Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 81-88 - Book? ?2? ?End? ?

Chapter 81-88

Ch.81:? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender;? ?Body? ?of? ?Gold? ?Hard-Pressed? ?Against? ?Desire? ?2? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?that? ?young? ?soldier’s? ?back? ?flinched? ?and? ?froze.? ?He? ?turned? ?around? ?hesitantly? ?

but? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?go? ?over.? ?The? ?situation? ?at? ?hand? ?didn’t? ?allow? ?for? ?any? ?time? ?wasted,? ?and? ?

seeing? ?his? ?hesitation,? ?temper? ?flared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest? ?but? ?he? ?forced? ?it? ?down,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?

scared,? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?you.? ?Get? ?over? ?here,? ?quick!”? ? ?

?

At? ?last,? ?that? ?boy? ?moved.? ?He? ?rushed? ?close? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?side? ?but? ?came? ?to? ?an? ?abrupt? ?stop? ?

two? ?feet? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?breath? ?silently? ?and? ?extended? ?a? ?hand? ?towards? ?him,? ?

“...Help? ?me? ?up,? ?take? ?me? ?away.”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?very? ?carefully? ?took? ?that? ?hand? ?and? ?grasped? ?it.? ?It? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?man? ?on? ?the? ?

brink? ?of? ?death? ?had? ?finally? ?found? ?someone? ?to? ?rely? ?on,? ?and? ?in? ?an? ?instant,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?

body? ?slackened,? ?and? ?collapsed? ?onto? ?that? ?boy.? ?

?

Sunken? ?deep? ?in? ?the? ?Tender? ?Fragrance,? ?his? ?body? ?temperature? ?was? ?high,? ?his? ?body? ?

burning.? ?Yet,? ?somehow? ?that? ?boy’s? ?hands? ?were? ?equally? ?as? ?hot,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?even? ?slight? ?

trembling.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?leaned? ?on? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?saved? ?some? ?energy,? ?then? ?inhaled? ?and? ?pushed? ?himself? ?

to? ?stand.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?have? ?someone? ?smaller? ?than? ?him? ?support? ?his? ?person? ?entirely,? ?

but? ?with? ?his? ?help,? ?they? ?walked? ?agonizingly? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?steps.? ?Those? ?flower? ?demons? ?called? ?

out? ?to? ?him? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?them? ?move? ?away,? ?“No,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?leave? ?us!? ?‘He’? ?is? ?

waiting? ?for? ?you? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?so? ?if? ?you? ?leave? ?here,? ?you’ll? ?bump? ?into? ?‘him’.”? ?

?

‘He’?? ?

?

“Who’s? ?‘he’?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded.? ?

?

Speaking? ?of? ?that? ?person,? ?even? ?the? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tenders? ?were? ?slightly? ?terrified? ?and? ?after? ?

some? ?hesitation,? ?they? ?mumbled,? ?“‘He’? ?is? ?‘him’.”? ?

?

The? ?flowers? ?all? ?nodded? ?to? ?each? ?other:? ?“‘He’? ?is? ?‘him’.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?brought? ?us? ?here.”? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?they? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?speak? ?of? ?that? ?person’s? ?name? ?or? ?identity,? ?that? ?half-crying? ?

half-smiling? ?mask? ?immediately? ?appeared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ?“So? ?what? ?you’re? ?saying? ?is? ?if? ?I? ?

go? ?back? ?now,? ?then? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?planted? ?you? ?all? ?will? ?hunt? ?me? ?down? ?halfway? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?

but? ?if? ?I? ?stay? ?here,? ?he? ?won’t? ?come,? ?correct?”? ? ?

?

The? ?flower? ?demons? ?were? ?pleased? ?and? ?noisily? ?nodded? ?their? ?heads.? ?Fury? ?burst? ?into? ?flames? ?

in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest.? ?

?

To? ?trap? ?him? ?without? ?killing? ?him? ?in? ?this? ?hateful? ?situation,? ?were? ?they? ?playing? ?with? ?him?? ?Why? ?

not? ?simply? ?just? ?battle? ?to? ?the? ?death?? ?

?

He? ?collected? ?himself? ?and? ?forced? ?down? ?his? ?irritation.? ?It? ?seemed? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?had? ?no? ?

intention? ?of? ?facing? ?him? ?head? ?on,? ?and? ?only? ?wanted? ?to? ?damage? ?his? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?make? ?

him? ?fall? ?from? ?grace,? ?and? ?lose? ?followers.? ?

?

Those? ?flower? ?demons? ?may? ?not? ?be? ?speaking? ?the? ?truth,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?told? ?lies,? ?if? ?he? ?

thought? ?about? ?it,? ?even? ?though? ?this? ?boy? ?could? ?support? ?him? ?or? ?carry? ?him? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?they? ?

still? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?return? ?safely.? ?Should? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?purposely? ?throw? ?some? ?

women? ?at? ?them? ?halfway? ?down? ?the? ?road,? ?the? ?situation? ?might? ?get? ?even? ?worse? ?or? ?more? ?

awkward.? ?

?

After? ?some? ?consideration,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exhaled? ?a? ?feverish? ?breath? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?“Take? ?

me? ?to? ?the? ?cave? ?over? ?there.”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?followed? ?his? ?instructions? ?and? ?helped? ?him? ?cross? ?through? ?that? ?ground? ?

piled? ?with? ?corpses.? ?When? ?they? ?came? ?before? ?the? ?cave,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gasped? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?

“Stop.”? ?

?

That? ?little? ?soldier? ?halted.? ?Even? ?just? ?raising? ?a? ?hand? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?uncontrollably,? ?

“Where’s? ?your? ?sword?”? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?supported? ?him? ?with? ?his? ?left? ?arm? ?and? ?freed? ?the? ?right? ?to? ?take? ?out? ?his? ?sword.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?extended? ?his? ?hand,? ?rolled? ?up? ?the? ?sleeves? ?and? ?revealed? ?a? ?small? ?part? ?of? ?his? ?arm.? ?

Under? ?the? ?white? ?moonlight,? ?it? ?was? ?smooth? ?and? ?pale? ?like? ?the? ?softest? ?white? ?jade.? ?That? ?boy? ?

suddenly? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?and? ?ordered,? ?still? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Stab? ?

me.”? ? ?

?

The? ?hand? ?that? ?held? ?up? ?the? ?worn? ?sword? ?immediately? ?dropped.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?prompted,? ?“Don’t? ?

worry,? ?just? ?stab,? ?and? ?stab? ?deeply.? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?draw? ?an? ?array.? ?There’s? ?no? ?other? ?spiritual? ?

devices? ?on? ?hand,? ?so? ?there? ?needs? ?to? ?be? ?blood.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?protested,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?please? ?use? ?my? ?blood!”? ?And? ?he? ?

raised? ?his? ?own? ?arm? ?and? ?carved? ?without? ?holding? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hurriedly? ?said,? ?“No? ?need!? ?

Your? ?blood...”? ?But? ?his? ?words? ?didn’t? ?make? ?it? ?in? ?time.? ?A? ?deep? ?gash? ?had? ?already? ?appeared? ?

on? ?that? ?boy’s? ?arm,? ?fresh? ?blood? ?flowing? ?from? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“Sigh...? ?you...? ?

nevermind.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?blood? ?was? ?an? ?invaluable? ?holy? ?treasure,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?a? ?mortal’s? ?blood? ?

compare?? ?But? ?seeing? ?how? ?sincere? ?this? ?little? ?soldier? ?was,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?tell? ?him? ?that? ?

what? ?he’d? ?done? ?was? ?pointless.? ?Instead,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Thanks.? ?But,? ?we? ?still? ?need? ?some? ?of? ?my? ?

blood? ?as? ?a? ?catalyst.”? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?that? ?sword,? ?and? ?with? ?trembling? ?hands,? ?it? ?took? ?

him? ?a? ?few? ?tries? ?before? ?successfully? ?stabbing? ?into? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?his? ?arm.? ?Crimson? ?holy? ?

blood? ?streamed? ?down? ?his? ?white? ?arm? ?and? ?dripped? ?into? ?two? ?curved? ?lines? ?before? ?the? ?cave,? ?

drawing? ?two? ?barriers.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?took? ?care? ?to? ?mix? ?in? ?some? ?of? ?that? ?boy’s? ?blood,? ?and? ?

after? ?completing? ?the? ?array,? ?the? ?dizziness? ?grew? ?stronger.? ?“...Let’s? ?go? ?in.”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?dark? ?inside? ?the? ?cave? ?and? ?that? ?boy? ?took? ?out? ?a? ?small? ?flare? ?torch? ?from? ?inside? ?his? ?

robes,? ?ignited? ?it,? ?and? ?the? ?firelight? ?brightened? ?their? ?surroundings? ?with? ?intense? ?light.? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier’s? ?face? ?was? ?hidden? ?behind? ?the? ?bandages,? ?covering? ?him? ?completely,? ?

yet? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?discomposure? ?was? ?open? ?for? ?all? ?to? ?see.? ?His? ?cold? ?sweat? ?sticky,? ?his? ?hair? ?

disheveled,? ?his? ?lips? ?red? ?and? ?swollen.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?cut? ?created? ?when? ?he? ?bit? ?his? ?lips? ?to? ?

sanctify? ?his? ?own? ?sword? ?earlier.? ?The? ?firelight? ?stabbed? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes,? ?hurting? ?them,? ?

and? ?the? ?waves? ?of? ?heat? ?were? ?also? ?torturing? ?him,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded? ?immediately,? ?

“Don’t? ?light? ?the? ?fire,? ?kill? ?it.”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?immediately? ?threw? ?the? ?small? ?flare? ?torch? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?stepped? ?to? ?

extinguish? ?it,? ?and? ?they? ?sank? ?into? ?darkness? ?once? ?more.? ?After? ?being? ?helped? ?into? ?the? ?cave,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?himself? ?down? ?and? ?seated? ?into? ?a? ?meditative? ?position.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?

spoke? ?labouriously,? ?“I? ?have? ?a? ?mission? ?for? ?you,? ?can? ?you? ?do? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?That? ?boy? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?kneeling,? ?“I’m? ?willing? ?to? ?risk? ?my? ?life? ?to? ?do? ?my? ?duty!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?painfully? ?restrained? ?his? ?heavy? ?breathing? ?and? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?forced? ?calm,? ?“I? ?drew? ?

two? ?sets? ?of? ?barriers? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?cave.? ?The? ?outer? ?barrier? ?to? ?to? ?ensure? ?nothing? ?outside? ?

gets? ?in;? ?the? ?inner? ?barrier? ?is? ?to? ?prevent? ?anyone? ?inside? ?from? ?getting? ?out.”? ?

?

He? ?gasped? ?harshly? ?for? ?air? ?silently? ?and? ?continued,? ?“There’s? ?enough? ?space? ?between? ?the? ?

two? ?barriers? ?for? ?one? ?person.? ?Stay? ?there? ?and? ?watch? ?over? ?the? ?cave? ?entrance.? ?No? ?matter? ?

what? ?you? ?hear? ?outside,? ?don’t? ?go? ?out.? ?Same? ?logic;? ?don’t? ?come? ?in? ?no? ?matter? ?what? ?sounds? ?

you? ?hear? ?from? ?me.”? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?was? ?slightly? ?perplexed,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you’re? ?staying? ?here? ?by? ?yourself?”? ? ?

?

“Yes.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?I’ll? ?do...? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?you? ?can’t? ?come? ?in? ?no? ?

matter? ?what.”? ? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?circumstances,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?leave.? ?But? ?waiting? ?for? ?reinforcements,? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?was? ?probably? ?still? ?stumbling? ?down? ?the? ?road,? ?and? ?just? ?the? ?trip? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?royal? ?

capital? ?would? ?take? ?a? ?long? ?while.? ?Who? ?knows? ?when? ?reinforcements? ?would? ?come.? ?He? ?could? ?

only? ?seal? ?off? ?this? ?small? ?area? ?temporarily,? ?set? ?off? ?wards,? ?and? ?figure? ?out? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?treat? ?that? ?

Tender? ?Fragrance.? ?He? ?rasped,? ?“Fruits? ?born? ?of? ?flower? ?demons? ?are? ?powerful? ?temptresses.? ?

They’re? ?most? ?likely? ?going? ?to? ?ripen? ?soon...”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?fragrance? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?suddenly? ?surged,? ?cutting? ?off? ?his? ?words.? ?That? ?gentle? ?

affectious? ?scent? ?filled? ?the? ?air? ?from? ?the? ?ground? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?and? ?the? ?flower? ?demons? ?let? ?out? ?

ecstatic,? ?delicate? ?cackling,? ?trumpeting,? ?“MY? ?ROOT!? ?MY? ?ROOT? ?IS? ?HARD!”? ? ?

?

“The? ?fruits? ?have? ?ripened!”? ? ?

?

Smelling? ?that? ?exceedingly? ?sweet? ?fragrance,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?heart? ?beating? ?faster,? ?

and? ?blood? ?rushed? ?to? ?his? ?brain.? ?He? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Hurry? ?and? ?go!? ?Don’t? ?breathe? ?in? ?that? ?

scent,? ?and? ?if? ?they? ?get? ?close,? ?don’t? ?be? ?scared.? ?Nothing? ?can? ?cross? ?that? ?blood? ?line,? ?but? ?as? ?

long? ?as? ?your? ?feet? ?remain? ?inside? ?the? ?barrier? ?you? ?can? ?strike? ?them? ?with? ?your? ?sword.”? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?glanced? ?outside,? ?nodded? ?with? ?conviction? ?and? ?rushed? ?out? ?with? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?

hand,? ?stationing? ?himself? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?blood? ?lines? ?by? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cave.? ?

Outside? ?the? ?cave,? ?in? ?that? ?field? ?of? ?corpses,? ?bushes? ?of? ?flower? ?shrubberies? ?grew? ?vividly? ?in? ?

colour.? ?That? ?briar? ?field? ?were? ?all? ?quivering? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?beneath? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?rupture? ?

the? ?ground.? ?Soon,? ?there? ?was? ?indeed? ?something? ?that? ?broke? ?out? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?a? ?

woman!? ?

?

That? ?‘woman’s’? ?head? ?sprouted? ?from? ?beneath? ?the? ?soil,? ?breathed? ?in? ?the? ?fresh? ?air? ?above? ?

ground,? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?drunk? ?with? ?joy,? ?her? ?eyes? ?squeezing? ?shut? ?into? ?crescent? ?lines.? ?

Following? ?immediately? ?after? ?was? ?a? ?round? ?and? ?smooth? ?shoulder,? ?and? ?then? ?an? ?entire? ?arm? ?

crawled? ?out.? ? ?

?

The? ?fruits? ?of? ?the? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender? ?were? ?formed? ?under? ?the? ?whiskers? ?of? ?their? ?roots.? ?

When? ?their? ?fruits? ?ripen,? ?they? ?shape? ?into? ?various? ?forms? ?of? ?women.? ?

?

The? ?time? ?of? ?ripening? ?had? ?come,? ?and? ?countless? ?naked? ?women? ?broke? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?earth.? ?

They? ?raised? ?their? ?arms? ?to? ?pluck? ?those? ?bright? ?red? ?blossoms? ?from? ?their? ?heads? ?and? ?bathed? ?

under? ?the? ?moonlight,? ?stretching? ?their? ?limbs? ?to? ?their? ?heart’s? ?content.? ?It? ?was? ?those? ?little? ?

flowers? ?that? ?emitted? ?that? ?fragrant? ?scent,? ?but? ?now? ?the? ?ones? ?secreting? ?that? ?sweet? ?odour? ?

were? ?those? ?enchanting? ?women.? ?They? ?patted? ?off? ?the? ?remaining? ?mud? ?on? ?their? ?bodies,? ?fixed? ?

their? ?hair,? ?and? ?walked? ?towards? ?the? ?cave,? ?giggling? ?seductively,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?we’re? ?

coming!”? ? ?

?

That? ?sweet? ?fragrance? ?also? ?suffocatingly? ?filled? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?the? ?cave,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?in? ?

the? ?lotus? ?position? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed,? ?chanting? ?the? ?ethics? ?sutra? ?mentally.? ?Yet,? ?it? ?had? ?

little? ?use;? ?those? ?flower? ?demons? ?called? ?to? ?him? ?without? ?shame,? ?chirping? ?familiar? ?language? ?

like? ?baby,? ?sweetheart,? ?gege,? ?didi*,? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?monikers,? ?disturbing? ?his? ?mind,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

changed? ?to? ?reciting? ?out? ?loud:? ?“Five? ?sights? ?cause? ?blindness? ?five? ?sounds? ?cause? ?deafness? ?

galloping? ?hunts? ?cause? ?madness? ?rare? ?goods? ?cause? ?obstructions...? ?calm? ?over? ?impatience? ?

coldness? ?over? ?heat? ?silence? ?is? ?the? ?ultimate? ?virtue...? ?those? ?who? ?are? ?kind? ?will? ?receive? ?

kindness? ?those? ?who? ?are? ?unkind? ?will? ?receive? ?unkindness...”*? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?not? ?noticed? ?at? ?

all? ?that? ?the? ?sutra? ?he? ?memorized? ?without? ?fault? ?was? ?recited? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?place.? ? ?

?

Outside? ?the? ?cave,? ?the? ?flower? ?demons? ?clapped? ?and? ?laughed? ?tauntingly,? ?“My? ?dear? ?Crown? ?

Prince,? ?my? ?sweetheart,? ?my? ?good? ?Highness,? ?you’re? ?not? ?a? ?monk,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?reciting? ?

sutras? ?–? ?aiyoh!”? ?

?

Suddenly? ?there? ?was? ?shrieking? ?all? ?over,? ?and? ?it? ?sounded? ?like? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?wordlessly? ?

became? ?violently? ?aggressive,? ?chopping? ?and? ?slashing? ?madly,? ?chasing? ?those? ?flower? ?

demons? ?away? ?as? ?they? ?cried,? ?“Murder!”? ? ?

?

Some? ?yelled? ?from? ?far? ?away:? ?“YOU? ?CURSED? ?LITTLE? ?BRAT,? ?LITTLE? ?DESTROYER? ?OF? ?

BEAUTY!? ?NO? ?TENDERNESS? ?IN? ?YOUR? ?HEART? ?AT? ?ALL!”? ? ?

?

“Scary,? ?scary!? ?Vicious? ?at? ?such? ?an? ?age!? ?Imagine? ?him? ?full? ?grown!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?flower? ?demons? ?were? ?trying? ?to? ?squish? ?themselves? ?into? ?the? ?cave? ?like? ?starving? ?

beasts,? ?but? ?they? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?squeeze? ?in.? ?They? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?the? ?blood? ?array? ?on? ?the? ?

ground? ?and? ?had? ?thought? ?the? ?blockage? ?was? ?all? ?caused? ?by? ?that? ?boy.? ?After? ?some? ?

discussion,? ?they? ?gathered? ?not? ?too? ?far? ?away? ?and? ?called? ?to? ?him,? ?“Little? ?gege,? ?why? ?must? ?you? ?

block? ?us? ?from? ?going? ?in?? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?we’re? ?going? ?to? ?do? ?anything? ?bad,? ?we? ?just? ?want? ?to? ?have? ?

a? ?good? ?time? ?with? ?His? ?Highness!”? ?

?

“Be? ?good,? ?little? ?soldier,? ?and? ?don’t? ?hinder? ?us? ?from? ?doing? ?His? ?Highness? ?some? ?good.”? ? ?

?

“That? ?little? ?didi? ?is? ?so? ?mean.? ?A? ?shame? ?that? ?he’s? ?so? ?young,? ?too? ?tender.? ?He? ?probably? ?doesn’t? ?

even? ?know? ?what? ?‘doing? ?good’? ?means!”? ? ?

?

The? ?flower? ?demons? ?fell? ?over? ?themselves? ?over? ?another? ?round? ?of? ?mocking? ?giggles,? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?blinked? ?open? ?his? ?eyes? ?slightly? ?only? ?to? ?see? ?at? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cave? ?stood? ?that? ?

black? ?shadow,? ?one? ?of? ?that? ?boy? ?who,? ?with? ?a? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?was? ?determined? ?to? ?never? ?

move? ?even? ?in? ?death.? ?Suddenly,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?flower? ?demons? ?said,? ?“I? ?say,? ?little? ?gege,? ?don’t? ?

stick? ?yourself? ?in? ?there? ?like? ?a? ?hard? ?shaft,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?planning?? ?Why? ?not? ?come? ?with? ?me? ?

over? ?there? ?to? ?have? ?some? ?fun?? ?What? ?sorts? ?do? ?you? ?fancy?? ?Do? ?you? ?like? ?my? ?type?”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?still? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?and? ?those? ?flower? ?demons? ?thought? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?

enter? ?the? ?cave? ?they? ?must? ?pass? ?by? ?him,? ?so? ?they? ?all? ?brought? ?forth? ?their? ?tricks,? ?coddling,? ?

“What? ?about? ?me?”? ? ?

?

“How? ?about? ?this?? ?Do? ?you? ?fancy? ?my? ?sort?”? ?

?

“Look? ?at? ?me,? ?do? ?you? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Yet,? ?from? ?flirts? ?at? ?the? ?beginning? ?changing? ?to? ?complaints? ?then? ?to? ?curses? ?at? ?the? ?end,? ?that? ?

boy? ?still? ?only? ?ignored? ?them? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?far? ?away,? ?and? ?struck? ?at? ?them? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?close.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?before? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tenders? ?emerged? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?they? ?could? ?

change? ?their? ?own? ?shapes? ?at? ?will.? ?He? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?warn? ?the? ?boy? ?but? ?due? ?to? ?his? ?current? ?

distressing? ?predicament? ?he? ?daren’t? ?open? ?his? ?mouth.? ?Finally? ?at? ?last? ?when? ?those? ?pressing? ?

waves? ?of? ?heat? ?passed? ?did? ?he? ?gasp,? ?“Don’t? ?look? ?at? ?them...”? ?

?

Just? ?fighting? ?against? ?the? ?hot? ?blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?head? ?already? ?exhausted? ?him,? ?so? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?voice? ?was? ?terribly? ?soft? ?and? ?low,? ?but? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?instantly? ?heard? ?him? ?and? ?

cried? ?in? ?response,? ?“YES? ?SIR!? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?how...? ?how? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?fine.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“If? ?things? ?get? ?too? ?hard,? ?shut? ?your? ?eyes,? ?seal? ?your? ?nose? ?and? ?your? ?

mouth...”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?answer? ?when? ?another? ?flower? ?demon? ?

suddenly? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?“I? ?KNOW!? ?Little? ?guy,? ?I? ?bet? ?your? ?favourite? ?type? ?must? ?look? ?like? ?

this!?”? ? ?

?

It? ?sounded? ?as? ?if? ?another? ?new? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender? ?had? ?emerged.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?sudden? ?

dead? ?silence? ?that? ?blanketed? ?outside? ?the? ?cave.? ?That? ?young? ?soldier? ?also? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

stopped? ?breathing.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?second,? ?the? ?crashing? ?waves? ?of? ?laughter? ?of? ?those? ?flower? ?demons? ?surged? ?against? ?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?drowning? ?him.? ?

?

They? ?clapped? ?and? ?screeched,? ?“AIYOOHH!!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?HAND!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?HAAANNNDDD!!”? ?

?

“My? ?GOD!? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?this?? ?IT’S? ?THE? ?BEST? ?HAHAHAHAHAHAH...? ?

LOOK!? ?THAT? ?BRAT? ?IS? ?COMPLETELY? ?STUNNED!? ?I? ?BET? ?IT’S? ?LIKE? ?THIS!”? ? ?

?

“IT? ?MUST? ?BE? ?LIKE? ?THIS!? ?AND? ?HERE? ?I? ?THOUGHT? ?THAT? ?SHITTY? ?BRAT? ?IS? ?A? ?ROCK.? ?

WHO? ?KNEW? ?WE? ?WERE? ?WRONG!? ?SUCH? ?BALLS? ?AT? ?SUCH? ?AN? ?AGE!”? ?

?

“You? ?win,? ?we? ?are? ?nothing!? ?How? ?about? ?it,? ?little? ?guy?? ?Come? ?quick? ?and? ?enjoy? ?this? ?sweet? ?

delicious? ?sight!”? ? ?

?

“There? ?won’t? ?be? ?another? ?shop? ?that? ?serves? ?this? ?dish? ?if? ?you? ?leave? ?this? ?land.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?

seize? ?your? ?chance? ?now,? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?dream? ?for? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?you? ?still? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?

to? ?have? ?a? ?taste!? ?Or,? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?us? ?to? ?give? ?you? ?a? ?hand?? ?That? ?state...? ?heeheeheehee...”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?incensed,? ?and? ?his? ?tone? ?of? ?voice? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?frost,? ?

“...? ?YOU,? ?ARE,? ?SEEKING,? ?DEATH!!”? ?

?

At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?inside? ?the? ?cave? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?reach? ?his? ?limit.? ?

?

His? ?sight? ?blurred? ?and? ?his? ?ears? ?drummed,? ?he? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?sit? ?up? ?straight.? ?He? ?collapsed? ?

forward? ?and? ?barely? ?held? ?himself? ?from? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?his? ?hands.? ?But,? ?this? ?tumble? ?

loosened? ?his? ?gritted? ?teeth,? ?and? ?in? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?delirium,? ?a? ?painful,? ?wretched? ?moan? ?

escaped? ?his? ?lips.? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

?Didi? ?is? ?the? ?familiar? ?address? ?for? ?little? ?brother.? ?

?

?Those? ?are? ?verses? ?from? ?the? ?Ethics? ?Sutra? ?(Tao? ?Te? ?Ching,? ?The? ?Book? ?of? ?the? ?Way? ?of? ?

Virtue)? ?by? ?Laozi.? ?It’s? ?a? ?Chinese? ?literary? ?classic? ?alongside? ?Iching? ?and? ?also? ?one? ?of? ?

the? ?philosophical? ?foundation? ?text? ?for? ?Taoism.? ?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.82:? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender;? ?Body? ?of? ?Gold? ?Hard-Pressed? ?Against? ?Desire? ?3? ?

TW:? ?Graphic? ?Self? ?Harm? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?whipped? ?around,? ?“...YOUR? ?HIGHNESS?”? ? ?

?

With? ?one? ?hand? ?supporting? ?himself? ?off? ?the? ?ground,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?the? ?other? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?

mouth? ?doggedly,? ?his? ?breathing? ?erratic,? ?his? ?shoulders? ?shaking.? ?Just? ?by? ?listening? ?to? ?him? ?

and? ?seeing? ?his? ?silhouette,? ?one? ?would? ?probably? ?think? ?he? ?was? ?sobbing.? ?

?

Never? ?in? ?his? ?life,? ?before? ?and? ?after? ?ascension,? ?had? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?experienced? ?such? ?a? ?grueling? ?

ordeal.? ?This? ?was? ?much? ?more? ?arduous? ?than? ?the? ?toughest? ?trial? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion.? ?

Strength? ?of? ?the? ?arm? ?supporting? ?his? ?weight? ?drained,? ?and? ?his? ?body? ?keeled? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ?

As? ?he? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?delirious? ?and? ?barely? ?conscious,? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?boy? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?

wanted? ?to? ?enter,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted,? ?“DON’T? ?COME? ?IN!? ?I? ?SAID? ?DON’T? ?COME? ?IN? ?NO? ?

MATTER? ?WHAT? ?YOU? ?HEAR!!!”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laboriously? ?flipped? ?onto? ?his? ?back,? ?facing? ?up,? ?

and? ?somehow? ?regulated? ?his? ?breathing? ?despite? ?wave? ?after? ?waves? ?of? ?heat? ?crashing? ?

through? ?every? ?part? ?of? ?his? ?body.? ?The? ?flower? ?demons? ?outside? ?the? ?cave? ?heard? ?him? ?tossing? ?

and? ?turning,? ?that? ?fire? ?burning? ?intensely,? ?and? ?they? ?clapped? ?while? ?laughing,? ?“My? ?good? ?

highness,? ?why? ?be? ?so? ?hard? ?on? ?yourself!? ?Today? ?you’re? ?refusing? ?yourself? ?a? ?good? ?time? ?

because? ?you’re? ?scared? ?of? ?losing? ?followers;? ?tomorrow? ?you’ll? ?be? ?scared? ?to? ?do? ?other? ?things? ?

because? ?you’d? ?be? ?scared? ?of? ?losing? ?followers.? ?How? ?is? ?that? ?any? ?way? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official?? ?

More? ?like? ?a? ?prisoner? ?hands? ?tied? ?by? ?those? ?devotees!? ?It’s? ?not? ?worth? ?it? ?being? ?a? ?god? ?like? ?that.? ?

You’re? ?gonna? ?lose? ?your? ?place? ?sooner? ?or? ?later,? ?so? ?why? ?not? ?just? ?enjoy? ?yourself? ?for? ?now?? ?

Things? ?come? ?and? ?go,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?mind? ?the? ?petty? ?details!”? ? ?

?

Veins? ?popped? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?forehead? ?and? ?his? ?temper? ?lost? ?control.? ?“SHUT? ?UP!!!”? ?He? ?

shouted,? ?outraged.? ?

?

The? ?flower? ?demons? ?naturally? ?weren’t? ?afraid? ?of? ?the? ?him? ?right? ?now,? ?and? ?they? ?started? ?

teasing? ?that? ?little? ?soldier? ?anew,? ?“Little? ?didi,? ?don’t? ?you? ?think? ?we’re? ?right?? ?Hahahaha...”? ?

?

“Hee? ?hee? ?hee...? ?aren’t? ?you? ?feeling? ?miserable? ?standing? ?there?”? ?

?

Cold? ?sweat? ?had? ?already? ?drenched? ?his? ?entire? ?body.? ?Feeling? ?exceedingly? ?hot? ?and? ?

bothered,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?violently? ?tore? ?at? ?his? ?robes,? ?wanting? ?even? ?just? ?a? ?sliver? ?of? ?coolness.? ?As? ?

he? ?ripped,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?noticed:? ?how? ?come? ?strength? ?was? ?returning? ?to? ?his? ?arms?? ?Although? ?

that? ?bit? ?of? ?power? ?didn’t? ?last? ?long? ?and? ?left? ?just? ?as? ?quickly,? ?when? ?he? ?checked? ?himself,? ?sure? ?

enough? ?the? ?numbness? ?had? ?passed,? ?and? ?energy? ?was? ?gradually? ?increasing.? ?Yet,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

heart? ?was? ?dropping.? ?

?

The? ?effect? ?of? ?the? ?Tender? ?Fragrance? ?was? ?numbness? ?at? ?first? ?followed? ?by? ?mania.? ?The? ?

numbness? ?had? ?passed,? ?so? ?in? ?a? ?moment,? ?madness? ?and? ?passion? ?would? ?fill? ?his? ?veins.? ?

Although? ?he? ?drew? ?two? ?lines? ?of? ?barriers? ?at? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cave,? ?the? ?interior? ?one? ?

drawn? ?especially? ?to? ?prevent? ?his? ?crazed? ?self? ?from? ?going? ?out,? ?but? ?once? ?mania? ?took? ?over,? ?he? ?

was? ?not? ?certain? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?barrier? ?would? ?be? ?enough? ?to? ?stop? ?him.? ?This? ?moment? ?of? ?

clarity? ?was? ?a? ?rare? ?blessing,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?on? ?to? ?it? ?with? ?both? ?hands,? ?thinking? ?

rapidly? ?of? ?ways? ?to? ?handle? ?the? ?situation.? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?small? ?realization? ?came? ?to? ?him:? ?The? ?Tender? ?Fragrance? ?worked? ?rapidly;? ?

usually? ?the? ?moment? ?blood? ?rushed? ?to? ?the? ?brain? ?all? ?control? ?would? ?be? ?lost,? ?so? ?how? ?had? ?he? ?

managed? ?to? ?stay? ?afloat? ?until? ?now?? ?Was? ?there? ?no? ?other? ?reason? ?than? ?his? ?exceptional? ?

steadiness? ?of? ?the? ?mind?? ? ?

?

Thinking? ?of? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inhaled? ?a? ?long? ?breath? ?and? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?then? ?he? ?called? ?to? ?

the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?that? ?boy? ?by? ?the? ?cave’s? ?entrance,? ?still? ?looking? ?indecisive? ?over? ?entering.? ?

