Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 61-70

Ch.61:? ?Lost? ?Red? ?Pearl;? ?Inadvertent? ?Eyes? ?Red? ?with? ?Desire? ?2? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?at? ?his? ?earlobes,? ?“One? ?of? ?the? ?earrings? ?is? ?gone.”? ?

?

The? ?people? ?of? ?Xianle? ?believed? ?that? ?the? ?pinnacle? ?of? ?cultivation? ?was? ?the? ?harmony? ?of? ?‘yin? ?

and? ?yang’,? ?the? ?unity? ?of? ?male? ?and? ?female.? ?The? ?form? ?of? ?the? ?gods? ?were? ?ever-changing,? ?and? ?

naturally? ?unbound? ?by? ?gender? ?restrictions,? ?shifting? ?to? ?men? ?or? ?women? ?as? ?they? ?will.? ?Thus,? ?

this? ?belief? ?was? ?woven? ?into? ?the? ?design? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?costume.? ?Throughout? ?history,? ?

every? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?had? ?donned? ?adornments? ?and? ?accessories? ?that? ?

possessed? ?the? ?form? ?and? ?details? ?of? ?both? ?sexes,? ?such? ?as? ?earrings,? ?bracelets,? ?etc.? ?When? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?preparing? ?for? ?the? ?role,? ?he? ?pierced? ?his? ?ears? ?and? ?put? ?on? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?earrings.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?brilliantly? ?deep? ?red? ?coral? ?pearls,? ?lustrous? ?and? ?smooth,? ?radiant? ?and? ?

opulent,? ?rare? ?and? ?sublime.? ?However,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?minding? ?his? ?hair? ?just? ?then,? ?only? ?

one? ?of? ?the? ?pair? ?of? ?red? ?coral? ?pearls? ?was? ?left.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?said? ?it? ?was? ?lost,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?relaxed? ?expression? ?froze? ?again,? ?but? ?the? ?other? ?

two? ?did? ?not? ?notice? ?at? ?all.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?chamber? ?first,? ?inside? ?and? ?out,? ?but? ?

returned? ?empty? ?handed.? ?“You’re? ?so? ?scatterbrained,? ?even? ?something? ?worn? ?on? ?your? ?ears? ?

can? ?be? ?lost.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?find? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?Pavilion? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?so? ?I’ll? ?go? ?out? ?and? ?look? ?on? ?the? ?roads.? ?

Pray? ?to? ?the? ?heavens? ?you? ?didn’t? ?lose? ?it? ?during? ?the? ?parade.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled? ?too,? ?but? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?it? ?much,? ?“Maybe.? ?If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case? ?then? ?

there’d? ?be? ?no? ?way? ?you’d? ?find? ?it.? ?If? ?it’s? ?lost,? ?it’s? ?lost.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?brought? ?out? ?the? ?broom? ?he? ?usually? ?used? ?to? ?sweep? ?and? ?said? ?

quietly,? ?“That? ?pearl? ?is? ?too? ?precious;? ?we? ?should? ?at? ?least? ?try? ?and? ?look.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?rolled? ?under? ?

the? ?bed? ?or? ?a? ?shelf.”? ?He? ?then? ?started? ?sweeping,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“Then? ?why? ?don’t? ?

we? ?call? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?hands? ?to? ?help?”? ?

?

“Crowds? ?get? ?handsy.? ?We? ?don’t? ?want? ?people? ?sneaking? ?it? ?in? ?their? ?pockets? ?before? ?we? ?found? ?

anything.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?offhandedly.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?quietly? ?checking? ?under? ?the? ?bed,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?words,? ?he? ?

halted,? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?in? ?a? ?fit,? ?and? ??CRACK?,? ?the? ?broom? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?broke? ?into? ?two.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?startled.? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?they? ?left? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?complaints? ?about? ?Mu? ?

Qing,? ?but? ?the? ?words? ?never? ?left? ?his? ?lips.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?saw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?blew? ?up? ?first,? ?he? ?got? ?

angry? ?too,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing,? ?breaking? ?things? ?so? ?suddenly?? ?Who? ?pissed? ?you? ?off? ?

now?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?replied? ?coldly,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?tell? ?me? ?straight? ?what? ?it? ?is? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?say,? ?instead? ?

of? ?casting? ?shadows? ?where? ?there? ?are? ?none?? ?I? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?the? ?lost? ?pearl.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?a? ?straightforward? ?individual,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?

hearing? ?someone? ?accuse? ?him? ?of? ?‘casting? ?shadows? ?where? ?there? ?are? ?none’,? ?and? ?puffed? ?a? ?

laugh? ?from? ?anger,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?tell? ?that? ?to? ?yourself!? ?What? ?did? ?I? ?say?? ?I? ?didn’t? ?say? ?you? ?

stole? ?it,? ?but? ?you? ?got? ?all? ?flustered.? ?What,? ?feeling? ?guilty?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?broke? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?shock? ?and? ?sat? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?bed,? ?feeling? ?dread,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?that’s? ?

enough!”? ? ?

?

A? ?few? ?veins? ?popped? ?instantly? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?forehead.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?really? ?didn’t? ?think? ?much? ?

of? ?it,? ?and? ?asked? ?in? ?confusion,? ?“What?”? ? ?

?

It? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?right? ?time? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?explain,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?try? ?and? ?pacify? ?Mu? ?

Qing,? ?“Don’t? ?misunderstand,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?comments? ?were? ?offhanded,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?directing? ?

them? ?at? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?clenched? ?his? ?fists? ?tight? ?then? ?loosened,? ?but? ?at? ?last? ?did? ?not? ?continue? ?to? ?blow? ?up.? ?

However? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?growing? ?red,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?enunciating? ?each? ?word? ?

as? ?he? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?“You...? ?don’t? ?keep? ?your? ?promises.”? ?

?

“No!? ?You’re? ?wrong!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?inhaled? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?threw? ?a? ?furious? ?stink? ?eye? ?at? ?Feng? ?

Xin,? ?then? ?without? ?another? ?word,? ?ran? ?out? ?the? ?door.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?jumped? ?off? ?the? ?bed? ?and? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?give? ?chase,? ?but? ?was? ?stopped? ?in? ?midstep.? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?haven’t? ?even? ?put? ?on? ?shoes!? ?It’d? ?be? ?a? ?disgrace? ?going? ?out? ?with? ?your? ?

hair? ?down? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?mess!”? ? ?

?

“Help? ?me? ?stop? ?him!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ordered.? ?

?

“At? ?least? ?put? ?on? ?your? ?shoes? ?first? ?and? ?tie? ?up? ?your? ?hair.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“And? ?leave? ?him? ?be.? ?

He’s? ?always? ?weird? ?like? ?this,? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?nerve? ?we? ?touched? ?now,? ?going? ?mental? ?out? ?of? ?

the? ?blue.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?long? ?gone? ?by? ?then? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?catch? ?up,? ?so? ?

instead? ?he? ?grabbed? ?for? ?a? ?hair? ?tie? ?to? ?fasten? ?his? ?hair? ?in? ?a? ?rush,? ?“He? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?mental,? ?

you? ?just? ?accidentally? ?said? ?the? ?wrong? ?thing.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?brought? ?out? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?usual? ?white? ?training? ?garb? ?from? ?the? ?closet? ?and? ?threw? ?it? ?at? ?

him,? ?“What? ?did? ?I? ?say? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?as? ?he? ?slipped? ?on? ?his? ?boots,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?tell? ?you.? ?Anyway? ?come? ?with? ?me? ?to? ?go? ?

find? ?him,? ?and? ?tell? ?him? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?a? ?misunderstanding,? ?and? ?that? ?you? ?weren’t? ?accusing? ?him? ?

of? ?anything,”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?frowned,? ?“What? ?is? ?there? ?you? ?can’t? ?tell? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?lips? ?were? ?sealed? ?tight.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?becoming? ?more? ?suspicious,? ?and? ?thought? ?

back? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?furious? ?expression,? ?and? ?spoke? ?up? ?suddenly,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?steal? ?

from? ?you? ?before,? ?did? ?he?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?waved? ?vigorously,? ?“No!? ?No!”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?him? ?like? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?sure.? ?“So? ?that’s? ?it!? ?No? ?wonder? ?his? ?temper? ?

flared,? ?it’s? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?guilty!? ?So? ?when? ?did? ?he? ?steal?”? ?

?

“Not? ?so? ?loud!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hushed? ?anxiously.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“Something? ?like? ?this? ?happened? ?and? ?you? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?me?!? ?Tell? ?

me? ?now!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?already? ?suspicious,? ?if? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?lie? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?

found? ?out? ?either? ?way,? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?relent? ?woefully,? ?“It? ?doesn’t? ?really? ?count? ?as? ?stealing,? ?

but...? ?sigh,? ?I’ll? ?start? ?from? ?the? ?beginning.? ?You? ?remember,? ?right?? ?Two? ?years? ?ago? ?when? ?I? ?first? ?

entered? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?there? ?was? ?once? ?I? ?lost? ?a? ?leaf? ?of? ?gold? ?foil?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?and? ?he? ?slapped? ?his? ?thigh,? ?“THAT? ?TIME?!”? ?

?

Three? ?years? ?ago,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?begged? ?and? ?pleaded? ?in? ?all? ?manners? ?of? ?ways? ?until? ?finally? ?his? ?

parents? ?relented? ?and? ?permitted? ?him? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?for? ?training? ?before? ?

the? ?age? ?of? ?twenty.? ?A? ?year? ?later? ?the? ?Pavilion? ?of? ?Xianle? ?completed? ?construction.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

could? ?at? ?last? ?move? ?in? ?and? ?he? ?did? ?so? ?in? ?great? ?excitement.? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?first? ?moved? ?in,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?bring? ?a? ?lot? ?with? ?him.? ?Only? ?two? ?carriages? ?full? ?

of? ?books,? ?and? ?two? ?hundred? ?treasured? ?swords.? ?But? ?the? ?queen? ?loved? ?her? ?son? ?dearly? ?and? ?

was? ?afraid? ?the? ?training? ?life? ?would? ?be? ?too? ?quiet? ?and? ?boring,? ?so? ?later? ?she? ?ordered? ?for? ?twenty? ?

servants? ?and? ?four? ?large? ?carriages? ?full? ?of? ?trinkets? ?that? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?loved? ?to? ?be? ?sent? ?

to? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?the? ?mounting? ?caravans? ?impressive? ?and? ?dramatic.? ?Included? ?in? ?this? ?was? ?

a? ?set? ?of? ?the? ?one? ?hundred? ?and? ?eight? ?leaves? ?that? ?make? ?up? ?the? ?Golden? ?Foil? ?Palace.? ?

?

Building? ?a? ?palace? ?out? ?of? ?golden? ?foils? ?was? ?a? ?popular? ?game? ?enjoyed? ?by? ?the? ?Xianle? ?nobility.? ?

At? ?the? ?time,? ?to? ?have? ?so? ?much? ?luxury? ?enter? ?the? ?mountain? ?caused? ?a? ?small? ?wave? ?of? ?

complaints.? ?The? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?comprised? ?of? ?serious? ?cultivators? ?who? ?weren’t? ?quite? ?

familiar? ?with? ?the? ?prince’s? ?character? ?just? ?yet,? ?and? ?although? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?say? ?much? ?

publicly,? ?behind? ?his? ?back? ?there? ?was? ?much? ?chatter:? ?did? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

come? ?to? ?train,? ?or? ?did? ?he? ?come? ?play?? ?What? ?can? ?this? ?son? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?family? ?cultivate? ?if? ?he? ?

only? ?came? ?for? ?fun?? ?

?

When? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?heard? ?those? ?grievances,? ?he? ?had? ?the? ?mind? ?to? ?dispute? ?them? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

told? ?him? ?not? ?to? ?worry? ?about? ?it? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?only? ?natural? ?they? ?should? ?think? ?that? ?way.? ?

They’ll? ?know? ?after? ?a? ?while? ?that? ?I’m? ?not? ?here? ?to? ?play? ?games,? ?and? ?also,? ?who’s? ?the? ?number? ?

one? ?in? ?this? ?generation? ?of? ?trainees.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?not? ?long? ?after,? ?something? ?happened.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?send? ?away? ?as? ?much? ?of? ?the? ?four? ?large? ?carriages? ?and? ?servants? ?the? ?

queen? ?gifted? ?him? ?as? ?possible,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?counted? ?inventory,? ?he? ?found? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?one? ?

hundred? ?and? ?eight? ?leaves? ?of? ?gold? ?foils? ?one? ?was? ?missing.? ?

?

That? ?set? ?of? ?gold? ?foils? ?were? ?packed? ?in? ?the? ?carriages,? ?and? ?once? ?at? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?it? ?had? ?

never? ?left? ?the? ?Pavilion? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?lost? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?stolen.? ?Nothing? ?

was? ?found? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?so? ?Xie? ?LIan? ?brought? ?it? ?up? ?offhandedly? ?to? ?the? ?Guoshi.? ?However,? ?

when? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?thought? ?it? ?might? ?have? ?been? ?stolen,? ?he? ?became? ?enraged? ?at? ?the? ?idea? ?that? ?

someone? ?within? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?would? ?commit? ?this? ?crime? ?under? ?the? ?allurement? ?

of? ?golden? ?foils,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?determined? ?to? ?recovered? ?the? ?golden? ?leaf? ?no? ?matter? ?what.? ?If? ?it? ?

should? ?be? ?found? ?on? ?the? ?person? ?of? ?anyone,? ?the? ?punishment? ?would? ?be? ?utmostly? ?severe.? ?

Thus,? ?all? ?three? ?thousand? ?and? ?more? ?disciples? ?of? ?the? ?entire? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?stopped? ?what? ?

they? ?were? ?doing,? ?got? ?dragged? ?into? ?forming? ?teams? ?to? ?search? ?room? ?after? ?room,? ?chamber? ?

after? ?chamber? ?of? ?every? ?single? ?training? ?hall.? ?

?

?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?huge? ?fanfare,? ?tiring? ?out? ?everyone,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?halfway? ?through? ?the? ?search? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?corrected? ?himself,? ?apologized? ?for? ?causing? ?everyone? ?trouble,? ?and? ?said? ?

he? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?that? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?already? ?lost? ?a? ?leaf? ?from? ?that? ?set? ?of? ?

gold? ?foils? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?at? ?the? ?royal? ?palace.? ?Meaning,? ?there? ?should? ?only? ?be? ?one? ?

hundred? ?and? ?seven? ?leaves? ?total? ?after? ?all.? ?

?

In? ?order? ?to? ?investigate? ?the? ?whereabouts? ?of? ?the? ?missing? ?gold? ?foil,? ?that? ?night? ?at? ?the? ?Holy? ?

Royal? ?Pavilion? ?was? ?complete? ?chaos,? ?utter? ?pandemonium,? ?and? ?right? ?when? ?everyone? ?was? ?

sweating? ?with? ?exhaustion,? ?to? ?have? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?suddenly? ?make? ?such? ?

an? ?announcement? ?to? ?drop? ?everything,? ?it? ?was? ?inevitable? ?for? ?many? ?to? ?feel? ?aggrieved.? ?Thus,? ?

for? ?the? ?longest? ?time? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?noise? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?saying? ?things? ?like,? ?well? ?he? ?

was? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?so? ?he? ?got? ?to? ?call? ?the? ?shots,? ?and? ?hopefully? ?next? ?time? ?his? ?memory? ?

would? ?be? ?better? ?and? ?remember? ?the? ?important? ?things? ?before? ?calling? ?for? ?an? ?investigation,? ?

etc.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?furious? ?listening? ?to? ?them,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?told? ?him? ?to? ?let? ?it? ?go,? ?and? ?let? ?

time? ?pass? ?quietly.? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?after? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?indeed? ?able? ?to? ?change? ?things? ?around? ?completely,? ?

rising? ?to? ?unashamedly? ?become? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?trainee? ?of? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?over? ?

all? ?three? ?thousand? ?and? ?some? ?disciples.? ?Because? ?he? ?was? ?truly? ?friendly? ?and? ?easygoing? ?

and? ?not? ?at? ?all? ?dependent? ?on? ?his? ?background,? ?gradually? ?his? ?reputation? ?improved? ?amongst? ?

the? ?others.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wasn’t? ?one? ?to? ?remember? ?the? ?petty? ?details,? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?forgotten? ?this? ?had? ?

happened.? ?Now? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?brought? ?up? ?again,? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?shocked? ?

and? ?angry,? ?“IT? ?WAS? ?MU? ?QING? ?WHO? ?WALKED? ?AWAY? ?WITH? ?THAT? ?GOLD? ?FOIL???”? ?

?

“Shh!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hushed? ?him? ?and? ?looked? ?around? ?to? ?make? ?sure? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?around,? ?“That? ?

gold? ?foil? ?leaf? ?fell? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?rattling? ?carriage? ?while? ?coming? ?up? ?the? ?mountain.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?

passing? ?by? ?while? ?carrying? ?water,? ?and? ?found? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?bushes.? ?He? ?kept? ?it? ?under? ?his? ?bed? ?and? ?

hadn’t? ?figured? ?out? ?what? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?it,? ?but? ?that? ?very? ?night? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?suddenly? ?struck,? ?

ordering? ?everyone? ?to? ?search? ?rooms.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?know? ?him? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?and? ?only? ?saw? ?an? ?

errand? ?boy? ?who? ?looked? ?distraught.? ?Later? ?while? ?I? ?was? ?sitting? ?outside? ?he? ?came? ?up? ?to? ?serve? ?

me? ?tea? ?and? ?admitted? ?everything.? ?That’s? ?how? ?I? ?found? ?out.”? ?

?

“Taking? ?without? ?telling? ?is? ?stealing!!!? ?So? ?you? ?helped? ?him? ?bury? ?this? ?matter? ?and? ?told? ?

everyone? ?that? ?gold? ?foil? ?was? ?lost? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?palace???”? ? ?

?

Whilst? ?they? ?were? ?talking? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?finished? ?dressing,? ?and? ?head? ?out? ?the? ?door,? ?“That’s? ?

how? ?it? ?is.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?die? ?from? ?rage.? ?He? ?followed? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?did? ?

you? ?know,? ?that? ?when? ?you? ?first? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?just? ?how? ?much? ?people? ?

talked? ?shit? ?about? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“Keep? ?it? ?down.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“He? ?really? ?did? ?look? ?quite? ?distraught? ?at? ?the? ?time.? ?Pale? ?as? ?a? ?

ghost.? ?People? ?here? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?already? ?dislike? ?him,? ?if? ?I? ?had? ?said? ?anything,? ?

his? ?life? ?here? ?would? ?be? ?over.? ?Our? ?places? ?in? ?life? ?are? ?different,? ?and? ?we? ?stand? ?on? ?different? ?

vantage? ?points? ?in? ?this? ?matter,? ?so? ?consequences? ?can’t? ?be? ?compared.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?few? ?young? ?trainees? ?approached? ?them,? ?and? ?courteously? ?bowed,? ?their? ?faces? ?

full? ?of? ?smiles? ?greeting? ?them,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?back,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?parties? ?brushed? ?past? ?each? ?other.? ?He? ?said? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?

“See,? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?to? ?give? ?it? ?time.? ?Now? ?I? ?get? ?along? ?with? ?everyone,? ?who’d? ?dare? ?say? ?anything? ?

bad? ?about? ?me?”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?entered? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?bedchamber? ?but? ?didn’t? ?see? ?a? ?soul,? ?so? ?they? ?exited? ?

again? ?to? ?keep? ?searching.? ?“I? ?already? ?thought? ?it? ?strange? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?since? ?I’d? ?never? ?known? ?

you? ?to? ?have? ?lost? ?any? ?leaves? ?at? ?the? ?palace.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“But? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?you? ?didn’t? ?

tell? ?me? ?about? ?this? ?for? ?two? ?years,? ?and? ?even? ?told? ?me? ?that? ?you? ?met? ?him? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?

sweeping!”? ?

?

“Later? ?he? ?asked? ?me? ?not? ?to? ?tell? ?anyone,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Since? ?I? ?agreed,? ?of? ?course? ?I? ?

wouldn’t? ?tell,? ?not? ?even? ?to? ?you.? ?But? ?now? ?that? ?you? ?know,? ?I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?went? ?back? ?on? ?my? ?

word.? ?But? ?you? ?mustn’t? ?tell? ?anyone? ?else.”? ?

?

“How? ?does? ?that? ?even? ?count? ?as? ?going? ?back? ?on? ?your? ?word?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?

you? ?told? ?me? ?anything,? ?it’s? ?his? ?own? ?guilty? ?conscience? ?making? ?him? ?freak? ?out? ?that? ?gave? ?

himself? ?away.”? ?

?

“No,? ?no.? ?You? ?promise? ?me? ?right? ?now? ?that? ?this? ?stops? ?here.? ?Otherwise? ?I’ll? ?break? ?up? ?my? ?

relationship? ?with? ?you,? ?and? ?you’ll? ?be? ?cursed? ?to? ?never? ?find? ?a? ?wife!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?threatened.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?“pfft”-ed,? ?“You,? ?break? ?up? ?with? ?me?!? ?The? ?day? ?after? ?our? ?breakup? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?

Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?will? ?know? ?one? ?thing:? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?fainted? ?from? ?

overly? ?tight? ?suspenders? ?while? ?dressing? ?himself–!!? ?—FINE!? ?I? ?won’t? ?say? ?a? ?word!? ?Who? ?gives? ?

a? ?shit? ?about? ?gossipping? ?anyway.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?still? ?decided? ?to? ?comment,? ?“I? ?bet? ?he? ?thinks? ?I’m? ?always? ?picking? ?on? ?him? ?

because? ?he? ?thought? ?I? ?knew? ?about? ?the? ?gold? ?foil? ?business,? ?but? ?really,? ?I? ?just? ?don’t? ?like? ?

people? ?like? ?him.? ?A? ?grown? ?up? ?man? ?thinking? ?too? ?much? ?about? ?this? ?and? ?that,? ?he? ?must’ve? ?

suspected? ?you? ?having? ?told? ?me? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago.? ?Even? ?concubines? ?in? ?a? ?harem? ?don’t? ?have? ?

thoughts? ?and? ?moods? ?as? ?twisted? ?as? ?his,? ?so? ?annoying!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?as? ?bad? ?as? ?you? ?say.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?had? ?never? ?lost? ?

anything? ?before,? ?meaning? ?this? ?was? ?his? ?first? ?time,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day? ?it? ?was? ?for? ?his? ?

mother...? ?uh,? ?anyway? ?he? ?already? ?assuredly? ?promised? ?that? ?he? ?would? ?never? ?do? ?it? ?again,? ?so? ?

giving? ?him? ?another? ?chance? ?isn’t? ?wrong.? ?And? ?he? ?kept? ?his? ?word.? ?Besides,? ?today? ?when? ?that? ?

little? ?kid? ?fell,? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?cooperate? ?with? ?me,? ?the? ?parade? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?ended? ?so? ?

smoothly? ?either.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“You’re? ?already? ?going? ?down? ?in? ?history? ?for? ?only? ?three? ?rounds? ?

around? ?the? ?capital,? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?won’t? ?do? ?anything? ?else? ?to? ?you.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?I’m? ?

gonna? ?say? ?this? ?right? ?now,? ?I? ?don’t? ?believe? ?a? ?word? ?of? ?anything? ?he? ?said? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Hall.? ?Who? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?didn’t? ?know? ?when? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?played? ?cards? ?he? ?

hears? ?and? ?sees? ?no? ?one?? ?He? ?had? ?to? ?pick? ?that? ?time? ?to? ?pass? ?on? ?the? ?message,? ?and? ?

stubbornly? ?refused? ?to? ?clarify? ?under? ?whose? ?orders? ?he? ?was? ?sent,? ?as? ?if? ?he’s? ?purposely? ?trying? ?

to? ?screw? ?things? ?up.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?said? ?gravely,? ?“Actually,? ?in? ?regards? ?to? ?this,? ?I? ?might? ?have? ?been? ?

indelicate? ?too.? ?I? ?knew? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?disliked,? ?so? ?originally? ?I? ?wanted? ?him? ?to? ?run? ?more? ?errands? ?

for? ?me,? ?let? ?people? ?know? ?that? ?he’s? ?my? ?personal? ?attendant? ?so? ?they’d? ?be? ?nicer? ?to? ?him.? ?I? ?

didn’t? ?realize? ?they’re? ?already? ?nasty? ?to? ?that? ?point.? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?things? ?mess? ?up,? ?he? ?got? ?

bullied? ?too.? ?If? ?you? ?think? ?about? ?it? ?from? ?his? ?perspective,? ?you’ll? ?find? ?he’s? ?moody? ?for? ?a? ?

reason.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?disagreed? ?wholeheartedly,? ?“Why? ?is? ?it? ?your? ?fault? ?that? ?he’s? ?moody?? ?You’re? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince;? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?end? ?up? ?owing? ?anyone? ?anything? ?for? ?promoting? ?them?? ?Your? ?

Highness? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?understand? ?why? ?you? ?think? ?so? ?highly? ?of? ?him.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?did? ?you? ?know,? ?there? ?are? ?so? ?many? ?people? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?that? ?

are? ?nothing? ?but? ?rocks? ?in? ?my? ?eyes.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?understand.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?“Rocks? ?are? ?

everywhere,? ?but? ?precious? ?jades? ?are? ?hard? ?to? ?come? ?by.? ?When? ?it? ?comes? ?to? ?martial? ?arts,? ?I’ve? ?

only? ?ever? ?seen? ?two? ?people? ?who? ?could? ?be? ?called? ?jades.? ?One? ?is? ?you.? ?The? ?other,? ?is? ?him.”? ?

?

He? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?around,? ?his? ?eyes? ?shining? ?brightly,? ?“I? ?

truly? ?think? ?that? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?extremely? ?gifted.? ?Such? ?a? ?precious? ?jade,? ?how? ?can? ?it? ?be? ?sat? ?to? ?

let? ?dust? ?collect? ?and? ?hide? ?its? ?beauty? ?just? ?because? ?of? ?backgrounds? ?and? ?temper?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?determined,? ?“No!? ?I? ?think? ?that’s? ?wrong.? ?You? ?ask? ?why? ?I? ?think? ?so? ?highly? ?of? ?

him?? ?It’s? ?the? ?same? ?reason? ?as? ?why? ?I? ?think? ?so? ?highly? ?of? ?you.? ?Ones? ?that? ?are? ?destined? ?to? ?

shine,? ?I? ?must? ?let? ?them? ?shine.? ?Besides,? ?I? ?don’t? ?believe? ?that? ?good? ?will? ?brings? ?bad? ?returns.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?stopped? ?too.? ?After? ?listening? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?speech,? ?he? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?“As? ?

long? ?as? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?you? ?want.? ?How? ?you? ?do? ?it? ?is? ?your? ?business.”? ?

?

“Yea.? ?So.? ?Where? ?did? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?run? ?off? ?to?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?another? ?couple? ?of? ?young? ?trainees? ?approached? ?them,? ?a? ?basket? ?in? ?their? ?hands,? ?

playing? ?around.? ?When? ?they? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?they? ?called? ?out? ?to? ?him? ?in? ?unison,? ?their? ?voices? ?

happy,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?with? ?a? ?smile? ?too.? ?The? ?trainees? ?came? ?up? ?to? ?them? ?and? ?thrusted? ?the? ?

basket? ?before? ?the? ?two,? ?saying? ?happily,? ?“Will? ?Your? ?Highness? ?have? ?some? ?cherries?? ?They’ve? ?

been? ?washed? ?in? ?the? ?springs? ?already,? ?very? ?clean,? ?and? ?very? ?sweet!”? ? ?

?

The? ?basket? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?vivid? ?red? ?little? ?round? ?cherries,? ?looking? ?rather? ?precious.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?picked? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?to? ?eat,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?indeed? ?juicy? ?and? ?sweet.? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?

young? ?trainees? ?asked,? ?“When? ?we? ?walked? ?over? ?we? ?heard? ?Your? ?Highness? ?asking? ?about? ?Mu? ?

Qing.? ?Were? ?you? ?looking? ?for? ?him?? ?I? ?think? ?we? ?saw? ?him? ?when? ?we? ?passed? ?through? ?the? ?cherry? ?

woods.”? ? ?

?

“Is? ?that? ?right?? ?Thanks? ?for? ?letting? ?me? ?know.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?two? ?walked? ?hastily? ?towards? ?the? ?cherry? ?woods.? ?Atop? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?other? ?than? ?

the? ?abundant? ?wild? ?maples,? ?there? ?were? ?also? ?many? ?fruit? ?trees;? ?peaches,? ?pears,? ?oranges,? ?

and? ?among? ?the? ?many? ?fruit? ?trees? ?were? ?also? ?cherry? ?trees.? ?The? ?fruit? ?trees? ?were? ?nourished? ?

by? ?springs,? ?bathed? ?in? ?the? ?mountainous? ?mist? ?and? ?sunny? ?dews,? ?bearing? ?fruits? ?filled? ?with? ?

spiritual? ?aura.? ?Other? ?than? ?offering? ?them? ?as? ?tribute? ?to? ?the? ?palace,? ?the? ?rest? ?were? ?only? ?

reserved? ?for? ?the? ?disciples? ?in? ?the? ?pavilion? ?who? ?can? ?munch? ?after? ?a? ?day’s? ?hard? ?work.? ?

Outside? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?even? ?a? ?hundred? ?gold? ?pieces? ?would? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?buy? ?just? ?

one.? ? ?

?

The? ?cherry? ?trees? ?stood? ?row? ?after? ?row,? ?and? ?within? ?the? ?fresh? ?new? ?leaves? ?hung? ?beads? ?after? ?

beads? ?of? ?red? ?pearl-like? ?cherries,? ?looking? ?delightfully? ?enticing.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

walked? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?looking? ?for? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?the? ?woods,? ?but? ?soon? ?after,? ?they? ?heard? ?

quarreling? ?voices? ?coming? ?from? ?just? ?ahead? ?of? ?where? ?they? ?were,? ?and? ?they? ?unconsciously? ?

slowed? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?

?

?

—————? ?

?

Ch.62:? ?Lost? ?Red? ?Pearl;? ?Inadvertent? ?Eyes? ?Red? ?with? ?Desire? ?3? ?

