Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 111-120

Chapter 111-120

Ch.111:? ?Fight? ?the? ?Reverend;? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Takes? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?Place? ?2? ?

?

However,? ?even? ?though? ?contours? ?of? ?the? ?surrounding? ?trees? ?and? ?branches? ?could? ?now? ?be? ?

distinguished,? ?he? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?out? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?black? ?shadow? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?

like? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?cloud? ?of? ?demonic? ?black? ?mist? ?swirling? ?around? ?that? ?figure.? ?

?

The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?of? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?a? ?first-rate? ?spiritual? ?device;? ?it? ?could? ?blow? ?

away? ?essences? ?of? ?evil? ?and? ?bring? ?order? ?to? ?the? ?world.? ?Having? ?received? ?the? ?spell? ?key? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?passed? ?onto? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?recited? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?swept? ?the? ?fan.? ?A? ?whirlwind? ?

instantly? ?blew? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?whooshing? ?and? ?shaking? ?the? ?surrounding? ?woods,? ?and? ?

even? ?a? ?few? ?small,? ?weaker? ?sprouts? ?were? ?pulled? ?from? ?their? ?roots,? ?a? ?strength? ?powerful? ?to? ?

behold.? ?Unfortunately? ?this? ?wind? ?was? ?blown? ?a? ?little? ?off? ?course? ?and? ?didn’t? ?aim? ?for? ?the? ?right? ?

target.? ?

?

Spiritual? ?devices? ?weren’t? ?that? ?easy? ?to? ?manipulate.? ?He? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?master? ?to? ?the? ?Wind? ?

Master? ?fan? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?naturally? ?couldn’t? ?handle? ?it? ?as? ?smoothly? ?as? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?The? ?

angle? ?and? ?amount? ?of? ?power? ?were? ?both? ?difficult? ?to? ?control;? ?it? ?was? ?either? ?too? ?strong? ?or? ?too? ?

weak,? ?either? ?off? ?course? ?or? ?backwards.? ?After? ?realizing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?resolutely? ?gave? ?up? ?

and? ?changed? ?tactics,? ?snapping? ?the? ?fan? ?shut? ?and? ?used? ?it? ?as? ?an? ?attacking? ?weapon? ?directly? ?

instead? ?as? ?he? ?madly? ?struck? ?at? ?the? ?weak? ?points? ?of? ?the? ?other.? ?Then,? ?with? ?a? ?WHISH,? ?he? ?

generated? ?a? ?sheen? ?of? ?spiritual? ?aura? ?on? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?fan,? ?and? ?straight? ?up? ?turned? ?it? ?into? ?

a? ?razor-sharp? ?steel? ?blade,? ?slashing? ?through? ?the? ?air,? ?its? ?shine? ?chilling.? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?probably? ?figured? ?out? ?what? ?happened? ?and? ?cried? ?in? ?despair,? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS? ?WHAT’S? ?WRONG? ?WITH? ?YOU!? ?THAT’S? ?MY? ?SPIRITUAL? ?DEVICE!? ?I? ?CAN’T? ?

BELIEVE? ?YOU’RE? ?USING? ?IT? ?AS? ?A? ?MARTIAL? ?WEAPON!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?WASTE? ?OF? ?GOD’S? ?

GIFT!!!”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?a? ?problematic? ?habit? ?all? ?martial? ?gods? ?had.? ?In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?being? ?occupied,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?spared? ?a? ?moment? ?to? ?say? ?flatly,? ?“It’s? ?all? ?the? ?same.? ?Makes? ?no? ?difference!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?tone? ?was? ?becoming? ?harsher,? ?“Gege!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?pressing? ?for,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?fought? ?he? ?rapidly? ?swept? ?his? ?eyes? ?

around? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?his? ?surroundings.? ?There? ?were? ?mountains? ?and? ?rivers,? ?towers? ?and? ?

pavilions,? ?really? ?nothing? ?that? ?stood? ?out,? ?and? ?really? ?nothing? ?that? ?could? ?determine? ?where? ?he? ?

was.? ?That? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?noticed? ?his? ?movement? ?and? ?probably? ?guessed? ?his? ?

objective? ?as? ?it? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“You’re? ?not? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?attack? ?but? ?his? ?mind? ?turned? ?rapidly,? ?‘Usually? ?it? ?shouldn’t? ?take? ?

this? ?fast? ?to? ?figure? ?out? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?spell? ?was? ?used,? ?so? ?how? ?did? ?it? ?immediately? ?realize? ?

I’m? ?not? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan?? ?Well,? ?whatever.? ?Keep? ?going!’? ?

?

The? ?way? ?he? ?fought? ?was? ?insensible? ?and? ?insensitive;? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?

seemed? ?to? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?the? ?beating? ?anymore? ?and? ?he? ?said,? ?“You’ll? ?fall? ?down? ?this? ?

instant!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?it? ?started? ?to? ?curse? ?predictions? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?directly.? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?heard? ?nothing? ?and? ?only? ?beat? ?harder.? ?That? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?then? ?said,? ?

“You’re? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?defeated? ?in? ?battle!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?“I? ?was? ?already? ?defeated? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago,? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?rounds? ?

means? ?nothing? ?to? ?me.? ?How? ?much? ?more? ?can? ?I? ?be? ?defeated?? ?Just? ?give? ?up!? ?Nothing? ?you? ?

say? ?to? ?me? ?will? ?work.”? ?

?

“Gege,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?called,? ?“If? ?you? ?can’t? ?determine? ?your? ?location,? ?just? ?fan? ?up? ?a? ?whirlwind? ?

into? ?the? ?sky? ?with? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?and? ?I’ll? ?know? ?where? ?you? ?are!”? ? ?

?

What? ?a? ?coincidence.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?just? ?thought? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?idea,? ?“Alright!”? ?And? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?

was? ?about? ?to? ?raise? ?his? ?hand,? ?suddenly? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?creepy? ?

chuckle,? ?“Someone’s? ?coming?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?alarmed? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?that? ?creature? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?

voice,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?you? ?will? ?watch? ?with? ?your? ?eyes? ?wide? ?open? ?the? ?person? ?coming? ?to? ?seek? ?

you? ?die? ?right? ?before? ?you!”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?laugh? ?anymore.? ?His? ?heart? ?dropped? ?violently,? ?and? ?even? ?his? ?

breathing? ?stopped? ?in? ?that? ?moment.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?actually? ?yelled? ?out? ?loud,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

In? ?a? ?flash,? ?more? ?than? ?fifty? ?heavy? ?kicks? ?landed? ?on? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words,? ?each? ?

bashing? ?right? ?on? ?its? ?head,? ?and? ?it? ?could? ?barely? ?speak? ?from? ?the? ?attack,? ?yet? ?it? ?sighed? ?deeply.? ?

That? ?was? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?satisfaction,? ?like? ?it? ?had? ?tasted? ?some? ?sacred? ?delicacy,? ?and? ?it? ?laughed? ?

coldly.? ?Accidentally? ?dropping? ?his? ?guard,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?actually? ?let? ?it? ?suck? ?what? ?it? ?wanted? ?from? ?

him.? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?the? ?mind? ?to? ?notice,? ?because? ?those? ?words? ?earlier? ?truly? ?did? ?make? ?

his? ?heart? ?feel? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?struck? ?violently.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?knew? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?“die? ?

before? ?him”? ?so? ?easily? ?as? ?that? ?creature? ?said,? ?and? ?to? ?be? ?real,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?already? ?

dead,? ?but? ?still? ?a? ?deep,? ?uncontrollable? ?panic? ?manifested.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?realize? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?

even? ?stand? ?to? ?hear? ?that? ?very? ?idea.? ?

?

Although? ?those? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?anything? ?amiss,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?was? ?telepathic? ?and? ?became? ?alarmed,? ?“Gege?? ?Is? ?it? ?saying? ?something? ?to? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?saying? ?nonsense...? ?No!? ?It? ?said? ?nothing.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?understood? ?immediately? ?and? ?cursed,? ?“It’s? ?seeking? ?its? ?own? ?death!? ?Tell? ?me? ?

right? ?now? ?and? ?I’ll? ?go? ?straight? ?over.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?said,? ?“No? ?need,? ?don’t? ?come? ?over.? ?Absolutely? ?do? ?not? ?come? ?over!”? ? ?

?

“Sorry? ?to? ?interrupt,”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“I? ?say,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?really? ?did? ?exchange? ?

verbal? ?passwords? ?secretly,? ?right?? ?Your? ?highness,? ?did? ?you? ?not? ?notice?? ?You? ?got? ?the? ?wrong? ?

array,? ?the? ?wrong? ?array!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?discover? ?that? ?ever? ?since? ?he? ?used? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?spell,? ?

every? ?word? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?to? ?him? ?was? ?passed? ?through? ?their? ?private? ?communication? ?

array,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?focused? ?on? ?fighting? ?with? ?his? ?heart? ?a? ?mess? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?that,? ?he? ?

hadn’t? ?realized? ?it? ?and? ?responded? ?directly? ?in? ?the? ?main? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array.? ?Now,? ?

the? ?fact? ?that? ?they? ?connected? ?private? ?communication? ?was? ?utterly? ?exposed.? ?

?

However,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?be? ?embarrassed,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?nothing.? ?Give? ?

me? ?half? ?an? ?incense? ?time,? ?I? ?can? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?this? ?thing!”? ?After? ?that,? ?he? ?plugged? ?his? ?ears? ?

anew? ?and? ?his? ?attacks? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?vicious,? ?focusing? ?only? ?on? ?dealing? ?with? ?the? ?

Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.? ?However,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?idea? ?that? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu,? ?

after? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?heard? ?his? ?words,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?smacked,? ?bashing? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?

three? ?feet? ?into? ?the? ?ground.? ?Then,? ?he? ?immediately? ?turned? ?to? ?the? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?took? ?

over? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shell,? ?“Switch? ?back.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?already? ?planned? ?on? ?changing? ?back? ?immediately,? ?but? ?seeing? ?the? ?sight,? ?

he? ?hurriedly? ?said,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing!? ?I’ll? ?switch? ?back? ?

right? ?now.? ?His? ?highness? ?is? ?helping? ?me,? ?so? ?it? ?makes? ?more? ?sense? ?if? ?you? ?hit? ?me,? ?why? ?did? ?

you? ?hit? ?Ming-xiong!”? ?But? ?the? ?moment? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?realized? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?

currently? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?hit? ?him.? ?If? ?he? ?must? ?hit? ?

someone? ?then? ?it? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?Ming? ?Yi.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?immersed? ?in? ?the? ?fight,? ?but? ?he? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?yelling? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?can? ?you? ?please? ?plug? ?the? ?

ears? ?deeper? ?and? ?run? ?further? ?away?? ?I’m? ?switching? ?back!”? ?

?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?will? ?you? ?be? ?alright?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“I? ?can’t? ?fight? ?it,? ?but? ?I? ?can? ?still? ?run? ?away!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied.? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?one? ?final? ?kick,? ?making? ?it? ?fly? ?out? ?a? ?

few? ?miles? ?away,? ?then? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?flee? ?wildly,? ?but? ?then? ?he? ?stopped,? ?“Wait,? ?you? ?don’t? ?

need? ?to? ?run? ?away!? ?Let? ?me? ?set? ?up? ?a? ?protection? ?array? ?for? ?you!? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?do? ?you? ?

have? ?any? ?protection? ?spiritual? ?devices? ?on? ?you?? ?If? ?you? ?don’t,? ?precious? ?gems? ?and? ?treasures? ?

can? ?do? ?too!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hastily? ?replied,? ?“Treasure?? ?I’ve? ?got? ?them.? ?Feel? ?around? ?my? ?

neck,? ?there’s? ?a? ?longevity? ?locket,? ?will? ?that? ?do?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?around? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?wearing? ?a? ?long? ?golden? ?

longevity? ?locket,? ?its? ?golden? ?light? ?exquisite? ?and? ?opulent.? ?He? ?said,? ?delighted,? ?“Yes.? ?This? ?is? ?a? ?

rare? ?treasure,? ?excellent!”? ?

?

“Really?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?got? ?more:? ?there’s? ?a? ?jade? ?belt? ?around? ?my? ?waist,? ?an? ?

agate? ?ring? ?on? ?my? ?finger,? ?some? ?pearls? ?on? ?my? ?boots,? ?the? ?sandalwood? ?handle? ?of? ?the? ?whisk? ?

is? ?older? ?than? ?you,? ?oh,? ?and? ?apparently? ?the? ?hairs? ?of? ?the? ?whisk? ?are? ?also? ?rare,? ?plucked? ?from? ?

some? ?spiritual? ?beast...”? ?In? ?one? ?breath? ?he? ?told? ?of? ?seven? ?or? ?eight? ?items,? ?then? ?he? ?continued,? ?

“In? ?any? ?case,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?just? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?everything? ?on? ?me? ?can? ?be? ?used.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Yes? ?they? ?could? ?be? ?used.? ?And? ?they’re? ?all? ?extremely? ?rare? ?treasures!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked;? ?as? ?expected? ?of? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Wealth,? ?as? ?expected? ?of? ?the? ?younger? ?

brother? ?of? ?the? ?Water? ?Master!? ?He? ?said,? ?“They? ?can? ?all? ?be? ?used.? ?I’ll? ?find? ?a? ?house? ?nearby? ?to? ?

setup? ?an? ?array.? ?When? ?you’re? ?switched? ?back,? ?keep? ?the? ?ear? ?plugs? ?still? ?and? ?don’t? ?look? ?

outside.? ?Stay? ?in? ?the? ?house? ?and? ?don’t? ?go? ?out,? ?wait? ?until? ?we? ?come!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?break? ?down? ?in? ?sobs,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS? ?YOU’RE? ?TOO? ?

RELIABLE!!!? ?THANK? ?YOU!? ?From? ?today? ?onwards? ?you’re? ?my? ?second? ?best? ?friend.? ?From? ?

now? ?on? ?this? ?Wind? ?Master? ?will? ?never? ?forget? ?you? ?in? ?any? ?good? ?endeavours!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?and? ?responded? ?politely,? ?“Thank? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Between? ?their? ?exchanges,? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?was? ?left? ?far? ?behind.? ?Glancing? ?

around,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?a? ?small? ?pavilion? ?nearby? ?and? ?charged? ?in,? ?shutting? ?and? ?locking? ?all? ?

the? ?doors? ?and? ?windows? ?with? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?his? ?hand.? ?He? ?then? ?wrapped? ?the? ?golden? ?longevity? ?

locket? ?around? ?the? ?door? ?latch,? ?bit? ?blood? ?from? ?his? ?finger? ?to? ?draw? ?a? ?spell,? ?then? ?he? ?laid? ?out? ?all? ?

the? ?treasures? ?in? ?formation,? ?drawing? ?a? ?blood? ?array.? ?All? ?of? ?these? ?actions? ?were? ?done? ?in? ?a? ?

short? ?amount? ?of? ?time,? ?and? ?finally? ?he? ?sat? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?room,? ?closing? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“One,? ?

two,? ?three.? ?SOUL? ?SHIFTING? ?SPELL? ?–? ?RETURN!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?violently? ?thrown? ?high? ?into? ?the? ?sky? ?again? ?then? ?plunged.? ?After? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?

whirling? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?once? ?again? ?felt? ?his? ?feet? ?touch? ?the? ?ground.? ?Unsteady,? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?

fall? ?over,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?did? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?hands? ?caught? ?and? ?supported? ?him.? ?He? ?opened? ?his? ?

eyes? ?and? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?from? ?above,? ?dark? ?and? ?grave,? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?think? ?you? ?

better? ?explain? ?yourself.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?steadied? ?himself.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?he? ?

suddenly? ?realized? ?someone? ?was? ?missing? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Where’s? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master?”? ?

?

“Who? ?knows.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?“Who? ?knows?”? ?Then? ?he? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?

human? ?shaped? ?crater? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?slowly? ?crawling? ?out? ?of? ?that? ?hole.? ?

?

He? ?stop? ?talking,? ?speechless? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?In? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?

voice? ?came,? ?“Eh?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?tensed,? ?“Did? ?it? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Having? ?used? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?treasures? ?to? ?form? ?the? ?array,? ?he? ?made? ?sure? ?the? ?

defense? ?of? ?that? ?house? ?was? ?indestructible,? ?and? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?shouldn’t? ?

be? ?able? ?to? ?intrude.? ?Even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?powerful,? ?it? ?would? ?still? ?take? ?time.? ?However,? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“No? ?no? ?no.? ?Your? ?highness,? ?this? ?array? ?is? ?impressive,? ?steady? ?like? ?the? ?

mountains,? ?it? ?really? ?does? ?feel? ?secure.? ?I? ?think? ?nothing? ?can? ?break? ?in? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?three? ?days? ?

and? ?three? ?nights.? ?It’s? ?just...? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?it’s? ?this? ?place.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?place?? ?Do? ?you? ?recognize? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Of? ?course? ?I? ?recognize? ?it.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“This? ?is? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine.? ?

It’s? ?where? ?I? ?ascended.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?thinking,? ?‘The? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine?’? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?made? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?the? ?room? ?and? ?said? ?firmly? ?again,? ?“That’s? ?

right.? ?I? ?come? ?back? ?to? ?this? ?place? ?every? ?few? ?decades? ?to? ?check? ?up? ?on? ?it.? ?I’m? ?not? ?mistaken.”? ?

?

No? ?wonder? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?knew? ?immediately? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?shell? ?

wasn’t? ?the? ?real? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?man? ?himself,? ?by? ?just? ?one? ?look? ?he? ?would’ve? ?

known? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?and? ?there? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?

around? ?to? ?make? ?sure.? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?had? ?crawled? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hole,? ?he? ?squatted? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?to? ?start? ?

drawing? ?an? ?array.? ?After? ?a? ?few? ?strokes? ?were? ?drawn? ?however,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?

and? ?blasted? ?away? ?the? ?array? ?entirely.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?immediately? ?grew? ?cold? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?also? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?said,? ?“The? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?doesn’t? ?work? ?anymore.? ?

We? ?have? ?to? ?walk? ?over.”? ?

?

“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?work? ?anymore?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

“It? ?means? ?just? ?now,? ?someone? ?or? ?something? ?destroyed? ?all? ?the? ?connection? ?points? ?of? ?the? ?

Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?near? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine.? ?No,? ?the? ?entire? ?area’s? ?

connection? ?points? ?have? ?been? ?destroyed.”? ?

?

Not? ?long? ?ago,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?clearly? ?brought? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?

via? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array,? ?but? ?it? ?seemed? ?that? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hid? ?

himself? ?inside? ?the? ?pavilion? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?immediately? ?reacted? ?and? ?

tampered,? ?intentionally? ?slowing? ?them? ?down.? ?This? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?having? ?the? ?

mountain? ?paths? ?destroyed? ?when? ?crossing? ?a? ?mountain.? ?Now,? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?even? ?dream? ?of? ?

using? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?to? ?get? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine.? ? ?

?

“If? ?we? ?leave? ?now,? ?how? ?long? ?will? ?it? ?take? ?before? ?we? ?get? ?there?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?had? ?already? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?started? ?walking,? ?“An? ?hour!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?we’re? ?heading? ?over? ?

to? ?where? ?you? ?are? ?now.? ?You? ?just? ?wait? ?until? ?we? ?get? ?there.? ?If? ?anything? ?knocks,? ?absolutely? ?do? ?

not? ?open? ?the? ?door.”? ?

?

“Alright? ?alright? ?alright.? ?Of? ?course.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“Even? ?if? ?you? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?I? ?

already? ?know.? ?Don’t? ?take? ?me? ?for? ?a? ?three? ?year? ?old? ?who’d? ?open? ?the? ?door? ?to? ?anybody.? ?Now? ?

then? ?My? ?Lords,? ?please? ?hurry,? ?ok?!”? ? ?

?

Fortunately,? ?the? ?town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu? ?and? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?weren’t? ?on? ?either? ?

ends? ?of? ?the? ?earth,? ?and? ?was? ?still? ?within? ?acceptable? ?distance? ?of? ?each? ?other.? ?If? ?they? ?hurried? ?

over? ?now? ?they? ?should? ?still? ?make? ?it? ?in? ?time.? ?The? ?three? ?immediately? ?took? ?off.? ?On? ?the? ?way,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?casually? ?worked? ?his? ?powers? ?and? ?discovered? ?that? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?spell? ?really? ?

did? ?burn? ?out? ?quite? ?a? ?bit? ?aggressively,? ?and? ?that? ?powerful? ?wave? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?poured? ?into? ?

him? ?was? ?already? ?used? ?up? ?over? ?more? ?than? ?half.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?noticed? ?his? ?movements? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Gege,? ?do? ?you? ?need? ?more?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“No.? ?Really,? ?thank? ?San? ?Lang? ?ever? ?so? ?much? ?for? ?being? ?so? ?

generous? ?earlier.”? ? ?

?

“You’re? ?welcome.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I? ?already? ?said,? ?you? ?can? ?take? ?as? ?much? ?as? ?you? ?want.”? ?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?then? ?added? ?half? ?jokingly,? ?“But,? ?when? ?gege? ?pays? ?me? ?back,? ?can? ?I? ?collect? ?

some? ?interest?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly,? ?thinking? ?it’s? ?probably? ?an? ?issue? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?even? ?

pay? ?anything? ?back,? ?but? ?of? ?course? ?his? ?lips? ?were? ?still? ?bold,? ?“Yea...? ?sure.”? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?was? ?determined? ?to? ?be? ?an? ?hour,? ?but? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?weren’t? ?mortals? ?and? ?it? ?

was? ?a? ?dire? ?situation,? ?so? ?naturally? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?faster.? ?When? ?they? ?arrived? ?at? ?the? ?

Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?look,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?same? ?

place? ?as? ?before.? ?All? ?around? ?was? ?the? ?chaotic? ?mess? ?created? ?by? ?his? ?misuse? ?of? ?the? ?Wind? ?

Master? ?fan;? ?the? ?fan? ?refused? ?his? ?control? ?and? ?blew? ?over? ?trees? ?and? ?bushes,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?embarrassed.? ?

?

“Your? ?highness,? ?which? ?building? ?did? ?you? ?set? ?up? ?the? ?spiritual? ?array?? ?Do? ?you? ?remember?”? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?asked.? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?and? ?was? ?also? ?searching? ?for? ?it? ?attentively.? ?Soon,? ?his? ?eyes? ?

lit? ?up? ?and? ?pointed? ?his? ?finger,? ?“It’s? ?that? ?small? ?pavilion.”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?walked? ?towards? ?the? ?small? ?pavilion;? ?the? ?closer? ?they? ?got? ?the? ?more? ?relaxed? ?they? ?

became,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?saw? ?the? ?ray? ?of? ?hope.? ?However,? ?when? ?they? ?approached,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

pupils? ?instantly? ?shrank.? ?

?

The? ?doors? ?to? ?that? ?small? ?pavilion? ?were? ?open,? ?creaking? ?eerily? ?as? ?they? ?swung? ?back? ?and? ?

forth? ?in? ?the? ?chilling? ?night? ?air.? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.112:? ?Doors? ?Open? ?to? ?Greet? ?the? ?Ghost;? ?Drawn? ?Earth? ?a? ?Prison? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“Where? ?is? ?he?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?entered? ?the? ?small? ?pavilion? ?and? ?within? ?the? ?building? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one.? ?All? ?sorts? ?

of? ?spiritual? ?devices? ?and? ?treasures? ?were? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?place? ?as? ?set? ?up? ?before,? ?only,? ?

once? ?the? ?doors? ?were? ?opened,? ?they? ?all? ?became? ?useless.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted? ?in? ?the? ?

communication? ?array,? ?“LORD? ?WIND? ?MASTER?? ?WHERE? ?ARE? ?YOU?”? ? ?

?

While? ?on? ?the? ?way? ?over,? ?because? ?they? ?were? ?focused? ?on? ?rushing,? ?plus? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?

overly? ?agitated,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?proposed? ?that? ?he? ?meditate? ?to? ?calm? ?down,? ?to? ?

stop? ?thinking? ?and? ?saying? ?nonsense,? ?scaring? ?himself.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?thought? ?it? ?made? ?a? ?lot? ?

of? ?sense? ?and? ?gradually? ?stopped? ?talking,? ?so? ?the? ?lack? ?of? ?response? ?wasn’t? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue.? ?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?noticed? ?anything? ?amiss,? ?but? ?now? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?yelled? ?there? ?

was? ?no? ?answer,? ?and? ?a? ?feeling? ?of? ?dread? ?started? ?to? ?spread? ?in? ?his? ?heart.? ?In? ?a? ?situation? ?like? ?

this,? ?there? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?two? ?possibilities:? ?either? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?not? ?responding? ?on? ?

purpose,? ?or? ?he? ?already? ?lost? ?consciousness.? ?

?

There? ?were? ?over? ?ten? ?something? ?spiritual? ?devices? ?and? ?treasures? ?on? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?

person,? ?each? ?of? ?them? ?rare? ?and? ?exquisite,? ?and? ?they? ?had? ?all? ?be? ?used? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?set? ?the? ?

formation? ?of? ?the? ?array,? ?there? ?should? ?be? ?nothing? ?from? ?the? ?outside? ?that? ?could? ?easily? ?break? ?

through.? ?Even? ?if? ?it? ?could? ?be? ?done,? ?just? ?as? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?said,? ?it? ?would? ?take? ?at? ?least? ?

three? ?days? ?and? ?three? ?nights,? ?and? ?it’d? ?be? ?impossible? ?not? ?to? ?leave? ?evidence? ?of? ?a? ?break? ?in.? ?

Yet,? ?from? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?it,? ?the? ?doors? ?and? ?windows? ?of? ?this? ?small? ?pavilion? ?were? ?all? ?intact,? ?and? ?

there? ?were? ?also? ?no? ?dug? ?tunnels? ?or? ?ladders.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?entrance? ?and? ?

picked? ?up? ?the? ?golden? ?locket? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?looking? ?over? ?it? ?closely,? ?“He? ?really? ?did? ?open? ?

the? ?doors? ?himself.”? ? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?reinforcements? ?were? ?clearly? ?arriving? ?momentarily,? ?for? ?what? ?reason? ?would? ?

he? ?seek? ?a? ?dead? ?end? ?for? ?himself? ?at? ?the? ?last? ?minute?? ?

?

“Maybe? ?he? ?thought? ?the? ?one? ?at? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?us?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said? ?gravely.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?an? ?abominable? ?image? ?suddenly? ?appeared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind:? ?From? ?outside? ?

the? ?small? ?pavilion? ?came? ?three? ?individuals,? ?each? ?in? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?himself,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?and? ?they? ?knocked? ?on? ?the? ?doors.? ?Within? ?the? ?pavilion,? ?an? ?overjoyed? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?immediately? ?opened? ?the? ?doors,? ?and? ?the? ?three? ?‘people’? ?outside? ?surrounded? ?

him,? ?grinning? ?at? ?him? ?eerily.? ?The? ?golden? ?locket? ?in? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?hand? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?

next? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?never? ?to? ?be? ?picked? ?up.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“That’s? ?impossible.? ?I’ve? ?never? ?heard? ?that? ?the? ?

Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?have? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?fake? ?appearances.”? ?

?

“Maybe? ?it? ?called? ?for? ?helpers.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought? ?but? ?also? ?dismissed? ?it,? ?“Everything? ?that? ?we? ?ran? ?into? ?today? ?had? ?

all? ?been? ?sudden? ?and? ?unforeseen.? ?Before? ?this? ?we? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?there’d? ?be? ?an? ?array? ?set? ?

up? ?to? ?shield? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?so? ?it? ?too? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?able? ?to? ?find? ?any? ?ghosts? ?to? ?

help? ?so? ?fast.? ?Besides,? ?didn’t? ?we? ?tell? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?that? ?we’d? ?inform? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?

communication? ?array? ?when? ?we? ?arrive?? ?Whether? ?if? ?the? ?ones? ?outside? ?the? ?doors? ?were? ?real? ?

or? ?fake,? ?it? ?would’ve? ?been? ?easy? ?to? ?figure? ?out? ?by? ?just? ?asking,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?

deceived?”? ? ?

?

Coming? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?stopped,? ?then? ?he? ?started? ?mumbling,? ?“Unless,? ?it? ?

was? ?someone? ?he? ?knew? ?who? ?told? ?him? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?doors.”? ?

?

“Someone? ?he? ?knew?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?questioned,? ?“How? ?so?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“His? ?ears? ?were? ?plugged.? ?He? ?can’t? ?hear.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?seized? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“Well? ?said,? ?San? ?Lang!? ?It? ?was? ?

exactly? ?for? ?that? ?reason? ?I? ?said? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?someone? ?he? ?knew.? ?Because? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?

had? ?his? ?ears? ?plugged,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?able? ?to? ?hear? ?anything? ?from? ?the? ?outside!? ?

Unless? ?he? ?removed? ?the? ?ear? ?plugs,? ?but? ?would? ?he? ?do? ?that?? ?He? ?was? ?so? ?terrified? ?he’d? ?die? ?

before? ?he? ?would.? ?So,? ?to? ?deceive? ?him? ?and? ?have? ?him? ?open? ?the? ?door,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?

way? ?it? ?could? ?be? ?done.”? ?

?

The? ?private? ?communication? ?array!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?to? ?talk? ?faster,? ?“Which? ?meant,? ?in? ?between? ?the? ?time? ?we? ?were? ?coming,? ?there? ?

was? ?someone? ?who? ?secretly? ?connected? ?with? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?told? ?him? ?something? ?

that? ?made? ?him? ?open? ?the? ?doors? ?on? ?his? ?own.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?someone? ?he? ?was? ?close? ?to,? ?they? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?known? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?verbal? ?password.? ?The? ?verbal? ?passwords? ?of? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?are? ?all? ?closely-guarded? ?secrets,? ?not? ?to? ?be? ?known? ?by? ?outsiders,? ?and? ?

especially? ?not? ?to? ?demons? ?and? ?monsters? ?the? ?likes? ?of? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.? ?

Also,? ?it? ?should’ve? ?been? ?someone? ?he? ?trusted? ?deeply,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?opened? ?

the? ?doors? ?without? ?thinking.”? ?

?

“Or,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?this? ?person? ?but? ?this? ?person? ?knew? ?him,? ?and? ?gave? ?

him? ?a? ?reason? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?refuse? ?but? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?doors.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?considered? ?that? ?possibility? ?seriously? ?and? ?said,? ?“Technically,? ?we? ?can? ?send? ?

messages? ?to? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?we? ?have? ?the? ?verbal? ?password,? ?but? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?

strange? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?speak,? ?wouldn’t? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?think? ?it? ?weird?? ?He? ?should’ve? ?

told? ?us? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?heard.? ?Unless,? ?this? ?mysterious? ?

individual? ?who? ?sent? ?the? ?private? ?communication? ?paralyzed? ?him? ?with? ?the? ?first? ?message.? ?But? ?

what? ?message? ?could? ?it? ?be?”? ? ?

?

“A? ?threat?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?wondered.? ?

?

“How? ?to? ?threaten?? ?‘If? ?you? ?don’t? ?come? ?out,? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?your? ?brother? ?I’ve? ?returned? ?to? ?harrass? ?

you’?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?dismissed? ?the? ?thought,? ?“Not? ?likely.”? ?

?

That? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?aware? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?concerns.? ?

Besides,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?it? ?let? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?know? ?

immediately? ?of? ?its? ?existence?? ?Reinforcements? ?would? ?arrive? ?within? ?the? ?hour,? ?but? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?wait? ?that? ?long.? ?At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?whether? ?if? ?that? ?creature? ?

could? ?win? ?against? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?was? ?another? ?problem.? ?Don’t? ?forget,? ?it? ?had? ?never? ?

harassed? ?Shi? ?Wudu;? ?it? ?only? ?had? ?eyes? ?for? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?picking? ?especially? ?at? ?the? ?lower? ?

hanging? ?fruit.? ?No? ?doubt? ?the? ?Reverend? ?itself? ?was? ?scared? ?of? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?so? ?it? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?provoked? ?him? ?directly.? ?

?

“Search? ?for? ?another? ?hour.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?what? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?and? ?nodded,? ?“Alright.? ?If? ?we? ?still? ?can’t? ?find? ?him? ?

after? ?an? ?hour,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?protests,? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?must? ?

be? ?informed.? ?Let’s? ?break? ?up!? ?We’ll? ?search? ?this? ?way,? ?and? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?please? ?

search? ?over? ?there.”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?left? ?without? ?a? ?word.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?jogged? ?as? ?he? ?searched,? ?and? ?

never? ?gave? ?up? ?calling? ?for? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?but? ?remained? ?dead? ?

silent.? ? ?

?

“How? ?goes? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“No? ?response? ?whatsoever.”? ?

?

The? ?dread? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?was? ?growing? ?heavier.? ?He? ?searched? ?chamber? ?after? ?chamber? ?of? ?

every? ?building? ?in? ?the? ?entire? ?pavilion? ?and? ?was? ?almost? ?through? ?with? ?every? ?pavilions? ?nearby,? ?

yet? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?traces? ?at? ?all.? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?two? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?tallest? ?pavilion? ?in? ?the? ?area.? ?This? ?pavilion? ?was? ?obviously? ?

the? ?star? ?of? ?its? ?surroundings,? ?the? ?centrepiece.? ?It? ?was? ?renovated? ?multiple? ?times,? ?

glamourous? ?and? ?impressive,? ?with? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?poetry? ?verses? ?written? ?on? ?the? ?walls.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?establishment? ?plague? ?“The? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?

Wine”? ?and? ?wondered? ?out? ?loud,? ?“Is? ?it? ?the? ?‘Wine-Pouring? ?Young? ?Lord’?”? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?“This? ?is? ?the? ?original? ?address? ?to? ?the? ?‘Wine-Pouring? ?

Young? ?Lord’.”? ?

?

“So? ?it? ?really? ?is? ?related?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?him.? ?

?

“Yea.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?then? ?briefly? ?gave? ?an? ?account.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?in? ?the? ?legends? ?they? ?

said? ?when? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?still? ?mortal,? ?after? ?training? ?he? ?would? ?often? ?come? ?to? ?this? ?place? ?

to? ?drink,? ?spread? ?out? ?drunkenly? ?upon? ?the? ?terrace,? ?happy? ?and? ?carefree.? ?One? ?day,? ?below? ?

the? ?deck? ?came? ?a? ?malicious? ?crook? ?who? ?often? ?bullied? ?the? ?good? ?villagers,? ?and? ?when? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?saw? ?him,? ?he? ?nonchalantly? ?spilled? ?the? ?delicate? ?wine? ?from? ?his? ?cup? ?and? ?casted? ?a? ?

tiny? ?spell.? ?That? ?wine? ?was? ?spilt? ?right? ?over? ?that? ?crook’s? ?head? ?and? ?knocked? ?him? ?out.? ?After? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?appointed? ?a? ?deputy? ?general? ?by? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?he? ?still? ?loved? ?the? ?mortal? ?

realm,? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?drink? ?endlessly? ?at? ?this? ?place? ?like? ?before.? ?The? ?day? ?he? ?ascended? ?

was? ?also? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?here? ?drinking.? ?

?

To? ?ascend? ?whilst? ?drinking? ?sounded? ?absurd,? ?but? ?it? ?actually? ?wasn’t? ?anything.? ?Sometimes? ?

opportunities? ?came? ?knocking? ?without? ?any? ?rhyme? ?or? ?reason.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?was? ?still? ?

sleeping? ?when? ?he? ?ascended.? ?Perhaps? ?in? ?the? ?future? ?there? ?would? ?be? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

who? ?ascend? ?while? ?they’re? ?in? ?the? ?bathroom,? ?which? ?might? ?very? ?well? ?become? ?a? ?renown? ?

sight? ?too.? ?

?

In? ?any? ?case,? ?stories? ?of? ?scholars? ?teasing? ?guests? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?popular? ?throughout? ?

history,? ?and? ?places? ?that? ?had? ?stories? ?would? ?always? ?incite? ?the? ?urge? ?for? ?intellectuals? ?to? ?raise? ?

their? ?brush? ?and? ?create,? ?expressing? ?their? ?yearning? ?for? ?a? ?heavenly? ?lifestyle.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?now? ?

understood? ?that? ?this? ?place? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?such? ?landmarks.? ?There? ?were? ?no? ?tourists? ?in? ?the? ?

middle? ?of? ?the? ?night,? ?but? ?the? ?next? ?day,? ?there? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?many? ?tourists? ?who? ?would? ?

astonishingly? ?discover? ?the? ?houses? ?and? ?trees? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?blown? ?away,? ?and? ?cry? ?the? ?

Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?shown? ?up.? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?renown? ?sight? ?of? ?‘The? ?Wine-Pouring? ?Young? ?Lord’? ?was? ?slightly? ?different? ?than? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?imagined.? ?Just? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?say? ?darkly,? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?

take? ?care? ?of? ?something? ?small.? ?Please? ?do? ?be? ?careful.? ?I? ?won’t? ?be? ?long.”? ? ?

?

‘Take? ?care? ?of? ?what?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered? ?mentally.? ?

?

When? ?he? ?recalled? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?angry? ?voice? ?in? ?the? ?private? ?communication? ?array,? ?and? ?

now? ?his? ?unfriendly? ?demeanor,? ?he? ?asked,? ?“Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?find? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?