“You...? ?come? ?in.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?call,? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?appeared? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?run? ?to? ?his? ?side? ?immediately,? ?but? ?

after? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?remember? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?angry? ?instruction? ?of? ?“Don’t? ?come? ?in? ?

no? ?matter? ?what? ?you? ?hear”,? ?and? ?he? ?hesitated.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?feeling? ?woeful? ?at? ?

changing? ?his? ?mind? ?so? ?quickly,? ?and? ?he? ?called? ?again? ?miserably,? ?“Just? ?come? ?in? ?here? ?first.”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?stopped? ?hesitating? ?and? ?rushed? ?in.? ?

?

The? ?tunnel? ?of? ?that? ?cave? ?was? ?long? ?and? ?narrow,? ?the? ?interior? ?warm? ?and? ?humid.? ?Darkness? ?

filled? ?the? ?space,? ?not? ?even? ?raised? ?fingers? ?could? ?be? ?seen,? ?and? ?that? ?boy? ?used? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

rasping? ?breaths? ?to? ?find? ?where? ?he? ?was.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?instructed,? ?“Put? ?down? ?your? ?sword...? ?

put? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Right? ?next? ?to? ?me.? ?Not? ?too? ?far? ?away.”? ? ?

?

“Yes? ?sir!”? ?That? ?young? ?soldier? ?acknowledged? ?and? ?handed? ?over? ?his? ?only? ?defense? ?and? ?

placed? ?it? ?where? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?easily? ?reach? ?for? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?added,? ?“Please? ?help? ?me? ?

up.”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?half? ?knelt? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?extended? ?both? ?his? ?arms? ?to? ?help? ?support? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

However,? ?the? ?moment? ?his? ?hands? ?reached? ?out,? ?what? ?he? ?touched? ?wasn’t? ?fabric,? ?but? ?

feverish? ?skin.? ?

?

Those? ?hands? ?immediately? ?shrank? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?felt? ?burnt? ?by? ?that? ?boy’s? ?hot? ?

hands,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?remember? ?he? ?tore? ?off? ?his? ?upper? ?robes? ?earlier? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?

madness.? ?Men? ?naked? ?from? ?the? ?waist? ?up? ?usually? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?anything,? ?except? ?under? ?the? ?

current? ?circumstances,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?more? ?awkward.? ?But? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?highlight? ?

that? ?awkwardness;? ?they? ?just? ?need? ?to? ?do? ?what? ?they? ?must.? ?That? ?boy? ?seemed? ?to? ?realized? ?it? ?

too,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?wait? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?say? ?anything? ?before? ?he? ?reached? ?out? ?again,? ?circling? ?

his? ?arm? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?bare? ?shoulders? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?up,? ?then? ?immediately? ?let? ?go.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?leaned? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?of? ?the? ?tunnel,? ?his? ?back? ?pressed? ?against? ?the? ?cool? ?rocky? ?wall? ?

and? ?felt? ?some? ?relief.? ?Noticing? ?that? ?the? ?other? ?backed? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?he? ?hurriedly? ?said,? ?

“Wait,? ?don’t? ?go? ?out? ?yet!”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?soldier? ?heeded? ?his? ?every? ?word,? ?and? ?immediately? ?halted.? ?“Cut? ?off? ?a? ?lock? ?of? ?my? ?

hair.? ?I? ?have? ?need? ?for? ?it.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?acknowledged? ?the? ?order? ?and? ?reached? ?out? ?again.? ?However,? ?nothing? ?could? ?be? ?

seen? ?clearly? ?in? ?the? ?darkness,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?long? ?locks? ?were? ?cleanly? ?tied? ?behind? ?his? ?

back,? ?so? ?his? ?first? ?contact? ?wasn’t? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hair,? ?but? ?instead? ?he? ?accidentally? ?felt? ?the? ?skin? ?

of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest,? ?soft? ?and? ?supple? ?with? ?a? ?sheen? ?of? ?glistening? ?sweat.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

already? ?in? ?torment? ?and? ?that? ?boy? ?had? ?touched? ?somewhere? ?sensitive.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?jolt? ?of? ?

electricity? ?shocked? ?through? ?his? ?torso,? ?spreading? ?pleasure? ?throughout? ?his? ?whole? ?body,? ?

and? ?he? ?moaned? ?softly.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?in? ?the? ?cave? ?instantly? ?froze.? ?

?

The? ?flower? ?demons? ?outside? ?the? ?cave? ?were? ?desperately? ?trying? ?to? ?listen? ?in? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?

they? ?miss? ?it?? ?They? ?giggled,? ?“My? ?gosh,? ?what? ?are? ?they? ?doing? ?in? ?there?”? ? ?

?

“So? ?embarrassing!”? ?

?

“I? ?daren’t? ?listen!”? ?

?

Listening? ?to? ?their? ?teasing? ?his? ?suffering,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“YOU–!”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?immediately? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?at? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fury,? ?afraid? ?to? ?make? ?

any? ?more? ?contact.? ?Obviously? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?furious? ?at? ?him;? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?that? ?little? ?soldier? ?

was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?child.? ?He? ?softened? ?his? ?tone,? ?thinking? ?the? ?boy? ?was? ?probably? ?

scared? ?of? ?offending? ?him,? ?and? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?panic,? ?continue.? ?Don’t? ?mind? ?them.”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?croaked,? ?“Yes? ?sir.”? ?But? ?he? ?did? ?indeed? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?panicking,? ?feeling? ?

everywhere? ?he? ?shouldn’t,? ?and? ?every? ?time? ?he? ?found? ?he? ?had? ?touched? ?the? ?wrong? ?place? ?his? ?

hands? ?would? ?shrink? ?back.? ?In? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?but? ?only? ?trace? ?his? ?hands? ?up? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

chest? ?to? ?find? ?his? ?hair,? ?flaring? ?unspeakable? ?pleasure? ?and? ?agony? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Such? ?misery,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?longed? ?to? ?smash? ?his? ?head? ?against? ?the? ?tunnel? ?wall? ?and? ?just? ?pass? ?out? ?for? ?good.? ?

Finally,? ?that? ?boy? ?felt? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throbbing? ?adam’s? ?apple? ?and? ?sought? ?behind? ?the? ?neck,? ?

grasping? ?a? ?lock? ?of? ?hair.? ?With? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?strands? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?he? ?very? ?carefully? ?cut? ?with? ?the? ?

sword? ?and? ?said? ?instantly? ?after,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?it’s? ?done!”? ? ?

?

Another? ?small? ?bout? ?of? ?strength? ?returned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?just? ?then,? ?and? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?

“Give? ?me? ?your? ?hand.”? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?heeded,? ?and? ?from? ?his? ?hands,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?retrieved? ?those? ?long,? ?thin? ?strands? ?and? ?

tied? ?them? ?into? ?a? ?knot? ?onto? ?a? ?random? ?finger? ?of? ?that? ?boy’s? ?hand.? ?That? ?boy? ?was? ?baffled,? ?and? ?

he? ?asked? ?with? ?a? ?quivering? ?voice,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what’s? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“The? ?flower? ?demon’s? ?poison? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?enter? ?second? ?stage.? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?

borrow? ?your? ?sword.? ?If? ?anything? ?wants? ?to? ?harm? ?you? ?later,? ?just? ?raise? ?this? ?hand? ?and? ?it? ?can? ?

protect? ?you.? ?Now,? ?leave.”? ? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cave.? ?Those? ?flower? ?

demons? ?thus? ?became? ?rowdy? ?again,? ?“Out? ?again?”? ? ?

?

“Finally.”? ?

?

“Blocking? ?us? ?outside? ?like? ?this? ?while? ?you? ?went? ?in? ?yourself.? ?Little? ?buddy,? ?you’re? ?not? ?very? ?

nice!”? ? ?

?

At? ?that? ?same? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?more? ?strength? ?surging? ?through? ?his? ?limbs.? ?He? ?

sucked? ?in? ?a? ?deep? ?breath,? ?grabbed? ?the? ?worn? ?sword? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?left? ?behind? ?with? ?his? ?

right? ?hand,? ?steadied? ?his? ?spirit,? ?raised? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?made? ?a? ?cut? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?arm.? ?

?

In? ?a? ?flash,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?fog? ?had? ?lifted,? ?and? ?his? ?senses? ?refreshed.? ?

?

He? ?knew? ?it!? ?

?

Blood? ?streamed? ?down? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?left? ?arm,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?finally? ?grasped? ?a? ?lifeline? ?

in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?that? ?chaos.? ?

?

The? ?fragrance? ?of? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender? ?could? ?aggravate? ?one’s? ?temper? ?and? ?arouse? ?deep,? ?

slumbering? ?urges.? ?Typically? ?the? ?stronger? ?the? ?repressed? ?urge,? ?after? ?taking? ?in? ?the? ?

fragrance,? ?the? ?stronger? ?the? ?rebound.? ?As? ?for? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?repressed? ?deep? ?down,? ?taking? ?

‘lust’? ?away,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?the? ?urge? ?to? ?kill? ?left.? ?

?

This? ?“Urge? ?to? ?Kill”? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?referred? ?to? ?monsters? ?or? ?demons.? ?He? ?had? ?slain? ?much? ?evil? ?in? ?

the? ?past? ?so? ?it? ?didn’t? ?count? ?as? ?any? ?sort? ?of? ?repression.? ?The? ?target? ?to? ?be? ?killed? ?must? ?be? ?

human? ?or? ?a? ?god? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?inflict? ?the? ?sense? ?of? ?transgression.? ?Before? ?entering? ?the? ?cave,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?himself? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?draw? ?the? ?arrays? ?and? ?so? ?blood? ?was? ?spilt.? ?It? ?was? ?somewhat? ?

effective? ?against? ?the? ?Tender? ?Fragrance? ?because? ?injuring? ?himself? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?form? ?of? ?

inflicting? ?harm.? ? ?

?

At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?‘lust’? ?and? ?‘murder’? ?were? ?both? ?extremely? ?aggressive? ?desires,? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?even? ?heard? ?that? ?some? ?thought? ?the? ?nature? ?of? ?both? ?were? ?one? ?and? ?the? ?same.? ?

Then,? ?using? ?himself? ?as? ?proof,? ?there? ?was? ?indeed? ?an? ?alternative? ?method? ?to? ?pass? ?the? ?

current? ?trial.? ?

?

Sure? ?of? ?his? ?own? ?reasoning,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?another? ?line? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?arm? ?without? ?hesitation,? ?

and? ?each? ?cut? ?brought? ?more? ?clarity? ?to? ?his? ?mind.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?rejoicing? ?and? ?didn’t? ?realize? ?

that? ?the? ?Tender? ?Fragrance? ?was? ?stirring? ?more? ?evil? ?within? ?his? ?body,? ?and? ?when? ?that? ?urge? ?to? ?

kill? ?was? ?satisfied,? ?instantly,? ?another? ?wave? ?of? ?pleasure? ?poured? ?through? ?his? ?person.? ?

?

That? ?sudden? ?surge? ?of? ?pleasure? ?coursed? ?through? ?him? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe,? ?easily? ?breaking? ?

the? ?wall? ?of? ?defense? ?he? ?painstakingly? ?built,? ?and? ?by? ?the? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?realized? ?it,? ?he? ?

was? ?already? ?quietly? ?moaning.? ?

?

If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?him? ?inside? ?the? ?cave,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?believe? ?that? ?sound? ?

came? ?from? ?him.? ?He? ?shuddered? ?violently? ?and? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?thinking,? ?‘This? ?method? ?

should’ve? ?worked,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?this? ?happen?’? ?

?

He? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?suddenly? ?remembered:? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?had? ?used? ?it? ?to? ?

cut? ?down? ?the? ?stems? ?of? ?those? ?flowers,? ?and? ?had? ?struck? ?the? ?humanoid? ?flower? ?demons.? ?The? ?

blade? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?the? ?sap? ?of? ?those? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tenders.? ?He? ?used? ?twenty? ?percent? ?of? ?

his? ?power? ?to? ?make? ?the? ?first? ?cut? ?on? ?his? ?arm,? ?and? ?the? ?same? ?relieving? ?effect? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?

achieved? ?if? ?he? ?used? ?thirty? ?percent? ?of? ?his? ?power? ?to? ?cut.? ?Wasn’t? ?this? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?

drinking? ?poison? ?to? ?quench? ?thirst?? ?

?

Madness? ?must’ve? ?gone? ?to? ?his? ?head,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?should’ve? ?already? ?noticed? ?this.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?cursed? ?himself? ?mentally,? ?but? ?since? ?the? ?act? ?had? ?already? ?been? ?done,? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?rip? ?

off? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?his? ?left? ?sleeve? ?to? ?wipe? ?crazedly? ?at? ?the? ?sword,? ?then? ?tear? ?off? ?his? ?right? ?sleeve? ?

to? ?stuff? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?own? ?mouth,? ?biting? ?it? ?down? ?mulishly,? ?and? ?do? ?his? ?best? ?to? ?restrain? ?himself.? ?

?

The? ?damned? ?quiet? ?moans? ?continued? ?to? ?escape? ?through? ?his? ?bit? ?lips? ?and? ?gritted? ?teeth? ?

intermittently.? ?However,? ?voices? ?echo? ?within? ?caves,? ?and? ?every? ?small? ?sound? ?was? ?amplified? ?

and? ?reverberated? ?outwards.? ?That? ?boy? ?heeded? ?his? ?instructions? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?eyes,? ?

using? ?only? ?his? ?sense? ?of? ?hearing? ?to? ?work,? ?and? ?his? ?ears? ?became? ?more? ?sensitive,? ?so? ?there? ?

was? ?no? ?reason? ?he? ?noticed? ?nothing.? ?Unable? ?to? ?hold? ?back? ?any? ?longer,? ?he? ?asked? ?with? ?a? ?

quivering? ?voice,? ?“Your? ?Highness?”? ? ?

?

To? ?be? ?in? ?such? ?an? ?unspeakable? ?state? ?was? ?the? ?biggest? ?shame? ?of? ?his? ?life.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

hardly? ?imagine? ?what? ?would? ?happen? ?should? ?anyone? ?see? ?him? ?now,? ?and? ?even? ?submerged? ?

in? ?darkness? ?he? ?could? ?not? ?tolerate? ?the? ?thought.? ?He? ?yelled,? ?“DON’T? ?COME? ?IN!!!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?that? ?piece? ?of? ?cloth? ?was? ?still? ?stuffed? ?in? ?his? ?mouth? ?so? ?his? ?command? ?only? ?sounded? ?

like? ?muffled? ?whimpering,? ?exceedingly? ?pitiful? ?and? ?wretched.? ?Hearing? ?him,? ?that? ?young? ?

soldier? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?agitated.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?[????/? ????????]? ?The? ?traditional? ?wedding? ?ritual? ?of? ?spouses? ?cutting? ?off? ?a? ?lock? ?of? ?

their? ?own? ?hair,? ?intertwining? ?and? ?tying? ?them? ?together? ?symbolized? ?“Til? ?Death? ?Do? ?Us? ?

Part”.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cutting? ?off? ?a? ?lock? ?of? ?his? ?hair? ?to? ?tie? ?around? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?finger? ?might? ?

be? ?as? ?inconsequential? ?as? ?Lan? ?Wangji? ?biting? ?Wei? ?Wuxian’s? ?arm,? ?but? ?it’s? ?a? ?point? ?of? ?

interest? ?anyway? ?knowing? ?MXTX,? ?lol.? ?(Obviously? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?thought? ?more? ?of? ?it? ?

than? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?did? ?since? ?he? ?tied? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?of? ?fate? ?on? ?his? ?finger? ?later?)? ?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.83:? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender;? ?Body? ?of? ?Gold? ?Hard-Pressed? ?Against? ?Desire? ?4? ?

TW:? ?Graphic? ?Self? ?Harm? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?left? ?arm? ?was? ?bleeding? ?profusely? ?from? ?the? ?gash? ?he? ?created? ?himself,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?

end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?self? ?‘harm’,? ?not? ?‘murder’,? ?and? ?so? ?the? ?urge? ?wasn’t? ?fully? ?fulfilled.? ?

His? ?mouth? ?slackened? ?and? ?that? ?stuffed? ?piece? ?of? ?cloth? ?fell? ?from? ?his? ?lips.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?

more? ?aggressive,? ?and? ?stabbed? ?his? ?left? ?leg.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?deep? ?cut;? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?the? ?blade? ?

penetrating? ?his? ?flesh? ?was? ?clear.? ?That? ?young? ?soldier? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?back? ?anymore? ?and? ?ran? ?

towards? ?him.? ?Hearing? ?his? ?hurried? ?footsteps,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?backed? ?away? ?in? ?terror.? ?Even? ?when? ?

his? ?back? ?was? ?pressed? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?push? ?backwards,? ?“NONONO!? ?

DON’T? ?COME? ?NEAR? ?ME,? ?DON’T...”? ?

?

The? ?second? ?blood? ?barrier? ?by? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cave? ?was? ?drawn? ?especially? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

to? ?bar? ?himself,? ?but? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?bar? ?that? ?boy? ?so? ?he? ?still? ?had? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?safety.? ?But? ?

the? ?Tender? ?Fragrance? ?poison? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?enter? ?second? ?stage,? ?and? ?if? ?that? ?boy? ?

approached,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?very? ?well? ?end? ?his? ?life? ?right? ?then? ?and? ?there,? ?and? ?spare? ?him? ?no? ?

chance? ?of? ?escape.? ?He? ?was? ?terrified? ?he’d? ?kill? ?that? ?child? ?by? ?accident? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?avoid? ?

him.? ?That? ?young? ?soldier? ?heard? ?the? ?terror? ?in? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?called? ?anxiously,? ?“Your? ?

Highness...”? ?

?

The? ?urge? ?to? ?kill? ?was? ?boiling? ?in? ?his? ?blood.? ?He? ?raised? ?that? ?worn? ?sword? ?with? ?his? ?shaking? ?

hand,? ?and? ?a? ?voice? ?inside? ?his? ?head? ?screamed,? ?“I? ?WON’T? ?DIE,? ?I? ?WON’T? ?DIE,? ?I? ?WON’T? ?

DIE!!!”? ?

?

The? ?next? ?moment,? ?in? ?a? ?split? ?second? ?decision,? ?the? ?blade? ?turned.? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?darkness,? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?could? ?see? ?a? ?cold? ?light? ?flash? ?by? ?and? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS!!!”? ?

?

The? ?sword? ?had? ?struck,? ?and? ?it? ?penetrated? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?own? ?stomach,? ?nailing? ?himself? ?dead? ?

onto? ?the? ?ground!? ?

?

A? ?sharp? ?pain? ?exploded? ?from? ?his? ?abdomen,? ?spreading? ?throughout? ?his? ?whole? ?body,? ?

dispersing? ?the? ?heat.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?were? ?gripping? ?tightly? ?onto? ?the? ?hilt,? ?his? ?eyes? ?bulging.? ?

He? ?choked? ?a? ?cough,? ?a? ?thin? ?thread? ?of? ?blood? ?flowed? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?lips,? ?his? ?

breathing? ?stagnated,? ?and? ?he? ?stopped? ?moving.? ?That? ?young? ?soldier? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?

and? ?fell? ?to? ?his? ?knees? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?body.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?there? ?were? ?screeching? ?and? ?shrieking? ?outside? ?the? ?cave:? ?“WHO? ?ARE? ?YOU!”? ?

?

The? ?voices? ?of? ?the? ?flower? ?demons? ?were? ?delicate? ?but? ?shrill,? ?and? ?their? ?shrieks? ?piercing? ?to? ?

the? ?ears.? ?Yet,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?who? ?thundered? ?louder,? ?dominating? ?over? ?all? ?of? ?their? ?cries:? ?

“WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL!!!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?angry? ?roar,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?breath? ?anew.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin!? ?

?

Another? ?muffled? ?voice? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?get? ?poisoned? ?

then? ?cover? ?your? ?face.”? ?

?

That? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?the? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?already? ?had? ?his? ?face? ?covered.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?covered? ?

his? ?face? ?but? ?then? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?seen? ?something,? ?and? ?muffled? ?an? ?angry? ?shout,? ?“IS? ?

THAT...? ?YOUR? ?HIGHNESS?? ?YOUR? ?HIGHNESS??? ?FUCK!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK!!? ?WHAT’S? ?

THIS!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?let? ?out? ?an? ?“eh?”? ?and? ?noted,? ?“What? ?a? ?disgraceful? ?sight!”? ?But? ?his? ?tone? ?wasn’t? ?

as? ?angry? ?as? ?Feng? ?Xin’s,? ?more? ?like? ?the? ?reaction? ?of? ?having? ?heard? ?someone? ?utter? ?a? ?bad? ?

joke.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laid? ?inside? ?the? ?cave? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?hear? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?saying,? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?

guess? ?that? ?those? ?flower? ?demons? ?probably? ?showed? ?their? ?naked? ?selves? ?before? ?them,? ?

looking? ?highly? ?inappropriate.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?cursing? ?uproariously,? ?“HURRY? ?AND? ?BURN? ?

THEM!? ?DON’T? ?LET? ?ANYONE? ?ELSE? ?SEE!”? ? ?

?

Soon,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?flames? ?and? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?burning.? ?In? ?that? ?roaring? ?fire,? ?the? ?

shrieks? ?and? ?curses? ?of? ?those? ?flower? ?demons? ?gradually? ?disappeared.? ?“Make? ?sure? ?to? ?burn? ?

thoroughly.? ?That? ?fragrance? ?from? ?those? ?flower? ?demons? ?is? ?poisonous,? ?if? ?there? ?are? ?any? ?

leftover? ?seedlings? ?they’ll? ?come? ?back.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?breath,? ?waited,? ?then? ?coughed? ?weakly? ?once,? ?but? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?

immediately? ?heard? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?charged? ?to? ?the? ?cave? ?yelling,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?ARE? ?

YOU? ?IN? ?THERE?”? ? ?

?

“...I’m? ?here...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called.? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?steady? ?his? ?voice,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?weaker? ?than? ?his? ?normal? ?self.? ?The? ?

two? ?of? ?them? ?rushed? ?over? ?but? ?was? ?stopped? ?by? ?the? ?barriers? ?outside? ?the? ?cave’s? ?entrance.? ?

However,? ?they? ?were? ?very? ?familiar? ?with? ?the? ?arrays? ?drawn? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?knew? ?how? ?to? ?

break? ?them.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?ignited? ?a? ?palm? ?torch,? ?walked? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?and? ?before? ?the? ?deepest? ?

of? ?the? ?cave? ?was? ?illuminated,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?called,? ?“Who’s? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?alarmed? ?too,? ?“Is? ?there? ?someone? ?else? ?in? ?the? ?cave?”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?worry.? ?Just? ?a? ?little? ?soldier.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?dropped? ?their? ?guards? ?and? ?entered.? ?The? ?bright? ?firelight? ?brightened? ?the? ?entire? ?

cave? ?with? ?a? ?warm? ?orangey? ?glow,? ?and? ?illuminated? ?the? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?laid? ?there? ?on? ?the? ?

ground,? ?his? ?long? ?hair? ?strewn? ?about,? ?his? ?robes? ?shredded,? ?and? ?a? ?long? ?sword? ?impaled? ?

through? ?his? ?abdomen,? ?nailing? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?horrified? ?by? ?the? ?sight.? ?Feng? ?Xing? ?leaned? ?over,? ?“WHO? ?DID? ?THIS?!”? ? ?

?

“Me.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?aghast,? ?“What? ?happened?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?talk? ?about? ?it.? ?This? ?only? ?happened? ?because? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?other? ?way.? ?Hurry? ?and? ?free? ?me? ?from? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?approached? ?and? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?sword? ?with? ?a? ?frown,? ?throwing? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?with? ?

a? ?clang,? ?and? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?retrieved? ?it.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?helped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sit? ?up,? ?covered? ?him? ?

with? ?an? ?outer? ?robe,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?recounted? ?roughly? ?the? ?ghastly? ?night? ?

with? ?the? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender.? ?“You? ?guys? ?came? ?faster? ?than? ?I? ?expected.? ?Where’s? ?Qi? ?Rong?”? ? ?

?

“Qi? ?Rong? ?got? ?locked? ?up? ?by? ?the? ?king? ?in? ?the? ?palace,”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?too? ?overbearing? ?

in? ?the? ?markets,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?was? ?an? ?easy? ?target.? ?But? ?he? ?knew? ?to? ?find? ?us? ?after? ?he? ?got? ?

back,? ?so? ?not? ?too? ?bad.”? ?So? ?it? ?seemed? ?that? ?as? ?much? ?as? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?despised? ?those? ?two? ?

servants? ?he? ?still? ?acknowledged? ?how? ?competent? ?they? ?were.? ?The? ?two? ?had? ?planned? ?to? ?have? ?

one? ?stay? ?behind? ?to? ?guard? ?the? ?fortress,? ?but? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?screaming? ?and? ?howling? ?with? ?a? ?

sword? ?smeared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?blood,? ?so? ?they? ?thought? ?the? ?danger? ?might? ?be? ?more? ?than? ?they? ?

expected,? ?and? ?decided? ?to? ?both? ?come? ?together? ?in? ?the? ?end.? ?The? ?Hill? ?of? ?BeiZi? ?was? ?thick? ?with? ?

the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil,? ?so? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?hard? ?to? ?find,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?they? ?were? ?so? ?quick? ?in? ?

coming.? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?possessed? ?an? ?ascended? ?body,? ?normal? ?blades? ?could? ?not? ?hurt? ?his? ?

essence? ?and? ?a? ?jab? ?to? ?himself? ?like? ?this? ?wouldn’t? ?kill? ?him,? ?still? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?really? ?truly? ?lost? ?

in? ?a? ?battle? ?of? ?life? ?and? ?death? ?in? ?his? ?twenty? ?years,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?had? ?

gotten? ?so? ?heavily? ?wounded,? ?so? ?he? ?needed? ?time? ?to? ?recover.? ?And? ?so,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?carried? ?him? ?

on? ?his? ?back? ?on? ?their? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?royal? ?capital.? ?Foreign? ?pain? ?stabbed? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?his? ?

stomach,? ?making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?furrow? ?his? ?brows? ?but? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?control? ?himself,? ?“Did? ?you? ?guys? ?

bump? ?into? ?anything? ?on? ?your? ?way? ?here?”? ? ?

?

“No.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?breath? ?and? ?said,? ?“Be? ?careful,? ?there? ?are? ?inhuman? ?creatures? ?about...”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?tell? ?them? ?about? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?being,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?really? ?

quite? ?exhausted,? ?and? ?seeing? ?from? ?the? ?peripheral? ?of? ?his? ?vision? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?

following? ?behind? ?with? ?that? ?bloody? ?steel? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?he? ?finally? ?relaxed,? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?

to? ?restore? ?his? ?energy,? ?and? ?fell? ?deeply? ?asleep.? ?

?

Since? ?he? ?had? ?capriciously? ?descended? ?into? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?not? ?closed? ?his? ?

eyes? ?to? ?rest? ?for? ?over? ?a? ?month,? ?and? ?with? ?stacking? ?pressure? ?growing,? ?this? ?whole? ?ordeal? ?

finally? ?crushed? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?comatose? ?for? ?three? ?whole? ?days.? ?After? ?three? ?days? ?he? ?

woke? ?with? ?a? ?start? ?and? ?found? ?himself? ?inside? ?his? ?bedchamber.? ?The? ?ceiling? ?above? ?was? ?

glamourous? ?and? ?beautiful? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?palace? ?–? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?sat? ?up,? ?“Feng? ?Xin!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?just? ?outside? ?testing? ?his? ?bow,? ?and? ?entered? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?call.? ?“Your? ?

Highness!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?stomach? ?injury? ?was? ?long? ?healed,? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?jumped? ?off? ?the? ?bed,? ?

“Was? ?I? ?knocked? ?out? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time?? ?Did? ?anything? ?happen?”? ? ?

?

“Relax.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“It? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?days.? ?There? ?were? ?no? ?enemy? ?attacks.? ?If? ?there? ?

was,? ?wouldn’t? ?I? ?have? ?already? ?woken? ?you? ?up?? ?Go? ?back? ?to? ?bed,? ?you? ?forgot? ?your? ?shoes? ?

again.”? ? ?

?

Calmed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?bed.? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?asked,? ?“Where’s? ?Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?walked? ?in? ?too,? ?holding? ?the? ?prepared? ?robes? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?“Here.”? ? ?

?

He? ?attended? ?to? ?dressing? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke? ?up? ?beside? ?them,? ?

“However,? ?even? ?though? ?we? ?didn’t? ?battle? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days,? ?we? ?did? ?find? ?something? ?out.”? ? ?

?

“Find? ?out? ?what?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?we? ?say? ?before? ?that? ?there’s? ?something? ?off? ?with? ?Yong’an?? ?That? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?

reinforcements?? ?We? ?went? ?to? ?scout? ?the? ?Hill? ?of? ?BeiZi? ?and? ?saw? ?several? ?people? ?that? ?were? ?

dressed? ?like? ?our? ?people? ?but? ?had? ?a? ?weird? ?accent.? ?They? ?didn’t? ?look? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?from? ?

Xianle.? ?I? ?captured? ?them,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?there? ?were? ?other? ?kingdoms? ?supporting? ?them? ?

from? ?the? ?shadows,? ?secretly? ?shipping? ?supplies? ?and? ?arms.”? ?

?

Otherwise,? ?with? ?so? ?many? ?people? ?of? ?Yong’an? ?squished? ?on? ?a? ?barren? ?hill,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?

they? ?could? ?support? ?themselves? ?until? ?now? ?surviving? ?on? ?wild? ?roots? ?and? ?weeds!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cussed,? ?“Fucking? ?fakers? ?pretending? ?to? ?be? ?all? ?friendly? ?gotta? ?stir? ?shit? ?up? ?now,? ?

hoping? ?Xianle? ?would? ?fall? ?completely? ?into? ?chaos!”? ? ?

?

The? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?possessed? ?a? ?vast? ?territory? ?with? ?bountiful? ?resources,? ?its? ?wealth? ?

abundant,? ?its? ?production? ?of? ?precious? ?jewels? ?plentiful,? ?and? ?the? ?nearby? ?kingdoms? ?had? ?long? ?

watched? ?with? ?eyes? ?green? ?with? ?envy.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?expected? ?this? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?

gravely.? ?He? ?recalled? ?something? ?else? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Where’s? ?that? ?child?”? ? ?

?

“Which? ?one?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?asked,? ?“Oh,? ?that? ?little? ?soldier?? ?We? ?were? ?rushing? ?you? ?to? ?the? ?

Guoshi? ?that? ?day,? ?no? ?one? ?cared? ?for? ?him,? ?so? ?he? ?probably? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?his? ?troops.”? ? ?

?

Dressed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?poised? ?on? ?the? ?bed,? ?“That? ?child? ?was? ?

pretty? ?skilled,? ?I? ?think? ?he’s? ?got? ?really? ?good? ?potential? ?with? ?the? ?sabre.? ?If? ?he’s? ?taught? ?well? ?he’d? ?

definitely? ?be? ?spectacular? ?when? ?he’s? ?older.? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?remember? ?to? ?find? ?him? ?for? ?me? ?when? ?

you? ?get? ?a? ?chance.? ?Settle? ?him? ?well.? ?He? ?could? ?be? ?appointed.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?someone? ?who? ?loved? ?those? ?who? ?were? ?skilled? ?in? ?martial? ?arts,? ?and? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?

appoint? ?them? ?to? ?his? ?side? ?just? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?watch? ?them? ?everyday? ?and? ?soak? ?in? ?delight.? ?This? ?

wasn’t? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?made? ?such? ?a? ?comment,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?it? ?was? ?directed? ?to? ?

a? ?child.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?heard? ?him? ?make? ?those? ?“really? ?good? ?potential? ?with? ?the? ?sabre”,? ?

“spectacular? ?when? ?he’s? ?older”? ?remarks? ?and? ?his? ?expression? ?turned? ?unreadable,? ?

scrunching? ?up? ?the? ?hair? ?band? ?he’d? ?just? ?untied? ?from? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?turned? ?

around? ?to? ?throw? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?remarked,? ?“That? ?brat? ?only? ?looks? ?to? ?be? ?about? ?fourteen? ?or? ?

fifteen,? ?isn’t? ?that? ?too? ?young?? ?What’s? ?he? ?gonna? ?do? ?after? ?getting? ?appointed?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?spoke? ?up? ?too? ?in? ?a? ?flat? ?voice,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?proper.? ?It’d? ?be? ?against? ?military? ?rule.”? ? ?

?