?

Ahead? ?of? ?them? ?stood? ?four? ?to? ?five? ?white? ?robed? ?trainees,? ?each? ?with? ?a? ?basket? ?in? ?hand,? ?

appearing? ?to? ?have? ?come? ?to? ?pick? ?fruits.? ?However? ?they? ?weren’t? ?encircling? ?any? ?fruit? ?trees,? ?

but? ?rather? ?some? ?person.? ?Even? ?from? ?afar,? ?with? ?their? ?power? ?of? ?hearing,? ?they? ?could? ?still? ?

clearly? ?hear? ?the? ?the? ?particulars? ?of? ?the? ?quarrel.? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?young? ?men? ?said,? ?“No? ?wonder? ?

there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?less? ?fruits? ?in? ?the? ?woods? ?lately,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?someone? ?who’s? ?been? ?

squatting? ?around? ?stealing.”? ?

?

A? ?soft? ?voice? ?replied,? ?“The? ?fruits? ?grown? ?on? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?can? ?be? ?picked? ?by? ?anyone? ?who’s? ?

a? ?disciple? ?at? ?the? ?pavilion,? ?so? ?how? ?is? ?it? ?stealing?? ?Besides,? ?there’s? ?hundreds? ?and? ?

thousands? ?of? ?fruit? ?trees? ?here.? ?There’s? ?no? ?way? ?there’d? ?be? ?less? ?fruits? ?by? ?my? ?power? ?alone.”? ? ?

?

The? ?voice? ?belonged? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?and? ?from? ?the? ?sleeve? ?corner? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?seen? ?through? ?

from? ?that? ?crowd,? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?taken? ?off? ?the? ?black? ?ghost? ?costume? ?and? ?

changed? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?usual? ?plain? ?training? ?outfit.? ?That? ?trainee? ?humphed,? ?“Of? ?course? ?if? ?it? ?

was? ?only? ?you? ?picking? ?for? ?yourself? ?the? ?fruits? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?noticeably? ?less,? ?but? ?you? ?don’t? ?just? ?

pick? ?for? ?yourself,? ?do? ?you?? ?You? ?sneak? ?them? ?down? ?the? ?mountain? ?for? ?other? ?people.? ?

Exploiting? ?the? ?benefits,? ?how? ?shameless.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?the? ?situation? ?immediately.? ?The? ?trainees? ?that? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

were? ?picking? ?on? ?him? ?again.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?came? ?from? ?a? ?poor? ?family;? ?his? ?mother? ?who? ?lived? ?at? ?the? ?foot? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?in? ?

the? ?city? ?led? ?a? ?meager? ?life.? ?In? ?the? ?past? ?she? ?could? ?only? ?make? ?some? ?money? ?from? ?

seamstressing? ?here? ?and? ?there,? ?but? ?after? ?her? ?eyes? ?went? ?bad? ?she? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?do? ?that? ?

work,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?wait? ?for? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?bring? ?home? ?the? ?money? ?he’d? ?earn? ?from? ?running? ?

errands? ?on? ?the? ?mountain.? ?Sometimes? ?he? ?would? ?pick? ?up? ?some? ?fresh? ?fruits? ?from? ?Mount? ?

Taicang? ?and? ?have? ?her? ?try,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?really? ?anything? ?major? ?because? ?there? ?weren’t? ?any? ?

rules? ?against? ?it.? ?Nonetheless,? ?when? ?spoken? ?of? ?out? ?loud? ?it? ?still? ?sounded? ?bad.? ?To? ?have? ?it? ?

brought? ?up? ?like? ?this? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?insulting? ?and? ?embarrassing.? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?voice? ?was? ?laced? ?with? ?ice,? ?“Zhu-ShiXiong,? ?we? ?usually? ?rarely? ?talk,? ?but? ?you? ?have? ?

picked? ?on? ?me? ?again? ?and? ?again.? ?Yesterday? ?too? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?me? ?through? ?to? ?The? ?

SiXiang? ?Pavilion? ?to? ?pass? ?on? ?word.? ?How? ?have? ?I? ?offended? ?you?”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?named? ?Zhu? ?was? ?indeed? ?the? ?trainee? ?that? ?guarded? ?the? ?door? ?to? ?the? ?

SiXiang? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?matter? ?from? ?the? ?day? ?before? ?brought? ?up? ?his? ?

anger? ?flared,? ?“You’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?wasn’t? ?mindful? ?enough? ?to? ?do? ?your? ?job? ?and? ?almost? ?

botched? ?the? ?event,? ?so? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?blaming? ?me?? ?You? ?should? ?blame? ?yourself? ?for? ?acting? ?all? ?

secretive,? ?making? ?other? ?people? ?think? ?you’re? ?up? ?to? ?no? ?good.? ?If? ?you? ?had? ?just? ?said? ?outright? ?

what? ?you? ?were? ?doing,? ?nothing? ?would’ve? ?happened.? ?Thanks? ?to? ?you,? ?His? ?Highness? ?almost? ?

messed? ?up,? ?and? ?I? ?got? ?yelled? ?at? ?by? ?the? ?Guoshi!”? ?He? ?threw? ?the? ?basket? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?as? ?he? ?

griped,? ?gesturing? ?for? ?everyone? ?to? ?go? ?in? ?to? ?attack.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?anymore? ?and? ?

shouted,? ?“Stop!”? ? ?

?

When? ?the? ?trainees? ?heard? ?his? ?voice? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?shocked,? ?turning? ?their? ?heads? ?and? ?called,? ?

“Your? ?Highness!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?approached,? ?and? ?by? ?then? ?that? ?Zhu-ShiXiong? ?had? ?already? ?grabbed? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?by? ?the? ?shoulder? ?and? ?had? ?him? ?pushed? ?against? ?the? ?trunk? ?of? ?a? ?tree,? ?the? ?brawl? ?not? ?

yet? ?started.? ?If? ?they? ?really? ?did? ?start,? ?even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?one? ?against? ?twenty? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would’ve? ?

gained? ?the? ?upper? ?hand,? ?but,? ?if? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?stay? ?in? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?then? ?he? ?

must? ?never? ?raise? ?his? ?fist.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“What’s? ?everyone? ?doing?”? ? ?

?

That? ?Zhu-ShiXiong? ?was? ?a? ?decent,? ?plain-looking? ?young? ?man? ?and? ?had? ?looked? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince.? ?He? ?froze? ?hearing? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?inquiry? ?and? ?hurried? ?to? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?“Um,? ?

this,? ?we? ?were...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?to? ?smile,? ?“Although? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?for? ?what? ?everyone? ?is? ?quarreling,? ?but? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?my? ?personal? ?attendant,? ?so? ?if? ?he? ?does? ?anything? ?it’s? ?generally? ?under? ?my? ?

command.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?realize? ?there? ?was? ?some? ?offense? ?in? ?having? ?him? ?pick? ?some? ?fruits? ?for? ?

me?”? ? ?

?

The? ?trainees? ?all? ?bowed,? ?“No,? ?no!? ?So? ?it? ?was? ?His? ?Highness? ?that? ?asked? ?him? ?to? ?come!? ?We? ?

misunderstood!”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?leaned? ?against? ?the? ?tree,? ?and? ?was? ?first? ?taken? ?aback? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?say? ?him? ?coming? ?was? ?under? ?his? ?command,? ?then? ?he? ?quickly? ?righted? ?his? ?collar,? ?

lowered? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?Cold? ?sweat? ?was? ?rolling? ?down? ?the? ?backs? ?of? ?those? ?

trainees? ?as? ?they? ?profoundly? ?apologized? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?and? ?finally? ?hurried? ?

away? ?after? ?picking? ?up? ?their? ?baskets,? ?escaping? ?the? ?cherry? ?woods.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?the? ?basket? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?brought? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?bent? ?down? ?to? ?pick? ?it? ?

up? ?and? ?passed? ?it? ?to? ?him,? ?“Want? ?some? ?help?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?take? ?the? ?basket,? ?but? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?watched? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?an? ?

unreadable? ?expression? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?spoke,? ?“Your? ?Highness,”? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Why? ?must? ?you? ?always? ?show? ?up? ?at? ?times? ?like? ?these?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“?”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?became? ?upset,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?? ?Is? ?it? ?wrong? ?to? ?come? ?

and? ?save? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?took? ?the? ?basket.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?stiffened? ?and? ?said? ?harshly,? ?

“Listen? ?up!? ?What? ?happened? ?before? ?was? ?my? ?fault!? ?I? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?to? ?accuse? ?you,? ?and? ?

everything? ?was? ?only? ?said? ?offhandedly.? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?think? ?deeply? ?about? ?

anything,? ?suspecting? ?this? ?or? ?that.? ?I? ?don’t? ?care? ?for? ?anything? ?other? ?than? ?His? ?Highness,? ?and? ?

I’m? ?not? ?interested? ?in? ?gossip.? ?That’s? ?all? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?say,? ?so? ?stop? ?being? ?so? ?moody!”? ? ?

?

“PFFFT!”? ?At? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?his? ?words? ?were? ?too? ?aggressive,? ?but? ?towards? ?the? ?end,? ?it? ?

was? ?strangely? ?funny.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?glared? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Alright,? ?

alright.? ?Everything? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?is? ?true.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?forget? ?anything? ?happened.? ?Nothing’s? ?

happened.”? ? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?begrudgingly,? ?“I’ll? ?look? ?for? ?that? ?red? ?coral? ?pearl? ?again? ?later.? ?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?dropped? ?on? ?the? ?street.”? ?

?

It? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?good? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?look? ?too? ?much? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?care,? ?so? ?he? ?replied,? ?

“Alright.? ?Only? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?time.? ?But? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?dropped? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?then? ?it’ll? ?have? ?

gotten? ?picked? ?up? ?by? ?somebody? ?by? ?now.”? ? ?

?

It? ?seemed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?nothing? ?more? ?to? ?say,? ?so? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?cherries? ?that? ?were? ?

dropped? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?put? ?them? ?back? ?into? ?his? ?basket.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?pick? ?that? ?many? ?in? ?

the? ?first? ?place,? ?and? ?moved? ?to? ?leave? ?the? ?woods.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?saw? ?many? ?enticing? ?

fresh? ?cherries? ?and? ?casually? ?picked? ?a? ?bunch? ?and? ?dropped? ?them? ?into? ?his? ?basket.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Next? ?time? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?pick? ?fruits? ?for? ?

your? ?mother,? ?just? ?say? ?you’re? ?picking? ?them? ?under? ?my? ?command,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?will? ?say? ?

anything.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?told? ?me? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?palace? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?days? ?so? ?I? ?plan? ?on? ?leaving? ?

tomorrow.? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?make? ?your? ?visit? ?down? ?the? ?mountain? ?too?? ?Let’s? ?just? ?head? ?back? ?

for? ?today.”? ? ?

?

It? ?took? ?a? ?while,? ?but? ?at? ?last? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?quiet? ?voice,? ?“Thank? ?you,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

The? ?next? ?day,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?descended? ?the? ?mountain? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?tow.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?they? ?reached? ?the? ?foot? ?of? ?the? ?mountain,? ?right? ?outside? ?the? ?giant? ?mountain? ?

gates,? ?they? ?saw? ?a? ?shining,? ?golden? ?carriage.? ?A? ?young? ?man? ?dressed? ?in? ?a? ?collared? ?brocade? ?

had? ?a? ?whip? ?in? ?hand,? ?lying? ?just? ?in? ?the? ?front? ?seat? ?of? ?the? ?carriage,? ?his? ?legs? ?crossed,? ?looking? ?

lively? ?and? ?important.? ?The? ?second? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exiting? ?the? ?gates,? ?he? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?

and? ?ran? ?towards? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?mad? ?dash,? ?shouting? ?in? ?obvious? ?joy,? ?“Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince!”? ? ?

?

Naturally,? ?it? ?was? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?And? ?only? ?he? ?would? ?have? ?the? ?free? ?time? ?to? ?wait? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?at? ?

the? ?foot? ?of? ?Mount? ?Taicang.? ?He? ?skipped? ?over? ?and? ?cried,? ?“My? ?patience? ?has? ?finally? ?paid? ?off!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned? ?and? ?ruffled? ?his? ?hair,? ?laughing,? ?“Did? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?grow? ?taller? ?again?? ?How? ?did? ?

you? ?know? ?I? ?was? ?returning? ?to? ?the? ?palace? ?today?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?giggled,? ?“I? ?didn’t.? ?I? ?just? ?waited,? ?and? ?knew? ?you’d? ?have? ?to? ?come? ?out? ?sooner? ?or? ?

later.? ?I? ?refuse? ?to? ?believe? ?you? ?wouldn’t.”? ?

?

“You’re? ?quite? ?free,? ?aren’t? ?you?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?hopelessly,? ?“Are? ?you? ?studying? ?properly?? ?

What? ?about? ?sword? ?practice?? ?If? ?mother? ?asks? ?me? ?to? ?test? ?your? ?studies? ?again,? ?I? ?won’t? ?help? ?

you.”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?blinked,? ?his? ?eyes? ?shifty,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?jumped? ?up? ?and? ?down,? ?“Nevermind? ?all? ?

that!? ?Look? ?at? ?my? ?new? ?carriage!? ?Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?come? ?and? ?board? ?it,? ?ride? ?my? ?

carriage? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?palace!”? ? ?

?

He? ?grabbed? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?carriage,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?felt? ?danger,? ?

“You’re? ?driving?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?approached? ?too.? ?Technically,? ?servants? ?must? ?sit? ?at? ?the? ?front,? ?but? ?Qi? ?

Rong’s? ?face? ?dropped? ?immediately,? ?cracking? ?the? ?whip? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?“I? ?asked? ?cousin? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?to? ?get? ?on,? ?but? ?I? ?didn’t? ?say? ?you? ?two,? ?too.? ?Think? ?I’d? ?let? ?lowlives? ?touch? ?my? ?golden? ?

coach?? ?Get? ?the? ?hell? ?outta? ?here!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quietly? ?barked,? ?“Qi? ?Rong!”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?met? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?many? ?times? ?before,? ?and? ?already? ?knew? ?of? ?his? ?potty? ?mouth,? ?

vulgar? ?and? ?condescending? ?character,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?never? ?entered? ?the? ?palace? ?before,? ?

and? ?so? ?had? ?naturally? ?never? ?gotten? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?go? ?near? ?Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?

feeling? ?extremely? ?aggrieved,? ?but? ?seeing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?about? ?to? ?walk? ?away,? ?he? ?painfully? ?and? ?

begrudgingly? ?consented? ?the? ?two? ?shitty? ?lowlives? ?to? ?board? ?his? ?precious? ?golden? ?coach.? ?

?

However,? ?they? ?only? ?just? ?entered? ?the? ?coach,? ?and? ?all? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?immediately? ?regretted? ?

the? ?decision.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?drove? ?like? ?a? ?madman,? ?the? ?whip? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?lashing? ?nonstop,? ?

screaming? ?who? ?knows? ?what,? ?and? ?the? ?white? ?horse? ?neighed? ?in? ?shock,? ?the? ?wheels? ?spinning? ?

frantically,? ?thrashing? ?down? ?the? ?streets,? ?refusing? ?to? ?stop? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

screamed? ?for? ?him? ?to.? ?They? ?almost? ?crashed? ?into? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?pedestrians? ?and? ?stalls,? ?and? ?

thank? ?goodness? ?for? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?sat? ?at? ?the? ?front? ?and? ?grabbed? ?the? ?reins? ?to? ?

sidetrack? ?the? ?horse,? ?otherwise? ?this? ?berserk? ?journey? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?cost? ?at? ?least? ?twenty? ?

lives.? ?When? ?they? ?finally? ?reached? ?the? ?palace? ?and? ?the? ?coach? ?slowed? ?down,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?Feng? ?

Xin,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?all? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?off? ?his? ?

cold? ?sweat,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?had? ?been? ?lashed? ?by? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?whip? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times,? ?

their? ?hands? ?covered? ?in? ?welts.? ?Yet? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?one? ?leg? ?stepping? ?on? ?the? ?white? ?

horse’s? ?behind,? ?and? ?proclaimed? ?proudly,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?think,? ?cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince?? ?I? ?

drive? ?pretty? ?well,? ?right!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?got? ?off? ?the? ?carriage? ?and? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?going? ?to? ?tell? ?Father? ?and? ?Mother? ?to? ?

confiscate? ?your? ?coach.”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“WHAT!”? ?

?

By? ?Xianle? ?culture,? ?one? ?they? ?love? ?gold;? ?two? ?they? ?love? ?precious? ?stones;? ?three? ?they? ?love? ?

beauties;? ?four? ?they? ?love? ?music;? ?and? ?five? ?they? ?love? ?art.? ?The? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xianle? ?was? ?thus? ?the? ?

most? ?distinguished? ?place? ?where? ?all? ?that? ?they? ?love? ?was? ?melted? ?into? ?one.? ?Traversing? ?

through? ?the? ?large? ?courtyard,? ?walking? ?down? ?the? ?crimson? ?hallway,? ?not? ?everything? ?was? ?

gilded? ?or? ?built? ?of? ?jade,? ?as? ?there? ?were? ?also? ?masterpiece? ?paintings? ?hung? ?all? ?around,? ?and? ?

soft? ?music? ?wafting? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?creating? ?the? ?illusion? ?of? ?paradise.? ?

?

The? ?palace? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?home,? ?the? ?place? ?where? ?he? ?grew? ?up.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?chosen? ?to? ?

be? ?the? ?personal? ?guard? ?at? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?fourteen,? ?and? ?had? ?long? ?gotten? ?used? ?to? ?the? ?sight.? ?

However? ?it? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?first? ?time? ?seeing? ?such? ?buildings,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?

awed.? ?Yet,? ?the? ?more? ?awed? ?he? ?was,? ?the? ?more? ?careful? ?he? ?became,? ?and? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?didn’t? ?

dare? ?to? ?have? ?others? ?sense? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?feeling,? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?false? ?step.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?to? ?meet? ?with? ?the? ?Queen? ?the? ?first? ?thing.? ?The? ?Queen? ?was? ?resting? ?at? ?the? ?

QiFeng? ?Manor,? ?leaning? ?on? ?a? ?small? ?tea? ?table? ?tasting? ?new? ?leaves.? ?She? ?had? ?long? ?received? ?

the? ?message? ?that? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?had? ?returned,? ?her? ?eyes? ?crescent? ?shaped? ?in? ?joy,? ?and? ?

extended? ?both? ?arms? ?before? ?her? ?son? ?even? ?walked? ?near? ?and? ?said,? ?“Finally? ?willing? ?to? ?come? ?

home? ?to? ?see? ?mom?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?guarding? ?outside.? ?Xie? ?LIan? ?entered? ?the? ?chamber? ?with? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?in? ?tow,? ?and? ?he? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?hold? ?his? ?mother’s? ?hands? ?when? ?he? ?approached,? ?

“Didn’t? ?I? ?just? ?visit? ?two? ?months? ?ago?”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?grumbled,? ?“What? ?a? ?heartless? ?child.? ?Even? ?Rong-Er*? ?knew? ?to? ?keep? ?an? ?old? ?

woman? ?like? ?me? ?company? ?but? ?here? ?you? ?are? ?sounding? ?all? ?self-righteous? ?when? ?you? ?haven’t? ?

come? ?home? ?for? ?two? ?months.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?“And? ?how? ?is? ?Mother? ?old?? ?You? ?look? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?ten-something!? ?Like? ?

we’re? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?generation.”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?was? ?jubilant? ?hearing? ?those? ?words? ?of? ?praise.? ?Even? ?if? ?she? ?had? ?a? ?son? ?as? ?old? ?as? ?

Xie? ?LIan,? ?because? ?of? ?her? ?status? ?and? ?wealth,? ?she? ?was? ?very? ?well? ?maintained,? ?and? ?still? ?

looked? ?the? ?part? ?of? ?a? ?noble? ?beauty.? ?Still,? ?the? ?word? ?that? ?left? ?her? ?lips? ?was? ?light? ?

admonishment:? ?“Flatterer.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?small? ?tea? ?table? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?jaded? ?cup,? ?its? ?contents? ?emitting? ?

a? ?strange? ?fragrance.? ?He? ?asked? ?curiously,? ?“What’s? ?this?”? ?and? ?picked? ?it? ?up,? ?but? ?the? ?queen? ?

warned,? ?“Don’t? ?drink? ?it!? ?You? ?can’t? ?drink? ?that!”? ? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

?-Er? ?is? ?the? ?word? ?for? ?“son”? ?or? ?“child”,? ?but? ?added? ?to? ?a? ?name? ?it? ?becomes? ?an? ?

affectionate? ?tag? ?akin? ?to? ?meaning? ?“Little”? ?or? ?“Sonny”.? ? ?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.63:? ?Lost? ?Red? ?Pearl;? ?Inadvertent? ?Eyes? ?Red? ?with? ?Desire? ?4? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?curious,? ?“Why? ?can’t? ?I? ?drink? ?this?”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?reached? ?for? ?the? ?small? ?jaded? ?cup? ?and? ?took? ?it? ?from? ?him,? ?poured? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?its? ?

contents? ?on? ?her? ?handkerchief,? ?and? ?pressed? ?it? ?gently? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?on? ?her? ?face,? ?“Mount? ?

Taicang? ?recently? ?sent? ?in? ?a? ?batch? ?of? ?fresh? ?fruits.? ?I? ?don’t? ?like? ?cherries,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?

method? ?of? ?making? ?it? ?into? ?paste? ?for? ?facials,? ?so? ?I? ?squeezed? ?some? ?for? ?fun.? ?There’s? ?not? ?much? ?

use? ?for? ?it? ?and? ?I? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?have? ?it? ?thrown? ?out,? ?so? ?I? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?have? ?you? ?drink? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?as? ?he? ?listened? ?but? ?suddenly? ?recalled? ?the? ?events? ?of? ?the? ?day? ?before.? ?There? ?

were? ?very? ?few? ?times? ?in? ?a? ?year? ?where? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?mother? ?could? ?taste? ?cherries,? ?and? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?himself? ?would? ?get? ?bullied? ?just? ?for? ?trying? ?to? ?pick? ?some.? ?It’s? ?somewhat? ?of? ?a? ?sensitive? ?

topic? ?and? ?Xie? ?LIan? ?was? ?afraid? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?be? ?uncomfortable? ?listening? ?to? ?this,? ?so? ?he? ?

smiled? ?and? ?changed? ?the? ?subject,? ?“Then? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?anything? ?that? ?I? ?could? ?eat?”? ?

?

?

The? ?queen? ?chuckled,? ?“The? ?way? ?you? ?make? ?it? ?sound,? ?others? ?will? ?think? ?I? ?starve? ?you,? ?but? ?

you’ve? ?been? ?a? ?picky? ?eater? ?ever? ?since? ?you? ?were? ?young,? ?I? ?can’t? ?plump? ?you? ?up.? ?You’ve? ?

gotten? ?so? ?thin? ?since? ?you? ?entered? ?the? ?mountain,? ?today? ?you’ll? ?eat? ?whatever? ?I? ?tell? ?you? ?to,? ?no? ?

fuss.”? ?

?

The? ?mother? ?and? ?son? ?conversed? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?asked? ?about? ?the? ?incident? ?

during? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Procession,? ?sounding? ?quite? ?concerned,? ?“By? ?the? ?Guoshi’s? ?report,? ?it? ?

sounds? ?serious.? ?What’s? ?going? ?to? ?happen?? ?Will? ?you? ?be? ?punished?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?answer? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?cut? ?in,? ?“Hmph!? ?That? ?wasn’t? ?

cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?fault.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?fell? ?off? ?the? ?wall? ?wasn’t? ?him,? ?if? ?anyone? ?must? ?be? ?

punished,? ?then? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?that? ?little? ?fiend!”? ? ?

?

‘What,? ?little? ?fiend?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?in? ?annoyance.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?corrected? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?but? ?the? ?

Queen? ?laughed.? ?Just? ?then? ?she? ?noticed? ?the? ?two? ?outside? ?the? ?manor,? ?“Who’s? ?the? ?child? ?next? ?

to? ?Feng? ?Xin?? ?It’s? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?I? ?see? ?another? ?person? ?by? ?your? ?side.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?cheerfully,? ?“That’s? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?He? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?played? ?the? ?ghost? ?on? ?

stage? ?yesterday.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?slightly? ?raised? ?his? ?brows? ?while? ?the? ?queen? ?said,? ?“Really?? ?Have? ?him? ?

come? ?in? ?so? ?I? ?can? ?see? ?his? ?face.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?can? ?come? ?in? ?too.”? ?

?

Thus,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?entered? ?the? ?chamber? ?and? ?knelt? ?before? ?the? ?queen.? ?She? ?took? ?

her? ?time? ?looking? ?over? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?said? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“I? ?thought? ?he? ?fought? ?rather? ?well? ?

yesterday,? ?a? ?good,? ?courteous? ?child.? ?Looking? ?at? ?this? ?face? ?you’d? ?think? ?he’d? ?be? ?a? ?gentle? ?

minister,? ?but? ?who? ?knew? ?he? ?could? ?be? ?that? ?tenacious? ?using? ?a? ?sabre.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned,? ?“Right?? ?I? ?think? ?he’s? ?really? ?good? ?too.”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?commented? ?cooly,? ?“Oh?? ?The? ?ghost? ?from? ?yesterday? ?was? ?

him?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?his? ?tone? ?and? ?felt? ?dread,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?next? ?second? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

suddenly? ?exploded,? ?snatched? ?that? ?small? ?jaded? ?cup? ?from? ?the? ?little? ?tea? ?table,? ?and? ?swung? ?it? ?

at? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?head,? ?“Here!? ?Your? ?reward!”? ?

?

Fortunately? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?faster,? ?and? ?smacked? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?hand? ?forcing? ?him? ?to? ?drop? ?the? ?

cup? ?so? ?the? ?splash? ?didn’t? ?make? ?it? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?him? ?back? ?by? ?the? ?

collar,? ?“Qi? ?Rong,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing!”? ?

?

Even? ?whilst? ?being? ?held,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?still? ?rampant,? ?“Cousin,? ?I’m? ?helping? ?you? ?discipline? ?an? ?

impudent? ?servant!? ?Before? ?you? ?made? ?it? ?yesterday,? ?he? ?sure? ?was? ?enjoying? ?himself,? ?taking? ?in? ?

all? ?the? ?limelight!? ?Who? ?the? ?fuck? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you? ?are?? ?The? ?star? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Procession?? ?Gonna? ?overthrow? ?the? ?heavens? ?too?!!”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?was? ?stunned,? ?“Rong,? ?wh...? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?spared? ?of? ?the? ?splash? ?but? ?his? ?clothes? ?didn’t,? ?yet? ?because? ?the? ?queen? ?

hadn’t? ?given? ?word,? ?he? ?remained? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?floor,? ?his? ?face? ?grim? ?and? ?pale.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

passed? ?Qi? ?ROng? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“Don’t? ?let? ?him? ?hit? ?anyone.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?only? ?used? ?one? ?hand? ?

to? ?restrain? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?but? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?kicking? ?and? ?punching,? ?spitting? ?as? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“And? ?

who? ?the? ?fuck? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you? ?are? ?to? ?have? ?the? ?fucking? ?nerve? ?to? ?touch? ?me? ?so? ?casually!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?head? ?aching,? ?“Qi? ?Rong,? ?you’re? ?getting? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?out? ?of? ?

control!”? ?Then? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?the? ?queen,? ?“Mother,? ?I? ?forgot? ?to? ?mention? ?something.? ?Please? ?

take? ?away? ?his? ?golden? ?carriage.”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?shocked? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“NO!? ?NO!? ?WHY?? ?THAT’S? ?AUNTIE’S? ?BIRTHDAY? ?GIFT? ?

TO? ?ME!”? ?

?

“Even? ?if? ?it? ?is? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?confiscated.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“We? ?almost? ?ran? ?into? ?troubles? ?on? ?the? ?

streets!? ?Best? ?not? ?to? ?touch? ?it? ?again? ?before? ?you? ?learn? ?how? ?to? ?drive? ?properly.”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?“ah”-ed? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Troubles?? ?What? ?troubles?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?retold? ?to? ?her? ?the? ?crazy? ?state? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?driving,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?furious,? ?his? ?

eyes? ?red? ?around? ?the? ?rim,? ?“COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE? ?IS? ?WRONG!? ?I? ?DIDN’T? ?RUN? ?INTO? ?

A? ?SINGLE? ?PERSON!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?snorted,? ?“That’s? ?because? ?someone? ?stopped? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?struggled? ?out? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?and? ?ran? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?QiFeng? ?Manor? ?in? ?a? ?mad? ?fit,? ?

not? ?turning? ?back? ?even? ?when? ?the? ?queen? ?called? ?out? ?to? ?him.? ?She? ?said? ?sadly,? ?“I’ll? ?talk? ?to? ?him? ?

tomorrow? ?about? ?confiscating? ?his? ?carriage.? ?Sigh,? ?that? ?child? ?had? ?wanted? ?a? ?coach? ?for? ?the? ?

longest? ?time,? ?so? ?when? ?his? ?birthday? ?came? ?around,? ?I? ?saw? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?desperately? ?

wanting? ?one,? ?so? ?I? ?gifted? ?it? ?to? ?him.? ?Who? ?knew? ?it’d? ?turn? ?out? ?like? ?this?? ?Had? ?I? ?known? ?I? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?given? ?it? ?to? ?him.”? ? ?

?

“Why? ?must? ?he? ?have? ?a? ?carriage?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“He? ?said? ?it’s? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?go? ?to? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?whenever? ?he? ?want? ?to? ?bring? ?you? ?home.”? ?

The? ?queen? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?silent,? ?learning? ?that? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?gesture? ?of? ?goodwill.? ?After? ?

a? ?moment,? ?he? ?spoke,? ?“It’s? ?better? ?instead? ?to? ?find? ?him? ?a? ?good? ?teacher,? ?and? ?restrain? ?that? ?

temper.? ?He? ?can’t? ?keep? ?going? ?on? ?like? ?this.”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?sighed,? ?“And? ?what? ?teacher? ?can? ?restrain? ?him?? ?He? ?only? ?ever? ?listens? ?to? ?you.? ?We? ?

could? ?hardly? ?have? ?him? ?enter? ?the? ?mountain? ?to? ?go? ?cultivate? ?with? ?you?? ?Besides,? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?

would? ?die? ?before? ?taking? ?him? ?in? ?as? ?a? ?disciple.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?the? ?idea? ?both? ?hilarious? ?and? ?horrifying? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“With? ?a? ?temper? ?

like? ?that,? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?enter? ?the? ?Holy? ?Royal? ?Pavilion,? ?he? ?would? ?raise? ?hell? ?for? ?sure.”? ?

