ?

friend.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?could? ?only? ?say? ?such? ?words? ?because? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?very? ?well.? ?This? ?whole? ?business? ?was? ?certainly? ?awkward? ?for? ?Xie? ?

Lian,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?known? ?it.? ?From? ?his? ?understanding? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?character,? ?under? ?

the? ?circumstances? ?he? ?would? ?never? ?have? ?mentioned? ?this,? ?and? ?would’ve? ?appointed? ?

another? ?heavenly? ?official? ?to? ?the? ?mission.? ?But? ?even? ?knowing? ?this? ?would? ?be? ?awkward? ?for? ?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?still? ?requested? ?for? ?his? ?assistance,? ?which? ?could? ?only? ?mean? ?one? ?thing:? ?

Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?who? ?was? ?better? ?suited? ?to? ?take? ?on? ?this? ?mission,? ?and? ?only? ?asked? ?

him? ?out? ?of? ?necessity.? ?If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?choice.? ?

?

Besides,? ?the? ?missing? ?heavenly? ?official? ?set? ?off? ?the? ?distress? ?signal? ?seven? ?days? ?ago,? ?and? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?left? ?seven? ?days? ?ago.? ?This? ?was? ?a? ?coincidence? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?ignore.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?before? ?taking? ?back? ?the? ?dice? ?and? ?pushed? ?the? ?door.? ?Behind? ?the? ?

glamourous? ?gates? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?the? ?small? ?simple? ?chamber? ?he’d? ?seen? ?before,? ?but? ?a? ?dark? ?

tunnel? ?with? ?a? ?long? ?stairway? ?stretching? ?into? ?the? ?abyss? ?below,? ?and? ?a? ?cold? ?breeze? ?blowing? ?at? ?

them? ?from? ?the? ?blackness.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?traded? ?looks? ?with? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?and? ?nodded.? ?One? ?behind? ?the? ?other,? ?the? ?two? ?

entered? ?the? ?tunnel? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?darkness.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?took? ?the? ?lead;? ?he? ?snapped? ?

his? ?fingers? ?and? ?ignited? ?a? ?palm? ?torch,? ?and? ?lit? ?up? ?the? ?steps? ?under? ?their? ?feet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?

the? ?door? ?gently? ?and? ?followed? ?behind.? ?

?

As? ?they? ?descended,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inquired? ?with? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?were? ?

there? ?any? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?banished? ?from? ?the? ?heavenly? ?court? ?in? ?recent? ?years?? ?I? ?mean? ?

besides? ?me.”? ?

?

“There? ?were.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?replied,? ?“Why? ?do? ?you? ?ask?”? ?

?

“Because? ?I? ?saw? ?on? ?the? ?wrist? ?of? ?that? ?XiaXuanYue? ?Officer? ?from? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?a? ?cursed? ?

shackle.? ?It? ?could? ?only? ?come? ?from? ?the? ?heavens,? ?no?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?surprised,? ?“What?? ?Cursed? ?shackle?? ?That? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?

Flower? ?is? ?using? ?a? ?former? ?heavenly? ?official? ?as? ?his? ?subordinate???? ?What? ?arrogance???”? ?

?

“It? ?can’t? ?be? ?arrogance?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“If? ?one? ?no? ?longer? ?belongs? ?to? ?the? ?heavens,? ?

then? ?wherever? ?one? ?goes? ?would? ?be? ?their? ?choice.? ?Originally? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?

question? ?his? ?motives,? ?but? ?that? ?officer’s? ?been? ?acting? ?suspiciously.? ?It’s? ?worrisome,? ?so? ?I? ?

wanted? ?to? ?see? ?what? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?thoughts? ?are? ?on? ?his? ?identity.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?gave? ?it? ?some? ?thought? ?and? ?said,? ?“There? ?was? ?indeed? ?a? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?

West? ?who? ?was? ?banished? ?a? ?few? ?years? ?back,? ?and? ?it? ?caused? ?quite? ?the? ?stir? ?at? ?the? ?time.”? ?

?

Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?West?? ?Wasn’t? ?that? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen?? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?continued,? ?“But,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?that? ?Highness? ?would? ?descend? ?to? ?the? ?ghost? ?

realm? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?ghost? ?officer!? ?He? ?came? ?from? ?an? ?established,? ?traditional? ?background? ?and? ?

his? ?character? ?wasn’t? ?frivolous.”? ?

?

If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case? ?then? ?why? ?was? ?he? ?banished?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?continue? ?his? ?

inquiry? ?when? ?the? ?two? ?came? ?to? ?flat? ?ground? ?after? ?sixty? ?or? ?so? ?stone? ?steps.? ?

?

Before? ?them? ?was? ?a? ?road? ?about? ?five? ?to? ?six? ?people? ?wide,? ?going? ?in? ?only? ?one? ?direction? ?that’s? ?

shrouded? ?in? ?darkness,? ?and? ?the? ?staircase? ?right? ?behind.? ?On? ?either? ?side? ?were? ?thick,? ?solid? ?

walls,? ?so? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?need? ?to? ?debate? ?where? ?to? ?go;? ?just? ?go? ?forward.? ? ?

?

Only,? ?after? ?walking? ?along? ?the? ?path? ?for? ?over? ?two? ?hundred? ?steps,? ?a? ?cold? ?stone? ?wall? ?

appeared? ?before? ?the? ?two,? ?blocking? ?their? ?path.? ?

?

?

?

Ch.43:? ?Borrowing? ?the? ?Underpath;? ?Night? ?Crawl? ?in? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?2? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?frowned,? ?“The? ?road’s? ?cut? ?off?? ?No? ?way.”? ? ?

?

He? ?held? ?the? ?palm? ?torch? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?and? ?used? ?the? ?other? ?to? ?feel? ?around? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?

looking? ?for? ?any? ?signs? ?of? ?mechanics.? ?He? ?then? ?casted? ?a? ?few? ?spells? ?for? ?clearing? ?

disillusionment? ?to? ?no? ?avail;? ?the? ?wall? ?remained? ?immovable.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?more? ?he? ?could? ?

do,? ?“Maybe? ?I’ll? ?just? ?punch? ?a? ?hole? ?through? ?it?”? ?

?

“That? ?would? ?cause? ?way? ?too? ?much? ?commotion,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?entire? ?Paradise? ?

Manor? ?would? ?be? ?shaken.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?placed? ?his? ?hand? ?flat? ?on? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?and? ?blasted? ?a? ?short? ?burst? ?of? ?

spiritual? ?energy,? ?but? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?“Even? ?if? ?I? ?punch? ?it’d? ?be? ?useless.? ?

This? ?wall? ?is? ?probably? ?over? ?ten? ?feet? ?thick.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?eyes? ?that? ?the? ?masked? ?youth? ?had? ?entered? ?here,? ?it’d? ?be? ?silly? ?to? ?

think? ?he’d? ?sneak? ?around? ?just? ?to? ?meditate? ?and? ?reflect? ?in? ?a? ?dead? ?end? ?tunnel?? ?There? ?must? ?

be? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?mechanism? ?involved,? ?so? ?the? ?two? ?continued? ?to? ?examine? ?their? ?

surroundings? ?in? ?greater? ?detail.? ?Soon,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pointed,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?

the? ?ground,? ?there? ?seems? ?to? ?be? ?something.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?dropped? ?his? ?palm? ?immediately? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?squatted? ?around? ?where? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?had? ?pointed.? ?

?

The? ?ground? ?of? ?this? ?tunnel? ?was? ?paved? ?with? ?innumerous? ?squared? ?bricks,? ?and? ?each? ?brick? ?

was? ?about? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?a? ?small? ?door.? ?The? ?brick? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?standing? ?on? ?right? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?

the? ?stone? ?wall? ?had? ?a? ?drawing? ?upon? ?it.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?large? ?picture,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?of? ?a? ?little? ?person? ?

throwing? ?dice.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“So? ?does? ?this? ?mean? ?it’s? ?the? ?same? ?method? ?as? ?before,? ?that? ?

we’d? ?have? ?to? ?toss? ?the? ?right? ?number? ?to? ?open? ?this? ?stone? ?wall?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?slightly,? ?“That? ?looks? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?case,? ?but? ?I? ?didn’t? ?come? ?in? ?here? ?with? ?that? ?

masked? ?youth,? ?so? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?the? ?right? ?number? ?is.”? ?

?

“We’ve? ?come? ?this? ?far,”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?realistic? ?to? ?turn? ?back? ?just? ?to? ?find? ?that? ?

out.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?throw? ?a? ?random? ?number? ?and? ?see.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?agreed,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?go?? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?how? ?long? ?

my? ?borrowed? ?luck? ?would? ?last.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?didn’t? ?decline.? ?He? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?dice? ?and? ?tossed? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?floor,? ?“How? ?

about? ?that?”? ?

?

He? ?rolled? ?a? ?“two”? ?and? ?a? ?“five”.? ?The? ?two? ?waited? ?in? ?silence? ?but? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?didn’t? ?move.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?dice,? ?“I? ?guess? ?that? ?didn’t? ?work.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?suddenly? ?cried,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?look? ?under? ?our? ?feet!? ?The? ?picture’s? ?

changed!”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?looked? ?down.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?image? ?on? ?the? ?square? ?

brick? ?beneath? ?their? ?feet? ?had? ?been? ?a? ?little? ?person? ?throwing? ?dice,? ?but? ?as? ?they? ?watched,? ?the? ?

colours? ?slowly? ?faded? ?and? ?filled? ?in? ?once? ?more,? ?transforming? ?into? ?a? ?different? ?scene,? ?looking? ?

like? ?a? ?long,? ?fat? ?and? ?thick? ?black? ?creepy? ?crawler.? ?

?

“What? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?is? ?this?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?wondered.? ?

?

“An? ?earthworm?? ?A? ?leech?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?guessed.? ?“That’s? ?what? ?it? ?looks? ?like.? ?There’s? ?plenty? ?in? ?

the? ?paddy? ?fields,? ?so? ?I’ve? ?seen? ?a? ?lot.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?wondered? ?some? ?more,? ?“What? ?kind? ?of? ?life? ?did? ?you? ?lead? ?to? ?see? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?this? ?

stuff...”? ? ?

?

Before? ?his? ?words? ?were? ?finished,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?disappeared.? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?disappeared? ?too.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?“what? ?

in? ?the? ?world”? ?were? ?uttered,? ?they? ?both? ?felt? ?hollow? ?beneath? ?their? ?feet? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?and? ?

the? ?next? ?moment? ?they? ?started? ?free-falling? ?into? ?another? ?tunnel.? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?that? ?stone? ?wall? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?door? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?was? ?in? ?all? ?seriousness,? ?a? ?wall.? ?The? ?

square? ?brick? ?beneath? ?their? ?feet? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?door.? ?After? ?tossing? ?the? ?dice,? ?the? ?doors? ?

opened? ?suddenly? ?and? ?closed? ?instantly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?free? ?fell? ?for? ?only? ?a? ?

moment? ?before? ?landing? ?heavily? ?onto? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?thing? ?that? ?the? ?ground? ?was? ?soft,? ?otherwise? ?the? ?two? ?would’ve? ?cratered? ?in? ?

deep.? ?They? ?didn’t? ?think? ?the? ?fall? ?was? ?painful? ?and? ?were? ?just? ?pulling? ?themselves? ?up? ?when? ?

their? ?heads? ?knocked? ?into? ?each? ?other.? ?They? ?“ah”-ed? ?and? ?fell? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lain,? ?

with? ?one? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?forehead,? ?was? ?feeling? ?about? ?his? ?surroundings? ?with? ?his? ?other? ?

hand? ?but? ?only? ?made? ?contact? ?with? ?the? ?soft,? ?wet,? ?muddy? ?ground.? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?no? ?stone? ?tiles.? ?That? ?stone? ?wall? ?was? ?long? ?gone.? ?

?

When? ?they? ?fell? ?earlier,? ?the? ?palm? ?torch? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?ignited? ?had? ?been? ?extinguished.? ?

Now? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?lit? ?it? ?up? ?once? ?more? ?and? ?brightened? ?their? ?surroundings,? ?the? ?two? ?

discovered? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?a? ?mud? ?tunnel.? ?

?

The? ?tunnel? ?was? ?round? ?in? ?shape? ?with? ?muddy? ?walls,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?appear? ?to? ?be? ?man? ?made.? ?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?place?? ?Did? ?we? ?get? ?thrown? ?here? ?

because? ?we? ?tossed? ?the? ?wrong? ?number?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?very? ?possible.? ?That? ?stone? ?door? ?is? ?gone,? ?meaning? ?we? ?

have? ?no? ?chance? ?of? ?turning? ?back.? ?Let’s? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?escape? ?first.”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?talked? ?it? ?over? ?and? ?decided? ?to? ?keep? ?following? ?the? ?tunnel? ?path.? ?The? ?tunnel? ?had? ?

innumerous? ?twists? ?and? ?turns,? ?and? ?if? ?a? ?full? ?grown? ?adult? ?wanted? ?to? ?stand? ?up? ?straight? ?in? ?it? ?

they’d? ?have? ?a? ?hard? ?time.? ?They? ?could? ?only? ?bend? ?at? ?the? ?waist? ?to? ?walk,? ?or? ?crawl,? ?moving? ?

both? ?slowly? ?and? ?tiresomely.? ?The? ?air? ?in? ?this? ?tunnel? ?was? ?also? ?warm? ?and? ?moist,? ?the? ?mud? ?

clingy? ?and? ?annoying,? ?each? ?of? ?their? ?steps? ?sinking? ?and? ?dragging,? ?watery? ?and? ?gross.? ?

Sometimes,? ?they? ?would? ?even? ?step? ?into? ?a? ?rotten? ?remains? ?of? ?plants? ?or? ?animals.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

face? ?never? ?changed,? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?had? ?goosebumps? ?pop? ?up? ?all? ?over.? ?But? ?the? ?more? ?

they? ?traversed? ?the? ?more? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?something? ?was? ?off.? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?we? ?better? ?

move? ?faster,? ?otherwise...”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?loud,? ?bizarre? ?roaring? ?sound? ?came? ?echoing.? ?

?

The? ?noise? ?crashed? ?in,? ?the? ?entire? ?tunnel? ?shook,? ?and? ?small? ?blots? ?of? ?mud? ?pitter? ?pattered? ?

down? ?from? ?the? ?quaking.? ?The? ?two? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?without? ?a? ?word,? ?they? ?sped? ?off? ?

in? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?noise.? ?

?

Yet,? ?that? ?loud? ?sound? ?and? ?the? ?huge? ?quaking? ?shook? ?the? ?tunnel? ?violently,? ?and? ?its? ?speed? ?

much? ?faster? ?than? ?they,? ?cutting? ?in? ?closer? ?by? ?the? ?second.? ?The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?moved? ?with? ?

much? ?difficulty,? ?one? ?step? ?shallow? ?and? ?one? ?step? ?deep,? ?crawling? ?through? ?the? ?twisting? ?tunnel? ?

without? ?end? ?in? ?sight,? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?ray? ?of? ?light.? ?And? ?not? ?just? ?that,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?they’re? ?

running? ?towards? ?also? ?reverberated? ?the? ?same? ?huge? ?noise? ?and? ?quaking!? ?

?

Both? ?front? ?and? ?back? ?were? ?blocked,? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?to? ?stop.? ?Along? ?with? ?the? ?crashing? ?noises,? ?

the? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?heavy? ?and? ?gigantic? ?body? ?pushing? ?through? ?the? ?mud? ?whammed? ?past,? ?and? ?

two? ?humongous? ?earthworms? ?wiggled? ?in,? ?appearing? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?worms? ?were? ?swollen? ?and? ?large,? ?their? ?bodies? ?a? ?bruising? ?purple,? ?their? ?skin? ?lightly? ?

translucent.? ?The? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?insects? ?were? ?segmented,? ?no? ?head,? ?no? ?tail,? ?the? ?fronts? ?were? ?

only? ?a? ?meat? ?stump.? ?If? ?those? ?weren’t? ?worms? ?then? ?what? ?were? ?they?? ?

?

The? ?stone? ?door? ?opened? ?and? ?threw? ?them? ?into? ?such? ?monster’s? ?nest!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?an? ?arm? ?to? ?guard? ?before? ?himself,? ?RuoYe? ?at? ?the? ?ready.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?

untucked? ?his? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where.? ?Unfortunately? ?in? ?this? ?narrow? ?

tunnel? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?to? ?start? ?any? ?gusts,? ?and? ?any? ?blows? ?would? ?only? ?recoil,? ?making? ?it? ?

hard? ?to? ?make? ?use? ?of? ?that? ?spiritual? ?device.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?that? ?worms? ?were? ?

afraid? ?of? ?light? ?and? ?heat,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?please? ?let? ?me? ?some? ?power,? ?

and? ?grow? ?your? ?palm? ?light!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?followed? ?his? ?direction,? ?and? ?tapped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?while? ?the? ?

flames? ?in? ?his? ?right? ?palm? ?burst? ?a? ?few? ?feet? ?higher.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?two? ?giant? ?worms? ?felt? ?

the? ?heat? ?and? ?shrunk? ?back,? ?pulling? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?feet? ?in? ?distance.? ?The? ?two,? ?using? ?the? ?

flames,? ?continued? ?on? ?their? ?path? ?slowly,? ?forcing? ?the? ?giant? ?earthworms? ?to? ?keep? ?a? ?distance,? ?

and? ?prayed? ?for? ?an? ?exit.? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?tunnel? ?was? ?narrow,? ?and? ?soon? ?enough,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?the? ?worms? ?feeling? ?the? ?

heat? ?from? ?the? ?flames,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?themselves? ?were? ?sweating? ?

profusely,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?baking? ?in? ?an? ?oven,? ?miserable? ?and? ?wretched.? ?And? ?the? ?more? ?

horrifying? ?thing? ?was,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?up? ?burning? ?his? ?powers? ?to? ?keep? ?the? ?

flames? ?alive,? ?and? ?the? ?fire? ?grew? ?smaller? ?and? ?smaller.? ?They? ?also? ?noticed? ?that? ?although? ?the? ?

giant? ?earthworms? ?were? ?evading? ?them,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?as? ?jittery.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?steps,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?breathing? ?grow? ?difficult? ?and? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master,? ?the? ?palm? ?torch? ?won’t? ?last.? ?The? ?mud? ?here? ?may? ?be? ?moist? ?and? ?loose,? ?but? ?we’re? ?still? ?

deep? ?underground.? ?Soon? ?the? ?air? ?will? ?no? ?longer? ?pass,? ?the? ?fire? ?will? ?die,? ?and? ?we’re? ?going? ?to? ?

faint.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Then? ?we? ?can? ?only? ?use? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array.”? ?

?

Although? ?neither? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?a? ?free? ?hand? ?to? ?draw? ?an? ?array? ?and? ?the? ?current? ?

environment? ?wasn’t? ?exactly? ?ideal,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?other? ?way.? ?“Let? ?me? ?find? ?somewhere? ?flat.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?felt? ?beneath? ?his? ?step? ?a? ?small? ?plate? ?that? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?moist? ?and? ?spongy? ?

but? ?more? ?so? ?like? ?a? ?stone? ?tile.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?moved? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?crouched? ?down? ?

to? ?check.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?suspected? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?another? ?stone? ?door!? ?

?

There? ?was? ?also? ?another? ?drawing? ?of? ?a? ?little? ?person? ?tossing? ?dice? ?on? ?this? ?door.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?

Xuan? ?also? ?stepped? ?onto? ?the? ?tile? ?and? ?was? ?overjoyed,? ?“Quick,? ?quick,? ?quick!? ?Throw? ?the? ?dice? ?

and? ?open? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?toss? ?out? ?the? ?dice? ?but? ?suddenly? ?thought,? ?‘But? ?what? ?if? ?I? ?roll? ?out? ?

worse? ?outcomes? ?and? ?open? ?a? ?more? ?horrifying? ?place?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?the? ?dice? ?to? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan,? ?“Here,? ?you? ?do? ?it!”? ?

?

Without? ?a? ?word,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?grabbed? ?the? ?dice? ?and? ?tossed.? ?Rattle,? ?rattle.? ?This? ?time? ?it? ?

was? ?a? ?‘three’? ?and? ?a? ?‘four’.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?dice? ?readily? ?and? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?stood? ?

together? ?over? ?the? ?tile.? ?The? ?palm? ?torch? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?hand? ?became? ?smaller? ?by? ?

another? ?inch,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?giant? ?worms? ?were? ?squirming? ?and? ?twisting,? ?struggling? ?to? ?

approach.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?the? ?drawing? ?on? ?the? ?tile? ?closely? ?as? ?it? ?slowly? ?dissolved? ?into? ?

another? ?picture.? ?It? ?was? ?of? ?a? ?forest? ?and? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?weirdly? ?dressed? ?little? ?people? ?were? ?

dancing? ?in? ?circles? ?around? ?another.? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?worms? ?wouldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?anymore,? ?and? ?rushed? ?towards? ?them? ?with? ?a? ?

small? ?mouth? ?on? ?the? ?head? ?opening,? ?dragging? ?their? ?heavy? ?bodies.? ? ?

?

Thankfully,? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?worms? ?were? ?only? ?mere? ?feet? ?away? ?from? ?them,? ?the? ?stone? ?door? ?

opened!? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?the? ?two? ?fell? ?into? ?another? ?narrow? ?hole,? ?but? ?the? ?ground? ?was? ?hard,? ?cramped,? ?and? ?

dry.? ?The? ?fall? ?was? ?painful? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?tumbled? ?and? ?knocked? ?into? ?each? ?other.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

used? ?to? ?pain? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?make? ?a? ?sound,? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?yelled? ?in? ?pain.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

ears? ?were? ?hurt? ?by? ?the? ?loud? ?screaming.? ?Worried? ?something? ?might? ?have? ?happened,? ?he? ?

called? ?out,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?are? ?you? ?ok?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?head? ?was? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?and? ?his? ?legs? ?up,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?I’m? ?ok.? ?I’ve? ?

never? ?fallen? ?like? ?this? ?before.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?there’s? ?way? ?too? ?much? ?thrill? ?working? ?with? ?

you.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?small? ?laugh,? ?and? ?realized? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?

them? ?fell? ?into? ?a? ?hole? ?in? ?a? ?tree.? ?

?

He? ?crawled? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hole? ?with? ?great? ?difficulty? ?and? ?extended? ?a? ?helping? ?hand? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?

Xuan,? ?“Thanks? ?for? ?all? ?your? ?hard? ?work.”? ?

?

“You’re? ?welcome.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?replied.? ?

?

He? ?pulled? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?and? ?climbed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hole,? ?muddy? ?and? ?disheveled,? ?his? ?

silk? ?dress? ?robe? ?ripped? ?and? ?rumpled.? ?When? ?he? ?got? ?out? ?he? ?put? ?a? ?hand? ?over? ?his? ?brows? ?to? ?

block? ?out? ?the? ?sharp? ?brightness? ?of? ?the? ?sun.? ?“Where’s? ?this?”? ?

?

“As? ?you? ?see,? ?a? ?forest? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?mountains.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?He? ?looked? ?around? ?him? ?

and? ?said,? ?“I? ?think? ?these? ?stone? ?doors? ?are? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device? ?that? ?have? ?the? ?same? ?function? ?as? ?

the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array.? ?Different? ?numbers? ?tossed? ?will? ?take? ?us? ?to? ?different? ?places.? ?

I? ?wonder? ?if? ?we? ?tossed? ?any? ?right? ?numbers.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?crossed? ?his? ?two? ?now? ?uncovered? ?arms? ?and? ?pondered? ?seriously,? ?“Using? ?the? ?

Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array? ?just? ?once? ?requires? ?an? ?immense? ?amount? ?of? ?spiritual? ?power.? ?To? ?

create? ?these? ?stone? ?doors? ?to? ?prevent? ?others? ?from? ?snooping? ?around,? ?that? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?

Sought? ?Flower? ?is? ?indeed? ?powerful? ?and? ?no? ?stranger? ?to? ?mind? ?games.”? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?expression? ?was? ?solemn,? ?with? ?bare? ?arms? ?and? ?such? ?an? ?unkempt? ?disposition,? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?look? ?serious? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?rather? ?hilarious.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?back? ?his? ?laugh? ?with? ?great? ?

difficulty? ?and? ?thought? ?about? ?the? ?way? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?lift? ?his? ?lips? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?

‘Rather? ?than? ?mind? ?games,? ?it’s? ?more...? ?that? ?he’s? ?mischievious.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?only? ?just? ?gotten? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hole? ?in? ?the? ?tree,? ?and? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?after? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?red? ?skinned? ?naked? ?people? ?suddenly? ?poured? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?nearby? ?bushes? ?and? ?

surrounded? ?them.? ?They? ?started? ?jumping,? ?howling? ?as? ?they? ?did? ?so,? ?

“OOOooooHHHOooHHooohhhh!!”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?shocked,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?cried,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?now?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Don’t? ?panic,? ?don’t? ?panic!”? ?

?

He? ?steadied? ?himself? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?those? ?savages,? ?and? ?they? ?weren’t? ?truly? ?naked,? ?but? ?were? ?

wearing? ?animal? ?skins? ?and? ?leaves,? ?looking? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?ready? ?to? ?drink? ?blood.? ?They? ?had? ?

long? ?branch? ?spears? ?and? ?sharp? ?stoned? ?axes? ?in? ?hand,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?smiled? ?at? ?the? ?two,? ?

their? ?teeth? ?were? ?jaggedly? ?sharp? ?like? ?saws.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?ran? ?without? ?saying? ?a? ?word.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?shouted? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“My? ?brother? ?used? ?to? ?always? ?tell? ?me!? ?That? ?deep? ?in? ?the? ?

southern? ?mountains? ?are? ?many? ?savage? ?cannibals? ?that? ?live? ?off? ?of? ?human? ?flesh!? ?He? ?told? ?me? ?

not? ?to? ?ever? ?come? ?to? ?such? ?a? ?place? ?on? ?my? ?own!? ?Is? ?that? ?what? ?those? ?are?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?practiced? ?in? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?escape? ?so? ?his? ?entire? ?demeanour? ?and? ?manner? ?were? ?

much? ?more? ?serene? ?than? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan.? ?He? ?replied? ?calmly,? ?“Hm.? ?That’s? ?very? ?possible!? ?

Either? ?way? ?let’s? ?find? ?the? ?door? ?first!? ?Let’s? ?see? ?if? ?there? ?are? ?any? ?more? ?stone? ?doors? ?nearby!”? ?

?

Those? ?savages? ?ran? ?after? ?them? ?screaming? ?and? ?howling? ?tirelessly.? ?Originally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?could? ?only? ?escape? ?and? ?not? ?fight? ?back? ?because? ?there? ?were? ?heavenly? ?laws? ?

that? ?dictated? ?that? ?should? ?gods? ?ever? ?descend? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?they? ?shalt? ?not? ?use? ?their? ?

powers? ?to? ?oppress.? ?This? ?law? ?was? ?to? ?prevent? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?from? ?bullying? ?mortals? ?and? ?

create? ?disasters? ?borne? ?of? ?power.? ?But? ?the? ?cannibals? ?unceasingly? ?threw? ?sharp? ?rocks? ?and? ?

branches? ?at? ?them,? ?and? ?one? ?such? ?branch? ?scraped? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?cheek.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?absolutely? ?unacceptable.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?felt? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?lightest? ?

of? ?a? ?bloody? ?scratch,? ?and? ?saw? ?red.? ?

?

He? ?roared? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?sudden? ?stop.? ?Turning? ?around,? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“YOU? ?IGNORANT? ?

HILLBILLY? ?SAVAGES!? ?NOT? ?ONLY? ?DID? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?COWER? ?IN? ?FEAR? ?BEFORE? ?ME,? ?

THE? ?LORD? ?WIND? ?MASTER,? ?YOU? ?DARE? ?RUIN? ?MY? ?FACE!!? ?UNBELIEVABLE!!!”? ?

?