Empty? ?Words?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?paused? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?then? ?replied,? ?“No.”? ? ?

?

If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?then? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?his? ?place? ?to? ?ask? ?any? ?more.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“You? ?were? ?only? ?

here? ?for? ?fun? ?anyway.? ?Since? ?something’s? ?come? ?up,? ?just? ?go.? ?You? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?yourself? ?too.”? ? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?added,? ?“When? ?I? ?come? ?back,? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you? ?

something.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?blurted,? ?“What?”? ?But? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?figure? ?had? ?already? ?

disappeared.? ?

?

After? ?an? ?hour,? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?nothing,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?

array,? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master!? ?How? ?are? ?things? ?on? ?your? ?side?? ?I? ?haven’t? ?found? ?him? ?here,? ?so? ?I’m? ?

coming? ?back.”? ?

?

“Nothing!”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?answered.? ?

?

“This? ?won’t? ?do.? ?I? ?can’t? ?hold? ?back? ?any? ?longer.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?meet? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?centre? ?

of? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?report? ?to? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

After? ?that,? ?he? ?immediately? ?mouthed? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?verbal? ?password? ?to? ?her? ?private? ?

communication? ?array,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?are? ?you? ?there?? ?Can? ?you? ?find? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master?? ?

Please? ?tell? ?him? ?to? ?come? ?meet? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?at? ?his? ?earliest? ?notice.”? ?

?

The? ?clear? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?rang? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?ears.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?at? ?this? ?moment? ?Ling? ?We? ?

was? ?in? ?his? ?male? ?form.? ?“Your? ?highness?? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?is? ?here? ?with? ?me? ?right? ?now.? ?

He’s? ?not? ?someone? ?who? ?likes? ?going? ?out? ?so? ?he? ?probably? ?won’t? ?descend.? ?What? ?business? ?do? ?

you? ?have? ?with? ?him?? ?I? ?can? ?pass? ?on? ?the? ?message.”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?almost? ?reached? ?the? ?main? ?building? ?of? ?that? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?

Wine,? ?and? ?saw? ?from? ?afar? ?that? ?terrace? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?hung? ?with? ?something.? ?It? ?looked? ?like? ?a? ?

white? ?cloth,? ?swinging? ?in? ?the? ?night? ?breeze.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?thinking,? ?‘Was? ?there? ?

something? ?there? ?before?”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?walked? ?closer,? ?he? ?finally? ?saw? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?–? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?outer? ?

robe?? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?roared? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?come? ?

immediately? ?to? ?the? ?tallest? ?pavilion? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine!? ?HURRY!!!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?jolted,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?asking,? ?“Your? ?highness?? ?Are? ?you? ?

still? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“Please? ?have? ?him? ?descend? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible!? ?Something’s? ?

happened? ?to? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master!”? ? ?

?

After? ?having? ?shouted? ?that? ?last? ?message,? ?he? ?charged? ?up? ?the? ?pavilion.? ?There? ?were? ?no? ?

more? ?sounds? ?from? ?the? ?other? ?end;? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?probably? ?shocked? ?by? ?his? ?message? ?and? ?

went? ?reporting? ?to? ?Shi? ?Wudu.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?tallest? ?floor,? ?at? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?

the? ?floor? ?laid? ?a? ?person,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?both? ?eyes? ?tightly? ?closed;? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?external? ?injuries? ?on? ?his? ?person? ?

and? ?no? ?traces? ?of? ?blood.? ?Another? ?person? ?was? ?helping? ?him? ?up? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Ming? ?Yi.? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?sat? ?up? ?without? ?consciousness,? ?and? ?something? ?fell? ?from? ?his? ?chest.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

fixed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?tighten? ?–? ?that? ?thing? ?was? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?that? ?was? ?

split? ?in? ?half.? ?That? ?rare? ?spiritual? ?device? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?possessed? ?by? ?chance? ?and? ?not? ?by? ?

force,? ?and? ?it? ?might? ?not? ?even? ?be? ?forged? ?after? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?

number? ?one? ?spiritual? ?device? ?yet? ?it? ?was? ?destroyed? ?just? ?like? ?that!? ?

?

“When? ?we? ?came? ?by? ?just? ?now? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?else!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?claimed.? ?

?

But? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?mouth,? ?he? ?realized? ?something? ?else? ?that? ?was? ?amiss.? ?Earlier? ?

when? ?he? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?came? ?by,? ?there? ?were? ?plenty? ?of? ?poetry? ?verses? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?left? ?by? ?

literary? ?guests;? ?some? ?charming,? ?some? ?arrogant,? ?others? ?elegant,? ?but? ?now? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?

gone,? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?had? ?wiped? ?them? ?clean,? ?leaving? ?behind? ?a? ?phrase? ?that? ?didn’t? ?exist? ?

before? ?in? ?crimson? ?proper? ?font,? ?a? ?row? ?of? ?large? ?words,? ?dripping? ?with? ?blood:? ?“WRETCHED? ?

BEGINNING? ?WRETCHED? ?END”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?curse? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?bestowed? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?on? ?the? ?day? ?of? ?

his? ?birth!? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?asked? ?frigidly,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?where’s? ?the? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?with? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘Oh? ?no!? ?San? ?Lang’s? ?left? ?at? ?such? ?an? ?inopportune? ?

moment!’? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?left? ?his? ?side? ?something? ?happened? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?This? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?

be? ?explained? ?clearly.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?showed? ?nothing? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?explained? ?

solemnly,? ?“I? ?asked? ?him? ?to? ?go? ?search? ?for? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.”? ?

?

“When? ?did? ?he? ?leave?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?asked.? ?

?

Without? ?changing? ?his? ?expression,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Just? ?now.? ?He? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?left? ?for? ?

over? ?half? ?an? ?incense? ?time.”? ? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?it? ?was? ?way? ?longer? ?than? ?that.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?never? ?doubted? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?so? ?naturally? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?anyone? ?have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?doubt? ?either,? ?lest? ?more? ?

issues? ?arise.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?from? ?beyond? ?the? ?skies? ?came? ?waves? ?of? ?rolling? ?thunder,? ?and? ?a? ?golden? ?carriage? ?

of? ?eight? ?wheels? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?clouds,? ?driving? ?towards? ?them? ?with? ?an? ?imposing? ?aura.? ?

?

Unable? ?to? ?reach? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?using? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array,? ?it? ?

seemed? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?went? ?straight? ?for? ?a? ?Golden? ?Carriage? ?instead.? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?known? ?that? ?

when? ?a? ?golden? ?carriage? ?of? ?burnished? ?horses? ?were? ?driven,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?huge? ?fanfare.? ?If? ?it? ?

should? ?be? ?seen? ?by? ?mortals? ?who? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?were? ?stargazing? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?

night,? ?it? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?an? ?uproar? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?This? ?Water? ?Tyrant? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?

afraid? ?of? ?anything.? ? ?

?

Watching? ?that? ?dramatic? ?golden? ?carriage? ?approach,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?

Earth? ?Master,? ?if? ?any? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?should? ?ask? ?later,? ?please? ?don’t? ?say? ?a? ?word? ?about? ?

Lord? ?Hua.? ?There? ?are? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?who? ?like? ?to? ?

exaggerate? ?and? ?make? ?up? ?stories.? ?This? ?affair? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?him,? ?so? ?there’s? ?no? ?

need? ?to? ?make? ?it? ?complicated.”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?said,? ?“Very? ?well.”? ?He? ?agreed? ?easily? ?and? ?looked? ?down? ?to? ?

keep? ?checking? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?condition.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief? ?but? ?then,? ?

seeing? ?the? ?unmoving? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?his? ?heart? ?sank? ?once? ?more.? ?

?

That? ?golden? ?carriage? ?came? ?roaring,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?it? ?landed? ?with? ?trails? ?of? ?propitious? ?

clouds.? ?Outside? ?the? ?carriage? ?were? ?a? ?small? ?number? ?of? ?junior? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?standing? ?at? ?

the? ?ready? ?to? ?serve,? ?and? ?three? ?grand? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?exited? ?the? ?vehicle.? ?It? ?was? ?Shi? ?

Wudu,? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?Three? ?of? ?the? ?top? ?ten? ?at? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?banquet? ?had? ?

come? ?all? ?at? ?once.? ?Of? ?course,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?long? ?forgotten? ?he? ?himself? ?sat? ?at? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?

the? ?top? ?ten.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?deeply? ?knitted? ?brows,? ?sweeping? ?his? ?sleeves? ?as? ?he? ?got? ?off? ?the? ?

carriage? ?with? ?a? ?frown,? ?entering? ?the? ?pavilion? ?with? ?his? ?Water? ?Master? ?fan? ?in? ?hand? ?and? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?following? ?right? ?behind.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?saw? ?his? ?younger? ?brother? ?

lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?like? ?a? ?corpse,? ?his? ?face? ?instantly? ?changed? ?and? ?he? ?rushed? ?over,? ?“Qing? ?

Xuan?? ?Qing? ?Xuan!? ?What’s? ?happened?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?succinctly,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?run? ?into? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?

Words.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“What? ?did? ?you? ?say?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?exclaimed? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“The? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?name,? ?not? ?only? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?but? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?faces? ?dropped? ?too.? ?

It? ?seemed,? ?they? ?already? ?knew? ?of? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?scourge.? ?Watching? ?their? ?expressions,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?who? ?was? ?faking? ?and? ?who? ?was? ?secretly? ?delighted;? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?acting? ?

naturally.? ?Especially? ?Shi? ?Wudu.? ?There? ?was? ?definitely? ?no? ?way? ?he? ?was? ?acting.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

retrieved? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?bottles? ?from? ?his? ?sleeve? ?and? ?said,? ?“Try? ?feeding? ?him? ?all? ?of? ?them.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?remarked? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?“It’s? ?you? ?again,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ?

?

“It? ?can’t? ?be? ?helped,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“There’s? ?only? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?us? ?going? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?

the? ?heavens.”? ?

?

“It? ?seems? ?every? ?time? ?we? ?see? ?you,? ?that? ?other? ?one? ?is? ?always? ?around? ?too.? ?I? ?wonder? ?if? ?it’s? ?the? ?

same? ?case? ?this? ?time?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?flatly,? ?“No,? ?no.? ?Of? ?course? ?not.”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?lying? ?through? ?his? ?teeth,? ?but? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?actually? ?kept? ?his? ?promise? ?and? ?didn’t? ?utter? ?a? ?

word.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?stopped? ?talking,? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?led? ?the? ?officials? ?under? ?his? ?

command? ?to? ?search? ?the? ?premises.? ?Given? ?the? ?situation,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?better? ?that? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?had? ?left? ?beforehand.? ?At? ?least? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?at? ?the? ?scene? ?of? ?the? ?crime.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?

couldn’t? ?wake? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?but? ?his? ?eyes? ?inadvertently? ?swept? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?giant? ?bloody? ?

words? ?on? ?that? ?snow? ?white? ?wall,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?twisted? ?immediately.? ?

?

His? ?face? ?became? ?whiter? ?than? ?that? ?wall,? ?shaking? ?with? ?fury,? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“WHO? ?WROTE? ?

THIS?? ?WHO? ?WROTE? ?IT?!”? ? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?he? ?was? ?shouting,? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?trembling.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?exclaimed,? ?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?awake!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?squatted? ?down,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?blinking? ?open? ?slowly.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?shoved? ?

everyone? ?aside? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Qing? ?Xuan?? ?Are? ?you? ?alright?? ?Do? ?you? ?feel? ?bad? ?anywhere?? ?

Who? ?hurt? ?you?!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?dazed? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?slowly? ?came? ?to.? ?When? ?he? ?became? ?

conscious,? ?the? ?first? ?thing? ?he? ?saw? ?was? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?face.? ?The? ?next? ?moment,? ?something? ?no? ?

one? ?had? ?expected? ?happened.? ?

?

He? ?shoved? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?away,? ?grabbed? ?his? ?own? ?head? ?and? ?screamed,? ?

“AAAAHHHHHHHHH—!!!”? ?

?

?

——? ?

?

Ch.113:? ?Teasing? ?Words? ?to? ?Befuddle? ?Me? ?and? ?Also? ?My? ?Lord? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?shoved? ?so? ?forcefully,? ?the? ?esteemed? ?Water? ?Master? ?almost? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?

jumbled? ?and? ?dumbfounded.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?called? ?out,? ?“Qing? ?Xuan,? ?it’s? ?

gege.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?roared,? ?“I? ?KNOW? ?IT’S? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

Since? ?he? ?knew? ?it? ?was? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?delusional,? ?unable? ?to? ?recognize? ?people,? ?then? ?

why? ?such? ?a? ?reaction?? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?reached? ?for? ?him? ?again,? ?“Everything’s? ?alright? ?now...”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?slapped? ?

that? ?hand? ?away,? ?“ALRIGHT? ?MY? ?ASS!? ?How? ?can? ?anything? ?be? ?alright?!? ?Don’t? ?say? ?anything? ?

anymore!? ?AAH!? ?I? ?CAN’T? ?TAKE? ?THIS!”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?those? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?not? ?only? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?but? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?the? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

standing? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?the? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?who? ?had? ?just? ?returned? ?from? ?giving? ?out? ?directives? ?

to? ?his? ?subordinates? ?both? ?changed? ?colours.? ? ?

?

“Qing? ?Xuan,? ?stop? ?this.? ?What? ?you? ?just? ?said? ?is? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?slapping? ?your? ?brother’s? ?

face? ?and? ?pouring? ?poison? ?on? ?his? ?heart.”? ? ?

?

Usually? ?when? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?heard? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?speak? ?he? ?must? ?quibble? ?back? ?a? ?couple? ?times,? ?

but? ?now? ?he? ?only? ?held? ?his? ?head? ?wordlessly,? ?ignoring? ?him? ?completely,? ?only? ?muttering? ?like? ?

he? ?was? ?possessed,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?hear? ?anything.? ?You? ?stop? ?talking? ?too.? ?Let? ?me? ?calm? ?

down.? ?Just? ?go.? ?JUST? ?GET? ?OUT? ?OF? ?HERE!!!”? ? ?

?

Finally,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?it? ?any? ?longer.? ?

?

“WHAT? ?NONSENSE? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?SPOUTING?!”? ?He? ?shouted.? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?chided? ?too,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?if? ?there’s? ?anything? ?just? ?tell? ?us,? ?so? ?we? ?know? ?

what? ?we? ?can? ?do? ?to? ?solve? ?it...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?roared,? ?enraged,? ?“DO? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?UNDERSTAND? ?THE? ?WORDS? ?COMING? ?

OUT? ?OF? ?MY? ?MOUTH?!? ?GET? ?OUT? ?OF? ?HERE!? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?PLEASE? ?JUST? ?GET? ?THE? ?

HELL? ?OUT? ?OF? ?HERE!!!? ?AAHHH!!!? ?AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!”? ?He? ?was? ?yelling? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?

unhinged,? ?screaming? ?and? ?screaming? ?and? ?then? ?suddenly? ?he? ?spat? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood.? ?

?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?immediately? ?seized? ?his? ?wrist? ?to? ?check? ?his? ?pulse,? ?but? ?after? ?feeling? ?it,? ?his? ?face? ?

instantly? ?became? ?more? ?terrifying? ?than? ?a? ?ghost,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?throw? ?up? ?blood? ?on? ?

the? ?spot? ?too.? ? ?

?

“Lord? ?Water? ?Master,? ?what’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?as? ?he? ?

reached? ?out? ?ready? ?to? ?check? ?too,? ?but? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?slapped? ?his? ?hand? ?away? ?forcefully,? ?glaring? ?

at? ?him? ?with? ?fury? ?like? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?allow? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?find? ?out? ?just? ?what? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?

condition? ?was.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?his? ?younger? ?brother,? ?“You’re? ?ill.? ?You’re? ?deranged? ?

from? ?terror.? ?I’m? ?taking? ?you? ?back? ?for? ?treatment.? ?You? ?will? ?be? ?healed? ?for? ?sure.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?intently? ?and? ?slowly? ?enunciated? ?his? ?words,? ?“I? ?am? ?not? ?ill.? ?

Whether? ?if? ?I’m? ?ill? ?you? ?should? ?know? ?best!? ?Don’t? ?take? ?me? ?for? ?crazy,? ?I’m? ?very? ?conscient.? ?I’ve? ?

never? ?been? ?so? ?conscient? ?in? ?my? ?life!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?him? ?and? ?dragged? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?carriage,? ?yelling,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?

understand? ?anything!? ?Don’t? ?speak? ?nonsense!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wailed,? ?“MING-XIONG!? ?MING-XIONG? ?SAVE? ?ME!? ?YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?

SAVE? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

He? ?reached? ?out? ?with? ?both? ?his? ?arms,? ?grabbing? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?one? ?with? ?each? ?hand,? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?both? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?hands? ?he? ?extended.? ?However,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?yanked? ?

him? ?away? ?forcibly? ?again,? ?“Let’s? ?go.? ?Everything’s? ?alright.? ?Gege? ?is? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?still? ?screaming,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?went? ?over? ?to? ?help? ?Shi? ?

Wudu? ?hold? ?him? ?down.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?shouted,? ?“Your? ?brother? ?doesn’t? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?back? ?with? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed? ?too,? ?“That? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?hasn’t? ?been? ?dealt? ?with? ?yet,? ?

Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?plan? ?on...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?cut? ?him? ?off? ?sharply,? ?“What? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words?? ?I? ?have? ?no? ?idea? ?what? ?

you’re? ?all? ?talking? ?about.? ?He’s? ?ill.? ?His? ?mind? ?is? ?addled.? ?THAT’S? ?ALL!”? ? ?

?

“But? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?again.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?broke? ?him? ?off,? ?“This? ?is? ?my? ?brother,? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?would? ?mistreat? ?him?? ?This? ?is? ?

our? ?own? ?family? ?affair,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?trouble? ?outsiders!? ?Would? ?the? ?two? ?lords? ?please? ?not? ?

spread? ?word? ?of? ?this? ?around? ?either? ?and? ?just? ?mind? ?your? ?own? ?business!”? ?Then,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?

hand? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?brushed? ?down.? ?Once? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?lost? ?

consciousness? ?from? ?the? ?sweep? ?he? ?was? ?forced? ?into? ?the? ?golden? ?carriage.? ? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?words? ?were? ?rude,? ?but? ?they? ?stunned? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?He? ?wasn’t? ?wrong.? ?After? ?all,? ?Shi? ?

Wudu? ?was? ?the? ?rightful? ?blood? ?brother? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?harm? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan?? ?Besides,? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?accompanying? ?them,? ?so? ?

having? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?go? ?back? ?with? ?them? ?was? ?the? ?safest? ?option.? ?How? ?could? ?outsiders? ?

continue? ?to? ?interfere? ?when? ?the? ?family? ?himself? ?showed? ?up?? ? ?

?

That? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?laid? ?broken? ?in? ?two? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?without? ?anyone? ?caring,? ?and? ?Ling? ?

Wen? ?picked? ?it? ?up,? ?speaking? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?

please? ?don’t? ?be? ?offended.? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?is? ?only? ?mad? ?from? ?worry.? ?This? ?affair? ?is? ?

personal? ?and? ?personal? ?scandals? ?shan’t? ?be? ?publicized,? ?so? ?pray? ?My? ?Lords? ?keep? ?this? ?to? ?

yourselves.? ?He? ?will? ?for? ?sure? ?make? ?amends? ?when? ?this? ?is? ?settled.”? ?After? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?

courteous? ?words,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?also? ?boarded? ?the? ?carriage? ?hastily.? ?That? ?golden? ?carriage? ?rose? ?

in? ?the? ?air? ?rumbling? ?then? ?flew? ?off.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?watching? ?that? ?stream? ?of? ?propitious? ?

clouds? ?disappear? ?gradually? ?in? ?the? ?night? ?sky? ?before? ?it? ?finally? ?hit? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?that? ?the? ?Water? ?

Master? ?really? ?did? ?take? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?away? ?just? ?like? ?that.? ?As? ?for? ?them,? ?after? ?running? ?

around? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?they? ?were? ?really? ?left? ?behind? ?like? ?this,? ?just? ?like? ?that.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?leave? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?

exclaimed,? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master!”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?meaningfully? ?before? ?he? ?

said,? ?“Relax.? ?I? ?won’t? ?say? ?anything? ?about? ?Hua? ?Cheng.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?said,? ?“Thank? ?you.? ?Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?check? ?up? ?on? ?

Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?nodded? ?once? ?and? ?turned? ?back? ?around? ?to? ?continue? ?on? ?his? ?way.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?also? ?very? ?worried? ?about? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?still? ?all? ?the? ?medical? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?

the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?help? ?than? ?he? ?would? ?be.? ?Besides,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?

would? ?for? ?sure? ?not? ?want? ?any? ?outsiders? ?to? ?witness? ?his? ?brother’s? ?madness,? ?so? ?given? ?that? ?

thought,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?right? ?time? ?to? ?pay? ?a? ?visit? ?right? ?now.? ?Actually,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sudden? ?

departure? ?was? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?concern,? ?so? ?after? ?some? ?consideration,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?decided? ?to? ?go? ?

find? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?first.? ?Making? ?up? ?his? ?mind,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?left? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine,? ?

and? ?speedily? ?began? ?his? ?overnight? ?journey.? ?

?

Unable? ?to? ?use? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?and? ?without? ?a? ?golden? ?carriage? ?of? ?burnished? ?

horses,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?depend? ?on? ?his? ?pair? ?of? ?legs,? ?sprinting? ?through? ?the? ?mountain? ?

paths.? ?As? ?he? ?ran,? ?he? ?thought,? ?‘What? ?kind? ?of? ?situation? ?can? ?San? ?Lang? ?possibly? ?run? ?into?? ?

His? ?expression? ?and? ?tone? ?of? ?voice? ?earlier? ?made? ?it? ?seem? ?like? ?it’s? ?something? ?serious.? ?

Hopefully? ?I’ll? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?give? ?him? ?a? ?hand? ?this? ?time.’? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?even? ?over? ?an? ?incense? ?time? ?before? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?noticed? ?the? ?roads? ?ahead? ?of? ?him? ?

were? ?thick? ?with? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil.? ?Visibility? ?heavily? ?reduced,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slowed? ?his? ?pace? ?

and? ?thought,? ?‘No? ?way.? ?What? ?is? ?it? ?now?’? ?

?

He? ?stood? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?road? ?to? ?watch? ?and? ?observe? ?quietly.? ?A? ?while? ?later,? ?in? ?the? ?thick? ?

of? ?that? ?essence? ?fo? ?evil? ?ahead? ?came? ?a? ?bizarre? ?work? ?song.? ?

?

“YI? ?YU? ?XI,? ?YI? ?YU? ?XI*.”? ?

?

“YI? ?YU? ?XI,? ?YI? ?YU? ?XI.”? ?

?

At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?road? ?ahead,? ?a? ?giant? ?black? ?silhouette? ?hazily? ?appeared.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?black? ?and? ?large? ?with? ?some? ?shadow? ?floating? ?about,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?just? ?

what? ?it? ?was.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?anything? ?with? ?that? ?shape,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?for? ?sure? ?something? ?

quite? ?big.? ?Subconsciously,? ?he? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?back? ?from? ?alarm,? ?the? ?Ruoye? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?arm? ?

ready? ?to? ?attack,? ?and? ?he? ?rested? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?on? ?Fang? ?Xin’s? ?hilt.? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?that? ?giant? ?thing? ?showed? ?its? ?true? ?form? ?from? ?the? ?mist.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?slightly? ?

widened.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?glamourous? ?step? ?litter*.? ?

?

That? ?step? ?litter? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?extravagant,? ?its? ?golden? ?canopy? ?hung? ?exquisite? ?and? ?

featherlight? ?satin? ?veils,? ?and? ?should? ?anyone? ?be? ?enthroned? ?within,? ?they? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?

shrouded? ?within? ?the? ?expanse? ?of? ?enchanting? ?crimson? ?drapes,? ?allowing? ?their? ?obscure? ?

silhouette? ?be? ?displayed? ?only? ?through? ?imagination.? ?The? ?porters? ?carrying? ?that? ?step? ?litter? ?

were? ?four? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?with? ?abnormally? ?large? ?bone? ?structures,? ?and? ?they? ?hollered? ?

their? ?work? ?song? ?“YI? ?YU? ?XI”? ?“YI? ?YU? ?XI”? ?as? ?they? ?made? ?way.? ?Next? ?to? ?every? ?skeleton? ?floated? ?

small? ?languid? ?swirls? ?of? ?ghost? ?fires,? ?twirling? ?about,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?used? ?for? ?illumination? ?

because? ?whenever? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?darker? ?area? ?the? ?ghost? ?fires? ?would? ?burn? ?brighter.? ?

?

The? ?sight? ?was? ?too? ?strange,? ?bizarre? ?and? ?demonic,? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?stare,? ?

wondering? ?if? ?he? ?ran? ?into? ?some? ?ghost? ?lady? ?out? ?to? ?meet? ?a? ?lover? ?on? ?a? ?date.? ?He? ?hurriedly? ?

backed? ?further? ?onto? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?road? ?to? ?give? ?way.? ?Unexpectedly? ?however,? ?those? ?four? ?

golden? ?skeletons? ?carrying? ?the? ?step? ?litter? ?stopped? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him? ?and? ?each? ?turned? ?their? ?

skulls? ?towards? ?him.? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?golden? ?skeleton’s? ?jaw? ?bones? ?crackled? ?and? ?out? ?came? ?a? ?sound? ?from? ?who? ?

knows? ?where,? ?speaking? ?with? ?a? ?quivering? ?voice,? ?“Lord? ?Chengzhu*? ?sent? ?us? ?to? ?receive? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?Xianle.? ?Is? ?My? ?Lord? ?Your? ?Highness?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Lord? ?Chengzhu? ?should? ?be? ?no? ?other? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?removed? ?his? ?hand? ?from? ?the? ?

hilt? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?answered,? ?“That’s? ?me.”? ?

?

Crackle? ?crackle.? ?The? ?skeletons? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?rejoicing? ?and? ?lowered? ?the? ?step? ?litter.? ?

“Please? ?board,? ?let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

Were? ?the? ?four? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?going? ?to? ?carry? ?him? ?to? ?go? ?see? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?

reluctantly,? ?“That’s...? ?too? ?much? ?trouble.”? ?

?

“Nonsense.? ?It’s? ?no? ?trouble? ?at? ?all,? ?this? ?is? ?our? ?job.”? ?

?

“Your? ?highness,? ?please? ?board!? ?Lord? ?Chengzhu? ?is? ?waiting? ?for? ?you.”? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?carefully? ?stepped? ?onto? ?the? ?platform,? ?lifted? ?the? ?veil? ?and? ?seated? ?himself? ?

within.? ?“Thanks? ?for? ?the? ?trouble.”? ?

?

The? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?were? ?ecstatic,? ?crackling? ?and? ?saying? ?something? ?incomprehensible,? ?

then? ?they? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?step? ?litter? ?and? ?started? ?bumping? ?along? ?the? ?mountain? ?paths.? ?

?

That? ?step? ?litter? ?had? ?upon? ?it? ?a? ?wicker? ?chair? ?sewn? ?with? ?brocade,? ?exceedingly? ?comfortable,? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?poised? ?in? ?the? ?centre,? ?feeling? ?that? ?it? ?seemed? ?a? ?bit? ?big? ?for? ?just? ?one? ?person.? ?

The? ?step? ?litter? ?carried? ?by? ?those? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?bumpy? ?and? ?wobbly,? ?but? ?

when? ?he? ?actually? ?sat? ?down,? ?the? ?ride? ?was? ?quite? ?steady.? ?It? ?moved? ?extremely? ?fast,? ?swifter? ?

than? ?flying? ?on? ?a? ?sword,? ?and? ?other? ?than? ?that? ?bizarre? ?work? ?song? ?those? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?

enjoyed? ?chanting,? ?it? ?was? ?practically? ?silent,? ?much? ?more? ?so? ?than? ?that? ?rumbling? ?golden? ?

carriage? ?with? ?burnished? ?horses,? ?and? ?even? ?more? ?mysterious.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?crown? ?prince,? ?he? ?would? ?also? ?ride? ?a? ?step? ?litter? ?

when? ?he? ?went? ?out? ?from? ?time? ?to? ?time.? ?He? ?was? ?much? ?younger? ?back? ?then,? ?and? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?

lap? ?of? ?either? ?his? ?father? ?or? ?mother,? ?carried? ?by? ?palace? ?attendants? ?especially? ?chosen? ?who? ?

would? ?cheer? ?and? ?clamor? ?all? ?around,? ?impressive? ?and? ?imposing.? ?After? ?he? ?got? ?bigger? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?enjoy? ?it? ?as? ?much? ?anymore.? ?Nevertheless,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?was? ?

transported? ?by? ?those? ?creatures,? ?so? ?still? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?amazed.? ?

?

After? ?traveling? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?sensed? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?green? ?ghost? ?fires? ?ahead,? ?their? ?

wisping? ?light? ?shimmering? ?through? ?the? ?veil,? ?and? ?quiet? ?chatters? ?came? ?wafting? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?

“Who? ?goes? ?there?? ?Shouldn’t? ?ya? ?be? ?leavin’? ?somethin’? ?behind,? ?crossin’? ?thru? ?this? ?burial? ?

ground?”? ? ?

?

It? ?seemed? ?they? ?ran? ?into? ?road? ?blocking? ?feral? ?ghosts.? ?Shadows? ?eating? ?shadows,? ?ghosts? ?

devouring? ?ghosts,? ?yet? ?they? ?even? ?dared? ?provoke? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?Those? ?skeletons? ?crackled? ?

and? ?laughed,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?us? ?to? ?leave? ?behind?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?contemplating? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?show? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?deal? ?with? ?this? ?

when? ?he? ?heard? ?those? ?tiny? ?voices? ?shriek,? ?“AIYOYOYOYO? ?FORGIVE? ?US!? ?Our? ?shitty? ?eyes? ?

be? ?blind? ?an’? ?didn’t? ?realize? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?step? ?litter? ?of? ?our? ?ol’? ?lord? ?Hua? ?Cheng!? ?Git? ?back? ?to? ?

the? ?burials,? ?git? ?back!? ?My? ?Lords? ?please? ?pass? ?as? ?ya? ?will.? ?My? ?Lords? ?are? ?generous,? ?please? ?

pass? ?as? ?ya? ?will!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?said,? ?“Too? ?late? ?too? ?late,? ?Lord? ?Chengzhu? ?has? ?given? ?clear? ?

instructions? ?that? ?the? ?highness? ?seated? ?in? ?this? ?step? ?litter? ?shall? ?not? ?be? ?offended.? ?Now? ?that? ?

tHis? ?Highness? ?has? ?been? ?delayed,? ?why? ?don’t? ?y’all? ?tell? ?us? ?what? ?shall? ?be? ?done!”? ?

?

Wails? ?and? ?devilish? ?cries? ?howled? ?all? ?around.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?it? ?anymore? ?and? ?said,? ?

“Um,? ?forget? ?it.? ?Since? ?we’re? ?in? ?a? ?rush,? ?just? ?let? ?this? ?go.”? ?

?

Those? ?skeletons? ?said,? ?“Since? ?His? ?Highness? ?says? ?so,? ?then? ?we? ?shall? ?let? ?them? ?go.? ?Y’all? ?got? ?

off? ?easy!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?added,? ?“However,? ?do? ?keep? ?in? ?mind? ?to? ?never? ?block? ?the? ?roads? ?in? ?the? ?future? ?and? ?

harm? ?travelers.”? ?

?

The? ?feral? ?ghosts? ?rejoiced,? ?“Nonono,? ?we? ?swear? ?that’s? ?never? ?happened!? ?Thank? ?you? ?My? ?

Lord!”? ? ?

?

“Depart!”? ?Those? ?skeletons? ?shouted.? ?

?

As? ?they? ?passed? ?through,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?faintly? ?heard? ?the? ?babbling? ?of? ?female? ?ghosts,? ?chattering? ?

in? ?wonder,? ?“Hey,? ?who? ?do? ?y’all? ?think? ?is? ?the? ?highness? ?sitting? ?in? ?that? ?litter?? ?I’ve? ?never? ?heard? ?

Lord? ?Hua’s? ?golden? ?step? ?litter? ?carrying? ?anyone? ?else.”? ?

?

“If? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?lady? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?easy? ?to? ?guess.? ?Yet? ?it’s? ?a? ?man.? ?Very? ?strange.”? ? ?

?

‘What’s? ?so? ?strange? ?about? ?it?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?heard? ?those? ?female? ?ghosts? ?say,? ?“Yea.? ?And? ?here? ?I? ?was? ?so? ?sure? ?that? ?

golden? ?litter? ?was? ?definitely? ?for? ?the? ?madam? ?wife!”? ?

?

—-? ?

?

After? ?having? ?run? ?around? ?for? ?days,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rode? ?in? ?the? ?step? ?litter? ?and? ?felt? ?drowsy.? ?He? ?

used? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?support? ?his? ?cheek,? ?dozing? ?off.? ?Another? ?long? ?while? ?passed? ?and? ?he? ?felt? ?

the? ?step? ?litter? ?stop? ?again.? ?He? ?mumbled? ?semi-consciously,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?

?

He? ?thought? ?they? ?ran? ?into? ?another? ?band? ?of? ?road? ?blocking? ?feral? ?ghosts,? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?

words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?felt? ?the? ?step? ?litter? ?dip,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?another? ?who? ?had? ?gotten? ?on.? ?The? ?

man? ?lifted? ?the? ?veil? ?and? ?called? ?out? ?lightly,? ?“Gege?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?squinted,? ?looking? ?towards? ?the? ?voice,? ?“San? ?Lang?”? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who’d? ?come? ?was? ?naturally? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?When? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?half-awakened? ?

state,? ?bleary? ?eyed? ?and? ?dazed,? ?he? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?up? ?feeling? ?

embarrassed? ?and? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“I? ?accidentally? ?fell? ?asleep.”? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?and? ?went? ?over? ?to? ?sit? ?too,? ?“Gege? ?is? ?exhausted.? ?I? ?hope? ?

gege? ?won’t? ?mind? ?if? ?I? ?squeeze? ?in.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?move? ?more? ?to? ?the? ?right,? ?wanting? ?to? ?leave? ?more? ?room? ?for? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?extended? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?caught? ?his? ?right? ?shoulder,? ?pulling? ?him? ?

back,? ?“No? ?need.? ?There’s? ?enough? ?space.”? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?there? ?wasn’t.? ?This? ?step? ?litter? ?was? ?crafty;? ?too? ?big? ?for? ?one? ?person,? ?but? ?too? ?

cramped? ?for? ?two,? ?not? ?a? ?perfect? ?fit? ?unless? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?younger? ?and? ?one? ?

sat? ?on? ?the? ?lap? ?of? ?the? ?other.? ?

?

“You? ?left? ?just? ?in? ?time? ?earlier.? ?Three? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?descended? ?all? ?

at? ?once.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?humphed,? ?“Was? ?it? ?the? ?Three? ?Tumours?? ?I? ?already? ?expected? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed? ?teasingly,? ?“Was? ?that? ?the? ?reason? ?why? ?you? ?ran? ?away?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?jokingly? ?too,? ?“No,? ?I? ?went? ?to? ?hail? ?for? ?the? ?carriage.? ?So? ?how? ?is? ?it,? ?gege?? ?

Isn’t? ?my? ?Infernal? ?Ghost? ?Carriage? ?much? ?more? ?fun? ?than? ?the? ?golden? ?carriage? ?of? ?those? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court?”? ?

?

“Yes,? ?it’s? ?very? ?fun!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?reminded? ?of? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?awful? ?

state,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?laugh? ?anymore,? ?and? ?became? ?solemn.? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?what? ?

was? ?it? ?that? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?tell? ?me? ?earlier?”? ? ?

?

Inadvertently,? ?their? ?eyes? ?met.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?had? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?shoulder? ?in? ?his? ?grasp,? ?

never? ?having? ?let? ?go,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?him? ?in? ?his? ?embrace.? ?Looking? ?from? ?the? ?outside,? ?

only? ?two? ?overlapping? ?silhouettes? ?could? ?be? ?seen? ?within? ?the? ?veils? ?of? ?that? ?step? ?litter,? ?curled? ?

up? ?together,? ?inseparable.? ?Within? ?the? ?red? ?curtains,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?

?

“Gege,? ?want? ?to? ?get? ?married?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...Huh?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled.? ?

?

Such? ?a? ?gaze,? ?such? ?words,? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?such? ?close? ?quarters? ?with? ?nowhere? ?to? ?run.? ?

Instantly,? ?colours? ?exploded? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?vision? ?and? ?his? ?mind? ?went? ?completely? ?blank,? ?his? ?

entire? ?person? ?frozen,? ?stiffer? ?than? ?a? ?corpse.? ?

?

Seeing? ?his? ?reaction,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?his? ?arm? ?back? ?and? ?snickered,? ?“It’s? ?a? ?joke.? ?Did? ?I? ?

shock? ?gege?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“...You’re? ?too? ?much.? ?How? ?can? ?

you? ?joke? ?about? ?something? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?shock.? ?He? ?was? ?so? ?rattled? ?his? ?heart? ?almost? ?stopped.? ?There? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?trace? ?

of? ?hurt? ?that? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?noticed? ?himself.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“My? ?bad.”? ?