?

Both? ?the? ?mother? ?and? ?the? ?son? ?were? ?deeply? ?troubled? ?by? ?this,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?any? ?

ideas,? ?and? ?so? ?they? ?let? ?it? ?go? ?for? ?the? ?time? ?being.? ?That? ?evening,? ?after? ?having? ?seen? ?his? ?

parents? ?and? ?caught? ?up,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?leave? ?the? ?palace.? ?

?

Everyone? ?knew? ?that? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?deeply? ?obsessed? ?with? ?cultivation,? ?and? ?ever? ?

since? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?Holy? ?Royal? ?Pavilion,? ?he? ?visited? ?his? ?parents? ?less? ?and? ?less.? ?The? ?king? ?

didn’t? ?say? ?much? ?on? ?the? ?matter,? ?but? ?the? ?queen? ?was? ?always? ?reluctant? ?to? ?see? ?him? ?go.? ?After? ?

leaving? ?the? ?palace,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?casually? ?strolled? ?around? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?and? ?accompanied? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?visit? ?to? ?his? ?home,? ?as? ?suggested? ?the? ?day? ?before.? ?

?

The? ?wealthy? ?tall? ?red? ?gates? ?and? ?the? ?impoverished? ?slums? ?were? ?usually? ?a? ?street? ?away? ?from? ?

each? ?other.? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?home? ?was? ?situated? ?in? ?a? ?dark? ?alley? ?of? ?the? ?most? ?bustling? ?area? ?of? ?the? ?

royal? ?capital.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?just? ?turned? ?into? ?the? ?alley? ?when? ?five? ?or? ?six? ?children? ?in? ?rags? ?surrounded? ?

them,? ?calling? ?out,? ?“Ge? ?ge.? ?Ge? ?ge? ?is? ?back!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?confused? ?at? ?first,? ?wondering? ?why? ?they? ?would? ?call? ?strangers? ?‘ge? ?ge’,? ?but? ?then? ?

he? ?discovered? ?that? ?the? ?‘ge? ?ge’? ?they? ?were? ?calling? ?wasn’t? ?him,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?The? ?children? ?

called? ?out? ?to? ?him? ?sweetly? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?ignored? ?them,? ?“There’s? ?nothing? ?this? ?time.? ?Don’t? ?

call? ?me? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

His? ?face? ?was? ?wooden,? ?but? ?his? ?voice? ?wasn’t? ?cold.? ?He? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?LIan,? ?“Don’t? ?mind? ?

them,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?they’re? ?just? ?kids? ?from? ?the? ?block.”? ?However,? ?that? ?group? ?of? ?children? ?

were? ?obviously? ?very? ?comfortable? ?around? ?him,? ?having? ?grown? ?up? ?playing? ?together,? ?and? ?

weren’t? ?afraid? ?of? ?him? ?at? ?all.? ?They? ?giggled? ?and? ?surrounded? ?them,? ?their? ?dirty? ?little? ?hands? ?

extended,? ?begging? ?for? ?munchies? ?from? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?Finally,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?reached? ?for? ?the? ?

gem-like? ?cherries? ?in? ?his? ?bag? ?and? ?handed? ?them? ?out.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?astonished? ?seeing? ?this,? ?as? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?doing? ?anything? ?of? ?the? ?sort? ?was? ?a? ?

miracle.? ?After? ?all,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?bore? ?a? ?pale? ?face? ?that? ?looked? ?extremely? ?cheap,? ?the? ?type? ?that? ?

despite? ?seeing? ?someone? ?die? ?from? ?starvation? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?would? ?still? ?keep? ?a? ?tight? ?hold? ?

on? ?his? ?own? ?food.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?wasn’t? ?surprised? ?at? ?all.? ? ?

?

At? ?first? ?he? ?had? ?also? ?wanted? ?to? ?find? ?something? ?to? ?give? ?to? ?the? ?children,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?usually? ?

carry? ?sweets? ?on? ?his? ?person,? ?and? ?having? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?give? ?coins? ?was? ?too? ?much? ?like? ?

dismissing? ?beggars? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?appropriate.? ?Suddenly,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?boom? ?

of? ?large? ?galloping? ?noise? ?coming? ?from? ?the? ?main? ?streets,? ?a? ?long? ?shrieking? ?neighing? ?of? ?a? ?

horse,? ?and? ?people? ?screaming.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?stopped,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rushed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?alley.? ?All? ?around? ?the? ?main? ?

street? ?was? ?chaos,? ?stalls? ?toppled? ?and? ?people? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?The? ?pedestrians? ?were? ?all? ?

running? ?to? ?get? ?away;? ?apples? ?and? ?pears? ?rolled? ?all? ?over.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?figured? ?out? ?what? ?was? ?

happening? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?crazed? ?laughter? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man,? ?“OUT? ?OF? ?MY? ?WAY,? ?GET? ?

OUT? ?OF? ?MY? ?WAY!? ?I? ?DON’T? ?GIVE? ?A? ?SHIT? ?IF? ?ANY? ?OF? ?YOU? ?GET? ?TRAMPLED!”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?swore,? ?“It’s? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?again!”? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?stood? ?atop? ?that? ?glamourous? ?golden? ?coach,? ?his? ?expression? ?

malicious,? ?lashing? ?his? ?whip? ?wildly,? ?the? ?white? ?horse? ?howling? ?from? ?the? ?welting.? ? ?

?

“STOP? ?HIM!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted.? ?

?

That? ?golden? ?carriage? ?whooshed? ?by? ?them,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?acknowledged,? ?“Understood!”? ?

and? ?charged? ?on? ?ahead.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?check? ?for? ?any? ?wounded? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?

toppled? ?stalls? ?and? ?knocked? ?over? ?pedestrians? ?left? ?behind? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?mad? ?trail? ?when? ?

suddenly? ?he? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong.? ?He? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around,? ?and? ?saw? ?just? ?

behind? ?that? ?large? ?golden? ?coach,? ?something? ?was? ?dragged? ?along? ?with? ?a? ?thick,? ?long? ?hemp? ?

rope.? ?At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?rope? ?was? ?a? ?gunny? ?sack,? ?and? ?in? ?that? ?sack? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

something? ?struggling.? ?It? ?looked? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?person? ?in? ?that? ?sack.? ?

?

That? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?feel? ?his? ?blood? ?run? ?cold.? ?The? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?rushed? ?

forward.? ?

?

From? ?all? ?the? ?whipping,? ?that? ?white? ?horse? ?was? ?dashing? ?like? ?it’s? ?running? ?for? ?its? ?life,? ?spinning? ?

the? ?wheels? ?of? ?that? ?carriage? ?furiously.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?to? ?hold? ?the? ?horse? ?back? ?but? ?probably? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?stop? ?it? ?immediately.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raced? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?carriage? ?in? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?

steps,? ?unsheathed? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?struck? ?down.? ?That? ?rope? ?snapped? ?in? ?two,? ?and? ?the? ?gunny? ?

sack? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?rolled,? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?bent? ?forward? ?to? ?inspect? ?it.? ?That? ?gunny? ?sack? ?had? ?been? ?dragged? ?for? ?who? ?knew? ?

how? ?long? ?and? ?was? ?ripped? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?scraping.? ?It? ?was? ?extremely? ?dirty,? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?

looking? ?like? ?a? ?dead? ?body? ?bag.? ?Another? ?swing? ?from? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?the? ?rope? ?tied? ?around? ?

the? ?opening? ?was? ?cut.? ?He? ?opened? ?the? ?back? ?and? ?looked,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?indeed? ?someone,? ?

and,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?young? ?child!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?ripped? ?open? ?that? ?entire? ?sack.? ?The? ?young? ?child? ?within? ?was? ?curled? ?into? ?a? ?ball,? ?

hugging? ?his? ?head? ?tightly,? ?and? ?his? ?filthy? ?clothes? ?was? ?covered? ?either? ?in? ?giant? ?footprints? ?or? ?

fresh? ?blood.? ?Even? ?his? ?hair? ?was? ?tangled? ?with? ?blood.? ?He? ?was? ?a? ?mess,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?

he? ?was? ?heavily? ?beaten? ?by? ?someone,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?even? ?look? ?human? ?

anymore.? ?Judging? ?by? ?his? ?from,? ?he? ?was? ?only? ?seven? ?or? ?eight,? ?a? ?very? ?small? ?creature,? ?

shaking? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?his? ?skin? ?was? ?forcibly? ?peeled? ?off.? ?Truly? ?incredible? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?

alive? ?after? ?such? ?a? ?violent? ?beating!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?feel? ?his? ?neck,? ?and? ?found? ?that? ?his? ?pulse? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?weak,? ?

and? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?He? ?immediately? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?small? ?body,? ?turned? ?around? ?

and? ?yelled,? ?enraged,? ?“FENG? ?XIN!? ?ARREST? ?QI? ?RONG!!!”? ?

?

He? ?could? ?not? ?believe? ?that? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?could? ?happen? ?in? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?

Under? ?the? ?light? ?of? ?day,? ?on? ?the? ?main? ?street,? ?a? ?noble,? ?stuffed? ?a? ?live? ?human? ?in? ?a? ?gunny? ?sack? ?

to? ?be? ?dragged? ?behind? ?a? ?horse? ?carriage!? ?If? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?and? ?stopped? ?it,? ?this? ?small? ?child? ?

would’ve? ?been? ?dragged? ?to? ?death? ?that? ?day!? ?

?

Some? ?distance? ?away? ?came? ?the? ?sounds? ?of? ?neighing? ?and? ?the? ?angry? ?roars? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?and? ?

soon? ?after,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?yelled? ?back,? ?“He’s? ?been? ?stopped!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rushed? ?towards? ?them? ?just? ?in? ?time? ?to? ?hear? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?howl? ?in? ?rage,? ?“YOU? ?

FUCKING? ?LOWLY? ?SERVANT? ?DARE? ?HURT? ?ME!? ?WHO? ?GAVE? ?YOU? ?THE? ?BALLS?!!”? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?stop? ?him,? ?so? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?snatch? ?the? ?reins? ?from? ?him? ?instead.? ?

Of? ?course? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?him,? ?so? ?the? ?two? ?pulled? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?moment? ?

of? ?carelessness? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?bumped? ?and? ?pushed? ?him? ?off? ?the? ?carriage.? ?He? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?

ground? ?and? ?rolled? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?his? ?knees? ?scraped.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?surrounded? ?by? ?

bystanders,? ?he? ?felt? ?nothing? ?but? ?rage? ?and? ?embarrassment.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?in,? ?“I? ?

did!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?opened? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?before? ?finally? ?crying,? ?“Cousin? ?

Crown? ?Prince!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?angrily,? ?“Look? ?at? ?what? ?you’ve? ?done!? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?I? ?really...”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?twitch,? ?seemingly? ?to? ?have? ?loosened? ?the? ?

hands? ?hugging? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?was? ?peeking? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?the? ?gap? ?between? ?his? ?elbows.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?restrained? ?his? ?anger,? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?soothe? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?

gentle? ?voice,? ?“How? ?do? ?you? ?feel?? ?Do? ?you? ?feel? ?pain? ?anywhere? ?especially?”? ?

?

That? ?child? ?was? ?amazingly? ?still? ?conscious,? ?not? ?fainted? ?from? ?pain,? ?not? ?frozen? ?in? ?shock,? ?and? ?

shook? ?his? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?that? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?bloody? ?little? ?face? ?poked? ?out? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?

to? ?check? ?for? ?other? ?head? ?injuries,? ?but? ?that? ?child? ?firmly? ?covered? ?the? ?other? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?

with? ?his? ?hands,? ?stubbornly? ?refusing? ?to? ?show? ?him.? ?

?

———–? ?

?

?

Ch.64:? ?Lost? ?Red? ?Pearl;? ?Inadvertent? ?Eyes? ?Red? ?with? ?Desire? ?5? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?soothed,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?afraid,? ?I’m? ?not? ?going? ?to? ?do? ?anything.? ?I? ?only? ?want? ?to? ?check? ?

your? ?injuries.”? ?That? ?child? ?however,? ?pressed? ?his? ?hands? ?harder,? ?revealing? ?only? ?one? ?large? ?

obsidian? ?eye,? ?looking? ?panicked.? ?But? ?this? ?panic? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?afraid? ?he? ?would? ?

get? ?beaten,? ?but? ?rather? ?that? ?something? ?would? ?be? ?discovered.? ?

?

Looking? ?at? ?this? ?little? ?face? ?half? ?covered? ?with? ?only? ?an? ?eye,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?thought? ?he? ?

might’ve? ?seen? ?this? ?child? ?somewhere? ?and? ?squinted? ?his? ?eyes.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?saw? ?his? ?upset? ?face? ?

and? ?explained,? ?“Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?that? ?little? ?fiend? ?ruined? ?your? ?grand? ?ceremony? ?

yesterday,? ?so? ?I? ?avenged? ?you.? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?I? ?was? ?careful,? ?he? ?won’t? ?die.”? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?child? ?held? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?fell? ?from? ?the? ?city? ?wall? ?during? ?

the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession? ?the? ?day? ?before!? ?

?

No? ?wonder? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?he? ?looked? ?familiar.? ?This? ?little? ?child? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?changed;? ?he? ?

was? ?still? ?wearing? ?the? ?same? ?outfit? ?as? ?the? ?day? ?before,? ?but? ?because? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?beating? ?and? ?

dragging,? ?it? ?was? ?filthier? ?and? ?looked? ?nothing? ?like? ?before,? ?not? ?even? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?same? ?

person.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?his? ?anger? ?anymore,? ?“WHO? ?TOLD? ?YOU? ?TO? ?AVENGE? ?

ME???? ?IT? ?HAS? ?NOTHING? ?TO? ?DO? ?WITH? ?THIS? ?CHILD,? ?IT? ?WASN’T? ?HIS? ?FAULT!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?justified? ?himself,? ?“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?his? ?fault.? ?If? ?not? ?for? ?him,? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?gotten? ?

scolded? ?by? ?the? ?Guoshi!”? ?

?

This? ?ruckus? ?was? ?growing? ?out? ?of? ?hand,? ?and? ?the? ?crowds? ?watching? ?was? ?becoming? ?bigger,? ?

all? ?whispering? ?to? ?each? ?other.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?approached? ?too? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?pointed? ?

his? ?whip? ?at? ?him,? ?his? ?dissenting? ?expression? ?was? ?laced? ?with? ?hostility,? ?“And? ?you!? ?You? ?lowly? ?

servant.? ?Just? ?by? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?him? ?I? ?can? ?tell? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?know? ?his? ?place.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?

discipline? ?him,? ?sooner? ?or? ?later? ?he’s? ?going? ?to? ?overthrow? ?and? ?step? ?on? ?you? ?the? ?master.? ?I? ?help? ?

you? ?discipline? ?him,? ?but? ?you? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?defended? ?him? ?instead,? ?and? ?told? ?on? ?me? ?

too.? ?Now? ?Uncle? ?and? ?Auntie? ?not? ?only? ?disregarded? ?my? ?good? ?will,? ?they? ?even? ?confiscated? ?my? ?

golden? ?carriage!? ?Cousin,? ?that? ?was? ?my? ?birthday? ?gift!? ?I’ve? ?wanted? ?it? ?for? ?over? ?two? ?years!!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?gave? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?an? ?unreadable? ?sweeping? ?look.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?a? ?laugh? ?from? ?

rage,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?your? ?good? ?will,? ?not? ?like? ?this.? ?Are? ?you? ?really? ?avenging? ?me?? ?Or? ?are? ?you? ?

avenging? ?yourself?”? ?

?

“...”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?said,? ?“Cousin,? ?why? ?would? ?you? ?say? ?that? ?to? ?me?? ?And? ?what? ?have? ?I? ?done? ?wrong? ?

in? ?following? ?after? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?argue? ?with? ?him,? ?“Qi? ?Rong,? ?listen? ?here.? ?From? ?now? ?on,? ?you’re? ?not? ?allowed? ?

to? ?touch? ?this? ?child.? ?Not? ?even? ?a? ?finger!? ?DO? ?YOU? ?HEAR? ?ME!”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?a? ?pull? ?on? ?his? ?neck.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?fury? ?

and? ?was? ?startled.? ?He? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?chest,? ?

his? ?two? ?hands? ?tightly? ?encircled? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?neck.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?him? ?shake? ?

uncontrollably? ?and? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?hurting.? ?He? ?asked? ?hurriedly,? ?“What’s? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?was? ?covered? ?all? ?over? ?in? ?mud,? ?grime,? ?and? ?blood,? ?filthy? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?and? ?

it? ?all? ?smeared? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?white? ?robe,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?mind? ?it? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ?gently? ?

patted? ?the? ?child’s? ?back? ?to? ?comfort? ?him? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?gentle? ?voice,? ?“I’ll? ?go? ?take? ?you? ?to? ?the? ?

doctors? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

That? ?child? ?didn’t? ?respond? ?but? ?he? ?hugged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?even? ?tighter.? ?He? ?was? ?tense? ?and? ?

wouldn’t? ?let? ?go,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?on? ?to? ?a? ?lifeline.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?saw? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?

acknowledge? ?his? ?good? ?will,? ?his? ?heart? ?solely? ?on? ?outsiders,? ?then? ?saw? ?that? ?kid? ?sullied? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?robes? ?with? ?that? ?bloody,? ?muddy? ?shit,? ?his? ?anger? ?flared.? ?He? ?raised? ?the? ?whip? ?and? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?lash? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?that? ?child’s? ?head.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?standing? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?

split? ?second,? ?his? ?leg? ?flew? ?out? ?and? ?kicked? ?Qi? ?rong? ?right? ?on? ?the? ?arm.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?large? ??CRACK?? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?screamed,? ?the? ?whip? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?his? ?

right? ?arm? ?dropped? ?limply? ?in? ?an? ?abnormal? ?angle.? ?He? ?was? ?still? ?suspended? ?in? ?disbelief? ?and? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?slowly? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?glaring? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?enunciating? ?

each? ?word,? ?“You,? ?DARE,? ?BREAK? ?MY? ?ARM!”? ? ?

?

The? ?words? ?were? ?extremely? ?cold.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?until? ?after? ?he? ?kicked? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?realized? ?

what? ?he? ?had? ?done,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?changed,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?changed? ?more? ?than? ?the? ?

other? ?two.? ?

?

No? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?they? ?detested? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?that’s? ?one? ?thing.? ?But? ?as? ?a? ?

personal? ?guard,? ?to? ?have? ?transgressed? ?and? ?accidentally? ?breaking? ?the? ?arm? ?of? ?royalty,? ?was? ?

something? ?completely? ?different!? ?

?

Just? ?now? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?his? ?hands? ?full? ?with? ?that? ?child,? ?and? ?behind? ?him? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?

onlookers,? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?dodge,? ?but? ?if? ?he? ?did? ?dodge? ?it? ?would’ve? ?been? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?cake? ?

too.? ?Only,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?came? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?such? ?aggression? ?and? ?often? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue,? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?moved? ?too? ?fast? ?without? ?thinking,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?stop? ?him.? ?Now? ?

everything? ?was? ?in? ?even? ?more? ?of? ?an? ?uproar? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?time? ?to? ?think? ?either.? ?

His? ?clothes? ?were? ?getting? ?soaked? ?in? ?blood,? ?if? ?they? ?delay? ?any? ?longer? ?the? ?child? ?might? ?just? ?die? ?

right? ?there.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?a? ?split? ?second? ?decision,? ?inhaled? ?deeply,? ?and? ?shouted? ?in? ?a? ?

clear? ?voice,? ?“EVERYONE,? ?IF? ?ANYONE? ?WAS? ?PULLED? ?INTO? ?THIS? ?INCIDENT? ?TODAY,? ?

PLEASE? ?RECORD? ?ANY? ?DAMAGES? ?AND? ?LOSS.? ?I? ?WILL? ?TAKE? ?ALL? ?RESPONSIBILITY? ?

WITHOUT? ?FAIL!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“Save? ?the? ?child? ?first.? ?Take? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?away,? ?and? ?

don’t? ?let? ?him? ?continue? ?havoc? ?outside.”? ?Finishing? ?his? ?instructions,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?towards? ?

the? ?palace? ?with? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?his? ?arms.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?received? ?the? ?command,? ?his? ?expression? ?

back? ?to? ?normal,? ?and? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?raging? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?before? ?following? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?The? ?

soldiers? ?guarding? ?the? ?palace? ?gates? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?strange? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

racing? ?back? ?having? ?only? ?left? ?but? ?a? ?short? ?while? ?ago,? ?but? ?naturally? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?stop? ?him,? ?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?straight? ?to? ?the? ?medical? ?pavilion,? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?infirmary? ?leaving? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?outside? ?the? ?door? ?with? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?under? ?arrest.? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?rarely? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?palace? ?and? ?rarely? ?made? ?demands,? ?so? ?the? ?

imperial? ?doctors? ?naturally? ?rushed? ?over? ?speedily.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?placed? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?in? ?a? ?

chair? ?and? ?said,? ?“Thanks? ?in? ?advance,? ?everyone.? ?This? ?child? ?was? ?beaten? ?by? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?

grown? ?ups,? ?got? ?stuffed? ?into? ?a? ?gunny? ?sack,? ?and? ?dragged? ?on? ?the? ?roads.? ?Please? ?check? ?for? ?

me? ?if? ?there? ?are? ?any? ?head? ?injuries? ?first,? ?that’s? ?the? ?most? ?important? ?thing.”? ?

?

The? ?imperial? ?medical? ?team? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?a? ?royal? ?or? ?a? ?noble? ?bring? ?a? ?dirty? ?wild? ?babes? ?for? ?

them? ?to? ?heal? ?before,? ?but? ?they? ?also? ?know? ?they? ?just? ?need? ?to? ?do? ?whatever? ?they’re? ?told? ?to,? ?

and? ?all? ?acknowledged? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction.? ?One? ?of? ?them? ?spoke,? ?“Put? ?your? ?hands? ?down? ?

first,? ?little? ?kid.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?although? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?was? ?docile? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?arms? ?the? ?whole? ?time,? ?he? ?

started? ?struggling? ?then? ?and? ?firmly? ?covered? ?right? ?right? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?face,? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?go? ?

no? ?matter? ?what.? ?No? ?matter? ?how? ?skilled? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?were,? ?if? ?the? ?patient? ?didn’t? ?

cooperate? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?they? ?could? ?do.? ?The? ?doctors? ?looked? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?how...?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?a? ?hand,? ?“He’s? ?probably? ?afraid? ?of? ?strangers.? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?let? ?me.”? ?

?

That? ?child? ?was? ?sitting? ?in? ?a? ?chair? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?meet? ?his? ?eyes? ?so? ?he? ?bend? ?forward? ?

and? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?“What’s? ?your? ?name?”? ?

?

The? ?large? ?eye? ?of? ?that? ?child? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?intently,? ?his? ?obsidian? ?black? ?pupil? ?reflected? ?a? ?

snow? ?white? ?reflection.? ?This? ?gaze,? ?if? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?described,? ?was? ?exactly? ?like? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?

said? ?–? ?“Possessed? ?by? ?the? ?devil”,? ?and? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?the? ?gaze? ?of? ?a? ?child.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?the? ?child? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?“...? ?Hong...”? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?tiny? ?and? ?soft,? ?mumbled,? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?say? ?it,? ?but? ?also? ?a? ?little? ?

embarrassed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?sort? ?of? ?heard? ?the? ?word? ?“Hong”*? ?and? ?asked? ?again,? ?“How? ?old? ?

are? ?you?”? ?

?

“Ten.”? ?That? ?child? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?only? ?asking? ?offhandedly,? ?hoping? ?to? ?lower? ?his? ?guard,? ?but? ?hearing? ?that? ?he? ?

responded? ?with? ?“Ten”,? ?he? ?was? ?startled? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘I? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?only? ?seven? ?or? ?

eight,? ?but? ?he’s? ?ten?? ?This? ?child? ?is? ?truly? ?weak? ?and? ?emaciated.’? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?“The? ?doctors? ?will? ?see? ?to? ?your? ?wounds? ?now,? ?don’t? ?be? ?

afraid? ?and? ?lower? ?your? ?hands,? ?ok?”? ? ?

?

That? ?child? ?heard,? ?but? ?hesitantly? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?

?

“Why? ?not?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?replying,? ?“Ugly.”? ?

?

His? ?response? ?was? ?just? ?the? ?one? ?word,? ?and? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soothed? ?he? ?refused? ?to? ?

let? ?go? ?of? ?his? ?hands.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?promised? ?that? ?he? ?won’t? ?think? ?him? ?ugly,? ?that? ?he? ?won’t? ?look,? ?

but? ?turning? ?around? ?wouldn’t? ?do? ?either.? ?Such? ?a? ?young? ?age? ?but? ?such? ?obstinance.? ?Without? ?

choice,? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?could? ?only? ?ask? ?him? ?a? ?few? ?questions,? ?have? ?him? ?recognize? ?

number? ?of? ?fingers,? ?making? ?sure? ?he? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?faint? ?or? ?have? ?any? ?headaches,? ?that? ?he? ?

understood? ?what? ?he? ?saw? ?and? ?what? ?he? ?thought,? ?then? ?tend? ?to? ?his? ?physical? ?wounds.? ?

?

As? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?worked,? ?they? ?became? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?awed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?guarded? ?

on? ?the? ?side,? ?hearing? ?their? ?sounds? ?of? ?wonder,? ?and? ?asked,? ?“How? ?is? ?he,? ?everyone?”? ? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?did? ?this? ?little? ?kid? ?really? ?

get? ?beaten? ?and? ?dragged? ?on? ?the? ?roads? ?in? ?a? ?gunny? ?sack?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless,? ?“Why? ?would? ?it? ?be? ?false?”? ? ?

?

The? ?imperial? ?doctor? ?replied,? ?“If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case,? ?then...? ?amazing.? ?I? ?have? ?never? ?seen? ?

anyone? ?so? ?tenacious.? ?He? ?has? ?five? ?broken? ?ribs? ?and? ?a? ?leg,? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?injuries? ?big? ?and? ?

small,? ?and? ?with? ?all? ?of? ?that? ?added? ?together,? ?he? ?remains? ?conscious? ?and? ?converses? ?while? ?

sitting? ?up.? ?Even? ?adults? ?would? ?find? ?this? ?difficult? ?to? ?do,? ?nevermind? ?a? ?ten? ?year? ?old? ?child?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?how? ?severe? ?the? ?injuries? ?were,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?furious? ?at? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?

He? ?looked? ?to? ?that? ?child? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?sitting? ?there? ?on? ?that? ?chair? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?felt? ?no? ?

pain,? ?and? ?was? ?peeking? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?that? ?large? ?black? ?left? ?eye.? ?When? ?he? ?noticed? ?he? ?was? ?

caught? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?immediately? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?away.? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

?Hong? ?is? ?the? ?word? ?for? ?‘red’.? ?

?

?

———? ?

Ch.65:? ?Lost? ?Red? ?Pearl;? ?Inadvertent? ?Eyes? ?Red? ?with? ?Desire? ?6? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?both? ?silly? ?and? ?sad,? ?then? ?turned? ?to? ?

ask,? ?“Will? ?his? ?injuries? ?all? ?heal?”? ? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?wrapped? ?new? ?layers? ?of? ?bandages? ?around? ?that? ?child’s? ?head? ?

and? ?replied,? ?“Not? ?a? ?problem.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?felt? ?relieved? ?and? ?nodded,? ?“Thank? ?you? ?for? ?all? ?your? ?hard? ?work.”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?an? ?attendant? ?entered? ?to? ?notify? ?them? ?of? ?the? ?imminent? ?arrival? ?of? ?his? ?majesty? ?the? ?

king? ?and? ?queen.? ?Each? ?of? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?immediately? ?stood? ?up? ?and? ?exited? ?the? ?

infirmary? ?to? ?greet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?moved? ?the? ?child? ?to? ?the? ?bed? ?and? ?said,? ?“Lie? ?down? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?

rest.”? ?He? ?then? ?thought,? ?the? ?child? ?was? ?afraid? ?of? ?strangers,? ?and? ?so? ?many? ?people? ?crowding? ?

in? ?might? ?scare? ?him,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?the? ?bedside? ?curtains? ?before? ?rising? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?too.? ?

?

A? ?number? ?of? ?guards? ?and? ?attendants? ?surrounded? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?as? ?they? ?walked? ?

into? ?the? ?pavilion.? ?The? ?queen’s? ?face? ?was? ?pale,? ?“My? ?dear? ?child? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?return? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?

sudden? ?after? ?having? ?just? ?left? ?the? ?palace?? ?Were? ?you? ?hurt? ?outside?”? ? ?

?

“Mother,? ?please? ?be? ?at? ?ease,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?wasn’t? ?hurt,? ?it? ?was? ?someone? ?else? ?who? ?was? ?

wounded.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?called? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?corner,? ?“Auntie,? ?save? ?me!”? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?the? ?queen? ?notice? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?firmly? ?held? ?by? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?arrested? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?

and? ?was? ?shocked.? ?She? ?was? ?only? ?worried? ?about? ?the? ?wellbeing? ?of? ?her? ?son,? ?and? ?completely? ?

ignored? ?everything? ?else,? ?but? ?now? ?that? ?she? ?saw,? ?she? ?asked,? ?“Rong-Er,? ?what’s? ?happened?”? ? ?

?

The? ?king? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?slightly? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?holding? ?

Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing? ?like? ?a? ?criminal?”? ? ?

?