After? ?his? ?cries,? ?he? ?pulled? ?out? ?his? ?wind? ?master? ?fan,? ?flashing? ?it? ?open? ?with? ?a? ?powerful? ?

whoosh? ?and? ?swun? ?with? ?force.? ?The? ?savages? ?were? ?blown? ?off? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?smashed? ?into? ?

nearby? ?trees,? ?howling? ?as? ?they? ?hung? ?off? ?the? ?branches.? ?The? ?two? ?could? ?finally? ?stop? ?running,? ?

and? ?took? ?in? ?deep? ?breaths? ?trying? ?to? ?calm? ?their? ?heartbeat.? ?That? ?thought? ?came? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

again,? ?it’s? ?hard? ?being? ?a? ?god...? ?in? ?the? ?three? ?realms,? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?it? ?easier...? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?huffed? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?saw? ?it,? ?right?? ?They? ?

were? ?asking? ?for? ?it!? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?using? ?my? ?powers? ?to? ?oppress.”? ?

?

“I? ?saw,? ?yes.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?felt? ?his? ?face? ?again? ?and? ?mumbled? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“Even? ?my? ?brother? ?

wouldn’t? ?dare...”? ?He? ?turned? ?around? ?again,? ?“Let’s? ?go? ?find? ?that? ?stone? ?door.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?silently? ?and? ?watched? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?fixed? ?his? ?clothes? ?and? ?hair,? ?looking? ?

carefree? ?once? ?more.? ?Unfortunately? ?he? ?was? ?dressed? ?in? ?a? ?bedraggled? ?purple? ?silk? ?dress,? ?so? ?

his? ?air? ?of? ?carefree? ?had? ?a? ?flavour? ?of? ?queer;? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?unforgettable? ?sight.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?lament.? ?Thinking? ?back? ?on? ?when? ?they? ?first? ?met? ?at? ?the? ?BanYue? ?Pass,? ?the? ?Lord? ?

Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?scintillating? ?figure,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?thought? ?him? ?a? ?

powerful? ?being? ?with? ?immeasurable? ?depth;? ?if? ?not? ?of? ?a? ?supreme? ?demonic? ?cultivator,? ?then? ?a? ?

supreme? ?saint.? ?Now? ?that? ?they’re? ?close,? ?he? ?understood? ?everything? ?was? ?but? ?an? ?illusion...? ?

?

The? ?two? ?walked? ?around? ?in? ?circles? ?in? ?the? ?forest? ?and? ?finally? ?found? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?stone? ?doors? ?next? ?

to? ?a? ?different? ?tree? ?hole.? ?This? ?time,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?refused? ?to? ?toss? ?the? ?dice? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?

head.? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what’s? ?going? ?on,? ?but? ?even? ?though? ?my? ?luck? ?isn’t? ?the? ?best? ?every? ?time,? ?

it’s? ?also? ?not? ?the? ?worst? ?every? ?time.? ?Lady? ?Fortune? ?doesn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?with? ?me? ?today;? ?twice? ?

I? ?tossed? ?and? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?was? ?that? ?earthworm? ?tunnel,? ?and? ?the? ?second? ?time? ?a? ?cannibal? ?

playground.? ?Who? ?knows? ?what’s? ?next.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly? ?and? ?guiltily? ?replied,? ?“Maybe? ?it’s? ?because? ?I’m? ?with? ?you? ?so? ?

I? ?brought? ?your? ?luck? ?down? ?with? ?me.”? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?saying!”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?exclaimed,? ?“It’s? ?impossible? ?for? ?anyone? ?to? ?bring? ?

down? ?the? ?luck? ?of? ?I,? ?the? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master!? ?But? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?go?? ?Maybe? ?there’s? ?

still? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?luck? ?you? ?borrowed? ?from? ?your? ?San? ?Lang? ?left.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?why,? ?but? ?he? ?felt? ?a? ?little? ?embarrassed? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?“your? ?San? ?

Lang”.? ?He? ?wanted? ?to? ?explain,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?what’s? ?there? ?to? ?explain?? ?If? ?he? ?must? ?

explain? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?weird,? ?so? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything.? ?He? ?felt? ?the? ?dice? ?in? ?

his? ?hands? ?and? ?tossed? ?them? ?out? ?lightly.? ?

?

Two? ?‘sixes’.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?as? ?he? ?watched? ?the? ?drawings? ?on? ?the? ?stone? ?door? ?transform,? ?and? ?

mentally? ?prepared? ?himself? ?to? ?face? ?whatever? ?came? ?next.? ?But? ?this? ?time,? ?the? ?picture? ?didn’t? ?

change? ?and? ?the? ?stone? ?door? ?creaked? ?open.? ?

?

?

Behind? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?another? ?long? ?stairway? ?that? ?descended? ?into? ?darkness,? ?blowing? ?cold? ?

air.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?both? ?thinking,? ?‘Did? ?we? ?circle? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?beginning? ?after? ?

going? ?through? ?all? ?that?’? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?beginning,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?better? ?than? ?bizarre? ?dangers;? ?they’ve? ?had? ?

enough.? ?Thus,? ?the? ?two? ?decided? ?to? ?descend.? ?The? ?moment? ?they? ?entered? ?through,? ?the? ?door? ?

closed? ?behind? ?them,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?push,? ?the? ?door? ?had? ?become? ?a? ?stone? ?

wall.? ? ?

?

“Looks? ?like? ?our? ?only? ?way? ?is? ?downwards.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Ugh,? ?alright.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?sighed,? ?“Give? ?me? ?a? ?break? ?and? ?we’ll? ?continue? ?to? ?play? ?that? ?

hateful? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower’s? ?game!”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?once? ?again? ?descended? ?down? ?the? ?long? ?and? ?rectangular? ?stony? ?path.? ?After? ?two? ?

hundred? ?steps? ?or? ?so,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?something.? ?“Good? ?news,? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?This? ?

isn’t? ?the? ?same? ?path? ?we? ?took? ?the? ?first? ?time,? ?even? ?though? ?they’re? ?similar.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?noticed? ?it? ?too,? ?“You’re? ?right.? ?The? ?first? ?time? ?we? ?reached? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?after? ?

two? ?hundred? ?some? ?steps,? ?but? ?not? ?this? ?time.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Looks? ?like? ?this? ?time? ?we’re? ?on? ?the? ?right? ?path.”? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?words? ?the? ?two? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?

?

Not? ?far? ?before? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?darkness? ?wafted? ?the? ?stench? ?of? ?blood.? ?Accompanying? ?the? ?

smell? ?was? ?the? ?heavy? ?breathing? ?of? ?a? ?man.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?didn’t? ?move? ?a? ?muscle? ?and? ?said? ?no? ?words.? ?No? ?light,? ?no? ?flames,? ?yet? ?the? ?other? ?had? ?

already? ?sensed? ?their? ?presence,? ?because? ?right? ?after? ?they? ?stopped,? ?a? ?cold? ?voice? ?rang? ?out.? ?

?

“I? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?say.”? ?The? ?deep? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?said.? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?voice,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?immediately? ?ignited? ?a? ?palm? ?torch.? ?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

Ch.44:? ?Paradise? ?to? ?Ashes;? ?The? ?Second? ?Coming? ?of? ?Fang? ?Xin? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?would? ?suddenly? ?light? ?a? ?fire? ?and? ?didn’t? ?even? ?have? ?the? ?

time? ?to? ?stop? ?him? ?before? ?it? ?was? ?too? ?late.? ?The? ?flames? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?bright? ?and? ?revealed? ?

the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?black? ?clad? ?man.? ?

?

The? ?man? ?in? ?black? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?hung? ?low? ?against? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?path,? ?

his? ?face? ?as? ?white? ?as? ?a? ?sheet,? ?his? ?hair? ?a? ?mess;? ?but? ?underneath? ?that? ?unkemptness? ?was? ?a? ?

pair? ?of? ?eyes? ?that? ?shone? ?with? ?determination,? ?like? ?burning? ?ice.? ?Although? ?he? ?sat? ?cross? ?

legged? ?without? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?discomfort,? ?the? ?stench? ?of? ?thick? ?blood? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?indicated? ?he? ?was? ?

gravely? ?wounded,? ?and? ?was? ?obviously? ?imprisoned? ?here.? ?His? ?“I? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?say”? ?was? ?

probably? ?him? ?mistaking? ?them? ?for? ?interrogators.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?saw? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?cried,? ?“It’s? ?you!”? ?

?

That? ?man? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?expect? ?other? ?people? ?either? ?and? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?looking? ?like? ?

he? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?“its? ?you!”? ?too,? ?but? ?alas,? ?held? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?calmed? ?the? ?RuoYe? ?that? ?was? ?

ready? ?to? ?attack.? ?“So? ?you? ?two? ?know? ?each? ?other?”? ?

?

After? ?crossing? ?so? ?many? ?hurdles? ?and? ?found? ?someone,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?looked? ?relieved? ?and? ?

was? ?about? ?to? ?respond? ?when? ?that? ?man? ?cut? ?in? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?an? ?indisputable? ?tone,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?

know? ?him.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?raged? ?at? ?those? ?words? ?and? ?pointed? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?his? ?fan,? ?“Is? ?it? ?so? ?shameful? ?

to? ?know? ?me?? ?What? ?hurtful? ?words,? ?Ming-Xiong*!? ?I’m? ?your? ?best? ?friend!”? ?

?

The? ?man? ?denied? ?it? ?resolutely,? ?“I? ?have? ?no? ?friends? ?that? ?would? ?run? ?around? ?in? ?that? ?sort? ?of? ?

attire.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?his? ?ragged? ?purple? ?silk? ?dress,? ?truly...? ?a? ?shameful? ?sight.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

wanted? ?to? ?laugh? ?and? ?thought? ?there’s? ?really? ?people? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?who? ?would? ?use? ?

‘someone’s? ?best? ?friend’? ?to? ?validate? ?themselves;? ?it’s? ?definitely? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?style.? ?But? ?

“Ming-Xiong”?? ?If? ?he? ?remembers? ?correctly,? ?of? ?the? ?five? ?elemental? ?masters,? ?the? ?Earth? ?

Master’s? ?name? ?was? ?Ming? ?Yi.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Are? ?you? ?perhaps? ?the? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?

Master?”? ?

?

“It’s? ?him.? ?You’ve? ?met? ?before.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?over? ?and? ?said,? ?“Have? ?we?”? ?He? ?didn’t? ?recall? ?ever? ?meeting? ?such? ?a? ?

character.? ?

?

“You? ?have.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said.? ?

?

“We? ?haven’t.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?stated.? ?

?

“Yea,? ?you? ?have!”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said? ?exasperatedly,? ?“Last? ?time? ?at? ?the? ?BanYue? ?Pass!? ?You? ?

guys? ?didn’t? ?forget? ?that? ?fast,? ?did? ?you?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Seeing? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?face? ?go? ?from? ?pale? ?white? ?to? ?grim,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?remembered!? ?Last? ?time? ?

when? ?they? ?met? ?at? ?the? ?BanYue? ?Pass,? ?wasn’t? ?there? ?a? ?black? ?clad? ?lady? ?next? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?

Xuan?!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?already? ?told? ?him? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?that? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?Water? ?Master,? ?but? ?must? ?also? ?

be? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?five? ?elemental? ?masters.? ?As? ?expected,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?not? ?only? ?

passionate? ?about? ?transforming? ?into? ?his? ?female? ?form,? ?he’s? ?also? ?passionate? ?about? ?

dragging? ?others? ?into? ?doing? ?the? ?same.? ?No? ?wonder? ?the? ?black? ?clad? ?lady? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?looked? ?

extremely? ?pissed? ?and? ?disgusted.? ?Thinking? ?back? ?on? ?how? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?begged? ?him? ?to? ?

“join? ?in? ?the? ?fun”,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?thinking? ?that? ?was? ?close,? ?and? ?was? ?glad? ?he? ?didn’t? ?relent.? ? ?

?

“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?was? ?the? ?Ascending? ?Fire? ?Dragon? ?set? ?forth? ?by? ?you?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“It? ?was.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?answered.? ?

?

They? ?found? ?the? ?right? ?person.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?said,? ?“The? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?is? ?

probably? ?heavily? ?wounded.? ?We? ?best? ?make? ?our? ?escape? ?now? ?and? ?talk? ?later.”? ?

?

Without? ?any? ?prompt,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?knelt? ?down? ?and? ?carried? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?“Then? ?

let’s? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here.”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?retraced? ?their? ?steps? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?talked? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?“I? ?say,? ?

Ming-Xiong,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?good? ?at? ?fighting?? ?You? ?were? ?perfectly? ?fine? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?BanYue? ?

Pass,? ?so? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?beat? ?up? ?this? ?bad? ?in? ?just? ?several? ?days?? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?piss? ?off? ?

that? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower?”? ?

?

His? ?tone? ?was? ?a? ?teasing? ?taunt? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mentally? ?noted,? ?‘Fearless? ?of? ?getting? ?punched? ?

in? ?the? ?face,? ?that’s? ?definitely? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?a? ?good? ?friend.’? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?looked? ?like? ?he’s? ?had? ?

enough? ?of? ?listening? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?talk? ?and? ?only? ?said,? ?“Shut? ?up!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?wanted? ?to? ?know? ?the? ?answer? ?to? ?the? ?same? ?question? ?but? ?changed? ?his? ?

wording,? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?why? ?would? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?want? ?to? ?provoke? ?you?”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?him? ?to? ?shut? ?up? ?but? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?either.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?

slightly? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?saw? ?he? ?had? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed.? ?After? ?having? ?been? ?imprisoned? ?

and? ?interrogated? ?for? ?days? ?and? ?heavily? ?wounded,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?must’ve? ?finally? ?let? ?down? ?his? ?

guard? ?after? ?being? ?rescued? ?and? ?could? ?relax? ?at? ?last.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?urgent? ?anyway,? ?so? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?try? ?to? ?wake? ?him.? ?The? ?three? ?ran? ?up? ?the? ?stairs? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?threw? ?out? ?his? ?

dice? ?at? ?the? ?top.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?number? ?he? ?tossed? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?dark,? ?only? ?that? ?before? ?

them? ?came? ?a? ?soft? ?creaking? ?sound,? ?and? ?a? ?crack? ?of? ?light? ?appeared.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pushed? ?at? ?the? ?

door? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?whether? ?if? ?he’d? ?have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?take? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?away? ?too? ?

when? ?he? ?realized? ?the? ?first? ?step? ?his? ?took? ?was? ?hollow.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?felt? ?himself? ?fall? ?forward? ?he? ?cried,? ?“Don’t? ?come? ?out!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?flipped? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?fell? ?on? ?something? ?hard.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?feeling? ?relieved? ?that? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?some? ?bladed? ?mountain? ?or? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?fire? ?he? ?fell? ?into? ?when? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?

realized? ?a? ?bladed? ?mountain? ?or? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?fire? ?might’ve? ?been? ?a? ?better? ?alternative.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?exceptionally? ?handsome? ?face? ?was? ?inches? ?away? ?from? ?his,? ?his? ?brows? ?raised,? ?

looking? ?at? ?him.? ?

?

This? ?time? ?when? ?the? ?stone? ?door? ?opened,? ?his? ?hollowed? ?step? ?made? ?him? ?fall? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?Hua? ?

Cheng!? ?

?

The? ?place? ?of? ?his? ?fall? ?was? ?the? ?armoury!? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?seated? ?on? ?the? ?throne? ?of? ?the? ?

armoury,? ?composedly? ?wiping? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming.? ?Even? ?when? ?someone? ?suddenly? ?fell? ?on? ?

top? ?of? ?him? ?from? ?above? ?he’d? ?only? ?moved? ?his? ?hands? ?away? ?and? ?stopped? ?the? ?cleaning? ?

without? ?any? ?air? ?of? ?surprise.? ?He? ?calmly? ?looked? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?as? ?if? ?waiting? ?for? ?an? ?explanation.? ?

Of? ?course? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?none,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?lay? ?in? ?his? ?lap? ?and? ?stare? ?back? ?boldly.? ?

Suddenly,? ?he? ?saw? ?another? ?person? ?at? ?the? ?peripheral? ?of? ?his? ?vision,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?

around,? ?he? ?saw? ?it? ?was? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?

?

That? ?bandaged? ?boy? ?was? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?floor? ?looking? ?frightened,? ?his? ?hands? ?grabbing? ?his? ?

head,? ?staring? ?at? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them.? ?Why? ?was? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?here? ?too?? ?It? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?was? ?interrogating? ?him?? ?And? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?moved? ?upwards,? ?he? ?saw? ?half? ?

of? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?white? ?boot? ?stepping? ?out.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?time? ?to? ?think,? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?hurry,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gripped? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?shoulders.? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?sorry!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried,? ?then? ?pushed? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?aside.? ?

?

This? ?push? ?threw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?over? ?a? ?meter? ?away? ?and? ?he? ?even? ?tumbled? ?a? ?couple? ?times.? ?

After? ?tumbling,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?immediately? ?stood? ?and? ?steadied? ?himself,? ?and? ?by? ?then? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan,? ?carrying? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?already? ?jumped? ?and? ?landed? ?with? ?ease? ?the? ?same? ?spot? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?was? ?just? ?sitting.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?look? ?back,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?still? ?

looking? ?at? ?him? ?without? ?a? ?word,? ?but? ?his? ?brows? ?were? ?raised? ?higher.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?backed? ?off? ?a? ?few? ?feet,? ?apologizing? ?as? ?he? ?did? ?so,? ?“I’m? ?sorry!? ?

I’m? ?sorry!”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?ran? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?while? ?watching? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?still? ?appearing? ?quite? ?afraid,? ?

and? ?hid? ?behind? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shielded? ?him? ?and? ?said,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?allow? ?me? ?to? ?explain.”? ?

?

“I’m? ?waiting.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?responded.? ?

?

“Wait,? ?isn’t? ?it? ?the? ?opposite?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“He? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?owes? ?

you? ?an? ?explanation!? ?He’s? ?the? ?one? ?responsible? ?for? ?the? ?missing? ?heavenly? ?official;? ?be? ?wary,? ?

Your? ?Highness!”? ?

?

This? ?was? ?exactly? ?the? ?situation? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?face.? ?He? ?looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

intently,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?the? ?misunderstanding? ?was? ?between? ?you? ?and? ?the? ?

Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?but? ?let’s? ?all? ?calm? ?down? ?and? ?talk? ?this? ?out.”? ?

?

The? ?best? ?case? ?scenario? ?would? ?be? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?letting? ?them? ?go? ?without? ?harm.? ?Although? ?the? ?

Earth? ?Master? ?was? ?wounded,? ?his? ?life? ?was? ?not? ?at? ?stake? ?and? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?missing? ?any? ?limbs.? ?If? ?

he? ?could? ?drop? ?it,? ?then? ?all? ?of? ?this? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?to? ?devolve? ?to? ?the? ?worst? ?extreme? ?case.? ?If? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?let? ?them? ?leave? ?and? ?they? ?report? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?heavens,? ?then? ?they’d? ?be? ?in? ?his? ?

debt? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?use? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?ask? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?to? ?dismiss? ?the? ?whole? ?thing.? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?instead,? ?“Earth? ?Master?? ?What? ?Earth? ?Master?”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?continued,? ?“Oh,? ?did? ?you? ?mean? ?the? ?one? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?carrying?? ?

He’s? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?an? ?inept? ?subordinate? ?of? ?mine.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?both? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?were? ?taken? ?aback.? ?“He’s? ?obviously? ?one? ?of? ?

the? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?how? ?dare? ?you? ?say? ?otherwise!”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Then,? ?I? ?wonder? ?why? ?your? ?honourable? ?heavenly? ?official? ?would? ?hide? ?

his? ?identity,? ?drop? ?his? ?respectable? ?title? ?and? ?come? ?work? ?as? ?an? ?officer? ?under? ?me?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?drew? ?out? ?E-Ming? ?in? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?crescent? ?moon,? ?“If? ?that? ?is? ?truly? ?the? ?Earth? ?

Master,? ?then? ?what? ?patience? ?to? ?put? ?on? ?an? ?act? ?for? ?ten? ?years.? ?In? ?the? ?past? ?ten? ?years? ?I? ?had? ?

thought? ?him? ?suspicious? ?from? ?time? ?to? ?time,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?proof.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?bumping? ?

into? ?him? ?and? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?at? ?BanYue,? ?I’d? ?still? ?be? ?in? ?the? ?clouds.”? ? ?

?

In? ?that? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?everything.? ?

?

So? ?that’s? ?what? ?happened!? ?

?

The? ?Earth? ?Master? ?went? ?missing? ?and? ?was? ?imprisoned? ?ultimately? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?had? ?

hidden? ?his? ?true? ?identity? ?ten? ?years? ?ago? ?to? ?go? ?undercover? ?as? ?a? ?ghost? ?officer? ?under? ?Hua? ?

Cheng.? ?In? ?other? ?words,? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?spy.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?thought? ?his? ?actions? ?surreptitious,? ?

but? ?without? ?concrete? ?evidence,? ?he’d? ?only? ?kept? ?him? ?under? ?his? ?watch.? ?And? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?

recently? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?uncovered? ?his? ?identity? ?as? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master.? ?

?

During? ?that? ?journey? ?to? ?the? ?BanYue? ?Pass,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?seen? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?next? ?to? ?

the? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?

?

Even? ?under? ?the? ?disguise? ?of? ?a? ?woman? ?(thanks? ?to? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master),? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?saw? ?

beneath? ?that? ?fake? ?skin,? ?and? ?discovered? ?that? ?black? ?clad? ?lady? ?was? ?the? ?ghost? ?officer? ?he? ?

suspected,? ?and? ?locked? ?his? ?identity? ?on? ?as? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?five? ?elemental? ?masters.? ?

?

After? ?the? ?whole? ?ordeal? ?at? ?BanYue? ?had? ?concluded,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?probably? ?left? ?PuQi? ?Shrine? ?

to? ?go? ?conclude? ?things? ?with? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master.? ?It? ?may? ?have? ?been? ?during? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

pursuit? ?to? ?kill,? ?whilst? ?under? ?dire? ?circumstances,? ?that? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?set? ?off? ?the? ?distress? ?signal.? ?

Then,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?summoned? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?gave? ?him? ?the? ?mission? ?to? ?run? ?this? ?rescue.? ?

?

That? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?did? ?not? ?mind? ?his? ?duties? ?but? ?went? ?undercover? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?

for? ?over? ?a? ?decade? ?was? ?quite? ?the? ?scandal.? ?Nevermind? ?the? ?politics? ?behind? ?it;? ?if? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?

to? ?remain? ?imprisoned? ?and? ?tortured,? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?actually? ?die? ?under? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hands,? ?

then? ?all? ?heaven? ?would? ?break? ?loose;? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?absolute? ?chaos? ?in? ?the? ?world.? ?If? ?that? ?day? ?

were? ?to? ?come,? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?be? ?spared.? ?After? ?thinking? ?all? ?this? ?through,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

only? ?say,? ?“I? ?understand? ?that? ?the? ?fault? ?is? ?ours.? ?But,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?I? ?hope? ?you? ?will? ?let? ?us? ?go? ?this? ?

time? ?around.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?watched? ?him? ?intently,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?calm? ?tone,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?some? ?things? ?are? ?best? ?not? ?to? ?be? ?involved? ?in? ?too? ?much.”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?cried? ?from? ?the? ?side,? ?“Wind:? ?come? ?to? ?me!”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?the? ?fan? ?came? ?out,? ?wild? ?gusts? ?started? ?blowing? ?through? ?the? ?armoury.? ?The? ?

many? ?weapons? ?hung? ?on? ?the? ?walls? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?shelves? ?started? ?rattling.? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master!? ?We? ?haven’t? ?done? ?anything? ?yet??”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?alarmed.? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?either? ?of? ?you? ?are? ?going? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?move? ?first,”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said,? ?“So? ?I’ll? ?

be? ?the? ?bad? ?guy? ?this? ?time.? ?WIND!? ?WIIINNNNNDDD? ?COME? ?TO? ?ME!!!”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?huge? ?cracking? ?sound,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?layers? ?of? ?dust? ?falling? ?on? ?his? ?

head? ?from? ?above.? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?roof? ?that? ?was? ?being? ?raised? ?

by? ?the? ?gusts,? ?breaking? ?at? ?the? ?seams? ?into? ?a? ?large? ?crack.? ?

?

The? ?armoury? ?had? ?no? ?windows? ?or? ?other? ?visible? ?exits,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?had? ?no? ?intention? ?

to? ?fight? ?but? ?to? ?escape? ?through? ?the? ?crack? ?of? ?the? ?roof!? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?mad? ?gales,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?raven? ?black? ?hair? ?and? ?maple? ?red? ?clothes? ?flew? ?wildly? ?

with? ?the? ?winds,? ?but? ?his? ?person? ?never? ?moved,? ?He? ?smirked,? ?“You? ?have? ?a? ?fan,? ?and? ?

coincidentally,? ?so? ?do? ?I.”? ?

?

From? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?many? ?shelves,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?retrieved? ?a? ?fan.? ?It? ?was? ?small? ?and? ?intricate,? ?its? ?

spine? ?and? ?leaf? ?made? ?of? ?pure? ?gold,? ?serene? ?and? ?beautiful.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?twirled? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?

hand,? ?snapping? ?it? ?open.? ?He? ?grinned? ?wordlessly,? ?elegant? ?amidst? ?his? ?murderous? ?aura.? ?He? ?

flipped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?fanned,? ?and? ?a? ?strong? ?gust? ?shot? ?towards? ?them? ?with? ?a? ?blinding? ?silver? ?

flash.? ?The? ?three? ?dodged? ?and? ?heard? ?behind? ?them? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?hail? ?like? ?darts? ?smashing? ?

against? ?the? ?walls? ?and? ?ground.? ?When? ?they? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?to? ?see,? ?it? ?was? ?long? ?rows? ?

upon? ?rows? ?of? ?golden? ?foils? ?nailed? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?Each? ?foil? ?thin? ?but? ?deeply? ?embedded,? ?its? ?

sharpness? ?apparent? ?and? ?vicious.? ?

?

Each? ?weapon? ?within? ?this? ?armoury? ?was? ?a? ?treasure? ?to? ?behold;? ?a? ?simple? ?hand? ?could? ?have? ?

such? ?murderous? ?effect!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?flipped? ?his? ?hand? ?again? ?and? ?another? ?golden? ?gust? ?blew.? ?The? ?winds? ?called? ?forth? ?

by? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?were? ?strong,? ?but? ?the? ?stronger? ?it? ?was,? ?the? ?more? ?dangerous? ?the? ?situation? ?

became.? ?The? ?armoury? ?was? ?a? ?mere? ?chamber,? ?its? ?space? ?limited.? ?A? ?portion? ?of? ?the? ?winds? ?

raised? ?by? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?would? ?rebound? ?around? ?the? ?interior,? ?hauling? ?the? ?golden? ?

foils? ?along,? ?dancing? ?in? ?this? ?madness.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?the? ?golden? ?foils? ?would? ?harm? ?

people,? ?so? ?he? ?shielded? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?please? ?stop? ?for? ?now!”? ?

?