?

He? ?stretched? ?out? ?his? ?long? ?legs? ?and? ?crossed? ?them,? ?settling? ?them? ?up? ?front,? ?wiggling? ?his? ?

boots? ?and? ?the? ?silver? ?chains? ?clinked? ?against? ?each? ?other,? ?jingling? ?crisply,? ?truly? ?the? ?very? ?

image? ?of? ?mischief.? ?If? ?this? ?was? ?before,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?think? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?playful? ?and? ?

endearing,? ?but? ?now? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?that? ?noise? ?was? ?disrupting? ?his? ?calm,? ?and? ?an? ?

unexplained? ?frustration? ?filled? ?his? ?mind.? ?After? ?feeling? ?shaken? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?

say? ?again? ?mentally,? ?‘How? ?can? ?you? ?joke? ?about? ?something? ?like? ?that...’? ?

?

However,? ?when? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?wrong.? ?It? ?was? ?precisely? ?

because? ?it? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?anything? ?that? ?it? ?could? ?be? ?used? ?a? ?joke.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?noticed? ?his? ?odd? ?expression? ?and? ?immediately? ?sat? ?up? ?straight,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?

don’t? ?take? ?it? ?to? ?heart.? ?I? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?wrong? ?just? ?now.? ?I? ?won’t? ?joke? ?about? ?this? ?ever? ?again.”? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?apologized? ?so? ?solemnly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?bad? ?instead? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘Am? ?I? ?

stupid?? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?joke? ?and? ?nothing? ?serious.? ?Besides,? ?San? ?Lang? ?only? ?said? ?“want? ?to? ?get? ?

married”,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?specify? ?with? ?who,? ?so? ?where? ?did? ?my? ?mind? ?wander? ?off? ?to?? ?Get? ?a? ?

hold? ?of? ?yourself!? ?This? ?instant!? ?Right? ?now!!!’? ?

?

He? ?smacked? ?himself? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?mentally? ?and? ?steadied? ?his? ?spirit? ?before? ?smiling,? ?“No? ?no? ?

no,? ?how? ?are? ?you? ?in? ?the? ?wrong?? ?Don’t? ?misunderstand,? ?I? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?about? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master? ?so? ?I? ?looked? ?a? ?bit? ?serious.”? ? ?

?

“Oh?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Since? ?the? ?Water? ?Tyrant? ?descended? ?too,? ?that? ?affair? ?should? ?be? ?

taken? ?cared? ?of.”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?cooperative? ?in? ?changing? ?the? ?subject.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?to? ?think? ?

seriously,? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?softly,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?do? ?you? ?really? ?think? ?this? ?is? ?all? ?over?? ?

Somehow? ?I? ?think? ?this? ?is? ?only? ?the? ?beginning.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?always? ?admired? ?and? ?respected? ?his? ?older? ?brother,? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?

escaped? ?danger? ?and? ?saw? ?his? ?brother’s? ?face,? ?he? ?reacted? ?like? ?that.? ?A? ?horrifying? ?thought? ?

entered? ?his? ?mind? ?–? ?could? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?deceived? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?in? ?opening? ?the? ?doors? ?be? ?

Shi? ?Wudu?? ?

?

Although? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?should’ve? ?been? ?in? ?the? ?company? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?General? ?Pei? ?at? ?the? ?

time,? ?still? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?difficult? ?for? ?spiritually? ?powerful? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?to? ?create? ?clones? ?

and? ?send? ?them? ?off? ?on? ?errands.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?keep? ?telling? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?some? ?of? ?his? ?

suspicions? ?and? ?assumptions? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?instead,? ?“No.? ?This? ?affair? ?is? ?done? ?and? ?

over? ?with.”? ?

?

His? ?tone? ?was? ?firm? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“San? ?Lang?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?intently,? ?“Gege,? ?do? ?you? ?trust? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?met? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?was? ?equally? ?firm,? ?“I? ?do.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“Then,? ?believe? ?me.? ?Stay? ?far? ?away? ?from? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?Water? ?

Master,? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?The? ?further? ?away? ?the? ?better.”? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

?[?????]? ?“YI? ?YU? ?XI”? ?is? ?just? ?meaningless? ?sounds.? ?

?

?[???]? ?‘Step? ?Litter’? ?-? ?a? ?‘Litter’,? ?according? ?to? ?wiki,? ?is? ?a? ?class? ?of? ?wheelless? ?vehicles,? ?a? ?

human-powered? ?transport.? ?Palanquins? ?and? ?Sedan? ?Chairs? ?are? ?categorized? ?as? ?

litters? ?but? ?they’re? ?often? ?boxed? ?cabins.? ?A? ?Step? ?Litter? ?is? ?an? ?open? ?aired? ?platform? ?with? ?

a? ?seat/throne? ?and? ?sometimes? ?(such? ?as? ?in? ?this? ?text)? ?it’d? ?have? ?a? ?canopy? ?adorned? ?

with? ?hanging? ?satin? ?curtains.? ?Step? ?litters? ?are? ?usually? ?reserved? ?only? ?for? ?those? ?with? ?

high? ?statuses.? ?More? ?info? ?on? ?wiki? ?if? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?read? ?up? ?on? ?it.? ?:3? ?

?

FYI:? ?Palanquins? ?and? ?Sedan? ?Chairs? ?are? ?basically? ?the? ?same? ?thing.? ?The? ?name? ?

Sedan? ?Chair? ?was? ?used? ?in? ?the? ?west? ?after? ?the? ?palanquin? ?was? ?imported? ?to? ?Europe? ?in? ?

the? ?early? ?16th? ?century.? ?

?

?[???]? ?‘Chengzhu’? ?means? ?Lord? ?Mayor? ?or? ?City? ?Master,? ?but? ?that? ?doesn’t? ?quite? ?cut? ?it? ?

since? ?Ghost? ?City? ?is? ?more? ?a? ?city? ?fortress? ?state? ?and? ?its? ?own? ?sovereignty,? ?so? ?I? ?haven’t? ?

found? ?any? ?satisfactory? ?English? ?term? ?that’d? ?fully? ?represent? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?power? ?and? ?

status.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?keep? ?to? ?Chengzhu? ?lmao.? ?

?

?

——-? ?

?

Ch.114:? ?Teasing? ?Words? ?to? ?Befuddle? ?Me? ?and? ?Also? ?My? ?Lord? ?2? ?

?

After? ?that? ?line,? ?thoughts? ?laid? ?heavy? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?way.? ?He? ?tried? ?

prodding? ?for? ?more? ?but? ?every? ?response? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave? ?him? ?thereafter? ?all? ?seemed? ?to? ?

mean? ?“That’s? ?all? ?I’ll? ?say? ?on? ?the? ?subject”.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?pursue? ?anymore.? ?

?

When? ?they? ?returned? ?to? ?Puqi? ?shrine,? ?dawn? ?had? ?yet? ?broken? ?upon? ?the? ?horizon.? ?

?

Pushing? ?the? ?door? ?open,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?all? ?the? ?dishes? ?were? ?cleaned? ?and? ?put? ?

away.? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?Guzi,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?were? ?all? ?sleeping? ?inside,? ?a? ?blanket? ?covering? ?them,? ?

looking? ?very? ?comfortable.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?after? ?he? ?left,? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?someone? ?who? ?

took? ?care? ?of? ?things? ?attentively,? ?and? ?had? ?already? ?left? ?silently.? ?

?

This? ?time? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned,? ?what? ?followed? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?pile? ?of? ?prayers.? ?

?

Puqi? ?Shrine? ?had? ?never? ?received? ?this? ?many? ?prayers? ?before,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?had? ?

anything? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?that? ?wealthy? ?merchant? ?spreading? ?his? ?good? ?name? ?–? ?that’s? ?right.? ?That? ?

wealthy? ?merchant? ?who? ?lived? ?in? ?town? ?finally? ?came? ?to? ?fulfill? ?his? ?promise.? ?

?

However,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?did? ?come? ?by,? ?he? ?either? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?the? ?very? ?obvious? ?sign? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

placed? ?right? ?out? ?front,? ?or? ?he? ?purposely? ?ignored? ?it.? ?He? ?also? ?didn’t? ?donate? ?however? ?much? ?

money? ?he? ?promised? ?he? ?would.? ?The? ?most? ?important? ?purpose? ?of? ?his? ?coming? ?here? ?was? ?to? ?

gift? ?a? ?brocade? ?banner,? ?and? ?he? ?enthusiastically? ?presented? ?it? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?before? ?all? ?the? ?folks? ?

in? ?the? ?village.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rolled? ?it? ?open? ?unsuspectingly? ?and? ?immediately? ?folded? ?it? ?close.? ?

Still,? ?the? ?giant? ?words? ?on? ?that? ?brocade? ?banner? ?were? ?deeply? ?ingrained? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?–? ?

“Return? ?Babes? ?through? ?Miraculous? ?Hands*”? ?

?

“???”? ?

?

After? ?sending? ?that? ?wealthy? ?merchant? ?off,? ?he? ?exhaled? ?a? ?long? ?sigh.? ?He’d? ?been? ?worried? ?

everyday? ?wondering? ?when? ?the? ?shack? ?would? ?finally? ?collapse;? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?when? ?it? ?

could? ?be? ?repaired.? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?leaning? ?against? ?the? ?door,? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

guessed? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?sighing? ?over,? ?and? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?long? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?something.? ?If? ?

gege? ?doesn’t? ?feel? ?secure? ?living? ?here,? ?why? ?not? ?just? ?move? ?somewhere? ?else?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“That’s? ?easy? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?say,? ?San? ?Lang.? ?Where? ?would? ?I? ?move? ?

to?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Why? ?not? ?move? ?over? ?to? ?my? ?place?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?those? ?words? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?as? ?nonchalant? ?as? ?they? ?sound,? ?but? ?ever? ?since? ?

the? ?‘joke’? ?the? ?other? ?night,? ?a? ?small? ?shadow? ?manifested? ?in? ?his? ?heart? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?and? ?

he? ?daren’t? ?respond? ?to? ?any? ?more? ?words? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?say? ?using? ?that? ?‘joking’? ?

demeanor,? ?only? ?acknowledging? ?with? ?a? ?smile,? ?inclining? ?his? ?head.? ?

?

As? ?for? ?those? ?prayers? ?received,? ?although? ?they? ?were? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?the? ?mundane? ?such? ?

as? ?the? ?old? ?ox? ?broke? ?his? ?leg? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?work? ?in? ?the? ?fields? ?or? ?the? ?wife? ?in? ?the? ?house? ?got? ?

pregnant? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?in? ?the? ?fields,? ?etc.,? ?nonetheless? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?prayers,? ?and? ?he? ?

must? ?treat? ?all? ?worshippers? ?equally.? ?After? ?a? ?couple? ?days,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?to? ?the? ?

prayers? ?and? ?went? ?into? ?the? ?village? ?to? ?help? ?plow? ?and? ?plant? ?the? ?fields.? ?

?

Since? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?been? ?staying? ?with? ?him,? ?naturally? ?he? ?went? ?along? ?to? ?play.? ?Because? ?

this? ?was? ?hard? ?manual? ?labour,? ?at? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?wanted? ?him? ?to? ?work? ?the? ?fields? ?too? ?

but? ?he? ?refused? ?to? ?be? ?persuaded,? ?thus,? ?the? ?two? ?changed? ?into? ?coarse? ?clothing,? ?rolling? ?up? ?

their? ?sleeves? ?and? ?pant? ?legs,? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?waters? ?of? ?rice? ?paddy? ?fields.? ?

?

Panning? ?across? ?distance,? ?large? ?expanse? ?of? ?lush? ?green? ?rice? ?paddy? ?fields? ?were? ?littered? ?

with? ?bustling? ?farmers,? ?and? ?among? ?them,? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?silhouettes? ?that? ?were? ?particularly? ?

conspicuous.? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?dressed? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?gritty? ?clothing,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?bit? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

impressive? ?airs? ?could? ?be? ?hidden? ?away.? ?More? ?like,? ?that? ?ragged? ?outfit? ?accentuated? ?his? ?face? ?

and? ?figure.? ?The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?both? ?pale? ?skinned,? ?their? ?arms? ?beautiful,? ?their? ?legs? ?long? ?

and? ?straight,? ?painting? ?an? ?eye-catching,? ?scintillating? ?picture? ?among? ?the? ?muddy? ?faced? ?

farmers,? ?making? ?the? ?village? ?girls? ?who? ?were? ?used? ?to? ?seeing? ?boors? ?blush? ?and? ?their? ?hearts? ?

race.? ?They? ?kept? ?sneaking? ?glances,? ?and? ?as? ?they? ?transplanted? ?seedlings,? ?soon? ?their? ?grafts? ?

were? ?planted? ?off? ?course? ?and? ?into? ?curved? ?lines,? ?becoming? ?laughing? ?stocks.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?blanched? ?skin? ?was? ?the? ?colour? ?that? ?was? ?devoid? ?of? ?blood.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?

other? ?hand,? ?was? ?rosy? ?through? ?the? ?translucent? ?white,? ?and,? ?due? ?to? ?his? ?natural? ?physique,? ?

the? ?more? ?he? ?sweated? ?the? ?more? ?his? ?skin? ?became? ?fair? ?like? ?jade.? ?With? ?the? ?blazing? ?sun? ?

overhead,? ?he? ?only? ?worked? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?white? ?like? ?powder.? ?

The? ?dry? ?heat? ?was? ?intolerable,? ?and? ?he? ?kept? ?wiping? ?at? ?the? ?beads? ?of? ?sweat? ?rolling? ?down? ?his? ?

collar? ?bones.? ?However,? ?when? ?he? ?thought? ?of? ?how? ?ghosts? ?were? ?all? ?creature? ?of? ?the? ?

shadows,? ?disgusted? ?with? ?the? ?sun,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?must? ?be? ?even? ?more? ?irritated,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?over.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?straightened? ?up? ?languidly,? ?

using? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?block? ?out? ?the? ?sun,? ?his? ?eyes? ?squinting.? ?Hiding? ?in? ?the? ?shadows? ?of? ?his? ?right? ?

hand,? ?he? ?was? ?also? ?gazing? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?over? ?and? ?pressed? ?the? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?over? ?his? ?head,? ?“Here.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?he? ?soon? ?squinted? ?into? ?a? ?smile,? ?“Ok.”? ?

?

Although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?work? ?the? ?fields? ?just? ?for? ?fun,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?

actually? ?got? ?down? ?to? ?work? ?he? ?was? ?way? ?faster? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?swift? ?and? ?efficient,? ?extremely? ?

skilled.? ?An? ?hour? ?later,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finished? ?transplanting? ?his? ?field? ?of? ?paddies,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?

already? ?sore? ?and? ?in? ?pain,? ?knocking? ?and? ?massaging? ?his? ?waist,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?came? ?over? ?

to? ?help? ?him? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?that? ?after? ?only? ?so? ?long,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?actually? ?finished? ?a? ?large? ?field? ?silently? ?all? ?by? ?himself,? ?each? ?green? ?rice? ?stalk? ?

standing? ?in? ?the? ?watery? ?paddies,? ?neat? ?and? ?orderly,? ?pleasing? ?to? ?the? ?eye.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?

earnestly,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?you? ?really? ?do? ?learn? ?fast.? ?You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?help? ?me,? ?go? ?sit? ?and? ?rest,? ?

and? ?drink? ?some? ?water? ?or? ?something.”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?the? ?field? ?ridges? ?to? ?retrieve? ?water.? ?The? ?Village? ?Head? ?had? ?

been? ?watching? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?for? ?some? ?time,? ?and? ?just? ?then? ?he? ?gave? ?a? ?thumbs? ?up,? ?

“Daozhang,? ?which? ?house? ?does? ?that? ?little? ?lad? ?belong? ?to?? ?He’s? ?so? ?diligent!? ?So? ?amazing!? ?

Just? ?one? ?of? ?him? ?is? ?as? ?good? ?as? ?ten? ?men!? ?If? ?any? ?girl? ?is? ?to? ?catch? ?his? ?eye? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?her? ?

good? ?fortune!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?“pfft”-ed? ?and? ?laughed,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?long? ?before? ?a? ?few? ?others? ?came? ?secretly? ?to? ?

inquire? ?too,? ?“Hey,? ?hey,? ?daozhang,? ?where’s? ?that? ?little? ?lad? ?staying? ?at? ?your? ?shrine? ?from?? ?Is? ?he? ?

married? ?yet?? ?There? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?a? ?wife? ?in? ?his? ?household? ?yet,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

“Surely? ?not?? ?He’s? ?so? ?young!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry? ?and? ?answered? ?vaguely,? ?“Um...? ?I? ?guess.? ?

He’s? ?young,? ?so? ?it’s? ?not? ?time? ?to? ?consider? ?anything? ?yet.”? ?

?

Those? ?villagers? ?immediately? ?said,? ?“Well? ?that’s? ?not? ?right.? ?It’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?he’s? ?

young? ?that? ?the? ?affair? ?gotta? ?be? ?settled? ?soon.”? ?

?

“Daozhang,? ?you? ?gotta? ?talk? ?to? ?him.? ?Men? ?gotta? ?settle? ?early? ?before? ?they? ?can? ?mature.? ?Gotta? ?

build? ?a? ?home? ?before? ?anything? ?else.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?right!? ?Young? ?people!? ?They’re? ?***!? ?They? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?withstand? ?lonely? ?nights!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?villagers? ?were? ?all? ?from? ?households? ?with? ?daughters? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?dig? ?for? ?some? ?

information,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?courteously? ?turning? ?them? ?away,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

walked? ?over? ?with? ?a? ?bamboo? ?water? ?bottle? ?dangling? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?“I’m? ?married.? ?There’s? ?a? ?

wife? ?at? ?home.”? ?

?

When? ?those? ?villagers? ?heard,? ?they? ?were? ?greatly? ?disappointed? ?but? ?still? ?unrelenting,? ?“Which? ?

house? ?is? ?the? ?lady? ?from?? ?Won’t? ?the? ?little? ?buddy? ?tell? ?us?”? ?

?

“You’re? ?not? ?lying? ?to? ?us,? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“She? ?must? ?be? ?virtuous? ?and? ?beautiful?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?‘En.? ?that’s? ?right.? ?Virtuous? ?and? ?beautiful.? ?A? ?real? ?noble? ?and? ?

gracious? ?special? ?someone? ?that? ?I’ve? ?liked? ?since? ?I? ?was? ?young.? ?I’ve? ?had? ?that? ?crush? ?for? ?many? ?

years? ?and? ?pursued? ?really? ?hard? ?before? ?I? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?win? ?that? ?person? ?over.”? ?

?

He? ?spoke? ?with? ?such? ?serious? ?certainty? ?without? ?a? ?hint? ?of? ?falsehood? ?that? ?those? ?villagers? ?felt? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?game? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?disperse,? ?feeling? ?defeatedly? ?disappointed.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?spacing? ?out? ?listening? ?to? ?him? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?passed? ?over? ?a? ?cloth? ?and? ?a? ?

water? ?bottle,? ?“Water?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?cloth? ?and? ?wiped? ?the? ?hands? ?that? ?were? ?covered? ?with? ?mud? ?before? ?taking? ?

the? ?water? ?bottle? ?to? ?drink? ?a? ?few? ?swallows,? ?then? ?he? ?passed? ?it? ?back.? ?Subconsciously,? ?the? ?

cloth? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?was? ?bunched? ?messily? ?into? ?a? ?ball,? ?and? ?he? ?wiped? ?himself? ?here? ?and? ?

there.? ?After? ?trying? ?to? ?hold? ?it? ?in? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask,? ?“...is? ?that? ?true?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?the? ?bamboo? ?bottle? ?and? ?drank? ?a? ?swallow? ?himself,? ?his? ?adam’s? ?apple? ?

rolling? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?once,? ?before? ?he? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?“Hm?? ?What? ?is?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?sleeve? ?and? ?wiped? ?some? ?sweat? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?face,? ?wondering? ?if? ?

the? ?sun? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?big? ?because? ?both? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?his? ?cheeks? ?were? ?both? ?burning? ?

up.? ?He? ?tried? ?his? ?best? ?to? ?sound? ?as? ?casual? ?as? ?possible? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“There’s? ?a? ?wife? ?at? ?

home,? ?virtuous? ?and? ?beautiful,? ?a? ?real? ?noble,? ?gracious? ?special? ?someone.? ?You’ve? ?had? ?that? ?

crush? ?since? ?you? ?were? ?young? ?and? ?pursued? ?really? ?hard? ?before? ?you? ?won? ?that? ?person? ?over.”? ?

?

“Oh.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“That’s? ?a? ?lie.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?noticed? ?himself,? ?but? ?he? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief.? ?This? ?time,? ?his? ?smile? ?was? ?

genuine,? ?and? ?he? ?copied? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?tone? ?from? ?before,? ?“You? ?liar.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?grinned? ?and? ?added,? ?“But,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?all? ?a? ?lie.? ?I? ?just? ?haven’t? ?won? ?that? ?person? ?

over? ?yet.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?turned? ?around,? ?leaving? ?

to? ?keep? ?labouring? ?in? ?the? ?fields.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?dazed,? ?before? ?bending? ?down? ?and? ?slowly? ?

went? ?back? ?to? ?work.? ?For? ?some? ?reason,? ?he? ?was? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?unhappy.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?he? ?

discovered? ?a? ?small? ?row? ?of? ?his? ?grafts? ?were? ?off? ?the? ?course? ?and? ?immediately? ?pulled? ?his? ?mind? ?

back.? ?

?

As? ?he? ?worked? ?the? ?fields,? ?he? ?tried? ?connecting? ?privately? ?with? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?through? ?the? ?

private? ?communication? ?array.? ?Although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?warned? ?him? ?against? ?getting? ?close? ?to? ?

the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?his? ?group,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?it.? ?These? ?past? ?few? ?days? ?he? ?tried? ?

sending? ?messages? ?multiple? ?times? ?but? ?still? ?there? ?weren’t? ?any? ?responses,? ?nothing? ?but? ?

silence.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?changed? ?his? ?tactics? ?and? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?instead,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?

how? ?does? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?? ?Is? ?he? ?a? ?little? ?better?”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?instantly? ?connected,? ?and? ?her? ?voice? ?sounded? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears,? ?“Lord? ?

Wind? ?Master?? ?I? ?think? ?he’s? ?a? ?little? ?better.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instinctively? ?knew? ?she? ?wasn’t? ?telling? ?the? ?truth? ?but? ?didn’t? ?pursue? ?it.? ?However,? ?that? ?

did? ?help? ?him? ?make? ?up? ?his? ?mind? ?in? ?going? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?bit? ?to? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?added,? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?sent? ?a? ?gift? ?over? ?to? ?you? ?and? ?

it’s? ?arrived.? ?Please? ?remember? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“A? ?gift?? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?it.? ?I? ?haven’t? ?done? ?anything? ?

deserving? ?of? ?a? ?reward.”? ?

?

“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?humble,”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?would? ?grab? ?anyone? ?

to? ?accompany? ?him? ?when? ?he’s? ?feeling? ?impulsive,? ?and? ?you’ve? ?endured? ?hardships? ?by? ?his? ?

side? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?so? ?in? ?all? ?manners? ?of? ?speaking? ?there? ?is? ?no? ?shame? ?in? ?accepting? ?the? ?gift.? ?

Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?said? ?it? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?a? ?small? ?show? ?of? ?gratefulness,? ?so? ?just? ?take? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?appropriate? ?and? ?kept? ?it? ?on? ?his? ?mind.? ? ?

?

After? ?finishing? ?his? ?work? ?and? ?wrapping? ?up,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?went? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?Villager? ?Head’s? ?

house? ?to? ?help? ?repair? ?his? ?plow? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?to? ?Puqi? ?shrine? ?first.? ?After? ?moving? ?the? ?

three? ?“good-for-nothings”? ?as? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?called? ?them? ?behind? ?the? ?shrine,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

searched? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?small? ?abode,? ?wondering,? ?‘Where’s? ?the? ?gift?’? ? ?

?

Thinking? ?it? ?might? ?have? ?fallen? ?in? ?the? ?cracks? ?behind? ?the? ?donation? ?box,? ?he? ?rolled? ?his? ?sleeves? ?

and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?move? ?the? ?box? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?when? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?lift? ?the? ?box? ?

was? ?unmoving.? ?That? ?donation? ?box? ?was? ?excessively? ?heavy? ?like? ?it? ?had? ?grown? ?roots? ?into? ?the? ?

ground.? ?Perplexed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?out? ?the? ?key? ?and? ?opened? ?the? ?box.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?did? ?

the? ?bright? ?golden? ?light? ?almost? ?blinded? ?him.? ?

?

That? ?donation? ?box? ?was? ?piled? ?thick? ?high? ?with? ?gold? ?bars,? ?and? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?rough? ?look,? ?there? ?

was? ?at? ?least? ?enough? ?to? ?turn? ?into? ?a? ?million? ?merits!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?threw? ?the? ?cover? ?shut? ?soundly,? ?pressing? ?it? ?down? ?heavily? ?with? ?both? ?

hands,? ?thinking,? ?‘Nothing? ?but? ?a? ?small? ?show? ?of? ?gratitude?!’? ? ?

?

To? ?gift? ?something? ?so? ?hefty? ?for? ?no? ?reason,? ?was? ?this? ?a? ?lip-sealing? ?fee?? ?At? ?first? ?he? ?had? ?

considered? ?that? ?if? ?it? ?really? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?small? ?gift,? ?like? ?a? ?spiritual? ?jade? ?

bracelet? ?for? ?saving? ?power? ?or? ?something,? ?then? ?maybe? ?it’d? ?be? ?best? ?to? ?take? ?it.? ?After? ?all,? ?

returning? ?a? ?gift? ?might? ?injure? ?that? ?Water? ?Master’s? ?face? ?and? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?was? ?proud? ?

so? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?a? ?nice? ?thing? ?to? ?do.? ?But? ?now,? ?alright,? ?as? ?expected? ?from? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?

Wealth.? ?A? ?chest? ?this? ?big? ?filled? ?to? ?the? ?rim? ?with? ?gold? ?bars,? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?return? ?it.? ?

?

It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?he? ?planned? ?on? ?making? ?a? ?trip? ?to? ?the? ?heavens? ?immediately? ?to? ?check? ?up? ?

on? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?Figuring? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?return? ?so? ?fast,? ?he? ?left? ?a? ?note? ?then? ?

carried? ?that? ?oppressively? ?heavy? ?donation? ?box? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?before? ?taking? ?off.? ?

?

Unexpectedly,? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?reached? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?it? ?was? ?mayhem? ?all? ?around? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?dumbfounded? ?with? ?wide? ?eyes.? ?The? ?perfectly? ?good? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Avenue? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?wreckage? ?and? ?potholes,? ?cracks? ?and? ?craters? ?filled? ?the? ?street.? ?A? ?group? ?

of? ?junior? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?running? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?squatting? ?

next? ?to? ?a? ?deep? ?crater,? ?massaging? ?her? ?throbbing? ?temple.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?and? ?asked,? ?

“What’s? ?happened?”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?by? ?that? ?giant? ?donation? ?box? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?

back,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?carrying? ?such? ?a? ?big? ?donation? ?box? ?up? ?here???? ?

What’s? ?happened?? ?Sigh,? ?don’t? ?even? ?talk? ?about? ?it.? ?General? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?and? ?General? ?Xuan? ?

Zhen? ?are? ?fighting? ?and? ?destroyed? ?each? ?other’s? ?palaces.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“Why? ?are? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?fighting? ?

again?”? ? ?

?

“What? ?else? ?can? ?it? ?be? ?but? ?that? ?business? ?with? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?the? ?last? ?time?? ?A? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?

martial? ?gods? ?were? ?in? ?discussion,? ?debating? ?on? ?how? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?that? ?pair? ?of? ?ghost? ?mother? ?

and? ?son.? ?General? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?suggested? ?to? ?bring? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?to? ?the? ?refinery? ?to? ?

dissolve? ?it,? ?since? ?that? ?creature? ?really? ?did? ?murder? ?a? ?great? ?number? ?of? ?people,? ?but? ?Xuan? ?

Zhen? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?him.? ?His? ?tone? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?nicest,? ?so? ?Nan? ?Yang? ?said? ?as? ?if? ?you’ve? ?ever? ?

been? ?so? ?benevolent,? ?maybe? ?you? ?hold? ?a? ?guilty? ?conscience,? ?etc.,? ?etc.? ?Your? ?highness,? ?you? ?

know? ?how? ?it? ?is.? ?They’re? ?like? ?that.? ?Parse? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?and? ?they’d? ?raise? ?their? ?fists.? ?Just? ?

look.? ?Look? ?around.? ?Look? ?what? ?state? ?their? ?brawl? ?has? ?caused? ?us.? ?I’ve? ?long? ?since? ?said? ?that? ?

you? ?martial? ?gods? ?really? ?don’t? ?have? ?a? ?good? ?culture,? ?the? ?expense? ?for? ?repairs? ?in? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Court? ?this? ?year? ?is? ?too? ?terrifying,? ?I’ve? ?only? ?counted? ?halfway? ?and? ?now? ?I’ve? ?

forgotten? ?everything? ?again.? ?Really...”? ?

?

Her? ?headache? ?really? ?did? ?look? ?quite? ?painful,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Then...? ?I’ll? ?leave? ?you? ?to? ?it.? ?

I’ll? ?go? ?check? ?up? ?on? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?looked? ?up,? ?“Visit? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?? ?Don’t? ?bother,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master? ?isn’t? ?allowing? ?visitors? ?right? ?now.”? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?bit? ?better?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“That’s? ?what? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?said.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“But? ?the? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?not? ?

allowing? ?visitors? ?was? ?also? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master’s? ?words.? ?Right? ?now? ?not? ?even? ?I? ?can? ?see? ?

Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?so? ?he? ?probably? ?needs? ?more? ?time? ?to? ?recuperate.? ?You? ?best? ?not? ?go,? ?Your? ?

Highness.? ?Speaking? ?of,? ?isn’t? ?your? ?donation? ?box? ?also? ?too...”? ?

?

WHAM!?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?the? ?donation? ?box? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?“Then? ?please? ?help? ?give? ?this? ?

to? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?for? ?me.? ?I? ?haven’t? ?done? ?anything? ?deserving? ?of? ?a? ?reward.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?give? ?me? ?anything,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?that? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?said.”? ?He? ?felt? ?at? ?

ease? ?after? ?throwing? ?that? ?box? ?down? ?and? ?left? ?hastily.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?called? ?after? ?him? ?from? ?

behind,? ?but? ?getting? ?no? ?response,? ?she? ?let? ?it? ?go,? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?that? ?deep? ?crater? ?

with? ?her? ?throbbing? ?head.? ?

?

However,? ?although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?did? ?leave,? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?just? ?descended? ?back? ?

to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?just? ?like? ?that.? ?Instead,? ?he? ?snuck? ?to? ?the? ?esteemed? ?Palace? ?of? ?the? ?Wind? ?

and? ?Water? ?Masters? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital.? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?palace? ?was? ?thick? ?with? ?security? ?guards? ?both? ?inside? ?and? ?out,? ?but? ?a? ?small? ?thing? ?

like? ?this? ?couldn’t? ?stop? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?brought? ?him? ?over? ?last? ?time? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?a? ?

general? ?idea? ?where? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?bedchambers? ?was? ?located.? ?He? ?flipped? ?over? ?the? ?

wall? ?and? ?changed? ?between? ?running? ?across? ?roofs? ?stealthily? ?and? ?sneaking? ?around? ?in? ?the? ?

grounds.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?him? ?long? ?before? ?he? ?arrived.? ?The? ?only? ?thing? ?he? ?worried? ?about? ?was? ?

the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?having? ?been? ?moved? ?by? ?his? ?older? ?brother? ?to? ?somewhere? ?else? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?

even? ?there.? ?

?

Fortunately? ?his? ?worry? ?didn’t? ?come? ?true.? ?He? ?climbed? ?onto? ?the? ?roof? ?and? ?found? ?a? ?blind? ?spot? ?

where? ?others? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?him? ?and? ?used? ?his? ?legs? ?to? ?hook? ?onto? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?beams,? ?

hanging? ?upside? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?eaves,? ?looking? ?into? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?the? ?bedchamber.? ?

However,? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?looked? ?he? ?was? ?shocked.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?trussed? ?up? ?tightly,? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?legs? ?all? ?bound? ?with? ?ropes.? ?He? ?was? ?

tied? ?onto? ?his? ?own? ?bed? ?but? ?was? ?still? ?struggling? ?unceasingly.? ?Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?

pacing? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?by? ?the? ?bed,? ?a? ?bowl? ?full? ?of? ?something? ?black? ?and? ?unknown? ?in? ?his? ?

hands.? ?He? ?paused? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?suddenly? ?walked? ?over,? ?and? ?forced? ?its? ?contents? ?

down? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?throat.? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

?[?????????]? ?‘Return? ?Babes? ?through? ?Miraculous? ?Hands’? ?was? ?a? ?play? ?on? ?the? ?idiom? ?[???

??????]? ?‘Return? ?to? ?Spring? ?through? ?Miraculous? ?Hands’,? ?which? ?is? ?a? ?compliment? ?for? ?

doctors? ?who? ?are? ?so? ?skilled? ?they? ?can? ?bring? ?the? ?dead? ?back? ?to? ?life.? ?In? ?this? ?case,? ?the? ?

wealthy? ?merchant? ?wanted? ?to? ?praise? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?skill? ?in? ?returning? ?fetuses.? ?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.115:? ?Traversing? ?Through? ?Tunnels;? ?Sword? ?Penetrating? ?from? ?Above? ?

?

Having? ?his? ?jaws? ?squeezed? ?open? ?by? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?and? ?forced? ?down? ?a? ?few? ?swallows,? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?choked? ?violently,? ?spitting? ?and? ?sputtering? ?out? ?more? ?than? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?contents,? ?

dirtying? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?front.? ?He? ?started? ?screaming? ?and? ?knocked? ?his? ?head? ?forward,? ?toppling? ?the? ?

bowl.? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?face? ?was? ?fuming? ?with? ?smoke? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“Go? ?ahead!? ?Keep? ?toppling!? ?

There’s? ?plenty? ?more? ?where? ?that? ?medicine? ?came? ?from.? ?You? ?break? ?one? ?bowl,? ?I’ll? ?bring? ?you? ?

twenty? ?more!? ?I’ll? ?keep? ?forcing? ?this? ?down? ?your? ?throat? ?until? ?you’ll? ?drink? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?roared,? ?“AAAHHHH!!!? ?CAN’T? ?YOU? ?JUST? ?LEAVE? ?ME? ?ALONE?!? ?JUST? ?LET? ?

ME? ?DIE!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?said? ?sharply,? ?“I’m? ?your? ?brother!? ?If? ?I? ?don’t? ?care? ?for? ?you,? ?who? ?will?!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stopped? ?talking,? ?twisting? ?his? ?head? ?away.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?sat? ?

down? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?bed? ?and? ?softened? ?his? ?tone,? ?“I’ll? ?go? ?have? ?your? ?fan? ?fixed.”? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?that? ?fan? ?anymore.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?loved? ?that? ?rare? ?spiritual? ?device? ?of? ?his,? ?that? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan,? ?and? ?would? ?

bring? ?it? ?out? ?from? ?time? ?to? ?time? ?just? ?to? ?play? ?around? ?with? ?it,? ?and? ?even? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?

snowstorms? ?in? ?winter? ?the? ?fan? ?would? ?be? ?fanned? ?in? ?the? ?wind.? ?Yet? ?now? ?he? ?said? ?he? ?didn’t? ?

want? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?anymore,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?becoming? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?curious.? ? ?

?

“If? ?you? ?don’t? ?want? ?it? ?that’s? ?fine? ?too.? ?We’ll? ?use? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?forge? ?you? ?a? ?new? ?spiritual? ?

device.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?again,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?new? ?ones? ?either!? ?Just? ?let? ?me? ?

descend.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?turned? ?to? ?him,? ?“Descend?? ?Descend? ?where?”? ?

?

“Descend? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?stay? ?in? ?the? ?

Upper? ?Court? ?anymore.? ?I? ?DON’T? ?WANT? ?TO? ?BE? ?A? ?GOD? ?ANYMORE!”? ? ?

?

Veins? ?popped? ?on? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?pale? ?skinned? ?temple,? ?“What? ?a? ?joke!? ?Throw? ?away? ?your? ?

godhood? ?to? ?descend? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm?? ?Stop? ?making? ?a? ?fool? ?of? ?yourself!? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?

you? ?understand? ?just? ?how? ?many? ?people? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?want? ?to? ?ascend? ?and? ?how? ?many? ?

officials? ?in? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court? ?would? ?die? ?to? ?join? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court!!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?shouted? ?in? ?anger,? ?“THAT’S? ?RIGHT!? ?I? ?DON’T? ?KNOW!? ?I? ?JUST? ?WANT? ?TO? ?