“A? ?god? ?can? ?descend? ?into? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?so? ?what? ?can? ?military? ?rule? ?do? ?to? ?me?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

said,? ?then? ?praised,? ?“You? ?guys? ?should’ve? ?seen? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?killed? ?those? ?binu’s!? ?It? ?was? ?so? ?

good!”? ? ?

?

Speaking? ?of? ?binu,? ?that? ?strange? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?flashed? ?before? ?his? ?mind.? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?why? ?have? ?demons? ?like? ?those? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tenders? ?appear? ?on? ?the? ?Hill? ?of? ?BeiZi?? ?

That’s? ?never? ?happened? ?before?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“That’s? ?what? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?tell? ?you? ?guys? ?that? ?day.”? ? ?

?

Finally? ?free,? ?he? ?recounted? ?his? ?meeting? ?with? ?that? ?one? ?who? ?bore? ?the? ?crying-smiling? ?mask.? ?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?talked? ?it? ?over? ?but? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?negligent,? ?and? ?decided? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?

that? ?it? ?was? ?better? ?to? ?report? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Thus,? ?once? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?left? ?his? ?bedchamber,? ?he? ?

briefly? ?met? ?with? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?before? ?hurrying? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?on? ?

Mount? ?Taicang.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would’ve? ?gone? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?directly? ?to? ?tell? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

face? ?to? ?face.? ?Yet? ?the? ?circumstances? ?had? ?changed;? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?deserted? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Court? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?handing? ?the? ?keys? ?back.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?go? ?back? ?the? ?

doors? ?would? ?be? ?locked.? ?Plus? ?he? ?left? ?with? ?such? ?upset? ?and? ?spoke? ?with? ?such? ?friction? ?in? ?the? ?

Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?embarrassed? ?to? ?face? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?Thus,? ?with? ?great? ?

reverence? ?he? ?lit? ?a? ?few? ?giant? ?sticks? ?of? ?incense? ?in? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?and? ?passed? ?on? ?

the? ?message? ?to? ?the? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor,? ?hoping? ?that? ?he? ?would? ?

hear? ?it.? ?However,? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?incense? ?respects? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?received? ?were? ?at? ?least? ?eight? ?

thousand? ?to? ?ten? ?thousand,? ?an? ?overwhelming? ?amount,? ?with? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?big? ?believers? ?

mixed? ?in.? ?Whether? ?if? ?he? ?would? ?really? ?hear? ?his? ?message? ?would? ?depend? ?entirely? ?on? ?

chance.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?leave? ?things? ?be? ?for? ?too? ?long? ?either,? ?and? ?immediately? ?

returned? ?to? ?the? ?battlefront? ?to? ?continue? ?his? ?watch? ?over? ?the? ?fortress? ?city.? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?the? ?damage? ?inflicted? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?battle? ?was? ?too? ?great? ?and? ?their? ?

reinforcements? ?were? ?cut? ?off? ?secretly? ?by? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?Yong’an? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

changed? ?tactics? ?and? ?didn’t? ?recklessly? ?attack? ?again.? ?After? ?a? ?few? ?months,? ?they? ?fought? ?a? ?few? ?

small? ?battles? ?but? ?didn’t? ?lose? ?too? ?gravely.? ?Compared? ?to? ?the? ?first? ?battle,? ?those? ?bouts? ?were? ?

nothing.? ?That? ?strange? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?didn’t? ?appear? ?again? ?either.? ?Thus,? ?the? ?royal? ?

capital? ?of? ?Xianle? ?was? ?growing? ?slack,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?found? ?a? ?rare? ?chance? ?to? ?leave? ?

from? ?the? ?front? ?lines,? ?strolling? ?through? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?to? ?relax? ?a? ?bit.? ?

?

He? ?stepped? ?onto? ?a? ?small? ?stone? ?bridge,? ?stirring? ?long? ?twines? ?of? ?the? ?weeping? ?willow? ?next? ?to? ?

the? ?bridge,? ?and? ?watched? ?lively,? ?red? ?koi? ?fish? ?swish? ?their? ?tails? ?swimming? ?happily? ?through? ?

the? ?coursing? ?waters? ?below,? ?feeling? ?envious.? ?He? ?was? ?lost? ?in? ?thought? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?when? ?

suddenly? ?he? ?felt? ?eyes? ?staring? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?behind,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?there? ?

was? ?no? ?one? ?there.? ?Puzzled? ?but? ?not? ?sensing? ?any? ?malintent? ?or? ?killing? ?intent,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?

mind.? ?

?

After? ?crossing? ?the? ?bridge,? ?he? ?strolled? ?along? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue,? ?and? ?passersby? ?on? ?

the? ?road? ?bowed? ?to? ?him? ?excitedly? ?or? ?reverently? ?or? ?delightfully,? ?greeting? ?“Your? ?Highness”.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?smiled,? ?and? ?after? ?walking? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?staring? ?gaze? ?on? ?

his? ?back? ?again.? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?he? ?took? ?it? ?to? ?heart,? ?and? ?whipped? ?around? ?without? ?warning,? ?catching? ?the? ?culprit.? ?

Behind? ?a? ?willow? ?tree? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?a? ?shadow.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?up? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?

to? ?grab? ?at? ?the? ?person? ?when? ?he? ?realized? ?with? ?a? ?start? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?boy? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?

wrapped? ?in? ?bandages.? ?“You’re...?”? ?

?

Even? ?with? ?bandages? ?wrapped? ?all? ?over? ?his? ?head,? ?that? ?boy? ?still? ?raised? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?face? ?

with? ?crossed? ?arms,? ?leaving? ?only? ?a? ?bright? ?eye? ?peeking? ?through? ?his? ?patched? ?sleeves.? ?He? ?

stammered,? ?“Y-Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?to.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pointed? ?at? ?him,? ?“You’re? ?from? ?that? ?night...”? ?

?

He? ?trailed? ?off,? ?recalling? ?immediately? ?what? ?exactly? ?transpired? ?that? ?night? ?many? ?months? ?ago? ?

and? ?just? ?how? ?discomposed? ?he? ?was.? ?Images? ?filled? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?he? ?reddened,? ?feeling? ?

slightly? ?awkward,? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“So? ?it? ?was? ?you.? ?I? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?look? ?for? ?

you? ?a? ?while? ?back,? ?but? ?with? ?so? ?much? ?on? ?my? ?plate? ?I’d? ?forgotten.? ?Ahem,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?a? ?soldier? ?

in? ?the? ?army?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?in? ?the? ?city?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?that? ?boy? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?replied,? ?a? ?little? ?mopingly,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?in? ?the? ?army? ?

anymore.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“Huh?? ?Why? ?not?”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?bewildered,? ?“I...? ?got? ?kicked? ?out.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?did...? ?did? ?you? ?

not? ?know?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?perplexed,? ?“Know? ?what?”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?clearly? ?told? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?that? ?that? ?child? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?sprout? ?to? ?be? ?settled? ?and? ?

appointed,? ?so? ?how? ?did? ?he? ?get? ?kicked? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?army? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?specific? ?

instructions???? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?both? ?excited? ?and? ?happy,? ?immediately? ?dropping? ?his? ?arms,? ?“So? ?Your? ?

Highness? ?hadn’t? ?known!? ?I? ?had? ?thought...? ?I? ?thought...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?becoming? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?curious,? ?“Come,? ?tell? ?me,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?kicked? ?

out?? ?Who? ?kicked? ?you? ?out?? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?would? ?know?? ?Also,? ?what? ?had? ?you? ?

thought?”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?made? ?a? ?giant? ?step? ?towards? ?him,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?speak,? ?just? ?then? ?from? ?the? ?

Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue? ?came? ?a? ?loud,? ?horrified? ?scream,? ?“AAAAHHHHHHH—!!!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?man? ?holding? ?his? ?face,? ?running? ?and? ?

stumbling? ?in? ?his? ?direction.? ?

?

?

—————-? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?is? ?a? ?serious? ?martial? ?arts? ?otaku!? ?–? ?All? ?the? ?peeping? ?

flowers? ?got? ?burnt? ?to? ?death? ?by? ?the? ?straight? ?dudes.? ?

?

—————-? ?

?

Ch.84:? ?From? ?the? ?Earth? ?of? ?BuYou? ?Forest,? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?Breaks? ?Out? ?

?

He? ?was? ?a? ?tall? ?and? ?burly? ?man,? ?dashing? ?crazedly,? ?and? ?many? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?fell? ?as? ?he? ?

rammed? ?past.? ?They? ?complained? ?loudly,? ?“What? ?gives!”? ?

?

“What’s? ?up? ?with? ?the? ?heated? ?run? ?on? ?such? ?a? ?hot? ?day...”? ?

?

“Wow,? ?my? ?first? ?time? ?seeing? ?anyone? ?come? ?out? ?without? ?wearing? ?their? ?face*.”? ?

?

Many? ?started? ?laughing? ?as? ?they? ?commented? ?since? ?they? ?weren’t? ?really? ?angry? ?anyway.? ?But? ?

that? ?man? ?rampaged? ?all? ?the? ?way,? ?and? ?crashed? ?himself? ?head? ?on? ?with? ?a? ?large,? ?luxurious? ?

horse? ?carriage,? ?and? ?blood? ?splattered? ?on? ?the? ?spot!? ?

?

He? ?fell? ?back? ?first? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?a? ?heap,? ?and? ?the? ?pedestrians? ?who? ?were? ?joking? ?around? ?

all? ?screamed.? ?The? ?horse? ?carriage? ?owner? ?was? ?also? ?shocked,? ?poking? ?his? ?head? ?out? ?to? ?ask,? ?

“Who? ?was? ?that?? ?Who? ?crashed? ?into? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Everything? ?was? ?so? ?sudden,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?put? ?the? ?matter? ?with? ?the? ?boy? ?onto? ?the? ?back? ?

burner? ?for? ?now,? ?and? ?he? ?rushed? ?over.? ?“What’s? ?happened?”? ? ?

?

That? ?man? ?who? ?rammed? ?his? ?head? ?into? ?the? ?hard,? ?solid? ?carriage? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?passed? ?

out,? ?his? ?disheveled? ?hair? ?blocking? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?people? ?

surrounding? ?him? ?carefully? ?and? ?watching.? ?Before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?got? ?close? ?however,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?

leapt? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?fit,? ?and? ?wailed,? ?“I? ?CAN’T? ?STAND? ?IT? ?ANYMORRREEE!? ?SOMEONE!? ?

SOMEONE? ?KILL? ?ME!? ?HURRY,? ?SOMEONE? ?COME? ?KILL? ?ME!!!? ?PLEASE!”? ? ?

?

A? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?burly? ?men? ?passing? ?by? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?anymore? ?and? ?commented,? ?

“Which? ?house? ?let? ?their? ?psycho? ?lose?? ?Take? ?him? ?away,? ?jeez...”? ?They? ?were? ?originally? ?going? ?

to? ?arrest? ?that? ?man,? ?but? ?just? ?when? ?they? ?approached,? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?that? ?lunatic’s? ?face? ?up? ?

close,? ?they? ?all? ?screamed? ?too,? ?and? ?backed? ?away? ?in? ?a? ?hurry:? ?“WHAT? ?IS? ?THIS? ?

MONSTER!!!”? ?

?

That? ?psycho? ?man? ?however,? ?chased? ?after? ?them,? ?crying? ?in? ?a? ?manic,? ?“HURRY? ?AND? ?BEAT? ?

ME? ?TO? ?DEATH!!!”? ?

?

Those? ?men? ?were? ?horrified,? ?and? ?just? ?then? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?approached,? ?they? ?saw? ?it? ?was? ?His? ?

Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?and? ?rushed? ?to? ?hide? ?behind? ?him? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?divine? ?reprieve.? ?

Without? ?blinking,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?leg? ?and? ?kicked,? ?knocking? ?that? ?crazy? ?man? ?down? ?and? ?

he? ?tumbled? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?ending? ?up? ?like? ?a? ?mud-covered? ?dog.? ?Some? ?pointed? ?at? ?him:? ?“Your? ?

Highness!? ?This? ?man...? ?this? ?man...? ?he? ?has...? ?HE? ?HAS!!!”? ?

?

No? ?need? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?point? ?it? ?out,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?saw? ?it? ?–? ?this? ?man? ?had? ?two? ?faces!? ?

?

Technically,? ?it? ?was? ?one? ?face? ?with? ?another? ?grown? ?from? ?it.? ?The? ?second? ?face? ?was? ?squished? ?

on? ?half? ?the? ?cheek? ?of? ?that? ?crazy? ?man,? ?about? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?a? ?palm,? ?and? ?although? ?this? ?man? ?

was? ?young,? ?that? ?small? ?face? ?was? ?a? ?wrinkly? ?old? ?man,? ?ugly? ?to? ?the? ?core!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?shocked? ?to? ?the? ?core,? ?his? ?mind? ?filled? ?with? ?only? ?one? ?thing:? ?What? ?is? ?this? ?

monster?!? ?

?

He? ?immediately? ?gripped? ?the? ?sword? ?hung? ?on? ?his? ?waist? ?and? ?unsheathed? ?it.? ?That? ?sword? ?was? ?

an? ?enchanted? ?weapon? ?gifted? ?him? ?by? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor? ?–? ?HongJing.? ?Ever? ?

since? ?he? ?met? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?character,? ?he? ?kept? ?the? ?sword? ?on? ?his? ?person? ?at? ?all? ?times? ?

in? ?case? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?need? ?for? ?it,? ?and? ?just? ?maybe? ?he’d? ?get? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?creature’s? ?true? ?form? ?

one? ?of? ?these? ?days.? ?Under? ?the? ?current? ?circumstances,? ?that? ?sword? ?was? ?certainly? ?useful,? ?

and? ?once? ?unsheathed,? ?the? ?shine? ?of? ?that? ?blade? ?was? ?brighter? ?than? ?snow.? ?Yet,? ?when? ?he? ?

looked,? ?the? ?reflection? ?on? ?that? ?blade? ?did? ?not? ?change? ?whatsoever.? ?It? ?was? ?still? ?just? ?this? ?man,? ?

and? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?just? ?those? ?two? ?terrifying? ?faces.? ?That? ?meant? ?this? ?crazy? ?man? ?wasn’t? ?in? ?any? ?

shape? ?or? ?form? ?a? ?monster? ?or? ?a? ?demon,? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?indeed? ?human!? ?

?

However,? ?was? ?there? ?really? ?anyone? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?who? ?would? ?have? ?such? ?a? ?growth?? ?If? ?he? ?

was? ?born? ?this? ?way,? ?then? ?how? ?could? ?it? ?not? ?be? ?known? ?within? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?within? ?years?? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?both? ?astonished? ?and? ?suspicious,? ?and? ?suddenly,? ?someone? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?

spoke? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?quivering? ?voice,? ?“How...? ?how? ?did? ?he? ?become? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?sheathed? ?the? ?sword? ?HongJing? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?

“You? ?know? ?him?? ?Was? ?he? ?not? ?like? ?this? ?before?”? ? ?

?

A? ?number? ?of? ?people? ?replied:? ?“We? ?know? ?him!? ?We? ?used? ?to? ?work? ?with? ?him.? ?Of? ?course? ?he’s? ?

not? ?like? ?this.? ?Before,? ?his? ?face...? ?how? ?could? ?it? ?have? ?something? ?like? ?this!!!”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?growing? ?bigger,? ?almost? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?blocking? ?the? ?whole? ?

main? ?street,? ?with? ?a? ?grave? ?expression,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inhaled? ?and? ?shouted? ?loudly? ?and? ?clearly,? ?

“EVERYONE,? ?DON’T? ?COME? ?CLOSE.? ?IT’S? ?NOTHING,? ?BREAK? ?IT? ?UP!”? ?That? ?bandaged? ?

boy? ?helped? ?him? ?keep? ?the? ?crowd? ?away? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?notice.? ?He? ?was? ?busy? ?calling? ?for? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array:? ?“Come? ?quick? ?to? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?

Avenue? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?capital!”? ? ?

?

After? ?lowering? ?his? ?hand,? ?he? ?saw? ?another? ?close? ?by? ?who? ?looked? ?tentative? ?and? ?floundering,? ?

exceedingly? ?hesitant,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?towards? ?him,? ?“Do? ?you? ?have? ?something? ?you? ?

want? ?to? ?say?”? ? ?

?

With? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?query,? ?that? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?found? ?courage? ?and? ?said,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?there’s? ?something? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?I? ?should? ?tell...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?listen? ?to? ?him? ?ramble? ?winding? ?words,? ?and? ?cut? ?in? ?bluntly,? ?“Get? ?to? ?

the? ?point!”? ? ?

?

“A? ?few? ?days? ?ago,? ?some? ?bumps? ?appeared? ?on? ?my? ?chest;? ?three? ?big? ?ones? ?and? ?two? ?small? ?

ones,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?anything,? ?they? ?don’t? ?itch? ?or? ?hurt,? ?and? ?they? ?actually? ?feel? ?pretty? ?good? ?

when? ?you? ?nudge? ?at? ?them.? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?much? ?of? ?them? ?but? ?seeing? ?this? ?buddy? ?here,? ?I’m? ?

feeling? ?pretty...? ?like? ?I? ?might? ?be? ?punished? ?for? ?something,? ?yanno,? ?haha.”? ?He? ?laughed? ?flatly? ?

and? ?loosened? ?his? ?robe,? ?showing? ?his? ?chest,? ?“There’s? ?nothing? ?wrong? ?with? ?me...? ?is? ?there?”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?took? ?off? ?his? ?robe? ?everyone? ?fell? ?silent.? ?On? ?the? ?chest? ?of? ?that? ?man? ?wasn’t? ?

just? ?“some? ?bumps”.? ?It? ?was? ?clearly? ?the? ?blurry? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?woman? ?with? ?all? ?five? ?of? ?her? ?senses? ?

intact!? ?

?

That? ?man? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?was? ?also? ?shocked,? ?“HOW? ?DID? ?IT? ?BECOME? ?LIKE? ?THIS?!? ?IT? ?

CLEARLY? ?WASN’T? ?THAT...? ?THAT...”? ?Lifelike?? ?Realistic?? ?No? ?matter? ?what? ?adjective? ?used? ?

they’re? ?all? ?fully? ?horrifying!? ?

?

Everyone? ?onsite? ?was? ?terrified,? ?and? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?that? ?man? ?grabbed? ?onto? ?the? ?hem? ?of? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?robe? ?and? ?cried,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS? ?SAVE? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

At? ?that? ?same? ?moment,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?received? ?his? ?call? ?and? ?came? ?rushing? ?over? ?

by? ?the? ?towers.? ?Seeing? ?the? ?picture? ?before? ?them? ?they? ?both? ?furrowed? ?their? ?brows,? ?and? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?shouted,? ?“STAND? ?BACK!? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?PLAYING? ?AT?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?explain.? ?He? ?patted? ?that? ?man’s? ?shoulders? ?and? ?comforted,? ?

“Don’t? ?worry.? ?Keep? ?calm.”? ?His? ?tone? ?of? ?voice? ?was? ?warm? ?and? ?firm,? ?serious? ?but? ?kind.? ?That? ?

man? ?thought? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?everything? ?under? ?control? ?and? ?believed? ?without? ?a? ?doubt? ?that? ?a? ?

small? ?matter? ?like? ?this? ?was? ?nothing? ?to? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?relaxed.? ?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?was? ?in? ?tumult.? ? ?

?

That? ?“Human? ?Face”? ?was? ?actually? ?something? ?that? ?grew? ?gradually!? ?And? ?those? ?with? ?the? ?

symptom? ?–? ?he? ?shall? ?call? ?it? ?‘symptom’? ?for? ?now? ?–? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?just? ?the? ?one? ?person.? ?Then,? ?

dare? ?he? ?assume? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?more?? ? ?

?

He? ?immediately? ?gave? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?a? ?rough? ?account? ?and? ?commanded,? ?“Report? ?

this? ?to? ?the? ?palace,? ?pass? ?down? ?this? ?order:? ?Search? ?the? ?whole? ?city? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?there’s? ?anyone? ?

else? ?with? ?similar? ?affliction.? ?Do? ?not? ?miss? ?a? ?single? ?one!”? ? ?

?

Because? ?that? ?thing? ?was? ?so? ?shocking,? ?once? ?the? ?king? ?received? ?the? ?news? ?he? ?made? ?it? ?a? ?

priority,? ?dispatching? ?a? ?large? ?number? ?of? ?troops? ?to? ?search? ?and? ?investigate,? ?the? ?work? ?highly? ?

efficient? ?and? ?effective.? ?By? ?that? ?night? ?it? ?was? ?confirmed:? ?Within? ?the? ?entire? ?royal? ?capital,? ?

there? ?were? ?already? ?five? ?people? ?with? ?somewhat? ?visible? ?faces? ?growing? ?on? ?their? ?bodies.? ?

Those? ?five,? ?either? ?they? ?saw? ?and? ?didn’t? ?take? ?it? ?to? ?heart,? ?or? ?the? ?‘faces’? ?were? ?growing? ?in? ?

areas? ?not? ?easily? ?detected.? ?Plus? ?the? ?‘faces’? ?didn’t? ?itch? ?or? ?hurt,? ?so? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?

noticed.? ?Other? ?than? ?that,? ?there? ?were? ?over? ?ten? ?others? ?who? ?had? ?shallow? ?bumps? ?appearing? ?

on? ?their? ?bodies,? ?no? ?doubt? ?the? ?still? ?immature? ?‘faces’.? ? ?

?

In? ?this? ?group? ?of? ?twenty? ?some? ?people,? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?women? ?and? ?youth,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?

were? ?sent? ?forth? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?they? ?were? ?filled? ?with? ?unease? ?and? ?

greeted? ?each? ?other,? ?comforting? ?one? ?another? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?Initially,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

speaking? ?to? ?someone? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?taking? ?care? ?of? ?some? ?business,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?noticed? ?

them,? ?he? ?felt? ?something? ?was? ?amiss.? ?He? ?asked,? ?“Do? ?you? ?all? ?know? ?each? ?other?”? ? ?

?

The? ?officials? ?who? ?worked? ?all? ?night? ?briefly? ?glanced? ?at? ?their? ?report? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?many? ?of? ?them? ?live? ?on? ?the? ?outskirts? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?fairly? ?close? ?together,? ?so? ?

maybe? ?they’ve? ?crossed? ?paths? ?as? ?neighbours.”? ? ?

?

Many? ?who? ?lived? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?area?? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?aghast,? ?“People? ?who? ?lived? ?close? ?

together? ?all? ?grew? ?those? ?human? ?faces?? ?That? ?thing? ?is? ?contagious???”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?of? ?it? ?faster? ?than? ?he? ?did,? ?he? ?just? ?didn’t? ?say? ?it? ?as? ?fast.? ?Immediately? ?he? ?

commanded,? ?“Isolate? ?them!? ?Disperse? ?the? ?non-affected,? ?don’t? ?let? ?anyone? ?come? ?close? ?to? ?

this? ?place.? ?Find? ?a? ?place? ?to? ?quarantine? ?everyone? ?here!”? ? ?

?

“A? ?contagious? ?strange? ?disease”.? ?When? ?those? ?words? ?leaked? ?out,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?effective? ?

than? ?the? ?order? ?to? ?disperse? ?any? ?strong-arming? ?troops.? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?the? ?onlooking? ?crowd? ?

scattered,? ?more? ?than? ?half? ?the? ?houses? ?on? ?the? ?street? ?emptied? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ordered? ?for? ?the? ?

officials? ?and? ?soldiers? ?he? ?appointed? ?to? ?gear? ?up? ?for? ?protection,? ?and? ?brought? ?those? ?twenty? ?

some? ?people? ?to? ?the? ?outskirts? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?where? ?some? ?of? ?them? ?lived.? ? ?

?

Nearby? ?the? ?residential? ?area? ?on? ?the? ?outskirts? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?forest? ?called? ?the? ?BuYou? ?

Forest.? ?The? ?government? ?officials? ?had? ?intended? ?to? ?build? ?a? ?quarantine? ?there? ?to? ?temporarily? ?

settle? ?the? ?“sick”.? ?However,? ?when? ?they? ?entered? ?the? ?woods,? ?while? ?others? ?were? ?busy? ?

building? ?camp,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?unsettled? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?walked.? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?noticed? ?too.? ?It? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?spoke? ?up? ?first,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?isn’t? ?

this? ?where? ?that? ?Lang? ?Ying...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?by? ?his? ?side,? ?frowning? ?deeply,? ?“Yea.? ?It? ?was? ?here.”? ? ?

?

This? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?place? ?that? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?bare? ?handedly? ?dug? ?and? ?buried? ?

the? ?dead? ?body? ?of? ?his? ?son!? ? ?

?

Having? ?realized? ?this,? ?the? ?three? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?Although? ?they? ?can’t? ?put? ?their? ?fingers? ?

on? ?it,? ?a? ?rough? ?guess? ?was? ?forming? ?in? ?their? ?minds,? ?pushing? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?start? ?searching? ?for? ?

the? ?place? ?where? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?buried? ?the? ?corpse? ?that? ?day.? ?Yet,? ?it? ?had? ?been? ?months,? ?and? ?

with? ?so? ?many? ?trees? ?in? ?the? ?BuYou? ?Forest,? ?how? ?could? ?they? ?possibly? ?remember? ?exactly? ?

which? ?tree? ?the? ?child? ?was? ?buried? ?under?? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?an? ?indescribably? ?foul? ?stench? ?wafted? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?

?

That? ?disgusting? ?stink? ?was? ?somewhat? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?rotten? ?corpse,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?

suffocating.? ?Just? ?one? ?breath? ?and? ?it? ?could? ?knock? ?a? ?man? ?out.? ?Others? ?smelt? ?it? ?too? ?and? ?

started? ?backing? ?away,? ?covering? ?their? ?noses? ?and? ?fanning,? ?“What’s? ?over? ?there?”? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?going? ?on!? ?It’s? ?worse? ?than? ?a? ?ten-year? ?old? ?pickle? ?jar!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rushed? ?forward? ?and? ?followed? ?that? ?terrifying? ?smell,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?

a? ?familiar? ?looking? ?crooked? ?tree.? ?The? ?earth? ?under? ?the? ?tree? ?was? ?slightly? ?raised,? ?forming? ?a? ?

benign? ?mound.? ?The? ?soldiers? ?raised? ?their? ?swords? ?and? ?gathered? ?to? ?protect? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?he? ?

raised? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?stop? ?them.? ?He? ?said? ?gravely,? ?“Be? ?careful.? ?Normal? ?people? ?shouldn’t? ?

come? ?close.”? ? ?

?

The? ?not? ?normal? ?people? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?grabbed? ?a? ?shovel? ?offhandedly? ?and? ?approached.? ?After? ?a? ?

few? ?shovels? ?that? ?mud? ?mound? ?became? ?a? ?ditch,? ?the? ?foul? ?stench? ?grew? ?heavier,? ?and? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?dug? ?more? ?mindfully.? ?After? ?another? ?few? ?shovels,? ?a? ?small? ?black? ?thing? ?was? ?dug? ?out,? ?and? ?

it? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?squirming.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?slowed? ?his? ?movement,? ?and? ?the? ?soldiers? ?reacted? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?facing? ?a? ?great? ?

enemy.? ?Suddenly,? ?the? ?earth? ?arched? ?up,? ?and? ?a? ?swollen,? ?bloated? ?giant? ?body? ?broke? ?out? ?from? ?

the? ?soil,? ?exposing? ?itself? ?before? ?the? ?torch-holding? ?crowd.? ?

?

That? ?rotten? ?foul? ?stench? ?surged? ?instantly,? ?and? ?most? ?of? ?the? ?people? ?onsite? ?threw? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?

spot.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?

?

That? ?thing? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?described? ?as? ?‘human’? ?anymore.? ?Anything? ?would? ?be? ?more? ?human? ?

than? ?it.? ?No? ?one? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?tell? ?that? ?this? ?gigantic? ?corpse? ?was? ?once? ?a? ?small,? ?

emaciated? ?child!? ?

?

The? ?urge? ?to? ?vomit? ?rolled? ?up? ?to? ?his? ?throat,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?away.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?were? ?dumbfounded? ?too,? ?blurting? ?“WHAT’S? ?THIS?!”? ?“Is? ?that? ?a? ?curse? ?or? ?a? ?simple? ?

rotten? ?corpse??”? ? ?

?

No? ?matter? ?what? ?that? ?thing? ?was,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?what? ?they? ?needed? ?to? ?do,? ?“Stand? ?back!? ?The? ?

further? ?the? ?better!? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?burn? ?that? ?thing!”? ? ?

?

He? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?a? ?large? ?stream? ?of? ?flames? ?blew? ?out.? ?Just? ?as? ?the? ?fire? ?was? ?ablaze? ?

and? ?the? ?smoke? ?was? ?thick,? ?the? ?sharp? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?battle? ?horn? ?from? ?the? ?distant? ?royal? ?capital? ?

came,? ?loud? ?and? ?shrill? ?calling? ?all? ?to? ?order.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?looked? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time;? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?signal? ?of? ?an? ?enemy? ?attack.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

cussed,? ?“Fuck,? ?of? ?all? ?times? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?come? ?now!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face? ?was? ?dark,? ?looking? ?gloomy? ?even? ?under? ?firelight,? ?“Maybe,? ?this? ?was? ?

intentional?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?the? ?call,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?you? ?stay? ?here? ?and? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?this.? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?you? ?

come? ?with? ?me.? ?We’ll? ?repel? ?them? ?first.? ?Remember,? ?don’t? ?let? ?them? ?notice? ?any? ?weak? ?points!”? ? ?

?

That? ?night,? ?the? ?two? ?hurriedly? ?rushed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?city? ?fortress,? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?fought? ?a? ?battle.? ?

?

Although? ?that? ?battle? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue,? ?they? ?still? ?won.? ?Even? ?if? ?they? ?won? ?however,? ?none? ?

of? ?the? ?Xianle? ?soldiers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?included,? ?felt? ?the? ?joy? ?of? ?victory.? ?

?

The? ?“strange? ?disease”? ?that? ?appeared? ?so? ?randomly? ?came? ?to? ?be? ?called? ?the? ?“Human? ?Face? ?

Disease”? ?by? ?the? ?people.? ?Words? ?of? ?it? ?passed? ?through? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?like? ?lightning,? ?

causing? ?uproar? ?and? ?great? ?unease.? ? ?

?

The? ?king? ?had? ?considered? ?blacking? ?out? ?the? ?news,? ?but? ?the? ?first? ?victim? ?rampaged? ?the? ?

streets;? ?there? ?were? ?countless? ?witnesses? ?so? ?this? ?was? ?something? ?that? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?hidden? ?

from? ?the? ?start.? ?Besides,? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?was? ?spreading? ?rapidly,? ?in? ?just? ?six? ?days? ?

over? ?fifty? ?people? ?found? ?similar? ?affliction? ?appearing? ?on? ?their? ?bodies.? ?

?

All? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?the? ?sieges? ?from? ?Yong’an? ?were? ?increasing.? ?Attacked? ?from? ?both? ?

sides,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?barely? ?find? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?Yong’an? ?and? ?create? ?rain.? ?All? ?the? ?

spiritual? ?power? ?and? ?energy? ?for? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?spent? ?at? ?the? ?quarantine? ?in? ?the? ?outskirts? ?instead.? ? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?chilly? ?BuYou? ?Forest,? ?large? ?fields? ?of? ?suggested? ?tents? ?and? ?huts? ?were? ?built.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?crossed? ?through? ?a? ?ground? ?full? ?of? ?patients.? ?This? ?quarantine? ?started? ?with? ?twenty? ?some? ?

people,? ?but? ?soon? ?it? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?size? ?of? ?hundreds,? ?and? ?growing? ?ever? ?the? ?bigger.? ?

Everyday? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?come? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?time,? ?and? ?use? ?his? ?power? ?to? ?relieve? ?the? ?

horrifying? ?symptoms? ?of? ?those? ?affected.? ?However,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?cure? ?the? ?root? ?cause,? ?

and? ?what? ?the? ?people? ?had? ?hoped? ?was? ?to? ?have? ?him? ?heal? ?them? ?completely.? ? ?

?

As? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked,? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?

tugged? ?the? ?hem? ?of? ?his? ?robe,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?won’t? ?die,? ?will? ?I?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?respond? ?and? ?noticed? ?that? ?this? ?man? ?looked? ?familiar.? ?Upon? ?a? ?closer? ?

look,? ?wasn’t? ?he? ?the? ?passerby? ?who? ?gave? ?him? ?an? ?umbrella? ?on? ?that? ?rainy? ?day? ?he? ?learned? ?