The? ?golden? ?foils? ?had? ?continuously? ?brushed? ?closely? ?against? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi.? ?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?wanted? ?to? ?stop? ?too,? ?however? ?the? ?roof? ?had? ?been? ?raised? ?by? ?his? ?winds,? ?

revealing? ?a? ?crack,? ?and? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?stop? ?now? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?efforts? ?would? ?go? ?to? ?waste.? ?Just? ?

then? ?the? ?golden? ?foils? ?encircling? ?them? ?suddenly? ?flew? ?upwards? ?uniformly.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?

cacophony? ?of? ?crackling? ?before? ?a? ?person? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?roof? ?and? ?jumped? ?through? ?the? ?

crack,? ?debris? ?and? ?dust? ?coming? ?down? ?with? ?him.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?landed? ?that? ?person? ?shouted,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?I? ?apologize? ?but? ?I? ?just? ?

couldn’t? ?sit? ?still? ?anymore!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?overjoyed,? ?“Qian? ?Qiu? ?you’ve? ?come? ?in? ?the? ?nick? ?of? ?time!”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?carried? ?a? ?longsword,? ?its? ?blade? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?a? ?grown? ?man’s? ?palm? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?

indeed? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu.? ?His? ?longsword? ?was? ?a? ?shimmering? ?gold,? ?but? ?looking? ?at? ?it? ?closely,? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?because? ?his? ?sword? ?was? ?golden,? ?but? ?because? ?it? ?sucked? ?up? ?all? ?the? ?golden? ?foils,? ?

covering? ?the? ?blade? ?completely,? ?making? ?it? ?look? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?golden? ?sword.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?longsword? ?was? ?forged? ?by? ?a? ?curious? ?metal? ?borne? ?of? ?a? ?lodestone? ?

mountain? ?and? ?had? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?magnetize? ?metals.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?the? ?object? ?of? ?suction? ?did? ?

not? ?exceed? ?a? ?certain? ?level? ?of? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?once? ?he? ?had? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?he? ?could? ?

mentally? ?release? ?its? ?ability? ?and? ?magnetize? ?all? ?surrounding? ?metals,? ?melting? ?it? ?into? ?his? ?

blade.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?soon? ?the? ?innumerous? ?golden? ?foils? ?were? ?all? ?sucked? ?into? ?the? ?sword? ?

and? ?dissolved? ?into? ?the? ?blade.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?closed? ?his? ?fan? ?

and? ?threw? ?it? ?away? ?behind? ?him.? ?“Are? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?so? ?pathetically? ?poor? ?that? ?they? ?

couldn’t? ?let? ?a? ?teeny? ?bit? ?of? ?gold? ?go?”? ?

?

If? ?those? ?words? ?were? ?directed? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?he? ?would? ?only? ?pretend? ?not? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?them.? ?

But? ?they? ?were? ?directed? ?at? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?a? ?noble? ?born? ?of? ?royalty.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?cared? ?for? ?

riches? ?his? ?entire? ?life,? ?and? ?although? ?he? ?knew? ?the? ?enemy? ?was? ?intentionally? ?taunting? ?him,? ?he? ?

was? ?still? ?boiling? ?with? ?rage.? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?sword? ?with? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?struck? ?towards? ?

Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?drew? ?out? ?his? ?scimitar? ?with? ?one? ?hand,? ?generating? ?silver? ?

shimmers? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?calmly? ?ready? ?to? ?welcome? ?the? ?attack.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?strike? ?used? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?power.? ?He? ?was? ?born? ?a? ?charging? ?bull? ?fearless? ?of? ?

tigers,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?clearly? ?seen? ?the? ?difference? ?between? ?their? ?strengths,? ?and? ?if? ?this? ?

strike? ?was? ?to? ?land,? ?he? ?will? ?die? ?for? ?sure!? ?

?

On? ?the? ?sidelines,? ?even? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?who? ?was? ?no? ?swordsman? ?watched? ?with? ?alarm? ?and? ?

yelled,? ?“Qian? ?Qiu!? ?Don’t!!!”? ?

?

But? ?in? ?that? ?split? ?second,? ?how? ?could? ?a? ?shout? ?stop? ?the? ?arrow? ?that’s? ?left? ?the? ?bow?? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?blades? ?of? ?a? ?sword? ?and? ?a? ?scimitar? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?make? ?contact,? ?a? ?blinding? ?

white? ?light? ?blew? ?up? ?within? ?the? ?armoury.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?light? ?so? ?immense? ?it? ?covered? ?every? ?inch? ?of? ?the? ?armoury,? ?and? ?everyone? ?lost? ?their? ?

sight? ?temporarily.? ?All? ?they? ?could? ?see? ?was? ?white.? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?however,? ?was? ?prepared,? ?and? ?

could? ?somewhat? ?see.? ?His? ?right? ?hand? ?gathered? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?powers? ?he? ?borrowed? ?from? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan? ?and? ?created? ?a? ?giant? ?flame? ?and? ?blazed? ?it? ?towards? ?a? ?random? ?direction.? ?

?

A? ?corner? ?of? ?the? ?armoury? ?immediately? ?caught? ?on? ?fire.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?released? ?

RuoYe,? ?wrapped? ?himself,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan,? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?and? ?

shouted,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?blow? ?us? ?upwards!”? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?couldn’t? ?open? ?his? ?eyes,? ?he? ?still? ?followed? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction.? ?

He? ?raised? ?his? ?fan? ?and? ?snapped? ?downwards,? ?and? ?a? ?violent? ?twister? ?formed? ?from? ?flat? ?

ground,? ?blowing? ?towards? ?the? ?ceiling? ?and? ?at? ?last? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?shaky? ?roof!? ? ?

?

RuoYe? ?had? ?the? ?five? ?of? ?them? ?in? ?a? ?bundle? ?and? ?flew? ?towards? ?the? ?sky.? ?In? ?midair,? ?sight? ?finally? ?

returned? ?to? ?many? ?of? ?them,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?could? ?see? ?down? ?below? ?them? ?giant? ?flames? ?

ablaze,? ?black? ?smoke? ?heavy? ?in? ?the? ?air;? ?the? ?armoury? ?was? ?burning.? ?He? ?was? ?afraid? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?would? ?give? ?chase? ?and? ?flapped? ?his? ?fan.? ?Now? ?it? ?really? ?became? ?‘fanning? ?the? ?flame’;? ?

the? ?blaze? ?instantly? ?erupted? ?in? ?size,? ?and? ?kindles? ?landed? ?on? ?all? ?the? ?nearby? ?buildings.? ?Now? ?

over? ?half? ?of? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?was? ?ablaze!? ?

?

With? ?great? ?difficulty,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?the? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?who? ?was? ?fanning? ?

with? ?all? ?his? ?might.? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?please? ?stop? ?fanning!? ?The? ?whole? ?place? ?is? ?going? ?to? ?

burn? ?down!”? ?

?

Startled,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?cried,? ?“Alright,? ?alright? ?I’m? ?stopping!? ?Let? ?me? ?go,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?

your? ?grip? ?is? ?too? ?strong!”? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?until? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?stopped? ?his? ?winds? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?go.? ?He? ?looked? ?down? ?

and? ?amidst? ?the? ?red? ?flames,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?able? ?to? ?spot? ?a? ?crimson? ?silhouette.? ?They? ?

were? ?too? ?high? ?in? ?the? ?sky? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?clearly,? ?but? ?his? ?gut? ?instinct? ?told? ?him? ?that? ?in? ?

that? ?moment? ?in? ?time,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?standing? ?there? ?watching? ?him.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?give? ?chase? ?and? ?didn’t? ?put? ?out? ?the? ?flames.? ?He? ?only? ?stood? ?there,? ?letting? ?the? ?

wildfires? ?devour? ?capriciously.? ?

?

Outside? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor,? ?screams? ?and? ?howling? ?roared? ?from? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?

streets,? ?and? ?crowds? ?of? ?ghosts? ?ran? ?amok.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?breathe,? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?

cracked,? ?mumbling? ?to? ?himself,? ?“I...? ?only? ?wanted? ?to? ?start? ?a? ?small? ?fire? ?to? ?create? ?a? ?

distraction,? ?how? ?did? ?it? ?turn? ?out? ?like? ?this...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?only? ?earlier? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?leaned? ?against? ?the? ?doors? ?of? ?that? ?armoury,? ?half? ?

jokingly? ?telling? ?him? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?gift? ?him? ?the? ?entire? ?armoury? ?with? ?every? ?weapon? ?inside,? ?

but? ?now? ?everything? ?was? ?engulfed? ?in? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?fire.? ?Although? ?there? ?may? ?be? ?many? ?golden? ?

devices? ?that? ?were? ?unafraid? ?of? ?intense? ?heat,? ?there? ?were? ?surely? ?also? ?many? ?that? ?could? ?not? ?

touch? ?flames.? ?After? ?all? ?this? ?burning,? ?many? ?treasures? ?would? ?become? ?ashes.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?

not? ?expected? ?the? ?flames? ?to? ?grow? ?so? ?violently,? ?devouring? ?the? ?entire? ?Paradise? ?Manor.? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?consider? ?it? ?a? ?‘home’,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?his? ?residence!? ?

?

Seeing? ?how? ?crushed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?also? ?felt? ?bad,? ?“Um...? ?I’m? ?really? ?sorry,? ?

Your? ?Highness!? ?I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?things? ?through? ?and? ?only? ?wanted? ?to? ?escape? ?faster.? ?This? ?is? ?all? ?

my? ?fault!? ?It? ?was? ?most? ?definitely? ?only? ?a? ?small? ?flame? ?at? ?first...? ?if? ?the? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?

Flower? ?comes? ?knocking? ?for? ?paybacks? ?you? ?just? ?tell? ?him? ?to? ?come? ?to? ?me!? ?Don’t? ?worry? ?I? ?can? ?

pay? ?whatever? ?amount!? ?Money? ?is? ?never? ?an? ?issue!”? ?

?

But? ?money? ?was? ?definitely? ?not? ?the? ?issue.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?speak.? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder? ?in? ?consolation? ?but? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?wetness? ?in? ?his? ?palm? ?and? ?

a? ?strange,? ?stark? ?smell? ?of? ?blood.? ?He? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?see? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?lost? ?colour,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?what? ?happened? ?to? ?your? ?hand!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?hand? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?blood.? ?His? ?entire? ?right? ?arm? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?dyed? ?

with? ?blood,? ?and? ?the? ?trembling? ?was? ?not? ?slight.? ?Yet? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?still? ?sternly? ?held? ?onto? ?

that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?to? ?keep? ?everyone? ?from? ?getting? ?blown? ?apart? ?by? ?the? ?wild? ?winds.? ?

?

“What’s? ?going? ?on? ?with? ?you?!”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?cried.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked? ?back? ?and? ?strained? ?to? ?steady? ?himself? ?before? ?shaking? ?his? ?head,? ?“It’s? ?

nothing...? ?just? ?a? ?small? ?injury.? ?It’ll? ?get? ?better? ?once? ?we? ?get? ?back.”? ?

?

“That? ?white? ?light? ?was? ?you?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?remembered.? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?broke? ?

those? ?two? ?off?”? ?

?

“I’m? ?a? ?swordsman? ?after? ?all.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?had? ?guessed? ?right.? ?Right? ?then? ?when? ?the? ?blades? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Lang? ?

Qian? ?Qiu? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?make? ?contact,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?flashed? ?in.? ?

?

He? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?sword? ?from? ?the? ?pile? ?of? ?weapons? ?on? ?the? ?shelves? ?and? ?made? ?two? ?moves? ?

between? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?the? ?scimitar.? ?

?

The? ?first? ?move,? ?he? ?knocked? ?back? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?longsword.? ?The? ?second? ?move,? ?he? ?

blocked? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming.? ?

?

The? ?strength? ?of? ?those? ?two? ?moves? ?were? ?not? ?only? ?powerful,? ?but? ?extremely? ?well? ?controlled.? ?

Even? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blocked? ?both? ?blades,? ?the? ?force? ?of? ?the? ?strikes? ?were? ?not? ?rebounded? ?

onto? ?the? ?attackers.? ?

?

Because,? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sandwiched? ?in? ?the? ?middle,? ?he? ?used? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?his? ?own? ?arm? ?to? ?

absorb? ?both? ?attacks? ?completely.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?longsword? ?was? ?manageable,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?scimitar? ?was? ?a? ?force? ?to? ?

be? ?reckoned? ?with.? ?The? ?sword? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?was? ?one? ?from? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?collection,? ?so? ?

naturally? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?formidable? ?blade.? ?When? ?the? ?two? ?blades? ?met? ?it? ?blasted? ?that? ?

blinding? ?white? ?light.? ?With? ?the? ?two? ?moves,? ?the? ?first? ?strike? ?against? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?

longsword? ?created? ?a? ?crack,? ?and? ?the? ?second? ?strike? ?against? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?shattered? ?

the? ?sword? ?to? ?pieces.? ?

?

All? ?of? ?this? ?was? ?done? ?within? ?a? ?fraction? ?of? ?a? ?second,? ?faster? ?than? ?the? ?eye? ?could? ?see.? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?miserable? ?state? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?hand,? ?the? ?whole? ?right? ?arm? ?a? ?

bloody? ?mess? ?and? ?commented,? ?“Your? ?Highness...? ?you’re? ?way? ?too? ?intense.? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?

you? ?blocked? ?them? ?single-handedly!”? ? ?

?

The? ?Flower-Crowned? ?Martial? ?God;? ?Sword? ?in? ?One? ?Hand,? ?Flower? ?in? ?the? ?Other.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?

Xuan? ?only? ?remembered? ?the? ?flower,? ?but? ?had? ?forgotten.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ascended? ?because? ?of? ?his? ?

sword.? ?

?

Thinking? ?back? ?on? ?how? ?close? ?of? ?a? ?call? ?it? ?was,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?heart? ?was? ?still? ?racing.? ?

“Thank? ?goodness? ?Your? ?Highness? ?had? ?the? ?moves,? ?otherwise? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?

pieces? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?would? ?be? ?cut? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng.”? ?

?

The? ?strange? ?thing? ?was,? ?next? ?to? ?them? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?unharmed,? ?but? ?his? ?

expression? ?was? ?frozen,? ?like? ?his? ?soul? ?had? ?left? ?his? ?body.? ?“Qian? ?Qiu?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?called,? ?

“Qian? ?Qiu? ?are? ?you? ?alright?? ?Wake? ?up!? ?What’s? ?with? ?you?? ?Have? ?your? ?sight? ?not? ?returned? ?

yet???”? ?

?

Riding? ?on? ?tailwind,? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?finally? ?reached? ?the? ?heavenly? ?capital.? ?Dragging? ?and? ?

carrying,? ?they? ?rushed? ?past? ?the? ?Ascension? ?Gates? ?and? ?ran? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Hall.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?couldn’t? ?enter? ?the? ?hall,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?settled? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?side? ?chamber.? ?

No? ?one? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?on? ?duty,? ?so? ?he? ?called? ?within? ?the? ?communication? ?array:? ?“Is? ?any? ?

honourable? ?official? ?here?? ?Please? ?everyone,? ?come? ?quickly? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall!? ?It’s? ?

an? ?emergency,? ?we? ?have? ?a? ?wounded? ?official!”? ?

?

As? ?he? ?shouted,? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?snapped? ?his? ?fingers? ?and? ?switched? ?back? ?to? ?his? ?

white? ?cultivator? ?robe,? ?and? ?released? ?a? ?hundred? ?thousand? ?merits.? ?“It’s? ?two? ?wounded? ?

officials!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?hurriedly,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?don’t? ?be? ?so? ?excited.? ?We? ?can? ?just? ?talk,? ?there’s? ?

no? ?need? ?to? ?release? ?any? ?merits.? ?Everyone? ?will? ?naturally? ?come.”? ?

?

“No,? ?Your? ?Highness,”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said,? ?“You? ?have? ?to? ?know,? ?spreading? ?merits? ?works? ?

faster? ?than? ?talking? ?by? ?a? ?hundred? ?times!”? ?

?

Soon? ?enough,? ?a? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?afar,? ?“Who’s? ?wounded?”? ?

?

When? ?the? ?word? ?“who”? ?was? ?uttered,? ?the? ?voice? ?was? ?still? ?far? ?away,? ?but? ?by? ?the? ?last? ?word? ?the? ?

person? ?had? ?appeared,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?He? ?entered? ?the? ?hall? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?

then? ?at? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?his? ?face? ?faltering.? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?fine,? ?but? ?the? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?heavily? ?wounded.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“So? ?what?”? ?Another? ?voice? ?came,? ?“There’s? ?so? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials.? ?Whoever? ?returned? ?

unscathed? ?after? ?each? ?round? ?of? ?patrol?”? ?

?

The? ?voice? ?was? ?decorous? ?and? ?mellow,? ?but? ?the? ?words? ?sharp.? ?It? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?He? ?crossed? ?

into? ?the? ?Great? ?Hall? ?and? ?also? ?took? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?at? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu.? ?Yet? ?his? ?

expression? ?was? ?the? ?opposite? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?having? ?only? ?raised? ?a? ?brow,? ?as? ?if? ?ready? ?to? ?

spectate? ?a? ?good? ?show.? ?He? ?saw? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xing? ?moved? ?to? ?check? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?arm? ?so? ?he? ?

bent? ?to? ?check? ?on? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?and? ?said,? ?“So? ?this? ?is? ?the? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master?”? ? ?

?

During? ?that? ?exchange,? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?poured? ?into? ?the? ?hall.? ?The? ?Earth? ?

Master? ?Yi? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?inconspicuous? ?and? ?out? ?of? ?sight,? ?so? ?for? ?many? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?

time? ?they? ?had? ?ever? ?seen? ?his? ?person,? ?and? ?they? ?cluttered? ?around? ?staring? ?at? ?him? ?curiously.? ?

The? ?masses? ?were? ?mostly? ?confused,? ?not? ?knowing? ?the? ?reason? ?they? ?were? ?called? ?to? ?the? ?

Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?but? ?having? ?collected? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?merits,? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?come? ?and? ?

check? ?things? ?out.? ? ?

?

“Thanks,? ?but? ?I’m? ?alright.? ?It’ll? ?get? ?better? ?by? ?itself? ?after? ?a? ?while.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?mince? ?words? ?either,? ?“Watch? ?yourself.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?uttered? ?another? ?thanks? ?softly,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?around,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?

watching? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?frozen? ?expression.? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua,? ?what’s? ?wrong?”? ?he? ?

asked.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?noticed? ?something? ?off? ?about? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?and? ?questioned,? ?“Was? ?His? ?

Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?also? ?injured? ?somewhere?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so.? ?Let? ?me? ?see.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?and? ?extended? ?his? ?hand,? ?reaching? ?for? ?Lang? ?

Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?brow.? ?Yet,? ?in? ?a? ?flash,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?seized? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?wrist.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?hesitation? ?on? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?face,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?discovered? ?something? ?but? ?wasn’t? ?

sure,? ?but? ?a? ?fire? ?had? ?started? ?burning? ?within? ?his? ?eyes.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?rage? ?

trembling? ?from? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?arm? ?to? ?his.? ?

?

Now? ?all? ?the? ?spectating? ?officials? ?had? ?noticed? ?this? ?strange? ?situation? ?and? ?started? ?whispering? ?

amongst? ?themselves.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?started? ?to? ?rise? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

spoke,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?finally? ?moved? ?his? ?lips.? ?He? ?only? ?said? ?two? ?words? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?sank? ?

to? ?the? ?very? ?bottom.? ?

?

“...Guoshi?”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?pupil? ?shrank? ?slightly.? ?

?

The? ?onlooking? ?officials? ?half? ?guessed? ?half? ?confused,? ?muttering,? ?“What? ?Guoshi?? ?Who’s? ?the? ?

Guoshi?”? ?Some? ?were? ?more? ?astute? ?and? ?figured? ?it? ?out.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?and? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?YongAn? ?during? ?his? ?

time? ?was? ?the? ?second? ?of? ?the? ?Two? ?Wicked? ?Masters:? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin.? ?No? ?one? ?knew? ?of? ?

his? ?origin? ?or? ?his? ?real? ?identity.? ?Yet? ?here,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?had? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?his? ?grip? ?and? ?called? ?

him? ?“Guoshi”,? ?meaning...? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?the? ?evil? ?that? ?brought? ?ruin? ?to? ?YongAn? ?–? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?

Fang? ?Xin?!? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe.? ?The? ?kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?had? ?fallen? ?

in? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?go? ?and? ?become? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?

YongAn?? ?

?

The? ?Prince? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?was? ?renown? ?for? ?his? ?optimism? ?and? ?cheerfulness,? ?never? ?having? ?played? ?

mind? ?games? ?nor? ?made? ?things? ?difficult? ?for? ?anyone,? ?and? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?exhibited? ?such? ?an? ?

expression;? ?half? ?despair? ?half? ?rage,? ?half? ?enmity? ?half? ?hatred.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?had? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?a? ?deadly? ?grip,? ?his? ?breathing? ?becoming? ?harsher,? ?and? ?finally? ?

said? ?in? ?a? ?strained? ?voice,? ?“You...? ?I? ?killed? ?you? ?with? ?my? ?own? ?two? ?hands.? ?Sealed? ?you? ?in? ?that? ?

coffin.? ?You...? ?Guoshi,? ?you? ?certainly? ?are? ?a? ?crafty? ?one!”? ?

?

Heavens.? ?It? ?looked? ?like? ?something? ?big? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?down? ?today.? ?

?

—-? ?

?

?‘Xiong’? ?is? ?a? ?more? ?formal? ?way? ?to? ?say? ?‘older? ?brother’? ?than? ?‘gege’,? ?but? ?also? ?used? ?

informally? ?between? ?male? ?friends? ?meaning? ?‘bro’.? ? ?

?

? ?

Ch.45:? ?The? ?Black-Hearted? ?Guoshi;? ?Gilded? ?Banquet? ?Awash? ?in? ?Blood? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?closest? ?to? ?the? ?two,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?an? ?unconcealed? ?

shock.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?had? ?glowing? ?eyes,? ?the? ?schooled? ?shock? ?had? ?a? ?hidden? ?

layer? ?of? ?excitement.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?and? ?said,? ?“Qian? ?Qiu? ?did? ?you? ?

misunderstand? ?something?? ?If? ?His? ?Highness? ?was? ?that? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?how? ?would? ?you? ?

not? ?recognize? ?him? ?until? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Another? ?voice? ?rang? ?out? ?the? ?sidelines,? ?“Qing? ?Xuan,? ?you? ?don’t? ?know?? ?Legends? ?say? ?the? ?

Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?proud,? ?mysterious,? ?and? ?cold.? ?He’d? ?always? ?worn? ?a? ?white? ?gold? ?

mask,? ?having? ?never? ?shown? ?his? ?real? ?face? ?to? ?anyone.? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?must’ve? ?never? ?

known? ?his? ?true? ?identity.”? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?spoke? ?had? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed? ?and? ?stood? ?far? ?on? ?the? ?sidelines.? ?It? ?was? ?Pei? ?

Ming.? ?Just? ?seeing? ?his? ?face? ?made? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?annoyed,? ?and? ?he? ?swung? ?his? ?whisk,? ?“If? ?

that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?seen? ?what? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?looked? ?like.? ?Why? ?must? ?

General? ?Pei? ?make? ?it? ?sound? ?like? ?it’s? ?a? ?sure? ?thing? ?that? ?His? ?Highness? ?XianLe? ?is? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?

Fang? ?Xin?”? ? ?

?

When? ?in? ?action,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?were? ?ridiculous? ?and? ?hilarious,? ?but? ?once? ?in? ?

the? ?heavenly? ?court,? ?they? ?changed? ?their? ?composure,? ?calm? ?and? ?poised,? ?mindful? ?of? ?their? ?

behaviour.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?snow? ?white? ?silhouette? ?appeared? ?from? ?the? ?back? ?chambers.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?arrived? ?everyone? ?calmed? ?down.? ?The? ?chattering? ?officials? ?all? ?stood? ?in? ?their? ?

place,? ?silencing? ?their? ?gossip,? ?and? ?bowed,? ?“Your? ?Majesty.”? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?slightly? ?and? ?everyone? ?straightened? ?once? ?more.? ?He? ?walked? ?

willfully,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?passed? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?tapped? ?on? ?his? ?right? ?shoulder.? ?The? ?sleeve? ?that? ?

was? ?still? ?dripping? ?with? ?fresh? ?blood? ?ceased? ?immediately? ?after? ?the? ?tap.? ? ?

?

After? ?taking? ?a? ?moment? ?to? ?look? ?over? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?stated,? ?“It’s? ?nothing? ?serious.? ?Settle? ?

the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?in.”? ?

?

Thus,? ?four? ?famous? ?medicinal? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?came? ?over? ?to? ?lift? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?up? ?and? ?took? ?him? ?

away.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?follow,? ?but? ?seeing? ?the? ?current? ?tension? ?in? ?

the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?not? ?worry? ?and? ?decided? ?not? ?to? ?go? ?after? ?all.? ?

?

With? ?his? ?hands? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?throne? ?before? ?speaking? ?again,? ?

“So? ?tell? ?me.? ?What’s? ?happened? ?now?? ?Why? ?won’t? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?let? ?XianLe? ?go,? ?and? ?why? ?is? ?

XianLe? ?bowing? ?his? ?head?”? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?glanced? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?silent,? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?

surrounded? ?by? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?fear? ?his? ?escape,? ?so? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?

Qiu? ?released? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?in? ?a? ?bow,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?many? ?hundreds? ?of? ?

years? ?ago,? ?this? ?man? ?altered? ?his? ?name? ?to? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?slaughtered? ?my? ?clan,? ?and? ?brought? ?

ruin? ?to? ?my? ?kingdom.? ?I? ?request? ?for? ?a? ?duel,? ?and? ?pray? ?the? ?lord? ?will? ?be? ?our? ?judge!”? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?even? ?ones? ?who? ?had? ?never? ?heard? ?of? ?the? ?name? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?ran? ?

to? ?research? ?the? ?name? ?within? ?the? ?communication? ?array.? ?What? ?was? ?uncovered? ?was? ?an? ?

astonishing? ?tale.? ?Good? ?thing? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?present? ?to? ?answer? ?everyone’s? ?query:? ?“The? ?

Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?saviour? ?and? ?teacher? ?to? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?Lang? ?

Qian? ?Qiu.? ?He? ?was? ?named? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?Two? ?Wicked? ?Masters? ?because? ?of? ?the? ?infamous? ?

bloodbath? ?that? ?washed? ?the? ?Gilded? ?Banquet? ?of? ?the? ?YongAn? ?monarchy.”? ?

?

“What? ?was? ?the? ?Gilded? ?Banquet?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?asked.? ?

?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied,? ?“This? ?Gilded? ?Banquet? ?was? ?first? ?a? ?tradition? ?passed? ?

down? ?from? ?the? ?nobilities? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?and? ?called? ?thus? ?because? ?every? ?cutlery,? ?utensils,? ?

cups,? ?and? ?instruments? ?were? ?of? ?the? ?highest? ?grade? ?of? ?gold,? ?exquisite? ?and? ?luxurious.”? ?

?

After? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?YongAn? ?was? ?established,? ?at? ?the? ?beginning? ?they? ?announced? ?to? ?the? ?

world? ?they? ?would? ?not? ?follow? ?the? ?culture? ?of? ?excess? ?from? ?the? ?old? ?kingdom,? ?and? ?put? ?all? ?their? ?

focus? ?on? ?their? ?peoples.? ?Yet,? ?after? ?a? ?few? ?decades,? ?the? ?old? ?ways? ?were? ?relearnt,? ?including? ?

that? ?culture? ?of? ?excess.”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?continued:? ?“On? ?the? ?night? ?of? ?the? ?seventeenth? ?birthday? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?

YongAn,? ?the? ?palace? ?threw? ?a? ?Gilded? ?Banquet? ?in? ?celebration.? ?That? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin...? ?in? ?

that? ?feast,? ?with? ?one? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?slaughtered? ?every? ?royalty? ?in? ?attendance.”? ?

?

The? ?golden? ?goblets? ?toppled? ?and? ?blood? ?spilt? ?like? ?wine.? ?

?

“Only? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn? ?escaped? ?because? ?of? ?his? ?late? ?arrival? ?to? ?the? ?feast.? ?

Otherwise? ?he? ?too? ?would’ve? ?been? ?annihilated.”? ?

?

This? ?coup? ?d’etat? ?was? ?aimed? ?at? ?the? ?building? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?

who? ?had? ?the? ?people’s? ?heart? ?and? ?his? ?hard? ?work,? ?there? ?would? ?no? ?doubt? ?be? ?a? ?riot.? ?It? ?was? ?

with? ?great? ?difficulty? ?that? ?the? ?chaos? ?was? ?settled,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?the? ?YongAn? ?monarchy? ?

released? ?a? ?bounty? ?to? ?pursue? ?the? ?fugitive? ?murderer.? ?At? ?last? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?captured,? ?Lang? ?