BE? ?A? ?DRIFTING? ?VAGABOND!? ?IS? ?THAT? ?SO? ?WRONG?!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?WON’T? ?PERMIT? ?IT!? ?A? ?carefree? ?drifting? ?vagabond?? ?Dream? ?on!? ?I...”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?colours? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?changed,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?private? ?message? ?had? ?just? ?reached? ?

him,? ?passing? ?on? ?some? ?news.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?immediately? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?his? ?two? ?fingers? ?

pressed? ?against? ?his? ?temple? ?listening? ?intently,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?grew? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?serious.? ?

Soon? ?after,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?“Stop? ?adding? ?to? ?my? ?troubles.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?

busy? ?for? ?the? ?next? ?little? ?while,? ?I’ve? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?mind? ?you!? ?Once? ?I? ?return? ?from? ?going? ?through? ?

my? ?third? ?heavenly? ?calamity? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?act? ?up? ?like? ?this? ?any? ?more!”? ?Then,? ?he? ?

threw? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?swiftly? ?left? ?the? ?bedchamber.? ?

?

Once? ?he? ?was? ?long? ?gone,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?silently? ?flipped? ?down,? ?pushing? ?at? ?the? ?window? ?looking? ?to? ?

sneak? ?in.? ?However,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?pushed? ?the? ?window? ?wouldn’t? ?budge;? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?

confinement? ?seal? ?must? ?be? ?set? ?up.? ?He? ?dared? ?not? ?force? ?it? ?open? ?lest? ?there? ?be? ?some? ?alarm? ?

spell? ?casted? ?upon? ?it,? ?so? ?he? ?only? ?called? ?out? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?jerked? ?on? ?the? ?bed? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?overjoyed,? ?“Your? ?highness?!”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?me.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“What’s? ?happened? ?to? ?you?? ?I? ?can’t? ?open? ?this? ?window,? ?may? ?I? ?

come? ?in? ?through? ?another? ?way?”? ? ?

?

When? ?windows? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?opened? ?by? ?normal? ?means,? ?it’d? ?be? ?easy? ?to? ?guess? ?the? ?method? ?

a? ?martial? ?god? ?would? ?use? ?to? ?enter? ?a? ?chamber.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hurriedly? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?don’t? ?

don’t!? ?Don’t? ?destroy? ?anything!? ?There’s? ?a? ?spell? ?covering? ?all? ?the? ?windows? ?and? ?doors? ?here.? ?If? ?

you? ?force? ?yourself? ?in? ?with? ?brute? ?strength? ?the? ?entire? ?Palace? ?of? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?will? ?know? ?

someone? ?has? ?come.? ?Unless? ?it? ?was? ?me? ?or? ?my? ?brother,? ?the? ?doors? ?and? ?windows? ?can? ?only? ?

be? ?opened? ?from? ?the? ?inside.”? ? ?

?

“But? ?you’re? ?all? ?tied? ?up? ?like? ?that.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pointed? ?out.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?started? ?struggling? ?crazily,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?wait? ?a? ?sec!? ?Let? ?me? ?break? ?free? ?of? ?

this? ?rope...”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?as? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?rolled? ?around? ?the? ?bed,? ?sometimes? ?curled? ?into? ?

a? ?shrimp,? ?sometimes? ?straightened? ?like? ?a? ?steel? ?board,? ?struggling? ?with? ?great? ?trouble? ?trying? ?

to? ?break? ?free,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?cheered? ?him? ?on,? ?“Keep? ?going,? ?My? ?Lord!”? ? ?

?

With? ?a? ?brief? ?look? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?tell? ?that? ?the? ?rope? ?binding? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?

spiritual? ?device.? ?By? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?powers,? ?it? ?would’ve? ?snapped? ?with? ?but? ?a? ?hook? ?of? ?a? ?

finger,? ?so? ?why? ?hadn’t? ?it? ?broken? ?yet?? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?really? ?was? ?seriously? ?

injured? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?break? ?free? ?of? ?a? ?bind? ?this? ?easy?? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?an? ?odd? ?movement? ?came? ?from? ?under? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?bed,? ?and? ?a? ?hand? ?

suddenly? ?stretched? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?in? ?shock,? ?his? ?head? ?exploding? ?in? ?alarm,? ?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?watch? ?out!? ?There’s? ?someone? ?hiding? ?underneath? ?your? ?bed!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?face? ?also? ?dropped,? ?“WHAT?!”? ?

?

But? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?a? ?black? ?silhouette? ?swiftly? ?crawled? ?out? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?

bed? ?and? ?stood? ?before? ?him,? ?watching? ?him? ?from? ?above.? ?

?

That? ?man? ?was? ?dressed? ?in? ?black? ?robes? ?and? ?bore? ?the? ?mask? ?of? ?a? ?ghost.? ?It? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell? ?

when? ?he? ?hid? ?under? ?the? ?bed? ?nor? ?what? ?he? ?planned? ?on? ?doing? ?at? ?this? ?moment.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

was? ?securely? ?trussed? ?up? ?on? ?his? ?bed,? ?writhing? ?all? ?over? ?trying? ?desperately? ?to? ?break? ?free,? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?blocked? ?outside? ?the? ?door? ?by? ?the? ?confinement? ?seal,? ?unable? ?to? ?enter,? ?

truly? ?a? ?dire? ?situation.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?about? ?breaking? ?the? ?window? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?

that? ?man? ?push? ?up? ?his? ?ghost? ?mask,? ?speaking? ?with? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Shut? ?up!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?“Ming-xiong?? ?Ming-xiong!? ?My? ?god,? ?Ming-xiong? ?my? ?good? ?

bro,? ?hurry!? ?Help? ?me? ?loosen? ?the? ?bind!”? ? ?

?

With? ?just? ?one? ?hand? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?snapped? ?the? ?rope? ?binding? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body? ?and? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?worked? ?out? ?the? ?kinks? ?in? ?his? ?joints,? ?crawled? ?out? ?of? ?bed? ?and? ?rushed? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?

window,? ?clutching? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?and? ?shook,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?THANK? ?YOU? ?FOR? ?

REMEMBERING? ?ME? ?STILL!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?and? ?gently? ?and? ?skillfully? ?hopped? ?into? ?the? ?bedchamber.? ?

“Wasn’t? ?there? ?a? ?confinement? ?seal? ?on? ?the? ?bedchamber?? ?How? ?did? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?get? ?

in?”? ? ?

?

“Nothing? ?outside? ?my? ?profession.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong? ?and? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?rope? ?on? ?the? ?

ground,? ?looking? ?it? ?over? ?before? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?to? ?ask? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?“How? ?come? ?you? ?can’t? ?

even? ?break? ?from? ?something? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?fixed? ?his? ?eyes? ?on? ?the? ?rope? ?too.? ?Not? ?only? ?was? ?it? ?not? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device,? ?it? ?was? ?

nothing? ?more? ?than? ?an? ?ordinary? ?rope.? ?The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?possessed? ?such? ?strong? ?spiritual? ?

power,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?be? ?bound? ?by? ?some? ?coarse? ?twine? ?and? ?still? ?struggled? ?for? ?so? ?long?? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?face? ?froze? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?suddenly? ?grabbed? ?his? ?left? ?wrist,? ?his? ?expression? ?

growing? ?icy,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?too? ?to? ?hold? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?right? ?wrist? ?and? ?felt? ?his? ?pulse? ?for? ?a? ?

moment,? ?then? ?he? ?became? ?dumbfounded,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?how? ?did? ?it? ?become? ?like? ?

this?”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?spiritual? ?power? ?in? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body!? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?guessed,? ?“Was? ?it? ?that? ?bowl? ?of? ?medicine?”? ?

?

Recalling? ?that? ?bowl? ?of? ?medicine? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?force? ?down? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?

throat? ?earlier,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?squatted? ?down? ?to? ?check? ?the? ?spillage.? ?However,? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“No.”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?medicine? ?indeed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?a? ?little? ?bit? ?of? ?medicine,? ?and? ?by? ?its? ?smell,? ?

that? ?medicinal? ?broth? ?should’ve? ?been? ?an? ?anesthetic? ?calmant,? ?perhaps? ?it? ?may? ?even? ?cause? ?

drowsiness.? ?Thinking? ?back,? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?when? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?

grabbed? ?his? ?younger? ?brother’s? ?wrist? ?and? ?changed? ?to? ?such? ?an? ?expression? ?instantly,? ?he? ?

must’ve? ?noticed? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?condition? ?then.? ?To? ?feed? ?such? ?a? ?broth? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

should’ve? ?been? ?for? ?his? ?own? ?good,? ?so? ?why? ?was? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?so? ?adamant? ?in? ?refusing? ?it?? ?

?

No? ?wonder? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wasn’t? ?answering? ?his? ?private? ?communication.? ?With? ?all? ?that? ?

strong? ?spiritual? ?power? ?he? ?once? ?had? ?completely? ?gone,? ?he? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?mortal.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted? ?without? ?thinking,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?you’ve? ?been? ?banished?”? ? ?

?

Otherwise? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?suddenly? ?become? ?this? ?way?? ?Yet? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?cursed? ?shackles? ?

on? ?his? ?body,? ?and? ?if? ?anyone? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?banished,? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?way? ?it’d? ?be? ?covered? ?up.? ?

The? ?entire? ?Upper? ?Court? ?and? ?Middle? ?Court? ?would’ve? ?known? ?in? ?no? ?time.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?

face? ?was? ?pale? ?and? ?seemed? ?unable? ?to? ?stand? ?any? ?longer.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?helped? ?support? ?him? ?and? ?

asked,? ?“Why? ?did? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?tie? ?you? ?up?”? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“Right.? ?My? ?brother.? ?Let’s? ?hurry? ?and? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?

here? ?while? ?my? ?brother? ?is? ?still? ?gone.? ?Let’s? ?talk? ?after? ?we’ve? ?escaped!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?dropped? ?and? ?crawled? ?under? ?the? ?bed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?squatted? ?down? ?again,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master!”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?actually? ?a? ?hole? ?under? ?the? ?bed? ?going? ?to? ?who? ?knows? ?where,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

disappeared? ?into? ?it.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?lowered? ?down? ?ready? ?to? ?go? ?in? ?too.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?and? ?

in? ?the? ?end? ?still? ?decided? ?to? ?follow,? ?yet? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?pulled? ?out? ?once? ?more,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?don’t? ?

interfere? ?in? ?this? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?by? ?his? ?block,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?assisted? ?me? ?generously? ?

many? ?times? ?before.? ?Now? ?that? ?he’s? ?in? ?trouble,? ?I? ?can’t? ?just? ?stand? ?back? ?and? ?watch.”? ? ?

?

“He’s? ?always? ?full? ?of? ?generous? ?words? ?and? ?deeds,? ?but? ?most? ?would? ?stay? ?away? ?when? ?there’s? ?

real? ?trouble.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

“How? ?others? ?are? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?me,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Once? ?we? ?figured? ?out? ?

exactly? ?what’s? ?going? ?on,? ?of? ?course? ?I’d? ?back? ?off? ?if? ?my? ?help? ?really? ?is? ?unnecessary.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?bed,? ?“Are? ?you? ?two? ?not? ?coming?? ?The? ?hole? ?is? ?

closing!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?hole? ?under? ?the? ?bed? ?was? ?gradually? ?growing? ?smaller.? ?Seeing? ?his,? ?Ming? ?

Yi? ?swiftly? ?jumped? ?in? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?followed.? ?The? ?three? ?crawled? ?around? ?in? ?the? ?tunnel? ?Ming? ?

Yi? ?dug,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back,? ?the? ?entrance? ?to? ?the? ?hole? ?was? ?already? ?filled,? ?truly? ?

magical.? ?He? ?asked? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?dig? ?out? ?this? ?tunnel?? ?

I’ve? ?never? ?heard? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?possible? ?to? ?dig? ?beneath? ?the? ?heavenly? ?residences? ?in? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Capital.”? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?known? ?that? ?the? ?foundation? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?was? ?not? ?

the? ?same? ?as? ?the? ?muddy? ?earth? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?he? ?asked? ?that? ?he? ?learned? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?skilled? ?

engineer? ?in? ?the? ?common? ?world.? ?In? ?his? ?past? ?lifetime,? ?he? ?repaired? ?bridges,? ?fixed? ?roads,? ?

opened? ?mountain? ?paths,? ?constructed? ?houses,? ?and? ?bestowed? ?prosperity? ?to? ?countless? ?

many,? ?which? ?was? ?what? ?allowed? ?him? ?to? ?ascend.? ?Now,? ?before? ?any? ?major? ?construction? ?in? ?

the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?before? ?any? ?earth? ?was? ?bored,? ?the? ?people? ?must? ?first? ?pray? ?to? ?the? ?Earth? ?

Master? ?and? ?wish? ?for? ?blessings? ?of? ?successful? ?labour? ?work.? ? ?

?

After? ?he? ?ascended? ?he? ?forged? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?crescent? ?moon? ?shaped? ?

shovel.? ?Legends? ?say? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?mountain? ?this? ?sacred? ?shovel? ?could? ?not? ?flatten,? ?no? ?

tunnel? ?could? ?not? ?be? ?dug,? ?and? ?no? ?building? ?unenterable.? ?To? ?infiltrate? ?as? ?a? ?spy? ?in? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?

his? ?ability? ?was? ?extremely? ?advantageous;? ?if? ?there? ?should? ?be? ?any? ?secret? ?chambers? ?he? ?wish? ?

to? ?enter? ?he? ?could? ?just? ?dig? ?under,? ?and? ?the? ?holes? ?would? ?close? ?up? ?after.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?beating? ?him? ?to? ?a? ?pulp? ?and? ?greatly? ?damaging? ?his? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?maybe? ?he? ?

could’ve? ?escaped? ?using? ?his? ?treasured? ?shovel.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?had? ?never? ?tried? ?using? ?his? ?shovel? ?to? ?dig? ?under? ?any? ?which? ?

heavenly? ?official’s? ?residence,? ?and? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?particularly? ?showing? ?off? ?his? ?spiritual? ?device? ?

either,? ?keeping? ?it? ?packed? ?away.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?a? ?good? ?thing? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?showing? ?it? ?off;? ?the? ?

spiritual? ?devices? ?belonging? ?to? ?the? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?were? ?all? ?pretty? ?much? ?of? ?the? ?

elegant? ?and? ?beautiful? ?kind? ?like? ?books? ?and? ?brushes,? ?swords? ?and? ?fans,? ?guqin? ?and? ?flutes,? ?so? ?

if? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was? ?to? ?walk? ?around? ?with? ?a? ?shovel? ?all? ?day,? ?it’d? ?probably? ?kill? ?the? ?

scenery? ?and? ?murder? ?his? ?image.? ?Once? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?explanation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?

but? ?wonder? ?if? ?he? ?wanted? ?his? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?to? ?be? ?renovated? ?maybe? ?he? ?should? ?pray? ?to? ?the? ?

Earth? ?Master? ?too?? ? ?

?

After? ?crawling? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?from? ?ahead? ?of? ?him? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?ask? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?

“Was? ?it? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?know? ?too? ?if? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?really? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?

Words? ?who? ?injured? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?like? ?this,? ?if? ?this? ?should? ?go? ?out? ?it? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?cause? ?

an? ?uproar? ?in? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm? ?and? ?produce? ?extreme? ?terror.? ?A? ?monster? ?that? ?could? ?make? ?

a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?lose? ?their? ?powers? ?in? ?a? ?short? ?period? ?of? ?time? ?and? ?have? ?them? ?fall? ?to? ?

become? ?a? ?mortal!? ?Just? ?thinking? ?about? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?imagine? ?what? ?a? ?mayhem? ?that? ?

would? ?cause.? ?Such? ?a? ?serious? ?affair,? ?yet? ?after? ?some? ?silence,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“No? ?

matter? ?who? ?did? ?it,? ?this? ?whole? ?thing? ?is? ?done? ?and? ?over? ?with.”? ?

?

This? ?reaction? ?was? ?definitely? ?too? ?questionable.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?conspired? ?trap,? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?the? ?reaction? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?this,? ?

especially? ?from? ?someone? ?like? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?could? ?never? ?be? ?silenced? ?when? ?meeting? ?

injustice.? ?

?

Instantly,? ?a? ?sudden? ?dreadful? ?conjecture? ?came? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Although? ?awful,? ?it? ?could? ?

explain? ?everything.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?suddenly? ?demanded,? ?“Silence.”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?in? ?the? ?underground? ?tunnel? ?all? ?held? ?their? ?breaths? ?in? ?unison.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?ignited? ?a? ?

palm? ?torch? ?and? ?errantly? ?illuminated? ?the? ?grounds? ?inches? ?before? ?them.? ?The? ?other? ?two? ?

looked? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?seemed? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?communicated? ?via? ?the? ?spiritual? ?array,? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?

lost? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?powers? ?now,? ?unable? ?to? ?use? ?his? ?mind? ?to? ?communicate.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?changed? ?

his? ?mind? ?and? ?used? ?his? ?finger? ?to? ?write? ?words? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?Where? ?his? ?finger? ?tips? ?sliced? ?

through,? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?ink? ?was? ?left? ?behind,? ?as? ?if? ?thick? ?ink? ?dripped? ?into? ?water? ?and? ?diffused.? ?

The? ?other? ?two? ?saw? ?what? ?he? ?wrote:? ?‘Don’t? ?speak? ?and? ?don’t? ?move.? ?Wait.’? ?

?

After? ?waiting? ?for? ?everyone? ?to? ?read,? ?he? ?soundlessly? ?blew? ?once? ?and? ?those? ?words? ?dispersed? ?

in? ?the? ?air.? ?There? ?was? ?still? ?some? ?remaining? ?spiritual? ?power? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?used? ?up? ?so? ?he? ?

raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?wrote? ?a? ?string? ?of? ?words? ?too:? ?‘Wait? ?for? ?what?? ?For? ?how? ?long?’? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?wrote:? ?‘Wait? ?until? ?the? ?person? ?above? ?leaves.’? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?both? ?looked? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?this? ?tunnel? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?dug? ?with? ?his? ?treasured? ?shovel? ?beneath? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?also? ?passed? ?

through? ?some? ?heavenly? ?pavilions? ?and? ?residences.? ?There? ?was? ?probably? ?a? ?heavenly? ?

official? ?who? ?was? ?right? ?above? ?their? ?heads? ?at? ?that? ?very? ?moment.? ? ?

?

Listening? ?intently,? ?sure? ?enough,? ?there? ?were? ?sounds? ?of? ?heavy? ?footsteps? ?walking? ?around? ?

slowly,? ?as? ?if? ?pacing? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?in? ?the? ?chamber.? ?Listening? ?to? ?those? ?footsteps,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

determined? ?that? ?person? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?martial? ?god.? ?Martial? ?Gods? ?possessed? ?sharp? ?five? ?

senses,? ?and? ?if? ?they? ?should? ?make? ?any? ?suspicious? ?noise,? ?they? ?just? ?might? ?be? ?captured.? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?use? ?the? ?spiritual? ?array? ?nor? ?write,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?move? ?his? ?lips? ?

silently? ?to? ?express? ?his? ?accusations.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?him? ?repeat? ?himself? ?twice? ?before? ?he? ?

could? ?understand? ?what? ?he? ?said? ?was:? ?‘Ming-xiong,? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?avoid? ?temples? ?and? ?

palaces???? ?Couldn’t? ?you? ?have? ?dug? ?under? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Avenue? ?instead???’? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?wrote? ?coldly:? ?‘There? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?in? ?this? ?palace? ?before.? ?The? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Avenue? ?is? ?full? ?of? ?holes? ?right? ?now.’? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wrote? ?too:? ?‘That’s? ?right.? ?I? ?saw? ?on? ?the? ?way? ?over? ?earlier.? ?The? ?avenue? ?is? ?full? ?of? ?

holes? ?and? ?craters,? ?some? ?even? ?meters? ?deep.? ?If? ?the? ?tunnel? ?passes? ?through? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?

holes,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?we? ?might? ?bump? ?into? ?anyone? ?when? ?we? ?look? ?up.”? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?three? ?remained? ?mute,? ?transforming? ?into? ?three? ?dumbed? ?rocks,? ?waiting? ?patiently? ?

for? ?that? ?heavenly? ?official? ?to? ?leave.? ?After? ?waiting? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?moved? ?his? ?lips? ?

again:? ?‘Is? ?that? ?person? ?gone?’? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?Veins? ?popped? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?temple,? ?his? ?angry? ?face? ?almost? ?

the? ?same? ?as? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?angry? ?at? ?his? ?brother? ?earlier? ?and? ?said? ?soundlessly:? ?‘Who? ?the? ?

hell? ?is? ?dillydallying?? ?It’s? ?not? ?even? ?the? ?hour? ?for? ?sleeping!? ?And? ?what? ?heavenly? ?official? ?needs? ?

to? ?sleep?? ?Is? ?it? ?the? ?bathroom? ?above? ?our? ?heads? ?or? ?what!’? ?

?

Strictly? ?speaking,? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?bathroom? ?either.? ?When? ?his? ?

lips? ?were? ?just? ?forming? ?the? ?word? ?‘bathroom’,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?the? ?hairs? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?

stand,? ?and? ?he? ?forcibly? ?pushed? ?the? ?two? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him? ?over? ?while? ?using? ?a? ?foot? ?to? ?step? ?

down? ?hard? ?to? ?push? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?falling? ?backwards.? ?

?

A? ?sharp? ?blade? ?penetrated? ?from? ?above? ?the? ?tunnel,? ?its? ?aura? ?thick? ?with? ?killing? ?intent,? ?and? ?it? ?

pierced? ?the? ?ground? ?between? ?his? ?legs.? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.116:? ?Eve? ?to? ?the? ?Last? ?Day? ?of? ?Autumn;? ?An? ?Unscrupulous? ?Substitution? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?certainly? ?lived? ?his? ?days? ?as? ?someone? ?who? ?was? ?impotent,? ?but? ?

‘pretending? ?not? ?to? ?have? ?the? ?thing’? ?and? ?‘truly? ?lose? ?the? ?thing? ?forever’? ?were? ?still? ?

fundamentally? ?different.? ?Startled,? ?a? ?thin? ?sheen? ?of? ?cold? ?sweat? ?covered? ?his? ?body? ?as? ?he? ?

shouted,? ?“DODGE!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?that? ?blade? ?was? ?pulled? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

instantly? ?took? ?that? ?chance? ?to? ?move? ?forward.? ?Immediately? ?after,? ?he? ?pulled? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

and? ?cried,? ?“Watch? ?out!”? ? ?

?

The? ?blade? ?plunged? ?down? ?again? ?and? ?slashed? ?right? ?before? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?It? ?was? ?practically? ?

pierced? ?down? ?right? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pulling? ?back? ?him? ?in? ?time,? ?

he? ?would’ve? ?been? ?nailed? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?He? ?exclaimed,? ?terrified,? ?“That? ?was? ?

close!? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?know? ?that? ?was? ?where? ?it? ?would? ?come? ?down?”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?know!? ?I? ?guessed!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?It? ?was? ?pure? ?instincts.? ?When? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?killing? ?

auras,? ?he? ?was? ?trained? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?being? ?able? ?to? ?react? ?without? ?thinking.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?

second,? ?a? ?third,? ?and? ?a? ?fourth? ?blade? ?all? ?came? ?plunging? ?down,? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?sharp,? ?shine? ?of? ?

the? ?blades? ?blocked? ?the? ?three’s? ?way? ?out? ?and? ?way? ?back.? ??BOOM!?? ?A? ?huge? ?exploding? ?sound? ?

soon? ?followed,? ?and? ?violent? ?tremors? ?came? ?from? ?above,? ?causing? ?dust? ?and? ?debris? ?to? ?rain? ?

down.? ?“They’ve? ?opened? ?fire? ?from? ?above!”? ?

?

Each? ?booming? ?sound? ?was? ?becoming? ?louder? ?and? ?louder,? ?and? ?the? ?tremors? ?were? ?also? ?

growing? ?each? ?time,? ?obviously? ?coming? ?closer? ?and? ?closer.? ?There? ?were? ?sharp? ?blades? ?

blocking? ?them? ?from? ?the? ?front? ?and? ?the? ?back,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?keen? ?and? ?sharp? ?young? ?

treasured? ?swords;? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?a? ?senior? ?so? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?it? ?could? ?fight? ?them? ?straight? ?on.? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?took? ?out? ?a? ?crescent? ?moon? ?shaped? ?shovel? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where? ?and? ?started? ?

digging? ?at? ?the? ?side? ?wall? ?in? ?that? ?tiny? ?space? ?with? ?great? ?difficulty.? ?Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

was? ?so? ?exasperated? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?spew? ?his? ?soul? ?out,? ?“Ming-xiong,? ?can? ?you? ?even? ?do? ?

this?? ?Ming-xiong,? ?can? ?you? ?hurry? ?up?? ?It’s? ?all? ?your? ?fault? ?for? ?not? ?using? ?this? ?spiritual? ?device? ?

for? ?so? ?long,? ?you? ?gotta? ?be? ?more? ?intimate? ?with? ?your? ?devices,? ?alright?? ?Look? ?how? ?stiff? ?and? ?

rusty? ?it’s? ?become!!!”? ? ?

?

To? ?be? ?fair,? ?having? ?it? ?become? ?rusty? ?was? ?forgivable.? ?After? ?all,? ?there? ?really? ?weren’t? ?any? ?other? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?besides? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?could? ?do? ?something? ?like? ?carry? ?a? ?shovel? ?in? ?and? ?

out? ?everywhere? ?everyday? ?without? ?feeling? ?ashamed.? ?Veins? ?popped? ?on? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?

forehead,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!!!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?intervened,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?mad,? ?don’t? ?be? ?mad.? ?The? ?tunnel’s? ?dug? ?through!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?moment? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?put? ?pressure? ?on? ?his? ?shovel,? ?a? ?hole? ?opened? ?up? ?before? ?

them.? ?With? ?the? ?shovel? ?raised,? ?he? ?burrowed? ?crazily? ?ahead? ?while? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?in? ?the? ?

middle,? ?cheered? ?him? ?on? ?crazily.? ?As? ?the? ?only? ?non-crazy? ?person,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?brought? ?up? ?the? ?

rear.? ?That? ?treasured? ?shovel? ?of? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?was? ?indeed? ?magical,? ?and? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?

strokes? ?a? ?new? ?tunnel? ?of? ?over? ?ten? ?meters? ?was? ?dug.? ?After? ?a? ?while? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?

the? ?hole? ?behind? ?was? ?gradually? ?closing? ?up? ?on? ?its? ?own,? ?but? ?above? ?the? ?place? ?where? ?they? ?

were? ?just? ?trapped,? ?a? ?thin? ?light? ?leaked? ?down.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“It’s? ?going? ?to? ?drill? ?through!”? ?

?

Instantly? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?picked? ?up? ?his? ?pace? ?and? ?burrowed? ?even? ?crazier,? ?but? ?suddenly,? ?his? ?

movements? ?stopped? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?up.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reacted? ?the? ?same? ?way? ?because? ?they? ?

both? ?sensed? ?it:? ?it? ?was? ?completely? ?silent? ?above? ?them? ?without? ?any? ?movements.? ?It? ?should? ?

be? ?an? ?empty? ?palace? ?above.? ?

?

Since? ?their? ?tunnel? ?was? ?already? ?discovered,? ?they? ?should? ?get? ?out? ?first? ?before? ?anything? ?else.? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?changed? ?his? ?direction? ?and? ?started? ?digging? ?up.? ? ?

?

“Are? ?you? ?two? ?sure? ?this? ?place? ?really? ?has? ?no? ?one? ?when? ?we? ?get? ?out???”? ?

?

“Haven’t? ?heard? ?anything.? ?Unless? ?they’re? ?sleeping!”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?replied.? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?usually? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?sleep,? ?nevermind? ?sleeping? ?in? ?their? ?

own? ?palace? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?so? ?that? ?possibility? ?shouldn’t? ?exist.? ?Yet? ?who? ?knew,? ?the? ?

moment? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?shovel? ?broke? ?through? ?and? ?the? ?three? ?emerged,? ?poking? ?their? ?three? ?

heads? ?out? ?inhaling? ?the? ?fresh? ?air,? ?before? ?they? ?even? ?exhaled? ?they? ?saw? ?from? ?across? ?a? ?bed,? ?

and? ?upon? ?the? ?bed? ?was? ?a? ?youth? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?legs? ?sprawled? ?out,? ?soundly? ?asleep.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”? ?

?

There? ?actually? ?were? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?sleep? ?in? ?their? ?own? ?palaces? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?

the? ?day???? ?

?

Roused? ?by? ?movement,? ?that? ?youth? ?rolled? ?over? ?and? ?sat? ?up,? ?his? ?curly? ?hair? ?a? ?bird’s? ?nest? ?from? ?

his? ?slumber.? ?He? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows? ?and? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?watching? ?the? ?three? ?heads? ?

from? ?across? ?his? ?bed? ?with? ?sleepy? ?eyes,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?why? ?such? ?

things? ?would? ?appear? ?in? ?his? ?palace.? ?The? ?three? ?pretended? ?like? ?nothing? ?was? ?the? ?matter? ?and? ?

hastily? ?crawled? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hole.? ?However,? ?just? ?as? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?almost? ?crawled? ?out,? ?he? ?

suddenly? ?cried? ?out,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?hand? ?that? ?caught? ?his? ?ankle.? ?

?

The? ?owner? ?of? ?that? ?hand? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?tunnel? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?courteous,? ?

“I? ?was? ?just? ?gonna? ?say,? ?which? ?little? ?mouse? ?was? ?burrowing? ?under? ?my? ?palace.? ?Qingxuan,? ?

why? ?are? ?you? ?out? ?and? ?about?? ?Where? ?are? ?you? ?going?? ?You? ?know? ?how? ?your? ?brother? ?gets? ?

when? ?he’s? ?mad,? ?hurry? ?back? ?before? ?he? ?finds? ?out.”? ?

?

Ruoye? ?flew? ?out? ?and? ?struck? ?that? ?hand? ?away.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?hopped? ?out? ?and? ?said,? ?“Your? ?

highness,? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?do? ?you? ?two? ?have? ?nothing? ?better? ?to? ?do?? ?Instigating? ?the? ?Wind? ?

Master? ?to? ?run? ?away? ?from? ?home? ?for? ?no? ?reason? ?is? ?quite? ?preposterous? ?isn’t? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?might? ?be? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master’s? ?younger? ?brother,? ?but? ?he’s? ?still? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?of? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years.? ?General? ?Pei,? ?please? ?don’t? ?speak? ?like? ?he? ?is? ?not? ?

more? ?than? ?three.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“If? ?we’re? ?going? ?to? ?talk? ?reason,? ?to? ?imprison? ?a? ?heavenly? ?

colleague? ?for? ?no? ?reason,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?you? ?spin? ?it? ?it’s? ?still? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?who’s? ?

acting? ?preposterous,? ?wouldn’t? ?you? ?say?”? ? ?

?

If? ?his? ?guess? ?wasn’t? ?wrong,? ?then? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?stay? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?

any? ?longer.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?still? ?on? ?his? ?bed? ?watching? ?them? ?with? ?a? ?dazed? ?look,? ?

seemingly? ?confused? ?by? ?the? ?whole? ?situation? ?still.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?raised? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?said? ?

darkly,? ?“Qi? ?Ying,? ?stop? ?looking? ?and? ?come? ?give? ?me? ?a? ?hand.? ?Apprehend? ?them? ?first.”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?contemplation,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?actually? ?decided? ?to? ?assist.? ?

?

He? ?leapt? ?off? ?the? ?bed,? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?bed? ?he? ?was? ?just? ?lying? ?on? ?and? ?hurled? ?it? ?towards? ?Pei? ?

Ming.? ?He? ?did? ?indeed? ?give? ?a? ?hand,? ?only,? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?help? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company.? ?That? ?bed? ?

crashed? ?into? ?the? ?unsuspecting? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?flabbergasted,? ?“QI? ?YING!!!? ?WHY? ?

DID? ?YOU? ?HIT? ?ME????”? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?probably? ?gesturing? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?hurry? ?and? ?

leave.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company? ?were? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?hastily? ?making? ?their? ?

way? ?out.? ? ?

?

Maybe? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?injured? ?and? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?energy,? ?but? ?he? ?only? ?jogged? ?a? ?few? ?

steps? ?before? ?his? ?face? ?turned? ?pale,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?around? ?to? ?help? ?pull? ?him? ?up.? ?

However,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?pulled? ?him? ?over? ?directly? ?and? ?carried? ?him? ?up? ?on? ?his? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

placed? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?the? ?door,? ?dug? ?out? ?two? ?dice? ?and? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?that? ?youth,? ?“Thanks? ?so? ?

much!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?still? ?bashing? ?at? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wildly,? ?his? ?moves? ?viciously? ?aggressive? ?without? ?

method,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?own? ?skills,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?anyone? ?else? ?who? ?was? ?taking? ?

this? ?beating? ?their? ?heads? ?would’ve? ?been? ?covered? ?in? ?blood? ?by? ?now.? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?veins? ?were? ?

popping? ?all? ?over? ?and? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“GUARDS!? ?STOP? ?THEM!!!”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?before? ?he? ?called? ?for? ?guards? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?tossed? ?out? ?the? ?dice,? ?opened? ?the? ?

door? ?and? ?charged? ?out,? ?then? ?shut? ?the? ?door? ?behind? ?him,? ?slipping? ?the? ?heck? ?out? ?of? ?heaven.? ?

However,? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?was? ?after? ?he? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?

what? ?appeared? ?before? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?with? ?one? ?leg? ?up? ?stepped? ?on? ?a? ?new? ?

donation? ?box,? ?his? ?upper? ?body? ?bare,? ?and? ?wiping? ?at? ?his? ?sweat.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

A? ?little? ?rundown? ?Puqi? ?shrine? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?hold? ?this? ?many? ?prominent? ?figures,? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?felt? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?suffocate.? ?There? ?was? ?also? ?one? ?possessed? ?outside? ?howling? ?

unsuspectingly,? ?creating? ?noise,? ?“GUZI~~? ?COME? ?GIVE? ?DADDY’S? ?LEGS? ?A? ?LIL? ?

MASSAGE? ?CHOP~~”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?tossed? ?aside? ?the? ?E’ming? ?he? ?was? ?using? ?to? ?shave? ?

wood,? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly:? ?“...?”? ?

?

The? ?colour? ?of? ?his? ?skin? ?and? ?the? ?curves? ?of? ?his? ?bare,? ?upper? ?half? ?body? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?

beautiful,? ?extremely? ?eye-catching,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?fall? ?out? ?

of? ?their? ?sockets.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?see? ?anything? ?properly,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?stop? ?the? ?

blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?head,? ?making? ?his? ?eyes? ?go? ?dark.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fumbled? ?and? ?tumbled? ?to? ?his? ?

side? ?and? ?opened? ?his? ?arms? ?wide,? ?blocking? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?view,? ?“CLOSE? ?

YOUR? ?EYES!? ?QUICK!? ?CLOSE? ?YOUR? ?EYES!”? ? ?

?

The? ?faces? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?stiffened? ?and? ?they? ?watched? ?them? ?with? ?an? ?odd? ?look.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?placed? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulder? ?and? ?said? ?laughingly,? ?“...Gege.? ?Why? ?are? ?

you? ?nervous?”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it.? ?That’s? ?right.? ?What? ?was? ?he? ?all? ?nervous? ?for?? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?lady,? ?so? ?what? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?labouring? ?half? ?naked?? ?

?

Still,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?drop? ?his? ?arms,? ?doing? ?his? ?best? ?to? ?cover? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?completely,? ?“Just...? ?just? ?

put? ?on? ?some? ?clothes.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?shrugged,? ?“Hm.? ?As? ?gege? ?wishes.”? ?Then,? ?he? ?calmly? ?grabbed? ?for? ?a? ?shirt,? ?

slowly? ?putting? ?it? ?on,? ?taking? ?his? ?time.? ? ?

?

Watching? ?him? ?look? ?all? ?nonchalant? ?and? ?languid,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said? ?awkwardly,? ?“Um,? ?sorry? ?

for? ?the? ?intrusion.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?you? ?guys...? ?hahaha,? ?you? ?two? ?are? ?pretty? ?much,? ?hahaha.? ?

Anyway,? ?just,? ?hahaha.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“My? ?Lord,? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?something? ?to? ?say? ?then? ?just? ?say? ?it,? ?so? ?if? ?there’s? ?any? ?

misunderstanding? ?I? ?can? ?explain.? ?Don’t? ?use? ?hahaha? ?instead...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Time? ?was? ?pressing? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?might? ?pursue? ?them? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?over? ?here,? ?so? ?they? ?

couldn’t? ?stay? ?in? ?Puqi? ?shrine? ?for? ?long.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?put? ?down? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?started? ?

drawing? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?ask? ?

where? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?sigh? ?behind? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?his? ?advice? ?for? ?not? ?getting? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?company? ?

and? ?turned? ?to? ?him? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?“Sorry? ?about? ?all? ?this,? ?San? ?Lang.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?finished? ?dressing? ?himself? ?and? ?replied,? ?“I? ?already? ?knew? ?you? ?

wouldn’t? ?just? ?stand? ?back? ?and? ?watch.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?then? ?smiled,? ?“But,? ?why? ?should? ?gege? ?apologize? ?to? ?me?? ?You? ?only? ?

remembered? ?what? ?I? ?said? ?a? ?few? ?days? ?ago? ?but? ?did? ?you? ?forget? ?something? ?else? ?I? ?told? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?wondering,? ?‘What?’? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?he? ?remembered.? ?