Xianle? ?was? ?short? ?on? ?water?? ? ?

?

Recalling? ?that? ?day,? ?that? ?rain,? ?that? ?umbrella,? ?warmth? ?filled? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart,? ?and? ?he? ?knelt? ?

down,? ?gently? ?patting? ?that? ?young? ?man’s? ?arm,? ?telling? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone,? ?“I? ?will? ?do? ?my? ?

best.”? ? ?

?

That? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?received? ?the? ?hope? ?to? ?survive;? ?his? ?eyes? ?twinkled? ?with? ?joy,? ?

repeating? ?“good,? ?good”? ?and? ?laid? ?down? ?again.? ?From? ?those? ?fervent? ?eyes,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

tell? ?they? ?truly? ?believe? ?he? ?could? ?do? ?it.? ?Thus,? ?everytime? ?he? ?met? ?those? ?eyes,? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?self? ?

blame? ?would? ?grow? ?deep? ?in? ?his? ?heart,? ?and? ?the? ?need? ?to? ?find? ?a? ?cure? ?growing? ?more? ?

desperate.? ?

?

After? ?making? ?a? ?round? ?through? ?the? ?quarantine,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?a? ?place? ?to? ?sit.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

started? ?a? ?campfire,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat,? ?deep? ?in? ?thought.? ?Some? ?distance? ?away,? ?a? ?few? ?

errand? ?boys? ?walked? ?off? ?carrying? ?a? ?stretcher,? ?muttering? ?to? ?each? ?other,? ?yet? ?somehow? ?their? ?

words? ?had? ?reached? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears:? ?

?

“How? ?many? ?is? ?this? ?now?”? ? ?

?

“The? ?fourth? ?or? ?fifth? ?I? ?think.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?stretcher? ?was? ?a? ?patient? ?who? ?died? ?in? ?the? ?BuYou? ?Forest.? ?In? ?truth,? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?die? ?

from? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?disease.? ?Yet,? ?that? ?was? ?what’s? ?even? ?more? ?frightening.? ?Without? ?

death? ?it? ?meant? ?for? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?victims’? ?lives,? ?those? ?things? ?would? ?stay? ?on? ?their? ?bodies.? ?

Just? ?thinking? ?about? ?it? ?would? ?make? ?one? ?lose? ?the? ?will? ?to? ?live.? ?Especially? ?young? ?women,? ?

they? ?care? ?for? ?their? ?faces,? ?so? ?if? ?something? ?like? ?that? ?were? ?to? ?grow? ?on? ?somewhere? ?important? ?

like? ?their? ?face,? ?most? ?would? ?choose? ?to? ?end? ?their? ?lives.? ?

?

Another? ?sighed,? ?“Sigh!? ?When? ?will? ?this? ?end!”? ?

?

Another? ?said,? ?“We? ?have? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?crown? ?prince,? ?we? ?won’t? ?lose.? ?Just? ?relax.”? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?complained? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?afraid? ?of? ?losing? ?battles.? ?But? ?with? ?the? ?situation? ?like? ?

this,? ?does? ?it? ?matter? ?if? ?we? ?don’t? ?lose? ?battles?? ?It’s? ?not? ?easy? ?for? ?us? ?civilians? ?to? ?live? ?on? ?like? ?

this,? ?sigh...? ?nevermind,? ?nevermind.? ?I’m? ?not? ?complaining.? ?Just? ?pretend? ?I? ?said? ?nothing.? ?I? ?

said? ?nothing.”? ? ?

?

If? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?there? ?he? ?would’ve? ?immediately? ?rushed? ?up? ?to? ?cuss? ?them? ?out.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

however,? ?only? ?gave? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?look,? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?build? ?the? ?fire,? ?not? ?saying? ?anything.? ?

Only? ?when? ?those? ?two? ?were? ?completely? ?gone? ?did? ?he? ?say? ?flatly,? ?“Ignorant? ?commoners? ?only? ?

know? ?how? ?to? ?blame? ?others? ?and? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Did? ?they? ?think? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?had? ?control? ?

over? ?everything?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?What? ?those? ?men? ?said? ?had? ?their? ?logic.? ?He? ?was? ?a? ?martial? ?god;? ?

when? ?he? ?made? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?army? ?there? ?would? ?be? ?no? ?battles? ?unwon.? ?Yet,? ?at? ?times? ?like? ?

these,? ?what? ?use? ?was? ?it? ?to? ?win? ?battles?? ?Forming? ?an? ?army? ?was? ?to? ?protect? ?the? ?civilians,? ?yet? ?if? ?

the? ?civilians? ?were? ?all? ?suffering? ?from? ?the? ?attacks? ?of? ?a? ?plague,? ?then? ?wouldn’t? ?their? ?

advantage? ?turn? ?into? ?a? ?joke?? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?campfires? ?wavered,? ?and? ?another? ?sat? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?It? ?was? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?who? ?had? ?returned.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?immediately,? ?“How? ?is? ?it?”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?“It? ?was? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?when? ?you? ?searched.? ?There’s? ?no? ?

traces? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?on? ?BeiZi? ?Hill,? ?and? ?nothing? ?of? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?character.? ?Who? ?

knows? ?where? ?they’re? ?hiding,? ?and? ?there’s? ?no? ?way? ?of? ?confirming? ?whether? ?if? ?they’re? ?the? ?

ones? ?behind? ?this.? ?Also,? ?the? ?Yong’an? ?people? ?were? ?all? ?fine? ?like? ?we? ?suspected,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?

case? ?of? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?poked? ?at? ?the? ?fire,? ?“The? ?royal? ?capital? ?and? ?BeiZi? ?Hill? ?are? ?so? ?close,? ?there’s? ?no? ?way? ?

no? ?one? ?was? ?infected.? ?It’s? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?they? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?ones? ?behind? ?all? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Many? ?believed? ?this? ?secretly,? ?and? ?thinking? ?this? ?way? ?made? ?sense.? ?However,? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?

accused? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?secretly? ?or? ?openly,? ?the? ?man? ?was? ?well? ?hidden? ?away? ?and? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?

find? ?any? ?proof,? ?so? ?they? ?could? ?do? ?nothing.? ? ?

?

They? ?suspect? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?was? ?started? ?by? ?a? ?curse,? ?and? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?that? ?

curse? ?was? ?the? ?corpse? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?son.? ?Yet,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?curse,? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?one.? ?

It? ?didn’t? ?leave? ?any? ?traces? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?investigate,? ?so? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?evidence? ?to? ?confirm? ?

their? ?suspicions.? ?And? ?who? ?knows,? ?maybe? ?this? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?

than? ?a? ?new,? ?naturally? ?formed? ?plague?? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?draw? ?any? ?

conclusions? ?on? ?what? ?the? ?disease? ?actually? ?was? ?unless? ?they? ?apprehended? ?the? ?suspect.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?given? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?a? ?rough? ?report? ?of? ?his? ?assumptions? ?too.? ?Yet,? ?as? ?

aforementioned,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?descended? ?under? ?violation,? ?unlike? ?the? ?past? ?where? ?if? ?he? ?

wanted? ?to? ?report? ?he? ?could? ?very? ?well? ?just? ?barge? ?into? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?and? ?scream? ?in? ?

Jun? ?Wu’s? ?ear,? ?now? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?do? ?it? ?by? ?the? ?books.? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?known,? ?that? ?‘by? ?the? ?books’? ?

meant:? ?if? ?lucky,? ?just? ?throwing? ?out? ?some? ?hefty? ?merits? ?and? ?words? ?will? ?pass? ?through? ?to? ?the? ?

heavenly? ?officials;? ?if? ?unlucky,? ?he? ?might? ?be? ?forced? ?to? ?go? ?through? ?complicated? ?red? ?tape? ?

roped? ?in? ?endless? ?delays.? ?Afterwards? ?it’d? ?still? ?be? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who’d? ?be? ?sent? ?

forth.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?was? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?and? ?other? ?than? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?there? ?were? ?very? ?

few? ?who? ?could? ?match? ?him? ?in? ?power,? ?so? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?sent? ?forth? ?might? ?not? ?even? ?

be? ?effective.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?carried? ?a? ?heavy? ?burden,? ?by? ?mortal? ?words? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?‘machine’,? ?so? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?he? ?could? ?come? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?aid? ?in? ?person.? ?Thus,? ?his? ?reporting? ?was? ?

only? ?for? ?show,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?expect? ?anything? ?to? ?come? ?of? ?it.? ?

?

Moreover,? ?none? ?of? ?that? ?was? ?what’s? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?it? ?was? ?another? ?problem.? ?He? ?

spoke,? ?“If? ?we? ?assume? ?that? ?Yong’an? ?used? ?a? ?curse? ?for? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?defeating? ?the? ?royal? ?

capital,? ?then? ?the? ?most? ?effective? ?attack? ?would? ?be? ?to? ?the? ?army.? ?Once? ?the? ?army? ?falls,? ?

wouldn’t? ?that? ?be? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?opening? ?the? ?gates?”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?victims? ?of? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?in? ?the? ?army,? ?but? ?in? ?

comparison,? ?they? ?were? ?few? ?in? ?numbers,? ?only? ?three? ?or? ?four? ?affected.? ?And? ?once? ?they? ?were? ?

sent? ?to? ?quarantine,? ?the? ?situation? ?was? ?immediately? ?under? ?control? ?and? ?nothing? ?spread.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?thought? ?of? ?something? ?and? ?said,? ?“Maybe? ?they? ?think? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?

defeat? ?the? ?army,? ?with? ?you? ?around? ?they’d? ?still? ?lose,? ?so? ?they? ?gave? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?army? ?and? ?

targeted? ?civilians? ?directly?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?chuckled? ?dryly.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?immediately? ?reacted,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?

laughing? ?about?”? ? ?

?

“Nothing.? ?You? ?always? ?manage? ?to? ?bring? ?up? ?good? ?points.? ?I? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?say.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

replied.? ?

?

People? ?who? ?bore? ?the? ?intent? ?to? ?snipe? ?at? ?others? ?but? ?still? ?pretended? ?to? ?sound? ?courteous? ?

annoyed? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?the? ?most,? ?so? ?he? ?ignored? ?him? ?completely.? ?“If? ?it? ?was? ?them,? ?then? ?they’re? ?

despicable.? ?Fight? ?honestly? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield? ?if? ?they’ve? ?the? ?guts,? ?but? ?don’t? ?use? ?shady? ?

tricks? ?to? ?harm? ?innocent? ?civilians!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wholeheartedly? ?agreed? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“I’ve? ?been? ?thinking? ?these? ?past? ?few? ?days? ?just? ?

what? ?causes? ?infection.? ?We? ?have? ?to? ?know? ?the? ?causes? ?before? ?we? ?can? ?control? ?the? ?disease.”? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?it? ?obvious?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Infection? ?comes? ?from? ?getting? ?too? ?close,? ?touching,? ?

drinking? ?the? ?same? ?water,? ?eating? ?together,? ?sleeping? ?together? ?or? ?whatever.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“On? ?the? ?surface? ?that’s? ?not? ?wrong.? ?But,? ?take? ?the? ?army? ?for? ?

example,? ?the? ?soldiers? ?in? ?the? ?army? ?all? ?drink,? ?eat,? ?and? ?sleep? ?together,? ?and? ?are? ?in? ?closer? ?

quarters? ?than? ?any? ?other? ?households,? ?so? ?why? ?aren’t? ?there? ?more? ?soldiers? ?infected?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows,? ?“So? ?what? ?you? ?mean? ?is,? ?even? ?under? ?the? ?same? ?

circumstances,? ?with? ?different? ?body? ?types,? ?some? ?will? ?be? ?infected? ?and? ?others? ?not.? ?You? ?want? ?

to? ?find? ?out? ?just? ?what? ?type? ?of? ?people? ?are? ?immune? ?against? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease,? ?

right?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?you? ?understand? ?me.? ?That’s? ?exactly? ?it.? ?If? ?we? ?can? ?find? ?

that? ?out,? ?then? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?stop? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?from? ?spreading.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?nodded,? ?“Good.? ?Then? ?let’s? ?look? ?at? ?it? ?this? ?way:? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?people? ?are? ?more? ?

likely? ?to? ?get? ?infected?? ?What? ?type? ?of? ?patients? ?dominate? ?the? ?quarantine? ?of? ?BuYou? ?Forest?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?through? ?the? ?camps? ?endlessly? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days? ?and? ?could? ?answer? ?even? ?

with? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed.? ?He? ?said? ?immediately,? ?“Women,? ?children,? ?teens,? ?seniors,? ?and? ?young? ?

men? ?who? ?are? ?smaller? ?in? ?build.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wondered,? ?“So? ?only? ?the? ?weak? ?gets? ?infected?? ?Should? ?we? ?have? ?the? ?king? ?order? ?for? ?

everyone? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?to? ?work? ?out? ?and? ?strengthen? ?their? ?bodies?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look,? ?not? ?wanting? ?to? ?respond.? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?himself? ?added,? ?“Wait,? ?that’s? ?not? ?right.”? ? ?

?

?

————-? ?

?

?“Face”? ?refers? ?to? ?shame,? ?but? ?the? ?man? ?was? ?punning? ?on? ?the? ?guy? ?being? ?both? ?

shameless? ?and? ?hiding? ?his? ?face? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?The? ?corpse? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?son? ?is? ?probably? ?like? ?a? ?bloated? ?

cadaver...? ?but? ?because? ?it’s? ?kinda? ?gross? ?I? ?won’t? ?describe? ?it? ?in? ?detail...? ?just? ?imagine? ?

it.? ?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.85:? ?From? ?the? ?Earth? ?of? ?BuYou? ?Forest,? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?Emerges? ?2? ?

?

Obviously? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?right,? ?because? ?the? ?first? ?victim? ?that? ?rampaged? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?

Avenue? ?was? ?a? ?healthy? ?and? ?strong? ?burly? ?man,? ?so? ?the? ?theory? ?didn’t? ?hold? ?up.? ?

?

Just? ?how? ?were? ?the? ?soldiers? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?different? ?than? ?other? ?

soldiers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?of? ?many? ?possibilities? ?and? ?had? ?tried? ?testing? ?his? ?guesses.? ?But? ?no? ?

matter? ?from? ?which? ?angle,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?overly? ?obvious? ?that? ?differentiated? ?them? ?

from? ?the? ?others.? ?Every? ?infected? ?victim,? ?no? ?matter? ?their? ?looks,? ?their? ?body? ?type,? ?their? ?status,? ?

their? ?temperment,? ?everything? ?was? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?place,? ?impossible? ?to? ?draw? ?a? ?conclusion? ?on? ?

the? ?defining? ?criteria.? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?whoever? ?got? ?infected? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?matter? ?of? ?

chance?? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mumbled? ?to? ?himself,? ?“Just? ?what? ?had? ?those? ?soldiers? ?done? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?stop? ?the? ?

spreading? ?of? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease?? ?In? ?other? ?words,? ?just? ?what? ?did? ?they? ?do? ?that? ?was? ?

more? ?often? ?done? ?than? ?civilians...”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?this? ?thought,? ?his? ?eyes? ?suddenly? ?widened,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?paled.? ?Hearing? ?

that? ?his? ?voice? ?stopped? ?abruptly,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?wrong,? ?Your? ?Highness?? ?Have? ?

you? ?thought? ?of? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?indeed? ?thought? ?of? ?something.? ?He? ?thought? ?of? ?a? ?logical? ?theory,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?

same? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?terrifying? ?one.? ?

?

He? ?stood? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?flash? ?and? ?blurted,? ?“No? ?way!? ?No,? ?no,? ?it? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?like? ?this.? ?It? ?can’t? ?be.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xing? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?immediate? ?rose? ?too,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?paced? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?raising? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Hold? ?on.? ?I...? ?

have? ?an? ?absurd? ?guess.? ?It? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?true,? ?but? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?test? ?this? ?out.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?guess?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?asked,? ?“How? ?will? ?you? ?test? ?it?? ?Do? ?you? ?need? ?me? ?to? ?find? ?you? ?

someone?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?rejected? ?the? ?idea,? ?“No.? ?We? ?can’t? ?use? ?a? ?live? ?person? ?for? ?testing.? ?What? ?

if? ?I’m? ?wrong?”? ?It? ?was? ?more? ?like? ?he? ?hoped? ?he? ?was? ?wrong,? ?even? ?better? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?way? ?off? ?

the? ?mark.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?frowned,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?if? ?you? ?need? ?to? ?ascertain? ?whether? ?if? ?you’re? ?

right? ?or? ?wrong,? ?you’ll? ?need? ?a? ?live? ?person? ?for? ?testing.? ?That’s? ?the? ?best? ?way.? ?Just? ?standing? ?

here? ?brooding? ?won’t? ?do? ?any? ?good.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?frowned? ?too,? ?“Can’t? ?you? ?see? ?he’s? ?troubled?? ?Stop? ?saying? ?things? ?that? ?annoy? ?

people.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?to? ?him,? ?“Weird.? ?And? ?what? ?exactly? ?did? ?I? ?say?? ?Didn’t? ?I? ?speak? ?the? ?truth?? ?At? ?

this? ?point? ?what’s? ?the? ?use? ?in? ?being? ?all? ?indecisive? ?and? ?hesitant?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?disgusted,? ?“Do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?judge? ?everything? ?based? ?on? ?how? ?useful? ?

something? ?is?? ?We’re? ?talking? ?about? ?a? ?live? ?person? ?here.? ?Not? ?even? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?aren’t? ?

you? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?collected?”? ? ?

?

“Collected?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?countered,? ?“You? ?actually? ?want? ?to? ?say? ?‘cold? ?blooded’,? ?right?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?the? ?patience? ?to? ?ease? ?up? ?the? ?fight? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?like? ?he? ?usually? ?did,? ?

and? ?said,? ?“The? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?can? ?start? ?arguing? ?over? ?a? ?single? ?word,? ?what? ?a? ?disgrace!? ?Stand? ?

here? ?for? ?an? ?incense? ?time.? ?No? ?one’s? ?allowed? ?to? ?move? ?within? ?that? ?time.? ?Same? ?old? ?rules.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hearing? ?the? ?words? ?“same? ?old? ?rules”,? ?both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?faces? ?changed? ?

colours.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?waved,? ?“Heaven? ?Official’s? ?Blessings.? ?Start.”? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“...Blessings? ?Shine? ?From? ?Up? ?High.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?too,? ?“...High? ?Imitation? ?No? ?Thought.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?in? ?trouble,? ?“Thought...? ?Thought...”? ?

?

He? ?was? ?deep? ?in? ?strenuous? ?thought? ?trying? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?continue,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

turned? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?to? ?find? ?those? ?three? ?infected? ?soldiers? ?for? ?questioning.”? ? ?

?

By? ?“Same? ?Old? ?Rules”? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?idea? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?to? ?distract? ?the? ?other? ?two.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?snipe? ?at? ?each? ?other? ?at? ?every? ?chance,? ?starting? ?disputes? ?

from? ?nothing.? ?At? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?make? ?them? ?stand? ?in? ?silence? ?for? ?an? ?incense? ?time? ?

without? ?speaking? ?to? ?one? ?another? ?until? ?they’ve? ?calmed? ?down,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?very? ?effective.? ?

Afterwards,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?decided? ?to? ?change? ?it? ?to? ?Idiom? ?Trains,? ?and? ?once? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?

established? ?winner? ?and? ?loser,? ?they’d? ?have? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?worry? ?about? ?their? ?original? ?conflict? ?

and? ?would? ?instead? ?do? ?their? ?best? ?to? ?crush? ?the? ?other? ?in? ?training? ?idioms.? ?After? ?discovering? ?

this? ?effective? ?method,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?world? ?became? ?more? ?peaceful,? ?and? ?was? ?quite? ?

satisfied.? ?Forcing? ?them? ?to? ?train? ?idioms? ?now? ?was? ?also? ?somewhat? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?have? ?

everyone? ?ease? ?up? ?a? ?little.? ?

?

Yet? ?this? ?ease? ?didn’t? ?last? ?for? ?long.? ?After? ?an? ?incense? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned.? ?His? ?face? ?was? ?

grim? ?and? ?he? ?instructed,? ?“Bring? ?me? ?all? ?the? ?soldiers? ?who? ?lived? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?quarters? ?as? ?

those? ?infected? ?soldiers,? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?question? ?them.”? ?

?

Those? ?two? ?were? ?already? ?stumped? ?many? ?times,? ?and? ?seized? ?their? ?own? ?proper? ?little? ?

victories,? ?so? ?when? ?they? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?train? ?idioms? ?anymore,? ?they? ?both? ?sighed? ?in? ?relief.? ?

“That’s? ?fine? ?too.? ?But? ?using? ?such? ?a? ?roundabout? ?way? ?to? ?find? ?proof? ?it? ?might? ?not? ?guarantee? ?

the? ?accuracy? ?of? ?your? ?find.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?already? ?turned? ?to? ?heed? ?his? ?orders.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?him? ?back,? ?“Wait!? ?It’s? ?

already? ?deep? ?into? ?the? ?night.? ?Questioning? ?them? ?now? ?would? ?be? ?too? ?much? ?of? ?a? ?stir,? ?and? ?we? ?

can’t? ?call? ?forth? ?too? ?many? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?either,? ?it’d? ?be? ?too? ?conspicuous.? ?The? ?things? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?

ask? ?must? ?not? ?be? ?known? ?or? ?leaked.? ?If? ?you? ?go? ?now? ?we? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?hide? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“Then? ?what? ?should? ?I? ?do?? ?Bring? ?them? ?over? ?to? ?you? ?one? ?by? ?one? ?

to? ?have? ?you? ?interrogate? ?them? ?privately?”? ? ?

?

“There’s? ?no? ?other? ?way.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Tomorrow,? ?bring? ?the? ?soldiers? ?who? ?are? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?

victims? ?to? ?me? ?one? ?by? ?one? ?to? ?my? ?chambers,? ?and? ?don’t? ?let? ?them? ?know? ?that? ?others? ?have? ?

been? ?questioned.? ?Remember? ?to? ?order? ?them? ?not? ?to? ?tell? ?anyone,? ?otherwise...”? ?

?

He? ?breathed? ?in? ?deeply? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“Nevermind,? ?just? ?threaten? ?them.? ?Just? ?say? ?if? ?word? ?got? ?

out? ?they? ?shall? ?be? ?executed? ?without? ?mercy.? ?The? ?more? ?savage? ?the? ?better.”? ? ?

?

“Questioning? ?them? ?one? ?by? ?one,? ?how? ?long? ?would? ?that? ?even? ?take?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?commented.? ?

?

“It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?how? ?long? ?it? ?takes,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?more? ?I? ?ask? ?the? ?more? ?I? ?can? ?be? ?

sure.? ?I...? ?absolutely? ?need? ?to? ?get? ?to? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?this? ?and? ?there? ?mustn’t? ?be? ?any? ?

mistakes.”? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?next? ?day,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?in? ?the? ?chamber? ?that? ?was? ?temporarily? ?assigned? ?to? ?him? ?

atop? ?the? ?towers,? ?and? ?personally? ?interrogated? ?over? ?three? ?hundred? ?soldiers.? ?

?

As? ?for? ?the? ?questions? ?he? ?posed,? ?all? ?three? ?hundred? ?of? ?them? ?all? ?gave? ?the? ?same? ?answers.? ?

After? ?questioning? ?each? ?other,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?would? ?grow? ?a? ?shade? ?darker.? ?After? ?it? ?was? ?

done,? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?entered? ?the? ?room? ?they? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?by? ?the? ?table,? ?

a? ?hand? ?holding? ?up? ?his? ?forehead,? ?unspeaking.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?slowly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?

“You? ?two? ?stay? ?and? ?guard? ?the? ?city? ?gates.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?trip? ?to? ?Mount? ?Taicang.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?asked? ?hesitantly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?did? ?you? ?find? ?something? ?out? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?

questioning?? ?Is? ?it? ?a? ?curse? ?or...?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?“It’s? ?come? ?to? ?light.? ?It’s? ?a? ?curse.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?solemn,? ?“For? ?real?”? ? ?

?

“Without? ?a? ?doubt.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“And? ?I? ?also? ?found? ?out? ?just? ?what? ?type? ?of? ?people? ?would? ?

get? ?infected? ?and? ?what? ?type? ?wouldn’t.”? ? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?those? ?were? ?the? ?words? ?spoken,? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?joy? ?from? ?

solving? ?a? ?mystery,? ?and? ?so? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?felt? ?things? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?that? ?simple.? ?

However? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?take? ?the? ?initiative? ?to? ?tell? ?them,? ?then? ?as? ?his? ?subordinates? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?their? ?place? ?to? ?ask,? ?and? ?so? ?their? ?hearts? ?sank? ?silently.? ?

?

Mount? ?Taicang,? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?the? ?highest? ?peak,? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.? ?Guoshi? ?

was? ?paying? ?his? ?respects? ?within? ?clouds? ?of? ?incense? ?smoke.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?crossed? ?the? ?threshold? ?

of? ?the? ?hall? ?and? ?immediately? ?went? ?straight? ?to? ?the? ?point,? ?“Guoshi,? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Emperor.”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?finished? ?paying? ?his? ?respects? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?the? ?gates? ?of? ?

the? ?heavenly? ?realm? ?no? ?longer? ?open? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?know.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But? ?right? ?now? ?I’ve? ?just? ?ascertained? ?that? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?is? ?

currently? ?under? ?the? ?attack? ?of? ?a? ?malicious? ?wave? ?of? ?curses? ?never? ?seen? ?before.? ?This? ?isn’t? ?a? ?

natural? ?disaster,? ?it’s? ?the? ?workings? ?of? ?inhuman? ?creatures.? ?Please? ?give? ?me? ?a? ?hand? ?and? ?

request? ?for? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?to? ?descend? ?and? ?possess? ?your? ?spirit? ?so? ?I? ?can? ?report? ?

this? ?information? ?to? ?him? ?directly.? ?Maybe? ?he’d? ?know? ?what? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?all? ?this? ?was,? ?and? ?

perhaps? ?find? ?a? ?turning? ?point.”? ? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?he’d? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?he? ?had? ?reported? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?

thrice.? ?Yet? ?the? ?first? ?two? ?times? ?weren’t? ?sincere? ?and? ?were? ?only? ?done? ?out? ?of? ?habitual? ?

courtesy.? ?Only? ?this? ?time,? ?he? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?seek? ?help.? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?sat? ?down? ?on? ?a? ?chair? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?that? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?help? ?you,? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?but? ?there’s? ?no? ?longer? ?a? ?need? ?for? ?it.? ?Even? ?if? ?I? ?give? ?you? ?a? ?hand? ?now,? ?and? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?descends? ?and? ?possesses? ?my? ?body,? ?the? ?answer? ?you? ?will? ?receive? ?from? ?

him? ?will? ?only? ?disappoint? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?dropped? ?slightly,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?something?? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?just? ?what? ?that? ?

cry? ?smile? ?mask? ?wearing? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?is?”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?still? ?remember? ?what? ?I? ?told? ?you?”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“That? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?

fortune,? ?good? ?or? ?bad,? ?is? ?predetermined.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?added,? ?“Originally,? ?many? ?of? ?those? ?

from? ?Yong’an? ?were? ?destined? ?to? ?die,? ?but? ?you? ?transferred? ?water? ?and? ?created? ?rain,? ?and? ?gave? ?

them? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?Yet,? ?you? ?cannot? ?save? ?them? ?completely? ?from? ?the? ?drought,? ?settle? ?

their? ?future,? ?and? ?so? ?now,? ?they? ?are? ?in? ?the? ?Yong’an? ?army? ?upon? ?BeiZi? ?Hill? ?fighting? ?for? ?their? ?

futures.”? ? ?

?

“Originally,? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?was? ?destined? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?decline,? ?but? ?you? ?personally? ?

descended,? ?and? ?used? ?your? ?own? ?powers? ?to? ?turn? ?things? ?around,? ?and? ?gave? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?

a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?Yet,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?steel? ?your? ?heart? ?to? ?annihilate? ?the? ?Yong’an? ?rebel? ?army? ?

and? ?root? ?them? ?out.? ?Instead? ?you? ?allowed? ?them? ?to? ?survive? ?until? ?now.? ?Like? ?roaches? ?they? ?only? ?

get? ?stronger? ?with? ?each? ?battle.”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?asked? ?him? ?in? ?wonder,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?may? ?I? ?ask? ?what? ?you? ?are? ?doing?? ?Are? ?you? ?

perhaps? ?waiting? ?for? ?both? ?sides? ?to? ?realize? ?their? ?mistakes?? ?To? ?repent? ?and? ?renew?? ?To? ?

reunite? ?as? ?one? ?country? ?once? ?more?”? ? ?

?

An? ?odd? ?sense? ?of? ?shame? ?budded? ?within? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart,? ?yet,? ?it? ?soon? ?turned? ?into? ?

confusion? ?as? ?he? ?thought? ?to? ?himself,? ?‘That’s? ?strange.? ?Whether? ?if? ?I? ?save? ?or? ?protect? ?people,? ?

it? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?they? ?were? ?innocent? ?and? ?didn’t? ?deserve? ?death.? ?Everything? ?I’ve? ?done? ?

were? ?done? ?after? ?serious? ?consideration? ?and? ?every? ?choice? ?was? ?made? ?after? ?much? ?struggle.? ?

Yet,? ?why? ?does? ?it? ?sound? ?so? ?laughable? ?coming? ?from? ?another’s? ?mouth?? ?Why? ?does? ?it? ?sound? ?

like? ?I’ve? ?achieved? ?nothing,? ?that? ?everything? ?is? ?such? ?a...? ?failure?’? ? ?

?

That? ?word? ?appeared? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?blocked? ?it? ?out.? ?Guoshi? ?added,? ?“You? ?

used? ?your? ?divinity? ?to? ?interfere? ?in? ?mortal? ?matters.? ?The? ?predetermined? ?fate? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?

of? ?Xianle? ?has? ?been? ?turned? ?completely? ?upside? ?down? ?by? ?you,? ?a? ?complete? ?and? ?utter? ?mess.? ?

For? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?balance,? ?nature? ?will? ?breed? ?other? ?things? ?to? ?bring? ?everything? ?you’ve? ?

deranged? ?back? ?on? ?track.? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?that? ?creature? ?was,? ?but,? ?I? ?am? ?certain,? ?it? ?was? ?

born? ?because? ?of? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?form? ?faltered.? ?Guoshi? ?continued,? ?“I? ?am? ?also? ?certain? ?that? ?should? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Martial? ?Emperor? ?see? ?you,? ?he? ?will? ?also? ?tell? ?you? ?the? ?same? ?thing,? ?because? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?

reason? ?why? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?descend? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place.? ?But? ?I? ?felt? ?that? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?told? ?

you? ?then,? ?you? ?would’ve? ?more? ?than? ?likely? ?come? ?down? ?anyway.? ?Young? ?people? ?are? ?like? ?this,? ?

unheeding? ?of? ?advice.? ?They? ?won’t? ?believe? ?they? ?can’t? ?walk? ?until? ?they’ve? ?fallen.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“So? ?you? ?mean? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?the? ?cause? ?of? ?this? ?Human? ?Face? ?

Disease? ?was? ?me?!? ?So? ?by? ?that? ?so-called? ?predetermined? ?fate? ?logic,? ?everything? ?that? ?

uncrying,? ?unlaughing? ?creature? ?does? ?is? ?my? ?fault?? ?So,? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?wouldn’t? ?even? ?

bother? ?with? ?this? ?whole? ?thing?”? ? ?

?

“You? ?can? ?think? ?of? ?it? ?that? ?way,”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“But? ?that’s? ?not? ?altogether? ?right? ?either.? ?After? ?all,? ?

if? ?you? ?must? ?read? ?fortune? ?all? ?the? ?way,? ?you? ?can? ?also? ?blame? ?your? ?father? ?and? ?your? ?mother,? ?

because? ?if? ?they? ?didn’t? ?give? ?birth? ?to? ?you,? ?then? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?ascended,? ?and? ?thus? ?you? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?descended.? ?Reading? ?like? ?this,? ?you? ?can? ?blame? ?your? ?entire? ?Xianle? ?ancestry.? ?

So,? ?discussing? ?who? ?is? ?at? ?fault? ?for? ?the? ?cause? ?is? ?meaningless.”? ? ?