Qian? ?Qiu? ?killed? ?the? ?evil? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?two? ?hands,? ?sealed? ?the? ?corpse? ?

within? ?a? ?triple? ?layered? ?coffin,? ?before? ?sealing? ?it? ?again? ?underground.? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?roots? ?of? ?the? ?monarchy? ?had? ?been? ?gravely? ?damaged,? ?and? ?since? ?then,? ?it? ?

inevitably? ?declined? ?before? ?it? ?was? ?overtaken? ?by? ?another? ?clan? ?in? ?the? ?end.? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?glared? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“I? ?never? ?understood? ?why? ?you? ?did? ?what? ?you? ?did.? ?You? ?

said? ?you? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?seeing? ?us? ?on? ?the? ?throne,? ?but? ?I? ?didn’t? ?believe? ?it,? ?and? ?I? ?never? ?

thought? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?overthrow? ?the? ?monarchy? ?to? ?take? ?our? ?place.? ?But? ?now? ?I? ?finally? ?know? ?

why.”? ?

?

The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?eyes? ?wide? ?with? ?shock,? ?muttering? ?to? ?each? ?other.? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?revenge!”? ?

?

“It? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?anything? ?else!? ?The? ?kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?had? ?fallen,? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?

ruin? ?YongAn? ?too.? ?YongAn? ?killed? ?his? ?royal? ?parents,? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?murder? ?the? ?royal? ?parents? ?

of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn.? ?An? ?eye? ?for? ?an? ?eye.? ?It’s? ?pure? ?vengeance!”? ?

?

“But? ?the? ?ones? ?who? ?wiped? ?out? ?XianLe? ?wasn’t? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?generation,? ?this? ?rage? ?was? ?

unreasonable...”? ?

?

“And? ?here? ?I? ?thought? ?the? ?Laughing? ?Stock? ?of? ?the? ?Three? ?Realms? ?was? ?a? ?fool,? ?but? ?he’s? ?

actually? ?quite? ?the? ?aggressive? ?character.? ?Going? ?undercover? ?as? ?a? ?Guoshi? ?in? ?enemy? ?state,? ?

slaughtering? ?the? ?entire? ?monarchy? ?in? ?one? ?go.? ?Incredible...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?eyes? ?on? ?him,? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?own.? ?He? ?heard? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?say,? ?

“Tai? ?Hua,? ?you? ?firmly? ?believe? ?XianLe? ?to? ?be? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?but? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?proof?”? ?

?

“The? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?taught? ?me? ?swordsmanship;? ?how? ?can? ?I? ?not? ?

recognize? ?him? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?strikes?”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?replied.? ?

?

The? ?gossipping? ?poured? ?in? ?like? ?tides.? ?

?

“Nevermind? ?making? ?a? ?mess? ?of? ?things,? ?but? ?isn’t? ?teaching? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

swordsmanship? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?extra?”? ? ?

?

“No? ?wonder? ?after? ?the? ?third? ?ascension? ?we? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?him? ?touch? ?a? ?single? ?sword.? ?He’s? ?

afraid? ?to? ?show? ?his? ?tail.”? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?stated:? ?“This? ?time? ?I? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?and? ?fought? ?with? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?

Sought? ?Flower...”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?mentioned? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?officials? ?

shivered? ?again? ?in? ?fright,? ?but? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?continued:? ?“When? ?I? ?was? ?twelve,? ?there? ?was? ?

once? ?when? ?I? ?was? ?kidnapped? ?during? ?an? ?outing.? ?The? ?kidnappers? ?dragged? ?me? ?onto? ?the? ?

streets? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?guards? ?caught? ?up? ?they? ?started? ?brawling.? ?A? ?street? ?performer? ?was? ?

dragged? ?in,? ?and? ?bruised? ?as? ?he? ?was,? ?he? ?intercepted? ?the? ?fight? ?with? ?but? ?a? ?tree? ?branch,? ?and? ?

easily? ?rescued? ?me? ?with? ?but? ?a? ?few? ?swings.? ? ?

?

The? ?kidnappers? ?and? ?the? ?guards? ?both? ?suffered? ?grave? ?damages,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?this? ?street? ?

performer? ?who? ?escorted? ?me? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?palace.? ?Out? ?of? ?immense? ?gratitude,? ?

his? ?majesty? ?my? ?father? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?my? ?mother? ?fervently? ?tried? ?to? ?retain? ?him? ?and? ?

discovered? ?his? ?skills? ?in? ?swordsmanship,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?ultimately? ?invited? ?to? ?become? ?the? ?

Guoshi.? ?He? ?taught? ?me? ?the? ?way? ?of? ?the? ?blades? ?for? ?five? ?years.? ?I’m? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?with? ?

his? ?style,? ?how? ?can? ?I? ?be? ?wrong?”? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua,”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?faintly,? ?“You’re? ?saying? ?that? ?what? ?you? ?saw? ?was? ?but? ?

a? ?shadow,? ?and? ?other? ?than? ?you,? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?has? ?seen? ?it.? ?So? ?all? ?of? ?this? ?is? ?only? ?by? ?your? ?

words.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?argument? ?sounded? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?favour,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?more? ?

complex.? ?He? ?had? ?already? ?seen? ?that? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?this? ?go,? ?and? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?

was? ?questioned,? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?will? ?prove? ?himself,? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?least? ?bit? ?helpful? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

situation.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?demanded,? ?“Fine.? ?Please? ?bring? ?me? ?a? ?sword!”? ?

?

There? ?were? ?many? ?martial? ?gods? ?within? ?the? ?hall? ?that? ?carry? ?a? ?sword,? ?and? ?hearing? ?his? ?call,? ?

there? ?was? ?immediately? ?a? ?sword? ?thrown? ?towards? ?him.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?caught? ?it? ?and? ?forced? ?

it? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Take? ?it.? ?We’ll? ?duel? ?now? ?without? ?holding? ?back,? ?using? ?everything? ?

we’ve? ?got? ?and? ?see? ?whether? ?if? ?we? ?have? ?the? ?same? ?style,? ?and? ?whether? ?if? ?I? ?was? ?taught? ?by? ?

you!”? ?

?

Everyone? ?thought? ?to? ?duel? ?in? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?was? ?reckless,? ?but? ?with? ?the? ?Gilded? ?

Banquet,? ?that? ?a? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?entire? ?family? ?was? ?slaughtered? ?in? ?cold? ?blood,? ?they? ?could? ?

understand? ?why? ?he? ?was? ?this? ?agitated.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?injury? ?was? ?still? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?

mind,? ?and? ?he? ?said,? ?“Qian? ?Qiu,? ?His? ?Highness? ?blocked? ?that? ?attack? ?from? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?for? ?

you,? ?and? ?injured? ?his? ?right? ?arm? ?like? ?this,? ?so? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?duel? ?with? ?you?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?suddenly? ?extended? ?his? ?left? ?palm,? ?and? ?smacked? ?heavily? ?

upon? ?his? ?own? ?right? ?arm.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?loud? ?crack? ?and? ?a? ?mist? ?of? ?blood? ?spurted? ?out? ?from? ?his? ?

entire? ?right? ?arm? ?from? ?the? ?shoulder,? ?bleeding? ?profusely,? ?and? ?fell? ?limply.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?

need? ?to? ?check? ?to? ?understand? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?heavy? ?injury? ?and? ?everyone? ?was? ?shocked.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?also? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ?

?

“The? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?right.”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?said,? ?“You? ?did? ?injure? ?your? ?arm? ?saving? ?

me,? ?and? ?so? ?I? ?return? ?an? ?arm? ?to? ?you.? ?But? ?saving? ?me? ?is? ?one? ?thing,? ?killing? ?my? ?clan? ?is? ?the? ?

undeniable? ?truth.? ?I? ?know? ?you’re? ?dextrous? ?and? ?can? ?use? ?a? ?sword? ?with? ?either? ?arms? ?without? ?

lessening? ?your? ?skills.? ?We’ll? ?duel? ?with? ?our? ?left.? ?Pick? ?up? ?the? ?sword? ?if? ?you’re? ?a? ?man!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?sword,? ?then? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?finally,? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?slowly.? ?“I’ve? ?

sworn? ?many? ?years? ?ago? ?to? ?never? ?kill? ?with? ?the? ?sword? ?again.”? ?

?

With? ?those? ?words,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?recalled? ?that? ?night? ?when? ?he? ?finally? ?arrived? ?at? ?the? ?feast,? ?

the? ?scene? ?of? ?that? ?black? ?robed? ?man? ?pulling? ?out? ?a? ?longsword? ?from? ?the? ?dead? ?bodies? ?of? ?his? ?

parents,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?reddened? ?with? ?madness,? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?emitting? ?a? ?

shaking,? ?crackling? ?sound? ?from? ?his? ?left? ?grip.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?swung? ?out? ?his? ?whisk? ?again? ?

and? ?it? ?wrapped? ?around? ?the? ?sword? ?to? ?hold? ?it? ?down.? ?“I? ?think? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?

misunderstanding? ?here.? ?If? ?that? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?had? ?always? ?worn? ?a? ?mask,? ?then? ?anyone? ?

could’ve? ?pretended? ?to? ?be? ?him? ?to? ?commit? ?murder.? ?How? ?does? ?my? ?Lord? ?think?”? ?

?

Everyone? ?turned? ?their? ?gaze? ?to? ?the? ?jaded? ?throne.? ? ?

?

“Xian? ?Le.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spoke.? ?

?

“Yes,? ?my? ?lord.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?bowed.? ?

?

“Do? ?you? ?concede? ?to? ?Tai? ?Hua’s? ?accusations?”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?asked.? ?

?

“I? ?concede.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

The? ?“I? ?concede”? ?was? ?uttered? ?in? ?a? ?frozen? ?tone,? ?very? ?unlike? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?usual? ?manner? ?of? ?

speaking,? ?and? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?all? ?dropped.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?nodded,? ?and? ?asked,? ?“The? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?who? ?spilt? ?blood? ?upon? ?the? ?Gilded? ?

Banquet–? ?was? ?it? ?you?”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?determined,? ?“That’s? ?right.? ?It? ?was? ?

me!”? ?

?

Words? ?of? ?steel? ?with? ?no? ?turning? ?back.? ?“So? ?you? ?admit.? ?Very? ?good.”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?said.? ?

?

As? ?aforementioned,? ?there? ?were? ?innumerous? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?with? ?mortal? ?blood? ?on? ?their? ?

hands? ?in? ?the? ?upper? ?court.? ?But? ?truthfully,? ?there? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?that? ?many? ?who? ?had? ?their? ?blood? ?

debt? ?escalate? ?to? ?this? ?point.? ?It? ?might? ?be? ?because? ?those? ?mortals? ?didn’t? ?have? ?someone? ?like? ?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?in? ?the? ?family? ?who? ?could? ?ascend? ?and? ?demand? ?justice? ?from? ?the? ?heavens.? ?

?

Before? ?Pei? ?Su? ?had? ?General? ?Pei? ?as? ?a? ?shield,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?escape? ?exile.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?had? ?no? ?one? ?behind? ?him,? ?so? ?now? ?it’d? ?all? ?depend? ?on? ?whether? ?if? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?still? ?value? ?past? ?

affections? ?and? ?hold? ?the? ?heart? ?to? ?protect? ?him.? ?

?

Yet,? ?many? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?fathom? ?what? ?attitude? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?held? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?The? ?first? ?

ascension,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?treated? ?with? ?the? ?utmost? ?favour;? ?

the? ?second? ?ascension,? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?a? ?huge? ?fight,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?even? ?stabbed? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?a? ?

few? ?times? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?defeated;? ?and? ?this? ?third? ?ascension,? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?been? ?at? ?peace? ?

with? ?each? ?other,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?past? ?conflicts? ?had? ?been? ?forgotten,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?even? ?built? ?a? ?

palace? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?the? ?nicest? ?area? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?capital.? ?It? ?was? ?truly? ?difficult? ?to? ?

understand.? ?Now,? ?everyone? ?had? ?their? ?ears? ?attentive,? ?waiting? ?eagerly? ?to? ?hear? ?how? ?the? ?lord? ?

will? ?sentence? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

However,? ?before? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?pass? ?verdict,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up? ?first.? ?“Xian? ?

Le? ?has? ?a? ?presumptuous? ?request.”? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?it.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?responded.? ?

?

“I? ?humbly? ?ask? ?the? ?Lord? ?to? ?remove? ?my? ?godhood,? ?and? ?banish? ?me? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.”? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Some? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?astonished,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?amazed.? ?Of? ?

course? ?no? ?one? ?wanted? ?to? ?be? ?banished,? ?it’s? ?not? ?easy? ?to? ?ascend.? ?To? ?work? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?climb? ?

so? ?high? ?only? ?to? ?fall,? ?just? ?thinking? ?about? ?it? ?felt? ?rueful.? ?To? ?dare? ?ask? ?for? ?banishment? ?from? ?Jun? ?

Wu? ?so? ?straightforwardly,? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?them? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?it.? ?Some? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

didn’t? ?think? ?much? ?of? ?it.? ?After? ?all,? ?at? ?this? ?point? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?better? ?to? ?back? ?off? ?than? ?to? ?fight? ?to? ?

the? ?death.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?banished? ?twice? ?already;? ?a? ?third? ?time? ?probably? ?meant? ?

nothing? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?maybe? ?he’s? ?even? ?used? ?to? ?it.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?objected,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?you? ?to? ?banish? ?yourself.? ?

Ascension? ?is? ?because? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?skills.? ?I? ?only? ?want? ?a? ?duel.”? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?fight? ?you.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Why?”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?shouted,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?we’ve? ?never? ?fought? ?before.? ?Life? ?or? ?death,? ?

the? ?outcome? ?doesn’t? ?matter,? ?let’s? ?just? ?put? ?an? ?end? ?to? ?this!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?plainly,? ?“No? ?reason.? ?Fight? ?me,? ?and? ?you? ?will? ?for? ?sure? ?die.”? ?

?

?

? ?

Ch.46:? ?Enraged? ?Nan? ?Yang;? ?Fist? ?Fight? ?with? ?Xuan? ?Zheng? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?words? ?were? ?an? ?understatement? ?lightly? ?said,? ?it? ?caused? ?all? ?those? ?around? ?to? ?

take? ?in? ?a? ?harsh? ?breath.? ?Many? ?had? ?in? ?their? ?minds:? ?you’re? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?powerless? ?

rubbish? ?god,? ?how? ?could? ?you? ?be? ?so? ?shameless? ?to? ?say? ?to? ?the? ?one? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?Martial? ?

God? ?of? ?the? ?East,? ?that? ?if? ?you? ?fight? ?he’ll? ?die? ?for? ?sure?? ?What? ?arrogance!? ?It? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?

request? ?for? ?banishment? ?was? ?because? ?fighting? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?beneath? ?him.? ?Pure? ?

bullshit.? ?Yet? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?didn’t? ?think? ?his? ?words? ?were? ?exaggerated? ?at? ?all.? ?“I? ?said,? ?life? ?

and? ?death? ?don’t? ?matter!? ?I? ?don’t? ?need? ?you? ?to? ?let? ?me? ?off? ?easy? ?either!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?ignored? ?him? ?and? ?reiterated? ?his? ?request? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?“Pray? ?my? ?lord? ?banish? ?me? ?to? ?

the? ?lesser? ?realm.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?arm,? ?“Wait!? ?I? ?have? ?more? ?to? ?say!”? ?

?

“Speak,? ?Wind? ?Master.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.? ?

?

“Everyone? ?here? ?seemed? ?to? ?think? ?His? ?Highness? ?Xian? ?Le? ?spilt? ?the? ?blood? ?of? ?YongAn? ?royalty? ?

for? ?revenge.? ?Yet,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?revenge,? ?then? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?let? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?His? ?

Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?go?? ?Logically,? ?the? ?one? ?an? ?avenger? ?would? ?want? ?to? ?cut? ?down? ?the? ?most? ?

should? ?be? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?himself,? ?am? ?I? ?wrong?”? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?thought? ?of? ?this? ?detail,? ?but? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?thought? ?it? ?necessary? ?to? ?

voice? ?it? ?either.? ?Now? ?that? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?took? ?the? ?lead,? ?some? ?nodded? ?their? ?heads? ?in? ?

agreement.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?continued,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?and? ?I? ?haven’t? ?known? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?

long,? ?but? ?I? ?did? ?see? ?with? ?my? ?own? ?eyes? ?him? ?fighting? ?head? ?on? ?against? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?in? ?

order? ?to? ?protect? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua.? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?if? ?he? ?regarded? ?the? ?YongAn? ?monarchy? ?

with? ?hatred,? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?unnecessarily? ?defend? ?you? ?against? ?the? ?blade?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?faced? ?E-Ming? ?head? ?on,? ?both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qin? ?stared? ?at? ?Xie? ?

Lian.? ?Around,? ?there? ?were? ?whispers? ?saying,? ?“Maybe? ?he? ?was? ?just? ?feeling? ?guilty”,? ?but? ?Shi? ?

Qing? ?Xuan? ?immediately? ?raised? ?his? ?voice? ?to? ?exclaim,? ?“That? ?was? ?the? ?weapon? ?of? ?

misfortune;? ?the? ?cursed? ?blade!? ?SO!? ?I? ?think? ?this? ?whole? ?business? ?is? ?highly? ?suspect!”? ?

?

“I’m? ?envious? ?that? ?His? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?has? ?gained? ?the? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?friendship? ?to? ?

defend? ?him? ?so.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“Too? ?bad? ?our? ?Little? ?Pei? ?isn’t? ?as? ?fortunate.”? ?

?

“General? ?Pei,? ?don’t? ?muddy? ?the? ?waters.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said,? ?“Can? ?Little? ?Pei’s? ?case? ?be? ?

compared? ?the? ?same?? ?I? ?saw? ?him? ?commit? ?crimes? ?with? ?my? ?own? ?eyes? ?too,? ?and? ?heard? ?with? ?

my? ?own? ?ears? ?his? ?admission? ?of? ?said? ?crimes.”? ?

?

“Then? ?isn’t? ?that? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?today?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?argued,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?

saw? ?him? ?commit? ?crimes,? ?and? ?heard? ?him? ?admit? ?to? ?said? ?crimes? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?ears.? ?How? ?is? ?

that? ?any? ?different?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?grew? ?furious? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?argue? ?back? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?him? ?back,? ?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?thank? ?you,? ?I? ?am? ?in? ?your? ?debt.? ?But? ?please? ?let? ?this? ?go.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?himself? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?of? ?a? ?good? ?comeback? ?against? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?yet,? ?so? ?he? ?

only? ?pointed? ?at? ?him? ?but? ?no? ?more? ?words? ?came? ?out.? ?

?

Finally,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spoke,? ?his? ?tone? ?tranquil.? ?“Everyone? ?please? ?calm? ?down.”? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?wasn’t? ?particularly? ?loud,? ?very? ?serene,? ?yet? ?everyone? ?within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Hall? ?heard? ?his? ?words? ?clearly,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?stood? ?back? ?to? ?position.? ?Once? ?the? ?hall? ?quieted? ?

down,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?spoke? ?again,? ?“Tai? ?Hua,? ?your? ?actions? ?have? ?always? ?been? ?impulsive.? ?When? ?

situations? ?arise,? ?one? ?mustn’t? ?be? ?rash;? ?listen? ?calmly,? ?assess,? ?and? ?then? ?evaluate? ?once? ?you? ?

know? ?the? ?whole? ?story.”? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?heed? ?the? ?lesson.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued,? ?“Xian? ?Le? ?

refuses? ?to? ?give? ?us? ?that? ?full? ?story,? ?so? ?his? ?request? ?for? ?banishment? ?is? ?denied.? ?He? ?will? ?be? ?

detained? ?in? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?and? ?I? ?will? ?personally? ?interrogate? ?him? ?afterwards.? ?

Before? ?then,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?shan’t? ?meet.”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?conclusion? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?expected.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?actually? ?shielded? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?the? ?laughing? ?stock? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?realms? ?who? ?had? ?no? ?

temples,? ?no? ?devotees,? ?and? ?no? ?merits!? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?the? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?ruled? ?the? ?east;? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?unhappy? ?with? ?the? ?

verdict,? ?then? ?what? ?a? ?losing? ?business!? ?Even? ?then? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?chose? ?to? ?shield? ?Xie? ?Lian...? ?

didn’t? ?that? ?mean? ?he’s? ?still? ?very? ?much? ?in? ?favour?!? ?

?

Many? ?of? ?the? ?officials? ?now? ?saw? ?where? ?the? ?wind? ?was? ?blowing,? ?and? ?decided? ?mentally? ?that? ?

from? ?now? ?on? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?publicly? ?mention? ?the? ?words? ?“laughingstock? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?

realms”.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?loudly? ?praised? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?for? ?his? ?wisdom.? ?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?only? ?stared? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?intently,? ?“Whatever? ?the? ?lord? ?

wishes? ?to? ?question,? ?go? ?ahead? ?and? ?question,? ?but? ?whatever? ?the? ?conclusion,? ?I? ?will? ?still? ?duel? ?

him!”? ?

?

With? ?that,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?bowed? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?before? ?he? ?turned? ?and? ?left? ?the? ?hall.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

waved? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?a? ?couple? ?martial? ?officials? ?came? ?forward? ?to? ?take? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?away.? ?As? ?

they? ?passed? ?by? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?in? ?a? ?soft? ?voice,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?

thanks? ?for? ?everything.? ?But? ?if? ?you? ?must? ?help? ?me,? ?don’t? ?say? ?anymore? ?on? ?my? ?behalf,? ?but? ?can? ?

I? ?ask? ?you? ?to? ?do? ?two? ?things? ?for? ?me?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?still? ?feeling? ?bad? ?about? ?fanning? ?the? ?fire? ?that? ?burnt? ?down? ?Paradise? ?

Manor,? ?and? ?wished? ?dearly? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?ask? ?him? ?for? ?anything,? ?“Whatever? ?you? ?need.”? ? ?

?

“The? ?boy? ?I? ?settled? ?in? ?the? ?side? ?chambers,? ?please? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?him.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Nothing? ?I? ?can’t? ?do!? ?What’s? ?the? ?second? ?thing?”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said.? ?

?

“If? ?General? ?Pei? ?still? ?wants? ?to? ?make? ?things? ?difficult? ?for? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?in? ?the? ?future,? ?please? ?help? ?

her? ?out.”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course.”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?replied,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?let? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?get? ?his? ?way.? ?Where? ?is? ?she?”? ?

?

“I’ve? ?hidden? ?her? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?pickle? ?jar? ?in? ?my? ?PuQi? ?Shrine.? ?If? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?time,? ?please? ?air? ?

her? ?out? ?sometimes.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

After? ?thanking? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?two? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?brought? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?before? ?the? ?

Palace? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le? ?before? ?courteously? ?excusing? ?themselves.? ?

?

“Thanks? ?for? ?your? ?hard? ?work.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?slightly.? ?

?

Stepping? ?through? ?the? ?front? ?gates,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?the? ?doors? ?behind? ?him.? ?Looking? ?around,? ?

as? ?he? ?expected,? ?not? ?just? ?appearance? ?wise? ?but? ?all? ?the? ?facilities? ?were? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?

his? ?previous? ?palace.? ?Last? ?time? ?he? ?passed? ?by? ?he? ?didn’t? ?enter,? ?never? ?having? ?guessed? ?that? ?

the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?step? ?foot? ?in? ?here? ?would? ?be? ?due? ?to? ?detention.? ?Not? ?the? ?best? ?sign.? ?

?

But? ?after? ?so? ?much? ?excitement? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days,? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?tired,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

passed? ?out? ?immediately? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ? ?

?

He? ?dreamt? ?of? ?many? ?things.? ?

?

He? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?meditating? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed,? ?when? ?when? ?he? ?blinked? ?open,? ?he? ?

found? ?himself? ?sitting? ?in? ?the? ?lotus? ?position? ?before? ?a? ?desk,? ?his? ?black? ?robes? ?flowing? ?on? ?the? ?

floor? ?in? ?layers? ?around? ?him,? ?and? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?cold,? ?heavy? ?mask.? ?

?

When? ?he? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?the? ?sight? ?before? ?him? ?was? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?boy? ?sprawled? ?over? ?the? ?

desk.? ?The? ?boy? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?fourteen? ?or? ?fifteen? ?years? ?of? ?age,? ?his? ?attire? ?distinguished,? ?

his? ?form? ?strumming? ?with? ?life,? ?but? ?fast? ?asleep.? ?

?

He? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?walked? ?over.? ?Bending? ?slightly,? ?he? ?knocked? ?on? ?the? ?desk,? ?“Your? ?

Royal? ?Highness.”? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?of? ?the? ?cold? ?mask,? ?even? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?cool.? ?The? ?boy? ?finally? ?woke? ?

with? ?a? ?start.? ?When? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?saw? ?him,? ?he? ?sat? ?upright? ?immediately? ?in? ?horror:? ?

“G-G-G-Guoshi!!!!”? ?

?

He? ?said:? ?“You? ?fell? ?asleep? ?again.? ?Copy? ?the? ?Ethics? ?Scripture? ?ten? ?times? ?as? ?punishment.”? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?cried? ?in? ?dismay:? ?“Master,? ?please? ?no!? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?have? ?me? ?run? ?ten? ?

laps? ?around? ?the? ?palace? ?as? ?punishment?”? ?

?

“Copy? ?twenty? ?times.? ?Do? ?it? ?now,? ?and? ?write? ?nicely.”? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?seemed? ?to? ?fear? ?him,? ?and? ?sat? ?up? ?properly? ?to? ?start? ?writing.? ?He? ?then? ?sat? ?

back? ?at? ?his? ?original? ?position? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?meditate.? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?palace? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?scared? ?of? ?him.? ?But? ?this? ?sense? ?of? ?distance? ?

and? ?oppressive? ?power? ?was? ?created? ?intentionally? ?by? ?him.? ?

?

However,? ?this? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?may? ?be? ?too? ?young,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?never? ?hold? ?that? ?sense? ?of? ?

fear? ?for? ?long.? ?Not? ?long? ?after? ?he? ?started? ?copying? ?the? ?scripture,? ?he? ?called? ?out:? ?“Master!”? ?

?

He? ?put? ?down? ?the? ?book? ?in? ?hand,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?

?

“I’ve? ?become? ?skilled? ?in? ?all? ?the? ?sword? ?techniques? ?you? ?taught? ?me? ?last? ?time.? ?Isn’t? ?it? ?time? ?for? ?

a? ?new? ?technique?”? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?said.? ?

?

“Alright.? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?learn?”? ?He? ?said.? ?

?

“I? ?want? ?to? ?learn? ?the? ?technique? ?you? ?used? ?to? ?save? ?me!”? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

He? ?contemplated? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?said:? ?“That? ?one?? ?No.”? ?

?

“Why?”? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?asked.? ?

?

“That? ?technique? ?is? ?impractical.? ?At? ?least? ?it’s? ?unsuitable? ?for? ?one? ?in? ?your? ?position.”? ?He? ?

explained.? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?didn’t? ?understand:? ?“But? ?isn’t? ?it? ?convenient?? ?Using? ?one? ?sword? ?to? ?

dissolve? ?the? ?power? ?of? ?two!? ?You? ?saved? ?me? ?with? ?that? ?technique!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?normal? ?for? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?not? ?to? ?understand.? ?He? ?said:? ?“Your? ?royal? ?highness,? ?let? ?

me? ?ask? ?you? ?a? ?question.”? ?

?

“Ask!”? ? ?

?