?

That? ?night? ?at? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost’s? ?lair,? ?the? ?thing? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?told? ?him:? ?“Just? ?keep? ?doing? ?

what? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?do.”? ?

?

After? ?having? ?remembered,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?not? ?knowing? ?what? ?else? ?to? ?say,? ?only,? ?he? ?

suddenly? ?wanted? ?to? ?do? ?something? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Yet? ?for? ?the? ?moment,? ?there? ?really? ?

wasn’t? ?anything? ?he? ?could? ?do? ?for? ?him.? ?Feeling? ?a? ?little? ?discouraged,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?

the? ?collar? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?red? ?robes? ?and? ?said,? ?“Wait!”? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?rushed? ?up? ?to? ?help? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?fix? ?his? ?collar.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?the? ?collar? ?of? ?the? ?robe? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?randomly? ?put? ?on? ?wasn’t? ?properly? ?flipped? ?out.? ?Having? ?fixed? ?it,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inspected? ?

him? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?smiling,? ?“There.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?too,? ?“Thanks.”? ?

?

A? ?small? ?voice? ?inside? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?echoed,? ?‘I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?should? ?be? ?thanking? ?you.’? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?seemed? ?to? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?look? ?over? ?anymore,? ?and? ?even? ?

the? ?circle? ?drawn? ?under? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?hand? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?so? ?round? ?any? ?longer.? ?Once? ?he? ?

finished? ?drawing? ?the? ?array? ?and? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?opened? ?again,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?thought? ?he? ?

would? ?see? ?some? ?gloomy? ?cave? ?or? ?some? ?spectacular? ?palace,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?outside? ?

the? ?door? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?expanse? ?of? ?farming? ?fields.? ?Far? ?in? ?the? ?distance? ?were? ?lush? ?green? ?

bamboo? ?groves? ?and? ?verdant? ?mountains,? ?and? ?farmers? ?were? ?scattered? ?throughout? ?the? ?

fields? ?labouring.? ?There? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?large,? ?glistening,? ?buff? ?ox? ?plowing.? ?

?

This? ?scenery? ?almost? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?think? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?at? ?Puqi? ?village? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?

stunned? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?yet? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?had? ?already? ?walked? ?out? ?with? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?on? ?his? ?

back.? ?Before? ?he? ?started? ?however,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?stepped? ?out? ?before? ?him.? ? ?

?

The? ?four? ?walked? ?along? ?the? ?ridges? ?of? ?the? ?fields,? ?and? ?maybe? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?in? ?his? ?mind,? ?but? ?that? ?

black? ?ox? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?staring? ?at? ?them? ?the? ?entire? ?way.? ?After? ?walking? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?they? ?found? ?

a? ?small? ?cottage,? ?and? ?after? ?the? ?four? ?entered? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?did? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?blew? ?out? ?a? ?

long? ?breath.? ?

?

“Are? ?we? ?not? ?fleeing? ?anymore?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“What? ?if? ?General? ?Pei? ?chases? ?us? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?outside? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?focusing? ?especially? ?on? ?that? ?black? ?ox,? ?

before? ?closing? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?said? ?nonchalantly,? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?He? ?wouldn’t? ?dare? ?mess? ?with? ?

the? ?master? ?of? ?this? ?land.? ?There’s? ?no? ?benefit? ?to? ?it.? ?Even? ?the? ?Water? ?Tyrant? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

do? ?anything? ?rash.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?but? ?still? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?this? ?whole? ?thing? ?is? ?a? ?mess,? ?and? ?

probably? ?implicates? ?too? ?much? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?It’s? ?may? ?be? ?best? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?hang? ?

around.”? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?chuckled,? ?“What? ?goes? ?on? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?

do? ?with? ?me.? ?I’m? ?only? ?sticking? ?around? ?with? ?you? ?to? ?sightsee.”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“You? ?all? ?should? ?stop? ?hanging? ?around.”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?three? ?in? ?the? ?cottage? ?all? ?looked? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?continued,? ?“His? ?

highness? ?is? ?right.? ?This? ?whole? ?thing? ?is? ?a? ?mess? ?and? ?there’s? ?too? ?many? ?involved.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?

stay? ?shut? ?up? ?in? ?here.? ?My? ?friends,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?help? ?anymore.? ?Let’s? ?end? ?it? ?here.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?whether? ?if? ?things? ?end? ?here? ?isn’t? ?up? ?to? ?

you.? ?It’s? ?up? ?to? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?and? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?face? ?stiffened.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?added,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?question,? ?I? ?hope? ?you? ?won’t? ?mind.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?question?”? ? ?

?

“Does? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?have? ?something? ?held? ?over? ?yours? ?and? ?Lord? ?Water? ?

Master’s? ?heads?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?face? ?was? ?paling.? ?

?

That? ?night? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?set? ?up? ?an? ?extremely? ?

secure? ?defense? ?array.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?open? ?the? ?door? ?to? ?leave,? ?he? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?harmed.? ?Yet,? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?take? ?the? ?initiative? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?door?? ?

?

Unless,? ?someone? ?connected? ?his? ?private? ?communication? ?array? ?and? ?the? ?first? ?thing? ?that? ?

came? ?out? ?of? ?their? ?mouth? ?was? ?blackmail,? ?giving? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?no? ?room? ?to? ?fight? ?back? ?nor? ?

raise? ?alarm,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?follow? ?as? ?instructed.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?down? ?by? ?the? ?table,? ?“I’m? ?more? ?inclined? ?to? ?think? ?it’s? ?blackmail? ?against? ?Lord? ?

Water? ?Master,? ?because,? ?I? ?believe,? ?you? ?hadn’t? ?known? ?whatever’s? ?transpired? ?at? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Which? ?was? ?why? ?his? ?reaction? ?was? ?so? ?strong? ?after? ?having? ?learned,? ?generating? ?such? ?a? ?

sharp? ?rejection? ?against? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?and? ?would? ?rather? ?descend? ?into? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?

to? ?become? ?a? ?drifting? ?vagabond? ?than? ?to? ?stay? ?in? ?the? ?heavens? ?as? ?a? ?god.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?frowned,? ?“What? ?blackmail?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?gullible? ?fool;? ?if? ?he? ?fell? ?victim? ?to? ?someone? ?and? ?lost? ?his? ?powers,? ?the? ?

normal? ?reaction? ?should’ve? ?been? ?rage,? ?investigate? ?the? ?truth,? ?and? ?lash? ?out? ?at? ?the? ?culprit.? ?

Yet,? ?he? ?did? ?none? ?of? ?that.? ?There? ?was? ?rage,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?directed? ?against? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?

Empty? ?Words,? ?but? ?against? ?his? ?own? ?older? ?brother.? ?And? ?to? ?the? ?others,? ?he? ?only? ?said? ?“This? ?

ends? ?here”.? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?all? ?entirely? ?abnormal.? ?Unless? ?it? ?was? ?under? ?one? ?special? ?case? ?–? ?

?

That? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?ascension? ?itself? ?was? ?abnormal? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place!? ?

?

To? ?go? ?against? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?alter? ?fate,? ?to? ?raise? ?someone? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?ascend? ?upon? ?

the? ?divine? ?altar,? ?was? ?outrageously? ?audacious,? ?a? ?treacherous? ?heresy.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?

heard? ?of? ?something? ?like? ?this.? ?If? ?this? ?was? ?true? ?and? ?it? ?got? ?out,? ?it? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?cause? ?a? ?tidal? ?

wave.? ?Just? ?think,? ?everyone? ?wished? ?to? ?ascend,? ?but? ?if? ?anyone? ?could? ?use? ?such? ?a? ?method,? ?

the? ?laws? ?of? ?the? ?universe? ?would? ?be? ?rendered? ?irrelevant,? ?completely? ?worthless.? ?

?

This? ?conjecture? ?might? ?be? ?absurd,? ?but? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?thought? ?the? ?more? ?it? ?made? ?sense.? ?Ever? ?

since? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?born? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?had? ?clung? ?onto? ?him,? ?and? ?

the? ?only? ?way? ?to? ?escape? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?ascend.? ?Coincidentally,? ?he? ?ascended.? ?In? ?a? ?mere? ?few? ?

years,? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?blood? ?brothers? ?ascended? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other;? ?what? ?a? ?beautiful? ?tale.? ?But? ?

also,? ?what? ?a? ?coincidence.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?wanted? ?to? ?question? ?the? ?reality? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?ascension,? ?but,? ?if? ?the? ?

Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?ascended? ?naturally,? ?how? ?could? ?his? ?powers? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?sucked? ?dry?? ?If? ?

it? ?was? ?so? ?easy? ?for? ?a? ?monster? ?to? ?turn? ?a? ?god? ?into? ?a? ?human,? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?would? ?already? ?fall? ?victim.? ?

?

Unless,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?mortal? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place.? ?Unless,? ?when? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?

ascended,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?did? ?something? ?underhanded.? ?

?

Aggressively? ?using? ?rare? ?treasures? ?and? ?devices? ?to? ?help? ?the? ?path? ?of? ?cultivation? ?wasn’t? ?out? ?

of? ?line.? ?To? ?ascend? ?by? ?way? ?of? ?massacre? ?and? ?battle? ?in? ?times? ?of? ?power? ?change? ?within? ?the? ?

mortal? ?realm? ?wasn’t? ?out? ?of? ?line? ?either.? ?After? ?all,? ?the? ?fate? ?of? ?the? ?world? ?was? ?thus;? ?honour? ?

must? ?be? ?accompanied? ?by? ?blood,? ?and? ?after? ?ascension,? ?all? ?was? ?wiped? ?clean.? ?However,? ?

some? ?things? ?would? ?be? ?out? ?of? ?line.? ?If? ?a? ?mortal,? ?or? ?some? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?did? ?something? ?

underhanded,? ?conducted? ?rituals? ?of? ?evil? ?to? ?harm? ?lives? ?of? ?others? ?for? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?having? ?

someone? ?ascend,? ?that? ?would? ?be? ?a? ?completely? ?different? ?matter.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?the? ?night? ?you? ?ascended,? ?was? ?it? ?the? ?

eve? ?to? ?the? ?last? ?day? ?of? ?Autumn?”? ? ?

?

A? ?brief? ?moment? ?later,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?inhaled? ?deeply,? ?“Yes.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?continued,? ?“I? ?remembered,? ?that? ?day? ?when? ?we? ?were? ?at? ?the? ?

town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu.? ?Eve? ?to? ?the? ?last? ?day? ?of? ?Autumn,? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?the? ?same? ?day? ?I? ?ascended?? ?I? ?

had? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?you? ?guys? ?about? ?it? ?at? ?first? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?that? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?clue? ?or? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?

connected? ?somehow.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?coincidence?? ?But? ?it? ?felt? ?hollow,? ?so? ?I? ?ended? ?up? ?not? ?

asking.? ?But? ?now? ?you? ?know? ?whether? ?if? ?it’s? ?related.”? ?

?

It’s? ?related.? ?Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?very? ?related.? ?

?

Why? ?did? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?choose? ?that? ?day? ?to? ?first? ?send? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?to? ?

the? ?town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu? ?to? ?watch? ?that? ?Bloody? ?Fire? ?Social? ?parade? ?then? ?bring? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?Terrace? ?

of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?to? ?maim?? ?Of? ?course? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?go? ?through? ?all? ?that? ?pain? ?for? ?no? ?

reason.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?connected? ?the? ?timing? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?places? ?together:? ?Many? ?years? ?ago,? ?at? ?

the? ?eve? ?to? ?the? ?last? ?day? ?of? ?Autumn? ?in? ?the? ?town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu,? ?a? ?mortal? ?named? ?He? ?Sheng? ?broke? ?

down? ?and? ?murdered? ?countless? ?many.? ?Also? ?in? ?the? ?eve? ?to? ?the? ?last? ?day? ?of? ?Autumn? ?at? ?the? ?

Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?ascended.? ?

?

With? ?this,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?obvious? ?what? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?wanted? ?to? ?say.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?your? ?ascension? ?had? ?everything? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?the? ?death? ?of? ?the? ?hero? ?of? ?this? ?

Bloody? ?Fire? ?Social!? ?

?

That? ?dreadful? ?but? ?logical? ?conjecture? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?formulated? ?was? ?this:? ?

?

After? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?ascended,? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?have? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?escape? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?

Empty? ?Words,? ?he? ?secretly? ?found? ?a? ?mortal? ?who? ?matched? ?all? ?the? ?requirements? ?and? ?

conducted? ?an? ?evil? ?ritual,? ?making? ?that? ?man? ?take? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?misfortune? ?in? ?his? ?place.? ?

That? ?man? ?was? ?no? ?doubt? ?the? ?impoverished,? ?exceptionally? ?clever,? ?yet? ?somehow? ?endlessly? ?

unlucky? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?his? ?entire? ?family? ?was? ?ruined? ?He? ?Sheng.? ?

?

He? ?Sheng? ?took? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?name? ?and? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?was? ?

deceived.? ?Then,? ?that? ?meant? ?his? ?original? ?fate? ?was? ?taken? ?by? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?That? ?same? ?

night? ?before? ?the? ?last? ?day? ?of? ?Autumn,? ?one? ?experienced? ?the? ?taste? ?of? ?hell? ?on? ?earth;? ?the? ?

other,? ?under? ?immensely? ?powerful? ?protection,? ?successfully? ?ascended.? ?

?

Yet? ?the? ?fate? ?of? ?those? ?two? ?were? ?originally? ?completely? ?opposite!? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

?

Ch.117:? ?Gods? ?Appointing? ?Gods? ?Lesser? ?Than? ?Ghosts? ?Devouring? ?Ghosts? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“I? ?dare? ?say? ?that? ?He? ?Sheng? ?has? ?the? ?birth? ?name? ?Xuan*.? ?And,? ?the? ?

details? ?of? ?his? ?birth? ?is? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?My? ?Lord’s.”? ?

?

To? ?commit? ?fraudulent? ?deeds? ?and? ?deceive? ?the? ?heavens? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?done? ?so? ?casually,? ?and? ?

not? ?just? ?anyone? ?would? ?do.? ?There? ?were? ?certain? ?requirements? ?that? ?needed? ?to? ?be? ?met.? ?

?

From? ?the? ?three? ?questions? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?asked? ?when? ?it? ?first? ?captured? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?it? ?firmly? ?retained? ?two? ?things:? ?first,? ?the? ?name? ?of? ?its? ?prey? ?contained? ?the? ?word? ?

‘Xuan’;? ?second,? ?the? ?birth? ?information? ?of? ?its? ?prey.? ?However,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?recognize? ?the? ?prey’s? ?

face? ?and? ?had? ?needed? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?to? ?approach? ?himself? ?for? ?it? ?to? ?see.? ?Since? ?the? ?Shi? ?

family? ?was? ?speedy? ?in? ?remedying? ?the? ?situation,? ?other? ?than? ?those? ?two? ?items? ?the? ?Reverend? ?

probably? ?knew? ?nothing? ?else.? ?

?

Thus,? ?if? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?one? ?who? ?could? ?take? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?place? ?to? ?take? ?on? ?his? ?

misfortunes,? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?male? ?who? ?was? ?born? ?the? ?same? ?year,? ?same? ?month,? ?same? ?day,? ?

same? ?time,? ?and? ?their? ?name? ?must? ?contain? ?‘Xuan’.? ? ?

?

How? ?difficult? ?must? ?it? ?be? ?to? ?find? ?such? ?a? ?scapegoat.? ?The? ?world? ?is? ?vast;? ?even? ?if? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?

used? ?his? ?everything? ?to? ?search? ?there? ?still? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?one.? ?Using? ?the? ?powers? ?and? ?

influence? ?of? ?his? ?Water? ?Master? ?status,? ?he? ?casted? ?the? ?net? ?and? ?actually? ?found? ?someone,? ?

and,? ?it? ?was? ?one? ?who? ?possessed? ?the? ?potential? ?to? ?ascend,? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?through? ?his? ?first? ?

Heavenly? ?Calamity!? ?

?

Such? ?luck,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?let? ?it? ?go?? ?Compared? ?to? ?arduous? ?cultivation,? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?

convenient? ?shortcut.? ?If? ?he? ?missed? ?this? ?chance? ?it? ?might? ?not? ?come? ?again!? ?

?

Having? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?seemed? ?to? ?also? ?have? ?drawn? ?the? ?same? ?conclusions? ?

and? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?growing? ?darker.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?first? ?nodded,? ?then? ?suddenly? ?seemed? ?to? ?

have? ?remembered? ?something,? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?was? ?leaning? ?against? ?

the? ?door.? ?After? ?all,? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?discussed? ?before? ?a? ?ghost.? ?However,? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?chuckled? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?me,? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master.? ?The? ?one? ?you? ?should? ?worry? ?about? ?isn’t? ?me,? ?I’ve? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?this? ?whole? ?

business.? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?concern? ?yourself? ?with? ?instead? ?whether? ?if? ?anyone? ?else? ?in? ?the? ?

Upper? ?Court? ?has? ?gotten? ?a? ?hold? ?of? ?this? ?weakness? ?of? ?your? ?brother’s?”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?accused? ?darkly,? ?“You? ?really? ?do? ?have? ?spies? ?in? ?the? ?heavens.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?lazily,? ?“Don’t? ?you? ?already? ?know? ?that?”? ?

?

The? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?was? ?originally? ?sent? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?to? ?investigate? ?this,? ?but? ?it? ?

seemed,? ?that? ?spy? ?was? ?planted? ?deeply,? ?and? ?even? ?after? ?over? ?a? ?decade? ?they? ?still? ?weren’t? ?

found? ?out.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?this? ?whole? ?business? ?had? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?him,? ?so? ?naturally? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?believed? ?him? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?more? ?on? ?it.? ?Yet,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?said? ?“Why? ?not? ?

worry? ?about? ?others? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court”,? ?which? ?reminded? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?of? ?another? ?thing,? ?so? ?he? ?

asked,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?that? ?night? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?WIne,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?

open? ?the? ?doors? ?to? ?the? ?protection? ?array? ?yourself?? ?Did? ?someone? ?call? ?you? ?out?? ?Who? ?was? ?

that? ?person?”? ? ?

?

“Yea,”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“It? ?was? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.? ?It? ?said...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crossed? ?his? ?hands? ?into? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?“How? ?did? ?it? ?know? ?your? ?verbal? ?password?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?face? ?was? ?dark,? ?“Isn’t? ?it? ?because? ?this? ?guy? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?go? ?around? ?and? ?make? ?

friends,? ?yapping? ?nonstop? ?whether? ?if? ?others? ?are? ?free? ?or? ?not!? ?He? ?talks? ?too? ?much!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?aggrieved,? ?“Ming-xiong? ?you? ?can’t? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?that.? ?The? ?ones? ?who? ?call? ?

on? ?me? ?are? ?all? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?I’ve? ?never? ?given? ?anything? ?personal? ?

away? ?to? ?that? ?creature!”? ? ?

?

“Since? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?has? ?been? ?lying? ?low? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?now? ?that? ?

it’s? ?returned? ?and? ?can? ?even? ?uncover? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master’s...? ?secret...? ?so? ?thoroughly,? ?then? ?

for? ?it? ?to? ?figure? ?out? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?verbal? ?password? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?hard.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?

“Someone? ?must’ve? ?leaked? ?your? ?verbal? ?password.? ?Whether? ?intentional? ?or? ?not,? ?it’s? ?still? ?

worth? ?investigating.”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?added,? ?“So?? ?Did? ?you? ?see? ?what? ?it? ?looked? ?like?? ?What? ?did? ?it? ?do? ?after? ?calling? ?you? ?

out?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?head? ?seemed? ?to? ?start? ?hurting,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?it? ?looks? ?like.? ?It? ?

casted? ?a? ?spell,? ?I? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?clearly.”? ?

?

He? ?was? ?vague? ?and? ?didn’t? ?say? ?what? ?he? ?saw? ?either.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?becoming? ?frosty.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

figured? ?it? ?was? ?probably? ?the? ?gorey? ?scenes? ?of? ?the? ?Bloody? ?Fire? ?Social,? ?and? ?those? ?were? ?

certainly? ?difficult? ?to? ?describe.? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?sighed,? ?“I’m? ?the? ?useless? ?one.? ?

If? ?I? ?could? ?ascend? ?on? ?my? ?own? ?none? ?of? ?this? ?would? ?happen.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?original? ?fate? ?was? ?probably? ?considered? ?pretty? ?good? ?in? ?mortal? ?terms? ?

already,? ?otherwise? ?that? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?set? ?its? ?eyes? ?on? ?him.? ?

However,? ?it? ?still? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?long? ?ways? ?away? ?from? ?ascension.? ?Those? ?who? ?could? ?ascend? ?

were? ?all? ?protected? ?by? ?spiritual? ?aura,? ?and? ?inhuman? ?creatures? ?would? ?have? ?a? ?hard? ?time? ?

doing? ?anything? ?to? ?them.? ?Besides,? ?which? ?monster? ?and? ?demons? ?would? ?want? ?to? ?mess? ?with? ?a? ?

future? ?heavenly? ?official?? ?

?

Whether? ?if? ?a? ?person? ?could? ?ascend? ?didn’t? ?depend? ?on? ?how? ?smart? ?they? ?are;? ?intelligence? ?and? ?

effort? ?might? ?not? ?matter? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?exploiting? ?rare? ?treasures? ?and? ?devices? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?

increase? ?chances.? ?Sometimes? ?it’s? ?just? ?like? ?that.? ?Ten? ?years? ?of? ?studies? ?couldn’t? ?compare? ?to? ?

natural? ?wit? ?and? ?talent;? ?a? ?hundred? ?years? ?of? ?bloody? ?struggles? ?couldn’t? ?compare? ?to? ?a? ?

moment’s? ?enlightenment.? ?

?

If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?written? ?in? ?fate? ?then? ?it? ?wasn’t.? ?The? ?Water? ?Master? ?could? ?spend? ?all? ?he? ?wanted? ?on? ?

his? ?younger? ?brother,? ?but? ?without? ?that? ?fate,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?would? ?very? ?well? ?be? ?stuck? ?in? ?the? ?

Middle? ?Court? ?and? ?become? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?the? ?leading? ?lamb? ?of? ?junior? ?officials.? ?That? ?he? ?

was? ?able? ?to? ?make? ?it? ?to? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?today,? ?to? ?shine? ?with? ?endless? ?glory,? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?

his? ?older? ?brother? ?robbed? ?something? ?that? ?belonged? ?to? ?another? ?and? ?secured? ?it? ?onto? ?him.? ?If? ?

he? ?had? ?even? ?just? ?a? ?shred? ?of? ?conscience,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?hard? ?to? ?imagine? ?how? ?it? ?must? ?feel? ?after? ?

having? ?learned? ?the? ?truth.? ?

?

If? ?the? ?exchange? ?had? ?never? ?happened,? ?then? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?possessed? ?the? ?real? ?potential? ?to? ?

ascend,? ?how? ?glorious? ?must? ?he? ?be? ?today?? ?

?

Having? ?thought? ?this,? ?a? ?light? ?suddenly? ?went? ?off? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ?

?

“No.”? ?He? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?called? ?you? ?out? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?

Empty? ?Words.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?raised? ?his? ?bowed? ?head,? ?“Huh?? ?That? ?voice? ?definitely? ?belongs? ?to? ?it,? ?I? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?mistaken.”? ? ?

?

“No? ?no,? ?it? ?was? ?its? ?voice,? ?but? ?that? ?doesn’t? ?mean? ?the? ?body? ?still? ?belonged? ?to? ?it.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

said,? ?“Everyone,? ?do? ?you? ?remember?? ?The? ?prey? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?set? ?its? ?

eyes? ?on? ?all? ?died? ?by? ?way? ?of? ?suicide.? ?Except? ?for? ?one? ?person.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?continued,? ?“How? ?did? ?He? ?Sheng? ?die?? ?How? ?was? ?it? ?portrayed? ?at? ?the? ?

Bloody? ?Fire? ?Social?? ?Was? ?it? ?suicide?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?grew? ?wide,? ?“It? ?wasn’t? ?suicide.? ?It? ?was...”? ?

?

“Exhaustion.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

“That’s? ?right!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“Even? ?though? ?he? ?was? ?possessed? ?by? ?misfortunes,? ?to? ?

the? ?end? ?never? ?once? ?did? ?He? ?Sheng? ?thought? ?of? ?killing? ?himself.”? ?

?

He? ?said? ?somberly,? ?“Think? ?about? ?it.? ?This? ?man? ?had? ?an? ?abnormally? ?strong? ?determination.? ?

Having? ?been? ?struck? ?by? ?so? ?many? ?unfair,? ?unjust? ?encounters,? ?if? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?typical? ?person? ?he? ?

would’ve? ?long? ?given? ?up? ?or? ?ended? ?everything.? ?Yet? ?he? ?had? ?always? ?fought? ?back;? ?he? ?never? ?

backed? ?down? ?over? ?anything.? ?I? ?think? ?that? ?perhaps? ?once? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?

found? ?him,? ?it? ?never? ?managed? ?to? ?suck? ?what? ?it? ?wanted? ?–? ?fear.? ?The? ?cause? ?of? ?his? ?death? ?

wasn’t? ?suicide? ?because? ?of? ?fear? ?and? ?despair.? ?In? ?fact,? ?after? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?

clung? ?on? ?to? ?him,? ?it? ?probably? ?didn’t? ?eat? ?any? ?good? ?fruits? ?but? ?a? ?steel? ?plate? ?instead? ?and? ?broke? ?

its? ?teeth,? ?losing? ?thoroughly? ?in? ?the? ?end.”? ? ?

?

Listening? ?to? ?him,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?sighed? ?earnestly,? ?“...I? ?really? ?am? ?

nothing? ?compared? ?to? ?this? ?man.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“He? ?died? ?filled? ?with? ?murderous? ?intent? ?and? ?resentment.? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?a? ?

battered? ?soul? ?like? ?that? ?would? ?rest? ?in? ?peace.? ?If? ?not? ?in? ?peace,? ?then? ?it? ?would? ?thirst? ?for? ?

revenge.”? ?

?

“So,? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?I? ?believe? ?the? ?current? ?‘Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words’? ?couldn’t? ?

possibly? ?be? ?the? ?same? ?one? ?that? ?sought? ?you? ?when? ?you? ?were? ?born.? ?Instead,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?He? ?

Sheng? ?who? ?stubbornly? ?fought? ?back? ?til? ?the? ?end? ?and? ?bit? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?Reverend.? ?Or? ?rather,? ?

He? ?Xuan!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?were? ?both? ?stunned? ?by? ?his? ?claim.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added? ?quietly,? ?

“Ghosts? ?devouring? ?ghosts.”? ? ?

?

When? ?humans? ?eat? ?humans,? ?at? ?most? ?the? ?stomach? ?gets? ?stuffed.? ?When? ?ghosts? ?devour? ?

ghosts,? ?with? ?the? ?correct? ?method,? ?they? ?could? ?absorb? ?the? ?other’s? ?powers? ?and? ?abilities? ?and? ?

use? ?them? ?as? ?their? ?own.? ?

?

“This? ?can? ?also? ?explain? ?why? ?the? ?‘Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words’? ?knew? ?so? ?much? ?of? ?the? ?details? ?

of? ?this? ?whole? ?affair.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“A? ?monster? ?like? ?it? ?is? ?dull? ?and? ?eccentric,? ?it? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?

so? ?intelligent.? ?However,? ?the? ?one? ?that’s? ?now? ?returned? ?to? ?pursue? ?you? ?two? ?is? ?a...”? ?

?

He? ?wanted? ?to? ?use? ?‘hybrid’? ?but? ?it? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?accurate.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?supplied,? ?

“Enhanced? ?entity.”? ? ?

?

“Right.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“After? ?He? ?Sheng? ?swallowed? ?up? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words,? ?his? ?

mind? ?is? ?in? ?complete? ?control.? ?The? ?him? ?now? ?not? ?only? ?possess? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?curse,? ?he’s? ?also? ?

very? ?clever.? ?And,? ?it? ?possessed? ?bottomless? ?resentment? ?towards? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you.”? ?

?

So,? ?even? ?though? ?it? ?already? ?knew? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?verbal? ?password,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?cast? ?a? ?death? ?

curse? ?through? ?the? ?private? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?at? ?the? ?start.? ?Instead,? ?it? ?tightened? ?

the? ?snare? ?gradually,? ?forcing? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?to? ?plug? ?his? ?own? ?ears,? ?shut? ?his? ?own? ?eyes,? ?lock? ?

himself? ?in? ?an? ?empty? ?room.? ?Like? ?a? ?cat? ?that? ?caught? ?a? ?mouse,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?kill? ?immediately,? ?

and? ?would? ?play? ?and? ?play? ?until? ?the? ?mouse? ?killed? ?itself? ?from? ?terror.? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said,? ?“Now? ?that? ?it’s? ?come? ?to? ?this,? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?plan? ?to? ?do?”? ? ?

?

Everyone? ?looked? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?already? ?messed? ?up? ?his? ?own? ?hair? ?

from? ?all? ?the? ?unconscious? ?scratching? ?and? ?responded? ?bemusedly,? ?“...Well? ?don’t? ?look? ?at? ?

me???? ?I...I? ?DON’T? ?KNOW? ?WHAT? ?TO? ?DO? ?EITHER!!!? ?I? ?just...? ?I? ?just? ?don’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?look? ?

at? ?my? ?brother? ?now...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?his? ?blood? ?brother? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?this? ?heinous? ?crime,? ?harming? ?the? ?life? ?of? ?another,? ?was? ?

committed? ?for? ?him,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?understandable? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?do? ?for? ?the? ?

moment.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?added,? ?“But,? ?I? ?gotta? ?beg? ?everyone? ?here? ?to? ?absolutely? ?keep? ?this? ?a? ?

secret!? ?Just? ?for? ?now.? ?Just? ?give? ?me? ?a? ?little? ?time? ?to? ?think...? ?just? ?what? ?to? ?do.? ?Even? ?though? ?

I’ve? ?been? ?thinking? ?for? ?days? ?now,? ?but? ?I? ?had? ?never? ?thought,? ?anyway,? ?I? ?just? ?need? ?time? ?to? ?

calm? ?down,? ?and? ?reflect...”? ?Towards? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?was? ?rambling? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?

unfocused.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?kept? ?saying? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?“treat? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?illness”,? ?but? ?what? ?illness? ?

was? ?there? ?to? ?treat?? ?Unless? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?fall? ?from? ?divine? ?grace? ?and? ?change? ?back? ?into? ?a? ?

mortal.? ?His? ?‘illness’? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?cured? ?if? ?his? ?fate? ?was? ?changed? ?again? ?and? ?he? ?ascend? ?

once? ?more.? ?Although? ?it’d? ?be? ?difficult? ?to? ?find? ?another? ?qualifying? ?candidate,? ?but? ?who? ?knows? ?

what? ?other? ?evil? ?spell? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?would? ?come? ?up? ?with?? ?No? ?wonder? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?

whining? ?about? ?becoming? ?a? ?mortal? ?and? ?abandoning? ?his? ?godhood,? ?desperate? ?to? ?flee.? ? ?

?

As? ?for? ?that? ?scroll? ?about? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?that? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?errors,? ?no? ?

doubt? ?it? ?was? ?made? ?to? ?mislead? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?making? ?sure? ?he? ?didn’t? ?discover? ?the? ?truth.? ?

Who? ?knows? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?put? ?together? ?by? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?or? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?beginning? ?when? ?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?needed? ?to? ?find? ?a? ?qualifying? ?candidate,? ?he? ?must’ve? ?needed? ?the? ?help? ?of? ?the? ?

Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?Did? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?herself? ?really? ?know? ?nothing? ?of? ?this?? ?If? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?like? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?ascended? ?this? ?way,? ?would? ?it? ?be? ?possible? ?that? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?second,? ?or? ?a? ?third,? ?or? ?even? ?more? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?ascended? ?the? ?

same? ?way?? ? ?

?

If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?horrifying.? ?The? ?world? ?would? ?be? ?turned? ?upside? ?down.? ?This? ?

must? ?be? ?treated? ?with? ?the? ?utmost? ?gravity.? ?Other? ?than? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?wasn’t? ?involved? ?and? ?

was? ?at? ?ease,? ?enjoying? ?himself,? ?everyone? ?else? ?in? ?the? ?little? ?cottage? ?were? ?all? ?gloom? ?and? ?

doom,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?great? ?enemy? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?descend? ?upon? ?them.? ?Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?

commotion? ?outside? ?the? ?cottage;? ?there? ?were? ?oxen? ?mooing? ?furiously,? ?and? ?even? ?more? ?

farmers? ?shouting,? ?“Stop!? ?Stop!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?planning,? ?so? ?full? ?of? ?killing? ?intent!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?moved? ?to? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?peeked? ?out? ?through? ?the? ?crack,? ?“It’s? ?General? ?Pei.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?been? ?beaten? ?down? ?by? ?Quan? ?Yizhen,? ?fighting? ?in? ?a? ?brawl,? ?yet? ?he? ?

appeared? ?perfectly? ?fine? ?standing? ?outside.? ?Before? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?leaning? ?stone? ?slab? ?marking? ?

the? ?boundary,? ?and? ?he? ?seemed? ?rather? ?wary? ?of? ?it,? ?afraid? ?to? ?enter? ?rashly,? ?so? ?he? ?remained? ?

standing? ?there? ?with? ?a? ?sword? ?in? ?hand.? ?The? ?farmers? ?gripped? ?their? ?pickaxes? ?and? ?sickles,? ?

their? ?faces? ?written? ?with? ?unwelcoming? ?expressions.? ?That? ?black? ?ox? ?in? ?the? ?paddy? ?blew? ?out? ?a? ?

few? ?heavy? ?breaths? ?from? ?its? ?large? ?nostrils? ?and? ?suddenly? ?stood? ?on? ?its? ?hind? ?legs.? ?An? ?instant? ?

later? ?it? ?became? ?a? ?large,? ?buff? ?man,? ?rather? ?handsome? ?with? ?a? ?small? ?steel? ?nose? ?ring.? ?He? ?

laughed,? ?“Well? ?I’ll? ?be,? ?ain’t? ?this? ?General? ?Pei.? ?What? ?a? ?rare? ?guest.? ?What? ?winds? ?blew? ?My? ?

Lord? ?over? ?today?? ?Lemme? ?say? ?this? ?first,? ?we’ve? ?got? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?your? ?little? ?Pei.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?it.? ?Earlier? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?black? ?ox? ?in? ?the? ?paddies,? ?he? ?recalled? ?a? ?faint? ?

impression.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?this? ?place? ?was? ?Mount? ?YuLong;? ?Rain? ?Master? ?country.? ?Back? ?

then,? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?this? ?Ox-xiong? ?who? ?lent? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?Hat? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?create? ?rain.? ?

The? ?years? ?had? ?gone? ?yet? ?it? ?was? ?impressive? ?as? ?always,? ?and? ?still? ?plowed? ?the? ?fields? ?with? ?

honest? ?strength.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?also? ?squeezed? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?crack? ?in? ?the? ?door,? ?speaking? ?to? ?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?“That? ?ox? ?from? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?household.? ?He’s? ?a? ?good? ?guy.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?once? ?suffered? ?a? ?loss? ?before? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?so? ?naturally? ?he? ?was? ?

courteous? ?and? ?polite? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?“Please,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?flatter? ?me.? ?Pei? ?didn’t? ?come? ?to? ?

seek? ?the? ?Ruler? ?of? ?YuShi*.? ?May? ?I? ?inquire? ?if? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?come? ?by? ?your? ?esteemed? ?

country?”? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

?Baby? ?Name? ?is? ?given? ?at? ?birth? ?and? ?is? ?a? ?nickname;? ?Birth? ?Name? ?is? ?given? ?at? ?three? ?

months? ?and? ?used? ?by? ?close? ?family? ?and? ?friends;? ?Courtesy? ?Name? ?is? ?given? ?during? ?the? ?

crowning? ?ceremony? ?at? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?twenty,? ?which? ?is? ?the? ?age? ?of? ?maturity.? ?

?

He? ?Sheng’s? ?‘Sheng’? ?is? ?the? ?courtesy? ?name? ?the? ?others? ?knew? ?him? ?by.? ?The? ?character? ?

‘Xuan’? ?is? ?the? ?same? ?one? ?in? ?SQX’s? ?name.? ? ?

?

?[???]? ?‘YuShi’? ?means? ?Rain? ?Master.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?was? ?the? ?ruler? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?

of? ?YuShi,? ?which? ?just? ?means? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?Rain? ?Master.? ?Can’t? ?tell? ?if? ?MXTX? ?just? ?

got? ?lazy? ?with? ?this? ?name,? ?lol.? ?(pls? ?love? ?the? ?rain? ?master)? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?Our? ?crossdressing? ?buddy? ?can’t? ?transform? ?into? ?a? ?lady? ?

anymore,? ?despair!? ? ?

?