When? ?His? ?Majesty? ?arrived,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?should’ve? ?bowed? ?in? ?greeting? ?like? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?all? ?

the? ?others,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?had? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?in? ?hand,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?let? ?go,? ?and? ?thus? ?entered? ?

into? ?an? ?awkward? ?situation.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“It? ?was? ?under? ?my? ?command.”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?held? ?up? ?his? ?right? ?arm,? ?“Auntie,? ?my? ?arm? ?is? ?broken.”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?sympathize? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?in? ?harshly,? ?“You? ?

broke? ?an? ?arm,? ?but? ?what? ?about? ?that? ?child? ?inside?”? ? ?

?

“What? ?child?”? ?The? ?king? ?asked.? ?

?

“A? ?ten? ?year? ?old? ?child,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?answered,? ?“Powerless,? ?vulnerable,? ?and? ?already? ?weak.? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?sent? ?his? ?lackeys? ?to? ?beat? ?him.? ?If? ?not? ?for? ?his? ?tenacity,? ?he? ?would’ve? ?been? ?beaten? ?to? ?

death? ?on? ?the? ?spot!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?just? ?heard? ?a? ?joke,? ?his? ?eyes? ?widening,? ?“A? ?powerless,? ?vulnerable? ?

ten? ?year? ?old? ?child?? ?Weak?? ?Cousin,? ?you? ?don’t? ?know? ?just? ?how? ?vicious,? ?how? ?savage,? ?how? ?

spunky? ?that? ?little? ?fiend? ?was,? ?he? ?only? ?pretends? ?to? ?be? ?pathetic? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?you.? ?I? ?called? ?for? ?

five? ?to? ?six? ?guys? ?and? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?catch? ?the? ?brat.? ?He? ?thrashed,? ?bit? ?them,? ?and? ?bloodied? ?

them.? ?If? ?he? ?didn’t? ?anger? ?me,? ?why? ?would? ?I? ?have? ?dragged? ?him? ?behind? ?the? ?horse? ?carriage?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?both? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen’s? ?faces? ?dropped.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?in? ?a? ?deep? ?

breath? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“Enough!? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?what? ?you’ve? ?done? ?is? ?impressive?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?wasn’t? ?one? ?to? ?shy? ?away? ?from? ?showing? ?his? ?face,? ?so? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?arrogant? ?and? ?

ostentatious,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?to? ?believe? ?the? ?citizens? ?of? ?the? ?capital? ?did? ?not? ?see.? ?And? ?

after? ?they? ?have? ?seen,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?become? ?the? ?talk? ?of? ?the? ?city? ?as? ?

after? ?meal? ?leisure.? ?

?

The? ?king? ?gave? ?the? ?queen? ?a? ?look,? ?his? ?expression? ?slightly? ?blue,? ?“Take? ?Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing? ?

away.? ?Doctor,? ?see? ?to? ?his? ?arm.? ?The? ?golden? ?carriage? ?will? ?be? ?permanently? ?confiscated.? ?You? ?

are? ?to? ?be? ?detained? ?and? ?reflect? ?on? ?your? ?actions? ?for? ?a? ?month? ?without? ?release.”? ?

?

The? ?guard? ?behind? ?him? ?immediately? ?acknowledged? ?the? ?order? ?and? ?moved? ?forward? ?to? ?take? ?

Qi? ?Rong.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?let? ?go.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?no? ?longer? ?cared? ?and? ?hmphed,? ?“Take? ?it,? ?

take? ?it.? ?I? ?already? ?knew? ?today? ?would’ve? ?been? ?the? ?last? ?time? ?to? ?drive? ?it.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?he? ?possessed? ?no? ?repenting? ?heart,? ?the? ?queen? ?sighed? ?sadly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?

up,? ?“Looks? ?like? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?month? ?of? ?detention? ?to? ?reflect,? ?he? ?will? ?still? ?do? ?this? ?again? ?next? ?

time.? ?There? ?needs? ?to? ?be? ?stricter? ?discipline.”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?stammered? ?angrily,? ?“Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?you...”? ?But? ?

the? ?next? ?moment? ?he? ?switched? ?gears,? ?“Fine.? ?Then? ?I? ?admit,? ?this? ?time? ?it? ?was? ?my? ?fault.? ?No? ?

matter? ?how? ?His? ?Majesty? ?punishes? ?me,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?has? ?no? ?complaints.”? ?

?

His? ?next? ?words? ?changed? ?the? ?subject’s? ?direction,? ?“However,? ?shouldn’t? ?Cousin? ?Crown? ?

Prince’s? ?servant? ?also? ?be? ?punished?? ?Uncle,? ?auntie,? ?my? ?arm? ?was? ?broken? ?by? ?that? ?Feng? ?

Xin!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?king? ?instantly? ?moved? ?his? ?gaze? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?looking? ?outraged.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?inconspicuously? ?moved? ?two? ?steps? ?away.? ?

?

The? ?king? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?you? ?are? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?bodyguard.? ?The? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?treats? ?you? ?well? ?and? ?regards? ?you? ?highly,? ?but? ?have? ?you? ?forgotten? ?your? ?own? ?place?? ?

What? ?is? ?this? ?arrogance!? ?Your? ?duty? ?is? ?to? ?serve? ?His? ?Highness.? ?Is? ?this? ?how? ?you? ?serve? ?him?? ?

You? ?dare? ?raise? ?a? ?hand? ?against? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?cousin? ?Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?words,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?kneel? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?him,? ?“Don’t? ?kneel.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?obeyed? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?commands? ?first? ?and? ?foremost,? ?and? ?even? ?under? ?the? ?king’s? ?

orders,? ?his? ?priority? ?was? ?His? ?Highness,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?instantly? ?straightened? ?again.? ?Seeing? ?

this,? ?the? ?king? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?upset.? ?

?

“It’s? ?true? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?broke? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?arm,? ?but? ?the? ?reason? ?was? ?to? ?protect? ?the? ?master.”? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?said,? ?“Besides,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?at? ?fault? ?first,? ?not? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?so? ?why? ?must? ?he? ?kneel?”? ?

?

“It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?why,”? ?The? ?king? ?said,? ?“Either? ?way? ?he? ?has? ?offended? ?Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing.? ?

There’s? ?a? ?difference? ?between? ?masters? ?and? ?servants,? ?a? ?distinction? ?of? ?superior? ?and? ?

inferior.? ?Nevermind? ?if? ?I,? ?the? ?king,? ?was? ?to? ?make? ?him? ?kneel,? ?if? ?I? ?were? ?to? ?punish? ?him? ?with? ?one? ?

hundred? ?lashings? ?there? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?anything? ?inappropriate? ?about? ?it.”? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?king? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?affectionate? ?towards? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?as? ?the? ?queen,? ?but? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

was? ?still? ?nevertheless? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?house? ?of? ?royalty,? ?never? ?to? ?be? ?disobeyed? ?or? ?offended.? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?knew? ?this? ?very? ?well,? ?and? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?sly? ?eye,? ?“No? ?need? ?for? ?a? ?lashing? ?punishment.? ?

He? ?belongs? ?to? ?Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?make? ?things? ?awkward.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?

he? ?breaks? ?his? ?own? ?arm,? ?and? ?kneel? ?to? ?kowtow? ?before? ?me? ?three? ?times,? ?I? ?can? ?let? ?this? ?go.”? ? ?

?

The? ?king? ?nodded? ?slowly,? ?looking? ?to? ?consent? ?on? ?the? ?decision.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?

up,? ?“If? ?you? ?must? ?punish? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?then? ?you? ?must? ?punish? ?me? ?first.? ?He’s? ?my? ?servant;? ?first? ?of? ?

all? ?he’s? ?done? ?nothing? ?wrong,? ?and? ?second? ?of? ?all,? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?fault? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?done? ?under? ?

my? ?orders,? ?so? ?I? ?will? ?take? ?punishment? ?on? ?his? ?behalf.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?say? ?this,? ?the? ?king? ?became? ?outraged? ?once? ?more.? ? ?

?

All? ?the? ?fathers? ?and? ?sons? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?must? ?go? ?through? ?this? ?change.? ?When? ?the? ?son? ?was? ?

young,? ?they? ?would? ?all? ?idolize? ?their? ?fathers? ?as? ?the? ?greatest? ?hero? ?on? ?earth,? ?their? ?own? ?

personal? ?role? ?model,? ?their? ?worship? ?apparent.? ?However? ?when? ?the? ?son? ?matures? ?to? ?a? ?

certain? ?age,? ?they? ?would? ?start? ?to? ?question? ?everything? ?the? ?fathers? ?did,? ?even? ?brew? ?revulsion,? ?

until? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?neither? ?sides? ?would? ?acknowledge? ?each? ?other.? ? ?

?

To? ?enter? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?for? ?training,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fundamental? ?objective? ?was? ?to? ?improve? ?his? ?

martial? ?arts? ?and? ?search? ?for? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?his? ?heart.? ?However,? ?he? ?never? ?cared? ?for? ?where? ?

he? ?trained,? ?nor? ?with? ?what? ?identity.? ?

?

The? ?word? ?‘dao’? ?for? ?cultivation? ?meant? ?exactly? ?as? ?it? ?appeared,? ?which? ?was? ?‘To? ?walk? ?the? ?

path’*.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?one’s? ?heart? ?was? ?set? ?on? ?the? ?path? ?with? ?one? ?mind,? ?then? ?training? ?could? ?be? ?

done? ?anywhere.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?follow? ?any? ?dictated? ?norms,? ?nor? ?enter? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?

Pavilion.? ?There? ?was? ?another? ?reason? ?why? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?begged? ?to? ?train? ?on? ?Mount? ?

Taicang,? ?and? ?that? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?felt? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?get? ?along? ?with? ?his? ?father.? ?

?

As? ?the? ?honourable? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?the? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?born,? ?the? ?King? ?of? ?

Xianle? ?had? ?already? ?drawn? ?out? ?every? ?detail? ?of? ?the? ?path? ?of? ?his? ?life.? ?It? ?was? ?alright? ?when? ?he? ?

was? ?still? ?young.? ?A? ?child? ?had? ?little? ?worries,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?needed? ?his? ?parents? ?to? ?build? ?

gold? ?foil? ?palaces? ?with? ?him,? ?play? ?around? ?and? ?laugh.? ?As? ?the? ?years? ?went? ?by,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?

more? ?and? ?more? ?that? ?his? ?father? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?a? ?father,? ?but? ?also? ?the? ?ruler? ?of? ?a? ?kingdom,? ?and? ?

many? ?of? ?their? ?thoughts? ?and? ?actions? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?concur.? ?For? ?example.? ?The? ?so-called? ?

Royal? ?Prestige? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?things? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hated.? ? ?

?

If? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?concur,? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?best? ?to? ?stay? ?far? ?away.? ?Every? ?time? ?he? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?

palace,? ?he? ?spent? ?more? ?time? ?conversing? ?with? ?his? ?mother,? ?and? ?never? ?any? ?heart-to-heart? ?

with? ?his? ?father.? ?The? ?two? ?never? ?took? ?the? ?initiative? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?each? ?other? ?either,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

also? ?the? ?queen? ?who? ?always? ?mediated? ?between? ?them.? ? ?

?

The? ?father? ?and? ?son? ?had? ?maintained? ?this? ?frozen? ?relationship? ?for? ?many? ?months,? ?and? ?now,? ?

with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stubbornly? ?refusing? ?to? ?back? ?down,? ?the? ?king? ?said,? ?“Very? ?well.? ?Take? ?his? ?place? ?

if? ?you? ?must.? ?Let’s? ?see? ?if? ?you? ?can? ?actually? ?withstand? ?it!”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course? ?I? ?can!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?retaliated.? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?saw? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?butting? ?heads? ?again? ?and? ?anxiously? ?said,? ?“Why? ?

must? ?it? ?be? ?like? ?this?”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?hadn’t? ?spoken? ?a? ?word? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?left? ?arm? ?

and? ?struck? ?down? ?on? ?his? ?right.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?large? ??CRACK?,? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?startled? ?and? ?

looked? ?to? ?the? ?sound,? ?and? ?saw? ?his? ?right? ?arm? ?was? ?dropped? ?limply,? ?exactly? ?like? ?Qi? ?Rong’s.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?both? ?shocked? ?and? ?furious,? ?“FENG? ?XIN!”? ? ?

?

Cold? ?sweat? ?rolled? ?down? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?forehead,? ?and? ?without? ?a? ?word,? ?he? ?knelt? ?down? ?before? ?

Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?‘ko,? ?ko,? ?ko’,? ?kowtowed? ?three? ?times.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?feeling? ?rather? ?proud? ?and? ?

laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“Alright,? ?I? ?guess? ?I’ll? ?forgive? ?you.? ?Why? ?couldn’t? ?you? ?have? ?done? ?this? ?

earlier?”? ? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?his? ?arm? ?was? ?broken? ?too,? ?when? ?he? ?left? ?he? ?looked? ?energized? ?and? ?refreshed,? ?

as? ?if? ?he? ?fought? ?a? ?winning? ?battle.? ?As? ?for? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?

and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?stood? ?on? ?the? ?sidelines? ?watching,? ?his? ?expression? ?gloomy? ?but? ?his? ?thoughts? ?

unreadable.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?around? ?to? ?face? ?his? ?father,? ?yelling? ?angrily,? ?“YOU!? ?–”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?grabbed? ?him? ?with? ?his? ?left? ?arm,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?also? ?put? ?her? ?hands? ?on? ?him? ?to? ?pull? ?him? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

followed? ?him? ?since? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?fourteen? ?and? ?was? ?cared? ?for? ?deeply? ?by? ?the? ?queen.? ?He? ?only? ?

did? ?this? ?because? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?queen? ?sad? ?over? ?the? ?dispute? ?between? ?the? ?

father? ?and? ?son.? ?If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?threw? ?a? ?fit? ?now,? ?then? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?efforts? ?would? ?go? ?to? ?waste,? ?so? ?

he? ?swallowed? ?his? ?outrage? ?but? ?the? ?fire? ?continues? ?to? ?burn? ?inside? ?his? ?heart.? ?The? ?king? ?finally? ?

looked? ?appeased,? ?and? ?left? ?with? ?a? ?grim? ?expression.? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?had? ?always? ?liked? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“My? ?child,? ?we’ve? ?wronged? ?you.”? ?

?

“Please? ?don’t? ?say? ?that,? ?your? ?majesty.? ?This? ?was? ?my? ?duty.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?eyes? ?squinted,? ?like? ?he? ?snorted? ?coldly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?closed? ?

his? ?eyes,? ?“Mother,? ?if? ?you? ?really? ?can’t? ?handle? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?then? ?lock? ?him? ?up.”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?sighed,? ?nodded,? ?then? ?shook? ?her? ?head,? ?and? ?left? ?too.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?for? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?to? ?tend? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?right? ?arm? ?and? ?

apologized,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?I’m? ?sorry.”? ?

?

Once? ?the? ?crowds? ?had? ?cleared,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?immediately? ?changed? ?face? ?and? ?clicked? ?his? ?

tongue,? ?“This? ?is? ?nothing.? ?I? ?dared? ?hit? ?him,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?I? ?be? ?scared? ?of? ?his? ?revenge?”? ?After? ?

a? ?pause,? ?he? ?advised,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?of? ?course? ?it’s? ?right? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?discipline? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?

but? ?don’t? ?be? ?resentful? ?of? ?His? ?Majesty.? ?His? ?Majesty? ?is? ?the? ?king,? ?and? ?a? ?figurehead? ?of? ?the? ?

older? ?generation,? ?so? ?he? ?thinks? ?differently? ?than? ?we? ?do.? ?Seeing? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?fight? ?makes? ?

the? ?queen? ?sad.? ?She? ?has? ?her? ?difficulties? ?too.”? ? ?

?

And? ?how? ?could? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?not? ?know? ?his? ?mother’s? ?difficulties?? ?

?

The? ?mother? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?the? ?younger? ?blood? ?sister? ?of? ?the? ?queen? ?and? ?they? ?got? ?along? ?

very? ?well.? ?When? ?she? ?was? ?young? ?and? ?immature,? ?at? ?the? ?first? ?bloom? ?of? ?romance,? ?she? ?

thirsted? ?for? ?freedom,? ?listened? ?to? ?words? ?of? ?honey? ?and? ?broke? ?off? ?a? ?good? ?engagement? ?to? ?

elope? ?with? ?a? ?bodyguard? ?in? ?the? ?palace.? ?Who? ?knew? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?she? ?had? ?chosen? ?was? ?

villainous.? ?One? ?who? ?was? ?born? ?of? ?nobility? ?stuffed? ?in? ?a? ?doghouse-like? ?shack,? ?and? ?after? ?only? ?

half? ?a? ?year,? ?the? ?villain? ?revealed? ?his? ?true? ?nature,? ?drunken? ?and? ?violent.? ?After? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?

born? ?he? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?abusive.? ?Finally,? ?the? ?mother? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?anymore,? ?and? ?

when? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?turned? ?five,? ?she? ?took? ?him? ?and? ?ran? ?away? ?from? ?home.? ?Because? ?she? ?had? ?

become? ?a? ?royal? ?scandal,? ?she? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?no? ?longer? ?stepped? ?foot? ?outside,? ?and? ?

spent? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?her? ?life? ?in? ?grim? ?depression,? ?only? ?showing? ?particular? ?love? ?and? ?devotion? ?to? ?

her? ?only? ?son.? ?

?

During? ?an? ?upheaval,? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?mother? ?lost? ?her? ?life? ?saving? ?the? ?queen,? ?and? ?before? ?she? ?

passed,? ?she? ?asked? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mother? ?to? ?look? ?after? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?the? ?queen? ?did? ?her? ?utmost.? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?awkward? ?raising? ?someone? ?

else’s? ?son.? ?Discipline? ?is? ?difficult,? ?too? ?strict? ?and? ?it’d? ?appear? ?to? ?be? ?abuse;? ?thinking? ?of? ?past? ?

love? ?and? ?friendships,? ?she? ?could? ?hardly? ?be? ?so? ?harsh;? ?too? ?lax,? ?and? ?it’d? ?turn? ?out? ?to? ?become? ?

the? ?behaviour? ?of? ?today,? ?and? ?without? ?stricter? ?restraints,? ?it? ?could? ?only? ?get? ?worse? ?in? ?the? ?

future.? ?The? ?queen? ?also? ?wondered? ?often,? ?she? ?raised? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?almost? ?the? ?

same,? ?so? ?how? ?come? ?their? ?characters? ?were? ?so? ?different?? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?small? ?child? ?still? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?

bed? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?infirmary.? ?He? ?raised? ?the? ?bedside? ?curtain? ?to? ?check,? ?and? ?that? ?child? ?was? ?

sitting? ?up,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?peek? ?out? ?of? ?some? ?crack? ?to? ?watch.? ?The? ?moment? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?the? ?curtain? ?he? ?laid? ?down? ?obediently.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Did? ?we? ?scare? ?you? ?

with? ?the? ?fight? ?just? ?now?? ?Don’t? ?let? ?it? ?bother? ?you,? ?it? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?you.”? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?this? ?little? ?kid’s? ?wounds? ?have? ?been? ?tended? ?to.? ?Now? ?he? ?only? ?needs? ?quiet? ?

rest.”? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dipped? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?“Thank? ?you? ?for? ?your? ?hard? ?work.”? ?

?

He? ?then? ?bent? ?down? ?again? ?to? ?ask,? ?“Where? ?do? ?you? ?live?? ?I’ll? ?take? ?you? ?home.”? ?

?

That? ?child? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“No? ?home.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?approached,? ?holding? ?the? ?arm? ?that’s? ?now? ?in? ?a? ?sling,? ?“No? ?home?? ?So? ?he? ?really? ?is? ?a? ?

little? ?beggar?”? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?this? ?child? ?was? ?emaciated? ?and? ?small,? ?his? ?clothes? ?filthy? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

impossible.? ?If? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?home? ?to? ?return? ?to,? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?leave? ?him? ?at? ?the? ?

palace? ?or? ?throw? ?him? ?out? ?on? ?the? ?streets.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pondered? ?a? ?moment? ?then? ?said,? ?“If? ?that’s? ?

the? ?case,? ?then? ?let’s? ?bring? ?him? ?with? ?us? ?back? ?to? ?Mount? ?Taicang.”? ?

?

Unexpectedly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“He’s? ?lying.”? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?‘Dao’? ?[???]:? ?in? ?this? ?context? ?is? ?translated? ?to? ?‘cultivation’? ?but? ?the? ?word? ?originally? ?

means? ?‘the? ?path’,? ?used? ?to? ?indicate? ?both? ?the? ?literal? ?and? ?philosophical.? ?Thus,? ?one? ?

who? ?practices? ?‘the? ?path’? ?is? ?a? ?Taoist/Cultivator.? ?

?

To? ?learn? ?more,? ?simply? ?google? ?‘Taoism’.? ? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.66:? ?To? ?Ascend? ?is? ?Human;? ?to? ?Fall? ?is? ?Also? ?Human? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?asked,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?”? ? ?

?

“The? ?homeless? ?street? ?urchins? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?all? ?run? ?together? ?in? ?a? ?gang,? ?and? ?they’d? ?

come? ?to? ?my? ?neighbourhood? ?often? ?to? ?beg? ?for? ?food.? ?I? ?know? ?all? ?of? ?them? ?but? ?I’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?

this? ?child? ?before.”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?stared? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?incredulous,? ?

“Who? ?do? ?they? ?beg? ?for? ?food? ?from?? ?You?? ?And? ?you’d? ?give? ?it? ?to? ?them?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?glared? ?at? ?him,? ?“If? ?they? ?pester? ?relentlessly? ?there’s? ?no? ?other? ?way.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?thought? ?the? ?notion? ?rather? ?unbelievable? ?but? ?didn’t? ?make? ?any? ?further? ?

commentary.? ?“Oh.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?laugh? ?watching? ?them? ?talk.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?continued,? ?“Besides,? ?there’s? ?

sewn? ?patches? ?on? ?his? ?clothes;? ?judging? ?by? ?the? ?needlework,? ?it? ?must? ?have? ?been? ?done? ?by? ?a? ?

grown? ?up? ?only? ?just? ?recently,? ?so? ?there’s? ?at? ?least? ?someone? ?of? ?age? ?in? ?his? ?household.? ?His? ?

family? ?situation? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?the? ?best,? ?but? ?he’s? ?definitely? ?not? ?a? ?beggar.”? ? ?

?

Naturally? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?not? ?notice? ?how? ?the? ?needlework? ?of? ?sewn? ?patches? ?was,? ?nor? ?if? ?it? ?

was? ?done? ?by? ?adults,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?an? ?errand? ?boy? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?

and? ?also? ?did? ?all? ?kinds? ?of? ?chores? ?at? ?home,? ?so? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?closely,? ?it? ?was? ?indeed? ?

as? ?he? ?had? ?said,? ?so? ?he? ?asked.? ?“Do? ?you? ?have? ?grown? ?ups? ?at? ?home?”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“There? ?must? ?be.? ?If? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?go? ?

back,? ?his? ?family? ?must? ?be? ?worried? ?sick? ?looking? ?for? ?him? ?by? ?now.”? ? ?

?

“No,? ?no? ?way!? ?There’s? ?nobody!”? ?That? ?young? ?child? ?cried,? ?sounding? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?afraid? ?to? ?be? ?

sent? ?back,? ?and? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?arms? ?reaching? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?He? ?was? ?still? ?covered? ?with? ?mud? ?

and? ?blood,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?it? ?anymore,? ?“Kid,? ?what? ?the? ?hell? ?are? ?you? ?doing?? ?

Things? ?were? ?urgent? ?earlier? ?so? ?whatever,? ?but? ?shouldn’t? ?you? ?know? ?better? ?by? ?now?? ?This? ?is? ?

the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?do? ?you? ?understand?”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child’s? ?arms? ?immediately? ?shrank? ?back,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?gazing? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?

“There’s? ?fighting? ?at? ?home? ?and? ?I? ?got? ?kicked? ?out.? ?I? ?walked? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?but? ?I’ve? ?nowhere? ?

to? ?go.”? ?

?

The? ?other? ?three? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?After? ?a? ?moment,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“So? ?what? ?now?”? ? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?imperial? ?doctors? ?suggested,? ?“If? ?His? ?Highness? ?is? ?troubled,? ?he? ?can? ?be? ?placed? ?

here? ?in? ?the? ?palace,? ?and? ?have? ?a? ?few? ?attendants? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?him.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed? ?but? ?after? ?some? ?thought,? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?slowly.? ?

?

At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?he? ?was? ?afraid? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?wouldn’t? ?drop? ?the? ?whole? ?thing,? ?and? ?would? ?

sneak? ?out? ?to? ?cause? ?trouble.? ?“The? ?way? ?I? ?see? ?it,? ?it’s? ?still? ?best? ?if? ?I? ?watch? ?over? ?him? ?until? ?his? ?

wounds? ?are? ?healed.? ?It? ?seems? ?his? ?family? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?look? ?after? ?him,? ?unfortunately.? ?

Feng? ?Xin,? ?when? ?you? ?go? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?the? ?affected? ?stalls? ?toppled? ?by? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?see? ?if? ?you? ?

can? ?find? ?out? ?where? ?his? ?parents? ?are? ?and? ?let? ?them? ?know? ?so? ?they? ?don’t? ?worry.”? ?

?

“Alright.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?nodded.? ?

?

One? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?a? ?sling,? ?but? ?he? ?extended? ?the? ?good? ?arm? ?to? ?reach? ?for? ?that? ?

young? ?child,? ?intending? ?to? ?pick? ?him? ?up? ?by? ?the? ?collar.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?“You’re? ?wounded.? ?

Don’t? ?worry? ?about? ?it.”? ?

?

However,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shrugged? ?it? ?off,? ?“Only? ?one? ?arm? ?is? ?broken,? ?the? ?other’s? ?still? ?fine.? ?If? ?both? ?

my? ?arms? ?were? ?broken? ?I? ?can? ?still? ?use? ?my? ?teeth? ?to? ?carry? ?him? ?by? ?the? ?collar? ?and? ?bring? ?him? ?up? ?

the? ?mountain? ?for? ?you.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes? ?from? ?behind,? ?then? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Nevermind.? ?Let? ?me? ?carry? ?him.”? ?But? ?

just? ?as? ?he? ?made? ?one? ?step? ?forward,? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?jumped? ?off? ?the? ?bed? ?himself? ?and? ?said,? ?

“I? ?can? ?walk? ?on? ?my? ?own.”? ? ?

?

An? ?expression? ?filled? ?with? ?rejection? ?spoke? ?louder? ?than? ?words,? ?and? ?it? ?made? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?

second? ?step? ?extremely? ?awkward,? ?unsure? ?of? ?whether? ?or? ?not? ?to? ?proceed.? ?That? ?little? ?kid? ?had? ?

five? ?broken? ?ribs? ?and? ?a? ?leg? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?as? ?lively? ?as? ?a? ?dragon,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?didn’t? ?

know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?feel? ?concerned? ?and? ?said,? ?“Stop? ?running? ?around!”? ?Then? ?he? ?bent? ?

down? ?and? ?picked? ?him? ?up.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?with? ?a? ?child? ?in? ?tow? ?left? ?the? ?palace.? ?Since? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?caused? ?havoc? ?on? ?

the? ?streets? ?earlier? ?and? ?disturbed? ?the? ?townspeople,? ?toppling? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?stalls,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

felt? ?deeply? ?guilty,? ?having? ?no? ?face? ?to? ?meet? ?any? ?of? ?the? ?citizens,? ?so? ?the? ?group? ?snuck? ?around,? ?

afraid? ?to? ?show? ?their? ?faces,? ?using? ?only? ?the? ?back? ?alleyways.? ?Throughout? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?

that? ?small? ?child? ?was? ?extremely? ?docile? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?arms;? ?they? ?told? ?him? ?to? ?be? ?quiet? ?and? ?he? ?

uttered? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?sound.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?glared,? ?“This? ?brat? ?kicked? ?me? ?yesterday,? ?but? ?look? ?at? ?

him? ?now.? ?He? ?really? ?knows? ?how? ?to? ?pick? ?them.”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?Of? ?course? ?he’s? ?more? ?well-liked? ?than? ?most? ?people.”? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

For? ?some? ?reason,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?said? ?something? ?well-meaning,? ?the? ?words? ?he? ?use? ?still? ?make? ?

people? ?feel? ?uncomfortable.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?refused? ?to? ?acknowledge? ?what? ?he? ?said.? ?After? ?

walking? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“No.? ?I? ?still? ?feel? ?Your? ?Highness? ?shouldn’t? ?let? ?

anyone? ?see? ?you’re? ?holding? ?a? ?strange? ?child.”? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?the? ?problem?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“You’re? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

While? ?he? ?spoke,? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?worn? ?down? ?handcart? ?further? ?up? ?the? ?alley? ?and? ?said,? ?“Put? ?the? ?kid? ?

in? ?that? ?cart? ?and? ?pull? ?it? ?to? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?immediate? ?voiced,? ?“Just? ?so? ?we’re? ?clear,? ?I? ?will? ?not? ?pull? ?that? ?thing? ?up? ?the? ?

mountain.”? ?

?

“No? ?one’s? ?asking? ?you? ?to.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?He? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?pulled? ?the? ?child? ?from? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?arms,? ?and? ?the? ?child? ?started? ?struggling? ?again.? ? ?

?

“Nevermind,? ?forget? ?it.? ?Maybe? ?someone? ?else? ?needs? ?that? ?cart!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?from? ?somewhere? ?nearby,? ?someone? ?suddenly? ?called? ?out,? ?“Are? ?you...? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince?”? ? ?

?

Another? ?immediately? ?shouted,? ?“YES,? ?YES,? ?YES!? ?THAT’S? ?THE? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE!? ?HIS? ?

MASK? ?FELL? ?YESTERDAY? ?AND? ?I? ?SAW? ?HIS? ?FACE? ?WITH? ?MY? ?OWN? ?EYES!? ?THAT’S? ?

HIM!!!”? ?

?

“CATCH? ?HIM!!!”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?froze,? ?their? ?hearts? ?dropped.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?he? ?did? ?

anything? ?wrong? ?at? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession? ?the? ?day? ?before,? ?he? ?also? ?knew? ?

that? ?others? ?might? ?not? ?believe? ?the? ?same.? ?To? ?cut? ?short? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?ceremony? ?

was? ?an? ?ominous? ?sign? ?of? ?misfortune;? ?it’s? ?unspeakable? ?amongst? ?the? ?nobility,? ?and? ?when? ?all? ?

the? ?excitement? ?wore? ?off? ?after? ?the? ?fact,? ?when? ?the? ?people? ?start? ?wondering? ?what? ?it? ?all? ?meant,? ?

they? ?probably? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?as? ?forgiving? ?either.? ?Plus? ?the? ?havoc? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?caused? ?by? ?