?

“As? ?for? ?your? ?last? ?question,? ?that’s? ?right,? ?they? ?won’t.? ?Because? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?was? ?

destined? ?to? ?fall.? ?Since? ?you’ve? ?extended? ?your? ?hand? ?and? ?messed? ?up? ?this? ?game? ?of? ?chess,? ?

then,? ?there? ?will? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?another? ?hand? ?that? ?returns? ?all? ?the? ?messed? ?up? ?pieces? ?back? ?in? ?

place.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?deep? ?breath,? ?not? ?wanting? ?to? ?discuss? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?

was? ?destined? ?to? ?fall.? ?He? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?for? ?a? ?minute? ?then? ?said,? ?“Then? ?answer? ?me,? ?

Guoshi.? ?If? ?I? ?disappear? ?now,? ?will? ?that? ?creature? ?also? ?disappear?”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?afraid? ?not.”? ?Guoshi? ?replied.? ?“Easy? ?come,? ?hard? ?to? ?leave.? ?That’s? ?the? ?same? ?for? ?gods,? ?

and? ?ghosts? ?and? ?demons? ?are? ?no? ?different.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?any? ?more? ?talk? ?would? ?be? ?pointless.? ?The? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?could? ?keep? ?fighting? ?

was? ?only? ?himself.? ?He? ?bowed? ?to? ?Guoshi,? ?bidding? ?farewell,? ?and? ?prepared? ?to? ?leave.? ?Behind? ?

him? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?called,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?How? ?do? ?you? ?plan? ?on? ?walking? ?your? ?path? ?from? ?now? ?

on?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?down,? ?“If? ?nothing? ?changes? ?even? ?if? ?I? ?disappear,? ?then? ?I? ?will? ?fight? ?it? ?to? ?

the? ?end.? ?This? ?is? ?my? ?only? ?path.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?high? ?and? ?enunciated? ?every? ?word,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?care? ?if? ?it’s? ?a? ?

hand? ?or? ?what,? ?but? ?the? ?people? ?I? ?protect? ?will? ?never? ?become? ?its? ?pawn.”? ? ?

?

Half? ?a? ?month? ?later,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?lead? ?the? ?Yong’an? ?army? ?and? ?attacked? ?once? ?again.? ?

?

After? ?months? ?of? ?countless? ?battles? ?big? ?and? ?small,? ?the? ?Yong’an? ?troops? ?could? ?now? ?finally? ?be? ?

called? ?an? ?army.? ?They? ?were? ?no? ?longer? ?those? ?forlorn? ?refugees,? ?but? ?a? ?proper? ?army? ?with? ?

considerable? ?strength!? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?evaporated? ?from? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?and? ?this? ?

time,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?this? ?man? ?again? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield,? ?having? ?waited? ?for? ?so? ?long? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?waste? ?his? ?breath? ?and? ?dashed? ?straight? ?past? ?the? ?troops,? ?facing? ?him,? ?and? ?struck? ?with? ?

his? ?sword,? ?shouting,? ?“WHERE’S? ?THAT? ?WHITE-CLOTHED? ?MAN?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?blocked? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?didn’t? ?answer,? ?fighting? ?back? ?with? ?vigour.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

pressed? ?onto? ?him? ?with? ?each? ?step,? ?“You? ?know? ?who? ?I’m? ?talking? ?about.? ?My? ?patience? ?is? ?

limited!”? ? ?

?

Unexpectedly,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?that? ?

Yong’an? ?would? ?continue? ?to? ?rain?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?ask? ?that? ?question.? ?Startled,? ?words? ?got? ?stuck? ?in? ?his? ?

throat,? ?“I...”? ? ?

?

He? ?did? ?indeed? ?promise? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?that? ?Yong’an? ?would? ?rain.? ?However,? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?many? ?

days,? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?infected? ?by? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?within? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?had? ?

been? ?increasing? ?exponentially,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?reaching? ?almost? ?five? ?hundred? ?at? ?this? ?point.? ?

Those? ?five? ?hundred? ?victims? ?couldn’t? ?all? ?be? ?settled? ?in? ?the? ?BuYou? ?Forest,? ?and? ?that? ?

quarantine? ?camp? ?was? ?running? ?out? ?of? ?space.? ?The? ?government? ?officials? ?were? ?debating? ?

over? ?moving? ?to? ?a? ?farther,? ?bigger? ?place.? ?Most? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?powers? ?had? ?been? ?used? ?to? ?

relieve? ?the? ?symptoms? ?of? ?those? ?five? ?hundred? ?people,? ?and? ?had? ?none? ?left? ?to? ?create? ?rain? ?in? ?

Yong’an.? ?Since? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?use? ?of? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?Hat,? ?he? ?felt? ?bad? ?keeping? ?

someone? ?else’s? ?spiritual? ?device? ?in? ?hand,? ?and? ?so? ?with? ?no? ?other? ?way,? ?he? ?sent? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?to? ?

the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Yushi? ?to? ?return? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?Hat? ?to? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?and? ?gave? ?thanks.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?struck? ?again,? ?yelling? ?angrily,? ?“I? ?created? ?that? ?rain!? ?Don’t? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?clue? ?why? ?

it’s? ?stopped?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?angrier? ?he? ?became,? ?the? ?more? ?calm? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was.? ?“That? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?me,? ?

I? ?only? ?know? ?that? ?even? ?without? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?your? ?powers? ?won’t? ?last? ?for? ?long;? ?

just? ?like? ?how? ?even? ?with? ?your? ?rain,? ?not? ?many? ?will? ?survive? ?in? ?Yong’an.? ?It’s? ?all? ?pointless.? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?why? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you? ?can? ?achieve? ?anything? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?do?? ?Rather? ?than? ?

putting? ?my? ?fate? ?in? ?your? ?hands,? ?I? ?choose? ?to? ?put? ?it? ?in? ?my? ?own.”? ? ?

?

Something? ?from? ?that? ?speech? ?had? ?provoked? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?the? ?intent? ?to? ?kill? ?flared.? ?

?

His? ?blade? ?turned? ?slightly,? ?and? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?raised.? ?A? ?voice? ?screamed? ?inside? ?his? ?head:? ?Kill? ?

this? ?man,? ?and? ?the? ?remnant? ?Yong’an? ?army? ?will? ?be? ?nothing? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?of!? ? ?

?

Since? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?they? ?met,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?steeled? ?his? ?heart? ?to? ?

kill? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?However,? ?unexpectedly,? ?when? ?he? ?sent? ?a? ?blow? ?from? ?his? ?palm? ?and? ?blasted? ?

Lang? ?Ying’s? ?heart,? ?he? ?spewed? ?blood? ?from? ?the? ?blow? ?but? ?the? ?blast? ?did? ?not? ?penetrate? ?his? ?

heart,? ?and? ?instead? ?was? ?repelled.? ?

?

Astonished,? ?Xie? ?Lan? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?it,? ?and? ?backed? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?“YOU?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?very? ?well? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?repelled? ?his? ?attack.? ?

?

Those? ?who? ?were? ?destined? ?for? ?greatness? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?like? ?kings,? ?geniuses,? ?and? ?

vigilantes,? ?whenever? ?they? ?come? ?to? ?a? ?dire? ?situation,? ?their? ?bodies? ?would? ?naturally? ?radiate? ?a? ?

protective? ?aura,? ?shielding? ?them? ?against? ?harm.? ?Most? ?of? ?them? ?have? ?the? ?potential? ?for? ?

ascension.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?boor? ?yet? ?he? ?radiated? ?that? ?very? ?protection? ?

spiritual? ?aura,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?even? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?rare? ?–? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?a? ?king!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?think? ?what? ?it? ?meant,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?he? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?go? ?cold.? ?It? ?was? ?

Lang? ?Ying’s? ?sword? ?that? ?thrusted? ?and? ?impaled? ?his? ?chest.? ?

?

In? ?that? ?battle,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?victory? ?or? ?defeat? ?on? ?either? ?side.? ?

?

There? ?were? ?still? ?many? ?who? ?perished? ?from? ?Yong’an’s? ?side,? ?but? ?this? ?time? ?Xianle? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?

better.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?anyone? ?else,? ?they? ?could? ?say? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?hard-won? ?battle,? ?but? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?this? ?

was? ?definitely? ?defeat.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?a? ?disadvantage,? ?moreover,? ?although? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?still? ?

no? ?match? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?retreated? ?with? ?injuries? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?many? ?saw? ?the? ?scene? ?where? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?stabbed? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?probably? ?guess? ?that? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?

soldiers? ?talking? ?behind? ?his? ?back:? ?His? ?Highness? ?is? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?be? ?

stabbed?? ?Aren’t? ?we? ?the? ?army? ?of? ?god?? ?How? ?come? ?we? ?didn’t? ?achieve? ?an? ?overwhelming? ?

victory? ?like? ?before?? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?absolutely? ?no? ?time? ?for? ?such? ?noise,? ?because? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?informed? ?him,? ?today,? ?another? ?hundred? ?some? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?

patients? ?had? ?been? ?sent? ?to? ?the? ?BuYou? ?Forest.? ?

?

One? ?short? ?day? ?and? ?over? ?a? ?hundred!? ? ?

?

Now,? ?the? ?first? ?group? ?of? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?victims? ?had? ?worsened? ?severely,? ?not? ?a? ?

single? ?spot? ?on? ?their? ?bodies? ?could? ?be? ?seen? ?and? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?covered? ?in? ?thick? ?covers,? ?lest? ?

they? ?scare? ?people.? ?However,? ?even? ?through? ?the? ?covers? ?those? ?bumps? ?could? ?still? ?be? ?seen? ?

on? ?the? ?body’s? ?contours.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?around? ?to? ?alleviate? ?the? ?symptoms,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?finally? ?finished? ?a? ?round,? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?pulled? ?him? ?aside? ?and? ?asked? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?

happened? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield? ?today?? ?How? ?could? ?you? ?get? ?stabbed? ?by? ?that? ?boor?? ?You? ?also? ?

struck? ?him? ?so? ?many? ?times? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?just? ?kill? ?him?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?tell? ?him? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?now? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?a? ?king’s? ?aura? ?on? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

that? ?not? ?even? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?could? ?touch,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?grimace.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?kill? ?him,? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?he? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?kill? ?him.? ?All? ?the? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?in? ?

his? ?attacks? ?were? ?dissolved? ?by? ?that? ?king’s? ?aura,? ?and? ?nothing? ?worked? ?against? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?

When? ?he? ?realized? ?this,? ?he? ?instantly? ?changed? ?to? ?fistfighting,? ?but? ?that? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?thick? ?

skinned? ?and? ?could? ?withstand? ?quite? ?the? ?beating!? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?distance? ?away? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?loud? ?wail,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS? ?SAVE? ?

ME!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?accepting? ?a? ?bowl? ?of? ?water? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?passed? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?that? ?wail? ?

came? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?taking? ?his? ?first? ?sip.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?choked,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?

stop? ?before? ?he? ?rushed? ?over.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?wailed? ?was? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?who? ?gave? ?him? ?that? ?

umbrella,? ?and? ?because? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?extra? ?warm? ?towards? ?him,? ?his? ?screaming? ?for? ?help? ?

was? ?also? ?extra? ?frequent.? ?At? ?first? ?the? ?part? ?of? ?this? ?man? ?that? ?grew? ?a? ?face? ?was? ?his? ?knee,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?casted? ?his? ?power? ?to? ?control? ?the? ?disease? ?from? ?spreading,? ?and? ?so? ?only? ?his? ?left? ?leg? ?had? ?

the? ?face? ?and? ?nowhere? ?else.? ?Right? ?then,? ?he? ?was? ?kicking? ?that? ?leg? ?madly,? ?going? ?hysterical.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?him? ?down? ?and? ?comforted,? ?“Don’t? ?move.? ?I’m? ?here!”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?frightened? ?to? ?the? ?core? ?and? ?grabbed? ?onto? ?him,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?

YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?SAVE? ?ME!? ?I? ?felt? ?an? ?itch? ?on? ?my? ?leg? ?just? ?now? ?like? ?some? ?weed? ?was? ?

scratching? ?me,? ?but? ?when? ?I,? ?when? ?I? ?looked? ?down,? ?I? ?saw? ?those? ?things...? ?their? ?mouths? ?were? ?

opening? ?and? ?closing,? ?moving,? ?they’re? ?moving!? ?THEY’RE? ?EATING? ?GRASS!!!? ?THEY’RE? ?

ALIVE!!!”? ? ?

?

Hair? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?raised? ?instantly.? ?He? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?on? ?that? ?

young? ?man’s? ?left? ?leg,? ?there? ?were? ?over? ?ten? ?faces? ?tightly? ?pressed? ?together,? ?many? ?of? ?their? ?

mouths? ?had? ?grass,? ?some? ?were? ?even? ?chewing? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?starving!? ? ?

?

Many? ?of? ?the? ?patients? ?started? ?screaming,? ?the? ?crowd? ?blew? ?up? ?in? ?uproar,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?

the? ?soldiers? ?had? ?to? ?use? ?force? ?to? ?subjugate? ?them? ?to? ?prevent? ?a? ?riot.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?a? ?hand? ?

to? ?hold? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?down,? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?another? ?beside? ?him? ?to? ?ask,? ?“Can? ?this? ?leg? ?still? ?

work?”? ? ?

?

All? ?the? ?nursing? ?staff? ?at? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?full? ?gear,? ?and? ?were? ?dressed? ?in? ?

bandages? ?and? ?capes,? ?wrapping? ?themselves? ?tight,? ?their? ?faces? ?unrecognizable.? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?

workers? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?answered,? ?his? ?voice? ?sounded? ?like? ?a? ?boy,? ?“No,? ?Your? ?Highness!? ?His? ?

leg? ?is? ?already? ?forfeit.? ?We? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?else? ?is? ?festering,? ?the? ?leg? ?is? ?heavy? ?like? ?a? ?block? ?

of? ?lead,? ?and? ?we? ?could? ?hardly? ?move? ?it.? ?The? ?infection? ?is? ?also? ?climbing,? ?soon? ?it’ll? ?grow? ?

beyond? ?the? ?leg? ?and? ?reach? ?the? ?waist.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?done? ?his? ?utmost? ?to? ?use? ?his? ?powers? ?for? ?healing,? ?yet,? ?that? ?young? ?man’s? ?leg? ?

could? ?be? ?said? ?to? ?be? ?beyond? ?saving,? ?having? ?lost? ?almost? ?all? ?normal? ?functions.? ?Just? ?then,? ?

one? ?of? ?the? ?doctors? ?whispered,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?in? ?my? ?opinion,? ?the? ?only? ?thing? ?we? ?haven’t? ?

tried? ?is? ?cutting? ?off? ?the? ?part? ?with? ?the? ?faces,? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?that’d? ?slow? ?down? ?the? ?fester...”? ? ?

?

The? ?only? ?way? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?think? ?of? ?was? ?also? ?this,? ?“Then? ?cut? ?it? ?off!”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?immediately? ?cried,? ?“NO!”? ?He? ?was? ?terrified? ?of? ?having? ?his? ?limbs? ?cut? ?off,? ?but? ?

at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?hug? ?his? ?deformed? ?leg,? ?and? ?cried? ?in? ?pain,? ?“MY? ?LEG? ?IS? ?

NOT? ?FORFEIT!? ?Maybe? ?it’ll? ?get? ?better...? ?YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?Don’t...? ?don’t? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?

other? ?way? ?to? ?save? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?answer? ?with? ?“I’ll? ?do? ?my? ?best”,? ?or? ?“I’ll? ?try”? ?anymore.? ?His? ?sight? ?was? ?

going? ?dark,? ?and? ?he? ?replied,? ?“Sorry,? ?I? ?don’t.”? ? ?

?

That? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?would? ?say? ?such? ?a? ?thing,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time,? ?

shocking? ?everyone? ?present.? ?There? ?were? ?some? ?who? ?lost? ?it? ?right? ?then? ?and? ?there? ?and? ?

screamed,? ?“NO?? ?YOU’RE? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS,? ?YOU’RE? ?A? ?GOD,? ?HOW? ?DO? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?NO? ?

WAYS?? ?WE’VE? ?BEEN? ?WAITING? ?FOR? ?YOU? ?TO? ?COME? ?UP? ?WITH? ?SOMETHING? ?FOR? ?

DAYS,? ?HOW? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?NOTHING?!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?spoke? ?was? ?immediately? ?held? ?down? ?by? ?someone,? ?yet? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?or? ?

Mu? ?Qing.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?silent? ?and? ?frowning,? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?thought? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?answer? ?

was? ?too? ?blunt? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?comfort? ?the? ?masses.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?was? ?further? ?

away? ?yelling? ?at? ?the? ?particularly? ?rowdy? ?patients.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?battered? ?and? ?exhausted? ?

recently,? ?his? ?sword? ?never? ?sheathed? ?and? ?hung? ?on? ?his? ?waist.? ?When? ?the? ?blade? ?came? ?close? ?

to? ?that? ?leg,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?‘faces’? ?felt? ?the? ?chill? ?of? ?the? ?blade’s? ?aura,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?

chewing.? ?It? ?opened? ?its? ?mouth? ?and? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?shrill? ?scream.? ?

?

That? ?thing? ?actually? ?screamed!!!? ? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?sound? ?was? ?soft,? ?but? ?it? ?most? ?definitely? ?came? ?from? ?that? ?leg.? ?That? ?young? ?man? ?

screamed,? ?almost? ?fainting? ?from? ?fright,? ?and? ?he? ?clung? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?crying,? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS? ?SAVE? ?ME!? ?SAVE? ?ME!”? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?where? ?on? ?his? ?waist? ?close? ?to? ?his? ?

thigh,? ?three? ?shallow? ?sores? ?appeared.? ?That? ?doctor? ?shouted? ?in? ?alarm,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?it’s? ?

spreading!? ?It’s? ?spreading!? ?The? ?infection? ?is? ?spreading? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?leg!”? ? ?

?

No? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?spiritual? ?power? ?was? ?spent,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?could? ?not? ?control? ?that? ?

young? ?man’s? ?condition? ?in? ?the? ?end.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?those? ?horrifying? ?things? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?

spread? ?over? ?his? ?entire? ?body,? ?and? ?once? ?that? ?happened? ?there? ?would? ?be? ?no? ?going? ?back.? ?

Could? ?they? ?really? ?do? ?naught? ?but? ?sit? ?back? ?and? ?watch?? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Let? ?me? ?ask? ?you? ?one? ?thing.? ?Do? ?you? ?or? ?do? ?you? ?not? ?want? ?this? ?

leg?? ?I? ?can’t? ?guarantee? ?what? ?would? ?happen? ?once? ?it’s? ?gone.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?want? ?it? ?just? ?nod? ?

and? ?we’ll? ?operate? ?immediately,? ?if? ?you? ?want? ?it? ?then? ?don’t? ?nod,? ?and? ?we’ll? ?figure? ?it? ?out!”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?breathing? ?heavily,? ?his? ?eyes? ?blank? ?from? ?terror,? ?his? ?mind? ?lost,? ?and? ?it? ?

was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?nodding? ?but? ?also? ?shaking? ?his? ?head.? ?Those? ?faces? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?leg? ?started? ?

screaming? ?one? ?by? ?one? ?as? ?if? ?welcoming? ?their? ?new? ?‘companions’.? ?In? ?between? ?all? ?the? ?

“YEEEE”s? ?and? ?“AAAAHHH”s,? ?the? ?delight? ?on? ?their? ?faces? ?was? ?apparent,? ?and? ?their? ?little? ?red? ?

tongues? ?were? ?quivering.? ?It? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?imagine? ?just? ?what? ?the? ?insides? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?man’s? ?

left? ?leg? ?looked? ?like,? ?just? ?what? ?it? ?harboured.? ?

?

This? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?delayed? ?any? ?further.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instructed? ?that? ?doctor,? ?“Cut? ?it? ?off.”? ? ?

?

That? ?doctor,? ?however,? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?rapidly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?forgive? ?me!? ?I’m? ?not? ?very? ?

sure? ?either,? ?and? ?I? ?don’t? ?dare? ?operate? ?in? ?a? ?place? ?like? ?this.? ?If? ?cutting? ?doesn’t? ?do? ?anything,? ?

then? ?we? ?shouldn’t? ?take? ?this? ?risk!”? ?He? ?cursed? ?himself? ?for? ?speaking? ?up,? ?the? ?nail? ?that? ?stuck? ?

out? ?got? ?hammered? ?down,? ?what? ?was? ?he? ?doing? ?fighting? ?for? ?such? ?a? ?terrifying? ?job?? ?He? ?

escaped? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?crowd? ?and? ?stopped? ?talking.? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?mumbling? ?repeatedly,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?save? ?me,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?

save? ?me!”? ?Yet? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?was? ?completely? ?blank,? ?a? ?voice? ?full? ?of? ?hopelessness? ?also? ?

rumbling? ?inside? ?him:? ?“—who? ?can? ?come? ?and? ?save? ?me...!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?noisy? ?and? ?rowdy? ?all? ?around,? ?screaming? ?and? ?crying? ?everywhere.? ?Those? ?twisted? ?

little? ?human? ?faces? ?squished? ?below? ?were? ?also? ?wailing,? ?and? ?in? ?that? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

thought? ?he? ?saw? ?hell.? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?peering? ?at? ?this? ?hell? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?unseeing,? ?and? ?with? ?cold? ?

sweat? ?rolling,? ?he? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?raised? ?his? ?arm? ?–? ?

?

The? ?sword? ?slashed? ?down,? ?and? ?blood? ?splattered.? ?

?

?

———–? ?

Ch.86:? ?From? ?the? ?Earth? ?of? ?BuYou? ?Forest,? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?Emerges? ?3? ? ?

?

“AAAAAHHHHHH—”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?only? ?half? ?conscious? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?off? ?his? ?left? ?leg,? ?he? ?

snapped? ?awake? ?and? ?screamed? ?madly,? ?“MY? ?LEG!? ?MY? ?LEG!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knelt? ?in? ?that? ?pool? ?of? ?blood,? ?his? ?white? ?robes? ?stained? ?and? ?spotted,? ?doing? ?his? ?best? ?

to? ?hold? ?him? ?down,? ?“It’s? ?over!? ?Doctors,? ?stop? ?his? ?bleeding!”? ? ?

?

?The? ?doctors? ?present? ?were? ?flustered,? ?forgetting? ?themselves,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?

any? ?longer.? ?He? ?stepped? ?forward,? ?“Don’t? ?trouble? ?yourselves.”? ?And? ?he? ?took? ?out? ?a? ?small? ?

medicine? ?bottle,? ?a? ?faint? ?smoke? ?flowing? ?out,? ?slowly? ?stopping? ?the? ?bleeding.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?

wrapped? ?the? ?wound? ?with? ?a? ?spiritual? ?aura.? ?As? ?for? ?that? ?cut? ?off? ?leg,? ?it? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?all? ?

by? ?its? ?lonesome.? ?Suddenly,? ?it? ?quivered,? ?like? ?a? ?live? ?creature? ?it? ?continued? ?to? ?squirm? ?even? ?

having? ?been? ?parted? ?from? ?the? ?body.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?a? ?fire? ?roared,? ?torching? ?

that? ?leg? ?into? ?nothing? ?but? ?black? ?ashes.? ?That? ?young? ?man? ?wailed,? ?“MY? ?LEG!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?checked? ?his? ?waist? ?side? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?didn’t? ?continue? ?to? ?

fester,? ?his? ?eyes? ?brightened? ?and? ?said? ?delightedly,? ?“It’s? ?good,? ?it’s? ?stopped.? ?It’s? ?not? ?

festering!”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?finally? ?stopped? ?his? ?tears? ?and? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Really?? ?Is? ?it? ?really? ?

better?”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?all? ?sucked? ?in? ?their? ?breaths,? ?unmoving? ?and? ?hesitant,? ?but? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?

someone? ?shouted,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?help? ?treat? ?me? ?too!”? ? ?

?

Another? ?boy’s? ?voice? ?rang? ?out? ?from? ?not? ?far? ?away,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?ridiculous!? ?We? ?can’t? ?be? ?sure,? ?

what? ?if? ?it? ?relapses? ?after? ?a? ?while?”? ? ?

?

Thanks? ?to? ?that? ?voice’s? ?reminder,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?calmed? ?down? ?too.? ?“That’s? ?right,? ?we? ?can’t? ?be? ?

sure? ?right? ?now.? ?We? ?need? ?some? ?time? ?to? ?observe.”? ?

?

Another? ?piped? ?up,? ?voice? ?trembling? ?in? ?fear,? ?“How? ?long? ?do? ?we? ?need? ?to? ?observe...?? ?I? ?can’t? ?

wait? ?any? ?longer.? ?If? ?we? ?wait...? ?if? ?we? ?keep? ?waiting,? ?this? ?thing? ?will? ?spread? ?to? ?my? ?face!”? ?

Another? ?just? ?gave? ?up? ?altogether,? ?“I’M? ?WILLING? ?TO? ?TAKE? ?THE? ?CHANCE!”? ?Soon,? ?

hundreds? ?within? ?the? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?became? ?unruly? ?and? ?noisy,? ?all? ?begging,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?please? ?we? ?beg? ?you,? ?relieve? ?us? ?of? ?this? ?suffering!”? ? ?

?

The? ?masses? ?started? ?prostrating? ?towards? ?him? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?worshipped? ?in? ?the? ?centre,? ?and? ?

although? ?an? ?awkward? ?situation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?careless.? ?“Everyone? ?please? ?

get? ?up? ?first.? ?After? ?some? ?time? ?if? ?this? ?man? ?didn’t? ?relapse,? ?then? ?I? ?will? ?do? ?my? ?utmost? ?to? ?treat? ?

everyone...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?some? ?time? ?before? ?the? ?people? ?were? ?comforted,? ?having? ?made? ?many? ?more? ?promises? ?

and? ?settled? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?with? ?the? ?amputated? ?leg? ?elsewhere,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?down? ?under? ?

a? ?tree.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?around? ?before? ?speaking? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“How? ?could? ?you? ?just? ?chop? ?

off? ?his? ?leg? ?directly?? ?If? ?the? ?man? ?in? ?question? ?didn’t? ?beg? ?you? ?to? ?do? ?it? ?himself,? ?don’t? ?just? ?take? ?

the? ?reins.? ?What? ?if? ?it? ?didn’t? ?work? ?even? ?after? ?you? ?amputated? ?that? ?leg?? ?The? ?one? ?he’d? ?hate? ?

would? ?become? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?still? ?racing,? ?a? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?face,? ?he? ?croaked,? ?“...the? ?situation? ?at? ?

the? ?time? ?couldn’t? ?wait.? ?He? ?won’t? ?answer? ?me,? ?and? ?the? ?doctor? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?operate,? ?I? ?

couldn’t? ?just? ?stand? ?by? ?and? ?watch? ?the? ?infection? ?fester.? ?Someone? ?had? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?decision? ?

on? ?what? ?to? ?do.? ?I? ?really...”? ? ?

?

For? ?once? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?worried,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?think? ?you? ?better? ?take? ?a? ?rest.? ?You? ?

really? ?don’t? ?look? ?that? ?good.? ?We’ll? ?take? ?over? ?for? ?you? ?for? ?the? ?time? ?being.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?felt? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?hang? ?on? ?anymore,? ?and? ?nodded? ?slowly,? ?“Alright.? ?I’ll? ?rest? ?here? ?

for? ?a? ?bit.? ?We’ll? ?be? ?heading? ?back? ?soon,? ?so? ?don’t? ?go? ?too? ?far.”? ?Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?

wail? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?forest,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?left? ?to? ?go? ?check? ?it? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

sat? ?and? ?zoned? ?out? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?before? ?lying? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?right? ?there.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?if? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?build? ?him? ?a? ?perfumed? ?tent? ?and? ?a? ?tusk? ?bed,? ?he? ?would? ?

never? ?have? ?just? ?lain? ?on? ?muddy? ?ground? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?wild.? ?Under? ?the? ?current? ?circumstances? ?

however,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?energy? ?to? ?trouble? ?any? ?errand? ?runners,? ?even? ?the? ?grime? ?

and? ?blood? ?on? ?his? ?robes? ?were? ?uncleansed? ?before? ?he? ?dropped? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?passed? ?out,? ?

still? ?dirty? ?and? ?unkempt.? ?

?

An? ?unknown? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?passed,? ?and? ?cloudily? ?hearing? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?calling? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

jerked? ?awake,? ?sitting? ?up? ?immediately,? ?and? ?felt? ?something? ?on? ?him? ?slip? ?off.? ?When? ?he? ?looked? ?

down? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?patched,? ?worn? ?quilt? ?that? ?someone? ?must’ve? ?used? ?to? ?cover? ?him? ?when? ?he? ?

was? ?resting.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?spoke? ?to? ?the? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?approached,? ?

“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?this,? ?you? ?can? ?give? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?patients? ?instead.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Huh?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?? ?This? ?quilt?? ?That? ?wasn’t? ?

from? ?me.? ?I? ?only? ?just? ?got? ?back.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“Was? ?it? ?you,? ?Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?wasn’t? ?me? ?either.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?“Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?devotees? ?living? ?in? ?camp? ?

who? ?brought? ?it? ?for? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around? ?but? ?didn’t? ?see? ?any? ?one? ?worth? ?noting? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?

thinking,? ?“I? ?actually? ?didn’t? ?sense? ?anyone? ?get? ?close,? ?what? ?a? ?shameful? ?state.”? ?He? ?folded? ?the? ?

quilt? ?and? ?laid? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?before? ?rising? ?to? ?this? ?feet,? ?“Let’s? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?left? ?with? ?a? ?heavy? ?heart,? ?and? ?very? ?soon,? ?the? ?thing? ?he? ?feared? ?happened.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?only? ?two? ?days? ?later? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?visited? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?again,? ?and? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?

doctors? ?informed? ?him:? ?At? ?night,? ?some? ?ten? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?patients? ?ignored? ?the? ?

warnings? ?and? ?snuck? ?up,? ?some? ?used? ?fire? ?to? ?burn? ?their? ?sores,? ?some? ?used? ?knives? ?to? ?slice? ?

away? ?their? ?flesh,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?many,? ?that? ?due? ?to? ?mishandling,? ?lost? ?too? ?much? ?blood? ?and? ?

didn’t? ?dare? ?tell? ?anyone,? ?hiding? ?under? ?their? ?blankets? ?quietly,? ?and? ?died? ?equally? ?silently.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?left? ?the? ?battlefield? ?and? ?he? ?received? ?such? ?news.? ?Standing? ?before? ?

hundreds? ?and? ?watching? ?those? ?bloody,? ?crying? ?patients,? ?he? ?finally? ?lost? ?his? ?temper,? ?“WHY? ?

WON’T? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?LISTEN? ?TO? ?REASON?? ?DIDN’T? ?I? ?SAY? ?THAT? ?WE? ?HAVEN’T? ?

CONFIRMED? ?THIS? ?METHOD? ?COULD? ?CURE? ?THE? ?ROOT? ?CAUSE? ?OF? ?INFECTION?? ?

HOW? ?COULD? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?BE? ?SO? ?FOOLISH!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?had? ?gotten? ?so? ?mad? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?so? ?many? ?devotees,? ?and? ?the? ?masses? ?

bowed? ?their? ?heads? ?silently,? ?afraid? ?to? ?speak.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?really? ?quite? ?furious? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?lecture? ?a? ?bit? ?more,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?berated,? ?someone? ?spoke? ?up? ?unexpectedly,? ?“Your? ?

Highness? ?is? ?invincible,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?you’d? ?call? ?us? ?foolish,? ?but? ?aren’t? ?we? ?all? ?just? ?overly? ?

concerned? ?with? ?our? ?conditions? ?that? ?we? ?had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?try? ?foolish? ?methods!”? ? ?

?

Although? ?this? ?individual? ?didn’t? ?oppose? ?him? ?openly,? ?still? ?he? ?was? ?dripping? ?with? ?sarcasm.? ?

Hearing? ?him,? ?blood? ?rushed? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?and? ?he? ?snapped,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?say?”? ? ?

?

That? ?person? ?immediately? ?shrank? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?crowd? ?and? ?disappeared.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?

further? ?away? ?and? ?didn’t? ?hear,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?would’ve? ?cussed? ?them? ?out? ?already.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

noticed? ?that? ?the? ?mood? ?of? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?going? ?in? ?the? ?wrong? ?direction,? ?and? ?cautiously? ?

chose? ?not? ?to? ?provoke? ?any? ?more? ?outrages.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?respond,? ?

another? ?piped? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?if? ?you? ?can’t? ?save? ?us? ?then? ?we? ?gotta? ?save? ?ourselves.? ?