Please? ?don’t? ?ask? ?why? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?as? ?a? ?ghost? ?can? ?sweat? ?in? ?the? ?previous? ?chapter.? ?If? ?

he? ?doesn’t? ?sweat? ?what? ?excuse? ?does? ?he? ?have? ?to? ?strip???? ?Besides,? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?is? ?a? ?

veeery? ?high? ?level? ?ghost? ?king,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he’s? ?not? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?your? ?typical? ?

ghost.? ?Not? ?only? ?can? ?he? ?this? ?and? ?that,? ?he? ?can? ?also? ?*beeeeep*.? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

?

Ch.118:? ?Pass? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity;? ?Waves? ?Surge? ?in? ?the? ?East? ?Sea? ?

?

“Heh,? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?flattering? ?you? ?at? ?all.? ?We’re? ?all? ?busy? ?planting? ?the? ?fields,? ?ain’t? ?no? ?one? ?saw? ?

anybody? ?come? ?by.”? ?That? ?ox? ?said.? ?

?

“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?and? ?made? ?a? ?step? ?forward.? ?Immediately? ?all? ?the? ?farmers? ?

raised? ?their? ?pickaxes,? ?shouting,? ?“TRAMPLED!? ?HE? ?TRAMPLED? ?IT!”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?frowned,? ?“Trampled? ?what?”? ?

?

“You? ?trampled? ?the? ?crops? ?that? ?they? ?so? ?painstakingly? ?planted.? ?You? ?best? ?apologize.”? ?That? ?ox? ?

said.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?said? ?patiently,? ?“If? ?I’m? ?not? ?mistaken,? ?that’s? ?just? ?some? ?weeds,? ?

no?”? ? ?

?

That? ?ox? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?puzzled,? ?“A? ?belligerent? ?general? ?like? ?you,? ?what? ?would? ?you? ?know?? ?

Wouldn’t? ?us? ?who? ?plant? ?the? ?fields? ?know? ?better? ?than? ?you? ?whether? ?if? ?it’s? ?weeds? ?or? ?crops?”? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?already? ?tell? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?YuShi? ?country? ?were? ?purposely? ?picking? ?

on? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?but? ?he? ?too? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?wonder? ?whether? ?if? ?that? ?was? ?actually? ?crops? ?or? ?

grass.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?the? ?esteemed? ?martial? ?god? ?of? ?the? ?north,? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?apologize? ?to? ?a? ?

bunch? ?of? ?farmers? ?for? ?such? ?a? ?petty? ?reason?? ?He? ?ignored? ?them? ?directly? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?

steps,? ?raising? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?shouting,? ?“QINGXUAN? ?COME? ?OUT!? ?Your? ?brother? ?is? ?

currently? ?going? ?through? ?his? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?right? ?now? ?and? ?things? ?aren’t? ?looking? ?good.? ?

Something? ?bad? ?is? ?going? ?to? ?happen!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?planned? ?on? ?hiding? ?in? ?the? ?cottage? ?at? ?first? ?since? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wouldn’t? ?break? ?

in? ?anyway.? ?Yet? ?when? ?he? ?heard,? ?he? ?instantly? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?charged? ?out,? ?“WHAT?!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?gave? ?that? ?ox? ?a? ?look,? ?“I? ?knew? ?you’d? ?come? ?running? ?here!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?startled? ?but? ?immediately? ?snapped? ?out,? ?jumping? ?back? ?a? ?step,? ?

“Y-y-y-you? ?can’t? ?fool? ?me!? ?How? ?can? ?it? ?have? ?come? ?so? ?fast?? ?That’s? ?too? ?sudden,? ?I? ?thought? ?it’d? ?

be? ?at? ?least? ?another? ?few? ?months?”? ?Yet? ?earlier? ?at? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?

did? ?indeed? ?leave? ?in? ?a? ?hurry? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?something? ?important.? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?immediately? ?brought? ?two? ?fingers? ?to? ?touch? ?his? ?temple.? ?That? ?was? ?the? ?hand? ?seal? ?

for? ?connecting? ?to? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array,? ?however,? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?when? ?he? ?raised? ?

his? ?hand? ?did? ?he? ?remember? ?he? ?had? ?lost? ?his? ?powers.? ?No? ?time? ?to? ?be? ?depressed,? ?he? ?

immediately? ?grabbed? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?highness,? ?help? ?me? ?ask,? ?is? ?it? ?true?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?both? ?entered? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?

it? ?was? ?already? ?as? ?chaotic? ?as? ?a? ?pot? ?of? ?stew,? ?exceedingly? ?worrisome.? ?Most? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?

official? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?overlooking? ?the? ?East? ?Sea,? ?muttering,? ?“My? ?heavens...? ?this? ?battle? ?

stance...? ?as? ?expected? ?of? ?the? ?Water? ?Tyrant!”? ? ?

?

“B-b-but? ?will? ?this? ?pass? ?successfully...”? ?

?

The? ?stronger? ?the? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?the? ?more? ?Heavenly? ?Calamities? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?

passed,? ?the? ?more? ?perilous? ?the? ?next? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?monopolized? ?the? ?

waters,? ?dominated? ?the? ?path? ?of? ?wealth,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?also? ?his? ?third? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity.? ?

How? ?this? ?trial? ?would? ?be? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?imagine.? ?“It’s? ?true.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?confirmed.? ?

?

That? ?ox? ?was? ?still? ?blocking? ?the? ?path? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?couldn’t? ?force? ?himself? ?through? ?so? ?he? ?

called? ?out? ?from? ?afar,? ?“You’re? ?not? ?a? ?little? ?child? ?anymore,? ?who? ?would? ?lie? ?to? ?you? ?about? ?

something? ?like? ?this!? ?Passing? ?a? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?isn’t? ?like? ?planning? ?a? ?dinner? ?out? ?you? ?

know,? ?you’d? ?think? ?there’s? ?time? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?change? ?into? ?new? ?robes? ?before? ?it? ?happens?? ?It? ?

comes? ?as? ?it? ?wills? ?without? ?warning!? ?He’s? ?currently? ?above? ?the? ?East? ?Sea,? ?and? ?the? ?waves? ?are? ?

surging,? ?no? ?one? ?can? ?enter? ?and? ?none? ?can? ?get? ?out.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?battling? ?the? ?waves? ?when? ?

someone? ?reported? ?that? ?you? ?ran? ?away,? ?so? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?possibly? ?focus? ?on? ?passing? ?his? ?trial!”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?hurry? ?and? ?tell? ?him? ?I’m? ?at? ?YuShi? ?country?!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?responded.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?to? ?the? ?direct? ?relay? ?of? ?the? ?situation? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?and? ?said,? ?

“It’s? ?no? ?use.? ?That? ?entire? ?area? ?where? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?is? ?passing? ?through? ?trial? ?is? ?

enveloped? ?with? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?wild? ?spiritual? ?power.? ?He’s? ?probably? ?in? ?disarray? ?right? ?now,? ?no? ?

one? ?can? ?reach? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?charged? ?out,? ?“Take? ?me? ?to? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?extended? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Come!”? ?

?

However,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?suddenly? ?flashed? ?over,? ?blocking? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?way,? ?his? ?expression? ?

dark.? ?“Ming-xiong,? ?what? ?is? ?it?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?asked.? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?remained? ?solemnly? ?silent,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?probably? ?guess? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?

thinking? ?and? ?why? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?stop? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?

?

Was? ?it? ?really? ?the? ?right? ?thing? ?to? ?do? ?to? ?help? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?pass? ?his? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity?? ?

?

If? ?the? ?changing? ?of? ?fates? ?was? ?true,? ?then? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?must? ?receive? ?punishment? ?of? ?

equal? ?gravity.? ?Then,? ?was? ?it? ?really? ?appropriate? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?level? ?up? ?before? ?looking? ?into? ?his? ?

due? ?culpability?? ? ?

?

That? ?he? ?could? ?guess? ?this? ?was? ?also? ?because? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?was? ?pondering? ?the? ?same? ?

question.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?exhaled? ?a? ?long? ?breath,? ?

“...Ming-xiong,? ?I...? ?Thank? ?you.? ?But? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?that’s? ?still...? ?I’m? ?still? ?worried,? ?so? ?let’s? ?

just? ?worry? ?about? ?passing? ?this? ?trial? ?first!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?rushed? ?to? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?side? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?“Thank? ?you,? ?Your? ?

Highness!? ?Thank? ?you,? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master!? ?Thank? ?you,? ?Ox!? ?Thanks? ?everyone!? ?I’ll? ?repay? ?

this? ?one? ?day!”? ?Then? ?the? ?two? ?hurried? ?away.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?stayed? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?

before? ?following? ?after? ?them.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?their? ?retreating? ?backs? ?but? ?didn’t? ?move.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stepped? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?cottage? ?leisurely,? ?“Gege’s? ?not? ?going?”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?thought,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“This? ?affair? ?is? ?beyond? ?

me,? ?I? ?can’t? ?help.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?see? ?how? ?they’ll? ?solve? ?this? ?themselves? ?first.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stood? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?it? ?all? ?yet? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?come? ?around? ?to? ?realize? ?

what? ?he? ?should? ?do,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?awkward.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

could? ?understand? ?why? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?did? ?what? ?he? ?did,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?didn’t? ?agree? ?with? ?the? ?

method? ?he? ?employed.? ?The? ?ideal? ?conclusion? ?would? ?be? ?for? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?to? ?admit? ?to? ?the? ?

crimes? ?himself? ?and? ?go? ?forward? ?to? ?receive? ?punishment.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?probably? ?also? ?wanted? ?the? ?

same? ?thing,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?he? ?stopped? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?However,? ?based? ?on? ?the? ?Water? ?

Master’s? ?proud,? ?domineering? ?arrogance,? ?that? ?was? ?most? ?likely? ?impossible.? ?Having? ?sat? ?on? ?

such? ?a? ?high? ?position? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?want? ?to? ?come? ?down? ?willingly.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?anyone? ?else,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?probably? ?report? ?this? ?affair? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?

immediately,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?remembered? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?warm-hearted? ?friendship,? ?

while? ?his? ?older? ?brother? ?was? ?facing? ?a? ?dire? ?situation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?turn? ?his? ?back? ?on? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?and? ?kick? ?a? ?person? ?when? ?they’re? ?already? ?down,? ?uncaring? ?for? ?past? ?affections.? ?

Thus,? ?the? ?only? ?thing? ?he? ?could? ?do? ?was? ?to? ?sit? ?back? ?and? ?watch? ?how? ?they? ?would? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?

this? ?themselves.? ?However,? ?if? ?what? ?they? ?should? ?end? ?up? ?doing? ?was? ?untoward...? ?

?

Having? ?thought? ?tho? ?this? ?point,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?with? ?a? ?bitter? ?smile,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?

your? ?advice? ?from? ?before? ?was? ?probably? ?right.? ?Sigh,? ?this? ?whole? ?thing.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?expression? ?changed? ?

suddenly.? ?Within? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?came? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?voice,? ?“What?!? ?

Hundreds? ?of? ?fishermen? ?boats? ?got? ?dragged? ?in???? ?It? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?right? ?now?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?instantly? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?responded? ?anxiously,? ?“Fishermen?? ?Dragged? ?in? ?

where?? ?The? ?East? ?Sea?”? ? ?

?

If? ?it? ?was? ?said? ?earlier? ?that? ?the? ?communication? ?was? ?as? ?chaotic? ?as? ?a? ?pot? ?of? ?stew,? ?then? ?this? ?

stew? ?was? ?just? ?toppled? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?fed? ?the? ?dogs.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?break? ?in? ?Ling? ?

Wen’s? ?responses? ?and? ?her? ?voice? ?was? ?still? ?considered? ?collected,? ?“Excuse? ?me,? ?which? ?

martial? ?god? ?is? ?on? ?duty?? ?Ol’? ?Pei?”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?and? ?responded,? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?I’ve? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?

with? ?me? ?and? ?we’re? ?rushing? ?over.? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?is? ?here? ?too.? ?You? ?just? ?figure? ?out? ?

exactly? ?how? ?many? ?hundreds? ?of? ?people? ?got? ?pulled? ?into? ?the? ?storm? ?so? ?we? ?can? ?bring? ?them? ?all? ?

back.? ?We’ll? ?try? ?not? ?to? ?lose? ?a? ?single? ?one.”? ?

?

“Then? ?thanks? ?for? ?your? ?trouble”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?blew? ?out? ?and? ?

magnified? ?the? ?spiritual? ?arena,? ?allowing? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?perimeters? ?of? ?his? ?trial.? ?Any? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court? ?would? ?definitely? ?be? ?blown? ?to? ?smithereens? ?if? ?they? ?

try? ?to? ?go.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?can? ?maybe? ?try? ?and? ?break? ?through? ?

the? ?barrier.? ?The? ?number? ?of? ?people? ?pulled? ?in? ?is? ?probably? ?over? ?two? ?hundred,? ?so? ?just? ?you? ?

two? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?enough,? ?we’ll? ?need? ?another? ?martial? ?god.? ?Which? ?highness? ?is? ?present? ?

right? ?now?? ?General? ?Nan? ?Yang?? ?General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen?”? ?

?

Someone? ?responded,? ?“Weren’t? ?those? ?two? ?generals? ?placed? ?in? ?confinement? ?for? ?destroying? ?

the? ?Heavenly? ?Court?? ?They? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?heed? ?the? ?call...”? ?

?

“Then? ?where’s? ?Tai? ?Hua?? ?Has? ?His? ?Highness? ?Tai? ?Hua? ?returned?”? ? ?

?

“No!? ?He’s? ?been? ?sent? ?out!”? ?

?

“Qi? ?Ying?”? ?

?

“Who? ?knows? ?where? ?he? ?ran? ?off? ?to!? ?He? ?always? ?blocks? ?every? ?communication? ?and? ?listens? ?to? ?

no? ?one,? ?My? ?Lord? ?you? ?already? ?know? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Other? ?than? ?those? ?few,? ?there? ?weren’t? ?any? ?other? ?martial? ?gods? ?that? ?was? ?worth? ?the? ?dime.? ?

Although? ?anxious,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?a? ?little? ?woeful.? ?Was? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?his? ?

scrap-collecting? ?godhood? ?so? ?strong? ?that? ?everyone? ?forgot? ?he? ?came? ?from? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?

background?? ?He? ?responded? ?hastily,? ?“Me!? ?I’m? ?present!? ?Let? ?me? ?go.? ?It’s? ?just? ?rescuing? ?the? ?

fisherman? ?in? ?the? ?East? ?Sea,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?highness,? ?the? ?winds? ?and? ?waves? ?of? ?the? ?East? ?Sea? ?are? ?raging? ?right? ?now,? ?your? ?spiritual? ?

power? ?only? ?works? ?at? ?times,? ?what? ?if–”? ?

?

“It’s? ?nothing.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?fished? ?in? ?all? ?four? ?seas,? ?and? ?never? ?once? ?was? ?it? ?not? ?

storming.? ?I’ve? ?often? ?drifted? ?in? ?the? ?sea? ?for? ?over? ?half? ?a? ?month? ?at? ?a? ?time,? ?so? ?I’m? ?very? ?used? ?to? ?

it.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

All? ?the? ?officials? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?wonder,? ?‘You’ve? ?done? ?that? ?too?!? ?Just? ?what? ?else? ?have? ?

you? ?done???’? ?

?

The? ?situation? ?was? ?dire? ?and? ?didn’t? ?allow? ?room? ?for? ?more? ?thought,? ?so? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?acquiesced,? ?

“Very? ?well.? ?Then? ?thank? ?you? ?for? ?the? ?trouble.? ?General? ?Pei,? ?coordinate? ?yourselves!”? ? ?

?

“Very? ?good!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?responded.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?down? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?

over? ?at? ?the? ?East? ?Sea...”? ?

?

Unexpectedly,? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?he? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?changed? ?

into? ?a? ?refreshing? ?fisherman? ?disguise.? ?He? ?tossed? ?up? ?the? ?dice? ?and? ?caught? ?them? ?as? ?they? ?

fell.? ?His? ?other? ?hand? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?straightforwardly,? ?“Let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?but? ?soon? ?smiled? ?too? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Alright!”? ?And? ?followed.? ?

?

When? ?the? ?door? ?opened,? ?what? ?appeared? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?a? ?cottage? ?but? ?the? ?expanse? ?

of? ?a? ?gloomy? ?seashore.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?emerged? ?from? ?a? ?small? ?fisherman? ?shed? ?on? ?the? ?beach,? ?and? ?that? ?little? ?shed? ?was? ?

the? ?most? ?used? ?connection? ?point? ?for? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?on? ?the? ?East? ?Sea.? ?

Beyond? ?the? ?beach? ?was? ?the? ?boundless? ?sea? ?that? ?stretched? ?the? ?ends? ?of? ?the? ?horizon.? ?The? ?

beach? ?was? ?grey? ?not? ?because? ?the? ?sand? ?was? ?grey,? ?but? ?because? ?the? ?skies? ?were? ?grey? ?and? ?

the? ?sea? ?was? ?grey? ?too.? ?Gloom? ?pressed? ?down,? ?black? ?clouds? ?rolled,? ?the? ?malaise? ?was? ?

oppressing? ?and? ?suffocating.? ?

?

From? ?time? ?to? ?time? ?a? ?giant? ?wave? ?would? ?surge? ?in? ?the? ?distant? ?sea,? ?like? ?a? ?magnificent? ?

fortress? ?wall? ?rising? ?from? ?flat? ?grounds,? ?and? ?it? ?would? ?soon? ?collapse.? ?There? ?were? ?also? ?water? ?

pillars? ?like? ?dragons,? ?roaring? ?into? ?the? ?sky? ?like? ?a? ?tornado,? ?thrashing? ?and? ?wild,? ?and? ?they? ?too? ?

would? ?collapse? ?once? ?risen.? ?Lightning? ?crawled? ?chillingly? ?across? ?the? ?skies,? ?twisted? ?and? ?

savage.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?large,? ?brand? ?new? ?ship? ?berthed? ?by? ?the? ?beach.? ?There? ?was? ?nowhere? ?to? ?perch? ?

upon? ?the? ?sea? ?and? ?should? ?they? ?float? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?they? ?just? ?might? ?get? ?stricken? ?by? ?a? ?lightning,? ?

so? ?there? ?needed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?boat.? ?Naturally,? ?this? ?ship? ?wasn’t? ?an? ?ordinary? ?ship.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?

Pei? ?Ming,? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?were? ?already? ?on? ?the? ?ship,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?they? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exit? ?the? ?fisherman? ?shed? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?called? ?out,? ?“Your? ?highness!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?only? ?sighed,? ?“Your? ?highness...? ?sigh!? ?Sorry? ?for? ?the? ?trouble.? ?I? ?truly? ?am.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?boarded? ?the? ?ship? ?and? ?said,? ?“Duty? ?calls.? ?How? ?does? ?the? ?ship? ?go?”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?noticed? ?behind? ?him? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?had? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed? ?looking? ?quite? ?at? ?

ease? ?and? ?warned,? ?“Those? ?unrelated? ?must? ?leave.? ?This? ?tempest? ?isn’t? ?a? ?joke.”? ? ?

?

The? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?right? ?now? ?was? ?dressed? ?in? ?plain,? ?patched? ?clothes,? ?yet? ?it? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?hide? ?

away? ?his? ?handsome? ?intelligence,? ?appearing? ?like? ?a? ?good? ?looking? ?little? ?fisherman.? ?He? ?

laughed,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?anyone? ?unrelated,? ?I’m? ?only? ?following? ?my? ?highness.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?too,? ?“He’s? ?from? ?my? ?palace.”? ?

?

However,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?already? ?flashed? ?his? ?sword,? ?unrelenting? ?and? ?determined,? ?“Stand? ?

down.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?responded? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?already? ?answered? ?with? ?an? ?abnormal? ?

determination,? ?“No.? ?I? ?must? ?go? ?with? ?you? ?this? ?time.”? ? ?

?

Both? ?sides? ?were? ?only? ?in? ?stalemate? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?impatient? ?and? ?

turned? ?to? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?this? ?man? ?is? ?fine.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?go!”? ? ?

?

Between? ?their? ?exchange,? ?a? ?frightening? ?lightning? ?struck? ?down? ?violently? ?from? ?the? ?ends? ?of? ?

the? ?skies? ?upon? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?sea.? ?The? ?lightning? ?current? ?coursed? ?through? ?the? ?waters? ?

and? ?crackled? ?in? ?light,? ?turning? ?the? ?sea? ?into? ?an? ?aqua? ?colour,? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?heart? ?suddenly? ?

started? ?pulsating? ?and? ?breathing.? ?The? ?sight? ?was? ?impressive? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?

terrifying.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?wait? ?any? ?longer? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“START!”? ? ?

?

The? ?ship? ?gave? ?a? ?violent? ?shake,? ?and? ?with? ?the? ?rumbling? ?sounds? ?of? ?a? ?round? ?shaft? ?turning,? ?

the? ?ship? ?started? ?steering? ?itself? ?without? ?any? ?manual? ?control? ?and? ?left? ?the? ?beach,? ?driving? ?

deep? ?into? ?the? ?sea? ?with? ?flying? ?speed.? ?Amidst? ?flashing? ?lightning? ?and? ?roaring? ?thunders,? ?the? ?

ship? ?opened? ?a? ?path? ?between? ?crashing? ?waves.? ?

?

The? ?storm? ?might? ?be? ?big,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?all? ?stood? ?

steadily,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?with? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?support? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hadn’t? ?fallen? ?over.? ?

?

“It’s? ?tolerable? ?right? ?now,? ?but? ?how? ?things? ?are? ?after? ?will? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?say!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?ship? ?was? ?already? ?going? ?at? ?an? ?extremely? ?fast? ?pace,? ?parting? ?the? ?waves? ?into? ?large? ?

splashes,? ?yet? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?still? ?asked,? ?“Can’t? ?this? ?go? ?any? ?faster??”? ? ?

?

“Running? ?this? ?ship? ?burns? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?this? ?is? ?already? ?the? ?fastest? ?it? ?can? ?go!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

replied.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?clenched? ?his? ?right? ?fist.? ?That? ?hand? ?used? ?to? ?hold? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan,? ?and? ?

with? ?the? ?winds? ?of? ?but? ?one? ?swing,? ?it? ?could’ve? ?provided? ?a? ?tailwind,? ?making? ?the? ?ship? ?go? ?at? ?

least? ?four? ?times? ?faster.? ?Yet? ?now? ?the? ?hand? ?was? ?empty,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?exhale? ?a? ?

long? ?sigh.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?tapped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lightly,? ?speaking? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?

“Gege.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?around? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened.? ?Upon? ?the? ?sea? ?about? ?thirty? ?meters? ?out,? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?fishing? ?boat? ?whirling? ?in? ?the? ?waves,? ?and? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?few? ?

figures? ?crying? ?for? ?help,? ?but? ?their? ?cries? ?were? ?all? ?swallowed? ?by? ?the? ?waves.? ?

?

The? ?fishermen? ?in? ?distress!? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?reason? ?why? ?he? ?was? ?here.? ?Ruoye? ?flew? ?out,? ?wrapped? ?those? ?fishermen? ?

around? ?the? ?waist? ?and? ?pulled? ?them? ?up.? ?When? ?those? ?fishermen’s? ?feet? ?reached? ?the? ?platform? ?

of? ?the? ?ship? ?their? ?legs? ?almost? ?gave? ?out.? ?However,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?immediately? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?

of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?cabins? ?and? ?threw? ?them? ?in.? ?When? ?those? ?fishermen? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?again? ?

they? ?would? ?have? ?found? ?themselves? ?back? ?on? ?shore.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fished? ?up? ?thirty? ?to? ?forty? ?fishermen,? ?the? ?ship? ?was? ?also? ?

staggeringly? ?reaching? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?tempest.? ?At? ?that? ?very? ?moment,? ?there? ?were? ?plenty? ?

of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?overlooking? ?this? ?horrifying? ?scene? ?from? ?afar,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?surely? ?

many? ?mortals? ?who? ?were? ?in? ?awe? ?of? ?the? ?power? ?of? ?heaven.? ?The? ?lightning? ?striking? ?at? ?the? ?ship? ?

was? ?increasing;? ?this? ?lightning? ?was? ?attracted? ?to? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?spiritual? ?power? ?and? ?would? ?

pursue? ?and? ?strike? ?at? ?those? ?with? ?strong? ?powers,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?one? ?should? ?stay? ?far,? ?far? ?

away? ?when? ?another? ?was? ?passing? ?through? ?their? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity,? ?lest? ?they? ?fall? ?victim.? ?

?

Right? ?now? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?mortal,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?spiritual? ?power? ?was? ?only? ?enough? ?for? ?him? ?

to? ?communicate? ?through? ?the? ?array,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?use? ?his? ?powers? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?

tucked? ?away? ?nicely,? ?thus,? ?that? ?lightning? ?was? ?focused? ?on? ?greeting? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?alone.? ?Many? ?

times? ?he? ?struck? ?the? ?lightning? ?back? ?bluntly? ?with? ?his? ?sword,? ?his? ?blade? ?easy.? ?Such? ?a? ?show? ?of? ?

skills,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?quite? ?impressed.? ?If? ?this? ?was? ?any? ?other? ?heavenly? ?official? ?from? ?the? ?

Middle? ?Court,? ?not? ?only? ?would? ?they? ?be? ?running? ?away? ?with? ?lightning? ?at? ?their? ?tails,? ?they? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?strike? ?back? ?either,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?permitted? ?to? ?

come.? ?After? ?crossing? ?through? ?the? ?barrier,? ?soon? ?after,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?suddenly? ?yelled,? ?

“GE!!!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?amidst? ?seven? ?or? ?eight? ?roaring? ?water? ?

dragon? ?pillars,? ?he? ?saw? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?with? ?his? ?white? ?robes? ?fluttering,? ?hanging? ?in? ?the? ?skies,? ?his? ?

hands? ?in? ?the? ?formation? ?of? ?a? ?battle? ?hand? ?seal.? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?figure? ?was? ?still? ?oppressing? ?above? ?the? ?waves,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?unfocused,? ?

his? ?imposing? ?powers? ?unsteady.? ?Those? ?frenzied? ?water? ?dragons? ?would? ?seize? ?every? ?chance? ?

to? ?get? ?closer? ?time? ?and? ?time? ?again,? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?opportune? ?moment? ?to? ?devour? ?him? ?

whole,? ?and? ?each? ?time? ?he? ?only? ?just? ?dodged? ?by? ?a? ?breadth.? ?The? ?ship? ?was? ?miles? ?away? ?from? ?

him,? ?and? ?if? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?was? ?still? ?useable,? ?then? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?could’ve? ?pushed? ?

the? ?waves? ?down? ?by? ?a? ?notch,? ?yet? ?in? ?his? ?current? ?mortal? ?body,? ?even? ?his? ?voice? ?couldn’t? ?reach? ?

very? ?far,? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?watch? ?in? ?distress.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?spoke,? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?broadcasted? ?powerfully? ?and? ?widely,? ?

“WATER? ?MASTER-XIONG!? ?QINGXUAN? ?IS? ?FOUND!”? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?another? ?giant? ?wave? ?surged? ?to? ?the? ?skies? ?and? ?crashed? ?back? ?down? ?The? ?

ship? ?was? ?thrown? ?high? ?into? ?mid? ?air? ?but? ?it? ?didn’t? ?keep? ?up? ?with? ?the? ?speed? ?of? ?the? ?collapsing? ?

waters? ?and? ?it? ?hung? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?for? ?a? ?brief? ?second? ?before? ?falling? ?rapidly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?the? ?

thousand? ?pounds? ?spell? ?to? ?nail? ?his? ?form? ?and? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?tightly? ?onto? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand,? ?

“Watch? ?out!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?funny? ?feeling;? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?clearly? ?taller? ?than? ?him? ?and? ?it? ?took? ?him? ?no? ?effort? ?to? ?

hold? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?up? ?with? ?one? ?hand,? ?yet? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?always? ?felt? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?light? ?as? ?a? ?feather,? ?

like? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?pay? ?attention,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?disappear,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?grasp? ?was? ?firm? ?

and? ?tight.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?too,? ?clutched? ?his? ?hand? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?called? ?out,? ?“WATER? ?MASTER-XIONG,? ?FOCUS!? ?IF? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?PUSH? ?THE? ?

WAVES? ?DOWN? ?YOUR? ?LITTLE? ?BROTHER? ?WILL? ?DROWN? ?BEFORE? ?YOUR? ?EYES!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?saw? ?the? ?ship? ?in? ?the? ?distance? ?and? ?heard? ?his? ?words.? ?Gloom? ?flashed? ?before? ?his? ?

face? ?and? ?his? ?hand? ?seal? ?suddenly? ?changed,? ?erupting? ?a? ?spiritual? ?barrier? ?from? ?around? ?him.? ?

The? ?water? ?dragons? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?encircling? ?him? ?were? ?suddenly? ?struck,? ?exploding? ?into? ?a? ?

deluge? ?crashing? ?down? ?soundly? ?into? ?the? ?waters.? ?

?

The? ?raindrops? ?were? ?like? ?rocks,? ?banging? ?against? ?the? ?deck,? ?smacking? ?against? ?bodies? ?

painfully.? ?However,? ?after? ?this? ?was? ?over,? ?the? ?storm? ?had? ?also? ?slowed? ?and? ?calmed? ?

somewhat.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?slowly? ?descended? ?and? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?ship.? ?Everyone? ?was? ?already? ?

drenched? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe? ?like? ?drowned? ?dogs.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wiped? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?

mumbled? ?with? ?trepidation,? ?“...ge.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?face? ?was? ?still? ?dark,? ?and? ?he? ?strode? ?over? ?in? ?large? ?steps,? ?“I? ?TOLD? ?YOU? ?TO? ?

STAY? ?PUT? ?BUT? ?YOU? ?HAD? ?TO? ?GO? ?RUN? ?AROUND!? ?IF? ?I? ?DIE? ?FROM? ?ANGER? ?WOULD? ?

YOU? ?BE? ?HAPPY? ?THEN???”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say? ?to? ?that.? ?When? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?his? ?brother? ?

he’d? ?worry,? ?now? ?that? ?he’d? ?seen? ?him? ?he’d? ?remember? ?that? ?whole? ?business,? ?something? ?in? ?

his? ?heart? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?accept,? ?“...sigh,? ?I’m? ?only? ?just...? ?I...”? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?scratched? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?you’ve? ?passed? ?your? ?trial,? ?that’s? ?

all? ?that? ?matters.? ?I? ?think,? ?I? ?still? ?think...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“Who? ?said? ?my? ?trial? ?is? ?over?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Wasn’t? ?that? ?it?”? ? ?

?

With? ?his? ?hands,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?used? ?all? ?that? ?water? ?to? ?slick? ?back? ?his? ?hair,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?happy? ?too? ?

soon.? ?This? ?is? ?your? ?brother’s? ?third? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity,? ?it’s? ?not? ?gonna? ?be? ?that? ?easy.? ?It’ll? ?take? ?

at? ?least? ?seven? ?days? ?and? ?seven? ?nights.? ?The? ?one? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?the? ?

opening? ?act.”? ? ?

?

Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?that? ?easy? ?either.? ?

Thinking? ?back,? ?the? ?‘Heavenly? ?Calamity’? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?passed? ?was? ?greatly? ?

discounted? ?compared? ?to? ?everyone? ?else’s.? ?He? ?must’ve? ?come? ?to? ?that? ?conclusion? ?and? ?his? ?

face? ?grew? ?glum.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?concerned? ?with? ?the? ?goal? ?of? ?this? ?journey? ?and? ?asked? ?in? ?

the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Ling? ?Wen?? ?We’ve? ?entered? ?the? ?area? ?where? ?Lord? ?

Water? ?Master? ?is? ?passing? ?his? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity.? ?Can? ?you? ?point? ?us? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?

fishermen? ?who? ?have? ?been? ?dragged? ?into? ?the? ?storm? ?are?”? ? ?

?

“Please? ?wait? ?a? ?moment.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?she? ?said,? ?“This? ?is? ?troublesome.? ?

There? ?are? ?two? ?hundred? ?and? ?sixty-one? ?fishermen? ?who? ?have? ?been? ?pulled? ?into? ?the? ?

perimeters? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?today,? ?and? ?they’re? ?overly? ?scattered,? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?

place...”? ?

?

She? ?didn’t? ?say? ?much? ?more? ?before? ?her? ?voice? ?was? ?breaking? ?up,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?

really? ?hear? ?her? ?anymore.? ?“What’s? ?wrong?? ?Ling? ?Wen?”? ? ?

?

He? ?thought? ?maybe? ?his? ?powers? ?were? ?used? ?up? ?again,? ?yet? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?saw? ?Pei? ?

Ming’s? ?face,? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?he? ?was? ?experiencing? ?the? ?same? ?thing.? ?The? ?group? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?

time? ?to? ?talk? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?not? ?far? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?sea? ?more? ?broken? ?little? ?boats.? ?

“Maybe? ?the? ?aftershocks? ?of? ?the? ?opening? ?round? ?was? ?too? ?great? ?and? ?affected? ?spiritual? ?

communication.? ?It? ?might? ?get? ?better? ?in? ?a? ?bit.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said? ?there? ?are? ?two? ?hundred? ?and? ?

sixty-one? ?fishermen? ?who? ?have? ?been? ?scattered? ?by? ?the? ?waves,? ?let’s? ?just? ?save? ?as? ?many? ?as? ?

we? ?can.”? ?

?

Naturally? ?no? ?one? ?objected.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?go? ?

inside? ?and? ?rest? ?for? ?a? ?bit.? ?The? ?trial? ?has? ?only? ?just? ?started,? ?who? ?knows? ?when? ?more? ?rounds? ?

will? ?come.? ?You’re? ?pretty? ?unlucky? ?this? ?time,? ?to? ?have? ?involved? ?so? ?many? ?mortals.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?somewhat? ?tired? ?indeed.? ?He? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?pushed? ?open? ?the? ?

door? ?of? ?another? ?cabin? ?and? ?went? ?inside? ?to? ?meditate.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?seemed? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?say? ?

something? ?serious? ?to? ?him,? ?but? ?since? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?wasn’t? ?over,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?

right? ?time? ?to? ?speak,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?swallow? ?his? ?words? ?and? ?unhappily? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?

with? ?Ming? ?Yi.? ?However,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?again? ?and? ?said? ?sharply,? ?“Don’t? ?go? ?

running? ?around.? ?Come? ?and? ?sit? ?right? ?here.”? ?

?

And? ?so? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?could? ?only? ?kneel? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?Shi? ?Wudu.? ?

?

After? ?more? ?than? ?half? ?a? ?day? ?and? ?the? ?night? ?deepened,? ?the? ?ship? ?floated? ?to? ?a? ?deeper? ?part? ?of? ?

the? ?East? ?Sea.? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?was? ?still? ?broken,? ?working? ?at? ?times? ?and? ?not? ?at? ?

others,? ?it? ?could? ?still? ?be? ?used? ?tentatively.? ?In? ?that? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company? ?had? ?already? ?

rescued? ?over? ?two? ?hundred? ?fishermen.? ?At? ?first,? ?those? ?fishermen? ?went? ?to? ?sea? ?to? ?fish? ?as? ?

always,? ?but? ?who? ?knew? ?such? ?stormy? ?winds? ?and? ?waves? ?would? ?surge? ?so? ?suddenly,? ?and? ?

pulled? ?them? ?too? ?far? ?into? ?the? ?waters.? ?If? ?they? ?were? ?by? ?themselves? ?there? ?would’ve? ?been? ?no? ?

way? ?they? ?could? ?drift? ?back.? ?If? ?they? ?should? ?float? ?about? ?for? ?several? ?days? ?and? ?nights,? ?they? ?

might? ?very? ?well? ?all? ?die? ?from? ?starvation? ?or? ?dehydration,? ?dried? ?under? ?the? ?sun? ?into? ?

desiccated? ?corpses.? ?To? ?suddenly? ?be? ?saved,? ?it? ?was? ?truly? ?to? ?find? ?hope? ?at? ?the? ?brink? ?of? ?death,? ?

and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?overjoyed.? ?

?

To? ?just? ?drift? ?in? ?the? ?sea? ?like? ?this,? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?days? ?and? ?nights? ?before? ?all? ?the? ?

fishermen? ?could? ?be? ?rescued,? ?and? ?who? ?knows? ?when? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?third? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?

would? ?officially? ?start;? ?there? ?could? ?be? ?danger? ?at? ?a? ?moment’s? ?notice.? ?Under? ?such? ?a? ?

situation,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?still? ?acted? ?the? ?same;? ?in? ?the? ?evening? ?when? ?they? ?rescued? ?a? ?few? ?

fishermen? ?girls,? ?so? ?scared? ?their? ?eyes? ?were? ?blurry? ?from? ?tears,? ?he? ?held? ?them? ?in? ?his? ?

embrace? ?and? ?soothed? ?them? ?with? ?gentle? ?voices,? ?a? ?true? ?show? ?of? ?honeyed? ?romance,? ?

affectionate? ?and? ?charming.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?he? ?charmed? ?the? ?girls? ?before? ?he? ?sent? ?them? ?off? ?

to? ?the? ?cabin,? ?and? ?those? ?girls? ?were? ?all? ?reluctant? ?to? ?leave,? ?hoping? ?that? ?when? ?they? ?opened? ?

the? ?door? ?once? ?more? ?he? ?would? ?still? ?be? ?there.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?been? ?meditating? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?

now,? ?his? ?strength? ?restored? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?looking? ?much? ?better.? ?He? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Don’t? ?

you? ?have? ?high? ?standards?”? ? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?fishermen? ?girls? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?peak? ?of? ?their? ?youth,? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?only? ?average,? ?

indeed? ?nowhere? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?kind? ?of? ?targets? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?used? ?to? ?hunt? ?for.? ?However,? ?after? ?

having? ?embraced? ?women,? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?glowing? ?and? ?he? ?rubbed? ?his? ?chin,? ?laughing,? ?“After? ?

rescuing? ?so? ?many? ?scraggly? ?bearded? ?old? ?fisherman? ?masters? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?any? ?

woman? ?looks? ?delectable? ?in? ?comparison,? ?hahahaha.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?both? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him? ?anymore.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?actually? ?finding? ?it? ?rather? ?funny,? ?then? ?he? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?

side? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?each? ?other.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?emptiness? ?in? ?his? ?

stomach.? ?