He? ?said:? ?“Once? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?people,? ?eyes? ?sunken? ?red? ?with? ?hunger,? ?and? ?started? ?

fighting? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?rob? ?each? ?other? ?of? ?food.? ?In? ?came? ?a? ?third? ?person,? ?and? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?stop? ?

the? ?fight.? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?words? ?would? ?be? ?effective? ?in? ?this? ?situation?”? ?

?

“...No,? ?it’d? ?be? ?useless.? ?They? ?only? ?want? ?food,? ?right?”? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.? ?Because? ?the? ?root? ?of? ?the? ?problem? ?wasn’t? ?solved,? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?listen? ?to? ?your? ?

reason.? ?Thus,? ?the? ?only? ?way? ?this? ?third? ?person? ?can? ?stop? ?the? ?fight? ?was? ?to? ?provide? ?what? ?they? ?

wanted.? ?To? ?give? ?food? ?from? ?his? ?own? ?purse.”? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?seemed? ?to? ?understand? ?but? ?not.? ?

?

He? ?continued:? ?“The? ?reasoning? ?is? ?the? ?same.? ?You? ?must? ?understand? ?that? ?the? ?moment? ?a? ?

sword? ?is? ?unsheathed,? ?someone? ?will? ?be? ?hurt.? ?When? ?power? ?is? ?released,? ?something? ?must? ?

receive? ?it.”? ?

?

“Thus,? ?it? ?was? ?wrong? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?say? ?I? ?dissolved? ?the? ?force? ?of? ?two? ?swords.? ?Nothing? ?was? ?

dissolved;? ?I? ?absorbed? ?their? ?attacks.? ?To? ?stop? ?an? ?attack? ?by? ?hurting? ?oneself? ?is? ?a? ?foolish? ?

technique,? ?and? ?only? ?used? ?when? ?there? ?are? ?no? ?other? ?alternatives.”? ?

?

“You’re? ?an? ?esteemed? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?You’ve? ?no? ?use? ?for? ?something? ?of? ?the? ?sort.”? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?continued? ?to? ?copy? ?his? ?scripture,? ?but? ?after? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?face? ?sunk? ?with? ?

thought.? ? ?

?

He? ?asked:? ?“Did? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?other? ?questions?”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?said:? ?“One? ?thing.? ?Master,? ?if? ?the? ?third? ?

person? ?didn’t? ?have? ?enough? ?food,? ?then? ?what? ?should? ?be? ?done?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?continued:? ?“If? ?both? ?of? ?the? ?hungry? ?had? ?gotten? ?food? ?but? ?wanted? ?more,? ?

and? ?fought? ?harder? ?because? ?of? ?greed,? ?and? ?sought? ?more? ?food? ?from? ?the? ?third? ?person,? ?what? ?

should? ?be? ?done?”? ?

?

“What? ?do? ?you? ?think?”? ?He? ?asked.? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?pondered? ?and? ?said:? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know...? ?Maybe,? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?

intercepted? ?from? ?the? ?start.”? ?

?

—? ?

?

The? ?Great? ?Hall? ?was? ?gold.? ?Everything? ?was? ?golden.? ?However,? ?at? ?present,? ?it? ?all? ?became? ?

crimson.? ?

?

Every? ?golden? ?banquet? ?table? ?sprawled? ?a? ?person.? ?Their? ?throats? ?were? ?pierced,? ?their? ?deaths? ?

tragic.? ?

?

His? ?hand? ?that? ?held? ?the? ?sword? ?wouldn’t? ?stop? ?shaking.? ?The? ?stately? ?king? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?

blood,? ?his? ?eyes? ?red? ?filled? ?with? ?pain? ?and? ?hatred.? ?Next? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?was? ?the? ?dead? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?

queen.? ?

?

His? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?he? ?took? ?one? ?step? ?after? ?another? ?and? ?walked? ?over.? ?When? ?the? ?king? ?

raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?saw? ?him,? ?he? ?was? ?dumbfounded.? ?“Guoshi?? ?You...?!”? ?

?

A? ?severely? ?cold? ?and? ?cruel? ?sword? ?struck.? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?he? ?sensed? ?something? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?immediately.? ?The? ?

young? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?just? ?outside? ?the? ?door,? ?standing? ?amidst? ?the? ?corpses? ?of? ?guards.? ?

?

The? ?boy’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?blank,? ?as? ?if? ?wondering? ?what? ?he? ?saw? ?was? ?reality? ?or? ?a? ?dream.? ?He? ?

took? ?a? ?step? ?and? ?almost? ?tripped? ?on? ?the? ?threshold,? ?his? ?mind? ?lost.? ? ?

?

He? ?pulled? ?out? ?his? ?sword;? ?blood? ?splattered? ?onto? ?his? ?black? ?robes.? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?didn’t? ?trip? ?on? ?the? ?threshold? ?but? ?tripped? ?on? ?the? ?dead? ?bodies? ?on? ?the? ?

ground.? ?He? ?rushed? ?to? ?the? ?king’s? ?body,? ?his? ?voice? ?finally? ?returning:? ?“Father!?? ?Mother?!”? ?

?

Yet? ?the? ?king? ?would? ?never? ?speak? ?again.? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?couldn’t? ?shake? ?him? ?awake? ?and? ?

whipped? ?his? ?head? ?madly? ?towards? ?him,? ?his? ?eyes? ?wide:? ?“Master!? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?? ?

WHAT? ?DID? ?YOU? ?DO?!? ?Guoshi!!!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?after? ?before? ?he? ?heard? ?his? ?own? ?voice? ?devoid? ?of? ?emotion? ?–? ?

?

“You? ?all? ?deserved? ?it.”? ?

?

—? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?sleep? ?well? ?and? ?rolled? ?awake? ?with? ?a? ?start.? ?

?

He? ?sleepily? ?rubbed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?realized? ?he? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?sleep? ?that? ?long,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?

dream? ?anything? ?nice? ?either.? ?Good? ?thing? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?on? ?his? ?chest? ?that? ?poked? ?

him? ?awake.? ?He? ?sat? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?then? ?found? ?something? ?in? ?his? ?clothes? ?after? ?feeling? ?around? ?

for? ?it.? ?He? ?opened? ?his? ?palm? ?and? ?revealed? ?two? ?dice,? ?the? ?same? ?ones? ?from? ?the? ?Paradise? ?

Manor.? ?

?

A? ?sea? ?of? ?red? ?subconsciously? ?floated? ?in? ?his? ?mind.? ?The? ?scene? ?was? ?blurry? ?but? ?that? ?crimson? ?

silhouette? ?was? ?clear? ?as? ?day,? ?watching? ?him? ?unmoving? ?within? ?that? ?sea? ?of? ?red.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

sighed,? ?“I? ?wonder? ?how? ?much? ?is? ?left? ?of? ?San? ?Lang’s? ?Paradise? ?Manor.? ?If? ?I? ?get? ?banished? ?

again? ?this? ?time,? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?much? ?junk? ?I’ll? ?have? ?to? ?sell? ?or? ?how? ?long? ?it’d? ?take? ?to? ?pay? ?

him? ?back...? ?decades,? ?centuries,? ?if? ?anything? ?I’ll? ?pay? ?him? ?with? ?my? ?entire? ?life.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?dice? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?before? ?clapping? ?his? ?hands? ?close,? ?shook? ?them? ?in? ?his? ?

palms? ?and? ?tossed? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?The? ?dice? ?rattled? ?and? ?rolled? ?around? ?the? ?ground? ?

before? ?coming? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?

?

As? ?expected,? ?all? ?the? ?luck? ?he? ?borrowed? ?from? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?were? ?used? ?up.? ?He? ?was? ?hoping? ?

for? ?another? ?roll? ?of? ?two? ?sixes,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?snake? ?eyes.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?laugh,? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?footsteps? ?coming? ?

from? ?behind.? ?He? ?steadied? ?himself? ?immediately? ?and? ?packed? ?away? ?both? ?the? ?dice? ?and? ?his? ?

smile.? ? ?

?

The? ?footsteps? ?didn’t? ?sound? ?like? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?walked? ?with? ?deep? ?certainty,? ?unhurried.? ?

Although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked? ?with? ?nonchalance,? ?often? ?lazy,? ?yet? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?confidence? ?

and? ?surety? ?were? ?exactly? ?the? ?same.? ?This? ?set? ?of? ?footsteps? ?however,? ?were? ?a? ?little? ?floaty.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“It’s? ?you.”? ?

?

The? ?person? ?before? ?him? ?was? ?clad? ?in? ?black,? ?his? ?face? ?fair? ?and? ?his? ?lips? ?thin.? ?His? ?expression? ?

was? ?indifferent,? ?maybe? ?even? ?cool.? ?As? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?he? ?looked? ?more? ?like? ?a? ?civil? ?god.? ?Who? ?

else? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?

?

He? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?startled? ?expression? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Who? ?did? ?you? ?think?? ?Feng? ?

Xin?”? ?

?

Without? ?waiting? ?for? ?a? ?response,? ?he? ?lifted? ?his? ?black? ?robes? ?and? ?crossed? ?the? ?threshold? ?of? ?

the? ?door.? ?“Feng? ?Xin? ?probably? ?won’t? ?come? ?after? ?all.”? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?here?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“The? ?emperor? ?detained? ?you,? ?and? ?won’t? ?let? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?come.? ?But? ?he? ?didn’t? ?say? ?

I? ?couldn’t? ?come.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?answering? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?Question.? ?Whatever.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?actually? ?

curious? ?anyway,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?question? ?him? ?further.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?around? ?the? ?newly? ?built? ?

palace? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?his? ?eyes? ?ending? ?up? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?After? ?some? ?thought,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?

threw? ?something? ?at? ?him.? ?A? ?blue? ?shadow? ?flashed? ?in? ?the? ?air;? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?caught? ?it? ?with? ?his? ?left? ?

hand,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?palm? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?blue? ?porcelain? ?bottle.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?bottle? ?of? ?medicine.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?apathetically,? ?“Dragging? ?around? ?a? ?bloody? ?right? ?

arm? ?doesn’t? ?look? ?good.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?the? ?bottle? ?but? ?didn’t? ?move,? ?and? ?watched? ?him? ?with? ?discern? ?instead.? ?

?

After? ?his? ?third? ?ascension? ?there? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?one? ?word? ?to? ?describe? ?the? ?way? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

treated? ?him:? ?weird.? ?It? ?always? ?felt? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?waiting? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?get? ?booted? ?for? ?the? ?

third? ?time? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?make? ?sneering? ?remarks.? ?Yet? ?now? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?might? ?actually? ?get? ?

booted? ?for? ?the? ?third? ?time,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?became? ?friendly? ?and? ?even? ?came? ?to? ?gift? ?him? ?

medication.? ?This? ?180? ?degree? ?change? ?in? ?attitude? ?actually? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?feel? ?a? ?little? ?weird.? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?moving,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?smirked? ?faintly,? ?“Use? ?it? ?if? ?you? ?want.? ?Either? ?

way? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?is? ?gonna? ?come.”? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?smile? ?without? ?mirth;? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?that? ?he’s? ?actually? ?feeling? ?pretty? ?good.? ?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?his? ?right? ?arm? ?was? ?in? ?pain,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?to? ?just? ?leave? ?

the? ?injuries? ?be? ?either.? ?That? ?pat? ?from? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?a? ?quick? ?fix,? ?but? ?it’s? ?better? ?to? ?have? ?

medication.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?small? ?blue? ?bottle? ?and? ?carelessly? ?started? ?pouring? ?the? ?

contents? ?onto? ?his? ?arm.? ?What? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?bottle? ?wasn’t? ?powder? ?or? ?pill,? ?but? ?a? ?light? ?blue? ?

smoke.? ?The? ?smoke? ?floated? ?wildly,? ?wrapping? ?around? ?his? ?arm,? ?its? ?scent? ?cool? ?and? ?

refreshing.? ?It? ?was? ?certainly? ?a? ?high? ?grade? ?item.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?suddenly? ?asked,? ?“Was? ?everything? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?said? ?true?? ?Did? ?you? ?really? ?kill? ?

all? ?those? ?YongAn? ?royalties?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him.? ?Even? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?been? ?forcibly? ?hiding? ?it,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?still? ?see? ?a? ?thread? ?of? ?uncontrollable? ?excitement? ?in? ?his? ?eyes.? ?He? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

highly? ?interested? ?in? ?the? ?details? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spilling? ?blood? ?at? ?the? ?Gilded? ?Banquet? ?and? ?

continued? ?his? ?questions,? ?“How? ?did? ?you? ?kill? ?them?”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?another? ?set? ?of? ?footfalls? ?came? ?from? ?behind? ?them.? ?The? ?two? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?at? ?

the? ?same? ?time,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?visiting? ?this? ?time? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin!? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?entered? ?he? ?

saw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?the? ?main? ?hall,? ?even? ?smiling? ?next? ?to? ?a? ?crouching? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?immediately? ?

frowned? ?with? ?alarm,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?here?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?the? ?little? ?bottle? ?in? ?his? ?hand.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?schooled? ?his? ?expression.? ?He? ?was? ?

just? ?saying? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?coming,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?arrived? ?the? ?next? ?second;? ?not? ?

funny? ?at? ?all.? ? ?

?

“This? ?isn’t? ?your? ?palace.? ?What?? ?You? ?can? ?come? ?but? ?I? ?can’t?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?rebutted.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?ignored? ?him? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“If? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?came? ?to? ?ask? ?the? ?same? ?question,? ?then? ?I? ?will? ?give? ?you? ?one? ?

answer.? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?not? ?believe;? ?every? ?word? ?I? ?said? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?today? ?

was? ?true.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?paled.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?hated? ?that? ?expression? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?annoyance,? ?“Alright,? ?put? ?that? ?

face? ?away.? ?After? ?everything,? ?who? ?are? ?you? ?looking? ?pained? ?for?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?glared? ?at? ?him,? ?“Not? ?for? ?you!? ?Get? ?out!”? ? ?

?

“And? ?who? ?are? ?you? ?to? ?tell? ?me? ?to? ?get? ?out?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“Speaking? ?as? ?if? ?you’re? ?so? ?loyal.? ?

How? ?many? ?years? ?did? ?you? ?last? ?again?? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?run? ?away? ?too?”? ?

?

Veins? ?popped? ?all? ?over? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?this? ?exchange? ?was? ?going? ?in? ?

the? ?wrong? ?direction? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Hold? ?it.? ?Hold? ?it.”? ?

?

As? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?the? ?type? ?to? ?hold? ?it? ?back.? ?He? ?sneered,? ?“Everyone? ?says? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?

you? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?seeing? ?your? ?old? ?master? ?fall? ?from? ?grace.? ?What? ?a? ?pretty? ?excuse.? ?At? ?the? ?

end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?you? ?just? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?waste? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?your? ?days? ?following? ?a? ?broken? ?

man.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?swung? ?out? ?his? ?fist,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK? ?DO? ?YOU? ?KNOW?!”? ?

?

Bam!? ??Feng? ?Xin’s? ?fist? ?landed? ?squarely? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?a? ?standard? ?pretty? ?

boy;? ?a? ?bashing? ?punch? ?from? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?persimmon? ?smashed? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?bloody? ?

and? ?miserable.? ?Yet? ?he? ?stood? ?his? ?ground,? ?and? ?without? ?even? ?a? ?whine,? ?he? ?punched? ?right? ?

back.? ?When? ?the? ?two? ?ascended? ?they? ?both? ?obtained? ?their? ?own? ?spiritual? ?devices,? ?yet? ?at? ?the? ?

height? ?of? ?anger,? ?the? ?best? ?tool? ?to? ?release? ?their? ?rage? ?was? ?their? ?fists.? ?When? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?fought? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago,? ?their? ?martial? ?arts? ?were? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?level.? ?After? ?

eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?no? ?difference.? ?Each? ?punch? ?landed;? ?the? ?brawl? ?was? ?

messy? ?and? ?mad,? ?each? ?holding? ?their? ?own.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cried? ?angrily,? ?“Don’t? ?think? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?your? ?nasty? ?thoughts!? ?The? ?more? ?crimes? ?

he? ?commit? ?the? ?happier? ?you? ?become!!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?spat,? ?“I? ?knew? ?you? ?always? ?looked? ?down? ?on? ?me,? ?what? ?a? ?joke!? ?Look? ?at? ?yourself!? ?

What? ?right? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?look? ?down? ?on? ?me.? ?The? ?pot? ?calling? ?the? ?kettle? ?black!”? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?started? ?dueling? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

already? ?started? ?brawling.? ?Their? ?grudges? ?had? ?been? ?building? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time;? ?the? ?fight? ?was? ?

uncontrolled? ?and? ?riotous,? ?each? ?cussing? ?at? ?the? ?other? ?without? ?hearing? ?what? ?was? ?cussed? ?

back,? ?and? ?certainly? ?had? ?no? ?mind? ?to? ?hear? ?anything? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?say.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?

back? ?when? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?younger,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?been? ?soft-spoken? ?and? ?

well-mannered,? ?and? ?if? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?hit? ?anyone? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?under? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?command,? ?

and? ?he’d? ?stop? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?stop.? ?Now? ?neither? ?was? ?the? ?case.? ? ?

?

Dragging? ?his? ?arm,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?towards? ?the? ?door,? ?hoping? ?to? ?call? ?for? ?help? ?from? ?any? ?nearby? ?

officials,? ?but,? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?stepped? ?foot? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?main? ?hall,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?huge? ?loud? ?

BANG?? ?that? ?exploded? ?from? ?the? ?front.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?also? ?shocked? ?by? ?the? ?

large? ?noise? ?and? ?stopped,? ?their? ?eyes? ?alert,? ?looking? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?sound? ?came? ?from.? ?

?

The? ?front? ?doors? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le? ?was? ?kicked? ?open? ?by? ?someone.? ?Beyond? ?the? ?door? ?

wasn’t? ?the? ?expansive? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Avenue? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?but? ?a? ?dead,? ?deep? ?

blackness.? ? ?

?

And? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?darkness,? ?innumerous? ?chilling? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?rushed? ?out? ?towards? ?

them.? ? ?

Ch.47:? ?Raiding? ?a? ?Heavenly? ?Palace;? ?Three? ?Lines? ?to? ?Scare? ?All? ?Gods? ?

?

Silver? ?shimmered? ?turbulently,? ?and? ?without? ?thinking,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?first? ?reaction? ?was? ?to? ?block? ?

with? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?the? ?RuoYe? ?on? ?his? ?arm,? ?if? ?the? ?situation? ?called? ?for? ?it,? ?would? ?attack? ?

automatically.? ?Yet,? ?those? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?never? ?charged? ?towards? ?him,? ?and? ?instead,? ?flew? ?

around? ?him? ?to? ?attack? ?the? ?two? ?behind? ?who? ?were? ?fist? ?fighting? ?just? ?moments? ?ago.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?suffered? ?before? ?in? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?those? ?wraithe? ?butterflies,? ?knew? ?

how? ?powerful? ?they? ?were,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?careless.? ?They? ?both? ?raised? ?their? ?hands? ?at? ?

the? ?same? ?time? ?and? ?cried,? ?“SHIELD!”? ?

?

Millions? ?of? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?jetted? ?towards? ?them,? ?flapping? ?their? ?wings? ?like? ?blasting? ?winds,? ?

but? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?invisible? ?wall? ?blocking? ?them,? ?and? ?the? ?butterflies? ?smashed? ?against? ?it? ?like? ?

a? ?thunderstorm,? ?hailing? ?and? ?battering.? ?White? ?lights? ?flared? ?from? ?the? ?friction? ?like? ?sparks.? ?It? ?

appeared? ?that? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?casted? ?a? ?spell? ?to? ?shield,? ?but? ?even? ?against? ?a? ?magical? ?shield? ?

the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?were? ?forceful? ?and? ?endless,? ?crazy? ?like? ?moths? ?to? ?flames.? ?Even? ?with? ?a? ?

spiritual? ?defense? ?the? ?two? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?pushed? ?back? ?by? ?the? ?relentless? ?deluge? ?of? ?

butterflies.? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?of? ?carelessness? ?and? ?the? ?enemy? ?took? ?the? ?upper? ?hand.? ?If? ?they? ?didn’t? ?release? ?

the? ?shield? ?the? ?butterflies? ?will? ?push? ?closer,? ?if? ?they? ?did,? ?there’d? ?still? ?be? ?no? ?chance? ?for? ?them? ?

to? ?grab? ?for? ?their? ?weapons,? ?and? ?both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?mentally? ?swore,? ?gritting? ?their? ?

teeth? ?to? ?hang? ?on.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?took? ?a? ?glance? ?and? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?standing? ?where? ?he? ?

was,? ?his? ?head? ?lowered,? ?and? ?shouted? ?immediately,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?stand? ?there,? ?

come? ?behind? ?the? ?shield!”? ?

?

Yet,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?hair? ?was? ?harmed.? ?He? ?frowned,? ?“Huh?”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?looked? ?closely? ?and? ?almost? ?spat? ?blood? ?from? ?angry? ?shock? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

had? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?a? ?wraith? ?butterfly,? ?looking? ?rather? ?confused.? ?Earlier? ?when? ?the? ?butterflies? ?

were? ?gusting? ?through? ?like? ?wild? ?winds,? ?there? ?was? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?slow? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?

follow.? ?It’d? ?flapped? ?with? ?difficulty? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?he? ?thought? ?it? ?worked? ?really? ?hard? ?

but? ?the? ?poor? ?little? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?couldn’t? ?fly? ?anymore,? ?so? ?he? ?subconsciously? ?extended? ?

his? ?palm? ?just? ?beneath? ?it.? ?That? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?landed? ?on? ?his? ?palm,? ?wings? ?still? ?flapping,? ?but? ?

refused? ?to? ?leave? ?anymore.? ? ?

?

Both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?popped? ?veins,? ?“DON’T? ?TOUCH? ?THAT? ?THING? ?WITH? ?YOUR? ?

HAND!!!”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?tightening? ?on? ?his? ?wrist? ?–? ?someone? ?had? ?gotten? ?a? ?hold? ?of? ?him,? ?

and? ?pulled? ?hard.? ?His? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?pulled? ?into? ?the? ?darkness? ?beyond? ?the? ?door.? ?

?

Yet,? ?although? ?he? ?was? ?shrouded? ?in? ?the? ?dark,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?any? ?alarm? ?or? ?insecurity.? ?This? ?

darkness? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?gentle? ?armour;? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?he? ?not? ?sense? ?danger,? ?it? ?actually? ?

somehow? ?calmed? ?him? ?down.? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?the? ?person? ?behind? ?the? ?darkness? ?hadn’t? ?shown? ?himself,? ?but? ?with? ?the? ?silver? ?

butterflies,? ?would? ?it? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?guess? ?who? ?it? ?was?? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?cried? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“What? ?

impudence? ?to? ?come? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?heavenly? ?court!? ?What? ?arrogance!”? ?

?

A? ?voice? ?laughed,? ?“We’re? ?all? ?the? ?same.? ?Wasn’t? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?impudent? ?in? ?my? ?territory?”? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?already? ?knew? ?who? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?but? ?hearing? ?the? ?familiar? ?

voice? ?from? ?so? ?close,? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?startled.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“Hua? ?Cheng,? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor? ?is? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?You? ?let? ?him? ?go!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“Then? ?let’s? ?see? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?skill.”? ?

?

As? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?words,? ?the? ?giant? ?doors? ?closed? ?heavily? ?with? ?a? ?bang.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?holding? ?him? ?tightly? ?with? ?one? ?hand,? ?taking? ?him? ?to? ?an? ?

unknown? ?destination.? ?It? ?was? ?black? ?all? ?around? ?them,? ?and? ?the? ?silver? ?bells? ?on? ?the? ?black? ?

boots? ?clinged? ?and? ?clanged? ?in? ?his? ?ears.? ?The? ?ground? ?beneath? ?their? ?feet? ?were? ?uneven;? ?it? ?

really? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?bright,? ?glorious? ?roads? ?of? ?heaven,? ?but? ?moreso? ?a? ?wild? ?valley.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?must’ve? ?used? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?to? ?connect? ?the? ?front? ?gates? ?of? ?

the? ?Palace? ?to? ?Xian? ?Le? ?to? ?some? ?valley.? ?But? ?to? ?connect? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?to? ?somewhere? ?

else? ?using? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array? ?was? ?no? ?easy? ?feat,? ?at? ?least,? ?only? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?could? ?do? ?it,? ?so? ?how? ?had? ?he? ?done? ?it?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?

a? ?voice? ?exploded? ?in? ?his? ?ear,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?WHERE? ?ARE? ?YOU?!”? ?

?

The? ?angry? ?roar? ?came? ?from? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?His? ?voice? ?was? ?in? ?his? ?ear? ?but? ?his? ?person? ?was? ?not.? ?It? ?

was? ?all? ?shouted? ?within? ?the? ?communication? ?array.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eardrums? ?hurt? ?from? ?the? ?

noise,? ?and? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?also? ?blasted? ?out,? ?asking? ?in? ?fright,? ?“What’s? ?

going? ?on,? ?General? ?Nan? ?Yang?? ?Did? ?something? ?happen?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?entered? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?too,? ?“Bad? ?news!? ?Where’s? ?Ling? ?Wen?? ?Report? ?

to? ?the? ?Emperor,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?escaped!”? ?

?

He? ?usually? ?spoke? ?gently? ?and? ?courteously,? ?but? ?now? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?laced? ?with? ?worry? ?and? ?

anxiety.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?reacted? ?immediately,? ?“What?? ?I’ll? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?

look!”? ?

?

An? ?official? ?cried? ?in? ?shock,? ?“The? ?laug...? ?His? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?ran? ?away?? ?Wasn’t? ?he? ?

detained? ?in? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le?!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?entered? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?too,? ?“I? ?just? ?saw? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?Middle? ?Court? ?

martial? ?officials? ?guarding? ?the? ?palace,? ?you? ?can? ?only? ?enter? ?but? ?not? ?leave,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?

escape?”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“HE? ?DIDN’T? ?RUN? ?AWAY,? ?HE? ?WAS? ?KIDNAPPED!? ?Your? ?Highness? ?can? ?

you? ?still? ?hear? ?us? ?speak?? ?Where? ?are? ?you? ?right? ?now??”? ?

?

In? ?that? ?moment,? ?everyone? ?spoke,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?talked? ?loudly,? ?each? ?asking? ?for? ?answers.? ?

The? ?mess? ?of? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?cleared? ?yet.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

detained? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?the? ?person? ?in? ?question? ?was? ?gone!? ?Wasn’t? ?this? ?starting? ?more? ?

problems? ?and? ?gossip?? ?Either? ?way? ?they? ?must? ?find? ?the? ?person? ?first,? ?so? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?rushed? ?to? ?

check? ?on? ?the? ?situation,? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?she? ?could? ?locate? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?

yelling? ?within? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?looking? ?for? ?skilled? ?martial? ?gods? ?to? ?give? ?chase,? ?

and? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?released? ?many? ?more? ?waves? ?of? ?merits.? ?The? ?communication? ?array? ?was? ?

in? ?complete? ?chaos,? ?loud? ?and? ?tumultuous,? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?get? ?a? ?

word? ?in.? ?He? ?took? ?a? ?deep? ?breath? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?tell? ?everyone? ?to? ?calm? ?down? ?when? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?suddenly? ?turned? ?around,? ?and? ?two? ?fingers? ?came? ?forward.? ? ?

?

Those? ?cold? ?digits? ?gently? ?touched? ?his? ?temple,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Haha.? ?Long? ?time? ?

no? ?see.? ?How’s? ?everyone? ?doing?”? ?

?

With? ?the? ?soft? ?touch? ?of? ?his? ?two? ?fingers,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?entered? ?the? ?heavenly? ?communication? ?

array? ?through? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?His? ?casual? ?greeting? ?was? ?heard? ?not? ?just? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?all? ?the? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?hustling? ?within? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?fell? ?into? ?a? ?dead? ?

silence.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?silent? ?uproar? ?in? ?everyone’s? ?minds.? ?

?