Don’t? ?worry,? ?we? ?won’t? ?waste? ?your? ?holy? ?medicine? ?or? ?spiritual? ?power.”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?hot? ?blood? ?that? ?rushed? ?up? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?now? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?immense? ?cold? ?as? ?he? ?

thought,? ?‘...What? ?the? ?heck?? ?And? ?did? ?I? ?ever? ?concern? ?myself? ?with? ?those? ?holy? ?medicine? ?and? ?

spiritual? ?power?? ?Clearly? ?I? ?only? ?stopped? ?them? ?because? ?amputation? ?might? ?not? ?work,? ?so? ?

why? ?did? ?they? ?have? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?I’m? ?haughty? ?and? ?only? ?speaking? ?empty? ?words?? ?I? ?can’t? ?feel? ?

their? ?pain? ?but? ?if? ?my? ?desire? ?to? ?help? ?them? ?wasn’t? ?sincere,? ?why? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?would? ?I? ?give? ?up? ?

being? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?and? ?find? ?trouble? ?for? ?myself? ?down? ?here???’? ?

?

Never? ?in? ?his? ?life? ?had? ?he? ?ever? ?been? ?stabbed? ?by? ?another’s? ?words? ?and? ?never? ?had? ?he? ?been? ?

wronged? ?like? ?this.? ?Thousands? ?of? ?thoughts? ?filled? ?his? ?mind? ?but? ?none? ?of? ?them? ?could? ?be? ?

formed? ?into? ?words,? ?because? ?he? ?knew? ?this? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?the? ?cure? ?for? ?

the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease,? ?and? ?his? ?devoted? ?followers? ?were? ?finally? ?losing? ?their? ?patience.? ?

The? ?suffering? ?of? ?those? ?citizens? ?were? ?a? ?hundred? ?times? ?more? ?difficult? ?to? ?live? ?with? ?than? ?his? ?

hardships,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?clench? ?his? ?fists,? ?cracking? ?his? ?knuckles.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?a? ?

sudden? ?punch? ?landed? ?on? ?a? ?tree? ?next? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

That? ?tree? ?cracked? ?and? ?snapped,? ?making? ?the? ?people? ?jump,? ?ending? ?their? ?whispers.? ?Only? ?

then? ?did? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?was? ?further? ?away? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong? ?and? ?rushed? ?over,? ?

“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

After? ?landing? ?that? ?punch,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?relieve? ?that? ?breath? ?of? ?anger,? ?and? ?

somewhat? ?calmed? ?down.? ?Yet,? ?in? ?that? ?dead? ?silence,? ?another? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

there’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?angry.? ?Everyone? ?here? ?is? ?a? ?patient,? ?and? ?we’re? ?all? ?your? ?

followers.? ?No? ?one? ?owes? ?you? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

Once? ?the? ?words? ?were? ?spoken,? ?many? ?nodded? ?secretly.? ?Although? ?the? ?voices? ?were? ?quiet,? ?

still? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?senses? ?were? ?sharp? ?and? ?could? ?hear? ?every? ?sound? ?clearly;? ?the? ?crowd? ?were? ?

grumbling:? ?“Finally? ?someone? ?who? ?dared? ?speak? ?the? ?truth.? ?I’ve? ?been? ?holding? ?it? ?in,? ?afraid? ?to? ?

say? ?anything...”? ? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?they? ?used? ?to? ?say? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?a? ?gentle? ?soul?...So? ?he’s? ?

actually? ?like? ?this? ?in? ?person...”? ? ?

?

In? ?that? ?endless? ?tides? ?of? ?talk,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?back.? ?In? ?his? ?twenty? ?

years,? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?terrified? ?before? ?any? ?enemies,? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?afraid.? ?Yet? ?at? ?

that? ?very? ?moment,? ?an? ?emotion? ?akin? ?to? ?terror? ?was? ?rolling? ?through? ?his? ?heart.? ?Just? ?then,? ?he? ?

heard? ?another? ?person? ?whisper:? ?“With? ?such? ?an? ?impressive? ?might,? ?why? ?not? ?go? ?set? ?fire? ?to? ?

the? ?enemy? ?camps,? ?instead? ?of? ?having? ?us? ?suffer? ?battles? ?like? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?those? ?words,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?there? ?any? ?longer.? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?he? ?knew? ?that? ?the? ?him? ?now? ?was? ?nothing? ?like? ?that? ?sword? ?and? ?flower? ?holding,? ?

smiling? ?and? ?kind? ?martial? ?god? ?on? ?the? ?altar!? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?and? ?dashed,? ?running? ?out? ?of? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?escaping,? ?and? ?

behind? ?him,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?yelled,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?WHERE? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?

GOING!”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?suddenly? ?an? ?upheaval? ?in? ?the? ?crowd;? ?it? ?seemed? ?a? ?young? ?nursing? ?staff? ?

suddenly? ?started? ?beating? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?patients? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue,? ?causing? ?others? ?to? ?join? ?in? ?

the? ?brawl.? ?Yet,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?worry? ?about? ?them? ?anymore.? ?They? ?

called? ?forth? ?troops? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?the? ?situation? ?and? ?immediately? ?ran? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

The? ?direction? ?of? ?his? ?flight? ?was? ?BeiZi? ?Hill,? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?steps? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?few? ?meters,? ?and? ?

soon? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?that? ?densely? ?wooded? ?mountain? ?top.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?

going? ?red,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted? ?into? ?the? ?forest,? ?“COME? ?OUT!!!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cried? ?after? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?coming? ?here!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?yelled? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?“I? ?KNOW? ?YOU’RE? ?HERE,? ?COME? ?OUT!!!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?called? ?out,? ?“If? ?he’d? ?come? ?out? ?just? ?by? ?your? ?call,? ?then? ?we? ?wouldn’t? ?need? ?to...”? ? ?

?

He? ?trailed? ?off? ?and? ?fell? ?silent.? ?Behind? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?crunching? ?

sounds.? ?Whipping? ?their? ?heads? ?around,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?sitting? ?upon? ?a? ?vine? ?watching? ?them? ?

was? ?no? ?other? ?than? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?creature? ?with? ?his? ?left? ?face? ?crying? ?and? ?the? ?right? ?

smiling.? ?

?

It? ?actually? ?heeded? ?the? ?call!? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?lost? ?it? ?at? ?the? ?sight? ?of? ?him,? ?charging? ?at? ?him? ?crying? ?sharply,? ?“I’M? ?

GOING? ?TO? ?KILL? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

That? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?lightly? ?evaded? ?him,? ?his? ?large? ?white? ?sleeves? ?looked? ?like? ?the? ?

wings? ?of? ?a? ?butterfly? ?dancing,? ?elegant? ?and? ?beautiful.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?let? ?out? ?an? ?

“eh?”? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?aid? ?him? ?but? ?they? ?abruptly? ?noticed? ?something? ?extremely? ?alarming,? ?

and? ?stopped? ?their? ?movements,? ?their? ?faces? ?aghast.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?filled? ?

with? ?rage? ?and? ?noticed? ?nothing.? ?He? ?unsheathed? ?his? ?sword? ?as? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS!? ?DIDN’T? ?YOU? ?SEE,? ?HE...”? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?was? ?already? ?choking? ?the? ?neck? ?of? ?

that? ?white-clothed? ?being,? ?the? ?other? ?holding? ?his? ?sword,? ?pointing? ?it? ?at? ?his? ?heart.? ?That? ?

white-clothed? ?being? ?was? ?clearly? ?under? ?constraint? ?but? ?suddenly? ?he? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing.? ?

?

That? ?laugh? ?was? ?sonorous? ?and? ?gentle? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?it? ?

was? ?familiar? ?like? ?someone? ?he? ?knew,? ?but? ?in? ?his? ?rage? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?who? ?that? ?voice? ?

belonged? ?to,? ?and? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?confusion? ?didn’t? ?last.? ?Soon? ?enough,? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?

being? ?sighed,? ?“Xie? ?Lian,? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?It? ?won’t? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?you? ?struggle.? ?You’re? ?going? ?to? ?

lose.? ?The? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle? ?is? ?doomed!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?raging,? ?and? ?slapped? ?him? ?without? ?pause,? ?“WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?THINK? ?YOU? ?

ARE?? ?NO? ?ONE? ?GAVE? ?YOU? ?THE? ?RIGHT? ?TO? ?TALK? ?SO? ?SHUT? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

For? ?him,? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?rude? ?gesture.? ?The? ?head? ?of? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?was? ?

turned? ?from? ?the? ?slap? ?but? ?he? ?righted? ?it? ?again,? ?“Do? ?you? ?really? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?shut? ?up?? ?Alright,? ?

alright.? ?But,? ?actually,? ?there? ?is? ?a? ?way? ?that? ?can? ?turn? ?your? ?defeat? ?into? ?victory.? ?It? ?would? ?only? ?

depend? ?on? ?your? ?willingness? ?to? ?do? ?it.”? ?

?

If? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?added? ?the? ?last? ?line,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would’ve? ?ignored? ?him.? ?But? ?in? ?that? ?last? ?line,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?thought? ?just? ?maybe? ?there? ?could? ?be? ?some? ?truth? ?in? ?his? ?words.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?way,? ?but? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?heavy? ?price? ?he? ?needed? ?to? ?pay.? ?He? ?blew? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?and? ?said? ?gravely,? ?“What? ?

way?? ?If? ?you? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?do? ?something? ?then? ?just? ?say? ?it,? ?and? ?stop? ?wasting? ?my? ?time!”? ? ?

?

“Come? ?closer? ?and? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you.”? ?That? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?beckoned.? ?

?

“Fine.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?acquiesced.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?alarmed,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?You’re? ?not? ?actually...”? ?but? ?then? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

penetrating? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?with? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?leaned? ?down,? ?

“Speak.”? ? ?

?

With? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?soft? ?voice,? ?that? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?whispered? ?in? ?his? ?ears,? ?and? ?no? ?

one? ?else? ?heard? ?exactly? ?what? ?he? ?said.? ?Yet? ?the? ?more? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?listened,? ?the? ?wider? ?his? ?eyes? ?

became.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?slapped? ?the? ?creature? ?again,? ?unable? ?to? ?hold? ?back.? ?He? ?yelled,? ?“I? ?

DIDN’T? ?SAY? ?TO? ?TELL? ?ME? ?THIS!? ?WHAT? ?I? ?WANT? ?IS? ?A? ?SOLUTION!? ?A? ?CURE!”? ?

?

“I? ?did? ?tell? ?you;? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?way.”? ?That? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?said.? ?“It? ?all? ?depends? ?on? ?if? ?

you’re? ?willing? ?to? ?do? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?twisted,? ?“...just? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?want?? ?Who? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

That? ?white-clothed? ?being? ?chuckled,? ?“Who? ?am? ?I?? ?Can’t? ?you? ?take? ?off? ?my? ?mask? ?and? ?see? ?for? ?

yourself?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?already? ?had? ?that? ?very? ?intent,? ?and? ?pulled? ?off? ?that? ?half-crying? ?half-smiling? ?mask? ?in? ?

a? ?fit.? ?The? ?next? ?second,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?froze.? ?

?

Behind? ?that? ?mask,? ?the? ?one? ?smiling? ?at? ?him,? ?was? ?a? ?pale? ?and? ?handsome? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?

man,? ?his? ?eyes? ?twinkling? ?with? ?life,? ?his? ?lips? ?curled? ?into? ?a? ?smile,? ?his? ?expression? ?endlessly? ?

gentle? ?and? ?modest.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?his? ?own? ?face.? ?

?

?

————–? ?

Ch.87:? ?Gilded? ?Figure;? ?Exertion? ?to? ?Block? ?Celestial? ?Ruin? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?beyond? ?outraged.? ?He? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?sword? ?impaled? ?on? ?that? ?chest? ?and? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?thrust? ?again? ?when? ?he? ?realized? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?blood? ?on? ?the? ?blade.? ?

Instantly,? ?he? ?understood,? ?and? ?changed? ?the? ?course? ?of? ?the? ?blade,? ?slashing? ?off? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?

that? ?white-clothed? ?youth.? ?The? ?decapitation? ?was? ?swift,? ?and? ?when? ?that? ?head? ?and? ?its? ?body? ?

were? ?separated,? ?both? ?shriveled? ?up? ?and? ?became? ?a? ?heap? ?of? ?skin? ?bags.? ?

?

That? ?body? ?was? ?an? ?empty? ?shell!? ?

?

Twice? ?he? ?met? ?that? ?creature? ?he? ?had? ?used? ?a? ?fake? ?body,? ?and? ?not? ?once? ?did? ?he? ?show? ?himself? ?

in? ?his? ?true? ?form.? ?Although? ?not? ?surprised,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?filled? ?with? ?angry? ?resentment,? ?

his? ?sword? ?venting? ?his? ?anger? ?on? ?that? ?soft? ?and? ?limp? ?body,? ?the? ?sharp? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?blade? ?

slashing? ?the? ?skin? ?bag? ?into? ?shreds,? ?and? ?still? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?relieved.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?

anymore? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?stop? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?It’s? ?only? ?a? ?shell.”? ? ?

?

Still,? ?that? ?shell? ?looked? ?exactly? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?younger? ?self,? ?so? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

cruelly? ?mutilating? ?himself,? ?painting? ?a? ?distressing? ?picture.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heaved? ?a? ?few? ?long? ?

breaths,? ?threw? ?the? ?sword? ?away? ?to? ?the? ?side,? ?and? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“I? ?KNOW!? ?BUT? ?I? ?

CAN’T? ?BELIEVE? ?HE? ?DARED? ?USE? ?MY? ?FACE!”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?furious? ?to? ?the? ?core,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?knelt? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?silent.? ?A? ?moment? ?

later? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?feel? ?better?? ?Don’t? ?take? ?his? ?bullshit? ?to? ?

heart,? ?he’s? ?only? ?playing? ?with? ?you.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“No,? ?he? ?said? ?some? ?things? ?that? ?weren’t? ?a? ?joke,? ?just...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“He? ?actually? ?told? ?you? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?lift? ?the? ?curse?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?hand? ?grabbed? ?at? ?his? ?own? ?hair,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?me? ?how? ?to? ?cure? ?the? ?Human? ?

Face? ?Disease,? ?what? ?he? ?told? ?me? ?was...? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?inflict? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease!”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?were? ?aghast,? ?“Inflict?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?looked? ?around,? ?and? ?felt? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?best? ?not? ?to? ?stick? ?around? ?at? ?BeiZi? ?Hill,? ?

and? ?decided? ?to? ?leave? ?first.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?soldiers’? ?averting? ?gazes? ?nor? ?the? ?

cries? ?and? ?whines? ?of? ?patients,? ?so? ?he? ?returned? ?to? ?his? ?crown? ?prince? ?bedchambers? ?in? ?the? ?

palace? ?that? ?was? ?left? ?empty? ?for? ?many? ?years.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?after? ?closing? ?the? ?door? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?somewhat? ?calm? ?down? ?and? ?sat? ?down,? ?speaking? ?

in? ?a? ?grave? ?voice,? ?“Those? ?‘faces’? ?grown? ?on? ?those? ?people? ?were? ?all? ?the? ?dead? ?souls? ?of? ?

Yong’an.? ?A? ?part? ?were? ?those? ?who? ?died? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield,? ?but? ?the? ?majority? ?were? ?those? ?who? ?

died? ?in? ?the? ?drought.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?wasn’t? ?surprised,? ?“No? ?wonder? ?none? ?from? ?Yong’an? ?were? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?

Human? ?Face? ?Disease;? ?of? ?course? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?attack? ?their? ?own? ?people.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?frowned,? ?“Those? ?who? ?died? ?in? ?the? ?drought? ?weren’t? ?killed? ?by? ?those? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?

capital,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?there’s? ?a? ?grudge,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?to? ?strike? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh,? ?“Even? ?if? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?you? ?both? ?know? ?that? ?when? ?a? ?person? ?

dies,? ?there’s? ?a? ?period? ?of? ?confusion.”? ? ?

?

When? ?a? ?person? ?had? ?passed? ?away,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?time? ?when? ?their? ?souls? ?were? ?like? ?a? ?

newborn,? ?barely? ?conscient,? ?half? ?cognizant,? ?unknowing? ?of? ?who? ?they? ?were,? ?where? ?they? ?

were,? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?doing,? ?and? ?that? ?period? ?could? ?be? ?long? ?or? ?short? ?depending? ?on? ?their? ?

own? ?affinity.? ?That? ?period? ?was? ?called? ?the? ?‘Period? ?of? ?Confusion’.? ?

?

Under? ?those? ?circumstances,? ?the? ?family? ?or? ?lovers? ?of? ?those? ?spirits? ?could? ?guide? ?them? ?or? ?

influence? ?them.? ?The? ?common? ?custom? ?of? ?‘Calling? ?Spirits? ?on? ?the? ?Seventh? ?Day’*? ?was? ?based? ?

on? ?this? ?rationale.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“He...? ?told? ?me,? ?that? ?the? ?soldiers? ?of? ?Yong’an? ?harboured? ?an? ?intense? ?

animosity? ?and? ?hostility? ?towards? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?and? ?their? ?parents,? ?spouses,? ?children,? ?

many? ?of? ?them? ?all? ?died? ?in? ?the? ?drought.”? ? ?

?

“Those? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?would? ?unconsciously? ?be? ?affected? ?by? ?their? ?family’s? ?emotions,? ?

and? ?so? ?he? ?used? ?the? ?strong? ?wills? ?of? ?those? ?soldiers? ?to? ?instill? ?enmity? ?within? ?the? ?spirits? ?and? ?

urged? ?them? ?to? ?take? ?on? ?living? ?flesh? ?as? ?a? ?host? ?and? ?fight? ?for? ?nutrients? ?within? ?their? ?host’s? ?

body”? ?

?

“And? ?this? ?worked? ?because? ?those? ?spirits? ?in? ?their? ?period? ?of? ?confusion? ?were? ?repeatedly? ?

indoctrinated? ?by? ?one? ?thought:? ?that? ?if? ?not? ?for? ?them,? ?you? ?could’ve? ?survived.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?kind? ?of? ?bullshit? ?belief? ?is? ?that,? ?who? ?deserves? ?to? ?live? ?and? ?who? ?deserves? ?to? ?die??”? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?commented.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Before,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?unintentionally? ?buried? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?

his? ?son? ?here? ?at? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?and? ?that? ?became? ?a? ?fuse? ?for? ?his? ?curse.? ?I? ?told? ?him? ?to? ?give? ?

me? ?a? ?cure,? ?but? ?with? ?so? ?much? ?talk,? ?all? ?he? ?told? ?me? ?was? ?the? ?entire? ?process? ?of? ?how? ?to? ?cast? ?

this? ?curse.? ?What? ?the? ?heck?”? ? ?

?

A? ?curse? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?lifted? ?just? ?by? ?knowing? ?how? ?it? ?was? ?casted.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?cussed,? ?“He’s? ?

playing? ?with? ?you.? ?What? ?the? ?hell.? ?What? ?the? ?fuck!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing,? ?however,? ?piped? ?up,? ?“He? ?wasn’t? ?playing? ?with? ?you.? ?He? ?did? ?tell? ?you? ?the? ?way.”? ? ?

?

Between? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?one? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“What? ?

way?”? ? ?

?

“The? ?way? ?to? ?lift? ?the? ?curse!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?replied.? ?

?

His? ?eyes? ?brightened? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?discovered? ?a? ?secret,? ?“Yong’an’s? ?curse? ?works? ?because? ?they? ?

harbour? ?hatred? ?towards? ?Xianle.? ?As? ?for? ?Xianle,? ?there? ?isn’t? ?any? ?less? ?hatred? ?harboured? ?for? ?

Yong’an!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?slightly,? ?his? ?breathing? ?hitched.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?added,? ?“Since? ?he? ?told? ?

you? ?how? ?to? ?cast? ?the? ?curse,? ?then,? ?an? ?eye? ?for? ?an? ?eye,? ?you? ?can? ?cast? ?the? ?same? ?curse? ?and? ?

inflict? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?upon? ?those? ?in? ?Yong’an!? ?Just? ?think,? ?the? ?curse? ?can? ?only? ?

work? ?if? ?there? ?are? ?live? ?people? ?working? ?it.? ?Once? ?they’re? ?infected? ?by? ?the? ?disease,? ?they’d? ?be? ?

too? ?busy? ?dealing? ?with? ?it,? ?and? ?maybe? ?in? ?the? ?long? ?run? ?there? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?of? ?them? ?left,? ?so? ?

the? ?curse? ?would? ?break? ?itself!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?of? ?it? ?that? ?way.? ?Listening? ?to? ?him? ?explain,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

temporarily? ?dumbfounded.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?blurted,? ?“Definitely? ?not!”? ? ?

?

“Why? ?not?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?pushed,? ?“Don’t? ?forget,? ?the? ?ones? ?who? ?casted? ?the? ?curse? ?first? ?were? ?

them.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“No? ?means? ?no.? ?Also,? ?you’re? ?wrong.? ?And? ?it? ?must? ?also? ?

be? ?difficult? ?for? ?the? ?Yong’an? ?soldiers? ?to? ?get? ?infected? ?just? ?like? ?the? ?soldiers? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?Don’t? ?

ask? ?me? ?why,? ?I–”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?immediately? ?cut? ?in,? ?“Then? ?just? ?infecting? ?civilians? ?is? ?fine? ?too!? ?They? ?don’t? ?have? ?a? ?

complete? ?set? ?of? ?first? ?aid? ?resources? ?and? ?hands? ?like? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?the? ?

human? ?face? ?disease? ?erupts,? ?it’d? ?spread? ?much? ?faster,? ?and? ?they’d? ?have? ?no? ?way? ?to? ?fight? ?

back!? ?Threatening? ?the? ?safety? ?of? ?the? ?civilians? ?behind? ?their? ?backs? ?to? ?stop? ?their? ?curses? ?and? ?

force? ?them? ?to? ?surrender? ?is? ?the? ?same? ?thing,? ?they? ?can’t? ?compete? ?with? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?in? ?

exhausting? ?resources!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?rejected? ?the? ?idea,? ?“Absolutely? ?not!? ?Don’t? ?forget? ?what? ?we? ?called? ?them? ?

when? ?they? ?attacked? ?the? ?innocent? ?civilians? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital:? ?Despicable.? ?If? ?we? ?do? ?the? ?

same? ?thing,? ?then? ?won’t? ?we? ?become? ?the? ?same? ?despicable? ?people?? ?How? ?is? ?that? ?different? ?

from? ?them?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?schooled? ?his? ?excitement,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?forget? ?just? ?the? ?kind? ?of? ?people? ?

who? ?died? ?to? ?lure? ?you? ?into? ?the? ?Land? ?of? ?the? ?Tender.? ?They’re? ?what? ?you? ?called? ?‘innocent’? ?

civilians.”? ? ?

?

Once? ?that? ?was? ?said,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?into? ?hesitation.? ?

?

To? ?be? ?truthful,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?for? ?him? ?not? ?to? ?take? ?that? ?to? ?heart.? ?However,? ?he? ?still? ?

replied,? ?“That’s? ?right,? ?there? ?were? ?certainly? ?those? ?kinds? ?of? ?people.? ?But? ?that? ?was? ?because? ?

those? ?who? ?charge? ?at? ?the? ?forefront? ?are? ?the? ?most? ?passionate,? ?so? ?you? ?only? ?saw? ?those? ?types? ?

of? ?people? ?in? ?your? ?eyes.? ?But? ?in? ?reality,? ?the? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?civilians? ?know? ?nothing.? ?Go? ?to? ?

BeiZi? ?Hill? ?and? ?you’ll? ?see.? ?A? ?lot? ?of? ?them? ?don’t? ?even? ?know? ?why? ?they’re? ?fighting.? ?They’ll? ?go? ?

where? ?there’s? ?food;? ?they? ?just? ?want? ?to? ?survive.? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?what? ?you’re? ?advising? ?me? ?to? ?do? ?

right? ?now? ?is? ?to? ?save? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?innocent? ?people? ?by? ?killing? ?another? ?group? ?of? ?innocent? ?

people.? ?I...”? ?

?

He? ?sighed,? ?“Let? ?me? ?try? ?and? ?think? ?of? ?another? ?way.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?tone? ?was? ?growing? ?impertinent? ?and? ?somewhat? ?mocking,? ?“Why? ?would? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?

go? ?to? ?BeiZi? ?Hill? ?to? ?care? ?how? ?enemy? ?civilians? ?get? ?on?? ?Please.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you’re? ?so? ?

considerate? ?of? ?others,? ?but? ?they? ?have? ?never? ?been? ?considerate? ?of? ?you,? ?doesn’t? ?that? ?suck?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?despondent,? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?yet? ?the? ?image? ?of? ?that? ?leg? ?packed? ?with? ?

those? ?faces? ?that? ?continued? ?to? ?squirm? ?even? ?after? ?having? ?been? ?cut? ?off? ?floated? ?in? ?his? ?mind.? ?

After? ?hesitating? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?while,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?

day,? ?this? ?isn’t? ?in? ?consideration? ?of? ?others.? ?Even? ?in? ?consideration? ?of? ?ourselves,? ?a? ?curse? ?is? ?a? ?

double-edged? ?sword? ?in? ?itself;? ?it? ?hurts? ?others? ?and? ?ourselves.? ?In? ?order? ?to? ?curse? ?others,? ?the? ?

living? ?caster? ?must? ?have? ?a? ?heart? ?filled? ?with? ?poison,? ?and? ?those? ?who? ?died? ?also? ?cannot? ?rest? ?in? ?

peace.? ?They? ?already? ?suffered? ?enough? ?whilst? ?alive,? ?and? ?even? ?in? ?death? ?they? ?must? ?live? ?on? ?

in? ?another’s? ?flesh,? ?turning? ?into? ?monsters.? ?You? ?saw? ?those? ?things? ?on? ?that? ?man’s? ?leg? ?that? ?

day.? ?How? ?were? ?those? ?‘faces’? ?that? ?were? ?desperately? ?trying? ?to? ?live? ?any? ?better? ?than? ?those? ?

infected? ?by? ?the? ?disease?? ?A? ?curse? ?will? ?always? ?rebound? ?one? ?day,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?will? ?receive? ?a? ?

good? ?end.”? ? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?spurned? ?repeatedly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?losing? ?his? ?patience,? ?“BEFORE? ?THEY? ?

REACHED? ?THEIR? ?BAD? ?END,? ?WE’LL? ?ALREADY? ?HAVE? ?PERISHED!? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?HAVE? ?

A? ?THIRD? ?PATH? ?AND? ?THERE? ?IS? ?NO? ?SECOND? ?CUP? ?OF? ?WATER.? ?WAKE? ?UP,? ?YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS!? ?YOU’RE? ?RUNNING? ?OUT? ?OF? ?TIME.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?head? ?burning? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“...don’t? ?say? ?anymore.? ?Let? ?me? ?

think? ?some? ?more.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Finally,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?anymore? ?and? ?started? ?cursing? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“You? ?

really? ?are...? ?the? ?one? ?suffering? ?indecision? ?is? ?you,? ?now? ?with? ?a? ?cure? ?in? ?hand,? ?the? ?one? ?

refusing? ?it? ?is? ?also? ?you.? ?You’re? ?really...? ?really? ?annoying.? ?Look? ?at? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?you,? ?just? ?

looking? ?at? ?you? ?is? ?a? ?pain.? ?Your? ?worshippers? ?must’ve? ?collected? ?bloody? ?misfortune? ?for? ?eight? ?

lifetimes!”? ? ?

?

At? ?first? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?listening? ?to? ?their? ?argument? ?glumly? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?

contribute? ?any? ?better? ?ideas? ?he? ?didn’t? ?join? ?in.? ?Right? ?then? ?he? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?

shoved,? ?yelling,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?DONE!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?shoved? ?back? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up,? ?“Feng? ?Xin?”? ?

?

“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?DON’T? ?MIND? ?ME!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?then? ?turned? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?

“WHY? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?SO? ?IRRITATED?? ?TELL? ?US,? ?JUST? ?WHAT? ?EXACTLY? ?IRRITATES? ?YOU?? ?

I’VE? ?TOLERATED? ?YOU? ?FOR? ?A? ?LONG? ?TIME,? ?BUT? ?I? ?WON’T? ?HOLD? ?BACK? ?TODAY.? ?I? ?

CAN’T? ?FUCKING? ?STAND? ?YOU.? ?YOU’RE? ?NOTHING? ?BUT? ?A? ?DEPUTY? ?GENERAL;? ?

WITHOUT? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS’? ?APPOINTMENT? ?WHO? ?KNOWS? ?WHERE? ?YOU’D? ?BE,? ?SO? ?

WHY? ?DO? ?YOU? ?ALWAYS? ?ACT? ?LIKE? ?YOU’RE? ?SMARTER,? ?SHARPER,? ?AND? ?STRONGER? ?

THAN? ?HIM?? ?IF? ?YOU’RE? ?REALLY? ?THAT? ?AMAZING,? ?WHY? ?DID? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS? ?

ASCEND? ?AND? ?NOT? ?YOU?”? ? ?

?

“I–!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?cried? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?at? ?him,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go,? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?just? ?anxious? ?over? ?the? ?current? ?

situation–”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cut? ?in,? ?“ANXIOUS? ?MY? ?ASS!? ?YOUR? ?HIGHNESS? ?I’M? ?TELLING? ?YOU,? ?HE? ?ONLY? ?

WANTS? ?TO? ?FIND? ?A? ?REASON? ?TO? ?LECTURE? ?YOU;? ?HE? ?WON’T? ?LET? ?GO? ?OF? ?ANY? ?

CHANCE? ?HE? ?GETS? ?TO? ?SHOW? ?HOW? ?HE’S? ?BETTER? ?BECAUSE? ?HE? ?BELIEVES? ?HE’S? ?

BETTER!? ?A? ?COLD? ?PERSON? ?LIKE? ?HIM,? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?USUALLY? ?SEE? ?HOW? ?MUCH? ?HE? ?

ACTUALLY? ?CARES? ?FOR? ?THE? ?KINGDOM? ?OF? ?XIANLE,? ?SO? ?NOW? ?HE? ?KNOWS? ?TO? ?BE? ?

ANXIOUS?”? ? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?again,? ?“YOU? ?DON’T? ?THINK? ?I? ?CAN’T? ?TELL? ?YOU? ?THINK? ?HIS? ?

HIGHNESS? ?IS? ?A? ?FOOL?? ?I? ?CAN? ?TOLERATE? ?YOUR? ?SARCASM? ?AND? ?ROLLED? ?EYES,? ?I? ?

CAN? ?ALSO? ?TOLERATE? ?YOU? ?STANDING? ?WHERE? ?YOU? ?SHOULDN’T.? ?YOU? ?LIKE? ?TO? ?

SHOW? ?OFF,? ?IT’S? ?NOT? ?THE? ?FIRST? ?TIME,? ?SO? ?FINE,? ?GO? ?SHOW? ?OFF,? ?YOU’RE? ?NOT? ?

GOOD? ?ENOUGH? ?TO? ?WOW? ?THE? ?HEAVENS? ?ANYWAY.? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS? ?DOESN’T? ?

MIND? ?SO? ?I? ?DON’T? ?GIVE? ?A? ?SHIT? ?EITHER.? ?BUT? ?SINCE? ?YOU’RE? ?GONNA? ?CROSS? ?THE? ?

LINE,? ?I’M? ?NOT? ?GONNA? ?STAND? ?BACK.? ?LISTEN? ?UP:? ?I’M? ?NOT? ?SURPRISED? ?YOU? ?LIKE? ?

USING? ?DESPICABLE? ?TRICKS,? ?BUT? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS? ?IS? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS,? ?NO? ?MATTER? ?

WHAT? ?HE? ?DECIDES,? ?YOU? ?BETTER? ?RESPECT? ?IT.? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?BE? ?POINTING? ?

FINGERS? ?AND? ?FORGET? ?WHO? ?THE? ?FUCK? ?YOU? ?ARE!”? ? ?

?

While? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?yelled,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?stopping? ?him? ?multiple? ?times,? ?but? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?

because? ?he’d? ?been? ?holding? ?back? ?for? ?too? ?long? ?and? ?so? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?stopped? ?at? ?all,? ?spilling? ?

everything? ?in? ?one? ?go.? ?With? ?every? ?word,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?paled? ?a? ?shade.? ?At? ?first? ?he? ?jerked? ?

as? ?if? ?wanting? ?to? ?fight? ?back,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?stopped,? ?unspeaking,? ?and? ?glared? ?at? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?gravely.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?furious,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?DONE?? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT? ?ME? ?TO? ?KICK? ?

BOTH? ?OF? ?YOU? ?OUT?!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face? ?was? ?completely? ?red,? ?blood? ?obviously? ?rushed? ?to? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?he? ?

stiffened? ?his? ?neck? ?to? ?counter,? ?“Kick? ?me? ?out? ?for? ?all? ?I? ?care.? ?I? ?don’t? ?give? ?a? ?shit? ?about? ?being? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official!? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?appointment,? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?care? ?for? ?it.? ?But? ?

even? ?if? ?you? ?boot? ?me? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?and? ?I? ?become? ?human? ?again,? ?I? ?will? ?still? ?be? ?

loyal? ?to? ?you,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?At? ?your? ?command,? ?I? ?will? ?be? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?charge? ?forward,? ?but? ?I? ?

will? ?not? ?stand? ?for? ?a? ?traitor!? ?This? ?guy,? ?if? ?he? ?can’t? ?use? ?you? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?he? ?

might? ?not? ?even? ?follow? ?you.? ?I? ?bet? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?even? ?have? ?anything? ?good? ?to? ?say? ?about? ?you.? ?

THERE!? ?I’m? ?done!”? ? ?

?

At? ?first,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?silent,? ?his? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?mouth,? ?but? ?having? ?held? ?back? ?for? ?so? ?

long? ?too,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?put? ?up? ?with? ?it? ?anymore? ?either? ?and? ?yelled? ?back,? ?“FUCKING? ?USE? ?

HIM?? ?WHAT? ?A? ?BEAUTIFUL? ?SPEECH,? ?WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?KNOW!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?mad,? ?“BOTH? ?OF? ?YOU? ?SHUT? ?UP!!!? ?SHUT? ?UP!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?bit? ?back? ?their? ?retorts? ?with? ?immense? ?difficulties.? ?The? ?dispute? ?this? ?time? ?was? ?too? ?

big,? ?and? ?even? ?idiom? ?trains? ?couldn’t? ?save? ?them.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?push? ?

down? ?his? ?fury? ?and? ?scowled,? ?“...in? ?any? ?case,? ?cursing? ?is? ?a? ?no? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?sneered? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?acknowledged,? ?“Hm.? ?You’re? ?the? ?boss.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?more? ?succinct,? ?“Yes? ?sir.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?cleared? ?his? ?expression? ?and? ?said,? ?“If? ?there’s? ?any? ?consequences,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?

would? ?take? ?on? ?the? ?burden? ?yourself? ?anyway.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue? ?but? ?didn’t? ?say? ?another? ?word.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?acquiesced? ?

immediately,? ?“Of? ?course.? ?I’ve? ?already? ?decided—”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?all? ?felt? ?violent? ?quaking,? ?their? ?bodies? ?swaying,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?bewildered,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?react,? ?“Earthquake!”? ? ?

?

With? ?earthquakes? ?come? ?casualties.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted,? ?“SAVE? ?THE? ?PEOPLE!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?rush? ?out,? ?a? ?person? ?rolled? ?out? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?bed? ?and? ?he? ?

extended? ?his? ?arm,? ?“Cousin!? ?Cousin,? ?don’t? ?forget? ?about? ?me!!!? ?Take? ?me? ?along? ?too!!”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?perplexed,? ?“Qi? ?Rong,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?in? ?my? ?

chambers?!”? ? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?fathom? ?the? ?bizarre? ?life? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?led,? ?having? ?nothing? ?better? ?to? ?do? ?than? ?

to? ?gather? ?and? ?collect? ?anything? ?related? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?all? ?day.? ?He? ?also? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?long? ?

Qi? ?Rong’s? ?been? ?listening? ?in? ?on? ?them? ?in? ?secret,? ?but? ?with? ?such? ?a? ?dire? ?situation? ?at? ?hand,? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?question? ?him.? ?He? ?grabbed? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?arm? ?and? ?ran,? ?and? ?disposed? ?

of? ?him? ?in? ?an? ?open? ?area.? ?It? ?was? ?chaos? ?within? ?the? ?palace,? ?and? ?countless? ?attendants? ?

screamed? ?as? ?they? ?rushed? ?out? ?from? ?that? ?extravagant? ?building.? ?He? ?cried? ?loudly,? ?“IS? ?

ANYONE? ?HURT?? ?IS? ?THERE? ?ANYONE? ?STUCK?”? ? ?

?

Fortunately,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?the? ?earthquake? ?stopped,? ?and? ?after? ?inquiring,? ?it? ?

seemed? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?wounded? ?or? ?dead.? ?Still,? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?tight.? ?Suddenly,? ?there? ?was? ?

another? ?scream,? ?and? ?many? ?were? ?pointing? ?at? ?the? ?sky? ?behind? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?

around? ?and? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?At? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?palace? ?was? ?a? ?gigantic,? ?glamourous? ?

pagoda,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?slowly? ?leaning.? ?

?

The? ?Celestial? ?Pagoda? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?collapse!? ? ?

?

This? ?Celestial? ?Pagoda,? ?its? ?full? ?name? ?being? ?‘The? ?Pagoda? ?of? ?Celestial? ?Being’,? ?possessed? ?

centuries? ?of? ?history,? ?and? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?symbols? ?of? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Palace.? ?It? ?was? ?also? ?the? ?

tallest? ?building? ?in? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?sitting? ?in? ?the? ?heart? ?between? ?the? ?palace? ?and? ?the? ?

fortress? ?city.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?renown? ?landmark.? ?If? ?this? ?pagoda? ?fell,? ?there? ?would? ?be? ?innumerous? ?

casualties;? ?the? ?palace? ?attendants? ?and? ?the? ?pedestrians? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?outside? ?the? ?palace? ?

all? ?started? ?fleeing? ?with? ?even? ?more? ?madness.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?hand? ?

immediately? ?moved? ?to? ?cast? ?spells,? ?and? ?yelled? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?Mount? ?Taicang:? ?“COME!”? ? ?

?

That? ?pagoda? ?continued? ?to? ?lean? ?slowly,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?it? ?had? ?bent? ?to? ?one? ?third? ?of? ?the? ?way? ?

down,? ?the? ?masses? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?another? ?wave? ?of? ?quaking.? ?

?

This? ?tremor? ?also? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?yet,? ?it? ?was? ?different? ?than? ?that? ?of? ?an? ?earthquake.? ?

The? ?tremors? ?came? ?one? ?at? ?a? ?time,? ?having? ?its? ?own? ?regular? ?rhythm,? ?and? ?it? ?became? ?faster? ?

and? ?faster,? ?closer? ?and? ?closer.? ?When? ?that? ?pagoda? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?leaned? ?some? ?more,? ?

the? ?people? ?finally? ?realized? ?that? ?tremor? ?was? ?the? ?footsteps? ?of? ?something.? ?

?

A? ?giant? ?golden? ?statue? ?of? ?over? ?five? ?meters? ?tall,? ?a? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?flower? ?in? ?the? ?other,? ?

its? ?body? ?glowing,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?walking? ?towards? ?the? ?palace? ?in? ?large? ?strides!? ?

?

Someone? ?immediately? ?shouted? ?in? ?amazement,? ?“ISN’T? ?THAT? ?THE? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE? ?

STATUE? ?FROM? ?THE? ?XIANLE? ?PAVILION? ?AT? ?THE? ?ROYAL? ?HOLY? ?PAVILION?”? ? ?

?

Soon,? ?many? ?more? ?recognized? ?it,? ?“IT’S? ?TRUE!? ?IT’S? ?THAT? ?GOLDEN? ?STATUE!? ?LOOK,? ?IT’S? ?

COMING? ?FROM? ?MOUNT? ?TAICANG!”? ? ?

?

Every? ?step? ?that? ?golden? ?statue? ?took? ?was? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?miles,? ?but? ?it? ?didn’t? ?step? ?on? ?anyone.? ?

Thump-thump,? ?thump-thump,? ?it? ?stepped? ?into? ?the? ?palace? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?flying,? ?and? ?caught? ?the? ?

Celestial? ?Pagoda? ?that? ?was? ?falling,? ?stopping? ?the? ?ruinous? ?situation.? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?setting? ?sun,? ?that? ?golden? ?light? ?shone,? ?that? ?glowing? ?gilded? ?figure? ?raised? ?both? ?

hands,? ?and? ?with? ?its? ?might,? ?it? ?exerted? ?all? ?its? ?strength? ?to? ?hold? ?up? ?the? ?gigantic? ?pagoda? ?that? ?

was? ?almost? ?collapsed.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?picture? ?of? ?a? ?miracle,? ?shocking? ?countless? ?witnesses? ?

into? ?awed? ?silence.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?that? ?divine? ?statue.? ?

Seeing? ?that? ?handsome,? ?calm? ?gilded? ?expression,? ?a? ?flicker? ?of? ?bemusement? ?flashed? ?in? ?his? ?

mind.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?[????????/? ????]? ?Calling? ?the? ?Spirit? ?on? ?the? ?Seventh? ?Day? ?–? ?it’s? ?a? ?common? ?belief? ?that? ?

souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?return? ?home? ?on? ?the? ?night? ?of? ?the? ?sixth? ?day? ?to? ?the? ?morning? ?of? ?the? ?

seventh.? ?There? ?are? ?many? ?different? ?rituals? ?depending? ?on? ?the? ?region? ?on? ?what? ?is? ?

done? ?when? ?the? ?spirit? ?returns.? ?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.88:? ?Vow? ?to? ?Never? ?Forget,? ?Never!? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?first? ?divine? ?statue? ?the? ?people? ?built? ?for? ?him,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?the? ?most? ?

magnificent? ?and? ?stately? ?divine? ?statue.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?seeing? ?that? ?version? ?of? ?‘himself’,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?always? ?simply? ?accepted? ?it? ?

without? ?thinking? ?there? ?was? ?any? ?problems.? ?Yet? ?at? ?this? ?very? ?moment,? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?golden,? ?

scintillating? ?giant? ?figure? ?endlessly? ?foreign? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?think:? ?‘Is? ?that? ?really? ?me?’? ?

?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?went? ?about? ?separately? ?to? ?check? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?there? ?were? ?

any? ?trapped? ?victims? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?yet? ?found.? ?That? ?flicker? ?of? ?bemusement? ?flashed? ?by? ?

quickly,? ?and? ?seeing? ?the? ?crowds? ?settling,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief.? ?

?

But? ?before? ?that? ?breath? ?was? ?completely? ?exhaled,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?a? ?heavy? ?weight? ?on? ?his? ?

body,? ?and? ?his? ?heart? ?tightened.? ?

?

That? ?Celestial? ?Pagoda? ?was? ?too? ?tall? ?and? ?too? ?heavy? ?after? ?all.? ?

?

That? ?divine? ?statue? ?also? ?seemed? ?to? ?think? ?its? ?burden? ?strenuous,? ?its? ?hands? ?slightly? ?

trembling,? ?its? ?feet? ?sinking? ?into? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?that? ?gigantic? ?golden? ?body? ?was? ?also? ?

slightly? ?bent? ?from? ?the? ?pressure;? ?only? ?that? ?smile? ?remained? ?unchanging.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?immediately? ?cast? ?another? ?spell.? ?However,? ?when? ?the? ?spell? ?was? ?cast,? ?his? ?heart? ?

dropped.? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?the? ?golden? ?statue? ?not? ?straighten? ?up,? ?it? ?was? ?pressed? ?down? ?even? ?

further,? ?looking? ?like? ?it? ?might? ?not? ?hold? ?on? ?any? ?longer.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands,? ?too,? ?started? ?trembling.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?felt? ?like? ?this? ?before.? ?As? ?far? ?as? ?he? ?

knew,? ?whatever? ?mountain? ?he’d? ?punch,? ?that? ?mountain? ?must? ?fall;? ?should? ?he? ?stomp,? ?the? ?

earth? ?would? ?quake.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?felt? ?so? ?deeply? ?this? ?concept? ?called? ?“strength? ?falling? ?

short? ?of? ?desire”.? ?

?

With? ?no? ?other? ?choice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?and? ?leapt? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?landing? ?and? ?seating? ?

himself? ?on? ?the? ?foot? ?of? ?that? ?gigantic? ?golden? ?statue? ?before? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?hands? ?to? ?cast? ?

spells? ?once? ?more? ?with? ?force.? ?This? ?time? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?front? ?lines? ?himself,? ?and? ?sure? ?

enough? ?that? ?golden? ?statue? ?rose? ?again,? ?its? ?head? ?shot? ?up,? ?raising? ?that? ?leaning? ?Celestial? ?

Pagoda? ?up? ?once? ?more.? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?managed? ?to? ?bear? ?its? ?weight,? ?both? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?and? ?his? ?mind? ?were? ?

already? ?rolling? ?with? ?cold? ?sweat.? ?However,? ?the? ?countless? ?people? ?outside? ?the? ?palace? ?were? ?

ignorant? ?of? ?his? ?unspeakable? ?hardship? ?and? ?were? ?already? ?approaching? ?to? ?prostrate? ?at? ?the? ?

miraculous? ?golden? ?statue? ?wave? ?by? ?wave,? ?hollering,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?has? ?

shown? ?his? ?divine? ?spirit? ?before? ?us? ?in? ?the? ?kingdom’s? ?time? ?of? ?need!”? ? ?

?

“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS? ?YOU? ?MUST? ?SAVE? ?US!”? ?

?

“SAVE? ?THE? ?PEOPLE!? ?PROTECT? ?THE? ?WORLD!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?spoke? ?with? ?difficulty,? ?

“Everyone? ?please? ?stand? ?up? ?and? ?back? ?away.? ?Go? ?further,? ?don’t? ?stand? ?around? ?here,? ?I...”? ?He? ?

trailed? ?off,? ?suddenly? ?realizing? ?he? ?was? ?actually? ?running? ?out? ?of? ?breath.? ?His? ?voice? ?was? ?

drowned? ?in? ?tide-like? ?cheers,? ?and? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?amplify? ?it,? ?the? ?smaller? ?he? ?found? ?

himself? ?to? ?be.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?deep? ?breath? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?shout? ?when? ?a? ?hand? ?

suddenly? ?grabbed? ?his? ?ankle.? ?He? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?He? ?immediately? ?said,? ?

“Qi? ?Rong,? ?hurry? ?and? ?go? ?tell? ?everyone? ?not? ?to? ?hang? ?around? ?here,? ?the? ?pagoda? ?might? ?

collapse!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?words? ?were? ?blurted? ?out? ?unintentionally,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?

said,? ?his? ?blood? ?ran? ?cold.? ? ?

?

The? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?nevermind? ?speaking? ?those? ?kinds? ?of? ?words,? ?even? ?the? ?thought? ?of? ?

them? ?would? ?never? ?have? ?entered? ?his? ?mind.? ?Even? ?if? ?the? ?sky? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?fall? ?he’d? ?believe? ?

he? ?could? ?support? ?it.? ?But? ?the? ?him? ?now,? ?he? ?realized? ?something? ?alarming:? ?he? ?no? ?longer? ?

believed.? ?

?

Not? ?only? ?did? ?the? ?people? ?stopped? ?believing? ?in? ?him,? ?even? ?he? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?believe? ?in? ?

himself.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?responded? ?instantly,? ?“How? ?can? ?it? ?collapse?? ?Aren’t? ?you? ?holding? ?it? ?up?!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?drop? ?again.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?his? ?darkening? ?

expression? ?nor? ?his? ?eyes? ?going? ?wild? ?at? ?all,? ?“Cousin,? ?let? ?me? ?help? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Help? ?me?? ?How?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?immediately? ?said? ?without? ?thinking,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?you? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?inflict? ?the? ?

Human? ?Face? ?Disease?? ?Tell? ?me? ?how? ?to? ?do? ?it,? ?and? ?I’ll? ?help? ?you? ?curse? ?Yong’an.? ?I’ll? ?help? ?you? ?

kill? ?them!”? ? ?

?

...So? ?he? ?did? ?hear? ?everything? ?they? ?discussed? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?hiding? ?under? ?the? ?bed!? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?growing? ?weak? ?from? ?rage,? ?“You—? ?you? ?fool!? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?a? ?curse? ?is?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?replied? ?looking? ?nonchalant,? ?“I? ?do.? ?Isn’t? ?it? ?just? ?a? ?curse?? ?Cousin? ?let? ?me? ?tell? ?you,? ?I? ?

have? ?quite? ?the? ?talent? ?in? ?this? ?area.? ?I? ?curse? ?my? ?dad? ?often,? ?maybe? ?he? ?even? ?died? ?from? ?my? ?

curses,? ?you...”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore? ?and? ?said,? ?“Just? ?go.”? ?

?

“No!? ?NO!”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?exclaimed,? ?“Fine,? ?don’t? ?tell? ?me? ?how? ?to? ?cast? ?the? ?curse.Then? ?tell? ?me...? ?

how? ?can? ?I? ?avoid? ?getting? ?infected? ?by? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?continued? ?to? ?drop,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?added,? ?“You? ?know? ?how,? ?right?? ?You? ?knew? ?

why? ?the? ?soldiers? ?weren’t? ?getting? ?infected,? ?no?? ?Cousin,? ?tell? ?me? ?why.? ?Please?”? ? ?

?

There? ?were? ?still? ?many? ?palace? ?attendants? ?gathered? ?nearby,? ?and? ?who? ?knew? ?just? ?how? ?many? ?

ears? ?were? ?listening.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?leaking? ?that? ?information? ?might? ?start? ?something,? ?

so? ?he? ?remained? ?silent.? ?However,? ?sure? ?enough? ?some? ?people? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?it? ?back? ?any? ?

longer? ?and? ?raised? ?their? ?heads? ?to? ?ask,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Is? ?that? ?true?”? ? ?

?

“You? ?really? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?cure? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease?!”? ? ?

?

“Why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?anything?”? ?

?

The? ?eyes? ?of? ?those? ?people? ?along? ?with? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?were? ?all? ?going? ?wild,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?kept? ?his? ?

mouth? ?shut? ?tightly,? ?squeezing? ?out? ?but? ?a? ?few? ?words,? ?“NO!? ?I? ?DON’T? ?KNOW? ?ANYTHING!”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?disturbance? ?in? ?the? ?crowd? ?but? ?it? ?didn’t? ?escalate.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

returned.? ?He? ?saw? ?from? ?afar? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?leaning? ?near? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?

HELL? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?ordered,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?come? ?take? ?him? ?away!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?acknowledged? ?and? ?came? ?forward,? ?but? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?latched? ?on? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?

cried? ?impassionedly,? ?“Cousin,? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?defeat? ?Yong’an? ?and? ?chase? ?them? ?all? ?away? ?

for? ?sure,? ?right!? ?YOU’LL? ?PROTECT? ?US? ?FOR? ?SURE,? ?RIGHT!? ?RIGHT?!!”? ? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?few? ?months? ?ago? ?maybe? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?still? ?emphatically? ?answer? ?with? ?fervor:? ?

“I? ?will? ?protect? ?you? ?all!”? ?But? ?now,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare.? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?expression? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?

agitated,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?puzzled? ?watching? ?him,? ?because? ?he? ?knew? ?very? ?well? ?

that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?not? ?the? ?type? ?to? ?be? ?concerned? ?with? ?the? ?kingdom? ?nor? ?its? ?people.? ?Even? ?if? ?

the? ?kingdom? ?was? ?doomed,? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?more? ?scared? ?than? ?anything,? ?so? ?why? ?was? ?he? ?so? ?

agitated?? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?he? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?something.? ?That? ?father? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

seemed? ?to? ?also? ?be? ?from? ?Yong’an.? ?

?

Hearing? ?no? ?response? ?from? ?him,? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?grew? ?cold,? ?“COUSIN!? ?YOU? ?

WON’T? ?REALLY? ?LEAVE? ?IT? ?BE,? ?RIGHT?? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?JUST? ?GOING? ?TO? ?LET? ?US? ?BE? ?

TRAMPLED? ?AND? ?RIDICULED? ?BY? ?OTHERS? ?LIKE? ?THIS?? ?DO? ?WE? ?REALLY? ?HAVE? ?NO? ?

OTHER? ?WAY?!”? ? ?

?

At? ?his? ?demand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?heart? ?breaking.? ?Because,? ?he? ?realized,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

wasn’t? ?wrong.? ?In? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?everything,? ?he? ?really...? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?do!? ?

?

“Let? ?me? ?go? ?request? ?the? ?king? ?to? ?detain? ?him? ?again.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?

?

Even? ?whilst? ?being? ?taken? ?away? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?still? ?struggling,? ?and? ?he? ?roared,? ?“YOU? ?HAVE? ?

TO? ?HOLD? ?ON!? ?YOU? ?CAN’T? ?FALL!”? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?fall!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?knew? ?that? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?afford? ?to? ?fall.? ?Even? ?if? ?the? ?nearby? ?civilians? ?escaped,? ?

this? ?Celestial? ?Pagoda? ?must? ?not? ?fall.? ?If? ?it? ?collapsed,? ?not? ?only? ?would? ?the? ?centuries? ?old? ?royal? ?

monument? ?be? ?destroyed,? ?the? ?main? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue? ?along? ?with? ?many? ?

residences? ?would? ?all? ?be? ?demolished.? ?Moreover,? ?within? ?the? ?pagoda? ?were? ?countless? ?rare? ?

treasures,? ?centuries? ?old? ?scrolls? ?passed? ?down? ?from? ?countless? ?ancestors? ?of? ?generations? ?

past.? ?They? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?moved? ?in? ?time,? ?and? ?if? ?the? ?pagoda? ?collapsed,? ?they? ?would? ?all? ?be? ?

gone.? ?If? ?it? ?collapsed,? ?it? ?would? ?also? ?bring? ?down? ?with? ?it? ?the? ?eminence? ?of? ?royalty? ?in? ?the? ?

Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?

?

However,? ?his? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?like? ?the? ?water? ?source? ?of? ?Yong’an,? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?draining? ?by? ?

the? ?day.? ?In? ?order? ?to? ?support? ?that? ?gigantic? ?golden? ?statue,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?leave? ?for? ?the? ?

moment,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?pass? ?on? ?the? ?duty? ?of? ?guarding? ?the? ?fortress? ?city? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?

Mu? ?Qing,? ?while? ?he? ?himself? ?staunchly? ?remained? ?where? ?he? ?was,? ?and? ?meditated? ?in? ?forced? ?

calm.? ?Because? ?that? ?five? ?meters? ?tall? ?golden? ?statue? ?was? ?the? ?divine? ?statue? ?worshipped? ?on? ?

Mount? ?Taicang? ?within? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?summoned? ?it? ?over,? ?the? ?

devotees? ?had? ?no? ?idol? ?to? ?worship? ?and? ?the? ?swarm? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?over? ?too? ?to? ?pray? ?to? ?it? ?

under? ?the? ?open? ?skies.? ?Although? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?palace? ?and? ?outsiders? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?

able? ?to? ?enter,? ?yet? ?first? ?the? ?earthquake? ?had? ?collapsed? ?a? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?palace? ?walls;? ?second? ?it? ?

was? ?chaos? ?within? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?and? ?there? ?weren’t? ?enough? ?authority? ?to? ?go? ?around;? ?and? ?

third,? ?any? ?more? ?oppressive? ?authority? ?might? ?cause? ?another? ?riot,? ?so? ?the? ?people? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?

let? ?through.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?chose? ?to? ?settle? ?where? ?he? ?was,? ?and? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?would? ?visit? ?him? ?

everyday.? ?Days? ?passed? ?in? ?a? ?blur? ?as? ?he? ?spent? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?power? ?holding? ?that? ?Celestial? ?

Pagoda? ?up? ?on? ?one? ?hand,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?trying? ?to? ?restore? ?energy,? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?day? ?

he? ?would? ?be? ?released.? ?The? ?king? ?didn’t? ?have? ?it? ?any? ?easier? ?than? ?him;? ?his? ?hair? ?was? ?now? ?

more? ?white? ?than? ?not,? ?and? ?even? ?though? ?he? ?was? ?obviously? ?in? ?his? ?prime,? ?he? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?

over? ?fifty.? ?When? ?the? ?father? ?and? ?son? ?saw? ?each? ?other,? ?although? ?unspeaking,? ?yet? ?they? ?were? ?

more? ?at? ?peace? ?with? ?each? ?other? ?than? ?ever? ?before.? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?watched? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grow? ?up,? ?and? ?had? ?only? ?ever? ?seen? ?her? ?beloved? ?son? ?in? ?a? ?

state? ?of? ?elegance? ?and? ?divinity,? ?yet? ?now,? ?watching? ?him? ?miserably? ?guarding? ?the? ?place,? ?

exposed? ?to? ?the? ?harsh? ?elements? ?and? ?still? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?anyone? ?close? ?to? ?help? ?cover? ?him,? ?

she? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?sorrow? ?and? ?grief,? ?standing? ?under? ?the? ?scorching? ?sun? ?herself? ?to? ?shield? ?

him? ?from? ?the? ?rays? ?with? ?an? ?umbrella.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?she’d? ?be? ?tired,? ?and? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“Mother,? ?go? ?back,? ?I? ?don’t? ?need? ?this.? ?Don’t? ?come? ?near? ?here,? ?and? ?don’t? ?let? ?

anyone? ?else? ?come? ?close,? ?I’m? ?scared? ?that...”? ?

?

But? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?scared? ?of? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?never? ?left? ?his? ?lips.? ?The? ?queen’s? ?back? ?was? ?facing? ?

the? ?devotees? ?gathered? ?there,? ?and? ?having? ?held? ?back? ?for? ?some? ?time,? ?at? ?last? ?tears? ?still? ?

streamed? ?down,? ?“My? ?child,? ?you’ve? ?suffered.? ?Why...? ?why? ?would? ?such? ?punishment? ?befall? ?

you!”? ? ?

?

In? ?order? ?to? ?hide? ?her? ?sallow? ?and? ?pale? ?face,? ?the? ?queen’s? ?make? ?up? ?was? ?heavy,? ?yet? ?with? ?

tears,? ?the? ?foundation? ?still? ?melted,? ?revealing? ?a? ?woman? ?who? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?youthful.? ?She? ?

grieved? ?for? ?her? ?son,? ?cried? ?for? ?her? ?son,? ?but? ?she? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?cry? ?out? ?loud,? ?scared? ?that? ?the? ?

people? ?would? ?notice.? ?The? ?king? ?held? ?her? ?shoulders,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?her? ?in? ?a? ?daze.? ?

?

The? ?first? ?thing? ?people? ?thought? ?of? ?when? ?they’re? ?in? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?suffering? ?was? ?their? ?loved? ?

ones,? ?and? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?that? ?person? ?was? ?no? ?doubt? ?his? ?mother.? ?Maybe? ?saying? ?it? ?out? ?loud? ?

would? ?be? ?pointless,? ?but? ?after? ?days? ?of? ?exhausting? ?strain,? ?having? ?been? ?cut? ?down? ?again? ?and? ?

again? ?by? ?knives,? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?he? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?turn? ?into? ?a? ?ten? ?year? ?old? ?child? ?and? ?

run? ?into? ?his? ?mother’s? ?embrace? ?to? ?bawl.? ? ?

?

Yet,? ?every? ?road? ?walked? ?that? ?led? ?to? ?this? ?day? ?was? ?chosen? ?by? ?himself.? ?His? ?parents’? ?were? ?

already? ?in? ?a? ?difficult? ?situation,? ?and? ?with? ?so? ?many? ?citizens? ?watching,? ?he? ?could? ?not? ?show? ?a? ?

trace? ?of? ?weakness.? ?If? ?even? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?on,? ?who? ?could?? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?against? ?his? ?heart,? ?“Mother,? ?don’t? ?worry.? ?I’m? ?alright.? ?I’m? ?not? ?

suffering.”? ? ?

?

Suffering? ?or? ?not,? ?only? ?he? ?knew? ?in? ?his? ?heart.? ?

?

A? ?few? ?palace? ?attendants? ?came? ?to? ?assist? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen,? ?and? ?after? ?they? ?

reluctantly? ?left,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?out? ?for? ?a? ?short? ?while,? ?exposed? ?under? ?the? ?scorching? ?sun.? ?

An? ?unknown? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?passed,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?again,? ?dusk? ?was? ?

settling? ?in? ?the? ?skies,? ?the? ?setting? ?sun? ?shone? ?its? ?last? ?rays,? ?and? ?below? ?him? ?there? ?weren’t? ?

many? ?devotees? ?left.? ?

?

However,? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?not? ?far? ?from? ?his? ?person? ?was? ?a? ?small,? ?

lonesome? ?flower.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?very? ?sure? ?just? ?when? ?that? ?such? ?a? ?flower? ?was? ?placed,? ?and? ?he? ?extended? ?a? ?

hand? ?to? ?pick? ?it? ?up.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?tiny? ?flower.? ?A? ?flower? ?that? ?was? ?snow? ?white,? ?its? ?stem? ?lush? ?green,? ?its? ?stalk? ?thin? ?and? ?

weak,? ?carrying? ?tear-like? ?dew,? ?looking? ?pitiful.? ?The? ?faint? ?fragrance? ?was? ?familiar,? ?and? ?

although? ?ordinary,? ?it? ?was? ?touching.? ?

?

He? ?held? ?the? ?flower? ?tight? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?and? ?pressed? ?it? ?near? ?his? ?heart.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?sudden? ?stench? ?of? ?blood? ?overtook? ?that? ?faint? ?fragrance.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?

and? ?his? ?sight? ?was? ?muddled? ?as? ?a? ?shadow? ?came? ?at? ?him? ?screaming,? ?“WHY!? ?WHY!!”? ? ?

?

Startled,? ?Xian? ?Lian? ?pushed? ?that? ?person? ?away? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?bring? ?forth? ?strength,? ?“WHO?!”? ? ?

?

That? ?push? ?made? ?that? ?person? ?tumble? ?and? ?roll? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?had? ?to? ?support? ?

that? ?five? ?meters? ?tall? ?golden? ?statue? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?rise,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?go? ?close,? ?but? ?

it? ?only? ?took? ?a? ?second? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?recognize? ?who? ?it? ?was.? ?That? ?individual? ?only? ?had? ?one? ?leg? ?–? ?

it? ?was? ?the? ?young? ?man? ?who? ?once? ?gave? ?him? ?an? ?umbrella? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?personally? ?

amputated!? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?his? ?palms? ?bloody.? ?He? ?had? ?actually? ?came? ?crawling? ?

using? ?both? ?hands? ?and? ?foot,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?horrifying? ?trail? ?of? ?blood? ?behind? ?him.? ?He? ?sat? ?

up? ?with? ?difficulty? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?dumbfounded,? ?“Why,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?here?? ?Weren’t? ?

you? ?recuperating? ?at? ?BuYou? ?Forest?”? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?him? ?and? ?crawled? ?closer? ?using? ?his? ?limbs.? ?Because? ?he? ?only? ?

had? ?one? ?leg,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?horrifying? ?sight.? ?Xie? ?LIan? ?exclaimed,? ?“You–!”? ? ?

?

That? ?young? ?man? ?lifted? ?the? ?pant? ?leg? ?of? ?his? ?remaining? ?right? ?leg? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?fit,? ?demanding,? ?

“WHY!”? ? ?

?

Upon? ?a? ?closer? ?look,? ?on? ?his? ?right? ?leg? ?was? ?a? ?twisted? ?human? ?face!? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?things? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?worried? ?about? ?the? ?most,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?it? ?

happened.? ?If? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?already? ?seated,? ?he? ?might? ?have? ?fallen? ?over.? ?That? ?young? ?man? ?

slapped? ?at? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?roared,? ?“WHY? ?DID? ?YOU? ?CUT? ?MY? ?LEG? ?OFF!? ?IT? ?STILL? ?

RELAPSED!? ?MY? ?LEG? ?IS? ?ALSO? ?GONE!? ?WHY?!? ?GIVE? ?ME? ?BACK? ?MY? ?LEG!? ?GIVE? ?ME? ?

BACK? ?MY? ?LEG!”? ?

?