?

Everyone? ?else? ?on? ?the? ?ship? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?eat,? ?and? ?although? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?a? ?mortal? ?

right? ?now,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suspected? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?must’ve? ?given? ?him? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?holy? ?pill,? ?the? ?

kind? ?that? ?can? ?fill? ?a? ?stomach? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?days,? ?so? ?even? ?now? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?show? ?any? ?

sign? ?of? ?hunger.? ?This? ?ship? ?wasn’t? ?one? ?built? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?so? ?it? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?

have? ?rations? ?prepared.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?get? ?up? ?and? ?go? ?catch? ?a? ?couple? ?fish? ?in? ?the? ?

sea? ?when? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Chen? ?passed? ?over? ?a? ?thing.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

snow? ?white? ?and? ?soft? ?steamed? ?bun.? ?

?

He? ?sat? ?back? ?down? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Thank? ?you,? ?San? ?Lang.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?whispered? ?back? ?too,? ?“Take? ?this? ?for? ?now,? ?gege.? ?It’ll? ?get? ?better? ?soon.”? ? ?

?

The? ?steamed? ?bun? ?was? ?still? ?split? ?in? ?half,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?sat? ?together? ?munching? ?slowly.? ?On? ?the? ?

other? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?ship,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?heard? ?them? ?whisper? ?to? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?he? ?slicked? ?his? ?

hair? ?up? ?again,? ?“Have? ?you? ?two? ?made? ?some? ?discoveries?? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?leave? ?your? ?little? ?

world? ?and? ?tell? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?us?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?to? ?put? ?him? ?off? ?when? ?suddenly? ?he? ?frowned,? ?“Don’t? ?

you? ?all? ?think? ?there’s? ?something? ?off?”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?frowned? ?too? ?and? ?looked? ?up,? ?“Yes.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“This? ?ship? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?going? ?much? ?slower.? ?Is? ?it? ?running? ?out? ?of? ?

power?”? ?

?

“How? ?can? ?that? ?be.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“The? ?amount? ?of? ?spiritual? ?power? ?fueled? ?in? ?this? ?ship? ?

should? ?allow? ?it? ?to? ?run? ?two? ?more? ?days? ?at? ?sea.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?ship,? ?his? ?hands? ?on? ?the? ?railing,? ?“But? ?I? ?still? ?think? ?that? ?

this? ?ship? ?suddenly? ?turned? ?heavy...”? ?He? ?abruptly? ?stopped? ?talking? ?mid? ?sentence.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?

and? ?the? ?others? ?all? ?gathered? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?ship,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?

?

No? ?need? ?to? ?ask.? ?It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?just? ?by? ?looking.? ?Despite? ?the? ?darkened? ?sky,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?

faintly? ?visible? ?that? ?the? ?draft? ?of? ?this? ?ship’s? ?hull? ?was? ?suddenly? ?abnormal,? ?much? ?higher? ?than? ?

before.? ?And,? ?the? ?waterline? ?was? ?still? ?climbing!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?said,? ?“Is? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?ship? ?leaking?!? ?Did? ?we? ?hit? ?a? ?shoal?? ?Or? ?is? ?

there? ?something? ?in? ?the? ?waters? ?that? ?chiseled? ?a? ?hole?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?impossible!”? ?Pei? ?Min? ?exclaimed,? ?“How? ?would? ?we? ?not? ?notice? ?if? ?we? ?hit? ?shoals?? ?This? ?

ship? ?isn’t? ?a? ?typical? ?ship? ?either,? ?nothing? ?normal? ?should? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?chisel? ?through,? ?

unless...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?suddenly? ?thought? ?of? ?something? ?and? ?choked.? ?

?

“Unless? ?what?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?asked.? ?

?

“Oh? ?no.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

?

“What,? ?oh? ?no?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?demanded.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?whipped? ?around? ?and? ?said,? ?“When? ?ships? ?enter? ?the? ?lair? ?of? ?demons? ?they? ?shall? ?

sink.? ?We’ve? ?drifted? ?to? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair.”? ? ?

?

?

————-? ?

?

?

Ch.119:? ?Ships? ?in? ?the? ?Lair? ?of? ?Demons? ?Shall? ?Sink? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“One? ?of? ?the? ?four? ?Supremes,? ?the? ?Ship? ?Sinking? ?Black? ?Water?”? ?

?

“Four? ?Calamities,? ?not? ?four? ?Supremes.”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?remembered? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?forgotten? ?about? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?apologized,? ?

“Ah,? ?sorry,? ?my? ?mistake.”? ?There’s? ?no? ?way? ?that? ?‘Night? ?Touring? ?Green? ?Lantern’? ?could? ?be? ?on? ?

the? ?same? ?level? ?as? ?the? ?other? ?three.? ?

?

As? ?someone? ?who? ?had? ?crammed? ?the? ?scrolls,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?roughly? ?knew? ?a? ?thing? ?or? ?two? ?about? ?

this? ?Ship? ?Sinking? ?Black? ?Water.? ?According? ?to? ?legends,? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?powerful? ?water? ?ghoul? ?

who? ?lurked? ?in? ?the? ?outer? ?seas.? ?Just? ?like? ?the? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?he? ?slaughtered? ?

his? ?way? ?out? ?of? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu.? ?Although? ?he? ?tended? ?to? ?keep? ?a? ?low? ?profile,? ?that? ?could? ?only? ?

be? ?said? ?for? ?the? ?mortal? ?and? ?heavenly? ?realms.? ?Roughly? ?counting,? ?he? ?had? ?swallowed? ?at? ?

least? ?five? ?hundred? ?ghosts? ?across? ?the? ?land? ?and? ?among? ?them,? ?four? ?hundred? ?some? ?were? ?

high? ?level? ?water? ?ghouls.? ?The? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?was? ?his? ?resting? ?domain.? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?how? ?Ghost? ?City? ?was? ?under? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?jurisdiction,? ?“Once? ?within? ?the? ?

boundaries,? ?the? ?world? ?is? ?lawless”? ?–? ?when? ?one? ?stepped? ?foot? ?into? ?their? ?worlds,? ?their? ?words? ?

were? ?law.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?saying? ?that? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?widespread? ?in? ?the? ?Underworld:? ?

“Crimson? ?Rules? ?the? ?Land;? ?Black? ?Masters? ?the? ?Waters”.? ?Crimson? ?obviously? ?referred? ?to? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?therefore,? ?Black? ?was? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?spoke,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong,? ?you’re? ?really? ?unlucky? ?this? ?time.? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?isn’t? ?

anything? ?like? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost,? ?he’s? ?not? ?the? ?type? ?to? ?cause? ?trouble.? ?Luckily? ?we? ?haven’t? ?

strayed? ?too? ?far,? ?we? ?should? ?steer? ?back? ?before? ?we’re? ?discovered.”? ?

?

The? ?others? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?“Well? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?change? ?course? ?then?? ?Aren’t? ?you? ?the? ?one? ?

in? ?charge? ?of? ?this? ?ship?”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?equally? ?surprised,? ?“It? ?didn’t? ?change? ?course?? ?This? ?ship? ?should? ?do? ?it? ?

automatically,? ?it? ?shouldn’t? ?require? ?manual? ?labour.”? ?

?

Yet,? ?the? ?rudder? ?didn’t? ?budge? ?at? ?all.? ?With? ?no? ?other? ?options? ?to? ?turn? ?to,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?resorted? ?to? ?

steering? ?it? ?himself.? ?When? ?his? ?hand? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?rudder,? ?he? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

went? ?up? ?to? ?help,? ?“It? ?won’t? ?move?”? ?

?

It’s? ?impossible? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?lacked? ?the? ?strength.? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?who? ?was? ?fairly? ?confident? ?in? ?

his? ?strength,? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?move? ?it? ?either.? ?After? ?examining? ?the? ?situation? ?at? ?hand,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?

announced,? ?“It? ?might’ve? ?been? ?caught? ?by? ?something,? ?I’ll? ?go? ?down? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?chimed? ?in,? ?“I’ll? ?go? ?with? ?you? ?Ming-xiong!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?said? ?sternly,? ?“Come? ?back? ?here!? ?Don’t? ?go? ?running? ?around.”? ?

?

His? ?brother? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?passing? ?his? ?trial? ?and? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?distracted? ?or? ?

emotionally? ?agitated.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wouldn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?risk? ?it? ?and? ?obediently? ?came? ?back,? ?

leaving? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?to? ?investigate? ?under? ?the? ?deck? ?by? ?himself.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?help? ?too,? ?

but? ?he? ?knew? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?building? ?and? ?repairs,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?capable? ?as? ?the? ?Earth? ?

Master.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?went,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?help? ?much? ?anyway.? ?As? ?he? ?was? ?gazing? ?

into? ?the? ?pitch? ?black? ?sea? ?that? ?surrounded? ?them,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?

something? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Are? ?there? ?any? ?fishermen? ?that? ?ended? ?up? ?in? ?this? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?sea? ?as? ?

well?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?who? ?had? ?partnered? ?up? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?the? ?search? ?and? ?rescue,? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?

one? ?to? ?discover? ?those? ?stranded? ?fishermen.? ?He? ?did? ?a? ?quick? ?survey? ?around? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?

unlikely.? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?is? ?in? ?the? ?South? ?Sea,? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?drift? ?this? ?far.? ?

Besides,? ?the? ?area? ?here? ?has? ?a? ?barrier;? ?not? ?just? ?anyone? ?can? ?enter? ?this? ?place.? ?Even? ?if? ?they? ?

did,? ?there? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?hope? ?for? ?a? ?rescue.? ?There’s? ?nothing? ?that? ?wouldn’t? ?sink? ?once? ?

they’ve? ?drifted? ?here.”? ?

?

The? ?South? ?Sea.? ?They? ?hadn’t? ?realized? ?they’ve? ?drifted? ?this? ?far..? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tested? ?his? ?spiritual? ?

communication? ?array? ?and? ?the? ?connection? ?was? ?indeed? ?blocked.? ?Even? ?though? ?the? ?

connection? ?before? ?was? ?spotty,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?useable,? ?but? ?now? ?it’s? ?just? ?complete? ?dead? ?

silence.? ?Although? ?the? ?sea? ?looked? ?peaceful,? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?sort? ?of? ?danger? ?lurked? ?

beneath,? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?ambush? ?them.? ?The? ?sky? ?was? ?turning? ?darker? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?felt? ?uneasy.? ?“Since? ?there’s? ?no? ?stranded? ?fishermen? ?in? ?these? ?parts,? ?if? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?

Master? ?is? ?not? ?able? ?to? ?repair? ?the? ?ship,? ?we? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?abandon? ?the? ?ship? ?and? ?seek? ?land? ?

first.? ?When? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?returns? ?to? ?the? ?East? ?Sea? ?for? ?his? ?trial,? ?we? ?can? ?continue? ?the? ?

search? ?rescue? ?there? ?as? ?well.”? ?he? ?suggested.? ?

?

“Might? ?as? ?well.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?agreed? ?as? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?cabin? ?door.? ?

?

Who? ?knew,? ?after? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?pulled? ?open,? ?he? ?was? ?met? ?with? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?an? ?empty? ?

cabin? ?instead? ?the? ?scenery? ?of? ?land.? ?His? ?expression? ?changed? ?immediately,? ?“The? ?Distance? ?

Shortening? ?array? ?lost? ?its? ?power.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Isn’t? ?that? ?normal?? ?If? ?you? ?can’t? ?even? ?use? ?the? ?spiritual? ?

communication? ?array,? ?how? ?would? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?be? ?any? ?better?”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?looked? ?over? ?and? ?asked,? ?“This? ?little? ?buddy? ?here? ?seems? ?quite? ?calm? ?for? ?a? ?

youngster? ?and? ?doesn’t? ?seem? ?worried? ?at? ?all?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?interrupted,? ?“The? ?ship? ?has? ?already? ?drifted? ?into? ?ghost? ?territory? ?and? ?is? ?sinking? ?as? ?

we? ?speak.? ?We? ?can’t? ?leave? ?even? ?if? ?we? ?want? ?to.? ?Let’s? ?solve? ?the? ?problem? ?at? ?hand? ?first.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Xing? ?Quan? ?called? ?out? ?to? ?the? ?person? ?under? ?the? ?deck,? ?“Ming-xiong,? ?how’s? ?the? ?situation? ?

looking? ?down? ?there?? ?Can? ?you? ?fix? ?it?”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi’s? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?underneath,? ?“Nothing’s? ?broken!? ?The? ?ship? ?isn’t? ?caught? ?in? ?

anything? ?either.? ?It’s? ?something? ?else? ?that? ?caused? ?the? ?ship? ?to? ?lose? ?its? ?power.”? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?Demon? ?Xuan’s? ?playground? ?now.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?stated.? ?

?

As? ?he? ?was? ?speaking,? ?the? ?ship? ?dipped? ?again.? ?Upon? ?a? ?glance,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?that? ?water? ?had? ?

already? ?swallowed? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?ship.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?normal? ?boat,? ?it? ?would’ve? ?given? ?away? ?by? ?

now.? ?However,? ?since? ?this? ?was? ?crafted? ?by? ?gods,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?resisting? ?to? ?sink? ?and? ?fighting? ?to? ?

stay? ?afloat.? ?“There? ?must? ?be? ?exceptions.? ?It’s? ?impossible? ?that? ?everything? ?would? ?sink? ?here,”? ?

he? ?insisted,? ?“there? ?must? ?be? ?something? ?that? ?wouldn’t? ?sink.”? ?

?

“There? ?is.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?attention? ?fell? ?on? ?him? ?instantly.? ?With? ?his? ?arms? ?folded,? ?he? ?lazily? ?said,? ?“There’s? ?one? ?type? ?

of? ?wood? ?that’s? ?able? ?to? ?float? ?across? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?without? ?sinking.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?guessed? ?a? ?few? ?common? ?special? ?wood? ?types,? ?“Sandalwood?? ?Agarwood?? ?Elm?”? ?

?

“Coffin? ?wood.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered.? ?

?

“Coffin? ?wood?!”? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?had? ?returned? ?alive? ?after? ?they’ve? ?

stumbled? ?into? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?lair? ?except? ?for? ?one? ?person.? ?That? ?person? ?was? ?

travelling? ?home? ?with? ?his? ?deceased? ?loved? ?one’s? ?corpse.? ?When? ?the? ?boat? ?sunk,? ?he? ?drifted? ?

back? ?to? ?land? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?coffin.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?raised? ?his? ?brow,? ?“This? ?little? ?buddy? ?sure? ?knows? ?a? ?lot.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?mirrored? ?his? ?expression? ?and? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?much.? ?You? ?just? ?know? ?too? ?little,? ?

that’s? ?all.”? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?didn’t? ?move? ?from? ?his? ?seated? ?meditation? ?pose,? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?

attention? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?narrowed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Pei-xiong,? ?I? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?earlier,? ?

just? ?who? ?is? ?this?”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?explained,? ?“I’m? ?afraid? ?you’d? ?have? ?to? ?ask? ?the? ?His? ?Highness? ?for? ?that.? ?After? ?all,? ?it’s? ?

someone? ?from? ?his? ?palace.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?interrupted,? ?“Alright,? ?alright,? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?or? ?how? ?less? ?he? ?

knows.? ?Now? ?that? ?the? ?spells? ?have? ?lost? ?their? ?power,? ?where? ?does? ?one? ?go? ?to? ?get? ?a? ?coffin? ?

around? ?here?”? ?

?

“No? ?need,? ?it’s? ?simple.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?answered,? ?“Gege? ?I? ?will? ?build? ?one? ?for? ?you? ?right? ?now? ?and? ?

show? ?you? ?what? ?it? ?means? ?to? ?take? ?things? ?into? ?your? ?own? ?hands? ?and? ?be? ?rich? ?in? ?food? ?and? ?

dress.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“It? ?won’t? ?work,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pointed? ?out,? ?“it? ?has? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?coffin? ?that? ?has? ?carried? ?a? ?corpse.”? ?

?

They? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?build? ?a? ?coffin? ?then? ?off? ?a? ?person? ?in? ?the? ?group? ?and? ?toss? ?them? ?in? ?

there.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?their? ?conversation,? ?the? ?boat? ?dipped? ?again.? ?The? ?slightly? ?tilted? ?deck? ?that? ?

they? ?were? ?standing? ?on? ?was? ?almost? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?level? ?as? ?the? ?water? ?surface.? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?

who? ?was? ?sat? ?dignified? ?in? ?his? ?meditation? ?pose,? ?almost? ?tipped? ?over.? ?“I? ?give? ?up.? ?Let? ?me? ?

handle? ?this.”? ?He? ?said? ?coldly.? ?

?

He? ?took? ?out? ?his? ?fan? ?and? ?tapped? ?it? ?lightly? ?against? ?his? ?forehead? ?before? ?fanning? ?it? ?out,? ?

revealing? ?the? ?water? ?character? ?on? ?the? ?front? ?and? ?a? ?wave? ?pictogramme? ?made? ?up? ?of? ?three? ?

curving? ?lines? ?on? ?the? ?back.? ?He? ?lifted? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?called? ?out,? ?“water,? ?come? ?forth!”? ?

?

Instantly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?ship? ?being? ?lifted? ?up,? ?the? ?deck? ?under? ?him? ?rose? ?several? ?inches? ?

above? ?water,? ?bring? ?back? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?safety.? ?“The? ?Water? ?Master? ?fan? ?could? ?even? ?control? ?the? ?

water? ?in? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon’s? ?Lair?”? ?He? ?asked? ?in? ?surprise.? ?

?

“Not? ?the? ?water? ?here,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?corrected,? ?“he? ?channeled? ?the? ?water? ?from? ?the? ?outside.”? ?

?

It? ?seems? ?that? ?they’ve? ?just? ?crossed? ?the? ?boundary? ?into? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon’s? ?Lair? ?and? ?

haven’t? ?ventured? ?too? ?far? ?into? ?it.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?draw? ?water? ?from? ?the? ?seas? ?nearby? ?

to? ?lift? ?the? ?ship? ?up? ?from? ?underneath.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?praised,? ?“Beautifully? ?done,? ?Water? ?Master-xiong!? ?Now? ?that? ?the? ?rudder? ?is? ?useless,? ?

the? ?boat? ?can’t? ?turn? ?back.? ?You? ?should? ?hurry? ?and? ?use? ?the? ?water? ?to? ?pull? ?the? ?ship? ?back.”? ?

?

Before? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?could? ?reply,? ?the? ?ship? ?dipped? ?once? ?again.? ?The? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?water? ?

refused? ?to? ?back? ?down? ?and? ?clashed? ?with? ?the? ?current? ?from? ?the? ?outer? ?seas.? ?This? ?time,? ?the? ?

dip? ?was? ?stronger,? ?causing? ?the? ?deck? ?to? ?tilt? ?even? ?more.? ?Losing? ?balance,? ?the? ?crew? ?slid? ?to? ?the? ?

portside? ?of? ?the? ?ship.? ?Although? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?born? ?with? ?a? ?delicate? ?and? ?handsome? ?face,? ?

his? ?personality? ?was? ?extremely? ?stubborn,? ?refusing? ?to? ?back? ?down.? ?When? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?

something? ?was? ?going? ?against? ?him,? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?anger? ?appeared? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?He? ?snapped? ?

his? ?fan? ?shut? ?and? ?he? ?opened? ?it? ?again,? ?the? ?three? ?wave? ?lines? ?grew? ?bigger.? ?The? ?current? ?in? ?the? ?

ocean? ?doubled? ?in? ?force? ?and? ?the? ?ship? ?was? ?yanked? ?up? ?once? ?again.? ?

?

With? ?one? ?force? ?commanding? ?the? ?boat? ?to? ?sink? ?and? ?another? ?forcing? ?it? ?to? ?rise,? ?the? ?back? ?and? ?

forth? ?made? ?it? ?seem? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?tug? ?of? ?war? ?game.? ?The? ?erratic? ?movements? ?of? ?the? ?ship? ?

along? ?with? ?the? ?constant? ?lifts? ?and? ?drops? ?caused? ?the? ?seawater? ?around? ?them? ?to? ?splash? ?

wildly? ?and? ?gush? ?in? ?and? ?out.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?anyone? ?else? ?on? ?the? ?ship,? ?they’d? ?be? ?scared? ?witless? ?by? ?

now.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grasped? ?the? ?ledge? ?with? ?one? ?hand? ?and? ?tightly? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?with? ?

the? ?other.? ?“What’s? ?happening?? ?The? ?ship? ?is? ?turning!”? ?he? ?asked? ?in? ?bewilderment.? ?

?

True? ?to? ?his? ?words,? ?the? ?ship? ?already? ?started? ?spinning? ?towards? ?a? ?certain? ?direction.? ?The? ?

faster? ?it? ?spun,? ?the? ?lower? ?it? ?sank.? ?It? ?was? ?then? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?that? ?the? ?ship? ?had? ?fallen? ?

into? ?a? ?giant? ?whirlpool? ?and? ?was? ?being? ?slowly? ?sucked? ?into? ?the? ?eye!? ?

?

“Everyone,? ?be? ?careful!”? ?he? ?warned,? ?“the? ?two? ?forces? ?of? ?water? ?are? ?battling!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?obvious? ?that? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?wasn’t? ?in? ?his? ?home? ?turf.? ?The? ?water? ?that? ?he? ?summoned? ?from? ?

the? ?outer? ?seas? ?was? ?powerful,? ?but? ?once? ?it? ?crossed? ?the? ?border,? ?the? ?strength? ?was? ?

suppressed? ?significantly.? ?To? ?go? ?against? ?the? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?current,? ?it? ?was? ?at? ?a? ?great? ?

disadvantage.? ?As? ?expected,? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mouth,? ?the? ?giant? ?ship? ?

fell? ?into? ?the? ?eye? ?of? ?the? ?whirlpool.? ?In? ?that? ?last? ?second,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tossed? ?out? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?pulled? ?

in? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?stepped? ?onto? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?flew? ?up.? ?

?

At? ?first,? ?he? ?was? ?worried? ?that? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?the? ?strength? ?to? ?fly,? ?but? ?the? ?moment? ?

they? ?left? ?the? ?deck,? ?he? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief.? ?Although? ?shaky,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?able? ?to? ?fly.? ?

Looking? ?down? ?from? ?above,? ?the? ?entire? ?area? ?was? ?painted? ?in? ?a? ?terrifying? ?black.? ?It? ?was? ?easy? ?

to? ?see? ?the? ?collision? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?different? ?coloured? ?currents.? ?Their? ?fierce? ?battle? ?was? ?

what? ?formed? ?this? ?enormous? ?whirlpool.? ?As? ?the? ?eye? ?swallowed? ?the? ?ship? ?whole,? ?the? ?two? ?

currents? ?of? ?water? ?separated.? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?battle? ?was? ?far? ?from? ?over.? ?Like? ?two? ?venomous? ?vipers,? ?they? ?continued? ?to? ?

snap? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?Each? ?collision? ?was? ?followed? ?by? ?a? ?mountain? ?of? ?angry? ?waves.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

looked? ?around? ?and? ?called,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master?? ?General? ?Pei?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?ten? ?feet? ?behind? ?him,? ?“Your? ?highness!? ?We’re? ?here!”? ?

?

“Did? ?you? ?also? ?jump? ?on? ?your? ?imperial? ?sword...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around,? ?and? ?the? ?scene? ?

that? ?unfolded? ?before? ?him? ?rendered? ?him? ?speechless.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?standing? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?

handle? ?of? ?a? ?shovel? ?while? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?said? ?shovel,? ?waving? ?at? ?

him.? ?

?

This? ?wasn’t? ?an? ?imperial? ?sword,? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?imperial...? ?shovel.? ?This? ?sort? ?of? ?imagery? ?was? ?

undoubtedly? ?hard? ?on? ?the? ?eyes!? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?voice? ?sounded,? ?“What? ?about? ?Water? ?Master-xiong?”? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?sword? ?alone? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?sign? ?of? ?the? ?Water? ?

Master,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?also? ?called? ?out,? ?“Ge?? ?Ge?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reassured,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?panic,? ?he’s? ?the? ?Water? ?Master,? ?it’ll? ?be? ?hard? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?

sink.”? ?But? ?when? ?he? ?recalled? ?the? ?power? ?of? ?that? ?whirpool,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?

Lang,? ?hold? ?on? ?tight? ?to? ?my? ?waist,? ?don’t? ?fall.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?put? ?on? ?an? ?obedient? ?act? ?and? ?replied,? ?“? ?En,? ?okay,? ?but? ?gege,? ?there’s? ?something? ?

that? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?tell? ?you.”? ?

?

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

?

“You? ?can’t? ?fly? ?in? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair.? ?It’ll? ?attract? ?things.”? ?

?

Not? ?a? ?second? ?after,? ?a? ?sharp? ?cry? ?pierced? ?through? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?giant? ?white? ?creature? ?broke? ?

through? ?the? ?water? ?surface,? ?heading? ?straight? ?for? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?a? ?master? ?swordsman.? ?The? ?moment? ?when? ?he? ?sensed? ?the? ?killing? ?intent,? ?his? ?

hand? ?reached? ?for? ?his? ?sword,? ?only? ?to? ?realize? ?the? ?said? ?sword? ?was? ?under? ?his? ?feet.? ?Luckily,? ?

his? ?reaction? ?was? ?quick.? ?With? ?a? ?leap,? ?he? ?grabbed? ?his? ?sword? ?in? ?mid-air? ?and? ?sliced? ?the? ?

incoming? ?creature? ?in? ?half.? ?Before? ?gravity? ?could? ?take? ?control,? ?he? ?flipped? ?back? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?

sword? ?with? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?hair? ?out? ?of? ?place.? ?As? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?nothing,? ?he? ?steadily? ?flew? ?up? ?and? ?

asked? ?in? ?total? ?calmness,? ?“What? ?was? ?that? ?thing?”? ?

?

The? ?sliced? ?corpse? ?of? ?the? ?creature? ?was? ?slightly? ?visible? ?from? ?the? ?water? ?surface.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

squinted? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?get? ?a? ?better? ?look,? ?“Fish?”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?definitely? ?a? ?fish,? ?but? ?not? ?an? ?average? ?fish.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?fish? ?bone? ?that? ?was? ?as? ?wide? ?as? ?a? ?

fish? ?tank? ?and? ?many? ?feet? ?in? ?length!? ?

?

This? ?‘fish’? ?had? ?neither? ?flesh? ?nor? ?scales,? ?but? ?only? ?stark? ?white? ?bones? ?that? ?connected? ?to? ?a? ?

sharp? ?teeth? ?filled? ?mouth.? ?Whether? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?poisonous? ?or? ?not,? ?if? ?bitten,? ?it? ?would? ?sure? ?be? ?

painful? ?as? ?hell.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?flew? ?higher? ?and? ?warned,? ?“You? ?all? ?be? ?careful,? ?there’s? ?probably? ?

more? ?than? ?one? ?of? ?them!”? ?

?

As? ?expected,? ?when? ?he? ?mentioned? ?“one”,? ?a? ?second? ?one? ?shot? ?out? ?from? ?below.? ?This? ?time,? ?it? ?

headed? ?straight? ?for? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan!? ?

?

Unfortunately,? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?and? ?his? ?fighting? ?power? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?

strong.? ?The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?now? ?just? ?a? ?god? ?in? ?a? ?mortal’s? ?body.? ?On? ?top? ?of? ?all? ?this,? ?Ming? ?

Yi? ?was? ?rather? ?rusty? ?with? ?his? ?imperial...? ?shovel.? ?Even? ?though? ?the? ?two? ?didn’t? ?get? ?bitten,? ?they? ?

were? ?still? ?knocked? ?off? ?balance? ?and? ?into? ?the? ?sea.? ?As? ?they? ?were? ?falling? ?in? ?mid-air,? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?cried? ?out? ?in? ?despair,? ?“? ?Ming-xiong!? ?I? ?hope? ?you’ll? ?remember? ?to? ?practice? ?using? ?

your? ?treasure? ?more? ?often? ?after? ?today? ?ah–”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?retorted,? ?“Get? ?lost.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?sighed? ?and? ?rushed? ?over? ?to? ?rescue? ?the? ?two.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?went? ?forward? ?

to? ?lend? ?a? ?hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?he? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?handle? ?it? ?alone.? ?“It’s? ?really? ?not? ?

Earth? ?Master’s? ?fault,”? ?he? ?thought? ?to? ?himself,? ?“with? ?a? ?shovel? ?like? ?that? ?as? ?a? ?treasured? ?

weapon,? ?no? ?one? ?with? ?any? ?shame? ?would? ?dare? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?out.”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?bone? ?chilling? ?breeze? ?went? ?through? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gathered? ?his? ?thoughts? ?and? ?

said? ?softly,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?hang? ?on? ?tight.? ?Watch? ?out,? ?there’s? ?something? ?coming? ?our? ?way.”? ?

?

“Okay.”? ?The? ?hands? ?wrapped? ?around? ?his? ?waist? ?tightened.? ?

?

Not? ?long? ?after,? ?four? ?water? ?walls? ?shot? ?up? ?from? ?below? ?and? ?surrounded? ?them.? ?Four? ?giant? ?

bone? ?fish? ?rose? ?from? ?the? ?sea.? ?

?

The? ?four? ?gigantic? ?bone? ?white? ?corpses? ?were? ?more? ?like? ?dragons? ?than? ?fish.? ?The? ?

combination? ?of? ?hills? ?of? ?dorsal? ?fin? ?bones,? ?dangerously? ?sharp? ?horns,? ?long? ?snake-like? ?body,? ?

and? ?protruding? ?four? ?claws? ?circled? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?leaving? ?no? ?room? ?for? ?

escape.? ?As? ?for? ?flying? ?upwards,? ?this? ?was? ?as? ?high? ?as? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?could? ?go.? ?If? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?go? ?

down,? ?they’d? ?come? ?face-to-face? ?with? ?the? ?dead? ?silent? ?ocean.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?in? ?defeat,? ?“Alright...? ?Who’s? ?first?”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?consideration,? ?he? ?clasped? ?his? ?hands? ?together,? ?“Together? ?it? ?is.”? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?bone? ?dragon? ?on? ?the? ?east? ?side? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?howl? ?and? ?rushed? ?forward.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?pointed? ?in? ?its? ?direction.? ?

?

Instantly,? ?the? ?bone? ?dragon? ?froze.? ?For? ?such? ?an? ?enormous? ?monster? ?to? ?be? ?detained? ?by? ?one? ?

sword,? ?one? ?person,? ?and? ?one? ?finger,? ?and? ?not? ?being? ?able? ?to? ?even? ?fly? ?an? ?inch? ?forward,? ?it? ?

angrily? ?thrashed? ?around? ?its? ?tail? ?and? ?claws,? ?creating? ?walls? ?of? ?waves.? ?The? ?other? ?three? ?

lunged? ?forward? ?as? ?well.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?pointing? ?finger? ?into? ?a? ?claw.? ?He? ?grabbed? ?the? ?

bone? ?dragon’s? ?horn? ?and? ?whipped? ?it? ?in? ?a? ?circle? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?weapon.? ?

?

A? ?loud? ?‘whoosh’? ?tore? ?through? ?the? ?sky.? ?The? ?three? ?incoming? ?dragons? ?were? ?instantly? ?

skewered? ?by? ?the? ?one? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?threw? ?out? ?before? ?dropping? ?down? ?to? ?the? ?ocean? ?as? ?scattered? ?

pieces? ?of? ?bones.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dusted? ?off? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath.? ?He? ?turned? ?around? ?

and? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?are? ?you? ?okay?”? ?

?

With? ?crescent? ?eyes,? ?Hua? ?cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Under? ?gege’s? ?protection,? ?how? ?can? ?anything? ?

happen? ?to? ?me?”? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?respond? ?like? ?that? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?feel? ?rather? ?awkward? ?and? ?embarrassed.? ?

Now? ?that? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?dealing? ?with? ?these? ?sort? ?of? ?things? ?was? ?an? ?easy? ?task? ?for? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?how? ?could? ?there? ?be? ?any? ?problems?? ?It? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?question? ?seemed? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?

was? ?intentionally? ?asking? ?for? ?praises.? ?Though,? ?in? ?all? ?honesty,? ?he? ?asked? ?for? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?

asking.? ?Lost? ?in? ?his? ?thoughts,? ?the? ?sword? ?suddenly? ?sank? ?and? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?even? ?

register? ?what? ?had? ?happened,? ?they? ?were? ?already? ?rapidly? ?falling,? ?plunging? ?into? ?the? ?icy? ?cold? ?

water.? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?because? ?they? ?were? ?grabbed? ?by? ?something.? ?It? ?was? ?simply? ?due? ?to? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?

Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?too? ?old? ?—? ?after? ?holding? ?on? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?it? ?needed? ?to? ?rest!? ?

?

The? ?bone? ?chilling? ?seawater? ?gushed? ?in? ?from? ?all? ?directions.? ?After? ?accidentally? ?swallowing? ?

two? ?gulps? ?of? ?water,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?swam? ?upwards.? ?However,? ?the? ?Black? ?

Water? ?Demon’s? ?Lair? ?water? ?was? ?as? ?wicked? ?as? ?they? ?described.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?considered? ?to? ?

be? ?a? ?fairly? ?good? ?swimmer,? ?yet? ?in? ?these? ?waters,? ?his? ?body? ?felt? ?like? ?an? ?iron? ?block.? ?No? ?matter? ?

what? ?he? ?did,? ?it? ?refused? ?to? ?float.? ?He? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?but? ?the? ?water? ?was? ?just? ?as? ?muddy? ?

and? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?locate? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?anywhere.? ?He? ?felt? ?around? ?with? ?his? ?hands.? ?Other? ?

than? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?grab? ?hold? ?of? ?anyone? ?else? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?start? ?to? ?feel? ?the? ?

panic? ?rise? ?from? ?inside? ?of? ?him.? ?However,? ?the? ?more? ?anxious? ?he? ?was,? ?the? ?more? ?sluggish? ?his? ?

movements? ?were,? ?and? ?the? ?faster? ?he? ?sank.? ?Luckily,? ?not? ?long? ?after,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?

had? ?parted? ?the? ?fog,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?ray? ?of? ?light? ?shining? ?down? ?on? ?him.? ?He? ?felt? ?someone? ?

grabbed? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?waist,? ?and? ?quickly? ?lifted? ?him? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?surface.? ?Once? ?out? ?of? ?water,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gasped? ?for? ?breaths? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?wiped? ?the? ?water? ?away? ?from? ?his? ?face,? ?he? ?saw? ?

that? ?his? ?saviour? ?was? ?no? ?other? ?than? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?

?

It’s? ?quite? ?strange? ?as? ?according? ?to? ?the? ?common? ?saying,? ?“the? ?dead? ?sinks”.? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?

who? ?was? ?technically? ?a? ?corpse,? ?should’ve? ?sunken? ?faster? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Yet,? ?he? ?was? ?

floating? ?lightly? ?and? ?effortlessly? ?on? ?the? ?water? ?surface.? ?He? ?bent? ?his? ?head? ?down? ?and? ?looked? ?

at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Are? ?you? ?alright?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?The? ?familiarity? ?of? ?this? ?scene? ?suddenly? ?brought? ?memories? ?of? ?a? ?similar? ?

situation? ?that? ?had? ?happened? ?not? ?so? ?long? ?ago.? ?Instantly,? ?he? ?felt? ?his? ?face? ?heat? ?up.? ?With? ?one? ?

hand? ?wrapped? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?his? ?spare? ?hand? ?to? ?stir? ?and? ?leisurely? ?

glide? ?through? ?the? ?water.? ?“Gege,? ?hold? ?on? ?to? ?me.? ?You’ll? ?sink? ?if? ?you? ?let? ?go.”? ?

?

At? ?a? ?loss? ?for? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blankly? ?nodded? ?several? ?times.? ?Not? ?far? ?from? ?them,? ?there? ?was? ?

a? ?stir? ?of? ?movements? ?in? ?the? ?water,? ?and? ?a? ?row? ?of? ?horn-like? ?bones? ?rose? ?to? ?the? ?surface.? ?Like? ?

a? ?school? ?of? ?sharks,? ?it? ?swam? ?towards? ?them? ?with? ?incredible? ?speed.? ?The? ?four? ?bone? ?dragons? ?

that? ?were? ?badly? ?beaten? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?were? ?back? ?for? ?revenge.? ?