No? ?wonder!!? ?Such? ?arrogance? ?could? ?only? ?come? ?from? ?That? ?Person!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?you? ?all? ?missed? ?me,? ?but? ?I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?about? ?any? ?of? ?

you? ?at? ?all.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

There? ?were? ?indeed? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?heavens? ?who? ?secretly? ?thought? ?about? ?

him? ?everyday,? ?but? ?hearing? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?think? ?about? ?them? ?at? ?all,? ?they? ?all? ?

chanted? ?heavenly? ?blessings? ?thank? ?you? ?thank? ?you? ?thank? ?you? ?please? ?continue? ?to? ?never? ?

think? ?of? ?us.? ?Then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?snickered,? ?“However,? ?I’ve? ?been? ?fairly? ?free? ?recently.? ?If? ?

anyone? ?is? ?feeling? ?bored? ?and? ?want? ?to? ?tussle? ?with? ?me,? ?by? ?all? ?means? ?they’re? ?welcome? ?to.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?circumstances,? ?his? ?intent? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?obvious:? ?“If? ?anyone? ?is? ?brave? ?enough? ?

to? ?give? ?chase,? ?I’ll? ?challenge? ?that? ?person? ?next? ?time.”? ?

?

It’d? ?be? ?a? ?challenge? ?they’re? ?sure? ?to? ?lose? ?and? ?have? ?their? ?faces? ?sweep? ?the? ?floor.? ?Wasn’t? ?this? ?

a? ?blatant? ?threat??? ?

?

Earlier? ?when? ?they? ?heard? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?away? ?or? ?was? ?kidnapped,? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?

roared? ?to? ?life.? ?It? ?was? ?after? ?all? ?a? ?rare? ?riot,? ?and? ?all? ?cared? ?deeply;? ?some? ?martial? ?gods? ?were? ?

even? ?ready? ?to? ?heed? ?the? ?call,? ?prepared? ?to? ?give? ?chase.? ?However,? ?with? ?only? ?three? ?lines? ?from? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?all? ?such? ?passion? ?disappeared.? ?If? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?gave? ?command? ?to? ?send? ?whoever? ?

to? ?pursue,? ?then? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped;? ?it’d? ?be? ?official? ?business.? ?But? ?this? ?was? ?something? ?

that? ?just? ?happened,? ?everything? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?mess,? ?so? ?naturally? ?no? ?one? ?wanted? ?to? ?bring? ?

trouble? ?to? ?themselves.? ?No? ?one? ?wanted? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?remember? ?them.? ?Thus,? ?they? ?all? ?

pretended? ?they? ?weren’t? ?present,? ?but? ?their? ?ears? ?were? ?attentive? ?to? ?the? ?development? ?of? ?this? ?

situation,? ?and? ?their? ?hearts? ?anxious? ?and? ?shook.? ?This? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?was? ?

overly? ?fearless!? ?To? ?come? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?heavens? ?just? ?to? ?kidnap,? ?and? ?the? ?kidnapped? ?

was? ?that? ?laughingstock? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?realms? ?–? ?was? ?there? ?some? ?deeply? ?rooted? ?grudge? ?or? ?

what???? ?

?

Silence? ?befell? ?the? ?communication? ?array;? ?only? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?continued? ?to? ?swear,? ?and? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?removed? ?his? ?fingers? ?after? ?making? ?his? ?speech.? ?“Don’t? ?mind? ?them.”? ?He? ?said? ?to? ?Xie? ?

Lian.? ?

?

“San? ?Lang...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?his? ?hand.? ?

?

“We’re? ?too? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?Let’s? ?hurry.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?low,? ?and? ?his? ?tone? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?discern.? ?Yet? ?his? ?letting? ?go? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?wrist? ?

was? ?swift,? ?almost? ?as? ?if? ?shaken? ?off.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?immediately? ?reminded? ?of? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?

they? ?met? ?and? ?how? ?he? ?evaded? ?his? ?touch.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?froze? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?

?

He? ?originally? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?why? ?he’d? ?appear? ?so? ?suddenly.? ?Although? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?think? ?deeply? ?about? ?it,? ?he? ?sort? ?of? ?felt? ?maybe? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?rescue? ?him,? ?so? ?when? ?he? ?

called? ?out? ?‘San? ?Lang’? ?just? ?now,? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?happy.? ?But? ?with? ?how? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?shook? ?off? ?

his? ?hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?realized:? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?think? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?come? ?to? ?

rescue? ?him?? ?Nevermind? ?thinking? ?whether? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?cared? ?to? ?follow? ?his? ?actions? ?that? ?

closely,? ?he’d? ?only? ?just? ?escaped? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?after? ?setting? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?on? ?fire.? ?It? ?

was? ?more? ?likely? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?came? ?knocking? ?for? ?paybacks,? ?for? ?revenge?? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?caught,? ?imprisoned,? ?and? ?interrogated? ?the? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?who? ?went? ?

undercover? ?as? ?a? ?spy,? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?undeniable? ?truth,? ?but? ?the? ?fault? ?naturally? ?laid? ?with? ?the? ?

one? ?who? ?went? ?undercover.? ?Yet,? ?he? ?snuck? ?into? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?burrowed? ?all? ?over? ?Paradise? ?

Manor? ?to? ?find? ?said? ?person,? ?and? ?set? ?off? ?fire.? ?Even? ?if? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?burnt? ?the? ?

way? ?it? ?did? ?was? ?because? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?fanned? ?the? ?flames,? ?the? ?first? ?kindle? ?in? ?the? ?armoury? ?

was? ?started? ?by? ?him.? ?Others? ?might? ?not? ?even? ?have? ?thought? ?of? ?setting? ?anything? ?on? ?fire,? ?so? ?

no? ?matter? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?needed? ?to? ?take? ?responsibility.? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?walked,? ?one? ?behind? ?the? ?other.? ?The? ?more? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?the? ?worse? ?he? ?felt,? ?

and? ?the? ?guiltier? ?he? ?became.? ?“...San? ?Lang,? ?I’m? ?sorry.”? ?He? ?apologized.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?apologizing?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?too,? ?“I? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?for? ?investigating? ?the? ?missing? ?Earth? ?

Master.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?you? ?the? ?truth? ?yet? ?you? ?treated? ?me? ?with? ?utmost? ?hospitality,? ?but? ?I? ?even? ?

burnt? ?down? ?your? ?Paradise? ?Manor.? ?I? ?feel? ?really? ?bad.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?knew? ?that? ?“I? ?feel? ?really? ?bad”? ?really? ?didn’t? ?

amount? ?to? ?much,? ?and? ?felt? ?even? ?more? ?ashamed.? ?He? ?lightly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“But? ?I? ?

reckon? ?I’ll? ?be? ?banished? ?soon.? ?After? ?I? ?descend? ?I’ll? ?for? ?sure? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?repay? ?you,? ?see? ?

if? ?I? ?could...”? ?

?

“Why? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?repay? ?me?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?interrupted.? ?

?

His? ?tone? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?hard? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?any? ?more,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?in? ?a? ?fit,? ?

“Did? ?you? ?forget? ?that? ?my? ?blade? ?wounded? ?your? ?arm?? ?I? ?hurt? ?you,? ?not? ?the? ?other? ?way? ?around.? ?

Why? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?repay? ?me?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?thought? ?his? ?right? ?arm? ?was? ?in? ?pain,? ?and? ?even? ?now? ?he? ?completely? ?forgot? ?his? ?

right? ?hand? ?was? ?injured.? ?He? ?paused? ?then? ?said,? ?“My? ?right? ?arm?? ?My? ?right? ?arm’s? ?fine.? ?It’ll? ?be? ?

better? ?soon.? ?Besides,? ?it? ?only? ?became? ?like? ?this? ?because? ?I? ?rushed? ?forward? ?to? ?strike,? ?so? ?

you’re? ?not? ?to? ?blame?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?watched? ?him? ?intently,? ?his? ?left? ?eye? ?unusually? ?bright.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?

that? ?he? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?shaking.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?was? ?shaking,? ?but? ?the? ?

scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?on? ?his? ?waist.? ?

?

That? ?silver? ?scimitar,? ?hung? ?upon? ?red? ?robes,? ?was? ?shaking? ?nonstop.? ?The? ?eye? ?contoured? ?by? ?

a? ?silver? ?line? ?was? ?also? ?trembling.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?eye? ?of? ?a? ?child,? ?then? ?this? ?child,? ?at? ?that? ?

moment? ?in? ?time,? ?must? ?be? ?bawling? ?with? ?tears.? ?

?

Ch.48:? ?Adroit? ?Dice? ?for? ?the? ?Safety? ?of? ?Only? ?One? ?

?

Seeing? ?its? ?state,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?reached? ?out,? ?wanting? ?to? ?pet? ?it,? ?“What’s? ?wrong...”? ?

?

But? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?side? ?stepped? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?body? ?slightly,? ?avoiding? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?touch,? ?and? ?

smacked? ?hard? ?on? ?the? ?hilt,? ?“Nothing’s? ?wrong.? ?Don’t? ?mind? ?it.”? ?

?

After? ?getting? ?smacked? ?soundly,? ?the? ?cursed? ?blade? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming,? ?feared? ?by? ?all? ?in? ?the? ?

heavens,? ?shook? ?even? ?harder.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?again? ?in? ?the? ?

communication? ?array:? ?“How? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?connect? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array? ?to? ?

the? ?heavenly? ?court?!? ?How? ?do? ?we? ?open? ?this? ?door?!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?cried,? ?“General? ?Nan? ?Yang!? ?Me,? ?me,? ?me!? ?I? ?think? ?I? ?know? ?how!? ?His? ?Highness? ?

and? ?I? ?suffered? ?this? ?trick? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?when? ?we? ?were? ?on? ?our? ?mission.? ?Take? ?two? ?dice? ?

and? ?toss? ?them? ?before? ?the? ?door,? ?then? ?push? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?it’ll? ?open.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered.? ?Wasn’t? ?he? ?casually? ?tossing? ?dice? ?for? ?fun? ?earlier? ?in? ?the? ?main? ?hall?? ?

He? ?could? ?still? ?recall? ?clearly? ?having? ?run? ?pathetically? ?for? ?their? ?lives? ?in? ?that? ?earthworm? ?cave? ?

and? ?from? ?those? ?cannibal? ?savages,? ?if? ?they? ?really? ?did? ?open? ?the? ?doors,? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?

other? ?calamities? ?await? ?them?? ?He? ?cried? ?hurriedly,? ?“Stop!? ?Don’t!? ?Be? ?careful!”? ?

?

However,? ?his? ?voice? ?never? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?communication? ?array.? ?It? ?seemed? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?

the? ?time? ?to? ?refill? ?his? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?and? ?it? ?had? ?all? ?but? ?depleted,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?listen? ?

without? ?speaking.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?speak,? ?it? ?might’ve? ?been? ?too? ?late.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?seemed? ?to? ?

do? ?exactly? ?what? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?said? ?without? ?a? ?second? ?thought.? ?How? ?did? ?he? ?know?? ?

Because? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?suddenly? ?screamed? ?curses? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?

array.? ?He? ?cussed? ?whenever? ?he’s? ?agitated,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?cursed? ?the? ?words? ?were? ?often? ?too? ?

vulgar? ?for? ?the? ?ear,? ?and? ?for? ?censorship? ?reasons? ?the? ?words? ?shall? ?not? ?be? ?repeated.? ?Most? ?of? ?

the? ?officials? ?were? ?carefully? ?following? ?the? ?situation,? ?and? ?asked? ?immediately,? ?“General,? ?

what’s? ?happened!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?voice? ?came? ?and? ?it? ?also? ?sounded? ?quite? ?dismayed,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?place???”? ?It? ?

appeared? ?that? ?he? ?entered? ?through? ?the? ?doors? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ? ?

?

“Be? ?careful,? ?guys!”? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?called? ?out,? ?“Different? ?numbered? ?rolls? ?will? ?bring? ?you? ?to? ?

different? ?places.? ?What? ?number? ?did? ?you? ?guys? ?roll?”? ?

?

“He? ?rolled? ?a? ?four!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?hear? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?voice? ?also? ?carried? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?panic? ?and? ?terror,? ?and? ?was? ?

worried? ?they? ?might? ?have? ?run? ?into? ?an? ?extremely? ?dangerous? ?place.? ?His? ?voice? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

heard? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?but? ?he? ?remembered? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?casted? ?the? ?spell? ?

in? ?the? ?first? ?place? ?was? ?right? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?so? ?without? ?thinking? ?too? ?much,? ?he? ?hurriedly? ?asked,? ?

“San? ?Lang,? ?what? ?does? ?a? ?roll? ?of? ?four? ?open? ?to?”? ? ?

?

“Depends,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?“The? ?door? ?will? ?open? ?to? ?whatever? ?the? ?roller? ?fears? ?the? ?

most.”? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?cooly? ?said,? ?“You? ?fought? ?to? ?roll? ?first? ?and? ?rolled? ?out? ?

a? ?women’s? ?bath!? ?Give? ?me? ?the? ?dice,? ?I’ll? ?roll!”? ?

?

Hearing? ?“women’s? ?bath”,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?face? ?with? ?his? ?hands.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?always? ?kept? ?his? ?distance? ?from? ?women,? ?and? ?always? ?stayed? ?away? ?from? ?even? ?

speaking? ?of? ?them,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?female? ?sex? ?were? ?savage? ?wild? ?beasts.? ?To? ?him,? ?a? ?women’s? ?

bath,? ?really? ?was? ?the? ?scariest? ?place? ?on? ?earth,? ?worse? ?than? ?the? ?immeasurable? ?depths? ?of? ?

tiger? ?caves? ?or? ?dragon? ?lakes.? ?It? ?seemed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?successfully? ?taken? ?the? ?dice,? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?However,? ?not? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?the? ?two? ?roared? ?again.? ?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?woefully? ?called:? ?“Generals,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?run? ?into? ?this? ?time?”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?no? ?response,? ?only? ?odd? ?burbling? ?sounds,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?had? ?sunken? ?into? ?

water.? ?Everyone? ?held? ?their? ?breath,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?emerged,? ?taking? ?large? ?

breaths? ?of? ?air,? ?sounding? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?water? ?surface,? ?and? ?spitting? ?out? ?

something.? ?He? ?yelled,? ?“Black? ?Marsh? ?Crocodiles!”? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?barely? ?two? ?steps? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?women’s? ?bath? ?in? ?a? ?frenzy,? ?

when? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?took? ?the? ?dice? ?by? ?force? ?and? ?rolled,? ?and? ?their? ?next? ?step? ?led? ?them? ?to? ?fall? ?into? ?

a? ?muddling? ?marsh.? ?They? ?were? ?immediately? ?submerged? ?to? ?past? ?their? ?waist? ?in? ?the? ?muddy? ?

marsh,? ?over? ?their? ?mouths,? ?and? ?after? ?fighting? ?to? ?get? ?out,? ?over? ?a? ?dozen? ?curiously? ?long? ?

crocodile? ?monsters? ?swam? ?over? ?to? ?surround? ?them.? ?Each? ?of? ?those? ?monsters? ?were? ?over? ?

four? ?meters? ?in? ?length,? ?fed? ?on? ?human? ?flesh,? ?and? ?grew? ?human? ?arms? ?and? ?legs? ?from? ?such? ?

evil? ?practices.? ?When? ?they? ?moved,? ?the? ?sight? ?was? ?terrifying? ?and? ?gross,? ?making? ?the? ?two? ?

disgusted? ?beyond? ?belief.? ?Half? ?sunken? ?in? ?the? ?black? ?marsh,? ?the? ?two? ?fought? ?the? ?crocs? ?in? ?

fervour? ?and? ?madness,? ?until? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?had? ?had? ?enough,? ?“Give? ?me? ?the? ?dice,? ?let? ?me? ?

throw!? ?You? ?didn’t? ?roll? ?anything? ?good? ?either!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?one? ?to? ?never? ?admit? ?defeat,? ?and? ?shot? ?a? ?white? ?spiritual? ?blast,? ?“Croc? ?Monsters? ?

are? ?still? ?more? ?decent? ?than? ?a? ?women’s? ?bath!? ?Who? ?knows? ?what? ?you’ll? ?roll? ?next.? ?Give? ?it? ?to? ?

me!”? ?

?

“Fuckin–”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?yelled? ?angrily,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?already? ?take? ?the? ?dice?? ?Where? ?are? ?they?!”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?had? ?completely? ?forgot? ?their? ?conscience? ?were? ?still? ?connected? ?to? ?the? ?

communication? ?array,? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?fight? ?each? ?other,? ?denouncing? ?each? ?other’s? ?luck? ?in? ?

dice? ?rolling;? ?the? ?whereabouts? ?of? ?the? ?dice? ?long? ?lost? ?and? ?forgotten.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

listened? ?to? ?their? ?curses? ?and? ?shouts;? ?a? ?riot? ?was? ?the? ?bigger? ?the? ?better? ?–? ?exciting!? ?So? ?

exciting!!? ?The? ?two? ?generals? ?finally? ?ripped? ?through? ?their? ?masks? ?and? ?stopped? ?caring? ?about? ?

their? ?faces!? ?The? ?officials? ?held? ?back? ?their? ?laughter,? ?some? ?even? ?slamming? ?their? ?fists? ?in? ?their? ?

own? ?seats,? ?wishing? ?desperately? ?they? ?could? ?be? ?watching? ?this? ?live? ?and? ?cheer? ?the? ?fight? ?on.? ?

?

Although? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?luck? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?best,? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?martial? ?

gods? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?a? ?little? ?monster? ?here? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?at? ?most? ?a? ?nuisance,? ?so? ?there? ?

were? ?nothing? ?overly? ?dangerous.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?prayed? ?they? ?would? ?give? ?up? ?sooner? ?and? ?be? ?

released? ?from? ?that? ?predicament.? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?he? ?was? ?thankful? ?that? ?he? ?himself? ?didn’t? ?

roll? ?out? ?a? ?number? ?that? ?called? ?forth? ?any? ?horrors,? ?and? ?rolled? ?out? ?a? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?instead.? ?He? ?

spoke? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?“I? ?rolled? ?snake? ?eyes? ?earlier.? ?Does? ?that? ?mean? ?every? ?time? ?snake? ?eyes? ?

is? ?rolled? ?I’ll? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?see? ?you?”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?ended? ?his? ?sentence? ?he? ?realized? ?his? ?words? ?sounded? ?a? ?little? ?weird,? ?as? ?if? ?

he? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?meet? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?thought? ?it? ?inappropriate.? ?But? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

replied,? ?“No.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?little? ?awkward? ?and? ?scratched? ?his? ?cheek,? ?“Oh.? ?So? ?that’s? ?not? ?the? ?case.? ?I? ?got? ?

it? ?wrong.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?walking? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?see? ?me,? ?it? ?won’t? ?matter? ?what? ?

you? ?roll.? ?I? ?will? ?appear.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swallowed? ?hard,? ?and? ?forgot? ?everything? ?else? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?say.? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?dissect? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?those? ?words? ?before? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?

another? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?sunken? ?tone? ?within? ?the? ?communication? ?array:? ?“Let? ?me!”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?long? ?after? ?that? ?person? ?had? ?spoken? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?white? ?light? ?drew? ?

across? ?the? ?sky? ?and? ?a? ?crashing? ?sound.? ?Suddenly,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?path? ?was? ?

blocked.? ?

?

When? ?the? ?white? ?light? ?cooled? ?and? ?slowly? ?cleared? ?away,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?that? ?the? ?thing? ?that? ?

flew? ?from? ?the? ?sky? ?and? ?blocking? ?them? ?now? ?was? ?a? ?sword.? ?

?

The? ?sword? ?was? ?long? ?and? ?slender,? ?half? ?entombed? ?into? ?the? ?ground? ?on? ?a? ?slant,? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?

the? ?sword? ?itself? ?still? ?quivering.? ?The? ?sword? ?was? ?dark? ?like? ?black? ?jade,? ?deep? ?and? ?foreboding,? ?

smoother? ?than? ?a? ?mirror,? ?and? ?if? ?anyone? ?were? ?to? ?go? ?near,? ?they? ?could? ?see? ?their? ?own? ?

reflection? ?on? ?the? ?blade.? ?Only? ?the? ?thin,? ?silver? ?white? ?line? ?of? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?cut? ?

across? ?the? ?blade? ?in? ?half.? ? ?

?

The? ?name? ?of? ?this? ?sword? ?was? ?‘Fang? ?Xin*’.? ?

?

A? ?shadow? ?landed? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?said,? ?“This? ?is? ?your? ?sword.”? ?

?

After? ?the? ?death? ?of? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?the? ?sword? ?he? ?carried? ?was? ?kept? ?by? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?of? ?YongAn.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?had? ?thrown? ?the? ?sword? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?blocked? ?their? ?path? ?

was? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu.? ?

?

It? ?looked? ?like? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?failed,? ?but? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?roll? ?the? ?right? ?

numbers.? ?It? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?said? ?whether? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?of? ?his? ?luck? ?or? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?misfortune.? ?The? ?only? ?thing? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?said? ?with? ?certainty? ?was? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?Crown? ?

Princes,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?more? ?fortunate? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stood? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?his? ?expression? ?unchanged,? ?only,? ?his? ?

body? ?made? ?a? ?small? ?movement.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?moved,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?stretched? ?

out? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?stop? ?him? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?voice,? ?“Let? ?me.”? ?

?

Right? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?valley,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?blocked? ?the? ?only? ?road,? ?his? ?hand? ?holding? ?

that? ?oversized? ?longsword,? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?only? ?want? ?to? ?duel? ?with? ?you? ?with? ?all? ?my? ?might.? ?It? ?

doesn’t? ?matter? ?how? ?this? ?ends.? ?Even? ?if? ?I? ?die? ?in? ?your? ?hands,? ?I? ?won’t? ?ask? ?for? ?any? ?

compensation.? ?I? ?don’t? ?need? ?you? ?to? ?ask? ?the? ?Great? ?Lord? ?for? ?banishment.? ?You? ?taught? ?me? ?

the? ?art? ?of? ?swordsmanship;? ?it’s? ?not? ?like? ?you? ?can’t? ?win,? ?so? ?why? ?won’t? ?you? ?fight? ?me?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?even? ?without? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?saying? ?it? ?that? ?he? ?would? ?fight? ?with? ?everything? ?

he’s? ?got.? ?But,? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?hold? ?back,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?must? ?also? ?fight? ?seriously.? ?If? ?that? ?was? ?

the? ?case,? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?scenarios? ?would? ?be? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?want? ?to? ?see.? ?But? ?if? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?fight? ?him,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?relent.? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?long? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?nodded? ?his? ?head? ?slowly,? ?“Fine.”? ?

?

He? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?forward? ?and? ?approached? ?that? ?sword,? ?pulled? ?it? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?

said? ?softly,? ?“You? ?asked? ?for? ?this.”? ?

?

After? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years,? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?finally? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?its? ?master.? ?

?

It? ?moaned? ?softly? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands.? ?Closeby,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?also? ?shone? ?from? ?

hearing? ?the? ?euphoric? ?cries? ?of? ?that? ?sword.? ? ?

?

With? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swung? ?and? ?pointed? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?before? ?saying? ?

cooly,? ?“However? ?this? ?duel? ?ends,? ?do? ?not? ?regret? ?it.”? ?

?

“I? ?WILL? ?NEVER!”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?shouted.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?felt? ?like? ?his? ?head? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?split;? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?held? ?the? ?longsword? ?

tightly,? ?his? ?eyes? ?focused,? ?his? ?breath? ?held,? ?his? ?sight? ?locked? ?onto? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?the? ?sword? ?that? ?

was? ?black? ?as? ?jade,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?be? ?careless? ?for? ?even? ?a? ?moment.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?jolted? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?dashed? ?like? ?an? ?arrow.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?eyes? ?

cemented,? ?ready? ?to? ?strike,? ?when? ?suddenly? ?his? ?body? ?froze,? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?had? ?him? ?

wrapped? ?tightly,? ?and? ?he? ?fell? ?heavily? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

He? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?see? ?and? ?found? ?he? ?really? ?was? ?bound!? ?A? ?snow? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?was? ?

wrapped? ?multiple? ?times? ?around? ?his? ?body? ?like? ?a? ?poisonous? ?snake!? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?taught? ?swordsmanship? ?by? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?ever? ?since? ?he? ?was? ?

young,? ?and? ?held? ?fear? ?and? ?reverence? ?for? ?the? ?Guoshi;? ?even? ?after? ?blood? ?spilt? ?like? ?rivers? ?at? ?

the? ?Gilded? ?Banquet,? ?that? ?awe? ?had? ?never? ?ceased.? ?The? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?touched? ?the? ?

sword,? ?he? ?spent? ?his? ?entire? ?focus? ?on? ?the? ?other’s? ?movement,? ?and? ?never? ?noticed? ?that? ?there? ?

was? ?a? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?that? ?snuck? ?behind? ?to? ?ambush? ?him? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?

attack.? ?How? ?could? ?there? ?be? ?such? ?a? ?shameless? ?thing???? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?RuoYe? ?succeeded,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?relaxed? ?his? ?tense? ?expression? ?and? ?

heart.? ? ?

?

He? ?threw? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?aside? ?and? ?took? ?in? ?a? ?long? ?breath,? ?thinking,? ?‘Whew,? ?that? ?was? ?close.’? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?struggling? ?to? ?break? ?free.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?vicious? ?

the? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?could? ?be,? ?and? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?struggled? ?the? ?tighter? ?it? ?bound.? ?He? ?cried? ?

angrily,? ?“Guoshi,? ?what? ?is? ?this?!? ?Let? ?me? ?go? ?and? ?let’s? ?fight? ?to? ?the? ?death!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?sweat? ?from? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?replied,? ?“We? ?already? ?fought? ?to? ?the? ?death.? ?

The? ?thing? ?that’s? ?binding? ?you? ?is? ?one? ?of? ?my? ?spiritual? ?devices.? ?You? ?already? ?lost.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“How? ?can? ?this? ?count?”? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?shouted,? ?“When? ?I? ?said? ?fight? ?to? ?death,? ?obviously? ?I? ?

meant? ?using? ?a? ?sword? ?to? ?fight!? ?Use? ?a? ?sword? ?if? ?you’re? ?a? ?man!? ?Ambushing? ?with? ?a? ?white? ?

ribbon?? ?How? ?cunning!”? ? ?

?

He? ?really? ?thought? ?the? ?sword? ?was? ?the? ?best? ?of? ?all? ?weapons? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?much? ?of? ?his? ?

words,? ?but? ?it? ?totally? ?sounded? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?male? ?official? ?who? ?was? ?prejudiced? ?against? ?

using? ?white? ?silk? ?bands.? ?But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?care? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?acted? ?like? ?a? ?man? ?or? ?not.? ?

He’d? ?even? ?crossdressed? ?before,? ?and? ?hung? ?the? ?words? ?‘I? ?can’t? ?get? ?erect’? ?around? ?his? ?lips.? ?

Nothing? ?could? ?get? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knelt? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?“You? ?didn’t? ?think? ?things? ?through? ?and? ?never? ?

said? ?I? ?had? ?to? ?use? ?a? ?sword.? ?I? ?used? ?your? ?loophole,? ?so? ?who’re? ?you? ?gonna? ?tell?”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?continued? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone,? ?“That’s? ?right,? ?I? ?ambushed? ?you.? ?So? ?what?? ?I? ?

succeeded.? ?Yes,? ?I? ?was? ?cunning,? ?but? ?so? ?what?? ?I? ?won.? ?If? ?your? ?opponent? ?was? ?anyone? ?other? ?

than? ?me,? ?you? ?would? ?already? ?be? ?dead.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stood? ?not? ?far? ?from? ?the? ?two,? ?and? ?laughed? ?soundlessly.? ?He? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms? ?

and? ?looked? ?away.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?was? ?shocked? ?to? ?the? ?core.? ?

?