Qi? ?Rong,? ?the? ?complaints? ?must? ?be? ?endless.? ?If? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?be? ?surrounded? ?now,? ?it? ?may? ?

end? ?badly.? ?Without? ?thinking? ?any? ?deeper,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?grabbed? ?him? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?run!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?pulling? ?the? ?cat? ?and? ?urged? ?too,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I’ve? ?a? ?broken? ?arm,? ?I? ?won’t? ?

be? ?able? ?to? ?stop? ?anyone? ?rioting.? ?Go!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?outside? ?the? ?alleyway? ?there? ?were? ?already? ?a? ?mass? ?number? ?of? ?people? ?who? ?were? ?

pouring? ?in,? ?their? ?faces? ?filled? ?with? ?excitement,? ?blocking? ?all? ?viable? ?exits.? ?The? ?four? ?of? ?them? ?

had? ?nowhere? ?to? ?run,? ?and? ?watched? ?wide-eyed? ?as? ?they? ?became? ?encircled.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

thought? ?bold-headedly,? ?‘If? ?anything,? ?I’ll? ?just? ?let? ?them? ?beat? ?us? ?down? ?without? ?fighting? ?back.’? ?

?

However,? ?unexpectedly,? ?although? ?the? ?crowd? ?poured? ?in,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?pulverize? ?them? ?but? ?

instead,? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?hands? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?threw? ?him? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?cheering,? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thrown? ?into? ?the? ?air? ?countless? ?times? ?but? ?still? ?maintained? ?a? ?calm? ?and? ?steady? ?

disposition.? ?The? ?people? ?shouted,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?THAT? ?LEAP? ?IN? ?THE? ?MARTIAL? ?

DEITY? ?AVENUE? ?YESTERDAY? ?WAS? ?SPECTACULAR!”? ?

?

Someone? ?exclaimed,? ?“That? ?was? ?such? ?an? ?amazing? ?jump!? ?Really,? ?really,? ?I? ?totally? ?thought? ?

the? ?Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor? ?himself? ?had? ?descended!? ?I? ?had? ?goosebumps!”? ?

?

Another? ?validated,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?was? ?right? ?to? ?save? ?that? ?kid!? ?A? ?life? ?is? ?a? ?life,? ?did? ?they? ?think? ?

kids? ?from? ?us? ?poor? ?people? ?aren’t? ?the? ?same?? ?If? ?it? ?were? ?me,? ?I’d? ?do? ?the? ?same!”? ?

?

Another? ?raged,? ?“That’s? ?right!? ?Today? ?there? ?was? ?talk? ?of? ?how? ?His? ?Highness? ?had? ?ruined? ?the? ?

event? ?and? ?I? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?it!? ?If? ?it? ?had? ?been? ?a? ?royal? ?or? ?a? ?noble? ?who? ?had? ?fallen,? ?they? ?

wouldn’t? ?say? ?the? ?same!? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?mind? ?those? ?people!”? ? ?

?

“His? ?Highness? ?is? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?truly? ?cares? ?about? ?us....”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?from? ?feeling? ?guilty? ?at? ?the? ?beginning,? ?then? ?disoriented? ?halfway? ?through,? ?until? ?

finally,? ?he? ?was? ?affected? ?by? ?the? ?passionate? ?and? ?cheerful? ?faces? ?all? ?around.? ?The? ?crowd? ?

clustered? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?emerged? ?onto? ?the? ?main? ?street,? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?

joined? ?them.? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?and? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?were? ?pushed? ?away? ?and? ?separated? ?

a? ?far? ?way? ?back? ?without? ?any? ?means? ?of? ?pushing? ?through,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?follow? ?along? ?

behind? ?the? ?parade.? ?This? ?large? ?assembly? ?of? ?people? ?was? ?surprisingly? ?not? ?smaller? ?than? ?the? ?

crowd? ?from? ?the? ?day? ?before.? ?Every? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?a? ?move? ?to? ?leave,? ?he? ?would? ?be? ?

forcibly? ?dragged? ?back? ?in? ?and? ?thrown? ?into? ?the? ?air? ?without? ?any? ?chance? ?of? ?being? ?let? ?down.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?find? ?it? ?both? ?funny? ?and? ?reassuring? ?as? ?he? ?thought? ?to? ?himself,? ?

‘The? ?people? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?have? ?completely? ?opposite? ?sentiments.? ?It? ?looks? ?like? ?I? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?

right.’? ?

?

When? ?at? ?last? ?they? ?reached? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?the? ?setting? ?sun? ?was? ?ablaze? ?brightly? ?and? ?

vividly.? ?

?

Passing? ?through? ?the? ?large? ?mountain? ?gates,? ?on? ?the? ?long? ?winding? ?stone? ?path,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?trainees? ?and? ?cultivators? ?carrying? ?water? ?buckets? ?and? ?firewood? ?going? ?up? ?and? ?

down? ?the? ?road,? ?greeting? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company,? ?but? ?many? ?watched? ?the? ?four? ?plus? ?a? ?cart? ?

with? ?wonder.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?pulling? ?that? ?handcart? ?with? ?one? ?hand? ?like? ?a? ?hardworking,? ?

serious? ?young? ?black? ?bull.? ?Xie? ?lian? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?smiled? ?back? ?dutifully? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?after? ?a? ?

while? ?they? ?stopped? ?caring.? ?

?

The? ?maple? ?trees? ?were? ?endless,? ?and? ?the? ?wheels? ?turned? ?calmly.? ?As? ?they? ?hiked,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

helped? ?push? ?the? ?handcart? ?from? ?behind.? ?He? ?was? ?feeling? ?good,? ?and? ?asked? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?

another? ?question? ?casually,? ?“Little? ?kid,? ?what? ?is? ?your? ?name,? ?really?? ?Hong? ?what?”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?watched? ?him? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?voice,? ?“I...? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?a? ?name.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Your? ?mother? ?didn’t? ?give? ?you? ?a? ?name?”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“My? ?mother? ?passed.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?sad? ?for? ?him,? ?“Then? ?what? ?did? ?your? ?mother? ?used? ?to? ?call? ?you?”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?was? ?hesitant? ?for? ?a? ?minute,? ?then? ?replied,? ?“Hong? ?Hong-Er.”*? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“That’s? ?a? ?cute? ?nickname.? ?I’ll? ?call? ?you? ?that? ?from? ?now? ?on.”? ? ?

?

Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?shy? ?whenever? ?they? ?talked,? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?head.? ?Just? ?then? ?

the? ?sun? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?set,? ?and? ?lights? ?were? ?ignited? ?from? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?pavilions? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?

mountain.? ?Among? ?them,? ?the? ?brightest? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?the? ?highest? ?peak,? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Summit.? ?

?

Atop? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Summit,? ?within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?bright? ?as? ?day,? ?the? ?

lights? ?gathered? ?like? ?stars.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?as? ?he? ?watched.? ?

?

The? ?sigh? ?wasn’t? ?borne? ?of? ?sadness,? ?but? ?from? ?the? ?scenery? ?was? ?that? ?emanated? ?such? ?beauty? ?

and? ?glory.? ?Every? ?bit? ?of? ?light? ?was? ?an? ?offered? ?Everlasting? ?Lamp? ?within? ?the? ?hall.? ?Each? ?lamp? ?

contained? ?the? ?prayers? ?and? ?wishes? ?of? ?each? ?devout? ?worshipper.? ?The? ?more? ?Everlasting? ?

Lamps? ?there? ?were? ?within? ?the? ?temple? ?of? ?a? ?god,? ?the? ?more? ?powerful? ?that? ?god? ?becomes.? ?The? ?

chance? ?to? ?offer? ?a? ?lamp? ?within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?of? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?was? ?

difficult? ?to? ?buy? ?even? ?with? ?a? ?thousand? ?pieces? ?of? ?gold.? ?Wealth,? ?power,? ?ability,? ?passion,? ?

affinity,? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?five? ?conditions? ?fulfilled? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?hall? ?to? ?offer? ?

light.? ?Yet,? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?that? ?had? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?five.? ?

?

The? ?four? ?of? ?them? ?stopped,? ?gazing? ?upon? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?that? ?shone? ?like? ?the? ?sun,? ?

their? ?expressions? ?dissimilar.? ?Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?familiar? ?voice? ?that? ?called? ?out? ?to? ?them,? ?

“Your? ?Highness!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?plain-looking? ?young? ?man? ?hurrying? ?towards? ?him.? ?It? ?

looked? ?like? ?the? ?trainee? ?who? ?guarded? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?SiXiang? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

schooled? ?his? ?expression,? ?“Zhu-ShiXiong,? ?what’s? ?the? ?hurry?”? ?

?

Zhu-ShiXiong? ?noticed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?standing? ?behind,? ?but? ?felt? ?awkward? ?and? ?spoke? ?pretending? ?

not? ?to? ?have? ?seen? ?him,? ?“The? ?Guoshi? ?has? ?been? ?asking? ?after? ?you? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?now.? ?He’s? ?at? ?

the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?waiting? ?for? ?you.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?hearing? ?this,? ?but? ?figured? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?in? ?regards? ?to? ?the? ?incident? ?

during? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession? ?the? ?day? ?before.? ?“Very? ?well.? ?Thank? ?you,? ?

ShiXiong.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?took? ?Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavillon? ?first? ?

before? ?heading? ?towards? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Summit.? ?

?

Outside? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?clouds? ?borne? ?from? ?the? ?incense? ?vessel? ?floated? ?and? ?wrapped? ?

around? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?forming? ?a? ?dream-like? ?state.? ?On? ?either? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?vessel? ?

were? ?long? ?rows? ?of? ?bright? ?Everlasting? ?Lamps? ?hung? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?neatly? ?lined? ?into? ?a? ?wall? ?of? ?

lanterns.? ?Every? ?Everlasting? ?Lamp? ?had? ?on? ?them? ?the? ?name? ?and? ?prayer? ?of? ?the? ?worshipper? ?

in? ?elegant,? ?decorous? ?writing.? ?Once? ?in? ?the? ?hall,? ?on? ?either? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?wall? ?were? ?also? ?rows? ?

upon? ?rows? ?of? ?hung? ?Everlasting? ?Lamps.? ?The? ?lamps? ?offered? ?within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?

were? ?of? ?course,? ?even? ?more? ?valuable? ?than? ?the? ?ones? ?outside.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?gigantic,? ?spacious? ?temple,? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?offering? ?incense? ?before? ?the? ?statue? ?of? ?

the? ?Martial? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor,? ?and? ?the? ?three? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?were? ?behind? ?him,? ?

uniformly? ?prostrating? ?before? ?the? ?great? ?god.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?when? ?he? ?entered,? ?“Guoshi.”? ?

?

The? ?Guoshis? ?completed? ?their? ?ritual? ?before? ?they? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?back? ?and? ?made? ?a? ?

gesture? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?come? ?forward.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?approached,? ?took? ?an? ?incense? ?and? ?also? ?

paid? ?his? ?respects? ?in? ?sincerity.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?Guoshi? ?finally? ?spoke,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?the? ?four? ?of? ?us? ?have? ?

deliberated.? ?In? ?regards? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession,? ?there? ?are? ?but? ?two? ?ways? ?

to? ?resolve? ?it.”? ?

?

“Please? ?do? ?enlighten? ?me,? ?Guoshi.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“The? ?first? ?method,”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“was? ?to? ?find? ?the? ?child? ?who? ?disrupted? ?the? ?procession,? ?and? ?

we? ?shall? ?conduct? ?a? ?ceremony.? ?At? ?the? ?very? ?least,? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?five? ?senses? ?must? ?be? ?sealed? ?

as? ?penance.”? ?

?

?

——-? ?

?

?“Hong? ?Hong-Er”? ?means? ?‘My? ?son,? ?Reddie’? ?or? ?just? ?’Little? ?Red’.? ?lol? ?

?

?

——-? ?

?

Ch.67:? ?To? ?Ascend? ?is? ?Human;? ?to? ?Fall? ?is? ?Also? ?Human? ?2? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?up? ?his? ?head,? ?“No.”? ?

?

He? ?then? ?repeated? ?with? ?severity,? ?“Definitely? ?not.”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?nodded,? ?“I? ?had? ?expected? ?this? ?response? ?from? ?you.? ?So,? ?we’ve? ?put? ?the? ?weight? ?of? ?our? ?

consideration? ?on? ?the? ?second? ?method.”? ?

?

“Please? ?enlighten? ?me.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?solemnly.? ?

?

“The? ?second? ?method,”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“Is? ?to? ?have? ?Your? ?Highness? ?publicly? ?repent? ?before? ?the? ?

people? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?ask? ?the? ?heavens? ?for? ?forgiveness,? ?then? ?face? ?the? ?wall? ?in? ?reflection? ?for? ?a? ?

month.”? ?

?

“Not? ?possible.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?calmly.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“We’re? ?not? ?really? ?asking? ?you? ?to? ?face? ?the? ?wall? ?to? ?reflect,? ?you? ?just? ?

have? ?to? ?look? ?like? ?you? ?ar...? ?ahem.”? ?He? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?they? ?were? ?before? ?the? ?statue? ?

of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor? ?and? ?immediately? ?corrected? ?himself,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?are? ?

sincere? ?it? ?will? ?suffice.”? ?

?

Still,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?with,? ?“No.”? ?

?

“And? ?the? ?reason?”? ?Guoshi? ?asked.? ?

?

“Guoshi,? ?when? ?I? ?descended? ?the? ?mountain? ?today,? ?do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?I? ?saw?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

said,? ?“Not? ?only? ?did? ?the? ?people? ?at? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?not? ?condemn? ?the? ?accident? ?that? ?

happened? ?during? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession,? ?they? ?very? ?much? ?approved? ?of? ?it.? ?

This? ?proves? ?that? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?this? ?kingdom? ?all? ?believe? ?that? ?the? ?decision? ?to? ?save? ?that? ?

child? ?was? ?right.”? ?

?

“If? ?I? ?were? ?to? ?do? ?as? ?you? ?say,? ?and? ?be? ?punished? ?for? ?something? ?that? ?was? ?done? ?right,? ?what? ?

would? ?they? ?think?? ?Doesn’t? ?this? ?only? ?tell? ?everyone? ?that? ?to? ?save? ?a? ?life,? ?not? ?only? ?do? ?we? ?not? ?

obtain? ?fortuitous? ?merits? ?but? ?instead? ?we’d? ?be? ?punished? ?for? ?sins?? ?How? ?should? ?they? ?think? ?or? ?

act? ?after? ?that?”? ? ?

?

“Whether? ?if? ?it’s? ?right? ?or? ?wrong? ?isn’t? ?important.”? ?Guoshi? ?said.? ?“Only? ?that? ?you? ?must? ?choose? ?

between? ?the? ?two? ?paths.? ?Nothing? ?is? ?perfect? ?in? ?this? ?world.? ?Either? ?that? ?child? ?shoulders? ?this? ?

blame,? ?or? ?you? ?do.”? ?

?

“Whether? ?right? ?or? ?wrong? ?is? ?very? ?important.? ?If? ?I? ?must? ?choose,? ?then? ?I? ?choose? ?the? ?third? ?

path.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Um...? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?excuse? ?my? ?boldness,? ?but? ?why? ?do? ?

you? ?care? ?how? ?they? ?think?? ?Today? ?they? ?think? ?such? ?a? ?way,? ?tomorrow? ?they’ll? ?think? ?another.? ?

There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?mind? ?the? ?small? ?details,? ?trust? ?me,? ?people? ?will? ?carry? ?on? ?doing? ?

what? ?they? ?need? ?to? ?do,? ?and? ?will? ?not? ?be? ?touched? ?by? ?your? ?actions? ?nor? ?take? ?you? ?for? ?an? ?

example.? ?It’s? ?best? ?if? ?we? ?focus? ?on? ?serving? ?what’s? ?above? ?our? ?heads.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?then? ?spoke,? ?“Guoshi,? ?ever? ?since? ?I’ve? ?entered? ?the? ?Royal? ?

Holy? ?Pavilion? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?disciple? ?here,? ?the? ?more? ?I? ?train,? ?the? ?more? ?I’ve? ?reflected,? ?and? ?

there’s? ?actually? ?something? ?I’ve? ?always? ?thought? ?but? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?speak? ?of.”? ? ?

?

“And? ?what’s? ?that?”? ?Guoshi? ?asked.? ?

?

“Is? ?it? ?really? ?right? ?for? ?us? ?to? ?worship? ?and? ?prostrate? ?before? ?the? ?gods? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?was? ?speechless? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?“If? ?they? ?don’t? ?worship? ?the? ?gods,? ?then? ?what? ?are? ?we? ?

to? ?do?? ?Go? ?homeless?? ?What,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?thinks? ?that? ?the? ?thousands? ?and? ?millions? ?of? ?

devotees? ?who? ?come? ?here? ?to? ?worship? ?have? ?the? ?wrong? ?beliefs?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?chewed? ?on? ?his? ?words.? ?“The? ?beliefs? ?are? ?not? ?wrong.? ?Only,? ?

this? ?disciple? ?doesn’t? ?think? ?it? ?right? ?to? ?prostrate.”? ?

?

He? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?golden,? ?scintillating,? ?glorious? ?and? ?large? ?statue? ?of? ?

the? ?Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor,? ?“When? ?humans? ?ascend? ?they? ?become? ?gods.? ?To? ?humans,? ?

gods? ?are? ?elders,? ?are? ?teachers,? ?are? ?the? ?everlasting? ?light,? ?but? ?they? ?are? ?not? ?our? ?masters.? ?In? ?

such? ?regard,? ?we? ?should? ?be? ?full? ?of? ?thankfulness? ?and? ?also? ?admiration,? ?but? ?never? ?idol? ?

worship.? ?Just? ?like? ?how? ?at? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession,? ?the? ?correct? ?

attitude? ?should? ?be? ?of? ?thankfulness,? ?of? ?joy,? ?and? ?not? ?of? ?fear,? ?not? ?begging? ?to? ?please,? ?not? ?of? ?

intimidation,? ?and? ?certainly? ?not? ?putting? ?myself? ?in? ?a? ?position? ?of? ?servitude.”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?remained? ?poised? ?and? ?silent,? ?but? ?the? ?other? ?three? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?appeared? ?to? ?

have? ?become? ?restless,? ?turning? ?their? ?heads? ?back.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“An? ?accident? ?happened,? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped.? ?I? ?am? ?willing? ?to? ?offer? ?a? ?

thousand? ?lamps? ?to? ?brighten? ?long? ?nights;? ?like? ?moths? ?to? ?flames,? ?I’m? ?not? ?afraid.? ?But? ?I? ?refuse? ?

to? ?bow? ?my? ?head? ?for? ?something? ?I? ?did? ?right.? ?Face? ?the? ?wall? ?in? ?reflection?? ?What? ?have? ?I? ?done? ?

wrong?? ?What? ?has? ?anyone? ?done? ?wrong?? ?Just? ?like? ?how? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?committed? ?evil,? ?but? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?who? ?subdued? ?the? ?wrongdoer? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?punished:? ?where’s? ?logic? ?in? ?all? ?this?? ?If? ?the? ?

heavens? ?have? ?eyes,? ?they? ?would? ?not? ?convict? ?me? ?for? ?this.”? ?

?

Guoshi? ?looked? ?away,? ?“Then,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?let? ?me? ?ask? ?you.? ?If? ?the? ?heavens? ?really? ?do? ?

convict? ?you?? ?Will? ?you? ?apologize? ?then?”? ? ?

?

“If? ?that? ?should? ?happen,? ?then,? ?the? ?heavens? ?are? ?in? ?the? ?wrong.? ?I? ?am? ?right.? ?I? ?will? ?stand? ?

against? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?defy? ?until? ?the? ?end.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Guoshi’s? ?face? ?changed? ?slightly? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you’re? ?pretty? ?

brave? ?to? ?say? ?such? ?words.”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?three? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?watched? ?him,? ?wanting? ?to? ?speak? ?but? ?stopped? ?

themselves.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?sudden? ?huge? ?alarm? ?went? ?off? ?outside? ?the? ?hall,? ?like? ?the? ?chiming? ?of? ?

multiple? ?bells? ?at? ?once.? ?The? ?four? ?Guoshis? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?remain? ?in? ?their? ?seats,? ?and? ?all? ?

rushed? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?running? ?towards? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?hall.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?closely? ?behind.? ?They? ?traversed? ?through? ?the? ?many? ?buildings? ?behind? ?the? ?

the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?and? ?came? ?before? ?a? ?black? ?pagoda.? ?The? ?doors? ?to? ?that? ?black? ?pagoda? ?

were? ?open,? ?and? ?countless? ?wisps? ?of? ?dark? ?smoke? ?were? ?whooshing? ?out.? ? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?despairing? ?scream,? ?“WHERE’S? ?ZHU? ?AN??!? ?WHERE? ?THE? ?HELL? ?

DID? ?HE? ?GO!? ?HOW? ?DID? ?THIS? ?HAPPEN??!”? ?

?

A? ?number? ?of? ?trainee? ?guards? ?rushed? ?over,? ?the? ?one? ?leading? ?was? ?that? ?Zhu-ShiXiong.? ?

“Guoshi!!? ?I’M? ?HERE!? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?happened,? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?locked? ?but? ?it? ?suddenly? ?

opened? ?on? ?its? ?own!”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?pulled? ?at? ?his? ?hair,? ?“QUICKLY!? ?BRING? ?ME? ?A? ?NEW? ?SOUL-SEALING? ?JAR!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rushed? ?straight? ?inside.? ?Within? ?that? ?black? ?pagoda,? ?the? ?walls? ?were? ?covered? ?in? ?

lattice? ?sandalwood? ?panels? ?of? ?varying? ?sizes? ?and? ?shapes,? ?stacked? ?unevenly? ?atop? ?each? ?

other,? ?and? ?within? ?each? ?panel? ?were? ?various? ?clay? ?jars,? ?porcelain? ?vases,? ?jaded? ?boxes,? ?etc.? ?

Each? ?of? ?those? ?containers? ?were? ?originally? ?securely? ?placed,? ?the? ?red? ?cover? ?stoppers? ?stuffed? ?

firmly? ?in? ?place,? ?the? ?openings? ?sealed? ?with? ?yellow? ?talisman? ?with? ?crimson? ?spells,? ?but? ?now? ?

many? ?were? ?shattered,? ?and? ?many? ?more? ?continued? ?to? ?drop? ?off? ?the? ?shelves? ?themselves,? ?

and? ?those? ?not? ?yet? ?fallen? ?were? ?all? ?swaying? ?and? ?vibrating.? ?

?

Those? ?soul-sealing? ?containers? ?each? ?had? ?a? ?demon? ?or? ?ghost? ?who? ?once? ?caused? ?havoc? ?

sealed? ?within,? ?and? ?such? ?a? ?black? ?pagoda? ?existed? ?in? ?every? ?single? ?temple? ?of? ?Mount? ?

Taicang,? ?purposely? ?utilizing? ?the? ?clean,? ?saintly? ?essense? ?to? ?keep? ?them? ?represed.? ?However,? ?

something? ?happened? ?that? ?caused? ?this? ?sudden? ?insurgence,? ?and? ?they’ve? ?all? ?escaped!? ?

?

“It’s? ?too? ?late!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted.? ?

?

He? ?immediately? ?kicked? ?the? ?doors? ?close.? ?The? ?steel? ?lock? ?that? ?originally? ?chained? ?up? ?the? ?

door? ?had? ?been? ?broken? ?by? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unsheathed? ?his? ?sword,? ?used? ?

the? ?tip? ?and? ?drew? ?out? ?some? ?characters,? ?then? ?plunged? ?it? ?down.? ?He? ?brought? ?over? ?two? ?

hundred? ?swords? ?with? ?him? ?when? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?mountain,? ?and? ?he’d? ?switch? ?the? ?one? ?

carried? ?on? ?his? ?person? ?almost? ?everyday,? ?and? ?each? ?was? ?an? ?incomparable,? ?singular? ?

treasured? ?sword.? ?That? ?sword,? ?having? ?slantily? ?plugged? ?into? ?the? ?ground,? ?sealed? ?the? ?door? ?

shut,? ?and? ?only? ?the? ?sounds? ?of? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?within? ?rioting? ?and? ?roaring? ?could? ?be? ?heard.? ?

?

Once? ?they? ?left? ?the? ?black? ?pagoda,? ?they? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?atop? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?summits,? ?all? ?the? ?

black? ?pagodas? ?behind? ?each? ?temple? ?were? ?filled? ?with? ?black? ?clouds,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?resentful? ?

spirits? ?were? ?rushing? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?flying? ?towards? ?a? ?certain? ?direction? ?that? ?was? ?now? ?heavy? ?

with? ?smoke.? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?over? ?there?? ?Why? ?are? ?they? ?all? ?flying? ?over? ?there?”? ?Zhu? ?An? ?asked.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?yelled,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?DUMB?!? ?THAT’S? ?THE? ?XIANLE? ?PAVILION!”? ?

?

The? ?group? ?ran? ?like? ?the? ?wind,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye,? ?arrived? ?that? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Summit.? ?

On? ?top? ?of? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?heavy,? ?thick? ?smoke? ?emerged? ?from? ?countless? ?temples? ?across? ?

innumerous? ?peaks? ?rolled? ?over? ?to? ?barrage,? ?and? ?formed? ?an? ?enormous? ?swirl? ?above? ?the? ?

Xianle? ?Pavilion.? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?going? ?on? ?in? ?that? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion? ?of? ?yours?!? ?All? ?the? ?demons? ?and? ?ghosts? ?are? ?being? ?

lured? ?over,? ?what? ?exactly? ?did? ?you? ?put? ?inside?”? ?Guoshi? ?demanded.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?bewildered? ?too,? ?“Nothing!? ?Just...”? ?

?

Just? ?what?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered:? ?that? ?small? ?child!? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Zhu-ShiXiong? ?cried,? ?“Guoshi,? ?this? ?is? ?bad!? ?His? ?Highness’? ?place? ?is? ?on? ?fire!”? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?a? ?corner? ?of? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavillon? ?was? ?alight,? ?flames? ?bursting? ?towards? ?the? ?

sky,? ?reflecting? ?dark? ?crimson? ?in? ?the? ?black? ?clouds? ?above.? ?Yet,? ?at? ?the? ?foot? ?of? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?

all? ?those? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?who? ?hadn’t? ?gone? ?to? ?bed? ?had? ?no? ?idea? ?what? ?was? ?going? ?on? ?

when? ?they? ?witnessed? ?the? ?scene? ?from? ?afar,? ?and? ?were? ?excitedly? ?dragging? ?others? ?to? ?watch? ?

in? ?awe:? ?“Wow!? ?The? ?great? ?immortals? ?on? ?the? ?godly? ?mountain? ?are? ?conducting? ?a? ?ceremony!? ?

What? ?a? ?show!”? ? ?

?

Soon,? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?arrived? ?at? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?keep? ?too? ?many? ?

servants,? ?and? ?so? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?cultivators? ?from? ?the? ?other? ?summits? ?had? ?rushed? ?over,? ?

desperately? ?drawing? ?well? ?water? ?trying? ?to? ?put? ?out? ?the? ?fires.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?see? ?his? ?two? ?

attendants,? ?and? ?immediately? ?rushed? ?inside.? ?All? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?entire? ?Mount? ?

Taicang? ?had? ?been? ?gathered? ?there,? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavillon? ?was? ?completely? ?pitch? ?black? ?inside,? ?

nothing? ?could? ?be? ?seen.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sensed? ?two? ?silhouettes? ?within? ?the? ?main? ?hall? ?and? ?yelled,? ?

“FENG? ?XIN!? ?MU? ?QING!”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?had? ?drawn? ?a? ?protection? ?array? ?so? ?as? ?to? ?not? ?let? ?the? ?evil? ?spirits? ?invade,? ?holding? ?on? ?

but? ?just? ?barely.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?voice? ?rang,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?DON’T? ?COME? ?

IN!? ?THIS? ?CHILD? ?IS? ?STRANGE,? ?ALL? ?THOSE? ?SPIRITS? ?WERE? ?COMING? ?FOR? ?HIM!”? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?notice? ?that? ?behind? ?the? ?two? ?silhouettes? ?were? ?another? ?small? ?

shadow,? ?seemingly? ?to? ?be? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?floor,? ?his? ?head? ?in? ?his? ?hands.? ?He? ?screamed,? ?

“IT’S? ?NOT? ?ME!!!”? ?

?

After? ?observing? ?them? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted,? ?“Stop? ?holding? ?on.? ?Let? ?it? ?go!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?cried? ?back,? ?“We? ?can’t? ?let? ?go!? ?If? ?we? ?do,? ?those? ?things? ?will? ?go? ?crazy!? ?Let? ?me? ?find? ?

the? ?most? ?–”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“NO? ?FEAR.? ?LET? ?GO.? ?NOW!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?and? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?Sure? ?

enough,? ?with? ?the? ?restraints? ?off,? ?those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?screeched? ?and? ?started? ?going? ?

erratic.? ?

?

However,? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out,? ?lightning? ?fast,? ?and? ?choked? ?a? ?

particular? ?wisp? ?of? ?black? ?smoke.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?even? ?look,? ?and? ?grabbed? ?that? ?black? ?smoke? ?with? ?his? ?bare? ?hands,? ?holding? ?in? ?his? ?

palm? ?firmly.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?caught? ?that? ?one? ?resentful? ?spirit,? ?all? ?the? ?crazed? ?swarm? ?of? ?

resentful? ?spirits? ?within? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion? ?slowed? ?down.? ?

?

Outside,? ?everyone? ?silently? ?nodded.? ?

?