?

They? ?circled? ?the? ?two? ?with? ?the? ?starving? ?gaze? ?of? ?a? ?predator,? ?and? ?finally,? ?after? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?

hold? ?themselves? ?back? ?any? ?longer,? ?they? ?dove? ?in? ?viciously.? ?Grasping? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?tightly? ?in? ?his? ?

hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?waited? ?for? ?the? ?moment? ?to? ?strike.? ?Above? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?clicked? ?his? ?

tongue? ?in? ?annoyance.? ?

?

The? ?bone? ?dragons? ?were? ?almost? ?within? ?an? ?arm’s? ?reach? ?from? ?tearing? ?them? ?apart,? ?but? ?upon? ?

hearing? ?the? ?sound,? ?their? ?killing? ?intent? ?instantly? ?vanished.? ?The? ?teeth-filled? ?mouth? ?that? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?snap? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throat,? ?instead,? ?came? ?forth? ?and? ?nudged? ?at? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?as? ?if? ?giving? ?

it? ?a? ?few? ?pecks.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?confused,? ?“???”? ?

?

While? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?floating? ?there? ?dumbfoundedly,? ?the? ?four? ?creatures? ?scampered? ?away? ?

with? ?tails? ?between? ?their? ?legs.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?

continued? ?swimming,? ?“Gege,? ?now? ?you? ?know.? ?If? ?you’re? ?gonna? ?get? ?any? ?pets? ?in? ?the? ?future,? ?

definitely? ?don’t? ?consider? ?those? ?ones.? ?They’re? ?useless? ?trash.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Pets???? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?meekly,? ?“No,? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?considering? ?anything...”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?bone? ?dragon? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?water? ?surface? ?and? ?shot? ?up? ?straight? ?into? ?the? ?

sky.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?sat? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?creature’s? ?head,? ?his? ?

hands? ?were? ?clasped? ?together? ?to? ?form? ?an? ?aggressive? ?attack? ?hand? ?seal.? ?His? ?face? ?was? ?

tense,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?vigorously? ?fighting? ?against? ?some? ?force.? ?The? ?once? ?peaceful? ?and? ?calm? ?

ocean? ?was? ?now? ?tossing? ?and? ?turning.? ?Not? ?seeing? ?any? ?signs? ?of? ?the? ?Wind? ?God? ?or? ?the? ?

others,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out,? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master!? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master!? ?General? ?Pei!? ?Where? ?

are? ?you?!”? ?

?

He? ?scanned? ?across? ?his? ?surroundings? ?under? ?the? ?dim? ?moonlight.? ?Instead? ?of? ?finding? ?his? ?

comrades,? ?he? ?found? ?himself? ?being? ?swallowed? ?up? ?by? ?a? ?huge? ?shadow.? ?He? ?spun? ?around? ?

and? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened? ?at? ?the? ?sight? ?of? ?a? ?ginormous? ?wave? ?that? ?was? ?as? ?tall? ?as? ?the? ?sky,? ?

falling? ?his? ?way.? ?In? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?fell? ?into? ?a? ?complete? ?darkness.? ?

?

...? ?

?

After? ?being? ?carried? ?by? ?the? ?ebb? ?and? ?flow? ?of? ?the? ?ocean? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?

opened? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?didn’t? ?sit? ?up,? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?from? ?beneath? ?him? ?that? ?he? ?arrived? ?on? ?land.? ?As? ?he? ?

laid? ?there,? ?regaining? ?his? ?strength,? ?he? ?lifted? ?up? ?an? ?arm? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?his? ?hand? ?had? ?become? ?

pruney? ?from? ?the? ?prolonged? ?soak? ?in? ?the? ?water.? ?

?

He? ?felt? ?something? ?under? ?his? ?waist,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?tilted? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look,? ?he? ?

realized? ?that? ?the? ?object? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arm.? ?Judging? ?from? ?the? ?position? ?of? ?the? ?figure? ?

lying? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?it? ?seemed? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?never? ?once? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?him.? ?

?

Though? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?woken? ?up,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?did? ?not.? ?His? ?eyes? ?were? ?still? ?closed? ?shut.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?up,? ?and? ?gently? ?nudged? ?him,? ?“San? ?Lang?? ?San? ?Lang?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nudged? ?him? ?again? ?while? ?scanning? ?their? ?

surroundings.? ?They? ?were? ?on? ?land,? ?but? ?aside? ?from? ?the? ?vast? ?amount? ?of? ?trees? ?that? ?crowded? ?

together? ?to? ?form? ?an? ?endless? ?forest,? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?signs? ?of? ?docks? ?or? ?people? ?at? ?all.? ?Rather? ?

than? ?mainland,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?of? ?an? ?isolated? ?island.? ?Above? ?all,? ?the? ?most? ?surprising? ?thing? ?

was? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?already? ?daylight.? ?They? ?must’ve? ?floated? ?for? ?an? ?entire? ?night!? ?Where? ?would? ?

they? ?have? ?ended? ?up? ?at?? ?

?

After? ?repeated? ?poking,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?still? ?deep? ?asleep? ?and? ?hasn’t? ?moved? ?an? ?inch.? ?

Ghosts? ?wouldn’t? ?drown,? ?at? ?least? ?that’s? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?However,? ?just? ?because? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?couldn’t? ?drown,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?that? ?other? ?things? ?in? ?the? ?ocean,? ?such? ?as? ?the? ?

poisonous? ?bone? ?fish,? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?attacked? ?him.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?patted? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

down,? ?starting? ?from? ?his? ?chest,? ?to? ?his? ?arms,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?his? ?legs? ?to? ?make? ?sure? ?there? ?

weren’t? ?any? ?wounds.? ?Yet,? ?other? ?than? ?discovering? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?a? ?fine? ?body,? ?there? ?were? ?

no? ?other? ?finds.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?at? ?his? ?wit’s? ?end? ?and? ?started? ?to? ?worry,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?don’t? ?joke? ?

around.”? ?

?

No? ?response.? ?

?

In? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?panic,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?actually? ?put? ?his? ?head? ?against? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?chest? ?in? ?

search? ?of? ?a? ?heartbeat.? ?Then,? ?he? ?immediately? ?realized,? ?how? ?could? ?demons? ?have? ?a? ?

heartbeat?? ?However,? ?to? ?his? ?surprise,? ?he? ?actually? ?heard? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned.? ?A? ?

thought? ?quickly? ?came? ?to? ?him.? ? ?

?

Logically,? ?in? ?his? ?true? ?form,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?drown,? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?had? ?

become? ?a? ?seventeen-eighteen? ?year? ?old? ?human,? ?so? ?did? ?the? ?same? ?rule? ?still? ?apply?? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?kind? ?to? ?overlook? ?these? ?sort? ?of? ?flaws,? ?but? ?

there? ?were? ?really? ?no? ?other? ?explanations.? ?No? ?matter? ?what,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?wake? ?him? ?up.? ?

After? ?a? ?long? ?internal? ?debate,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?reached? ?out? ?with? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?placed? ?them? ?

gently? ?around? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face.? ? ?

?

The? ?features? ?on? ?this? ?face? ?was? ?beyond? ?stunning.? ?Cupping? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?like? ?this? ?and? ?

thinking? ?about? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?do? ?next? ?made? ?it? ?extremely? ?difficult? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?

calm? ?his? ?poor? ?heart.? ?Sitting? ?in? ?this? ?tangled? ?position,? ?making? ?sure? ?that? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?

around,? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?again.? ?No? ?signs? ?of? ?waking? ?up.? ?This? ?was? ?it.? ?He? ?prepared? ?

himself? ?and? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth.? ?He? ?managed? ?to? ?squeeze? ?out,? ?in? ?barely? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?

whisper,? ?“? ?...? ?I? ?apologize? ?in? ?advance.”? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?practically? ?shaking? ?when? ?he? ?said? ?it.? ?He? ?clapped? ?his? ?hands? ?together? ?to? ?

make? ?a? ?silent? ?prayer? ?before? ?bending? ?down? ?with? ?closed? ?eyes? ?and? ?pressed? ?his? ?lips? ?against? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s.? ?

?

At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?snapped? ?open? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?MTXT? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?had? ?only? ?wanted? ?to? ?be? ?mischievous? ?and? ?play? ?dead? ?

as? ?a? ?prank? ?at? ?first? ?but? ?who? ?knew...? ?

?

Will? ?everyone? ?please? ?search? ?up? ?the? ?correct? ?way? ?to? ?do? ?CPR;? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?isn’t? ?doing? ?it? ?

right...? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?

Ch.? ?120:? ?Combined? ?Spirit;? ?Coffin? ?Boat? ?Enters? ?the? ?Demon? ?Sea? ? ?

?

However,? ?because? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?extremely? ?nervous? ?and? ?overly? ?self-conscious,? ?his? ?eyes? ?

were? ?still? ?tightly? ?shut,? ?making? ?him? ?completely? ?oblivious? ?to? ?the? ?situation? ?at? ?hand.? ? ?

?

The? ?last? ?time? ?when? ?they? ?exchanged? ?air? ?underwater,? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?had? ?initiated? ?

it.? ?He? ?was? ?domineering? ?and? ?the? ?kiss? ?was? ?deep,? ?and? ?afterwards,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?

recall? ?the? ?event,? ?only? ?remembering? ?that? ?his? ?lips? ?were? ?swollen? ?and? ?numb.? ?Since? ?he? ?was? ?

taking? ?the? ?lead? ?this? ?time? ?around,? ?he? ?was? ?very? ?cautious? ?and? ?only? ?placed? ?his? ?lips? ?softly? ?on? ?

top? ?of? ?the? ?other,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?afraid? ?he’d? ?accidentally? ?wake? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?up? ?by? ?exerting? ?

too? ?much? ?force.? ?But? ?upon? ?reflection,? ?wasn’t? ?his? ?initial? ?goal? ?to? ?wake? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?If? ?his? ?

kiss? ?was? ?too? ?light? ?and? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?to? ?leak? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?slight? ?gap? ?between? ?their? ?lips,? ?then? ?

wouldn’t? ?all? ?this? ?be? ?for? ?naught?? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?kept? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?recited? ?the? ?excerpts? ?from? ?the? ?Ethics? ?

Sutra? ?at? ?lightning? ?speed,? ?he? ?pulled? ?away,? ?gently? ?inhaled,? ?before? ?pressing? ?his? ?lips? ?against? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?once? ?more.? ? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?the? ?kiss? ?was? ?much? ?deeper? ?than? ?the? ?one? ?before.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fully? ?captured? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?thin,? ?cool? ?lips,? ?and? ?gently? ?blew? ?in? ?air.? ?

?

In? ?that? ?process,? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?closed? ?the? ?entire? ?time,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?look,? ?and? ?after? ?having? ?

delivered? ?five? ?to? ?six? ?breaths,? ?he? ?thought? ?maybe? ?he? ?should? ?press? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?chest? ?a? ?

bit,? ?yet? ?who? ?knew? ?that? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?he? ?was? ?staring? ?squarely? ?into? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?own? ?pair? ?of? ?widened? ?eyes.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?were? ?still? ?cupping? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?cheeks,? ?and? ?their? ?lips? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?

parted,? ?the? ?sensation? ?of? ?soft? ?gentle? ?numbness? ?still? ?remained.? ?In? ?an? ?instant,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?

two? ?both? ?turned? ?into? ?stone? ?statues,? ?as? ?if? ?with? ?but? ?a? ?breeze? ?they? ?would? ?shatter.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?of? ?course? ?petrified,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?had? ?always? ?remained? ?carefree? ?in? ?the? ?face? ?

of? ?all? ?was? ?equally? ?stunned.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?just? ?died? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?

head,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?uttered,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?you’re? ?awake.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?leapt? ?back? ?a? ?few? ?feet,? ?“...NONONONNONO!? ?

NONONONONNO!? ?IT’S? ?NOT? ?WHAT? ?YOU? ?THINK!? ?I? ?JUST? ?WANTED? ?TO...”? ?

?

To? ?what?? ?Deliver? ?air??? ?

?

Would? ?ghosts? ?need? ?air?? ?Even? ?he? ?himself? ?wouldn’t? ?believe? ?it? ?if? ?he? ?said? ?it? ?out? ?loud!? ?

?

Words? ?got? ?stuck? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throat? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?pushed? ?himself? ?up,? ?extending? ?

a? ?hand? ?towards? ?him? ?as? ?if? ?forcing? ?himself? ?to? ?calm,? ?“...Your? ?highness,? ?you,? ?just? ?calm? ?down? ?

first.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?head? ?between? ?his? ?hands,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?a? ?mess,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?

end,? ?he? ?put? ?his? ?hands? ?together? ?as? ?if? ?in? ?prayer? ?and? ?bowed? ?madly? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?

“I’MSORRYI’MSORRYI’MSORRYI’MSORRY!!!”? ?

?

Having? ?shouted? ?his? ?apologies,? ?he? ?whipped? ?around? ?and? ?ran,? ?fleeing? ?the? ?scene.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?finally? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?chasing? ?right? ?after? ?him,? ?shouting? ?

from? ?behind,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?ears? ?and? ?screamed? ?his? ?penanance? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“I’M? ?SORRY!!!”? ? ?

?

Die!? ?Just? ?die!? ?If? ?he? ?can’t? ?die? ?then? ?just? ?dig? ?a? ?hole? ?somewhere? ?and? ?pretend? ?he’s? ?dead!? ?

?

He? ?dashed? ?rapidly,? ?and? ?instantly? ?he? ?charged? ?into? ?the? ?thick? ?of? ?the? ?forest.? ?As? ?he? ?ran,? ?

suddenly? ?something? ?that? ?resembled? ?a? ?sharp? ?arrow? ?came? ?flying? ?at? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?may? ?

have? ?been? ?under? ?great? ?shock? ?but? ?still? ?his? ?skills? ?were? ?not? ?lacking,? ?and? ?caught? ?a? ?bone? ?spur? ?

with? ?a? ?sweep? ?of? ?his? ?hand.? ?He? ?came? ?to? ?an? ?abrupt? ?stop? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?attack? ?

came? ?from? ?yet? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?there,? ?only? ?shaking? ?branches.? ?There? ?was? ?danger? ?in? ?the? ?

bushes,? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?calmed? ?down,? ?turning? ?around? ?and? ?running? ?back,? ?“San? ?

Lang!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?already? ?following? ?close? ?behind,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?turn? ?almost? ?made? ?him? ?

run? ?into? ?his? ?embrace.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?dashed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?woods,? ?“Run,? ?

there’s? ?something? ?in? ?the? ?forest!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?who? ?was? ?chasing? ?after? ?him,? ?was? ?now? ?dragged? ?back? ?where? ?they? ?came? ?from.? ?

It? ?was? ?only? ?when? ?they? ?got? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?beach? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?

“We’re? ?not? ?followed,? ?whew.? ?Thank? ?goodness.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?commented,? ?“En.? ?There’s? ?some? ?little? ?things? ?on? ?this? ?island,? ?but? ?don’t? ?

worry,? ?they? ?won’t? ?follow? ?us? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?remembered,? ?how? ?could? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?possibly? ?be? ?afraid? ?of? ?

those? ?things?? ?Then? ?he? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?clutching? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

froze? ?again,? ?hurriedly? ?letting? ?go? ?and? ?jumped? ?aside.? ?

?

With? ?some? ?distance? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?sighed? ?and? ?pulled? ?at? ?the? ?collar? ?of? ?his? ?clothes,? ?“Thank? ?goodness? ?gege? ?

rescued? ?me? ?earlier.? ?A? ?human? ?body? ?really? ?is? ?quite? ?inconvenient,? ?just? ?going? ?into? ?sea? ?I’d? ?

choke? ?on? ?mouthfuls? ?of? ?salty? ?water.? ?Disgusting.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?dumb.? ?He? ?knew? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?giving? ?him? ?an? ?easy? ?out? ?but? ?he? ?

could? ?only? ?follow? ?along? ?and? ?mumbled? ?vaguely? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?bowed,? ?“It’s? ?nothing,? ?don’t? ?

worry? ?about? ?it.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“But,? ?gege? ?didn’t? ?do? ?it? ?correctly.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?asked? ?with? ?trepidation,? ?“Was? ?it? ?not?? ?I...? ?I? ?thought? ?I? ?only? ?

need? ?to? ?blow? ?in? ?some? ?air.”? ?

?

“Yea.? ?That’s? ?incorrect.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Don’t? ?do? ?this? ?to? ?anyone? ?else? ?so? ?casually? ?in? ?

the? ?future,? ?otherwise...”? ?

?

Otherwise? ?not? ?only? ?would? ?he? ?not? ?save? ?a? ?life? ?he? ?might? ?just? ?end? ?it.? ?He? ?spoke? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?

serious? ?tone? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?rather? ?ashamed.? ?Good? ?thing? ?he’d? ?never? ?done? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?

before,? ?otherwise? ?it’d? ?really? ?be? ?committing? ?sins.? ?He? ?hurriedly? ?swore,? ?“I? ?won’t,? ?I? ?won’t.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?nodded,? ?then? ?grinned.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

for? ?some? ?instructions? ?on? ?just? ?how? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?done,? ?but? ?he? ?dared? ?not? ?speak? ?any? ?more? ?

on? ?the? ?matter.? ?He? ?noted? ?this? ?mentally? ?and? ?looked? ?around,? ?“Is? ?this? ?island? ?really? ?a? ?deserted? ?

island? ?without? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?people?”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“This? ?is? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair,? ?the? ?Black? ?

Water? ?Island.”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?very? ?confident.? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?and? ?Ship-Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?

must’ve? ?known? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?have? ?you? ?been? ?here? ?

before?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Never.? ?But? ?I? ?know? ?of? ?this? ?island.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“I? ?wonder? ?where? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?have? ?

drifted? ?to,? ?whether? ?if? ?they’re? ?on? ?the? ?island? ?too.”? ?

?

This? ?place? ?was? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?in? ?the? ?South? ?Sea,? ?their? ?domain.? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?

main? ?domain? ?was? ?the? ?north,? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?

need? ?to? ?speak? ?on? ?what? ?condition? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?in.? ?If? ?anything? ?should? ?happen? ?and? ?

they? ?incur? ?the? ?ire? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan,? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?could? ?fight? ?back? ?

would? ?be? ?the? ?Water? ?Master.? ?Yet? ?who? ?knows? ?when? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?would? ?

hit,? ?so? ?the? ?current? ?situation? ?wasn’t? ?looking? ?very? ?optimistic.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?

does? ?that? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?have? ?a? ?temper?? ?If? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?accidently? ?

intruded? ?in? ?his? ?domain? ?and? ?entered? ?his? ?house,? ?what? ?would? ?he? ?do?”? ? ?

?

“Hard? ?to? ?say,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“But,? ?gege? ?should’ve? ?heard? ?that? ?saying? ?before? ?too.? ?

Crimson? ?rules? ?the? ?land;? ?Black? ?masters? ?the? ?seas.? ?Here? ?at? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair,? ?

even? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?watch? ?my? ?step.”? ?

?

Not? ?just? ?because? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?Black? ?Water’s? ?main? ?domain,? ?but? ?also? ?as? ?one? ?Supreme? ?to? ?

another,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?should? ?leave? ?the? ?other? ?some? ?face? ?so? ?they? ?could? ?still? ?interact? ?in? ?the? ?

future.? ?“Then? ?we? ?best? ?leave? ?here? ?soon.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

They? ?roughly? ?circled? ?around? ?the? ?island? ?but? ?the? ?two? ?never? ?re-entered? ?the? ?forest.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

called? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?but? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?or? ?anyone? ?else? ?respond.? ?“Maybe? ?

they? ?didn’t? ?drift? ?to? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?surmised.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?came? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?beach? ?side.? ?The? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?sea? ?was? ?still? ?heavy? ?with? ?

gloom.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?log? ?from? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?threw? ?it? ?far? ?out? ?into? ?the? ?distance.? ?A? ?

log? ?such? ?as? ?that? ?one? ?should? ?technically? ?float? ?on? ?water,? ?yet? ?upon? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?sea? ?

meters? ?away,? ?it? ?instantly? ?sank.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?at? ?that? ?thick? ?forest? ?and? ?said,? ?“It? ?

looks? ?like? ?it’d? ?be? ?useless? ?to? ?build? ?a? ?canoe.? ?The? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?won’t? ?work? ?

here? ?either,? ?how? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?we? ?should? ?leave? ?this? ?island?”? ?

?

“Who? ?says? ?it’s? ?useless?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“But,? ?only? ?coffin? ?wood? ?that’s? ?housed? ?a? ?deceased? ?can? ?float? ?in? ?this? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?

Lair...”? ?Before? ?he? ?finished? ?he? ?immediately? ?remembered.? ?Coffin? ?wood.? ?There? ?were? ?trees? ?

here? ?everywhere;? ?a? ?deceased?? ?There’s? ?one? ?right? ?before? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

Sure? ?enough? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Won’t? ?it? ?be? ?fine? ?once? ?I? ?lie? ?inside?”? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?was? ?smiling,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?squeezed? ?for? ?some? ?reason.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?flattened? ?his? ?palm,? ?and? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E’ming? ?appeared? ?within? ?that? ?palm.? ?Since? ?

they? ?said? ?they’d? ?do? ?it? ?they? ?went? ?straight? ?to? ?work,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?started? ?collecting? ?materials.? ?

Since? ?they? ?didn’t? ?go? ?deep? ?into? ?the? ?forest,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?run? ?into? ?any? ?ambushing? ?creatures,? ?

and? ?soon? ?enough? ?they? ?managed? ?to? ?chop? ?down? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?trees.? ?A? ?whole? ?day? ?of? ?labour? ?

went? ?past? ?in? ?a? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye,? ?and? ?the? ?sky? ?was? ?growing? ?dim.? ?The? ?two? ?divided? ?the? ?work? ?

and? ?fought? ?each? ?other? ?to? ?take? ?up? ?tasks,? ?so? ?their? ?efficiency? ?was? ?amazingly? ?high.? ?By? ?

evening,? ?the? ?coffin? ?was? ?pretty? ?much? ?built.? ?

?

Throughout? ?the? ?entire? ?journey? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?only? ?eaten? ?half? ?a? ?steamed? ?bun? ?and? ?was? ?

already? ?bitterly? ?starved,? ?but? ?the? ?sooner? ?the? ?coffin? ?was? ?made? ?the? ?sooner? ?they? ?could? ?leave,? ?

so? ?once? ?the? ?coffin? ?was? ?formed? ?did? ?he? ?find? ?an? ?excuse? ?to? ?go? ?catch? ?some? ?fish.? ?Yet? ?within? ?

the? ?waters? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair,? ?how? ?could? ?there? ?be? ?fish?? ?Returning? ?empty? ?

handed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?forest? ?and? ?picked? ?a? ?few? ?wild? ?fruits? ?

from? ?non-dangerous? ?areas.? ?Who? ?knew? ?that? ?when? ?he? ?returned,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?already? ?

started? ?a? ?small? ?campfire;? ?he? ?sat? ?by? ?the? ?fire,? ?one? ?hand? ?supporting? ?his? ?cheek? ?while? ?the? ?

other? ?held? ?a? ?branch,? ?a? ?wild? ?hare? ?forked? ?upon? ?it? ?being? ?roasted.? ?

?

That? ?wild? ?hare? ?was? ?already? ?cleaned? ?up,? ?its? ?skin? ?roasted? ?such? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?dripping? ?with? ?

juice,? ?crisp? ?and? ?golden,? ?the? ?smell? ?of? ?meat? ?fragrant,? ?exceedingly? ?alluring.? ?Once? ?he? ?saw? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?come? ?back,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?and? ?moved? ?his? ?hand,? ?passing? ?the? ?branch? ?

over.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?it? ?and? ?exchanged? ?the? ?wild? ?fruits? ?for? ?it,? ?“These? ?are? ?all? ?edible.”? ? ?

?

Both? ?were? ?still? ?wet? ?and? ?dripping,? ?and? ?other? ?than? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?soaked? ?in? ?the? ?seawater,? ?

their? ?clothes? ?were? ?also? ?damp? ?from? ?sweat.? ?However,? ?they? ?both? ?had? ?a? ?tacit? ?understanding? ?

and? ?didn’t? ?mention? ?anything? ?about? ?stripping? ?out? ?of? ?their? ?clothes? ?to? ?dry? ?them.? ?The? ?meat? ?of? ?

that? ?wild? ?hare? ?was? ?crispy? ?on? ?the? ?outside? ?but? ?tender? ?on? ?the? ?inside,? ?and? ?having? ?bitten? ?in? ?

lightly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?teeth? ?feeling? ?the? ?burn? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?stop? ?biting? ?into? ?

the? ?meat,? ?its? ?deliciousness? ?staying? ?on? ?his? ?lips.? ?Still? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?divided? ?the? ?portion? ?into? ?half,? ?

giving? ?the? ?other? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?before? ?sighing? ?in? ?awe,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?has? ?such? ?amazing? ?

skills.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Really?? ?Then,? ?thanks,? ?gege,? ?for? ?the? ?compliment.”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?true.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Whether? ?it? ?be? ?carpentry? ?or? ?cooking,? ?I’ve? ?never? ?met? ?anyone? ?

better? ?than? ?you.? ?That? ?noble,? ?gracious,? ?special? ?someone? ?really? ?lucked? ?out.”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?said? ?this,? ?he? ?acted? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?very? ?focused? ?on? ?eating? ?his? ?hare,? ?but? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?silent.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?later? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?soft? ?voice? ?came,? ?

“That? ?I? ?could? ?meet? ?that? ?person,? ?it’s? ?me? ?who? ?lucked? ?out.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say? ?and? ?seemed? ?to? ?focus? ?even? ?harder? ?on? ?eating.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?

while? ?later? ?before? ?he? ?realized? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?calling? ?him,? ?“Gege,? ?gege.”? ? ?

?

Dazed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Huh?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?passed? ?him? ?a? ?handkerchief? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realize? ?that? ?he? ?

was? ?chomping? ?too? ?hard? ?and? ?half? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?covered? ?with? ?grease,? ?exceedingly? ?silly.? ?

Instantly? ?he? ?felt? ?embarrassed,? ?and? ?he? ?reached? ?for? ?the? ?handkerchief? ?to? ?wipe? ?himself? ?

clean.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?passed? ?him? ?the? ?other? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?roasted? ?hare? ?too,? ?“Gege? ?must? ?be? ?

starving,? ?don’t? ?rush? ?yourself.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?roasted? ?hare? ?and? ?was? ?slightly? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?

still? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?and? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?just? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?person? ?is? ?that? ?special? ?

someone?? ?How? ?come? ?you? ?haven’t? ?won? ?them? ?over? ?yet?”? ? ?

?

He? ?genuinely? ?believed? ?that? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wanted? ?anyone,? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?one? ?on? ?this? ?

earth? ?who? ?could? ?fight? ?his? ?advances.? ?Yet? ?that? ?day? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?said? ?that? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?

won? ?that? ?person? ?over? ?yet,? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?rather? ?grim,? ?an? ?odd? ?feeling? ?

towards? ?this? ?person? ?that? ?ghost? ?king? ?fancied? ?grew.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?felt? ?the? ?

other? ?party? ?didn’t? ?have? ?good? ?taste? ?or? ?maybe? ?they? ?were? ?taking? ?it? ?all? ?for? ?granted.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?alright? ?if? ?gege? ?finds? ?it? ?funny.? ?Truth? ?is,? ?I’m? ?afraid.”? ? ?

?

Whether? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?from? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?injustice? ?or? ?fear? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?depreciating? ?

himself,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?in? ?a? ?serious? ?tone,? ?“What’s? ?there? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?of?? ?You’re? ?a? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King,? ?the? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“What? ?shitty? ?ghost? ?king?? ?If? ?I? ?was? ?really? ?that? ?awesome,? ?I? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?so? ?powerless? ?when? ?people? ?hung? ?me? ?up? ?to? ?beat? ?me? ?hundreds? ?of? ?

years? ?ago,? ?hahahaha...”? ?

?

“Well? ?you? ?can’t? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?that,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Everyone? ?has? ?to? ?go? ?through? ?it? ?to? ?grow? ?

up....”? ?But? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?it,? ?he? ?recalled? ?that? ?when? ?he? ?first? ?ascended,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?

have? ?ever? ?experienced? ?humiliation? ?of? ?that? ?sort,? ?and? ?he? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?lightly.? ? ?

?

“That? ?person? ?saw? ?me? ?at? ?my? ?worst.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“Then? ?I’m? ?very? ?envious? ?of? ?that.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?say? ?so,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gazed? ?over.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?eating? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?

“But,? ?I? ?can? ?sort? ?of? ?understand...? ?your? ?feelings.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause? ?he? ?continued,? ?“There? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?period? ?of? ?time? ?in? ?my? ?life? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?easy,? ?

and? ?during? ?that? ?time,? ?I’d? ?constantly? ?think? ?if? ?someone? ?should? ?witness? ?the? ?me? ?who? ?rolled? ?in? ?

dirt? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?up? ?but? ?could? ?still? ?love? ?me? ?for? ?who? ?I? ?was,? ?it’d? ?be? ?great.? ?Still,? ?I? ?don’t? ?

know? ?if? ?there’s? ?anyone? ?like? ?that,? ?and? ?I? ?daren’t? ?show? ?that? ?part? ?of? ?my? ?past? ?to? ?anyone? ?

either.”? ? ?

?

“But,? ?if? ?it’s? ?someone? ?San? ?Lang? ?yearns? ?for,? ?I? ?think,? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?saw? ?you? ?at? ?your? ?worst,? ?

they? ?wouldn’t? ?say? ?something? ?like? ?“ah,? ?you’re? ?not? ?so? ?great? ?after? ?all”.”? ? ?

?

His? ?face? ?grew? ?solemn,? ?“To? ?me,? ?the? ?one? ?basking? ?in? ?infinite? ?glory? ?is? ?you;? ?the? ?one? ?fallen? ?

from? ?grace? ?is? ?also? ?you.? ?What? ?matters? ?is? ?‘you’? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?you.”? ?

?

“I...? ?admire? ?San? ?Lang? ?very? ?much,? ?so,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?understand? ?your? ?everything.? ?So,? ?I’m? ?very? ?

envious,? ?that? ?someone? ?had? ?already? ?met? ?that? ?kind? ?of? ?you.? ?It’s? ?an? ?affinity? ?that? ?only? ?comes? ?

by? ?chance? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?begged? ?for,? ?and? ?whether? ?if? ?that? ?bond? ?should? ?continue,? ?it’s? ?

three? ?part? ?fate,? ?and? ?seven? ?part? ?courage!”? ?

?

That? ?camp? ?fire? ?was? ?crackling? ?soundly,? ?and? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?the? ?two? ?remained? ?silent.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?softly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?and? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Have? ?I? ?said? ?too? ?much?? ?How? ?

embarrassing.”? ? ?

?

“No,? ?what? ?you? ?said? ?was? ?good.? ?Very? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?quickly? ?returned? ?to? ?munching? ?on? ?his? ?wild? ?hare.? ?Hua? ?

cheng? ?added,? ?“Not? ?just? ?that,? ?but? ?there’s? ?also? ?many? ?other? ?reasons.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?he? ?spoke? ?too? ?much? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?end? ?the? ?subject? ?immediately.? ?Besides,? ?he? ?

just? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?why? ?he? ?would? ?say? ?so? ?much? ?just? ?now,? ?and? ?why? ?encourage? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?to? ?bravely? ?pursue? ?his? ?beloved?? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?heavenly? ?official? ?in? ?

charge? ?of? ?marriage,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?mumble? ?a? ?reply,? ?“En...”? ? ?

?

After? ?that? ?speech,? ?the? ?air? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?seemed? ?rather? ?delicate,? ?and? ?they? ?quickly? ?

finished? ?eating? ?to? ?continue? ?their? ?labour.? ?Soon,? ?that? ?coffin? ?was? ?officially? ?made.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?pushed? ?the? ?newly? ?constructed? ?coffin? ?into? ?the? ?water,? ?and? ?then? ?he? ?hopped? ?in? ?

lightly,? ?sitting? ?inside.? ?A? ?chunk? ?of? ?wood? ?that? ?long? ?and? ?heavy? ?really? ?floated? ?on? ?the? ?water? ?

and? ?didn’t? ?sink.? ?That? ?coffin? ?wasn’t? ?made? ?wide? ?in? ?width,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?his? ?

robes? ?to? ?cross? ?in,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?enough? ?space? ?to? ?sit.? ?Just? ?then,? ?muffled? ?

roars? ?of? ?thunder? ?rang? ?in? ?the? ?skies? ?and? ?gloomy? ?clouds? ?rolled.? ?Violet? ?flashes? ?of? ?lightning? ?

streaked? ?faintly,? ?sounds? ?of? ?explosions? ?erupting? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?ears? ?unexpectedly? ?here? ?and? ?

there.? ?Thin? ?threads? ?of? ?rain? ?came? ?falling? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?skies? ?and? ?soon? ?they? ?came? ?thicker? ?

and? ?thicker.? ?It? ?seemed? ?a? ?storm? ?was? ?approaching.? ?

?

Fortunately? ?the? ?two? ?didn’t? ?slack? ?off? ?while? ?labouring,? ?even? ?building? ?a? ?cover? ?for? ?the? ?coffin,? ?

otherwise? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?it’d? ?be? ?filled? ?with? ?rain? ?water? ?once? ?it’s? ?pushed? ?into? ?

sea? ?and? ?sink? ?into? ?the? ?depths.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Sorry.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?more? ?either? ?and? ?laid? ?down? ?inside? ?the? ?coffin.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

entered? ?too? ?and? ?pulled? ?the? ?cover? ?close.? ?As? ?if? ?light? ?was? ?blown? ?out,? ?they? ?were? ?sunk? ?into? ?

darkness.? ?

?

The? ?coffin? ?entered? ?the? ?sea? ?and? ?floated? ?errantly? ?for? ?a? ?while.? ?Outside,? ?pouring? ?rain? ?was? ?

beating? ?on? ?the? ?cover;? ?within,? ?the? ?two? ?spoke? ?not? ?a? ?word.? ?Being? ?squished? ?in? ?a? ?narrow? ?

space,? ?their? ?bodies? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?pressed? ?hard? ?against? ?one? ?another,? ?allowing? ?the? ?

waves? ?to? ?push? ?and? ?pull,? ?flip? ?and? ?flop.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?one? ?hand? ?to? ?push? ?against? ?the? ?edge? ?

of? ?the? ?coffin? ?to? ?steady? ?himself,? ?hoping? ?to? ?make? ?more? ?room,? ?his? ?head? ?lightly? ?knocking? ?

against? ?the? ?wood.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?then? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?rested? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?

pressed? ?him? ?to? ?his? ?chest,? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?shielding? ?his? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?even? ?dare? ?to? ?

breathe? ?harshly,? ?“San? ?Lang...? ?how? ?about,? ?we? ?change? ?around?”? ? ?

?

“Change? ?what?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

“...You? ?on? ?top? ?and? ?me? ?on? ?the? ?bottom.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?top? ?and? ?bottom? ?the? ?same?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?he? ?was? ?too? ?heavy? ?and? ?said,? ?“This? ?journey? ?of? ?ours? ?would? ?take? ?at? ?least? ?

a? ?day.? ?Your? ?body? ?right? ?now? ?is? ?only? ?seventeen? ?or? ?eighteen,? ?right?? ?I’m? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?after? ?

all,? ?very? ?heavy...”? ?Before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?words,? ?he? ?added,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?don’t...? ?don’t? ?just? ?

suddenly? ?turn? ?big!”? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?see? ?in? ?the? ?dark,? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pressed? ?close? ?

against? ?him? ?transforming,? ?and? ?while? ?that? ?change? ?was? ?minute,? ?he? ?still? ?sensed? ?it,? ?and? ?

assumed? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?probably? ?transformed? ?back? ?to? ?his? ?true? ?form.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?

when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?again,? ?his? ?laugh? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?deeper? ?voice,? ?veritably? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?

his? ?true? ?form.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laid? ?on? ?his? ?chest,? ?helpless,? ?but? ?after? ?the? ?change,? ?that? ?unknown? ?

awkwardness? ?did? ?lighten? ?a? ?bit.? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?leg? ?slightly,? ?hoping? ?to? ?shift? ?his? ?body? ?and? ?

change? ?position,? ?but? ?suddenly? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?stopped? ?laughing? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?dark? ?voice,? ?

“Don’t? ?move.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?froze.? ?Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?sound,? ?and? ?the? ?coffin? ?the? ?two? ?were? ?riding? ?in? ?

violently? ?sank.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?!”? ? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?roaring? ?sound,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?forcibly? ?flipped? ?around? ?inside? ?

the? ?coffin.? ?It? ?seemed? ?the? ?entire? ?coffin? ?canoe? ?itself? ?had? ?rolled? ?around.? ?Thank? ?goodness? ?

there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?leaks,? ?but? ?that? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?guaranteed? ?should? ?there? ?be? ?multiple? ?rounds.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?pressed? ?down? ?on? ?him,? ?“Something’s? ?got? ?its? ?eye? ?on? ?this? ?coffin? ?canoe.”? ? ?

?

—? ?