When? ?that? ?person? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?teachings? ?were? ?honourable? ?

and? ?conscientious,? ?straightforward? ?and? ?genuine.? ?He’d? ?never? ?thought? ?there’d? ?be? ?a? ?day? ?

when? ?he’d? ?hear? ?from? ?the? ?lips? ?of? ?his? ?once? ?teacher? ?something? ?like? ?“Yes,? ?I? ?ambushed,? ?but? ?

so? ?what?? ?I? ?succeeded;? ?yes? ?I? ?was? ?cunning,? ?but? ?so? ?what?? ?I? ?won”.? ?He? ?was? ?stunned.? ?

?

After? ?saying? ?his? ?fill,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?up,? ?“Think? ?about? ?it? ?on? ?your? ?own.? ?Next? ?time,? ?don’t? ?get? ?

in? ?others’? ?way.”? ?

——–? ?

?Fang? ?Xin? ?means? ?“Affection? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?woman.”? ?

——–? ?

?

Ch.49:? ?Adroit? ?Dice? ?for? ?the? ?Safety? ?of? ?Only? ?One? ?2? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?walk? ?away,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?immediately? ?called? ?out,? ?“Stop!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?and? ?finally? ?ground? ?out,? ?“You...? ?owe? ?me? ?

an? ?explanation.”? ?

?

“What? ?kind? ?of? ?explanation? ?do? ?you? ?want?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Of? ?past? ?grudges,? ?for? ?our? ?kingdom? ?and? ?family.? ?It’s? ?not? ?that? ?I? ?can’t? ?understand? ?your? ?hatred? ?

for? ?YongAn,? ?but...”? ?

?

He? ?choked? ?up.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?another? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?continued? ?in? ?a? ?strained,? ?quivering? ?

voice,? ?“But? ?Guoshi...? ?Did? ?my? ?parents? ?and? ?I? ?not? ?treat? ?the? ?remaining? ?citizens? ?of? ?XianLe? ?

well?? ?I? ?was? ?friends? ?with? ?many? ?of? ?them,? ?and? ?I...? ?I? ?did? ?my? ?best? ?to? ?protect? ?them.”? ?

?

Every? ?word? ?he? ?said? ?was? ?the? ?truth.? ?

?

After? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?had? ?fallen,? ?many? ?remaining? ?citizens? ?never? ?forgot? ?their? ?

roots,? ?and? ?even? ?after? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YongAn? ?was? ?built? ?and? ?started? ?its? ?rule,? ?those? ?people? ?

and? ?their? ?descendants? ?continued? ?to? ?live? ?on? ?as? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?often? ?clashing? ?with? ?

people? ?of? ?the? ?new? ?kingdom.? ?

?

The? ?first? ?few? ?generations? ?of? ?the? ?YongAn? ?monarchy? ?ruled? ?with? ?force,? ?and? ?cruelly? ?

massacred? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?rioting? ?XianLe? ?people.? ?Inversely,? ?there? ?were? ?also? ?underground? ?

alliances? ?formed? ?by? ?the? ?XianLe? ?people? ?to? ?plot? ?the? ?assassination? ?of? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?YongAn? ?

nobility,? ?and? ?even? ?succeeded? ?a? ?few? ?times.? ?This? ?continued? ?on,? ?and? ?the? ?end? ?result? ?was? ?a? ?

deeply? ?seeded? ?hatred? ?for? ?each? ?other? ?on? ?both? ?sides.? ?

?

However,? ?with? ?the? ?start? ?of? ?the? ?rule? ?of? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?parents,? ?the? ?king? ?took? ?on? ?a? ?

different? ?attitude,? ?and? ?treated? ?the? ?XianLe? ?people? ?with? ?kindness? ?and? ?compassion.? ?He? ?

wanted? ?to? ?unite? ?the? ?country? ?of? ?the? ?old? ?and? ?the? ?new? ?against? ?all? ?voices? ?of? ?dissent.? ?Even? ?if? ?

the? ?idea? ?of? ?granting? ?princely? ?titles? ?to? ?past? ?XianLe? ?royalties? ?was? ?absurd,? ?he? ?used? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?

way? ?to? ?show? ?his? ?sincerity,? ?and? ?regarded? ?them? ?with? ?respect.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?himself? ?had? ?

never? ?been? ?prejudiced? ?because? ?of? ?past? ?hatred;? ?everything? ?was? ?but? ?history.? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?then? ?was? ?a? ?mysterious? ?figure,? ?having? ?never? ?revealed? ?his? ?true? ?

identity,? ?so? ?no? ?one? ?knew? ?on? ?which? ?side? ?stood? ?the? ?mastermind? ?behind? ?the? ?Gilded? ?

Banquet? ?bloodbath.? ?However,? ?the? ?hatred? ?between? ?YongAn? ?and? ?XianLe? ?ran? ?too? ?deep;? ?

both? ?sides? ?would? ?accuse? ?each? ?other? ?whenever? ?anything? ?should? ?happen,? ?and? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?

the? ?surviving? ?nobles? ?all? ?pointed? ?their? ?fingers? ?at? ?XianLe,? ?and? ?used? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?request? ?

for? ?the? ?complete? ?annihilation? ?of? ?the? ?remaining? ?people? ?of? ?XianLe.? ?Yet,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?had? ?

rejected? ?all? ?their? ?efforts.? ?

?

His? ?determination? ?protected? ?the? ?lives? ?of? ?many,? ?and? ?prevented? ?them? ?from? ?suffering? ?a? ?

nameless? ?genocide.? ?However,? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?reminiscing,? ?the? ?more? ?good? ?he? ?did? ?then,? ?

the? ?more? ?wronged? ?he? ?felt? ?now.? ?

?

Not? ?that? ?he? ?felt? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?done? ?was? ?worthless,? ?but? ?he? ?felt? ?deeply? ?aggrieved.? ?It’s? ?never? ?

worthless? ?to? ?do? ?what? ?you? ?think? ?is? ?right,? ?but? ?to? ?have? ?shown? ?so? ?much? ?benevolence? ?without? ?

reciprocation,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?wronged.? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?eyes? ?reddened,? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?question,? ?“Guoshi,? ?did? ?I? ?not? ?do? ?

enough?? ?Did? ?my? ?parents? ?do? ?something? ?wrong?? ?Why? ?must? ?you? ?treat? ?me? ?like? ?this?”? ?The? ?

more? ?he? ?thought,? ?the? ?more? ?vexed? ?he? ?became,? ?and? ?struggled? ?against? ?RuoYe’s? ?bind? ?once? ?

more,? ?straining? ?to? ?lift? ?his? ?upper? ?body,? ?“Do? ?you? ?not? ?think? ?you? ?owe? ?us? ?an? ?explanation??”? ? ?

?

“I? ?can’t? ?give? ?you? ?one.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?response? ?was? ?so? ?direct,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?choked? ?back? ?his? ?anger,? ?“Guoshi,? ?you’ve? ?

changed? ?so? ?much.? ?You? ?were? ?never? ?like? ?this? ?before.”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?remember? ?I’ve? ?already? ?told? ?you? ?long? ?ago,? ?

not? ?to? ?venerate? ?me? ?as? ?an? ?incorruptible? ?saintly? ?figure;? ?I’m? ?nothing? ?like? ?the? ?person? ?in? ?your? ?

mind.? ?In? ?the? ?end? ?you’d? ?only? ?disappoint? ?yourself.”? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“...? ?The? ?past? ?you? ?or? ?the? ?present? ?you,? ?I? ?

don’t? ?know? ?which? ?one? ?is? ?the? ?real? ?you? ?anymore.”? ?

?

“They’re? ?all? ?me.? ?But? ?you? ?were? ?only? ?seventeen? ?back? ?then.? ?Now? ?that? ?you’re? ?older,? ?of? ?

course? ?I’d? ?be? ?teaching? ?you? ?a? ?different? ?lesson.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?but? ?then? ?blurted,? ?“Was? ?it? ?because? ?your? ?

seventeenth? ?was? ?a? ?trial,? ?that? ?you? ?had? ?to? ?turn? ?my? ?seventeenth? ?into? ?a? ?trial? ?too?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?speak,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?anger? ?flared? ?and? ?took? ?in? ?a? ?huge? ?breath.? ?

He? ?yelled,? ?“IF? ?THAT? ?WAS? ?YOUR? ?INTENTION? ?THEN? ?I? ?WON’T? ?LET? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?YOUR? ?

WAY!!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?at? ?those? ?words.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?couldn’t? ?stand,? ?but? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?bright? ?and? ?his? ?tone? ?tenacious,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?

roaring? ?flame? ?was? ?blazing? ?within? ?his? ?eyes.? ?He? ?continued,? ?his? ?tone? ?harsh,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?

peeved? ?but? ?also? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?declaring? ?war,? ?“If? ?you? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?fill? ?my? ?heart? ?with? ?hatred? ?

like? ?you,? ?I? ?surely? ?won’t!? ?If? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?force? ?me? ?to? ?abandon? ?myself,? ?I? ?refuse!? ?I? ?will? ?

never!? ?—? ?NO? ?MATTER? ?WHAT? ?YOU? ?DO? ?TO? ?ME,? ?I? ?WILL? ?NEVER? ?BECOME? ?LIKE? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?declaration? ?so? ?heroic? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?becoming? ?dazed? ?just? ?listening? ?to? ?it.? ?It? ?took? ?a? ?

moment? ?before? ?he? ?came? ?to,? ?and? ?‘pfft’-ed,? ?bursting? ?into? ?laughter.? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?face? ?was? ?covered? ?with? ?fiery? ?tears,? ?his? ?blood? ?boiling? ?with? ?passion? ?and? ?

was? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?zealous? ?cries,? ?but? ?all? ?that? ?was? ?deflated? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?laugh,? ?and? ?

he? ?became? ?angrily? ?bewildered.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?was? ?clapping? ?as? ?he? ?laughed,? ?

his? ?laughter? ?growing? ?by? ?the? ?minute,? ?and? ?he? ?cried,? ?“GOOD!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?remember? ?the? ?last? ?time? ?he’d? ?laughed? ?this? ?heartily? ?or? ?for? ?what,? ?and? ?it? ?

took? ?him? ?some? ?time? ?before? ?ceasing.? ?He? ?rubbed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?nodded,? ?“Good.? ?

Remember? ?what? ?you? ?said? ?today.? ?That? ?you? ?will? ?never? ?become? ?like? ?me.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?had? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed? ?and? ?watched? ?coldly.? ?Just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finished? ?

speaking,? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?blast? ?of? ?red? ?smoke? ?before? ?him!? ?

?

The? ?explosion? ?came? ?too? ?suddenly? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?jolted,? ?thinking? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?might’ve? ?

used? ?some? ?strange? ?trick,? ?and? ?immediately? ?evaded,? ?his? ?gaze? ?watchful.? ?However,? ?the? ?

blast? ?was? ?loud? ?in? ?sound? ?only,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?pose? ?any? ?harm.? ?When? ?the? ?smoke? ?had? ?cleared,? ?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?had? ?disappeared? ?from? ?where? ?he? ?laid.? ?What? ?was? ?left? ?was? ?a? ?daruma? ?doll,? ?

swaying? ?left? ?and? ?right.? ?

?

The? ?daruma? ?doll? ?had? ?a? ?very? ?round? ?face? ?and? ?body? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?squash.? ?Its? ?brows? ?black? ?

and? ?its? ?expression? ?like? ?a? ?tiger,? ?cute? ?and? ?juvenile.? ?At? ?that? ?moment? ?it? ?was? ?glaring,? ?plump? ?

with? ?anger,? ?and? ?it? ?carried? ?a? ?fat? ?sword? ?on? ?its? ?back,? ?gallant? ?in? ?its? ?form? ?–? ?exactly? ?like? ?Lang? ?

Qian? ?Qiu,? ?except? ?it’s? ?a? ?lovable? ?big? ?toy.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?smiling? ?and? ?called,? ?“Qian? ?Qiu?!”? ? ?

?

RuoYe? ?let? ?go? ?and? ?returned? ?to? ?wrap? ?itself? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?wrist.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked? ?

over? ?leisurely? ?and? ?flicked? ?his? ?finger? ?on? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?that? ?daruma? ?doll,? ?laughing,? ?“Why? ?

does? ?he? ?look? ?so? ?foolish? ?no? ?matter? ?what? ?form? ?he? ?takes?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?daruma? ?doll? ?and? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?“This...? ?

this...? ?San? ?Lang,? ?is? ?this? ?Qian? ?Qiu?? ?Why? ?did? ?he? ?turn? ?into? ?this? ?form?? ?Stop? ?playing? ?around? ?

with? ?him? ?and? ?change? ?him? ?back.”? ?

?

“No.? ?Take? ?him? ?along? ?and? ?let’s? ?go.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

“Go? ?where?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?come? ?to? ?a? ?cramped? ?little? ?cave.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?him.? ?He? ?

tossed? ?up? ?a? ?dice? ?and? ?it? ?landed? ?in? ?his? ?palm.? ?He? ?lowered? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?glance? ?at? ?it? ?before? ?

entering? ?the? ?cave.? ?

?

To? ?turn? ?someone? ?into? ?a? ?daruma? ?doll? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?mischievous? ?spell? ?is? ?very? ?much? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?style,? ?but? ?it’s? ?also? ?hard? ?to? ?undo.? ?Either? ?way? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?unravel? ?it,? ?and? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?guarantee? ?any? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?could? ?do? ?it? ?either,? ?so? ?he? ?held? ?the? ?doll? ?in? ?

his? ?hands? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?follow? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?when? ?he? ?abruptly? ?remembered? ?the? ?

tossed? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?and? ?doubled? ?back? ?to? ?pick? ?up? ?the? ?sword.? ?He? ?strapped? ?it? ?onto? ?his? ?back,? ?

and? ?chased? ?after? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?undo? ?the? ?spell? ?but? ?the? ?man? ?was? ?noncommittal.? ?The? ?two? ?

walked? ?around? ?in? ?the? ?cave? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?and? ?soon? ?after? ?it? ?became? ?wider? ?and? ?more? ?spacious? ?

than? ?the? ?entrance.? ?Footfalls? ?echoed? ?in? ?the? ?cave,? ?and? ?some? ?distance? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?them? ?

came? ?a? ?faint? ?light? ?and? ?sounds? ?of? ?singing.? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?led? ?to? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?he? ?had? ?also? ?heard? ?singing,? ?

but? ?the? ?graceful? ?songs? ?of? ?charming? ?female? ?ghosts? ?were? ?enticing? ?and? ?beautiful? ?like? ?

aphrodisiac,? ?intoxicating.? ?This? ?singing? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?chaotic? ?dance? ?of? ?demons,? ?appalling? ?

and? ?hideous.? ?The? ?two? ?were? ?nothing? ?alike.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?

what? ?is? ?this? ?place?? ?

?

“Shh.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?lightly? ?silenced? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?question? ?was? ?already? ?voiced? ?in? ?a? ?near? ?whisper;? ?hearing? ?the? ?shush,? ?he? ?held? ?his? ?

breath.? ?Soon? ?he? ?discovered? ?why? ?the? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?silent.? ?Right? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?

bunches? ?of? ?floating? ?green? ?ghost? ?fires.? ?And? ?when? ?the? ?little? ?bunches? ?of? ?flames? ?

approached,? ?he? ?saw? ?they? ?were? ?little? ?ghosts? ?dressed? ?in? ?green.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?heads? ?of? ?each? ?little? ?ghost? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?flaming? ?light,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?themselves? ?were? ?a? ?

green? ?candle.? ?There? ?was? ?nowhere? ?to? ?hide? ?in? ?this? ?cave? ?and? ?the? ?path? ?was? ?narrow.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?reach? ?for? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?but? ?thought? ?RuoYe? ?would? ?be? ?better? ?suited? ?in? ?this? ?

situation,? ?and? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?again.? ?

?

But? ?then,? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?little? ?ghosts? ?passed? ?by? ?them,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?bat? ?an? ?eyelash? ?before? ?

moving? ?on,? ?continuing? ?to? ?whisper? ?amongst? ?themselves.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?they? ?didn’t? ?see? ?

them,? ?but? ?more? ?so? ?that? ?they? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?strange? ?to? ?see? ?them.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?standing? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?exceptionally? ?handsome? ?red-clad? ?

ghost? ?king? ?he? ?knew,? ?but? ?another? ?little? ?pale? ?ghost? ?with? ?a? ?green? ?flame? ?on? ?his? ?head.? ? ?

?

So? ?it? ?seemed? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?changed? ?them? ?into? ?fake? ?skins? ?without? ?him? ?knowing? ?

when? ?it? ?happened.? ?Thinking? ?that? ?he? ?himself? ?must? ?be? ?upholding? ?a? ?green? ?flame? ?above? ?his? ?

head,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?raise? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?feel.? ?“Why? ?must? ?we...”? ?Why? ?must? ?they? ?

transform? ?into? ?such? ?a? ?bizarre? ?appearance?? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?trailed? ?off,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?obviously? ?knew? ?what? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?say.? ?“I? ?already? ?

mentioned? ?that? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?is? ?vulgar? ?and? ?crass.? ?All? ?of? ?his? ?lackeys? ?have? ?to? ?

look? ?like? ?this.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?realize? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?brought? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?

territory!? ?

?

Before? ?when? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?mentioned? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?

they? ?all? ?had? ?to? ?comment? ?on? ?just? ?how? ?uncouth? ?he? ?was,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?fathom? ?why.? ?

Now? ?that? ?he’d? ?learned? ?that? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?little? ?ghost? ?subordinates? ?had? ?to? ?dress? ?like? ?this,? ?he? ?

could? ?somewhat? ?understand.? ?Going? ?only? ?by? ?the? ?title? ?‘The? ?Night-Touring? ?Green? ?Lantern’,? ?

there? ?was? ?at? ?least? ?still? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?sarcastic? ?elegance,? ?but? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?literally? ?‘green? ?light’? ?

walking? ?around? ?at? ?night,? ?then? ?there’s? ?definitely? ?a? ?gap? ?between? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?in? ?mind.? ? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?you? ?already? ?destroy? ?his? ?lair?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“I? ?did,? ?but? ?he? ?escaped.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?“Escaped? ?for? ?fifty? ?years,? ?then? ?built? ?a? ?new? ?

lair.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?the? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?daruma? ?doll? ?close? ?to? ?this? ?chest,? ?and? ?whispered? ?after? ?

making? ?sure? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?around,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?are? ?you? ?here? ?to? ?find? ?the? ?Green? ?

Ghost?? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?undo? ?Qian? ?Qiu’s? ?spell? ?and? ?let? ?him? ?go? ?first,? ?and? ?then? ?I’ll? ?

accompany? ?you?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?obstinately? ?refused,? ?“No,? ?take? ?him? ?with? ?you.? ?I? ?need? ?him? ?to? ?meet? ?someone.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?curious.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?act? ?like? ?he? ?cared? ?much? ?for? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu,? ?so? ?

why? ?would? ?he? ?take? ?him? ?to? ?meet? ?anyone? ?especially?? ?But? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?options? ?were? ?rather? ?

awkward,? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?anymore? ?on? ?the? ?subject.? ?When? ?the? ?two? ?finally? ?emerged? ?

from? ?the? ?cave? ?and? ?the? ?tunnel? ?opened? ?to? ?a? ?wider? ?space,? ?more? ?caves? ?appeared? ?before? ?

them.? ?

?

There? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?caves? ?and? ?tunnels? ?dug? ?all? ?over? ?this? ?mountain;? ?caves? ?connecting? ?

caves,? ?tunnels? ?leading? ?to? ?more? ?tunnels.? ?Each? ?entrance? ?had? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?ghosts? ?with? ?a? ?

green? ?lantern? ?on? ?their? ?heads? ?going? ?in? ?and? ?out,? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?beehive? ?or? ?an? ?anthill.? ?If? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?had? ?come? ?in? ?by? ?himself,? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?way? ?he’d? ?remember? ?the? ?way.? ?Yet,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?acted? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?home,? ?and? ?traversed? ?through? ?various? ?tunnels? ?and? ?caves? ?

without? ?hesitation,? ?exceedingly? ?at? ?ease,? ?like? ?he? ?knew? ?the? ?paths? ?by? ?heart.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?had? ?on? ?their? ?green? ?flamed? ?little? ?ghost? ?skin,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?stopped? ?them? ?in? ?

their? ?paths.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?breathed? ?in? ?relief,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?sighing? ?and? ?

asked,? ?“What’s? ?wrong?”? ?

?

“Nothing,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?thought? ?you? ?would? ?attack? ?the? ?lair? ?head? ?on? ?instead? ?of? ?sneaking? ?

in.? ?I’m? ?not? ?too? ?good? ?with? ?fighting,? ?so? ?I’m? ?relieved.”? ?

?

He? ?meant? ?it? ?when? ?he? ?said? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?“good? ?at? ?fighting”.? ?He? ?may? ?be? ?skilled,? ?but? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?

good? ?at? ?dealing? ?with? ?the? ?aftermath.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?puffed? ?a? ?laugh.? ?“I? ?did? ?

attack? ?head? ?on? ?the? ?first? ?time,? ?but? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?found? ?out? ?he? ?ran? ?away.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

said,? ?“This? ?time? ?I’m? ?here? ?for? ?his? ?person,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?I? ?can’t? ?have? ?him? ?notice? ?I’m? ?here.”? ?

?

Was? ?the? ?person? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wanted? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?to? ?meet? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

wondered,? ?‘Was? ?there? ?a? ?relationship? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them?? ?Well,? ?whatever? ?he? ?wants? ?

to? ?do? ?I’ll? ?still? ?accompany? ?him,? ?then? ?ask? ?him? ?to? ?undo? ?the? ?spell? ?later.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?had? ?the? ?

burning? ?of? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?on? ?his? ?mind,? ?and? ?still? ?felt? ?guilty.? ?As? ?he? ?was? ?thinking,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?spoke,? ?“That? ?useless? ?trash? ?can’t? ?do? ?anything,? ?but? ?he’s? ?very? ?vigilant.? ?Those? ?little? ?

ghosts? ?can’t? ?approach? ?his? ?person,? ?and? ?it’s? ?not? ?easy? ?disguising? ?as? ?his? ?closest? ?henchmen.? ?

To? ?get? ?close,? ?there’s? ?only? ?one? ?way.”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?four? ?little? ?ghosts? ?came? ?by,? ?laughing? ?and? ?chatting.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?slowed? ?his? ?

steps,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?his? ?lead.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?the? ?little? ?ghosts? ?had? ?behind? ?them,? ?a? ?

train? ?of? ?bound? ?humans,? ?dragged? ?by? ?a? ?long? ?rope.? ?

?

Among? ?the? ?humans,? ?some? ?were? ?ragged? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?some? ?in? ?extravagant? ?clothes,? ?but? ?

they? ?all? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?young? ?men? ?and? ?women? ?under? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?thirty.? ?There? ?was? ?even? ?a? ?

child? ?who? ?was? ?grabbing? ?onto? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?a? ?sleeve? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?young? ?men;? ?they? ?were? ?

probably? ?father? ?and? ?son.? ?Their? ?hands? ?were? ?bound,? ?and? ?looking? ?terrified,? ?some? ?ready? ?to? ?

faint,? ?while? ?trudging? ?through? ?the? ?demonic? ?lair.? ?They? ?brushed? ?past? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?

without? ?missing? ?a? ?beat,? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?seamlessly? ?joined? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?march.? ?

He? ?gently? ?elbowed? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?he? ?repeated? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?actions.? ?When? ?he? ?looked? ?

over,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?changed? ?skin? ?again,? ?and? ?this? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?clean? ?cut? ?

young? ?man.? ?He? ?himself? ?probably? ?looked? ?similar.? ? ?

?

The? ?little? ?band? ?made? ?twists? ?and? ?turns? ?through? ?the? ?tunnels? ?and? ?caves.? ?The? ?little? ?ghosts? ?

leading? ?the? ?group? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?quite? ?content? ?in? ?their? ?duties,? ?and? ?from? ?time? ?to? ?time? ?

showed? ?off? ?a? ?little? ?authority,? ?yelling? ?and? ?snarling? ?at? ?the? ?prisoners? ?behind? ?them,? ?“No? ?funny? ?

business!? ?–? ?No? ?crying!? ?With? ?your? ?faces? ?all? ?covered? ?in? ?tears? ?and? ?snot,? ?if? ?you? ?ruin? ?our? ?

great? ?one’s? ?appetite,? ?we’ll? ?teach? ?you? ?what’s? ?it? ?like? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?die!”? ?

?

Of? ?the? ?Four? ?Great? ?Evils,? ?there? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?words? ?that? ?the? ?other? ?three? ?Supreme’s? ?

devoured? ?human? ?flesh,? ?only? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?remained? ?gluttonous;? ?no? ?wonder? ?

his? ?equals? ?and? ?enemies? ?scoffed? ?at? ?any? ?mentions? ?of? ?him,? ?dismissing? ?him? ?as? ?unsightly? ?and? ?

ignorant.? ?Earlier? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?way? ?to? ?get? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Green? ?

Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?and? ?it? ?appeared? ?that? ?mixing? ?in? ?with? ?the? ?‘food’? ?was? ?the? ?way.? ?As? ?he? ?

walked,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand.? ?Once? ?he? ?succeeded? ?in? ?grabbing? ?hold? ?

of? ?it,? ?he? ?felt? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?freeze,? ?like? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?pull? ?away.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?

notice,? ?but? ?under? ?the? ?circumstances? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?much? ?room? ?for? ?thought.? ?He? ?held? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?hand? ?tight,? ?and? ?lightly? ?drew? ?a? ?word? ?in? ?his? ?palm:? ?‘Save’.? ?

?

Since? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw,? ?then? ?he? ?must? ?save? ?those? ?people.? ?This? ?gesture? ?was? ?him? ?informing? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?of? ?his? ?intentions.? ?

?

After? ?the? ?word? ?was? ?written,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gently? ?folded? ?his? ?fingers? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?palm.? ?A? ?

moment? ?later,? ?the? ?band? ?exited? ?a? ?tunnel? ?and? ?proceeded? ?to? ?enter? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?large? ?

cave.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?they? ?entered? ?the? ?cave,? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?shadowed? ?objects? ?entered? ?their? ?vision.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?squinted? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?quite? ?made? ?out? ?what? ?those? ?objects? ?were,? ?but? ?instead? ?he? ?felt? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?grip? ?his? ?wrist,? ?and? ?drew? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?palm:? ?‘Watch? ?your? ?

head.? ?Don’t? ?touch.’? ?

?

At? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?there? ?hung? ?many? ?rags? ?from? ?above,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?closer,? ?

his? ?pupils? ?shrank? ?–? ?what? ?rags?? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?blackened,? ?tightly? ?packed? ?people,? ?feet? ?

above,? ?heads? ?hung? ?low,? ?suspended? ?in? ?midair.? ? ?

?

The? ?forest? ?of? ?upside? ?down? ?corpses!? ? ?

?

However,? ?although? ?there? ?hung? ?those? ?flipped? ?dead? ?bodies,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?bloody? ?rain? ?

because? ?those? ?corpses? ?were? ?all? ?dried? ?without? ?a? ?drop? ?of? ?fresh? ?blood? ?left? ?in? ?their? ?veins.? ?

The? ?expressions? ?on? ?those? ?dried? ?corpses? ?all? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?pain,? ?their? ?mouths? ?open? ?

wide,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?thin? ?layer? ?of? ?snow-like? ?crystals? ?on? ?their? ?bodies? ?and? ?faces.? ?It? ?was? ?

salt.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?deepest? ?recesses? ?of? ?the? ?cave,? ?the? ?lights? ?shone? ?bright? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?chair,? ?

a? ?long? ?table,? ?golden? ?goblets? ?and? ?jaded? ?utensils.? ?Such? ?extravagance? ?made? ?it? ?look? ?more? ?

like? ?a? ?royal? ?banquet? ?hall? ?rather? ?than? ?a? ?deep? ?mountain? ?cave.? ?A? ?bit? ?further? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?

long? ?table? ?was? ?an? ?enormous? ?steel? ?cauldron,? ?big? ?enough? ?to? ?allow? ?over? ?ten? ?people? ?to? ?

swim? ?within.? ?The? ?cauldron? ?was? ?red? ?and? ?boiling,? ?its? ?contents? ?bubbling? ?in? ?rage,? ?and? ?if? ?

anyone? ?should? ?accidentally? ?fall? ?in,? ?it? ?would? ?only? ?be? ?seconds? ?before? ?they’re? ?cooked? ?

through!? ?