That? ?rainy? ?day,? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?face? ?full? ?of? ?smiles? ?when? ?stuffing? ?that? ?umbrella? ?into? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands,? ?yet? ?before? ?him? ?now? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?madness,? ?and? ?the? ?difference? ?

was? ?too? ?striking,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?was? ?in? ?chaos,? ?a? ?complete? ?mess,? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?

trembled,? ?“I...”? ? ?

?

It? ?took? ?him? ?moments? ?before? ?he? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?said,? ?“Let...? ?let? ?me? ?help? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Immediately? ?he? ?casted? ?a? ?spell? ?to? ?suppress? ?the? ?evil? ?poison? ?on? ?that? ?young? ?man’s? ?leg.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?wailing? ?came? ?from? ?all? ?around,? ?and? ?several? ?people? ?also? ?came? ?

at? ?him,? ?crying:? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?save? ?me!”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?SAVE? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?LOOK? ?AT? ?MY? ?FACE,? ?I’VE? ?CUT? ?HALF? ?MY? ?FACE? ?SO? ?WHY? ?IS? ?IT? ?

STILL? ?NOT? ?HEALED,? ?WHY?? ?JUST? ?WHAT? ?DO? ?WE? ?HAVE? ?TO? ?DO? ?TO? ?CURE? ?IT?”? ?

?

“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?LOOK? ?AT? ?ME,? ?LOOK? ?WHAT? ?I’VE? ?BECOME!”? ? ?

?

Scene? ?after? ?scene? ?of? ?bloodiness? ?continued? ?to? ?be? ?shoved? ?before? ?him,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

eyes? ?were? ?wide? ?with? ?shock,? ?waving? ?his? ?hands? ?in? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?direction,? ?mumbling,? ?

“No,? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?look,? ?I? ?DON’T? ?WANT? ?TO? ?LOOK!”? ? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?once? ?all? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease? ?patients? ?from? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?relapsed,? ?a? ?

riot? ?erupted? ?and? ?they? ?actually? ?fought? ?through? ?the? ?soldiers? ?and? ?doctors? ?guarding? ?and? ?

nursing? ?them,? ?escaping? ?the? ?camps? ?to? ?come? ?look? ?for? ?him!? ? ?

?

Since? ?they? ?had? ?all? ?escaped,? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?immediately? ?suppress? ?their? ?infection,? ?the? ?disease? ?

might? ?spread? ?faster.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?transfer? ?power,? ?wanting? ?to? ?help? ?

alleviate? ?their? ?symptoms? ?and? ?relieve? ?their? ?pain? ?for? ?the? ?time? ?being.? ?However,? ?just? ?when? ?

that? ?group? ?was? ?taken? ?care? ?of,? ?immediately? ?more? ?poured? ?in? ?to? ?surround? ?him:? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS,? ?ME!? ?HELP? ?ME? ?TOO!”? ? ?

?

Surrounded? ?by? ?over? ?ten? ?people,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?faintly? ?felt? ?the? ?golden? ?statue? ?above? ?seemed? ?to? ?

be? ?swaying,? ?and? ?fear? ?filled? ?him,? ?“Wait,? ?wait!? ?I–”? ?

?

Someone? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?and? ?cried,? ?“NO,? ?I? ?DON’T? ?WANT? ?TO? ?WAIT,? ?I’VE? ?ALREADY? ?

WAITED? ?FOR? ?TOO? ?LONG!”? ? ?

?

“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?WHY? ?WOULD? ?YOU? ?TREAT? ?HIM? ?BUT? ?NOT? ?ME?”? ? ?

?

Soon,? ?the? ?voices? ?around? ?him? ?changed:? ?

?

“HOW? ?COME? ?WHEN? ?YOU? ?TREAT? ?HIM? ?HE? ?WAS? ?GOOD? ?AS? ?NEW,? ?BUT? ?I’M? ?NOT? ?ANY? ?

BETTER?? ?AREN’T? ?YOU? ?A? ?GOD?? ?WHY? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?SO? ?UNFAIR!? ?I? ?DEMAND? ?JUSTICE!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?argued? ?back,? ?“No,? ?I’m? ?not? ?being? ?unfair!? ?This? ?isn’t? ?on? ?me,? ?your? ?symptoms? ?are? ?

different? ?–”? ?

?

“IF? ?YOU’RE? ?GOING? ?TO? ?HELP,? ?HELP? ?ALL? ?THE? ?WAY.? ?NOW? ?YOU? ?WANNA? ?DROP? ?

EVERYTHING,? ?WHAT? ?EXACTLY? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?PLAYING? ?AT?? ?IS? ?IT? ?UP? ?TO? ?YOU?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?having? ?trouble? ?catching? ?his? ?breath,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?dropping? ?anything,? ?I’m? ?just–? ?

just? ?wait? ?–”? ?

?

“DON’T? ?YOU? ?KNOW? ?HOW? ?TO? ?CURE? ?THIS? ?DISEASE?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth,? ?“I—”? ? ?

?

“IF? ?YOU? ?KNOW? ?WHY? ?WON’T? ?YOU? ?TELL? ?US???”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?his? ?own? ?head,? ?“I? ?DON’T? ?KNOW? ?ANYTHING!”? ? ?

?

“YOU’RE? ?LYING!? ?I? ?ALREADY? ?HEARD? ?SOMEONE? ?TALKING,? ?YOU? ?KNEW!? ?I’VE? ?SEEN? ?

THROUGH? ?YOU!? ?YOU? ?WON’T? ?TELL? ?US? ?BECAUSE? ?YOU? ?JUST? ?WANT? ?US? ?TO? ?KEEP? ?

BEGGING? ?YOU? ?LIKE? ?THIS? ?SO? ?YOU? ?CAN? ?TRICK? ?OUR? ?DONATION? ?MONEY!? ?LIAR!? ?

YOU’RE? ?A? ?LIAR!”? ? ?

?

“WHAT’S? ?THE? ?CURE,? ?JUST? ?TELL? ?US!? ?TELL? ?US? ?NOW!!!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?white? ?as? ?a? ?sheet,? ?his? ?eyes? ?blank,? ?with? ?countless? ?hands? ?shoving? ?him? ?

around,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?even? ?a? ?pair? ?maliciously? ?strangling? ?him,? ?until? ?finally? ?something? ?

hilarious? ?happened.? ?He? ?was? ?clearly? ?a? ?god? ?of? ?heaven,? ?but? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?

tiny? ?voice? ?crying? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?his? ?heart:? ?“...save? ?me–”? ?

?

There? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?someone? ?pulling? ?those? ?hands? ?away,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?not,? ?he? ?

wasn’t? ?very? ?sure,? ?only? ?that? ?those? ?faces? ?full? ?of? ?bloody? ?scars,? ?those? ?people? ?missing? ?limbs? ?

looked? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?shred? ?him? ?to? ?pieces? ?and? ?devour? ?him.? ?Who? ?knew? ?how? ?

long? ?it’d? ?been? ?when? ?in? ?the? ?far? ?distance? ?came? ?the? ?demon-like? ?wails? ?of? ?a? ?horn.? ?The? ?

masses? ?only? ?cared? ?for? ?their? ?own? ?cries? ?and? ?tearing,? ?ignoring? ?that? ?horn? ?completely,? ?but? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?instantly.? ?That? ?was? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?Yong’an’s? ?victory? ?horn!? ? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?sit? ?there? ?nor? ?hang? ?on? ?any? ?longer.? ?His? ?body? ?bent? ?and? ?he? ?keeled? ?over.? ?At? ?the? ?

same? ?time,? ?that? ?five? ?meters? ?tall? ?gilded? ?figure? ?he? ?worked? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?uphold? ?mimicked? ?his? ?

movement,? ?and? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?suddenly? ?lost? ?life,? ?it? ?collapsed? ?boomingly.? ?

?

Soon,? ?along? ?with? ?it,? ?was? ?another? ?loud,? ?rumbling? ?sound,? ?and? ?that? ?gigantic? ?and? ?heavy? ?

Celestial? ?Pagoda? ?came? ?crashing? ?down,? ?crumbling? ?like? ?that? ?golden? ?statue.? ?

?

The? ?gilded? ?figure? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?broken,? ?yet? ?because? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?injected? ?too? ?much? ?

spiritual? ?power? ?into? ?it,? ?hoping? ?it’d? ?hold? ?up? ?that? ?Celestial? ?Pagoda,? ?it? ?had? ?long? ?become? ?

fragile.? ?The? ?patients? ?that? ?escaped? ?BuYou? ?Forest? ?were? ?fleeing,? ?dying,? ?getting? ?hurt.? ?Within? ?

the? ?palace? ?and? ?upon? ?the? ?streets,? ?the? ?people? ?ran? ?madly,? ?some? ?dodging? ?the? ?fragments? ?of? ?

that? ?Celestial? ?Pagoda,? ?some? ?dodging? ?those? ?horrifying? ?disease? ?victims.? ?With? ?both? ?hands? ?

grabbing? ?his? ?own? ?head,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?and? ?stumbled? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?gates? ?of? ?the? ?city? ?fortress.? ?

?

The? ?fortress? ?towers? ?were? ?ablaze,? ?the? ?smoke? ?black? ?and? ?heavy,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rushed? ?up? ?to? ?

the? ?terrace,? ?passing? ?by? ?numerous? ?distraught? ?soldiers? ?fleeing.? ?Once? ?at? ?the? ?terrace? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?do? ?either,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?look? ?down? ?below? ?in? ?bemusement.? ?Without? ?

knowing? ?when? ?or? ?how,? ?tears? ?had? ?streamed? ?down? ?his? ?ashened? ?face.? ?In? ?that? ?blurry? ?field? ?of? ?

vision,? ?corpses? ?filled? ?the? ?fields,? ?and? ?only? ?the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?white-clothed? ?individual? ?was? ?

distinct,? ?his? ?large? ?sleeves? ?fluttering.? ?That? ?figure? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?youth? ?but? ?a? ?man,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?

turned? ?his? ?head,? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?from? ?afar,? ?waved? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?carefree? ?manner,? ?and? ?

looked? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?disappear.? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?sharply,? ?“DON’T? ?GO!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?first? ?two? ?times? ?he? ?saw? ?him,? ?he? ?used? ?his? ?fake? ?skin.? ?This? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?guts? ?told? ?

him,? ?this? ?must? ?be? ?his? ?true? ?form!? ?Thus,? ?he? ?crossed? ?over? ?the? ?fortress? ?wall? ?without? ?

hesitation? ?and? ?leapt,? ?jumping? ?off? ?the? ?walls.? ?

?

In? ?his? ?life,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?jumped? ?from? ?an? ?extreme? ?height? ?countless? ?times.? ?Depending? ?on? ?

his? ?strong? ?spiritual? ?power? ?and? ?his? ?martial? ?might,? ?he? ?could? ?land? ?safely? ?every? ?time.? ?Every? ?

time? ?he? ?was? ?pleased? ?and? ?full? ?of? ?pride.? ?Every? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?picture? ?of? ?a? ?celestial? ?

descent? ?they? ?spoke? ?of? ?in? ?the? ?legends.? ?This? ?time,? ?however,? ?he? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?a? ?legend.? ?

?

When? ?he? ?landed,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?steady? ?and? ?his? ?foot? ?twisted.? ?A? ?needle? ?sharp? ?pain? ?instantly? ?

shot? ?from? ?his? ?leg? ?to? ?his? ?entire? ?body.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?broken? ?his? ?leg.? ?

?

—? ?

?

Breaking? ?a? ?leg? ?wasn’t? ?really? ?anything,? ?and? ?it? ?soon? ?healed.? ?Only,? ?ever? ?since? ?that? ?day,? ?it? ?

was? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?become? ?an? ?entirely? ?different? ?person.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?lost? ?his? ?spirit? ?and? ?no? ?longer? ?divinely? ?invincible.? ?After? ?the? ?first? ?defeat,? ?

there? ?would? ?be? ?a? ?second,? ?and? ?then? ?a? ?third...? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?unsheathe? ?his? ?sword? ?nor? ?

enter? ?the? ?battlefield? ?anymore,? ?but? ?because? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?could? ?shield? ?and? ?

replace? ?him,? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?bold-headedly? ?go? ?forth.? ?Once? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?

slack? ?off? ?either;? ?he? ?really? ?did? ?his? ?utmost,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?even? ?though? ?he? ?was? ?

clearly? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?barely? ?past? ?twenty,? ?the? ?hand? ?holding? ?the? ?sword? ?was? ?already? ?

shaking? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?an? ?aged? ?elder.? ?

?

Shuddering? ?with? ?a? ?heart? ?filled? ?with? ?fear,? ?yet? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?explain? ?who? ?or? ?what? ?exactly? ?he? ?

was? ?afraid? ?of.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?the? ?soldiers? ?who? ?used? ?to? ?revere? ?him? ?gradually? ?lost? ?patience.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?a? ?rumour? ?had? ?started? ?going? ?around? ?among? ?them:? ?How? ?is? ?he? ?a? ?martial? ?

god?? ?More? ?like? ?a? ?god? ?of? ?misfortune!? ?

?

However,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?rebut,? ?only? ?because? ?he? ?himself? ?started? ?wondering:? ?had? ?he? ?really,? ?

maybe,? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?god? ?of? ?misfortune?? ?

?

It? ?would’ve? ?been? ?good? ?if? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?only? ?issue,? ?but? ?to? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?the? ?real? ?

dooming? ?catastrophe? ?was? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?Disease,? ?and? ?finally,? ?it? ?had? ?completely? ?lost? ?

control.? ?

?

Five? ?hundred,? ?one? ?thousand,? ?two? ?thousand,? ?three? ?thousand...? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?no? ?

longer? ?dared? ?to? ?ask? ?just? ?how? ?many? ?people? ?were? ?affected? ?today.? ?

?

As? ?if? ?like? ?his? ?final? ?sentence,? ?that? ?day,? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm? ?finally? ?opened? ?its? ?gates? ?to? ?him? ?

and? ?sent? ?a? ?message:? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?it’s? ?time? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?

?

What? ?would? ?be? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?when? ?he? ?returned? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?say.? ?For? ?once? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?agitated.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?had? ?his? ?mind? ?on? ?something? ?else.? ?He? ?

said? ?to? ?the? ?two,? ?“Before? ?we? ?leave,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?somewhere? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?look.”? ?

?

“Where?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?asked.? ?

?

“The? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Don’t.”? ? ?

?

But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?walked? ?away? ?by? ?himself.? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?cried,? ?but? ?

seeing? ?that? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?stopped,? ?he? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?could? ?only? ?run? ?to? ?follow.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?hiked? ?up? ?the? ?mountain? ?on? ?foot.? ?

?

The? ?Holy? ?Royal? ?Pavilion? ?was? ?where? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?first? ?holy? ?temple? ?was? ?erected,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

also? ?there? ?where? ?his? ?first? ?divine? ?statue? ?was? ?built.? ?However,? ?under? ?the? ?instructions? ?of? ?

Guoshi,? ?those? ?three? ?thousand? ?disciples? ?had? ?already? ?been? ?sent? ?away,? ?and? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?

Pavilion? ?now? ?was? ?only? ?an? ?empty? ?establishment.? ?

?

When? ?they? ?reached? ?halfway? ?up? ?the? ?mountain,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down.? ?He? ?could? ?see? ?fire? ?

ablaze? ?everywhere? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?the? ?flames? ?reflecting? ?a? ?sky? ?full? ?of? ?stars,? ?a? ?

beautiful? ?sight? ?to? ?behold.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?however,? ?yelled? ?angrily,? ?“Those? ?mad? ?men!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?watched? ?the? ?flames,? ?his? ?eyes? ?unmoving,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted? ?again,? ?

“Stop? ?looking!? ?There’s? ?nothing? ?good? ?to? ?see!”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past? ?recent? ?days,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?yelled? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?countless? ?times:? ?Do? ?you? ?enjoy? ?

straining? ?yourself,? ?or? ?what?? ?But? ?truthfully,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?do.? ?He? ?

only? ?knew? ?that? ?once? ?another? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?temples? ?got? ?burnt? ?down? ?or? ?desecrated,? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look.? ?Yet? ?once? ?he’d? ?seen,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?speak? ?nor? ?stop? ?

anyone,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?stand? ?there? ?and? ?watch.? ?What’s? ?there? ?to? ?see?? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?

either.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?light? ?of? ?fire? ?blazed? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Summit.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?aghast,? ?

“They? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?let? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?go?!? ?Did? ?someone? ?dig? ?their? ?ancestors’? ?

graves? ?or? ?som...”? ? ?

?

He? ?trailed? ?off? ?and? ?shut? ?up.? ?This? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?realized,? ?before? ?them,? ?the? ?sufferings? ?of? ?

many? ?of? ?those? ?from? ?Xianle? ?were? ?worse? ?than? ?the? ?joke? ?of? ?“digging? ?ancestors’? ?graves”.? ?

?

However,? ?that? ?fire? ?wasn’t? ?great,? ?and? ?it? ?soon? ?died? ?down,? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?

extinguished? ?by? ?someone.? ?Now? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?surprised.? ?These? ?days,? ?there? ?were? ?only? ?

people? ?who? ?dared? ?to? ?set? ?fire,? ?not? ?extinguish? ?fire.? ?If? ?there? ?was? ?anyone? ?who? ?would? ?step? ?in? ?

and? ?talk? ?down? ?or? ?stop? ?those? ?angry? ?mobs? ?from? ?setting? ?fires? ?and? ?destroying? ?temples,? ?then? ?

they? ?would? ?be? ?treated? ?like? ?the? ?very? ?‘God? ?of? ?Misfortune’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself,? ?and? ?get? ?beaten? ?

to? ?death.? ?Because? ?of? ?this,? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?no? ?longer? ?dared? ?to? ?reveal? ?their? ?spirit? ?before? ?

mortals,? ?and? ?had? ?long? ?hidden? ?away? ?their? ?forms.? ?

?

All? ?along? ?the? ?way? ?up? ?the? ?mountain? ?the? ?three? ?could? ?hear? ?the? ?sounds? ?of? ?a? ?brawl,? ?and? ?once? ?

they? ?reached? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Summit,? ?sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?Xianle? ?Pavilion? ?had? ?already? ?

been? ?mostly? ?torn? ?down,? ?leaving? ?only? ?the? ?frame? ?and? ?walls? ?of? ?the? ?great? ?hall.? ?That? ?giant? ?

divine? ?altar? ?no? ?longer? ?had? ?a? ?divine? ?statue,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?gang? ?of? ?hoodlums? ?fistfighting? ?

in? ?front? ?of? ?that? ?decrepit? ?hall? ?entrance,? ?screaming? ?as? ?they? ?fought:? ?“YOU? ?FUCKING? ?MUTT!? ?

SHITTY? ?BRAT!? ?DID? ?YOUR? ?WIFE? ?LOSE? ?HER? ?FUCKING? ?VIRGINITY? ?HERE? ?OR? ?WHAT,? ?

IS? ?THIS? ?BROKEN? ?SHRINE? ?YOUR? ?PRECIOUS? ?DICK? ?OR? ?SOMETHING?!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?one? ?look? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?those? ?people? ?didn’t? ?come? ?to? ?destroy? ?his? ?temple? ?out? ?

of? ?anger.? ?They? ?were? ?only? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?gangsters? ?who’d? ?only? ?dream? ?of? ?chaos? ?and? ?were? ?

either? ?taking? ?advantage? ?of? ?it,? ?or? ?was? ?simply? ?playing? ?around? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?burn? ?the? ?temple? ?

down? ?for? ?fun.? ?However,? ?at? ?this? ?point? ?he? ?didn’t? ?really? ?care? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?people? ?were? ?

tearing? ?his? ?temples? ?down.? ?Just? ?then,? ?in? ?that? ?crazed? ?brawl,? ?the? ?exceedingly? ?vicious? ?voice? ?

of? ?a? ?boy? ?broke? ?through? ?and? ?rang? ?to? ?the? ?night? ?sky:? ?“SCRAM!!!”? ? ?

?

Listening? ?closely,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?one? ?person? ?fighting? ?many.? ?Moreover,? ?that? ?one? ?person? ?

was? ?only? ?ten? ?something? ?years? ?old,? ?still? ?very? ?much? ?a? ?child,? ?but? ?even? ?then? ?he? ?was? ?

relentless? ?and? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?losing? ?ground.? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?one? ?against? ?many? ?

after? ?all,? ?and? ?that? ?boy’s? ?face? ?was? ?already? ?covered? ?in? ?blood? ?and? ?grime,? ?littered? ?with? ?blue? ?

and? ?purple,? ?and? ?cuts? ?all? ?over,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?his? ?actual? ?appearance? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?

recognizable.? ? ?

?

“That? ?brat? ?will? ?definitely? ?grow? ?up? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?good? ?man!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?commented.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?malicious? ?glint? ?in? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?men’s? ?eyes? ?as? ?he? ?lifted? ?a? ?giant? ?rock? ?

from? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?bash? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?that? ?boy’s? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?

and? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?once.? ?The? ?rock? ?in? ?that? ?man’s? ?hands? ?instantly? ?rebounded,? ?smashing? ?

into? ?his? ?own? ?face,? ?and? ?he? ?screamed? ?as? ?blood? ?splattered? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?nose.? ?That? ?boy? ?was? ?

stunned,? ?but? ?immediately? ?whipped? ?around? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?fist? ?for? ?another? ?bout? ?of? ?berserk? ?

beating.? ?His? ?fighting? ?stance? ?was? ?too? ?terrifyingly? ?overbearing,? ?scaring? ?away? ?that? ?gang? ?of? ?

young? ?men,? ?and? ?they? ?pointed? ?at? ?him? ?as? ?they? ?fled,? ?shouting? ?empty? ?threats,? ?“FUCK!? ?JUST? ?

YOU? ?WAIT!? ?WE’VE? ?GOT? ?MORE? ?GUYS? ?AND? ?WE’LL? ?GET? ?YOU!”? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?sneered,? ?“YOU? ?DARE? ?COME? ?BACK? ?AND? ?I’LL? ?FUCKING? ?KILL? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?guys? ?were? ?terrified? ?and? ?ran? ?faster.? ?With? ?the? ?brawl? ?over,? ?that? ?boy? ?rushed? ?to? ?a? ?small? ?

mound? ?with? ?a? ?fire? ?that? ?was? ?already? ?extinguished,? ?and? ?vigorously? ?stomped? ?on? ?it,? ?killing? ?

the? ?last? ?bit? ?of? ?sparks,? ?before? ?entering? ?the? ?great? ?hall.? ?He? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?paper? ?from? ?

the? ?ground,? ?carefully? ?flattening? ?it,? ?and? ?hung? ?it? ?in? ?mid? ?air? ?before? ?finally,? ?he? ?sat? ?down? ?and? ?

leaned? ?against? ?the? ?altar,? ?zoning? ?out.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?over,? ?lightly? ?sweeping? ?past? ?and? ?leapt? ?onto? ?the? ?altar,? ?and? ?discovered? ?

what? ?that? ?boy? ?hung? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?a? ?painting.? ?The? ?brushwork? ?was? ?rough,? ?obviously? ?done? ?

by? ?someone? ?who? ?had? ?never? ?learned? ?how? ?to? ?paint.? ?Yet? ?every? ?stroke? ?was? ?serious? ?and? ?

sincere,? ?depicting? ?the? ?solemn? ?figure? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?It? ?seemed? ?this? ?

was? ?used? ?to? ?replace? ?that? ?divine? ?statue? ?he? ?had? ?summoned? ?away.? ?

?

“It’s? ?pretty? ?well? ?painted!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?remarked.? ?

?

After? ?the? ?past? ?many? ?days,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?saw? ?someone? ?who? ?would? ?still? ?defend? ?Xie? ?

Lian,? ?and? ?was? ?already? ?so? ?excited? ?he? ?almost? ?joined? ?the? ?fight? ?earlier? ?to? ?help? ?the? ?boy? ?out,? ?

so? ?obviously? ?he? ?harboured? ?good? ?feelings? ?for? ?the? ?kid.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?however,? ?only? ?looked? ?

down,? ?his? ?eyes? ?shimmering? ?as? ?if? ?recalling? ?something,? ?but? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?gently? ?flicked? ?that? ?painting.? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?particularly? ?obvious;? ?it? ?only? ?looked? ?like? ?a? ?breeze? ?blowing? ?by.? ?Yet,? ?that? ?boy? ?shot? ?

up? ?the? ?head? ?that? ?was? ?laid? ?on? ?his? ?hugged? ?knees,? ?that? ?tired? ?injured? ?face? ?instantly? ?lighting? ?

up,? ?and? ?he? ?called? ?out,? ?“Is? ?that? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“That? ?brat’s? ?pretty? ?sharp?!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?amazed.? ?

?

“Let’s? ?go.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?lightly? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?turn? ?around? ?to? ?leave? ?when? ?that? ?boy? ?pounced? ?

on? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?that? ?altar,? ?his? ?breathing? ?slightly? ?accelerated,? ?“I? ?know? ?it’s? ?you!? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?don’t? ?go!? ?I? ?have? ?something? ?to? ?say? ?to? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?taken? ?aback.? ?That? ?boy? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?quite? ?nervous,? ?

his? ?fists? ?clenched,? ?“Even? ?though,? ?your? ?pavilions? ?and? ?temples? ?are? ?burnt? ?down,? ?but...? ?don’t? ?

be? ?sad.? ?I? ?will? ?build? ?you? ?many? ?more? ?temples? ?in? ?the? ?future;? ?bigger,? ?more? ?elegant,? ?better? ?

than? ?anyone? ?else’s.? ?No? ?one? ?will? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?compete? ?with? ?you.? ?I? ?will!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?were? ?speechless.? ?

?

That? ?boy’s? ?attire? ?was? ?dirty? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?his? ?face? ?muddy? ?and? ?grimy,? ?covered? ?in? ?bruises? ?

and? ?cuts,? ?looking? ?sad? ?and? ?pathetic,? ?yet? ?he? ?spoke? ?such? ?ambitious,? ?bold? ?words,? ?sounding? ?

truly? ?laughable,? ?making? ?one? ?feel? ?rather? ?complicated.? ?Seeming? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?his? ?voice? ?

might? ?not? ?reach? ?the? ?ear? ?of? ?the? ?other,? ?he? ?circled? ?his? ?hands? ?around? ?his? ?mouth,? ?cupping? ?

them,? ?and? ?shouted? ?towards? ?the? ?painting? ?hung? ?above? ?the? ?altar,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?DID? ?

YOU? ?HEAR? ?ME?? ?IN? ?MY? ?HEART,? ?YOU? ?ARE? ?GOD!? ?YOU? ?ARE? ?THE? ?ONLY? ?GOD,? ?THE? ?

ONE? ?TRUE? ?GOD!? ?DID? ?YOU? ?HEAR? ?ME?!”? ? ?

?

He? ?screamed? ?himself? ?hoarse? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?the? ?entire? ?Mount? ?Taicang? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

echoing? ?his? ?voice:? ?—? ?DID? ?YOU? ?HEAR? ?ME!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing.? ?This? ?laugh? ?came? ?too? ?abruptly,? ?making? ?both? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?jump.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?as? ?he? ?laughed.? ?That? ?boy? ?obviously? ?

couldn’t? ?hear? ?him,? ?yet? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?sensed? ?something,? ?his? ?eye? ?bright,? ?looking? ?

around.? ?Suddenly,? ?a? ?drop? ?of? ?ice? ?cold? ?water? ?fell? ?on? ?his? ?cheek.? ?That? ?boy’s? ?eye? ?bulged,? ?and? ?

in? ?that? ?instant,? ?in? ?his? ?eye? ?was? ?the? ?reflection? ?of? ?a? ?snow? ?white? ?figure.? ?He? ?blinked,? ?and? ?when? ?

he? ?opened? ?his? ?eye? ?again? ?that? ?reflection? ?was? ?gone.? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?actually? ?showed? ?himself? ?for? ?a? ?second,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?just? ?now,? ?did? ?you...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?dazed,? ?“Just? ?now?? ?Oh,? ?my? ?power’s? ?drained,? ?and? ?it? ?slipped? ?just? ?now.”? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?straightened? ?up,? ?rubbed? ?hard? ?at? ?his? ?eye,? ?as? ?if? ?trying? ?desperately? ?to? ?retain? ?that? ?

ephemeral? ?shadow.? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?however,? ?closed? ?his.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?spoke,? ?“Forget? ?it.”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?finally? ?a? ?response? ?yet? ?it? ?was? ?those? ?words.? ?That? ?boy’s? ?eye? ?first? ?lit? ?up,? ?his? ?lips? ?

curling,? ?but? ?soon? ?after? ?it? ?became? ?shock,? ?and? ?the? ?curve? ?of? ?his? ?lips? ?fell,? ?“...What?? ?Forget? ?

what?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh? ?and? ?said? ?to? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?soft? ?voice,? ?“Forget? ?me.”? ? ?

?

That? ?boy? ?was? ?stunned? ?and? ?silent.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?himself,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go.? ?Soon,? ?

no? ?one? ?will? ?remember? ?anyway.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?that? ?boy’s? ?eye? ?widened,? ?and? ?silently,? ?a? ?stream? ?of? ?tears? ?rolled? ?down? ?and? ?

washed? ?a? ?trail? ?of? ?pale? ?white? ?on? ?his? ?grimy? ?face.? ?He? ?swallowed? ?hard? ?and? ?gaped,? ?“I...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?seemed? ?to? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?bear? ?the? ?sight? ?anymore,? ?and? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?don’t? ?say? ?anymore.? ?You’re? ?breaking? ?the? ?rules? ?again.”? ?

?

“Hm,? ?I’m? ?done.? ?But,? ?I’ve? ?already? ?broken? ?so? ?many? ?rules,? ?just? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?won’t? ?hurt.”? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?said.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?let? ?that? ?boy? ?hear? ?the? ?last? ?line.? ?The? ?three? ?descended? ?from? ?the? ?altar? ?and? ?walked? ?

towards? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?that? ?broken? ?great? ?hall.? ?The? ?winds? ?of? ?the? ?night? ?blew,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

shook? ?his? ?head.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?for? ?the? ?time? ?being? ?and? ?technically? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?feel? ?‘cold’.? ?

Yet,? ?at? ?that? ?very? ?moment,? ?he? ?really? ?felt? ?a? ?bone-biting? ?chill.? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?unexpectedly,? ?that? ?boy? ?they? ?left? ?behind? ?in? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?suddenly? ?muttered,? ?“I? ?

won’t.”? ?

?

He? ?clearly? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company,? ?but? ?he? ?somehow? ?accurately? ?grasped? ?the? ?

right? ?direction? ?and? ?charged? ?out,? ?shouting? ?to? ?their? ?retreating? ?backs,? ?“I? ?WON’T!”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?turned? ?their? ?heads,? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?single? ?eye? ?of? ?that? ?boy,? ?so? ?bright? ?it? ?

pierced? ?the? ?soul;? ?that? ?battered? ?face? ?was? ?both? ?furious? ?and? ?sad,? ?both? ?joyous? ?and? ?wild.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?pouring? ?tears,? ?he? ?cried:? ?“I? ?WON’T? ?FORGET.”? ?

?

“I? ?WILL? ?NEVER? ?FORGET? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author’s? ?Note:? ?We’ve? ?finally? ?reached? ?this? ?point...? ?in? ?a? ?broken? ?and? ?defeated? ?

temple? ?with? ?a? ?soon? ?to? ?be? ?forgotten? ?god? ?and? ?a? ?young? ?devout? ?follower? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?

image? ?that? ?floated? ?in? ?my? ?mind? ?for? ?this? ?novel,? ?and? ?was? ?also? ?what? ?first? ?gave? ?me? ?the? ?

impulse? ?to? ?write? ?it.? ?I’m? ?the? ?kind? ?that? ?would? ?write? ?up? ?an? ?entire? ?book? ?just? ?for? ?a? ?

scene...? ?all? ?this? ?plot? ?planning? ?exhausted? ?me...? ?

?

To? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?follow? ?the? ?journey? ?to? ?this? ?point? ?is? ?not? ?easy,? ?so? ?thank? ?you,? ?thank? ?you,? ?

I? ?love? ?you? ?all.? ?But...? ?writing? ?this? ?is? ?even? ?harder? ?[covers? ?face]? ?this? ?book? ?is? ?killing? ?

me.? ?

?

Alright,? ?the? ?second? ?book? ?is? ?done.? ?The? ?third? ?book? ?will? ?return? ?to? ?normal,? ?present? ?

timeline.? ?

?

———-? ?

Book? ?2? ?End? ?