In? ?a? ?situation? ?where? ?a? ?large? ?swarm? ?of? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?gathered? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?place,? ?they? ?

would? ?usually? ?follow? ?the? ?lead? ?of? ?the? ?strongest? ?one.? ?Once? ?that? ?one? ?is? ?caught,? ?without? ?a? ?

leader,? ?the? ?spirits? ?would? ?lose? ?direction.? ?At? ?that? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?recognized? ?

the? ?strongest? ?one? ?and? ?choked? ?it,? ?not? ?giving? ?it? ?any? ?chance,? ?and? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?squeeze,? ?that? ?

one? ?resentful? ?spirit? ?disintegrated? ?into? ?nothing? ?in? ?his? ?palm.? ?

?

Immediately? ?after,? ?the? ?four? ?Guoshis? ?raised? ?their? ?sleeves? ?and? ?called? ?out,? ?“Come? ?back!”? ?

?

That? ?swarm? ?of? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?having? ?lost? ?its? ?leader? ?flew? ?haphazardly? ?around? ?the? ?Xianle? ?

Pavilion? ?like? ?headless? ?flies? ?until? ?finally? ?they? ?had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?to? ?give? ?up,? ?and? ?reluctantly? ?

returned? ?to? ?the? ?seal? ?within? ?the? ?Guoshis’? ?sleeves.? ?The? ?other? ?cultivators? ?continued? ?to? ?put? ?

out? ?the? ?remaining? ?fires,? ?and? ?only? ?until? ?the? ?heavy? ?smoke? ?had? ?gradually? ?dispersed? ?did? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?see? ?clearly? ?the? ?figures? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?three.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?half? ?kneeled? ?on? ?the? ?floor,? ?still? ?in? ?shock.? ?Behind? ?them,? ?that? ?

child? ?was? ?still? ?holding? ?his? ?head,? ?uttering? ?not? ?a? ?word.? ?The? ?Guoshis? ?entered? ?and? ?spoke? ?

after? ?only? ?a? ?look,? ?“Where? ?did? ?that? ?child? ?come? ?from?? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?all? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?

were? ?going? ?after? ?him?? ?What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?the? ?child? ?who? ?had? ?fallen? ?from? ?the? ?city? ?wall? ?during? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?

Ceremonial? ?Procession.”? ? ?

?

The? ?Guoshis? ?were? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Guoshi? ?demanded,? ?“Why? ?did? ?you? ?bring? ?him? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?not? ?wanting? ?to? ?explain,? ?and? ?instead? ?asked? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“What? ?did? ?

he? ?do? ?to? ?attract? ?all? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?black? ?pagodas?”? ? ?

?

One? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?arms? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?a? ?sling,? ?and? ?he? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?he? ?

did!? ?But? ?once? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?mountain,? ?soon? ?after? ?coming? ?inside? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion,? ?all? ?

those? ?black? ?things? ?suddenly? ?flew? ?over? ?from? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?peaks? ?and? ?broke? ?in,? ?swarming? ?

around? ?him,? ?gathering? ?more? ?by? ?the? ?minute,? ?and? ?we? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?out.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around? ?at? ?the? ?walls? ?and? ?pillars? ?burnt? ?to? ?crisps? ?inside? ?the? ?pavilion,? ?“Then? ?

what’s? ?with? ?the? ?fire?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing,? ?whose? ?face? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?soot,? ?said,? ?“We? ?couldn’t? ?leave? ?so? ?we? ?had? ?to? ?draw? ?

an? ?array? ?to? ?defend.? ?Those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?kindled? ?the? ?candlelight? ?and? ?burnt? ?the? ?curtains,? ?

hoping? ?to? ?force? ?us? ?out.”? ?

?

“Thank? ?goodness? ?Your? ?Highness? ?came? ?swiftly? ?and? ?immediately? ?seized? ?their? ?vitals!? ?

Otherwise? ?if? ?it? ?kept? ?burning? ?we’ll? ?all? ?be? ?dead? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?array!”? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?words,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?head.? ?On? ?the? ?side,? ?the? ?

Guoshis? ?had? ?already? ?surrounded? ?that? ?young? ?child,? ?observing? ?him? ?closely.? ?

?

“Guoshi,? ?is? ?there? ?anything? ?the? ?matter? ?with? ?that? ?child?”? ? ?

?

If? ?there? ?was? ?anything? ?the? ?matter,? ?such? ?as? ?being? ?possessed? ?by? ?ghosts,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?should’ve? ?

been? ?able? ?to? ?recognize? ?it? ?immediately.? ?After? ?having? ?trained? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?for? ?

a? ?number? ?of? ?years,? ?he? ?had? ?worked? ?on? ?his? ?sight? ?especially,? ?and? ?very? ?few? ?things? ?could? ?

deceive? ?his? ?eyes.? ?Yet? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?anything? ?off? ?with? ?this? ?child.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?shook? ?his? ?

head,? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?seen? ?nothing? ?either,? ?and? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?your? ?birth? ?date,? ?month,? ?

year,? ?and? ?time?”? ? ?

?

Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?guarded? ?against? ?everyone,? ?tensed? ?with? ?hostility,? ?and? ?would? ?

only? ?stare? ?at? ?him,? ?not? ?speaking.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?encouraged? ?gently,? ?“Just? ?tell? ?him.? ?Guoshi? ?only? ?

wants? ?to? ?tell? ?your? ?fortune? ?for? ?your? ?own? ?good.”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?spoke,? ?Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?obediently? ?told? ?the? ?time? ?of? ?his? ?birth? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice.? ?

Guoshi? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows? ?and? ?started? ?calculating? ?with? ?his? ?fingers.? ?The? ?people? ?around? ?

watched? ?him,? ?talking? ?in? ?low? ?voices,? ?and? ?saw? ?his? ?expression? ?grow? ?dimmer? ?and? ?dimmer.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched,? ?and? ?became? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?solemn? ?too.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?tender? ?thirty-something? ?young? ?man,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

knew? ?better? ?than? ?most? ?just? ?how? ?powerful? ?his? ?teacher? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?rule? ?over? ?the? ?

Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion.? ?The? ?number? ?one? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?Xianle? ?Mei? ?Nianqin? ?was? ?famed? ?

throughout? ?the? ?land? ?for? ?his? ?fortune? ?telling.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?learned? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?of? ?

spells? ?from? ?the? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis,? ?but? ?never? ?learned? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?fortune? ?telling? ?from? ?the? ?

Guoshi? ?himself,? ?only? ?because? ?Guoshi? ?told? ?him? ?it’s? ?an? ?art? ?of? ?the? ?streets,? ?the? ?golden? ?

stature? ?of? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?had? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?such? ?tricks.? ?Plus? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?wasn’t? ?

interested,? ?so? ?he? ?never? ?tried.? ?However,? ?whenever? ?Guoshi? ?worked? ?his? ?art,? ?there? ?were? ?

never? ?wrongs.? ? ?

?

A? ?while? ?later,? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?cold? ?sweat? ?was? ?rolling? ?down? ?the? ?forehead? ?of? ?Guoshi,? ?and? ?

he? ?mumbled,? ?“No? ?wonder...? ?no? ?wonder...? ?no? ?wonder? ?he? ?ruined? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Ceremonial? ?Procession;? ?that? ?the? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?black? ?pagodas? ?grew? ?excited? ?from? ?sensing? ?

him;? ?that? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion? ?was? ?burnt? ?too...? ?This...? ?This...? ?This? ?is? ?truly...”? ?

?

“Truly? ?what?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?wiped? ?his? ?sweat? ?and? ?suddenly? ?backed? ?a? ?meter? ?away,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?really? ?

picked? ?up? ?something? ?you? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?up? ?the? ?mountain!? ?That? ?small? ?child? ?is? ?toxic!? ?His? ?

sign? ?is? ?borne? ?of? ?the? ?most? ?ominous? ?star,? ?the? ?Star? ?of? ?Solitude*,? ?destined? ?to? ?bring? ?

misfortune? ?and? ?destruction,? ?the? ?kind? ?that? ?evil? ?loves? ?the? ?most.? ?Whoever? ?touches? ?him? ?will? ?

have? ?misfortune? ?befall? ?upon? ?them,? ?whoever? ?gets? ?close? ?will? ?lose? ?their? ?lives!”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?even? ?finished,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?loud? ?scream,? ?and? ?Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?

running? ?towards? ?Guoshi? ?to? ?headbutt? ?him.? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?tender,? ?but? ?his? ?screams? ?were? ?filled? ?with? ?rage,? ?as? ?if? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?filled? ?to? ?

the? ?brim? ?with? ?unspeakable? ?pain? ?and? ?anguish,? ?making? ?many? ?shiver.? ?That? ?young? ?child? ?was? ?

covered? ?in? ?injuries,? ?yet? ?he? ?yanked? ?and? ?struck? ?like? ?a? ?red-eyed? ?rabid? ?dog,? ?violent? ?and? ?

aggressive.? ?The? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?blocked? ?Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?backed? ?away,? ?

yelling,? ?“MAKE? ?HIM? ?LEAVE? ?THE? ?MOUNTAIN,? ?HURRY!? ?Don’t? ?touch? ?him,? ?I? ?mean? ?it!? ?That? ?

fortune? ?is? ?too? ?toxic,? ?don’t? ?touch? ?him!”? ?

?

The? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?hurriedly? ?moved? ?aside,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?know? ?

whether? ?to? ?act.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?everyone? ?was? ?avoiding? ?him? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?poisonous? ?snake,? ?

that? ?child? ?was? ?shaken? ?and? ?started? ?thrashing? ?even? ?harder,? ?biting? ?and? ?screaming,? ?“I’m? ?not!? ?

I’M? ?NOT!!? ?I’M? ?NOT!!!!”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?arms? ?wrapped? ?him? ?around? ?the? ?waist,? ?encircling? ?his? ?small? ?form.? ?A? ?

voice? ?came? ?from? ?above? ?his? ?head,? ?“You’re? ?not.? ?I? ?know? ?you’re? ?not.? ?Don’t? ?cry,? ?now.? ?I? ?know? ?

you’re? ?not.”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?child? ?pressed? ?his? ?lips? ?closed? ?tightly,? ?grabbing? ?on? ?to? ?that? ?pair? ?of? ?snow-white? ?

sleeves? ?around? ?his? ?waist? ?with? ?a? ?death? ?grip,? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?hold? ?back? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?

but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t.? ?A? ?stream? ?of? ?tears? ?suddenly? ?rolled? ?down? ?from? ?that? ?round,? ?

black? ?eye,? ?and? ?he? ?burst? ?out? ?crying.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?embraced? ?him? ?from? ?behind? ?and? ?reiterated? ?firmly,? ?“It? ?not? ?you.? ?It’s? ?not? ?your? ?fault.”? ? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

?[?????????]? ?The? ?Star? ?of? ?Solitude? ?-? ?People? ?with? ?this? ?sign? ?in? ?fortune? ?are? ?said? ?to? ?bring? ?

the? ?greatest? ?misfortune? ?to? ?those? ?around? ?them,? ?while? ?they? ?themselves? ?are? ?fine,? ?

which? ?is? ?why? ?it’s? ?called? ?the? ?Star? ?of? ?Solitude.? ?This? ?sign? ?can? ?be? ?nullified? ?with? ?the? ?

meeting? ?of? ?a? ?saviour.? ? ?

?

On? ?a? ?separate? ?note,? ?Sha? ?Po? ?Lang? ?is? ?the? ?other? ?great? ?sign? ?of? ?misfortune? ?along? ?with? ?

the? ?Star? ?of? ?Solitude,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?signs? ?are? ?the? ?most? ?unfortunate? ?in? ?Chinese? ?

fortune? ?telling.? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

Ch.68:? ?To? ?Ascend? ?is? ?Human;? ?to? ?Fall? ?is? ?Also? ?Human? ?3? ?

?

Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?whipped? ?around,? ?stuffed? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest? ?and? ?wailed.? ?

?

This? ?wailing? ?contained? ?no? ?words,? ?utterly? ?meaningless,? ?and? ?nothing? ?like? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?

sobbing? ?but? ?nevertheless? ?hair-raisingly? ?dreadful.? ?Without? ?looking? ?at? ?who? ?it? ?was,? ?it? ?would? ?

sound? ?like? ?the? ?desperate? ?cries? ?of? ?a? ?full? ?grown? ?man? ?breaking? ?down,? ?or? ?the? ?struggling? ?of? ?a? ?

small? ?beast? ?with? ?its? ?throat? ?cut? ?open? ?by? ?a? ?knife,? ?as? ?if? ?only? ?by? ?immediate? ?death? ?could? ?he? ?be? ?

relieved.? ?Anyone? ?can? ?make? ?such? ?a? ?sound,? ?it? ?just? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?coming? ?from? ?a? ?child? ?of? ?ten? ?

years.? ?Everyone? ?was? ?shaken.? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“I? ?mean? ?it.? ?It’s? ?best? ?to? ?let? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?came? ?to? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Let? ?go!? ?Be? ?careful? ?of...”? ?But? ?in? ?the? ?

end? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?heart? ?to? ?continue.? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?fine.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

That? ?Zhu-ShiXiong? ?however,? ?was? ?quite? ?concerned? ?for? ?His? ?Highness’? ?welfare,? ?and? ?saw? ?

that? ?Hong? ?Hong-Er? ?was? ?smearing? ?blood? ?and? ?snot? ?all? ?over? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?white? ?robes? ?so? ?he? ?

ran? ?over? ?to? ?pull? ?at? ?that? ?young? ?child,? ?berating,? ?“Little? ?kid,? ?you? ?can’t!”? ?

?

Yet? ?the? ?harder? ?he? ?pulled,? ?the? ?harder? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?

go? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?using? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?feet? ?to? ?grip? ?on,? ?screaming? ?“AAHHH”.? ?Three? ?

to? ?four? ?more? ?people? ?came? ?forward? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?rip? ?him? ?off? ?but? ?instead? ?that? ?made? ?him? ?hang? ?

on? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?like? ?a? ?little? ?monkey.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?it? ?both? ?funny? ?and? ?pitiful,? ?and? ?held? ?Hong? ?

Hong-Er? ?with? ?one? ?hand,? ?gently? ?rubbing? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?that? ?emaciated? ?small? ?back? ?in? ?

comfort,? ?while? ?raising? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?“Nevermind.? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?let? ?him? ?be.”? ? ?

?

Some? ?moments? ?later,? ?after? ?feeling? ?that? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?stopped? ?struggling? ?and? ?

quieted? ?down,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?the? ?people? ?closeby? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?whisper,? ?“Was? ?anyone? ?else? ?

hurt? ?in? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion? ?fire?”? ?

?

“No.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?replied,? ?“There? ?were? ?only? ?us? ?inside? ?at? ?the? ?time.”? ?

?

As? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavillon? ?was? ?burnt? ?to? ?a? ?crisp,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?stay.? ?After? ?making? ?

sure? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?the? ?building? ?that? ?was? ?burnt? ?and? ?not? ?any? ?of? ?the? ?people,? ?those? ?who? ?

came? ?to? ?help? ?put? ?out? ?the? ?fires? ?started? ?to? ?help? ?clean? ?up? ?the? ?vicinity,? ?feeling? ?rather? ?

distraught? ?at? ?all? ?the? ?charred? ?precious? ?gems? ?and? ?treasures.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?concerned,? ?

however.? ?

?

The? ?things? ?he? ?used? ?daily? ?were? ?a? ?little? ?more? ?intricate,? ?but? ?other? ?than? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?

really? ?have? ?anything? ?of? ?importance? ?stored? ?inside? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion.? ?The? ?most? ?precious? ?

items? ?were? ?his? ?collection? ?of? ?over? ?two? ?hundred? ?treasured? ?swords,? ?but? ?they? ?were? ?made? ?of? ?

durable? ?metals? ?unafraid? ?of? ?fires,? ?since? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?forged? ?in? ?flames? ?anyway,? ?so? ?they? ?

were? ?all? ?unharmed.? ?After? ?having? ?dug? ?them? ?out? ?himself,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stored? ?them? ?temporarily? ?

at? ?the? ?SiXiang? ?Pavilion? ?that? ?belonged? ?to? ?the? ?Guoshis.? ?

?

As? ?for? ?Hong? ?Hong-Er,? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?firmly? ?holding? ?on? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?after? ?having? ?cried? ?

himself? ?to? ?exhaustion,? ?fell? ?asleep.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?bring? ?him? ?down? ?Mount? ?

Taicang? ?to? ?find? ?a? ?safe? ?place? ?to? ?settle? ?him,? ?but? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?asked? ?him? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?visit? ?to? ?

the? ?SiXiang? ?Pavilion? ?first,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?carried? ?the? ?child? ?over? ?too.? ?

?

Tucking? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?in? ?the? ?divan,? ?righting? ?the? ?covers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?the? ?bedside? ?

curtain? ?and? ?backed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?room? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?tow.? ?“Guoshi,? ?is? ?that? ?

child’s? ?fate? ?really? ?that? ?terrifying?”? ? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?pursed? ?his? ?lips,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?think? ?for? ?yourself,? ?after? ?he’s? ?appeared,? ?

what’s? ?all? ?happened?”? ? ?

?

The? ?three? ?were? ?quiet.? ?The? ?moment? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?appeared? ?he’d? ?fallen? ?off? ?the? ?city? ?wall? ?

before? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?millions,? ?forcing? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession? ?to? ?

cut? ?short? ?after? ?having? ?only? ?made? ?three? ?rounds.? ?When? ?he? ?appeared? ?again,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?

dragging? ?him? ?through? ?the? ?streets? ?in? ?that? ?horse? ?carriage? ?in? ?rage,? ?causing? ?a? ?riot,? ?made? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?break? ?an? ?arm,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?butted? ?heads? ?with? ?the? ?king,? ?making? ?the? ?queen? ?roll? ?

tears.? ?This? ?time,? ?all? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?of? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?broke? ?out? ?of? ?their? ?seals? ?within? ?

the? ?black? ?pagodas? ?and? ?even? ?burnt? ?down? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion.? ?Misfortune? ?was? ?indeed? ?

following? ?after? ?him? ?like? ?a? ?shadow.? ?

?

“Is? ?there? ?any? ?way? ?to? ?break? ?this?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Break? ?this?”? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?? ?Change? ?his? ?fate?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?haven’t? ?learned? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?

fortune? ?telling? ?from? ?me,? ?so? ?when? ?it? ?comes? ?to? ?matters? ?like? ?these,? ?you? ?really? ?don’t? ?

understand? ?anything.? ?If? ?you? ?did,? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?asked.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?sat? ?himself? ?up? ?straight.? ?“Please? ?enlighten? ?me.”? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?thus? ?took? ?the? ?teapot? ?on? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?poured? ?a? ?cup,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?

still? ?remember? ?that? ?day? ?when? ?you? ?just? ?turned? ?six,? ?when? ?his? ?majesty? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?bade? ?

me? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?palace? ?to? ?tell? ?your? ?fortune,? ?that? ?one? ?question? ?I? ?asked? ?you?”? ?

?

Watching? ?that? ?steaming? ?cup? ?of? ?tea,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pondered,? ?“Did? ?you? ?mean,? ?the? ?two? ?people? ?

and? ?the? ?cup? ?of? ?water?”? ?

?

That? ?year,? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?had? ?asked? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?many? ?questions? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?help? ?tell? ?his? ?

fortune.? ?There? ?were? ?questions? ?with? ?answers,? ?and? ?ones? ?without,? ?and? ?with? ?every? ?answer? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?would? ?change? ?ways? ?to? ?praise? ?the? ?boy,? ?making? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?

queen? ?smile? ?with? ?pleasure,? ?and? ?many? ?exchanges? ?from? ?that? ?conversation? ?were? ?later? ?

passed? ?around? ?as? ?delightful? ?stories.? ?But? ?there? ?was? ?one? ?question? ?to? ?which? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

answered,? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?made? ?no? ?commentary.Very? ?few? ?knew? ?of? ?the? ?details,? ?not? ?even? ?

Feng? ?Xin,? ?nevermind? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?That? ?question? ?was? ?“Two? ?People? ?and? ?a? ?Cup? ?of? ?Water”.? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?spoke,? ?“Two? ?walked? ?the? ?desert,? ?about? ?to? ?die? ?from? ?thirst,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?

one? ?cup? ?of? ?water.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?drinks? ?lives,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?doesn’t,? ?dies.? ?If? ?you? ?were? ?a? ?

god,? ?who? ?would? ?you? ?give? ?that? ?cup? ?of? ?water? ?to?? ?–? ?Don’t? ?speak? ?yet,? ?I’ll? ?ask? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?

and? ?see? ?how? ?they? ?answer.”? ?

?

The? ?last? ?part? ?of? ?his? ?words? ?were? ?directed? ?to? ?the? ?two? ?standing? ?not? ?too? ?far? ?behind.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

contemplated? ?and? ?responded? ?cautiously,? ?“May? ?I? ?ask? ?who? ?those? ?two? ?people? ?are,? ?what? ?

their? ?natures? ?are? ?like,? ?and? ?what? ?of? ?their? ?merits?? ?A? ?decision? ?can? ?only? ?be? ?made? ?once? ?all? ?

the? ?details? ?are? ?known.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?answered,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know!? ?Don’t? ?ask? ?me,? ?tell? ?them? ?to? ?decide? ?

amongst? ?themselves!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?“pff”-ed? ?and? ?laughed.? ?Guoshi? ?admonished,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?laughing? ?about?? ?Do? ?

you? ?remember? ?how? ?you? ?answered?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?schooled? ?his? ?expression? ?and? ?said? ?solemnly,? ?“Give? ?another? ?cup.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?between? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?one? ?twisted? ?his? ?expression,? ?the? ?other? ?

lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?listen.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?and? ?

said? ?in? ?all? ?seriousness,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?guys? ?laughing?? ?I’m? ?serious.? ?If? ?I? ?was? ?god,? ?I? ?would? ?

definitely? ?give? ?another? ?cup.”? ? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?gently? ?shook? ?that? ?cup? ?of? ?tea? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?the? ?tea? ?swirled? ?in? ?the? ?cup,? ?as? ?if? ?

alive.? ?He? ?continued,? ?“All? ?the? ?fortunes? ?in? ?the? ?world,? ?good? ?or? ?bad,? ?are? ?limited.? ?Just? ?like? ?this? ?

cup? ?of? ?water,? ?there’s? ?only? ?so? ?much.? ?Once? ?you’ve? ?drunken? ?your? ?fill,? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?more? ?

left? ?for? ?others.? ?If? ?one? ?receives? ?more,? ?the? ?other? ?must? ?receive? ?less.? ?Throughout? ?the? ?ages,? ?

all? ?conflicts? ?are? ?borne? ?from? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?there? ?are? ?many? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?but? ?only? ?one? ?cup? ?of? ?

water,? ?and? ?no? ?matter? ?who? ?it’s? ?given? ?to? ?there’d? ?be? ?a? ?good? ?reason.? ?You? ?want? ?to? ?change? ?

fate?? ?It’s? ?difficult? ?but? ?not? ?impossible.? ?But? ?if? ?you? ?change? ?that? ?child’s? ?life,? ?someone? ?else’s? ?

life? ?will? ?also? ?be? ?changed,? ?and? ?more? ?grudges? ?shall? ?be? ?created.? ?Once? ?upon? ?a? ?time? ?you? ?

said? ?to? ?just? ?give? ?another? ?cup? ?of? ?water,? ?just? ?like? ?today? ?how? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?choose? ?a? ?third? ?

path.? ?Your? ?intention? ?is? ?to? ?expand? ?the? ?source;? ?a? ?beautiful? ?thought.? ?But,? ?I? ?will? ?tell? ?you,? ?it’s? ?

impossible.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?silently? ?but? ?disagreed? ?wholeheartedly,? ?still? ?he? ?didn’t? ?rebut.? ?“Thank? ?you,? ?

Guoshi,? ?for? ?your? ?wisdom.”? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?drank? ?that? ?tea,? ?smacked? ?his? ?lips? ?and? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?trouble? ?yourself.? ?Wisdom? ?

or? ?not? ?you? ?don’t? ?listen? ?anyway.”? ?

?

“...”? ?Having? ?been? ?seen? ?through,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat.? ?“Guoshi,? ?earlier? ?today? ?

before? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?in? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?passion,? ?this? ?disciple? ?has? ?offended? ?you.? ?

Please? ?forgive? ?me? ?for? ?my? ?affront.”? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?shook? ?out? ?his? ?sleeves? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“You’re? ?my? ?proud? ?disciple,? ?and? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince,? ?how? ?can? ?I? ?not? ?forgive? ?you?? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?can? ?tell? ?you? ?that? ?you? ?are? ?the? ?most? ?

beloved? ?by? ?the? ?heavens? ?I’ve? ?ever? ?seen.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?understand,? ?so? ?he? ?listened? ?closely.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?continued,? ?“You? ?have? ?the? ?

talent,? ?the? ?ambition,? ?the? ?heart,? ?and? ?you’re? ?not? ?afraid? ?of? ?hard? ?work.? ?You? ?have? ?a? ?

prestigious? ?background? ?yet? ?a? ?compassionate? ?nature.? ?No? ?one? ?is? ?more? ?suited? ?for? ?the? ?title? ?

“Darling? ?of? ?the? ?Heavens”.? ?Still,? ?I? ?am? ?worried? ?about? ?you.? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?there? ?will? ?be? ?a? ?trial? ?you? ?

won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?pass.”? ?

?

“And? ?that? ?is?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Although? ?you’ve? ?already? ?achieved? ?such? ?a? ?high? ?level,? ?there? ?are? ?some? ?things? ?you? ?are? ?still? ?

far? ?from? ?understanding,? ?and? ?others? ?can’t? ?teach? ?you.? ?Just? ?like? ?how? ?today? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?

Martial? ?Hall,? ?that? ?speech? ?you? ?made,? ?that? ?bit? ?about? ?not? ?worshipping? ?god? ?or? ?something,? ?

although? ?very? ?few? ?were? ?able? ?to? ?think? ?that? ?far,? ?that? ?you? ?were? ?able? ?to? ?reach? ?such? ?thoughts? ?

at? ?such? ?a? ?young? ?age? ?is? ?already? ?impressive.? ?However,? ?do? ?not? ?think? ?yourself? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?

who? ?have? ?had? ?such? ?thoughts? ?in? ?the? ?world.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?slightly.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?continued,? ?“The? ?things? ?you? ?spoke? ?of? ?today? ?

were? ?already? ?spoken? ?by? ?others? ?decades,? ?maybe? ?centuries? ?ago,? ?but? ?their? ?words? ?never? ?

took? ?form;? ?their? ?voices? ?were? ?too? ?small,? ?so? ?not? ?many? ?heard.? ?Have? ?you? ?ever? ?wondered? ?

why? ?that? ?is?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Because? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?thought? ?of? ?it,? ?they? ?never? ?acted? ?on? ?

it,? ?and? ?weren’t? ?determined? ?enough.”? ? ?

?

“And? ?you?? ?What? ?makes? ?you? ?think? ?you’re? ?determined? ?enough?”? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?asked.? ?

?

“Guoshi,? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?can? ?ascend?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?can’t? ?ascend? ?then? ?no? ?one? ?can.? ?It’s? ?only? ?a? ?

matter? ?of? ?time.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“Then,? ?just? ?you? ?watch.”? ?He? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?“If? ?one? ?day? ?I? ?ascend,? ?I? ?will? ?

for? ?sure? ?do? ?all? ?that? ?I? ?said? ?today,? ?and? ?become? ?a? ?power? ?to? ?behold!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?who? ?were? ?standing? ?behind? ?him,? ?having? ?heard? ?his? ?declaration,? ?

both? ?unconsciously? ?held? ?their? ?heads? ?higher.? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?lips? ?curved? ?upward,? ?and? ?the? ?light? ?

shining? ?in? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian’s.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?nodded,? ?

“Very? ?well,? ?I? ?shall? ?wait? ?and? ?see? ?–? ?however,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?it’s? ?a? ?good? ?thing? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?

ascend? ?too? ?early.? ?Let? ?me? ?ask? ?you,? ?what? ?is? ?The? ?Path?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?“As? ?you? ?have? ?said,? ?that? ?which? ?is? ?walked? ?is? ?The? ?Path.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?correct.”? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“But,? ?you? ?haven’t? ?walked? ?enough.? ?So,? ?I? ?think? ?it’s? ?time? ?

for? ?you? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?walk? ?down? ?the? ?mountain.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?face? ?lit? ?up.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?continued,? ?“You’re? ?seventeen? ?this? ?year.? ?I? ?will? ?permit? ?you? ?

to? ?descend? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?and? ?gain? ?some? ?experience? ?through? ?travels? ?on? ?the? ?outside.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?excellent!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Every? ?day? ?spent? ?at? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?just? ?thinking? ?about? ?the? ?king,? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?and? ?many? ?

others,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?crabby.? ?Plus,? ?having? ?such? ?a? ?glamourous? ?Xianle? ?

Pavillon? ?be? ?torched,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?avoid? ?another? ?bout? ?with? ?his? ?parents.? ?If? ?he? ?

could? ?go? ?further? ?away,? ?he? ?could? ?focus? ?on? ?walking? ?his? ?own? ?path.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?added,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?throughout? ?the? ?ages? ?there’s? ?been? ?a? ?

saying? ?that’s? ?passed? ?down? ?like? ?it’s? ?the? ?ultimate? ?truth,? ?but? ?it’s? ?actually? ?wrong,? ?only? ?no? ?one? ?

had? ?ever? ?noticed.”? ?

?

“What? ?saying?”? ?

?

“When? ?humans? ?ascend,? ?they? ?become? ?gods;? ?when? ?humans? ?fall,? ?they? ?become? ?ghosts.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought,? ?“Is? ?there? ?something? ?wrong? ?with? ?that?”? ? ?

?

The? ?Guoshi? ?replied,? ?“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?wrong.? ?Remember:? ?When? ?humans? ?ascend,? ?they? ?are? ?

still? ?human;? ?when? ?they? ?fall,? ?they? ?are? ?still,? ?human.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?chewed? ?on? ?those? ?words? ?and? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?patted? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?shoulder? ?and? ?

glanced? ?behind,? ?“In? ?any? ?case,? ?as? ?for? ?that? ?child...? ?Don’t? ?let? ?it? ?worry? ?you? ?too? ?much.? ?