?

The? ?four? ?little? ?ghosts? ?ushered? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?prisoners? ?towards? ?the? ?cauldron,? ?but? ?some? ?fell? ?

to? ?the? ?ground? ?shivering? ?in? ?fear? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?what? ?was? ?waiting? ?for? ?them,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?

midst? ?of? ?yelling,? ?hitting,? ?and? ?pulling,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arm? ?

went? ?stiff? ?and? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?see,? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?had? ?on? ?the? ?

appearance? ?of? ?a? ?clean? ?cut? ?young? ?man,? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?blazing? ?with? ?rage.? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?always? ?smiling,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?his? ?true? ?emotions? ?were? ?

always? ?hidden? ?deep? ?within.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?a? ?violent? ?fury? ?this? ?

blatant.? ?He? ?followed? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sight? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?felt? ?his? ?own? ?breathing? ?

stop.? ?Before? ?the? ?extravagant? ?giant? ?chair? ?knelt? ?a? ?person.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?first? ?glance? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?person,? ?but? ?upon? ?a? ?closer? ?look,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?a? ?stone? ?statue? ?

the? ?size? ?of? ?a? ?real? ?person.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?rather? ?interesting? ?statue? ?sculpted? ?in? ?a? ?kneeling? ?

position,? ?its? ?back? ?facing? ?him,? ?its? ?head? ?downcast.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?form? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?

described? ?as? ?a? ?dog? ?with? ?its? ?tail? ?between? ?its? ?legs.? ?It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?presume? ?that? ?the? ?only? ?

purpose? ?of? ?making? ?such? ?a? ?statue? ?was? ?for? ?humiliating? ?this? ?person.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?turn? ?the? ?statue? ?around? ?to? ?know? ?that? ?its? ?face? ?must? ?be? ?exactly? ?the? ?

same? ?as? ?his.? ?

?

?

———–? ?

Ch.50:? ?Adroit? ?Dice? ?for? ?the? ?Safety? ?of? ?Only? ?One? ?3? ?

?

Generally? ?people? ?would? ?not? ?know? ?how? ?their? ?own? ?backs? ?look? ?like,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

different.? ?He? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?with? ?how? ?his? ?own? ?back? ?looked.? ?

?

When? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?first? ?fell,? ?to? ?relieve? ?themselves? ?of? ?anger,? ?the? ?people? ?burnt? ?

down? ?his? ?Baqian? ?Taizi*? ?Temple,? ?desecrated? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?statues,? ?robbed? ?the? ?gems? ?on? ?his? ?

sword? ?and? ?cleaned? ?his? ?attire? ?of? ?gold.? ?Yet? ?after? ?all? ?that? ?the? ?rage? ?continued? ?to? ?burn,? ?and? ?so? ?

they? ?came? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?new? ?idea,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?build? ?such? ?kneeling? ?statues.? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?that? ?was? ?highly? ?venerated? ?and? ?worshipped? ?was? ?sculpted? ?into? ?the? ?form? ?

of? ?one? ?who? ?knelt? ?and? ?begged? ?for? ?forgiveness,? ?and? ?placed? ?in? ?crowded? ?areas? ?of? ?town? ?so? ?

everyone? ?was? ?free? ?to? ?spit? ?at? ?or? ?kick? ?it? ?when? ?they? ?passed? ?by,? ?and? ?rid? ?themselves? ?of? ?

misfortune.? ?Or? ?worse,? ?some? ?even? ?had? ?him? ?sculpted? ?to? ?be? ?prostrating,? ?and? ?used? ?the? ?

statue? ?directly? ?as? ?a? ?threshold,? ?allowing? ?tens? ?of? ?thousands? ?to? ?walk? ?all? ?over? ?it.? ?In? ?the? ?first? ?

ten,? ?twenty? ?years? ?after? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?fell,? ?those? ?statues? ?were? ?a? ?common? ?sight? ?in? ?

many? ?of? ?the? ?cities? ?and? ?towns,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?not? ?recognize? ?his? ?own? ?

back?? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?said,? ?“That? ?little? ?hyena? ?Pei? ?Su? ?had? ?to? ?hug? ?the? ?bitch? ?

legs? ?of? ?that? ?manwhore? ?Pei? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?ascend,? ?so? ?who? ?does? ?he? ?think? ?he? ?is?? ?He’s? ?

nothing? ?more? ?than? ?an? ?exiled? ?wild? ?dog.? ?To? ?ruin? ?my? ?plans...? ?Once? ?I’m? ?through? ?with? ?him,? ?

even? ?after? ?the? ?winds? ?dry? ?up? ?his? ?corpse? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?dare? ?go? ?to? ?collect? ?it!”? ?

?

Before? ?the? ?person? ?himself? ?had? ?appeared,? ?cussing? ?was? ?already? ?heard.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gazed? ?

over,? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?figure? ?clad? ?in? ?green? ?enter? ?the? ?cave? ?floating? ?in.? ?Due? ?to? ?a? ?reason? ?

somehow? ?not? ?worth? ?mentioning,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?look? ?to? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?his? ?head? ?

first,? ?and? ?was? ?actually? ?kind? ?of? ?disappointed? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?person? ?had? ?only? ?a? ?mask? ?on,? ?but? ?

no? ?light? ?above? ?his? ?head.? ?A? ?bunch? ?of? ?little? ?ghosts? ?dressed? ?in? ?green? ?surrounded? ?this? ?green? ?

clad? ?man,? ?and? ?he? ?stood? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?surrounded? ?by? ?a? ?circle? ?of? ?green? ?light.? ?This? ?must? ?be? ?

one? ?of? ?the? ?Four? ?Evils? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm,? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?had? ?first? ?mentioned? ?the? ?name? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?kept? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?

back? ?of? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?wondered? ?whether? ?if? ?this? ?‘Qi? ?Rong’? ?was? ?the? ?same? ?‘Qi? ?Rong’? ?he? ?

knew.? ?However,? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?unwritten? ?rule? ?that? ?no? ?matter? ?demons? ?or? ?ghosts? ?they? ?

would? ?all? ?hide? ?their? ?real? ?names,? ?and? ?bury? ?their? ?past? ?lives.? ?Because? ?of? ?this,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?think? ?

they? ?were? ?the? ?same? ?person,? ?only? ?that? ?the? ?fake? ?name? ?had? ?coincided? ?with? ?the? ?real? ?one.? ?

Yet? ?from? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?things,? ?he? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?certain.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?he? ?knew,? ?

how? ?could? ?there? ?be? ?another? ?‘Qi? ?Rong’? ?who? ?was? ?obsessed? ?with? ?the? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?kneeling? ?

Crown? ?Prince?? ?And? ?why? ?would? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?his? ?voice? ?be? ?so? ?familiar?? ?

?

The? ?little? ?green? ?ghosts? ?that? ?surrounded? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?were? ?loudly? ?acclaiming? ?him? ?king? ?and? ?

wildly? ?chattered,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?somewhat? ?figured? ?out? ?what? ?had? ?transpired.? ?Turns? ?out? ?when? ?

Qi? ?Rong? ?sent? ?a? ?few? ?of? ?his? ?henchmen? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?they? ?failed? ?in? ?causing? ?havoc,? ?and? ?

was? ?decimated? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?He? ?then? ?regrouped? ?and? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?fight? ?again.? ?But? ?

before? ?the? ?second? ?round? ?had? ?even? ?started,? ?the? ?henchmen? ?bumped? ?into? ?the? ?exiled? ?Pei? ?

Su? ?on? ?the? ?road.? ?Although? ?exiled? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?nevertheless? ?was? ?once? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official,? ?and? ?had? ?nothing? ?better? ?to? ?do,? ?so? ?when? ?the? ?henchmen? ?bumped? ?into? ?him? ?

he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?clean? ?them? ?up,? ?and? ?so? ?they? ?were? ?once? ?again? ?decimated.? ?

?

To? ?lose? ?so? ?many? ?henchmen? ?in? ?a? ?short? ?period? ?of? ?time,? ?the? ?moment? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?received? ?the? ?

news? ?he? ?was? ?furious,? ?and? ?cursed? ?nonstop:? ?“Like? ?ancestors? ?like? ?descendants,? ?that? ?

fucking? ?manwhore? ?of? ?a? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?probably? ?has? ?sores? ?all? ?over? ?his? ?crotch.? ?I? ?should? ?chop? ?off? ?

both? ?his? ?and? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?fucking? ?dicks? ?and? ?hang? ?them? ?at? ?their? ?temples,? ?and? ?whoever? ?

worships? ?them? ?will? ?bleed? ?pus? ?with? ?every? ?step!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?really? ?suppress? ?the? ?urge? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?ears.? ?The? ?profanities? ?were? ?the? ?

same;? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?got? ?upset? ?his? ?curses? ?were? ?also? ?too? ?vulgar? ?for? ?ears,? ?but? ?as? ?much? ?

as? ?he? ?swore,? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?only? ?words? ?of? ?temporary? ?anger,? ?and? ?there? ?

was? ?no? ?real? ?malintent.? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?curses? ?were? ?different.? ?The? ?recipients? ?have? ?no? ?doubt? ?

that? ?he? ?truly? ?wanted? ?to? ?curse? ?them? ?to? ?die? ?as? ?crudely? ?as? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?condemned,? ?and? ?

wholly? ?unafraid? ?to? ?take? ?cheap? ?shots,? ?thoroughly? ?crass? ?and? ?obscene.? ?

?

That? ?group? ?of? ?little? ?green? ?ghosts? ?agreed? ?with? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?loudly.? ?He? ?probably? ?remembered? ?

the? ?able? ?subordinates? ?he? ?worked? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?raise,? ?and? ?continued,? ?“Too? ?bad? ?that? ?

strong-spirited? ?woman? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?captured? ?by? ?those? ?two? ?shameless? ?Pei? ?dogs? ?and? ?was? ?

wronged? ?so? ?miserably.? ?She? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?saved? ?even? ?now.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?agree? ?with? ?those? ?words.? ?Indeed? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?had? ?a? ?tragic? ?story,? ?but? ?not? ?

everything? ?was? ?General’s? ?Pei’s? ?fault? ?like? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?described.? ?After? ?all,? ?those? ?ten? ?

brides? ?were? ?kidnapped? ?by? ?her? ?very? ?person,? ?and? ?she? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?killed? ?them? ?in? ?cold? ?

blood.? ?Strong-spirited? ?for? ?sure,? ?and? ?a? ?good? ?woman? ?indeed.? ?But? ?to? ?say? ?Little? ?Pei? ?only? ?

ascended? ?because? ?he? ?begged? ?General? ?Pei? ?was? ?something? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?agree? ?with.? ?

After? ?seeing? ?so? ?many? ?to? ?ascended? ?and? ?descended,? ?there? ?was? ?one? ?thing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

say? ?with? ?absolute? ?certainty:? ?the? ?skilled? ?may? ?not? ?always? ?ascend;? ?but? ?the? ?ascended? ?is? ?

always? ?skilled.? ?If? ?one? ?is? ?powerless,? ?no? ?matter? ?who? ?promoted? ?them,? ?they? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?overcome? ?heavenly? ?calamities,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?at? ?most? ?be? ?an? ?official? ?in? ?the? ?

middle? ?court.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?interacted? ?much? ?with? ?Pei? ?Su,? ?but? ?even? ?he? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?

Little? ?Pei’s? ?martial? ?power? ?was? ?above? ?that? ?of? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu.? ?Only,? ?power? ?didn’t? ?equal? ?to? ?

rank;? ?there’s? ?politics? ?at? ?play? ?too,? ?otherwise? ?Pei? ?Su? ?would’ve? ?long? ?gotten? ?his? ?own? ?palace.? ? ?

?

Obviously? ?those? ?things? ?weren’t? ?of? ?consideration? ?to? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?He? ?swore? ?like? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?

a? ?single? ?one? ?in? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?realms? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?cursed? ?to? ?death.? ?He? ?called? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?a? ?

man? ?whore,? ?Little? ?Pei? ?a? ?leg-hugging? ?dog,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?a? ?faker,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?a? ?bitch,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?

Qiu? ?a? ?moron,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?shit,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?black-hearted,? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?a? ?

slutty? ?woman? ?–? ?he? ?probably? ?didn’t? ?know? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?actually? ?a? ?man.? ?If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

hadn’t? ?seen? ?it? ?for? ?himself,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?believe? ?anyone? ?could? ?be? ?so? ?resentful.? ?

Finally,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?main? ?point,? ?which? ?was? ?how? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?that? ?low-key? ?

Ship-Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?looked? ?down? ?on? ?him.? ?They? ?were? ?mere? ?‘Supreme’s,? ?one? ?day? ?

for? ?sure? ?he’d? ?have? ?them? ?kneel? ?before? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?should? ?be? ?angry? ?hearing? ?this,? ?but? ?

because? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?imagine? ?how? ?that? ?would? ?ever? ?play? ?out,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?

find? ?it? ?hilarious? ?instead,? ?and? ?stole? ?a? ?glimpse? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?himself? ?didn’t? ?

have? ?any? ?reaction,? ?but? ?instead? ?was? ?still? ?closely? ?staring? ?at? ?that? ?kneeling? ?stone? ?statue.? ?

Finally,? ?thankfully,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?assuaged? ?by? ?all? ?the? ?cursing,? ?and? ?changed? ?the? ?

subject.? ?“How? ?was? ?the? ?thing? ?I? ?sent? ?you? ?guys? ?to? ?do?? ?Have? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?and? ?that? ?man? ?

whore? ?Pei? ?started? ?fighting? ?yet?”? ?

?

He? ?sat? ?down? ?as? ?he? ?spoke,? ?lounging? ?in? ?his? ?luxurious? ?throne.? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?legs? ?and? ?

rested? ?his? ?boots? ?on? ?the? ?shoulders? ?of? ?that? ?statue,? ?using? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?footstool.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?holding? ?on? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arm,? ?and? ?stopped? ?him? ?immediately? ?when? ?

he? ?felt? ?him? ?shuffle? ?a? ?step? ?forward.? ?He? ?felt? ?the? ?pull? ?back? ?may? ?not? ?be? ?enough,? ?so? ?he? ?drew? ?

another? ?word? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?palm:? ?“Thanks”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?recognized? ?the? ?word.? ?He? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?then? ?glanced? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?

was? ?watching? ?him? ?back? ?with? ?gratefulness? ?in? ?his? ?eyes,? ?thanking? ?him? ?for? ?his? ?good? ?

intentions.? ?Then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?lightly,? ?and? ?drew? ?the? ?words? ?“Listen”? ?and? ?

“Heaven”.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?talking? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?sent? ?henchmen? ?to? ?do? ?something,? ?and? ?it? ?had? ?something? ?to? ?

do? ?with? ?those? ?two? ?heavenly? ?officials.? ?It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?anything? ?good,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?

keep? ?listening.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?statue? ?getting? ?used? ?as? ?a? ?footstool,? ?thinking? ?back,? ?it’s? ?even? ?

been? ?used? ?as? ?a? ?threshold? ?before,? ?so? ?really? ?it? ?meant? ?nothing? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?

piece? ?of? ?rock,? ?not? ?his? ?person.? ?Although? ?he? ?had? ?only? ?written? ?those? ?three? ?simple? ?words,? ?

when? ?their? ?eyes? ?met,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?understood? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?meant.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?slowly? ?held? ?his? ?hand? ?tight? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?away,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?no? ?

longer? ?see? ?his? ?face.? ? ?

?

A? ?little? ?green? ?ghost? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“We? ?followed? ?our? ?king’s? ?instructions,? ?and? ?have? ?long? ?since? ?

spread? ?the? ?rumours? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wants? ?to? ?make? ?Pei? ?Su? ?the? ?martial? ?god? ?of? ?the? ?west.? ?

Now? ?it’s? ?becoming? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?riot,? ?so? ?we? ?used? ?that? ?as? ?an? ?excuse? ?and? ?

desecrated? ?hundreds? ?of? ?Ming? ?Guan? ?temples? ?disguised? ?as? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?palace’s? ?devotees,? ?

and? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?the? ?wiser!? ?Hahaha,? ?my? ?lord? ?may? ?not? ?know,? ?but? ?those? ?devotees? ?are? ?

really? ?stupid!? ?They? ?saw? ?us? ?smashing? ?temples,? ?and? ?smashed? ?along? ?with? ?us? ?with? ?even? ?

more? ?enthusiasm!”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?pleased.? ?“Keep? ?fueling? ?them!? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?can? ?endure? ?it,? ?but? ?I? ?won’t? ?

believe? ?that? ?manwhore? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?can? ?put? ?up? ?with? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?spreading? ?wasn’t? ?exactly? ?a? ?rumour,? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?fabrication? ?was? ?

still? ?full? ?of? ?malintent,? ?especially? ?something? ?as? ?unscrupulous? ?as? ?disguising? ?as? ?mortals? ?to? ?

sabotage? ?temples,? ?absolutely? ?heinous,? ?depraved,? ?and? ?perverse.? ?No? ?wonder? ?whenever? ?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?mentioned,? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?heavens? ?would? ?say? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?skilled? ?but? ?

extremely? ?troublesome.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mentally? ?noted,? ?‘If? ?there’s? ?a? ?chance,? ?do? ?tell? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?to? ?

watch? ?for? ?any? ?disputes? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?caused? ?by? ?others.’? ? ?

?

When? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?finished? ?with? ?business,? ?he? ?laid? ?back,? ?his? ?pair? ?of? ?long? ?legs? ?resting? ?on? ?the? ?

statue? ?changed? ?position.? ?The? ?little? ?ghosts? ?immediately? ?knew? ?what? ?to? ?do,? ?and? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?

small? ?crowd? ?of? ?people? ?to? ?pick? ?out? ?the? ?best? ?cut.? ?The? ?one? ?child? ?in? ?the? ?group? ?was? ?probably? ?

not? ?even? ?ten? ?years? ?of? ?age,? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?very? ?cognizant? ?of? ?the? ?situation.? ?He? ?blinked? ?his? ?

large? ?eyes? ?and? ?held? ?on? ?tight? ?to? ?his? ?father’s? ?shirt? ?corner,? ?yanking? ?at? ?it? ?the? ?more? ?scared? ?he? ?

became.? ?His? ?young? ?father’s? ?face? ?was? ?ashen? ?pale,? ?trying? ?to? ?comfort? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?trembling? ?

voice,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?scared,? ?don’t? ?be? ?scared.”? ?Yet? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?he? ?himself? ?was? ?terrified? ?to? ?

the? ?bone.? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?little? ?green? ?ghosts? ?saw? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?child? ?and? ?was? ?delighted,? ?extending? ?its? ?

arm? ?to? ?grab? ?at? ?him.? ?The? ?young? ?father? ?screamed? ?and? ?jolted.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?moved? ?before? ?he? ?

knew? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?do,? ?but? ?then? ?he? ?felt? ?movement? ?from? ?the? ?figure? ?next? ?to? ?him.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?see,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?stepped? ?out? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?crowd.? ?

?

Since? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?came? ?especially? ?to? ?seek? ?out? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost,? ?now? ?that? ?he’d? ?seen? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?he? ?should’ve? ?removed? ?the? ?disguise.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?doubt? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?

powerful? ?enough? ?to? ?destroy? ?everything? ?within? ?sight? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?stop? ?

him.? ?Yet,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?did? ?not? ?reveal? ?his? ?true? ?form,? ?and? ?maintained? ?the? ?skin? ?of? ?that? ?normal? ?

looking? ?young? ?man,? ?and? ?walked? ?forward? ?lazily.? ?

?

A? ?number? ?of? ?little? ?green? ?ghosts? ?raised? ?their? ?weapons? ?and? ?shouted? ?in? ?alarm,? ?“Stop!? ?What? ?

are? ?you? ?doing?!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?asked? ?curiously,? ?with? ?this? ?feet? ?still? ?up,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?that? ?little? ?guy?? ?Take? ?him? ?

down.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Won’t? ?you? ?all? ?show? ?a? ?little? ?respect? ?in? ?the? ?presence? ?of? ?XianLe? ?

royalty?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?words,? ?not? ?only? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?but? ?even? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?frozen? ?moment,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?stood? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?fit,? ?snorted? ?beneath? ?the? ?mask,? ?as? ?if? ?his? ?

fury? ?was? ?changed? ?to? ?a? ?mad? ?laugh,? ?“What? ?fucking? ?bravery!? ?To? ?make? ?such? ?a? ?joke? ?before? ?

me?!? ?Tell? ?me,? ?and? ?what? ?branch? ?of? ?the? ?XianLe? ?royal? ?blood? ?are? ?you? ?from?? ?Which? ?one??”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?leisurely,? ?“The? ?Prince? ?An? ?Le.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?the? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?daruma? ?doll? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?jerk? ?once.? ?

?

Prince? ?An? ?Le? ?was? ?the? ?descendant? ?of? ?the? ?XianLe? ?royalty? ?the? ?same? ?generation? ?as? ?Lang? ?

Qian? ?Qiu,? ?and? ?could? ?be? ?said? ?to? ?be? ?friends? ?with? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong’s? ?mocking? ?laugh? ?could? ?be? ?heard? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?mask,? ?“Prince? ?An? ?Le?? ?I? ?think? ?

you’re? ?seeking? ?your? ?own? ?death!? ?Who? ?told? ?you? ?to? ?start? ?shit? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?me?? ?The? ?person? ?

who? ?appointed? ?you? ?didn’t? ?teach? ?you? ?a? ?little? ?history?? ?Prince? ?An? ?Le? ?was? ?the? ?last? ?remaining? ?

royal? ?blood? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?and? ?he’s? ?already? ?dead!? ?Who? ?the? ?fuck? ?are? ?you? ?to? ?pretend? ?to? ?be? ?

XianLe? ?royalty? ?before? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brow,? ?“Oh?? ?Dead?? ?How? ?did? ?he? ?die?”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?shouted,? ?“TAKE? ?HIM? ?DOWN!? ?TAKE? ?DOWN? ?THAT? ?ODD? ?PIECE? ?OF? ?SHIT!”? ?

?

Under? ?his? ?command,? ?a? ?large? ?number? ?of? ?little? ?green? ?ghosts? ?poured? ?in? ?from? ?all? ?around? ?the? ?

cave,? ?yelling.? ?In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?that? ?chaos,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?smirked? ?faintly.? ?

?

His? ?expression? ?was? ?nonchalant? ?before,? ?but? ?the? ?next? ?moment? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?frost? ?

had? ?been? ?laid? ?upon? ?his? ?face.? ?His? ?form? ?suddenly? ?flickered? ?and? ?disappeared,? ?appearing? ?

the? ?next? ?blink? ?behind? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?

?

He? ?single-handedly? ?grabbed? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?head,? ?and? ?smashed? ?it? ?down? ?hard? ?like? ?

a? ?child? ?playing? ?with? ?a? ?ball.? ?“And? ?who? ?the? ?fuck? ?are? ?you,? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?insolent? ?before? ?me!”? ? ?

?

A? ?loud? ??BANG?? ?and? ?that? ?luxurious? ?throne? ?suddenly? ?had? ?debris? ?flying,? ?dust? ?filled? ?the? ?air.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?pulled? ?the? ?child? ?behind? ?himself? ?to? ?shield? ?him,? ?and? ?blocked? ?off? ?a? ?few? ?small? ?pebbles.? ?

When? ?the? ?dust? ?settled,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?disappeared.? ?At? ?a? ?closer? ?look,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?disappear,? ?

but? ?his? ?entire? ?head? ?was? ?deeply? ?embedded? ?into? ?the? ?ground? ?after? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?blow.? ?

?

Humans? ?and? ?ghosts? ?alike? ?screamed? ?and? ?ran? ?away.? ?

?

“Don’t? ?run? ?away!”? ?Xie? ?lian? ?shouted.? ?If? ?the? ?people? ?alerted? ?all? ?the? ?ghosts? ?within? ?the? ?cave,? ?

they’d? ?be? ?killed? ?for? ?sure!? ?But? ?of? ?course,? ?as? ?always,? ?no? ?one? ?listened? ?to? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?helplessly.? ? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?circumstances,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?worry? ?about? ?others? ?either.? ?Across? ?the? ?room,? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?slowly? ?knelt? ?down;? ?he? ?used? ?one? ?hand? ?to? ?grab? ?a? ?fistful? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?hair,? ?and? ?

pulled? ?out? ?a? ?bloodied? ?head? ?from? ?the? ?hole? ?in? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?the? ?body? ?was? ?pulled? ?out? ?

along? ?with? ?the? ?head.? ?After? ?a? ?brief? ?moment? ?of? ?observation,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

extremely? ?amused,? ?and? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing.? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?was? ?laughing,? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?off? ?by? ?a? ?million? ?watts,? ?eerie? ?and? ?terrifying.? ?

RuoYe? ?flew? ?out? ?and? ?struck? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?little? ?green? ?ghosts? ?who? ?were? ?trying? ?to? ?cut? ?

down? ?the? ?escaping? ?people.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?turned? ?around? ?in? ?a? ?rush,? ?his? ?instincts? ?telling? ?

him? ?something? ?was? ?very? ?wrong.? ?“San? ?Lang?? ?San? ?Lang!”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong’s? ?mask? ?cracked,? ?some? ?pieces? ?falling.? ?He? ?threw? ?up? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood? ?and? ?

yelled,? ?“SOMEBODY? ?STOP? ?HIM!? ?Y’ALL? ?COME? ?AND? ?STOP? ?HIM!!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?just? ?violently? ?bashing? ?him,? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?ease? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?

were? ?best? ?buddies? ?and? ?chatting.? ?He? ?chuckled,? ?“Oh,? ?didn’t? ?you? ?know?? ?There? ?are? ?some? ?

things? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?that’s? ?unstoppable.? ?Like,? ?the? ?sun? ?setting? ?in? ?the? ?west.? ?Also,? ?an? ?

elephant? ?squashing? ?an? ?ant.? ?Or? ?for? ?example,? ?—-? ?ME? ?TAKING? ?YOUR? ?LOWLY? ?LIFE!”? ?

?

By? ?his? ?last? ?line,? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?savage? ?and? ?ferocious.? ?He? ?had? ?in? ?his? ?hold? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?whole? ?

body,? ?and? ?he? ?bashed? ?it? ?down? ?into? ?the? ?ground? ?again!? ?

?

Another? ?loud? ??BANG?.? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?body? ?laid? ?in? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?was? ?smushed? ?into? ?a? ?pool? ?

worse? ?than? ?mush.? ?The? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?cracked,? ?breaking? ?into? ?small? ?pieces? ?revealing? ?

half? ?a? ?face.? ? ?

?

If? ?anyone? ?were? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?half? ?a? ?face,? ?they’d? ?discover? ?a? ?shocking? ?fact:? ?

?

The? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?one? ?ghost? ?one? ?god,? ?a? ?

difference? ?of? ?hell? ?and? ?heaven,? ?looked? ?very? ?much? ?alike!? ?

?

———–? ?

?

?Baqian? ?Taizi? ?Temple? ?translates? ?to? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?Eight? ?Thousand? ?Crowned? ?

Princes? ?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Note:? ?[SPOILER? ?in? ?white? ?font]?? ?Of? ?course? ?there? ?won’t? ?be? ?the? ?

overused? ?cliche? ?of? ?”Because? ?the? ?culprit? ?looks? ?like? ?the? ?protag? ?so? ?they? ?went? ?to? ?kill? ?

pretending? ?to? ?be? ?protag,? ?and? ?made? ?protag? ?take? ?the? ?blame.”? ?