Everyone? ?has? ?their? ?fate.? ?Many? ?times? ?there? ?won’t? ?be? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?help? ?just? ?because? ?you? ?want? ?

to? ?help.? ?If? ?anything? ?happens,? ?we’ll? ?deal? ?with? ?it? ?then.? ?Go? ?out? ?and? ?experience? ?the? ?world.? ?I? ?

pray? ?that? ?when? ?you? ?return? ?you? ?will? ?have? ?matured.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?that? ?very? ?night,? ?outside? ?everyone’s? ?expectations,? ?that? ?child? ?escaped? ?from? ?the? ?

Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?and? ?disappeared.? ?

?

And? ?what? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?outside? ?of? ?everyone’s? ?expectations,? ?after? ?his? ?travels,? ?at? ?the? ?

age? ?of? ?seventeen,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soundly? ?defeated? ?

a? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?at? ?the? ?Yi? ?Nian? ?Bridge,? ?and? ?just? ?like? ?that,? ?he? ?ascended? ?to? ?the? ?heavens? ?

amidst? ?the? ?roars? ?of? ?thunder? ?and? ?lightning.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?shock? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?realms.? ?

?

——–? ?

?

?Suika? ?Notes? ?on? ?Ascension:? ?The? ?idea? ?of? ?Ascension? ?is? ?a? ?Taoist? ?one.? ?

?

The? ?basic? ?gist? ?of? ?it? ?is:? ?All? ?gods? ?and? ?immortals? ?are? ?mortals? ?and? ?other? ?beings? ?who? ?

cultivated? ?deeply? ?and? ?attained? ?enlightenment.? ?Their? ?bodies? ?are? ?shed? ?the? ?troubles? ?

of? ?a? ?mortal? ?body,? ?and? ?is? ?removed? ?from? ?the? ?corporeal? ?world.? ?’Heaven’? ?is? ?only? ?an? ?

imperial? ?court? ?for? ?the? ?enlightened? ?ones,? ?and? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?administrative? ?ones? ?

like? ?the? ?Jade? ?Emperor,? ?etc,? ?many? ?watched? ?and? ?protected? ?over? ?an? ?aspect? ?of? ?the? ?

celestial? ?and? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?eg.? ?love,? ?marriage,? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?land,? ?etc.? ?There? ?are? ?also? ?

carefree? ?immortals? ?who’d? ?just? ?wander? ?the? ?world? ?and? ?help? ?mortals? ?as? ?they? ?go,? ?or? ?

hermit? ?deep? ?in? ?the? ?mountains.? ?

?

However,? ?there? ?is? ?a? ?formless? ?will? ?(Dao)? ?of? ?the? ?universe? ?that? ?guides? ?the? ?world’s? ?

destinies.? ?Thus,? ?things? ?like? ?fate? ?and? ?such? ?are? ?beyond? ?a? ?god’s? ?ability.? ?It’s? ?the? ?will? ?of? ?

the? ?universe? ?that? ?deems? ?when? ?a? ?mortal? ?is? ?fit? ?for? ?ascension,? ?and? ?will? ?send? ?forth? ?a? ?

‘heavenly? ?calamity’,? ?usually? ?a? ?blast? ?of? ?thunder? ?and? ?lightning,? ?to? ?test? ?the? ?mortal.? ?If? ?

the? ?mortal? ?passes,? ?they? ?ascend? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?god.? ?

?

There? ?are? ?three? ?different? ?levels? ?of? ?godhood:? ? ?

-? ?the? ?lowest? ?level? ?is? ?godhood? ?after? ?death? ?

-? ?the? ?mid? ?level? ?is? ?godhood? ?after? ?living? ?on? ?earth? ?for? ?an? ?insane? ?number? ?of? ?years? ?

-? ?the? ?top? ?level? ?is? ?ascension? ?in? ?broad? ?daylight,? ?before? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?all.? ? ?

?

For? ?the? ?top? ?tier,? ?the? ?will? ?of? ?the? ?universe? ?usually? ?picks? ?those? ?who? ?have? ?done? ?deeds? ?

so? ?great? ?they? ?have? ?shocked? ?the? ?wheel? ?of? ?fortune,? ?or? ?have? ?the? ?potential? ?to? ?change? ?

the? ?course? ?of? ?history.? ?It’s? ?amoral;? ?the? ?question? ?of? ?whether? ?the? ?deed? ?is? ?right? ?or? ?

wrong? ?is? ?not? ?figured? ?into? ?this,? ?which? ?is? ?why? ?earlier? ?in? ?the? ?book,? ?MXTX? ?said? ?there’s? ?

usually? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?bloodshed? ?involved.? ?

?

Tl;dr:?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?attained? ?enlightenment? ?and? ?shed? ?his? ?mortal? ?body.? ?He? ?did? ?not? ?die.? ?

Everyone? ?knew? ?because? ?of? ?the? ?thunder? ?and? ?lightning.? ?

?

?

————–? ?

Ch.69:? ?Fishing? ?for? ?Offerings;? ?Boor? ?Meets? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

?

“UNVEIL–”? ?

?

Along? ?with? ?the? ?strong,? ?spirited? ?call,? ?an? ?enormous? ?red? ?brocade? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?A? ?

roaring? ?cheer? ?exploded? ?from? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?thousands.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?a? ?golden? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?A? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?a? ?flower? ?in? ?

the? ?other,? ?symbolizing? ?‘The? ?power? ?to? ?end? ?the? ?world? ?but? ?with? ?a? ?heart? ?as? ?gentle? ?as? ?the? ?

flower’.? ?The? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?statue? ?was? ?soft? ?and? ?beautiful,? ?the? ?brows? ?long? ?and? ?elegant,? ?lips? ?

thin? ?and? ?clean,? ?slightly? ?curved,? ?as? ?if? ?smiling.? ?Affectionate? ?but? ?not? ?coquettish,? ?fierce? ?but? ?

not? ?heartless.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?compassionate? ?and? ?handsome? ?face.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?eight? ?thousandth? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?within? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?

Xianle.? ?

?

Three? ?years? ?after? ?ascension,? ?there? ?were? ?eight? ?thousand? ?temples? ?raised? ?in? ?his? ?name.? ?

Such? ?a? ?passionate? ?following? ?was? ?unseen? ?in? ?history? ?and? ?likely? ?would? ?not? ?have? ?anymore? ?

like? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?future;? ?the? ?one? ?and? ?only.? ?

?

However,? ?this? ?eight? ?thousandth? ?temple? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?most? ?glamourous? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?

the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?Atop? ?Mount? ?Taicang,? ?the? ?summit? ?where? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?resided? ?in? ?

his? ?youth? ?during? ?training? ?was? ?renamed? ?‘The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Summit’.? ?It? ?was? ?where? ?the? ?

first? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion? ?was? ?built.? ?Once? ?the? ?first? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?

sculpted,? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?there? ?where? ?the? ?king? ?personally? ?unveiled? ?it.? ?That? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?

the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?five? ?meters? ?high,? ?its? ?craftsmanship? ?legendary.? ?It? ?was? ?built? ?of? ?pure,? ?

solid? ?gold,? ?truly? ?an? ?invaluable? ?‘golden? ?body’.? ? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavillon,? ?devotees? ?were? ?endless,? ?breaking? ?through? ?the? ?threshold.? ?The? ?

incense? ?vessel? ?before? ?the? ?Pavilion? ?were? ?stuffed? ?with? ?incense? ?long? ?and? ?short,? ?and? ?the? ?

donation? ?box? ?was? ?also? ?much? ?bigger? ?than? ?the? ?average? ?donation? ?boxes? ?in? ?other? ?temples? ?

because? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?built? ?big? ?enough,? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?full? ?of? ?offerings? ?before? ?the? ?day’s? ?over? ?

and? ?those? ?who? ?come? ?after? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?donate.? ?In? ?the? ?courtyard? ?of? ?the? ?temple? ?

was? ?a? ?clear? ?pond,? ?also? ?filled? ?with? ?coins,? ?shimmering? ?brightly? ?in? ?the? ?water.? ?Many? ?of? ?the? ?

turtles? ?residing? ?in? ?the? ?ponds? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?peep? ?their? ?heads? ?out? ?anymore? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?

coins? ?that? ?were? ?thrown? ?by? ?the? ?devotees,? ?many? ?bouncing? ?off? ?their? ?shells.? ?No? ?matter? ?how? ?

the? ?cultivators? ?asked? ?the? ?people? ?not? ?to? ?do? ?so? ?they? ?were? ?fruitless.? ?Within? ?the? ?massive? ?red? ?

walls? ?of? ?the? ?temple? ?were? ?planted? ?full? ?of? ?plum? ?trees,? ?the? ?branches? ?tied? ?with? ?countless? ?

bright? ?red? ?ribbons? ?of? ?wishes,? ?painting? ?an? ?impressive? ?scenery? ?of? ?flowing? ?red? ?amongst? ?a? ?

sea? ?of? ?blossoms.? ? ?

?

As? ?for? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?the? ?temple,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?seated? ?just? ?below? ?his? ?divine? ?statue,? ?

watching? ?over? ?the? ?crowd.? ?No? ?one? ?could? ?see? ?him? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?see? ?and? ?hear? ?their? ?chatter:? ?

?

“How? ?come? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?doesn’t? ?have? ?prostration? ?cushions?”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?even? ?the? ?Temple? ?Master? ?said? ?we? ?can’t? ?prostrate.? ?The? ?temple’s? ?already? ?unveiled? ?so? ?

why? ?can’t? ?we? ?prostrate?”? ? ?

?

Another? ?said,? ?“This? ?must? ?be? ?your? ?first? ?time? ?at? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion.? ?The? ?Xianle? ?Pavilions? ?

are? ?all? ?like? ?this.? ?I? ?hear? ?after? ?his? ?royal? ?highness? ?ascended,? ?he? ?sent? ?dreams? ?to? ?many? ?

temple? ?donors,? ?to? ?the? ?Temple? ?Master,? ?telling? ?them? ?not? ?to? ?have? ?the? ?devotees? ?prostrate.? ?

So,? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?Temples? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?have? ?anywhere? ?you? ?can? ?prostrate.”? ?

?

Although? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?see? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?nodded? ?his? ?head.? ?However,? ?a? ?few? ?others? ?

laughed,? ?“What’s? ?the? ?logic? ?in? ?that?? ?Aren’t? ?we? ?meant? ?to? ?prostrate? ?before? ?gods?? ?That? ?

must’ve? ?been? ?a? ?rumour.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?“eh”-ed,? ?another? ?added,? ?“That’s? ?right!? ?We? ?must? ?kneel!? ?Only? ?kneeling? ?can? ?show? ?

our? ?sincerity!”? ?

?

Thus,? ?one? ?took? ?the? ?lead? ?and? ?knelt? ?down,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?a? ?large? ?number? ?of? ?others? ?

followed? ?suit? ?and? ?knelt? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Hundreds? ?and? ?thousands? ?of? ?people? ?

squished? ?inside? ?and? ?outside? ?of? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?and? ?started? ?kowtowing? ?before? ?the? ?divine? ?

statue,? ?their? ?forms? ?rising? ?and? ?falling,? ?muttering? ?and? ?silently? ?praying? ?for? ?blessings.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?quietly? ?hid,? ?‘Nevermind,? ?we’ll? ?take? ?it? ?slowly.’? ? ?

?

The? ?next? ?moment,? ?a? ?large? ?wave? ?of? ?noise? ?came? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?all? ?around.? ?

?

“Achieve? ?a? ?high? ?rank!? ?A? ?high? ?rank!? ?This? ?year? ?I? ?must? ?achieve? ?a? ?high? ?rank!? ?If? ?I? ?obtain? ?it? ?I? ?

will? ?return? ?my? ?gratitude!”? ? ?

?

“Pray? ?for? ?safe? ?passages!”? ?

?

“The? ?girl? ?I? ?like? ?likes? ?my? ?shixiong,? ?please? ?make? ?him? ?uglier,? ?please? ?I? ?beg? ?you.”? ?

?

“I? ?won’t? ?believe? ?I? ?still? ?can’t? ?give? ?birth? ?to? ?a? ?fucking? ?chubby? ?brat!!!”? ? ?

?

...There? ?were? ?all? ?kinds? ?of? ?prayers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?getting? ?a? ?headache? ?just? ?listening,? ?and? ?

hurriedly? ?casted? ?a? ?spell,? ?blocking? ?out? ?those? ?endless? ?voices.? ?His? ?earside? ?only? ?just? ?quieted? ?

down? ?when? ?there? ?was? ?yelling,? ?and? ?a? ?man? ?clad? ?in? ?black? ?came? ?running? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?back? ?

of? ?the? ?pavilion,? ?his? ?hands? ?covering? ?his? ?ears.? ?He? ?roared,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL? ?ARE? ?THOSE? ?

PRAYERS!!!”? ?

?

The? ?devotees? ?also? ?didn’t? ?sense? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?this? ?man? ?and? ?continued? ?kowtowing.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh,? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder? ?and? ?laughed,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?thanks? ?for? ?your? ?

hard? ?work.”? ?

?

Such? ?an? ?exuberant? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion,? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?prayers? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?hear? ?

every? ?day? ?exceeded? ?thousands.? ?At? ?first,? ?he? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?the? ?energy? ?brought? ?forth? ?by? ?

the? ?new? ?position,? ?had? ?little? ?care? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?matters? ?were? ?big? ?or? ?small,? ?and? ?worked? ?

through? ?them? ?personally.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?there? ?were? ?really? ?way? ?too? ?many? ?prayers,? ?so? ?he’d? ?

split? ?off? ?a? ?block? ?and? ?gave? ?them? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?What? ?were? ?within? ?his? ?duties? ?

and? ?what? ?could? ?be? ?ignored,? ?after? ?filtering? ?through? ?the? ?prayers? ?the? ?two? ?would? ?pass? ?over? ?

the? ?important? ?matters? ?back? ?to? ?him.? ? ?

?

After? ?filtering? ?through? ?the? ?prayers? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?report? ?back? ?without? ?ever? ?a? ?complaint,? ?

but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?why? ?there? ?were? ?so? ?many? ?who’d? ?

blindly? ?pray? ?over? ?petty? ?business,? ?even? ?blessings? ?for? ?harmonious? ?bedchamber? ?matters? ?

were? ?brought? ?to? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?is? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?and? ?certainly? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?

care? ?of? ?such? ?things.? ?This? ?kept? ?up? ?and? ?offended? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?too,? ?blaming? ?

them? ?for? ?taking? ?matters? ?they? ?had? ?no? ?control? ?over,? ?taking? ?devotees? ?they? ?had? ?no? ?business? ?

to? ?take,? ?to? ?which? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?rebut.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?had? ?his? ?hands? ?covering? ?his? ?ears,? ?even? ?if? ?that? ?gesture? ?did? ?nothing.? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?why? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?so? ?many? ?female? ?devotees?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?out? ?his? ?sleeves? ?and? ?remained? ?seated? ?within? ?the? ?clouds? ?of? ?incense,? ?

smiling,? ?“What’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?having? ?so? ?many? ?female? ?devotees?? ?Beauties? ?like? ?clouds,? ?

pleasing? ?to? ?the? ?eyes.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?dropped? ?his? ?face,? ?“Not? ?good? ?at? ?all.? ?It’s? ?like? ?those? ?female? ?devotees? ?had? ?no? ?other? ?

prayers? ?than? ?wishing? ?to? ?look? ?nicer,? ?marry? ?nicer,? ?give? ?birth? ?to? ?a? ?nice? ?son.? ?Nothing? ?of? ?

importance,? ?just? ?looking? ?at? ?them? ?gives? ?me? ?a? ?headache!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?continue? ?when? ?suddenly? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?commotion? ?

among? ?the? ?crowds.? ?The? ?two? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?outside? ?the? ?hall? ?and? ?heard? ?someone? ?speak? ?

with? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing? ?has? ?come,? ?let’s? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here!? ?Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing? ?is? ?

here!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?“Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing”,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?everyone? ?heard? ?“The? ?Devil”.? ?All? ?dropped? ?their? ?

faces? ?and? ?dispersed? ?like? ?birds.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?tornado? ?blew? ?by,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?

devotees? ?who? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?hall? ?escaped.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?dressed? ?in? ?lavish? ?

brocade? ?and? ?a? ?cape? ?crossed? ?the? ?threshold? ?swaggering,? ?a? ?glass? ?gem? ?lamp? ?in? ?his? ?hands.? ?

Without? ?looking? ?at? ?his? ?eyes,? ?his? ?face? ?resembled? ?that? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?seeing? ?the? ?eyes,? ?

one? ?would? ?think? ?him? ?overly? ?cocky.? ?It? ?was? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?reached? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?seventeen-eighteen? ?by? ?now,? ?his? ?face? ?broadened,? ?his? ?

disposition? ?much? ?more? ?mature,? ?and? ?finally? ?had? ?an? ?air? ?of? ?nobility.? ?He? ?entered? ?through? ?the? ?

doors? ?but? ?didn’t? ?allow? ?any? ?of? ?his? ?attendants? ?to? ?come? ?in.? ?He? ?held? ?that? ?lamp? ?with? ?both? ?his? ?

hands? ?and? ?knelt? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?clean? ?floors? ?of? ?the? ?hall,? ?his? ?cape? ?fluttering? ?down.? ?He? ?raised? ?

the? ?lamp? ?to? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?solemnly? ?prostrated.? ?The? ?two? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?altar? ?shared? ?a? ?

look.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?smacked? ?his? ?lips? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?the? ?annoyance? ?in? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

Three? ?years? ?ago? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?first? ?left? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?to? ?travel? ?the? ?world,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

was? ?still? ?in? ?detention.? ?After? ?his? ?return,? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?see? ?his? ?little? ?

cousin? ?before? ?he? ?soundly? ?ascended? ?that? ?very? ?night? ?in? ?his? ?sleep.? ?Within? ?those? ?three? ?

years,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sent? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?dreams? ?to? ?his? ?parents,? ?to? ?the? ?Guoshi,? ?and? ?a? ?few? ?

others.? ?He? ?sent? ?one? ?to? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?once,? ?admonishing? ?him? ?to? ?be? ?kind? ?to? ?others? ?from? ?then? ?

on,? ?to? ?keep? ?his? ?behaviour? ?in? ?check? ?and? ?not? ?to? ?cause? ?trouble.? ?Thus,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?been? ?

doing? ?his? ?utmost? ?to? ?build? ?temples? ?everywhere,? ?offering? ?donations? ?and? ?lamps? ?for? ?good? ?

merits.? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?worked? ?hard,? ?sincere? ?to? ?the? ?bones,? ?but? ?he? ?would? ?still? ?stir? ?up? ?trouble? ?every? ?

now? ?and? ?then,? ?and? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?had? ?to? ?go? ?clean? ?up? ?after? ?him.? ?Because? ?of? ?

this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?understand? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?annoyance.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?floor,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?finished? ?paying? ?his? ?respects? ?and? ?started? ?whining,? ?“Cousin? ?Crown? ?

Prince,? ?this? ?is? ?the? ?five? ?hundredth? ?lamp? ?I’ve? ?offered.? ?I’m? ?such? ?a? ?loyal? ?little? ?brother,? ?when? ?

will? ?you? ?come? ?see? ?me?? ?Even? ?a? ?dream? ?is? ?fine.? ?Uncle? ?and? ?auntie? ?both? ?miss? ?you? ?dearly? ?but? ?

you? ?only? ?ignore? ?us.? ?Truly? ?high? ?and? ?mighty? ?and? ?cold.”? ? ?

?

He? ?did? ?not? ?notice? ?at? ?all? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?right? ?there,? ?reminding? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Don’t? ?pay? ?

attention? ?to? ?him.? ?The? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?had? ?told? ?you? ?that? ?unless? ?it’s? ?a? ?matter? ?of? ?

importance,? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?are? ?not? ?allowed? ?to? ?show? ?themselves? ?privately? ?before? ?

mortals.? ?Families? ?must? ?be? ?avoided.”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?worry,? ?I? ?know.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?holding? ?that? ?lamp,? ?reached? ?for? ?a? ?brush? ?and? ?started? ?writing? ?on? ?

that? ?lamp? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?lowered.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?felt? ?bad? ?so? ?they? ?approached? ?to? ?

see? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?writing.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?something? ?normal? ?like? ?‘Pray? ?for? ?the? ?

country’s? ?prosperity? ?and? ?blessed? ?climate’? ?etc.,? ?and? ?not? ?praying? ?for? ?some? ?family? ?to? ?be? ?

beheaded? ?before? ?the? ?marketplace? ?or? ?some? ?such,? ?the? ?two? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh.? ?Watching? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?write? ?so? ?carefully? ?and? ?properly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?reminded? ?of? ?something.? ?

?

When? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?first? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?palace? ?with? ?his? ?mother,? ?there? ?was? ?once? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?

royals? ?and? ?nobles? ?mounted? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?to? ?pray? ?for? ?blessings.? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?mother? ?was? ?

a? ?returnee? ?after? ?having? ?eloped? ?with? ?a? ?lowly? ?peasant? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?see? ?anyone,? ?but? ?

she? ?always? ?wanted? ?blessings? ?for? ?her? ?son,? ?have? ?him? ?experience? ?the? ?world,? ?and? ?not? ?

stuffed? ?inside? ?like? ?herself? ?turning? ?into? ?an? ?ignorant? ?nobody,? ?so? ?she? ?begged? ?the? ?queen? ?to? ?

bring? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?along.? ? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?was? ?already? ?kept? ?fairly? ?low-key,? ?but? ?a? ?royal? ?scandal? ?went? ?around? ?faster? ?than? ?

an? ?arrow,? ?and? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?who? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?happened? ?

to? ?that? ?pair? ?of? ?mother? ?and? ?son.? ?Thus,? ?along? ?the? ?way,? ?many? ?sons? ?of? ?nobles? ?purposely? ?left? ?

Qi? ?Rong? ?out,? ?not? ?playing? ?with? ?or? ?talking? ?to? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?a? ?swingset? ?and? ?ran? ?over? ?to? ?

play,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?children? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?age? ?ran? ?after? ?him,? ?taking? ?turns? ?to? ?push? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?on? ?the? ?swings,? ?taking? ?it? ?as? ?an? ?honourable? ?task.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?swung? ?to? ?the? ?

highest? ?point,? ?he? ?subconsciously? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?saw? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?hiding? ?behind? ?his? ?

mother’s? ?shadow,? ?a? ?head? ?peeking? ?out,? ?watching? ?him? ?with? ?envy.? ?

?

Once? ?they? ?reached? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?the? ?grown? ?ups,? ?after? ?having? ?offered? ?lights,? ?

moved? ?to? ?beg? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?for? ?fortunes,? ?for? ?deciphering? ?their? ?fortunes,? ?and? ?conversed? ?

amongst? ?themselves,? ?leaving? ?the? ?children? ?within? ?the? ?hall? ?to? ?offer? ?up? ?small? ?lamps? ?for? ?play.? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?first? ?time? ?meeting? ?the? ?queen? ?and? ?did? ?not? ?know? ?she? ?had? ?already? ?offered? ?

a? ?light? ?in? ?his? ?and? ?his? ?mother’s? ?name.? ?He? ?saw? ?how? ?beautiful? ?the? ?lamps? ?were? ?and? ?wanted? ?

to? ?offer? ?one? ?up? ?for? ?blessings? ?too.? ?He? ?was? ?young? ?and? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?much,? ?so? ?he? ?

asked? ?all? ?those? ?around? ?how? ?to? ?write? ?words? ?of? ?prayer? ?for? ?his? ?mother.? ?The? ?children? ?from? ?Qi? ?

Rong’s? ?branch? ?of? ?the? ?family? ?already? ?detested? ?him,? ?under? ?the? ?influence? ?from? ?their? ?elders,? ?

they? ?all? ?thought? ?that? ?mother? ?and? ?son? ?had? ?shamed? ?the? ?family? ?so? ?they? ?intentionally? ?tricked? ?

him.? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finished? ?writing? ?on? ?his? ?lamp? ?and? ?put? ?down? ?the? ?brush,? ?he? ?heard? ?malicious? ?

giggling? ?from? ?behind,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?he? ?saw? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?

covered? ?in? ?ink,? ?held? ?a? ?lamp? ?like? ?a? ?precious? ?treasure,? ?his? ?face? ?full? ?of? ?smiles,? ?about? ?to? ?offer? ?

the? ?light.? ?Yet? ?on? ?that? ?lamp,? ?the? ?words? ?“Pray? ?My? ?Mother? ?and? ?I? ?Pass? ?Away? ?to? ?the? ?Heavens,? ?

Qi? ?Rong’? ?were? ?written? ?in? ?ugly? ?scribbles.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?broke? ?that? ?lamp? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?furious? ?and? ?outraged.? ? ?

?

He? ?wasn’t? ?very? ?old? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?but? ?all? ?the? ?noble? ?young? ?men? ?and? ?children? ?were? ?terrified,? ?

prostrating? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?afraid? ?to? ?speak.? ?After? ?containing? ?himself,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?personally? ?

rewrote? ?prayers? ?on? ?a? ?new? ?lamp? ?for? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?dared? ?play? ?any? ?tricks? ?after? ?that.? ?

Later? ?when? ?they? ?descended? ?the? ?mountain? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?to? ?swing? ?on? ?the? ?swings? ?again.? ?

This? ?time,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?emerged? ?from? ?behind? ?the? ?queen? ?and? ?pushed? ?him.? ?He? ?was? ?shorter? ?

than? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?he? ?pushed? ?especially? ?enthusiastically,? ?still? ?gazing? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?below,? ?

only? ?this? ?gaze? ?had? ?changed? ?into? ?one? ?of? ?worship.? ?After? ?that,? ?he? ?became? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?tail,? ?

wagging? ?behind? ?his? ?‘cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince’.? ? ?

?

It? ?must? ?be? ?said? ?that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?once? ?been? ?somewhat? ?normal,? ?but? ?somehow? ?had? ?

become? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?off? ?the? ?track? ?along? ?the? ?way.? ?However? ?in? ?those? ?three? ?years,? ?there? ?

were? ?too? ?many? ?people? ?and? ?too? ?many? ?matters? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?must? ?care? ?for,? ?and? ?had? ?no? ?time? ?for? ?

relations? ?of? ?old,? ?and? ?certainly? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?if? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?matured.? ?

?

Whilst? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?reminiscing,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?already? ?offered? ?his? ?light? ?and? ?was? ?getting? ?

ready? ?to? ?leave? ?the? ?hall.? ?Unexpected,? ?as? ?he? ?backed? ?away,? ?he? ?bumped? ?into? ?another.? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?staggered? ?then? ?whipped? ?around,? ?and? ?started? ?cussing? ?without? ?even? ?seeing? ?who? ?it? ?

was,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL?? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?BLIND? ?OR? ?DID? ?YOU? ?DIE? ?ON? ?THE? ?SPOT? ?

FORGETTING? ?TO? ?MOVE?”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?both? ?covered? ?their? ?faces,? ?

thinking:? ?‘He? ?hasn’t? ?changed? ?at? ?all,? ?still? ?the? ?same!’? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?lived? ?with? ?his? ?father? ?until? ?he? ?was? ?five,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?

influenced? ?by? ?the? ?rowdy? ?market? ?environment? ?and? ?his? ?father’s? ?violent? ?temper,? ?but? ?even? ?

after? ?when? ?the? ?queen? ?patiently? ?tried? ?to? ?educate? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?gets? ?agitated,? ?

by? ?the? ?Guoshi’s? ?words,? ?he’d? ?‘reveal? ?his? ?true? ?form’.? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?bumped? ?into? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?an? ?unkempt? ?young? ?man,? ?of? ?twenty-four? ?or? ?five? ?

years,? ?carrying? ?a? ?simple? ?satchel,? ?his? ?straw? ?slippers? ?so? ?worn? ?it? ?was? ?almost? ?rimless? ?and? ?

baseless,? ?covered? ?in? ?dust.? ?However,? ?even? ?though? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?wan? ?and? ?sallow,? ?

his? ?lips? ?dried? ?and? ?cracking,? ?his? ?form? ?slumping,? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?bright,? ?thin? ?but? ?not? ?weak,? ?

and? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?shining? ?bright.? ? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?this? ?place?”? ?He? ?asked.? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion,? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince!”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?replied.? ?

?

That? ?man? ?started? ?mumbling,? ?“Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince?? ?Crown? ?Prince?? ?So? ?this? ?is? ?the? ?

palace?”? ?He? ?saw? ?the? ?divine? ?statue? ?inside,? ?the? ?gold? ?reflecting? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?he? ?asked? ?

again,? ?“Is? ?that? ?gold?”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?how? ?glamourous? ?the? ?pavilion? ?was,? ?he? ?had? ?taken? ?the? ?temple? ?as? ?the? ?royal? ?palace.? ?

A? ?guard? ?approached? ?to? ?chase? ?him? ?away? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?said,? ?“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?gold.? ?The? ?

Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?is? ?a? ?temple,? ?not? ?the? ?pavilion? ?at? ?the? ?imperial? ?palace!? ?You? ?

don’t? ?even? ?know? ?where? ?you? ?are,? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?barbarian? ?come? ?from?”? ?

?

“Then? ?where’s? ?the? ?palace?”? ?That? ?man? ?asked.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?squinted? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Why? ?do? ?you? ?ask?”? ?

?

That? ?man? ?replied? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone,? ?“I? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?palace? ?and? ?see? ?the? ?king.? ?I? ?have? ?

something? ?to? ?tell? ?him.”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?the? ?guards? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?their? ?expressions? ?condescending,? ?“Where? ?

did? ?this? ?country? ?bumpkin? ?come? ?from?? ?You? ?want? ?to? ?do? ?what? ?at? ?the? ?palace?? ?Want? ?to? ?see? ?

the? ?king?? ?Is? ?he? ?someone? ?you? ?can? ?see? ?just? ?because? ?you? ?want? ?to?? ?They? ?probably? ?won’t? ?

even? ?let? ?you? ?through? ?the? ?gates? ?when? ?you? ?get? ?there.”? ?

?

That? ?man? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?affected? ?by? ?the? ?taunt,? ?“I’ll? ?go? ?try.? ?Maybe? ?it’ll? ?work.”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?laughed,? ?“Then? ?go? ?try!”? ?Then? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?purposely? ?pointed? ?in? ?the? ?

wrong? ?direction.? ? ?

?

“Thanks.”? ?That? ?man? ?said,? ?adjusted? ?his? ?satchel,? ?then? ?turned? ?to? ?walk? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hall.? ?When? ?

he? ?reached? ?the? ?stone? ?bridge,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?Through? ?the? ?clear? ?pond? ?

water,? ?layers? ?upon? ?layers? ?of? ?coins? ?could? ?be? ?seen? ?sunken? ?below.? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?pondered? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?leapt? ?

over? ?the? ?bridge? ?railing? ?and? ?jumped? ?into? ?the? ?pond.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?agile? ?and? ?skilled;? ?once? ?in? ?the? ?pond,? ?he? ?bent? ?down? ?and? ?started? ?fishing? ?up? ?bundles? ?

and? ?bundles? ?of? ?coins,? ?stuffing? ?them? ?into? ?the? ?satchel? ?in? ?his? ?arms.? ?Since? ?they? ?had? ?never? ?

seen? ?anyone? ?who? ?dared? ?rob? ?the? ?offerings? ?of? ?a? ?god,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?were? ?both? ?

stunned.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?also? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?immediately? ?erupted? ?in? ?anger,? ?rushing? ?to? ?

the? ?bridge? ?and? ?slapped? ?at? ?the? ?railing,? ?yelling,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK!? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?

DOING?!? ?SOMEONE? ?PULL? ?HIM? ?OUT!!!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?ACTUAL? ?FUCK!!!”? ?

?

A? ?number? ?of? ?guards? ?immediately? ?jumped? ?into? ?the? ?water? ?to? ?pull? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?out,? ?but? ?

unexpectedly,? ?he? ?was? ?also? ?quite? ?skilled,? ?throwing? ?punches? ?and? ?kicks,? ?not? ?letting? ?anyone? ?

close.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?jumping? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?in? ?rage,? ?and? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?cultivators? ?in? ?the? ?yard? ?

could? ?do? ?anything.? ?That? ?young? ?man? ?fished? ?up? ?a? ?bag? ?full? ?and? ?heavy? ?with? ?coins,? ?carried? ?

his? ?satchel? ?anew? ?and? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?climb? ?ashore? ?but? ?accidentally? ?stepped? ?on? ?moss,? ?his? ?

feet? ?slipped,? ?and? ?fell? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?waters? ?in? ?a? ?large? ?splash.? ?The? ?guards? ?thus? ?took? ?this? ?

chance? ?to? ?seize? ?him,? ?wrangling? ?him? ?back? ?ashore.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?raised? ?his? ?leg? ?to? ?stomp,? ?

yelling,? ?“YOU? ?DARE? ?STEAL? ?THIS? ?MONEY!”? ?

?

When? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?raised? ?his? ?leg,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?already? ?standing? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?catching? ?the? ?

right? ?moment? ?and? ?blocked,? ?so? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?stomp? ?was? ?vicious? ?but? ?it? ?actually? ?

landed? ?lightly.? ?Although? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?the? ?one? ?playing? ?tricks,? ?he? ?still? ?felt? ?

something? ?was? ?off,? ?like? ?a? ?ghost? ?clinging? ?to? ?his? ?leg.? ?He? ?kicked? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times? ?and? ?it? ?

was? ?the? ?same? ?feeling,? ?making? ?him? ?feel? ?rather? ?lousy.? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?choked? ?on? ?water? ?and? ?coughed? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?“That? ?

money? ?was? ?just? ?lying? ?there? ?in? ?the? ?pond,? ?why? ?can’t? ?I? ?use? ?it? ?to? ?save? ?people?”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong,? ?unsatisfied? ?by? ?his? ?kicks,? ?finally? ?stopped? ?from? ?irritation,? ?“Save? ?who?? ?Who? ?are? ?

you?? ?Where’d? ?you? ?come? ?from?”? ? ?

?

He? ?only? ?asked? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?sentence? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?to? ?a? ?crime? ?and? ?throw? ?him? ?into? ?

prison,? ?but? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?still? ?answered? ?honestly,? ?“My? ?name? ?is? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?I’m? ?from? ?

Yong’an.? ?We’re? ?going? ?through? ?a? ?drought,? ?there’s? ?no? ?water,? ?the? ?crops? ?won’t? ?grow,? ?and? ?

everyone’s? ?starving? ?because? ?there’s? ?no? ?income.? ?There’s? ?water? ?here,? ?and? ?food,? ?and? ?

money.? ?You? ?use? ?gold? ?to? ?build? ?statues,? ?throw? ?coins? ?into? ?water,? ?so? ?why? ?can’t? ?you? ?share? ?

some? ?with? ?us?”? ?

?

Yong’an? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?city? ?within? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?his? ?

expression? ?serious,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?there’s? ?a? ?drought? ?in? ?Yong’an?? ?How? ?come? ?I? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?of? ?

this?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?anything? ?either.? ?Let’s? ?ask? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?later?”? ? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.70:? ?Fallen? ?Golden? ?Statue;? ?Boor? ?Buries? ?Suffering? ?Son? ?

?

“Call? ?him? ?over? ?right? ?this? ?instant.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?closed? ?the? ?index? ?and? ?middle? ?fingers? ?of? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?together? ?and? ?pressed? ?

them? ?against? ?his? ?temple,? ?connecting? ?with? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array.? ?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“So? ?you? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?that? ?remote? ?place? ?

Yong’an?? ?Truly,? ?barren? ?lands? ?produce? ?unruly? ?radicals.? ?Think? ?you? ?can? ?rob? ?the? ?gods? ?just? ?

because? ?you’re? ?poor?”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?I? ?won’t? ?rob,”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?said,? ?“I? ?will? ?pay? ?my? ?respects? ?and? ?worship? ?this? ?god? ?of? ?yours? ?

right? ?now.? ?I? ?will? ?kneel? ?and? ?kowtow? ?and? ?beg? ?him? ?to? ?give? ?me? ?money? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?lives? ?of? ?the? ?

people? ?of? ?my? ?hometown,? ?but? ?will? ?he? ?do? ?so?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?“eh”-ed? ?and? ?muttered? ?mentally? ?thinking? ?this? ?guy? ?wouldn’t? ?actually? ?run? ?away? ?with? ?

all? ?the? ?money? ?like? ?it’s? ?his? ?right?!? ?Thus? ?he? ?replied,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?has? ?

become? ?a? ?god? ?now,? ?and? ?gods? ?are? ?busy? ?to? ?death!? ?Who? ?has? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?mind? ?you? ?

radicals?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?nodded? ?slowly,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?he’d? ?care? ?either.? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?we? ?

never? ?prayed? ?nor? ?begged,? ?but? ?it? ?didn’t? ?work? ?at? ?all.? ?Those? ?who? ?are? ?meant? ?to? ?die? ?will? ?still? ?

die,”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shaken,? ?and? ?another? ?cultivator? ?shouted,? ?“YOU!? ?TO? ?BE? ?SO? ?

DISRESPECTFUL? ?IN? ?THE? ?HALLS? ?OF? ?GOD,? ?AREN’T? ?YOU? ?AFRAID? ?OF? ?HEAVEN’S? ?

CONVICTIONS!”? ?

?

However,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?replied,? ?“It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?anymore.? ?Convict? ?me? ?if? ?they? ?must.? ?I’m? ?no? ?

longer? ?afraid? ?of? ?not? ?being? ?saved,? ?so? ?why? ?should? ?I? ?be? ?afraid? ?of? ?being? ?convicted?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?gave? ?a? ?wave? ?and? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?guards? ?waiting? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?rushed? ?forward,? ?

surrounded? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?and? ?started? ?beating? ?him? ?down.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?still? ?working? ?to? ?

soften? ?their? ?attacks? ?and? ?it? ?only? ?appeared? ?like? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?being? ?pulverized.? ?However,? ?

he? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?dazed? ?state,? ?not? ?avoiding? ?or? ?evading,? ?and? ?only? ?occasionally? ?raised? ?his? ?

hands? ?to? ?protect? ?the? ?satchel? ?on? ?his? ?back.? ?On? ?the? ?side,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?grabbed? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?

melon? ?seeds? ?and? ?munched,? ?shaking? ?his? ?leg,? ?“HIT? ?HIM!? ?HIT? ?HIM? ?HARD? ?IN? ?THE? ?NAME? ?

OF? ?THIS? ?PRINCE!”? ?Truly? ?the? ?very? ?image? ?of? ?a? ?mobster.? ?Hearing? ?him? ?call? ?his? ?own? ?title,? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?shot? ?his? ?head? ?up,? ?“You’re? ?a? ?prince?? ?Prince? ?of? ?what?? ?Do? ?you? ?live? ?in? ?the? ?

palace?? ?Can? ?you? ?meet? ?the? ?king?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?spat,? ?“I’M? ?YOUR? ?GRAND? ?DADDY!? ?You? ?still? ?think? ?you? ?can? ?see? ?the? ?king,? ?don’t? ?

you?? ?His? ?majesty’s? ?got? ?a? ?million? ?things? ?on? ?his? ?plate,? ?he? ?ain’t? ?got? ?time? ?for? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?twisted? ?his? ?neck? ?and? ?demanded? ?stubbornly,? ?“Why? ?hasn’t? ?he? ?got? ?time? ?for? ?me?? ?

The? ?gods? ?don’t? ?have? ?time? ?for? ?me? ?and? ?neither? ?does? ?his? ?majesty,? ?then? ?who? ?has? ?time? ?to? ?

hear? ?me?? ?Just? ?who? ?should? ?I? ?go? ?to?? ?Does? ?the? ?king? ?know? ?just? ?how? ?many? ?has? ?died? ?in? ?

Yong’an?? ?Do? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?know?? ?If? ?they? ?knew,? ?why? ?would? ?they? ?rather? ?

throw? ?money? ?in? ?the? ?water? ?than? ?giving? ?it? ?to? ?us?”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?chuckled? ?coldly,? ?“It’s? ?our? ?money,? ?we’ll? ?spend? ?it? ?as? ?we? ?will.? ?Even? ?if? ?we? ?use? ?it? ?like? ?

stone? ?to? ?skip? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?water? ?it’s? ?nobody’s? ?business,? ?so? ?why? ?do? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?give? ?it? ?to? ?you?? ?

What,? ?you’ve? ?more? ?reason? ?just? ?because? ?you’re? ?poor?”? ? ?

?

Although? ?that’s? ?got? ?logic? ?in? ?its? ?own? ?way,? ?it? ?was? ?incredibly? ?inappropriate? ?for? ?that? ?time? ?and? ?

place.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?find? ?away? ?to? ?seal? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?mouth? ?when? ?just? ?then,? ?a? ?black? ?

clad? ?youth? ?appeared? ?in? ?a? ?hurry? ?from? ?just? ?behind? ?the? ?pavilion,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?sent? ?for? ?

me?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?him? ?over,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?come? ?over? ?here? ?quick.? ?In? ?all? ?the? ?prayers? ?you’ve? ?

received? ?recently? ?have? ?you? ?heard? ?anything? ?about? ?the? ?drought? ?in? ?Yong’an?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?also? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“No,? ?I? ?haven’t? ?heard? ?anything.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?blurted? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?his? ?task,? ?“How? ?could? ?you? ?not?? ?The? ?refugees? ?have? ?

already? ?escaped? ?here!”? ?

?

His? ?tone? ?was? ?overly? ?accusatory? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?stiffened.? ?He? ?replied? ?in? ?a? ?hard? ?voice,? ?“I? ?told? ?

the? ?truth,? ?there? ?really? ?wasn’t.? ?Are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?I’m? ?purposely? ?withholding? ?

information?? ?Well,? ?did? ?you? ?receive? ?anything? ?yourself?? ?I’m? ?on? ?duty? ?at? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince? ?on? ?odd? ?months,? ?and? ?you’re? ?on? ?duty? ?on? ?even? ?months.? ?If? ?there? ?really? ?were? ?

people? ?from? ?Yong’an? ?praying? ?for? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?a? ?drought,? ?there’s? ?no? ?reason? ?all? ?the? ?drought? ?

related? ?prayers? ?were? ?sent? ?in? ?on? ?odd? ?months,? ?and? ?you? ?knew? ?nothing.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?paused? ?and? ?realized? ?that? ?was? ?certainly? ?the? ?case,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?say? ?you? ?did? ?it? ?on? ?

purpose.? ?You? ?think? ?too? ?much.”? ?

?

Seeming? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?ready? ?to? ?start? ?quarrelling? ?again,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gestured? ?a? ?‘pause’? ?

hand? ?signal? ?in? ?annoyance,? ?“Alright,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?anything.? ?Both? ?of? ?you? ?stop? ?this? ?

instant.”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?immediately? ?closed? ?their? ?mouths? ?and? ?stopped? ?fighting.? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?finally? ?got? ?tired? ?of? ?watching? ?his? ?subordinates? ?beat? ?up? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?and? ?grabbed? ?for? ?a? ?

small? ?pouch? ?to? ?dump? ?all? ?the? ?melon? ?seed? ?shells? ?while? ?saying,? ?“Drag? ?that? ?robbing? ?crook? ?to? ?

the? ?prison? ?and? ?lock? ?him? ?up.”? ?The? ?guards? ?acknowledged? ?the? ?command,? ?“Yes? ?sir!”? ?And? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?them? ?picked? ?up? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ? ?

?

“Let’s? ?deal? ?with? ?the? ?problem? ?at? ?hand? ?first.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Save? ?this? ?man? ?and? ?I’ll? ?ask? ?him? ?

about? ?Yong’an? ?properly? ?later.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?relaxed? ?his? ?expression? ?and? ?asked? ?cautiously,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?plan? ?

to? ?do?? ?You? ?can’t? ?just? ?casually? ?show? ?yourself.”? ?

?

After? ?ascension,? ?that? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?rules? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?understand.? ?The? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?said? ?they? ?need? ?to? ?help? ?the? ?common? ?people,? ?yet? ?they? ?all? ?put? ?on? ?airs? ?and? ?

position? ?themselves? ?above? ?mortals,? ?barring? ?themselves? ?from? ?appearing? ?before? ?the? ?

mortals? ?at? ?will,? ?which? ?often? ?restricted? ?him? ?left? ?right? ?and? ?centre,? ?causing? ?much? ?frustration.? ?

Good? ?thing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?had? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?ways? ?to? ?get? ?around? ?this,? ?and? ?without? ?blinking,? ?

he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?pushed.? ?The? ?people? ?standing? ?just? ?ahead? ?noticed? ?the? ?shadows? ?on? ?

the? ?ground? ?shaking? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?confused.? ?The? ?next? ?moment,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?yelled? ?in? ?

horror,? ?“COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE–”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?pushed? ?his? ?own? ?divine? ?statue? ?over!? ?

?

That? ?sword? ?and? ?flower? ?holding,? ?kind? ?and? ?beautiful? ?golden? ?statue? ?swayed? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?

then? ?slowly? ?toppled? ?to? ?its? ?side.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?saw? ?his? ?own? ?mother? ?kick? ?off? ?the? ?

stool? ?after? ?hanging? ?herself,? ?his? ?heart? ?bursting,? ?and? ?had? ?lost? ?all? ?mind? ?to? ?care? ?for? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

as? ?he? ?rushed? ?desperately? ?to? ?grab? ?hold? ?of? ?the? ?leg? ?to? ?that? ?statue,? ?stubbornly? ?trying? ?to? ?keep? ?

it? ?upright,? ?screaming? ?in? ?fright,? ?“WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?USELESS? ?TRASH? ?ALL? ?WAITING? ?

FOR?? ?HELP? ?ME? ?HOLD? ?HIM? ?UP!? ?DON’T? ?LET? ?COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE? ?FALL!!? ?HE? ?

CAN’T? ?FALL!!!”? ? ?

?

While? ?he? ?was? ?terrified,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?by? ?him? ?calmly? ?and? ?casually? ?and? ?stepped? ?out? ?of? ?

the? ?hall.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?faces? ?both? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?It? ?took? ?a? ?moment? ?

before? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?cried,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?THAT? ?WAS? ?YOUR? ?OWN? ?DIVINE? ?

STATUE!”? ?

?

Something? ?like? ?a? ?fallen? ?statue? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?bad? ?omen? ?so? ?it’s? ?somewhat? ?of? ?a? ?taboo.? ?A? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?who’d? ?push? ?over? ?his? ?own? ?statue? ?just? ?like? ?that? ?was? ?unheard? ?of,? ?a? ?rarity? ?of? ?

the? ?three? ?realms.? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?only? ?a? ?large? ?chunk? ?of? ?gold.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“If? ?I? ?didn’t? ?do? ?this? ?their? ?attention? ?wouldn’t? ?

shift? ?otherwise.? ?You? ?two? ?go? ?and? ?keep? ?pushing? ?down? ?on? ?that? ?golden? ?statue,? ?don’t? ?give? ?

them? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?leave.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?meet? ?with? ?that? ?man.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?still? ?speechless? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?obey.? ?They? ?obediently? ?stood? ?

next? ?to? ?that? ?divine? ?statue,? ?each? ?using? ?but? ?a? ?finger? ?to? ?press? ?it? ?down.? ?They? ?only? ?needed? ?to? ?

use? ?that? ?bit? ?of? ?power? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?enough.? ?The? ?ones? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?holding? ?on? ?had? ?to? ?

use? ?every? ?ounce? ?of? ?their? ?strength? ?and? ?still? ?they? ?could? ?only? ?keep? ?the? ?status? ?quo,? ?their? ?

teeth? ?gritting,? ?“...? ?this? ?is? ?indeed? ?pure? ?gold? ?through? ?and? ?through,? ?such? ?weight!”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying,? ?who? ?had? ?fallen? ?on? ?his? ?bottom,? ?saw? ?that? ?those? ?guards? ?were? ?no? ?longer? ?

attending? ?to? ?him,? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?golden? ?shine? ?of? ?that? ?divine? ?statue? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?before? ?

he? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?dusted? ?himself? ?off,? ?and? ?ran? ?away? ?carrying? ?his? ?satchel.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

followed? ?behind? ?him.? ?He? ?ran? ?for? ?quite? ?a? ?distance? ?and? ?entered? ?a? ?lush? ?and? ?heavy? ?forest,? ?

looked? ?around? ?him,? ?before? ?sitting? ?down? ?under? ?a? ?tree? ?to? ?rest.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hid? ?behind? ?that? ?

tree,? ?easily? ?casted? ?a? ?spell? ?and? ?transformed? ?into? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?a? ?little? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator.? ?

?

After? ?changing,? ?he? ?looked? ?himself? ?over,? ?making? ?sure? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?amiss,? ?and? ?

swung? ?the? ?whisk.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?how? ?he? ?should? ?appear? ?without? ?alarm? ?when? ?he? ?

saw? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?squat? ?next? ?to? ?a? ?puddle? ?by? ?the? ?tree,? ?his? ?head? ?down? ?and? ?using? ?his? ?hands? ?to? ?

dig? ?at? ?it.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man’s? ?hands? ?were? ?large,? ?and? ?one? ?gouge? ?was? ?enough? ?to? ?create? ?a? ?wide? ?and? ?

deep? ?dent.? ?Mud? ?and? ?dust? ?flew? ?as? ?he? ?dug,? ?looking? ?very? ?much? ?like? ?a? ?thin? ?black? ?feral? ?dog.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?wondering? ?why? ?he? ?was? ?suddenly? ?digging? ?holes? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?him? ?wipe? ?

off? ?mud? ?on? ?his? ?pants,? ?scooped? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?water? ?with? ?both? ?hands,? ?and? ?brought? ?it? ?to? ?his? ?

lips.? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?hide? ?anymore? ?and? ?rushed? ?out,? ?stopped? ?his? ?hand,? ?took? ?out? ?

a? ?water? ?bottle? ?from? ?his? ?charmed? ?sleeves,? ?and? ?passed? ?it? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?already? ?had? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?that? ?puddle? ?water,? ?his? ?cheeks? ?round? ?then? ?

swallowed.? ?He? ?watched? ?the? ?little? ?cultivator? ?who? ?had? ?appeared? ?too? ?suddenly,? ?didn’t? ?think? ?

it? ?strange? ?and? ?didn’t? ?reject? ?his? ?offer,? ?and? ?took? ?the? ?water? ?bottle? ?to? ?drink,? ?gulping? ?down? ?the? ?

entire? ?contents? ?in? ?one? ?go.? ?He? ?only? ?uttered? ?after? ?he? ?finished,? ?“Thanks.”? ?

?

Since? ?he? ?already? ?abruptly? ?appeared,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?caring? ?for? ?any? ?natural? ?opening.? ?

He? ?tried? ?his? ?best? ?to? ?swing? ?that? ?whisk? ?like? ?a? ?practiced? ?immortal,? ?someone? ?trustworthy,? ?and? ?

asked,? ?“My? ?friend,? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?from? ?and? ?where? ?are? ?you? ?going?”? ? ?

?

“We? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?Bay? ?of? ?Lang-Er? ?in? ?the? ?city? ?of? ?Yong’an.? ?I? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?royal? ?

palace,? ?but? ?I’ve? ?changed? ?my? ?mind.? ?I’m? ?not? ?going? ?anymore.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“We?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?nodded,? ?“We.? ?Me,? ?and? ?my? ?son.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?growing? ?even? ?more? ?confused,? ?but? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?dropping.? ?He? ?watched? ?as? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?removed? ?that? ?satchel? ?from? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?opened? ?it,? ?“My? ?son.”? ?

?

Inside? ?that? ?satchel? ?he? ?was? ?carrying? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?was? ?the? ?dead? ?body? ?of? ?a? ?small? ?child!!!? ?

?

That? ?infant? ?was? ?a? ?tiny? ?creature,? ?looking? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?two? ?or? ?three? ?years? ?of? ?age.? ?His? ?face? ?

was? ?yellow,? ?his? ?cheeks? ?sallow,? ?and? ?his? ?head? ?had? ?a? ?few? ?strands? ?of? ?thin? ?and? ?yellowing? ?

hairs? ?stuck? ?to? ?it.? ?There? ?were? ?even? ?rashes.? ?That? ?little? ?face? ?was? ?twisted? ?into? ?a? ?strange? ?

expression,? ?as? ?if? ?crying,? ?very? ?much? ?miserable.? ?His? ?eyes? ?were? ?already? ?closed? ?but? ?the? ?

mouth? ?was? ?open,? ?nevertheless? ?no? ?longer? ?able? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?sound.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?pupils? ?shrank,? ?his? ?spirit? ?shocked? ?to? ?the? ?core,? ?unable? ?to? ?speak.? ?No? ?wonder? ?he? ?

had? ?felt? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?had? ?a? ?strange? ?air? ?about? ?him.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?describe? ?what? ?that? ?

strangeness? ?was,? ?but? ?just? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?abnormal.? ?The? ?way? ?he? ?spoke,? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?

behaved,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?consider? ?consequences? ?at? ?all,? ?blunt? ?and? ?berserk? ?without? ?a? ?

care.? ?But,? ?by? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?things,? ?for? ?what? ?did? ?he? ?need? ?to? ?consider? ?consequences?? ? ?

?

After? ?showing? ?off? ?his? ?son,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wrapped? ?his? ?child? ?anew,? ?and? ?carefully? ?stringed? ?up? ?

the? ?fringes.? ?Watching? ?how? ?focused? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?his? ?action,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?miserable.? ?It? ?was? ?

his? ?very? ?first? ?time? ?seeing? ?the? ?dead? ?body? ?of? ?such? ?a? ?young? ?infant,? ?and? ?he? ?asked,? ?

stammering,? ?“How...? ?how? ?did? ?your? ?son? ?die?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?adjusted? ?the? ?satchel? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?replied,? ?bemused,? ?“How? ?did? ?he? ?die...? ?I? ?

don’t? ?know? ?how? ?he? ?died.? ?Thirsty,? ?hungry,? ?sick,? ?maybe? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?everything.”? ? ?

?

He? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?“When? ?I? ?first? ?carried? ?him? ?out? ?of? ?Yong’an? ?he? ?would? ?still? ?cough? ?a? ?

bit,? ?and? ?called? ?‘Dad!,? ?Dad!’? ?on? ?my? ?back.? ?Gradually? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?more? ?cries,? ?only? ?

coughing.? ?And? ?then? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?more? ?coughs.? ?I? ?thought? ?he’d? ?fallen? ?asleep.? ?Later? ?

when? ?I? ?found? ?something? ?to? ?eat? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?wake? ?him? ?up,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?wake? ?up.”? ? ?

?

That? ?child? ?had? ?died? ?on? ?the? ?road? ?of? ?escape.? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?children.? ?If? ?my? ?wife? ?knew? ?

our? ?son? ?died? ?she’d? ?yell? ?at? ?me? ?to? ?death.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?he? ?added,? ?“I? ?really? ?wish? ?my? ?wife? ?could? ?still? ?yell? ?at? ?me.”? ?

?

His? ?expression? ?had? ?been? ?calm? ?the? ?entire? ?time,? ?like? ?a? ?branch? ?off? ?a? ?withered? ?tree;? ?a? ?pool? ?of? ?

dead? ?water? ?without? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?life? ?or? ?ripples.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throat? ?tightened? ?unable? ?to? ?

swallow,? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?voice,? ?“Why...? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?bury? ?him.”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?nodded,? ?“Yea.? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?pick? ?a? ?nice? ?place.? ?Here’s? ?not? ?bad.? ?There? ?are? ?trees? ?

to? ?block? ?the? ?sun? ?and? ?water? ?too.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?back? ?after? ?burying? ?him.? ?Thanks? ?for? ?your? ?water.”? ?

?

He? ?coughed? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?and? ?bent? ?down? ?again,? ?continuing? ?to? ?dig? ?with? ?his? ?hands.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

mumbled? ?softly,? ?“No,? ?don’t? ?thank? ?me...? ?don’t? ?thank? ?me,? ?don’t.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?appeared? ?and? ?were? ?confused? ?to? ?see? ?before? ?them? ?one? ?

digging? ?a? ?hole,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?watching? ?in? ?a? ?daze.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?in? ?the? ?mood? ?to? ?speak? ?

and? ?repeatedly? ?muttered? ?a? ?few? ?jumbled? ?words.? ?It? ?was? ?some? ?time? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

remembered? ?that? ?just? ?giving? ?water? ?wasn’t? ?enough;? ?this? ?man? ?was? ?returning? ?to? ?Yong’an.? ?

Thus? ?his? ?hand? ?went? ?back? ?into? ?his? ?sleeve? ?and? ?rummaged? ?around,? ?finally? ?finding? ?what? ?he? ?

was? ?looking? ?for,? ?and? ?passed? ?it? ?to? ?him,? ?“Here,? ?take? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?stopped? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?what? ?was? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?closely.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?deep,? ?red? ?

pearl? ?no? ?bigger? ?than? ?a? ?nail;? ?its? ?luster? ?smooth? ?and? ?sleek,? ?polished? ?and? ?brilliant,? ?and? ?

soul-stirringly? ?beautiful.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?it? ?was,? ?just? ?one? ?look? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

obvious? ?this? ?little? ?gem? ?was? ?invaluable.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?indeed? ?that? ?one? ?remaining? ?red? ?coral? ?pearl? ?earring? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?worn? ?during? ?the? ?

ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession? ?three? ?years? ?ago.? ?That? ?pearl? ?left? ?a? ?rather? ?

deep? ?impression? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?so? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?saw? ?it? ?his? ?face? ?changed.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

didn’t? ?reject? ?it,? ?as? ?if? ?any? ?proper? ?manners? ?and? ?concerns? ?of? ?a? ?normal? ?person? ?had? ?left? ?him,? ?

and? ?he? ?reached? ?out? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?receive? ?it.? ?“Thanks.”? ? ?

?

He? ?carefully? ?tucked? ?the? ?pearl? ?in? ?his? ?belt,? ?then? ?he? ?removed? ?the? ?satchel? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?

gently? ?laid? ?it? ?into? ?the? ?dug? ?pit.? ?“Dad? ?will? ?come? ?back? ?soon? ?to? ?visit? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Finished,? ?he? ?used? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?solemnly? ?pushed? ?the? ?earth? ?back? ?to? ?cover? ?the? ?satchel.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?support? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?that? ?

young? ?man? ?left? ?in? ?a? ?stride.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?asked? ?curiously,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?did? ?he? ?bury? ?here?? ?He? ?said? ?‘dad’?? ?He? ?

buried? ?someone?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?concerned? ?with? ?something? ?else,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?went? ?and? ?investigated? ?

earlier? ?and? ?figured? ?out? ?what’s? ?happened.? ?Yong’an? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?a? ?wealthy? ?place;? ?their? ?

temples? ?and? ?shrines? ?are? ?few? ?in? ?number.? ?It? ?seems? ?they? ?also? ?have? ?a? ?local? ?rule? ?where? ?

those? ?who? ?don’t? ?offer? ?donations? ?couldn’t? ?pray,? ?so? ?those? ?who? ?visited? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince? ?had? ?all? ?been? ?the? ?wealthy,? ?and? ?the? ?poor? ?suffering? ?from? ?disasters? ?couldn’t? ?

even? ?enter...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond? ?to? ?the? ?report? ?but? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“You? ?two,? ?go? ?to? ?Yong’an,? ?

and? ?see? ?what? ?the? ?situation? ?is.? ?I,? ?will? ?go? ?meet? ?the? ?Guoshi,? ?and? ?ask? ?exactly? ?what’s? ?going? ?

on.”? ? ?

?

His? ?face? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?this? ?dark.? ?The? ?two? ?subordinates? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?negligent? ?and? ?

both? ?acknowledged? ?his? ?command,? ?departing? ?an? ?instant? ?after.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?thus? ?

turned? ?and? ?raced? ?towards? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?Mount? ?Taicang.? ?

?

It? ?appeared? ?the? ?disaster? ?in? ?Yong’an? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?big? ?and? ?not? ?small.? ?But,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?hear? ?the? ?voices? ?of? ?prayer,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?those? ?at? ?the? ?royal? ?palace? ?had? ?no? ?clue? ?at? ?

all!? ? ?

?

———? ?

?

?This? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?is? ?not? ?the? ?same? ?one? ?as? ?the? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?from? ?the? ?present;? ?the? ?

character? ?for? ?‘Ying’? ?is? ?different.?